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I hate to admit this, but romance can lead to more than a pitter patter in your heart and head. As we begin to turn up the heat, our waistbands may start to expand as the pounds mount--and lots of them. I’ll explain why. I’ve seen this happen to me since the guy, “Fixup,” I’ve been dating loves to eat, cook at home, and dine out. Food has become one of the main ingredients in the feast and fuel of our romance.    The pounds started piling on with the pizzas and toppings Fixup and I made each Saturday for...

There are huge events in our lives that removed those we love. Top on Margaret’s list---her husband who died six years ago. Barbara lost a great deal when after a 31-year-marriage her husband walked out. Most recently, she lost the use of her right dominant arm and hand. That is temporary, of course, but for now it’s a gargantuan loss.  So, the other day, when we were feeling sorry for ourselves we shifted gears. In the spirit of healthy thinking, we started to dwell on what we have and our blessings. This quickly segued into all the things in life...

I had never seriously gardened before I bought my most recent home. Yes, I had selected rose bushes and hydrangeas to plant in former yards, and suggested to my then-husband how a colorful grouping of statuesque tulips could circle one large tree in honor of our younger daughter’s April birth 33 years ago. However, I had never thought of developing a garden from scratch since I prided myself on being a city gal.  After buying my most recent house as a single on a very visible, well traveled street in my village, I knew that the barren site needed to...

The lottery is like catnip to dreamers. But when it comes to money, I tend to be a pragmatist. It’s hard to earn and I don’t believe in throwing it away on some fantasy. Show me the money not the promise of it. Instant millionaire just isn’t going to happen to someone like me who never wins raffles or even bingo.  However, Barbara threw out the gauntlet. She’s a believer. A dreamer. She’s the one who contacted a clairvoyant to get a read on her future after her divorce. “Try the lottery just once,” she urged. “Buy a cheap ticket....

When I divorced, my financial advisor urged me to use my debit card for all purchases so I would never charge or overspend. The goal was to rebuild my nest egg. More than 13 years later, the habit has stuck to me like a post-it note. It’s a constant reminder not to carry real cash that just takes up room in my wallet.  However, on days when I have a few loose dollars, I find it hard to resist buying a lotto ticket or two—for which you have to pay cash. What the heck. The thought of winning boosts my...