- VideoMichael Burry Trashes Index Funds – Are We Screwed?As a general rule, Mr. Money Mustache avoids reading the daily news and ignores the fluctuations of the stock market. And he advises you to do the same thing. The negative factors of wasting your time, diluting your precious brainpower, and creating undue stress by worrying about things outside of... Read more »
- How to Make a Thousand Bucks an HourIt’s Back to School time here in Colorado, which means both my son and I will be hanging up the swim shorts and kayak paddles and getting back to more serious business for a while. It has been a slow and endlessly sunny and leisurely summer, and a nice break... Read more »
- Should We Employ Our Own Kids? (and How Much to Pay Them)Way back in 2015, I had a nine year old boy. Even back then, I could see him showing some early flashes of adulthood and maturity, and it got me wondering about his future as it relates to money and freedom. So I wrote a post called What I’m Teaching My... Read more »
- VideoOur Shared Ongoing Battle To Not Buy A TeslaLike you, I am pretty much resigned to the fact that I’m going to have to buy a Tesla at some point. I can tell because I have read every last scrap of Tesla news and inadvertently memorized every last technical detail about the company and their cars and energy... Read more »
- VideoThe Real Benefit of Being RichThere have been a lot of big bills coming across my kitchen table recently. Property taxes, car registrations, income taxes, things for the school orchestra in which little MM plays the standup bass. Plus the usual credit card bills for all my spending on groceries and not-all-that-rare luxury indulgences. There’s... Read more »
Mr. Money Mustache
- ● Weekly FI Frugal Friday thread - September 20, 2019Please use this thread to discuss how amazingly cheap you are. How do you keep your costs low? How do become frugal without taking it to the extremes of frupidity? What costs have you realized could be cut from your life without pain? Use this weekly post to discuss Frugality... Read more »
- ● Daily FI discussion thread - September 20, 2019Please use this thread to have discussions which you don't feel warrant a new post to the sub. While the Rules for posting questions on the basics of personal finance/investing topics are relaxed a little bit here, the rules against memes/spam/self-promotion/excessive rudeness/politics still apply! Have a look at the FAQ... Read more »
- Madfientist Article about FI and (un)happinesshttps://www.madfientist.com/best-and-worst-about-fi I have long appreciated that the Madfientist has been willing to talk about the emotional and psychological aspects of FI, before and after achieving FIRE. In this article this sentence stood out to me especially strongly: "If you’re unhappy when you’re working and you blame your job for all... Read more »
- Calculator: Do you have too much in your Roth?Spreadsheet (make a copy to edit): https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1SVqxS--vUPC_TJQpEB0_mf4ERIU4gv5DACW36gOEOB8/edit?usp=sharing Lately there have been many posts about the dangers of putting too much in your Roth IRA (mostly through a Mega Backdoor, if that's an option). So I built a spreadsheet to calculate your withdrawals during retirement, which highlights (in bright red!)... Read more »
- Info/article on when 401k contribution becomes more tax advantaged than roth IRA?Is anyone aware of an article out there that does the math for when contributing to your roth IRA is no longer more tax advantaged than contributing to your 401k? I understand the idea behind it, I just can't actually do the math on my own to find the dollar... Read more »
financial independence / early retirement
- ● Highlander and the lattice work of mental models“You know at first, it may seem weird that there is this guy who mainly keeps to himself and wears a trench coat. But then you find out he carries around a concealed sword at all times because he is immortal and the only way he can die is if... Read more »
- Guest post: How I became financially independent by writing and selling websitesThis is the story of P_ who is pursuing passive income [assets] through websites/blogging. Blogging is often suggested [by bloggers] to be a good way to passive income. In terms of making money, blogging is easy and it’s hard. There’s no barrier of entry, which makes it easy, but on... Read more »
- Thoughts on blogging, popularity, and historyOne of my early writings on How I became financially independent in 5 years got “stumbled upon” a couple of days agoshortly after I started blogging and I got my 15 minutes of fame. Well, actually a few days of fame. I am fairly sure that the story above has... Read more »
- Early Retirement Extreme – My storyI rewrote my FI story (from age 24 to 34 or so) and the first part of the new version is guest posted on Eliminate the Muda! Early Retirement Extreme – Jacob’s Story Early Retirement Extreme – the rest of the story You can read the old version here: How... Read more »
- Does retiring early lead to a shorter lifespan?Not according to this graph, which shows an almost inverse correlation between retirement age and lifespan, that is, the sooner you retire, the longer you will live. The graph shows linearity going into earlier years. It is interesting how long that relation holds. This somehow contrasts with this study which... Read more »
Early Retirement Extreme
- An Unproductive lifeA couple of centuries ago some people were thinking the industrial revolution would lead to the end of toil and strife. Automation would bring shorter workdays, fewer work weeks, and an abundance of free time. Email would allow people to attend fewer meetings and spend more time outside the office.... Read more »
- Money is FungibleIn economics parlance they say money is fungible, meaning no dollar is unique or special and they are all fully interchangeable. A dollar is a dollar. I learned this concept early in life when I successfully paid for a GI Joe action figure entirely with pennies. Go Joe! But this is... Read more »
- Selling the Dream!Ladies and gentleman. Boys and girls. People of all ages, shapes, and sizes. Have I got an opportunity for you! Imagine… world travel, fine dining, never work again… all of this can be yours, and more! The path to riches beyond your wildest imagination is all contained in my early... Read more »
- Why Taipei?!“Jeremy…. you guys can literally be anywhere. I’ve been to Taipei several times for work, and, well… why did you choose to live, uh… there?” I like this question. Why Taipei?! I’ve been coming to Taipei for work and personal reasons for about 20 years now. I periodically monitored the... Read more »
- Summer PlansAdvertiser Disclosure: This site is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CardRatings.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Last Thursday was... Read more »
Go Curry Cracker!
