8 Months Post-Fired: Brain on Fire!

Eight months after losing my job, I’ve hit a turning point. I’m starting to see progress and my imagination and creativity have been fueled.

5 Fun Things about Turning 55

Aging has its perks, and turning 55 offers a moment of reflection. Here are 5 fun things about turning 55. It’s time to celebrate!

Saying Goodbye to the Cat who Melted my Heart

It’s a sad day as I get ready to say goodbye to my beloved cat, Smoke.It’s amazing how a little ball of fur can melt our hearts.

Does Adversity make us Stronger? Here’s my Story

Here’s my story of adversity. Many thanks to Fred at MoneyWithAPurpose for giving me this opportunity. Enjoy the read!

Month 7 of Freedom: The Irony of Self-Confinement

Here’s my 7 month report of life beyond the office. I’ve created a dysfunctional approach to entrepreneurship that demands a redesign.

5 Tips on Making a Powerful 90-Second Pitch

How do you pitch your business idea in 90 seconds? Try these five tips and you’ll deliver your pitch with confidence and style.

Halloween Nightmare for Women: Turning into a “Bag Lady”

The last few months I’ve been struck by the number of women friends who have expressed profound fears of…

It’s Time to Step out of my Comfort Zone

Meet my Role Model for Healthy Aging

The Five Journeys are about building a life of fulfillment over a lifetime. And here’s my role model for healthy aging – my mom.

Six Months post-Fired Report: It’s a Tough Go

I can hardly believe it! Six months ago I was fired after a successful 16+ year career. Time has…

Why Suze Orman can Kiss my Ass!

“If you only have a few hundred thousand, or a million, or two million dollars, I’m here to tell…

Is it Possible to have a Balanced Life? A Look at the Four Burners Theory

Is it possible to keep all four burners (work, family, health, friends) lit? Or must one burner be extinguished to be successful?

The Unvarnished Story Behind my Early Exit from the Workplace

It’s time to tell my story. Here’s why I got fired from the workplace!

It’s Freak Out Time! Late Night Ramblings from the Ledge

What happens when you’re feeling overwhelmed? Try applying the concepts of Time, Excellence, and Money before jumping off the ledge. Stay calm and carry on!

How to Save $1,000 in 28 Days

Save $1,000 in 28 days with ten simple strategies and a free downloadable calendar. You can do this!

Celebrating Four Months of Freedom

It’s been four months since I was fired. This last month I discovered the joys of a flexible schedule and got myself back on the health track.

Is a PhD a Good Investment?

Read my guest post – The PhD’s Guide to Creating a Profitable Career – and learn how to make that prestigious degree pay off.

The Great Fasting Experiment: Surviving a 7-Day Fast

A 7-day fast is a great way to regain control over your eating, shed some pounds, and launch a fasting regimen. But it’s a test of endurance for sure.

Your NFL Playbook on Smart Money Moves

The NFL playbook offers some fun analogies for personal finances. Just remember to have fun in the cheap seats! #NFL

6 Personal Finance Lessons from Mr. Rogers

Mr. Rogers’ lifelong goal was to spread kindness. So what could he possibly contribute to the world of personal finance? It turns out that Mr. Rogers’ advice might just be the key to adopting a more simple and honest lifestyle.

3 Months Post-Fired: Can’t Stop the Happiness!

Three months after being fired, I’ve experienced a new “high.” Not only has my net worth increased, I’ve created a new business that I am passionate about and have experienced unprecedented levels of freedom and happiness.

The Secret Relationship Between Time and Happiness

Time management tools, the science of timing, and understanding the tradeoff between time and money can lead to real happiness.

5 Things I Didn’t Expect after Being Fired

Being fired isn’t so horrible if you’ve reached a stage of financial security. But 5 things in particular have surprised me.

How a Fictional Character Saved my Life

Suicide rates in America are at record levels. I came close to being among the statistics. But I clung to a sliver of  hope and created a fictional character that helped me escape into a better world.

Top 10 Signs of a Toxic Work Environment

Do you know the signs of a toxic work environment? Ironically, that toxicity has prompted some people to save as much money as fast as they can to escape the workplace.

From Semi-Retired to Entrepreneur…and Blogging from the Islands

What’s so great about blogging? You can do it from anywhere! This week I am enjoying quality island time with my sisters and feeling great about my transition from semi-retired to entrepreneur.

Hello, this is the Universe Speaking…Take a Chance!

How do you deal with big changes in your life? You can learn a lot from the Change Cycle. And stop and listen to the Universe…it might have the answers you’ve been seeking!

Fired in my Fifties: The 3 Best and Worst Moves that Determined my Fate

Will you be financially secure if you are fired in your 50s? In hindsight, I made 3 terrific moves that put me on solid financial ground, but I also made some bad moves that I wish I could do over.

And the Word of the Day Is … Discombobulated

Sudden semi-retirement and living alone has thrown me for a loop! Discombobulated sums up my current state of mind. So I’ll be taking steps to stay connected socially and to bring routine back into my life.

