The days are longer, the bugs are bolder, and the fridge is 90% watermelon - summer has arrived! This episode explores what it means to be intentional during these precious 100 days of summer many of us experience.

After sharing some exciting podcast news (I'm resurrecting my "Aging Ain't for Sissies" podcast alongside this one!) and personal updates about my ongoing cancer treatment, I dive into what summer means to different people. Whether you're managing kids who are suddenly home from school or enjoying retirement like me, summer invites us to reset our routines and embrace a different rhythm.

What does your ideal summer look like? I guide you through creating a realistic summer bucket list - not pie-in-the-sky dreams you'll never accomplish, but attainable joys like trying one new local adventure, enjoying screen-free afternoons, or experimenting with a new summer recipe. For me, it includes hosting a rooftop luncheon for my girlfriends, something I've been planning meticulously despite the challenges of Chicago weather and my building's "no glass" policy on the deck!

I also share mini summer rituals worth embracing: morning light walks, decluttering just one space (maybe your beach bag?), and creating weekly "joy lists" of three things you're looking forward to. Summer is the perfect container for intentional living because its boundaries are clear - approximately June through August for most of us.

As we cruise into what I call "the SPF and grilling everything season," I encourage you to write down your own summer intention. Mine? "Laugh more, stress less, and only commit to plans if they involve snacks and shade." What will your summer story be?

Share your summer intentions with me at InsideMarcisMinд@gmail.com or DM me on Instagram @marcibackus. And remember, summer bodies are made in the kitchen, mostly standing in front of the fridge.

Life throws curveballs, but how we respond defines us. After developing a painful blood clot following back-to-back flights, I've learned valuable lessons about travel safety that I'm eager to share. The experience was particularly frightening given my ongoing cancer journey and inability to take standard blood thinners. Despite these challenges, I'm continuing with radiation treatments and maintaining my signature optimistic outlook.

My passion for travel remains undimmed. Years of exploration have taught me systems that maximize experiences while minimizing hassles and expenses. I've perfected the art of packing for two-week trips using only carry-on luggage through careful color coordination, strategic clothing selection, and organizational tools like packing cubes. This approach isn't just about convenience—it's about preserving your energy and mobility for the experiences that matter.

Airline loyalty has transformed my travel experience in ways most budget travelers never discover. Even modest status levels unlock perks that elevate inexpensive tickets into comfortable journeys: priority boarding, free checked bags, preferred seating, and dedicated customer service during disruptions. Similar principles apply to rental cars and accommodations, where knowing which options to select can yield significant savings without sacrificing quality.

Chicago serves as my beautiful home base between adventures—a city of architectural wonders, engineering marvels, and culinary delights that often surprises visitors with its beaches, riverside scenery, and vibrant energy. As I look toward future travels and potential retirement considerations, I'm guided by the principle that smart financial decisions today create more opportunities for exploration tomorrow.

Whether you're navigating health challenges, planning your next getaway, or simply looking to travel more efficiently, remember that preparation and positivity make all the difference. Share your own travel tips or questions with me—I'd love to hear how you balance adventure with practicality in your journeys!

Marcy returns with updates on her health journey, sharing the welcome news that she's been off chemotherapy for two weeks and feeling "awesome." Her vibrant energy shines through as she discusses recent travels to California where she spent meaningful time supporting her transgender son Kyle through some personal challenges—a connection that deepened their relationship in unexpected ways.

The episode weaves between personal stories about printer malfunctions, Harry Potter store visits, and future plans to look at retirement properties in Arizona. Marci's authentic voice creates an intimate atmosphere as she shares her excitement about turning 65 and finally qualifying for Medicare after years of paying $1,500 monthly for health insurance.

The heart of this episode focuses on an often-overlooked financial opportunity: finding money you didn't know you had. Marci presents a comprehensive guide to locating unclaimed assets through various resources including missingmoney.com for uncashed checks, lostandfounddol.gov for forgotten retirement accounts, and treasuryhunt.gov for unclaimed savings bonds. She expertly breaks down each site's purpose and how listeners can use them to potentially recover forgotten funds.

Following this financial treasure hunt, Marci warns about "six risky discounts" that often end up costing consumers more than they save. From subscription traps and privacy-invading apps to store credit cards with exorbitant interest rates, she offers practical advice for avoiding common financial pitfalls in today's digital marketplace. Her straightforward guidance on monitoring credit card statements and managing digital privacy reflects her no-nonsense approach to personal finance.

The episode concludes with a delightful fun fact about elephants being the only animal that cannot jump, alongside a heartfelt appeal to never ride elephants due to the harm it causes these sensitive creatures. Marci's passion for animal welfare adds yet another dimension to her multifaceted personality.

