Our family has two cars. A 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid (92K miles) and a 2007 Honda Accord (142K miles). Our oldest will get their driver’s license this fall and head off to college in two years. I have enjoyed our PHEV as it allows for the best of both worlds, as we have a… Continue reading Thinking about Getting an EV
The draft is over, and it is time to pick up all the wrapping paper and decide which toy you want to play with first. The draft’s first night was the most important and paid off. Caleb Williams was one of many drama-free picks. I was ready for the carnage of trade offers, but the… Continue reading What Now For The Bears?
I’ve reached the age where I no longer am interested in my age-accelerating. The years go by faster and faster, and I wonder what I’m doing on this planet. Most nights before going to bed, I get a brief thought about dying and no longer being on this earth. It hurts my chest, and I… Continue reading I’m 42
When my oldest and I went on our NFL trip in 2021, I purchased a Sony A6600 and a Tamron 18-300mm lens. If you don’t know what those are, don’t worry, I had no idea then and am just now starting to understand. I took pictures of the stadiums before they refused to let me bring in the camera. I was… Continue reading I Guess I’m a Photographer
I was introduced to college basketball when I was in second grade. Our teacher randomly assigned us two teams to cheer for. The winner got a candy bar. I was so excited because I love competition. Even though I could do nothing to change my team’s chances of winning, I felt like I had it… Continue reading March Madness
Last year, the Bears pulled off one of the best trades in recent memory. Bears return for No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft … Although they missed out on getting CJ Stroud, they got two legit top-tier WRs and assets for the team, including the #1 overall pick for 2024. This year, the Bears have… Continue reading The Draft is Back
I touched on this subject in my 2024 Financial Aid & FIRE and Surprise Benefit of FIRE in Southern Illinois post. Still, I would like to elaborate further on my frustration with the financial aid system of top-tier colleges. 2024-25 FAFSA changes are finally here. There are new calculations for aid. I got deep into this subject in my previous article,… Continue reading FIRE Assets and College Financial Aid
The University of Cambridge and The University of Oxford are two of the top five colleges in the world. They are generally ranked only behind Harvard, MIT, and Stanford in the global rankings. Being accepted at either school would be an honor, but the costs are high for international students. The cheapest tuition for Cambridge is ~$32,000,… Continue reading Costs of Top UK Universities for Americans
My oldest child is looking at colleges and said they would like to attend school in Canada. They enjoy the weather and the politics. Unfortunately, the school has become increasingly unaffordable for international students. Tuition is $45,000+, and you should expect to spend another $20,000 in living expenses. Financial aid for Americans is nonexistent. You can use your 529… Continue reading University of Toronto Cost for Americans
I should have put more effort into deciding what college I would attend. I knew my brother went to The University of Illinois and that it was an excellent school for Computer Science. I applied to some out-of-state public schools for safety but made that decision in less than an hour. I am glad I… Continue reading Liberal Arts?