1/3 of Americans over age 25 have a college degree or higher according to the 2017 US Census report, bringing these numbers to the highest education levels in the US since 1940. Given today’s professional world, it’s no wonder that so many people are pursuing higher education and advanced degrees. Education is one of the…

When you’re a new physician going through residency, you may start to feel a little bit worried about your finances. Up until now, you’ve been scraping by in medical school, and it’s possible that a large portion of your monthly expenses were covered by loans, grants, or scholarships.  Now that you’re in residency, you have…

If you’re getting ready to graduate in the next year (or less), you’ve got a lot on your plate. Finding a job in your field, deciding where to live, and starting to create a new lifestyle and routine beyond your educational career can be a lot to think about. Your finances may be the last…

You’ve just received a sizable inheritance. Now what? Whether or not you were expecting to inherit a large sum of money, it can still be a bit of a jarring experience. In fact, many new clients who reach out to me get in touch because they’ve received an inheritance, and aren’t really sure what to…

At Deerfield, we help our clients build comprehensive financial plans. That doesn’t just mean we help you plan for your investments, or create a savings strategy. We focus on more than just the dollars and cents of your plan because your financial life is impacted by so much bigger than just your finances! One way…

Working on organizing your loan repayment strategy can feel overwhelming. Personally, I feel like a lot of pressure is put on young professionals to focus on a financial strategy for their debt repayment. While putting together your repayment plan based on loan balances and interest rates is important, it’s also important to focus on your…

With the new tax code in place, the standard deduction has increased across the board: Individuals: $12,200 Heads of household: $18,350 Married couples filing jointly, or surviving spouses: $24,400 As a result, most people – whether they’re married or not – are planning to take the standard deduction next filing season. When you take the…

It’s not a secret that living in Chicago can be expensive. Coming from a non-Chicago area myself, I can honestly say that the first few times I met friends for dinner or drinks was a bit of a shock. The average cost of living in Chicago is significantly higher than the rest of America. However,…

Recently, I’ve had several clients all embark on out-of-state moves with their families. Moving is a really stressful life decision. The last thing you want to do when you tackle a move to a new city, or even a new state, is to add extra stress (financial or otherwise) to your life. I’ve guided several…