2019 has come to an end and despite feeling like I was splurging, I’ve once again spent around $18,000! Let’s see how I did it:
Lessons Learned From 5 Years Of Blog Writing
Well it’s been five years – five years since I started my journey to financial independence and five years since I started writing this blog (though I only took it public last July). Today I want to focus on what those five years of writing have taught me (thoughts on what it’s like to be half a decade into a financial journey will come in a January post). Continue reading “Lessons Learned From 5 Years Of Blog Writing”
The Year of Reflection: 2019 Goals & Accomplishments
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”
Should I Reveal My Identity Online?
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?”
9 Months To Retirement: I’ve Achieved DGAF Status
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”
Annuity Scams, Investment Dinners And Preying On Fear
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”
The Downsides Of Working From Home
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”
How I Saved $24,227 With Travel Hacking In 2019
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”