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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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Cold Wet and Soaking Spring
A night of Brats, Brews, and Chain Saws.
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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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Financial Education Series: Free Money Following Investing Order
Are you working for less money than you agreed to? If you aren’t meeting your employer’s retirement match, the answer is yes. In part two of our Financial Education series, we’re breaking down Employer Sponsored Plans (ESPs)—from the common 401(k) to the TSP—and using the math of a 30-year career to show why the employer…
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Beautiful Sunday: Learning to Transplant Plants.
Learning some gardening skills.
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Saturday Almost Done with Vacation
Just trying to work on more housework before I have to get back to the grind on monday.
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Wednesday Work During My Week Off
Got a kid’s room cleaned and rearranged. Hung some cabinets in the basement.
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Frugal Friday April 3rd 2026: When Frugality Goes Sideways
Frugality isn’t always a straight line to savings; sometimes, it’s an expensive detour. This Frugal Friday, I’m sharing a cautionary tale of how a DIY burial for my cat turned into a $400 lesson in utility locations. From severed invisible fence wires to emergency landscaping, here is the ‘gritty truth’ of why doing it yourself…
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Financial Education Series: What is the Investing Order?
Most people know they should invest, but few know where to put the first dollar. In this installment of the Financial Education Series, we break down the ‘Investing Order’—a prioritized roadmap for your money. From securing employer matches to navigating tax-advantaged accounts like IRAs and HSAs, this guide serves as a nexus for building a…
Mini Thoughts
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