Cents & Sensibility with Lovie and Papa

Introduction / First Post To be honest, we’ve never really had a budget. In the early ’90s, we sought guidance from a Dave Ramsey financial planner. One look at our finances and he bluntly suggested bankruptcy (We never did.) At the time, we had only been married five years and, truthfully, we were financially illiterate. Our early marriage had already been through a storm. Around 18 months in, Anthony suffered a broken neck in a freak accident. While sitting at a stoplight, a fleeing robber crashed into a line of cars, with Anthony’s being the last. The robber was uninsured, and Anthony faced a long road to recovery. He never filed for disability or unemployment, yet he has faithfully worked every single day since then. Over the years, our family has made sacrifices to care for loved ones. The four of us set aside our own needs to support my mom during her battle with breast cancer. Years later,  Anthony took a pay cut and reduced hours to care for his mom while she faced Lewy...

  Hello, friends! We’re Lovie and Papa , married for 40 wonderful years, and we’re stepping into the next chapter of our lives with a renewed focus on joy, health, and living well . Inspired by encouragement from our friends Ann and Dave H., we’ve decided to take a closer look at what we eat and how it affects our bodies, our wallets, and our overall quality of life. As we approach retirement, we’ve set out with a three-fold purpose : Reduce inflammation – helping our bodies feel lighter and more energetic. Reduce spending – eating well without overspending. Build strength and vitality – so we can enjoy our later years fully. In 2026, we’re rethinking our meals, our grocery habits, and the small choices that can lead to bigger changes in our health and happiness . This blog will be our way of sharing the journey: the successes, the challenges, and the reflections along the way. We invite you to come along with us as we explore healthier eating, smarter spending, ...