Why An Increasing Lifestyle Can Actually Reduce Your Happiness

Posted on October 13, 2017 by Oldster

We read a fair bit in this community about the concept of Hedonic Adaptation.  It is usually invoked in discussing whether we should allow our lifestyle to “move up” as we increase our income.  We have probably all fallen victim to this, and if you have not, you know someone who has.  They get hired making $50k/year and perhaps struggle a bit to pay their way through life.  They usually find a balance if they try hard enough and come to a place where they can live comfortably on their pay.  Continue reading →

Posted in Frugal Living, General FIRE | 2 Comments

What I Read This Week of October 1

Posted on October 8, 2017 by Oldster

A lite post this week.  I’m working on something that is taking longer than usual.  Should have it up this week.

A tribute to one of the things that makes baseball unique – I am a baseball fan, nerd, addict (pick one).  This discussion of the “error” in baseball is superb.

From the Frugal Professor – a tutorial on how to get adequate (perhaps even good) cell phone service for next to nothing.  I’m not sure I have the patience for this hack, but it is interesting.

From MMM – a discussion of his first year as a Nissan Leaf owner (electric car).

 

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What I Read this Week of September 24

Posted on October 1, 2017 by Oldster

From Darrow Kirkpatrick at Can I Retire Yet? – A reminder to stop and appreciate the things you love now, and not to postpone that enjoyment until “retirement”.

If you like Whisky (or think you’d like to try) – This is a good starter guide taking you from sweet American Bourbon Whiskey to peaty Scotch Single Malt Whisky.

From Penny at She Picks Up Pennies – If you have ever been depressed over money issues, or know someone who has, this is a very good read.

A Reminder from Steve of Think Save Retire – It’s not what you save, but what you invest that counts.

A Guest Post on Budgets are Sexy – From Billy B. at Wealth Well Done.  He survived 10 years in prison and came out and created the kind of life for himself we all strive for.  If he can, what’s our excuse?

 

Posted in General FIRE, Reading | 2 Comments

Reprise – Twenty Years of Hard Labor – What I’ve Learned About Investing

Posted on September 28, 2017 by Oldster

This is a post I put up a few months back.  It is timely in that I’ve had this discussion with several friends and acquaintances over the last couple of weeks.  Enjoy!

I did some interesting research a couple of years ago.  You see, I’ve been an active investor for most of the accumulation phase of my investing years.  I’ve researched stocks and bought or sold individual companies for all of my investing career.  I’ve used options and other derivatives in an attempt to hedge my investments and to maximize my return.  I know what I’m doing and I’ve been fairly successful through the years.  Or so I thought. Continue reading →

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What I Read This Week of September 17

Posted on September 24, 2017 by Oldster

Here are a few of the things I read this week and really liked:

From Bob at Tawcan – an insightful post discussing, among other things, paying yourself first in time (as opposed to money).  A great idea!

From Maggie at Northern Expenditure – a discussion of something that both affects us all and causes as much if not more fear and delay in the retirement process.

More from Maggie – discussing how we can save money on medical costs we all incur in the normal course of life.

This illustration of how languages developed from a common source – is one of the coolest things I’ve seen this week.  From the folks at Bored Panda.

From the Atlantic – Why reading the Hobbit my actually save us all.

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