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Why is Life Always So Busy?
here are some weeks where I feel like I never leave the house. Other weeks, like this month of May 2026, every single day off is jam-packed. Cousins visiting, Amish building the shed, moving a giant free swing set + zip line, sleepovers, wedding baking… and somehow still squeezing in covered calls and dividend buys
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Mother’s Day 2026: Thank You for Everything
Happy Mother’s Day 2026! It’s the first year my mom, mother-in-law, and wife are all together. Breakfast in bed from the kids, family dinner, and lots of gratitude. So grateful we’re all within a mile of each other now.
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Shed Preparation Time
Getting the yard ready for the new shed this weekend — emptying the old one, moving it, buying gravel, installing slatwall, and adding a small loft. Busy times, but progress is progress.
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Frugal Friday May 7th 2026: Always Find a Deal
A little over a week ago my wife’s car had been losing air in one of the tires. We took it in earlier this week for a look over and the tire had a nail on an un-patchable part. They also discovered a mouse nest inside the blower motor for the cabin. The tires were…
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Financial Education Series: Completing the Investing Order
Maxing out your 401(k) at the 2026 limit of $24,500 per year for 50 years at 7% average return gets you nearly $10 million. Here’s why this is one of the most powerful wealth-building tools most people completely ignore.
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Best Methods for Chaotic Recovery?
Crazy busy week — fixing the garage door, hosting family for Mother’s Day, moving a massive free swing set, and prepping for a new shed delivery. Some weeks the struggle is real, but we’re making it work.
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Old House Maintenance: A headache and a Joy?
Our 72-year-old garage door was peeling badly, so I spent the weekend sanding and sealing it. A mix of frustration and satisfaction — the never-ending joy of old house maintenance.
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April 2026 End of Month Update: Small Work Small Rewards
April was a month of strategic shifts for the Snowball. While my motivation for side-hustle ‘grinding’ slowed down, the portfolio hit new milestones. From activating interest-free margin in my wife’s account to testing covered calls with my emergency fund (a move I’ve already corrected!), we’re breaking down the numbers. With $1,737 in dividends year-to-date, the…
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Summer Camp Open House 2026
From memories of fifth-grade field trips to touring the shores of Lake Erie with my own kids, our visit to the Camp Fitch Open House was a walk down memory lane. While summer camp is a significant line item in the budget, seeing the impact of these experiences on our children makes the ‘Snowball’ grind…
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