For most of my life, I’ve been obsessed with real estate. I’m that person who loves going to open houses, looking online at real estate, and being a homeowner. And I see the value in owning properties for the long haul and renting them out to generate income. As I’ve become completely focused on reaching financially independence, I’m less sure that real estate investment will play as big a role…if any. After reading Mr. Money Read more…
We are a couple of months into the COVID-19 outbreak. This global pandemic has brought fear, sickness, and death to many. It’s on the news 24/7, and it’s hard to escape. Yet, this is also a time to reflect on your life…to be grateful for all you have. I can’t help but think with all the devastation this virus is causing, there will be good that comes from it too. I’ve been working remotely now Read more…
I started my new job a couple of months ago. Prior to that, I had a sabbatical or mini-retirement, which was eye-opening to say the least. Like so many others, I have this grand illusion that everything will be perfect when I work for myself and have all the time in the world to do whatever I want. Through this experience, I’m learning a lot about myself. I need a sense of purpose (pretty much Read more…
My girlfriend and I love where we live. It’s close enough to the city, but also far enough away that we can get a break from the traffic and enjoy the beauty of the area. We’ve found that we are more active here, and we’re really enjoying nature and some of the things that are free (or already covered in our monthly expenses): Ride our bikes Go on a hike Watch the sunrise Play tennis Read more…
Less than a month after getting laid off, I accepted a job at another company making similar money. My hustle, focus, and networking—combined with a little luck—paid off. The last couple of months was intense and stressful. I’m taking a month off to spend quality time with family and friends, get ready for the holidays, and get back into healthy habits (eating, sleep, exercise). And I’ll be able to start my new job in early Read more…
For a while now, I have dreamed of leaving my company. The place was toxic, and every day, I felt like I was suffocating. But it was security and brought in stable money. Turns out the job wasn’t so secure after all. About a month ago, I found out there was a giant target on my back. And a week ago, I sat down with HR and my boss to learn that I was getting Read more…
I hit a big milestone recently. I paid off my car! I even got the title in the mail to prove it. It has been a while since I drove a car that was paid off. It’s a great feeling, and I am not at all tempted to go get another. This is what I’ve been working toward. To me, the advantage of buying a car vs. leasing is that you can have some years Read more…
In my five decades (yes, I’m that many years old), my parents have had an influence on me. They’ve never been shy about expressing their opinions and advice. And some of it, I’ve gladly taken. Other advice, not so much. One thing that really stuck with me was a story they shared about a couple they went to high school with. The couple grew up similarly to my parents…living in a very small town in Read more…
I have been working for companies for the past 20 years, and it’s killing me. I like a lot of the people there, and sometimes the work is fun. But I feel like the office politics and drama are taking a toll on me. At 51 years old, I’m no longer climbing the corporate ladder. Instead, I find myself more vulnerable. I’m considered part of the “old way of thinking,” which makes me a potential Read more…
I’ve made a lot of financial mistakes along the way. Living beyond my means has been the biggest. But one thing I’ve done well is I have consistently contributed to a retirement plan. I’ve been fortunate to have worked for large companies with a 401K (or 403B) match. And I’ve taken advantage of getting free money. Both companies generously matched 100 percent of a portion of what I contributed. The first company matched the first Read more…