Oh my goodness. I’ve done the unthinkable. I’ve written a blog post, after a many-month absence.
I realize this comes as a shock. If you need a moment to process, take your time.
Okay. Here we go.
So.
I’ve been quiet around here, so first I want to let you know I’m still alive. (Mostly.)
I don’t publish often, because I pressure myself to create articles that are perfect. Since that’s impossible, I stay silent and publish nothing.
To remedy this, I’m now committed to publishing the most imperfect posts you’ll ever read. This one, like everything I write, will be full of jokes that fall flat, terrible grammar, and incomplete sentenc–
(Hehe. #jokesthatfallflat )
Today’s post is a literal status update for the sake of my longtime readers who want to know what’s happening. Here’s the latest in my world of travel, investing and ideas …
Investing
– I’ve been scoping out rental properties in Birmingham, Alabama, where investment cap rates are excellent. After a three-day scouting trip, I found my favorite neighborhood; I’m still searching for an exact property. Details to come.
– I remodeled a bathroom in one of my Atlanta rental properties. Check it out:
I oversaw this remodel 100 percent by text message from Las Vegas. Don’t worry, I was mostly sober at the time. 🙂 I’ll tell the full story in my next rental income YouTube video.
– I’ve created a handful of real estate investing podcast episodes that are actually pretty decent, if I say so myself. Check out this one, which is one of my recent favorites.
Travel
I blame my ridiculous traveling schedule for the fact that I haven’t been writing as much. (Well, that, and I’m lazy.)
You’ve heard that quote about how “the only real success in life is living on your own terms?” To me, this means filling my life with travel.
I hope this doesn’t come off as pretentious. In my life, “budget travel” is an understatement. I stay with friends or at campsites; I consider Airbnb a splurge. I eat grocery store food or visit a no-frills taco shop. I use frequent-flyer miles to get free airfare.
I’m not traveling for the frills, and I don’t care about the mass-market conveyor belt of consumption. When I travel, it’s because I want to step outside of my zone of familiarity; to expose myself to new environments.
Well, that, and I’m restless.
This year, I’ve found myself exploring these places:
January: The only month I’ve spent at home in 2017.
February: Portland
Why: Um, the short answer is “a TV shoot related to Darth Vader.” I’m not allowed to reveal the details until it airs. 🙂
March: Austin and Houston
Why: Three of my BFF’s live there, so I devoted a full week to celebrating St. Paddy’s Day with them. When you’re voluntarily unemployed, you can do that. 🙂
April: Arizona and Utah
Why: Because Flagstaff and Zion are gorgeous camping spots in the springtime. Who needs any other reason? 🙂
May: San Francisco, Hawaii
Why: I flew to San Fran to deliver a 10-minute speech to 100 bloggers, then spent a week in Hawaii wearing a rash guard and working on my farmer’s tan.
June: Birmingham and Montgomery, Alabama
Why: Excellent price-to-rent ratios + stable economy = awesome investment choices here!
My friend Emma and I spent three days meeting with local investors and examining house after house. If you’re thinking, “every house in my city is expensive!” — hop on a plane and go somewhere where the houses are cheaper.
July: Portland, Los Angeles, and mega-cross-country road trip
Why: To kickoff the month, I drove 4,000 miles in 5 days, from Nevada to West Virginia and back. Yes, I’m insane.
I won an eBay bid for this 15-foot camper trailer. I’ve named her The Spicemobile. Ain’t she a beauty?
I drove to West Virginia to meet her, singing John Denver’s “Country Roads” at the top of my lungs. #whatrichpeopledo
Then I learned how to re-wire her brake lights. They’re … um … functional.
Now I have a new life skill. Kinda. #masterelectrician
So that’s how I kicked off July.
One week later, I flew to Portland to lead a three-hour workshop at the World Domination Summit — and, let’s face it, also to eat donuts. Lots and lots of donuts.
I rounded out the month in L.A. for a friend’s wedding, and since it’s hotter than $%@*#! in Las Vegas, I stayed for awhile. Yes to beaches; no to paying California state income tax.
