There’s a certain kind of survival mode that only some people understand. The kind where you count change before buying milk. Where you skip meals so your kids can eat. Where you try not to open your email because you know the bills are sitting there, unpaid. For those of us who’ve been there—or are there now—talking about “earning extra income” or “launching a side hustle” doesn’t feel trendy. It feels necessary. But here’s what…
Part 3: Lifestyle Creep — The Slow Drift That Becomes the Avalanche You had a few splurges. Then came the crisis—car repairs, a medical bill, a stretch of unemployment. You figured you’d bounce back. But now, the bounce isn’t happening. And without fully realizing it, your lifestyle—the routines, the spending patterns, the monthly “norms”—has quietly expanded. At the same time, the world around you has shifted. And holding steady now costs more than it used…
I joined the United States Army at the tender age of 20, armed with youthful enthusiasm, a wife, and a baby on the way. I also joined as an E1—meaning I made about enough money to afford socks, maybe. Back then, pay for junior enlisted was even worse than it is today! Still, for all its quirks, Army life had its perks. No matter where Uncle Sam dropped us, we had guaranteed food, housing, and…
Part 2: Crisis Spending — When “No” Isn’t an Option In Part 1, we talked about the “Yes Trap”—how seeing a generous available balance on your credit card can flip your inner script from “Can I afford this?” to “Why not?” It usually starts with a few small splurges: You’ve had a long week, so you treat yourself to dinner out—twice. You finally grab those concert tickets before they sell out. That coat you’ve been…
Talking Will Lead To A Healthier Relationship With Your Money We’ve come a long way as a society when it comes to discussing the once-undiscussable. There was a time when speaking openly about race was considered inappropriate. Talking about sex? Off-limits. Identity, orientation, mental health—each of these topics, once shrouded in stigma, have gradually made their way into the light through honest, collective conversation. But there’s one subject that continues to live in the shadows,…
Part 1: The “Yes” Trap — How Available Balance Leads to Debt Quicksand You’re making payments. You’re trying to get ahead. But no matter how often you chip away at your credit card, it feels like you’re stuck. Why is it so hard to pay it off? Here’s the truth: credit cards are designed like quicksand. Easy to step into. Hard to climb out of. And the deeper you go, the more stuck in it…
Please confirm you want to block this member.
You will no longer be able to:
Please note: This action will also remove this member from your connections and send a report to the site admin. Please allow a few minutes for this process to complete.
Notifications
