August 2025

I have a habit of giving neighbors I don’t know nicknames. Even if we have met them once or twice, unless we know them well and talk to them regularly, the nickname becomes their identifying factor.

For example, there are ‘The Backyard Neighbors’ because of course their backyard backs up to our backyard. We’ve met but I don’t think they remember us. Then, there are “The Mystery Neighbors” that live next door. They moved in just before the pandemic and we didn’t even see them for years, or so it seemed. They drive into their garage, close the door, and sometimes you see them drive out. Are they home or are they away – who knows because it’s a mystery!

I could go on, because there are more, but it did get me thinking about other nicknames we could give our neighbors and friends. Like Sarah the Saver, for example. She’s the lady down the street that has goals. She has retirement goals, travel goals, house goals, family goals, and so she plans and saves to reach her goals. Not like Spender Steve. He’s that guy with the brand new boat, the new expensive car, the motorcycle or other toy and you know after talking to his sister-in-law that every one of those things is financed, and his credit cards are maxed out.

Then we could talk about Budget-conscious Beth. She doesn’t need to live by a budget, but she wants to make sure her money lasts her, so she just takes a monthly accounting of money coming in and money going out. That way, she knows if she needs to cut back or can be lavish, she’s aware of the big picture. Some people can relate to Investment Iris. She has worked all of her life with a modest income, but she started saving early on. She understands the value of the time as it relates to her investments and keeps socking money when she can. Her money has grown for the last 30 years, and she has saved nearly $1million in addition to her 401k. She doesn’t know everything, but she asks questions to learn more.

Maybe you can relate to one of these fictional characters or maybe you wish you were more like one of them (except Spender Steve…no one wants to be a Spender Steve.) What would your nickname be or what would you like it to be? Mine is Super Stacy…but that is a whole other blog.

Any opinions are those of the author and are not necessarily those of Raymond James. This material is being provided for information and illustrative purposes only and does not constitute a recommendation.