Personal Finance
-
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…
-
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.…
-
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…
-
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…
You May Also Like
Strategizing Furniture & Décor
Ditching Retail Therapy for Good
One Step at a Time
-
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,…
-
“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…
-
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
