Aunt Stacy's Tips of the Day

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Educating families to know How Money Works!

11/02/2026

🦵 KNEE UPDATE for those keeping up! 🦵

Friday, I had my appointment with my surgeon to determine whether I'd gained enough range of motion to avoid a procedure called Manipulation Under Anesthesia (MUA).

That's the fancy medical term for putting me under and manually cranking my knee to break up scar tissue so everything moves the way it's supposed to.

Now, I was perfectly okay with having my bones sawed and a shiny new bionic knee put in their place. But the thought of that MUA? TERRIFIED me. And, quite frankly, grossed me out.

The logic behind that? I dunno. 🤷‍♀️😂

ANYWAY... she checked my range of motion and...

🎉 HALLELUJAH! I DON'T NEED THE PROCEDURE! 🎉

But there's another little development that came out of all this.

While in Florida a couple of weeks ago, I visited the swanky fitness room at the clubhouse in my sister's swanky neighborhood. 🏋️‍♀️

After my little "workout" (not sure how much of a sweat I actually broke), I felt GOOD. And my knee seemed to have a little more range of motion.

That got me thinking... maybe I should consider joining a gym.

Blech. 🤢 I DETEST gyms.

But yesterday, on a SUNDAY, I went to one of the gyms closest to my house, took a tour, and took the REALLY BIG STEP of actually joining!

And I'm excited. In a weird sort of way. 😂

Once I finish physical therapy, I'll be able to continue working on many of the same exercises using equipment I'm already familiar with.

My biggest goal through this whole process is pretty simple:

Maintain my range of motion. Build strength. And, most importantly, JUST KEEP MOVING. 💪

It's not exactly a SMART goal. No specific measurement or deadline. It's more of an ongoing commitment to taking care of this body and keeping it moving. ❤️

So here's my question for you...

What's something you've been thinking about lately that you KNOW would be good for you, but you just haven't quite taken that leap yet?

Maybe it's time to stop thinking about it and take that first step.

Sometimes the hardest part isn't doing the thing... it's deciding to do it in the first place! 😉

10/30/2026

🎄🎬 It's beginning to look a lot like... movie night! 🎬🎄

As we head into what could arguably be considered the beginning of the holiday season next month, I've been thinking about one of Rick's and my favorite traditions: our Christmas movie nights. ❤️

We have a collection of movies that rotate in and out, but there are three that are non-negotiable. We watch them EVERY year:
🎄 A Charlie Brown Christmas
🎶 Scrooge (the musical version starring Albert Finney)
🎩 A Christmas Carol starring Sir Patrick Stewart as ol' Ebenezer Scrooge.

Being a bit of a Trekkie, it's probably no surprise that I particularly love that last version. After all, how could I NOT enjoy watching Captain Jean-Luc Picard take on the role of Ebenezer Scrooge? 🖖

So, you can imagine my sadness when I heard the news of Sir Pat Stew's passing this week. 💔

My sister actually texted me her condolences when she heard the news.

She also texted her condolences when Jimmy Buffett passed away a few years ago.

She knows me pretty well, huh? 😂

On this Find Out Friday, I'm curious to know where you fall on the Patrick Stewart spectrum!

🖖 Which of these best describes you?
🚀 Became a Trekkie because of Sir Pat (Engage!)
🧬 Know exactly who he is because of X-Men (Professor X!)
🎬 Recognize his face and have probably watched something he's been in, but couldn't necessarily tell me his name.
🤷 Absolutely NO clue who this guy is. (And that's okay, too!)

Thanks for playing along with this completely random Aunt Stacy poll!

And for those of us who are fans... Make it so. ❤️

10/29/2026

Many years ago, I kinda learned HTML by using a WYSIWYG tool at my J-O-B. 😂

I know. That’s a LOT of acronyms that probably don’t make much sense unless IYKYK. 🤣

Basically, I had a tool that let me build webpages using something that worked like a word processor. But then I got curious about what was happening behind the curtain.

I started looking at the actual code, figuring out how the words and symbols worked together to make a webpage.

