"I am not sure Mother Nature is in a very good mood given the weather lately" by: John Sample

So much for my opinion last week that consumers were still out there spending.    Walmart reported earnings last week, reflecting a lower than expected level for the second quarter.    The impact of food, utilities and gas has impacted those in the lower income brackets as you would expect.

529 education savings plans: More flexibility than you think

Planning for your child’s education can feel overwhelming.  But a 529 education savings plan offers a flexible way to help build a financial foundation for their educational future.

"Reel Reviews: The sixth ‘Insidious’ installment serves up death cult creeper" by: Jessica Shepard

While there are only a handful of movie franchises that I’ll endure into a sixth installment, I was pleasantly surprised by “Insidious: Out of the Further” last week.  On one hand, it’s the same formulaic storyline drenched in the shadowy mists of the realm of the tormented dead.

The Rest of the Story

There’s something to be said about achieving eight hours of rest every night.   In theory, it’s a great idea; in reality, clocking in five or six hours might be a more accurate measure.

"Hollywood needs less dumb children roles on screen" by: Jessica Shepard

I’m really tired of kids in movies not listening to adults in emergency situations.  And I get it - it’s supposed to be that way to move the story along, but really, it irritates me and sometimes sticks out in my thoughts more than the movie did overall.

"We are just weeks away from our distraction of choice" by: John Sample

We are working our way through the long hot days of summer.  Young men are practicing for the upcoming football season and young ladies are competing in volleyball.  I didn’t even mention that the Little League World Series in Williamsport is starting.

PSA: What does financial fulfillment actually feel like?

Feeling financially fulfilled means so much more than the number in your bank account.  It’s being able to take your family out to dinner without calculating whether you can afford it.

"Reel Reviews: ‘End of Oak Street’ mingles 1980s suburbia with feathered dinos" by: Jessica Shepard

While the “Jurassic Park” franchise has a choke-hold on pretty much everything dinosaur related, it’s nice to see the overgrown lizards show up in something else.  And while I know that “Paw Patrol” is currently experiencing the same late Triassic period phenomena – I’ll be passing on that flick!

Full circle of making amends

A favorite concept of mine often showcased by popular authors and psychologists when it comes to introducing boundaries with others to their clients is: “You teach people how to treat you by what you allow, what you tolerate, and what you reinforce.”

"Seems like this 1,000-piece puzzle is mocking me" by: Jessica Shepard

While we were celebrating Mike’s birthday last weekend with some much-deserved family time, my sister Ashlee managed to convince my mom that we should put together a Halloween themed puzzle.  Now, I haven’t done a puzzle in over a decade outside of something pixelated on my phone.