Welcome to another rousing edition of Black Coffee, your off-beat weekly round-up of what’s been going on in the world of money and personal finance.

I’ve got another busy weekend ahead of me, so let’s get right to this week’s commentary …

Opportunity does not waste time with those who are unprepared.

― Idowu Koyenikan

Credits and Debits

Credit: Did you see this? The parents of more than four million children have claimed those new Trump Accounts – tax-deferred investment accounts for children that were instituted in last year’s  One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Those accounts include a $1000 contribution from the federal government for all children born to US citizens between Jan. 1, 2025, and Dec. 31, 2028. Keep in mind that if those parents contribute $1000 per year for the child’s first 18 years, the account would be worth approximately $1.5 million by the time the child turns 65 (assuming an ROI of 8% annually) – even if the account never saw an additional contribution. Or you can just take the “easier” alternative …

Debit: The odds are good that those Trump Accounts kids are going to need every dime they earn by the time they retire – especially if they become homeowners. That’s because a new study is projecting that homeowner insurance rates in the US will see more jaw-dropping increases after a string of natural disasters rocked the nation in 2025, with the largest projected rate hikes in California (16%), Nebraska (13%), New Mexico (11%) and Georgia (10%). Last year, some states saw their rates rise even higher, including: Minnesota (34%), Colorado (33%), Iowa (28%), Nebraska (25%), Oklahoma (24%) and South Carolina (20%). Thankfully, there’s a silver lining…

Credit: In other news, 72% of sports fans and 60% of those who say they’re not sports fans feel that sporting events should be required to remain on free broadcast television – not locked behind streaming service pay walls. In fact, the paywall issue has sports fans so incensed  that nearly 6 in 10 of them say they’re skipping games rather than subscribing to a streaming service. We don’t blame them. Not that there really bigger potential things to worry about out there…

The Far Side – Gary Larson

Debit: Meanwhile, the private credit fiasco has yet to be fixed, with BlackRock, Morgan Stanley, Apollo Global, and Blue Owl Capital still imposing gating restrictions. Or, as James Howard Kunstler puts it: “investors can’t get all or part of their money out of plays that are folding on collateral rot.” We suspect those restrictions will only be getting tighter in the coming months. Then again, we’re not the only ones with this uneasy sense of foreboding…

Debit: For his part, Fed Chair Jerome Powell has stated several times in the last two weeks that he sees no risk of contagion in private credit markets that could spread to the wider financial system. Translation: Contagion eventually escaping the private credit markets to the wider economy is all but assured. After all, we all know the Fed is as useless as a parrot with a cell phone. Oh, wait …

Credit: Meanwhile, sagacious macro analyst Franklin Sanders did a little research and was “disturbed” to discover that nearly half of all Americans are receiving income from the federal government at some level. “In Texas it was 48%, in South Carolina 65%, and I’m sure that the income source doesn’t differ much from 50% in other states. Roughly 30% earn their income from the federal government whether it’s pensions, social security, or government contracts and another 20% get theirs from state or local government.” Disturbing indeed. On the other hand, things can definitely be worse…

Debit: On a somewhat related note, the US Treasury also released its latest financial statement last week as well. On the credit side of the ledger are $6 trillion in assets. On the debit side are $48 trillion in liabilities, for a negative net worth of $42 trillion. Of course, that doesn’t include unfunded obligations like social security and medicare. That also means that the US government has eight times more debt than the value of everything it owns. If the federal government was an American household, it would be considered insolvent. But since it has the power to print your own currency, very few people bat an eyelash. At least initially…

Debit: Unfortunately, when excess currency is created in excess of the issuing nation’s economic production value, it results in price inflation (and declining purchasing power) for the citizenry. All governments use inflation as their preferred escape hatch from untenable debt because it quietly eats away at the real value of that debt. In other words: Debts remain the same in nominal terms, but the money used to repay them loses purchasing power, transferring wealth from creditors to debtors in the process. Not that any politician would ever admit it. And if you don’t believe us, just ask this kid …

