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Still round the corner there may wait A new road or a secret gate, And though we pass them by today, Tomorrow we may come this way And take the hidden paths that run Towards the Moon or to the Sun. – J.R.R Tolkien, ‘Walking Song’, The Lord of the Rings The post Portfolio Income Update – Half Year to December 31, 2024 appeared first on The FI Explorer.

This research piece on fiscal dominance in the United States was compiled and written by Sam Callahan, and commissioned and advised by Lyn Alden. Published: January 2025 Executive Summary • Structural fiscal deficits have surpassed private sector lending and monetary policy as the primary drivers of economic activity and inflation, marking a fundamental shift in […] The post Full Steam Ahead: All Aboard Fiscal Dominance appeared first on Lyn Alden.

Reading Time: 2 Minutes It’s FINISHED! FINALLY! What’s finished? The year? 2024? Um… oh yeah that too. Although I was referring to the end of the holidays for our kids day-care. Oh Lordy… the moment when I dropped off both kids this morning, Tuesday 7th January 2025… indescribable. *Editor’s Note: I had finished and was ready to send this post out yesterday, but due to unforeseen circumstances, I had to delay it until today… still, […]

A great tragedy of the education system is its inability to make writing an appealing skill. In fact, it feels like the system has been intentionally set up to make writing an absolute slog, which stunts intellectual growth and directs students to the path of conformity. Consider the 5-paragraph essay for example. For those of you unfamiliar with this concept, this was (and still is) widely taught in high school, where you are told to […]

The Alaska Railroad is a bucket list item to do when visiting the Last Frontier of Alaska. Some views you’ll see while on the train are amazing. It beats driving down and focusing on the road instead of the views. Here’s what to expect and why you should ride the Alaska Railroad and visit Alaska at least once.  What is the most scenic train route on the Alaska Railroad?  The most scenic train route would be the Coastal Classic route. These trains go from Anchorage to Whittier (or vice versa). If you are going from Anchorage to Girdwood, and you are able to choose seats, sit on the right side of the train. These seats have the best view of Turnagain Arm, and if you’re lucky, you can see beluga whales on the water and the train gently rolls by.  Another scenic ride and part of the Coastal Classic route is the train from Anchorage to Seward. If you’re going during late spring, early autumn, or winter, you can still see snow on the ground. It still feels like a winter wonderland as the train passes by tunnels and close to the trees. You can even feel some precipitation as the snow melts from the top of the trees.   Adventure Class Service on Alaska Railroad Gold Star or Adventure Class Service on the Alaska Railroad? On two of the more popular routes, the Denali Star (Anchorage to Denali National Park and vice versa), and the Coastal Classic (Anchorage to Girdwood or Seward), there are two types of service available. These are the Gold Star (more expensive but higher class of service) and the Adventure Class Service (think economy class but with more legroom and not a lot of downsides).  What is the Gold Star Service on the Alaska Railroad?  The Gold Star cars are the creme de la creme service of the Alaska Railroad. The seats have huge windows, and with gorgeous views, you’ll probably spend a lot of time just staring at the scenery. The Gold Star service has elevated seats, and each car has an open-air area in the back so you can feel the fresh air and have unimpeded views without the glare.  Is the Gold Star Service on the Alaska Railroad Worth It?  You’ll pay a premium for the Gold Star service. These seats cost almost twice as much as the Adventure Class service, but your fare will include food and drink. You’ll also get a commemorative pin that serves as your VIP entry to the Gold

This one is going to be very brief. I’m putting together a FAQ. If you have a question you’ve always wanted to ask, drop it in the comments below. Keep in mind this is for a general FAQ Thanks! The post Got a question? appeared first on JLCollinsnh.

At 37 weeks pregnant, Nicole Magelssen found herself at a crossroads. Laid off from her part-time job and facing financial uncertainty, she turned to what had always been her side hustle: virtual assistant work. What began as a $7-an-hour job during high school quickly became a lifeline for her family. Fast forward to today, and Nicole’s side hustle has grown into a thriving agency supporting over 35 virtual assistants, with a seven-figure projection for the […]

I’d say ‘Happy New Year’ but we’re past that now, aren’t we? 🙂 Being back at work and with it not being as quiet as I had hoped, I found it hard to face  my laptop outside of work hours, … Continue reading → The post December 2024 Savings, plus round up appeared first on Quietly Saving.

