Shift Upwards

2018 into 2019: Reflections After a 13-Month Mini-Retirement

Andrew — Mon, 31 Dec 2018 02:05:21 +0000

In October of 2018, I returned to work after taking more than a year off. Here are the things that stuck with me as I reflect back on the fun ride that the last year plus has been.

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Money and Marriage: It Doesn’t Have to be a Toxic Trap

Andrew — Sat, 30 Jun 2018 19:05:27 +0000

Money is one of the most common sources of stress in relationships. Having a healthy financial relationship with a partner boils down to a willingness to be open, honest, and vulnerable - both with yourself and your partner. How do my wife and I practice this, and what does our financial life look like as a result?

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Can You Mix Friendship and Finances?

Andrew — Tue, 29 May 2018 13:28:09 +0000

Mixing friendship and finances can be tricky. In this post, Jaime (from Keep Thrifty) and I explore our thoughts on the impacts money can have on our relationships.

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Accidental Downsizing: One Year Later

Andrew — Tue, 01 May 2018 12:22:59 +0000

We are taught not to question the ridiculous levels of consumption and waste as a way of life in our culture. When Annelise and I downsized our lives a year ago, we saw first-hand just how wasteful we can be...and that's after years of making less-ridiculous decisions about what to bring into our lives.

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Want to feel young? Attend a retirement seminar.

Andrew — Thu, 19 Apr 2018 21:24:18 +0000

I attended a retirement seminar at my last job. Not only was I the youngest person in the room, I got some funny looks. But you know what's actually weird? Being old and deciding to finally figure out how your retirement plan works. With time being a critical ingredient of any successful savings plan, it should be the case that younger people attend seminars like this in droves.

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Money Is A Vice That Distracts Me From My Shortcomings

Andrew — Fri, 13 Apr 2018 13:09:08 +0000

I'm obsessed with money, because I'm good at it and because it's tangible. I can easily quantify it, and measure my accomplishments. Because of this, it's become a vice that I turn to when I want to distract myself from the things I find difficult. Having an increased awareness of this behavior helps me redirect my energy to what matters most.

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How To Become So Good They Can’t Ignore You

Andrew — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 01:26:47 +0000

There is a widespread narrative around passion and courage when it comes to finding fulfilling work. We are told to find our passions, and courageously pursue them.

Cal Newport disagrees with this messaging. He shares his viewpoints within So Good They Can't Ignore You, which I read and loved. Inside is a detailed summary of the powerful lessons and ideas in the book.

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A Lifetime of Earnings

Andrew — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 19:12:14 +0000

The Social Security website provides quick and easy access to a record of your lifetime earnings. This information provides valuable insights into your overall financial health, and can serve as a valuable planning tool.

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Six Months Into Mini-Retirement: Accomplishments, Challenges, Insights

Andrew — Sat, 03 Mar 2018 01:22:57 +0000

What's life like six months into my first mini-retirement? There's been lots of accomplishments and achievements, but also lots of challenges and struggles. In this post I dig deep into what I've been up to, what's been working and not working, and where I'm headed in the coming months.

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How I Plan and Budget for Personal Development

Andrew — Fri, 02 Mar 2018 01:36:50 +0000

Prioritizing personal development and education will help you get where you want to go. But there are so many choices available, and it can be expensive. How can you plan effectively so that you invest in products and services that will help you, while remaining within a reasonable budget? In this article, I discuss how I go about planning my own personal development and education initiatives.

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