A Place For Things I Think About
In 1943, Abraham Maslow introduced us to his hierarch of needs concept. The basic premise is that needs must be satisfied from the bottom up. For example, if one’s physiological and safety needs are not met, love and belonging, esteem, and self-actualization cannot be fully realized. Physiological needs – food, shelter, sleep, homeostasis Safety needs…
A popular expression I used to hear a lot when I was in the service was “you’re never going to get rich working for the government”. I’m sure other work sectors share the same sentiment. But just saying it, even believing it, doesn’t make it true. A good paying job along with the ability to…
According to Vicki Robin, author of Your Money or Your Life, U.S. respondents to happiness surveys consistently rate their happiness between 2.6 – 2.8 (out of 5) regardless of income level. When asked how much more they’d need to be happy, they respond somewhere between 50-100% more than they have now. But those that have…
The New York couple in this CNBC article feels stress about their finances and “average” lifestyle, despite a household earning of $500,000 per year. Living in New York is certainly more expensive than in many other parts of the country, but does their financial stress stem from their circumstances or their choices? In Vicki Robin’s…
This is a great reminder that your income level is only one aspect of your personal finance strategy. Granted it is a very powerful part of the strategy and it is the part you can likely drive the greatest change. Improving your skills, education, hours worked, projects completed, etc. can result in significant income gains….
On Saturday night I led the first session of a basic personal finance training class I am offering through my church. I can’t claim to have written or developed the material. It is more accurate to say I compiled the material from the many books, blogs, podcasts, YouTube channels, and Twitter accounts I regularly…
People assume the funniest things. Our two kids are a little over 8 years apart in age. Someone once referred to Caleb as our “oops” baby, assuming he was an unplanned surprise after our family had been firmly established. Nothing could be further from the truth. Jennifer and I talked about having kids well before…
The question comes up often, “So, what do you do?” I stumble over the answer every time. It usually sounds like: “I’m not really doing anything.” “I’ve stepped away from the workplace for a while.” “I’m taking an extended sabbatical.” “I’m semi-retired.” The truth is, I’m not exactly sure what my status is. But I…
When we originally cancelled our cable television subscription (around 10 years ago now), I purchased a rooftop antenna and a desktop PC that came with Windows Vista as well as their Media Center application installed. We used this setup for several years to watch and record over-the-air television content. When the PC died 4 or…
I’m not sure when I was introduced to the envelope system for budgeting. I know it was well over 20 years ago, however. My mother-in-law may have been the first one to suggest it early in my and Jennifer’s marriage. Regardless where the idea came from, we have been using this method in some form…