August: Arizona, Seattle, Portland, Burning Man
Why: Well, why not?
I kicked off this month by driving to Arizona to pick up a used Nissan Pathfinder; I’ll be sleeping in the back of this vehicle when I’m road-tripping without my camper. I guess I can kiss my Motel 6 frequent-guest status goodbye. 🙂
Next, I flew to Seattle and Portland to watch the eclipse. I camped and ate food from grocery stores the entire time, bringing the trip cost down to next-to-nothing.
Finally, I’m rounding out the month at Burning Man, an arts festival that’s served as a cornerstone of my life since 2005. As I’ve mentioned on Facebook, Will and I celebrate our anniversary at Burning Man; this year marks our 10th.
September: Colorado, several TBD camping trips
Why: I’ll drive to the Rockies for a friend’s wedding, then I’ll take my camper to the desert/forest/beach for a solo writing retreat. Fingers crossed, I’ll be able to finish the course (??) or at least write a few good blog posts, Thoreau-style.
October: Ecuador, San Diego, Dallas
Why: I’ll kick off the month with two weeks in Ecuador — one week at a financial independence retreat, and another week to find the ‘swing of death.’
Next, I’m camping at a 4-day festival outside of San Diego, then zooming to Dallas for a blogger conference. To be honest, I’m tired just thinking about it. 🙂
November: I’m spending 30 days at home! #homebody
Why: My 76-year-old parents are visiting for a full month. Let’s see if Vegas is ready for them. 😉
December: California, Arizona, Florida
Why: My adorable Australian nieces, ages 8 and 10, are visiting the U.S. for the first time. I’m taking them to Disneyland and DisneyWorld, plus the Grand Canyon. #coolestauntever #yesthatISconsumerconveryorbelt #butwhatevs
So … that’s my year, encapsulated in a few hundred words. When someone asks, “what would you do if you didn’t have to work?,” you can always reply, “I’d drive to West Virginia while singing John Denver off-key, then find a giant swingset in the southern hemisphere.”
That answer may sound flippant, random or superfluous. Am I implying that the purpose of my life is to wander aimlessly? Not at all. Nor am I interested in pursuit of hedonism, which I think is obvious from my lack of frills.
Instead, in my job-free existence, I carve out delirious quantities of time for learning, conversation and reflection. We live in a society in which we are encouraged to follow a strict script — college, work, death — the structure of which provides zero time for meaningful exploration.
When I’m driving along a backcountry road, I’m listening to an audiobook or I’m deep in thought, grappling with an idea. When I’m wandering through a foreign country, I’m absorbing the subtleties and nuances of a culture different from mine, and I’m challenging every assumption I once held. And when I produce any creative work — whether that’s writing a blog post, creating a podcast episode, or building a business — my output is the physical manifestation of untold hours of learning, thought and conversation. To the outside world, I may look like I’m vagabonding, sleeping in the back of my car somewhere in the Rockies. But the autonomy to do so is reason that my creativity and originality can flourish.
The muse is demanding.
On Having Enough
Here’s my bottom line:
“At a party given by a billionaire on Shelter Island, Kurt Vonnegut informs his pal, Joseph Heller, that their host, a hedge fund manager, had made more money in a single day than Heller had earned from his wildly popular novel Catch-22 over its whole history. Heller responds, “Yes, but I have something that he will never have … enough.”
Enough. It’s all you need.
This is a quote from the first chapter of the book Enough by John Bogle, the founder of Vanguard and inventor of index funds.
I’ve re-read this single paragraph countless times; ironically, I can’t get enough of it.
I’m often asked why I’m not more aggressive with my investments:
- “How many more properties are you buying? Like, today?”
- “Why aren’t you scaling into commercial buildings?”
- “Why don’t you use more leverage?”
The reason is simple:
I have enough. I don’t need to further complicate my life.
I see money as a tool that allows me to live a flexible, independent life. Investing allows me to explore the world.
