The High Cost of Cutting Corners: Why Shortcuts Are Never a Shortcut Worth Taking
I just finished renovating a three-bedroom, one-bathroom house in North Lawndale. The dust has settled, the paint has dried, and as I stand back to look at the finished product, what I’m thinking about most deeply isn’t the choice of bathroom tile or the shade of kitchen cabinetry. It’s about pace. It’s about how we, […]
The Homebuyer’s Trap: Why Waiting for Lower Rates Could Cost You Your Dream Home
If you’ve dreamed of buying a home in the last few years, you’ve lived through a masterclass in economic whiplash. You remember the headlines: “Interest Rates Hit Historic Lows!” followed not long after by “Mortgage Rates Soar to Two-Decade Highs!” And through it all, a piece of well-intentioned but ultimately flawed advice has persisted in […]
Why ChatGPT Is Threatening Data Security—and What That Means for You
While many people are deeply concerned about the latest release of ChatGPT 5, harping about its loss of personality or capabilities, I already deleted my ChatGPT accounts because I found out the unsavory news that all of our private chats are not private at all. They are available to be exposed on Google searches and […]
Ethics in the Age of AI: Why Integrity Is the Most Valuable Asset in Business
Of course, we all strive to be good people. Of course, we know right from wrong… right? But ethics in business isn’t about textbook definitions or saying the right thing in a pitch deck. It’s about the choices we make every day—especially when nobody is looking. And let me tell you, in practice, it’s one […]
Why Financial Tools Should Protect, Not Exploit — A Conversation About Real Consumer Access
Let me start with something I wish more people would say out loud:The financial system was not designed with everyone in mind. In fact, in many ways, it was built around legacy access — old money, private networks, and generational wealth. If you don’t come from that world, navigating personal finance can feel like being locked […]
How My $16,000 Roof Replacement Taught Me to Trust No One (Especially in Chicago)
The dream of homeownership in Chicago often comes wrapped in charming brick facades and leafy streets. What they don’t tell you? The roof over your head might be a ticking time bomb, maintained by an industry where trust is the first casualty. This is the story of how I learned that lesson the hard way […]
8 Smart Reasons You Should Wait Before Buying a Home in Today’s Economy
Thinking about buying a home? Discover why delaying your purchase might be the smartest financial move in today’s unstable market. For generations, the idea of homeownership has been sold to us as the cornerstone of the American Dream — a symbol of stability, status, and success. But in 2025’s financially uncertain world, it’s time to […]
Stop Zillow-Scrolling, Start Getting Mortgage-Ready — Why Your “Maybe” Phase Is the Secret Weapon No One Talks About
You’re Not Wasting Time—You’re in Training It’s 11:37 PM. You’re on the couch, phone in hand, thumb hovering over a dreamy Craftsman with exposed beams. Or maybe it’s a Victorian with a turret. A sleek modern build with floor-to-ceiling windows. You imagine the life inside those walls.Sunday coffee. A future nursery. A dog named Louie […]
A Manifesto of Good Financial Services: Building Systems That Serve People, Not Exploit Them
“Finance is the nervous system of the modern world — and like any system, it must serve the body, not feed on it.” We live in a time of unprecedented financial technology and access. In just a few taps on a screen, you can transfer money across the world, apply for a mortgage, or invest […]
Why I Don’t Believe in ‘Safe’ Jobs — And How to Prepare for a Future Without One
For a long time, I bought into the lie. Work hard. Stay loyal. Get promoted. Security would follow. But if you’re paying attention to what’s happening in today’s economy, you already know: those days are done. I am usually in bed by 9 PM but because it’s Friday, I can live a little and post […]