Hardly. When we’re out with kids, we realize they make extra messes and typically leave about 25%. But when a server lies about times or generally avoids making rounds because everyone in the place is miffed, they don’t deserve the same tip as the server who takes pride in their guest’s comfort and goes the extra mile…

Sounds like I touched a nerve.

Even if you have to wait a month to get a Roth withdrawl, that’s well within a credit card grace period. $1,000 invested over 40 years at an average stock market return is nearly $15,000. I’m not saying emergencies don’t happen, but I am saying immediate cash needs are often exaggerated. 

Nothing will turn me into a stingy tipper faster than the server who knows the kitchen is in the weeds, yet turns a blind eye to kids who have lost patience waiting 30+ minutes for food.

I hate financial advice that starts with have $1-2k saved that you hope to never use. Your money should be an income producing asset. Even sitting in a savings account, that cash is losing purchasing power. What you really need is a liquid source of cash for use in an emergency. Liquid means easily accessed within…

Let them live it up now. Because they aren’t reporting that tip income, retirement is going to be a bugger when they want social security.

Seriously can’t believe you also didn’t bring up the tip should be pre-coupon or any other discount – possibly 5% or more above standard if you’re getting an especially great deal on the cost of the meal.

Look out your window at your neighbor. Read the latest “Florida Man” headline. Look at the candidate from the other party. Are you truly willing to turn over selection of supreme court justices to those people? Because if you change the system, those people just might be the ones who outvote you in the next election.

Regardless of what you feel about Trump, the man has done amazing things to increase voter turnout.

Exactly. I bought several pairs of padded Smartwool socks for my son and I before a week-long backpacking trip last year. Both of us pretty much live in those socks now.

A few good pairs of socks are an amazing treat for my 40-year-old body.

Speaking of splitting up, our best family vacation ever was me attending a training conference for Boy Scout volunteers at their national training center in New Mexico. Everyone ate meals together (prepped in the mess hall with lots of options, so mom didn’t have to cook). Then we split up for age-appropriate…

Seriously. My wife and I are more likely to wake up on a weekend morning and have to retreat to our walk-in closet than to enjoy our bed due to youngsters interfering with our privacy. Thank goodness for Blippi.

I’ll raise you one McPizza.

I was a copy editor for a daily newspaper during the Gulf War years. At least in the USA, editors truly do edit out the horrific parts of the news. When you have seen the reality of what humans will do to other humans, horror genre films like Hostel, Purge, etc. are no longer entertainment, but an unwelcome reminder…

Totinos? They’re square now, so they fit in a toaster oven.

That Hue kit doesn’t require a hub, but both the bulb and switch can be added to a hub ecosystem or used independently.

That Hue kit doesn’t require a hub, but both the bulb and switch can be added to a hub ecosystem or used…

Urban dictionary begs to differ.

Just here to say GO UTES!

Last year, I was on the receiving end of a serious bout of gastrointestinal distress from a fast-casual tex-mex restaurant (not chitpole). I’ve experienced the exact same illness once before about 20 years ago when everyone at a church function had the same symptoms (this is not an experience you forget). It literally…