It’s Not Complicated … It’s Just DOLLARS & SENSE

Money. It’s the first thing Red thought about when her husband came home and, totally unexpectedly, told her he was fired. And what was the first thing she did? She freaked out (Black likes to say that Red finally used her theater degree), assuming the worst about their financial situation. And if that wasn’t bad enough, she was certain she couldn’t “do” personal finance.

She then made a third foolish assumption … that her sister Black, who had an M.B.A. in International Finance, would tell her what to do. Instead, after giving Red a few days to deal with her emotions, Black started to ask her basic questions about their financial situation, and it became obvious Red’s default setting was to “freak out”.

And so Red’s journey (which Black turned into our bestselling book, What I Learned About Life When My Husband Got Fired!) began with learning the basics of personal finance and, ultimately, she’d realize that Black wasn’t being sarcastic when she said,

When it comes to money, you have two choices: you can let your money control you, or you can control your money.

But first, Red, a straight-A student, had to overcome the unfounded belief that she wasn’t capable of learning about money. She had to find a way to get around the mental roadblocks of being intimidated by financial terminology and concepts, which the very thought of gave her a headache. And then Black simply asked,

Can you add and subtract? If so, you’re qualified to “do” personal finance.

So, whether you’re more like Red (was), feel like you’ve got a good handle on your money but are always looking for tips and tools, or merely are curious about Black’s unusual ways of looking at money (or her sarcastic comments), we think you’ll enjoy the DOLLARS & SENSE section on our new site in the new year.

Until then, and especially since “tis the season for spending”, we want to share some of our favorite money posts:

TERMINOLOGY (AS EXPLAINED BY BLACK): RED & BLACK … Like Money More Than Math?
A POWERFUL TIP: Think Before You Spend?
MONEY & RELATIONSHIPS: My husband and I always argue about money. Any advice?
CREDIT CARDS: My credit card bills are out of control! What do I do?
BUDGETING (THIS IS A TRUE STORY): Black’s First Budget – A Fond Childhood Memory?
ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS: Talking To Myself … About Money?

P.S. – And whether you’re trying to survive the holiday season (this checklist is about more than just money) or looking forward to a fresh start in the New Year (although maybe not the “resolutions” part), stay tuned as later this month we’ll have a post dedicated to THE BIG PICTURE. (FYI, our subscribers get sneak peeks before we post online.)

money

Learning For Life

Does Learning About Health … Give You A Headache?

Design by Sawyer Pennington

Our banter may start with two sisters, but it’s getting families, friends, and even classrooms talking.

October is Health Literacy Month, and if you've ever struggled to understand medical terminology, figure out what health information to trust, or weigh the risks and benefits of treatment options, you already know why health literacy matters.

Each of us approaches health information very differently, but as you'll discover, even Black, who enjoys statistics and research, finds navigating healthcare complicated. And Red? Just thinking about it can give her a headache!

red head assets.rebelmouse.io

As a mom, over the years, I've had to become familiar with various children's health issues and basic healthcare (and don't get me started on health insurance). But whenever it was something more than the common cold or flu, a stomach ache, or the usual scrapes and bruises, I felt like I was back in school. And between the terminology and trying to understand how the body works, I often felt like I needed a nursing degree. Not to mention, there's so much information on the internet, it can be overwhelming as well as confusing and sometimes scary.

Over the years, I've also had to deal with my aging parents' more serious health issues, and I've lost count of the pages of notes I've taken and questions I've asked. Or the conversations discussing risks vs. benefits that I've had with medical professionals and my sister. (I'm glad Black finds statistics "fun" and can look at them unemotionally because they give me a headache.)

Black's Head Black assets.rebelmouse.io

Until recently, I had never heard the term "health literacy," and when I first did, I initially thought about general literacy skills such as the ability to read and understand numbers. Skills that are essential if you are sick and need health information and services, but also impact health decisions that should be simple, like filling out forms, taking over-the-counter drugs (aspirin, cold and flu remedies, etc.), and learning about the things we should (or should not) do to live a healthier life and reduce the chances of serious illness.

