Food

Becoming a Vegetarian Has Many Benefits and Could Actually Save You Money

Over the years, we’ve heard a lot about trying to eat healthier, and eating veggies and fruit is often touted as one surefire way to do that. But let’s be honest here. Living in the good old U.S.A, eating meat is the primary way that we dine and that starts when you are just a child. Perhaps you remember the old commercials…“Beef, it’s what’s for dinner”. Hamburgers and hot dogs are our go-to foods and red meat is our primary preferred way to dine. At least that has been my observation over the last 70 years.

Spring salad representing becoming a vegetarian

But these days, during high inflation, vegetarianism is growing particularly among non-whites, and there may be some good reasons for everyone to at least consider it. One of those reasons is this: becoming a vegetarian can actually save you money!

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More, Personal Finance

5 Pet Peeves About Finance & Money: Do They Annoy You Too?

Sometimes I just get stuck on a subject and can’t get it out of my head. My wife often says that when I get like that I over-react; I grumble, mumble, and repeat my source of aggravation over and over again. I admit that it is true. But all of us have some pet peeves that bother us from time to time. When it does happen it’s bad, but when it happens repeatedly, it’s even worse.

Frustrated man representing pet peeves

Since this blog is in effect my financial journal, the subject of discomfort and annoyance that are relevant here are those financial pet peeves in my life that actually warrant a post. So here goes, and please don’t agree with my wife after you read them!

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More, Personal Finance

Corporate Greed Is Now a Big Part of Inflation and You’re Paying for It

Last November, while I was having a Thanksgiving meal with my family, a discussion came up about inflation and what the reasons were that it has run wild for months. I have been talking about inflation now for over 18 months and that was long before the Fed or most people gave it a second thought, but last November it was a big topic. My opinion then (as it is now) is that inflation has several causes but that price gouging and corporate greed (profiteering) is a real part of it. I was met with skepticism, denial, and an actual argument over it.

Vulture with money, gold, and coins representing corporate greed

It’s Not a Pretty Thought…

…but corporate greed is now driving inflation way more than you ever dreamed. Perhaps you still doubt it or want to doubt it because you think “hey, this is America and they wouldn’t ever do that” or “gee, we live in a country where business is free to charge whatever they want and make money, right?”

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Health

A Spoonful of Savings Helps the Medicine Go Down: How to Save Money on Medications

When you don’t feel well, whether it’s a random headache, a temporary infection, or a chronic illness getting you down, the last thing you want is to spend more and more money to feel better. The cost of medicines and prescriptions has been going through the roof, but what choice do you have but to spend on them? Here’s how to save money on medications you need.

Pile of pills representing how to save money on medications

The Good News

The good news is that there are several ways to help save money on medications. As I’ve gotten older and accumulated more health issues, taking medications has become a daily routine for me. It can really eat up a lot of your budget even when you are being careful. In my case, I spend about triple what the average person spends a year, running into several thousands. Here are some of the ways you and I both can help control costs, even if you need meds every day.

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Personal Finance

True or False? Your Best Financial Decisions Are Still Ahead of You

You constantly make financial decisions. That’s just a fact. Some of them are seemingly simple and unimportant like where you’re having lunch today when you are out and about. Or whether you should buy that new pair of shoes you saw online today or just wait until the next big sale.

Two college students studying representing your best financial decisions

But then there are the other decisions you make: the really significant ones like taking on a new job or buying an expensive car. Those decisions can have a major impact on your financial future.

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Personal Finance

The Must-Know Money Tips to Take Your Finances to the Next Level

It occurred to me, after being on the planet for almost 73 years, that what I and most of us call good money habits are unknown to millions among us who just haven’t any clue about that. After all, if they did, then the need for me or anyone to write about it would be a totally moot point, wouldn’t it?

Figure climbing stairs representing money tips taking your finances to the next level

If you don’t understand anything about personal finance, I’m not here to scold you or mock you. It’s not your fault because you probably either had no practical education in the field or worse, you may have had some really bad examples of how to manage money demonstrated to you as a child or young adult. In any case, you will eventually find out the truth about you and your money. The question is only when and how much damage it might inflict upon you. That’s why it’s never too early or too late to learn these “must-know” money tips you need to take your finances to the next level.

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Cars

5 Reasons Why Buying a New Car Now Is a Terrible Idea

Have you been thinking about buying a new car these days and drooling over them every time you see one or get bombarded by them on commercials? Well, get a grip on yourself and your wallet right about now before you begin heading out to the car dealership.

Woman getting new car keys representing why buying a new car now is a terrible idea

That feeling that comes the moment a dealership hands over the keys to the brand new car is unforgettable. But a brand new car is not the right option for you right now. In fact, it is a terrible idea.

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Family & Relationships

Why Behaving Like a Teenager with Money Is Only Allowed When You Are Actually a Teenager!

Is it any wonder why whenever you see someone acting like a teenager you sometimes shake your head? It’s “not that there’s anything wrong with that” as Seinfeld famously said, that is as long as the actions you’re observing are actually being done by a teenager. After all, most teens have very few hardcore responsibilities and so they act like children often do, without much thought and care. That’s especially true when it comes to money and that’s fine when you’re 15, 16, or even 18. But there’s a reason why behaving that way with money is only allowed when you are actually a teenager! And so it is important to teach teenagers about money.

Teenagers and parents gathered around a laptop representing how to teach teenagers about money

When I Was a Child I Spoke as a Child…

I am not especially religious, but here I need to point out that even the Bible (1 Corinthians 13:11) talks about when being a child, we all act like them. And so by inference here we can take the leap that when you are grown up, you should begin to act like an adult. But what does that really mean?

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