Congress passed a massive 1.9 Trillion dollar pandemic relief bill this week.  Included in this relief package is another round of direct payments to millions of Americans.  One huge difference this time around is funds are being given for adult dependents including children over the age of 17.  This round of direct payments will be welcomed by those struggling financially.  But even though Congress attempted to be more targeted in who gets the money by reducing the upper income limit, there are many who will use the money to mark off wish list items. How about you, EOD Nation, are […] Read more »

I’m excited about this weekend, EOD Nation.  I’m always happy to see a weekend come into view, but this weekend I get to do something I really enjoy.  I get to make sausage. A friend of mine raves a sausage he and his wife had while on vacation in Paraguay a few years ago, and he found a recipe. I couldn’t turn down his request to help make it. We cubed the meat and mixed in the seasonings so it would be ready for grinding and stuffing tomorrow. It smells delicious! What inexpensive fun do you have going on this […] Read more »

Over the weekend I had a towing receiver installed on our new vehicle.  I need the receiver for the storage basket we use on our trips to Florida.  After skipping last year due to Covid-19 restrictions, we’re once again planning a beach trip this year.   Many people in our vacation group have been vaccinated, and things are relatively open in Florida.  Although quite frankly, we plan to stick to the rental house and the beach (the house is right on the beach) to minimize contact with others. We purchased a no-worries cancellation policy so we’re keeping an eye on […] Read more »

It has been cooooooold outside the last few weeks. We’ve been pretty spoiled so far this year in the Midwest as we’ve had mild weather and no really big snowstorms.  Another benefit of such weather is monthly utility bills have been less than usual for this time of year.  That luck ran out at the beginning of February when temps took a dip.  For an entire week, temps struggled to get above zero (Fahrenheit).  I’m guessing next month’s utility bills will reflect that.  The good news is Spring is just around the corner! Fist pump for low winter utility bills, […] Read more »

It’s Valentine’s Day this weekend, as if you didn’t already know.  Polls show that despite the pandemic, Americans are planning to spend more than ever on their significant other. The pandemic may actually be fueling the increase in spending because many have more discretionary funds due to lockdowns.  My wife has instructed me more than once that I am not to buy her flowers.  We do have plans to go out to eat for a special Love Day meal at one of her favorite restaurants.  Outside of that, we’ve both agreed that the best use of our funds right now […] Read more »

NFL football is my favorite sport to watch, therefore The Super Bowl is one of my favorite events. Normally I’m getting together with friends for the big game, either at my home or somewhere else.  This year, my wife and I will be winging it alone.  Literally, since I will need to have Buffalo wings as part of the game day food.  See what I did there?  It’ll be different, but I’m sure I’ll still enjoy the game. After all, my wife is my favorite person, and she loves football just as much as I do. Fist pump for The […] Read more »

With the reopening of restaurants in Minnesota, last weekend my wife and I went out to dinner with some friends.  It was fun, and the food was great but eating out can be expensive. This weekend will look much different.  Tonight, my wife and I purchased Alfredo sauce from Olive Garden and made pasta at home.  A normal Olive Garden visit would cost close to $100, but at home it’s a fraction of the cost.  Saturday night I’ll be grilling steaks, again at a fraction of the cost of going to a steakhouse.   We may not be going out, […] Read more »