Rebecca Chamaa is a writer and lives in Southern California; you can read her blog, where she writes about living with schizophrenia, at ajourneywithyou.com, or you can follow her on Twitter (@wr8ter).
My dad worked for the railroad, which meant he got a pension and never had to do all the retirement planning I've spent years doing.
I don't ever have to worry about going over my budget for holiday shopping, because my planning starts as soon as the holiday season is over.
Rebecca Chamaa, the writer, was forced to leave full-time work in her 40s when her schizophrenia symptoms worsened.
She always wanted to pay off her mortgage early, but the math hasn't worked. But if mortgage rates fall after the Fed cut interest rates, it could.
Now that we're in our 50s and my husband has become my caregiver, I know our life-insurance policy wouldn't last me more than five years.
I'm always stressed by the year-end deadlines for things like my IRA contributions, so I'm taking proactive steps to get ahead.
The pandemic made her and her husband want to retire earlier, but they can't afford to — and they think impulse spending is a big reason why.
Just because I've lost money in the past doesn't mean I'm not going to invest now, but I have a new strategy to get the most out of my investments.
My money went a lot further in the past, and that meant I didn't have to think about every purchase nearly as much. Now I don't have that luxury.
I started working when I was in junior high, and I loved being able to earn and save money. I'm no longer able to be financially independent, though.
Both my dad and my stepdad got sick and needed care, but only one had long-term care insurance. Now, I'm looking at a policy of my own.
Making climate-conscious choices means putting more thought into every purchase, and that makes it easier to avoid spending money recklessly.
My husband is close to retirement, and we considered using our nest egg to pay off our retirement early, but it's not the best plan long-term.
The pandemic made her and her husband want to retire earlier, but they can't afford to — and they think impulse spending is a big reason why.
Having a disability makes having and keeping your finances in order simultaneously more important and more difficult.
Writer Rebecca Chamaa and her husband bought a universal life insurance policy in their 50s to ensure she could cover their mortgage.
Writer Rebecca Chamaa was carrying canvas bags and keeping a meat-free diet long before it was trendy — and saving money, too.
Rebecca Chamaa's father was frugal in the extreme, while her mother liked to spend on the things she enjoyed. Chamaa is a perfect blend.
Writer Rebecca Chamaa and her husband are painstakingly tracking their spending this year in preparation for retirement.
As a woman and someone with schizophrenia, I feel as if I have two strikes against me each time I apply for a position or have an interview.