Expense Justification Is Just Budgeting for Cowards
I need to be direct about something: the phrase “expense justification” bothers me. Not because it’s inaccurate—we absolutely rationalize our purchases. I hate it because it frames overspending as a psychological problem that requires therapy or mindfulness or better self-awareness. The real problem is simpler and more uncomfortable: most people don’t actually budget. If You’re […]
Why Smart People Go Broke Slowly: The Sophistication Trap
My friend David is one of the smartest people I know about money. He reads financial research papers for fun. He can explain the Sharpe ratio without googling it. He rebalances his portfolio quarterly and has a spreadsheet that tracks his net worth down to the dollar. He also has $180,000 in car loans. Not […]
The Justification Arbitrage: Why Your Best Financial Decisions Feel Unjustifiable
I was 26 when I turned down the apartment upgrade. My lease was ending. I was getting a raise. The new place was only $400 more per month, and it had in-unit laundry, a real kitchen, and I wouldn’t have to share a public bathroom and dry my clothes on the public rooftop. Everyone I […]
3 Ways to Keep Exercise Costs Low
Exercise is an important part of any healthy routine. It is a guard against chronic diseases. It stimulates happiness inducing brain chemicals. And its a great way to keep weight in check. Getting the minimum 150 minutes of moderately vigorous exercise a week will leave you feeling happy, healthy, and mentally sharp. In case you’re curious, thats 30 […]
4 FIRE Powered Cars
With a move to Washington DC on the horizon, transportation is top of mind. Beijing has about the best public tranportation in the world, something Washington DC will struggle to compete against. So Mr. FIRE Power is in the market for a FIRE-powered vehicle. Ranking expenses for the average American household, transportation comes in at […]
Are Financial Aggregators Secure?
There are a number of budgeting and personal finance applications on the market today that aggregate financial account information in one place to offer users a holistic picture of their finances. Many do not cost money, and can be helpful for those unwilling or unable to create personal spreadsheets or data bases to track financial […]
4 Ways to Aggregate Financial Accounts
The hard work of financial independence begins with a budgeting exercise. To develop more sustainable savings habits, we first need to understand what we spend. The next step is the sometimes-painful adjustment to a more frugal lifestyle. That usually means more dinners at home, rethinking entertainment, and limiting major purchases. I went from 10 percent […]
2 Rules to Guarantee Financial Independence
Last week I met with a group of former U.S. Senators traveling to Beijing to meet with the Chinese government. Our discussion focused on the US-China commercial relationship and bilateral trade negotiations. At one point I argued that the US trade deficit with China—of which reduction is a priority for president Trump—was a poor metric […]
8 Tips for Throwing a Successful Warehouse Party
Side hustles are great because with time and effort they can grow into a sustainable business. That DJ side hustleyou started because you liked music can lead you to connections with other DJs and a following of dedicated fans. Next thing you know, you’re renting out empty warehouses, inviting your DJ pals to town, and charging […]
5 Ways Discipline Leads to Financial Independence
Dedicating fifty to seventy percent of your income to savings is an excessive in discipline. Seeing those savings grow to the point where financial independence is achieved can take a decade or more. Getting to that point is not a race to the finish, but a daily routine that manages cost and diverts those savings […]