Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Thanksgiving 2024

This Thanksgiving season, I'm feeling a bit reflective.

While I frequently get irritated about injustices in the world, I'm also reminded of many things that have fallen to my benefit, and to the benefit of many - most - Americans. You can even extend that claim to most of the 'First World.' You know, nations like the U.S., Canada, many Western European nations, as well as Japan, Australia, and South Korea, among others.

Is everything always rosy in these countries? Certainly not! But people in these countries generally have the time and energy to worry about things other than farming to eke out a hand-to-mouth living. This extra 'bandwidth' is, in itself, a luxury.

Don't believe me? Just look at all non-human species. Or, if you prefer, look at the lot of most people throughout human history.

Things that have irked me recently include the abysmal CEO-worker pay ratio, conspicuous consumption (which has gotten a rocket boost from social media, though Thorsten Veblen coined the term in 1899, so the Internet is clearly not to blame!), and the elevated prices of what used to be called 'starter homes.' Oh, and avocado toast guy shooting off his big mouth again (though that was a while ago).

But it's important to remember the positive things too!

I'm thankful for numerous blessings in my life, which include:

  • Family
  • A stable job
  • The easy availability of high-quality information
  • A historically stable country (politically and economically)
  • Luxuries that we normally take for granted, like air conditioning
  • A healthy body and mind
  • Financial security
And, last but not least, I'm thankful for my blog readers!

It's been a whopping 10 years since I began this blog in May 2024! Along the way, I've been published - academically as well as in personal finance books connected to this blog - gotten full-time employment, and learned a whole lot about various topics (primarily investing, business, and history).

Thanks for following along on this journey, and here's to another 10+ years!



Thursday, October 24, 2024

Heavy metal financial education

Financial Education...in a Metal Song?!

This morning, when I was driving to work in my Honda, I flipped between local rock radio stations, and landed on a channel that was playing a song I didn't recognize.

Longtime readers will know that I grew up on rock, and while I've branched out in my old age, I still mostly listen to hard rock and metal.

So on this radio station, I could tell from the vocals that the song was performed by a metal band called Disturbed, though I hadn't heard this particular song before. The song wasn't bad, so I kept listening.

When I heard the chorus, I was taken aback! No, not because they were saying anything 'disturbing.' (See what I did there?) It's because I heard the following:

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Guest post: Constructing a Solid Foundation for Your Thriving Home-Based Business Venture

Thinking about starting a work-from-home venture? Enjoy this guest post from David of NeighborhoodWeek.org! He's written a guest post for this blog before, regarding practical financial tips for surviving COVID. You can read that here. We're glad to have him back for another guest post.


Take it away, David:

Image: Freepik

Constructing a Solid Foundation for Your Thriving Home-Based Business Venture

Venturing into the creation of a home-based business marks the beginning of an exciting and demanding journey. With a strategic approach, transforming your passion into a profitable endeavor becomes a tangible reality. This guide explores the critical steps necessary to establish a robust foundation for your home-based business, ensuring its success and longevity.

Carve Out a Professional Space

In your home, dedicating a specific area exclusively for business activities is crucial for maintaining a healthy work-life balance. This space should be quiet and organized, equipped with all the necessary tools and resources to facilitate your work. It's about creating an environment that signals your brain it's time for business, thereby enhancing focus and efficiency. This separation not only boosts productivity but also helps in mentally transitioning from home to work mode, despite the physical space remaining unchanged.

Define Your Goals with Precision

Crafting SMART goals that mirror the aspirations of your business is essential. These goals act as a roadmap, providing clarity and direction. By setting objectives that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound, you're more likely to stay motivated and on track. This methodical approach ensures that every effort is aligned with your ultimate business objectives, keeping you grounded and forward-moving even when challenges arise.

Engage Customers with Captivating Content

In the realm of marketing, the power of content cannot be overstated. Your ability to produce material that not only educates but also inspires your audience is paramount. It's about crafting stories that resonate, building a brand that speaks to the heart of your audience. This strategy not only establishes trust and credibility but also fosters a loyal customer base eager to engage with your brand. Through consistent and compelling content, you create a narrative that draws people in and keeps them coming back.

Design a Memorable Logo

Creating a logo for your home business is an essential step in building a brand identity that resonates with your target audience. A logo visually represents your business’s values, style, and mission, so it’s important to choose elements like colors, fonts, and symbols that align with your brand's message. Keeping the design simple yet distinctive will help it stand out and be memorable across various platforms, from websites to business cards. For those who are not design-savvy, an online logo generator can be a helpful tool, offering customizable templates and options to easily create a professional-looking logo.

