Wunderbar
“Wunderbar”--pronounced “VoonderBahr”-- is something that just recently popped up in my head…well, sorta. Back in the day–other ancient persons such as myself may remember–there was a pop music style around the late forties, early fifties (WAY before the Beatles, or even Elvis made the scene)featuring vocal groups, like the Andrews Sisters (Patty, Maxine and LaVerne, remember them?)(even the Lennon...
Well, Alrighty Then…
Quite the SummerFest it was. A good deal of the time, it was “hotter than the hinges of hell”, but almost all of the time it was “tons o’ fun” for the crowds of folks in the streets, at the entertainment venues, watching the dunking tank or the bull-riding location…or EATING ! Yup. The food was abundant and varied…as usual. I...
Wait a minute – That wasn’t the plan
Summer is here—a season full of energy, possibilities, plenty of heat, and the potential for storms. The soaring temperatures serve as a reminder that, just like weather forecasts, even our best predictions about the future can change unexpectedly. Life often forces us to pivot. How well can you adapt? So far, 2025 has offered plenty of plot twists, but the economy...
The Wheels On The Bus…
Even more important than the wheels on the bus is the driver behind the steering wheel in the front of the bus. Here’s your chance to be really, really important–try being a school bus driver. These important people are in short supply right now and really, really needed by about every school district in these parts–and a bunch of other...
A Case of OPD? When Other People’s Decisions Affect Your Money.
With summer upon us, many are ready for a well-deserved break or vacation. As you recharge, this season can also be a good time to reflect on your broader financial picture—especially how others’ choices are affecting your own. We often view our financial status as a series of purely personal decisions—what to save, how to invest, when to spend. But...
Are We Festive Yet???
June is sorta shy of big-time holidays and celebrations. Ya got yer Flag Day on the 14th, yer Full Strawberry Moon on the 11th, Juneteenth National Independence Day on–what else–the 19th, the Summer Solstice ( the astronomical /meteorological first day of Summer–longest day of the year) on the 20th, a Shakespearean Midsummer Day on the 24th (to go with...
Dad in the Machine: Who to Trust for Money Decisions?
On Father’s Day, many reflect on the value of sound guidance—from fathers, father figures or close mentors who’ve influenced our lives. Steady guidance matters most as our world grows more complex. In the age of AI and chatbots, it’s easier than ever to get answers and advice—yet not all of it is reliable. Sometimes, AI provides convincing but incorrect “hallucinations.”...
Balancing “Now” Needs with “Later” Goals
With so many options and demands competing for your attention, it’s normal to wonder: Should I focus on the needs I have today, or the goals I have for tomorrow? This is what we call a “Now and Later” moment—a time for evaluating immediate needs against future aspirations. It’s natural to feel the pull of both, and a personalized...
C–JAG, Atten-Hut !!!
Army-ish orders from Camp James A. Garfield. Kinda. The recent tour of Camp James A. Garfield (As one participant commented during a Q&A session :” Anybody raised around here will probably refer to it as ‘the Arsenal’ until the end of our days.”) was interesting…enlightening…engaging for likely all of the folks gawking out the windows of the buses carrying them...
Graduate From Good Idea to Great Outcomes
With graduations, weddings, and summer adventures in season, you’ll notice an abundance of advice being shared right now. Your newsfeed might be filled with clips of speeches from such notable figures as President Trump, Simone Biles, Snoop Dogg, and even Kermit the Frog. And though the most quotable commencement speakers can delight audiences with inspiring wisdom and memorable anecdotes,...
Going, Going… GONE!
Well, mostly. The annual Rummage Sale at the Garrettsville Family YMCA has moved off into the history books…well, books of some sort anyway (There really are people who keep track of such things, I guess.). Now comes the clean-up, empty-out, back-to-normal phase–which could take a little longer. Thanks to all of the shoppers who came, saw, and made off with...
Thank You 2025!
The Class of 2025 may wish to claim responsibility for the excellent weather this weekend. Might as well start out on the rest of your adult life with a great opening event. The fact that your moms & dads were probably sincerely hoping for a cessation of the downpours which we have been graced with lately may have played a...
May Musings
As someone at the Y said to me the other day, “Must be gonna rain, it’s Yard/Garage Sale weekend.” That proved to be prophetic; people all over town were covering and uncovering their stashes of valuables from the leftover April showers that were coming to town, off-and-on, most of Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Got caught in a few, escaped...
Enjoy More, Stress Less: Tips for Summer 2025
As we look ahead into the coming months, you may be hearing about continued economic uncertainty. While there are still mixed signals, it’s clear that many families and individuals are pausing now to rethink how—and where—they spend. If you’ve found yourself trimming back some of the more unpredictable expenses and leaning into choices that provide clear value, you’re not alone....
Horticulture Hotline
Well, I finally did it. I got every green thing that I could stuck into a pot, a plot or a raised bed–no bunks, though (too prone to night-time pranks; I have wildlife to manage that; the raccoons and opossums are such kidders. Gotta take skunks seriously anytime.). Some of the hardier ones look as though they might survive,...
