Simplifying Finances, Fitness, Food, & Fun
2020 was supposed to be our year. The year we would retire early and start traveling the United States. We’d even picked July 4th to be our first official independence day from work. It was the summer of 2013 when I first stumbled across the personal finance blogging community and the financial independence retire early (FIRE) movement. To say it…
Today we have a guest post from Bryan of Bucks & Cents. Bryan’s a financial manager and licensed real estate agent. He holds a BA and a Master of Public Administration. He enjoys helping others get their finances on track and create wealth-building strategies. There’s no question that going through a divorce can play havoc on your life and your…
I’ve officially been a conservator and guardian for my elderly aunt for three months now. But the process started a few months before that. And something new comes up every few days, sometimes for 3-4 of days in a row. The legal and accounting aspects of these roles are the easy part. Managing the stress and emotions that arise –…
I purchased my first rental property at 26 and I’ve now been a landlord for half of my life. My parents owned five rental properties when I was growing up and both of my brothers are “buy-and-hold” residential real estate investors too. We’re a family that believes real estate investing is a good way to build wealth. The rental properties…
How do successful goal achievers create lasting wins and transformation? They think big first and often while also knowing when to focus and work small. Big ideas without proactive action steps lead to empty promises or unfulfilled dreams. Random activities without a grand vision take you in circles and end up driving you nowhere. building a thriving business, increasing your energy…
If you’re setting fitness goals, choosing healthy habits to focus on, or making wellness resolutions for the new year, exercise is on your mind. But something else you might be thinking about is all of your expenses and making new savings goals. Paying to work out makes sense for people who can afford it and enjoy exercising or taking classes…
Recently, I was fortunate enough to listen to Cameron Huddelston, author of Mom and Dad, We Need to Talk, during a live presentation on “How to Have Essential Conversations With Your Parents About Their Finances”. It was fantastic. Cameron knows how to make an awkward and not so fun topic interesting and easily understandable. We’ve reviewed her book on Women…
I’m on Stacking Benjamins today! I’ve been a fan of Joe Saul-Sehy for years. I was fortunate enough to get to watch him on our local news channel dispensing personal finance advice before blogs and podcasts where a big deal. Today, Joe, his co-host OG and their award winning show ‘The Stacking Benjamins Podcast’ are a really big deal. Recorded…
Life Zemplified – a healthier, wealthier, joy-filled simpler life with an abundance of Zen-like moments Life is full of change. Sometimes we welcome it. Other times we try to ignore it. Some of us even fight it. All of the personal and professional changes we may encounter with our – marriages, children, grandchildren, death of family members, divorces, housing, education,…
Spring finally arrived in Michigan, wahoo! It always feels like a long winter to me, but with snow in late-April this year, winter felt extra long. The feel of the sun on your skin after cold and gloomy days is so welcome. Things feel new and exciting in the spring. You’re ready for a change. My husband enjoys being outside,…
Recently, we published a post on Women Who Money that dove into the topic of purchasing a vacation property. It discusses the types of vacation properties, types of investors, the pros and cons of vacation homes, and other considerations. What we didn’t discuss, and what I’m diving into today is buying or owning (via inheritance) a vacation property with others….
As you get closer to retirement – early or not – you’ll hear plenty of warnings about how isolating it can be. You’ll be excited about all of the new-found freedom you’ll have, but you’ll probably miss talking with your colleagues at work each day – even if they aren’t your close friends. The people you work with provide you…