- Why We Sold Our Fancy Car (the Acura NSX)The Acura NSX debuted when I was in high school way back in the 90s. It was my perfect car. I’ve always been a car guy and the NSX was: light simple: normally aspirated, no power steering great in the corners: its chassis was tuned by one of the best... Read more »
- August Performance Update (Day 2435): Pour Some Lifestyle Inflation On MeMy main goal* was to build an investment and cash portfolio of $1,120,000* in 1500 days**, starting from 1/1/2013 and ending in February of 2017. I made my goal in 2016, my 1500 Days are over, and I’ve left my job. In the interest of openness, I’ll continue to share my numbers. First and foremost, there... Read more »
- The Best Health InsuranceMy August Fitness Challenge is over. Today, I’ll tell you how I did, but first, something else… One of the biggest questions Americans have about early retirement is health insurance: Health insurance is expensive! My insurance is so great at work! What if I get sick? Early Retirement And Health... Read more »
- Ask The Readers: Your Why Of FI?I didn’t know what early retirement was until October of 2012. I had a very bad, no good, terrible day at work and googled something like: How do I retire early? Up came Mr. Money Mustache and JD Roth, two fellows who had retired early. My first thought was this:... Read more »
- Washington DC, FinCon, Planes, and Dinosaurs!Yeah, I still have to write the conclusion to my August Fitness Challenge. Last week was insane (I came thisclose to buying a house and then I didn’t), so I didn’t have time to write. I’ll fill you in on fitness and lost homes next week. I’m in Washington DC... Read more »
1500 Days to Freedom
- mp3Valuable Lessons from My Third Year of FreedomIt's been three years since I left my full-time job and this past year was the best one yet! Here's a short podcast episode with everything I learned. Read more → The post Valuable Lessons from My Third Year of Freedom appeared first on Mad Fientist.... Read more »
- Mortgage Payoff Experiment – Pay Off Mortgage Early or Invest?A real-life experiment that compares paying off a mortgage early versus investing the same amount of money in the markets! Read more → The post Mortgage Payoff Experiment – Pay Off Mortgage Early or Invest? appeared first on Mad Fientist.... Read more »
- mp3Ramit Sethi – I Will Teach You to be RichFor the first time, Ramit Sethi from I Will Teach You to be Rich shares his thoughts on FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early)! Read more → The post Ramit Sethi – I Will Teach You to be Rich appeared first on Mad Fientist.... Read more »
- VideoOnline Business ExperimentIn this new Mad Fientist experiment, I'm starting an online business from scratch and will be documenting the entire process! Read more → The post Online Business Experiment appeared first on Mad Fientist.... Read more »
- mp3Cal Newport – Deep Work, Digital Minimalism, and the Key to a Happy RetirementAuthor Cal Newport joins me on the podcast to discuss Deep Work, Digital Minimilism, and the important things you need to consider before retiring early! Read more → The post Cal Newport – Deep Work, Digital Minimalism, and the Key to a Happy Retirement appeared first on Mad Fientist.... Read more »
Mad Fientist
- Reader Case: Going Back To School In His 50’sUsually when I read an email from someone asking for a case study, I can usually tell where it’s going within the first paragraph or so. This one, however, I must admit I started getting more and more alarmed the more I read. Our reader has made some…let’s say…expensive mistakes... Read more »
- Are You a Good Fit for FIRE?“The saddest people are those who don’t know what they want” – Larry from the “Newness” movie. I don’t know how many of you have seen the movie “Newness” on Netflix. I’m guessing not many since it’s a movie about swingers (and no I’m not talking about dancers from the... Read more »
- Is FIRE a Cult?At every Chautauqua we always have a certain number of reluctant attendees which we affectionally call “Drag-Along Spouses.” We call them that because that’s precisely what they are: spouses of the FIRE enthusiast, who get dragged along, and are often deeply skeptical about spending an entire week with a bunch... Read more »
- Let’s Go Exploring! The Terrifying Love Story of Coimbra, PortugalI thought Romeo and Juliet was the most tragic love story I’d ever heard. But then we went to Coimbra, Portugal, and discovered the story of Pedro and Inês. In 1340, Prince Pedro was betrothed (aka “forcibly married”) to Princess Constance of Spain. Back then marriages were less about love... Read more »
- Is there a Recession Coming?The last few months have been spent in book promotion mode and as a result, we’ve been blissfully unaware of what’s been going on in the news, especially in the stock market. But just because I wasn’t paying attention doesn’t mean nothing was happening, because apparently… Global markets took a... Read more »
Millennial Revolution
- Making the Transition From Spender to Saver to Achieve Financial FreedomToday, I have an interview with Rob Berger of Retire Before Mom & Dad. I’ve gotten to know Rob through the blogging world over the past couple years. You may be familiar with Doughroller, the popular blog and podcast he started. He is now also deputy editor at Forbes. Rob... Read more »
- Because You Never KnowI spent the last week in Washington D.C. at FinCon, a conference for those who create digital content in the personal finance space. After long days, late nights, too much noise, and traveling cross country, I planned to take a week off from posting on the blog. Then I saw... Read more »
- Preparing for the Next RecessionA recession is coming. As long as the economy moves in cycles, a recession will always be coming. Right now there is more talk about a downturn than usual. You can’t pick up a newspaper or click on a financial site without finding some discussion of recession indicators and concerns.... Read more »
- August 2019 Best of the WebEach month we share the best resources we’ve found to help you save more, invest better, and retire sooner. Popular topics are building wealth, DIY investing, creating retirement income, managing risk, and limiting your tax burden to enable you to use your money to build the life you want. Early... Read more »
- Playing Offense in RetirementIn a comment responding to my recent post about making better decisions in the face of uncertainty, a reader wrote: “Life is inherently risky. To try and compensate for every contingency is irrational. We can “what if” ourselves right into a straight jacket! You retired early … you won!” As... Read more »
Can I Retire Yet?
- August 2019 Financial Update – Back to School EditionHere we are days away from the official start of fall. We are fully recovered from our eight week vacation in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand. After we landed in Raleigh, we were immediately busy with back to school shopping for supplies and clothes and several rounds of school orientations now... Read more »
- Vietnam: From Saigon High Rises to the Mekong DeltaWhat do you do when you save a bunch of money and retire at 33? Spend months at a time traveling the world of course! This summer we spent eight weeks exploring the temples, palaces, and waterways of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand in Southeast Asia. In today's article, we cover... Read more »
- July 2019 Financial Update – Exploring Cambodia and Thailand EditionThe Root of Good family just got back to the US after an eight week adventure in Southeast Asia. We spent the month of July split between Cambodia and Thailand. Now that we're rested up and mostly recovered from the jet lag, I wanted to take a break from life... Read more »
- June 2019 Financial Update – Exploring Vietnam EditionJune was an incredibly busy month for the Root of Good family. We spent the first half of the month at home in Raleigh wrapping up the school year for the kids. Then we relaxed for a few days before packing our bags for our big eight week summer vacation... Read more »
- Quit Like a MillionaireToday we have a guest post from Kristy from the blog Millennial Revolution. “Anyone can become FI with a 6-figure salary!” “Financially independent?! If you’re not American and privileged, forget it!” “Try to become FI if you are living on $30K a year while raising a family! HA!” These are... Read more »
Root of Good
- ● This Month On The Homestead: Vegetables, Turkeys, a Ground Hog, and Tractor MaintenanceAugust 2019 This series has been on hiatus the last few months because I’ve struggled with what to write. I am not a real homesteader. At least, not in the sense that folks expect when they hear the word “homesteader.” It evokes an antebellum existence of no electricity or running water,... Read more »
- Reader Suggestions On How To Fight the Pink Tax from Birth Control to BrasOh yes, we’re going there today. The “pink tax” refers to the fact that women often pay more for goods and services marketed to them. A 2018 study found that, “…women pay as much as 13 percent more for some categories of products (source: NPR).” Not cool, ladies, not cool... Read more »
