Matthew Barnard, CFP®, EA (he/him)
@maplewoodwealth.com
Health benefit costs are rising sharply in 2025. Before you choose, assess your actual care needs and explore employer perks like mental health support and financial coaching. Smart enrollment is about more than premiums—it’s about total value and long-term wellbeing.
September 19, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Health benefit costs are rising sharply in 2025. Before you choose, assess your actual care needs and explore employer perks like mental health support and financial coaching. Smart enrollment is about more than premiums—it’s about total value and long-term wellbeing.
Subscription services boost productivity but unchecked auto-renewals can quietly drain budgets, especially in demanding fields. How do you balance leveraging essential tools with keeping a vigilant check on recurring costs in your professional tech stack?
September 17, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Subscription services boost productivity but unchecked auto-renewals can quietly drain budgets, especially in demanding fields. How do you balance leveraging essential tools with keeping a vigilant check on recurring costs in your professional tech stack?
Rising costs and student debt make side hustles essential for many early-career pros. Focus on gigs that enhance your skills, expand your network, and respect your time—because income growth shouldn't mean burning out.
September 1, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Rising costs and student debt make side hustles essential for many early-career pros. Focus on gigs that enhance your skills, expand your network, and respect your time—because income growth shouldn't mean burning out.
Young professionals often bring significant student debt into marriage, complicating financial planning. How have you approached balancing individual debts and shared financial goals early in a partnership to avoid resentment or misunderstandings down the road?
June 25, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Young professionals often bring significant student debt into marriage, complicating financial planning. How have you approached balancing individual debts and shared financial goals early in a partnership to avoid resentment or misunderstandings down the road?
Young professionals often prioritize wealth-building over safeguarding income, overlooking how common disability can disrupt careers—especially in high-stress fields. How do you balance investing in your future with protecting your ability to earn today?
June 12, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Young professionals often prioritize wealth-building over safeguarding income, overlooking how common disability can disrupt careers—especially in high-stress fields. How do you balance investing in your future with protecting your ability to earn today?
Relocating for your legal career? Think beyond salary—consider cost of living, bar requirements, and firm culture. Negotiate relocation perks and tap into local bar networks early for a smoother transition and lasting growth. Plan smart, stay connected, and watch your career thrive!
Navigating Your First Big Move: A Young Attorney's Guide to Relocating for Your Career Without Breaking the Bank
Master cost-effective relocation strategies, bar admission tips, and networking essentials to advance your legal career smoothly.
maplewoodgrowth.com
June 9, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Relocating for your legal career? Think beyond salary—consider cost of living, bar requirements, and firm culture. Negotiate relocation perks and tap into local bar networks early for a smoother transition and lasting growth. Plan smart, stay connected, and watch your career thrive!
High home prices and mortgage rates mean many early-career pros are better off renting in 2025. Renting offers flexibility, lower monthly costs, and no down payment—letting you save, invest, and stay nimble without sacrificing financial health. Homeownership can wait.
June 9, 2025 at 12:40 PM
High home prices and mortgage rates mean many early-career pros are better off renting in 2025. Renting offers flexibility, lower monthly costs, and no down payment—letting you save, invest, and stay nimble without sacrificing financial health. Homeownership can wait.
Maximizing your HSA early in the year can transform it into a powerful, triple-tax-advantaged savings tool. For demanding careers, this isn’t just about healthcare costs—it’s a stealth retirement account that grows while you focus on building your future.
May 28, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Maximizing your HSA early in the year can transform it into a powerful, triple-tax-advantaged savings tool. For demanding careers, this isn’t just about healthcare costs—it’s a stealth retirement account that grows while you focus on building your future.
Early-career attorneys: Embrace your firm’s wellness perks, summer flex time & social events as strategic career tools. Prioritize self-care to boost focus, productivity & relationships. Your wellbeing fuels your success—invest in it wisely! ⚖️💼
Demystifying Attorney Benefits: Making the Most of Summer Flex Time, Wellness Perks, and Firm-Sponsored Experiences
Maximize attorney benefits like summer flex time & wellness perks to boost wellbeing, productivity, and legal career growth.
maplewoodgrowth.com
May 27, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Early-career attorneys: Embrace your firm’s wellness perks, summer flex time & social events as strategic career tools. Prioritize self-care to boost focus, productivity & relationships. Your wellbeing fuels your success—invest in it wisely! ⚖️💼
Nontraditional compensation like RSUs and stock options remain taxed as usual in 2025—ordinary income at vesting or exercise, with capital gains on sales. Early-career professionals should track these events closely and plan for potential tax changes on the horizon.
