The Cat’s Meow
Well, maybe. We have a new prospective Porch Kitty. Rusty (not a serious automotive epizootic but a light orange mini-kitty) has arrived. He is currently exploring the territory; the porch itself and the front steps pretty-much define it so far but the veteran Porch Kitty, SunnyBoy, has not been exactly a Welcome Wagon representative. There were plenty o’ low growls...
12 Weeks Left in 2025: What Will You Lock In On?
Economic headlines and uncertainty can make even the most capable people freeze. Experts call it money paralysis—the feeling that the stakes are so high you’re better off doing nothing at all. But doing nothing has a cost, too. Inaction quietly eats away at progress. This fall, a new idea has been gaining traction: the Great Lock In of 2025. On...
National Indoor Air Quality Awareness Month
Presented By DeBord’s One Hour Heating & Cooling The fall season is bringing cooler temperatures to many regions of the country. That means you and your family will likely be spending more time indoors, making October a fitting time to recognize “National Indoor Air Quality Awareness Month.” Why should you care about Indoor Air Quality? One reason is the amount of...
Keep The Change
The on-line spoofers are at it again. Second or third call this week letting me know that I have won fabulous sums of money, if I will just call back to this number. What the number is, I cannot really tell because the caller either speaks so fast that their words (numbers) are unintelligible or their whole message is...
Did You Know?
The typical small business may be even smaller than many consumers recognize. According to the 2022 Annual Business Survey from the U.S. Census Bureau, 49 percent of small employer firms with fewer than 500 workers have between one and four employees. An additional 16 percent of such firms have between five and nine employees. Such data indicates that nearly...
Small Cut, Big Signal: How the Interest Rate Change Will Affect You
This month, the Federal Reserve lowered interest rates by a quarter point. While modest, the move is significant — it marks a turn after a long stretch of holding rates steady at elevated levels. For households and businesses alike, this adjustment is a reminder that financial conditions are always evolving, often in gradual but important ways. Even a small rate...
The Odds We Live By
How often have you started an important task, only to end up scrolling instead? Experts say our attention spans are shrinking, and economists now view attention as a scarce resource—every bit as valuable as time or capital. We’re only beginning to calculate the real cost of distraction. When focus slips, it’s easy to fall into subtle psychological traps that drain...
Salt of the Earth
I cannot be the only one being urged to try the “Himalayan Salt Trick”. It’s everywhere online and in some publications too. Every digital salesperson–we’re lookin’ at you, Oprah–has a tear-jerker of a tale about how they’d slipped into avoirdupois Purgatory and would not go outside without being wrapped in a sheet. Their love life was shot, their wardrobe...
Hands OFF!!!!
What is it with people who seem to think that everything…EVERYTHING…is theirs to do with as they please? Whatever…whenever…wherever…however they please. How does this get to be a mind-set? This is a vandalism state of mind and it does none of us any good, least of all those who “get away with it” and continue to behave in this...
The Odds We Live By
Among last week’s headlines, two very different stories stood out. The first was impossible to miss: a nearly $1.8 billion Powerball jackpot finally found winners in Texas and Missouri. Big lottery wins always dominate attention—after all, who doesn’t like to imagine what they’d do with a billion dollars? The second story received a bit less coverage. It described a reporter...
Here Kitty, Kitty, Kitty
That was me after the football game on Friday. Driving home on Liberty St.--late–just past SkyLanes, I spotted a cat in the road…putting at least one of its nine lives on the line…and had to swerve to avoid being the deliverer of that fate. I pulled into the space by the car wash, fished out my flashlight and went...
Your Successful Season Starts Now
As summer draws to a close, we’re reminded how quickly life moves. Economic reports shift week to week, headlines swing between optimism and caution, and the rhythm of the seasons keeps marching forward. It’s tempting to wait for the “perfect” time—whether adjust our financial lives, or pursue happiness. But time rarely slows down, and opportunities seldom arrive wrapped neatly...
OMG!!
What a beautiful way to end a Summer that spent WAY too much time resembling the hinges of hell. Gorgeous finale. Activities of all sorts (Zach Peterson Memorial Bash, Cleveland Air Show, Great Geauga County Fair, all of the miscellaneous family gatherings–all of it!) got to soak up the sun, break out the BBQ, kiss one season goodbye and...
Your Playbook For Uncertain Times
Labor Day marks a turning point — routines shift, backpacks return, and the first crisp hints of fall are in the air. Change can feel exciting and yet uncertain. The economy is shifting too: The Federal Reserve has suggested the possibility of an interest rate cut, a move that could ripple into borrowing costs and everyday confidence about money. Uncertainty...
The Value of Humility and Collaboration
In the world of finance, we often talk about numbers, trends, and strategies. But equally important to long-term success is a quality that doesn’t appear on balance sheets: humility. Recognizing what we know and—perhaps more importantly—what we don’t is essential to making sound financial decisions. It is tempting to believe AI will provide clear and reliable answers. While these technologies...
Aaaaannnnnd we’re off !!
