Columnists

10/14/2026 · St. Louis

The Quiet Power of What You Let In

William James had a wonderfully blunt theory of attention: your life is not shaped merely by what happens, but by what you consent to notice. That idea can change the way you spend the next hour.

10/08/2026

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Column

Your $18,000 “Down Payment” Is Actually Three Different Jobs

A reader has savings, credit-card debt, retirement FOMO, and a dream of buying a home soon. The uncomfortable answer: that money cannot do everything at once.

10/08/2026

Column

The Budget Is Not Broken—Your Plan Is Too Polite

Three readers confront the money problems we all pretend will solve themselves. Spoiler: your credit card, emergency fund, and retirement account are not impressed by good intentions.

10/08/2026