I recently watched a motivational video in which the speaker explained the way to find your passion is to try a bunch of things and see what you find most interesting. Then, keep doing it to see if it develops into a passion, or if it’s just something that’s “meh.”  I’ve been smoking meat for close to 10 years now, and I think I’m safe in saying it’s one of my passions.  This weekend, I’m going to try a new challenge.  I’m going to smoke a pork belly.  I hear if it’s done right, it will be the best pulled […] Read more »

I’m working from home today, and writing this from my kitchen table watching it snow outside.  It’s been a mild winter with warmer than normal temps and very little snow thus far. While that’s about to change (arctic blast headed our way next week), the warmer temperatures have significantly reduced my utility bills. While I’m a big believer in snowy winters, I don’t mind the extra cash in my budget this far into the winter. Huge fist pump for lower utility bills AND my favorite posts of the week! Posts That Make Me Fist Pump The Government Shutdown is Every […] Read more »

Happy New Year, EOD Nation!  2019 is young and full of potential.  Personally, I’m putting a renewed focus on my health, looking to lose about 40 pounds and run a half marathon (already registered) in June. I’ve also got some financial goals, including pumping up that emergency fund! I have fun events already planned (and paid for!) in 2019 including seeing one of my favorite bands in concert, a trip to Florida with a large group of friends, and a four day music festival in northern Minnesota. I’m sure more fun and exciting things will pop up, but 2019 is […] Read more »

Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me! As of today, my heart’s been beating for 45 years.  I’m hoping for at least another 45 and have plenty to look forward to.  My future is bright, and I always believe my future is going to be better than my past (and my past has been pretty great).  Keep on loving life, EOD Nation! Fist pump to birthdays, bright futures, and my favorite posts of the week! Post That Make Me Fist Pump 10 Tips To Nail Your New Years Resolutions from Money Beagle Stop Giving Markets Your Attention from Boomer […] Read more »

My 16 year old daughter will be shelling out some serious cash today. It’s not anything fun, it’s the deductible to fix the damages to her car from the fender bender she was involved in after school a few months ago.  She was pulling into a parking space and misjudged he car’s turning radius and dented the doors of another vehicle as well as damaging her bumper. It’s important she realize that while these mistakes are not the end of the world, they do come with consequences. Fist pump for teenagers learning financial lessons, and my favorite posts of the […] Read more »

Have you reached your deductible for your medical insurance coverage this year?  For the first time ever, my family has. We’re scrambling to figure out if there’s anything medical related we want to take care of in the last few weeks of 2018 to take advantage of the higher coverage amounts we have since meeting our deductible.  If you’re in the same boat, you might want to give it some thought as well. Now, get your fists up for my favorite posts of the week! Posts That Make Me Fist Pump 4 Ways to Teach Your Children the Value of […] Read more »

I’m extra excited about this week’s posts. Included in the list is a festive and seasonal post from Money Beagle about the movie National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. In the post are opinions I’ve shared for years, but never ran the numbers about just how much damage Clark would have to pay for out of pocket. If the events of the movie really happened, would Clark and family really get a swimming pool?  Check out the post and decide for yourself – it’s super fun. While you’re at it, check the other posts of the week which are equally as awesome, […] Read more »

I’m watching it snow out my window as the first winter storm of the season is underway. Nothing too bad, 5-8 inches of heavy wet snow is predicted to have fallen by the time the system moves out tomorrow morning. I’ve cleared my driveway once, and had a good chuckle remembering a post I wrote a few years ago about how real men use a shovel (not a snow blower).  While stuck at home for most of the weekend, we’ve done some laundry and put up our Christmas tree. It’s starting to feel like the holiday season! Fist pump for […] Read more »

Today is Black Friday, and as has been tradition as long as I’ve been writing here at EOD, I will tell you what a great night’s sleep I had last night. I spent an enjoyable day yesterday with family, and went to bed after watching news stories of peopled lined up for doorbuster deals. This morning I watched the morning programs have segment after segment boasting the best deals to be had today.  I spent exactly zero dollars.  Zero. I refuse to let mediocre deals on sub par quality products coax me into staying up all night fighting crowds and […] Read more »

Next week is my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving. I am consciously thankful each and every day, but it seems right for there to be a special day devoted to be thankful.  Whatever challenges you may have, financial or otherwise, keep in mind all the blessings you have in your life and be thankful for them. Fist pump for being thankful and my favorite posts of the week! Posts That Make Me Fist Pump Does It Matter Where You Go to College? from Money Crashers 3 Ways to Eat Well on a Budget This Thanksgiving from Everything Finance How to Protect Yourselves […] Read more »

Schools in Minnesota are out Thursday and Friday of this week, so my family and I are at Wisconsin Dells at an indoor water park. My wife had found a great deal for a two night stay in a specific room, however just a few days before our trip she discovered an even better deal was available from their website. She called the resort and asked for a price adjustment, which the reservations person agreed to.  With a simple short phone call, she saved us about $80! Fist pump for saving money AND my favorite posts of the week! Posts […] Read more »

Today is payday! Well, not for myself or my wife, but for both our kids! That means my daughter will be paying her car insurance bill and my son will be making his car payment. It gives me great pleasure as a parent to see my kids working hard to earn cash, taking care of their financial responsibilities and have some money left over to have some fun with. Fist pump for financially responsible kids, AND my favorite posts of the week! Posts That Make Me Fist Pump Is there a college savings rule of thumb? from Words On Wealth […] Read more »