Old School: Wisdom From Grandma & Grandpa

Common sense, hard-won lessons and the way our grandparents did it, from the people who lived it. Still works.

The BRO Code. What to do, what not to do, and a few laughs on the way.

What to do with Tuesday morning when you retire

The paperwork is the easy part. Building a week nobody else schedules takes planning, a budget line and a little honesty about how you actually spend time.

GuideSurvival & Self-DefenseWes DunbarSep 23, 20266 min

How to find water in the woods, the desert and the snow

Water runs downhill and hides in shade. Learn to read the ground, and carry the four ounces of gear that make what you find safe to drink.

Travel6 min

The small towns that earn a three-day weekend

Retirement6 min

Retiring as a Couple Means Two Sets of Dates to Get Right

GuideSurvival & Self-DefenseWes DunbarSep 23, 20266 min

Five Ways to Start a Fire Without Matches, Ranked by Reliability

A ferro rod beats a bow drill every day of the week, and the reason has nothing to do with sparks. Start with the fuel, not the flame.

GuideTravelDean ShawSep 23, 20265 min

What a seven-night cruise actually costs once you add it all up

The advertised fare is the floor, not the price. Here's how to build the real number before you put down a deposit.

Retirement5 min

Budget for Tuesday Nights Before You Budget for the Cruise

Survival & Self-Defense6 min

The Debris Hut Keeps You Alive When You Have Nothing

GuideTravelDean ShawSep 23, 20266 min

Money, phone and sleep on your first trip overseas

Three systems to set up before you fly, including the ATM question that quietly costs you money at baggage claim.

GuideRetirementMarcus ValeSep 23, 20266 min

What Volunteering In Retirement Actually Costs And Pays

Mileage rules, stipend programs, liability cover and the one question to ask a volunteer coordinator before you sign anything.

Real Estate6 min

Check The Well Before You Fall For The Farmhouse

Travel6 min

Gettysburg and Antietam by car in one long weekend

GuideRetirementRay OkonkwoSep 23, 20266 min

When To Pay Off The Mortgage Before You Retire

The payoff decision isn't really about the interest rate. It's about which account the money comes out of, and what that does to your tax bill.

GuideReal EstateRay OkonkwoSep 23, 20266 min

What Building a House Costs You That Buying an Existing One Doesn't

The contract says ten months. Put fourteen on the calendar, keep a cash cushion, and know which surprises land on whose side of the table.

Travel5 min

Plan the Christmas town trip backward from sunset

Retirement6 min

Moving Closer to the Grandkids Without Regretting It

GuideReal EstateRay OkonkwoSep 23, 20266 min

Buying a cabin you'll actually use, and maybe rent out

Decide how you'll use it before you talk to a lender, because that one answer changes your rate, your insurance, your taxes and your town permit.

Travel5 min read

Renting an RV the first time without wrecking the week

What the nightly rate doesn't cover, how to book sites that actually fit your rig, and the five things to practice before you leave the driveway.

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