Month: July 2018

A Penny Per Rock- The Original Side Hustle of Rock Picking

"Kids would give their right arm to be able to ride these horses," - My dad, explaining to my brother and I that we loved horses.

Need a side hustle idea?  How about rock picking?

I grew up in a small town in Northwest Montana.  I was lucky enough to live on the edge of a 45-acre meadow and be in a family that owned several horses.  It was, and still is, an idyllic place to have yourself a childhood.  All 9-year-old girls love horses. Unfortunately for my brother and I, neither of us were ever 9-year-old girls.

We didn’t really like horses. Mostly because horses equated to hours of involuntary labor.  The juice was not worth the squeeze, as it were.

It’s worth noting that neither myself nor my brother ever asked to own horses.  My dad is the horse person in the family.  This was not a Christmas present we begged for.  We just had them because my dad liked them.  Our family did not run under democratic law. Continue reading “A Penny Per Rock- The Original Side Hustle of Rock Picking”

The Snowball Effect of Life Optimization – How to Start The Snowball

If you’re unfamiliar with the term “Snowball Effect” it basically means something that starts off small and insignificant snowballs into the next thing until eventually you’ve got an avalanche of momentum.  The snowball effect of life optimization is just that.  It starts off with small changes that snowball into a better life.   

It can be overwhelming to know where to start on the path to living a better, more purposeful, life.  You know there are countless changes you should be making.  Eat healthier, exercise more, save more money, learn to invest, drink less alcohol, stop poking baristas in the eye that pronounce your name wrong, the list can seem endless.   Continue reading “The Snowball Effect of Life Optimization – How to Start The Snowball”

11 Smart Ways to Lower Your Grocery Bill and Eat Healthier

We’ve all felt the pain of emptying our grocery cart onto the conveyer belt only to see the total creep way past our planned budget.  With a little planning you can lower your grocery cost without sacrificing quality.  Below are 11 smart ways to lower your grocery bill. Continue reading “11 Smart Ways to Lower Your Grocery Bill and Eat Healthier”

Investing 101- How to Invest Your Money When You Don’t Know Where to Start

Question:  I have some amount of money that I would like to turn into more money.  How should I invest it?

Side Note:  I’m pretty lazy and don’t want it to take up a lot of my time.

Answer:  You should invest in Vanguard VTSMX.

How to invest post over.  Phew that was really easier than I thought.

For those of you more curious as to why you should invest in Vanguard VTSMX I will explain in further detail and also ask/answer a few more questions. Continue reading “Investing 101- How to Invest Your Money When You Don’t Know Where to Start”

The 4% Rule- How To Know When You’ve Reached Financial Independence

I have a good friend who we’ll call Eric because his name is Eric.  It’s his real name, not even a made up name to protect his identity.  He once said I can feel free to share his social security number so I don’t think he’ll care about me using his real name in my article about the 4% rule. He might have been joking about that, but I don’t like to assume things.

Unfortunately, I can’t remember his social security number so we’ll just have to make due with his first name.

Eric was lamenting the fact that retirement was simply not in the cards for our generation. Continue reading “The 4% Rule- How To Know When You’ve Reached Financial Independence”

Work Less, Bullshit More- The Secret to Winning at Work

Work Less, Bullshit More…Wait, what?

As counterintuitive as the post of this title is, I believe it’s true.  I mean, not if you’re naturally a terrible worker who just talks all day but if you’re chasing financial independence chances are you’re naturally tilted towards putting your head down and working hard.  At the very least work less, bullshit more has it’s place.  If you want to get ahead at your job: work less, bullshit more. Continue reading “Work Less, Bullshit More- The Secret to Winning at Work”

Do It Yourself Car Air Freshener in Financially Responsible Grassy Mower Scent

Pretty Gal: Wow, Carl. Your car sure smells.

Carl: Aw shucks Jenny, I was going to get an air freshener but I just can't afford one.

Pretty Gal named Jenny: Oh Carl, I just can't be with a man who can't make a Do It Yourself Car Air Freshener

Narrator Addressing Audience: This situation has happened to us all. If this story hits a little too close to home then we've got just the thing.  

Narrator Addressing Carl: Cheer up, Carl. You just need a little "Grassy Mower" in your life, from your friends, The Burrito Bowls.
*Winks at Camera*

Carl: Gee, thanks classic 1950s male voice narrator. I'm gonna 'Do it myself' with Burrito Bowl Diaries Financially Responsible Grassy Mower Scent.
*Thumbs up*

Are you tired of paying exorbitant prices to the Little Trees company just to keep your car smelling like Summer Linen? Do you have daydreams of your passengers mistaking your car for a Spring Meadow? Are you sick of small fractions of your window being taken up with those cardboard trees dangling from your rearview mirror? How can anyone afford to pay up to $2.99 every few months and still save for their children’s college?!  Well you’re in luck, friends, your money saving ship has finally come in with our non-patented Do It Yourself Car Air Freshener! Continue reading “Do It Yourself Car Air Freshener in Financially Responsible Grassy Mower Scent”

5 Great Ways to Teach Your Kids About Money

So you decided that instead of sticking your tongue out and seeing if you can touch your nose again you’d be better off doing something productive.

You want to teach your kids a little about investing.  Maybe you want to teach your wee lads and/or lassies about the power of saving their hard earned dollars or about the power of compounding interest.  You want to teach them how to make it work for them instead of against them.  Maybe you just want them to have a firm grasp on the world and their finances. Maybe is a strong word. Continue reading “5 Great Ways to Teach Your Kids About Money”

10-Minute Workout for Humans Who Read Blogs About 10-Minute Workouts

Being consistent with workouts is something we all struggle with, unless we just consistently don’t workout.  I’ve recently started a quick 10-minute workout regimen that I’m really enjoying. I mean, I don’t enjoy it at all when it’s happening.  I enjoy it AFTER I do it.

Now that I think about it, you probably won’t like it all….wait, come back.  You WILL like it.  You’ll LOVE it!  The whole thing is a blast. Never mind that burning in your chest or that slight fainting sensation.  Wooo! Continue reading “10-Minute Workout for Humans Who Read Blogs About 10-Minute Workouts”

Local Minimalists Give up Dresser/Ceiling in Bid to Find Freedom

Portland, ORE. -Local aspiring minimalists, Jane and Fred Teeples, made headlines this week by taking their minimalism to new levels and getting rid of their dresser.

“We want to become minimalists,” Fred said as he proudly stood in a pile of loose clothes inside their Multnomah County home.

Continue reading “Local Minimalists Give up Dresser/Ceiling in Bid to Find Freedom”