This is a guest post from Mr Money Mustache, a software engineer who retired at age 30 together with his wife. He is now 36 and has a 5 year old kid. You should definitely subscribe to his blog. A few months ago, I had an inexplicable need to start... Read more »

Zev pointed me in the general direction of Huffington Post and their posts about the disappearance of the middle class and what they refer to as “Third World America” and what we need to do to save it. As I was reading more and more I felt more like grabbing... Read more »

This guest post is from Todd Tresidder who retired at age 35… 13 years ago. He wrote a book teaching you when to retire and publishes the web site FinancialMentor.Com providing various retirement planning tools including articles and calculators. I retired at age 35 (I’m now 48) and learned a... Read more »

When someone posts a link to earlyretirementextreme.com, wordpress usually picks up a backlink which I usually delete since it is usually always spammers. However, I also enjoy what one could call backstalking, that is, watching the refering link on sitemeter when someone actually clicked into the blog. This mostly leads... Read more »

The Master said: “Ci, do you regard me as someone who learns much and commits it all to memory?” Zi-gong replied: “Yes, are you not?” The Master said: “No, I use one string to tie it all together.” — from the Analects of Confusius Have you ever noticed that what... Read more »

The Escape Artist joins me on the Financial Independence Podcast to talk about pursuing FIRE in the United Kingdom! Read more → The post The Escape Artist – FIRE in the UK appeared first on Mad Fientist.... Read more »

I joined a virtual Bogleheads meeting to talk about life after financial independence and early retirement! Read more → The post Bogleheads – Life After FIRE appeared first on Mad Fientist.... Read more »

A Mad Fientist reader shares how he utilizes tax-advantaged accounts to unlock even more cost-saving benefits! Read more → The post How to Stack Tax Benefits for Even More Savings appeared first on Mad Fientist.... Read more »

It's been five years since I left my full-time job so here's my fifth (and final) annual update on post-FI life! Read more → The post Fifth (and Final) Annual Update appeared first on Mad Fientist.... Read more »

Learn how to retire early with kids from the dad who has 14 of them! Rob shares how his family achieved FIRE six years ahead of schedule. Read more → The post How to Retire Early With Kids (14 of Them!) appeared first on Mad Fientist.... Read more »

From Los Vegas, we headed west and visited Los Angeles and the surrounding area. It was a whirlwind visit lasting just two days, but we saw a lot.  The first day we visited Little Cambodia in Long Beach where we enjoyed Cambodian donuts. Then we headed on to our hotel... Read more »

Another year all wrapped up neatly with a bow on it! Where does the time go? We had a great 2021, both financially and personally. We managed to squeeze in a bunch of travel in spite of global difficulties. And we were able to relax at home a ton as... Read more »

After a busy three weeks on the road, we enjoyed a leisurely one week stopover in Las Vegas, Nevada. While we were there, we visited a dozen casinos and watched many free shows and performances presented by the casinos.  None of us gambled at the casinos, but we did spend... Read more »

Another fun and busy month of early retired life is in the books! During the past month, we hosted a big Thanksgiving celebration at our house. Since the weather was nice in November, we spent a lot of time outdoors.  I really stretched my DIY muscles in November too. I... Read more »

We spent two nights in Page, Arizona. While in Page, we visited the Glen Canyon Dam, a nearby lakeside rocky area known as The Chains, and the Horseshoe Bend overlook of the Colorado river.  After leaving Page, we traveled south and then west to the Grand Canyon National Park. We... Read more »

Want to buy high-quality stocks, but don’t want to pay a premium? Would you like to know about cheaper alternatives to three popular Dividend Aristocrats? Looking to collect safe, growing dividend income while you snag a better deal? Then you have to check out today’s video. For more on three... Read more »

Like the idea of getting a good deal? Want to buy a stock after it’s dropped by 20% or more? Also want safe, growing dividend income to go along with a big discount? Then you have to check out today’s video. For more on five dividend growth stocks that are... Read more »

Looking for an under-the-radar gem in the stock market? Want a market-beating yield and double-digit dividend growth? Like the idea of getting your shares at a significant discount? Then you have to check out today’s video. For more on a thriving retailer that could be an under-the-radar gem, check out... Read more »

Every Sunday, I uncover a high-quality dividend growth stock that appears to be undervalued. These pieces are published at Daily Trade Alert, which is a site that focuses on dividend growth investing, stocks, and unique investment opportunities. I’ve been writing for them for years now, and they’re just great over... Read more »

