Earn, Save, and Live Joyfully.
Do you associate holidays and birthdays with piles of brightly wrapped gifts? Many of us do. But this year, I’m taking a different approach to gift-giving. After helping my parents downsize their possessions, I don’t want to add another unnecessary item to their home. Instead, I’m focusing on clutter-free gifts—heartfelt gifts that don’t take up … Read more
Have you ever thought about quitting your job to stay home with your children? Every week I receive letters from women who are considering leaving their careers. Some emails are short, and some are long, but more than half ask the same vital question: Will I regret quitting my job to become a stay-at-home mom? … Read more
Every day we make choices hoping to make our future selves happy. We consider our options, weigh the pros and cons, and choose what appears to be the best path. We flash forward, through the magic of our imaginations, and think, “I’ll be happy I did that.” It doesn’t matter what choices lay before us. … Read more
What does success look like? When you hear the word success, what do you picture? Growing up, success meant luxury goods and over-the-top experiences. I grew up watching Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, where the host, Robin Leach, explored the yachts, mansions, and luxury car collections of the world’s wealthiest people. Then signed off … Read more
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines generosity as the willingness to give more money and time than is necessary or expected. For decades, I struggled with the idea of acting generously and battled furiously against the desire to keep everything for myself. Rather than giving from a place of love and abundance, I was emotionally attached to money and … Read more
According to psychologists, our happiness peaks when we reach the magical salary of $75,000. Once we earn that much, our health and the quality of our relationships provide more joy than making more money ever could. We need to feel safe, secure, and well fed, but once money pays for life’s necessities, we don’t need more to … Read more
Do you believe in an afterlife? A place where souls go after they die? If so, do you think our deceased loved ones can send us signs from beyond the grave? It’s a question that’s intrigued me since 1986 when my best friend invited me to her nine-year-old slumber party. “Take a look at this,” … Read more
How vivid is your vision of the future? Do you know where you want to go? Do you create specific financial goals to get you there? Decades ago, I didn’t have a plan for my money. I loaded it into my bank account without a clear idea of why I needed it or how I … Read more
Have you ever felt like you lost your identity? Anyone undergoing a significant life change can experience a loss of identity. New relationships, losing a loved one, childbirth, moving, job loss, and the end of close relationships can lead to an identity crisis. So can an unexpected diagnosis or traumatic event. It may seem difficult … Read more
This year I inadvertently helped my parents embark on the act of Swedish death cleaning. Shortly after my father received his cancer diagnosis, I began helping my parents clean and declutter their home. Although they keep a relatively organized house, they still had too much stuff and not enough space to welcome visitors after my dad became ill. The house’s … Read more