Be the Streak

Streaking in 2024

StreaksJanuary 2, 2024

New Year. New Streaks? Continuing the 2023, 2022, and 2021 traditions, it is time to re-evaluate my streaks. Last year, I committed to pushing myself to be weird, but I failed. I have also found myself taking shortcuts. I will…

Surprise Benefit of FIRE in Southern Illinois

College, FIREDecember 26, 2023

The main reasons for moving to the Illinois side of Saint Louis were the cost of living and proximity to friendships and family. What I never expected was the possibility that our location would allow for…

Costs of Top UK Universities for Americans

College, ThoughtsDecember 19, 2023

The University of Cambridge and The University of Oxford are two of the top five colleges in the world. They are generally ranked only behind Harvard, MIT, and Stanford in the global rankings. Being accepted at…

University of Toronto Cost for Americans

College, ThoughtsDecember 12, 2023

My oldest child is looking at colleges and said they would like to attend school in Canada. They enjoy the weather and the politics. Unfortunately, the school has become increasingly unaffordable for international students. Tuition is $45,000+, and you…

2024 Financial Aid & FIRE

College, FIREDecember 5, 2023

One of the reasons for FIRE is a desire to have total control over your finances. But, when it comes to paying for college, your hands become tied by colleges deciding how much money you are…

Liberal Arts?

College, ThoughtsNovember 28, 2023

I should have put more effort into deciding what college I would attend. I knew my brother went to The University of Illinois and that it was an excellent school for Computer Science. I applied to…

The Death of Mint

FIRENovember 21, 2023

I have been obsessed with tracking my finances since I moved out of my parent's house. If you do not know how much money is coming in and how much money is going out, you are…

Auto Insurance is Terrible

ThoughtsNovember 14, 2023

Insurance companies are private organizations designed to make as much profit as possible. This is done by collecting as much in premiums as they can while reducing the amount they are required to pay to their…

I Love GIFs

ThoughtsNovember 7, 2023

I spend my entire life in my head. I create scenarios to entertain or prepare myself for the real world. Movies and TV shows are permanently burned in my neurons more than my interactions with people…

What is the Deal With College?

College, ThoughtsOctober 31, 2023

Universities are no longer necessary for most careers. I also don't think we should discriminate, so I understand my desires do not match reality. I worked in software engineering for most of my career. My Computer…