I have been doing a lot of traveling lately.We didn't travel much the first part of the year as people came to see us.But the second half seems like we've had one trip after another.Here's where I've been since June:Took my daughter on her senior trip to Seattle and Portland (June) Flew with my daughter across the country to college (CO to VA, August). We … [Read more...]
My Results with Travel Hacking
Last week I posted The Keys to Travel Hacking where I listed seven steps I consider to be the travel hacking process.Today I want to share my results and thoughts on travel hacking.Let's do this by first going through each of the seven steps outlined in the previous post. Step 1: Set a Goal I had the fairly vague goal of "save money when I travel."This hindered me … [Read more...]
The Keys to Travel Hacking
In August I asked whether or not travel hacking was worth the time and effort.I got responses on both sides but I'd say most were in the "yes" camp.Good thing since I had already started my travel hacking adventure. :)More on that next week when I'll share my results so far and what I think of travel hacking in general.Today I want to cover what I consider to be … [Read more...]
Costco Travel Saved Our $10k Vacation
This is going to be a long and winding story, but stick with me as it will be both personal (and hopefully fun) as well as finance related.I'll try to cut through the story by bolding some of the key money learnings, so those of you who just want the hardcore personal finance stuff can focus in on those.Bottom line: This post is about how Costco Travel 1) saved us from … [Read more...]
The 52 Best Ways to Save Money, Part 3
Today we finish my list of the best 52 ways to save money.If you missed the first post or want to see my philosophy behind picking these tips, you can visit The 52 Best Ways to Save Money, Part 1. You can see the second post at The 52 Best Ways to Save Money, Part 2.As for now, we'll continue the countdown by sharing the best 15 tips.Here they are:#15: … [Read more...]
Why Wealth Creation Begins with Frugality
The following is an excerpt from the book Set for Life.I asked to run this piece because saving is the least glamorous step in the ESI scale but is also arguably the most important. I think this excerpt does a good job of detailing why it's so vital.Reason #1: Frugality Enables You to Seek OpportunityMany finance experts and motivational speakers say things like, … [Read more...]
Why $3 Million is Not Enough to Retire On
One of the questions I get emailed quite often goes something like this: I read online that you have $3 million and retired at 52. How did you do it? I am in about the same situation and I'm afraid I don't have enough. That's paraphrasing, but those are the general thoughts.There are actually two questions here that I'll address: 1) How did I manage retirement on $3 … [Read more...]
The 52 Best Ways to Save Money, Part 2
Today we continue my list of the best 52 ways to save money.If you missed the first post or want to see my philosophy behind picking these tips, you can visit The 52 Best Ways to Save Money, Part 1.As for now, we'll continue the countdown by sharing the best tips from #34 to #16.Here they are:#34: Cook from Scratch to Avoid Convenience FoodsYou might be … [Read more...]
How to Save on Food Costs
Today's post is written by Mrs. ESI Money, an expert on saving money. :)There are certainties in life we all experience: death, taxes, and shopping for food. One of these doesn’t have to be painful.In the decades that I’ve been the family food provider, I’ve learned a few things that have eased the burden of the experience and actually made food shopping fun.Well, … [Read more...]
We Spent 17% of Our Income
The other day I was listening to a podcast where the person being interviewed was talking about living on 25% of her family's income. The implication was they saved 75% of what they made.But I don't think that's the entire story.She said her percentages were based on "take home pay". Immediately I started doing the numbers in my head -- what did that really mean? I … [Read more...]
