Decisions

You must fight the Tired

  Life is tiring. Anyone who brings up an argument like, “What? You only work eight hours a day, so you have sixteen hours left” is either myopic or trying to sell you something. If you’re single, then you need … Read MoreRead More

Why bother to keep your miles from expiring

  Let’s say you have 3,000 miles with Delta, 5,735 miles with US Airways, and 1,326 miles with Virgin America. Redemptions of frequent flyer miles usually start at the 25,000 mark. At this rate, you’ll have enough for an award … Read MoreRead More

Pay what you owe (and take the high road)

  Last time I talked about how I automate all my bills, and recommend that you do the same. But during the course of my argument, I dropped in this statement: …most of all, your record will say that you … Read MoreRead More

Please don’t play the lottery

  I was waiting for a bus a few days ago. I was the only one there, save for another guy, maybe 40’s or 50’s looking, a bit haggard, but dressed well. He was smoking and attacking a scratch card … Read MoreRead More

Why having more money won’t simplify your life

  You may think that making more money will solve some of your problems. And you’re right. That’s certainly what I’ve found in my life. But when that happened, I found that new problems were created, greater in number than … Read MoreRead More

The high cost of free frequent flyer miles

  There’s a tension between having an interest in travel hacking and an interest in taking control of your finances. On one hand, the two pursuits seem to go well together. Travel hacking involves having creative travel experiences on a … Read MoreRead More

In praise of dumbphones

  I am one of the only people I know who doesn’t have a smartphone. I’m not bragging about this. I just have decided that at this point, it’s not something I want in my life. I’m not suggesting you … Read MoreRead More

If you’re not doing it, stop

  I like to think about ways to get myself people to accomplish things and not just say that I’m they are “going to, someday”. I’m fascinated by what it is inside ourselves that causes us to self-sabotage. (The book … Read MoreRead More

Is there ever a reason to buy a new car?

  New cars are alluring. Who can deny that? The combination of something being all new, mixed with the sense of freedom (real or imagined) creates an intoxication that is hard to resist. Notice I said “intoxication.” Like lots of … Read MoreRead More

Accept when your plans are changed

  It was to be a good day. I could make it to the ferry terminal with enough time not to have to rush (for once). The ferry would be a leisurely two hour ride to the island of Jeju, … Read MoreRead More