Think of insurance as a financial safety net. Its whole purpose is to shield your assets from a catastrophe that could derail your future. Whether it’s your house, your car, or your ability to earn an income, insurance is there to prevent a financial disaster. The key is to figure out how much risk you can comfortably handle on your own and then insure the rest.
Buying a car is a huge financial decision, one that can easily cost you more than it should. Whether you’re paying with cash, financing, or leasing, there are common traps to avoid and a little bit of homework can save you a whole lot of money. The good news is that the internet has completely changed the game, putting the power back in your hands before you ever set foot on a dealership lot.
There’s no denying it—credit cards are incredibly convenient. They let you buy things online, reserve a rental car, or handle an unexpected expense without carrying a wad of cash. But if you’re not careful, that convenience can become the single biggest obstacle to your financial goals. To make credit cards work for you, not against you, you need to understand how they really operate.
Let’s be honest, the word “budget” doesn’t exactly spark joy. For many, it brings up feelings of restriction, sacrifice, and penny-pinching. But what if we reframed it? What if a budget wasn't a list of things you have, but a roadmap to getting what you truly want? The reality is, your odds of reaching major financial goals without a plan are pretty slim. It requires some effort, but the payoff is huge.
It’s just after 4 a.m., and I’m already up. Today is shaping up to be a big one in the markets, with some serious volatility expected around 8:30 a.m., and I don't want to be late to the party. A strong cup of Earl Grey tea is helping me get dialed in as I get ready to scan the charts, maybe to make up for getting a late start yesterday.
Some mornings, the market is quiet. With little major economic news on the docket, you get a chance to focus purely on price action, which is a welcome change of pace. On days like this, the most important part of isn't finding a setup, but having the discipline to wait for one.
Some Mondays start with a jolt. I woke up to find my position in the Japanese yen had gone absolutely wild overnight. It blew past my initial profit target, so I didn’t hesitate—I closed the trade immediately, taking both lots off the table at 117.20. I could have tried to manage it for more, but my profit target was originally 116.80. Anything above that felt like a gift, and my trading plan is so ingrained now that following the rules is second nature. This kind of is a great way to start the week, but it's crucial not to let an early win go to your head. It was time to refocus.
It feels a little strange to be nearing the end of this month-long project. For the last 25 days, I’ve been thinking out loud, and sharing this process with you has been incredibly insightful. It’s forced me to deconstruct my own trading habits—actions that had become so second nature they were almost subconscious. I was trained to see specific chart setups and simply react.
I’m having a pretty light day, mostly rereading the manuscript for a book that will be in your hands by summer. It’s a surreal feeling, turning these typed words into a hardcover book. With my deadline just five days away, I’m trying to cram in a few last-minute charts and edits.