I see the world as a giant playground, and life as an epic field trip. It’s filled with learning, teaching, games, books, jokes, friendships, laughter, swingsets and donuts. Lots and lots of donuts.
Just wanted to share that idea.
**************
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Nothing like a new Afford Anything post to make early Monday a bit sweeter 🙂
I may need to print out the Heller/Vonnegut quote. Finding “enough” in things that fulfill you while maintaining a level of simplicity (and sanity) is something has not always come easily to me. But I have found that the times I seek “more”, I come up empty and frustrated. Thank you for the morning inspiration, even if it isn’t “perfect”.
That’s funny “Country Roads” has been stuck in my head for a few days…
I quit my job over a year ago, and I’ve spent my time travelling, practicing hobbies, and learning. Life is one big experience, and I didn’t want to spend another decade experiencing a cubicle. The new knowledge and experiences have been well worth giving up the cushy salary 🙂
Btw, nice work on the brake lights 🙂 So long as it works!
That sounds great, both of you.
I didn’t have that song stuck in my head, but I live in Seattle (and took a month and a half off to see family and got to watch the eclipse with a nice retired lady while staying with my friend – I travel much the same way you do. Except I order sushi a lot. But similar)
I have never commented before and chose to this time because…I don’t see West Virginia in a blog post often! I grew up there, and part of my month and a half was spending a week there.
Thank you for publishing this. Last year I realized I had been obsessing about having free time so I could do what I wanted…and realized I had NO IDEA what I would do if I wasn’t “working on” something. So I made a point to start doing those things…now. Most of them are free.
I got a karaoke app on my phone.
I go out dancing 1-3 nights a week for less than the cost of a drink at most bars out here.
I started writing more.
I take walks and go hiking.
I make a point to eat dinner with friends as much as possible – we all love cooking, and I’m going to eat anyway. I find it’s usually not much more expensive – if at all – to cook for two or three compared to cooking for one, and the quality of life is worlds apart.
I started reading books for fun.
I spent a week with my mom (WV) and a week with my brother (NYC). It felt like the biggest luxury imaginable.
Thank you for being level headed and still inspirational.
I have been feeling lately like I still want to grow and explore, but what I have is stable and happy. I have enough. True words =)
“I see the world as a giant playground”
Music to my ears! Yes, there’s tons of other great opportunities everywhere, but unless it’s something you want to spend all your time focusing on day and night, it’s not always worth the effort.
Hope to meet you in FinCon!
— Jim
What an awesome blog post! A human being after my own heart! Thank you for sharing!
I was so excited to see your new post! Thanks for the update! I’m so excited that you’ve found another rental market to invest in. I miss your posts about your rentals. They are so helpful!
You’re doing a great job with the podcast. I can see the quality getting better every day. Best of luck with September!
I love your posts they are the best!!!!
I have 3 rentals, but debt to income/leverage is a problem. Tips/suggestions?
Also since you don’t work, are there challenges with this? Like purchasing health insurance, staying motivated etc?
Man that great!!! Got a question, just how did you manage the rehab remotely? I’m finally getting started but I have no idea how you managed the rehab from such a far distance. And I thought 50 miles was a challenge.
She has a great contractor there in Atlanta that she’s worked with for years. She mentions this in earlier blog posts and podcasts. She and their contractor trust each other and work well together. I’m pretty sure that’s how she managed it.
Nice to see your blog post in my email today, Paula… I enjoy your weird humor and am amazed at your stamina with all that travel! In reading your travel schedule, I noticed you have BFFs in Austin and Houston. I hope they’re on high ground and safe during the apocalyptic rain they’ve had there.
Thank you Judy! They’ve stayed safe during the storms, thank goodness! 🙂
I found your blog post about a year ago when I was stuck in a job I did not like. I came back to your blog daily (while at work) 🙂 and read as much as I could. Your blog post along with reading, Rich Dad, Poor Dad, back in high school has made me WANT to be financially independent by real estate as well. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I write you for the first time, because when you come to Dallas in October, could I buy you a coffee and just pick your brain for 10 minutes? I am still reading real estate books and feeling confident and comfortable enough to buy a property, but hope to invest soon. Btw, not a creep (28 yo, engaged female) just looking to get a 10 minute real estate “BUZZ” from someone whose blog is beyond motivational.
