November is known for NaNoWriMo, a time when many writers get a jump start on their self-publishing journey. Inspired by Pauline’s pledge to write 50,000 words for NaNoWriMo, I, too, relish this annual challenge. Pauline’s approach isn’t aimed at creating a novel, but NaNoWriMo is still an excellent chance for aspiring self-published authors and a…
One way to ensure a joyful start to the new year is by managing your holiday spending wisely. While it sounds simple, how often do we actually stick to it? Here are a few practical tips to help you stay within a reasonable budget this holiday season: ### Create a Per-Person Holiday Budget The National…
At the beginning of the year, on January 1st, I set several financial goals and have been providing updates every couple of months. This is my third review. My main financial goal was to increase my net worth by 30%. After spending over $40K on house renovations and land development, I haven’t adjusted the value…
Last year, I visited a friend in the US who had just bought a house for his family. “Congratulations on the new house!” I said. He pointed to a small closet and joked, “That closet is ours, the rest belongs to the bank.” Like many families these days, they would spend the next 25 years…
The Powerball jackpot for Wednesday, January 13th, has expected winnings of over $1.4 billion. Isn’t that just crazy? What would you do with all that money? Personally, I’ve never had a huge lump sum in my life; my money has always accumulated slowly over time. Even though I’d like to think I wouldn’t go crazy,…
If you haven’t entered yet, there’s a chance to win $100 in the Being Thankful giveaway. Click here for all the details! We’ve pruned the trees for a better view. This is the third part of my ongoing journey of slowly transforming the land I bought in Guatemala and adapting to my new life here….
This article is part of a 30-day series called the 30 Steps Program to Financial Independence. Have you ever hit the enter button on your computer’s calculator and watched the multiplication run endlessly until it reached a massive number? That’s essentially what compound interest does. If you have $100 at an interest rate of 5%,…
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE FINANCIALLY INDEPENDENT? People often debate what it really means to be financially independent. Some think it means being so rich that you never have to work again. Personally, I don’t believe that. For me, financial independence means having enough money so my investments generate enough income to live comfortably….
Since I started “Make Money Your Way” in mid-2013, I’ve committed to donating 10% of my blogging income to support children’s education in my village. As mentioned in a previous update, I provided two scholarships to the top middle school students, enabling them to attend high school 150 miles away for the next three years….
Congratulations on taking the big step to propose to your partner! But before you tie the knot, it’s a good idea to take a close look at your financial situation. Here are some key financial areas to sort out before walking down the aisle: 1) Understand each other’s financial standings. A lot of couples avoid…