Credit: Last week, Mr. Kunstler pointed out latest real-life example of intentional inflation: Iran, where life “has gotten super-impossible. The government just issued banknotes in the denomination of ten million rials, worth seven US dollars (USD). Everybody there has plenty of money. Everyone is a millionaire, but they won’t be swanning around Fereshteh Street in top hats and monocles, shopping for Hermès, Louis Vuitton, and Rolex (because) nothing can function normally when the currency is absolutely worthless, including the regular distribution of food and fuel.” Not that there won’t be futile attempts at clever work-arounds…

Debit: Unfortunately, financial assets such as bonds and bank accounts, are merely claims denominated in USDs. As a result, for those who invest and save, rising inflation creates a challenge because if the value of the USD erodes, so does the purchasing power of those claims. The good news is that real assets like gold and silver behave differently because they’re tangible stores of value, rather than a promise to pay later – so their value doesn’t depend on the solvency of a debtor or the credibility of a central bank. Got gold?

By the Numbers

With March behind us, here is the year-to-date performance scorecard for select assets through the end of the first quarter of 2026:

-23% bitcoin

-8.1% Nasdaq 100

-5.1% S&P 500

-3.7% Dow Industrials

-0.1% Russell 2000

3.2% TNX (10-year US Treasury proxy)

5.2% SIL (silver miners proxy)

5.3% GDX (gold miners proxy)

5.6%  silver

5.7%   gold

Source: Yahoo!Finance

The Question of the Week

Last Week’s Poll Results

At what age do you plan on taking (or took) your first Social Security check?

• 62 or 63     31%
• 70                  30%
• 66 or 67        23%
• 64 or 65        10%
• 68 or 69        6%

More than 3100 Len Penzo dot Com readers responded to last week’s question and it turns out that 2 in 5 of you plan on taking (or took) your first Social Security check no later than age 65. As for yours truly, I plan on waiting until I’m 70. Yes… I realize it may not be there by the time I draw that first check, but the good news my retirement planning was always based on never receiving any SS checks – so any payments will be retirement gravy for me.

If you have a question you’d like me to ask the readers here, send it to me at Len@LenPenzo.com and be sure to put “Question of the Week” in the subject line.

Useless News: The Dummy

A young boy entered a barber shop and the barber whispered to his customer, “This is the dumbest kid in the world. Watch; I’ll prove it.”

So the barber put a dollar bill in one hand and two quarters in the other. Then he called the boy over and asked, “Which one do you want, son?”

The boy immediately took the two quarters and left.

“What did I tell you?” asked the barber. “Happens every time! That kid never learns!”

Some time later, after the customer left, the barber noticed the same young boy coming out of the ice cream shop across the street. “Hey, son!” he shouted. “Hold on a second! I need to talk to you.”

The barber waited for traffic to clear and then met the boy in front of the ice cream shop. “May I ask you a question?”

“Sure, mister!” said the boy, licking his cone.

“Why do you always take the quarters instead of the dollar bill?”

The boy looked at the barber and took another lick off his ice cream cone. Then he replied, “Because the day I take that dollar, the game is over!”

(h/t: Sam I Am)

Squirrel Cam

Spring has sprung, which means Hooded orioles have returned from the Cabo San Lucas area to raise their young before returning to their winter homes in late August. This male oriole is among several that come back with their mates every year to nest in one of our nearby trees. (The other bird in this shot is a finch who, along with our oriole friend, is also enjoying the grape jelly, oranges and nectar that reside on our oriole feeder.)

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More Useless News

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Letters, I Get Letters

Every week I feature the most interesting question or comment — assuming I get one, that is. And folks who are lucky enough to have the only question in the mailbag get their letter highlighted here whether it’s interesting or not! You can reach out to me at: Len@LenPenzo.com

After reading the note that Chas dropped into the Len Penzo dot Com Complaint Box last weekend, I can only assume that he decided to visit my About page:

My fat sister looks better than you.

I’m sure she does. Then again, it could be worse… I could be you!

If you enjoyed this edition of Black Coffee and found it to be informative, please forward it to your friends and family. Thank you!

I’m Len Penzo and I approved this message.

Photo Credit: public domain

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A Few Writings about Music

As a composer, I had a slump for the first year of the war (WW I), feeling that writing music was a most futile occupation. What got me out of the slump was getting letters from men in the armed forces who said they hoped I was still composing because that was one of the things they were out there for.