May 26, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Nontraditional compensation like RSUs and stock options remain taxed as usual in 2025—ordinary income at vesting or exercise, with capital gains on sales. Early-career professionals should track these events closely and plan for potential tax changes on the horizon.
Equity and profit-sharing often come with multi-year vesting and performance conditions. Early-career professionals should thoroughly understand their firm’s policies, actively build client relationships, and negotiate terms to unlock lasting financial and career value beyond just billable hours.
May 23, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Equity and profit-sharing often come with multi-year vesting and performance conditions. Early-career professionals should thoroughly understand their firm’s policies, actively build client relationships, and negotiate terms to unlock lasting financial and career value beyond just billable hours.
The partnership track offers huge long-term payoffs but demands years of uncertainty and pressure. In-house roles pay less at peak but provide steadier income and better work-life balance, appealing to many young professionals seeking financial stability without relentless billable-hour stress.
May 22, 2025 at 12:38 PM
The partnership track offers huge long-term payoffs but demands years of uncertainty and pressure. In-house roles pay less at peak but provide steadier income and better work-life balance, appealing to many young professionals seeking financial stability without relentless billable-hour stress.
Big bonus in hand? Before investing, knock out high-interest debt first—it's the only guaranteed risk-free return, boosting both your cash flow and peace of mind. Align your bonus with your values and goals to build lasting security. Exploring this further on Maplewood Growth.
May 21, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Big bonus in hand? Before investing, knock out high-interest debt first—it's the only guaranteed risk-free return, boosting both your cash flow and peace of mind. Align your bonus with your values and goals to build lasting security. Exploring this further on Maplewood Growth.
Early-career pros, your employer’s perks may extend far beyond salary. Training in cutting-edge skills, tech tools that free up time, and financial support can redefine your career trajectory. Exploring these hidden assets can unlock growth and balance. More on Maplewood Growth.
May 20, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Early-career pros, your employer’s perks may extend far beyond salary. Training in cutting-edge skills, tech tools that free up time, and financial support can redefine your career trajectory. Exploring these hidden assets can unlock growth and balance. More on Maplewood Growth.
Young attorneys, beware lifestyle creep! 🚫 Upgrading your lifestyle now could cost you big in retirement. Prioritize debt, delay big purchases, and automate savings to build true wealth. Financial discipline isn’t deprivation—it’s freedom to choose your future. Your career and wallet will thank you!
Managing Lifestyle Creep: How Young Attorneys Can Maintain Financial Discipline as Incomes Rise
Master financial discipline as a young attorney: curb lifestyle creep, manage debt, and build lasting wealth effectively.
maplewoodgrowth.com
May 18, 2025 at 5:42 AM
Young attorneys, beware lifestyle creep! 🚫 Upgrading your lifestyle now could cost you big in retirement. Prioritize debt, delay big purchases, and automate savings to build true wealth. Financial discipline isn’t deprivation—it’s freedom to choose your future. Your career and wallet will thank you!
Burnout in law isn't just long hours—it's emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and self-doubt. Setting boundaries, prioritizing sleep, practicing mindfulness, and building supportive teams can protect your well-being and your career. Remember: caring for yourself is part of being a great lawyer.
Preventing Burnout: Essential Strategies for Early-Career Attorneys to Thrive Long-Term
Prevent early-career attorney burnout with proven strategies to sustain resilience, ethical practice, and long-term success.
maplewoodgrowth.com
May 18, 2025 at 12:41 AM
Burnout in law isn't just long hours—it's emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and self-doubt. Setting boundaries, prioritizing sleep, practicing mindfulness, and building supportive teams can protect your well-being and your career. Remember: caring for yourself is part of being a great lawyer.