Naturally, I started experimenting and built my own little website. Because why just do the assignment when you can go down a rabbit hole? 🐇💻

I wanted to make parts of the page move, so I started playing around with the code.
Except… it wasn't working. 😤

I'd missed ONE character.

ONE.

The part I wanted to move just sat there in the middle of the screen, mocking me. 😂

But I figured it out! I learned how to read the code, find the problem, and fix it.

Fast-forward to when I took the official webpage design class, and I was helping other students who were struggling.

Go figure! 🤷‍♀️

Here's the thing: I didn't learn by getting everything right the first time. I learned by experimenting, messing things up, figuring out what went wrong, and trying again.

Sometimes, our biggest lessons come from the things we get wrong.

That applies to WAY more than HTML and webpage design. It's true in our careers, relationships, personal growth, and just about anything else we're trying to learn.

💡 A mistake isn't necessarily a failure. Sometimes, it's just a lesson you haven't figured out how to use yet.

💬 How about you? Ever learn more from screwing something up than you did from getting it right the first time?

Tell me I'm not the only one! 😂👇

10/28/2026

I heard this quote during a webinar today as Tomas shared his life story, the storms he and his family have walked through, and how they've held on to their faith along the way. 🙏❤️

He also shared that you're either heading into a storm, in the middle of one, or just coming out of one.

And that got me thinking...

🗺️ What if your BIG GOAL is the treasure at the end of a map, and all those little goals are the stepping stones that get you there?

What if the obstacles along the way aren't just keeping you from the treasure, but actually preparing you for it?

💎 If you found your treasure before you were ready, would you recognize its value? Would you know how to handle it? And would you be as grateful for it?

Sometimes the journey changes us just as much as reaching the destination does.

So, if you're in the middle of a storm or wondering why your goals seem so far away, keep taking those small steps. Keep learning, growing, and trusting the process. ❤️

Maybe you're not being held back. Maybe you're being prepared. ✨

💬 Have you ever looked back at a difficult season and realized it prepared you for something better?

10/27/2026

🤔 Ever feel like you're STUCK?

You know that feeling... when you WANT to move forward, you KNOW there's somewhere you want to go or something you want to accomplish, but you just can't seem to figure out the next step?

Or maybe you don't even know where to START. 😩

Yeah... I've been there. In fact, I've been feeling that way for the last couple of weeks, and honestly? It's FRUSTRATING!

I've been trying to figure out what my next move is, where I need to grow, and how to get myself moving forward again.

Then, during a conversation in the mastery group I'm part of (where we focus on growth, especially in business), one of the guys shared something that really stuck with me.

He talked about a time when he was incredibly frustrated. But in the middle of that frustration, he experienced a BREAKTHROUGH. 💡

And that breakthrough helped him move to the next level.

It got me thinking...
As I shared in my post about this past weekend's event, I experienced some pretty exciting moments! 🎉🏆

What I didn't share was that I think the event itself may have been a catalyst for a breakthrough of my own.

Sometimes, we spend so much time trying to figure out the next step that we don't realize we're getting closer to the very thing we've been working toward.

Maybe the frustration isn't the end of the road. Maybe it's a signal that something needs to shift. Maybe we're learning, growing, or getting ready to see things differently. 🌱

And maybe... just maybe... we're closer than we think.

So here's a little Aunt Stacy encouragement for your day: 💚

If you're feeling stuck, frustrated, or unsure about how to grow into the next version of yourself, DON'T GIVE UP.

Keep showing up. Keep learning. Keep taking those little steps, even when you can't see the whole staircase.

You don't have to have the entire path figured out to take the next step. 👣

Your breakthrough might not happen on your timeline, or in the way you expect. But don't let today's frustration convince you that tomorrow can't look different.

Keep going. Your next chapter may be closer than you think. ✨

And if you're in that stuck place right now, you're not alone. ❤️

10/26/2026

🎉 Monday Moments: A Little Recognition, A LOT of Gratitude! 🎉

Well, I had a little excitement over the weekend! 😁

This past weekend, we had an area event for the DMV reps in our company. Friday was a special “locker room” event for the leaders in the area, followed by our Leadership Summit on Saturday, complete with speakers (including our CEO!!!!), inspiration, and some well-deserved recognition. 🙌

And guess what?! I got to walk across the stage! 🎤👏

In my category, I was recognized for my work, got to high-five some of our leaders, and received this really nice-looking plaque that's going up on the wall in my office. 🏆

But I'll tell you what...seeing MY NAME up there on that HUGE screen was pretty amazing! 🤩 These pictures honestly don't do it justice!

