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Welcome to the Modern Wealth Collective® Blog!  Learning about money shouldn't be complicated, so we're giving you financial education, money advice and market trends in a fun, easy-to-understand way.  

Are there specific topics that you want to learn about?  We want to hear from you!  Send us a message, and we'll add it to our list of topics to cover. 

Cheers, 

Your Team at Modern Wealth Collective® 

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

April is Financial Literacy Month and it’s a reminder that building wealth starts with a strong foundation. In this month’s blog, I share why early financial education matters.

Tuesday, March 10, 2026

While we celebrate progress this Women’s History Month, we also must come face to face with the reality that in today’s economic climate — rising costs, market volatility, job uncertainty and social unrest — that autonomy matters more than

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

When we talk about money, it’s easy to default to numbers: net worth, investment returns, retirement targets. But in real life? Building wealth is one of the most powerful acts of love we can give ourselves and the people who matter to us

Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Instead of “make more money”, what if we channeled our energy to building wealth to align with two of our most important currencies in life?  Check out our blog on how we’re helping you find more alignment and less overwhelm for the New Yea

Monday, November 3, 2025

Autumn has a way of asking us to slow down — leaves fall, days shorten, and our energy turns inward. It’s the ideal time to reflect, reorganize, and make the financial decisions that will carry your legacy into the new year. Before you...

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Monday, October 13, 2025

California small business owners face a fast-approaching deadline: by December 31, 2025, any employer with at 1-4 W-2 employees and no retirement plan must register for CalSavers or set up a qualified plan.  This isn’t just about compliance

Tuesday, September 2, 2025

We’ve all seen the heartbreaking GoFundMe campaigns — families scrambling to cover funeral costs, pay off medical bills, or just keep the lights on after losing a loved one. It’s devastating, and it’s also preventable.

Friday, August 1, 2025

"One Big Beautiful Bill" and what it means for high-earning women of color in their wealth-building years. We cover key financial wins, potential pitfalls, and smart strategies to stay ahead—plus how upcoming tax, business, and student loa

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Earlier this year, I started a “No Spend with a Friend” challenge to see how much I could save without sacrificing quality time with my crew. Here’s how I build my wealth beyond the dollars.

Monday, June 2, 2025

Graduation is here! As parents, we want to help our young adults confidently step into the next chapter. Before they leave the nest, make sure they have these must-haves for both their success and your peace of mind.

Thursday, May 1, 2025

For women of color, especially eldest daughters, family expectations can feel like both an honor and a heavy load. Being the family "pillar" often means being the go-to for money. But should you lend to family? Let’s weigh it out.

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Spring has sprung and what better way to kick off a new quarter than with 4 money strategies that you can do each week for the month of April to build and protect your wealth. It’s a “spring cleaning” of sorts to help us continue working to

Monday, March 3, 2025

How the FAQ do you set up your kids for financial success?  Check out our blog for different types of accounts to save for your kids’ future.

Monday, February 3, 2025

Mahalene was featured in Shoutout SoCal, an online magazine that features local businesses, hang out spots, restaurants and lifestyle.  In this article, she shares her favorite San Diego spots and one of the core pillars for her success.

Friday, January 17, 2025

Coping with the loss of a loved one is tough, and managing death benefit payouts adds stress. Mahalene partnered with MoneyGeek to outline key factors that impact how soon you receive death benefit proceeds.

Thursday, January 2, 2025

You have the power to write your money story, and we want to support you in feeling confident with how to achieve them. Here’s the blueprint we use to help our clients achieve their goals.

Monday, December 16, 2024

As we wrap up another year, this is a great time to pause and reflect on your wealth journey if you haven’t done so already. Set a money date for yourself to grab your journal and write your thoughts on the questions below. What’s...

Sunday, December 1, 2024

Is $500,000 life insurance enough? Mahalene partners with MoneyGeek in an expert feature where she talks about baseline questions you can use no matter what season of life you’re in to help you determine adequate coverage for your needs.

