Peter Kinney articles

A storm rolls through, and afterward you notice damage to your roof. You file a claim expecting your insurance to step in, but instead they come back and say the damage wasn’t really from the storm. According to them, it’s due to “lack of maintenance”. Now you’re left staring at a denial and a repair bill you didn’t see coming. This kind of pushback happens more often than people expect. The good news is a denial isn’t always the final answer, and there are ways to challenge it if something doesn’t feel right.

At first, it’s just clutter. A few bags, maybe some boxes. Then it turns into piles of garbage sitting out on your neighbor’s balcony and over time, the smell starts creeping in. You report it to building management, expecting them to deal with it, but nothing really changes. Now you’re stuck dealing with the smell, the mess, and the feeling that no one’s doing anything about it. The good news is you’re not stuck with it, even if it feels that way right now.

Whether you put your tax refund toward your property taxes or a vacation, it's a matter of your priorities.

If a family member starts making a habit of going to the casino, it may be worth taking a closer look at what's going on.

You check your account and notice money is missing. A check was cashed with your name on it, but you never signed it. You report it to the bank expecting a quick fix, but instead they say you need to prove it was fraud. It feels backwards, but this is how the process usually works. The good news is you’re not stuck, and there are clear steps you can take to try to get your money back.

You’re settling into your new home, maybe doing a bit of exploring, and you stumble across something unexpected in the attic: valuable jewelry. At first, it feels like you just got incredibly lucky. Then the previous owner reaches out and says it was left behind by accident and wants it back. Now what felt like a great surprise suddenly turns into a stressful situation. Do you actually have to give it back, or is it yours now?

Spending an entire weekend on a project for a job interview sounds excessive; it's even worse if you don't end up getting hired.

You’ve spent decades working, saving, and building a comfortable life. Now, heading into retirement, you’re considering something different: selling your home and living full-time on cruise ships. No upkeep, no yard work, just constant travel. It sounds freeing, but your family sees it as risky and expensive. The truth is, both sides have a point. This lifestyle can work, as long as you don't underestimate some of the trade-offs.

Another family member sold items that you inherited in your father-in-law's will. We look at what you can do.