Walmart Money Orders: Adventures in Manufactured Spending In general, I don't shop at Walmart. Sure, the prices are cheap, but so is the quality of most of the goods. Plus we don't buy much stuff anyway given our relatively minimalist lifestyle. So why did I go to Walmart earlier this week? Well, I went to Walmart for one specific reason: manufactured … [Read more...] about Walmart Money Orders: Adventures in Manufactured Spending
Deep Thoughts: Go Back To Work Or Pay Off Loans?
Deep Thoughts: Go Back To Work Or Pay Off Loans? You're probably scratching your head in bewilderment. The title of this article doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Or at least it doesn't seem like it does. You might be asking, "Dr. McFrugal, what does going back to work have to do with paying off loans? Who's going back to work anyway? And I thought you already paid off all … [Read more...] about Deep Thoughts: Go Back To Work Or Pay Off Loans?
Getting More Than 5% Back On All Lifestyle Expenses
Getting More Than 5% Back On All Lifestyle Expenses What If I told you that I get at least 5% back on all of our family's lifestyle expenses. Even though it sounds a bit preposterous, it's actually true. The reason for this is plain and simple. I'll give you a hint. It's starts with a "C" and rhymes with Reddit Ards. ;) Here's how we do it... Credit Card … [Read more...] about Getting More Than 5% Back On All Lifestyle Expenses
More Sleep, Less Screens: No Alarms and No Surprises
More Sleep, Less Screens: No Alarms and No Surprises "I would get more sleep." "The first thing I would do is get rid of my alarm clock." These are likely among the top ten most common responses to the often-pondered question: "What would I do if I retired early?" They definitely rank high on my list of priorities. And for very good reason. Simply put, sleep is vital … [Read more...] about More Sleep, Less Screens: No Alarms and No Surprises
Monthly Money and Munchies: Finance And Food
Monthly Money and Munchies: Finance And Food Okay. So I've been slacking with the posts. It's not for the lack of ideas or post topics. In fact, my interests are so varied that there's a ton of potential topics I could write about. Truth is: I just haven't had the writing inertia lately. Between my roles as a husband, father, and physician... there is limited time, energy, and … [Read more...] about Monthly Money and Munchies: Finance And Food
Physicians Pursuing Financial Independence
Physicians Pursuing Financial Independence Today I want to highlight the latest episode of the What's Up Next? podcast. The general topic of discussion is physicians pursuing financial independence. The podcast is hosted by Doc G of DiverseFi and Paul Thompson. Each episode includes a diverse panel of guests who take the conversation of FI to the next level. And this … [Read more...] about Physicians Pursuing Financial Independence
Maximizing PSLF: The Doctor / Lawyer / Parental Leave Loophole
Maximizing PSLF: The Doctor / Lawyer / Parental Leave Loophole It's no secret that my wife and I are pursuing PSLF. In our Investor Policy Statement, one of our medium term objectives is anticipating loan forgiveness through PSLF. I've also mentioned our pursuit of loan forgiveness in several interviews, such as this one. To clear any confusion, we are not pursuing … [Read more...] about Maximizing PSLF: The Doctor / Lawyer / Parental Leave Loophole
Is It Foolish To Hoard Credit Card Points And Miles?
Is It Foolish To Hoard Credit Card Points And Miles? What do you think? Is it foolish to hoard credit card points and miles? The short answer is: "yes, in most circumstances". In fact, as a minimalist, I would say that it is foolish to hoard anything, really. Unless, that is, you're hoarding cash and investing it wisely in a reasonable portfolio of stock and bond index … [Read more...] about Is It Foolish To Hoard Credit Card Points And Miles?
Why I Don’t Have A 529 Plan For My Child
Why I Don't Have A 529 For My Child A lot of of my physician colleagues tout the benefits of a 529 plan. So do a lot of personal finance bloggers. But I don't have a 529 for my child. Don't worry, my wife and I are not expecting my daughter and any of our future children to fully pay for their own higher education. Of course we want our children to have a solid financial … [Read more...] about Why I Don’t Have A 529 Plan For My Child
Marie Kondo Is Wrong: Tidying Up Should Start With The Pantry
Marie Kondo Is Wrong: Tidying Up Should Start With The Pantry I love Marie Kondo. Who doesn't, right? For those who may not know of her, she is an organizing consultant and author of the best-selling book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing. Marie Kondo has inspired millions to tidy up, declutter, and live a more … [Read more...] about Marie Kondo Is Wrong: Tidying Up Should Start With The Pantry