Teaching things you don't learn in school!
There's a lot more to moving out than just packing a bag and going. I'd say if you know more about what you might be facing, you can be better prepared and be more likely to stay out.
Take notes from what I tell you in this video, or click here to sign up for the Housing & Moving Out lesson to get all these details along with a few cheat sheets. The lesson is such a deal at just $15.
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A lot of people are under the impression that this type of tax will only affect rich people or homeowners. No, yeah, this will affect everyone paying rent on anything: homes, apartments, trailer parks, and businesses as well as business owners and their employees.
Please share using the social icons below, before voting on November 5th!
Oh, and get registered to vote as soon as possible!
As the summer comes to a close, I wanted to share some of the unexpected twists, turns, and exciting new ventures that have defined the past few months for us.
It feels like I’ve been living in the middle of a country western song, complete with bees, back injuries, and a truck that just wouldn’t quit, thank goodness!
But amidst the chaos, there have also been some incredible professional opportunities that I’m thrilled to update you on. Here’s a look back at the rollercoaster ride that has been my life since May.
This summer, I took the plunge and became a beekeeper. I was excited to start, but the journey wasn’t as smooth as I’d hoped. My first three bee colonies absconded—yes, they just up and left!
I was left feeling a bit defeated until I tried a trick I’d heard about: placing a bit of lemongrass oil at the entrance of the hive. To my surprise, it worked! I ended up acquiring a random swarm that decided my hive was a good place to settle down. It was a small victory in the midst of what had been a challenging start to my beekeeping adventure./>
While I was busy with the bees, Tom was busy hurting his back—by moving one of the hives, no less! What followed was months of navigating the healthcare system, getting referrals for tests like MRIs, x-rays, and blood work, and finally getting approval for surgery. The good news is that Tom’s surgery was successful, and he’s healing well. The not-so-good news is that he’s been stubborn about taking his pain medications, so we’re having some "discussions" about that.
Amidst everything else, I had to say goodbye to my mom, who passed away at the age of 91. She had been living with dementia, and while her passing wasn’t unexpected, it was still incredibly hard. I then had to navigate the process of closing all her accounts, which was a learning experience in itself. It’s been a bittersweet time, filled with both grief and reflection on the memories we shared.
If that wasn’t enough, my trusty truck decided to give me a few headaches as well. It started with faulty aftermarket headlights. The Dodge dealership tried to hit me with a $4,000 repair bill, but I wasn’t having it. I took it to our neighborhood mechanic, who fixed the problem for under $400. Not long after, the truck refused to start, and I had to have it towed. The dealership was quick to diagnose a bad starter and quoted me another $2,000. Thankfully, my mechanic found the real issue: a malfunctioning aftermarket alarm system that I didn’t even know was installed. He removed it, and the truck was back on the road for just $250 in labor.
I am very honored to be invited to speak at the local robotics 4-H club, "Awkward Silence." Following that discussion, I was asked to start my own 4-H club based on my life skills business, *Life After 18*. I’m currently in the fingerprint and background check part of the process, and everything should be ready to go by the time I hold our first club meeting on November 18, 2024. This is a fantastic opportunity to expand the reach of my life skills teachings to younger audiences.
I’ve also been invited to read Dr. Seuss books to first-grade students at one of our local elementary schools. This opportunity brings back fond memories of reading these same books to my own kids, and I’m thrilled to be able to share the joy of these stories with a new generation.
Earlier this year, I was honored to become a featured writer for our local magazine, "Pahrump Life." My column, titled "Life After 18," is based on the materials I share in my classes. While the magazine doesn’t have an online version, I make sure to share all my articles on my blog page on this site.
In the most recent issue, I tackled the question, “Are You Too Young to Start Saving for Retirement?” It’s been a rewarding experience to reach out to the community in this way.
This summer the radio station for whom I was recording a one-hour “Life After 18” show decided to switch over to recording video with audio. It’s been a challenging transition for the station as well as for me. I’ve generally always believed I have a face for radio, but now I have to make sure I “put my face on” before we hit the record button.