- Property Tax And Other August 2019 ExpendituresAugust 2019 Every August, the tax gender neutral person cometh. We paid our annual property tax bill in full last month, which accounts for $8,634.29 of our August spending. This covers our 66 acre property, including the house and barn. And I have to say, while it’s a lot of money, it’s money... Read more »
- Reader Case Study: A Baby, A Freelancer, And A Marketing ManagerMary and John live in a coastal town in northern Massachusetts with their one-year-old daughter. Mary wants a more flexible career that would allow her to spend more time with their daughter. John recently transitioned to freelancing and the couple is trying to figure out how to account for his... Read more »
- How I’m Learning To Love My Body, Find A Middle Ground, And Buy Clothes Without RegretI was pregnant or breastfeeding for four years. Starting in March 2015, when I got pregnant with Kidwoods, straight through to April 2019, when I weaned a 14-month-old Littlewoods. There was a one-month hiatus in 2017 after I weaned Kidwoods and before I got pregnant with Littlewoods. Other than that,... Read more »
Frugalwoods
- A Guided Meditation for When the Stock Market Is DroppingThe market is plunging. You’re starting to panic. You want to hit the “sell” button! DON’T! Tune into this relaxing meditation, and let the soothing voice of JL Collins help you embrace this wonderful market cycle. ************************ A few weeks ago I was at Ettington Park, Stratford-upon-Avon enjoying Chautauqua. ... Read more »
- 7 Days in Heaven: or Why Slowing Down Will Get You There SoonerEttington Park, Stratford upon Avon, UK: Our venue for Chautauqua XII, 2019 Photo by JT Olmstead Last week we wrapped up Chautauqua XII, returning once again the the United Kingdom and one of our very favorite venues. The chapel on this property was under construction in the 12th century, fitting... Read more »
- Quit Like a MillionaireMy pals, Kristy and Bryce, just released their new book, Quit Like a Millionaire. Want to know what I think? Well, they asked me to write the Foreword and here it is: *************************************************************** Foreword by JL... Read more »
- Stocks — Part XXXV: Investing for Seven GenerationsAs I have mentioned many times, we don’t discuss secret stuff at Chautauqua. There is no “special sauce” revealed for investing or life not available here on the blog or in my book. But we do kick around ideas and I sometimes explore concepts rattling around in my brain with... Read more »
- Chautauqua 2019 – UK & Portugal – Tickets Now AvailableFirst… OK, I’m just going to come out and say it. If you want to join us for Chautauqua 2019 stop reading and go directly here to sign up: Chautauqua UK & Portugal, 2019 Do it now. The advance interest we’ve had this year has been like no other. Chautauquas... Read more »
jlcollinsnh
- Another Look At Inflation In Chiang Mai, ThailandI wrote an article back in January 2018 that discussed why I no longer worry about inflation. My thesis broke down the important difference between relative and absolute changes in one’s expenses over time. While a lot of people only look at inflation in relative terms, they should be looking... Read more »
- Expenses For August 2019Time to open up the books on how much money I spent last month. Managing expenses is absolutely critical to becoming financial independent at a young age. In fact, I’d argue it’s much more important to be an excellent saver than an excellent investor in this regard. And in order to save, you must... Read more »
- Undervalued Dividend Growth Stock Of The WeekEvery 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 »
- Is Mainstream Media Trying To Keep You Poor?Since I’ve made the conscious decision to choose knowledge over news, my quality of life has been drastically improved. I’m no longer constantly exposed to fear mongering, misleading narratives, opinions disguised as facts, and negativity. Instead, I’m able to spend much more time and energy on bettering myself. There’s not... Read more »
- Dividend Income Update For August 2019Ahh, dividends. Even just hearing that word conjures up all kinds of warm and fuzzy feelings for me. I remember playing the board game Monopoly as a kid. My favorite Chance card was the one where Mr. Monopoly (or Rich Uncle Pennybags) collected his bank dividend of $50. I thought that was so... Read more »
Mr. Free At 33
- $20 Million “Change the World” GiveawayBoth debt buying hedge funds I managed did well; the first significantly better than the second. More important than the money was the experience I gained. I know the intimate details of buying, selling and collecting debt. And I have contacts. When I ran across the John Oliver video I... Read more »
- Frugal Exotic DiningIt is easy to get spoiled living in the backwoods of Nowhere, Wisconsin. Cool, crisp mornings and fresh food straight from the garden. Food we don't grow ourselves is frequently purchased from neighbors who do grow it. As you can imagine, the cheap quality fast food peddled in urban areas... Read more »
- Financial Horror StoriesIt is temping to think you know more than you do when your stash grows. Success gives the illusion of intelligence. When the crisis arrives the illusion evaporates. Please, kind readers, use common sense. If you don't fully understand the concept and the financials then take a pass. Better to... Read more »
- Your New Mission: Plan For the FutureAlthough you’re no longer on active duty, it’s still your duty to take care of yourself and to protect your family's financial future. You can do this by paying close attention to your benefits. Some, such as a VA loan, can help you save money. Others, like VA funeral reimbursement,... Read more »
- The Fleecing of the FIRE CommunityThe willingness of so many to embrace this concept without serious thought made me nervous. The only relevance we got from the developer was, "They are doing it in Europe with great success." And since we are in Florida, I have some land I'd like to sell you, too. One... Read more »
The Wealthy Accountant
- New Life Rhythms, A Delayed Reckoning and Being Okay with Blogging LessI'm gradually moving toward a less frequent blogging schedule, driven largely by the evolving way I'm viewing and experiencing life in early retirement. This second year of early retirement has been a lot different from the first, and as I learn and evolve more, I'm discovering new ways of approaching... Read more »
- Don’t Let Life Get Too Easy in Early RetirementIn early retirement, we have the opportunity to make life easy, maybe too easy. And while that may sound great (no commute! no travel at the most crowded times!), a life that's too easy is actually bad for us. Let's dig into why that is and what we should all... Read more »
- Decide For Yourself What Spending You Value, and Then Spend Without GuiltIf you're on the journey to a work optional life, or you're already retired, you have probably spent some time pondering what you truly value most, and what doesn't add value to your life. But do you spend accordingly, and -- importantly -- without guilt? If not, this post is... Read more »
- Separating Work and Money, and the Gift of Your True MotivationsSince I've been early retired, I've worked much more than I ever expected, but I also earned little to nothing from that work, by design. And separating work from the money -- and hustling for reasons other than financial gain -- have taught me several huge lessons. Let's dig into... Read more »
- The Transition to Retirement: Knowing Yourself and Getting to Know Yourself (by Mark!)Today's post is by Mark, his second ever here on the blog, and it's such a good one. He's sharing some insight into his transition into early retirement, which has been different from mine in several ways, and the big lessons he's taken from that, namely the importance of knowing... Read more »
Our Next Life
- Video● Retire Early With Real EstateToday, I’m sharing my review of “Coach” Chad Carson’s first book on how to retire early with real estate as the primary investment vehicle. It is primarily a how-to book, but also serves as a bit of a memoir, as it echoes what he has done in his life. He... Read more »
- Real Estate Start School is Open! Reach FI with Real Estate Investing.A review and overview of "Coach" Chad Carson's book, Retire Early with Real Estate, and the author's signature course, Real Estate Start School... Read more »
- 5 Things You Can Do Today to Become Financially IndependentYou want to become financially independent. Who wouldn’t? Financial independence (FI) is a life status everyone should strive to achieve, no matter how content one might be with their present lives at work and at home. The freedom to live life without the constraints of paycheck-dependence is a pinnacle I’d... Read more »
- The Sunday Best (9/15/2019)The Sunday Best is a collection of articles I’ve curated from the furthest reaches of the internet for your reading pleasure. Every week, I scan hundreds of headlines, read dozens of posts, and bring you the best of the best to save you time and mental energy. Financial Independence (FI)... Read more »
- Maximize Your Dead Time For a New Approach To LifeWhen I have dead time, also known as downtime in my life, I tend to turn to my phone. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram… sometimes I just pop bubbles or fling angry birds at piggies. I realize that’s probably not the best use of my time, but I haven’t put much thought... Read more »
Physician on FIRE
