CRIS Financial

07/09/2026

Our hard-working MONEY should work for our family today, tomorrow, and for generations. It pays to learn how to become your own banker... instead of giving money away to the "Pirates of Manhattan".

06/27/2026

06/22/2026

BEHIND THE LABEL: Eight common food preservatives are linked to a 29% higher risk of high blood pressure and a 16% higher risk of heart disease, according to a study of over 112,000 adults.

Sodium nitrite — found in hot dogs, ham, bacon and deli meats — was consumed regularly by 73% of participants. Even preservatives derived from rosemary extract and citric acid were tied to elevated risk.

The findings, published in the European Heart Journal, tracked participants for nearly eight years.

06/22/2026

A $350 cash MRI at a center down the street versus $2,500 through insurance for the exact same scan. Mark Cuban's question is simple: why isn't anyone at the insurance company pointing patients toward the cheaper option?

He dropped the question on X as a reply to a physician thread debating who's really driving healthcare costs up. The post racked up 1.1 million views and got a second life in late May after he kept pushing the same argument.

Cuban's case is that the largest pharmacy benefit managers are owned by the largest insurance companies, and that vertical integration wipes out any reason to bring prices down. "They are TOO BIG TO CARE," he wrote. "Employer, patient, state, hospital, physician, if they can charge you, they will."

The replies flooded in with patient receipts. A CT scan billed at $9,000 with no pricing disclosed upfront. An ER visit that came to $5,000 until the patient requested an itemized cash receipt and it fell to $430. A Kaiser scan at $1,800 when a clinic nearby offered the same thing for $350 cash.

When someone brought up a denied $5,000 CAT scan, Cuban's follow-up was blunt: "The insurance company always late pays underpays and denies claims. Jacking up the cost for the provider. Which is why cash is cheaper."

06/19/2026

Money stress is REAL. Maybe you’re struggling with debt, living paycheck to paycheck, or feeling like you’ll never get ahead. I’ve been there. BUT, there’s a proven plan that works to turn things around. It's called the 7 Baby Steps.

These work 100% of the time when you follow them in order. No shortcuts.

Baby Step 1: Save $1,000 for your starter emergency fund.
You can’t build wealth if you’re constantly borrowing money every time life throws you a curveball. Get this quick win under your belt ASAP.

Baby Step 2: Pay off all debt (except the house) using the debt snowball.
List your debts smallest to largest, attack the smallest one with a vengeance, and roll those payments into the next debt. Keep the momentum going until you’re debt-free!

Baby Step 3: Save 3–6 months of expenses in a fully funded emergency fund.
This is your cushion for when (not if) life happens. With this fund, a job loss, medical emergency, or car repair won’t send you back into debt. (A lot of people continue the savings momentum right after completing this step to save up a down payment on a home.)

Baby Step 4: Invest 15% of your household income in retirement.
You’re out of debt and have a safety net... now it’s time to build wealth! Max out your 401(k) match and invest consistently in good, growth stock mutual funds.

Baby Step 5: Save for your kids’ college fund.
You don’t have to take out student loans or saddle your kids with debt. Save early and let compound interest work for you!

Baby Step 6: Pay off your house early.
Imagine life without a mortgage payment. That’s financial freedom! Every extra dollar you throw at your mortgage gets you closer to complete ownership.

Baby Step 7: Build wealth and give generously.
This is where the real fun begins! You have no payments, no debt, and no financial stress. Now you can live and give like no one else!

06/11/2026

I AM a FINANCIAL COACH.

06/11/2026

To live is the rarest thing in the world.
LIVE ~ LAUGH ~ LOVE