As you probably know by now, we’re expecting a baby in July! As money is our favourite topic, we wanted to understand the financial impact of having a baby!
Aside from the obvious emotional impact of expecting a baby, there are some very significant financial aspects to think about.
Continue reading “Baby Impact Assessment”A tale of how a recent experience has strongly reinforced my will to achieve FIRE and have more flexibility in the way I spend my time.
Since starting at my company 7.5 years ago, I’ve been one of the stand-out performers in most areas. I don’t like saying that type of thing because it sounds big headed. But I’ve genuinely put my head above the parapet and done everything I can to succeed.
Continue reading “How to Kill off Ambition and De-Motivate Your Staff”
2019 has been a year to remember for us, with highlights including:
Clearly, 2019 has been more expensive than we would have liked!
Despite this we have still managed to achieve all of the above, as well as an unwelcome new car purchase, while saving in the region of 35% of our income. We much prefer to see a figure above 50%, but considering what has happened this year we are happy to still make significant contributions to our ‘FI funds’.
Continue reading “Happy New Year!”As you probably know by now, we’re always looking to optimise in every area of our lives.
My latest obsession in this regard is with my tennis, as discussed in Tennis Mindset. I’ve decided to push myself to develop to the next level. I really want to compete with players who currently thrash me! I’m determined to be the best I can be.
“Make the most of yourself….for that is all there is of you.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
In order to make such a large improvement, my game needs some fairly fundamental changes. This won’t simply happen by playing more regularly – I need to go back to basics and change my technique.
Continue reading “Frugal Tennis Improvement”In my place of work I come across a lot of new graduates joining our company, fresh from University.
This is such an exciting time in their life, as they finally start to earn their own money and create their own lifestyle. It can really be a make or break time in their financial journey.
I’m writing this post in the hope that it helps people in this position. I wish I’d had some guidance at that stage in my life. I would have been much further ahead by now! Seeing some of the decisions made by our current graduates, I wish I could give them a helping hand with their finances!
Continue reading “6 Steps to Financial Success as a Graduate”There has been a steady increase in the mainstream media coverage for Financial Independence Retire Early (FIRE), especially here in the UK.
While it’s a really good thing that our message is being spread to more people, this also brings a lot of frustration with it. Almost every time I have seen FIRE covered in the press, there appear to be severe misunderstandings about the principles by which us ‘followers’ live.
The most recent example of this was an episode of Money Box Live, aired on 6th November 2019. Money Box Live is a radio programme on BBC Radio 4, covering all areas of money.
Continue reading “Misunderstanding the FIRE Movement”In Frugal Fitness we mentioned that I play competitive tennis alongside my strength training. This is something I have increasingly taken more seriously, with a real desire to improve.
As I write this, the summer season has just finished and I’m aiming to use the winter months to address some fundamental weaknesses in my game. The aim is to take the step up to the next level and compete with a higher standard of player!
Throughout this process I’ve discovered some familiar themes. The core principles I need to follow in order to improve my tennis have similar relevance for life in general. The mental side of the game aligns with skills I had already learnt on my path to financial independence. I call this the tennis mindset!
Continue reading “Tennis Mindset”As we keep saying on this blog, our general approach in life is to CHALLENGE EVERYTHING!
Because of this, the topic of engagements (and more widely, marriage) is one that immediately makes me feel unwell. The whole process is drowning in so many ‘customs’ and expected behaviours . Many of these come with a large financial impact which really challenge my frugal tendencies!
Something that should be a celebration of your love for each other can easily become an incredibly stressful time. You can find yourself constantly trying to please anyone who might be offended!
That is why I wanted to write about my experience proposing to Miss Way. Hopefully this helps others in a similar situation.
I was determined to make our engagement a special occasion, while still meeting our frugal habits. By following a few simple steps, I think I managed that!
Continue reading “A Frugal Engagement”Continue reading “Blood Donation”Having just completed my 25th blood donation, I wanted to write a brief article about my experiences so far.
Giving blood is one of the most self-less acts you can do, giving the chance of survival to those in critical condition, or furthering research into life-saving treatments. It’s something I will continue to do for as long as I am able and I hope you will consider doing so as well!
This post will focus on my experience of giving blood with NHS Blood and Transplant in the UK. See www.blood.co.uk for more information. The process will obviously be different in other countries so do your own research.
Mr Way
This is the latest in the series of SavingNinja‘s Thought Experiment posts.
This is an idea to get bloggers to immediately respond to a question and all post their answers on their blogs. You have to write the first thing you think of and can’t pre-plan or do any major editing.
If you want to see previous versions see SavingNinja’s archives.
So on to the question!
A different opinion is somewhat frowned upon in our clique based society, but some of the greatest minds of all time were outliers. They weren’t scared to go against the grain and stand up for what they believed in. So, for this Thought Experiment, I’d like you to reveal yourself: What opinion do you have that most of your peers do not share?
Continue reading “Thought Experiment 6 – Mr Way”