Blog Posts

By Jessica Searcy Kmetty

In Part I of this blog series, we introduced you to Meredith, a self-described community creator, home curator, minimalist, hipster mama who is raising 3 “wonderful wilds” in NYC. We talked about how she manages finances for her family, how she and her husband discuss their money scripts, and her philosophy on debt and spending. In Part II, we’re going to dive deeper into something she has been trying out with her family – no spend months.

The Cambridge Dictionary defines “prepare” as making or getting ready for something that will happen in the future. It also states: “to expect that something will happen and to be ready for it.”

A capricious planet Earth makes natural disasters inevitable. Some years are worse than others, and relatively brief stretches of recorded history demonstrate the ferocity nature can superimpose on unsuspecting civilizations.

Three generations. That’s all you have. And then you’ll be forgotten. Completely. Only your name may remain. Memories of you will have long since passed into the annals of parochial history.

“There is no remembrance of those who came before; and of those who will come after there will also be no remembrance,” wrote Solomon thousands of years ago.

By Jessica Searcy Kmetty

It’s always interesting to hear how other people approach life and finances, especially when they have a strong philosophy to share. A Midwest gal living and raising a family in NYC? Debt avoidance? No-spending months? Children who earn livings by modeling? Sounds like an interesting story to me!

Our guest Meredith is a self-described community creator, home curator, minimalist, hipster mama who is raising 3 “wonderful wilds” in NYC.

When I sat down to introduce you readers to Meredith and share some of her stories and philosophies about money and life, many ideas came to mind. But in the end, I decided she told her story better than anyone and there wasn’t much you needed to hear from me. So, enjoy this peek into our conversation:

Many people would like to leave a mark on the world, whether large or small, in the form of their legacy. Whatever your passions in life–from philanthropy to family–your legacy should reflect these passions. At its core, a legacy is built on your personal values and how you choose to share those values to make an impact on the world. Your legacy also comprises your experiences as a person. Sharing your memories, stories, and perspectives with family members can connect them to your values and familial history.

Furthermore, a legacy isn’t just what’s left behind when you’re gone; it can be a part of creating a purposeful and satisfying life for yourself, and your family, in the present. Comprehensive legacy planning allows you to not only transfer wealth but to intentionally pass down values, memories, and traditions. In this piece, we discuss the importance of consciously creating a legacy based on your values and show you some steps to help you get started.