Before the article, here’s what’s happening this week on our podcast, Personal Finance for Long-Term Investors: Do you know that scene in Gladiator where Russell Crowe’s character, Maximus, yells to the crowd, “Are you not entertained?!”  Yeah, this scene. I’m more interested in Maximus’s next line:  “Is this not why you are here?!” You see, the audience came to see violence and death. Specifically, the plan was for a bunch of local gladiators (heavily armored, fully armed) to kill some foreign slaves (including Maximus). But because Maximus is the protagonist a trained Roman legionaire, he turned the tables on the local gladiators, killing all of them single-handedly.  The crowd, caught off-guard, went silent, thus queuing up the immortal lines, “Are you not entertained?! Is this not why you are here?!” Maximus also throws a sword at the box seats. Power move. The audience came to see violence and death. They just hadn’t expected it could be delivered in that way.  [embed]https://youtube.com/watch?v=HmdpjkM3onk&feature=oembed[/embed] This frustrates Maximus. Did they expect every slave to get slaughtered without fighting back? What terrible expectations! Does the chef expect a Michelin star without some burns and knife slips? No. Does the traveler expect every eye-opening experience without a single delayed flight? No. Does the long-term investor expect their portfolio to compound for decades without times like these?  The nature of long-term investing is one of volatility. Ups and downs. The ups are easy. The downs, if we’re not careful, can be challenging.  This volatility is a feature, not a bug. We want to see it. We want risk involved in our investing endeavor. Because without that risk, there is no compensatory reward. There is no point to investing in the first place. Is this not why you are here? Yet often, people get stressed, scared, and make drastic changes when faced with volatility. Such a reaction is a glaring red light that suggests the investor’s expectations were not adequately set. If your monkey brain is screaming “Get off this roller coaster right now!,” we need to ask: why’d you get on the roller coaster in the first place?  It’s hard to set investing expectations amid market chaos, just as teaching fire safety while the smoke fills the room. We run fire drills during safe times to engrain the appropriate reactions. Similarly, we should set investing expectations during “calm” or “positive” market times, to engrain how we should be reacting now.  If you’re worried by portfolio volatility right now, I understand. But I implore you to keep reading.  Markets don’t go up in a straight line. Never have, never will. Volatility is the price of admission for long-term returns. If you’re feeling uneasy, remind yourself: this is why investors get rewarded over time—because they endure the ups and downs. This is why you are here! You must endure!  Zoom out. Short-term swings can feel dramatic, but the market has

Many homeowners struggling with debt worry about what happens to their mortgage if they decide to file for bankruptcy. Will you lose your home? Can you catch up on missed mortgage payments? This article explains how bankruptcy in Canada treats a mortgage, how a Licensed Insolvency Trustee (LIT) calculates your home equity, and what options – like a consumer proposal – may be available if you’re carrying a mortgage alongside other debts. How Bankruptcy Treats […]

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I am a staggeringly dim-witted buffoon the optionality that financial independence provides is hands down the best part of FIRE. It may not be worth a death march to obtain. But a few bumps and bruises? Probly, yes. Or at least a broken whatsitcalled. You know, the thing that does the thing for the youknowwhatiamtalkingabout. I’ve exercised said optionality lotsa times since FIREing. As to gigs/jobs […]

Minimalism sounds great—less clutter, less stress, more freedom. But what if it’s actually costing you more than you think? Sure, those clean spaces and “intentional living” vibes are nice, but minimalism isn’t always as budget-friendly as it seems. Between pricey “must-have” essentials and constantly replacing cheap stuff, this trend can quietly drain your wallet. Before […] The post Why Minimalism Might Be the Most Expensive Trend You’ve Fallen For appeared first on Personal Finance Advice.

My Sweet Retirement Money Saving Tips for Youth in Singapore Do you know what are the money saving tips for Youth in Singapore? In a bustling and expensive city like Singapore, managing finances can be a challenge, especially for young adults who are just starting … Money Saving Tips for Youth in Singapore My Sweet Retirement

On the evening of Monday, February 24, the house went under contract. Anticipated closing is the end of March. I’m not going to share more until we get through appraisal and inspection. This has altered my plans again. There is a buyer’s agent involved, but no seller’s agent. Because this all happened prior to March 1 when I was going to pass the house off to an agent, it is going through as FSBO. The lawyer who has always handled my family’s affairs here is handling the sale. (And yes, I do have to pay him.) I am also paying the buyer’s agent 3% which I advertised when I created the listing on both Facebook and Zillow. Instead of spending a month in Texas, I will be staying two weeks, then returning to Georgia pending the closing date. Post House Sale Plans If all goes well and as planned, the house will close by the end of March. That leaves me at loose ends the month of April. The family is all planning to be in Georgia for the first week of May for Princess’ college graduation, a family weekend, Princess’ 21st birthday, and Mother’s Day. And by family I mean all 5 of my kids plus some of my immediate family from Texas. Options I won’t make any firm decisions or plans until I know the house will close as scheduled. But I am reviewing options so I am ready. Beauty and her fiancé have a home with a guest room that they have invited me to stay for a while. Princess has an apartment (couch) where I could stay for a few days, probably week max. I will most likely stay here the week directly after closing since we have appointments together that week. Return to Texas for the month. Roadtrip! Exciting things ahead! Update Buyer pulled out March 4th via email from their real estate agent. The due diligence period was through March 7th. No reason was given. (I believe it had to do with their financing as they were getting a 100% finance loan.) It definitely through me for a loop mentally. After giving myself a couple of days to process. I’ve decided to return to GA at the end of this two week period, and decide what to do then. I need a break from thinking about the house.  So it will sent empty. And I will focus on work and finding more work. And spending some quality time with my family. The post House Under Contract appeared first on Blogging Away Debt.

If you need extra money very quickly, side hustles can give you a financial boost. You can sell unused items, explore affiliate marketing, or take… The post Fast Side Hustles: Quick Ways to Make Extra Cash appeared first on Savings and Sangria.

When I began my personal finance journey I didn’t know much about anything. I assumed everyone had a mortgage, everyone had a car loan, and everyone scraped by just making the minimum payment on their credit card. I didn’t give much thought to retirement, and most definitely didn’t think about real estate. I mean only the rich and wealthy can invest in real estate, right? Well, as I started to educate myself on personal finance, […]