Saturday, November 2, 2024

The cost of financial stress is more than what you see in your bank account – it’s the invisible load that many women, especially moms, carry with them that can impact your mental and physical health.

Tuesday, October 1, 2024

As the eldest daughter, planning for your aging parents is essential. Discuss living arrangements, finances, and wills with empathy and patience. Involve professionals for support, as these conversations are emotional and an act of love.

Monday, September 16, 2024

Before you put up your permanent OOO (Out of Office) notice for retirement, consider whether life insurance makes sense for your financial situation. Check out Mahalene’s “Ask the Expert” feature on MoneyGeek.

Monday, September 2, 2024

While most employers offer basic life insurance at a low cost, it's important to look at if it's enough to ensure financial peace of mind. Check out our blog on the pros and cons of basic life insurance through your employer.

Thursday, August 1, 2024

529 plans have traditionally been used solely for funding educational expenses. However, recent changes have given these plans an extra opportunity for parents and guardians to build tax-advantaged generational wealth for their children.

Monday, July 1, 2024

Investing builds wealth and life insurance protects it – both are essential to a comprehensive, wholistic financial plan. But how much does life insurance cost?

Monday, June 3, 2024

It’s no surprise that getting laid off from work can put a lot of stress on us financially and mentally. Unfortunately, layoffs (especially in the tech sector) disproportionately impact women and minorities. Here’s what to do if you’ve be

Wednesday, May 1, 2024

As a Millennial daughter to Boomer parents, I’ve been having more of “the talk” with them. It’s the kind of talk that adult children should be having with their parents: uncomfortable and emotional, but important to have.

Monday, January 1, 2024

One of the best money moves you can do for your future self is invest.  Every year the IRS announces updates on how much you can contribute to your retirement accounts.  Read our blog on what's changed for 2024.

Tuesday, October 10, 2023

I was recently featured as a guest contributor in MoneyGeek with my thoughts on whether life insurance is worth it and how it plays a role in comprehensive financial planning.

Wednesday, September 13, 2023

Behind the footlights and shine of the big screen is the money story of most actors trying to make their ends meet before they become famous or before they move on. See how Amanda's paycheck-to-paycheck life shaped her money habits today.

Tuesday, August 8, 2023

Growing up, I had these expectations of what my life was "supposed to look like" in my 20s. If I could go back and give my younger self money and life advice, here are the biggest lessons I would tell her...

Wednesday, May 10, 2023

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and to be honest with you, I don't think that mental health is addressed at the level it should be. 

Tuesday, April 11, 2023

It's that time of year when you hand off your paperwork to file your taxes to the IRS... and if you're one of the lucky ones, you might be eligible for a refund.  If that's you, here are 3 ways to use your refund wisely.

Wednesday, March 8, 2023

"Things I Wish I Knew" - Amanda's financial love letter to her younger self

Tuesday, February 7, 2023

When it comes to building wealth, a Roth IRA is one of the most powerful tools that everyone should take advantage of if you’re able to. What are the benefits to a Roth IRA? Read our blog to find out!

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

Happy New Year!We welcome 2023 with a fresh start, and for some of us, that means a brand spankin' new job - with brand spankin' new benefits. But what about your old benefits? What the heck are you supposed to do with your old...

Wednesday, November 9, 2022

Dear 20 year old me, here's what I wish I could tell you about money

Tuesday, October 11, 2022

October is Filipino/a/x American History Month and what better way to celebrate than to share my own personal money history growing up in a Filipino household.

Wednesday, September 14, 2022

Congratulations on your new home! You've checked everything off your list...or have you? Read our blog to find out the biggest thing home purchasers overlook.

Tuesday, August 9, 2022

The current housing market has many people asking themselves whether they should keep renting or if it's time to take the leap in buying a home.  Read our blog as a guide to help you answer this question.

Tuesday, July 26, 2022

Prepping for a baby can be overwhelming.  Take it from a mom of 2 (soon to be 3!) boys on tips I've learned to have ready before the little one makes its arrival.*Know your maternity leave and family leave benefits.Review how much...

