Blog Posts

Why I Volunteer: The Joy Bus

Why I Volunteer: The Joy Bus

by | Nov 27, 2018 |

By Jessica Searcy Kmetty

Millions of cancer patients are left to fend for themselves during this turning point in their lives. The Joy Bus will relieve the burden put on families during this time by providing healthy meals specified to meet our patron’s needs. The Joy Bus delivers not only quality meals to your doorstep but compassion and a smiling face. – The Joy Bus

The Joy Bus is a non-profit that partners with the Phoenix community to deliver high quality, chef inspired, medically tailored meals each Friday to homebound cancer patients.

Upping Your Wellness Game by Including Financial Wellness

Upping Your Wellness Game by Including Financial Wellness

by | Oct 31, 2018 |

By Marc C. Shaffer

Americans take wellness pretty seriously.

We’re tracking our steps, sleep and health patterns on wearable devices to make sure we stay on track daily. We’re getting our social fix in healthy ways such as group fitness classes, fun runs and endurance obstacle course events. We’re getting organic ingredients delivered to our homes to make meals as a family and taking customized mixes of health supplements. We’re even planning our vacations around a mix of relaxation and athletic opportunities. According to a 2018 MyProtein study, we’re spending more on fitness over a lifetime than we pay for college tuition.

No-Spend November (Or Any Other Month You Please) – Q&A with Mama Meredith, Part II

No-Spend November (Or Any Other Month You Please) – Q&A with Mama Meredith, Part II

by | Oct 4, 2018 |

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.

9 Steps for Managing the Pressures of The Sandwich Generation

9 Steps for Managing the Pressures of The Sandwich Generation

by | Sep 27, 2018 |

They are hard pressed on both sides. They manage the needs and challenges of several households. They firmly occupy the middle ground between two generations.

They are members of the sandwich generation. Typically middle-aged, they often help support parents 65 or older and children under the age of 18.

Planning Ahead – National Preparedness Month

Planning Ahead – National Preparedness Month

by | Sep 27, 2018 |

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.

Managing Finances for a Family – Q&A with Mama Meredith, Part I

Managing Finances for a Family – Q&A with Mama Meredith, Part I

by | Sep 18, 2018 |

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:

Student Loans: As American as Apple Pie

Student Loans: As American as Apple Pie

by | Sep 5, 2018 |

By John C. Fales and Ryan W. Brooke

Student loans are as American as apple pie, yet many people are embarrassed to ask for help with learning about and taking care of their student loans.

Why? They may believe their loans are too high, think they should be more knowledgeable on their own, or don’t want to show how desperate they feel about their situation.

The first thing to recognize when it comes to student loans is just how common they are and how getting help can save a lot of frustration in your future.

Why I Volunteer: Rotary International

Why I Volunteer: Rotary International

by | Aug 2, 2018 |

By Marc C. Shaffer

The Four-Way Test of the things we think, say or do:

Is it the TRUTH?

Is it FAIR to all concerned?

Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Being a member of Rotary has given me so much, both personally and professionally. I wanted to share my experience to give you an idea of how the clubs operate. If you have an interest in joining Rotary, I’d be happy to help you get plugged in.

Tips for Considering a Prepaid College Plan

Tips for Considering a Prepaid College Plan

by | Jul 31, 2018 |

Your children (or grandchildren) may be small, but your dreams for them are big. You’d like to give them the opportunity to attend college, but the rising cost of higher education appears to be putting those aspirations further out of reach.

Costs to attend public or private colleges rose nearly 3.6% this year, according to The College Board’s annual report, while inflation ticks up only at a rate of about 2% per year. Add to the bad news the fact that the average annual cost at public 4-year colleges increased by $300 for in-state students and by $800 at private colleges. Trends indicate those numbers will only continue to increase.

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