Category: Lifestyle
Never Retiring?
June 15, 2014
I just read an article on MarketWatch about never retiring. Before we get into the idea of never retiring, there were some troubling statistics in the article that I would like to highlight. Fidelity (the retirement/investment brokerage firm) is quoted as saying that merely one-third of americans that are working are going to be able to pay 95% plus of their expenses in retirement. Even more scary is that an additional 12% will be able to cover just their essential expenses, leaving 55% likely to have difficulty in covering these. We are talking about not being able to pay for food, healthcare, housing, all of which sound pretty important to me. Continue Reading
Take the Lesser Known Path
June 8, 2014
OK, so you want to be financial independent. Is taking the same path as average Joe going to get you there? Joe’s road is large and clearly marked, however it is very long and winds a great deal, conveniently taking you via all the major shopping malls. However, I’m not sure this road reaches the final destination of the promised land of the financially free.
Instead, take the lesser known trail, it’s the small one on the side that looks like a bike path, and you can see just a few people walking and biking on it. These people look pretty average, Continue Reading
World’s Most Expensive City – Singapore
June 1, 2014
Did you read the recent BBC article on the worlds most expensive city? It named Singapore at the top, followed by some others that were more of a surpass, Paris, Oslo, Zurich and Sydney. I expected New York, London, and Tokyo for sure. One of the premises is that Singapore makes the list because of “The city’s strong currency combined with the high cost of running a car and soaring utility bills contributed to Singapore topping the list”. What the?? Why are you running a car in Singapore, are you crazy!? Continue Reading
Telecommute
May 28, 2014
Well, you may not be financially free just yet, but I am hoping you are training those freedom producing muscles. We discussed that riding the bike or walking to and from work is a great frugal and healthy option. However, how about not even going into work at all? Continue Reading
Caffeine habit
May 9, 2014
Many of us need a shotof coffee or a cup of tea to get through the day, some of my friends need it even just to help them get out of bed! I’m super caffeine sensitive, so I need it when I have to stay up late or perhaps all night! Well anyway, thanks to Mrs Frugal Prof, as she reminded me of the ‘latte effect’. Fortunately, she is not suggesting to go cold turkey here, but merely brewing your own drink to increase your savings.
Let’s crunch some numbers for fun Continue Reading
Why Are You Not Rich?
April 24, 2014
Are you financially free or even rich? If not, what’s stopping you?
Well, perhaps the main reason is that you may be living like you are rich already, and so hopefully, reading this blog will improve your financial savvy. The following is a list of major traps that can confine you to many years as a financial slave in the rat race, so avoid or escape these as soon as you can: Continue Reading
The Library, An Oasis of Frugality
April 2, 2014
In reading this blog I hope to help you graduate with honors in the life skill of Frugality, in spite of the huge temptation to work paycheck to paycheck. Aiding us in the lands of consumer culture are major outposts of frugality that can be found in virtually every town, which are in the guise of the public library.
Why do libraries promote frugality? Continue Reading
Upcycling
February 26, 2014
Have you heard of the term ‘upcycling’? It means converting a used product into something useful again, in terms of better quality and being better for the environment. What is this all about? Well, it’s really about using your creativity to generate a useful, fun product that can benefit your friends or yourself.
Here is a link Continue Reading
Buy Used
February 22, 2014
Perhaps it is best to try and restrain your shopping urges, focusing more on needs than wants. However, if you need something try your best to get it used. This could be from a car to electronics or furniture. For example, many friends are probably trying to upgrade their electronics, which tend to have very short life cycles and so you can get a relatively new printer, computer or phone extremely cheap. My most recent item was a relatively new printer, which was given for free 🙂
One of my favorite places to shop for good deals is Continue Reading
Savings = greater happiness
February 14, 2014
Did you read the recent interesting Ally study results saying that it isn’t necessarily the salary that you can earn but rather your savings that can really affect your levels of happiness?
If you would like to read in a little more depth I found a nice discussion on the topic here.
OK, so overall such a survey didn’t appeal to my rigorous scientific standards. However, the gist of it is that Continue Reading