We have spent extensive time and energy considering downsizing from our current home in Sedona to a smaller townhome located less than a mile away. My in-laws currently own a townhome in Sedona, rented to tenants on a month-to-month basis. We are considering purchasing that townhome from my wife’s parents once we are able to […]
Archives for 2015
The future is uncertain: Save every penny
In a recent blog entry, I wrote about living for today, since you only live once (YOLO). I touched upon why today might be the day to start living your life fully. It is important not to put off to tomorrow those things that are important to us today because, the truth is, none of […]
Financial Considerations for downsizing our home
We have spent much time and energy considering downsizing from our current home in Sedona to a smaller townhouse located less than a mile away. My in-laws own the townhouse, currently rented on a month-to-month basis. The downsizing subject is an ongoing discussion over coffee in the morning or sipping a glass of wine while […]
The Costs of Divorce
Last weekend, I walked my eldest daughter down the aisle, and then she was married in a lovely ceremony in Colorado. She was beautiful—as always—and the ceremony was perfect. Of course I found myself asking, where did all the years go? I wish my daughter a lifetime of happiness! Later, in a reflective mood, I […]
Eliminating Our Debt Interest in 2016
A significant amount of our early retirement planning involves a passive income stream from rental real estate. We have plowed through our debt snowball for nearly ten years, paying off one mortgage after another, and then loading up additional principal payments on the next loan slated for early completion. This has, at times, seemed endless. […]
Marriage: A father’s letter to his daughter
Our daughter is getting married in a couple days and I thought it might be good to put my thoughts down in a father’s letter to his daughter. I do not believe she is aware of this website or blog, but will certainly find it at some point. Sweetie, I hope someday you enjoy my […]
Jet-setting Frugal Style to Las Vegas
As I’ve mentioned, working at home has its challenges. Having little direct interaction with people, other than back-to-back phone meetings, can get lonely. This is one of the reasons I occasionally visit the local coffee shop. I also go out for lunch a few times a month. I have to tell you about my recent […]
Step 7: Retirement
This article is the final in a series of seven that will discuss our approach to reaching financial independence and determining key criteria for success. If you have not already read the sixth step about becoming financially independent, please take a minute to visit that post. This article will discuss how to determine when you […]
RV Solar: The Circle of Light
We mentioned in a recent article how much fun we had during our five-day camping trip. This trip’s destination was a campsite about 25 miles southeast of Flagstaff, Arizona near the 790-mile Arizona Trail. The Pine Grove Campground is one that offers a “dry” location to park—without water or electricity directly available. Sometimes these locations […]
Step 6: Achieve Financial Independence
This article is the sixth in a series of seven that discuss our approach to reaching financial independence, and determining key criteria for success. If you have not already read the fifth step, about becoming debt free and celebrating freedom, please take a minute to visit that post. This article will discuss how to determine when […]