You should throw in a donut with the coffee and I bet she’ll be in! 😉
Danielle,
You sound so much like me it’s scary.
“I found your blog post about a year ago when I was stuck in a job I did not like. I came back to your blog daily (while at work) and read as much as I could. Your blog post along with reading, Rich Dad, Poor Dad, back in high school has made me WANT to be financially independent by real estate as well. ”
All of that is exactly the same as my story. Paula basically directly influenced me to get my first property, which I did at age 28. A condo. I had it rented out for the last year, and am now working on updating and renovating it, and am going to get my next property next year by summertime.
I also live in Dallas, and hope Paula will be able to meet with one or both of us!
Good to hear from you! Looks like I need to look into Birmingham too. Dallas is getting quite expensive.
I believe money provides us the options and flexibilities to pursue our passions. What matters most to us. I just started blogging and vlogging a few months ago. Hopefully it may turn into something down the road, but I am having a blast doing it.
Another great Afford Anything post, no matter how imperfect. I ask the following question because I struggle with it myself: are you concerned about the carbon footprint that results from all your travels? I, too, travel quite a bit. In fact, I’ll soon be off to South Africa for a 3-week motorbike safari and I just got back from a week long road trip to Wyoming chasing the eclipse. I don’t know how to reconcile travel and carbon footprints. Any thoughts?
The “Swing at the End of the World” is neat but you will survive! It is cool but not quite as menacing in person as it appears in that photo 🙂
Ha ha, if that’s ‘imperfect’… 😉 “I see the world as a giant playground” really resonates. That’s how life should be I reckon….about fun and adventure and having your eyes opened to the riches of the world. Thanks for the update. Enjoy your adventures.
Awesome thought provoking quote, and nice remodel of the bathroom!
Looking forward to more updates in the future 🙂
Love ❤️ it. Thank you very much for sharing. I’m relatively new to your blog however I have learned quit a lot in a short period of time. Cheers 🍻.
I love this. Thank you so much for writing. This is exactly the kind of life I want to live (busy, full of love, laughter, and friends) and it’s wonderful to know that at least one person has done it.
Love this new side of you Paula! Keep it coming
I heard you for the first time on Bigger Pockets podcast and I thought to myself there is a person who has it together. Then I saw your wiring job on the brake lights…almost have it together. I’m kidding of course, you do what you have to do. I have been following you since I heard that podcast. Love your blogs. Most of all I love the way you attack life. With all of the traveling you do I think our paths will cross and I for one will be glad they did. Your blogs and emails have caused me to refocus my business just a bit. I have been doing flips and haven’t jumped into the rental business…..yet (although I am looking at buying two at this moment😰. For what it’s worth, you have helped this investor see things from another perspective. A perspective that isn’t readily seen in the investing world and for that I thank you.
Wishing you all the best,
-JD
on perfection: the only way to make zero mistakes is to do nothing. let’s see more mistakes, please
Thank you, Steve 🙂
I try to remind myself of this everyday! 🙂
Yay a new PP post! Have you heard the expression: Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good? Ha! One of my bosses used to tell me that and it really stuck.
If you found any real estate agents or PMs in the B’ham area you really like, would you be willing to share names? I’m starting to look there and could use some good referrals.
Thanks!
Great to hear from you! Your posts are always a welcome change and a great look into a lifestyle and mindset that I am working on emulating 🙂
Many Thanks,
Great post Paula and thank you for the nod to long time readers. This is exactly what we want. We have all of your past posts to retrieve wisdom and information, but now we just want to know what you’re doing since you’ve achieved “enough”.
When I speak with others about their ambitious goals or massive already successful investment portfolios, I’m impressed, but not envious. I don’t see myself acquiring 100+ rental units or doing $10 million in real estate. I just want to create enough passive income to take the stresses away. At least a little bit. To allow myself and my future family to enjoy life without the financial pressures.
