Bankruptcy has long been associated with a type of moral character flaw. It sometimes seems as if a person’s financial situation is somehow completely and uncompromisingly tied to their value as a human being. The stigma surrounding bankruptcy reveals a pernicious false equivalency. Somewhere along the way, a person’s finances became conflated for their worth….
Have you ever wanted to learn about your ethnicity, discover your connections to the past, or even learn if you have relatives that you did not know about? If you answered yes, then you may be interested in at-home DNA kits. Just some spit into a tube or swab inside of your cheek can unlock…
Most people think estate planning is an old person’s game. Once you hit your 60s or 70s, that’s when you organize your affairs–right? Wrong. Please do not wait until you’re in your twilight years to plan your estate! The unfortunate reality is that we never know the exact time of our demise or incapacitation. Having…
Have you ever wanted to learn more about your family history and take a proverbial journey home? If you answered yes, then you are not alone. Plenty of people want to learn more about their ancestors. In particular, they want to know who they were, where their family originated from, what happened to them, and…
Learn all about the best family reunion activities, ideas, games, and more! Family reunions are a lot like the family members who attend them — unique, complicated, and a whole lot of fun. Whether it’s an intimate gathering or a grand multi-generational shindig, there’s no denying that a family reunion is a great way to…
By Laura A. Roser Like many, Paulette Pantoja was a child of divorce. She’d spend hours watching TV with her sister, while her single mother was away at work. “It was an escape,” she says. “A way for my sister and me to laugh together and be with each other.” That love of entertainment has…
By Chris Palmer When my wife, Gail, and I decided to start a family, I knew nothing about raising children. I was, however, aware that they could be demanding and stress-inducing. As the youngest of four boys, I had experienced a rather stressful childhood myself. More than anything, I was terrified of failing. I wanted…
By Laurie Sorensen What if we viewed time as something to invest rather than something to spend? This thought is at the heart of the Sorensen family’s view of legacy. The family not only views their own lives as being a precious trust they get to steward but also encourages others to live their lives…
By Laura A. Roser A couple days ago, I spoke about legacy at an event for the Seattle Foundation. One of the attendees anxiously came up to me afterward and said, “I have to tell you about a tradition we have in our family. It’s called Cousins Camp.” He paused for dramatic effect. “Have you…
By Laura A. Roser “I was born with a wooden spoon in my mouth,” Jennifer Lanzetti told me in a recent interview. “My parents didn’t have a lot of money, but boy did we have a lot of love.” In her teens, Jennifer was diagnosed with severe endometriosis. Over eight years and fifteen surgeries, she…
