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The Keys to Travel Hacking

November 15, 2017 By ESI 14 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Save, Travel

Costco Travel Saved Our $10k Vacation

November 1, 2017 By ESI 38 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Save, Travel

The 52 Best Ways to Save Money, Part 3

July 31, 2017 By ESI 20 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Save

Why Wealth Creation Begins with Frugality

July 26, 2017 By ESI 24 Comments

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 Opportunity Many finance experts and motivational speakers say things like, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Save

Why $3 Million is Not Enough to Retire On

July 17, 2017 By ESI 124 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Retirement, Save

The 52 Best Ways to Save Money, Part 2

July 10, 2017 By ESI 19 Comments

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 Foods You might be … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Save

How to Save on Food Costs

June 23, 2017 By ESI 24 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Save

We Spent 17% of Our Income

May 12, 2017 By ESI 23 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: About, Save

The 52 Best Ways to Save Money, Part 1

April 19, 2017 By ESI 24 Comments

The often unloved step in the E-S-I family is saving. I get it. It's not flashy or glamorous and if anything it makes us think of suffering and denying ourselves. But the truth is that saving is as important as earning. In fact, you could say it's more important. You can become wealthy with a moderate income and high savings rate but it's difficult to become wealthy at any … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Save

How to Save on College

April 7, 2017 By ESI 19 Comments

A friend and I were talking the other day. His daughter is one year younger than mine but both will be off to the college campuses of their choice this fall. He was sharing that his daughter had the choice between two great schools in her state which would leave her with ONLY "tens of thousands of dollars in debt" upon graduation and another, highly rated school just … [Read more...]

Filed Under: College, Save

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