--- title: Mark Zaifman|Money Matters Blog | relationship with money (2) description: relationship with money | Articles on Investing, Retirement Planning, Cash Flow Planning and Tax Planning (2) --- [![Spiritus Financial Logo](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Spiritusfinancial-2016/Image/Spiritus_Financial_logo.png?width=238&name=Spiritus_Financial_logo.png "Spiritus Financial Logo")](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/) [707-534-9478](tel:707-534-9478) ![spiritus-financial-water-ripples-banner.png](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Spiritusfinancial-2016/Image/spiritus-financial-water-ripples-banner.png?width=933&name=spiritus-financial-water-ripples-banner.png "spiritus-financial-water-ripples-banner.png") # MONEY matters Mark Zaifman's thoughts on money, global economic trends and politics ##### [The Zen of Receiving an Inheritance](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/114298/The-Zen-of-Receiving-an-Inheritance) ** [Mark Zaifman](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/author/mark-zaifman)   |   ** Wed, Mar 20, 2013 @ 12:04 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/hs-fs/file-24596201-jpg/images/zen_couple.jpg) ](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/114298/The-Zen-of-Receiving-an-Inheritance) We are currently in the midst of one of the largest transfers of wealth from one generation to the next that our country has ever witnessed. That’s because as parents of baby boomers start to pass, the legacies they are leaving behind in the form of inheritances are in the trillions of dollars. Last year alone in our financial planning practice, one out of three new clients contacted our practice as a result of receiving an inheritance. And in many cases, the inheritance they received was a game changer - meaning the amount received was large enough to create [**financial independence**](http://spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/103294/The-Journey-of-Financial-Independence-Begins-With-a-Single-Step). [Read More   **](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/114298/The-Zen-of-Receiving-an-Inheritance) ** [baby boomers](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/baby-boomers), [financial independence](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/financial-independence), [relationship with money](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/relationship-with-money), [inheritance](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/inheritance) ##### [Strengthen Your Relationship With Money - Don't Give Your Power Away](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/113389/Strengthen-Your-Relationship-With-Money-Don-t-Give-Your-Power-Away) ** [Mark Zaifman](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/author/mark-zaifman)   |   ** Wed, Feb 13, 2013 @ 12:26 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/hs-fs/file-20583847-jpg/images/yoga_pose.jpg) ](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/113389/Strengthen-Your-Relationship-With-Money-Don-t-Give-Your-Power-Away) Giving your power away when it comes to your money is an age old affliction that affects both men and women, the rich as well as the poor, the famous and the non-famous, the young as well as the old. [Read More   **](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/113389/Strengthen-Your-Relationship-With-Money-Don-t-Give-Your-Power-Away) ** [book recommendation](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/book-recommendation), [financial planning](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/financial-planning), [relationship with money](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/relationship-with-money), [Your Money or Your Life](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/your-money-or-your-life) ##### [Looking For a Good Financial Values Match in the Dating Game](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/112992/Looking-For-a-Good-Financial-Values-Match-in-the-Dating-Game) ** [Mark Zaifman](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/author/mark-zaifman)   |   ** Thu, Jan 31, 2013 @ 12:52 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/hs-fs/file-19539608-jpg/images/dating_game.jpg) ](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/112992/Looking-For-a-Good-Financial-Values-Match-in-the-Dating-Game) If you’re a single boomer and find yourself happily or begrudgingly back in the dating scene, it’s only a matter of time before the right person comes along and captures your heart as well as your imagination. [Read More   **](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/112992/Looking-For-a-Good-Financial-Values-Match-in-the-Dating-Game) ** [credit reporting](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/credit-reporting), [couples and money](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/couples-and-money), [baby boomers](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/baby-boomers), [women and money](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/women-and-money), [relationship with money](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/relationship-with-money) ##### [Are You Living Your Dream of Financial Freedom or Someone Else’s?](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/111827/Are-You-Living-Your-Dream-of-Financial-Freedom-or-Someone-Else-s) ** [Mark Zaifman](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/author/mark-zaifman)   |   ** Thu, Dec 13, 2012 @ 02:03 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/hs-fs/file-15144287-jpg/images/dream_5.jpg) ](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/111827/Are-You-Living-Your-Dream-of-Financial-Freedom-or-Someone-Else-s) Today I had a Skype call with one of my favorite clients. Stacie, a 1st generation American, is in her late 30’s, currently lives in Florida, and up until very recently, had a very successful and lucrative career as an engineer for a global consulting firm.  