– Walter Piston

Rings on her fingers and bells on her toes
And so she makes music wherever she goes

– 17th century nursery rhyme

Music must never offend the ear; it must please the hearer, in other words, it must never cease to be music.

– Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, 1775, in a letter to his father

What a humiliation when one stood beside me and heard a flute in the distance and I heard nothing, or someone heard the shepherd singing and again I heard nothing! Such incidents brought me to the verge of despair, and little more. I would have put an end to my life, but it seemed impossible to leave the world until I produced all that I felt called upon to produce. And so I endured this wretched existence.

– Ludwig van Beethoven, 1800

Beethoven was totally deaf, and the music he wrote he could only hear inside his head. He wrote symphonies, chamber music, church music, cantatas, preludes and fugues, organ music, huge choral works, Masses and many other forms of music. But he never actually heard it, except in the world of music that existed in his mind.

I must study politics and war so that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy, in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry and music.

–  John Adams, 1780

My quote: “After my family, who are number one, music is my life.” Elaine Blakeslee, 2001.

To my children: I’m ending my story now, with the most recent celebrations in Dave’s and my personal life. We went to the Greenbrier Hotel a year ago for a special lunch on January 2, 2001 to celebrate our 47th wedding anniversary, and today it’s New Year’s Eve, and on our anniversary in just a couple days, January 2, 2002, Dad and I are going to celebrate our 48th by going to the General Lewis Inn in Lewisburg, one of our favorite “special” places.

I’ll see you all soon. I love you all very much, and I wrote this story of my life for you.

Grandma Elaine (Herivel) Blakeslee

***

About the Author: RD Blakeslee (1931 – 2024) built his net worth by only investing in that which can be enjoyed during acquisition and throughout life, as opposed to papers in a drawer, like stocks and bonds. You can read more about him here.

Photos: Courtesy of the Blakeslee Family

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Getting a car loan can seem a straightforward process but there are a few things you should consider. It’s very easy to fall in a trap and take a larger commitment than you can actually afford.

The majority of car loan calculators found on the web are very optimistic. They will ask you to enter your monthly or yearly income to estimate how much you can afford to borrow.

A Real-Life Example

It all seems cut and dried, but there is a catch. For example, let’s assume your yearly income is $40,000 and your spouse’s is $25,000. Many calculators will estimate that you can afford a monthly repayment of $830 (which comes to approximately $10,000 per year). However, many experts recommend that you keep your auto loan spending under 10% of your household income. So, if your total household income is $65,000 per year, it is more sensible to spend less than $6500 on finance. That’s $540 in monthly repayments.

By staying under that 10% threshold, you’ll find living more comfortable and less stressful. Once armed with this simple information, you can then proceed with looking for a deal that offers you the best APR and repayment rates.

There are a number of different sources that you can look to in order to finance a car; each have their pros and cons. Here is a brief summary of the four most common car loan alternatives:

Bank Loans

Getting a car loan from your bank is probably one of the most common ways to finance a car. Banks traditionally offer personal loans so that cars can be purchased, and these have a fairly reasonable APR. The procedure isn’t very complicated. Bank loans are usually secured, which means you’ll have to use your home or the car as a security. You also typically need to have a very good credit rating.

Car Dealership Loans

Dealers are often associated with a particular loan company, and they can help to negotiate a better rate — although that’s not guaranteed as some dealers are quite greedy. As such, these types of car loans often have a very high annual percentage rate (APR).

Brokers

You don’t actually get financing from a broker; instead the broker compares offers from different lenders and then he presents you with a contract. Using a middleman may sound intimidating. However, in many cases this option can be rewarding, as brokers can sometimes help you to get a better deal on your car loan than either banks or dealerships. On the downside, you’ll have to pay the broker a fee in order to find you a loan, and this can be costly.

Online Loans

Online lenders can supply you with a low-cost car loan, which you can then use to purchase the car and obtain the necessary insurance. There are so many of these companies operating through the Internet that it’s likely you’ll find some company to take you on — no matter how bad your credit, or how much you need. On the downside, some online lenders aren’t legal, and they may be trying to con you. There is also a greater risk of these companies going bust, and then your debt will be sold to collectors. To avoid scams, it is essential that you research the company’s background, check online reviews, and make sure the online lender is registered with a relevant registry that governs lending companies.

