Earn, Save, and Live Joyfully.
I sit on the floor, surrounded by a group of smiling first graders. “What do you want to be when you grow up,” I ask. Their hands shoot up high into the air as they enthusiastically call out their answers. “A doctor.” “A nurse.” “A basketball player.” “A builder.” “A teacher.” “A zookeeper.” They are … Read more
I began blogging about personal finance in 2006. Sometimes it feels like I’ve been writing since the beginning of time or at least since dinosaurs roamed the Earth. After all these years you would think I’m a FinCon pro, but nope, up until last weekend I had never attended the event. From day one I … Read more
When we think about money, we typically think about monetary value. We ask questions like how much are my investments worth or what could I buy with the money I earned? Why don’t we talk more about the emotional benefits of saving all that dough? How does money make us feel, and what can it … Read more
So you want to become a software engineer but you don’t have a degree in computer science. Is it possible to get a job without formal training? Yes, I’m living proof it can happen! This post contains the details of my journey into the world of technology. You can become a software engineer without a … Read more
I’m going to let you in on a little secret. Are you ready? Okay, cause here it goes. My husband and I spend a ridiculous amount of money each month. I mean a r-i-d-i-c-u-l-o-u-s amount. And you know what? I spend that money without feeling guilty about it. You want to know something else? I … Read more
Sometimes it feels like I’m riding on a balance scale. Every time I direct my focus I feel myself moving. When I change my priorities the weight shifts slowly to the other side. Over the years the pursuit of wealth has caused my scale to tip primarily in one direction. My goal has been to … Read more
Oh financial independence; the holy grail of monetary freedom. The ability for our passive income streams and current assets to cover our expenses without another day of work. Thanks to FI my husband and I could throw in the towel on traditional employment. We’ve saved, invested and earned the right to step away from the … Read more
“What motivates you to save?,” I asked my husband last night at the dinner table. “Is pride your motivating factor?” “Insurance,” he told me quite matter of factly, “I want to know money is there in case I need it.” “What about you?,” he asked. “I save out of fear,” I told him. “That’s a … Read more
Imagine you are waiting at the starting line of a race. Picture yourself stretching, tightening your shoelaces and quietly taking deep relaxing breaths. There is no doubt you are ready. You spent months training for this particular event. You step into position and brace for the sound of the starting gun. Then suddenly bang! You’re … Read more
Let’s begin with these questions: Do you depend on your partner for financial support? Could you pay all of your bills and maintain your current standard of living without help from anyone else? I recently wrote a post called Quitting My High-Paying Job. If you haven’t read it yet, take a gander and then pop back … Read more