So thanks for this post as it’s a nice reminder that “enough” isn’t the same for everyone and once you realize that happiness is a way of living and not a destination, the better life becomes.
Ps. Have you done a blog or podcast on your camping style and equipment? My wife and I are older (60), but I like would for us to begin to explore more and Camp, however, knowing what to purchase and bring along seems daunting to say the least.
PPS. Have you considered publishing kindle books on your investment style or traveling tips? I would happily purchase them from you. Many thanks!
Glad you are posting again. I love your sense of humor. The travel trailer is an interesting idea. I’m not sure I can get “spousal buy-in” but it would be fun to give it a try.
Thanks Paula, and it’s good to be reading you again.
I would probably do much the same as you and travel around enjoying various areas. That travel trailer looks like a bunch of fun. The brake lights add a flare of IDGAF to the whole thing :-).
Another great post, glad you’re back at it! You say you’re planning on visiting Ecuador? I spent a month between Quito and Guayaquil last summer visiting/ staying with my wife’s family. Such an amazing country.
This is exactly it. Enough, that’s really the key.
Well said, and glad to see you posting again! Hopefully we’ll cross paths here soon. Enjoy the journey!!
I heard on your podcast that you are looking into Birmingham also. After speaking to a respected member on BP, I was looking in that area as well. I will be speaking to a contact there next week so I’m looking forward to hearing more about your investment out there!
The whole time I was reading your post I was nodding my head in agreement. Having difficulty writing because I want it to be perfect, traveling without frills, traveling all the time and having enough. Paula you nailed it on this one! #seeyouinecuador
Lizard King checking in from Houston. I made out OK in the storm. Many of my neighbors lost everything. I’ve convinced the other HOA board members to convert the clubhouse to a donation center. It has been a source of great comfort to those in need.
Liked this post, especially the part about “enough”. I hit my five year FIRE date on 5OCT2017. Some of my friends are coming around to the idea but most simply don’t grok ‘enough’ yet. If they spend enough time around me, they may pick it up by osmosis. Enjoy your travels!
I love that you’re crazy as I am about driving back and forth across the country. Hope to see you at FinCon and catch you on the road. I’ve been contemplating an RV or camper lifestyle for a year. Just to get out of my comfort zone and gain new experiences and find interesting things to write about too.
Love these posts. I feel so in line with the way you view your purpose. I tested ENTP on the Myers Briggs test. I’m almost certain you are one too. Care to share?
“camping at a 4-day festival outside of San Diego” in October – are you going to YouTopia? 🙂
Heck yeah!! I love Youtopia. 🙂
This was my second or third time there, and several of my close friends who live in San Diego also return there every year. It’s a bit of an annual reunion for us. 🙂
Did you participate at Youtopia this year?
This quote about “enough” is amazing! I feel that finally I found remedy for my pursuit of new gadgets and money. Thank you for that!
If I didn’t have to work I would definitely read books all the day and share this knowledge from it to as many people as I could 🙂
It’s been almost a decade since I took my web design business full time. I work from home (or anywhere we travel), earn enough for our family. I’d rather spend time with my kid, than over-complicating with offices, employees and all the jazz
I stumbled across your blog over a month ago, and I absolutely love it! Thank you for sharing how you created “your life by design” Also, I totally connected with your comment about “perfectionism”. This is me with investing. I’m behind with my retirement … and turning 50 next year. Creating passive income with investing/rental incomes is the way to go for me. I just need to put it into action. Your blog encourages and inspires me to chunk it down to bite-size pieces and take action. I’ll keep reading!
Its wierd. I here am reading this article! I get inspiration of how I want to live my life. Of course my business has to grow! I would like to travel around the world and see the historical places. Also help those who want to be helped! Good luck with your businesses!
