Manage Money the Right Way: A Few Tips for Fiscal Success and Long-Term Happiness

Picture representing 
spending, saving, and goals.

Money is something many strive for because it provides access to resources and power. Yet, money is not everything, and lasting success comes from finding balance between today’s spending and tomorrow’s investments. Some people spend for prestige, while others practice restraint and prioritize their long-term goals.

Spending can feel good in the moment, bringing short-term satisfaction. But when overspending leads to debt, that pleasure quickly turns into stress. Those who balance present enjoyment with future security are far more likely to build lasting wealth.

Human behavior often leans toward immediacy—we want to feel good now. The famous marshmallow experiment showed that children who demonstrated self-control were more successful later in life. The same principle applies to financial decisions.

A Few Practical Tips:

• Match your spending to your income. Aim to put at least 15% into retirement and 10% or more into savings.

• Question the necessity of purchases. Many of us realize later that much of what we bought added little value.

• Reflect on how money influences your emotions and buying habits—there are often deeper patterns at play.

• Create a budget and stick to it.

• Explore alternatives. Many free or low-cost activities can be just as fulfilling as expensive ones.

• Ask yourself: Does your money work for you, or do you work for your money?

Studies consistently show that those who see money primarily as a source of happiness tend to be less financially stable. In contrast, people who view money as a tool for the future develop stronger, healthier financial habits.

Money Managers and Personality

100 Years of Veterans Affairs Research 2025

Veterans are individuals who truly walked the talk by stepping forward to serve an important cause—something many others might not have been able to do. They come from all walks of life and reflect the diversity of the American population. The video below highlights VA research and its impact in helping veterans recover and thrive.

I’m a strong supporter of research in general, and of veterans in particular. I’m sharing this because raising awareness of veteran-focused research is important—and because veterans represent one of the best populations to benefit from advanced treatments.

The Clan: A Thought Experiment on Corruption, Social Cohesion, and Economic Futures (Hypothetical Thought Experiment on Hate and Corruption)

Good citizens have long been understood as those who stand for justice and the protection of communal well-being. When corruption and hate permeate decision-making processes, they generate significant risks for future victims, while simultaneously imposing economic costs that constrain growth and undermine the long-term health of communities. The following discussion—referred to here as The Clan—serves as a hypothetical, philosophical, and theoretical thought experiment aimed at identifying mechanisms for social improvement where hate and corruption has left a mark.

Representing societal wisdom and light.
Platos cave. 
Chains of mental slavery.

It is necessary to acknowledge the persistence of bad actors within society. Individuals motivated by bigotry, racism, segregationist ideology, or hyper-partisanship often demonstrate a willingness to advance their beliefs at any cost (every society has some but the % is important). When such motivations are coupled with financial incentives and reinforced by social groups demanding strict adherence to harmful norms, the outcomes can become highly undesirable. The active protection of corrupt and hateful practices intensifies this risk, possibly embedding these behaviors within institutions. Conversely, historical and hypothetical examples demonstrate that collective concern and challenge against hate by community members can generate measurable improvements in social cohesion, economic vitality, and overall community well-being.

Within this learning narrative, a network of corrupted officials emerges as central to systemic dysfunction. Whistleblower reports were systematically dismissed, investigative processes obstructed, and complaints redirected to perpetrators. Witnesses and complainants became targets of retaliation, while those engaged in misconduct received material and social rewards. Women, children, elderly, minorities, and others were victims as indication of long-term patterns. Over time, complaints lost credibility within institutional frameworks, and efforts to question corruption were met with shielding mechanisms or, in extreme cases, coordinated aggression and exclusionary practices amounting to social cleansing. An extreme sense of entitlement that lacked substative beliefs in universal professed oaths and values.

Two critical concepts warrant analysis:

1. Financial and Social Incentives. Corruption and hate endure in part because they generate both financial benefits and social reinforcement for those engaged in such practices. Officials may leverage their positions for personal enrichment, while social groups may perpetuate hate-driven narratives, exploit vulnerable populations, or marginalize specific communities. Over time, these behaviors risk normalization, eroding the ethical and professional commitments of those tasked with protecting the public good.

2. Long-Term Consequences. Once corrupt and hateful practices become institutionally entrenched and openly acknowledged as a drag on the community, reversing their impact becomes increasingly difficult. Aggression may be used to suppress freedom of speech or silence dissent, yet the knowledge of misconduct remains widespread. The normalization of such practices erodes trust in institutions and creates lasting harm to the social fabric. New victims could have been saved and protected but like others before they were dismissed and dehumanized in a type of gross negligence.

These observations prompt two fundamental questions. First, would systems of governance and community life not operate more effectively, sustainably, and equitably if corruption were removed? Corruption represents a misallocation of resources that diminishes efficiency and undermines collective well-being. Second, what are the long-term consequences for human capital when some members of society are systematically excluded from participation, justice, and equitable treatment on the basis of religion, race, political affiliation, or other?

These are theoretical discusions but one can fathom the other implications if corrupted is shielded and protected and the status que is that certain Clan members are the beneficiaries of institutional outcomes not based on truth, justice or merit but on the misuse of authority and power entrusted by communities but put in the hands of those not qualified to yeild it. At some point the community will have to reclaim that power or accept that a certain percentage of victims in long-stemming patterns is just part of "business as usual". 

