You can control your spending, where to eat, your next vacation, what car to drive, or where to live but there’s one thing you can’t control. That is TIME! You can’t slow time. You can’t fast forward time. Seconds, minutes, hours, days, months, years, and decades will come and go just like that. What you can control is how you spend the time that you have to benefit you and others because the one finite resource you can’t control is…
If you’re familiar with the financial independence concept you probably have heard of the acronym FIRE. It stands for financial independence retire early (FIRE). Essentially, you accumulate enough wealth that you can confidently say that you are financially independent from needing to work anymore and you now have the option to retire early. And retiring early has different definitions depending who you talk to. I can confidently say that I’ve F.I.R.E.d and I couldn’t have done it without my family being onboard. I’m excited…
If you asked me 5 or 10 years ago what my definition of early retirement was, it would be much different than what I think of it today. In fact, my definition of early retirement can be much different than yours. My early retirement outlook will change depending on which life stage you’re at. That’s what happened to me. The meaning of early retirement differs amongst other people and even your own self from a different time period. When I…
My experience with 2025 has been, let’s just say, interesting. From financial decisions to dealing with health situations and a career move, I can say that 2025 was full of challenges that I’m eager to take on and see what comes next. 2025 also taught me a few lessons and I’ll share with you what 2025 has taught me. Don’t Lose Sight of the Goal No matter what life throws at you, no matter how many times you fall off…
Ever wonder what retirement or early retirement looks like? Are you able to take a sabbatical or extended leave to try it out? I have an opportunity right now and let me tell you what I think about it. The government is shutdown and I am a furloughed federal employee. At the time of writing this, it’s been more than 3 weeks that I’ve been furloughed. I’m using this time to see how early retirement would feel like with how…
Because I love to travel I try to find the best travel deals without having to pay full price for it or pay anything at all. Travel hacking refers to methods to accumulate or build up points and miles in order for you to travel for free or at a very low cost. Travel hacking saves money and it has saved me tens of thousands of dollars. If you are wondering how this is done to help save you money…
In the age of the internet and thousands of social media influencers, there’s so much information from so many people with different perspectives. Where do you get your financial information? Who do you get your financial information from? How do you know who to follow? Choose a good role model who aligns with your goals and strategy. Who could be a role model for you? It could be a family member, a friend, someone on the internet, or someone you…
Everyone will experience tough times. There will be unexpected events that will create tough times for you. We are going through one now with the government shutdown, rising healthcare costs, unemployment, inflation, and international trade, and tariffs which can all have a financial impact on you. Tough times are expected and getting through tough times will depend on you. Right now, times are tough for many of us including myself. What can you do to help lower any financial impact…
When you’re young you feel invincible. Nothing can get in your way. You’re young, strong, agile, flexible, and time is on your side. In a blink you’re 20 years old. Another blink you’re 30, then 40, and then 50. Along the way you’ve assumed more responsibilities, maybe started a family, promoted to management at work, became a care taker, volunteered, and so on. Through these decades will you be just as responsible with your health? We put so much effort…
Like any sports team, you have your star athletes. Those who attract attention and outperform. Your portfolio will probably be similar. You’re going to have a few investments that shine, some that are mediocre, and others that just lag behind. I’m a buy and hold kind of investor so over time I’ve had some good picks. Here are my top stock performers. This is by no means financial advice. This is my own personal experience. Work with a financial expert…