Guest Post: You're Not Bad With Money

This blog's friend, David of NeighborhoodWeek.org, has written another guest post! This one is right up our alley, advocating a mindset shift to get out of the old mental scripts that are holding you back.

If you like this guest post, you can find David's previous guest posts here, here, here, and here.

Take it away, David!

Image via Freepik

You’re Not Bad With Money — You’re Just Using the Wrong Map

Changing your relationship with money isn't just about budgeting better or earning more. It’s about rewriting the internal script that dictates how you see value, risk, and possibility. For many people, old narratives like “money is hard to manage” or “I’m just not good with finances” are baked deep into behavior. But here’s the shift: your money mindset isn't permanent. And adjusting it might be the most life-changing investment you ever make.

Money Paralysis: When Caution Becomes a Cage

There’s a point when being careful becomes counterproductive. That hesitation? It’s got a name — Fear of Getting In. People stall on investments, careers, or even small risks because they’ve been conditioned to overweigh potential failure. But the reality is, most regrets don’t come from action. They come from sitting out. Recognizing that paralysis is the first signal you need a new financial lens — one that values thoughtful motion over perfect conditions.

Let the Wins Get Louder

You don’t have to be a prodigy to build momentum. Shelby Wright's savings journey proves that. She didn’t inherit wealth or land a million-dollar deal. She adjusted her habits — aggressively. By 23, she had nearly $100K in savings. The shift wasn’t magical; it was practical. She automated transfers, tracked spending, and let progress fuel more discipline. Sometimes the smartest strategy is just giving your own effort a chance to compound.

Call Out the Quiet Saboteurs

Changing your financial future means identifying the friction points that hide in plain sight. Mia McGrath's financial habits highlight some of the real culprits: impulse spending masked as self-care, confusing ownership with success, mistaking survival habits for strategy. If you’ve been “trying to do better” without traction, zoom in. Some of the loudest blockers don’t look like problems — until you name them.

This Isn’t Manifestation — It’s Infrastructure

Mindset shifts aren’t just about energy. Positive money mindset work means getting honest about your behavior and your blind spots. It’s about challenging scarcity logic, learning the real mechanics of money, and surrounding yourself with mental models that support agency. This kind of mindset isn't magic — it’s architecture.

You’re Not “Just a Nurse”

Money mindset isn’t abstract when it changes your future. In high-responsibility careers like healthcare, rethinking long-term value can change everything. RNs, for example, who decide to earn an RN-to-BSN aren’t just padding résumés — they’re building career resilience, earning potential, and choice. A mindset shift reframes education not as a cost, but as leverage.

Debt Isn’t the Whole Story

Let’s be clear: discipline isn’t deprivation. For some, like Bradley's debt payoff strategy, every dollar had a job. He crushed over $130K in student debt by ditching unnecessary spending, meal prepping, and making frugality visible. But his deeper shift? Seeing his debt plan as an act of control — not punishment. That’s the mindset pivot that mattered.

Your Goals Should Scare You (a Little)

If your financial goals don’t stretch you, they won’t sustain you. Setting financial goals isn’t about having a number — it’s about designing a new normal you’re excited to meet. That excitement rewires habits. You wake up differently when you’re aiming at something vivid, not vague. Don’t aim for “better.” Aim for different.

The Reward Is Autonomy

At the core of a powerful money mindset is freedom — not just from debt, but from patterns that keep you small. Money mindset tips don’t work if you’re only looking for tricks. What works is friction. Tension. Questions that stick: “Why am I scared of having more?” “Who benefits from me staying stuck?” Real change starts where the script breaks.

Money isn’t neutral. It’s shaped by story, shame, habits, and hope. Changing your money mindset doesn’t mean pretending you’re rich — it means deciding what rich means to you. Start small. Get clear. Interrupt your own loops. Let data challenge emotion, and let action heal confusion. The goal isn’t to be perfect with money. It’s to be powerful with it. One mindset at a time.

Discover savvy strategies for financial success and more at The Froogal Stoodent, where smart students learn to thrive without breaking the bank!

Saving the taxpayer by stopping the penny

What No One Says About Ending the Penny

Not to worry, intrepid readers! I've decided to dive into the weeds and figure out if the government is wasting money by making money*

What seems to have been completely lost in discussions of ending the manufacture of the penny (and the nickel, which is an even bigger money-loser) is...all the other coins the Mint produces every year.