When you do finally commit to a car loan, be prepared to make regular repayments for three to five years. This is not something you’ll want to do on a whim. After all, proper planning and budgeting is always the first step when planning to buy a new car.

Photo Credit: jonrawlinson

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There are arguments for and against both scenarios. So sit down, read this with your boo, and then have a conversation about what best suits your relationship — because this could make it or break it.

Joint Accounts

Pro: You both contribute funds to the account. If you have a savings goal as a couple, you’ll reach it faster if you’re both depositing money into shared account. Simple math: Two incomes are better than one.

Pro: You’re both aware of what’s coming and going. You each have access to the account so you can check in regularly to make sure everything is on the up-and-up. This also will keep both of you honest in terms of deposits and withdrawals.

Pro: It’s easier to hold each other accountable. If, say, you’re planning to buy a house, a joint account ensures both partners have a skin in the game. Saving large amounts of money becomes easier when you’re working toward a common goal and holding each other accountable.

Pro: You can avoid probate to access the money if your partner dies. If your partner dies, and all his cash is in a separate account, then you’re at the mercy of your partner’s will.

Con: You lose financial independence. Financial independence should be one of our proudest accomplishments. Joe Gladstone, an assistant professor at University College London, says that “the decision to hold a joint account with your partner may have unintended consequences. Joint account holders spend less on purchases that are fun, enjoyable or excite the senses and more on utilitarian goods and functional purchases. Then again, someone who was prone to overspending might benefit from the reduced discretionary spending associated with a joint account.”

Con: It requires unwavering trust. If your relationship hits a rocky patch, your partner can withdraw every last penny from the account — and you can’t do anything about it.

Con: Your vulnerable to your partner’s legal problems. If collectors seize the bank account, they won’t be concerned that you’re also an owner. All they care about is that the money is owned by the person in debt.

Con: Your partner can use the funds to pay old debts. If the joint account was established to pay for your life together but your partner is using the money to pay old debts, it could leave a sour taste in your mouth.

Separate Accounts

Pro: You maintain your financial independence. As long as the bills are getting paid on time, you won’t have anyone breathing down your neck about what you’re doing with your money.

Pro: You don’t need permission to splurge. I don’t have many vices, but one of them is clothing. I like new threads, and I don’t want to feel guilty about buying them with money I’ve earned. Family man Jim Jacobs agrees. “My wife is a pretty independent person, and we both insisted on separate bank accounts,” he says. “The reason? I didn’t want fights about money. If she wants a pair of $300 shoes and the money is coming from her account, then go ahead! It’s a marriage saver when you don’t need permission from your partner for every discretionary purchase.”

Pro: You’re less vulnerable to your partner’s legal problems. Keeping separate accounts protects your cash from your partner’s debt if collectors come a-knockin’. Although thatt’s not quite so cut-and-dried for married couples.

Con: There’s a lack of financial transparency. Some partners really want to know what’s going on with their significant other, and not being able to see what you’re spending your money on can lead to trust issues — especially if they suspect that you’re spending money on things like poker games and dancing ladies.

Con: They can foster resentment. You shouldn’t be ashamed of your income if you make more than your partner, but it’s also not nice to flaunt it by treating yourself to whatever you want. That causes problems.

Con: They’re hard to access by others in an emergency. If you’re in an accident — or faced with an emergency that leaves you unable to access your account — your partner can’t do anything about it unless you previously designated a Power of Attorney to make decisions while you’re incapacitated.

Con: It’s harder to keep financial goals on track. Savings goals are tougher to maintain when neither partner knows exactly how much is being put toward them. Are you saving twice as fast as your partner? Is your partner spending what they could be saving on frivolous things? You have no way of knowing, and if there’s a discrepancy that may lead to defensiveness and a few lies. Neither of which is good for a relationship.

Photo Credit: morningshadow

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Don’t be fooled by real estate agents who try to tell you that a corner lot is highly desirable. They’re not.

Oh sure, you’ve got a bigger lot and neighbors on only two sides, but as a former corner lot owner, trust me when I say the cons far outweigh the pros.

