Getting older is not for whiners. Since my late 40s, midlife health concerns have included thyroid imbalance, elevated blood pressure and creeping weight gain. A couple of mammograms looked iffy but turned out to be OK. The asthma could be better.

Mostly I’ve handled these issues with equanimity. But that was before the doctor ordered me to spread my own poo on a chemically treated card.

“Getting out of debt fast is the most important financial move you can make in today’s economy,” according to author/PF guru David Bach.

He wrote the book on it, so to speak. This week I’m giving that book away.

When I was about to leave for my house-sitting/visiting trip to Alaska in mid-May, I had part of a carton of eggs in the fridge. Since I would be gone for two months, I decided to try something I’d only read about: freezing eggs.

Today I sampled the results.

Worried about opening your wallet? Yeah, me too. But somewhere between paranoia and profligacy is a middle ground, an intelligent approach to spending, saving and giving.

That’s the topic of my latest column at Get Rich Slowly. “How to spend money (even if you think you shouldn’t)” talks about why spending after a crisis is as hard as dating after a divorce.

While house-sitting here in Anchorage I took my friend’s recyclables over to the transfer station. It’s a small way for me to help her out.

Turns out it’s a good way to shop, too.