Stacie had the type of career that her family had dreamed of for her, and her parents were willing to immigrate to the U.S. to ensure that she could have.  [Read More   **](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/111827/Are-You-Living-Your-Dream-of-Financial-Freedom-or-Someone-Else-s) ** [financial independence](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/financial-independence), [relationship with money](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/relationship-with-money) ##### [Developing a Retirement Plan Built on a Foundation of Truth](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/111509/Developing-a-Retirement-Plan-Built-on-a-Foundation-of-Truth) ** [Mark Zaifman](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/author/mark-zaifman)   |   ** Fri, Nov 30, 2012 @ 11:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/hs-fs/file-15888348-jpg/images/truth_neon1.jpg) ](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/111509/Developing-a-Retirement-Plan-Built-on-a-Foundation-of-Truth) Facing reality when it comes to planning for a successful retirement is easier said than done. For many people, just effectively managing their day to day finances is already a daunting challenge. Add to that list of to-do’s [**developing a realistic retirement plan**](http://spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/110089/Retirement-Planning-Who-s-Steering-Your-Ship) and you risk becoming overwhelmed by it all. What often happens instead is a form of denial and fantasy. We tell ourselves that somehow, someway, our investments will reap double digit returns from now until retirement day. That our incomes will double and cash windfalls are right around the corner. That the 20,000 shares of that penny bio-tech stock we purchased will be worth a million or more dollars in ten years and our home will be worth much, much more than we ever anticipated down the road. [Read More   **](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/111509/Developing-a-Retirement-Plan-Built-on-a-Foundation-of-Truth) ** [fee-only financial planning](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/fee-only-financial-planning), [financial independence](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/financial-independence), [relationship with money](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/relationship-with-money), [Your Money or Your Life](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/your-money-or-your-life) ##### [5 Money Lies That Reveal Our True Relationship with Money](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/108606/5-Money-Lies-That-Reveal-Our-True-Relationship-with-Money) ** [Mark Zaifman](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/author/mark-zaifman)   |   ** Wed, Aug 22, 2012 @ 03:33 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/hs-fs/file-15870551-jpg/images/money_lies1.jpg) ](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/108606/5-Money-Lies-That-Reveal-Our-True-Relationship-with-Money) My solemn belief right off the bat is that when it comes to money and specifically our [**relationship with money**](http://spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/107839/The-7-Keys-to-a-Happier-Relationship-with-Money), we do the best we can. [Read More   **](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/108606/5-Money-Lies-That-Reveal-Our-True-Relationship-with-Money) ** [book recommendation](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/book-recommendation), [relationship with money](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/relationship-with-money), [Your Money or Your Life](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/your-money-or-your-life) ##### [The 7 Keys to a Happier Relationship with Money](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/107839/The-7-Keys-to-a-Happier-Relationship-with-Money) ** [Mark Zaifman](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/author/mark-zaifman)   |   ** Fri, Jul 27, 2012 @ 09:15 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/hs-fs/file-15882049-jpg/images/seven.jpg) ](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/107839/The-7-Keys-to-a-Happier-Relationship-with-Money) Investing, managing, saving, spending and earning money - these linear, left brain aspects of our money relationship offer plenty of potential for challenges. But it’s when we delve into the other dimension of our relationship with money, *our feelings, *that things get really tricky and mighty interesting. Our feelings, that messy and confusing aspect of our [**relationship with money**](http://spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/65609/5-Essential-Questions-That-Transform-Your-Relationship-with-Money) will often hold us hostage to our egos and prevent us from feeling the fulfillment and peace of mind we so desire. Way too many of us live our lives with feelings of scarcity and poverty consciousness. Instead of money being our servant, it becomes our master. [Read More   **](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/107839/The-7-Keys-to-a-Happier-Relationship-with-Money) ** [financial success](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/financial-success), [relationship with money](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/relationship-with-money), [holistic financial planning](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/holistic-financial-planning) ##### [Raising Your Kids With Good Financial Values](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/107324/Raising-Your-Kids-With-Good-Financial-Values) ** [Mark Zaifman](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/author/mark-zaifman)   |   ** Tue, Jul 17, 2012 @ 03:22 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/hs-fs/file-15889950-jpg/images/wizard2.jpg) ](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/107324/Raising-Your-Kids-With-Good-Financial-Values) Thanks to my friend and client Eddie Mac for passing on this excellent article about raising your kids with a good set of values around money. [Read More   **](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/107324/Raising-Your-Kids-With-Good-Financial-Values) ** [relationship with money](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/relationship-with-money), [Your Money or Your Life](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/your-money-or-your-life) ##### [Successful Financial Planning Begins with Thinking from the End](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/107126/Successful-Financial-Planning-Begins-with-Thinking-from-the-End) ** [Mark Zaifman](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/author/mark-zaifman)   |   ** Tue, Jul 10, 2012 @ 09:11 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/hs-fs/file-15144874-jpg/images/end_sign.jpg) ](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/107126/Successful-Financial-Planning-Begins-with-Thinking-from-the-End) Of the many aspects involved when [**designing a comprehensive financial plan**](http://spiritusfinancial.com/comprehensive-financial-planning/), probably my favorite element of all is helping clients decide on **their number**.  The number I’m referring to is your total net-worth, but more specifically, the amount of liquid assets you’ll need to accumulate by the time you’re ready to retire or stop working for money. [Read More   **](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/107126/Successful-Financial-Planning-Begins-with-Thinking-from-the-End) ** [retirement planning](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/retirement-planning), [couples and money](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/couples-and-money), [comprehensive financial planning](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/comprehensive-financial-planning), [relationship with money](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/relationship-with-money) ##### [Zen and the Art of Retirement Income Planning-Part I](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/106448/Zen-and-the-Art-of-Retirement-Income-Planning-Part-I) ** [Mark Zaifman](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/author/mark-zaifman)   |   ** Tue, Jun 19, 2012 @ 03:02 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/hs-fs/file-15891552-jpg/images/zen_sitting.jpg) ](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/106448/Zen-and-the-Art-of-Retirement-Income-Planning-Part-I) There’s really no easy way to define the experience of waking up your first Monday morning after a lifetime of work, and realizing you’re retired and financially independent. You made it! *You don’t have to go to your cube/office/practice/business again - EVER.* For some, this first Monday morning is a Zen experience, transformational in essence, very spiritual and very powerful. For others, it’s one of the most terrifying days of their life. [Read More   **](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/106448/Zen-and-the-Art-of-Retirement-Income-Planning-Part-I) ** [retirement planning](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/retirement-planning), [financial planning](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/financial-planning), [relationship with money](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/relationship-with-money) [Previous](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/relationship-with-money/page/1) [All posts](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/all) [Next](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/relationship-with-money/page/3) ### Subscribe to Email Updates ### Recent Posts ### Recent Topics - [retirement planning (103)](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/retirement-planning) - [investing (93)](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/investing) - [book recommendation (54)](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/book-recommendation) - [relationship with money (39)](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/relationship-with-money) - [risk management (39)](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/risk-management) - [fee-only financial planning (38)](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/fee-only-financial-planning) - [save money (38)](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/save-money) - [financial planning (36)](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/financial-planning) © 2026 Spiritus Financial Planning. 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