Image of uncirculated coin set from
U.S. Mint website https://www.usmint.gov/uncirculated-coin-set-2024-24RJ.html

Guest Post: How to Grow a Wild Mind

Are you a parent wondering about your child's learning? Enjoy this guest post from David of NeighborhoodWeek.org!

He's written guest posts for this blog before, regarding practical financial tips for surviving COVID, which you can read here, tips for starting a home-based business, which you can find here, and how college students can earn a degree without drowning in debt, which you can see here. We're glad to have him back for another guest post!

Take it away, David:

Image via Freepik

How to Grow a Wild Mind: Keeping the Spark of Learning Alive in Your Kids

If you’re a parent, there’s a moment—usually somewhere between multiplication tables and standardized test season—when you start to wonder: What happened to the kid who asked a hundred questions before breakfast? The one who wanted to know why flamingos are pink, how clouds float, and whether a bug dreams? That bright spark begins to dim under worksheets, pressure, and the creeping fear that learning is something you’re either good at or not. But here’s the secret: learning isn’t a switch that flicks off. It’s a fire, and it just needs the right kind of tending.

Lead With Wonder, Not Worry

You don’t need to be a walking encyclopedia to nurture curiosity. You just need to let your own wonder out of its adult cage. That means saying things like, “I don’t know, let’s find out,” instead of pretending to have all the answers. When you approach the world with awe, your child learns that it’s okay—no, it’s great—to be fascinated by things they don’t understand yet. Your attitude toward learning is the quiet music they dance to, even when you think they’re not listening.

Walk the Talk With Your Own Curiosity

There’s no more powerful message you can send your child than letting them see you as a lifelong learner, too. Whether you’ve been out of school for five years or fifteen, choosing to go back—especially while balancing work and parenting—shows them that learning doesn’t stop when diplomas are framed. Online degree programs make it easier than ever to juggle family dinners, day jobs, and late-night study sessions without putting life on pause. And if you’re an RN, take a look at how earning a master’s in nursing can open doors in nurse education, informatics, administration, or advanced practice—and give your income a healthy lift, too.

Let Go of the Gold Stars

The second learning becomes about approval, something important breaks. Kids start performing instead of exploring. That drawing becomes a way to earn praise, not an outlet for creativity. It’s a subtle shift, but over time it teaches kids that the goal isn’t discovery—it’s external validation. Instead, try asking what they liked most about what they did, or what surprised them. Show them that their own opinions matter more than your applause.

Design for Boredom, Not Entertainment

We’re all a little too good at killing boredom with screens, structured activities, and scheduled everything. But boredom isn’t the enemy—it’s the beginning of creativity. When your kid says, “I’m bored,” try not to panic or fix it. Let them marinate in it. That quiet discomfort is often what stirs the brain into building forts, drawing weird monsters, or asking strange, brilliant questions about gravity or ghosts or why cats hate cucumbers.

Give Them the Tools, Then Step Back

You don’t need to teach your child every single thing—they’re wired to teach themselves when the conditions are right. The trick is to create an environment where exploration is possible, and then get out of the way. Fill the house with books, paper, LEGOs, a magnifying glass, a bucket of water and a spoon—whatever invites hands-on messiness. And when they dive in, resist the urge to direct them. Just sit nearby with your coffee and watch what unfolds.

Let Them See You Struggle

Kids learn how to learn by watching how you do it. So when you mess up, forget something, or hit a wall—don’t hide it. Say it out loud. “Wow, this recipe is harder than I thought,” or “I’m really stuck on this crossword clue.” Then let them see you keep going. Show them that learning is about persistence, frustration, and finding your way through the weeds, not gliding effortlessly to the right answer.

Say Yes to the Weird Interests

Your kid wants to spend three weeks obsessively learning about sharks, or pyramids, or how cardboard boxes are made? Lean into it. Their brain is lighting up in that “zone of genius” where passion meets autonomy. The topic doesn’t matter—it’s the engagement that counts. The more often you let them follow their strange, specific fascinations, the more they learn that curiosity is a compass they can trust.

Reframe Failure as the Best Teacher

If there’s one thing school tends to do poorly, it’s teaching kids how to fail well. But the truth is, every great learning moment has failure baked into it. When your child flubs a science experiment or forgets their lines in the school play, don’t rush in with comfort or solutions. Ask what they learned, or what they’d try differently next time. Normalize failure not as a sign of weakness, but as a badge of real effort—because that’s where the deepest learning lives.

