When I gave my one year blog update, I asked if there were any topics readers wanted me to cover in year two. One reader commented and asked: During your professional career, what tasks did you outsource? Which did you DIY? Income tax returns, lawn care, window washing, haircuts, oil changes, Christmas shopping, shoe polishing, car washes — what did you do yourself? What … [Read more...]
Archives for February 2017
My Jobs, The Dot Com Bubble Bursts
Last time in this series I left off where my dream job had turned into a nightmare and I wanted out. Today I continue this series by giving details on the next position I held. After biding my time for two years, working hard and yet still wanting a new job, opportunity came knocking. I was approached about working for a new web start-up in our industry that had $40 million … [Read more...]
Millionaire Interview 5
Here’s my latest interview with a millionaire as we seek to learn from those who have grown their wealth to high heights. If you’d like to be considered for an interview, drop me a note and we can chat about specifics. Today's post is special because it comes from a fellow blogger, PoF from Physician on FIRE. I think you'll really enjoy this! My questions are in bold … [Read more...]
Monday is the Best Day in Retirement
To most of the world, the best day of the week is Friday (because the weekend is coming), Saturday (because there's no work), or Sunday (because there's no work). Here and there you might see other days make it into the "best day" discussion, but those three definitely lead the pack. I know they were my favorite days when I was working. You know what never gets … [Read more...]
My Income Tax Preparation Process
I am knee deep in tax stuff this time of year. How about you? Are you done with taxes or do you still have them left to complete? I thought I'd take a break from the mind-numbing work to share how I prepare for mine. As you probably know, I use a CPA to do the hard work. And I have some good reasons why I do. The highlights of my process: I track EVERY expense and … [Read more...]
Mainstream Financial Experts Are Experts at Creating the Illusion of Competence
Do you feel another ESI Money rant coming on? Me too. :) I've noted previously how many "financial experts" (or at least people who hold themselves out to know something about money) in the media really know very little about it. If you want to see my thoughts on the subject, see Why Another Financial Website? and Buying in Bulk is Always Cheaper. This has been my … [Read more...]
Help a Reader with Housing Advice
I recently had a reader email me and ask about buying a house. I suggested he write something up, I'd post it, and we'd let the ESI Money community weigh in on the subject. Here's his background/questions: I know home ownership is more than an investment but I am trying to ensure my first time purchase in the near future is not a money pit and something that can … [Read more...]
My Jobs, The Dream Job Turns into a Nightmare
Last time in this series I shared some of my career history and left off where I had just accepted my dream job. Today I want to continue this series by giving details on the next position I held. The dream job was everything I had hoped it would be -- lots of great projects, interesting people to work with, a growing company with lots of energy, a bigger title, more money, … [Read more...]
Living Like No One Else
When I gave my one year blog update, I asked if there were any topics readers wanted me to cover in year two. One reader commented as follows: You must have done a fair amount of "living like no one else" to reach financial independence at your age, especially in relation to your socio-economic peers. What were some of the specific lifestyle choices you and your family made … [Read more...]
What to Do When You Save too Much for College
Just when you thought filing your taxes was the most complicated thing you'd have to figure out financially, along comes a problem like this. Let's start at the beginning... There are a couple of things you don't know when saving for college: Will my children even go to college? If so, how much will college cost them? My wife and I answered these questions many … [Read more...]
