--- title: Mark Zaifman|Money Matters Blog | Your Money or Your Life description: Your Money or Your Life | Articles on Investing, Retirement Planning, Cash Flow Planning and Tax Planning --- [![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 ##### [Save Money, Plan, Feel Powerful and Get Healthy?](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/207717/Save-Money-Plan-Feel-Powerful-and-Get-Healthy) ** [Mark Zaifman](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/author/mark-zaifman)   |   ** Wed, Sep 03, 2014 @ 03:43 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/hs-fs/file-1559954190-png/images/health_money_jar.png) ](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/207717/Save-Money-Plan-Feel-Powerful-and-Get-Healthy) [Read More   **](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/207717/Save-Money-Plan-Feel-Powerful-and-Get-Healthy) ** [save money](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/save-money), [financial planning](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/financial-planning), [Your Money or Your Life](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/your-money-or-your-life), [goal setting](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/goal-setting) ##### [How Fear, Shame or Guilt Can Sabotage Your Relationship with Money](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/207102/How-Fear-Shame-or-Guilt-Can-Sabotage-Your-Relationship-with-Money) ** [Mark Zaifman](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/author/mark-zaifman)   |   ** Thu, Jul 10, 2014 @ 03:03 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/hs-fs/file-1217668770-jpg/images/lovers.jpg) ](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/207102/How-Fear-Shame-or-Guilt-Can-Sabotage-Your-Relationship-with-Money) [Read More   **](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/207102/How-Fear-Shame-or-Guilt-Can-Sabotage-Your-Relationship-with-Money) ** [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 Seven Habits of Frugal Millionaires](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/129181/The-Seven-Habits-of-Frugal-Millionaires) ** [Mark Zaifman](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/author/mark-zaifman)   |   ** Thu, Oct 31, 2013 @ 10:27 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/hs-fs/file-366656761-jpg/images/coin_stack.jpg) ](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/129181/The-Seven-Habits-of-Frugal-Millionaires) Like most financial advisors that have been in practice for over ten years, I have my fair share of clients that are millionaires. So with that said, what makes our millionaire clients different than your “average run of the mill” millionaire client? The answer; the majority are [**frugal and proud**](http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/06/your-money/skimping-on-the-splurges-even-as-a-millionaire.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=mini-moth®ion=top-stories-below&WT.nav=top-stories-below&_r=0) of it. If you’ve read the best-seller, [**The Millionaire Next Door**](http://www.thomasjstanley.com/pub-books/1/The_Millionaire_Next_Door.html), you know many of the people portrayed in the book are, relatively speaking, pretty frugal. Keeping that thought in mind, and based on years of observation, below are the seven most common frugal habits of Spiritus millionaires. [Read More   **](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/129181/The-Seven-Habits-of-Frugal-Millionaires) ** [book recommendation](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/book-recommendation), [relationship with money](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/relationship-with-money), [abundance](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/abundance), [Your Money or Your Life](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/your-money-or-your-life), [goal setting](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/goal-setting) ##### [3 Essential Tips for Optimizing Your Relationship with Money](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/115599/3-Essential-Tips-for-Optimizing-Your-Relationship-with-Money) ** [Mark Zaifman](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/author/mark-zaifman)   |   ** Tue, May 14, 2013 @ 09:53 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/hs-fs/file-39451754-jpg/images/33.jpg) ](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/115599/3-Essential-Tips-for-Optimizing-Your-Relationship-with-Money) [Read More   **](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/115599/3-Essential-Tips-for-Optimizing-Your-Relationship-with-Money) ** [financial independence](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/financial-independence), [relationship with money](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/relationship-with-money), [abundance](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/abundance), [Your Money or Your Life](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/your-money-or-your-life) ##### [My Money, My Mind and My Life - Guest Post by a Spiritus Client](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/113481/My-Money-My-Mind-and-My-Life-Guest-Post-by-a-Spiritus-Client) ** [Mark Zaifman](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/author/mark-zaifman)   |   ** Mon, Feb 18, 2013 @ 10:12 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/hs-fs/file-20907927-jpg/images/rocking_horse.jpg) ](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/113481/My-Money-My-Mind-and-My-Life-Guest-Post-by-a-Spiritus-Client) *This is a guest post from one of my dear clients Stacie, who I [wrote about in an earlier blogpost](http://spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/111827/Are-You-Living-Your-Dream-of-Financial-Freedom-or-Someone-Else-s) about her budding journey toward living her own dream.*   [Read More   **](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/113481/My-Money-My-Mind-and-My-Life-Guest-Post-by-a-Spiritus-Client) ** [book recommendation](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/book-recommendation), [financial planning](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/financial-planning), [Your Money or Your Life](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/your-money-or-your-life) ##### [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) ##### [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) ##### [Your Money or Your Life - Twenty Years Later](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/109810/Your-Money-or-Your-Life-Twenty-Years-Later) ** [Mark Zaifman](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/author/mark-zaifman)   |   ** Fri, Oct 05, 2012 @ 02:31 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/hs-fs/file-15867429-jpg/images/m_kayak_orcas.jpg) ](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/109810/Your-Money-or-Your-Life-Twenty-Years-Later) [Read More   **](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/109810/Your-Money-or-Your-Life-Twenty-Years-Later) ** [book recommendation](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/book-recommendation), [financial independence](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/financial-independence), [Your Money or Your Life](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/your-money-or-your-life) ##### [Cost of Living Comparison and Calculating Your Real Hourly Rate](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/109359/Cost-of-Living-Comparison-and-Calculating-Your-Real-Hourly-Rate) ** [Mark Zaifman](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/author/mark-zaifman)   |   ** Tue, Sep 18, 2012 @ 09:54 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/hs-fs/file-15137811-jpg/images/apples_and_oranges.jpg) ](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/109359/Cost-of-Living-Comparison-and-Calculating-Your-Real-Hourly-Rate) ### **Finding Your Best Place** [Read More   **](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/109359/Cost-of-Living-Comparison-and-Calculating-Your-Real-Hourly-Rate) ** [book recommendation](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/book-recommendation), [Your Money or Your Life](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/your-money-or-your-life), [budgeting](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/budgeting) ##### [Confessions of a Frugal Financial Planner](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/108761/Confessions-of-a-Frugal-Financial-Planner) ** [Mark Zaifman](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/author/mark-zaifman)   |   ** Wed, Aug 29, 2012 @ 02:06 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/hs-fs/file-26273356-jpg/images/mp_in_sausalito.jpg) ](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/108761/Confessions-of-a-Frugal-Financial-Planner) Back in the day, I was a spender - a big time spender actually. It was the late 1980’s, the economy was starting to really take off and President Reagan had just lowered taxes across the board.  I was in my late 20’s, earning a six figure income as a partner of a fast growing financial consulting firm. Life was good. [Read More   **](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/108761/Confessions-of-a-Frugal-Financial-Planner) ** [book recommendation](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/book-recommendation), [financial independence](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/financial-independence), [Your Money or Your Life](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/your-money-or-your-life) [All posts](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/all) [Next](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/your-money-or-your-life/page/2) ### 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. All Rights Reserved.