Every January, millions worldwide embrace the challenge of going vegan for 31 days.  Veganuary is a growing movement, which inspires people to explore a plant-based lifestyle for one month, for their health, the planet, and animals. But what exactly is the point of Veganuary, how to join, and why should you? Let’s take a closer look. Table of ContentsWhat is Veganuary?The origins of VeganuaryParticipation in numbersThe Impact of VeganuaryPersonal impact: Animal impact:Environmental impact:Industry impact:Tips on starting VeganuaryVeganuary: FAQHow many people do Veganuary? Who can participate in Veganuary?How do you prepare for Veganuary? How do I sign up for Veganuary?What foods can I eat during Veganuary?What should I avoid eating?Is vegan food expensive?What if I make a mistake?Can I eat out during Veganuary?Will I get enough protein on a vegan diet?Do I need to supplement for Veganuary?What happens after Veganuary?How does Veganuary benefit animals, the environment, and health?Do I need to sign up to participate?Can I join Veganuary after January has started?How can I encourage others to join?Can I be a bit less strict?How many animals are saved by one person going vegan?Summary What is Veganuary? Veganuary is an annual campaign encouraging individuals to commit to a vegan diet for January. The idea is simple: for one month, participants avoid all animal-derived foods – like meat, dairy, and eggs – and instead choose plant-based alternatives.  Whether you’re a lifelong meat-eater or a curious foodie, Veganuary offers a supportive, judgment-free way to explore veganism.  The origins of Veganuary Veganuary was founded in 2014 by Jane Land and Matthew Glover, who wanted to make it easier for people to try veganism. They believed that January – a time for resolutions and fresh starts – was the perfect opportunity to inspire change. The first campaign was in 2015, with 1,280 people signing up. Fast forward to 2023, 706,000 participants from nearly every corner of the world signed up through the official website!  While it launched in the United Kingdom, Veganuary has now expanded into an international movement, and year, more and more countries join in. The campaign is currently run directly by the UK-based nonprofit in seven countries, with partner organizations managing it in five additional nations. Because of the support of ambassadors such as Joaquin Phoenix and celebrities like Alec Baldwin, Veganuary’s message has reached a wider audience in the past few years.  Participation in numbers While sign-ups on the website provide an official count, it’s estimated that ten times more people participate unofficially. Here’s a closer look at the numbers:  2015: The first Veganuary saw just 1,280 sign-ups. 2021: Over 582,000 people signed up, marking a major milestone for the campaign. 2022: Participation increased further with 629,000 sign-ups. 2023: The campaign reached new heights with 706,000 official participants signing up through the website. In 2023, women made up the majority of sign-ups. Surveys revealed that the primary motivation for taking part was animal welfare, followed by personal health and environmental concerns. Why these numbers

If I had to name one profession that could shed insight into what matters most in life, it’d be a hospice physician. Imagine spending your working hours among those in their final days of life. Among people sharing what they’re most proud of…what they regret…what they realize matters. What could you learn?  Fortunately, we don’t have to guess. Jordan Grumet, MD, is a rare breed. Yes, he’s been a hospice doctor for 20 years, but […]

Happy New Year, friends! Just had a randomly refreshing chat with a fellow coffee shop goer, and as things tend to go we ventured into finances and the words that came out of his mouth were outstanding, lol… So much so I had to stop him mid-sentence a couple of times to make sure I got his phrases right! Here were some of the highlights from our convo, in *his own words* as best as I can remember… ******* “I would rather play chicken with my bills than with my savings” Instead of spending on “wants” first like I’ve done all my life, I flipped it around and now SAVE first and pay bills second. Then if there happens to be anything left over, I use that to buy any “extras” I might want. I went from not being able to save $1,000 and a credit score of 580, to having over $13,000 in the bank and a score of 730 within one year! There were a handful of things that led to this, but it was mainly re-ordering my priorities and paying myself first that got me going in the right direction. “I’ve gone to a more “spatial” system of managing my cash flow” Another reason I was able to save so much this year was because I drastically changed my management system. Instead of having everything in 1-2 accounts, I’ve gone to a more “spatial” system. What I mean by that is I spread my accounts across multiple banks that all serve a specific purpose: I have one account for my short-term savings One account for my long-term savings One account for my bills And then one account for my spending/wants. My business banking looks similar: one account for savings, one account for bills, and another account for taxes (I pay quarterly). It’s a lot to manage, but it’s brought so much peace and savings. “I threw away my debit cards” The first thing I did when I started re-arranging everything was to move all my savings into a brick and mortar bank that had no online access. This way the only way I could access my money was by going there in person. I did get debit cards, but I immediately cut them up and threw them away. This has immensely strengthened my discipline, and partly why I was able to go from $1,000 to $13,000 so fast. It took me over 30 years to save my first $10,000 and now the hardest part is over! “I spend a lot of money looking for women” Over the course of 3-4 years I’ve spent $40,000+ looking for love, or about $1,200/mo. Part of that goes to dating apps like eHarmony (which I initially balked at as it cost me $300!), but most of it comes from just doing my best to be “visable.” So lots of eating out and hanging with friends, visiting bars/community events/etc. You have to put yourself out there if you truly

No one particularly wants to think about “The End.” The thing is, if you run a business and you want to protect your legacy, you really do need to ensure your business finances are in shape, not only now, but after you’ve gone too… Embrace the Awkward: Yes, You’re Going to Kick the Bucket Someday First things first: stop pretending you’re immortal. Unless you’re a vampire, your to-do list should probably include “get a handle […]

This February Military Scholarship post is part of my ongoing Military Scholarships series. As long as you’re stuck in the house hiding from the cold, you should be applying for these military scholarships! Many scholarship programs have not updated their listings for 2024. I have sent emails to each one, and will update the listing… | Read More… The post February Military Scholarships for Service Members, Spouses and Kids appeared first on KateHorrell.