We’re halfway through the year! I’m not sure if I should be looking for congratulations or condolences. There’s nothing quite like the calendar flip to July to make me think long and hard about what I’ve done with my year…and what I have left to do. First up is an exploration of my goals for … [Read more…]
There’s no such thing as stupid questions. But I’m pretty sure I’m about to ask one. When should I pay off my mortgage? We’ve been homeowners for a while now. In fact, we were just awkwardly introducing ourselves to new neighbors down the street (I later found part of a stick in my hair, don’t … [Read more…]
Aging is not a death sentence. It is, in fact, the exact opposite. Each birthday is another opportunity to grow, and it’s not just about becoming long in the tooth. People travel forward on their journeys, even if especially if their journeys aren’t straight lines. Of course, our thoughts and views change. What doesn’t get … [Read more…]
I used to confess this money secret pretty regularly, but I haven’t made mention of it for a while. I don’t track our net worth. Famously. Infamously. Stupidly. While it’s a rationale that’s probably complicated enough to merit a whole post, the short answer is that net worth doesn’t mean much to us right now. … [Read more…]
It’s here! It’s here! My goal post for the quarter. You know the obligatory post that every blogger writes because readers are their bestest accountability buddies? Ok, OK. The post that every blogger writes because people love to snoop and we want to indulge you? OK, FINE. It’s the post that should, in theory, be … [Read more…]
Happy April! The birds are chirping. The sun is staying out later. And it’s snowed, it’s rained, and it’s been 50 and sunny…all in the past week. Welcome to springtime in Chicago! With the arrival of spring (and the other three seasons that also sporadically burst onto the scene), I thought it was finally fitting … [Read more…]
I hate my mortgage. How’s that for today’s installment of Truths That Surprise No One? No amount of rationalizations have ever made my mortgage seem palatable. I know our interest rate is low. I know we bought at a great time. I know that my money could be working harder for me in the market. … [Read more…]
The maturity date on my mortgage is 2042. 2042. 2 0 4 2. It’s a pretty depressing number if you let that fully sink in. My kid will be done with college. My teaching career will be coming to a close. My car will most assuredly fly a la The Jetsons. 2042 is a long … [Read more…]
If I’m being totally honest, I haven’t felt much like celebrating lately. What a way to start a post on money wins, huh? I think I lost the forest for the trees. Or the trees for the forest. Or money doesn’t grow on trees. Or something. Everything has just felt so financially ordinary lately. There … [Read more…]
Normally, this money wins series is all about celebrating small victories. In past editions, I’ve shouted from the blog rooftops about everything from reversed credit card fees to rounding up paycheck pennies for charitable causes. But you know what? It’s the start of a new year, and it’s time for some major motivation. We made … [Read more…]