In my old age, time seems to be flying by. So when I started this blog, I began jotting down what I learned, read and experienced throughout a year to try and remember what that year involved outside the 90% of my mental energy that is usually spent thinking about work. Continue reading “The Year of Reflection: 2019 Goals & Accomplishments”
When I decided to pursue financial independence at the beginning of 2015 I started looking for role models to follow – people that have written about their experience that could help me understand what I would be in for and what to expect during this journey. Luckily there are now an abundance of blogs on the internet that are available for free and detail people’s journey to and through early retirement. Continue reading “Should I Reveal My Identity Online?”
This is a continuation of my monthly series that records what’s happening in my final stretch to early retirement. If you’re interested in previous posts, they’re here.
I don’t know what happened. I’ve been pleading with my brain for years to not react to metaphorical office fires with a rapid heartbeat and rising stress, but it never listened. Despite knowing my job doesn’t really ‘matter’ and that there are no real negative consequences to something going wrong, my perfectionism muscle wouldn’t allow me to escape emotionally unscathed. Everything was a Category 5 emergency that continued to rattle around in my brain every evening and weekend.
Continue reading “9 Months To Retirement: I’ve Achieved DGAF Status”
My Mom has been retired for 5 years and during those years, she discovered something fascinating: there is an entire industry of salespeople trying to sell ‘special investments’ (*cough* annuities *cough*) specifically to retirees. Instead of sending the usual junk mail, they invite people to an expensive meal, which they then hold hostage until you’ve heard their pitch. Continue reading “Annuity Scams, Investment Dinners And Preying On Fear”
It’s been almost exactly 3 years since I started my current job and was initiated into the wonderful world of “working from home.” Before we dip into negative-ville, let’s touch on the aspects of working from home that I love: Continue reading “The Downsides Of Working From Home”
Surprisingly that title is not a click bait-and-switch, but it is greatly inflated by the fancy flights I’m taking during my Australia/New Zealand victory lap after quitting my job in 10 months. These palaces in the sky are one of the parts of travel that my Mom loves most and I’m so happy that after shelling out $7,000 for a 1/3 off Emirates First Class ticket in 2012 I discovered the wonder of travel hacking, which has allowed us to fly in these wild cabins for almost free. So let’s get into it and see everything I booked with points in 2019! Continue reading “How I Saved $24,227 With Travel Hacking In 2019”
This is a continuation of my monthly series that records what’s happening in my final stretch to early retirement. If you’re interested in previous posts, they’re here.
I’m not one to bury the lede so: We’re doing this people! Thank you so much for all of your comments on my last post about this decision. I really appreciate all of your encouragement, concerns and advice. After careful consideration it’s been decided: I’m leaving my job in September 2020. Continue reading “It’s Official: I’m Quitting My Job In 10 Months. Here’s The Plan!”
Let’s start with all the caveats! Just like everything I do in my life, this is not a recommendation. I’m just trying stuff out and seeing what works. I am not an expert or a guru, I’m just a 30 year old going through life. This is how I’ve set up my investment portfolio, but I’m not saying this is right for everyone. It’s called personal finance for a reason. Continue reading “Why I Own 100% US Stocks”