Note: This is a guest post from Joe Darago, Executive Director of The Hope Effect, and a friend of mine for over 30 years. I come from a big family—five sisters and me—filling every corner of our modest home in Northeast Ohio with laughter, noise, and life. There was never a dull moment. My dad’s side looked a little different. He was the only son of Joseph and Teresa, raised alongside two sisters who never had children of their own. But what they may have lacked in children, they made up for in presence. Aunt Marilyn and Aunt Liz were constants in our lives. They attended every holiday, came to many sporting events, and had a saved seat at our six graduations. They took turns investing in us—quietly and consistently. Even when I left home for college and eventually moved out of state, the rhythm of connection continued. Birthday cards arrived on time. Calls were never forgotten. Milestone moments always brought a message or a visit. Their love was steady—minimal in flash, but immense in weight. Maybe that’s why I’ve always been so passionate about family—a value that has shaped so many of my life choices. About a decade ago, both Aunt Marilyn and Aunt Liz began facing health challenges. In a beautiful act of mutual care, they moved into the same home to help one another recover and reduce expenses. One thing they didn’t reduce, however, was their belongings. Our family has never been great at letting things go. Boxes in the sunroom held documents from our great-grandfather. Furniture from Grandma’s house crowded every corner of the living room. And the musty basement was packed with remnants from the old family store—items long unused but still quietly taking up space. This past weekend, I traveled back to Ohio to say goodbye to Aunt Liz. As the family pastor, I had the honor of overseeing the funeral for the last of my two aunts. The service was deeply meaningful. Friends and family came to pay their respects, share stories, and support one another through our grief. As I stood there, listening and leading, I was reminded—once again—of what truly matters in life. No one mentioned her possessions. Not once. But everyone spoke of how she made them feel. How present she was. How faithfully she encouraged others, even in quiet ways. Of course, while no one mentioned her possessions during the service, she and my other aunt left behind plenty of material things to sort through. My sisters and I have been tasked with handling these in a way that honors both our family and her wishes. Thankfully, Aunt Liz sensed the end was near about a year before she passed. And in that final stretch of time, she made some intentional choices—quiet but impactful—that have made all the difference. Here are a few things she did that were incredibly helpful, and I share them in hopes they might serve others walking a similar road: 3 Things My Aunt

Sky Bridge Financial Reviews: What You Need to Know If you’ve received a loan offer in the mail or searched for ways to manage your debt, you may have come across Sky Bridge Financial reviews. This company has gained attention for promoting low-interest personal loans and offering alternative solutions for people with high unsecured debt. […] The post Sky Bridge Financial Reviews: What You Need to Know appeared first on CuraDebt.

Water might seem cheap and endlessly available, but for anyone running a business or managing property, that assumption can come with hidden costs. Leaks, overuse, and poor infrastructure all add up, and not just on your utility bills. If you are building a sustainable brand or simply trying to reduce unnecessary expenses, cutting back on water waste is a smart financial move. This is protecting your profit margins, staying compliant, and avoiding expensive surprises. Whether […]

Benjamin Bailey was sitting at a café in Europe with his wife when his phone buzzed. Ding. Another $50 payment had come through. Enough to cover lunch, maybe dinner too. Side Hustle: Online pension calculator Revenue: $10K to $11K per year (mostly passive) Started: 2020 Featured Quote: “You’re not trying to be everything to everyone — you’re trying to do one thing clearly and reliably.” Bailey is a professor of communication at the University of […]

For a while now I have noticed people quoting me from my books. At first it was just charming and brought a smile to my face. But then, as they continued and became more common, the number of quotes grew. I began to regret I hadn’t thought to collect them. Ah well, no going back… [Continue Reading] The post Win a personally autographed copy of the revised edition of The Simple Path to Wealth appeared […]

Property values in Singapore have surged by more than 80% over the past decade, driven by limited land supply, robust demand, and strategic government planning. With this upward trend, more investors are turning their attention to mega developments like Thomson View, which promise not only lifestyle perks but also serious potential for long-term wealth. One such project gaining traction is Thomson View enbloc. Backed by its prime location and extensive redevelopment plans, early interest has […]

THE PIECES OF THE SUMMER TRAVEL PUZZLE Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes This year feels different, but similar. Not sure why I’m surprised because Peru is a different country. We’re traveling with different people and our timeline is different. We loved everything about Guatemala (with the exception of Mr. Saver having to depart after two weeks). We loved our living situation, we loved the people and the food, we loved the school and camp options […]

Minimalism quiets the noise. By removing what’s unnecessary, it clears space,physically, mentally, emotionally, for what truly matters. Those important things might be sharing time with loved ones, reading a book, or traveling to a place that feels more like the backdrop of Mars than Montana. However your version of “important” looks, minimalism can return the one currency we all crave: more time and energy for what matters most. And that’s why I’m closing down Budget Life List (BuLL). The post 5 Years, 1 Life, No Regrets: Why I’m Letting Go of BuLL appeared first on Budget Life List.