Why aren’t there more lawyers pursuing FIRE? The Financial Independence, Retire Early movement may be difficult for lawyers who suffer from high debt loads and golden handcuffs. But financial independence is a worthy goal because so many lawyers want to quit their jobs and this gives them options.
We all intuitively know that money isn’t everything. When we daydream of a life of wealth – we aren’t thinking of ourselves alone in a room full of cash. Instead, we all regularly exchange money for things to build a rich life for ourselves. The...
Practicing law involves a multitude of skills – including analysis, communication, and negotiation. One would think that these skills would transfer easily to my real life. For instance, I’ve negotiated a few settlements and thought I would be an excellent negotiator in real life. But...
This is a very silly story. Yesterday, I received a random four hours of vacation. I checked to see if it couldn’t be transferred to another day or if I could take it at another time, and I couldn’t. Further, I wouldn’t get “credit” for...
I started this blog in part because I thought internet financial advice was wrong or outdated or at least incomplete because it didn’t apply to someone like me. And without necessarily meaning to, my most controversial posts are the most popular because there isn’t much...
Around this time, people start complaining about how stressful it is to shop for Christmas gifts. I just nod and pretend I have any idea what it’s like. I am fortunate not to have the stress of figuring out “perfect gifts” for my family, because...
Most errands are boring, but shopping can be exhilarating. Stores have figured out how to convert the pursuit of saving money into spending too much. Bargain hunting is making you broke. When you think about it, shopping should be full and painful. You have to...
Inspired by some friends making changes in their lives, and also by some incredible rent deals, I’m preparing to move. Just down the street. Still, some people think that moving is a good time to start fresh. And I’ve taken this thought to heart. I’ve...
When I found out I was an ENFP, I felt understood. The positive characteristics completely resonated with me. Then I read about the bad things – like being bad with money. Me? Daughter of immigrants? On a sabbatical after quitting her job? Though I’m not...
We often dismiss the effect of a single consumer’s actions. But our choices change us, and even changing one person’s world is very significant. And if you change enough of people’s worlds, you ultimately change everyone’s world. When we engage in values-based spending, we can...
My family got a $70 parking ticket on vacation in Canada. When she saw the ticket, my mom started cursing, yelling, and crying. This was shocking both because my mother has never been an emotionally effusive person and also because my parents are quite comfortable...