Tag Archives: personal finance

Cupcake Celebration

Posted on October 16, 2013 by Tom Trimbath

I bought a cupcake. It’s been months or years since I’ve had a cupcake. Finally, a gluten-free one from the coffeeshop/bookstore across the street.  It was time for a celebration. Anytime is a time for celebration, but it is easy … Continue reading →

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Ideally Compromised Optimums

Posted on October 12, 2013 by Tom Trimbath

Think you can have it all? We know that isn’t possible. Even Bill Gates plus Warren Buffett can’t buy the world. Think you can do it all? That would be ideal. Imagine an empty to-do list, or a house that … Continue reading →

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Less Mailbox Wincing

Posted on October 9, 2013 by Tom Trimbath

I barely winced. Earlier this week I got out the checkbook, rummaged around for the bills, and paid them without wincing. Until recently, anxiety attacks lived on the periphery of visiting the mailbox, opening the letters, and checking my bank … Continue reading →

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Ceiling Shutdown

Posted on October 5, 2013 by Tom Trimbath

I can envision, “Shut down the dance floor. This party’s over.” “Shut down the trading floor. The trading day is done.”. The only metaphor that comes to mind for shutting down a ceiling are the climatic scenes where the heroes … Continue reading →

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Timing Good News Maybe

Posted on October 2, 2013 by Tom Trimbath

A blog in two parts: Tuesday Evening and Wednesday Evening Tuesday Evening They said yes! Evidently they liked what I’ve done enough. I asked my two biggest clients (NRM & HCLE) if they’d double  my hours. Yes. And in one … Continue reading →

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Recovery Chorus

Posted on September 28, 2013 by Tom Trimbath

My world is changing, yet much remains the same. Good news arrived, unconstrained, without need for qualification. More good news is expected, equally unburdened. My prelude to optimism is being followed by an opening chorus of a significant jump in … Continue reading →

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A Possible Prelude Of Optimism

Posted on September 25, 2013 by Tom Trimbath

I have a litany of optimism. Regular readers have read it before: stocks, consulting, books, photos, house sale, windfalls. I’ve spent the last three years recovering from stagnant finances that then imploded. My litany of optimism has been a daily … Continue reading →

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A Scottish Anniversary 2013

Posted on September 21, 2013 by Tom Trimbath

Three years ago today I was on an airplane heading to Glasgow. I needed a vacation. Life wasn’t flowing the way I’d expected. Of course, the economic turmoil was hitting everyone. There were doubts about whether we’d make it through. … Continue reading →

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Cycling Wants And Needs

Posted on September 18, 2013 by Tom Trimbath

Last night I received two invitations: one was to a meeting about transportation options and budgets, the other was to a free concert. I pick the free concert. Choosing between truck, bicycle, or bus is a seven-day-a-week need that must … Continue reading →

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The Minutia Of Frugality

Posted on September 14, 2013 by Tom Trimbath

Skip the philosophy. Let’s talk about details. There’s a power to frugality that makes difficult things possible. Frugality is a mind-set, but that can be too abstract. Practical frugality is series of habits based on a simple idea. The abstract … Continue reading →

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