And there's something ELSE you might notice in the pictures (besides the weird look on my face 😂)...

I'M WALKING! WITHOUT A CANE! 🎉🚶‍♀️

Now, I DID bring my cane along, just in case I needed it. Better safe than sorry, right? 😉 But between the stage walk and everything else, I really didn't need to use it!

So, naturally, you might be wondering...

🤔 “Well, what did Aunt Stacy DO to get that recognition?”

That's a GREAT question!

I got to celebrate the work I've been doing to help clients invest for their futures, prepare for retirement, and make informed financial decisions while considering things like taxes, market fluctuations, and inflation. 📈💰

One of my clients is in the process of retiring, and we're working together to help her prepare for this next chapter of life with a plan she can feel more confident about.

Because here's the thing: It's not just about accumulating money. It's about helping people feel more prepared for the life they want to live. ❤️

THAT'S why I love what I do!

And if any of this sounds like you—or someone you care about—let's chat! No pressure, no weirdness (well, except for me 😂), just a conversation about where you are, where you want to go, and what options might help you get there.

Because everybody deserves the opportunity to understand how money works. 💚

10/23/2026

🧐 Find Out Friday: What’s YOUR Personality?

ENFP. INTJ. And more!
🔴 Red. 🔵 Blue. 🟢 Green. 🟡 Yellow.
DISC. ⭐ STAR.

There are all kinds of personality assessments designed to help us understand ourselves and how we relate to others. Myers-Briggs, Color Personalities, DISC… and that's just scratching the surface!

Some personalities naturally gravitate toward certain careers, leadership styles, or ways of communicating. Understanding those differences can help us work better together, appreciate what others bring to the table, and maybe even understand why some people drive us a little crazy. 😂

Have you figured out your personality type?

Me? I'm a Yellow ENFP. 💛 Outgoing, enthusiastic, people-oriented… yep, that sounds about right! Also, based on these photos, in case there was any doubt, I've apparently been a little extra since way before I became Aunt Stacy. 🤣💛

BUT… since 2020, I've wondered if there's a little more INFP in me than there used to be. I've become less comfortable in HUGE crowds than I was before.

Case in point: I was at a networking event the other night, and the happy hour was held in this HUGE, cavernous room where all the sound bounced around. You could barely hear the person standing next to you! After a while, I was ready to escape the noise and enjoy the sweet, sweet silence of the elevator. 😂🤫

And don't even get me started on some restaurants! You go out to enjoy a meal and have a conversation, but you can barely hear the person across the table. Am I there to socialize or to practice my lip-reading skills?! 🤣

So, is my inner introvert coming out? Am I just less tolerant of noise than I used to be? Or have the experiences of the past few years changed something in me?

Who knows?! Maybe a little of everything!

🤔 Your turn! What's your personality type? And has it changed over the years?

Let's find out! 👇

10/22/2026

🦵The New Knee Chronicles! 😂

For those of you who might be interested in the ongoing saga of my new knee, here's what's happening!

After about 6 weeks and a round of steroids to reduce inflammation (and, hopefully, pain!), I'm FINALLY starting to get a little more flexibility in my knee! 🙌

Is it where it's supposed to be? Nope. Am I making progress? I sure hope so! 🤞

I've also started walking without my cane! 🚶‍♀️

Now, before you get too excited, I'm not power walking… or even keeping up with a tortoise. 🐢🤣

I'm basically retraining my brain on how to walk again.
Heel. Toe. Heel. Toe.
Pick up my foot. Bend my knee as I move forward off my toes.
Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. 🧠🦵

Who knew walking was so complicated when you have to think about EVERY. SINGLE. STEP?! 😂

One other unexpected development since surgery… I've lost roughly 20 pounds. 😳

That wasn't the plan! My appetite pretty much disappeared after surgery. It's mostly back now, but I find I just can't eat as much as I used to.

