‘Playlists’

Seriously, where would we be without our playlists?  Varieties of playlists are endless when it comes to reflecting our lifestyles, emotions, personalities, dare I say identities.  They serve a purpose when it comes to mood regulation and emotional connections to our favorite people.

"Worrying how to get busy week into paper by early Tuesday" by: Mike Reddell

I had a request to get a press release after work Monday for this week’s paper.  I said I needed it by 5 p.m. Monday, which is later than we normally accept articles.  We live in a havoc-filled atmosphere on Mondays, particularly late Monday afternoons.

"Unspoken sibling rules seem to transcend generations" by: Jessica Shepard

From what I hear, most mothers don’t like it when their children fight, and on the surface, I understand it.  However, pop culture and personal experience have taught me that the siblings with the strongest bonds get caught teasing and play-fighting quite often.

"Another week and another concern to evaluate" by: John Sample

Just when you think it is time to kick back and start on your summer reading of a couple of great novels, life smacks you in the face.   In this case, you have conflicts in the Middle East escalating between Israel and Iran.   It seems the Israelis can’t stop engaging everyone around them.

PSA: Steps to take following loss of a job

A job loss can feel overwhelming.  To help put yourself in the best financial position, here are a few steps to take.  File for unemployment. While it won’t fully replace your previous pay, it’s a help that may last up to 26 weeks.  The process can take time, so do this quickly.

"Reel Reviews: Live action ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ soars on big screen" by: Jessica Shepard

Honestly, when the animated “How to Train Your Dragon” film graced screens in 2010, I thoroughly enjoyed myself.  Well, that and I wanted a dragon to call my own – even in my early 20s all I could imagine was how much money I’d save on gas and the traffic issues I could avoid.

‘Metamorphosis’

The word metamorphosis is often used in connection with the transformation of butterflies.   The true beauty of the butterfly is fully revealed in the last stage of development.    Previous stages reveal the intense struggle butterflies must soldier through to reach their full potential.

"Soaring temperatures herald arrival of summer before June solstice" by: Jessica Shepard

Technically, the first day of summer is Friday, June 20, and it’s also known as the Summer Solstice.   For some context, the Summer Solstice is the longest day of the year for the Northern Hemisphere.

"Running against current can build you up or wash you away" by: John Sample

The market keeps pushing forward with the S&P 500 climbing just above 6000 and only a little more than 2% to attain the record highs.   It has been fun to watch various financial institutions change their forecast for where the S&P will end the year.

PSA: Should you pay off debts or invest?

Sometimes, paying down debt competes with your desire to invest.   What’s the best course of action?   Here are a few things to consider.   If your cash flow is strong after paying monthly expenses, you might want to invest the extra money.