In fact, besides often being more expensive to buy, here are 21 additional reasons why corner lots just aren’t worth it:

Noise, noise, noise

Double street and sidewalk frontage means double the noise from pedestrian and car traffic. Pull up a chair and crack open a cold one; I’m just gettin’ started.

Unconventional configurations

For example, the front yard of a home on a corner lot is usually bigger than the back, and the garage may be located around the corner.

Yard – lots of it

Larger lots mean more to mow. It’s even worse when the lawn is big but not so large that it justifies buying a riding mower. And if you hire a professional instead, keep in mind that corner lot lawns generally cost an average of 20% more to mow.

Yard – lots of it (Part II)

All things being equal, larger lawns have higher landscape costs.

More trash to pick up

Cars stopping at a stop sign are more likely to dump their trash on your big front yard. You’re also liable to get more trash because…

Corners make great school bus stop locations

Hey, I have kids too. I’m just sayin.’

Less privacy

Yes, you have one less neighbor, but in exchange for that you get foot traffic on two sides of the house instead of only one. Trust me, if you’re worried about privacy you’d be better off with the extra neighbor. Speaking of foot traffic…

They’re great pedestrian shortcuts

When given the choice, most people will save 16 seconds of their life by cutting across the front lawn of a corner home. But before you get any bright ideas, just remember this…

Less privacy (Part II)

Many jurisdictions severely restrict privacy fence heights or prohibit them all together for traffic safety. Even if there are no privacy fence restrictions, corner lot owners have to deal with…

Higher fence costs

Having one less neighbor to deal with is terrific! Well, unless you need to borrow a cup of sugar. Or you’re trying to get your neighbors to share the cost of a new fence.

Double tax assessments

Because corner lots border streets on two sides, you may get hit for twice as many sidewalk and street assessments.

Double set-back requirements

Owners of corner lots may be subject to city or other jurisdictional easements or set-back requirements on two sides of their property, rather than just one.

More dog poo

Although I haven’t taken the time to do a definitive scientific study, I’m quite certain the probability of an off-leash neighborhood dog pooping on a corner-lot front lawn is 100 percent. Prove me wrong.

Greater risk of a car crashing into your house

Okay, I admit it; the probability of this happening is about as likely as Ariana Grande hiring Taylor Swift as a vocal coach. But it’s hard to argue that it ain’t true.

Bigger snow jobs

For those of you who live in colder climes, more sidewalk means more snow to shovel.

Less privacy (Part III)

Corner lot backyards are exposed to the public. That can be a nuisance if you’re trying to have a private family barbecue — or sunbathe in the nude. (Not that I do that, but to each his own, right?)

More light pollution

Increased street lighting and headlights from cars turning corners can be a nuisance.

Yard – lots of it (Part III)

Folks on corner lots have more leaves to rake — especially those who live downwind from adjacent parks.

More vulnerable to burglary

Because there are fewer neighbors surrounding the home and more escape routes – courtesy of streets on two sides – homes on corner lots are bigger burglary targets.

Increased neighbor & association pressure

Because corner homes are often considered gateways to streets or cul de sacs and neighborhoods, the appearance of these homes are often held to a higher standard by the community and neighborhood associations.

They’re harder to sell

Most realtors will tell you that corner lots are tougher to sell. Gee, I wonder why.

Photo Credit: Lady DragonflyCC

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What is Spread Betting?

Spread betting is one of the best ways to constantly be increasing your knowledge about the way money and profit work. It’s a fast investment form focusing on value fluctuations – rather than ownership – of stocks, funds and commodities. As a result, spread betting brokers give users the opportunity to trade on the future value of these financial entities, without actually buying them. Here’s how it works in a little more detail:

When you open an account, you’ll see that they have real-time price records of thousands of different stocks and markets; all you have to do is pick one. When you actually put money on the line, you’ll decide on an amount you want to risk, and the broker will allow you to create a contract that expires at a chosen length of time; all you have to decide is whether you think your chosen asset’s price will be higher or lower at the end of that amount of time.