- How I’m fighting chronic depression and anxietyHello, friends! I have four money articles in progress, plus I'm editing several guest posts for future publication. But today I want to give a brief update on my mental health. My depression and anxiety have been tough this year but it feels like I've turned a corner, and I... Read more »
- Does the world of personal finance need more politics?Note: I've added a short addendum to this piece in an attempt to clarify some things. This may or may not have helped. Earlier this week at The Washington Post, Helaine Olen wrote that the world of personal finance needs more politics. Olen specifically calls out FinCon, the financial media... Read more »
- FinCon 2019 and the future of Get Rich SlowlyAfter twenty-four days on the road, I'm back home in Portland. It feels good. In mid-August, Kim and I flew to Italy. For the first week, we visited Florence and Rome on our own. We rode trains, drank wine, toured museums, ate gelato, and explored ancient Roman ruins. We also... Read more »
- The flywheel of wealth (and the importance of patience)His name is Dave. A retired Naval officer, he’s written two novels and about to publish his third. His books (thrillers in the style of Dan Brown and John Grisham) have been well received and even won awards, yet he’s still a relative unknown in the competitive world of fiction.... Read more »
- How to make money fast: Quick ways to earn money in 2019Let’s face it. Most of us, at one point or another, have been faced with a financial emergency, or a plain, old-fashioned cash crunch. It’s definitely not a fun spot to be in. While there are steps we can take to avoid such situations (more on that later), that’s often... Read more »
Get Rich Slowly
- A Weekend of YesI met a pretty cool guy at a ChooseFI LA meetup a few years ago. His name is Joel and he is one of the most upbeat, happy go lucky people I’ve ever met. I’ve gotten to know him better over the last few years and am pretty happy to... Read more »
- FinCon 2019 and the FutureThis year was the fourth straight year I’ve had the pleasure of attending FinCon. For those of you who don’t know what FinCon is (like my former coworker who asked “WTH is a FinCon??”), it’s a conference for content creators who talk about money. The tagline is “where money and... Read more »
- What’s in a Job?2019 has been an interesting year for me job-wise. I started the year at one company, left after 6 months for another company, and am now getting seriously recruited for yet another company after only 3 months! There are a few different factors in play I’m going to talk about.... Read more »
- The Best Places to Source Used StuffNow that I Have A Place Of My Very Own (yes that was absolutely necessary), I have discovered I’m missing some household essentials. The stuff I didn’t have ran the gamut from kitchen utensils to furniture to cleaning supplies. Is it possible to have a place of your own without... Read more »
- Monthly Status Report: July 2019Disclaimer: some links may be affiliate links. They help offset the cost of keeping this blog running! Why do I do a monthly status report? I find it best to do a monthly status report for a few reasons. It helps me evaluate how I did the previous month. Did I hit a target reduction in spending or did... Read more »
Fiery Millennials
- A Weekend of YesI met a pretty cool guy at a ChooseFI LA meetup a few years ago. His name is Joel and he is one of the most upbeat, happy go lucky people I’ve ever met. I’ve gotten to know him better over the last few years and am pretty happy to... Read more »
- FinCon 2019 and the FutureThis year was the fourth straight year I’ve had the pleasure of attending FinCon. For those of you who don’t know what FinCon is (like my former coworker who asked “WTH is a FinCon??”), it’s a conference for content creators who talk about money. The tagline is “where money and... Read more »
- What’s in a Job?2019 has been an interesting year for me job-wise. I started the year at one company, left after 6 months for another company, and am now getting seriously recruited for yet another company after only 3 months! There are a few different factors in play I’m going to talk about.... Read more »
- The Best Places to Source Used StuffNow that I Have A Place Of My Very Own (yes that was absolutely necessary), I have discovered I’m missing some household essentials. The stuff I didn’t have ran the gamut from kitchen utensils to furniture to cleaning supplies. Is it possible to have a place of your own without... Read more »
- Monthly Status Report: July 2019Disclaimer: some links may be affiliate links. They help offset the cost of keeping this blog running! Why do I do a monthly status report? I find it best to do a monthly status report for a few reasons. It helps me evaluate how I did the previous month. Did I hit a target reduction in spending or did... Read more »
Fiery Millennials
- ● ERE Journals • Re: Lemur Journal!Declined to lecture this course again. Since it is a 'voluntary' function and I let them know about 3 weeks ahead of time, I'm sure they can find someone else. Worst case scenario they ask why and get slightly irritated ...but hey sometimes throwing a monkey wrench gets your voice... Read more »
- ● ERE Journals • Re: wolf's journalThank you Bankai! Is a full time job compatible with renaissance man ideals/lifestyle? Well, I guess it depends of the job role and job circumstances.I can imagine myself working full time in a generalist job/role, then yes, I think so. And if I change my employer or the sector I'm... Read more »
- ● Health Questions • Re: Exercise/Fitness LogSorry to hear about your foot. Who did you kick?Most bike shops sell gender specific padded underwear. Wear them under any short or skirt. They're way cheaper than regular cycling shorts.Statistics: Posted by Ego — Fri Sep 20, 2019 8:25 am... Read more »
- ● Money Questions • Re: Dealing with Investor Emotions: Anxiety Induced HyperactivityA friend of mine had some really good advice. He’s a master stock trader and happens to be a very good electrical engineer and computer scientist. He used to say if you hit compile and your code compiles and you don’t get any error messages you’re not pushing things hard... Read more »
- ● ERE Journals • Re: Generation-X' JournalWill be looking for a minor correction in gold for long calls.For the 4th straight day, the Fed is going inject billions of dollars into the repo market so the international banking system does not seize up. They don’t have to “print” the money. Only a few keyboard strokes and... Read more »
Early Retirement Extreme Forums (est. 2010)
- Zig When Markets ZagThis has been the year of fulfilling the “wouldn’t it be nice if one day…..” list. We have compiled a long list of those over the years. “Wouldn’t it be nice if we could go skiing on great powder days?” Or “Wouldn’t it be nice if we took a little... Read more »
- The FIRE-y Life with Mr. 1500Jillian asked me to do this interview almost two years ago. Then life got busy. Then, it got busier. I kept on telling her I’d complete it in two weeks. And then I wouldn’t. Instead of producing the post, I’d produce more excuses. I suck. However, I do keep my... Read more »
montanamoneyadventures.com
- Tiny Privileges from Buying in BulkI went to Target this weekend for some last minute shopping for our upcoming trip to Europe with Baby AF. It was our third trip to Target, recently, because no matter how many lists I make there's always something I think of later.The worst part is that, thanks to an... Read more »
- Trust Fund Baby AF?There's a certain amount of pride that I feel, being the son of an immigrant. I like that part of my personal history; after the divorce, I was raised by a Filipino woman. She taught me lessons borne out of her life of poverty, in another country, in a culture... Read more »
- Baby AF Goes to EuropeAfter a two year haitus while Mrs. Done by Forty was pregnant and, then, while she was somehow finishing her PhD dissertation and dealing with all the stresses of Baby AF's first year of life, we are finally taking another international trip next month. And this time, Baby AF is... Read more »
- America's Dumb Approach to ChildcareMrs. Done by Forty was offered a new position recently, which means in addition to enjoying the ridiculously unfair tax benefits and the joy that comes from being a two income household, we'll also get to experience what it's like to pay for full time childcare for Baby AF.We got recommendations on... Read more »
- VideoTwo Years Out: Are We on Track for Financial Independence?Today's my birthday. I turn thirty nine, one away from the big year where I leave my thirties, turn forty, and run against the number I foolishly set as my goal for reaching financial independence. Astute readers will note that I'm only one year from turning forty, and wonder why... Read more »
Done by Forty
- The Pension Series (Part 20): Pensions, Volatility, and RiskWhen should a participant in a pension plan pay attention to market volatility? The post The Pension Series (Part 20): Pensions, Volatility, and Risk appeared first on grumpusmaximus.com.... Read more »
- The Pension Series (Part 19): Pension Annuity vs. Lump Sum Analysis (Again)This Never Gets Old I’m not feeling particularly creative or productive this weekend. The last two weeks flew by in a blur due to work, which means no work on retirement paperwork. Strangely, though, I found both the time and mental clarity to help a reader analyze his pension lump... Read more »
