Archives for Family Finances
Why Is Donor Sperm So Expensive?
In my last post, I lamented the fact that my wife and I are temporarily postponing starting our family due to the recession and the cost of sperm. If you…
Simple Ways to Reduce Your Summer Utility Bills
Many utility companies have raised their rates this summer. Last month I almost barfed when we got hit with a $70 water bill, and a $200 electric bill. Since then,…
Eight ways money can buy happiness
Awhile back, Gretchen Rubin, projector of all things happy, listed 8 tips for how money can buy happiness. The entire list is a worthy read, but I wanted to emphasize…
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.…
Why Vacations Are Necessary When You’re Unemployed
I know, the title of this post sounds crazy: take a vacation while you're unemployed? Well, in my case, I had enough from free-lance earnings and needed a break from…
Why A Home Birth? It’s All in the Numbers
Freedom of Choice: For those who believe in women's freedom of choice about pregnancy, it's time to think about women's freedom of choice in birth. Though there are more birthing…
Not The Sex Talk Your Parents Gave
When my 11 year-old son stepped off the bus from summer camp, the first thing he proudly proclaimed very loudly to my wife - and the entire parking lot packed…
Baldwin, Lieberman Push Federal Domestic Partner Benefits
Believe it or not, it's harder for same-sex couples to get health benefits from the Federal government than it is from Dow Chemical. Tammy Baldwin, the only out lesbian in…
How much to spend on baby’s first birthday?
Sam is nearing his nine month mark and Jeanine is already thinking about his first birthday party. Based on this, I can tell she's going to be the better mommy…
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…