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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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Rain Rain Go Away Come Again On Weekdays
I’m in the middle of finishing sanding and painting my 70 year old garage door and it just won’t stop being cold and rainy. My grass is also getting very tall; which is great for some pretty flowers, but I really need to mow it. My area is prone to spring rain and minor flooding
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Frugal Friday 5/1/26: Selling Scraps
From big-ticket items like a new shed and summer camp to wedding travel, April has been a test of financial endurance. While it hasn’t felt like a ‘frugal’ month, a lucky roadside find and a little DIY elbow grease are keeping the side-hustle spirit alive. Here’s a look at the reality of a ‘rough on…
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High Dividends Can Fall: ORC
The ‘Snowball’ just hit a patch of salt. Orchid Island Capital (ORC) announced a 16% dividend cut, dropping from $0.12 to $0.10. While a $170 annual hit might seem concerning, it’s a calculated risk in an experiment designed for high speed. Here’s why I’m not panicking—and how my recent covered call premiums are already outperforming…
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Financial Education Series: Picking Investments and Compounding Wealth
Once your Emergency Fund is tucked away, the real question begins: what do you do with the rest? From maximizing interest in an HYSA to understanding why legendary investors like Warren Buffett bank on index funds, I’m breaking down the ‘boring’ math that builds millionaires. Learn how to beat inflation and why a simple S&P…
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