This Is What You’ve Been Training For
As spring progresses and more people hit the jogging paths, parks, and sports fields, it’s a great reminder of the value of training. Just as physical training builds endurance and strength for peak performance, the money challenges you’re facing are not just hurdles but training for the future you want that can start taking shape today. As we live through...
May Flowers? No Pilgrims In Sight
Not a lot of sunshine either, lately. And did you celebrate May Day? You missed marking the halfway point between Spring (Vernal Equinox) and Summer ( Summer Solstice). Used to be a fairly common excuse to celebrate something–anything– after a long winter, I suppose. There were May Poles, and May Dances, especially on womens’ colleges back in the day, folks...
Stocks vs. Degrees: Which has the better return for your money?
As graduation season arrives, many families are asking if a college degree is still a worthwhile investment. With millions struggling to repay student loans amid our changing economic and political landscape, the future can feel uncertain. So, what path should new high school graduates take? New research compares the return on investment of a university degree to that of the...
Comin’ For Ya, Martha!
Well, I am sure that Mart is shakin’ in her shoes (the brand new ones–Skechers, dontcha know) when she contemplates my gardening efforts. Martha Stewart has more than one residence, so she has plenty of opportunity to landscape to her heart’s content–and plenty of minions to haul the up-scale compost to designated areas, too, I’ll bet.. I admire that…wish that...
May Flowers It Is
You know…the May flowers that come after the April showers…which we did have a few of. We do not even have to wait for the song from Rodgers & Hammerstein’s musical, “Carousel”. The relevant lyrics go like this : “March went out like a lion, A-whippin’ up the water in the bay. Then April cried and stepped aside. And along...
If you need just a little more time
As we move past the April 15 tax deadline, you may have recently experienced that “tax” can take two forms: • the tangible, governmental kind that affects your income, and • the hidden kind that occupies space in your thoughts. While paying the first kind is an inevitable part of life, the mental tax—the stress, worry, and anxiety—doesn’t have to be. This...
Is This Really It???
It’s Spring…sorta. Get out and watch your favorite runner…thrower…catcher…jumper…lifter…hitter…pitcher…whatever. Dress in layers and take your raincoat and/or umbrella–you know how it gets around here–maybe rain boots, a hat. You never know–maybe mittens? Watching a track meet, baseball game, softball game in snow flurries is not beyond the realm of possibility; I’ve done it myself, and lived to tell the...
Tariffs: When Emotion Puts Money in Motion
With the recent news on tariffs and the accompanying market sell-off, it’s understandable that there’s some concern about the economic forecast and what lies ahead. This situation highlights an important point: how you react is important. When uncertainty fills your newsfeed, remember that market volatility is a natural part of saving and investing. History has consistently shown that staying the course...
May is National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month
If you have asthma, allergies, or any respiratory symptoms while in your home, you may want to consider this special national Asthma and Allergy Month offer. You may not realize this, but poor indoor air quality (IAQ) is a health risk according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The air in your home is typically more polluted than the air outside! ...
Brrrr!! Go Team!!!
Springtime ! April showers and all that. Snow in the forecast. Must be Track Season ! One of those groundhogs must have been funnin’ us. March came “out like a lion” and trickled past April Fool’s Day, giving us this. (OFA quote : “Fools grow without watering”.) Just thinking about all of the athletes–we can even count baseball and softball...
How we can move fast and FIX things
Most of us are familiar with the phrase “move fast and break things,” which originated from the ethos of the early 2010s with Facebook and other tech giants in Silicon Valley. But recently, I’ve been considering a new spin on this mantra: “move fast and FIX things.” The Harvard Business Review article below offers a fresh take on rapid progress....
Everything BUT The Kitchen Sink
Get yourself to the Geauga County Home & Garden & Farm & Whatever Exposition next year. You missed it this time; and what an exposition it was! The place, up on Nauvoo Road, was two buildings…maybe three…maybe four…it was hard to tell, full of all kinds of things, particularly for the Amish community but welcoming to anyone else who came...
Come On, Get Happy: How Consistent Steps Elevate Your Life
Amid challenging headlines, market volatility, and March Madness, here’s a refreshing trend: young Americans are experiencing a surprising increase in happiness. As detailed in the Economist article below, after peaking in 2022, depression rates among college students are now declining, with similar improvements seen nationwide. This brighter mood is a reassuring sign. This wave of positivity serves as a powerful...
Is a Tankless Water Heater the Right Choice for You?
Have you ever been greeted by an ice-cold shower in the morning because your water heater couldn’t keep up with your household’s hot water needs? If so, a tankless water heater might be right for you! Tankless, on-demand water heaters provide an unlimited supply of hot water, no matter how much you use. This is possible because they heat water...
“Vernal” “Schmernal” is this the real thing?
Okay, I’ve seen worms on the sidewalk, I’ve seen daffodils coming up (as well as a couple of lonely tulips) in front of the Y, there are more actual puddles of water than treacherous ice hazards, I got up at 3 A.M. to see the lunar eclipse (which was fairly impressive, I will say–too bad we couldn’t see it...
