Your Kids are Watching, What Are You Teaching Them?

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In a rush of memories recalled by the video being projected onto the wall, I was reminded of countless times my parenting skills didn’t qualify as Father Of The Year material. It was the last session of my son’s driver’s education class and parents were asked to attend the last half of the session. The instructor was attempting to drive home the point that the only way we will ever create a culture of safer drivers was for us parents to put in the time and effort to teach our sons and daughters how to be good drivers. The video […] Read more »

I Love You Like a Blogger Roundup – 06/20

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My 18th wedding anniversary is coming up in just a few weeks.  Three years ago, Vonnie and I were at about the midway point in our debt management program.  We were making progress, but money was tight and I was looking for an inexpensive yet meaningful  gift to give her.   She absolutely LOVED the look and smell of plumeria flowers when we were in Hawaii, so I found a online company that sold plumeria plants.  Since they were shipped from Hawaii, all the leaves and branches had to be removed so essentially what I got for my $10 was a […] Read more »

No Effort, No Results

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A little over a year ago my mom had major back surgery.  Over the years her spine had become so twisted that it was squishing her internal organs in a way that was extremely uncomfortable, and would only get worse.  Titanium rods were attached to her spine using large screws in hopes that it would force her spine to be straightened, improve her posture, and resolve some breathing and pain issues she had been dealing with for years.  She is in her mid to late 60’s and the doctors advised that if she was going to have surgery the time […] Read more »

I Love You Like A Blogger Roundup – 6/13

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This Sunday is Father’s Day, so I’d like to give an extra special fist pump to all the dads out there!   The best gift I received from my wife for Father’s Day was very simple:  Time.   I’m a busy guy, constantly in motion doing things to keep the household running.  One year she told me that for the afternoon I could do whatever I wanted.  I decided to finally get to trimming the trees in the front yard of the home we lived in at the time.  I just couldn’t ever seem to find the time to get it done,  […] Read more »

No Thanks, DirectTV, You Know Where You Can Stick Your High Pressure Sales Act

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I thanked the employee that had asked if I needed any help, guided me to what I was looking for within Best Buy,  and answered my questions. As I began to turn away, he said, “Oh, just one more thing. Who is your cable provider?” It was at that moment I noticed for the first time he was wearing a shirt with the DIRECTV logo embroidered into it. I knew exactly what was coming next as he led me to a table where he pulled out a notebook and started asking me more questions. He wrote information I was providing […] Read more »

I Love You Like A Blogger Roundup – 6/06

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Today’s the last day of the school year for my kids, and I’m celebrating.  This means that my morning routing just got a whole lot less complicated for the next three months.  I honestly think I’m more excited about the summer than they are.  Is that wrong? Extra special fist pump for summer vacation today, let’s get it on! Posts That Make Me Fist Pump The Importance Of Figuring Out Your Money Philosophy from Bible Money Matter Why I’m So Excited to Spend Money Again on Cable TV from Luke1428 Bad Money Habits and the Excuses We Make for Them […] Read more »

How Much Does It Cost Businesses To Allow Credit and Debit Card Payments?

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Imagine going through a fast food drive through, and seeing a sign stating that you will be charged a service fee for each order. If that wasn’t odd enough, the sign goes on to say that your $0.39 will be refunded if you pay with credit card, cash, or gift card. That’s exactly what a long time EOD reader reported to me via email recently, and after some internet searching I found that a company that owns 20 Taco Bell and KFC restaurants across the Midwest has indeed implemented this policy. If you were reading carefully, you should have come […] Read more »

I Love You Like a Blogger Roundup – 5/30

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Last week was a complete whirlwind.  Party preparation, having people stay at our house a few nights, and then taking most of Sunday and Monday to clean up left me  exhausted by the time I had to go to work on Tuesday.   We combined our annual Memorial Weekend Luau themed party with a celebration for us completing our Debt Management Program at the end of January, and it was a fist pumping great time. So what am I doing this weekend?  Nothing.  Nada.  Zero.  I may just climb into bed after work this afternoon and fist pump from underneath my […] Read more »

Confession: I Broke My Number One Rule Of Shopping

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I know I cannot be trusted with credit cards; the temptation of overspending is just too much for me to handle. That’s why I will never carry them again.   But I would have never guessed the events that unfolded late last week as I was shopping for needed items for our annual Memorial Weekend Luau themed party. The party was going to be a little bigger than it has been the last few years, because it was also doubling as our celebration for completing our Debt Management program. We’ve been saving up since the end of January to make sure […] Read more »

I Love You Like a Blogger Roundup – 5/23

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It’s been a whirlwind couple of days…I’ve been on “vacation.”  What I mean by vacation is smoking brisket, dusting, organizing, cleaning, shopping, cleaning carpets, decorating and countless other things in preparation for THE largest party we’ve every thrown.  It’s a combination of our annual Memorial Weekend Party and celebration for completing our debt management program.  Which reminds me, I gotta make another trip to the grocery store. You’re gonna have to fist pump without me this week.  Nope, I can’t leave you hanging, I’m pumping both fists as I run out the door….. Posts That Make Me Fist Pump I […] Read more »

Credit Card Companies Aren’t Providing Credit Scores For YOUR Benefit

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The credit card companies are at it again. Remember, these are the same companies that think you’re so stupid that they actually created a commercial that suggests it would be a great idea to buy things for your friends just to earn credit card rewards. What are they up to now? Credit card companies are offering to give you your credit score for free. On the surface, it sounds like a good deal for consumers. Obtaining your credit score will usually cost you somewhere around $20. The credit card companies are doing us such a nice favor by providing us […] Read more »

I Love You Like a Blogger Roundup – 5/16

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“Welcome To Jurassic Park” It’s the last line of my email signature at work, but  since it’s placed there automatically through my email preferences I honestly had forgotten it was there.  For some reason it caught my eye yesterday, and made me remember the reasoning for including it on each and every email I send. If you’ve seen the movie Jurassic Park, you may remember where the line is said.  It’s towards the beginning of the movie when the two paleontologists are riding in an open air jeep through the island seeing plants that they believe have been extinct for […] Read more »

The Big Wins You Should Go After

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The following is a guest post from Martin of Studenomics, where he’s totally focused on creating financial freedom by 30! I’ve been writing about personal finance for five years now. I’ve explored every topic from big wins to frugality to real estate. There are times where I discuss more advanced topics. Then sometimes I run into a friend and they want to hear about getting started. I know that most of you are past the stage of getting started so we won’t discuss the basics. Instead we will refresh on the big wins. The one thing that we’re all delusional […] Read more »

Having Money Doesn’t Guarantee A Happy Marriage

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My wife and I have had our share of arguments about money. Especially during the four and a half years that we were paying down our credit card debt and our budget was extremely tight. Like many people, I would frequently think about how much happier I would be if we had more money. It’s hard not to agree with the thought that money could buy happiness now that we have a significant amount of extra funds given we no longer have a huge debt payment each month. I admit that our marriage and life in general seems much easier […] Read more »