- Guest Post: Worth vs. “Worth It” Meets Value PurchasingFrequent guest writer, Chris Pascale, explains value purchasing, and some of the purchases he's made over the years that he considers "worth it". The post Guest Post: Worth vs. “Worth It” Meets Value Purchasing appeared first on grumpusmaximus.com.... Read more »
- Pre-Retirement and Mental HealthEveryone Take Note May is Mental Health Awareness month in the United States. I make no secret on this blog that I struggle with depression and anxiety linked to Post Traumatic Stress (PTS). Just the opposite, I shine a light on those issues and their interplay with my pensionable career... Read more »
- The Military Retirement Process: Lessons Learned (Part 1)For the Military Members in the Audience When I first announced that I was officially retiring in 2019 via the blog and my Facebook group, the response was overwhelmingly positive. Amidst all those positive responses, Timika Downes, a fellow Financial Independence (FI) blogger, reservist, and FB group member asked me to... Read more »
grumpusmaximus.com
- ● A Peek Inside Amanda’s Money Notebooks!A Peek Inside Amanda’s Money Notebooks! Another day, another person’s money to snoop around in! Haha… And this time along with some nifty MONEY NOTEBOOKS! The budgeting method of choice from our featured reader today – Amanda – which I just love for a number of reasons. First, anytime you... Read more »
- Should have listened to dad…Should have listened to dad… Saw a funny message yesterday that brought back some memories 😉 HAHA… yup! Sounds about right! Cars were right up there along with beers and girls for me and my friends too in the post high school years 😉 Who wanted to SAVE their money???!... Read more »
- #OverHeard at the Coffee Shop – Volume VI#OverHeard at the Coffee Shop – Volume VI What up what up! Been asked a lot about when our next #Overheard installment will be dropping, and while I haven’t stockpiled *too* many convos lately, I suppose we have enough to have some fun today 😉 So please to enjoy: things... Read more »
- What do you need more of in your life right now? [poll]What do you need more of in your life right now? [poll] Every now and then I like to randomly poll people on Twitter. Here was the latest one I pasted up purely out of curiosity 🙂 I assumed “money” would hit the top ring there, but nope! It was... Read more »
- Meet Miguel – an Immigrant Who Became a Multi-Millionaire Without Any Help or MoneyMeet Miguel – an Immigrant Who Became a Multi-Millionaire Without Any Help or Money Good morning!! Was talking back and forth with a reader of the blog here, and the more we got into it the more I realized just how powerful his story is. Most of us have come... Read more »
Budgets Are Sexy
- mp3● 145R | StuckA discussion of what to do with a windfall, a review of turnkey real estate investing, and a meditation for stock market investors when the market is falling. For more information, visit the show notes at https://ChooseFI.com/145R... Read more »
- mp3145 | Turnkey Real Estate Investing and How to Build a Team With Paula PantPaula Pant of Afford Anything returns to dive deeper into real estate investing. In this second conversation, Paula covers turnkey, deal syndication, and building a team. For more information, visit the show notes at https://ChooseFI.com/145... Read more »
- mp3144R | Guard Rails and Dumpster FiresA recap from Jonathan and Brad's visit to FinCon, FI Military, YNAB, and "what if my finances are like a dumpster fire?". For more information, visit the show notes at https://ChooseFI.com/144r... Read more »
- mp3144 | Junior Achievement: 100 Years Of Financial Education With Crystal Law And Laura GoodmanCrystal Law, Director of Financial Literacy Experiences, and Laura Goodman, VP of Volunteer Engagement join us to discuss Junior Achievement. For more information, visit the show notes at https://choosefi.com/144... Read more »
- mp3143R | Is This the Top?As most have probably seen, the news is calling for a recession soon. Specifically, Peter Schiff, a prominent economist, is warning of an impending financial disaster. However, this market volatility is nothing new. Join us today as we talk about Market Volatility, going Beyond FI, and Andrew Luck Embraces FI?... Read more »
ChooseFI
- Military Space Available Travel: Tips for Flying Space-A The Navy WaySpace A travel is one of our favorite retiree benefits! It’s the military version of ultimate travel hacking. Although most of the system is run by the Air Force’s Air Mobility Command, the Navy has a few of its own Space A passenger terminals. When you know how to use... Read more »
- Reader Interview: Planning For The Military Transition[Today’s military transition advice is brought to you by servicemember Annabel Monroe of Monroe Brothers Investments. If you’re interested in contributing your interview at The-Military-Guide.com, please see our posting guidelines.] What influenced your decision to join the military, and what’s your transition plan to leave active duty? I always... Read more »
- VA Loan Certificate of Eligibility – Why You Need it and How to Get OneVA Loan Certificates of Eligibility have made it possible for thousands of veterans to take advantage of VA Loans to make their dreams of owning a home a reality. Buying a home can be an expensive and complicated process. So, anything that makes the home buying process easier and more... Read more »
- VA Loan Property Types – Which Type of Home Can You Buy with a VA LoanVA Loans are an excellent way for U.S. military members, veterans, and their families to buy a home. VA Loans feature many benefits, including being easier to qualify for than a comparable conventional loan, as well as offering the ability to finance 100% of the home purchase. Once you have... Read more »
- From The Mail Buoy: Staying For 20 And Hacking The High Cost Of Living in HawaiiA reader writes: “Nords, I’m an avid reader of your website and love your Reddit replies. I’m active duty with 14 years of service. I’m saving a considerable amount of my paycheck and investing in dividend growth stocks with a portfolio that yields about 3.5%. I can retire at 20... Read more »
Military Guide
- Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa RenewalSpain can get under your skin. In the course of living here for the full first year of our non-lucrative visa, we’ve come to love our home, our city, Spanish food and culture, and most of all, the close friends… The post Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa Renewal appeared first on The... Read more »
- Surgery in Thailand: Bumrungrad International HospitalI seek treatment at Bumrungrad International Hospital for a growth in my chest. How did it go? Was it cost effective to travel to Thailand for medical care? The post Surgery in Thailand: Bumrungrad International Hospital appeared first on The Frugal Vagabond.... Read more »
- Semi-FIRE Abroad: Ordinary Days, Extraordinary LifeWe've been living here in Spain for about four months now, so how is it going? Is it everything we'd hoped for? What do we miss most (and what do we not miss at all)? Just what are we doing with all that spare time? The post Semi-FIRE Abroad: Ordinary... Read more »
- Obtaining Your Spanish Residency Card (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero)How to get your Spanish Residency Card (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) once you've arrived in Spain. You got your residence visa, now it's time to seal the deal! The post Obtaining Your Spanish Residency Card (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) appeared first on The Frugal Vagabond.... Read more »
- How to Get a Spanish Non-Lucrative Residence VisaHow we were able to live abroad, and how you can too! How to get a Spanish Non-Lucrative Residence Visa and live legally in Spain for a year or more! The post How to Get a Spanish Non-Lucrative Residence Visa appeared first on The Frugal Vagabond.... Read more »
The Frugal Vagabond
- Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa RenewalSpain can get under your skin. In the course of living here for the full first year of our non-lucrative visa, we’ve come to love our home, our city, Spanish food and culture, and most of all, the close friends… The post Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa Renewal appeared first on The... Read more »
- Surgery in Thailand: Bumrungrad International HospitalI seek treatment at Bumrungrad International Hospital for a growth in my chest. How did it go? Was it cost effective to travel to Thailand for medical care? The post Surgery in Thailand: Bumrungrad International Hospital appeared first on The Frugal Vagabond.... Read more »
- Semi-FIRE Abroad: Ordinary Days, Extraordinary LifeWe've been living here in Spain for about four months now, so how is it going? Is it everything we'd hoped for? What do we miss most (and what do we not miss at all)? Just what are we doing with all that spare time? The post Semi-FIRE Abroad: Ordinary... Read more »
- Obtaining Your Spanish Residency Card (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero)How to get your Spanish Residency Card (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) once you've arrived in Spain. You got your residence visa, now it's time to seal the deal! The post Obtaining Your Spanish Residency Card (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) appeared first on The Frugal Vagabond.... Read more »
