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Is Home Equity Real Wealth or Just an Illusion?

January 17, 2026

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How Much Money Should You Have Saved Before Having a Baby ?

By Daniel Da Silva · Engineering & Project Management professional and dad · Last reviewed: May 2026 · Disclosure Every article I found before my first child was born said some version of "have three to six months of expenses saved." Solid advice on paper. Completely useless in practice, because nobody told me what a baby actually does to your monthly expenses — or how many one-time costs would land all at once. I went into it living month to month. I wish I had hit $50,000. Here is the honest breakdown of why, and how I would build toward that number if I were starting over. Why the standard advice falls short "Three to six months of expenses" assumes you know what your expenses will be post-baby. You do not. Your monthly costs will jump; sometimes by $1,500 to $3,000; the moment a child enters the picture. Calculating three months of your current expenses and calling it done is calculating the wrong number entirely. The more useful framework is to split you...

Are Stocks Rising or Is the Dollar Declining?

In recent months, the stock market has reached unprecedented highs, leading to a debate about whether stocks are truly becoming more valuable or if the dollar is simply losing its value. This concept, often referred to as the "debasement theory," has been articulated by investors like Lee Roach. In a recent post , Roach highlights the U.S. government's structural deficit and the Federal Reserve's role in purchasing government debt, suggesting that asset prices are rising because the currency is being debased. While Roach's perspective includes some factual inaccuracies, such as the notion that countries with high debt-to-GDP ratios inevitably face hyperinflation, he raises valid concerns about government spending and inflation. The U.S. government indeed struggles with spending issues, largely due to entitlement programs like Social Security, which are difficult to reform. Even significant tax adjustments would not fully resolve these funding shortfalls. Roach...

Earn Money by Reading Emails: A Quick Guide

Did you know you can earn some extra cash simply by reading emails? While it won't make you rich, engaging with these emails can be a fun way to earn a little extra on the side. Here are some popular platforms and job roles that allow you to do just that. Why Do Companies Pay for Email Engagement? Companies use paid email engagement as a marketing strategy. By offering small incentives, they hope to capture your attention and potentially drive sales. This also helps them gather data on what types of emails are most effective. Top Websites to Get Paid for Reading Emails 1. Swagbucks Swagbucks is a well-known rewards site where you can earn by reading emails, taking surveys, and more. They offer various payout options such as PayPal cash and gift cards. Note that this is available in the USA and Canada only. 2. InboxDollars InboxDollars allows you to earn by reading promotional emails. They also offer surveys and video watching for additional earnings. Payouts are availab...

Smart Ways to Reduce PayPal Fees and Save Money

Whether you’re a business owner or just someone who frequently uses PayPal, understanding how to minimize those pesky fees can save you a decent chunk of change. In this guide, we’ll explore effective strategies to reduce PayPal fees, ensuring more of your money stays in your pocket. Understanding PayPal Fees PayPal charges fees for various transactions to cover payment processing and other services. These include transaction fees for sales, fixed fees per transaction, and additional charges for international and currency conversion transactions. For a detailed breakdown, visit PayPal's official fee page . Top Tips to Avoid PayPal Fees 1. Use Friends and Family Option For personal transactions, opt for the 'friends and family' option to bypass standard transaction fees. This method is free when using a PayPal balance or linked bank account, but remember, it doesn’t offer buyer protection. 2. Apply for Micropayments If you regularly handle small transactions, cons...

Best Budgeting App for a Single-Income Family (Or Why I Use a Spreadsheet Instead)

By Daniel Da Silva · Engineering and Project Management professional and dad · Last reviewed: May 2026 · Disclosure Every article on budgeting apps starts the same way: a list of apps with star ratings, affiliate links, and a conclusion that YNAB will change your life. Here is a different take. I am an engineer. I went straight to Excel when we had our first child and started managing a single-income household. I never downloaded a budgeting app. That choice has worked well for me, but it is not the right choice for everyone. This post covers when a spreadsheet is the better option, when an app genuinely makes sense, and which apps are worth your money if you decide to go that route. The honest answer for single-income families A single-income family budget has a specific problem: the margin is thin. When one salary covers everything, every category matters, and you cannot afford to lose track of where the money went mid-month. The tool that solves that problem is not necessarily an a...

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