Every once in awhile, I’m asked why I encourage people to elevate their social standing or improve their financial position. What difference will it make? Granted, some people do have a world-view that is fairly laissez-faire: just go with the flow, do what you can do, take it easy, don’t worry…be happy. I don’t condemn … More Why Elevate?
Pardon my absence. Personal obligations have been at the forefront lately. Nothing bad, just time-consuming. I’m happy to be back, so let’s dive in… There are plenty of obstacles on the road to financial independence: a soft job market, nagging inflation, student loan debt, and, let’s face it, an endless stream of tempting consumer goodies. … More Peer Pressure and Financial Goals
If you live long enough, there’s a chance you get to see everything. If not everything, then a lot. Sometimes history seems to repeat itself, or, in the words of Mark Twain, if it doesn’t exactly repeat, it certainly does rhyme. So it goes with society’s idea of how to raise children. I was raised … More Zero Shades of Grey
Ho ho ho. It’s that time of year again. You’ve just now realized that you need to find a gift for that hard-to-buy-for, hard-to-surprise, hard-to-inspire friend, family member, or colleague. Clothing can be too personal. Wine or spirits, too cliche. Gift cards, too easy. And, let’s be honest, so many material things we give and … More The Ultimate Christmas Gift
I’ve reposted a couple of articles from Tatler, the iconic British magazine that chronicles all things royal, aristocratic, old money, as well as the newly minted and just plain famous. If you want to follow lords, ladies, dukes, and duchesses and keep current on who’s currently dating, marrying, giving birth, divorcing, or dying, Tatler is … More Fulfillment After Success
In response to a blog comment/question (which I cannot locate now, for some reason) I wanted to offer some insights into what makes a rewarding, relaxing, and enjoyable vacation. My apologies for misplacing the comment. And thank you, dear reader, for the inquiry. First, I would suggest that you really do some soul-searching first. This … More The Old Money Vacation
It will come as no surprise to frequent readers that I have a healthy distrust of technology: inventions and innovations are only as good as their creators. We are human and therefore imperfect. The tools we construct will reflect this reality. Furthermore, with every technological advance, we must often find our footing rather quickly with … More Not So Smart With The Phone
A fascinating piece recently found in The Telegraph… https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/tax/inheritance/inherit-100m-im-giving-it-all-away/ I’m sure we’re going to have quite a few opinions on it. Personally, I’m not sure if inheriting more than $10 million in cash or its equivalent is really beneficial to most people. (Full disclosure: I inherited. The benefits and drawbacks have pretty much cancelled each … More Heir Not So Apparent
In this digital age, it’s understandable that we feel overwhelmed by innovation and invention. We hardly become accustomed to one version of an iPhone when another version is released and relentlessly promoted. Software updates ding on our screens with annoying regularity. In a way, however, the constant infatuation with novelty is really nothing that new. … More The Role of Tradition
One of the bigger challenges for those of us not raised by wolves is interacting with people who were. Like many of you, I was raised to be polite. To have an awareness of others and to be courteous whenever possible. I habitually open doors for people, usually ladies, but sometimes elderly men or people … More Being Polite in a Rude World