Blog

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

Canadian flag

How to withdraw money from an ATM in a foreign country (and not get swindled)

Posted by on | Featured

So, purchasing something in a different currency when traveling out of the country isn’t as simple as it sounds. If you’re not careful, you can get charged extra, depending on what entity does the conversion. This is also starting to … Read More … Read More

Tags: , ,
Bath bombs

What currency do you pay with when traveling abroad?

Posted by on | Featured

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

Tags: , , ,
Tissue box

To your good health

Posted by on | Featured

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

Tags: , ,
Ladder

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

Posted by on | Featured

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

Tags: , , , ,
Catherine wheel firework

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

Posted by on | Featured

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

Tags: , , , ,
Crossword

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

Posted by on | Featured

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

Posted by on | Featured

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

Tags: ,
Magic carpet ride

You can get “elite” status…with Vanguard

Posted by on | Featured

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

Tags: , ,
Mattress pattern

How financial products are like mattresses

Posted by on | Featured

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

Tags: ,
Stack of papers

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

Posted by on | Featured

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

Tags: , , ,