Saint, sinner or murderess

Hiram Knox Sr. had made a $10 million fortune ($327 million in 2026) cutting down trees in Wisconsin and Texas. He relocated to the Piney Woods, near Livingston, Texas, at the beginning of the 20th century and dedicated 10 years of tree cutting in Polk County.

Turn your savings into paychecks in retirement

Margaret had saved diligently for decades. Every paycheck, a portion went toward her retirement account. Then, the day finally came: she retired. Suddenly, the hardest part wasn’t the saving. It was learning to spend.If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

Why ‘Tom Sawyer’ still matters 150 years later

This year, as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of our great nation, it is worth pausing from time to time to recognize other important anniversaries that have made a lasting impact on our culture.

Cotton, oil, screwworms

Never ever have I done anything significant to help the human condition. But I know people who have. Does that count?No. Happenstance personal connections to greatness are just that. Happenstance. Nothing to be proud of. I am anyway. I guess that’s a sin.My connections I count on one hand.

10 steps to take when tying the knot

Getting married is a major decision that comes with a financial to-do list that’s arguably more important than choosing a venue or a cake. Talking openly about money can help set you and your partner up for a stronger future.What financial conversations should I have with my fiancé?

How do we decide what matters?

I love to listen to podcasts, and it was The Mel Robbins Podcast that introduced me to a problem-solving exercise called the Five Whys.The premise is straightforward. When you’re trying to understand a problem, you ask why. Then you ask why again. Then again.

Phishers can’t quite write right

Warning: If getting into the weeds in the field of grammar is not your thing, read only enough of this treatise (the next six paragraphs) to be informed about a new scam. You can then skip to the end to see what clever ending I will pull out of the proverbial hat.

The people’s power begins with the ballot

“We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men and women are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Five questions that could change how you see retirement

Saving for retirement is important, but it’s only part of the picture. If you’re within five to 10 years of your target retirement date, it’s time to start thinking about what you actually want your retirement to look like.

Betcha didn’t know

If you have read stacks of western novels or watched years of cowboy movies, you may have heard a few of the following phrases without any idea of their origination. Shall we get started?A shot of whiskey — In the old west, a .45 cartridge for a six-gun cost 12 cents, so did a glass of whiskey.