Helping You Understand and Improve Your Finances

• What Do Financial Advisors Actually Do?

  Fundamentals | 08.15

  This article first appeared on Forbes.com What do I do for clients? I’ve run into this question a lot lately, and I understand why it comes up. The term “financial advisor” can mean lots of different things—different…

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• So What Do You Do?

  Fundamentals | 08.08

  This weekend on Forbes.com, I’m adding to my series on what financial advisors actually do.  So this week I’m reposting one of my favorites on this topic. Next week, I’ll…

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• BTF is 2!

  LGBTQ Finance | 08.01

  It’s hard for me to believe, but my firm, Brian Thompson Financial, turned two this week! Year two was filled with excitement and some much-appreciated industry recognition for me and…

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• How to Save for Retirement in Your Small Businesses

  Investing | 07.25

  When you start your own business, no one else can tell you how to do what you do, and that’s a great feeling. But on the other hand, no one…

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• 7 Tasks to Start Your Business Right

  Fundamentals | 07.18

  Have you ever dreamed of owning your own business? It’s a fantastic adventure, full of extreme highs and lows. But for me, it’s worth the emotional rollercoaster.  How else can…

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• What Makes You Most Proud?

  LGBTQ Finance | 06.27

  All this month, we’ve celebrated Pride. As the month comes to an end, I want you all to take stock of what you’ve accomplished already and let this good feeling…

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• The LGBTQ Wage and Income Gap

  LGBTQ Finance | 06.20

  Everybody knows the LGBTQ community — and especially gay men — are affluent, right?  They all live in them most expensive cities, dress nicely and go on fabulous vacations. Well,…

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• Planning for LGBTQ Couples: Distinct Financial Challenges Persist

  LGBTQ Finance | 06.13

  Three years ago, Obergefell vs. Hodges upended financial planning for LGBTQ couples, legalizing same sex marriage throughout the United States for the first time ever.  It was a momentous change,…

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• The Importance of Pride Month and How it All Got Started

  LGBTQ Finance | 06.06

  Happy Pride! June is LGBT Pride Month across the country. I love this time of year — the Pride parties, parades and the overall good energy as people celebrate the…

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• Six Practical Tips for Your Wedding

  LGBTQ Finance | 05.30

  Last week, we talked about one of the most contentious issues surrounding marriage: whether to use a prenup. Now let’s talk about happier subjects — planning the wedding itself —…

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• To Prenup or Not to Prenup

  LGBTQ Finance | 05.23

  Wedding season is approaching, and I can’t wait for several unions to take place in the next few months. If you’re getting married, you’ve got a lot on your mind…

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• How To Get Control Of Your Spending Without Tracking Every Penny

  Fundamentals | 05.16

  This post first appeared on Forbes.com You know you shouldn’t spend more than you make. You may feel intuitively that you’re wasting a lot of money on inessentials. Yet the…

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• Making the Most Out of Your Summer Spending

  Fundamentals | 05.09

  Ah, warm weather!  You see short sleeves everywhere.  Restaurants are putting out patio furniture and opening windows. Crowds of people are out enjoying the sights, especially here in Chicago. Summer…

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