We were always a big gaming family.My dad and I would play Monopoly and Aggravation for HOURS when I was home from college -- until 3 am or 4 am in the morning at times!Then when we had our own family, games naturally played a big part in our entertainment time (to this day, my daughter and dad play Aggravation for money! LOL!)If I had to pick one game that we … [Read more...]
My Favorite Podcasts
I have been a life-long learner.Even as a young boy, I read quite a lot (mostly fiction) and enjoyed learning new things.As I got older I went to college and then graduate school which involved lots of learning, of course.But instead of stopping there, I kept reading both books and magazines, especially on personal finance and topics related to my … [Read more...]
Did Being a Country Boy Help Make Me Wealthy?
When I work out, I always listen to music.I've tried listening to books or podcasts when exercising, but it just doesn't work.I have to count (reps) or strain (lifting or cardio) and my attention on anything anyone says is gone. When I've tried a podcast or book I end up constantly rewinding which makes for a very frustrating experience.So music it is.I listen … [Read more...]
How to Make Money as a Soccer Referee
I have talked now and then about how to turn a hobby into an income.Well, today's post is a story about how I did just that -- how I turned my interest in soccer into a nice side hustle (and a great job for my son).To set the scene a bit, back in the day (10 years or so ago), I became a soccer referee by accident.My son was playing soccer, they were short on … [Read more...]
Top 10 Money Mistakes I Made on the Way to FIRE
Now that we've detailed the money mistakes millionaires make, I thought it was time to share another round of my money mistakes.I do this from time to time to 1) keep myself humble, 2) interrupt what can seem like a never-ending list of "I'm so great" posts, and 3) demonstrate that you don't have to be perfect to achieve financial independence (FI).It's the last of … [Read more...]
Retirement Update: 2.75 Years
Ok, I'm going the wrong way.I thought that I'd move from two retirement updates per year to simply one annually, but there is so much going on, I've been doing them quarterly the past three times!If I don't, my updates would often seem way out of touch.Besides, everyone seems to like these, so for now I'll be doing them more often.Here's an overview of my … [Read more...]
Why I Sold Rockstar Finance
I have some news for you today!After buying Rockstar Finance in December 2017, I just recently sold it.If you're a blogger or deep into personal finance, you likely know what Rockstar Finance is.If you're simply kinda interested in personal finance, read only a few blogs, and are new to ESI Money, you might not.No problem. Just read Why I Bought Rockstar Finance … [Read more...]
Being Diligent with Home Security
If you belong to Next Door, the "private social network for your neighborhood community", you know two things...1. Very few humans can contain their pets.2. Your neighborhood is full of criminal activity.Let me elaborate a bit... Lost Dog/Cat/Whatever Almost daily there's a post on Next Door that someone has lost a pet in our neighborhood.We must live in … [Read more...]
2018 Financial Year in Review and 2019 Forecast
I'm writing this at the end of January. By the time it posts I'll be well into tax season. Ugh.My investments and businesses have done well this year and I'll owe money even though I paid quarterly taxes. So I'm in no hurry to file. ;)While I'm slaving away getting details ready for my CPA, I wanted to give you an overview of how 2018 turned out financially.I'll … [Read more...]
How Assassin’s Creed Can Help You Become Wealthy
I'm going to give you a warning up front -- this could get a little geeky.But hey, we're all money nerds anyway, so what's a little geekiness to boot?I've mentioned a few times how I like to play video games. I have a specific type of game I prefer: the ones where there's a hero, an open world, and where both stealth and fighting are part of the success formula.This … [Read more...]
