More than five years ago, I started reading an anonymous money blog called 1500 Days. The writer had a similar idea to mine, to escape the rat race early and stop working on his terms instead of what’s traditionally considered normal retirement age. Since the beginning, the 1500 Days blog has hosted an almost weekly…
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14 Months, 18 Countries, $10,000 – How to Quit Your Job and Travel The World
In my mid-twenties, I quit my job to travel the world for 14 months. I visited 18 countries and spent about $10,000. A lifestyle of frequent and extended travel in retirement, funded by passive income, is a primary motivation to reach financial independence. This post is about how I was able to travel the world…
6 Steps to a Debt-Free Retirement
This article was originally published on US News & World Report and republished here with permission. Head over to the “Featured on” page for a list of other RBD articles on US New & World Report and featured around the web. Imagine a life free of obligations to anyone. Sounds great, right? That may never come…
6 Habits of Above Average Retirement Savers
Some exciting news to share with you today. Back in May, I was approached by US News & World Report to become a regular contributor to their On Retirement blog. Since then, I’ve been writing new content about retirement and money once or twice a month. As of today, I’ve written six articles for US…
Financial Independence Before Early Retirement
Among friends and family, I’m known for being a vocal advocate for colon health. Maybe this is TMI, but since realizing the benefits of a high-fiber diet, I feel like I know a secret that everyone should be in on. My penchant for eating fiber was even mocked in the best man speech at my…
Seek Adventure While Your Money Works for You
Adventure is dirt cheap. You don’t need fancy mountaineering gear to explore new parts of your hometown or find an off-the-path beach in Mexico. One-way flights are half price. Adventure can be a fresh side business, a new romance (hopefully not a dirt-cheap one), or anything that gets you out of your everyday routine. International travel is…
How My 20-Year Investment In Coca-Cola Has Fared
20 years ago, I was a college junior enrolled in investing and corporate finance courses. Being freshly educated about the time value of money, I knew my youth was my most powerful investing advantage. But I didn’t have much money. A few years earlier, my Uncle gifted me one share of Chevron stock through the…
Strive To Wake Up And Do Nothing (With Your Finances)
If you really have done a great job as a leader, you should wake up in the morning and have nothing to do. – Steve Case, Co-founder of AOL, Chairman and CEO, Revolution This quote changed the way I think about my career. Soon after I read it, a coworker complained to me that his…
Building Wealth As An Accidental Landlord
I thought my timing was perfect. It was 2006. The real estate bubble had burst and property values were plummeting in the D.C. area. After years of seeing other people make a killing off of real estate, it was finally my turn. A few months earlier, I received a big raise at my job. My savings account…
Save More Money With These 15+ Tax-Friendly Accounts
The U.S. tax code is filled with a mind-boggling array of tax-avoidance tools including tax-friendly accounts, loopholes, and special favors to various constituents. The primary intent of the tax code is to collect money, but the politicians who shape it add in a bunch of cheats and easter eggs that lower the amount of tax they…
Put It On The Line: Advice From a 9-Time World Champion
A few months ago I was cleaning out my basement and uncovered a 25-year-old autograph. It’s from one of the most competitive and influential athletes to ever represent a sport. His words were inspirational to my 16-year-old self, and reading over his simple phrase today reminds me that we’re all capable of accomplishing extraordinary things…
The Nude Selfie Of Personal Finance
The signs in the gym locker room are clear: Picture taking in the men’s room is strictly prohibited. Please inform the front desk of violations. Yet every once in a while, some beefcake dude will stand there in front of the locker room mirror, whip out his phone, and snap a selfie. I sort of get it….
There’s Always Money In The Banana Stand
Arrested Development was an early 2000’s TV comedy loved by its fans. Despite critical acclaim, it failed to gain traction and the show was canceled after three seasons. Years later it was revamped as a Netflix series thanks to the enduring hilarity of the first three seasons and its grassroots fan base. Challenged with cast schedules, the…
Lessons Learned From 20 Years of DRIP Investing
As my investing strategy has evolved over the years, I’ve completely moved away from DRIP (dividend reinvestment plan) investing. In part, because of the extra 1099-DIV tax form and costs basis data. The varying fees are annoying too. But also because I prefer to pool dividends and reinvest them into more undervalued stocks. I still…