Want to know more about the Gold City Ventures E-Printables Side Hustle Course? I’ve made nearly $500,000 selling printables on Etsy, and I’ve tested a LOT of courses. Here’s my honest Gold City Ventures review and whether it’s actually worth your money. Check out my review to see if it’s right for you. This post may contain affiliate links that allow this blog to earn money without a cost to you. Many thanks if […]

The stock market outlook continues in a downtrend and price fell below long-term technical indicators.

The title comes from a favorite saying from a long-time reader back in the day, and I recalled it for a couple of reasons. First, I learned that a favorite coffee house I used to frequent as a med student had shuttered back in 2022. It was a place where Robin Williams had once been spotted grabbing a pick me up after visiting a nearby comics store (I never saw him, although at a favorite […]

This is what dividend investing is all about!  Investing in dividend stocks allows YOU to earn dividend income, the best passive income stream!  Bias, you better believe it. Time to dive into Lanny’s January 2026 dividend income results!  Were records set?  Almost to financial freedom?  One day and one month at a time! (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Dividend Income Dividend Income is the fruit from the labor of investing your money in the stock […]

What if the biggest thing holding back your financial growth isn’t your income, your strategy, or even your discipline, but your money comfort zone? Most people don’t even realize they have one. But if your income keeps hitting the same ceiling, your savings never seem to grow past a certain number, or specific money topics make you feel anxious or resistant, you’ve likely found the edge of your money comfort zone. And here’s the truth, my friend: what feels comfortable isn’t always what helps you grow. What Is Your Money Comfort Zone? Your money comfort zone is the range of financial circumstances that feel familiar and “normal” to you. It’s not necessarily what you want—it’s what you’re used to. For example: A business owner who can’t seem to break past a certain income level A saver whose account repeatedly hovers around the same balance Someone who avoids investing because it feels confusing or risky These patterns aren’t random. They’re signals that you’ve reached the upper (or lower) boundary of your money comfort zone. And just like any comfort zone, it’s designed to keep things predictable, not expansive. Your Brain Is Wired for Safety, Not Success Here’s where things get really interesting. When you approach the edge of your money comfort zone, your brain doesn’t celebrate—it panics. That’s because of a small but powerful part of your brain called the amygdala. Its job is to keep you safe, not successful. When it encounters something unfamiliar, like a new investment strategy or raising your prices, it triggers a fear response. Your heart rate increases. Your thoughts race. You feel anxious or overwhelmed. But here’s the key insight: Unfamiliar does not mean unsafe. Many positive financial opportunities, like investing, tax planning, or expanding your business, can feel scary simply because they’re new. So instead of asking, “Why am I so bad with money?”Ask yourself, “Is this actually dangerous… or just unfamiliar?” Fun fact: The amygdala is the size and shape of a small almond. Are you going to let something the size of an almond get between you and the life of your dreams? (I’m not!) How Your Past Shaped Your Money Comfort Zone Your money comfort zone didn’t appear out of nowhere. It was shaped by your earliest experiences with money, especially within your family. In fact, the word “familiar” shares a root with “family,” and that’s no coincidence. If you grew up in a household where: Saving was important, you might feel safe with a large cushion Money was chaotic, you may crave control and security Investing was normalized, you may feel confident taking risks Banks or markets were distrusted, you may avoid them altogether These early messages become your default settings. They form the boundaries of what feels “normal” financially, even if those patterns no longer serve your current goals. The good news? You get to decide whether those boundaries stay in place. The Signs You’re Hitting the Edge So how do you know when you’re

Furnishing and decorating a home can be exciting, but it’s easy to get carried away with purchases that seem necessary at the moment but end up being unnecessary. These impulse buys and trendy items can quickly add up, straining your budget without adding real value to your home. Learning to identify and skip unnecessary home purchases can help you save money and maintain a clutter-free living space. 1. Fancy Coffee Machines High-end coffee machines can […]

Superb businesses Incremental returns that are enticing This is a revised version of a post originally published November 22, 2020. See >>>Revision below for the change: I like to develop a good feel for the economic performance of companies I invest in. Economic performance carries with it a sense of how successful a company (and company management) are in producing economic benefits for the shareholders. It focuses on effective use of the capital invested in […]

Bonds may be the adult in the room, but they are certainly afraid of inflation. Bonds usually do their thing – they go up when stock markets get hit hard. They provide ballast. During periods of expected high inflation, or during rising inflation bond prices go down. That can create and contribute negative returns. The bonds can contribute to a portfolio decline. But not all bonds are the same. Ultra short bonds carry no price […]