Blog

Blog

Musings on personal finance and more. Not written with AI since 2012.

Bath bombs

What currency do you pay with when traveling abroad?

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I just returned from a week-long excursion to Vancouver Island in Canada. I very much enjoy traveling to our health-care loving neighbor to the north, and not just because I have NEXUS (which can make the crossing much easier), but … Read More … Read More

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Tissue box

To your good health

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I talk a lot (endlessly, some might say) about how to change your habits and make massive changes in your life, specifically with money. Being wealthy isn’t about making a ton of money (ask any NFL star who filed for … Read More … Read More

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Ladder

Is fear of losing money (or love) the only thing you’ve gained?

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We all have started out with some level of privilege. Whether it’s the privilege of being born in a middle class home, being born tall or extremely good looking, or even just being born in a country where water was … Read More … Read More

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Catherine wheel firework

Prince vs. The Barnes Foundation: do you even need a will?

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I’ve found myself quite avoidant to the task of getting a will. Then again, it’s a question worth asking: Do you really need a will? Now, I Am Not A Lawyer, as the saying goes, but I do have some … Read More … Read More

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Crossword

How (not) getting a will showed me why we don’t think about finances

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I’m really enjoying my life right now. More to the point, I certainly don’t have any plans for it to end anytime soon. But, well, you know, let’s face it, I’ve read the statistics, and one out of every one … Read More … Read More

Inspectors

A Vanguard benefit for those without “elite” status

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So Vanguard has “elite” status tiers with extra benefits for those who qualify. The tiers start at $50,000. But $50,000 is a lot of money to many of you. Me too. And while it’s nothing approaching the roughly $1,000,000 that … Read More … Read More

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Magic carpet ride

You can get “elite” status…with Vanguard

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I’m an unsophisticated investor, but I consider that a good thing. I’d rather do something simple that has a proven track record, rather than go for big bets that are unproven and even more risky. After all, this is my … Read More … Read More

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Mattress pattern

How financial products are like mattresses

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I wanted to come up with a good analogy of why a fiduciary duty is such an important regulation to have in place in our society. And it made me think of mattresses. … Read More

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Stack of papers

The meaning of “fiduciary”, or why others looking out for you is controversial

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A “fiduciary” is a person or organization that is required to act in the best interest of another. I believe that everyone should be required to act in this way. If I’m going to work with anyone or anything in the … Read More … Read More

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Barbed wire

Why there is almost nothing redeeming about Uber

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So okay, maybe I don’t hate taxis so much anymore. I get their place in our society. When your time is worth more than your money, a taxi can make sense. But while I’ve softened my stance on taxis (even … Read More … Read More

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