If you’d like to see how that’s working out, look for my recordings on the new Facebook page: K P F F TV Pahrump Nevada. (Yes, there are spaces between those first four letters.) Most recordings are also shared on my “LifeAfter18" Facebook page as well as on YouTube (@mrsjancarter).
Finally, I bit the bullet and started a TikTok account. Yes, it’s a little weird, but I have to go where my customer base hangs out. My account is @janetmnast. It’s been a little short on content this summer, but now that the dust has settled in my world, I’ll be ramping up on that.
So here we are, finally on the other side of a summer filled with more than its fair share of challenges and triumphs. Despite everything, I’m grateful for the small victories, the support of friends and family, and the lessons learned along the way.
Tom is on the mend, the bees are happy in their hive, and the truck is running smoothly—at least for now. I’m also excited about the new professional opportunities on the horizon and look forward to what the fall will bring.
Here’s to hoping that the fall brings a bit more peace and a lot fewer surprises. Thanks for sticking with us through it all.
With love and gratitude,
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If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please reach out to me by using the Contact Jan form in the sidebar.
Sincerely,
It’s a fact that when you turn 18, your signature is LAW. That means that anytime you sign your name on any piece of paper, that piece of paper becomes a legally binding contract.
This article explores a few financial situations for which you might sign a contract and some of the details you should look for and completely understand. Before we dive into the details, I want you to know the three most important things about all contracts:
Now let’s explore what to look for in four of the most common types of financial contracts.
Month-to-month agreements mean that you can pretty much leave at your convenience, provided you meet the proper “notice to vacate requirement.”
Oh, there may be some exceptions such as a prolonged illness, military relocation, job loss (and can no longer pay rent), or death. Always ask about these, if any, exceptions.
What to look for and ask about:
When looking at a new car, you have to figure out which of these two options is best for you:
Leasing a New Vehicle
A lease usually gives you smaller payments for however long the lease lasts. Most leases are usually three to four years. However, once the lease is up, you will still owe a huge amount of money at the end. That’s known as a “balloon” payment. At that time, you have two choices: either turn the car into the dealer and walk away, or get a loan for the next few years and keep the car.
Oh, and by the way, you can usually only lease brand-new vehicles.
What to look for and ask about:
Buying a New Vehicle
When you buy a car, rather than lease it, you’ll own it after the loan is paid off. (Personally, I think that’s a good thing.) Remember, you can always go to your bank and get a loan before you go to the dealer to buy a car. But if you choose to get a loan with the dealer, these are the things about which you need to ask and completely understand.
If any of these fees are added to your loan, keep in mind that you are paying interest on them (aka, financing them) for the length of the loan, which could be up to six years. That’s a lot of interest on your first year’s registration.
These can be as ugly as the bad loans that caused the housing market to crash in 2008. My daughter and daughter-in-law both have student loans, and both are as different as night and day. Here are a few of the most important things to look for and question before you sign on the dotted line. Some can be very confusing and that makes it really easy for lenders and salespeople to convince highly motivated and excited students and parents to sign the contract before they completely understand it.
These are just a few of the various types of financial contracts that you’ll probably run across in your life. Others may include but not be limited to cell phone agreements, credit card applications, savings or checking accounts, and retirement accounts.
There are also a variety of service agreements you should really examine closely before signing such as military enlistment, new hire agreements for employment, and short-term contractor work.
Keep in mind, that whoever is trying to convince you to sign on the dotted line, is trying to either make money or meet a quota. Although it’s unethical, I’ve come across many salespeople who will tell you anything, including stretching the truth or telling outright lies in order to get you to sign. Your signature is gold and they know it!
So, no matter what type of contract you’re looking at, remember these three basic guidelines:
I hope this information helps you to avoid getting into a bad financial situation.
Many of these financial contracts are also discussed in the lessons presented on my site: https://LifeAfter18.com
If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, feel free to send me an email: jan@lifeafter18.com
Sincerely,
