Hard Way Frugality

Old Posting: Please see the new blogging home for this post here

So we have a new year everyone!  Time for unrealistic goals that have no specific action plan or accountability backed behind them. Then, we all extort valuable energy into a direction with no clearly defined path for about 30 days and wonder why 92% of people fail new year resolution goals . Well now, please don't mistake me for a pessimistic person. In all honesty, I am actually a very optimistic fellow. Which is why I wrote this latest post. You see, instead of writing a goal for the new year, my path this year is going to be different. I am going to focus on a few "systems" that will likely lead to the desired "goal" as a consequence so long as I am disciplined enough to take charge of my life each day. Example: Let's say, I would like to lose the flab developed in my mid section that mysteriously appeared over the holidays. Well, more cardiovascular workouts is the key to burning fat. Instead of just going to the gym more (which I probab

Tis the season,  The holidays are always a time for reflection. As for me, I like to take this time of the year to review a career roadmap I have documented. One specific quote I read a while ago has stuck in my brain as I think about all that will be pursued throughout the next year. "Most people live their lives chasing paychecks, pay raises and job security because of the emotions of desire and fear, not really them. It’s just like the picture of a donkey dragging a cart with its owner dangling a carrot just in front of its nose. The donkey’s owner may be going where he wants to, but the donkey is chasing an illusion."  - Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki Have you asked yourself this same question? Are you chasing an illusion? Being busy working for the sake of work is not productivity. When is the end? Meaning, when can we stop working for someone else. Or, when can we stop making someone else wealthy and start making ourselves wealthy? What wou

Gobble, gobble everyone!  It's Thanksgiving time. As a frugal geek, it's only natural that I would love a holiday geared towards contentment. In addition, I am purposely making extra food to freeze throughout the week. I will also save all the turkey broth I can and freeze it for amazing soups in the following months. Needless to say, I am full of glee this holiday season.  The purpose of today's post As you may have read , the HWF family became debt free homeowners this year. Yes, I am super proud of this purchase. However, after I paid for the home I have to admit, there was still a little voice in my head that tried to persuade me. This fellow would say things like, "why don't you buy a home with a basement", "the homes down the street have a third car garage", "can you believe the home values have increased, you should sell now and upgrade!".     I think this character in my head is a thief. Unlike the traditional thieves, wh

Well, better late than never. Hello, I am finally back with my health report update. Just in case you're new, back in June I posted some very grim cholesterol results. Now, don't be mistaken, this is a frugal blog, not a health focused site. However, cardiac disease runs in my family and let me tell you, open heart surgery is expensive. Unfortunately, I got to witness this first hand from my Dad. That poor fellow has numerous cardiac issues due to poor cholesterol. And the medical bills that follow poor cardiovascular health can destroy your wealth building ability.  I have personally seen hard working self-made individuals lose their financial independence simply because they didn't have the means or the technology to be proactive in tackling their crappy health situation. I do not want us to be affected by this tragic act.  Personally, my fear is that I will spend all my health trying to gain wealth, then waste all my wealth just to gain a little health. I do

Well it's done! The home is finally fixed and the HWF family is all moved in!  So for today's post, I am going to share my experiences buying and fixing up a repossessed property. But first, if you are new to this blog, you can start here  from the beginning of this Real Estate investing journey.  There were definitely a few hurdles I encountered and you can learn from my mistakes. The home I will be talking about in this post today will be the 6th  repossessed  home that I have purchased and rehabbed in my lifetime. However, this new home is unique in a few ways, This is the first property I have paid for with cash no mortgage.  This is the first property I have purchased being married. Unlike the homes in the past, I don't plan on flipping this home. I plan on keeping this property. That means, I need to prepare this home for the long-run.  These new variables listed do change the way I invest in Real Estate in a good way.  Goal for this home My ori