Super-creative title, right? But this post does what it says on the box: here’s a look back at what happened in 2017. Continue reading “2017 year in review”
Five things I don’t regret spending money on
I spend a lot of time on this blog talking about ways I’m saving money or things I’m no longer spending money on. It’s a function both of being on the FIRE path and also just a fact of life for someone on a non-profit salary. There’s lots of talk in the personal finance community of how to save money, ranging from small things like lattes to the big things like houses and cars.
But saving money isn’t the whole story—sometimes there are times when it makes more sense to spend money than not to spend it. I’m a broken record when it comes to talking about why I spend so much money each month on my barre membership. But here are five not-so-obvious larger-ticket items I’m glad I’ve spent money on. Continue reading “Five things I don’t regret spending money on”
What I’ve been eating lately: healthy-ish holidays edition
Welcome to another round of what I’ve been eating lately, aka here are the recipes I’ve been making and loving. Except this time it’s the holidays and temptations abound!
Yes, I had three pieces of toffee at work today that a coworker made. Yes, I ate and drank way too much at my side gig’s holiday party on Wednesday. Yes, I am Erin, Goddess of Rum Cakes. But that doesn’t mean I’ve given up on trying to eat a veggie or two occasionally. It’s difficult, but I’m making it work. Here’s how. Continue reading “What I’ve been eating lately: healthy-ish holidays edition”
Holiday traditions, old and new
So writing wasn’t happening Monday night (let’s be honest, it wasn’t really happening last night either. Apologies for the resulting incoherence), so it’s a Wednesday/Friday post week because it’s my blog and I can make the rules! Also that works out just fine because I’m going to be at a holiday party for my side gig tonight so no writing’s happening. ANYWAY.
I’ve been listening to Christmas music since the properly-appointed time of after Thanksgiving and got into the decorating groove last weekend. This got me thinking about holiday traditions, and what’s new this year now that I’m on the FI path. Continue reading “Holiday traditions, old and new”
Failing upward and looking towards 2018
“Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” -Norman Vincent Peale, apparently/countless motivational Instagram posts
“Aw, isn’t that some sweet inspirational bullshit?” -me from not that many moons ago[*]
I’ve never really been a goals person. My concrete plans ended after graduate high school/go to college/get a job, and I’ve never really known what I want to do with my life. Perhaps there’s a bit of a chicken and egg situation going on here (if I had goals maybe I’d know better what I want to be when I grow up?), but it also always seemed silly to me to make goals. “Figure out your life and get your shit together in this next year” doesn’t really work, you know? (Trust me, I’ve tried.)
And yet. Continue reading “Failing upward and looking towards 2018”
November 2017: raking in the cash, spending all the cash
The trees are starting to look bare, daylight hours are scarce, and there are delightful Christmas lights up everywhere: must be December! And that means it’s time for a breakdown of November’s spending. Continue reading “November 2017: raking in the cash, spending all the cash”