Concerned about inflation? Wondering how to protect your purchasing power over the coming decades? Want to know about a life hack that is the ultimate protection against inflation? Then you have to check out today’s video. For more on a life hack that is the ultimate protection against inflation, check... Read more »

It's new year's resolution season for a lot of us, and whether you're a resolution maker or not, you can use this time of reflection to make some different choices that are better for the planet and climate and for other people, and better for you, too. Because the most... Read more »

When we talk about crypto, far too often we talk about whether it's a good investment monetarily or not, as in: "Will I make or lose money if I buy this?" But we rarely ask whether buying crypto is ethical, and whether its costs to the planet and to our... Read more »

If you've been wanting to change how you and your family or other gift-giving group do the holidays, there has never been a better time. The supply chain issues give you lots of excuses to buy less or even to stop buying newly manufactured items altogether. Here are some ways... Read more »

So that it’s all together in one place, here is a full rundown of all of the events I’m doing to launch Wallet Activism. I’ll keep this page updated as we add new events and links. All of these events are free, though I hope you’ll consider buying […]... Read more »

Many of us have a bad habit of talking about and thinking about risk in entirely the wrong way. There's no perfectly safe way to go through life, and that's true with our money and true with everything else, too. There's rarely a safe option and a risky option, but... Read more »

I read that the one advantage the US has over Canada is more hospital beds per capita. So the number of sick patients the US can handle would overwhelm Canada’s hospital system. So kinda makes sense why Canada has had to be far more cautious. Of course...... Read more »

Hey Mustachians, I am taking a much needed vacation soon, and am wondering if I should get travel insurance. I know MMM advises self-insuring when possible, since insurance companies on average make money off of people. I already had covid, and I have ...... Read more »

Quote from: Another Reader on January 22, 2022, 10:11:04 AMAs a long time landlord, I disagree with some of what has been said.  The costs of a tenant turn, especially with a long term tenant, can be significant.  The time to...... Read more »

Quote from: Acorns on January 22, 2022, 10:32:38 PMThank you all for your responses. I like the idea about giving them lots of heads up that we will be catching up to market rate, like telling them this year the increase will...... Read more »

Thanks everyone, interesting there were more people than I thought suggesting I can get away with not reporting. A few points, since I did verify my roommates income I know that he earns well above the amount to be able to claim the rental write off in...... Read more »

SourceI'm in the middle of Wallet Activism right now and it's changing the way I think about things. How we spend our money, sure. But also how we think about things. How do we make decisions, even with things that are free (or "free"). When I click on the free shipping... Read more »

Source.Another year in the books, another year of the pandemic to endure. Welcome to 2022, what promises to be the longest seventy three months in memory. Supply chains are stretched, we've collectively stopped trying to avoid giving each other COVID, inflation is rampant, and Tom Brady will win another Super Bowl... Read more »

When I first left work, I imagined I'd be writing multiple posts a week again like I did in the early years of the blog. Without the forty hours and ongoing stress of corporate employment, I'd be able to write a post on Monday and another mid-week, for sure.As usual,... Read more »

Early retirement has been a blessing in these long days of the pandemic. Our days went from a non-stop juggling of work, parenting, cooking, and cleaning to, well, a leisurely juggling act of the same things. Mrs. Done by Forty decided she wanted to keep working and it's been a... Read more »

The other day, a question came up on my Twitter feed. Do you consider yourself rich?I like this sort of question. Ideally, it inspires a little introspection and gets me to step back and get some perspective. Do I understand where we stand financially? Do I appreciate how lucky we... Read more »

In this week's episode, Brad and Jonathan discuss different ways in which you can position yourself to experience as many positive outcomes in your life as possible. Whether it's building credit, saving, investing, education, understanding the true meaning behind the word "compounding," or really any other aspect of your life,... Read more »

Now that you've done your beginning of the year audit, it's time to look at your finances through the lens of a SWOT analysis! In this week's episode, Brad and Jonathan examine the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that may arise as you continue along your FI journey. By getting... Read more »

Welcome to 2022! In this week’s episode, Jonathan and Brad discuss starting your year by doing an audit of your current financial situation to highlight areas in which you can improve! It is critical to know how much you’re taking home in income and what your expenses over the coming... Read more »

