"Gearing up for ‘National Novel Writing Month’ early this year" by: Jessica Shepard

   A handful of friends are gearing up for “National Novel Writing Month” – also known as “NaNoWriMo” this November.  And I’m sure I’ve mentioned this a time or two, but one day I want to have novels published.

"Yet again, Chicken Little, the sky did not fall" by: John Sample

   We will get a couple of measures of inflation this week with PPI Tuesday and CPI on Wednesday.  Expectations are for the inflation rate to remain above a level that the Fed is comfortable with at this time, postponing any rage reduction.

PSA: 529 plan can ease college ‘sticker shock’

   The school year will soon be here.  If you have young children, you’re one year closer to the day when they may be headed off to college.  When that day arrives, will you be financially prepared?

"Reel Reviews: ‘Borderlands’ flick OK for non-gaming audience" by: Jessica Shepard

I’ll readily admit that I never played any of the installments in the “Borderland” videogame franchise.  And, honestly, the movie trailer just snuck up on me to the point where I just shrugged and decided to give it a watch due to the leading cast members.

‘The distance between apology and amends’

   There is a grand distance between an apology and one’s desire to make amends.  The race is run on the same track, but making amends moves from words to actions extending the distance of the race to a full circle finish.

"No public meeting about big changes in city departments" by: Mike Reddell

   There were two stories on the Bay City Sentinel’s front page last week related to the City of Bay City decisions.  One article detailed the creation of a new Communications and Marketing Department last week.  It’s aimed at communicating and marketing for the city and tourism.

"Vacations look different to me on the inside, outside" by: Jessica Shepard

   It’s now August and we’re rolling into back-to-school time, fall sports, and I can just see the rush of fundraisers beyond the horizon.  Well, all of that plus a few holidays sprinkled in, too!

"You might watch the Olympics to take your mind off investments" by: John Sample

   Well so much for the lazy hazy days of summer.  We lost in the last seven trading days all the gains that the averages and indexes made in the month of July.  It appears this week will be no better and probably worse.

PSA: Are you afraid of outliving your money?

   Here’s something to think about: 58% of retirement savers from all age groups, including current retirees, say that outliving their assets is their greatest retirement fear, according to a study by Cerulli Associates, a financial services research organization.

"Reel Reviews: ‘Trap’ by far best Shyamalan thriller movie in years" by: Jessica Shepard

   I’ve been a fan of the majority of M. Night Shyamalan’s movies since his breakthrough with “The Sixth Sense” in 1999.  So, naturally, when I saw the trailer for “Trap,” I made sure to mark it on my calendar to review for our readers.