Blog Category
Family Life
Navigating balancing family priorities with career, frugal family fun, and overcoming family challenges that get in your way.
$50 Bonus For Fidelity Teen Account For My 15 Year Old – Was It Worth The Hassle?
When I saw a promotion for a $50 bonus for my teenager to open an account with Fidelity (debit card! investing! no fees!) I thought it might be too good to be true. Come learn about our opening saga and check out my tips to avoid all our mistakes so your experience goes more smoothly.
What Shopping Personality Are You?
Today for some financial Friday fun, I’ve developed a few different “shopping personalities” to talk about how different grocery shopping strategies work for different people. Check it out & let me know which one you are!
Fun and Free In CT For Families – Summer 2022
Check out all the fun and cool free things to do we’ve found here in Connecticut this summer! Pop in and share your fav free thing to do in CT or in your state.
One Year Later
Somehow it’s been a year since COVID first struck. The past year has been quite a journey for our family – some of which is shared by the world, others are unique to us. Come along and hear all about what this pandemic has meant for us, and just how much our lives have changed over the past year.
A Part Time, Benefits Eligible Job | Female Breadwinner Reflections
My husband now has a formal, benefits-eligible part time job. I’m excited for him to be working in a field he enjoys, bringing joy to others, but thought this would be a good time to reflect. How will his working a few evenings a week, and the weekends, change our family dynamic? Do we need to examine our split of household chores? And what do women feel like when they’re no longer the breadwinner (NOTE: not applicable to me, but it’s a conversations I’ve had with others). We’ll talk about that and more today.
My Memories Of 9/11 | My Wedding, Losses, and Guns On My Honeymoon
September 11, 2001, is a day that will live in infamy. For me, that day is all tied up in my wedding on September 15th 2001 – and my honeymoon only about a week later. Today I’m reflecting on my memories of that day, and the events that followed, and reminding you to reflect and prepare.
I Didn’t Do Back To School Shopping
This year I didn’t do any back to school shopping for my teenager and middle schooler. Check out more about why, what we did instead, how we shop for back to school, and what I like to do with the money we save.
Hooray – It’s Narwhal Cake Day! (No Fondant)
My middle son has a thing for narwhals. If you’re not familiar with them, they’re often called the “unicorn of the sea”. To me, they
Hooray! It’s Blueberry Day! Plus….
This past weekend was the opening of blueberry season here in CT – at least at our favorite local farm. We like to go to
Weeklong Smartphone Diet – Results
A little over a week ago I wrote some musings about TV, and a challenge I was going to undertake. Essentially, I wanted to cut
Five Ways We’re Making Easter Special
Easter’s coming! I hope you have some fun plans for the day, if you celebrate Easter. My older two boys are both off from school today, and although I’m not off from work, I’ll likely be able to log off a bit early to start the festivities. Today I’m talking about five fun and frugal ways we’re making Easter special this year here at CMO central.
Lessons On Women & Money From The 1944 Girl Scout Handbook
Today I’m reflecting on lessons on money – and women – I’ve picked up from my grandmother’s old 1944 Girl Scout handbook.
Looking Back – Seven Years After Septic Shock
Yesterday Facebook reminded me it’s been seven years since the start of the chain of events that changed our family forever. Today I’m looking back at that time, and how our lives have changed since then.
Kids Are Cheap, Kids Are Expensive
Often you’ll hear people talking about how expensive kids are. You’ll also hear a lot about how they don’t need to be expensive, and they
Why You Ought To Know About Ryan Park
Good morning everyone! Today I’m honored to bring you a guest post from my friend Crispy Doc. We met online and at FinCon, where I
Planning To Help Your Kids with College? But, you don't want to sign up for more than your finances can handle?
Snag my free college compact letter template. It lays out everything you need to cover with your child about what you will and will not cover for college expenses and tuition (with over 20 additional clauses).Â
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