Hi there! This post is an illustrated, pared-down version of my recent “Inflation, Explained” podcast episode. It was created as a simple, easy-to-digest guide to help you understand the current inflationary environment in the US. Ready? Let’s dive in! What is inflation? Simple definition: too much money chasing too few goods. – a.k.a. this: –…
The idea behind financial independence is that your passive income — typically through investments — is enough. But how much is enough? Enough for what? The typical reaction that many people have to this question is to define “enough” based on their current standard of living. For example: “Right now, my spouse and I are…
It’s an old familiar hum: Every January, we kickoff the calendar year with New Years Resolutions: lose 10 pounds, make smarter investments, create an extra $1,500 per month on the side. Yet by February, we’ve returned to life as usual. The discarded New Years Resolution has become a tired cultural trope. We blame ourselves for…
You should see my Inbox after I’ve left it unchecked for a few days. The sheer volume of crappy pitches, press releases, “check out my infographic” and “could you link to us?” requests would make your head explode. I leave my Inbox untamed for 2-8 days stretches on a semi-regular basis, and when I return,…
Back in March 2015, I had asked new Afford Anything subscribers to answer two questions: What’s your wildest dream? What’s keeping you from getting there? After reading through thousands of responses, I heard a theme emerge: “I don’t know how to invest, and I’m afraid of making expensive mistakes.” Let’s tackle that today. As a disclaimer, today’s…
This recent reader email struck a chord: I’m a software engineer trying to plan my plunge [into freedom]. I’m young, so I figured I would grind it out, save a lot, and retire early. But after a health scare, I realize mini-retirements might trump early retirements, and I want to achieve a lifestyle similar to yours. …