Hi. Just want to give some feedback about podcast #094 which i listened to the other day. Really enjoying your podcasts and listening to them over time. Have quite a backlog. Anyway, regarding HSA’s, you didn’t mention that HSA funds can be used to pay for Medicare premiums (but not Medicare supplemental policy premiums) as well as for medical expenses after retirement. So another reason to use the HSA as a retirement account…..
This.
This is why I keep coming back here.
Sing away.
Wow. Thank you so much. 🙂
I’ll keep singing!
It looks like it’s been an amazing time! I find our life during this mini-retirement looks a bit the same. A big mix of travel, projects, adventures and whatever else we decide to throw in the blender. It’s like a crazy smoothie. But there is a method to the madness…most days. =) I hope we get to cross paths at FinCon!
Hello Paula
I am an avid reader of FI blogs. I am looking for a resource which points me to one of the best places in the US to retire from tax and cost of living perspective. To be specific, I would prefer to pay minimum state taxes on my retirement withdrawals and also minimal property taxes. Of course, cost of living has to be in check as well. What I don’t mind is sales tax because we are a low consumption household. Can you point me to a blog/article from the FI community which talks about this?
I understand that during retirement, I can convert a small portion of Pretax money in 401K/IRA to Roth each year and that will prevent overall taxation but I am looking for more US state specific information instead of the taxation hacks which I am already aware of.
Thanks
Vishal
Check out the comments section of this post => http://www.madfientist.com/traditional-ira-vs-roth-ira/
Enough by John Bogle was a long read but worth it. What a wise man!
Hi Paula,
Real quick observation about the bathroom remodel. Instead of opting for the very pretty pedestal style sink, you may want to offer something with some storage. I moved into an apartment once in NYC that had been completely renovated and the owner was so proud of what she had done – even pointing out the pedestal sink she had chose. I’ll admit it was very pretty but there wasn’t even a place to keep extra rolls of TP. From a practicality standpoint maybe go with something with a bit of storage when doing a bathroom reno. Sacrificing the look is hard, but ultimately worth it for a tenant I think. Just my 2 cents.
Even though I’m from Minnesota, have a family of 6 and a dog and hardly travel I love this post and am excited to read your others. I’ve always wanted to own more rental properties and do more flips, but I’ve spent the majority of my time selling residential real estate. I’m pumped when I read your blog and others like it to get back to investing (why I got into real estate in the first place).
Hey Paula,
Just found your blog and I really like it! I live in the Atlanta area and I’m wanting to do a lot of the same real estate deals like you. I was wondering if you could give me the contact information of your accountant? I would really appreciate it.
What amazes me is the bravery you have. It takes a lot of courage to do something totally different than what most of us are doing and still keep the meaning. You are a good example for us. I quitted my 9-5 job years ago and started to work alone at home. That has given me the right meaning.
After many years teaching high school, I quit, sold my house and moved out to the lake. I am just beginning to explore new directions and happened to come across your blog. You make many great points, and I especially love the part about challenging every assumption. Thank you for sharing and inspiring.
I might be a bit borrowing, but it is really hard for me to imagine a life where I do not work… Yes, I’m a workaholic:-) But I have things, that I would like to do more! I would spend more time fixing classic cars, doing sports and travel.
However, it is a great question!
You know, one of the most funny things about lack of need to work, is that you subconsciously are looking for a purpose of life. It gets you to a point when you are in fact working, but for a purpose other than money.
That’s an excellent point, and very well-said. That’s exactly what this is all about. 🙂
Where in Arizona do you visit or stay? And what do you do when you’re in Arizona?
Wow. I should print this quote and read 10 times each day…
“I see the world as a giant playground, and life as an epic field trip. It’s filled with learning, teaching, games, books, jokes, friendships, laughter, swingsets and donuts. Lots and lots of donuts.”
Impressive. Thank you for being such an inspiration.
I am 65 now. The important memories that I have were when I took back my time and went. You only get so much time in a lifetime . After you learn 90% of what a job is going to offer it is time to move on. The longest I was in a job in early on was under 3 years. I finished my last career job as a teacher. Would never have made it that long had I not had the summers to do other things.