Just One Percent Better

September 4, 2020November 3, 2020

Why I Chose Real Estate to Achieve Financial Independence

Why did I choose real estate to achieve financial independence? It gives me more control over cash flow and ROI than I get from index funds.

My path toward financial independence is at odds with the majority of the financial independence/retire early (FIRE) movement. Many FIRE advocates stress investing their savings in the stock market – specifically index funds like VTSAX. Save until you have 25 times your annual spend stashed away, then withdraw 4% of the dividends annually. There are finer points like rebalancing your portfolio, but that’s it in a nutshell. It’s easy, effective, and once achieved, takes very little time from your day, leaving you with the opportunity to retire early and enjoy life. But this crowd typically would not use real estate to achieve financial independence.

September 1, 2020November 3, 2020

Embrace Boredom and Uncertainty for a Well-Rounded Life

We can find our passions and a well-rounded life. Just embrace boredom and uncertainty, and lean into a happiness.

“I wouldn’t know what to do with myself on a sabbatical”

I was speechless when these words came out of my co-worker’s mouth. We were discussing our company’s sabbatical benefit, offered after seven years of employment, and I was still reeling from their recent decision to cut it. At the time, I had two options in mind for my “now-never-to-be” sabbatical. He, apparently, had none.

August 27, 2020November 3, 2020

Tips to Reduce Paper Waste and Save Some Cash

The COVID-19 pandemic gave us an opportunity to reevaluate paper usage and reduce paper waste.

When the 2020 pandemic of COVID-19 first made headlines, I expected it to impact our lives. I did not foresee or understand the toilet paper shortage of March, 2020. In times of uncertainty or when facing an unforeseen global crisis, we can either panic or lean in. My household chose the latter, and re-evaluated our disposable paper usage, which led us to drastically reduce paper waste and save on some of our monthly expenses.

This wasn’t how I thought that change would go down.

August 21, 2020November 3, 2020

Stuck in the Past | The Happiness Killer

Life is too short to get stuck in the past. Let go of the past, make today awesome, and start building an amazing tomorrow!

One of the hardest lessons I’ve had to learn in life is knowing when to let go of relationships. And, like most lessons, it’s one that I’ve had to learn more than once. One of the biggest reasons I’ve let go of relationships is simply because we outgrew each other. Or we started going in separate directions in life. And most detrimental, one person is stuck in the past, holding onto a life or time that is no longer there, while I am trying to move forward.

Recently a group of old friends from high school created a group chat trying to get the group together that weekend. It didn’t go well. Several friends have families with hectic schedules, and a three-day-notice is just not enough. Others live in other cities ranging from one to five hours away (Texas is big, y’all!). The elephant in the chat… a couple of these friends clearly had not moved on in life. And it was a little sad.

August 18, 2020November 3, 2020

Cook Like a Bad Ass On a Budget

For our second date, my partner wanted to cook for me.

A full menu with appetizer, dinner, and dessert was in store. I was impressed, and told myself I’d go easy on him. I’d had boyfriends try to cook for me in the past, only to sneak in some fast food on my way home. But I promised to approach this dinner date at my place with an open mind. It was sweet how he was trying to impress me. The least I could do was go easy on him.

When he came to my front door with a blowtorch, I had concerns.

August 14, 2020November 3, 2020

Prioritize Happiness | The Only Thing That Matters

Do what you love and prioritize happiness. Prioritize what really matters

“I wish I had let myself be happier.”

“I wish I hadn’t worked so hard.”

“I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.”

“I wish I had the courage to express my feelings.”

“I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.”

The Top 5 Regrets of the Dying ~ Bronnie Ware

Some people are born knowing what they want to do in life.

They hone in on their life’s calling at a young age, without question. Nothing can stop their pursuit of their unique contribution to this world. There is no question about what they should major in, what job they should take, what their five- and ten-year career plan will be. They already know, the only question is how to get there.

I am not one of those people. My admiration for these passionate souls is deep.

August 12, 2020November 3, 2020

Optimize Health for Optimal Happiness

prioritizing and optimizing your health can improve your life and well being

“It is health that is real wealth, and not pieces of gold and silver.”

Quote from Mahatma Gandhi
Lawyer, Politician, Social Activist and Writer

At my last corporate job, I sat across from this guy that really annoyed me.

He sprung into the office promptly at 8am every morning. I only know this because, every once in a while, a soulless corporate shell would schedule an 8am meeting. This would force me to set my alarm clock to a ridiculous hour, and roll in just in time to get a cup of coffee and see Mr. Early Bird already at his desk. He would have a wide smile on his face, saying, “Good Morning” in a cheery tone, while I grumbled a groggy, “Good Morning” back to him. My only solace, a good parking spot and shorter walk to my car at the end of the day.

August 10, 2020November 3, 2020

Embody the Modern Renaissance

The modern renaissance man never stops learning

“A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly.

Specialization is for insects.”

Quote from Robert A. Heinlein
Science-Fiction Author, Aeronautical Engineer, and retired Naval Officer

The modern renaissance man is at odds with our factory-based, corporate-driven, highly specialized society.

August 7, 2020November 3, 2020

Maximize Happiness with Rational Minimalism

Rational minimalism allows us to maximize happiness everyday.

“The more we value things, the less we value ourselves”

Quote from Bruce Lee
Martial Artist, Instructor, Actor, Director, Philosopher; Founder of Jeet Kune Do

My partner’s sister-in-law is a self-proclaimed minimalist. Proudly placed on her entryway table is a sign that says, “Less house, more home.”

It’s awesome. Unfortunately you can barely see it behind all of the high-end decorative items also cluttering the table.

August 5, 2020November 3, 2020

Abandon Consumerism

“The more cluttered the closet, the emptier the life”

Old Money, New Woman : How to Manage Your Money and Your Life ~ Byron Tully

Do you remember what gifts you got for your birthday two years ago?

Do you remember what you did and who you spent your birthday with two years ago?

Personally, I rarely remember the things I get. But I almost always remember the experiences I had, the friends and family I spent special days with. Shiny new things have a way of making you happy in the moment, and getting stuffed into the back of a closet a few months later.