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Why is Generation X Struggling to Save for Retirement?

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Almost daily there are new articles explaining that Gen X isn't saving enough for retirement. The financial elites and professionals lament how terrible this is and remind Gen Xers that they need to try harder because every year that passes things get more dire.Do they really think Gen Xers aren't keenly aware that they are in trouble regarding their retirement?There is a reason why Gen X is in trouble and it isn't because they buy a coffee at Starbucks every so often or take their kids on a cheap family vacation once every few … [Read more...] about Why is Generation X Struggling to Save for Retirement?

How Many Gen Xers Are Making $100,000 a Year?

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We all like to think that the experts know what they are talking about and are operating from a foundation of solid and realistic information. However, that is not often the case. Here is an example of where traditional retirement planning articles tend to go off the rails for families who make a modest income.In an attempt to push their narrative, financial writers run the numbers on people who are not representative of the majority of people in this country. I've discovered this is the case when said writers offer advice to Gen Xers about … [Read more...] about How Many Gen Xers Are Making $100,000 a Year?

Gen Xers Need to Plan Now for a Cozy Retirement

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When people think of the word retirement, I am certain that the word cozy is not one of the first things that comes to mind. And yet that is the approach we are taking here. If we are making choices to create a cozy life of peace, understanding, joy, beauty, and faith now, then it also should carry over into our money and retirement planning.I know from reader surveys I've done, that the majority of people who read here regularly are Gen Xers (born between 1965 - 1980, give or take a few years on either side). There are quite a few Baby … [Read more...] about Gen Xers Need to Plan Now for a Cozy Retirement

Realistic Expectations for Work-at-Home Homeschooling Moms

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As if homeschooling our children isn't enough, many of us also decide to add working at home to the mix. I still haven't decided if we're blessed to be able to work at home or totally crazy. Probably a bit of both.I began working at home as a writer when I decided to leave teaching. David began working at home when he was downsized out of his corporate job. He's an excellent web designer and graphic designer. We often work together on projects and he has his own clients as well. He also does all the design for my products in my learning … [Read more...] about Realistic Expectations for Work-at-Home Homeschooling Moms

The Explosion of Unnecessary Commonplace Luxuries

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This was originally published in October 2008 but I'm bumping it up for today. There is an interesting discussion in the comments. It's fascinating to look at this article and the linked article eleven years later. I've been doing some extensive reading and research in anticipation of going on a writing spree for my retirement website. I actually think the bottom half of the middle class is much worse off eleven years later.I know that I run the risk of scaring some of you off if I write too often about the economic situation in the world. … [Read more...] about The Explosion of Unnecessary Commonplace Luxuries

Building Your Online Business Beyond Teachers Pay Teachers

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Several years ago, my graphic designer/web designer husband was downsized out of his corporate job. We opted at that time to turn his side business into a full time business. We were blessed to land a very good client fairly quickly due to my teaching career connections. This company fed us steady work and became a huge portion of our income. It was fantastic.Until it wasn't.The company had a major and unexpected shake-up. All of the people who kept us very busy were either let go or reassigned.We lost a huge portion of our income … [Read more...] about Building Your Online Business Beyond Teachers Pay Teachers

Thoughts on Motherhood, Making a Home, Homeschooling, and Working at Home

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Over the weekend I spent a few hours reading through the entire discussion thread on Auntie Leila's {bits pieces} 144 dealing with women making a home. Since I don't run in Catholic homeschool circles, I didn't know about the brouhaha until she emailed out the next {bits pieces} the following Saturday. I subscribe to her blog because I appreciate her thought-provoking take on things and the many links she shares each week.I'm not going to quote anything she wrote because you should read her original thoughts in their entirety as well as the … [Read more...] about Thoughts on Motherhood, Making a Home, Homeschooling, and Working at Home

Sunk Cost Mistakes in Parenting, Homeschooling, and Life

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Sunk cost is an economic term, but I've learned it is very applicable to parenting, homeschooling, and life in general. If you aren't familiar with it, about.com defines sunk cost this way:"Sunk costs are costs that are unrecoverable (i.e. nonrefundable) and represent past expenditures. These should not normally be taken into account when determining whether to continue a project or abandon it, because they cannot be recovered either way. It is a common irrational instinct to count them, however."The key words in that definition are … [Read more...] about Sunk Cost Mistakes in Parenting, Homeschooling, and Life

My Number One Rule for Saving Money

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A few years ago I wrote about Sallie's number one rule of homemaking. Today I'm going to share my number one rule of saving money. Why?Because I haven't been doing a good job of this and I can see the consequences. But know that this one rule makes a tremendous difference in our finances. The Number One Way to Save Money? Get enough sleep.Yes, get enough sleep.It really is that simple.For many people, a lack of sufficient sleep contributes to a wealth of problems. Many of these problems are directly related to or impact … [Read more...] about My Number One Rule for Saving Money

Living Simply By Only Buying What You Truly Need in a House

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I have a fever. It is the "I really want to move and have more space" fever. Have you ever had it? Fortunately, there is no way on earth we are going to move right now so I can look at houses online all I want and there is no temptation to actually act. Short of truly Divine intervention, we won't be moving for at least a few years. House Sizes and Associated Costs But as I contemplate moving someday, I've been thinking about house sizes and the associated costs. We have what would probably be considered a moderately smaller house (two … [Read more...] about Living Simply By Only Buying What You Truly Need in a House

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