In our final episode of 2021, Brad and Jonathan pick up where they left off last week as they continue to listen to your end of year wins! It is truly amazing to hear about all the accomplishments our listeners met in 2021, and we hope you continue to ride... Read more »

Happy Holidays! However, the holidays are not the only reason we are festive around this time of the year. Join Brad and Jonathan as they celebrate your end of the year wins! This episode is dedicated to all the amazing steps our community members have made throughout 2021, and we... Read more »

Greetings millionaires!  When the Covid-19 quarantine began back in March of 2020, I suddenly had a lot of free time to fill.  My daily routine of working out, jogging, reading, cooking, and red wine was going along great, but I needed a “special project” to make the most of my... Read more »

Greetings future and current millionaires.  A few years back, I wrote that I would continue to do net-worth updates until we hit the $2 million dollar mark.  Well, that means that this will be my last net-worth update. Finally, a Millionaire in My Own Right As the stock market has... Read more »

Long-overdue greetings to all my readers out there.  With 2021 right around the corner, it’s a perfect time to start your tax planning for next year.  You know what means, right?  Yeap, it’s time for my most requested post of the year, 2021 Free Money!    What Exactly Is Free... Read more »

Great News:  We’re Still Healthy! Warm quarantine greetings from swampy South Georgia!  Tomorrow starts week 3 of no school for us (and most of the country).  All in all, our daily life is pretty normal except that we no longer have jobs to report to.  It’s almost like we’ve re-FIRE’d... Read more »

Okay, I know this post is late, but here it is.  Before I get into last year’s accomplishments and this year’s goals, it’s worth mentioning that there are many things in life that are more important than money:  family, community, faith, health, and love.  As I write these words, the... Read more »

[smart_track_player url="https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/paulaandjaymoney/AA360.mp3" title="Ask Paula: I’m Worried My Parents Are Getting Ripped Off By Their Financial Advisor … Help! " artist="Paula Pant" social="true" social_twitter="true" social_facebook="true" social_gplus="true" social_linkedin="true" social_stumble="true" social_pinterest="true" social_email="true" ] I’m worried my parents are getting ripped off by their financial advisor. What should I do? My wife is trying... Read more »

[smart_track_player url="https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/paulaandjaymoney/AA359.mp3" title="The Four Quadrants of A Successful Life, with Andrew Hallam " artist="Paula Pant" social="true" social_twitter="true" social_facebook="true" social_gplus="true" social_linkedin="true" social_stumble="true" social_pinterest="true" social_email="true" ] Money, relationships, health and purpose: life is running smoothly when all four of these elements are working together in tandem, like wheels on a car. But... Read more »

[smart_track_player url="https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/paulaandjaymoney/AA358.mp3" title="Ask Paula: Should I Invest in Index Funds More Actively?" artist="Paula Pant" social="true" social_twitter="true" social_facebook="true" social_gplus="true" social_linkedin="true" social_stumble="true" social_pinterest="true" social_email="true" ] Where is the balance between the risks and potential returns of actively and passively investing in index funds? Where do you place your savings after you max... Read more »

[smart_track_player url="https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/paulaandjaymoney/AA357.mp3" title="Practical Investing and the Efficient Frontier, with Joe Saul-Sehy" artist="Paula Pant" social="true" social_twitter="true" social_facebook="true" social_gplus="true" social_linkedin="true" social_stumble="true" social_pinterest="true" social_email="true" ]  Discussing advanced investing topics with me is former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy. You may recognize him from the Ask Paula episodes, but we discuss financial topics shared in... Read more »

[smart_track_player url="https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/paulaandjaymoney/AA347.mp3" title="The Radical Invention of the Index Fund, with Robin Wigglesworth" artist="Paula Pant" social="true" social_twitter="true" social_facebook="true" social_gplus="true" social_linkedin="true" social_stumble="true" social_pinterest="true" social_email="true" ] . In today’s episode, we learn about the revolutionary ideas that paved the path to passive investing. We learn about the radical invention of the index fund.... Read more »

I’ve done updates on my total spending and my business income for 2021.  This last update will be about everything else, and how I continue to evolve in semi-retirement. Firstly, more numbers.  If you’re reading this on a full computer... The post How I Evolved In 2021 In Semi-Retirement appeared... Read more »

Welcome to “Thank God I’m FI” Friday, Volume #60! Here are some things I really like and that you might too.   Financial Independence/Retirement Articles This Will Solve All Your Problems (FITE Addiction) – “The next time you go shopping... The post T.G.I.F. Friday: Volume 60 appeared first on Accidental... Read more »

