#167 How to Build an Emergency Fund to Weather Economic Uncertainty and Prepare for Financial Freedom

#167: How to Build an Emergency Fund to Weather Economic Uncertainty and Prepare for Financial Freedom –

Your emergency fund can make the difference between a bumpy month and a financial disaster, depending on whether or not you’re prepared.

No one wants to need an emergency fund, but it doesn’t change the fact that life has a way of throwing curveballs.

We live in a time of uncertainty and constant change. The economic landscape and our personal finances can shift suddenly and unexpectedly.

Whether it’s a sudden job loss, an unexpected medical expense, or a major car repair, sudden events can derail your financial plans. That’s why building a robust emergency fund is crucial, not just in uncertain times, but always.

Your emergency fund can help you during trying times, turning what could be a major setback into a temporary, potentially frustrating, but resolvable situation.

In this article, I’ll tell you how to build an emergency fund (or emergency savings) to help you weather uncertainty and prepare for financial freedom.

Read More

#163 Unlocking Freedom in Work Life Balance and Career Happiness

#163: Unlocking Freedom in Work Life Balance and Career Happiness –

Life has frequent demands and work-life balance can feel like an elusive dream.

The world we live in is persistent, fast-paced, and sometimes relentless. The constant demands of work, family, and personal life can easily leave you overwhelmed and stressed. 

If you’ve faced burnout in the past like me, these may be familiar feelings. You might struggle to believe work life balance is possible, but you dream of a different way of living. 

Finding harmony between your career and day-to-day life is essential for your overall well-being and happiness. Find yourself out of balance, and some aspects of your life will undoubtedly falter.

It’s important to remember that work life balance is not about perfectly dividing your time equally between work and personal life. It’s about finding a rhythm that works for you, allowing you to prioritize your values and set boundaries that support your overall well-being.

In fact, I’ve heard work life balance rephrased as work life integration. Perhaps this outlook works better for you, or maybe you prefer the former.

Regardless, in this article, you’ll get a series of tips and tricks to help you identify when your balance/integration is out of sync, and what you can do to achieve a balance that supports your lifestyle and ambitions.

Read More

#161 11 FIRE Movement Websites to Fuel Your FIRE Journey

#161: 11 FIRE Movement Websites to Fuel Your FIRE Journey –

When you’re on your journey to FIRE (financial independence, retire early), access to resources (like FIRE movement websites) is essential.

The internet is a treasure trove of information, but it can be hard to find what you need when you need it (unless you know exactly what you’re looking for).

Along my journey, I’ve come across a number of FIRE movement websites (and books). Many offer a wealth of knowledge and inspiration to support your journey to financial freedom. 

These platforms provide valuable insights, tools, community support, and actionable strategies to help you achieve your FIRE goals sooner.

I’ve taken concepts from these resources where they helped me and learned to ignore anything that didn’t fit in with my personal circumstances. I encourage you to do the same.

In this brief article, I’m going to tell you about a few of my favorite FIRE movement websites.

Read More

#160 FIRE Your Pot of Gold St. Patrick's Day Savings Tips

#160: FIRE Your Pot of Gold Savings Tips –

St. Patrick’s Day is a time for celebration, good cheer, and, of course, savings tips to snag the elusive pot of gold! 

While you might not find a literal pot of gold at the end of a rainbow, you can build your own pot of gold by implementing smart savings tips.

Solid savings strategies are critical when it comes to FIRE (financial independence, retire early), or just about any financial goal.

You’ll need to incorporate some other handy strategies along the way, but when you focus on your budget and savings, you’ll be off to a solid start.

In this article, I’ll provide a breakdown of some key savings tips to FIRE your pot of gold all the way to financial freedom.

Read More

#156 Time Management Tips for a Life of FIRE Success (1)

#156: Time Management Tips for a Life of FIRE Success –

If you’re looking for time management tips to support your journey to financial freedom, you’ve come to the right place!

Time management can make all the difference when it comes to achieving your most ambitious goals, especially when you have many competing priorities.

As a busy mom of two, I balanced a full-time career alongside my family duties, hobbies, and multiple side hustles, focusing my time and energy where needed most.

Despite many competing priorities, I built a successful career while managing a chronic illness, made a massive career pivot, self-published my first novel in 2017, paid off $85K of student debt in 18 months, turned one of my side gigs into a full-time career, and began a journey to a FIRE lifestyle.