If your instinct is right, you’ll get earnings relative to how much the value changed in the direction you anticipated. If you didn’t get it right, losses will be counted in the same way, although there are stop loss and hedging options to limit losses for savvy users. As you get to know a lot about different assets, you’ll start to understand the global forces which contribute to their changes in value. This will allow you to cash in on your insight over and over, potentially earning for yourself a serious bit of extra income.

The Benefits of Spread Betting

So the rewards of spread betting are two-fold. On the one hand, experienced users have a good chance to make extra money, very quickly, and without having to expend tremendous effort. At the same time, users will gain a wealth of knowledge about the complexities of global finance — at least as it pertains to their chosen assets. This knowledge can transfer to any other financial or investment discipline, where the shrewdness of the user can be transferred into profit in any number of settings.

It all starts with a free account and a minimal first deposit — and many brokers don’t even require an initial deposit. You can try the service for free, testing your knowledge against real world events to see how much you would gain or lose if you were to deposit real money. Of course, you won’t earn income this way, but you’ll be able to try your hand at a fast paced investment form that continues to grow.

So give spread betting a try. It’s simple and fast-paced enough that you can do it on your lunch break, or on the morning train to work. As your skill grows, you have the chance to earn some serious income too. And even if you give it up down the road, the information you learn will serve you well, no matter what investment path you decide to take up next.

Photo Credit: Search Engine People Blog

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According to statistics from the American Pet Products Association, people collectively spend more than $76 billion on their pets, with $18 billion of that going towards vet care. That’s an all-time high.

In fact, taking a pet to the vet is one of the biggest expenses owners face, with only food and supplies costing more.

Vet Care Costs Continue to Rise

Vet costs are higher than ever because there are more medical options if our faithful furry family members get diagnosed with serious ailments, such as cancer. As recently as a decade ago, those treatments didn’t exist, but now, it’s possible for sick pets to receive chemotherapy, cyber knife treatment and even acupuncture.

Furthermore, many people understandably value their pets tremendously. A study conducted by scientists at Georgia Regents University found that, when faced with a hypothetical situation of having to save a foreign tourist or their pet from an oncoming bus, 40% of respondents said they’d save the animals.

Pet Insurance Fits a Cost-Conscious Lifestyle

When considering if pet insurance is worth it, many people ask, “Why should I pay for something I might never need?” Indeed, many people think the same about renter’s, travel, and health insurance, too. But, that’s a very risky mindset.

According to claims data from policyholders of Petplan pet insurance, Californians spend an average of over $1500 per year on veterinary visits. Even in states where individuals spent the least, average annual vet bills were roughly $800. Contrast those figures with the fact that the average annual premium is just $600.

Pet owners inevitably know that animals can be mischievous and problems can occur just because they’re curious. What would you do upon discovering that your puppy swallowed a rock? What about if your cat chewed your aloe vera plant or got too familiar with one of the other common plants that are toxic to felines? It’s just too risky to assume your pets won’t need veterinary care, even if they’re usually healthy.

Pet insurance policies typically include accidents and illnesses, as well as chronic and hereditary diseases ranging from arthritis to diarrhea, along with even more extensive health problems.

Feel You’ve Done All You Can

The loss of a pet is devastating. And many people who experience it go through some or all of the five stages of grief. Data indicates 87% of pet owners report dealing with at least one grief stage and 22% are still grieving after a year.

There’s nothing you can do to bring back a pet that has passed away. But it may be easier to deal with the aftermath if you knew you could pursue every treatment available. Doing that may not be possible without pet insurance. However, when your pet has coverage, you can avoid the difficult decisions associated with trying to afford unexpected expenses.

So, is pet insurance worth it?

Because pet insurance represents a consistent, small cost, you can easily work it into your budget. Also, consider that because healthcare is more accessible to pets that are insured, it’s more feasible to take pets to the vet sooner and potentially get problems taken care of before they become life threatening.

Some people argue savings accounts serve the same purpose as insurance. However, consider the time it takes to accumulate the amount that may be necessary to take care of vet bills. If your pet got sick within the next month, could your savings account cover the associated expenses?

In the Netherlands, 48% of pets have coverage, compared to only 1% of animals in the United States. Workers in the United Kingdom even get offered pet insurance as an employee benefit.