- How to Get a Spanish Non-Lucrative Residence VisaHow we were able to live abroad, and how you can too! How to get a Spanish Non-Lucrative Residence Visa and live legally in Spain for a year or more! The post How to Get a Spanish Non-Lucrative Residence Visa appeared first on The Frugal Vagabond.... Read more »
The Frugal Vagabond
- mp3Ask Coach - How Do Real Estate Wholesalers Get PaidEpisode #69 - Have you ever wondered how wholesalers get paid? If you're not familiar with wholesalers, they are investors who find good deals and quickly resell them to landlords or flippers. In this episode, Chad explains the actual transactions and ways wholesalers make their money. Whether you'll be... Read more »
- mp3Buying & Profiting From Wholesale Flips at 24-Years-OldEpisode #68 - This is an interview with a 24-year-old, Julian Colvard, who began finding real estate deals soon after graduating from college. Julian shares the networking, learning, and action steps he's taken to quickly get off the ground as a new real estate wholesaler. Whether you are a new... Read more »
- mp3Ask Coach - What Are the Most Important Criteria For Screening TenantsEpisode #67 - Proper tenant screening is one of THE most important steps as a rental property owner. But what are the most important tenant screening criteria? In this Ask Coach episode, Chad shares the top 3 criteria he uses in his business and why he chose them. ... Read more »
- mp3How a 27-Year-Old Bought His First Property (After 23 Showings & 11 Offers!In this episode Coach Carson interviews Michael Nguyen, a 27-year-old new investor from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After taking Chad's course Real Estate Start School, he diligently applied the lessons and persisted through 23 showings and 11 offers (!) before finally purchasing his first property. You'll hear all the details in the interview.... Read more »
- mp3ASK COACH - What Interest Rate Should I Pay For Private MoneyEpisode #65 - What interest rate should you pay for private money as a real estate investor? 10%? 6%? What is reasonable? In this Ask Coach episode, Chad shares what effects the interest rate you pay. And he also shares his own experience from borrowing a lot of private... Read more »
Real Estate & Financial Independence Podcast
- Active Versus Passive Investing Performance In Equities And Fixed IncomeOne of the reasons why I left institutional equities in 2012 was because I felt it was a dying business. Not only were trading commissions getting squeezed due to algorithmic trading and other technological advancements, assets under management (AUM) for active money managers was also declining due to poor performance.... Read more »
- What Income Level Is Considered Rich?Obama considered single people making over $200,000 to be rich. He specifically called for raising taxes on singles making over $200,000 and couples making $250,000 every year he was in office. At the end of 2012, there was a compromise in Congress for raising income taxes for those making $400,000/$450,000... Read more »
- The Difficulties Of Relationship Pricing When Refinancing A MortgageMy latest mortgage refinance based on relationship pricing was one of the most frustrating refinance experiences ever. As part of the agreement to get the best mortgage rate possible at the time, I decided to transfer $1 million in assets to my new mortgage lender. The assets consisted of a... Read more »
- Why I’ll Always Regret Selling My Online Business For Millions Of DollarsDuring my exploration process of selling Financial Samurai, I consulted with a friend who sold his website for $2.8 million some years ago. He offered to share what transpired, what he would have done differently, and why he wished he would have held on. The numbers and timing have been... Read more »
- A Buy Signal For Stocks? S&P 500 Yield > 10-Year Bond YieldThe reason why I prefer owning real estate and starting a business is that I can do things to help improve my chances that the assets will perform. With Financial Samurai, there’s a strong correlation between the number of articles written and the amount of traffic the site receives. I... Read more »
Financial Samurai
- mp3#215: Financial Independence in Seven Stages, with Joshua Sheats[smart_track_player url="http://traffic.libsyn.com/paulaandjaymoney/AA215_Sabbatical_Joshua_Sheats.mp3" title="Financial Independence in Seven Stages, with Joshua Sheats" 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" ] We are really digging into the archives with today's episode. This originally aired back in 2016! Besides being another fun and fascinating interview, this is one of our most popular... Read more »
- mp3#214: The Tables Have Turned – My Interview on ChooseFI[smart_track_player url="http://traffic.libsyn.com/paulaandjaymoney/AA214.mp3" title="The Tables Have Turned - my Interview on ChooseFI" 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" ] It’s September! If you’ve been listening to the show for the past few months, then you know that I’m on what I’ve dubbed my September Sabbatical, in which... Read more »
- mp3#213: Nine Lessons from a Millionaire Teacher, with Andrew Hallam[smart_track_player url="http://traffic.libsyn.com/paulaandjaymoney/AA213.mp3" title="Nine Lessons from a Millionaire Teacher, 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" ] It’s September! If you’ve been listening to the show for the past few months, then you know that I’m on what I’ve dubbed my September Sabbatical, in which... Read more »
- mp3#212: How Andrew Hallam Became a Millionaire on a Teacher’s Salary[smart_track_player url="http://traffic.libsyn.com/paulaandjaymoney/AA212_SABBATICAL_Andrew_Hallam_pt1.mp3" title="How Andrew Hallam Became a Millionaire on a Teacher's Salary" 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" ] It’s September!! If you’ve been listening to the show for the past few months, then you know that I’m on what I’ve dubbed my September Sabbatical, in... Read more »
- mp3#211: What’s Your Why? Financial Independence, Debt Freedom and More[smart_track_player url="http://traffic.libsyn.com/paulaandjaymoney/AA211.mp3" title="What’s Your Why? Financial Independence, Debt Freedom and More" 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" ] Hey there! I’m writing this from Croatia, where I’m beginning five weeks of travel that I’m calling my September Sabbatical. From now through September 23rd, I’ll be exploring... Read more »
Afford Anything
- 353: Small Blog, Big Income: Recurring Revenue from a Low-Traffic SiteNote: Click here to download Carol’s top tips for starting and growing a paid membership community from this episode. A small blog doesn’t have to mean a small income. By helping a specific group of people solve their problems, Carol Tice has attracted more than 1500 members — at $25... Read more »
- Words to Live By: 139 Life Lessons QuotesI recently shared 37 things I’ve learned in my 37 years, and invited Side Hustle Nation to share their own life lessons. This post is a compilation of the “words to live by” responses I received, broken down into several broad categories. Enjoy!... Read more »
- 37 Things I Have Learned in My 37 YearsI wish I was half as smart now as I was at 16! But learning everything you don't know is part of the process. One thing I love about my work is I feel like I learn new things every day. Sometimes they're small little tweaks and hacks, and other... Read more »
- 351: Thrifting for Profit: How I Made $270k in Sales Reselling Vintage ItemsWhat's the fastest way to multiply money? It might be reselling. That is, buy low, sell high, repeat. Keely Stawicki started reselling when she was just 12 years old, flipping a horse saddle on Craigslist and making $100 profit. Fast forward 15 years--and more than $270,000 in sales--and reselling is... Read more »
- 350: Is Real Estate Your Next Income Stream? Rental Property Q & ABuy a house. Rent it out. Tenants pay it off for you. It’s possibly one of the oldest side hustles in the books, right? Done right, owning rental properties can be an attractive long-term income and wealth-building strategy. But done wrong, it can be a recipe for headaches and a... Read more »
Side Hustle Nation
- 353: Small Blog, Big Income: Recurring Revenue from a Low-Traffic SiteNote: Click here to download Carol’s top tips for starting and growing a paid membership community from this episode. A small blog doesn’t have to mean a small income. By helping a specific group of people solve their problems, Carol Tice has attracted more than 1500 members — at $25... Read more »
- Words to Live By: 139 Life Lessons QuotesI recently shared 37 things I’ve learned in my 37 years, and invited Side Hustle Nation to share their own life lessons. This post is a compilation of the “words to live by” responses I received, broken down into several broad categories. Enjoy!... Read more »
- 37 Things I Have Learned in My 37 YearsI wish I was half as smart now as I was at 16! But learning everything you don't know is part of the process. One thing I love about my work is I feel like I learn new things every day. Sometimes they're small little tweaks and hacks, and other... Read more »