2025 demands smart budgeting: cut waste, buy local, stock essentials, and grow savings with high-yield accounts. Small tweaks lead to big impact. Let’s build financial security and stronger communities together—it's about resilience, not just riches. 💪🌍
May 3, 2025 at 12:39 PM
2025 demands smart budgeting: cut waste, buy local, stock essentials, and grow savings with high-yield accounts. Small tweaks lead to big impact. Let’s build financial security and stronger communities together—it's about resilience, not just riches. 💪🌍
In 2025, keeping up with the Joneses means balancing sustainability, tech trends, and social values. But true success is defining your own path—prioritize your values, support local, and protect your well-being over chasing trends or status. Live authentically and wisely.
May 2, 2025 at 12:54 PM
In 2025, keeping up with the Joneses means balancing sustainability, tech trends, and social values. But true success is defining your own path—prioritize your values, support local, and protect your well-being over chasing trends or status. Live authentically and wisely.
Attorneys in 2025 face a mix of relief and challenges with student loans: lower private rates offer refinancing options, but a tightening legal job market demands smart planning. Stay informed on forgiveness, income-driven plans, and adapt career strategies to manage debt effectively. ⚖️
April 30, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Attorneys in 2025 face a mix of relief and challenges with student loans: lower private rates offer refinancing options, but a tightening legal job market demands smart planning. Stay informed on forgiveness, income-driven plans, and adapt career strategies to manage debt effectively. ⚖️
New parents: Your financial checklist for 2025 is vital! Update insurance, boost emergency funds, revise your budget, maximize tax benefits, start education savings early, update legal docs, and plan for childcare costs. Your baby's future starts with smart planning now.
A 7-point financial checklist for new parents
The cost of raising a child to age 18 is rising: Recent research estimates parents will spend approximately $237,482 on food, shelter, and other essentials. What’s more, this estimate can escalate beyond the government average, based on your individual education, child care and health care choices.
www.thrivent.com
March 22, 2025 at 4:27 PM
New parents: Your financial checklist for 2025 is vital! Update insurance, boost emergency funds, revise your budget, maximize tax benefits, start education savings early, update legal docs, and plan for childcare costs. Your baby's future starts with smart planning now.
Americans spend $143B+ annually on pet care with vet costs up 10% last year. Smart pet parents budget for preventive care, consider insurance (~$720/yr for dogs), and maintain an emergency fund. Healthcare isn't just an expense—it's an investment in your furry companion. 🐾
Pet insurance statistics 2025
Americans spend more than $143.6 billion on their pets, a demand that’s causing the pet insurance industry to grow by 22.5% in recent years.
www.consumeraffairs.com
March 21, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Americans spend $143B+ annually on pet care with vet costs up 10% last year. Smart pet parents budget for preventive care, consider insurance (~$720/yr for dogs), and maintain an emergency fund. Healthcare isn't just an expense—it's an investment in your furry companion. 🐾
Tax brackets aren't as scary as they sound! Smart moves like maxing out retirement accounts or timing your income can keep more money in your pocket. Remember, it's not about dodging taxes, but optimizing your financial health. Always consult a pro for personalized advice! #TaxTips
March 13, 2025 at 1:28 AM
Tax brackets aren't as scary as they sound! Smart moves like maxing out retirement accounts or timing your income can keep more money in your pocket. Remember, it's not about dodging taxes, but optimizing your financial health. Always consult a pro for personalized advice! #TaxTips
Tax-loss harvesting: the investing hack you didn't know you needed. Offset gains, lower taxes, and potentially boost returns. It's like finding loose change in your couch, but way more lucrative. #InvestingTips #TaxStrategy
March 11, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Tax-loss harvesting: the investing hack you didn't know you needed. Offset gains, lower taxes, and potentially boost returns. It's like finding loose change in your couch, but way more lucrative. #InvestingTips #TaxStrategy
Inheriting an IRA? Don't panic, but act fast! You have options, but also obligations. The 10-year rule means most non-spouse beneficiaries must empty the account within a decade. Get professional advice to avoid costly mistakes and make the most of your inheritance.
March 7, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Inheriting an IRA? Don't panic, but act fast! You have options, but also obligations. The 10-year rule means most non-spouse beneficiaries must empty the account within a decade. Get professional advice to avoid costly mistakes and make the most of your inheritance.