So, while the number on the scale has changed, I'm focusing on getting the nutrition my body needs to heal and get stronger. 💪❤️

Another milestone: I'm getting more comfortable with stairs, so I FINALLY moved my “office” (aka my laptop 💻) back downstairs!

That means I can reclaim a separate space to work instead of being camped out in my living room with my trusty recliner. 🪑😆

Those are my big milestones over the last couple of weeks, and I'll take them!

Next week, I have an appointment with my surgeon to see whether I've regained enough flexibility in my knee.

If I haven't… well, let's just say the alternative isn't pretty, and I cringe every time I think about what might be next. 😬

So, needless to say, I'm working HARD to improve that flexibility! 💪

One stretch, one step, one day at a time.

Progress may be slower than I'd like, but I'm still moving forward. ❤️

And that's what's happening in the New Knee Chronicles for now!

Thanks for following along on this little adventure. 🥰

10/21/2026

Have you ever experienced Imposter Syndrome?

Of course you haven't. You're no imposter! 😏

But me? Oh, I've TOTALLY felt like one. 🙋‍♀️

I've questioned whether I was qualified enough or experienced enough… whether I really had what it takes to do the things I wanted to do.

But recently, something has started to change.

I'm actually beginning to believe that I CAN! 💪❤️

The road to get where I am today has been bumpy… much like the road to Latitude 18 in yesterday's story. 😂🚙💥

There have been doubts, fears, setbacks, and plenty of moments when I've wondered what in the world I was doing.

But here's the thing: I'm learning that I don't have to know everything, get everything right, or feel 100% confident before I take the next step.

I just have to be willing to keep learning, keep doing, and keep adjusting along the way. 🔄

Which brings me back to something I've been learning through PDCA: Plan. Do. Check. Adjust.

Sometimes the plan works. Sometimes you hit a pothole. Sometimes you need to change your approach. And sometimes, you discover you're capable of more than you gave yourself credit for. 🌱

Maybe believing you CAN doesn't happen before you start the journey.

Maybe it happens BECAUSE you take the journey. ❤️

So, if you're working toward something that feels bigger than you right now, don't let the potholes convince you that you're on the wrong road.

Slow down when you need to. Adjust when you must. And give yourself permission to keep going.

You might be closer to believing in yourself than you think. 🛣️✨

10/20/2026

A few years ago… well, it feels like just a couple of years ago, but it was actually OVER 17 YEARS AGO (how does that even happen?! 🤦‍♀️), my sister, my husband, and I went to St. Thomas for a friend's wedding.

Our friend and his now-wife lived there at the time, so they were locals and knew all the good spots to check out.

One of their recommendations was a restaurant/bar called Latitude 18. 🌴

Now, the way our friend described getting there was pretty entertaining.

“Once you turn onto the road, it's a bit rough. After a little while, it gets MORE rough. A little further, and it gets REALLY bad.”

And THAT'S when he hit us with the magical question:
“Do you want to go to a good bar down a bad road or a bad bar on a good road?” 🤣

I gotta say, his description was SPOT-ON!

By the time we got there, I'm pretty sure we'd thoroughly tested every component of our rented Toyota Corolla's suspension system. 🚙💥

But then… after navigating all those potholes and making our way through the lush tropical trees, the road opened up to reveal a beautiful little cove with gorgeous blue Caribbean water and a marina on the other side. 🌊🌴⛵

Latitude 18 sat right there by the water.

And apparently, we weren't the only ones who thought it was a great place to hang out! 🦎 The local iguanas seemed to interpret our arrival as a personal invitation to come over and visit. 😂

The food was excellent. The service was great. And the drinks? Well, it was the Caribbean. What else can I say? 🍹😎

So, what did I learn from that little adventure?

Sometimes, when the road is rough, there's something beautiful waiting on the other side. ❤️

And wouldn't you know it… that got me thinking about something else.

But that's a another story for tomorrow.

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Frederick, MD
21703

Telephone

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Website

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