Earn, Save, and Live Joyfully.
How vivid is your vision of the future? Do you know where you want to go? Do you create specific financial goals to get you there? Decades ago, I didn’t have a plan for my money. I loaded it into my bank account without a clear idea of why I needed it or how I … Read more
Have you ever felt like you lost your identity? Anyone undergoing a significant life change can experience a loss of identity. New relationships, losing a loved one, childbirth, moving, job loss, and the end of close relationships can lead to an identity crisis. So can an unexpected diagnosis or traumatic event. It may seem difficult … Read more
This year I inadvertently helped my parents embark on the act of Swedish death cleaning. Shortly after my father received his cancer diagnosis, I began helping my parents clean and declutter their home. Although they keep a relatively organized house, they still had too much stuff and not enough space to welcome visitors after my dad became ill. The house’s … Read more
If given the option, would you choose quality over quantity? What does the question mean? The phrase quality over quantity means it’s more important to have fewer high-quality relationships, moments, interactions, food, and clothing, than tons of less valuable versions. But most of us repeatedly choose quantity over quality. It’s ingrained in us from a … Read more
The posts on this blog have been sparse lately. Despite my best intentions, I haven’t written much. Caring for my dad, managing my parents’ finances, tending to my children, and completing a never-ending list of household chores haven’t left time for my daily musings. There was a time when I would get itchy if I didn’t … Read more
My dad died peacefully at his home after a nearly year-long battle with cancer. Nine days before he passed, he told me he wasn’t ready to go. He didn’t fear death. What he feared was leaving us all behind. There are so many things I want to say about my dad, but it’s tough to … Read more
Today I’m undertaking a good, old-fashioned closet cleanout. I’m rolling up my sleeves, clearing the racks, and embarking on a no-holds-barred closet purge. What do you see when you open your closet? Is it full of so many things you can’t squeeze another item inside? Is it overrun by unworn clothes you thought you’d love … Read more
What financial facts would your family need to know if you became incapacitated or unexpectedly died? What documents would you need to gather, and what questions should you answer before the need arises? I’ve been managing my aging parent’s finances for a few months now, but I still have many questions. Yesterday, my dad and I sat … Read more
This summer, I became an official member of the sandwich generation. After my dad’s cancer diagnosis in August, I began caring for my aging parents while raising my two boys. In August, I took over management of my parent’s finances, and I did so without any pushback from them. Why was the transition so easy? Because … Read more
It’s been thirty days since I last published a post on this blog. Last month, I wrote about self-care guilt and my desire to care for myself without feeling bad about it. Over the past month, I’ve spent hours in doctor’s appointments with my dad, and when I come home, I’m exhausted. Writing is usually my go-to … Read more