Entries for archive: 2009-12

Found 2 entries.

New Outlook for 'Retire at 40'

Over the past year, many things have changed. I have grown up a little and maybe matured a little too. I have also been pretty busy with lots of other things. One of which was work. This wasn’t good.

I’ve also had a rethink about this here blog. I think having it’s own domain name (www.retire-at-40.com) was good but I think I need to start putting all of these things in the same place. I’ve always had lots of interests and that site ended up being in the peripheral vision.

Instead, I’m bringing it in to my personal site, one where all of my interests are catered for. I like writing (as you can tell) and having sections for my other interests just make it a whole lot easier. Easier to manage, quicker to post and more likely I’ll keep it going.

!2 chilts.org

The new chilts.org is hosted on Google AppEngine which is awesome since it’s free! And you know what free means when you’re trying to retire at 40 :)

It also means I can flex my own programming talents and finally write the site/blog software I’ve always wanted. I don’t need the complexity and clutterness of WordPress or any other blogging system. I don’t need plugins to help me do things since I just want the basics. I actually want slightly different requirements too, and Lollysite (the software I wrote for AppEngine) now does 98% of what I actually need.

!2 Letting Go

Finally, I have decided to rethink the best way to present Retire at 40. On the old site, I was too caught up in statistics, subscribing people, advertising, commenting on other sites and everything that goes with it. It was a right pain.

Instead, I’m just going to let all that go. I’m going to write for the enjoyment of it. Maybe, yes, I want this blog to make money in the future but for now I’m just going to let it grow naturally.

Now, I’m just going to concentrate on writing good articles for my audience. Which is the right way forward.

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Inserted: 2009-12-30 06:25 (2 years, 1 month ago)

Financial Balance and Doing What Makes You Happy

Many articles I have read over the years talk about Financial Balance. Many give you various percentages which you could (should?) follow and others break it down even further. For example, one thought is to break your net income into the following areas:

  • up to 50% on NEEDS
  • up to 30% on WANTS
  • the rest (20%) on SAVINGS

Breaking these down further can lead to more complex solutions and that is something you should decide, but before even trying to break it down, consider why you should do this.

Being Happy

Most of this blog, as well as others I read, is about being happy. It’s not just about personal finance, saving money or being thrifty, it’s about doing what makes you happy. When you realise that having the freedom to do what you want because of financial independence that is a powerful thing. And whilst you might not be in that situation now, but heading towards it over the next few year, means that whatever you do, will make you happy.

Making homemade jam, wooden toys from the ends of spare planks in the garage, pizza dough freshly made in the kitchen, a crayon pocket for the kids and a sock puppet from old worn out socks are all very enjoyable and also cheap and easy to make. The thought that a homemade toy says rather than a plastic thing from the shop is very satisfying.

So where does all this fit in with the percentages above. Well, making all these things at home is way cheaper than buying them from the shop, so firstly they help with actually saving money. That goes towards your 20% savings.

Secondly, doing all of these activities is fun! Either by yourself, with the kids or for other people, they all give lasting satisfaction which means you feel good. It also helps fill in your time instead of watching TV, doing retail therapy or just generally being lazy.

Finally, you can fill your time with wants which are fun and cheap, rather than wanting expensive DVDs, chocolate or expensive hobbies. Of course, there is nothing wrong with all of these things if they are in balance with the rest of your life and your way of life. Better to be happy and healthy, than rich or broke. Finding that balance can help keep you on track to financial independence as well as on track to enjoying your life.

Labels: budgeting, giving, working

Inserted: 2009-12-30 03:06 (2 years, 1 month ago)