Power of attorney is the ability to legally sign someone else’s name as if they had signed themselves. It can be a powerful tool to have amongst family members in case of emergency or incapacitation. A couple of months ago, we dropped our daughter off at college in a different state. Along with all of … Read more
Marriage is a great teacher. This post gives 16 hard-earned money lessons from my sixteen-year marriage to the best bride in the world … We just celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary a bit ago. I hardly can believe how quickly the time’s gone (and it seems to just be going faster)! I’ve certainly grown up … Read more
Taking in foster dogs — or foster anything — is rewarding. But it’s by no means easy … If you’re in the market for a pet, there’s little need to buy one. There are lots of pets waiting to be adopted. Pet shelters get them all the time: all ages, sizes, breeds, and backgrounds. Though … Read more
It’s a good idea to talk through big purchases (with your spouse, or with a knowledgeable friend) carefully before buying. The bigger the purchase, the more discussion there should be. You can save money and avoid costly mistakes with discussion. I learned a lesson recently about not doing this with a smaller purchase. It cost … Read more
In lots of cases, especially in high-cost-of-living areas, having a family with both parents working is a necessity. But along with the extra income come extra stress, financial and otherwise. On the financial side, there is child care, and a host of other services that get done what needs getting done. On the non-financial side, … Read more
My daughter’s “love languages” are gifts and quality time. I think I do all right with the gifts, but I can do better on the quality time part. I had planned to stop at Sheetz to pick up a large-ish Rice Krispies® treat for my daughter. Somewhere along the way, though, I decided instead to … Read more
I was chatting briefly with a colleague yesterday about married life. (He was going to be best man in a friend’s wedding in a couple of weeks.) In the course of the conversation, I admitted that saving money was a heck of a lot easier before I was married, but that I wouldn’t go back … Read more
Statistically, I’ve passed the midpoint of my life. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve been thinking more about calling, and legacy. Calling, in my mind, is the most important thing I can do, which would be the most difficult for someone else to do had I not done it. Legacy, in my mind, are the traces … Read more