Author Archives: nickduse

Comparison and Time

Posted on July 28, 2017 by nickduse

Two weeks ago we posed a question, “What if we took all the time, money, and effort we spent on trying to keep up with everyone else, and started giving it away to those who really need our time, money, … Continue reading →

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What Comparison Gets You

Posted on July 14, 2017 by nickduse

When I was about 13, I was invited to Mario’s Party.  I know I’m showing my age a bit when I tell you that this had absolutely nothing to do with a video game – it hadn’t even been thought … Continue reading →

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The Anti-Lottery: Save Steady

Posted on May 6, 2016 by nickduse

If I enjoyed giving guilt trips, I might want to talk to the guy who’s spent $10 a week for the past 5 years trying to win the lottery. I’d want him to have kept his box of 2,600 losing … Continue reading →

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In Case of Emergency, Relax…

Posted on April 22, 2016 by nickduse

Relax?  Yes, if you’ve got an “emergency fund”, you have a reasonable shot at a state of non-panic when financial emergencies occur. The first thing to do here is to define “emergency”. Emergencies are situations that interfere with your basic … Continue reading →

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All Debt Costs You is Your Freedom

Posted on March 25, 2016 by nickduse

Shortly after leaving college and getting married, my friend Chris and his wife felt a calling to move to Europe and begin working with those less fortunate. They also wanted to be under the guidance of an organization that would … Continue reading →

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The Real Payoff From School Loans

Posted on March 4, 2016 by nickduse

For those of us with school loans (or those of us who know someone with school loans…there, that should be everyone, right?), there are a few emotional moments when it comes to paying them off – the first tough moment … Continue reading →

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First Things First

Posted on February 12, 2016 by nickduse

Starting to spend that tax refund (at least in your head?) Had an unexpected financial gift come your way? While it may not happen as often as we like, it is a really nice thing to have a little (or, … Continue reading →

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Got a Need? Give your way out of it.

Posted on December 4, 2015 by nickduse

My wife and I just had our first baby, and as everyone predicted (in no particular order): We have lost sleep (and hope to find it again someday), we can now change a diaper in the dark in under fifteen … Continue reading →

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Phishing for Trouble

Posted on November 20, 2015 by nickduse

Recently, I’ve had a few people forward some spam and “phishing” (trying to get unauthorized information from you) e-mails that they have received, and I am saddened to report that the bad guys are getting better at this.  While your … Continue reading →

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The Power of an Envelope

Posted on December 12, 2014 by nickduse

A few years ago, I started receiving some gifts that came in envelopes but weren’t cash, weren’t gift cards, and they weren’t homemade coupons for washing my car the following summer (though those in particular are always encouraged.)  These gifts … Continue reading →

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