Here’s the part we don’t say often enough: you’re not raising a straight-A student—you’re raising a human. And if that human leaves your home with the tools to stay curious, to learn independently, to fall down and try again, you’ve done more than any flashcard or phonics program ever could. The love of learning isn’t a sprint; it’s a lifelong relationship. And like any relationship, it needs freedom, respect, and a little bit of magic to thrive.

Unlock the secrets to financial success with The Froogal Stoodent, your go-to resource for savvy saving and investing strategies to thrive in today’s economy!

How College Students Can Earn a Degree Without Drowning in Debt

David Dixon of NeighborhoodWeek.org is back with another article of great advice - this one is intended for college students, an area near and dear to my heart!

If you're seriously considering college right now, for yourself or for a family member, you know how large the financial burden can be. It's wise to look into every possible avenue to defray the cost!

With that, please enjoy David's advice below:

Image source: Freepik

How College Students Can Earn a Degree Without Drowning in Debt

Higher education is often seen as a path to better career opportunities, but for many students, it comes with the burden of overwhelming debt. With tuition costs rising, it’s more important than ever to explore ways to earn a degree without accumulating significant financial strain. The good news is that with careful planning, strategic decisions, and alternative educational paths, you can graduate without a mountain of student loans. Here’s how you can earn your degree while keeping your finances intact.

Choose an Affordable School
Prestige may be appealing, but an expensive private university isn’t the only way to get a quality education. Community colleges, in-state public universities, and schools with generous financial aid programs can offer the same degree at a fraction of the cost. Many students start at a community college and then transfer to a four-year institution to save money on general education requirements. By prioritizing affordability over name recognition, you can significantly reduce your overall tuition expenses while still earning a respected degree.

Apply for Scholarships and Grants
Scholarships and grants are free money—meaning they don’t have to be repaid—yet many students fail to apply for all the opportunities available to them. Colleges, private organizations, and government programs offer financial aid based on merit, financial need, or special interests. Applying early and often can increase your chances of securing enough funding to offset tuition costs. With thousands of scholarships available, even small awards can add up and help reduce the amount you need to borrow.

Consider Work-Study and Part-Time Jobs
Balancing work and school can be challenging, but earning an income while studying can prevent excessive borrowing. Many colleges offer federal work-study programs that allow students to earn money while gaining valuable job experience. Part-time jobs, internships, and freelance work can also provide financial stability while keeping your loan debt in check. Even working a few hours a week can help cover books, housing, and daily expenses, reducing the need to take out large loans.

Open a Side Business
Starting a side business can be a powerful way to generate extra income and cover tuition costs without relying solely on loans. Whether it’s freelancing, selling handmade products, or offering a specialized service, launching a business requires market research, a solid plan, and the discipline to manage both work and studies. Forming a limited liability company (LLC) can provide financial protection by separating personal assets from business liabilities, making it a smart choice for student entrepreneurs. To avoid hefty lawyer fees, you can register your LLC in Ohio yourself or use a well-reviewed formation service, ensuring a cost-effective and legally sound setup.

Earn College Credits in High School
Many high schools offer dual enrollment or Advanced Placement (AP) courses that allow students to earn college credit before even stepping foot on a campus. Taking advantage of these programs can shorten the time you spend in college and cut down on tuition costs. Some students enter college with enough credits to skip a semester—or even an entire year—saving thousands of dollars in the process. The less time you need to spend in school, the less money you’ll have to spend earning your degree.

Live Off-Campus or at Home
Room and board can add tens of thousands of dollars to the cost of college, making it one of the biggest expenses beyond tuition. Living at home or finding more affordable off-campus housing can dramatically reduce costs. Many students also split rent with roommates, opt for meal prepping instead of expensive dining plans, or find creative housing solutions to cut expenses. By making smart housing choices, you can avoid unnecessary financial strain and allocate more funds toward tuition and books.

Use Online and Alternative Learning Options
Traditional four-year programs aren’t the only way to earn a degree. Online colleges, hybrid courses, and competency-based education programs offer more flexibility at a lower cost. Many accredited institutions provide affordable online degree programs that allow you to study at your own pace while working. Additionally, programs like MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) and trade certifications can provide valuable education at a fraction of the price of a traditional degree. Exploring alternative learning options can help you gain the skills you need without excessive debt.

