investing Archives - Page 7 of 9

September 14, 2020September 14, 2020

There’s No Way I’m Investing in this Economy!

On August 18, 2020, against all odds, the S&P 500 hits a new all-time high. Almost exactly six-months prior, the voices of consternation—from all corners, mind you—are inciting fears of Depression-era financial instability in the global economy. Well-minded folks are selling equities for gold and cash, and the more troubled are lining up at the bank, six feet apart, to withdraw their money. Much of the devastation of the pandemic hasn’t changed, yet the stock market is back on top. Or is it?

What in the hell is going on, and should you be a part of it?

Let’s go!

August 31, 2020July 11, 2023

This Just In: The Real Cost of Home Ownership

In August, we closed on our home of seven years in Denver, Colorado. And against all odds, with a raging pandemic, unprecedented unemployment, and a very uncertain future, we sealed the deal on an offer far better than we anticipated.

In this post I run the final numbers on the economics of our seven years of home ownership. Despite the often-touted rule-of-thumb that home ownership is a great investment….well…was it for us?

This is part 3 in a series. To see other posts on the subject, check out Part 1 and Part 2.

August 20, 2020August 29, 2020

Podcast Interview: Power Company Climbing Podcast

Hey guys,

I wanted to reach out with a mid-week post to announce the release of a podcast I recorded with my previous interviewee Kris Hampton of the Power Company Climbing Podcast.

Back in Lander, Wyoming, about a month ago, Kris graciously invited me over to his home to meet in person. We’ve interacted a number of times since I began this project two years ago, but we never crossed paths. And then we pulled out some microphones.

I really enjoyed this conversation about the taboo of money, the parallels to climbing, the dilemma of being “retired” at 35, and the pitfalls of pursuing passionate work without financial security.

Listen to my interview with the Power Company Climbing Podcast here.

August 3, 2020August 9, 2021

How to Destroy Your Finances in Your 20s and 30s

The following are fictional narratives of many of the character traits, decisions, and habits that either my wife or I have exhibited, or those observed or communicated by readers of this website. Let’s examine together some of the many common scenarios where young people set the ball rolling on a path to destroying their finances.

July 13, 2020July 13, 2020

The Simple Systems to Kicking Monetary Ass

The often-touted rule-of-thumb for achieving financial independence is to secure 25 times one’s annual expenses via intentional saving and investing. Even though these are simple systems, we know from the second or third grade that multiplying things by 25 produces much bigger numbers than the thing itself (our spending in this case). Therefore, it seems absolutely outlandish to imagine saving that much money! Outlandish, I tell you!

So, as with many difficult endeavors in life, the tendency is to focus too narrowly on the distant target, and then immediately get overwhelmed. And in doing so, we may never start in the first place. Behaviors remain unchanged; the status quo is preserved.

How can a series of simple systems be implemented to change our lives forever?

June 22, 2020June 22, 2020

Bitcoin and Other Things You Shouldn’t Own

Things aren’t always as they seem. Today’s Wall Street darling can quickly fade to black with a single headline. The company that everyone is talking about around the water cooler, while popular, could make for a terrible investment. Helping to fund a new neighborhood restaurant might sound like a fantastic idea, but are the fundamentals there to generate a sustainable return? Today we examine the pitfalls of investing in individual enterprises or commodities, like Bitcoin. But hey, we can still have our fun. