“It’s not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.” — Mother Teresa I once gifted my cousin a pair of shoes I thought she would love. They didn’t fit. She still smiled, but I remember that little sting of “I tried but missed.” That memory stuck. How many times do…
“We are not rich by what we possess but by what we can do without.” — Immanuel Kant I never thought about how much stuff I had until I moved apartments. That was when I first started thinking about what I actually needed. And that turned into an unexpected yet welcome lifestyle change. As I…
In this age of digital connectivity, the nature of community has changed dramatically. While community has always involved some common purpose or identity, frequent interaction, and mutual support, in the past communities have been made up of people in close physical proximity–whether a neighborhood, church, or some other group of people seen face-to-face on a…
“A penny saved is a penny gained.” Thomas Fuller Let’s face it, today’s inflationary economic environment makes spending less money just as beneficial to your financial condition as making more. And finding new ways to spend less has become increasingly important for many people. Whether you’re a budget-conscious student, a thrifty shopper, or simply someone…
“There is only one way to eat an elephant–a bite at a time.” Desmond Tutu Creating something new is difficult. Creating something new and really big seems almost impossible at times. Here at Swampum, we face that difficulty daily as we create a community marketplace platform that allows people to share with their communities in…
We are social animals. And while each of us is an individual, we long for relationships with others. Being part of a community brings many benefits: social connection and engagement; a sense of support and belonging; better physical, mental, and financial health. Of course, it’s important to find the right balance between individual and community…
It all started with a basin wrench. Several years ago, in the middle of a kitchen renovation project, I needed a basin wrench–a special tool for tightening the bolts that connect a sink to a countertop. One trip to the hardware store and $25 later, I had my wrench. A few weeks later I was…
