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Is $12/hr Enough? How to Master the 2026 Vegas Economy Without the Fear
Can you actually survive in Las Vegas on $12 an hour? Following an X argument with an ex-Denverite, I’m breaking down the “McDonald’s Standard” in Nevada. From 0% state income tax to the $1,000 studio apartment reality, we crunch the numbers on taxes, transit, and the 401k Saver’s Credit cliff to see if a Vegas…
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The March Debt Battle: How Surprising Bills Wrecked the Avalanche
March brought a major reality check. Between January medical resets and over $5,800 in unexpected family medical bills, the “Debt Avalanche” hit a wall. Here is how I’m pivoting—including a strategic move to my HELOC—to stop 22% interest from killing my momentum.
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Frugal Friday 3/13/26: Fast Food or Leftovers?
A lesson in Frugal Friday: Balancing a son’s hard work with a commitment to the debt snowball. Discover how expiring reward points turned a “leftovers night” into a free family meal and why utilizing every tool in your financial toolbox matters.
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How do You Budget? I Want to Track it All.
I’m opening up the books and looking at every single dollar. From the “scary” $93k annual total to the actual $47k it costs to keep our household running, here is the raw breakdown of my 2026 budget, the hidden subscriptions I found, and how I’m tracking my emergency fund.
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Frugal Friday 3/4/26: When Can You Lower a Bill?
My internet bill spiked to $99 after a “hidden” promotion expired. Here is how 30 minutes on the phone saved me $90 and how I’m turning that extra cash into more dividends for the snowball.
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Frugal Friday 2/27/26: Party on a Budget
Can you feed 8 people lunch and dinner for under $33? This Frugal Friday, I’m breaking down the ‘Cash Only’ grocery run for my recent board game day. From Ohio’s 0% grocery tax to the ‘freezer stock’ strategy, see how skipping the pizza delivery saved me over $20 while still keeping the soda fridge full.
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Debt: Is There Such a Thing as Good Debt vs Bad Debt?
I’m getting honest about my own $65,000 debt “travesty”—including a 20.5% interest credit card and a 401k loan. This is the raw math of the “Hair on Fire” emergency and my 16-month plan to clear the table so the Snowball can truly take off.
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Frugal Friday 2/13/26: Big or Small Pennies Compound Too
After the massive response to my $350 monthly budget, I’m launching Frugal Friday. This week, I’m walking through my “Grocery Audit”—the exact process I use to find hidden money in my pantry and fridge to fund my Dividend Snowball. See how skipping a few brand names can buy you a lifetime of passive income.
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Surprise Bills That Shouldn’t be a Surprise
February just handed me a $5,240 reality check. From property taxes and insurance premiums to a sudden $240 modem failure, the “surprise” bills are hitting all at once. But instead of just paying out of pocket and losing momentum, I’m using the Snowball strategy. Discover how I use SGOV to turn “bill money” into a…
Mini Thoughts
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