Brian Thompson, Author at Brian Thompson Financial

Planning for LGBTQ Couples: Distinct Financial Challenges Persist

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,…

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…

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 —…

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…

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…

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…

Two Low-Cost Ways to Diversify Your Investments: Index Funds and ETFs

Investing | 05.02

Last week, we talked about why you might want to diversify your investments. This week we’ll take a closer look at how you can do that with two of my…

Why Diversification Matters

Investing | 04.25

Remember 2008? That fall, I listened to podcast after podcast trying to make sense of the market crash, the bank bailouts and the emerging stimulus package. The uncertainty was unnerving.…

Five Things to Do Right After You File Your Tax Return

Tax | 04.18

Congratulations, you just filed your taxes! Enjoy that feeling of relief for a minute. Savor the idea that you don’t have to run around collecting documents, checking numbers and worrying…

Last-Minute Tips for Tuesday’s Deadline

Tax | 04.11

This tax season has flown by. For those of you still needing to file, you have until midnight next Tuesday April 17th, 2018. As always, I want to offer some…

8 Tax Tips My Clients Taught Me

Tax | 04.04

Originally appeared on Forbes.com Most of the time, I’m the one who teaches people about the ins and outs of tax filing. After all, I started out as a tax attorney —…

Compensation Beyond the Paycheck: Stock Appreciation Rights

Investing | 03.28

We’ve come to the last post in my series on compensation beyond your paycheck. In the past few weeks, I’ve explored different forms of equity compensation including restricted stock units…

Compensation Beyond the Paycheck: Employee Stock Purchase Plans

Investing | 03.21

Welcome back to my series on equity compensation. All month we’ve been talking about some of the ways your company may pay you outside of your normal paycheck. So far…

Author: Brian Thompson