Articles - DWD Community

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 3 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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Can Trade Schools Feel More Like College?

This entry is part 5 of 6 in the series How Trades Lost the Spotlight.

Reimagining the Career School Experience When we talk about college, we don’t just talk about classes and credits—we talk about the experience. The late-night study sessions, campus life, dorm room memories, and student clubs. For many, it’s about personal growth, independence, and connection just as much as academics. But what if you choose a different path—like trade school? For students who want to learn a skill and have a meaningful, connected student life, trade schools…

Digita1Ninja July 15, 2025

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Life Insurance: Do You Really Need It (and How Much)?

This entry is part 5 of 8 in the series Guide to Employee Benefits.

Life insurance isn’t always top of mind when you’re starting a new job. But understanding whether you need it—and how much—is an essential part of building financial stability for those who depend on you. Let’s walk through the basics so you can make a clear and confident choice. What Is Life Insurance? Life insurance pays out a lump sum to your chosen beneficiary (like a spouse or child) if you pass away. It’s designed to…

Preston July 15, 2025

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The Two-Box System: Where Your Money Should Actually Go

This entry is part 10 of 14 in the series Seeds of Wealth.

Now that you’ve saved a dollar, or a few dozen, the question becomes: where should it go? This is where most people stall out. They get paralyzed by options: savings accounts, investment platforms, cash envelopes, budgeting apps with more categories than a tax return. And in that fog of choice, they do what comes naturally… Nothing. Which is why we need to simplify—radically. The Two-Box Method Forget spreadsheets and dashboards for a minute. Imagine you…

MoneySprout July 11, 2025

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The Fallout of Losing the Narrative

This entry is part 4 of 6 in the series How Trades Lost the Spotlight.

What happens when a generation is told there’s only one path to success—and then that path doesn’t pan out? We’re living the answer. Across the country, nearly 40 million Americans have what researchers call “Some College, No Credential.” They started their higher education journey with high hopes but never finished—and now carry the burden of student debt, lost time, and stalled career momentum. This isn’t just a personal challenge. It’s a national problem—one fueled by…

Digita1Ninja July 10, 2025

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