This post is part of a 30-day series called the 30 Steps Program to Financial Independence. I vividly remember the last time I sent a recorded, signed-for delivery letter to my boss. It was Christmas Day in 2009. I can only imagine he had an interesting holiday! By the end, I really despised him for […]

Google Reader Here’s a list of some blogs I follow, which I usually check out through Google Reader whenever I get a free moment. The first few blogs are some of the top personal finance (PF) blogs out there. If you found my blog before these (really??!!), I highly recommend checking them out for some […]

Paris ranks as one of the priciest cities in both Europe and the world. Every time I return from more affordable places, I’m shocked by the high costs. So, finding fun yet cheap date ideas seems daunting! The dating lifestyle in Paris is far from thrifty. People are often stressed, with high-paying jobs and limited […]

This article is part of a 30-day series called the “30 Steps Program to Financial Independence.” Just like maintaining your car, growing a garden is actually quite simple. It can save you money, help you eat healthier, and serve as an affordable and enjoyable hobby. So, how do you get started? Personally, I don’t have […]

September has been an odd month for me. After spending five months traveling around Europe on a motorcycle with my boyfriend, I finally stopped and came back “home” to Paris. I call it home because I don’t have any other place right now, but in reality, I’m staying with my mom for a few weeks. […]

**Prioritize What Is Important** In this 30-day series on achieving financial independence, today’s focus is on prioritizing what truly matters. As we discussed yesterday, cutting down on unnecessary spending can help you reach financial independence faster. This includes avoiding impulse buys and those small expenses that add up over time without you even noticing. Take […]

Is it Worth Renting Out Your Extra Room? I grew up in a large family, where holidays meant sharing cramped spaces, with all the kids in a big dormitory and seldom showering. Later, I lived in on-campus housing and small apartments, often with two to seven roommates. Whenever I’ve lived alone, I’ve hosted couchsurfers or […]

LEARN NEW SKILLS For the past few days, I’ve talked about activities like growing a garden and maintaining your vehicle. These small tasks not only help you save money but also make you more self-sufficient. For instance, if you can grow your own food, you don’t have to depend on buying it, especially when prices […]

Yesterday, we discussed how much money you need to achieve financial independence. For me, that breaks down to $50,000 to buy a house, $30,000 for a 30-month emergency fund, and a source of passive income generating at least $1,000 per month for living expenses. While I’m working on growing that $80,000 savings account for financial […]

In August, I’ll be kicking off a new series that I hope you’ll enjoy. Over 30 days, I’ll break down different ways to achieve financial independence, one method each day. We’ll cover the basics, such as how to save money and start a fund for your future financially independent life, and we’ll also crunch some […]