Tuesday, July 12, 2022

The single most important thing about money in a relationship with your partner or spouse is to talk about it!  Here are some tips on how to start (and keep) the money conversation going.

Tuesday, June 21, 2022

MWC Founder, Mahalene Dulay, was featured in a local article with CanvasRebel where she talks about:taking risks as a business owner,building a strong reputation in the community and financial services world,how to create and maintain...

Monday, September 27, 2021

Depending on your financial goals and situation, life insurance on your kids may be an option to consider. Check out our blog for 3 reasons why!

Thursday, September 23, 2021

I had the honor of being featured on Authority Magazine and Thrive Global for series called "Why We Need More Women Founders". Check out the articles in my new blog!

Monday, September 20, 2021

How often should you review your life insurance portfolio? We lay out 5 reasons why you may need to update your current plan in our blog.

Thursday, September 16, 2021

Should you get life insurance now or wait until you need it? We believe that life insurance is an important part of your financial plan when you have: The right type, The right amount, And the right reasons. We break down the top...

Monday, September 13, 2021

Talking about buying a home, retirement, travelling, sending kids to college and other financial goals are an easy conversation to have. However, are you building your life and legacy around a house of cards?

Wednesday, September 8, 2021

Many employers offer their employees group term and disability coverage. While this benefit is great and generally at little to no cost to the employee, there’s one important question you must ask yourself: is it enough?

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Teaching kids about money early on not only creates a strong foundation for healthy money habits, but it’s a valuable gift of generational wealth.

Wednesday, August 18, 2021

In our video blog, we break down different types of accounts parents can save into for their kids’ college.

Thursday, July 29, 2021

For many parents, helping their kids with college is just as an important financial goal as retirement. A common question we get from clients is how they can save for both goals without comprising one or the other. Our short answer is...

Tuesday, July 27, 2021

When you hear "financial freedom", what does that mean to you? While being debt free is part of this goal, building your wealth in a way where your money works for you is where we believe you can achieve true financial freedom. Here...

Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Last month, we hosted our Ladies’ Lounge: Wealth Empower Hour with an all-female power panel to talk about pay negotiations, strong resume and interview strategies, and transitioning from a salary job to entrepreneurship. There...

Friday, July 9, 2021

Not all debt is created equal, and though it sounds counterintuitive, using debt in the right way can actually help you build your wealth. Sounds confusing? We got you covered; check out our video to learn about different types or debt...

Sunday, May 16, 2021

If you’re adding into a 401(K) or another tax-deferred plan, you may want to consider adding a Roth IRA to your financial wheelhouse (or a Roth 401(K) if your employer offers it). We made this short video to talk about the basics...

Sunday, May 9, 2021

If you’re a realtor, freelancer or someone that’s self-employed, you won’t be able to contribute to a 401(k) plan through an employer. Instead, you have the opportunity to build your retirement savings through plans...

Tuesday, May 4, 2021

Most employers offer a plan to help their employees save for retirement. Depending on your employer (ex: private company vs. public service employer), you may have different names for your retirement plan. Check out our video below to...

Friday, April 30, 2021

Your 401(k), we believe, is one of many great tools to save and invest for your retirement goal. Should you take money out of your 401(k) plan before retirement to put towards a down payment on a home or pay off credit cards?

Friday, April 30, 2021

On May 1, we celebrated our firm’s 3-year anniversary (and our pets’ birthdays 😊)! When I took the leap of faith in 2018, I knew that it was going to be one of the hardest transitions in my life. My youngest son was born...

Wednesday, March 17, 2021

I had the honor of being featured last month on Shoutout SoCal, an online magazine whose mission is to highlight and support local small businesses. Their mission is: "... to help change the way people spend money. We want people to...

Wednesday, January 27, 2021

As a business owner and mom of two young kids, I sometimes find myself with the feeling of "mom guilt" and then the self-talk questions start flowing in: Am I giving my kids enough of my time and attention?

