Before I slash at Captain Hook’s character, I want to say this: if I could grow a twisty mustache like Captain Hook, I would absolutely do it. I wouldn’t give up my hand for a boss pirate mustache, but I might be willing to give up the family dog.


We hear this one all the time: “I feel badly because Randolph lost his job at the pro shop.” In an effort to have better grammar, we can often make it worse. So let’s figure out why the correct phrase in the above instance should be “I feel bad.”


The key here is knowing the difference between action verbs and linking verbs.


It seems rather obvious how to identify an action verb: it does something active. Active verbs...

“A living trust…is more flexible and more private than a will. It affords you, your assets, and your heirs greater protections should you become incapacitated.”- Consumer Reports

Most people understand that a will is an estate management document that takes effect after a person dies.

However, there is also a way to administer your estate and ensure your wishes are followed. A living trust is a fund set up while you are alive to help you plan your estate more efficiently and privately.

A living trust is a legal vehicle used to pass on the assets of an estate, such as property, investments, collectibles, and other assets. It is sometimes chosen by people who want to help their...

As I approach the magical age of 40, I’m supposedly getting to the peak of my life (and then it’s all downhill from there). What I didn’t realize is what a rude awakening this would be for my newly aching body. My kids all still want to be held from time to time, which is killing my back. Now, before you recommend your favorite chiropractor, allow me to make a segue as weak as my back.

Today I want to introduce you to the idea of “back slang.” Feel free to groan all you want, but I had to whet your appetite for a healthy dose of word nerdery.

For those of you who love wordplay, back slang is a way to play with language in which you speak or spell a word backward. Easy as...

You are likely to be retired much longer than you think.

For how long do you think you will live? Do you believe you’ll live into your late 70s? Are you confident you’ll follow in the path of your parents, who were alive and well into their mid to late 80s?

The average joint life expectancy (men and women together) is approximately 90 years for over 49% of the population. A full 20% of Americans live to age 95!

Depending on your unique perspective, that’s either good or bad. It’s good because many people want to live for as long as possible, provided they are in decent physical and mental health. However, a long life can be bad news when it puts you at risk of outliving your...