Peeps, Besties, Gladys and Brutus – It’s been a wild ride for the past nine months since I retired from the federal government. Last May, I made the decision to take advantage of an early retirement program. That’s still a little crazy to say out loud because I always assumed I would work for 35…
All posts in June 2026
🤨 I Had No Idea How to Invest
When I started working for the government in 2000, I was 21 years old and had no idea, at all, how to invest money in the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), the government equivalent of a 401(k). I knew two things: I didn’t grow up in a family that talked much about money. And 401(k)s weren’t…
🏢 The Best College is the One You Can Afford
In Northern Virginia, college admissions can feel like a competitive sport. Parents compare acceptance rates. Students compare rankings. Social media fills up with announcement posts. And somewhere along the way, it’s easy to forget one important question: What can we actually afford? Senior Year is an Olympic Sport Our son had taken several Advanced Placement…
💡 What I Learned During the Seven Weeks I Had No Paycheck
In September 2025, I retired from the federal government after 25 years of service. I had already accepted a position with Markon and planned to continue working as a government contractor. There was only one problem. I had absolutely no idea when I was going to start. Because of a government shutdown, the process of…