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Heartland on FIRE

Blazing a Trail Towards Financial Independence

Blazing a Trail Towards Financial Independence

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Cost Cutting

Our 2019 Spending: Exposed!

January 16, 2020 by Mr. Heartland on FIRE

2019 is in the books. As always, I like to look back on the year that was, and take stock of our spending. Anyways, for better or worse here is what happened.

[Read more…] about Our 2019 Spending: Exposed!

Filed Under: Annual Planning, Cost Cutting, FI Progress, Smart Spending Tagged With: burn rate, financial indpendence, personal finance

The Economics of a Backyard BBQ

March 28, 2019 by Mr. Heartland on FIRE

The smell of the grill, the sounds of kids playing and birds chirping. Who doesn’t love a good backyard BBQ? If you stop and take a moment to think about the financial aspect of a BBQ you just might love them even more. In fact, a BBQ can help you and your friends save a boatload of money!

[Read more…] about The Economics of a Backyard BBQ

Filed Under: Cost Cutting, Lifestyle Improvement, Smart Spending, Uncategorized Tagged With: Dining out vs. BBQ, lifestyle optimization

Dropping Our Financial Pants: 2018 Spending

January 17, 2019 by Mr. Heartland on FIRE

With another year in the books, it’s good to look back and see where all the money went. This is my second year of tracking spending by detailed categories and my second year of posting our spending online. You can check out our 2017 Spending here.

I got to say, that putting all this information out there feels a bit like standing in front of a group of people in my underwear. I feel a bit exposed!

So without further ado… how did we, ehhh, do?

[Read more…] about Dropping Our Financial Pants: 2018 Spending

Filed Under: Annual Planning, Cost Cutting, FI Progress, Smart Spending, Uncategorized Tagged With: financial wins, reducing spending, spending analysis, spending habits, Spending revealed, Spending Review, where did my money go?

Company Christmas Club: Is It Worth It?

December 20, 2018 by Mr. Heartland on FIRE

C

An email circulated through my office the other day.  It read: “Christmas Club contributions will be included on the next pay period.”  The email then reminded everyone that enrollment into next year’s Christmas Club had just opened up.  

It got me to thinking… is the Christmas Club worth it?

[Read more…] about Company Christmas Club: Is It Worth It?

Filed Under: Annual Planning, Cost Cutting, Debt Reduction, Savings, Smart Spending, Uncategorized Tagged With: Americans don't save money, Certificates of Deposit, Christmas Club Savings, Christmas Spending., How to Save for Christmas, Nerd Wallet, Reducing Christmas Spending

Over 50% of Americans Don’t Use Their Vacation. Don’t be one of them!

October 25, 2018 by Mr. Heartland on FIRE

***Extremely Mickey Mouse voice*** – Hi Kids! Today’s Mousekatool is Paid Vacation

I am fresh off of our first full week vacation in 2 years.  While we’ve taken a few long weekend trips, we haven’t had a full week off during this time.  We took our daughters to Disney World (geez… could you tell?) and we all had a great time and created many memories that won’t soon be forgotten.

My wife and I have already started discussing our next vacation!  I think we can all get behind more vacation, right?

Well, the answer is apparently a big fat NO.

As I have been reflecting on the week gone by, I recalled an article I had read that stated that roughly 52% of Americans don’t use their paid vacation.

Let that sink in.

Your boss is willing to pay you money… to not show up for work.  And we say, “No Thanks” more than half the time!

[Read more…] about Over 50% of Americans Don’t Use Their Vacation. Don’t be one of them!

Filed Under: Cost Cutting, Lifestyle Improvement, Smart Spending Tagged With: Choose FI, Financial Independence, health benefits of vacation, lifestyle optimization, taking vacation is good for your career, Travel Rewards, vacation

5 Keys to Making Restaurant Quality BBQ at Home

August 16, 2018 by Mr. Heartland on FIRE

I love Barbecue.  I can’t get enough of it.  The heat of the coals, the wisp of thin white smoke lazily rising from the smoker, the hint of smoke wood-tinged air, and of course the mahogany-colored meat itself! A great a plate of ribs makes Daddy happy!

The problem is, a plate of good “Que”, can stick you with a sizable tab if you always get it at a restaurant.  But it doesn’t have to be that way!

[Read more…] about 5 Keys to Making Restaurant Quality BBQ at Home

Filed Under: Cost Cutting, DIY, Lifestyle Improvement, Smart Spending Tagged With: Amazing Ribs, BBQ on a budget, Bogart's BBQ, Cheap BBQ, Financial Independence, Great BBQ at home, how to make great ribs, lifestyle optimization, Pappy's BBQ, Sugarfire, The Virtual Weber Bullet

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