After nearly two months of a second lockdown (our governor called it a “pause”), things are beginning to open up a bit again in the state of Minnesota.  I really try to limit the amount spent on dining out, but I am so ready to have a nice meal prepared by someone else. I’m not a huge fan of takeout, because the quality goes way down as you drive home from the restaurant with the food in brown bags. It’ll be nice to go out and support local restaurants again! Fist pump for opening back up, and my favorite posts […] Read more »

Happy New Year, EOD Nation! As you might expect with the start of a new year, both social and mainstream media are saturated with new year resolutions. With the turning of the calendar people feel it’s the perfect time to set goals and make changes to better their lives. In the past few years, I’ve noticed a rise (especially from social media) of posts mocking making such resolutions.  This seems to stem from the fact that it’s totally clique to make resolutions on the 1st of the year, only to fall off the wagon a few days or weeks later.  […] Read more »

Welcome to a Christmas fist pump!  Due to the whole pandemic thing, we’re not gathering with my parents or my wife’s parents.  However, our kids are home from college so at least we get to see them.  Also, after weeks of speculation we would not have a white Christmas for the first time in nearly 10 years a surprise snowstorm rolled through on the 23rd giving us just enough snow to make things white.  Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you, EOD Nation! Fist pump for a white Christmas, and my favorite posts of the week! Posts That Make Me […] Read more »

Happy Fist Pump Friday!  OK, I’m a little late this weekend, but I wanted to check in with the EOD Nation because there’s been some exciting financial developments recently. Medical Bills In September of 2019 I tore the Achilles Tendon in my right foot and had to have surgery to repair it. Both my wife and daughter also incurred significant medical bills late 2019, and early 2020. I worked with the medical provider to be put on a payment plan to a.) maximize the amount of pre-tax HSA funds I could use to pay the bills b.) minimize the impact […] Read more »

A reminder popped up on my computer screen today reminding me the 3 wick candle sale starts at Bath and Body Works today.  Regularly $24.95, every 3 wick candle is on sale for $9.95 Friday, Saturday and Sunday. My wife sent me a list of types she likes, and I headed to the mall to get some as a Christmas gift.  I was able to find many on her list, but some are out of season or out of stock.  An employee suggested I simply buy a random candle, put it away, and then bring it back and exchange it […] Read more »

Our daughter is home from college for the holidays. It’s interesting to see her perspective change on things after just a few short months at college.  For example, we were contemplating what to do for dinner, and we suggested ordering pizza.  Her boyfriend was at the house, and just the way the conversation played out, I didn’t make it clear that I would and paying for their pizza as well.  Given the confusion, she asked who would be paying for it, because she was concerned about how much she had been spending on food lately.  This is a concern she’s […] Read more »

Even though we knew the pandemic hadn’t ended, life had started to feel a little normal. We had been getting together with a small group of friends, and occasionally going out to eat. With the massive rise in numbers, the Governor of Minnesota put the clamp down on social gatherings.  So, my wife and I enjoyed a night in, cooking a delicious meal of grilled ribeye, breaded shrimp, sides and a bottle of our favorite cabernet.  We had a great dinner, watched a few of our favorite television programs we had recorded from the week, and enjoyed each other’s company […] Read more »

After several weeks of temperatures way below normal, we’ve finally got a week above average temps.  This is likely our last blast of 70 degree weather in Minnesota until spring, so I’m going to enjoy it.  Windows are open and no heater or AC running.  One more lawn mowing is on tap as well as one last gasp at outdoor projects.  I also cannot confirm or deny I might find myself sitting by a fire table with a glass of bourbon in hand. Fist pump for nice fall weather, and my favorite posts of the week! Posts That Make Me […] Read more »

I’ve been waiting for today for a long time.  Twelve months ago I was in a walking boot recovering from surgery to repair a completely torn Achilles Tendon. Today I will run the Twin Cities 10 mile run.  Normally this run would occur the first weekend in October in the Twin Cities starting at US Bank Stadium and ending at the state Capitol. Due to COVID-19  the run is virtual this year.  The bad news is, there will be no starting line buzz, no crowds along the course, and no massive finish line.  The good news is, I’ll have some […] Read more »

Fall has definitely made it’s appearance.  Leaves on the trees have been changing for awhile, but we were still enjoying temps in the 60’s and 70’s.  Most of next week’s high temps are in the 40’s.  Yikes.  While I’m sad to see summer leave, I do look forward to turning on the fireplace and watching it snow.  It also means it’s time to get serious about being ready for the holidays, both mentally and financially.  I know some people save for holiday spending all year, but I just can’t get myself to do it. But, with November staring me in […] Read more »

My daughter is six weeks into her first year in college, and is already looking to shake things up.  She lives in the dorms, and we told her she didn’t have to have a job her first year so she could focus on her studies and getting acclimated to a more independent life. Well, she starts a new job on Monday and her and a friend she met in the dorms are already looking at apartments for next year.  This is an opportunity to have great financial discussions with her regarding budgeting, rent, utilities, damage deposits and other independent living […] Read more »

We made it! After taking a serious chunk out of our discretionary funds by buying a new snow blower a few weeks ago, we’ve entered a new budget cycle with the first of the month.  That means we cut our discretionary funding enough over the last two weeks to pay for the snow blower AND still have quite a bit of fun. When you and your significant other are on the same page financially and the lines of communication flow freely, you can accomplish anything! Fist pump for reaching financial goals, AND my favorite posts of the week! Posts That […] Read more »

It’s the weekend, friends! My wife and I are looking for low cost activities the next few weekends because last weekend we bought a snow blower.  It was a great deal, but it was unplanned. We consciously decided to spend the money out of our discretionary funds for the second half of September.  After laying down a big chunk of cash my new winter toy, we have to be very selective as to what do for fun the next two weekends.  The good news is, this weekend I’ll be occupied tidying up the landscaping on the front of our house, […] Read more »

The NFL season kicked off last night and my Minnesota Vikings play their first game on Sunday. We’re planning on having people over to watch the game in our garage (big space, open air, pandemic friendly).  It’s a potluck, and our contribution is homemade pastrami sandwiches.  That also means I get to fire up my smoker.  The cost of the brisket for the pastrami was $35, and I needed another $15 in supplies for the spices and things needed for the sandwiches.  That’s a total of about $50 for what will be our weekend’s main event. Fist pump for firing […] Read more »