FAFSA For Real 2025
The time has finally come for my oldest to apply to college. The FAFSA opened on October 1st, and now I have to actually fill it out and verify my years of assumptions. They actually opened…
My Post-Mint Financial Toolkit
I talked about finding a new money tracking system once I found out that Mint was going away. Mint was a huge part of my life as I was constantly tracking our finances and budget. I…
So I Bought a Rivian
In 2014, My 2003 Honda Accord got rear-ended. I bought my Dad's 2007 Accord from him and have been driving it for the last 11 years. I thought about getting a new vehicle last year and…
What to Consider in Retirement Locations Part Two
Now that I have all the categories identified, I need to determine how important each factor is. Step 1: The Dealbreakers This is the easiest part. These are the non-negotiables, the bouncers at the front door…
What to Consider in Retirement Locations
I wrote about the "Best States to Retire To" and found out that the ratings were like a Whose Line is it Anyway? episode. I realized the importance of individual weighting. Some people care more about…
Best Retirement State
I am retired, so should I be thinking about what state I should be living in? One of the best part of the United States is the differences of each state. Taxes, Healthcare, Cost of Living,…
Planning for a Small Estate Affidavit
When I was talking to my cousin about my Dad's estate, she said that things are a lot easier if there are less than $100K in assets. I laughed it off, knowing that my Dad's house…
Handling an Inherited IRA
I didn't expect to be writing this blog post for another twenty years, but here I am. A significant connection between my Dad and me was our shared obsession with tracking our assets. He managed his…
So Your Parents are Dead
There's no easy way to talk about death. I love both of my parents, Steve & Liza Szymanski. They wanted the best for my brother and I. I am now face to face with my own…
Olga’s Kitchen Run (Michigan)
As I expand my running challenges beyond Illinois, my next target is Michigan. Although I would love to attempt a run fueled by Jet's Pizza, I need something I can order and eat efficiently. I also…
