Blog
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®
"Is Life Insurance Worth It?" -- Mahalene's Feature in MoneyGeek
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.
Read MoreHow My Paycheck-To-Paycheck Actor Life Shaped My Money Habits
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.
Read MoreMoney Advice I Would Give Myself in My 20s
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...
Read MoreMental Health = Mental Wealth: Taking Care Of Your Body And Mind
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.
Read More3 $mart Money Moves for Your Tax Refund
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.
Read MoreShow All
Things I Wish I Knew
"Things I Wish I Knew" - Amanda's financial love letter to her younger self
Read MoreWhy Should I Consider a Roth IRA?
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!
Read MoreWhat Happens To The Money That I Contributed To My Old Employer’s Retirement Plan?
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...
Read MoreMoney Lessons I Would Tell My 20 Year Old Self
Dear 20 year old me, here's what I wish I could tell you about money
Read MoreMoney Lessons I Learned Growing Up in a Filipino Household
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.
Read MoreThe One Thing Home Buyers Overlook When Purchasing a New Home
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.
Read MoreBuy or rent a home? That is the question
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.
Read MorePlanning for Baby? Tips on Preparing for a Little One
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...
Read MoreHow To Talk About $$ With Your Partner or Spouse
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.
Read MoreFounder, Mahalene Dulay, Featured in Local Article
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...
Read More#WealthTipoftheDay: 3 Reasons Why Your Kids Should Get Life Insurance
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!
Read MoreThe 5 Things You Need To Thrive and Succeed as a Woman Founder
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!
Read More#WealthTipoftheDay: 5 Reasons for When to Review Your Life Insurance
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.
Read MoreWhat the FAQ: When’s the best time to life buy life insurance?
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...
Read More#WealthTipoftheDay: Why Your Legacy Matters
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?
Read MoreWhat the FAQ: I have group life insurance through work. Is that enough?
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?
Read MoreWhat the FAQ: What are some ways to teach my little kids about money?
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.
Read MoreWhat the FAQ: What accounts can I use to save for my kids' college?
In our video blog, we break down different types of accounts parents can save into for their kids’ college.
Read MoreWhat the FAQ: College vs. Retirement? Should I save towards both?
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...
Read MoreWhat the FAQ: Financial Freedom... more than being debt free?
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...
Read MoreWhat the FAQ: How do I confidently negotiate my pay at work, and show my value in the workplace?
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...
Read MoreWhat the FAQ: Is all debt considered "bad debt"?
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...
Read MoreWhat the FAQ: How does a Roth IRA and a Roth 401(k) work?
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...
Read MoreWhat the FAQ: I’m self-employed and don’t have access to a 401(k). How can I save for my future?
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...
Read MoreWhat the FAQ: How does my employer-sponsored retirement plan work?
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...
Read MoreWe're Celebrating 3 Years!
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...
Read MoreWhat the FAQ: Should I Take Money Out of My 401K?
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?
Read MoreFounder, Mahalene Dulay, Magazine Feature on Shoutout SoCal
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...
Read MoreThe Realities of Mom Guilt & How To Turn It Into a Superpower
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?
Read MoreMoney Mindset - Overcoming Financial Anxiety
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.
Read MoreVDM Wealth Tip: Be "SMART" about Your Goals
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.
Read MoreA Look Back on My 2020 - Amanda
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.
Read MoreA Look Back on My 2020 - Mahalene
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...
Read More#VDMWealthTipoftheDay: Setting Yourself Up for Success in 2021
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.
Read MoreSmall Businesses We Love for Black Friday!
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!
Read More#VDMWealthTipoftheDay: Use Strong Systems to Optimize Your Business
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.
Read MoreSmall Business Feature - Challenge Island San Diego Coastal
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.
Read MoreMoney Mindset and Healing with Dahl Holistic Health
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.
Read MoreVDM Wealth Management Welcomes New Team Member: Amanda Blair Smith
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!
Read MoreFilipino-American Heritage Month Small Business Feature: Meris Creations
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!
Read MorePumpkin Spice and Eco-Conscious Nice for the Holidays
With the end of the year right around the corner, we wanted to share some helpful #zerowaste tips for an eco-conscious holiday season.
Read MoreKiller Style - How Fast Fashion is killing everything we love...people, animals, and our planet
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?
Read MoreEasing Your Kids' Anxiety About COVID-19
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.
Read MoreSustainability During COVID-19
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!
Read MoreYour Stimulus Check: Best Ways to Use It
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...
Read MoreSmall Business Owners: CARES Act and What You Need To Know
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...
Read MoreCARES Act 101: Basics of What You Need To Know
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...
Read More#SaveSmallBusinesses: Helping Your Community During Coronavirus Lockdown
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...
Read MoreThe Importance of a Strong Plan: Coronavirus and Market Impact
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...
Read MoreLife and Work with VDM Wealth Management's Founder - Mahalene Dulay
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...
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