Blog

Blog

Musings on personal finance and more. Not written with AI since 2012.

Home ownership revisited

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  One of my very first posts at Unlikely Radical was titled “Why renting is better than owning“. Later, I noted that while some people feel that home ownership provides a feeling of security, others will feel exactly the opposite. … Read More … Read More

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Why foreign transaction fees are (annoying but) no big deal

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  WARNING: This post contains math. Are you old enough to remember travelers checks? When I went on my first trip abroad when I was much younger, that was still the de facto method of using currency when in a … Read More … Read More

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What karaoke taught me about self-identity

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  I’ve often said that there are two types of people in this world: those who think there are two types of people in this world, and those who don’t. Sorry, I’ll start again. I’ve often said that there are … Read More … Read More

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How your mode of travel affects your experience

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  I recently attended Dan Savage’s Valentine’s Day live event. I’ve actually spent the past three V-Days with Dan, but this is the first year he came to my town instead of me going to his. The event was in … Read More … Read More

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How placemaking can influence personal transformation

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  I’ve written a lot about issues of urban planning and placemaking. Mostly this is because this is an area of obsession fascination with me and I find myself having lots to say on the topic. But still, as this … Read More … Read More

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Why defunding a mismanaged system is wrong

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  So whether or not you believe that transit is too expensive or should be free, the story of the group in Stockholm using collective fare dodging as a way to save money and inspire change is an interesting one. … Read More … Read More

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Should transit be free?

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  It’s a drag to have to pay for public transit, right? I know the feeling. As a teenager, I could certainly have put that money to different uses. When I first went to Europe and discovered transit systems that … Read More … Read More

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Lessons learned from World Domination Summit 2014 (months later)

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  It’s been a little over six months since the 2014 World Domination Summit and I thought it would be good to talk about the event from the vantage point of a little bit of distance. Why bother? Why talk … Read More … Read More

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Challenge: Travel to one new country every year

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Got any travel plans for this year? Still think that travel isn’t in the cards for you, despite your wish to the contrary? I have a challenge for you. And I think you can achieve it, both this year and … Read More … Read More

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A letter to myself in 7th grade gym class

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  Dear Mike, Gym class sucks, doesn’t it? I know. But I’ve got some knowledge that you don’t, and you might be interested to hear it. … Read More

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