But then, I thought about how anytime I had to deal with a health issue, especially ones that could potentially be serious, it was a tedious, complicated, and technical challenge. And, at the risk of sounding arrogant, I like to consider myself well-read, pragmatic, and comfortable with numbers and research documents. In other words, although it impacts some people more than others, the issue of "health literacy" affects us all. (And, that does not even address what it does to the cost of healthcare.)

THE CONVERSATION STARTERS

Before now, have you ever thought about "health literacy"? How would you describe it? What impact does it have on your life? How can it impact your ability to be successful in the workplace?
Why do health and healthcare topics seem so daunting?
Does health literacy only impact you when you are facing health issues? Why or why not?
Have you ever had a medical situation or condition that required you to learn more about it? Where did you seek information? Did you have any problems learning about it?

P.S. – You might be interested in our Conversation Starters for Financial Literacy and Digital Literacy.

health literacy

Words & Banter

A Life Shaped By …. Bats?

Photo by Aneese on iStock

October is Bat Appreciation Month, and while most people associate bats with Halloween, they remind Red of something very different and far more important: her daughter, Natasha, a memorable trip to Austin, and a surprising decision by Black.

What started with thousands of bats flying out from under Austin's Congress Avenue Bridge eventually led to Natasha and Black getting their first — and matching tattoos. Of a bat. (Yes, Black has a tattoo!) It's a family story about memories, unexpected connections, and how something as unusual as bats can become surprisingly meaningful.

Red's Head assets.rebelmouse.io

Thanks for sending me Natasha's Austin-inspired business plan. But while I know that's her future, I can't help but think about the first time I took her to Austin.

Black's Head Blackassets.rebelmouse.io

All I remember is that it was love at first sight.

Red's Head assets.rebelmouse.io

It was on our way home from taking Sawyer to camp, and I told her we were making a slight "detour". She was so excited when I pulled up to the hotel, as she's always loved hotels. But that night, as we walked onto Congress Avenue Bridge and saw thousands and thousands of bats fly out into the sunset, she was mesmerized and "in love".

Keep Reading ...Show less

family memories

Banter Bites

You Can’t Have American History Without Hispanic History

Are you familiar with Hispanic Heritage Month? If not, maybe it’s time.

hispanic heritage month

DON’T MISS A THING

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Blackassets.rebelmouse.io	Although I knew about the bats (the largest urban colony of bats in the world), if it were not for Natasha, I never would have planned a trip to Austin to see them. But having watched her watching the bats, I was not surprised, years later, when her first tattoo was a bat.
assets.rebelmouse.io	That may not have been surprising, but I was shocked when, a few weeks later, you decided to get a tattoo that was identical to hers. I didn't know that you were such a fan of bats.
Blackassets.rebelmouse.io	It was not the bats; it was the fact that it was identical to he tat. Although, I think Natasha and I should add a few more bats. And this time, do it in Austin.
assets.rebelmouse.io	It's amazing how so many of my memories of the girls growing up are connected to Austin.
Blackassets.rebelmouse.io	Funny thing is, whenever I would be there with you and the girls, and they would "drag" me to that old-time candy store at the top of Congress, I would see things I had not seen since we were little, so would be reminded of us as children.
assets.rebelmouse.io	That's always one of the first places they'd want to go to in Austin. That and Green Mesquite BBQ. They both loved Austin, and it wasn't like going to a large city, where there are so many places to go and sights to see. They were always happy to go back to the same familiar places and enjoy simple things, like that snowcone truck or even just walking around downtown.
Blackassets.rebelmouse.io	For as long as I can remember, Austin has always been a foodie town. And, it had food trucks before they became popular around the country. Austin has a unique culture, which may be why the girls, but especially Natasha, love it. Its "Keep Austin Weird" vibe not only makes it the perfect place for her, but has provided some great ideas for her business concept.
assets.rebelmouse.io	I'll leave the business analysis to you. I know that she's doing that as part of her studies in the U.K., but I prefer to think about the great times we've had in Austin. And the mom in me thinks she'd be very happy to make Austin her home one day.
Blackassets.rebelmouse.io	Especially as that's where millions of her beloved Austin bats live.