Keep Your Money Irie™Blog

February 24, 2026 This winter has come with a vengeance. It’s as if it’s making up for the past few mild seasons we’ve had here in New England. This past weekend, we were hit with a blizzard. Some people love it — like my children, who build igloos and spend hours lost in their world of wonder and play. Others, like me? We see work. It’s funny — when I lived in an apartment, snow wasn’t my concern. The walkway got cleared. The parking lot was plowed. Life continued. But now t

February 17, 2026 I recently went shopping for clothes for the kids and earned $20 in cash-back rewards. If I’m being honest, I sometimes let those rewards expire. But this time I was watching the date closely. My thinking was simple: I already spent the money to earn this $20. I shouldn’t let it go to waste. So, on the very last day before it expired, I drove back to the store determined to use it. My goal?Spend no more than the $20. Because I know how these cash-back deals

February 10, 2026 I’m sick this week. Not the “push through” kind of sick, the kind where your body makes it clear that your plans are canceled. And as inconvenient as that is, it reminded me of something I talk about often but don’t always name directly: life does not move in straight lines . The Real Lesson Isn’t Rest — It’s Readiness Most of us plan our lives and finances assuming things will go as expected. Work will get done.Schedules will hold.Energy will be there. Unt

February 03, 2026 It’s been cold for the past week. And I mean cold . Which is ironic, considering I live in New England, but here we are. This winter feels colder than it’s been in years, and if I’m being honest, I’ve barely left the house. I don’t like the cold. Never have. Usually, I’m up early and at the gym for my 5 a.m. class. That routine grounds me. It sets the tone for my day. But lately? Even that has been a hard no. So the question became: What do you do when your

January 27, 2026 I took the day off. This weekend, we were hit with a snowstorm that dumped nearly two feet of snow . All I can say is, I’m grateful for my husband. Between Sunday and Monday, he went outside four different times , fully bundled: face mask on, snow boots laced, heavy winter coat zipped tight. As I watched from inside, I noticed something familiar and quietly beautiful. The men from each house were out there clearing snow, stopping occasionally to talk, checkin

January 20, 2026 We have a saying: “Humble calf suck the most milk.” It’s a reminder not to be boastful or showy, to move quietly, stay grounded, and let your work speak for itself. That lesson runs deep for many of us raised in Jamaican households. But what happens when that humble calf is you , and you work hard, earn well, and genuinely enjoy nice things? And let’s be honest… is it really “flashy,” or do you simply value quality? Labels, Fear, and Money Mindset As people