“Being a minimalist means that you value yourself more than material things.” —Brian Gardner We often think of minimalism as shedding away our external possessions and living with only the essentials. Certainly, this is very much part of it. But I am learning the journey is not just external, it Read more
We are able to get by on a retirement budget of about $33,000 per year including a paid off house. We could rent our house in the US and net $800-900 per month which might be enough to allow us to rent a decent furnished house or apartment in Mexico. Almost Read more
Do you have an itch for more adventure in your life? Do you want to get out and explore more, but don’t have the time or money to undertake a major, globe-trotting expedition? Maybe this longing has made you feel frustrated and stuck. If that sounds like you, allow me Read more
In March 2014 I was spending the month in Antigua, Guatemala, where they will kill you for your shoes. Or maybe not. One day I returned to my hotel to find a motorcycle parked in the lobby sporting an Australian license plate. A quick inquiry to my landlady, who was Read more
More often than not, the investigations that my company carried out were only possible because of the carelessness of the subjects they were investigating. While investigating potential insurance fraud is a relatively on-the-level business, these same people were just as vulnerable to stalkers, scammers, or themselves. Everything from accidentally texting Read more
Being a minimalist means you value yourself more than material things. It means making decisions based on what you need instead of getting everything you want. It does not mean the things that you buy are cheap. It means they are something that you need, regardless of how much they Read more
Novelty, variety and surprise can prevent or slow down adaptation. So, with relationships, let’s say you get married and you get a happiness boost. Studies show that it takes about two years for people’s happiness levels to go back to what they were before the wedding. That doesn’t mean that Read more
The one thing I want to convey is that frugality is an awesome alternative to our dominant, debt-laden consumer culture. But, if it’s not your thing, that’s OK! I just don’t want anyone to go through life not knowing about the joys a frugal existence can provide. I’m a mission Read more
Enforce a 30-day wait period on major purchases. The extra month will provide ample opportunity to answer the question, “Do I really need this?” It will also help you answer these questions: “Are there any subconscious motives to this purchase?,” “Which brand is the highest quality?,” “Can I find it cheaper elsewhere?,” Read more
Some people say the more you know about money, the more money you’ll have. I call those people “rich,” and “not me.” I’ve always been confused about money. How should I spend it? How should I save it? Is my 80 gallon fish tank considered a sound investment? I thought I’d Read more