Personal Finance
Personal finance for people who don't have a financial advisor — budgeting, saving, and money habits explained in plain language by writers who track their own numbers.
Small Business Exodus Looms: What Happens Next for Workers & Wealth?
A significant demographic shift is on the horizon for the backbone of the American economy. Reports indicate that the majority of small business owners are slated to retire within the next ten years, …
by Jennifer Walker · 🦁 4 · 💬 0 · 1 hour ago
The No-Nonsense Guide to Getting Your Money Under Control
Most personal finance advice assumes you have a financial advisor, a high income, or the patience for a twelve-tab spreadsheet. This guide doesn't. It's the practical version — the handful of changes …
by Jennifer Walker · 🦁 33 · 💬 4 · 11 hours ago
Still Working at 73? Don't Get Surprised by Social Security Taxes.
A 73-year-old working full-time recently highlighted a common concern for active retirees. This individual is earning more money now than at any other point in their career, which is great for their f…
by Jennifer Walker · 🦁 2 · 💬 0 · 18 hours ago
The one spreadsheet that changed how I save
For years my "budget" was a vague sense of dread every time I checked my balance. What actually changed things wasn't a fancy app — it was one spreadsheet with a single column: "money I'm not allowed …
by Pantho Bihosh · 🦁 16 · 💬 2 · 3 days ago
Only 5% Pass Basic Money Test. Why Your Wallet Pays the Price.
A recent assessment reveals a troubling trend: just 5% of American adults can correctly answer an 8-question financial literacy test. This marks the lowest point for financial understanding in a decad…
by Jennifer Walker · 🦁 3 · 💬 0 · 2 days ago
Taco Bell Pulls Produce in Michigan Amid Parasite Outbreak
Taco Bell has reportedly begun removing fresh produce from some stores in Michigan. This action follows a significant parasite outbreak in the state, which has already sickened over 1,000 people. Whil…
by Jennifer Walker · 🦁 2 · 💬 0 · 1 day ago
Gen Z Cracking the Housing Market Code
Forget what you heard about Gen Z never owning homes. Despite the incredibly high housing costs we're seeing, this younger generation is actually stepping into the real estate market. It's a surprisin…
by Jennifer Walker · 🦁 4 · 💬 0 · 3 days ago
I tracked my hourly rate on 4 side hustles. Only one was worth it
Over three years I tried reselling thrifted furniture, freelance graphic design, a small print-on-demand shop, and tutoring. I tracked every hour against every dollar earned, and the results embarrassed me enough that I ...
by Steve Nakamura · 🦁 7 · 💬 3 · 6 days ago
Dallas Cheerleader Buys $750K Home Post-Squad: Smart Money Moves?
Former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader Reece Weaver recently purchased a $750,000 home in Alabama. This significant real estate acquisition comes after her unexpected departure from the high-profile cheerl…
by Jennifer Walker · 🦁 2 · 💬 0 · 2 days ago
The debt payoff order that math says is wrong but that actually works better
Financial math says to pay off your highest-interest debt first, and it's correct on paper. In thirteen years of coaching real clients, I've watched the smallest-balance-first method outperform it in actual completed pay...
by Jennifer Walker · 🦁 6 · 💬 0 · 4 days ago
The budgeting app I recommend to clients has one feature that matters more than the rest
Clients ask me to recommend a budgeting app constantly, expecting a feature comparison. My actual answer disappoints people who want a technical recommendation: the best app is whichever one you'll actually open every we...
by Jennifer Walker · 🦁 5 · 💬 1 · 4 days ago
Goldman Sachs: The 'trade of the year' just got more complicated
Investment bank Goldman Sachs is flagging a big shift for a market strategy known as the 'HALO trade.' This particular trade has reportedly performed very well for investors throughout this year, deli…
by Jennifer Walker · 🦁 4 · 💬 0 · 4 days ago
The side hustle math nobody does until it's too late
I ran three side hustles for over a year each before finally calculating a real hourly rate, factoring in supplies, driving time, and admin work, not just the money that hit my account. Two of the three paid less than mi...
by Steve Nakamura · 🦁 3 · 💬 0 · 4 days ago
Lower Your Investment Expectations: Reality Check for Your Returns
Alright, let's talk about your investment portfolio expectations. Many folks out there are dreaming of double-digit annual returns, perhaps even 10% or more, after accounting for inflation. You might …
by Jennifer Walker · 🦁 3 · 💬 0 · 5 days ago
The 24-hour rule that ended my impulse spending
Every impulse purchase I have ever regretted had one thing in common: I bought it within minutes of wanting it. So I made one rule — anything over $30 waits 24 hours in the cart. That is the whole sys…
by Jennifer Walker · 🦁 5 · 💬 3 · 11 days ago
The subscription audit that found $1,100 a year I forgot I was spending
I considered myself financially careful, so the number still surprised me: going through twelve months of bank statements line by line, I found $1,100 in annual subscriptions I had genuinely forgotten existed, several ru...
by Steve Nakamura · 🦁 2 · 💬 1 · 6 days ago
How I paid off $31,000 of debt in 19 months on a $52k salary
No inheritance, no crypto win, no moving in with my parents. Just a boring, repeatable system. Here is the exact breakdown, month by month. The core move was splitting my paycheck the day it arrived: …
by Jennifer Walker · 🦁 3 · 💬 2 · 9 days ago
The boring index fund math nobody explains simply
Every explanation of index funds I read before finally understanding them was either a sales pitch or a math lecture. Here is the version I wish someone had given me first. An index fund is not a bet …
by Jennifer Walker · 🦁 1 · 💬 2 · 10 days ago
Physical Games Dead? One Gamer Cashes Out After Sony's Big Announcement
Sony recently revealed plans to shift away from physical game discs, signaling a major change for the gaming industry. Amidst this news, one Columbus gamer decided against becoming a collector of obso…
by Jennifer Walker · 🦁 0 · 💬 0 · 6 days ago