Author Archives: Carol
Intermediate Personal Finance Concept: The Slush Fund
I know a lot of people are struggling to find employment (or keep it), establish a budget, pay off debt, amass an emergency fund and put aside money for retirement.…
Do you help friends or family who need money?
This has to be one of the most difficult financial situations through which to navigate. Important relationships are at stake and it seems to me that the most socially acceptable…
Is There a New Closet?
We just returned from a 10 day trip back 'œhome' to Michigan to visit friends and family. Part of our time was in rural countryside and part in the Metro…
How do money and reward work together in your life?
We have a lovely friend who is staying with us this month. He was in the process of moving anyway and he had agreed to stay with our cats for…
Gearing Up to Downsize
Over the last couple of months, we have been formulating our downsize plans. First we'll move to a smaller rental and eventually use the savings to build the tiny-eco-healthy house…
Sometimes Conventional Personal Finance “Wisdom” is not Wise for You
I read the Queercents Weekly Roundup by Elizabeth yesterday and couldn't resist her pointer to check out Kiplingers list of 20 ways to waste your money. One in particular caught…
The Importance of Tracking Expenses
The other day I helped a friend establish a budget. We did what most people do and set up categories that were meaningful to him and filled in either known…
First Do No Harm
This past weekend we watched the film The Eleventh Hour. It's a documentary about the crisis facing our planet which accomplished, at least with us, its goal to both frighten…
What Role Does Barter Play in Your Personal Economy?
I am the new owner of a vibrant piece of African inspired original artwork. It has given my kitchen a whole new life which is most welcome because I spend…
How Do You Know if You’re Saving Money at a Warehouse Club?
A couple of month's ago we made a trip out to Sam's Club at the suggestion of some friends who claim to save a lot of money shopping there. We…