Join Marci for this blend of personal updates, practical financial advice, and warmhearted wisdom. Have questions or topic suggestions? Email insidemarci'smind@gmail.com to connect directly with Marci for future episodes.

Celebrating the end of chemotherapy marks a significant milestone in my ongoing health journey, as I share my excitement about the upcoming four-week break before radiation begins. This episode captures both personal transitions and practical advice as I prepare for a week in California to support my oldest child through challenging times, followed by travels to Arizona where retirement possibilities await in Sun Lakes.

Chicago has captivated my heart with meaningful experiences – from attending my friend Lenore's orchestra performance at Symphony Hall to enjoying a private tour of the Art Institute's impressive exhibits on a Tuesday when the museum was closed to the public. These cultural treasures make me reflect deeply on what truly matters when considering retirement locations and the difficult balance between loving where you are and finding what makes practical sense for the future.

The heart of this episode offers valuable insights into high-return exterior home improvements that can significantly increase property value. Whether you're preparing to sell or simply enhancing your living space, strategic investments like upgrading your mailbox, refreshing landscaping, brightening your front door, and adding outdoor lighting can yield returns of 50-200% on modest investments. The National Association of Realtors confirms that spending just $3,500 on curb appeal can add approximately $12,000 to your home's value. I share specific recommendations for both front yard and backyard spaces, emphasizing how proper maintenance signals to potential buyers that the entire property has been well-cared for. From travel packing strategies using color-coordinated systems to fun facts about laughing rats and Australia's surprising width, this episode weaves together life's transitions with practical advice for making the most of your home's potential.

Cancer treatment becomes a window into resilience, gratitude, and finding joy in the ordinary in this deeply personal episode. Marcy opens up about navigating her third round of chemotherapy, candidly describing it as "the hardest thing I've ever done." The unique challenge isn't just physical—it's the psychological disconnect between not looking sick while feeling distinctly unwell that creates an unseen burden.

Despite these challenges, Marcy embraces her "good week" in the chemo cycle with characteristic enthusiasm, planning a special bra fitting (supporting breast cancer awareness), appreciating Chicago's spectacular spring tulips, and preparing for upcoming California travel. Her practical advice about breaking free from daily ruts resonates with universal wisdom: "Be a tourist in your own town." This philosophy helped transform her experience after moving to Chicago, where she now takes full advantage of the city's beauty after regretting not fully enjoying Laguna Beach during her California years.

The episode weaves between heartfelt personal updates and practical advice on organization, home decor, and laundry care. Standout tips include hanging curtains at ceiling height to create dramatic spaces that appear larger, organizing closets seasonally rather than by frequency of wear, and avoiding fabric softeners when washing towels. Each suggestion comes wrapped in Marci's warm, conversational style that makes listeners feel they're chatting with a friend.

As Marci celebrates her podcast's 40th episode milestone, her authentic voice shines through—sometimes vulnerable, sometimes humorous (she admits to 34 years of "pettiness" in how she handles her husband's laundry), but always genuine. Listen for practical wisdom, emotional resonance, and a gentle reminder that finding small joys matters most during life's greatest challenges.

Share this podcast with friends and find all episodes on InsideMarcisMind.com or your favorite podcast platform!

Spring has arrived in Chicago with its wild temperature swings, and Marcy is ready to tackle a deep clean while sharing her wisdom on decluttering and housekeeping hacks. Between sips of morning coffee, she opens up about applying Mel Robbins' powerful "let them" philosophy to family disappointments—especially valuable as she navigates cancer treatment and learns to stop trying to control others' choices.

Before diving into cleaning tips, Marci alerts listeners about 23andMe's potential bankruptcy and the importance of retrieving and deleting your DNA data before it's sold to unknown entities. This thoughtful privacy warning reflects her crime-show-influenced caution about personal information, even while participating in medical research studies for cancer treatment.

The heart of the episode features a treasure trove of decluttering challenges, from the "30 bags in 30 days" method to the balanced "12-12-12" approach (finding twelve items each to trash, donate, and keep). Marci's cleaning hacks showcase her practical ingenuity—using tennis balls to erase floor scuffs, repurposing toilet paper tubes as vacuum attachments, and revealing why dryer sheets should never touch towels or cleaning rags.

With warmth and authenticity that makes listeners feel like they're chatting with a friend, Marci shares her recent car organization project and closes with a fascinating fact about the Eiffel Tower's summer expansion—paired with the gentle humor of revealing she's never visited her husband's favorite city. Whether you're looking to refresh your space or simply enjoy the company of someone navigating life's challenges with grace and humor, this episode delivers connection and practical wisdom in equal measure.

Ready to tackle your own spring cleaning? Share your favorite hacks by emailing insidemarci'smind@gmail.com or visit insidemarci'smind.com for more episodes and information.