Taking a Pause

I’m taking a pause on writing weekly content here. It’s been nearly two years of brainstorming, writing, editing, and publishing a weekly article. For the past six months or so, I’ve been writing for this website and my new company website, Kindness Financial Planning. While I’ve been trying to maintain the pace of two weekly … Read more

Is a Costco Membership Worth It?

I love Costco.  I loved it when I was living with roommates, living alone, and with a partner.  Costco is an amazing place full of quality items with decent prices. They have gas stations, car washes, seasonal gear, rotisserie chicken, their famous $1.50 hot dog and drink combo, alcohol, wine, and more.  I get tremendous … Read more

The Ultimate Guide to Reviewing a Job Offer

You are thinking about finding a new job or you recently landed a new job offer. How do you review the job offer? Are you only looking at the differences in salary? Have you considered the other benefits? Are you making as close to an apples-to-apples comparison as possible? When I talk with people, I … Read more

How I Changed My Spending After Quitting My Job

It’s strange going from earning more money than I thought I would ever make to not only not earning an income, but paying for the privilege to work.  I quit my job a little more than six months ago and started my own company. I’ve been fascinated by how my spending has shifted, but more … Read more

The Stock Market Declined…Now What?

The stock market declined…now what? What do you do?  Are you supposed to do anything? I was talking to my fiancée yesterday because she looked at her retirement accounts for the first time in a few months. She has really absorbed the lesson not to look at her investment accounts that often because markets being … Read more

Fuck You Money: The Different Levels

Fuck You Money - The Different Levels

I’m fascinated by “fuck you money”, or as some call it, “FU you money.”  I remember the first time I heard the term was early in my career. It was not used in the way many individuals use it today.  It was used in the context of having enough assets under management as a financial … Read more

Give Yourself Grace

Give yourself grace. In what? Whatever you are thinking of at this very moment. That thing. Give yourself grace for that thing you are hesitant to give yourself grace for. As of this writing (and I write about 3-4 weeks ahead of when you read), it’s been a very rough week with very rough conversations and … Read more

5 Personal Finance Opinions People May Not Agree With

Do you ever experience an acquaintance who says something so confidently it feels like it must be true?  It usually goes something like, “Oh, you must absolutely do…” and then they finish with something that sounds logical.  Then, you think, “Wait, I’m not doing that. I should probably do that now.”  That exists in personal … Read more

Should I Buy or Lease a Car?

Lease or buy?  It’s a common question. Many people understand buying a car.  You negotiate the sale price, pay cash or finance the car, and you are on your way. At the end of the financing, you own the car.  Fewer people understand leasing a car.  You get more jargon and ways to hide the … Read more

Should I Pay Cash for a Car?

Should I Pay Cash for a Car? It’s a classic question – “Should I pay cash for a car?”  For those with the resources, the appeal of owning a car outright is strong. No car payment. You get the title. No annoying bank to deal with now or in the future.  However, for some people, … Read more