Before you know it, holiday activities can fill your calendar for an entire month (or more), but have you considered incorporating some holiday activities to support your financial future?

The holiday season is a magical time filled with joy, cheer, and…opportunities! 

While it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle, this festive period can also be a great time to boost your financial well-being. 

You might want to jumpstart your New Year’s resolution planning, reassess your end-of-year budget, or evaluate where you stand with your financial goals for the year.

Or perhaps you prefer to incorporate your financial planning into your celebrations. You can host a potluck, or complete DIY gifts for your friends and family members.

Wherever your holiday plans take you this year, you and your wallet can benefit when you take the time to incorporate your holiday festivities with your finances.

In this article, I’ll give you 10 holiday activities to jumpstart your financial freedom journey.

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The holiday season is quickly approaching, and while you’re busy buying gifts for loved ones, a holiday guide for FIRE may be a great gift for yourself. Or perhaps it may inspire other gift ideas for your loved ones.

The holidays bring fun and a season of magic, but these times can also be stressful. With frequent activities and a shopping list that seems to never end, you might feel overwhelmed.

If you find yourself frequently feeling overwhelmed this time of year, take time for self-care. Perhaps you want to reassess where you stand on your FIRE goals, or maybe you’d rather relax and enjoy the holiday season with a new FIRE resource.

Regardless of where you stand this holiday season with goals or self-care, this holiday guide for FIRE will give you a list of valuable resources and tools to explore. Use this upcoming holiday guide to help you stay on track with your FIRE journey, or to help a loved one as they begin to explore a similar path.

In this article, I’ll share a list of some of my favorite FIRE tools and resources. This list includes books, courses, software, communities, and other valuable tools to support a FIRE journey.

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While we’re getting ready to kick off the holiday season with Thanksgiving, I thought it fitting to reflect on the many things I’m grateful for.

It’s been a while since I put together a gratitude list, though I’m working to get better at it. After all, there are so many blessings in life, and my mindset is better off when I remember that.

By cultivating a sense of gratitude, you can foster happiness, resilience, and a deeper appreciation for the things that truly matter.

I’ve talked about how your mindset can empower or hinder you on your journey to financial freedom (or when you’re working toward just about any goal).

When you incorporate mindfulness practices like a gratitude list, you can help cultivate a “growth mindset.” A growth mindset can help you achieve your most ambitious goals, FIRE / financial freedom, or anything else.

In this article, I’ll share my gratitude list for 2024. Perhaps it will inspire you as you reflect on your journey to achieve your most ambitious goals – with FIRE, in your career, for your lifestyle, or otherwise.

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Financial independence is more than just a financial goal; it’s a catalyst for a happier and more fulfilling life. 

By achieving financial independence (or financial freedom), you gain the freedom and flexibility to pursue your passions, reduce stress, and create a life that truly aligns with your values. 

You can spend more time with loved ones, retire early, travel the world, take a sabbatical, start a passion project, or simply spend more time relaxing.

The FIRE movement (financial independence, retire early) provides tools and strategies to help you achieve financial freedom, but more about that later.

Studies show that happiness skyrockets after retirement. Why not seek a happier lifestyle – on your terms – sooner?

In this article, I’ll introduce the FIRE movement and outline ten ways financial independence can lead to a happier lifestyle.

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If you’re looking for simple ways to save money each month, it might make sense to consider opportunities to review and refinance car loans.

After housing expenses, your car loans are often the 2nd largest expense you may pay every month. You might even be surprised how much money you can save simply by refinancing.

I’ve refinanced my car loans to get a better APR, and refinancing my student loans was one strategy I used to pay off $85k of student debt in 18 months.

Refinancing car loans can be a strategic move to save money on interest payments and potentially lower your monthly payments. However, it’s essential to weigh the potential benefits against the time and effort involved.

In this article, we’ll weigh whether or not it’s worthwhile to refinance car loans, and we’ll dive into the pros and cons.

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Choosing which college to attend can be difficult, but have you ever wondered, “What are the best degrees to make money?”

The right degree can be a defining moment in shaping your career and financial future.

While passion is essential, considering the earning potential of different degrees can significantly accelerate your ability to achieve financial freedom. 

This article explores some of the best degrees to make money and how they can accelerate your journey towards FIRE (financial independence, retire early). Let’s delve into degrees that can fast-track your path to financial freedom.

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Do you dream of the opportunity to escape the relentless grind and work less? 

Would you like more freedom to choose how you spend your time? It may seem like a distant fantasy, but it’s achievable with the right mindset and strategies.

FIRE & Financial Freedom: The Key to Work Less

The opportunity to work less lies in achieving financial freedom. This is where the FIRE movement – Financial Independence, Retire Early – comes into play. 

While the name suggests early retirement, the core principle is gaining control over your financial life. It’s about reaching a point where your investments generate enough income to cover your living expenses.

The beauty of financial freedom is that it doesn’t dictate a specific lifestyle. You might choose to retire early, or you might opt to reduce your work hours, pursue a passion project, or start your own business. 

The power lies in having the flexibility to choose.

In this article, we’ll explore how financial freedom can empower you to work less. In so doing, you can achieve a lifestyle that grants you more freedom to spend more time doing what you love.

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The long-dreaded cover letter: a relic of the past or a powerful tool in your job search arsenal? 

In an age dominated by applicant tracking systems (ATS) and online applications, many job seekers question the value of this traditional document.

It’s a fair question, especially when simply filling out an application can take so much time. I know I’m not alone in wondering why employers require you to fill out online fields with your job experience (isn’t that what a resume is for?).

Not only that, but now employers are requiring projects, tests, and endless rounds of interviews. It’s exhausting.

Do employers read cover letters? Can they set you apart from other applicants? Do they actually make a difference in the job applicant pool?

More importantly: do cover letters still matter? And are they worth your time and energy when you could otherwise focus on other aspects of the job application process?

In this article, I’ll share some reasons why it may or may not make sense for you to craft a cover letter (hint: it depends). I’ll also give you a few tips for writing a compelling cover letter if you find you need one.

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FIRE Budgeting: A Roadmap to Financial Freedom

Do you dream of living a life where finances are less of a burden and more of an empowering tool? 

What would your life look like if you had the freedom to pursue your passions, travel the world, or simply spend more quality time with loved ones? 

The FIRE movement, which stands for Financial Independence, Retire Early, offers a path towards that very dream. But achieving FIRE isn’t just about saving money, it’s about FIRE budgeting.

Budgeting isn’t exactly a sexy term, but it is a tool that can significantly contribute to your financial success. FIRE budgeting is what allows you to achieve FIRE or a number of your other financial goals.

This article will tell you everything you need to know about FIRE budgeting so that you can develop a repertoire of tools to help you achieve your financial goals, FIRE or otherwise.

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The allure of a bustling high-cost-of-living (HCOL) area is undeniable.

You gain access to trendy restaurants, world-class museums, and various other entertainment options. The career options are extensive as well.

If you’re seeking a vibrant lifestyle and a dynamic job market, life in an HCOL area might be appealing.

But the name implies a question: is the high cost of living worth it?

In this article, we’ll weigh the pros and cons of living in an HCOL area to help you answer this question for yourself. We’ll also explore some alternatives that may be worth your consideration.

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