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Digital disruption has occurred at every level of our society. In some areas, the disruption has resulted in innovation and successful adoption of new business models while, in other areas, the result has been a disconnect between the companies and individuals providing products and services and the consumers who want, need and are willing to pay for them. The effects of disruption are especially prevalent in the financial services arena.

The first thing you should know about me is that I’m not a fear monger. That may be surprising given my involvement with legacy planning, which is related to fear because the association with death. The simple reason why I don’t subscribe to fear-based motivation is because it’s not effective, at least not long term, and it certainly isn’t constructive.

Explaining money and how it works forms the basis for teaching your kids financial literacy. An easy way to do this is by discussing your money decisions with your children – how you earn money, how you spend it and, of course, how you make your savings choices as well. Basically, what you’re doing is modeling the behavior you’d like your children to learn.

At one time, owning a home was a key component of the “American Dream.” You got a job. You worked hard. You got ahead. You married and bought a home. But times have changed. The changes in the world around you may mean changes in the way you look at your lifestyle and financial strategy. So, before you seek out a real estate agent, ask yourself a few questions.

When planning your legacy and thinking about your family’s future, you may want to consider a trust. If you’ve avoided this financial tool because it seems too restrictive, it might be time to reconsider. Trusts are popular when the beneficiary is incapable of handling asset management, but they can also be fairly flexible, depending on how they’re structured. Beneficiaries can be granted a decent amount of control while still enjoying the benefits of asset protection and tax savings.