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Investing Without the Circus: Simple Wins the Race

This entry is part 13 of 14 in the series Seeds of Wealth.

If you’ve ever felt like investing is a carnival game—bright lights, loud promises, and someone always walking away with your money—you’re not wrong. The financial media makes its living on drama. Up 300 points. Down 500. Tech stock explodes. Crypto implodes. “Experts” yelling at each other on cable news like it’s the playoffs. But the truth? You can invest without the circus. And in fact, if you want to build lasting wealth, you probably should….

MoneySprout August 1, 2025

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Why Do So Many Trades Businesses Fail?

This entry is part 2 of 4 in the series Building Trades That Last.

They start with promise. A skilled plumber opens their own shop. An HVAC tech builds a client base. A contractor takes on bigger and bigger jobs. And then—almost suddenly—it’s gone. Despite booming demand for skilled labor, many trades businesses don’t survive beyond their first few years. These aren’t businesses that fail because the work isn’t needed. They fail because knowing your craft isn’t the same as running a company. If we want to grow and…

DigitalNinja August 1, 2025

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What Average Returns Can Actually Do (If You Let Them)

This entry is part 12 of 14 in the series Seeds of Wealth.

Most people think investing is about chasing big wins. Finding “the next Apple.” Timing the market just right. Making that one move that puts you on a beach somewhere with a cocktail and no emails. But here’s what the numbers say: Most investors underperform the market—by a lot—because they’re too busy reacting to it. Meanwhile, the people who just sit tight and ride the average? They often win by default. The lesson? Average returns are…

MoneySprout July 27, 2025

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The Hidden Risk in the Trades: Why We Need Stable Skilled Trades Businesses

This entry is part 1 of 4 in the series Building Trades That Last.

We often talk about the skilled labor shortage—but there’s a quieter, equally urgent issue hiding in plain sight: the instability of trades businesses themselves. Electricians, HVAC technicians, plumbers, contractors, and other skilled professionals are in high demand. But too many of their businesses fail within the first few years. When they do, the fallout extends far beyond the owner. It impacts job security, local economies, and the public’s trust in trades. If we want to…

DigitalNinja July 27, 2025

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You’ve Chosen Your Benefits—Now What?

This entry is part 8 of 8 in the series Guide to Employee Benefits.

You made it. Whether you read one article or worked your way through the entire onboarding series—congrats on taking a powerful step toward greater financial confidence. Choosing your employee benefits isn’t just about checking boxes. It’s about building a safety net. Planning for your future. And giving yourself the tools to navigate life’s inevitable ups and downs. What You’ve Just Done. By learning how to: Fill out your W-4 strategically, Choose the right healthcare and…

Preston July 24, 2025

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Make Trade Skills Cool Again

This entry is part 6 of 6 in the series How Trades Lost the Spotlight.

In a recent episode of the Level Up Podcast, co-host Addison Wiggin put it simply—and powerfully: “We need to make skills and trades cool again.” It’s more than a catchphrase. It’s a cultural rally cry. For too long, the trades have been quietly essential, but socially invisible. While skilled labor powers the backbone of our economy, it rarely shows up in career day presentations, glossy brochures, or aspirational TikToks. But it could—and it should. If…

Digita1Ninja July 21, 2025

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Voluntary Benefits: What Are They, and Are They Worth It?

This entry is part 7 of 8 in the series Guide to Employee Benefits.

Once you’ve picked your major medical health insurance and set your 401(k) contributions, there’s often one more section of your benefits package to consider: voluntary or supplemental insurance plans. These aren’t required, but they can offer targeted support that fits your life and risk profile. And since they’re offered through your employer, they’re usually more affordable than if you bought them on your own. This type of insurance can be significant income protection as the…

Preston July 21, 2025

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The Wealth Ratios: How Much Should You Actually Save?

This entry is part 11 of 14 in the series Seeds of Wealth.

Once you’ve split your money into two boxes—spending and saving—the next question naturally follows: How much should go into each? This is where most financial plans fall apart. Not because people don’t want to save—but because they have no benchmark. They save “whatever’s left”—which, as anyone with a grocery receipt and a car payment knows, often rounds down to zero. Let’s fix that. The Power of Ratios. A ratio is just a decision made in…

MoneySprout July 18, 2025

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Disability Insurance: The Most Overlooked Benefit You Might Desperately Need

This entry is part 6 of 8 in the series Guide to Employee Benefits.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of believing, “That won’t happen to me.” But here’s the truth: you’re far more likely to experience a serious illness or injury that prevents you from working, than to die unexpectedly before retirement. Think about this; If you die, your obligations end. If you are sick or seriously injured, not only do your obligations persist – you will likely encounter more financial obligations as a result of the…

Preston July 17, 2025

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Training Day: “Earning the Right to Serve”

This entry is part 2 of 4 in the series The Calling.

Let me be clear: you don’t get to call yourself a first responder just because you applied for the job. You earn that title—day by day, test by test, mistake by mistake. It all starts and ends with proper training. Not just the drills. Not just the certifications. But the character you build when no one’s watching. The way you push your limits, stay coachable, listen to sound instruction and commit to excellence before anyone…

shoe1971 July 15, 2025

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