the money tools you need to be set free
If you are human, you likely have some hang-ups around money. Our brains are wired in ways that make money management difficult. In order to take control of your finances, it helps to understand the unconscious beliefs that underly your decisions. In the financial realm, there are four psychological phenomena that heavily weigh into our money […]
There is so much baggage weighing down our money conversations. Taboos and complicated feelings make talking about money extremely difficult, even though it is important. There is shame, spite, and many strong opinions where money is concerned. The way we spend our money is a reflection of the way we want to live our lives. Everyone has their […]
The size of the average house in North America has nearly tripled in size from the 1950s to today, growing from 983 square feet to a spacious 2,349 square feet. I am in my early twenties with no future family on the near horizon. I currently rent a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment in Portland, […]
Nobody wants to be called cheap. We dread being labeled a scrooge, likened to a mean, greedy recluse who would do anything to avoid parting from a penny. We want to be known for our generosity while still saving enough for ourselves. Those who decide to be money-wise are often nervous of being accused of […]
Was it just me or did October disappear in the blink of an eye? We filled our October weeks with lots of walks to appreciate the autumn colors, but besides those, we have been full-on charging ahead with daily life. Mr. Mechanic has started interviewing for residency at hospitals across the nation and I have […]
When Refine My Money told me about her series on money diaries in different major cities, it sounded like a fantastic idea. She then asked me to write one up for her and I was in! I had seen other people keep money diaries but was never organized enough to do it. It is definitely […]
In honor of Halloween let me introduce you to the money monsters we face. Brace yourself for five appalling creatures intent on wrecking financial havoc. The Too-Good-To-Be-True Siren Beware the siren call of spectacular profits with low risk. Shut your ears from the tempting tease to wire money or pay a fee before a new […]
Last month I published a post on my Top 4 Most Regrettable Purchases, but of course there is a flip side: all the things I in the last year that I am grateful for. The list got quite long– I don’t regret the plants, the art supplies, or the instruments we have, for example, so I […]
Two days ago, my phone buzzed with a trending post on Reddit. The post detailed someone who had achieved FIRE (financial independence and retire early), but says he is ready to go back to work. “The past year has been horrible for me,” he writes, “The lack of socialization, need to get out of the house, […]
The resounding advice for someone looking to control their finances is to know your finances. We all hear this advice: you should know how much money is coming in, how much money is going out, and ultimately where that money is going. Similar to many others, I did not follow this advice for a long time. […]