Told ya ! As soon as the Fourth of July is done, it’s the looonnnng slide into SCHOOL. Slide’s over now and here we are, back at it. But first… Got my tricycle fixed. Thanks to all those who inquired and offered to attempt restoration of my mobility. The Fix-it Elf( no relation to the Tooth Fairy that I know of)...
Between a rock and a hard place!
How, How, How is a person supposed to manage to learn to use these devices if all of the instructions assume that you already KNOW all of the technical directions and language and are able to follow them. Here I am back in familiar surroundings -- between a rock and a hard place. Brand-new equipment is no assurance of competence...
Is It Worth Haggling Over?
Imagine walking out of a restaurant and paying less — just for asking. For some people, saving money is a sport. Maybe it’s the friend who brags about a BOGO that was too good to resist, or the frugal aunt who negotiates everything. But being thoughtful about purchases — whether it’s haggling, comparison shopping, or simply pausing before you...
Why you should let us buy your old Heating & Air Conditioning System
Presented By DeBord’s One Hour Heating & Cooling Achieving healthy, shiny hair and a vibrant scalp is a common goal for many of us. While we often focus on hair products and treatments, the quality of the water we use is often overlooked. In this blog, we'll explore the significance of water treatment for maintaining healthy hair and scalp. We'll...
Bikers. I Need Bikers!
Well, one, anyway. We can skip the heavy metal, major leather, tattoo extravaganza biker-types (Not that I have anything against such displays, mind you) I just need somebody to show me how to adjust my tricycle. I purchased this beauty last summer because riding my regular two-wheeler was becoming an exercise in scary balance issues and I just sort of...
The Right Time, For The Right Reasons
We all have a unique relationship with time—some of us thrive on precise schedules; others adapt fluidly as life unfolds. This individuality shapes not just our calendars, but how we approach decisions, prioritize responsibilities, and manage change. Our relationship with money is also complex and personal. There are many paths to success. In times like these, it’s important to align...
Check, Please: Summer Spending in Review
Believe it or not, this week marks the midpoint of summer—the sweet spot between the solstice and the autumn equinox. According to the 2025 Farmers’ Almanac, August 7th is our official halfway mark. Hard to believe, isn’t it? Each day, the calendar is quietly telling us: our summer days are numbered. For many, these days are a backdrop for family,...
Applause! Applause!
That goes to the latest iteration of theatrical presentation by the Garrettsville Curtains Up Theatre, a farce titled “The Play That Goes Wrong”...which it did in so many ways–all of ‘em intended but, still…. The whole premise of the thing, I think, is to illustrate some of the various things that can go wrong in any dramatic–or musical, for that...
Enduring Values – Reflections from the Course and Your Financial Journey
This past weekend, golfer Scottie Scheffler displayed his extraordinary skill and grace under pressure by winning the British Open. Yet, what lingered even more than his win was his humility in recalling the ancient wisdom of King Solomon: “All is fleeting.” Scheffler reminded the world that trophies and glory may bring a moment’s high, but real satisfaction comes from something...
Play It Again, Sam!
That’s a famous line from a famous movie (Or at least one everybody thinks that they remember, whether they did or not. Casablanca?). We may have a local version with a small variation : “Play it again everyone.”...with “everyone” being our latest BIG Band, The Thrill of the ‘Ville. In case you missed it, Saturday night was the place to...
Do You Have What It Takes?
As headlines shift away from the recent flooding in Texas and elsewhere, the real work for many families is just beginning. Recovery after a tragedy often happens in phases: there’s the immediate response, and then there’s the longer, quieter rebuild. While initial support often quickly fades, the true progress comes from patience and steady effort over time. Rebuilding—whether it’s after...
I’ve Gotta Get Out More
No. Really Then I would not be so amazed at what’s out there. Walking around in front of God and everybody. Nor is it just the people, the products are pretty far out there sometimes too. I’ve gotten used to hair–long, short, absent (by choice or by chop)color challenged or color riotous, styled or not so–in various iterations, some flattering,...
Skip The Waiting Room
…Or not. Local boy, Jared Sheehan, having made good (more or less–he’s the chief innovation officer at a company called Quick MD and co-founded various technology-driven companies supporting various social impact industries) returned to his old “stomping grounds”, so-to-speak, to communicate the latest thinking in and about medicine online at the Garrettsville branch of the Portage County District Library on...
Unpacking the “Big Beautiful Bill” and Changes That Affect You
A significant new bill was just signed into law, locking in the 2017 tax cuts and introducing new deductions across its 900 pages. While a few new tax breaks could fatten your refund next spring, there are also some belt-tightening measures for federal healthcare, food-aid, and student loan programs that could impact millions—so don’t tune out. What does this mean...
A Great Nation Or What
As we celebrate the spirit of this great nation—one built on vision, determination and resilience—it’s only fitting that we gather under open skies, watching fireworks rise and brighten the landscape. The beauty of this view reminds us not only of America’s promise, but also of the importance of keeping our eyes on the horizon. The times we’re living in can...
