An easy read and great book to point you in the right direction. The book, “The Opposite of Spoiled” by Ron Leiber, helped my wife and me start navigating financial literacy with our two kids. We bought the book in 2015; our kids were both in elementary school and the timing was perfect. The kids…
Tips to point your ‘Financial Compass’ in the right direction. (Initially published on Medium.com, 01-Aug-2024, photo image credit: Photo by Vasily Koloda on Unsplash) I was the first person in my family to attend university. In 1987, I started studying mechanical engineering. My parents didn’t have money to help pay for school, so I paid…
A simple and sustainable way to establish multi-generational philanthropy (Initially published on Medium.com, 06-Nov-2025. Feature photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash) Rethinking charitable giving Okay, here we are in November and it’s the time of year folks start to think about their charitable donations before the end of the year. Remember: For 2025, Giving Tuesday…
How to have a discussion about money with your child. (Initially published on Medium.com, 13-Jan-2026) How It Started Years ago when my son was in middle school, he asked me: “Hey Dad, are we rich?” What!? Since he hadn’t previously shown interest in money, I told him, ‘No,’ and asked why he was asking. It…
A five-minute chat with a young employee about a credit card turned a routine errand into a calling I didn’t see coming. (Initially published on Medium.com, 14-Jun-2026) A chance meeting at Target excited me to investigate more how I might help younger people with their personal finances and budgets. It is all because of ‘Sam’….
The impromptu personal finance workshop with my nephew in a restaurant. (Initially published on Medium.com, 18-May-2026) I thought this would take twenty minutes, tops. My nephew, ‘Karl’, started a trade job that has benefits. His three-month probationary period is about to complete and he will be eligible to contribute to a 401k. My brother asked…
A plain English breakdown of what the overtime deduction actually covers, what it does not, and why misunderstanding it could cost you money at tax time. (Initially published on Medium.com, 20-May-2026) It’s amazing how the news headlines and sound bites can be misrepresented and misinterpreted by the folks who need clarity the most. A recent…
Hit Pause and think about your next financial priority (Initially published on Medium.com, 07-Aug-2025, feature Photo by Kazuo ota on Unsplash) Did You Recently Pay Off a Major Purchase Loan? If you recently finished paying off your car loan or other major purchase, congratulations! Well done! Please don’t listen to my sister-in-law about what to…
I hope the answer is you! (Initially published on Medium.com, 03-Feb-2026) If you don’t have time, interest or the right data to make your retirement budget, you aren’t ready to retire. A friend, Bill, and I were discussing his upcoming retirement. He will be 57 years old this year and plans to retire at the…
Stress of managing your money as you approach retirement (Initially published on Medium.com, 30-Dec-2025) Are you in your 50s or 60s? How do you feel about your financial readiness for retirement? Are you feeling confident, overwhelmed, or anxious? When I retired from my engineering career at the end of 2023, I worked through our budget…
