Great reasons for cultivating the volunteer in you

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First off, you don’t have to wait until you have a lot of time to begin volunteering. The spirit of volunteerism is something you can develop in increments, as part of your everyday endeavors. You likewise don’t need to be a full-fledged earning citizen to begin helping others.


Volunteering is great for your social life, as it establishes real and strong relationships. This is especially helpful in today’s digital world where most people are more physically isolated, settling for online connections with others. Mingling with co-volunteers and seeing in-person the plight of people who need our help further a giving culture and forge lasting relationships and bonds with our family, friends, and new acquaintances.


Studies show that volunteering leads to healthier lives, maybe even more than exercising and eating right. After all, the entailed physical activity is great for the body and even our mental well-being, giving us a clear sense of what’s meaningful to us and what’s most affective in the lives of others. Studies likewise prove that many older volunteers who continue to become people for others after retirement live longer.

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Though not necessarily the main reason for volunteering, doing so nonetheless significantly aids in forwarding careers. Meeting like-minded people creates opportunities to leverage volunteering for our personal benefit. Many volunteers who begin early end up having careers connected to charitable institutions and non-profits. The more you get immersed in volunteerism, you help bolster the volunteer workforce, and, in effect, improve societies worldwide.


Hi, there. The name’s Douglas A. Grady and I’m a financial advisor based in California. Outside of work, I’m a big advocate of saving money, wise spending, and supporting charities. For more on my work and advocacies, check out this website.

More fun and amazing fundraising event ideas

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For many business owners, one of the most fun and fulfilling events are those connected to philanthropy. Almost everyone we know, from owners to employees, look forward to fundraising events for a worthy cause. While the organization of such events may take a bit of time and effort, and sometimes, funds, at the end of the day, it’s all worth it.


Here are a few more fundraising ideas that are sure to make an impact on worthy causes.

Theme park parties

This doesn’t have to be in big parks. Your local mini-golf or go-kart track will do. These parties are usually for children who need a break from the troubles of life. It’s also a way for prospective donors to see just who they’re helping with their donations.


Mini-Zoo

Organizing a mini-zoo can help raise awareness for local animal shelters, and maybe even help stray cats and dogs find potential owners. This is also a great activity for families.


Beach clean-ups

It’s a good thing that the frequency of beach clean-ups has increased. Not only does this type of event raise environmental awareness of everyone involved, it also serves as a great venue for a beach party later on, when the place is spick and span. Just be sure to dispose of trash properly after.


Superhero hospital visits

Cosplayers jump at the opportunity to help out their community very much like the superheroes they dress up as. Because of this, superhero hospital visits have become such a hit, especially in the children’s wards of hospitals.


I’m Douglas A. Grady, and I’ve been a financial advisor for more than 15 years. I’ve been in the industry for more than 15 years and the first advice I give to my clients is to start saving more money. I hold office in Pasadena, California, and my job places emphasis on personal finances. For more on my work, follow me on Twitter.

Simple things you can do at home that will save you a ton on your bills

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The bills, such as rent, mortgage, electricity, and water take up a huge percentage of the average person’s income.  Be that as it may, a lot of people are still unaware that they can cut down on the costs dramatically by simply tweaking a few practices at home. 

Here are a few simple things you can do at home that will save you a ton on your bills.

1.       Unplug your devices at night and only leave the ones that need to be plugged alone.  Even with gadgets turned off, they still consume electricity if remain plugged.  You can save $8 to $10 depending on how many gadgets you keep plugged at night.

2.       You can find low-flow faucets in hardware stores, and we suggest you buy them and replace the ones you have now.  These faucets are efficient and will help you take 50 percent off your water bill.

3.      If you leave in a rather hot and humid region of the country, an insulated water tank is a good idea.  It keeps the water warm longer so you may avoid using the heater as much.  Heaters are energy guzzlers.

4.      Let go of the TV and magazine subscriptions you don’t need, especially if you’re a heavy internet user.  Most of the stuff you’re looking for is only a Google search away.

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Can you think of more ways to save money at home?  Sound off at the comments section below.

I’m Douglas A. Grady, and I’ve been a financial advisor for more than 15 years. I hold office in Pasadena, California, and my job places emphasis on personal finances. For more financial tips, follow me on Twitter.

Common household budget mistakes

Balancing your monthly budget can prove difficult, especially if you’re juggling a lot of payments at different times of the month. You have to worry about mortgage payments, car loans, credit card payments, utilities, gas, and groceries. And sometimes when you feel like you’re making progress, you find out that you’ve overspent. Here are some common household budgeting mistakes that you need to prevent making so you can save more money.

Spending more than what you make This is basic math but some people can’t seem to figure this out. Do not spend more than what you make collectively in your household. Break down every item that you pay for throughout the month and see if you are spending too much. If this is primarily your problem, you can either find more work or a new source of additional income, or refinance your home if your mortgage is too expensive.