The pet insurance industry continues to grow. But more education is necessary before most people in this country fully comprehend how high veterinary costs can be. And that insurance makes those expenses significantly more manageable.

Photo Credit: your_mind_aches

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I love them so much I usually grow tomatoes in my backyard every summer. Unfortunately for me, the pesky squirrels typically end up enjoying more of my homegrown tomatoes than I do.

Anyway, the other day I was picking up a bunch of fruits and vegetables at my local grocery store and, of course, tomatoes were on my list.

Grocery store tomatoes can be such a tease. I find the grocery store varieties to always be visually appealing, perfectly round with a nice red color; but every time I bite into one I am terribly disappointed by the lack of flavor. In fact, they’re practically tasteless — especially when compared to the home-grown ones.

The Organic Price Premium

For that reason — and with no home-grown tomatoes waiting for me at home — I briefly considered picking up some organic tomatoes. That is, until I noticed that the price premium being commanded by the organics was almost double the cost of the non-organic varieties.

Outrageous? I thought so; tomatoes are expensive enough without the added organic premium.

According to Mint, organic produce costs so much more because today’s large conventional farms enjoy economies of scale and subsidies that smaller organic farms can’t exploit.

So what’s driving the market? Well, when it comes to fruits and veggies most people buy organics to avoid pesticides that farmers use on their crops to increase yields. In the United States, any produce certified as “organic” must be grown without most synthetic pesticides and fertilizers.

The thing is, when it comes to tainted fruits and vegetables, not all conventionally-farmed produce is created equally. It turns out that many non-organic fruits and vegetables are grown with significantly lower pesticide loads than others, which suggests some organic fruits and vegetables may not be worth those steep price premiums.

So, which non-organic fruits and veggies are typically grown with the lowest pesticide loads?

The Cleanest Fruits & Vegetables

Well, every year a non-profit consumer organization known as the Environmental Working Group (EWG) analyzes pesticide test data gleaned from nearly 100,000 reports conducted by the US Department of Agriculture and the US Food and Drug Administration. From that data they identify the 15 cleanest fruits and vegetables, which they call the “Clean 15.” Here are the cleanest fruits and veggies in 2026:

1. Avocados
2. Sweet Corn
3. Pineapples
4. Onions
5. Papaya
6. Sweet Peas – Frozen
7. Asparagus
8. Cabbage
9. Watermelon
10. Cauliflower
11. Bananas
12. Mangoes
13. Carrots
14. Mushrooms
15. Kiwi

You can download their latest report here.

The take-away here is that for those who worry about pesticides on their fruits and veggies, but are trying to stay within the bounds of a tight grocery budget, it makes little sense to pay the extra money for the array of organically grown fruits and veggies listed above.

Instead, buy the conventionally grown varieties and make sure you wash them well. That will free up your money to buy organic produce in order to avoid those conventionally-grown fruits and veggies with the highest pesticide loads that EWG has identified from their “Dirty Dozen” list. Those 12 items in 2026 are, in order:

1. Strawberries
2. Spinach
3. Kale
4. Grapes
5. Nectarines
6. Peaches
7. Cherries
8. Apples
9. Blackberries
10. Pears
11. Potatoes
12. Blueberries

Thankfully, tomatoes didn’t make this year’s list, so I’m going to continue buying those beautiful-but-bland non-organic ones anyway to supplement my produce needs. Well … at least until those pesky squirrels pack up and move to another neighborhood.

Photo Credit: rick

The post Organic Fruits & Veggies: 15 That Aren’t Worth Paying More For appeared first on Len Penzo dot Com.

Debt can creep up slowly – or hit all at once. One month you’re managing minimum payments, and the next you’re juggling overdue bills, collection calls, and mounting stress. While many people view bankruptcy as a last resort, it can sometimes be a practical and strategic step toward regaining financial stability. Understanding when it makes sense – and what it actually involves – can help you make a more informed decision about your future.

When Life Events Push Finances to the Breaking Point

For many people, overwhelming debt isn’t the result of careless spending; it’s driven by major life disruptions. Events like the end of a marriage, unexpected health problems, or a sudden job loss can drastically reduce income or increase expenses overnight. In fact, research from the National Endowment for Financial Education shows that these three situations – divorce, medical challenges, and unemployment – are among the most common triggers that lead individuals to consider bankruptcy.

