Blazing a Trail Towards Financial Independence
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?
November is done and gone, and the Thanksgiving left-overs are finally gone with it. I’ll be trying to burn off that weight for the next few months! Did our net worth grow as much as my waistline?
[Read more…] about Net Worth Update 12: Gluttony & Punishment
I don’t know about you, but we are addicted to home renovation shows. One of the shows we particularly like is “Renovation Realities.” Basically, the show’s premise is to follow around people as they take on a renovation project. Usually, hilarity ensues as the couple struggles through the project. Wires are shorted, windows broken, spirits (and sometimes fingers) are crushed, and budgets are vaporized.
Well, it’s our turn in the spotlight now. We’ve just kicked off a renovation of our kiddo’s bathroom. We are self-performing all of the work. Keep reading to follow along on our trials, tribulations, victories and setbacks. [Read more…] about Our DIY Spare Bathroom Remodel, Part I
Happy Thanksgiving!!
A year ago today, this blog did not exist. November marks the end of my first year of blogging on this site. It’s been a hell of a journey so far and I can’t wait to see where this whole thing goes. So, to get into the Thanksgiving spirit, I thought it would be help to write out a list of Thank You notes for those that are responsible for the existence of this blog.
***Cracks Knuckles***
***Piano Softly Plays***
The flames of the FIRE (Financial Independence Retire Early) movement can spread rapidly. Just like a campfire stacked with kindling, the flames are tall, flickering, and bright at first, but over time, these flames subside leaving the dull glow of smoldering coals.
But you don’t cook on the flickering flames. This short blast of high heat would scorch the outside, leaving the inside raw. You do your cooking on the coals, sustaining just the right level of heat over a longer time.
Having an open mind, self evaluation, and taking bold action are critical to igniting the FIRE and the bright dancing flames of the initial burn.
We all like to think glowingly about our future. Raising our families, fun vacations, memorable meals, and retirement, of course! We spend a great deal of time thinking and planning about what fun things we are going to do and how we will go about doing them. In the Financial Independence Retire Early (FIRE) community, we use high savings rates to reach Financial Independence (FI) much quicker than our non-FIRE peers.
But unfortunately, S^&T happens, and our best-laid plans could go up in smoke. However, the same skills you use to propel yourself on the path to FI can serve you well when everything that can go wrong, does go wrong.