So, you want to be successful. In a world of clamoring start-ups, tech disruption, and billion dollar innovations, you want to stand out from the rest. Everyone wants the secret sauce. Businesses hire consultants to tease out their target market, massage their mission statement, and hone their strategy. Individuals break open monosyllabic books like Grit, […]
A Fiery Millennial’s Money Diary
Today I am very excited to feature a guest post from Gwen of FIERY MILLENNIALS. On her blog, Gwen chronicles her adventures in real estate, solopreneurship, and her musings on navigating adulthood. She is a vocal advocate in the FIRE community for young adults, and I have followed her blog since I discovered the concept […]
What Happened When I Had An Unlimited Food Budget
Last year I had the opportunity to travel to the UK for work. I made a couple of different trips, and for the first month my work put me up in a flat and paid for every meal. It was a great opportunity to learn what my habits would be like if money was less […]
The Surprising Cost of Medical Residency Interviews
Hi everyone, I’m Mr. Mechanic. Financial Mechanic has been begging me for weeks to write a guest post and I finally have a topic to share! This article gives a brief look at the cost of my medical education, then goes on a deep dive into my costs on the residency interview trail. It’s no […]
Confessions of a Frugal Fraud
I was bent over my desk, studying, when I heard a muffled laugh from my roommate. The shifting glow of her screen lit up her face when I looked over. It was freshman year and we had just moved in, so our friendship was in the early stages: tentative but pleasant. She told me she […]
Every Dollar I Spent Last Year
We began the new year in a deserted city. Storefronts were planked over as we walked alone down the streets of Antwerp, the most populous city in Belgium. Most people were sleeping off the night before, quiet calm descending after a night of reflections and hope for the year of 2018. Note: some links may […]
December 2018 Expense Report
December Reflections I was home alone for most of December while Mr. Mechanic flew to various residency interviews. This meant a lot of time watching movies he would never want to watch (what do you mean no British Bake Off or The Good Place for a week?!), scarfing down Trader Joe’s Lasagna (family size? Let’s […]
What’s in Your Financial Toolkit? 5 Savvy Savers Share Their Favorite Tools
In the garage of every financial mechanic tools are carefully arranged across the wall. If someone were to walk by, they would hear the sound of constant tinkering. If they were to peek inside, they might witness ideas sparking across the room. In the center, there would be an intent, mask-wearing mechanic welding their fiscal […]
4 Habits of Successful People, But Not Me
Self-improvement lists keep flashing across my ‘suggested reading’ pane, and I can’t help but click on them. 7 daily habits that will change your life 10 life improving habits you need to start immediately 5 things to do to be successful in your career Some of the things I have heard my entire life: eat […]
November 2018 Expense Report
November was the month of travel and family. I kicked off the first week with a business trip to California, where I spent most of the time working outside to soak up as much sun as possible. Traveling for work racked up a grand total of $1,500. That is usually how much I spend in […]