Today I’m starting a new and wholly intermittently published series called “wee we wins.” We’ll highlight ways we’ve increased the spread between income and expenses — whether by making or saving money — that on their own don’t amount to much, but in the aggregate still don’t do. Oh, who am I kidding. I just…
$80 Electric Monkeys and $100 Drones, Oh My!
As Thing Two, The Younger closed in on his ninth birthday, he caught wind of the existence of a remote-control toy monkey that stood about 18” tall and for the most part just tumbled around a little upon automated command. Thing Two was smitten. As many an eight-year old boy would be by such a…
We Bought a Viola to Save Money on a Viola
Thing Two, The Younger, entered middle school last fall. A few months before he started, the new school sent us a package that included information about electives Thing Two could take. Thing Two had neither played an instrument, nor shown any interest in doing so. But wouldn’t you know it, he selected “orchestra” as one…
Forgeative Experiences: Child Hood
Today, I’m starting a new and entirely sporadically-posted series called Forgeative Experiences. These posts will focus on events that forged my mindset toward earning and spending money. I admit up front that some of my feelings and approaches toward money are wholly partially irrational, if not a bit unhealthy. But they’re hardwired and hard to…
$59 for My Thoughts
In the early days after discovering FIRE, I read some articles on insurance. Cuz I’m cool like that. Topics covered included the merits (or lack thereof) of various types of insurance and of various coverages for essential insurance. The stuff that Hollywood blockbusters are made of I think you, Dear Reader, will agree. Luckily, we…
Ask What FIRE Can Do for You AND What You Can Do for FIRE
I’ve mentioned elsewhere on this blog that my discovery of FIRE was life changing. In short order after The Discovery, we did the following, among many other things: (1) lowered our annual expenses to the tune of several thousands of dollars per year with just a little tweaking and few material effects; (2) stopped simply…
My Move to the West, Sponsored by FIRE
I’d lived in a certain Midwest city since my birth during The So, So Long Ago some time ago. Well, technically that’s not true. From about a day or three after my birth, I spent ages 0–22 either in the suburbs or in my college town in the same state. But I’d yearned to move…
I Used to Be a Sheep
Discovering FIRE and learning to question everything — even things I didn’t even know to question — has allowed us to live better lives by making changes we otherwise would not have known about. Not for nothing, it’s also allowed us to save money, increase our net worth, and lessen our carbon footprint. It’s been…
Red Bull May Give Me Wings, But Learning About FIRE Didn’t Hurt
My discovery of FIRE has led to our realizing savings, and an accumulation, of money. But for me, it’s the unquantifiable changes that have been the most valuable. Here’s a story (Story time! Whee!) illustrating what I mean. I was extremely fortunate in that my parents paid for my undergrad education. Granted, I went to…
Thanks for Not Hiring Me
When I moved from the Midwest to the Mountain West I had a work gig lined up: a contractor arrangement with the employer I was leaving because of the move. But soon after the move, and before the new arrangement was to begin, I got news that the gig went sideways. Uh oh? In the…
