Years ago, and as I remember it, one of the cooler periods in my life, I was reading “The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin.”  I think that sentence speaks for itself, but let’s continue.  I read about the Ben Franklin Balance Sheet or what you could refer to as a pros and cons list or “T” chart.  I had used this …

“Sh*t happens.” I liked that phrase the first time I saw it on a bumper sticker and I like it still. This week my toilet at the office exploded.  I flushed, walked away and boom!  Water exploded and shot out from where the tank meets the seat all over the floor and walls and even a little on me.  Some …

If there is one new habit that I don’t mind, it would be curb side pick up for our groceries.  We have used Instacart delivery in the past, but the pandemic has turned curb side pick up from a random occasion into a common occurrence.  From a financial standpoint, it costs a little bit more per item to shop this …

It’s been a while since I’ve thrown down the gauntlet with a good old fashion monthly challenge.  This month’s challenge, if you choose to accept it, is one day of forced ignorance!  That’s it, just a one day challenge.  One day with no phone, no television, not even opening the mail.  I’ll be removing my coveted smart watch and giving my step …

When it comes to retirement planning, an important part of the discussion involves where you want to live.  Retirement is a new phase of life and, like anything new, it comes with uncertainty and many unknowns.  Unknowns like do we want to escape during the cold months or will we end up watching grand babies two days a week? My …

Back when I was in college studying economics, I was introduced to the idea of “menu costs.”  Since I love pizza, let’s tell a story… Big Bri’s pizza shop sells the best pizza in town.  They have a loyal customer base and every weekend they are slammed.  Over the past three months, Big Bri notices that the price he pays …

As you may or may not know, each state in the U.S. has an “unclaimed funds” fund.  When someone passes away, there are often times assets that slip through the cracks and never reach the intended heirs.  It could be two shares of Prudential stock that no one knew about or a small life policy that was still in force, …

Giant Sequoia (Sequoia gigantea). Cut from the Mark Twain Tree, which grew in the Kings River Grove, now part of the Kings Canyon National Park. Felled in 1891. At the American Museum of Natural History, New York A couple years ago, when visiting my parents who live outside of New York City, we took the kids to the American Museum …

(Warning – Today’s post is heavy on gripe and light on wisdom) All across the world, let alone the United States, trillions of dollars are sitting idle earning literally no interest in most bank accounts.  In the United States, the target interest rate is set by the Federal Reserve, so these institutions that we entrust as stewards and keepers of …

In a strange way, the title “Acorns & Honey” makes me very hungry.  I think my hunger stems from a Winnie the Pooh book we read with the kids where Roo makes her famous “Haycorn” cookies.  We’ll save the cookie recipe for another time because today we have a recipe created to help you save…when you spend.   First ingredient up, …