Separate Business and Personal Finances

Keeping your personal and business finances in separate accounts is a non-negotiable practice for any home-based business. This distinction aids in the meticulous tracking of income and expenses, facilitating a smoother financial management process. It simplifies tax preparation, ensures compliance, and provides a clear view of your business’s financial health. This separation acts as a safeguard, protecting your personal finances from business liabilities and enabling more informed decision-making.

Craft a Financial Blueprint

The development of a detailed financial plan is a cornerstone of your business strategy. This blueprint should encompass all aspects of your financial landscape, from startup costs and ongoing expenses to revenue forecasts. Exploring diverse financing options, whether through loans, investments, or crowdfunding, can provide the necessary capital to support your business's growth. A well-thought-out financial plan not only secures your business’s future but also serves as a critical tool for navigating the financial complexities of entrepreneurship.

Set Firm Work-Life Boundaries

Establishing and maintaining clear boundaries between work and personal life, especially when sharing your home with others, is fundamental. Communicating the significance of these boundaries to family members, particularly children, helps minimize interruptions and maintains a professional atmosphere. By setting these boundaries, you ensure that your work time is respected and productive, allowing you to fully engage with your personal life outside of business hours.

Conclusion

Starting a business from home requires dedication, strategic planning, and a clear vision. By following these essential steps, you lay down a sturdy foundation for your home-based business, setting the stage for enduring success. It's a path marked by continuous learning, adaptability, and resilience. Remember, the essence of entrepreneurship lies not just in achieving success but in overcoming the hurdles along the way with grace and determination.

Discover practical financial tips and insights on how to manage your money effectively at The Froogal Stoodent. Ready to take control of your finances? Start by exploring the blog's simple strategies for saving, investing, and more.


Wednesday, July 3, 2024

2 Funds for Life: A Froogal Stoodent Review

2 Funds for Life: A Froogal Stoodent Review

2 Funds for Life: A Quest for Simple & Effective Investing Strategies by Chris Pedersen – Notes and Quotes


Tenth in a series of book reviews by The Froogal Stoodent

Every aspiring writer is told: “Know your audience.”

Exhibit A: Chris Pedersen’s 2 Funds for Life.

It’s very detailed, and definitely not for everybody. But for his intended audience, it works very well! Are you part of that audience? Let's find out!

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Winning?

 They say 'he who dies with the most stuff wins.'

But maybe he who lives with the least stress is the real winner.



Wednesday, January 10, 2024

Links for January 2024

Links for January 2024


A nice explanation that encapsulates why I'm not buying a home right now: https://www.morningstar.com/portfolios/why-i-dont-own-home

Are the markets stacked against the little guy? Depends on your investing style: https://awealthofcommonsense.com/2023/07/are-the-markets-stacked-against-the-little-guy/ 

Interesting food for thought: https://ritholtz.com/2023/07/contrarian-inflation/

This guy is really insightful, and has a great way of explaining things: https://www.joshuakennon.com/the-laffer-curve-for-beginners/

A good list! https://filledwithmoney.com/rich-mindset-vs-poor-mindset/

SECRET: how to invest like the 1%! [Spoiler alert: if you're a regular reader of this blog, or if you're at all involved in the online FIRE community, you probably already are, at least for the most part]: https://awealthofcommonsense.com/2023/07/how-to-invest-like-the-1/ 

Another high-income earner crying poverty (*eye roll*): https://www.joshuakennon.com/elie-mystal-says-250000-doesnt-make-him-rich/

Good take on what financial wellness means: https://www.annuity.org/personal-finance/financial-wellness/

Interesting ways to think about wealth: https://awealthofcommonsense.com/2023/07/some-other-forms-of-wealth/

An oft-ignored point (sometimes, even including yours truly): https://ritholtz.com/2020/01/bbrg-shunning-new-cars/

Interesting idea, and I think you could make a strong case for doing something like this (although I, personally, do not): https://awealthofcommonsense.com/2023/07/investing-100-of-your-portfolio-in-stocks/

Raises for me, but not for thee: https://www.mediaite.com/news/reporter-confronts-gm-ceo-about-her-growing-30-million-salary-why-should-your-workers-not-get-the-same-pay-increases/

This is 'avocado toast' guy, now saying we need unemployment to increase by 40-50% (in Australia, it's currently 3.7%; so he's calling for that figure to increase to about 5.2-5.5%) to remind people that employers are the ones calling the shots: 

Another good one from Ben Carlson: https://awealthofcommonsense.com/2023/11/we-dont-understand-how-inflation-works/