These circumstances often create a domino effect. Medical bills can pile up even with insurance, unemployment can drain savings quickly, and divorce can split one household into two, doubling living costs. When combined with existing financial obligations like credit cards, auto loans, or mortgages, the situation can become unmanageable fast.

If your debt is largely tied to one of these major life changes and you’re unable to keep up despite cutting expenses and exploring other options, bankruptcy may be worth evaluating. It’s not about failure—it’s about recognizing when your financial reality has fundamentally changed.

Understanding the Consequences of Falling Behind

Before deciding on bankruptcy, it’s important to understand what can happen if debts remain unpaid. One of the most serious consequences is wage garnishment. Depending on the type of debt and legal proceedings, creditors may be able to take a portion of your income directly from your paycheck.

In many cases, the law allows creditors to seize up to 25% of your earnings after standard deductions. That’s a significant cut. And it’s one that can make it even harder to cover essentials like rent, groceries, and utilities. For someone already struggling, this can deepen the financial crisis rather than resolve it.

Beyond garnishment, unpaid debts can also lead to lawsuits, damaged credit, and relentless collection efforts. If you’re facing these outcomes and see no realistic path to catching up, bankruptcy can provide protection. Filing may stop collection actions, including garnishments, through what’s known as an automatic stay. This pause can offer breathing room to reassess your finances and plan your next steps.

How Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Can Offer a Structured Path Forward

Not all bankruptcies are the same, and for individuals with a steady income, Chapter 13 is often a viable option. This type of bankruptcy focuses on reorganization rather than liquidation. Instead of wiping out debts immediately, it allows you to combine what you owe into a single repayment plan.

Under Chapter 13, you propose a structured plan to repay all or part of your debts over a period that typically lasts between three and five years. This approach can make monthly payments more manageable while allowing you to keep certain assets, such as your home or car, that might otherwise be at risk.

The process also creates a clear roadmap. Rather than juggling multiple creditors with different terms and deadlines, you make one consistent payment based on your income and financial situation. For many, this structure brings a sense of control and predictability that was previously missing.

That said, Chapter 13 isn’t a quick fix. It requires commitment, discipline, and court approval. But for those who are able to repay a portion of their debt over time, it can be a powerful tool for long-term recovery.

Deciding whether to file for bankruptcy is deeply personal and often difficult. It’s not a step anyone takes lightly—but it can be the right one under the right circumstances. If your financial struggles stem from major life events, if your income is at risk from garnishment, or if your debt has become unmanageable despite your best efforts, bankruptcy may offer a path forward.

The key is to view it not as an end, but as a reset. With the right approach, it can provide relief from immediate pressures and create a foundation for rebuilding your financial life.

Photo Credit: stock photo

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The Jump Start from the Jump Rope

K seemed to be discouraged for two or three lessons in a row, but I knew he had been trying hard. So I told him that he had counted the timing in one of his pieces so well that day that I wanted to give him a little prize, and I gave him a jump rope. (I probably gave him a choice; I kept a few things in the piano bench for times like this).

His mother called later that day and said that on the way over to the lesson, K had told her he wanted to quit lessons that day. But after he got the jump rope, he changed his mind and perked up about practicing and after that there was a noticeable difference in his lessons and his attitude. I learned from that experience, and have given prizes from time to time for very specific improvements in a weak area of a student’s progress. It’s the little things…

I’m so happy that I kept a notebook of these little stories and since packrats keep notebooks forever, it’s been possible to recall these little “you made my day!” stories which I had forgotten about, 20+ years later, and it’s been a sweet treat. These memories, touching and funny, help me to relive the rich experiences I’ve had teaching children. Other than also being a mom, being a teacher is the most rewarding and satisfying activity I can think of, and I’ve especially enjoyed teaching music because it is my number-one favorite pleasure of life – and what could be better than passing this love of music along to somebody else?

To be continued…

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About the Author: RD Blakeslee (1931 – 2024) built his net worth by only investing in that which can be enjoyed during acquisition and throughout life, as opposed to papers in a drawer, like stocks and bonds. You can read more about him here.

Photos: Courtesy of the Blakeslee Family

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