Making late payments If you fall behind on your payments, you’re more likely to get slapped with a fine. These things add up with time and with the number of bills you pay late. Get caught up with your bills one at a time to reduce paying for unwanted late fees.

Using loans to pay for bills If you use your credit card to pay off your other loans, it’s only going to make things worse. Sure, it’s more convenient at times, but interest rates could leave you spending thousands more each year.

I’m Douglas A. Grady, and I’ve been a financial advisor for more than 15 years. I’ve been in the industry for more than 15 years and the first advice I give to my clients is to start saving more money. I hold office in Pasadena, California, and my job places emphasis on personal finances. For more on my work, visit this Twitter account.

How To Save As a Family: Tips And Tricks To Get Started

It takes a lot of commitment and discipline to save a few bucks every month.  But the good thing is that it can be done as a family to great reap rewards together in the future.  Here are some surefire ways to save up together as one family.

Cut down on utility expenses

Unplug gadgets and electronics at night, and install low-flow water faucets.  Those light bulbs can also be replaced with compact fluorescent or LED lights to achieve big savings on one’s electric bill.  The family can also save on heating costs by sealing windows and doorways, with one-third of a home’s total heat often lost through drafty windows and doors that needed to be sealed up and properly insulated.

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Make your own personal care and cleaning products

Create a moisturizer by mixing coconut oil, vitamin E oil, as well as lavender oil.  Produce a dry shampoo from cornstarch and essential oil.  These not only maximize ingredients that are already likely found at home but also get one started on the natural, organic skin care journey.  And what’s not to love about baking soda?  Use it for cleaning and replacing expensive chemical-based cleaners.

Cut your cable subscription

This one might be a difficult adjustment especially for kids, but it will allow everyone to save up while spending less time in front of the TV.

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Stop hoarding, start selling

Get rid of so many stuff inside the household.  Put them up for sale on sites like Craigslist or by holding a garage sale.  To avoid this situation altogether, don’t collect items that have questionable value. Instead, use those funds for worthy and long-term financial goals.

Douglas A. Grady is a Pasadena, California-based financial advisor. He specializes in personal finances, providing advice on investments, mortgage, insurance, college savings, estate planning, taxes, and retirement to assist people in need of financial management. For similar reads, click here.

Why You Need a Financial Advisor

Working on your finances is like going to the gym for a workout. Think about your health as your personal finance. You go to the gym with several options of workouts, gym equipment, and classes you can attend. You can do your own research or follow another person’s routine but the results won’t be the same. This is why people get personal trainers to help guide them toward their fitness goals. This is the same reason why people hire financial advisors.

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Financial advisors help you achieve your goals by tracking your progress, making informed suggestions, and motivating you further. Think of them as personal trainers for your finances.

How often do you keep track of your finances? Not everyone makes quarterly reports on their finances and can project net savings by the end of the year. One of the reasons why people need financial advisors is to have someone keep track of their finances and inform them if they are veering off-course in terms of cash flow, savings, and other expenses.

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Financial advisors let you know of any upcoming expenditures or financial events that need your attention like tax season. Having someone monitor your cash flow can put your mind at ease and give you and your family financial stability.

Hi! My name is Douglas A. Grady. . I’m a Pasadena, CA-based financial advisor specializing in personal finance. I offer clients advice for their college savings, investments, mortgages, insurance, estate planning, taxes, and retirement, to assist in managing their wealth. For more information on financial advisors, visit this website.

Important advice when choosing a financial planner

If you feel overwhelmed by expenses, debts, or simply the pressure of on-time payment of your monthly bills, it’s probably time to hire a financial advisor or planner. Having one will get you back on track toward financial security. Let’s look at some considerations before you choose one. 

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Firstly, do a background check on the potential advisor. It’s best to research first on the track record of the financial planner, both from past and current clients that match your own financial goals. Don’t settle for anyone with the dubious record of having been put under investigation in the past. Alongside this, ensure that the planner’s credentials are current. Go online and check the company’s administration and employed representatives. 

Secondly, take a closer look at the pay structure being offered. You typically want to avoid commission-based advisors who might be just working for the cut of the revenue for, say, a mutual fund or a life insurance package. In short, make sure that they have your best interest—literally and figuratively—in mind. 

Consider getting a planner who charges by the hour if you’re just starting out and doesn’t have many assets. Even though these planners are still building their own portfolio, they are also building their names; they would go to great lengths to ensure that they get your finances in order. After all, they’d need your recommendation for their own growth. 

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Hello, I’m Douglas A. Grady, a financial advisor based in California. I believe that the way individuals handle their finances tells a lot about their personality and future. More insights on wise spending here.