Is there anything more Midwestern than a blog post about what a fair costs and visiting cute farm animals? How about the mention of deep-fried Oreos or deep-fried mac ‘n cheese? (Full disclosure: I saw both served on sticks and I ate neither…this time.) I’ve been going to the Walworth County Fair every summer since … [Read more…]
Remember how in my last money diary I joked about $19 in 48 hours making kids expensive? Hahahahahahahaha. Here’s live footage of me trying to salvage our budget at the end of July. via GIPHY There’s just something about summertime that means spending in my life. Though if social media is any indication, it’s pretty … [Read more…]
There’s nothing sweeter than summertime, so I thought it was only fitting that we do some celebrating. Specifically, I wanted to put together a roundup of other people’s money wins in the personal finance community. Why? Because I am spending all of my dollars this summer, so we better ask other people for help here. … [Read more…]
In the first two days of the month, we managed to spend $19 on our toddler. That means it’s official. Kids really are expensive. I kid. Kind of. We’ve actually been basking in the glow of all the fun summertime outdoor adventures these past two weeks. Thankfully, many of them also happen to be free … [Read more…]
You know the three reasons why people go into teaching, right? June. July. And August. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard this joke. But I can tell you that I’ve never actually heard a teacher tell it. Why? Because we know how short summers are getting, and we also understand how much … [Read more…]
With Memorial Day serving as the unofficial kickoff of summer and today’s temperature starting in the low 50s and nearing 90 by the end of the day, I figure now is as good a time as any to start this. But what exactly am I starting? My plan is to chronicle the summer spending that … [Read more…]
My default setting is programmed to shop. It’s truly an instinct and impulse. I spend a lot of time guarding against it, but I want to acknowledge something very important. Critical even. I. Buy. Things. It doesn’t get said enough. Not like that anyway. No, I don’t mean the excessive line spacing, either. Whenever people … [Read more…]
You’re probably thinking you’re reading about the money moves that I’m planning to make this summer because I’ve gotten so good at goal setting and consistent check-ins. Or maybe you’re thinking it’s because I’m so pumped about finding ways to simplify my finances while boosting my income and living more purposefully. Or maybe you know … [Read more…]
“What did you do this summer?” It’s hard to not look at that like a loaded question. And I’m not talking about all the people who seem to want me to prove that I wasn’t just lounging around eating bonbons with my fellow teachers. The truth is that I’ve always struggled with answering this question. … [Read more…]
I contend there’s no better city in the world in the summertime than Chicago. Kanye put it in a song, so it must be true. Though summertime Chi does coincide with construction season (if you’re not familiar, that’s any season that there isn’t still snow on the ground), summer is a pretty magical time here. … [Read more…]