Tuesday, January 26, 2021

With a new year comes new goals. This month, we've decided to focus on Money Mindset, and there's no time like the present to address one of the biggest obstacles surrounding managing that mindset: anxiety.

Monday, January 4, 2021

As we enter a New Year, you may have already started thinking about your goals. Goal-setting is one thing, but how to achieve them is what will set you up for success.

Tuesday, December 22, 2020

For many of us, 2020 came in fiercely, with determination and hope of a new and brighter year than the year before. When we were juuuuust far enough into the New Year for things to start to fall into place, 2020 had other plans.

Friday, December 18, 2020

At the beginning of the year, I set my goals around the theme of "2020 Vision"; it was with the intention that I was going into the year with clear personal and professional goals. Then COVID-19 came swinging out of nowhere...

Monday, December 7, 2020

Though many of us are ready to say, "Peace out 2020!", this is a great time to gear up for 2021 before the year ends. Here are 3 tips to set yourself up for financial success in 2021.

Wednesday, November 25, 2020

2020 has taken a huge toll on our economy, and for many families and businesses, it will take some time to recover. But YOU have the power to help turn it around. Check out our list of small businesses to shop from for the holidays!

Friday, November 20, 2020

Where's a good starting place to optimize your time and money in your business?? Kristyna Caspelich gives us tips on how to make your business work for you and not the other way around.

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Full STEAM ahead (total pun intended) for this business owner taking her passion into a successful business. We had the pleasure of speaking with franchise owner, Ritika Sehgal, in a candid interview about #bossmom life.

Thursday, November 12, 2020

When you think about money, what comes to mind first? We hosted Amanda Dahl of Dahl Holistic Health to talk all the things about using energy healing to help us with our relationship with money.

Thursday, October 29, 2020

Amanda joined the VDM Wealth Team as our Office Administrator, and has been a key piece of the puzzle in our firm's growth. What better way to learn more about Amanda than putting her in the interview spotlight!

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

In honor of Filipino-American Heritage Month in October, we're featuring founder, Jamie Segovia, of Meris Creations in our VDM Wealth Happy Hour Series. Check out her video interview!

Friday, October 2, 2020

With the end of the year right around the corner, we wanted to share some helpful #zerowaste tips for an eco-conscious holiday season.

Tuesday, July 14, 2020

Trendy, convenient and affordable might be a few words used to describe fast fashion. But what's the true cost of the clothes we buy?

Thursday, May 14, 2020

Maggie Knight, working mom and child therapist, shares some strategies for parents and kids on how to manage the stress brought on by COVID-19. She reminds us that the best thing we can do is give our kids (and ourselves) lots of grace.

Friday, April 24, 2020

We're excited to feature our fellow environmental activist and working mom, Olivia Angus, to share some helpful and easy tips for sustainability during COVID-19. Save our planet, save your money... it's a win-win for everyone!

Monday, April 13, 2020

As part of the $2 trillion economic stimulus package passed by the government under the CARES Act, most Americans will receive a stimulus check to help ease the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a one-time cash payment...

Wednesday, April 8, 2020

As a small business owner, you've probably been following news about the recently-passed $350 billion CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act) and wondering how you may be able to access funds to help tide your...

Monday, April 6, 2020

What is the CARES Act? The CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security) Act was signed into law on March 6, 2020 to provide financial relief to individuals, famlies, businesses and industries severly impacted by the COVID-19...

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

A lot of people are already feeling the impact of the Coronavirus on different levels. For many, this also means a huge hit on their income, especially for those in the hospitality, entertainment, restaurant, travel and simliar...

Thursday, March 12, 2020

We witnessed an extraordinary move in the financial markets on Monday, March 9. The Dow Industrials lost over 2,000 points, as Coronavirus fears continued to worry investors. At the same time, oil prices lost nearly 25 percent, on news...

Wednesday, January 15, 2020

Every journey has a beginning, and our story is no exception. Learn about how VDM Wealth Management's Founder, Mahalene Dulay, got started and her mission behind providing the best client experience to individuals, families, small...