Digital Design Blog

We’re confident about the future. We’re savvy, capable and in control. We buy what we need, not what others want to sell. It’s us and us, not us and them. We’re grabbing the reins of our financial lives—and all the signs are there:
We understand what we have and why we have it.
We have the information we need, our finances are simple, everything is in one place, we see the big picture—and we understand how the pieces fit together. We have our arms around this sprawling thing we call a financial life.
We’re taking care of tomorrow and we’re financially content today.
Personal finance often comes across as a dreary march toward some distant goal, where we’re constantly berated for how little we’ve saved. Yes, we salt away money for retirement and the kids’ college. But we also enjoy today, without worrying that we’re sacrificing our financial future.
We know our families will be okay if something happens to us.
This is why we have a will, life insurance and the right beneficiaries on our retirement accounts. It’s also why we have our paperwork well organized. Most important, it’s why we talk to our loved ones about the household finances.
We’re getting savvy advice, not relentless sales pitches.
The answer to every financial question isn’t a financial product. Sometimes, we want advice on how to talk to our elderly parents about money. Sometimes, we need help with budgeting. Sometimes, we just want to talk to people we trust—and get some reassurance we’re headed in the right direction.
We won’t get knocked off course by healthcare costs.
Falling ill or getting injured can be financially devastating. Problem is, health, disability and long-term care insurance are also mighty expensive. We know what coverage is a necessity—and where we can trim our insurance costs.
We have our debts under control.
Without borrowed money, many of us could never have graduated college, bought our first car or purchased our first home. But too much debt can also derail our finances—and we’re sure we haven’t crossed that line.
We could survive six months without a paycheck.
Perhaps we’ll get laid off, or we can’t work because of illness, or we need to take care of a family member. Whatever the reason, we have the confidence that, for a while, we can get by without a paycheck.
We can sit quietly amid the market’s turmoil.
To ride out a major market decline without making panicky decisions, we build broadly diversified portfolios, understand that the turmoil will eventually pass—and patiently look to the long term.
We’re devoting our money to the things that matter most to us.
We have time for friends. We pursue our passions. We can provide for family, helping our children through college and assisting our parents as they age.
Money is enhancing our lives, rather than getting in the way.
Money isn’t an end in itself. It isn’t something we want to spend countless hours fretting over. Rather, it’s meant to enhance our lives. When the bills and the account statements arrive, we can open those envelopes—and breathe.