It is very likely you have heard of the book, The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, or seen the Netflix series, Tidying Up. This popular system for organizing your house and office, the KonMari Method, was created by Marie Kondo.

What brings you joy?

Kondo and her writings have become incredibly popular both through her engaging personality, practicality of advice, and her simple but deep message.     

Since 1907, "Be Prepared” has been the motto for millions of Boy and Girl Scouts around  the world. The expression represents the constant readiness and willingness in both mind and body to do the right thing at the right moment. You don’t have to be a scout to understand the motto applies to all of us. Here are five components of a strong financial plan:

This article was originally published in 2015 and has been updated to reflect current resources as of February 2026.

Have you had the talk yet?  No, not “that talk”.  To mix a metaphor, the birds and the bees are already out of the barn at this point. 

The talk we're refering to here is about your financial plan. The next time your family gathers for a holiday or special occasion may be a good opportunity to start the conversation. Below are some practical tips you can use to get the conversation started.