Regular readers know I semi-retired to 20 hours a week at my main job in 2017 after reaching financial independence years before.  Since then much of my newly freed time has been spent on what started as a fun side... The post How Much Did I Make in 2021 Selling... Read more »

Another year done and dusted, and that means another spending report.  Although I’ve been blogging for over 4 years now, this is only my second annual spending report. I did one for 2020 because I was curious about my lower... The post What I Spent In 2021 appeared first on... Read more »

Welcome to “Thank God I’m FI” Friday, Volume #59!  And Happy New Year – Let’s all kick ass and take names in 2022! Here are some things I really like and that you might too.   Financial Independence/Retirement Articles The... The post T.G.I.F. Friday: Volume 59 appeared first on Accidental... Read more »

Burnout and Finance I was recently asked to speak to a bunch of medical residents about my story of burnout and my general philosophy on finance and life. I declined for a variety of reasons, but upon reflection I realized that this was a topic I had not addressed. This... Read more »

Hey philosophers, just wanted to let you know about a couple of small projects I participated in recently. I haven’t had much time or motivation to write these last couple of weeks. I have been paying the work price for my two week vacation to Alaska. Flexibility to take a... Read more »

As my feet rhythmically hit the belt of the treadmill, it briefly occurred to me this was perhaps the weirdest time to start my journey back to some sort or reasonable physical fitness. The treadmill was gently rocking side to side and I was looking out at an endless expanse... Read more »

As an evangelist of part-time work for physicians, I occasionally get an e-mail from a physician reader asking if cutting back on work is the right move for them. Often times they are early in their training, and I’m not sure how to respond. I feel conflicted. I know what... Read more »

A feeling of dread suddenly came over me. The numbers just didn’t add up, yet I could not figure out where I went wrong. Maybe I typed something in wrong or missed a section, but everything looked more or less complete. Maybe I’m just getting too old for this and... Read more »

For those of you following along, you know I've been a bit busy lately. In addition to my own music, podcast, and software projects, I've also been popping up on other people's podcasts. A few weeks back I sang a few bars of Michael Bublé on The FI Show with... Read more »

Back in November of 2017, a tired, burned out version of myself was pushed past his breaking point. After months of mandatory unpaid overtime, morning self pep-talks, stress-eating, and yelling at coworkers, the old Joel finally had enough. He walked up to his boss, and with a surprising, zen-like calm,... Read more »

Wait a minute. Strike that – reverse it! I know, I know, I haven't updated this blog in months. What gives?! If things get any more sporadic around here I'll be on the Miss Mazuma publishing schedule! 😉 Maybe I should adopt the slogan of Wait, Buy Why and claim that I'll have... Read more »

This week, I'm thrilled to be featured on Coryn Quester's “Discover What's Possible” Podcast! In the interview, we talk about everything from the ‘Why' of FI,  to the most challenging aspects of financial independence for those just starting out. But one of the more interesting questions she posed really got... Read more »

This past weekend The Wife and I went to see Crazy Rich Asians, and really enjoyed it! (Featured image credit: Entertainment Weekly) Having been on the FIRE journey for a few years now, it was fun taking in all the over-the-top luxury on the screen. Of course, this wasn't the... Read more »

Although common investments like stocks and mutual funds may be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about investing, there are plenty of other options out there. In fact, the number of available alternative investments is increasing as you can easily find and invest in many different... Read more »

Investing in the stock market is easier than ever before. Stock trading apps like Robinhood and Webull have led the way and made it possible, removing many of the barriers that prevented people from investing in the past. In this Webull vs. Robinhood review, we’ll look at the details of... Read more »

Today’s investors have many options when it comes to online brokerages and investing apps. With so many choices, it can be hard to know which one is right for you. In this Webull vs. Public.com comparison, we’ll look at two of the most popular trading platforms. With commission-free trades and... Read more »

There are so many different investment apps and online brokerages available that it can be challenging to know which one is right for you. In this M1 Finance vs. Webull review, we’ll compare two popular apps that serve different purposes. While they have some similarities, M1 Finance and Webull have... Read more »

In the last ten years, we have seen significant changes in the way we as consumers choose to access and view our entertainment. Almost 25% of adults in the United States regularly use Netflix to stream TV shows and movies, and around 60% of 18-34-year-olds regularly stream shows or movies... Read more »