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Is It Yours? Avoid Loving Your Work Without Equity
I was reminded recently about the risks of loving something that is not mine. Not a person, but an organization. Putting sweat, blood, and tears into a company that does not see the individual and all they bring to the table, but rather the employee number and minimum qualifications to be met, is a recipe for disappointment. When we work for someone else, especially big companies, and we do not have a piece of the pie–i.e. equity in the business–we have no control on our future there and nothing is a given. You could think you are a top performer and the most deserving of a promotion, but you still…
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Saving Money on TV and Internet
These days many homes have more TVs in them than people! According to U.S. News, after sleeping, Americans spend most of their time watching TV. So this category is a two-fer, reclaiming both time and money to be used more productively. Internet service is a powerful tool for learning, generating income, finding community, entertainment, etc. Unfortunately, in some areas the options for access are severely limited to near non-existent. As we were choosing how rural to go for our recent home purchase, for us this was actually a determining factor for where to live. While the reach of broadband continues to expand, here are some tips to reducing the cost…
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Seeking Financial Freedom
Financial freedom, or financial independence, has gotten a lot of buzz post-2008, and it basically means that you can support yourself without working for earned income, i.e. trading hours for dollars. This can be through investments in the stock market or real estate, or another form of “passive” income such as a side gig or online business. I say “passive” because there is typically a large upfront time investment but then lesser so once it’s more developed. The main point is your income is not limited to the number of hours you can physically work. Instead, your investment, product, or service make you money through systems you’ve put into place.…
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To my fellow Millennials…
Fellow Millennials: Now that our generation has suffered the brunt of two economic crises, it is never more vital to increase your financial literacy and chart an aggressive but realistic path to financial stability, if not financial independence. If your upbringing was anything like mine, you learned next to nothing about money and finances overall. A typical middle-class child, I fell into the trap of consumerism and retail therapy. While I fortunately did not end up in a lot of debt, I still had very poor spending habits that did not put me on a path to success to say the least. But at the same time, I was oblivious…
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No More “Can’t”
I’ve mentioned before the thought leaders who have helped shape my mindset toward financial independence and simple living, and one message that really has stuck with me and led me and my family to make a radical change is Robert Kiyosaki’s emphasis on never saying “I can’t,” but instead figuring out how you can. It is very easy to dismiss an opportunity or challenge by saying to yourself, “Oh well, I don’t have the money/time/energy to do it.” But as Tony Robbin’s notes, you get your Musts – meaning you will prioritize what you think is necessary, while your wants and wishes will continue to languish. So to the rut…
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One Step at a Time
When I was young I was outside all the time – exploring the woods, making a home in the trees, and imagining how to make a life there. An unquenchable appetite for freedom, enterprise, and autonomy. That one day I could make it on my own without the strictures of modern-day life. I think this is why I savor stories of time-travel to the past as if this juxtaposition exposes a fixture of simplicity and peace in the times before. But there is a danger in romanticizing “the simple life,” and most do not want to sacrifice leisure and lifestyle gained through industrialization and technological advancements. We cannot ignore, however,…
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“The Mexican Fisherman” – Life Simple?
Which life would you rather live? An American businessman was standing at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellowfin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish. “How long did it take you to catch them?” The American asked. “Only a little while.” The Mexican replied. “Why don’t you stay out longer and catch more fish?” The American then asked. “I have enough to support my family’s immediate needs.” The Mexican said. “But,” The American then asked, “What do you do with the rest of your time?” The…
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Laying the Foundation
There is not a one-size-fits-all guru for you out there. Over the years I have read a swath of experts and thought leaders on minimalism, personal finance, financial independence, simple living, and healthy habits, incorporating some of their ideas and discarding others per my circumstances and priorities. Here are some of the resources you may also find value in as you start or continue on your journey toward independence and simplicity: Books: Blogs, Videos, and Podcasts: Documentaries
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Ditching Retail Therapy for Good
Retail therapy is often an ingrained past-time or outlet of stress and uncertainty here in the US. I know it was for me and is for many as consumer consumption makes up nearly 70% of our country’s gross domestic product. But in the end it is ultimately undermining our financial goals and future choices. While my occupation with retail therapy started young, it really hit a fever pitch after graduating college without a job in the fallout of the Great Recession. Under intense pressure to “just find a job,” I spent much of my time acquiring my future employed wardrobe, rather than exploring entrepreneurial ventures. Having the employed look at…
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Strategizing Furniture & Décor
I, for one, love to make changes to my home—be it moving furniture and décor around to a full gut and reno—all to find the best set-up and feel. I know my home affects how I feel so getting it where I want takes plenty of my attention and feels very rewarding when I get it just right. There is plenty of research to back this up. But you don’t have to buy a lot of, or really any in most cases, new furniture and décor to improve your well-being. Starting down a more minimalist path over 6 years ago, I have actually prided myself on getting rid of more…