Money Roundup for April 2018

Here’s my first money roundup, describing my efforts to create income and minimize expenses to make my money last. Let’s see how this turns out!

Goodbye, Kid!

It’s tough letting go, and today I became an empty-nester. Here’s an open letter to my child as she launches a new life far from home. Good luck, kiddo!

Dreaming and Scheming as the New Reality Sets In

The second week of my new semi-retired life was crazily busy! I’m excited about the opportunities that lie ahead and can’t wait to create my future.

Smiling on a Monday Morning: A Recap of Week 1 of Semi-Retirement

What happens after your career comes to a crushing end? Expect week one to be a tumultuous ride on the emotional rollercoaster.

Surprise! Early Retirement is Here…Kinda…Sorta

What happens when you lose your job in your 50s? If you’ve prepared well, you can enter the world of S-FIRE (Semi-Financially Independent and Retired Early).

Book Review: Meet the Frugalwoods

Meet the Frugalwoods is a memoir by Elizabeth Willard Thames, who embraces a frugal lifestyle and shuns consumerist society. While the book offers inspiration for those who want to abandon the world of cubicles, it’s missing the details that would guide readers to embark on their own journey of financial independence.

Million Dollar Advice from 15 Personal Finance Bloggers

Fifteen of the most popular personal finance bloggers share advice on how to build a net worth of $1,000,000 and admit to their biggest financial mistakes. Get the “inside scoop” by taking the 30-Day Million Dollar Challenge!

Is a DNA Diet the Answer to your Dreams?

Can your DNA hold the answer to a healthy weight? This review of Habit walks you through the test, the results, and the nutrition plan. Take this sneak peek inside before you decide if an expensive DNA diet is right for you.

Is Kindness for Suckers? An Historical Snapshot of Kindness in America

A snapshot of  American history from 1873 to 2018 shows the duality of kindness.  No good deed goes unpunished. Kindness is rewarded. Kindness kills. You can never be too kind. So is kindness for suckers?

Three Things I Learned from Writing the 30-Day Meditation Challenge

As the author of the 30-Day Meditation Challenge, I learned three things about my own practice. First, I need a back-up plan to accommodate my crazy schedule. Second, I like change so I have to mix things up to keep from getting bored. Third, the addition of mindfulness activities brings joy into my daily life.

How a Month of Vacation Led me to 30-Day Challenges

For the first time ever, I took a full month of vacation. Surprisingly, a bit of despair set in as I returned to the office. So I created 30-Day Challenges to perk up my life, instill better habits, and inspire others.

Returning to My Roots: A Visit to the Family Farm

Earlier this week I returned from a visit to the family farm. My visits are always a good reminder of my roots.

Monthly Journeys: September 2017 was AWESOME!

September 2017 was AWESOME! I can’t believe how quickly the month flew by. For the first time ever, I am taking four solid weeks of vacation.

Creating Art from Wood: Five Days of Learning and Creating

I just spent the last five days learning to carve, burn, dye, and paint wood. What a great but tiring week!  Each day was filled with new lessons and new skills.

Book Review of Side Hustle: Does Money Really Grow on Trees?

Chris Guillebeau’s latest book, Side Hustle, promises to provide readers with a “detailed roadmap” on “how to select, launch, refine, and make money from your side hustle in under a month.” Does the book deliver?

Don’t Let the Food Police Deter you from Creating a Sustainable Plan

Every diet has “food police” who insist that all rules must be followed at all times. Who are the food police? Sometimes they are the creators/authors of the diet plan themselves.

CANCELLED! Five Things to Consider when Buying Homeowner’s Insurance

Homeowner’s insurance is one of life’s necessities. But heaven help you if you actually file a claim! Higher premiums are the least of your worries.

The Ultimate Guide to the Paleo/Primal/Keto/Whole30 Smorgasbord

Today we live in a world of thousands of eating lifestyle options, and you know what, it’s downright confusing!  What’s the difference between Whole30 and Paleo? What does your friend mean when he says he has a Caveman diet?

Monthly Journey: Philadelphia, Car Ding, and Colonoscopy

August started out with a bang and rolled out with a whimper. My finances took some unexpected hits, but that was counterbalanced by sliding into a smaller pair of jeans.

Pursuing your Passion: Is it Worth the Risks and Sacrifices?

The last few days have got me thinking about passion. And how the pursuit of passion can have costs, but also produce more rewards than one ever dreamed possible.

How I Paid off my $64,000 Mortgage in 15 Months

In the summer of 2012, I decided to divert all my financial energy toward one goal: paying off my mortgage. With some careful planning and discipline, I was able to pay off the $64,000 balance in just 15 months.

What’s on the Shelf? Little Hug Fruit Drinks, Cotton Candy Twinkies and S’mores Pop-Tarts

It’s August and that means it’s back to school time. Parents begin thinking about quick breakfasts and snacks and lunches to add to lunchboxes. So how are the grocery stores helping moms and dads prepare for the coming school year?

Three Easy Ways to Teach Kids About Money

How do you teach your kids the basics about money and get them off to a good start? Keep it simple by using three tricks to steer them in the right direction.