When I was a kid my father would take advantage of a rainy summer day and had me and my two brothers roll coins. It seemed that the empty peanut butter jars of coins he had accumulated were never ending. This was no small task - it took us hours and hours, but I didn't mind. The work was mindless and I liked the sense of accomplishment from seeing the full rolls neatly stacked (was this a precursor to my banking career?).

We are scattered all over the world. My siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws. Our children now speak Japanese, German, Norwegian, Tagalog, and of course English (albeit the Canadian and British variety). And at Christmas time, each family living in a particular country will celebrate in the tradition of that nation.

I had a birthday last month, and as I usually do, wrote thank you notes to friends and family for the thoughtful birthday gifts I received.

Spring is giving way to the earliest stages of summer, and young, ambitious students everywhere are preparing to matriculate.  But, once the caps and gowns are packed away, new grads are going to have to prepare for a harsh reality - student loan repayment.  Crafting a plan to tackle student loan debt doesn't have to be hard or scary, but it does involve some due diligence.  If you're a graduating student about to start the repayment process, here are five baseline tips for staying on top of your loans.

Summer has arrived, and kids everywhere are dealing with a sudden spike in free time. As parents, the chances are good that you'll be tapped for a little spending money during the season.

It's almost that time of year again--graduation season. If you are one of the lucky ones about to turn the tassel, you are probably bursting with excitement about many things. One of these things may be getting your first real salary. After years of making little money, your entry level job may seem you like hit the jackpot. However, it is now more important than ever to be smart with your money. Here are some important tips to ensure you make the most of your money early in your career:

The New Year is upon us and it is time to improve on ourselves with resolutions. The New Year is a great opportunity to talk to your children about making resolutions to grow as a person, as well. Children can be very receptive to this idea and the younger you start getting them involved, the better.

Q: Every December, you draw up a list of New Year’s resolutions that look depressingly similar to the ones you wrote last year. How can you make things different this year?

A: It’s fairly easy to dream of change, but it’s another thing entirely to actually make it happen. In fact, research shows that only 8 percent of people achieve their annual resolutions. However, with careful planning and the right approach, it is doable.

 

It’s time to start thinking about Christmas. Some of you are reading this on your phone while waiting in line at Starbucks, preparing to buy your first Pumpkin Spice Latte of the season, but it’s time to start thinking of peppermint mochas instead. Even if you’re the “Bah, Humbug” type of person who regularly posts Facebook rants about the neighbors putting up their lights before Thanksgiving, making financial plans for the holiday is still a really good idea. It might be too early to hang a stocking, but it’s never too early to sock money away.
  

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In the throes of a worldwide pandemic, most of us find ourselves spending more time at home in a new reality that is far from the norm. Like everything else in life, we can choose to react to our circumstances with complaints and annoyance or we can embrace them and make a bad situation positive and beneficial. The latter is of course, the better way to go. Here are 7 suggestions that will help us make the best of our newly -found spare time.

It’s hurricane season. This year, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is forecasting a 70% chance of 13 to 19 named storms with six to 10 becoming hurricanes. Floridians are always being urged to make preparations. Most of us do, to some degree. This year however, things have changed. We are in the midst of a pandemic that shows no signs of abating. Under these circumstances, we need to make changes to our usual hurricane preparation plans. Here are some suggestions on how to proceed:

It’s summer time and the living is easy. For many, it’s vacation season. Time to get away from the daily grind and kick back on a near or distant shore. But before you go, here are a few health and financial tips (5 to be exact) from a seasoned traveler who has explored many a clime and made it back to tell the tale.

The favorable climate and geography of the Sunshine State make it almost uniquely suited to the staging of air displays, and its long show season typically runs from January to November.

The 2019 calendar features a wide range of events guaranteed to appeal to aviation and military history enthusiasts, aerobatics fans, vacationers and families looking for a great day out.

It’s official. The holidays are over. As you take down the tinsel and the ornaments, put away the bone china, wash the linens and adjust to the quiet of a house without fifteen guests, you feel a natural depression. How can you beat these post-holiday blues?

When it comes to our finances, most people underestimate just how much they spend on food.  And while we can get rid of other expenses, food is the one line item that we cannot eliminate. We can however, spend a lot less with a bit of thought and planning.

"Once a man, twice a child.” People from the Caribbean know exactly what that means. It’s the inevitable circle of life. Humans begin life as helpless children and later, we again become dependent on others for assistance. In our forties and fifties, we will all see our parents aging and becoming more dependent. Then before we know it, the tables become completely turned and we begin to assume the role of caretakers.

You used to dream of this time and thought the day would never come. The day when your kids grow up, move out and become financially self sufficient.

Now they are gone and you and your spouse are empty nesters. After years of non-stop parental activities -- rushing to soccer practice, piano, karate, recitals, birthday parties and sleepovers, they are gone. You feel like Usain Bolt after the 100 meters – accomplished, happy and a wee bit sad.

It’s the season for joy and happiness. It’s also the time to shop, shop, shop. The National Retail Federation estimates that Americans spend an average of $940 every year on seasonal expenses. It’s a large amount to spend in a few weeks. More significantly however, the spending is accompanied by frenzy and stress. In fact, the American Psychology Association ranks the pressure of gift giving as one of life’s top four stressors.