And yes, I still have a life. I go on family trips and have hobbies that include yoga, running, reading, writing, and video games.

It’s safe to say I’ve learned a thing or two about time management, but this article isn’t about what I’ve achieved – it’s about how YOU can achieve what matters most to you, especially regarding financial freedom.

Your time can be your most valuable asset, but as a high-achiever, it can be hard to balance everything.

Mastering the following time management tips will allow you to maximize your productivity, increase your earning potential, and ultimately, achieve your financial goals faster.

In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about time management to support your FIRE (financial independence, retire early) or financial freedom journey.

Read More

#155 Land Your Dream Job Interview Tips That Drive Your Value

#155: Land Your Dream Job: Interview Tips That Drive Your Value –

Landing your dream job requires more than just technical skills, experience, and preparation. 

It’s equally important to prepare your mindset. In so doing, you can approach your interview with confidence and positivity. 

In the Ultimate Interview Guide, I highlighted practical tips for pre-interview preparation, mastering the art of interviewing, communication, showcasing your value, turning the tables, and following up after the interview.

Now, let’s delve deeper into the psychological aspects of interviewing and explore how to cultivate a winning mindset.

In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know to build a mindset for interview success. I’ll also outline the specific ways you can apply this mindset to make a winning impression on your potential employer.

Read More

#154 How to Make Investing Goals in an Uncertain Market

#154: How to Make Investing Goals in an Uncertain Market –

Despite the ongoing market volatility, setting clear investing goals is ever important. But how do you set goals when you have no idea when the market will swing?

After all, just one major change can make all the difference. The market can shift based on the results of that election year, because of a mass contagion or because an entire industry bottomed out, among many other factors.

It’s no easy task to set weather-resistant investing goals, but if you dream of achieving FIRE (financial independence, retire early) / financial freedom, or otherwise, investing will probably remain a priority for you.

In which case, it helps to set investing goals. These should be your “barometric pressure sensors” to determine how your investments are performing.

You’ll want to know whether your investments are on track or if you need to make a change, but without clearly defined goals, it’s hard to tell.

How do you ensure that your investing goals are set for success, regardless of which way the market turns? 

In this article, I’ll tell you everything you need to know so that you can set solid investing goals, regardless of what happens in the market.

Read More

#152 How to Land a Fun Job A Guide to Career Happiness V4

#152: How to Land a Fun Job: A Guide to Career Happiness –

Finding a fun job can be more than just a career move; it can be life-changing. 

Depending on your values, an ideal job might align with your passions, challenge you intellectually, and/or bring some kind of joy to your life. It can even be a pursuit that provides immense life satisfaction.

A so-called fun job can boost your morale, productivity, and overall well-being. It can help you feel productive and purposeful in life.

At a basic level, your job provides you with resources and tools (via compensation and training), enabling you to achieve your financial goals, FIRE (financial independence, retire early), financial freedom, or otherwise.

But it can be more than that if you invest the time in finding your version of a fun job. Trust me when I say it’s worth it.

If you’re tired of the daily grind, you might be longing for a job that brings you joy and fulfillment. A job like that might also feel like a bit of an impossible find.

Perhaps you’re asking yourself: “Is it actually possible to find a fun job for me?”

Don’t despair – it is possible to find a job and career that fulfills you, and I’m about to tell you how.

In this article, I’ll walk you through 10 simple steps you can take to find your ideal “fun job.” Let this serve as your guide on your journey to career happiness and fulfillment.

Read More

#151 Tools for Success Driving Growth with Your 2025 Goals

#151: Tools for Success: Driving Growth with Your 2025 Goals –

The new year is a great time to set ambitious goals, but don’t forget to incorporate tools for success that chart a path to achievement.

Good intentions provide a solid foundation, but to ensure your journey is successful you’ll also need a mindset that is focused, resilient, and driven.

How do you build a mindset for success? With repeated, deliberate action.

Your mindset for success will empower you to achieve your most ambitious goals throughout the next year and beyond. Your tools for success will make them achievable even sooner.

In this article, we’ll explore how a mindset for success can empower your journey, and we’ll explore some valuable tools that will propel your goals forward into the next year, and beyond.

Read More

#150 10 Great Holiday Activities to Jumpstart Your Financial Freedom Journey

#150: 10 Great Holiday Activities to Jumpstart Your Financial Freedom Journey –

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.

Read More