Mini Thoughts

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  • Community: April 2026 – Donating vs Selling

    Spring cleaning is about more than just fresh air—it’s about a fresh mindset. While the Snowball journey is focused on income generation and side hustles, there is immense value in giving back. From local city programs for home repairs to choosing where we donate our outgrown clothes, here is why I’m prioritizing community impact over…

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  • Frugal Friday April 24, 2026: Garage Sale Season

    Garage sale season is officially here, and it kicked off with a major win. While helping my in-laws hunt for essentials at a local non-profit sale, I spotted a nearly new $230 gas weed wacker for just $30. After struggling with battery swaps on a large corner lot for two years, this $200 saving is…

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  • When Does it Get Easier? Debt, Investing, Bills, Expenses.

    I’m 90 days into this daily blogging journey, and the reality of the ‘Snowball’ is setting in. It’s a psychological battle: do I shovel every penny into debt, or do I keep fueling the passive income engine? With OXSQ dividends nearly doubling this month, I’m seeing the math win out over the doubt. Here is…

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  • Financial Education Series: Build Wealth with an Investment Policy Statement

    Investing without a plan is like driving without a map—you might move fast, but you won’t know where you’re going. An Investment Policy Statement (IPS) is your personal roadmap to financial discipline. Whether it’s a detailed document or a simple email to yourself, having an IPS keeps you calm when the market gets volatile and…

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  • Covered Calls and the Snowball 2026

    Taking a leap into options trading to see if it can supercharge the Snowball Experiment. I’m testing the waters with Covered Calls on GEVO and RIOT to turn existing shares into immediate cash flow—here’s how the first week of “renting out” my stocks is going.

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  • Investing and Options Trading: Dangerous or Lucrative for the Snowball?

    Options are often dismissed as pure gambling, but could they be the secret to accelerating the ‘Snowball’? As I dive into the world of 100-share batches and covered calls, I’m exploring whether these advanced tools are dangerous traps or lucrative income streams. Here is my early take on how options fit into a dividend-focused mindset.

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  • Cold Wet and Soaking Spring

    A night of Brats, Brews, and Chain Saws.

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  • Where Did the Elementary School Birthday Parties Go?

    My oldest is turning 17, and it’s got me reflecting on how much childhood has changed. I remember a time when every weekend was filled with classmate birthdays—simple backyard hangouts with pizza and tag. Today, those invites are rare. Have we traded the importance of socializing for the pressure of expensive, ‘perfect’ event parties? It’s…

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  • Frugal Friday April 17, 2026: A Week of Spending

    Life comes at you fast when you have a 17-year-old’s birthday, summer camp dues, and home insurance all hitting in the same week. This Frugal Friday, I’m looking at the reality of ‘spending to live’ and how a frugal mindset helps mitigate the damage—from $200 hotel savings to navigating local grants for kids’ activities.

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  • Building a Shed vs Buying a Shed in 2026

    The garage is full, the french drain is dug, and it’s time for a new 12×12 shed. But as I price out lumber and hardware for a DIY build, I’ve hit a classic ‘Time vs. Money’ crossroads. In this update, I’m breaking down the raw costs of building a shed from scratch versus hiring local…

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