*Remember this is a philsophical, theoretical, hypothetical learning thought experiment designed to get people thinking but not necessarily find a final conclusion. One may agree or disagree with such questions but it is the process that they thought about it that counts and own whatever conclusions they come to. "I know that I know nothing"- Socrates

Sunset and Peninsula Painting: Arts Foster a Healthier Society

Sunsets, oceans, and nature are at the top of my list of interests. I believe art serves a greater purpose beyond personal enjoyment—it shares values, preserves culture, spreads knowledge, and inspires societal change.

This is a piece I painted below.

Arts as a Foundation of Society

Sunset and Peninsula Painting
In the Wooded Pathway Gallery

Surround Yourself with the Right Team and Succeed

Executives should be thoughtful about the people they select to be part of their leadership team. While it is natural to gravitate toward those who agree with us, that approach is not always helpful. A team composed of individuals with diverse perspectives generates stronger ideas, fosters critical thinking, and reduces the risks of groupthink—a dynamic that has crippled many once-successful companies.

Organizations operate in dynamic, ever-changing environments. When too many leaders share similar backgrounds and viewpoints, they tend to approach challenges from a narrow angle, creating a type of strategic blindness. True transformation and innovation arise from novelty, which is most likely to emerge from a diverse team.

Equally important is the personality of those you hire. You don’t want people who simply say “yes” to every idea, nor do you want individuals who rigidly reject others’ perspectives. Instead, aim for emotionally intelligent, knowledgeable, and critical thinkers who can balance ideals with practical execution. Debate is essential, but it must eventually lead to an actionable plan.

It can be tempting to hire people who provide little resistance or feedback, but in today’s world, leaders are hired for their expertise and problem-solving abilities. Hiring in one’s own image risks overlooking the talent necessary to help an organization adapt to shifting industries and marketplaces.

Finally, remember that teams must rely on one another and remain aligned with the organization’s mission. Leaders who are in tune with both employee needs and market trends are better positioned to generate meaningful solutions. The more members who deeply understand the organization at multiple levels, the better they can coordinate resources and drive progress.

Little Hidden Discount Stores: The Entrepreneurial Spirit is Alive in Downtown Escanaba!

K Flipperz Discount Store

Inflation is a growing concern, and so are the rising prices that come with it. Sometimes, we simply have to absorb the cost increases. Other times, we can make adjustments to how we spend. Many of us—including myself—waste a surprising amount of money on things we don’t really need. But with a change in shopping habits, we can often find the same things we enjoy for a fraction of the price. 

Ever tried a discount store?

I have—and there's no shame in it. Many people live outside the upper tiers of society, without constant access to luxury goods or opportunities that create wealth. Some of us have experienced poverty, some abundance, and many of us live somewhere in between. Every purchase is a choice, and often, spending in one area means cutting back in another.

Recently, I spotted a small store that caught my eye. If you haven’t heard, Escanaba is becoming a hotspot for investment—both from outsiders and from locals. This particular store appears to be locally owned, and it’s one of the cleanest, most well-organized discount stores I’ve come across in a while, offering great deals in the process.

It’s a sign that the entrepreneurial spirit is starting to thrive in Escanaba, bucking broader economic trends. Escanaba Downtown

A Yooper shopping
representing Escanaba Downtown shopping

This opens the door to a larger conversation about supporting homegrown businesses and industries. Fostering entrepreneurship is vital—it not only fuels local economies but also inspires motivation and engagement. Studies have shown that entrepreneurial motivation plays a major role in business participation and long-term success.

One way to support local entrepreneurs is by shopping at their businesses and spreading the word. Another idea could be forming a local business group— Escanaba Development Authority—to help coordinate strategies, share resources, and offer guidance to new ventures. 

We can help small businesses and startups to succeed through motivation, belief, knowledge, resources, opportunity, location, and structured guidance. These factors can dramatically increase their chances of success and help our community thrive in the process.

K Flipperz Discount Store

Emerging Markets, Entrepreneurial Spirit and Self-Efficacy

*A local tip: I bought 24 oz of ground coffee and a few other 12 oz coffee for $4 the other day. Some bags left. Coffee is like $10 for 12 oz in most places. I loaded up!

Escanaba City Council Meeting (August 7th, 2025): Economic Development and Community Thriving

There are a lot of interesting things happening as the city looks to maximize its growth opportunities. Escanaba has come a long way and is running smoothly. Some have even called it an investment hot spot, thanks to growth in hotels, tourism, and industry.

What’s especially encouraging is that the city is, for the most part, operating in the black. There’s an active, engaged community here—people genuinely care and work hard to help each other thrive. As the global market shifts, places like Escanaba may offer unexpected opportunities. And I mean that—good things are happening. I’ve never seen such a dedicated group of community members. They understand that building a great place to live depends on one another, and they’re working together to create a future where their children and grandchildren can succeed.

A few of the topics recently discussed include grants, economic development, retirements, odor concerns, and the landfill—which might actually present opportunities for innovation in waste processing and other areas of interest.

There’s a lot to take in, so I encourage you to watch for yourself.

August 7th, 2025 Escanaba City Council Meeting