- 351: Thrifting for Profit: How I Made $270k in Sales Reselling Vintage ItemsWhat's the fastest way to multiply money? It might be reselling. That is, buy low, sell high, repeat. Keely Stawicki started reselling when she was just 12 years old, flipping a horse saddle on Craigslist and making $100 profit. Fast forward 15 years--and more than $270,000 in sales--and reselling is... Read more »
- 350: Is Real Estate Your Next Income Stream? Rental Property Q & ABuy a house. Rent it out. Tenants pay it off for you. It’s possibly one of the oldest side hustles in the books, right? Done right, owning rental properties can be an attractive long-term income and wealth-building strategy. But done wrong, it can be a recipe for headaches and a... Read more »
Side Hustle Nation
- ● Millionaires In America And The Richest Person In Each StateMillionaire. Being one still has a certain aura about it. A million of anything is a lot for sure, but it’s not what it used to be. I vividly remember my science teacher in middle school running a simple... The post Millionaires In America And The Richest Person In... Read more »
- Forgiveness And Moving OnYears ago I found myself in a remote part of Costa Rica. Drake Bay on the Pacific Coast is a beautiful paradise of lush jungles and slow tropical life, with world class scuba diving. I had just gone through a... The post Forgiveness And Moving On appeared first on Accidental... Read more »
- Welcome To The FUCT MovementProponents and champions of the financial movement called “FUCT” which stands for “Financially Uneducated Complete Trainwreck” held their first conference recently, called FUCTCON. The FUCT movement has been around for a while but has seen massive growth in recent years. ... The post Welcome To The FUCT Movement appeared first on... Read more »
- How I Got The Government To Give Me 60,000 Southwest PointsAs a financially independent semi-retired blogger, you probably assume I’m also an ace travel hacker. By all appearances most in the FI blogosphere seem to be. Well, you’d be wrong. I’ve had a great rewards credit card for many years... The post How I Got The Government To Give Me... Read more »
- If Thomas Jefferson Had An SEO-Focused Financial BlogSubscribe To New Posts Here! The post If Thomas Jefferson Had An SEO-Focused Financial Blog appeared first on Accidental Fire.... Read more »
Accidental Fire
- California’s AB 5 is about benefits, not wages or unionsBecome a Patron!I’ve been following with interest the development and passage of AB 5, California’s attempt to end the misclassification of employees, especially at app-based and platform companies including household names like Uber and Lyft.What I found is that there’s a high degree of confusion surrounding the need for the... Read more »
- Job protection, wage insurance, and universal benefitsBecome a Patron!As readers may have observed, I’ve been doing a lot of research lately on paid family and medical leave policies around the country, and I’ve found myself frustrated by the way several different ideas are confusingly and unnecessarily combined. Today I want to spell out the relevant issues,... Read more »
- How the Republican tax heist surgically targeted businesses in progressive statesBecome a Patron!This post gets pretty deep in the weeds, but it’s an issue that was brought to my attention by someone who works on family and medical leave policy and I was shocked to discover that it may disqualify certain employers from claiming the temporary paid family and medical... Read more »
- Are there 529 plans so bad they aren’t worth their state’s income tax benefits?Become a Patron!A lot of financial planning and advice can start to seem pretty routine over time: maximize contributions to tax-advantaged savings vehicles, invest in a basket of diversified, low-cost assets, and periodically (but not too often!) rebalance.I’m always interested in identifying places where that kind of routine advice breaks... Read more »
- Why workers should fight for entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship, tooBecome a Patron!Even though this blog is committed to promoting entrepreneurship, I often say I don’t think everyone should become an entrepreneur, for the fundamental reason that not everyone wants to become an entrepreneur. Plenty of people want to go to work, do their job as well as they can... Read more »
Independently Financed
- Guest Post at Physician on FIREIf you haven’t already seen it, Physician on FIRE is a blog about achieving financial independence while working in the medical field. Even though the blog is focused on challenges facing physicians, the financial aspects are still the same. Work toward … Continue reading → The post Guest Post at Physician... Read more »
- How Much Can a Greenhouse Extend the Growing Season?Last year I designed and built a hoop house for around $650 in materials. I didn’t want to waste money heating the thing, so the plan was to keep it passive. Since I never worked with an unheated greenhouse before, … Continue reading → The post How Much Can a... Read more »
- Should I Pay Off My Mortgage?Having a paid off house has always been a goal. Living mortgage-free sounds awesome, but it can also put the brakes on financial growth. Any money put toward home equity is robbing investment accounts of hard working capital. After years … Continue reading → The post Should I Pay Off... Read more »
- How to Get Started Hunting MushroomsI love hiking in the shade of the woods, racing to the top of a mountain to take in a satisfying view. Lately however, I’m less interested in flying up rocks and roots to see the world from afar. I’ve … Continue reading → The post How to Get Started... Read more »
- Reflecting on Two Years of Early RetirementFor years, I spent my days waking up early and rushing to wash, dress, and sit in traffic only to sit in a cube waiting to rush home. All that time, I was propped up by dreams of a freer … Continue reading → The post Reflecting on Two Years... Read more »
Mr Crazy Kicks
- How to Prepare for Life After ResidencyBurnout 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 »
- A Podcast, Guest Post, and Random MusingsHey 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 »
- Running, Purpose, and Bears (Oh, my!)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 »
- Why A Physician Should Work Full-TimeAs 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 »
- The Government Doesn’t Want you to Work (Too Much)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 »
The Happy Philosopher
- 70k Challenge Mid-Year Update!This year, I did something I’ve never done before. I joined one of those fitness tracking groups that you see a lot of in January and then they fade away by March. Well, not this group, holy hell, this is a year long commitment baby! Yearlong! What did I commit... Read more »
- We Bought A Money Pit!One year ago we bought a money pit, I mean a house in Oklahoma. We were so excited because we were starting our Fully Funded Lifestyle Change, I was quitting my job, and we were moving to the country! Well, we got the country alright. I sit outside and watch... Read more »
- Chainsaw Replacement: Should I Upgrade?Man, with school out, there has been so much going on around here. The kids are home full time, so that hinders me doing a lot out in the yard, but we’ve been having a lot of fun hanging out, playing, and hitting up the pool, museums, and zoo so... Read more »
- Retirement is Killing My BlogBefore I quit my job and headed into the great of unknown of being a Stay At Home Dad (SAHD) I had all kinds of thoughts about how this blog could follow along. First of all, I could be different from other bloggers that hit retirement and then faded into... Read more »
- Time Can Rack up Debts, Just Like MoneyAs I wrote in my last post transitioning to a non-work life is hard. I think a lot of what makes it difficult is having all of that unstructured free time and figuring out what to do with it. We all have visions of early retirement and what we would... Read more »
Slowly Sipping Coffee
- The Art of Creating a Ritual for What Matters Most“Your sacred space is where you can find yourself again and again.” ~Joseph Campbell By Leo Babauta In this world where technology and consumerism have become our religion, we’ve largely lost something magical: the ability to elevate something into the realm of the sacred. I’m not a fan of Catholic... Read more »
- The Fearless Purpose Training Package: A System for the Uncertainty of Your Meaningful Work“Stop acting so small. You are the universe in ecstatic motion.” ~Rumi By Leo Babauta Today I’m releasing a training package called Fearless Purpose that is the culmination of the last few years of my life’s work. The ebook & training system are about fearlessly training in the uncertainty and... Read more »
- Oh, the Rationalizations Your Brain Will Dream Up!NOTE: I’ve just written a new training package called “Fearless Purpose: Training with the Uncertainty & Anxiety of Your Meaningful Work,” that has just been released! I’m really excited about it and think you’ll find it very valuable. I’m including a series of instructional videos and meditations with it as... Read more »
- Move Towards Your ResistanceBy Leo Babauta Our minds have the tendency to turn away and move away from what we’re fearing and resisting the most. We naturally don’t like pain, frustration, difficulty. So turning away and avoiding and putting off are protective acts. And yet, this keeps us in our comfort zone. The... Read more »
