If someone offers you a free horse, cattle, donkey, mule, or goat; it’s probably best to pass unless you like repairing fences, gates and barns while trying not to get kicked, bit or hooked. 

The same general principal applies to anything mechanical, especially boats. 

Services that were offered for “free” are often the most expensive mistakes to correct. 

Look at the bright side, your kids probably won’t make the same mistakes you made.  However, they’ll most likely come up with things you never considered. 

I asked a client about her retirement goals and she replied, “I don’t want to have to eat cat food in the public park when I’m 80.”  And oddly, it made perfect sense to me. 

The IRS generally requires you keep records for 3 years and your tax returns for 7 years per IRS.gov.  All those older files and banker boxes make great starter material for bonfires!   

A pretty clear indicator that you might have too much stuff is when you have to park the cars outside because the garage is packed with things you haven’t touched since you put them in the garage. 

While you can finance a lot of things in life (cars, education, weddings, trips, etc.), you cannot borrow/finance your retirement years. 

If you find you are digging yourself into a hole, STOP DIGGING! 

That new car smell typically turns sour when you get the first payment notice.   

Money isn’t everything; but it is right up there with oxygen!   

When you are in control of your finances, you get to make more decisions.  When your finances control you, then you don’t get to make as many decisions.  Instead, decisions are made for you.  This is rarely pleasant.  So part of living life on your terms, ironically, is by staying in control of your finances.  

I hope these observations help you make better decisions in your career and your life.    

Cheers,