Queercents

My Financial Implosion: What to do with a Windfall

“Spending is quick, earning is slow.” – Russian Proverb
For the past eight years, my wife and I have been self-employed.  We correspond at least quarterly with our CPA to ensure that we pay the correct amounts on our estimated taxes.  Since our business income and expenses can vary so wildly, we’ve pretty much given up [...]

My Financial Implosion: Frugal Birthdays for Kids

“There are three hundred and sixty-four days when you might get un-birthday presents…and only one for birthday presents, you know.” – Lewis Carroll
In just a bit less than three weeks, our daughter will celebrate her 14th birthday.  As usual, she’s hoping for a fun party and a pile of gifts.  In years past, we’ve managed [...]

Why Vacations Are Necessary When You’re Unemployed

I know, the title of this post sounds crazy: take a vacation while you’re unemployed?
Well, in my case, I had enough from free-lance earnings and needed a break from the slow pace at which job searching is going these days. I got tired of sitting around, refreshing Craigslist every ten seconds, and decided that even [...]

My Financial Implosion: You Won’t Miss It After All

“Waste neither time nor money, but make the best use of both. Without industry and frugality, nothing will do, and with them everything.” – Benjamin Franklin

Since my wife’s contact unexpectedly ended last March, we’ve had to make due with a substantial cut in income.  Although my wife is retraining for new career and has already [...]

My Financial Implosion: Wants vs. Needs for Kids

“Beware of little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship” – Benjamin Franklin
Earlier this summer, our almost-14-year-old began her own journey through financial implosion.  At the end of June, my wife and I learned that our daughter had spent every penny she had saved in her bank account and was completely out of [...]

My Financial Implosion: Fix It or Junk It?

“I believe that thrift is essential to well-ordered living.” – John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
Recently, my wife and I have had to cover a number of unexpected auto expenses.  Our 23-year-old station wagon has nearly a quarter of a million miles on it, and has suddenly needed quite a few repairs.  Since the end of April, [...]

Is There a New Closet?

We just returned from a 10 day trip back “home” to Michigan to visit friends and family. Part of our time was in rural countryside and part in the Metro Detroit area. While staying with a close friend in rural MI, we were very appreciative of the extensive garden, the land to pick wild berries [...]

My Financial Implosion: Stocking the Larder

“Bread deals with living things, with giving life, with growth, with the seed, the grain that nurtures.  It is not coincidence that we say bread is the staff of life.” – Lionel Poilane
In last week’s column, I mentioned that my wife and I were setting up an emergency food supply.  As part of our plan, [...]

My Financial Implosion: Emergency Food Supplies

“One of the true tests of leadership is the ability to recognize a problem before it becomes an emergency.” – Arnold H. Glasgow
Although our personal financial situation continues to improve since my wife was out of work earlier this year, my wife and I aren’t entirely sure that our financial position is completely secure.  Despite [...]

My Financial Implosion: Back to School in a Bad Economy

“The difference between school and life? In school, you’re taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you’re given a test that teaches you a lesson.” – Tom Bodett
This Friday, our teen daughter goes back to school.  In years past, this has resulted in a flurry of shopping and spending lots of money.  [...]