I started this blog many years ago in response to the 2009 financial crisis.  At that time, the economy had tanked and everybody was trying to live on the cheap as best they could.  Well, thanks to the coronavirus, it looks like we’re heading into tough times again.  So, I intend to try to revive my efforts here to help you through the difficult times that lie ahead.

My personal circumstances have thrown me into what I call my “hermit-like” existence.  My finances are almost non-existent and my only social contacts are tenuous connections to old friends from my pre-retirement life in California, and the three surviving members of my immediate family back here in Minnesota – my sister, my cousin and his wife – wonderful people all, whom I don’t deserve and for whom I thank my lucky stars every day.

But despite how gloomily I portray my life, I’m generally happy and content.  So, between my current circumstances and my incredibly fortunate childhood, I feel I have some insights into dealing with tough financial and emotional times.  Mostly, I just think that I can help folks get through a couple of days or weeks when if feels like the world is crashing down on you.  All it takes is a willingness to try something you either haven’t done before, or something you’ve done before that you didn’t enjoy.  I’m going to try to help you get past the obstacles so that you can find some contentment, if not joy, in staycations in Minneapolis, MN and around the country!