Life After 18

12/27/2025

Wow! 😮 I learn something new every day!
Have you ever heard of this???

12/25/2025

12/24/2025

I just came across this photo taken when I still lived in Davison, MI. I’m pretty sure I was 16…so probably winter of ‘74. And probably the last snowman I ever built.
Good memories, good times!

If you have one, it’d be great to see pictures of your snowmen! ⛄️💖⛄️

12/24/2025

Merry Christmas Eve!🎄🎁

12/24/2025

THE COST OF "SAVING $200 TODAY"
As we enter the holiday shopping season, retailers are offering something more valuable than discounts: credit cards with seemingly irresistible terms.

"Save 20% on your purchase today when you open a store credit card!"
"0% interest for 24 months!"
"No payments until next year!"

Before you sign up at checkout take the time to understand what you're actually agreeing to.

🚩 RED FLAGS TO WATCH OUT FOR:
• Deferred interest (not the same as 0% APR)
• Interest rates of 25-30% after promotional periods
• Minimum payments designed to ensure you don't pay it off in time
• Hard credit inquiries that lower your credit score

✅ DECISION CRITERIA
• Can you comfortably afford to pay the balance in full before the promotional period ends?
• Do you have emergency savings to cover payments if something unexpected happens?
• Have you read the entire terms and conditions, not just the bold print?
• Is saving 20% today worth the risk of paying 40-50% more later?

The math is unforgiving: Miss the payoff deadline by even one day and that "0% interest" purchase can cost you hundreds or thousands in retroactive interest charges.

This holiday season the most valuable gift you can give yourself is financial literacy.

Learn more details about credit card offers, deferred interest, and making smarter financing decisions at Life After 18. com, Credit Scores and Credit Cards.
Your future financial self will thank you.

12/23/2025

Two summers ago I stood on that corner in Winslow, Arizona and stood next to that red flat bed Ford!
Over 60 years after the same drive with my family.
Good memories, good times!
🙏🇺🇸🤠

During its centennial, celebrate Route 66 and its vital place in America's story with a road trip across Arizona's well-preserved stretch.

12/23/2025

I’ve recently made friends with an amazing young man who knows how to fix things. He’s 22. Builds robots for fun, works in a hardware store, can fix just about anything and takes pride in doing a good job. Makes me wonder if it’s the same kids mentioned here.
My point? There is hope. 🙏🤠

12/23/2025

🎄⚠️ HOLIDAY SHOPPING WARNING ⚠️🎄

Oh look at that cheerful cashier asking "Would you like to save 20% today by opening a store credit card?" They're so not telling you the whole story.

**Here's what happens to THOUSANDS of holiday shoppers every year:**
You sign up for the store card ✓
You get the discount ✓
You make minimum payments ✓
You think you’re doing fine ✓

Then month 25 arrives and BAM—$800 in "deferred interest" gets added to your account because you still owed $50. You paid on that $2,000 purchase over two years but suddenly owe $850 more!

**BEFORE you sign up for ANY store credit card this holiday season, look for these RED FLAGS**

🚩 "Deferred interest" in the fine print (THIS IS THE BIG ONE)
🚩 Interest rates above 24% after the promo period ends
🚩 Payment-free periods that sound like a gift but make it harder to pay off
🚩 Minimum payments that are way lower than what you need to make in order to pay that bill off during their promotional period

**Then ask yourself these questions**

✅ Can you pay this off COMFORTABLY (not just technically “afford it”)?
✅ Do you have emergency savings if my car breaks down or I have a medical bill?
✅ Have you read ALL the fine print, not just the bold parts?
✅ Is this item something you need, or are you buying it because it's on "sale"?

If you can't answer YES to all four questions, walk away from the offer. That 20% discount isn't worth the risk.

Want to understand exactly how store credit cards, deferred interest, and "same as cash" offers work?

👉 Visit Life After 18 .com/Credit Scores and Credit Cards lesson for comprehensive education on making smart credit decisions.

Protect yourself this holiday season. Your wallet will thank you in January.

12/22/2025

Which is how I feel today!🤪