- Transforming Overwhelm & Burden to Something PowerfulBy Leo Babauta How many of you have felt overwhelmed recently by everything you have to do? How many of you have felt something you have to do — or everything you have to do — as a burden? Many of us feel everything we have to do as burden,... Read more »
zen habits
- The Cheat Codes of FIFor 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 »
- FI Without REBack 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 »
- VideoSo Much Time & So Little To Do!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 »
- Reaching for the Moon(shot)!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 »
- Misconceptions of FIThis 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 »
Financial 180
- What’s Up Next Podcast: Episode 54What’s Up Next? Paul Thompson and I are proud to release episode 54 of The What’s Up Next Podcast. This podcast is an exploration of financial independence and taking the conversation to the next... The post What’s Up Next Podcast: Episode 54 appeared first on DiverseFI.... Read more »
- The Year of ConferencesThe Year of Conferences If you had any doubt about it, dispel of it right now. 2020 will be the year of conferences. The financial independence movement has reached a turning point, and the... The post The Year of Conferences appeared first on DiverseFI.... Read more »
- What’s Up Next Podcast: Episode 53What’s Up Next? Paul Thompson and I are proud to release episode 53 of The What’s Up Next Podcast. This podcast is an exploration of financial independence and taking the conversation to the next... The post What’s Up Next Podcast: Episode 53 appeared first on DiverseFI.... Read more »
- I See ChangesI See Changes I wake up in DC and I ask myself. What kind of FinCon am I gonna have for myself. Just another tired employee was what I was before. Racing on that... The post I See Changes appeared first on DiverseFI.... Read more »
- What’s Up Next Podcast: Episode 52What’s Up Next? Paul Thompson and I are proud to release episode 52 of The What’s Up Next Podcast. This podcast is an exploration of financial independence and taking the conversation to the next... The post What’s Up Next Podcast: Episode 52 appeared first on DiverseFI.... Read more »
DiverseFI
- ● Low Bank reserves - Fed intervenesI somewhat understand the stock market, barely grasp the bond market, and remain flummoxed by Banking reserves, overnight lending, repos, and...... Read more »
- ● iPhone High Temp WarningI’m obviously not the first, but I got this warning a few days ago, first time in the 5 years I’ve owned the iPhone. I’d left it on the car seat,...... Read more »
- ● AA for college fundingWA state's 529 plan is basically prepaid tuition, but only tuition up to the highest cost state school, and we're all paid up for five years of...... Read more »
- ● WeatherTech linersWhat do people think of the WeatherTech liners? My new Rav4 does not come with protective mats, just come thin carpet. Are they worth the money?...... Read more »
- ● So close....For years I've been thinking about early retirement, while continuing to w*rk a very cushy, from-home, only-a-few-hours-a-week, high-paying j*b in...... Read more »
Early Retirement & Financial Independence Community
- Improve Your Financial Health in 30 DaysThe task of getting your finances in order is something that many people find overwhelming. Although there are a lot of factors that should be considered, the truth is, you can have a significant impact on your overall finances within just a short period of time. With so much personal... Read more »
- How to Get Discount Disney Gift CardsSupply and demand are interesting topics. I know you came here for information on discount Disney gift cards, but hear me out… The higher the demand for a product is, the higher a company can charge for the product or service! Disney has mastered the law of supply and demand.... Read more »
- 9 Companies Offering Flexible Food Delivery JobsFood delivery jobs have been gaining popularity and are one of those side jobs people have been flocking to. A growing number of local eateries and large restaurants have been participating in online food delivery by partnering with companies such as UberEats, DoorDash, and others, rather than providing their own... Read more »
- The Best Credit Cards for Small Businesses (2019)Whether you run an established small business or work as a freelancer, it is vital to keep your personal and business finances separate. It can quickly get muddy when you charge your monthly business expenses and drinks with friends to the same credit card. A business credit card can make... Read more »
- 7 Money Excuses That May Be Preventing You from Reaching Financial IndependenceFinancial freedom is something that everyone wants. However, very few people are able to reach financial independence and retire early. Most of us are conditioned to believe that we have no choice except to work until we’re 65-70 years old. We have plenty of excuses for why financial independence is... Read more »
Vital Dollar
- Improve Your Financial Health in 30 DaysThe task of getting your finances in order is something that many people find overwhelming. Although there are a lot of factors that should be considered, the truth is, you can have a significant impact on your overall finances within just a short period of time. With so much personal... Read more »
- How to Get Discount Disney Gift CardsSupply and demand are interesting topics. I know you came here for information on discount Disney gift cards, but hear me out… The higher the demand for a product is, the higher a company can charge for the product or service! Disney has mastered the law of supply and demand.... Read more »
- 9 Companies Offering Flexible Food Delivery JobsFood delivery jobs have been gaining popularity and are one of those side jobs people have been flocking to. A growing number of local eateries and large restaurants have been participating in online food delivery by partnering with companies such as UberEats, DoorDash, and others, rather than providing their own... Read more »
- The Best Credit Cards for Small Businesses (2019)Whether you run an established small business or work as a freelancer, it is vital to keep your personal and business finances separate. It can quickly get muddy when you charge your monthly business expenses and drinks with friends to the same credit card. A business credit card can make... Read more »
- 7 Money Excuses That May Be Preventing You from Reaching Financial IndependenceFinancial freedom is something that everyone wants. However, very few people are able to reach financial independence and retire early. Most of us are conditioned to believe that we have no choice except to work until we’re 65-70 years old. We have plenty of excuses for why financial independence is... Read more »
Vital Dollar
- Episode 118- Creating Generational Wealth & Having Necessary Intergenerational Money Conversations with Duane & Taylor DavisListen & Subscribe: on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Soundcloud, Google Podcasts, Android Device (This post may include some affiliate links) This week, Journey to Launch’s podcast episode continues the conversation on generational wealth and talking with your family about finances. In this episode, we have a dynamic father and daughter duo,... Read more »
- Episode 117- How to Have Essential Conversations With Your Parents About Their Finances with Cameron HuddlestonListen & Subscribe: on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Soundcloud, Google Podcasts, Android Device (This post may include some affiliate links) This week Journey to Launch’s podcast episode features award-winning journalist and author, Cameron Huddleston. With over 17 years of experience writing about personal finance, Cameron recently combined her knowledge and personal... Read more »
- Episode 116- Healing Our Money Wounds & Uncovering Our Limiting Beliefs With Money MitraListen & Subscribe: on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Soundcloud, Google Podcasts, Android Device (This post may include some affiliate links) This week on the Journey to Launch podcast we have “Money Mitra,” the founder of the “Psychology of Spending.” Mitra is a money and mindset coach who helps you eliminate money... Read more »
- Episode 115- How To Improve Your Money Resilience & Stay Financially Motivated With Ash CashListen & Subscribe: on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Soundcloud, Google Podcasts, Android Device (This post may include some affiliate links) Journey to Launch is so excited to have Ash Cash Exantus, America’s Financial Motivator, on this week’s podcast. Ash Cash grew up in the projects of Harlem, New York. In his... Read more »
- Episode 114- Minding Your Money To Emotional & Financial Well Being With Kassandra DasentListen & Subscribe: on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Soundcloud, Google Podcasts, Android Device (This post may include some affiliate links) Personal finance expert Kassandra Dasent can relate to people from all walks of life. She went from being $55,000 in consumer debt to being debt-free with a six-figure net worth. Now... Read more »