Be Smart About Student Loans
If you do need to take out loans, be strategic about borrowing only what is necessary. Federal student loans typically have lower interest rates and better repayment options than private loans, making them a safer choice. Avoid using student loans to cover lifestyle expenses and instead focus on covering tuition and essential costs. By keeping loan amounts as low as possible and seeking out income-driven repayment plans, you can prevent excessive debt and set yourself up for financial success after graduation.

Getting a college education without massive debt is possible with the right approach. Whether you’re applying for financial aid, starting a side business, or considering alternative learning paths, you can minimize costs and avoid the burden of student loans. Graduating without overwhelming debt gives you the financial freedom to pursue your career goals without being weighed down by monthly payments. With smart financial planning, you can earn your degree while keeping your financial future secure.

Unlock the secrets to financial success and savvy investing with The Froogal Stoodent, your go-to resource for practical tips and insightful strategies to thrive in today’s economy!

Links for Feb 2025

Links for February 2025

https://awealthofcommonsense.com/2024/06/the-two-types-of-money-people/

Any guesses which one I am?...

https://awealthofcommonsense.com/2024/03/long-term-recency-bias/

Great point for investors to remember! Maybe someone should post this link to the Reddit boards r/investing or r/stocks

https://rethinking65.com/the-preference-for-dividend-paying-stocks-is-irrational/

Perhaps this preference is mathematically irrational, but we're not robots. I suspect this preference for dividends can be chalked up to 'a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.' There's also the reality that a policy of paying dividends forces executives to think longer-term, and decreases the company's pile of cash. That pile, especially if it's extra large, presents a temptation to raid it [via the C-suite increasing their own bonuses or other compensation]. Naturally, a dividend policy doesn't guarantee anything, but there's probably a very good reason why many large corporations throughout history have paid dividends.

https://awealthofcommonsense.com/2025/01/historical-returns-for-stocks-bonds-cash-real-estate-and-gold/

Good overview of investing history for the United States over the past ~100 years.

Why I'm Building a Pyramid

Why I'm Building a Pyramid

Hello again, world wide web! It's been a while!

I've been continuing to read and learn. While doing so, an analogy popped into my head that I'd like to share.

In March 2024, I read the classic business book, Barbarians at the Gate, about the leveraged buyout of RJR Nabisco. While thinking about the authors' description of the shenanigans taking place at company headquarters and on Wall Street, something occurred to me: the whole structure was upside-down.

RJ Reynolds built the tobacco company that was named after him, and the book credits lawyer Adolphus Green as being instrumental to the early growth of Nabisco. These men (and, of course, many others) helped to build and guide these two companies in their early days, circa 1900.

But by the 1970s, the old guard had long since perished, and the executives that succeeded them had exhibited varying degrees of quality - some did well, others did not.

New: Amazon Haul

Amazon Haul

I don't do sponsored posts, because I want full editorial control (and because I have a full-time job, so I can afford to be choosy).

But to help keep the lights on around here, I'll spotlight an announcement from longtime partner Amazon. I partner with Amazon (and use Amazon myself) because I think they do a good job of keeping prices low for their customers, as well as offering a wide, wide variety of options for sale.

Amazon probably represents the most meritocratic marketplace around, at least as far as I know of. Are they perfect? No, of course not. But they do deliver consistently on the basics - great selection and low prices, along with good delivery times and convenience.

So, here's announcing Amazon Haul, a new program available on the mobile app only. Amazon Haul only offers items priced at $20 or less. Currently, the program includes 5% off of orders of $50 or more, and 10% off orders of $75 or more (no word on how long that offer will last).

And, Amazon emphasizes (three times in one announcement!) that everything available on the Amazon Haul marketplace is protected by Amazon's standard A-to-z guarantee, which now applies in the United States, Canada, the UK, and the EU.

Amazon's full announcement can be found here.

You can use this link right here if you'd like to check out the chart-toppers on Amazon Haul.

If you don't have and don't want the Amazon app, you can educate yourself while also supporting this blog by reading a book review on this site and buying the associated book if you're interested.

from Amazon's announcement about Amazon Haul:

https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/retail/affordable-products-amazon-20-dollars-and-under?ref_=pe_undef

Update 4/9/25:

Amazon Haul is now available on desktop! Here's a link if you're interested.

