With values soaring to the moon, card collectors are starting to get violent — In December 2020, a rare Charizard Pokémon card sold for $360,000. Early in 2021, a Michael Jordan rookie card sold for $215,000. Weeks later, the same card sold for $738,000. During the pandemic last year, with people locked inside and looking for something to flip the mood, quarantiners turned to…

There was no way to escape the pandemic without (more) major financial repercussions — When the pandemic struck, America and the global economy were bound to face a recession. Production halted, meaning people stopped working and, most importantly, stopped spending. Thanks to fiscal stimulus from the government and the Federal Reserve, the recession was short, lasting just two months — the shortest on record.

Choose love and acceptance over hatred and envy — It’s so easy to blame others when we come up short. In the dating world, blaming the other person in a relationship — or hopeful relationship — is almost always our default. We don’t want to accept blame when our actions are hurtful. We don’t want to admit when we…

Most things you create won’t matter — and that’s OK — In 2021, I published a book entitled, “No Pressure,” aiming to ease the pressure people put on themselves by discussing how nothing matters (with a positive spin). The irony of this is that my book doesn’t matter, either. Neither does the first book I wrote. …

Battling reality when comfort and clarity disappear — I’ve stepped foot in nearly 30 states in the past three months. Sometimes it doesn’t feel real being in so many new places. Literally. Tour managing a band, I’ve been a part of over 50 live music events since the beginning of February — traveling by van to each place…

Don’t get caught up in FIRE — enjoy work, and life, now! — I had a conversation with my parents the other day that kind of depressed me. A friend of my mom’s suggested that my brother, who is currently a crew chief in the Air Force, should look to carry that experience into civilian life — continuing to work with airplanes. …

They are only so productive because they are insane — Do you have a side hustle? It’s hard not to in this day and age. I just recently started a new job and have held onto my freelance writing gig while also writing here on Medium. I’ve also published a couple of books and am in the process of writing…

A traditional job just doesn’t compare — In February, I took a professional leap; I left my freelance writing job to become the tour manager for a band. It was crazy. I had no experience in music or management. I was unqualified and had to burst out of my bubble to take on the opportunity. I’m now…

Sometimes, thinking just becomes a drag — “If I ever get around to living, it’s going to be just like I dreamed…” Music is special and lasting because it serves you. It’s sometimes the only thing you have to carry you through to the next stage in life. It helps you get through death. It helps you…