I speak to people 5 days a week about how to plan for the future, and it's interesting that most agree that the problem lies with spending yet we can't get American's to understand the importance of saving.  Research shows that children are better savers than their parents.  What happens at adulthood other than we feel the need to keep up with the Miller's, Jones's, Smith's and Williams who are so far in debt that they'll never recover unless they change their behavior.  Part of the problem is that instead of having a two commercial television break we now have ten episodes of brainwashing.  I teach people you need a purse. You don't need a designer purse.  You need a car.  You don't need a red Mini Cooper.  Some people would argue that in neither case I'm correct, and others would say what's your point?  My point is life truly is a big math equation, and the happiest people have answered the mathematical question correctly and are surrounded by people they love.  They find the equation that allows them to live life with enough comfort to share with others yet build a financial portfolio so that the medical bills later on don't take it all away.  That's Jack's and my life goal.  Be comfortable, share with our family and friends, and love.   Every day I thank God that I have people to love, and they love me back unconditionally.  We've found a way to live cohesively, and they know that in a catastrophic disaster that our home is the safe house.  The log home actually benefits from earth quakes as weird as that sounds, and despite our difficulties since King County took our money Jack and I stick together like honey on sneakers.  

Things you need in your twenties and beyond:
Life Insurance, Disability, Unemployment, and catastrophic illness insurance
A will - Don't forget your employer paid life insurance
A home with replacement insurance
A Power of Attorney for your children
A trust for your children - yes that may mean you need to give up that designer hand bag and fun car
A plan for college expenses
Living will/Instructions if you don't want to be resuscitated - two certified copies - one for SDB and one for home
A meeting with the family to discuss your last will and testament, and what to do in your demise.
A plot and casket or an urn plus instructions on what to do with the ashes
A plan for your pets and farm animals
Documents from every real estate sale
Letter to hospitals to treat your children
Letter to veterinarian to treat your pet
List of bank and other financial service accounts
List of safe deposit boxes and location of keys
List of 401K and pension accounts


Here's your diploma.  Please don't put your lovers on your bank accounts. Here's your diploma. Please don't put your lovers on your bank accounts. 
Here's your diploma. Please don't put your lovers on your bank accounts.  Here's your diploma. Please don't put your lovers on your bank accounts.  Here's your diploma. Please don't put your lovers on your bank accounts. Here's your diploma. Please don't put your lovers on your bank accounts.Here's your diploma. Please don't put your lovers on your bank accounts. Most importantly have a real estate contract or follow my mother's advice.   

Do you need a Coach bag?  Yes.  No you want a Coach bag.  I got this bag for $30 at the outlet mall, and it was originally $500.  I need this bag.  That's a great deal, however, you wanted that bag.  You didn't need the bag.  You could have applied the $30 towards your student loans.  How many other bags do you want?  Is that a Coach bag?  Yes.  That's an amazing Coach bag, and I love red.  The chain expands, and it's a shoulder bag.  I love that bag.  You need this bag.  No I want that bag.  No you need this bag.  You should go buy this bag.  I'm trying to live the life that I teach, and you're tempting me right now.  That's because you need this bag.  The next day.  I woke up thinking about the bag.  That's because you need the bag.  I'll tell you what if I win the lottery, I'll go buy the bag.  Go buy the bag anyway because you need the bag.  The next day I woke up thinking about the bag.  That's because you need the bag.  No I want the amazing bag.  The next day.......   The next day....... The next day.......  You don't need the bag.  I know!  There's six more things that I need more. and I'd rather ration them. 

102.97 x 12 = 1235.64.  Bye bye Comcast.  That's 4 trips to New Israel or 2 trips and a chainsaw.  I wonder if I can get the chainsaw in the color purple as I think that would be appropriate for the much delayed "Get Arrested" party that I anticipate holding in March since the real estate guys and their flighty leader aren't smart enough to make the right decision for "The People" of King County and issue a permit.  I wonder who should be on the guest list this year besides the Councilmembers?  We know Ned and Sally will crash the party as they just can't help themselves, and hopefully the Spitting Man will show up uninvited as I'd like another picture of him for documentation.  I wonder if I should put up an invitation on the bike trail now that the fence is gone and serve refreshments?  I have an extra 102.97 in the budget if I make two paid trips to New Israel and use my airline miles for the others.