Links for January 2025

 Links:

Some billionaires contribute something more tangible than law, financial engineering, or lines of code: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBKfWcPT-Ug

"Tax shelters are to democracy what pollution is to the environment. When companies spew toxic wastes in the the air and water, they are saving money by not running cleaner operations and by making everyone else bear that cost through acid rain, fouled water and diseases like cancer. When they use tax dodges like the rigged Shell stock trades, they are saving money by not paying the price of maintaining the civilization that has made their success possible."
- David Cay Johnston, Perfectly Legal: The Covert Campaign to Rig Our Tax System to Benefit the Super Rich—and Cheat Everybody Else (2003), p. 227

I've been reading this book, and while it's not an easy or exciting book, the author does a great job detailing exactly how the very wealthiest Americans use tax loopholes and strategies of dubious ethical and legal standing to escape paying taxes.

Which, naturally, means that you and I end up paying more.

Infuriating...and a worthwhile read! Though the book is over 20 years old at this point and I'm sure a lot of strategies have changed, regulatory capture definitely has not.

"If I told you 5 years ago that there would be a global pandemic and Pfizer would be the leading manufacturer of a vaccine to combat the virus with sales of over $70 billion in 2021-22, you would probably have dumped your S&P 500 Index fund and put all your money into Pfizer (PFE). But for the five years ending Sept. 18th [2023], PFE is essentially flat while the S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has gained 67%. The lesson for investors - s[t]ock picking would not be any easier, even if we knew the future.

This is why the word surprise is in the dictionary and just another example of why you should ignore all 'Stocks to Buy Now' articles."
-George Sisti, Vectors Oct. 2023 newsletter for On Course Financial Planning

I enjoy reading these 'Vectors' newsletters for their long-term-focused perspective - and the snark.

Interesting perspective to consider: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/retirement/my-dad-sacrificed-everything-to-retire-early-only-to-die-before-he-could-enjoy-it-i-ll-never-recommend-early-retirement-to-anyone/ar-AA1qBK2E?ocid=entnewsntp&pc=U531&cvid=315decfb2ba34e63a994b34d811df50e&ei=55

Can confirm that the housing market right now is, in fact, a slap in the face: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/realestate/28-year-old-made-15-offers-went-65-000-over-asking-price-and-still-got-rejected-the-housing-market-is-a-slap-in-the-face/ar-AA1qJkWi?ocid=entnewsntp&pc=U531&cvid=8c2e0fcf57474e72aeb5b41c2547bfc4&ei=26

Thanksgiving 2024

This Thanksgiving season, I'm feeling a bit reflective.

While I frequently get irritated about injustices in the world, I'm also reminded of many things that have fallen to my benefit, and to the benefit of many - most - Americans. You can even extend that claim to most of the 'First World.' You know, nations like the U.S., Canada, many Western European nations, as well as Japan, Australia, and South Korea, among others.

Is everything always rosy in these countries? Certainly not! But people in these countries generally have the time and energy to worry about things other than farming to eke out a hand-to-mouth living. This extra 'bandwidth' is, in itself, a luxury.

Don't believe me? Just look at all non-human species. Or, if you prefer, look at the lot of most people throughout human history.

Things that have irked me recently include the abysmal CEO-worker pay ratio, conspicuous consumption (which has gotten a rocket boost from social media, though Thorsten Veblen coined the term in 1899, so the Internet is clearly not to blame!), and the elevated prices of what used to be called 'starter homes.' Oh, and avocado toast guy shooting off his big mouth again (though that was a while ago).

But it's important to remember the positive things too!

I'm thankful for numerous blessings in my life, which include:

• Family
• A stable job
• The easy availability of high-quality information
• A historically stable country (politically and economically)
• Luxuries that we normally take for granted, like air conditioning
• A healthy body and mind
• Financial security

And, last but not least, I'm thankful for my blog readers!

It's been a whopping 10 years since I began this blog in May 2024! Along the way, I've been published - academically as well as in personal finance books connected to this blog - gotten full-time employment, and learned a whole lot about various topics (primarily investing, business, and history).

Thanks for following along on this journey, and here's to another 10+ years!

Heavy metal financial education

Financial Education...in a Metal Song?!

This morning, when I was driving to work in my Honda, I flipped between local rock radio stations, and landed on a channel that was playing a song I didn't recognize.

Longtime readers will know that I grew up on rock, and while I've branched out in my old age, I still mostly listen to hard rock and metal.

So on this radio station, I could tell from the vocals that the song was performed by a metal band called Disturbed, though I hadn't heard this particular song before. The song wasn't bad, so I kept listening.

When I heard the chorus, I was taken aback! No, not because they were saying anything 'disturbing.' (See what I did there?) It's because I heard the following: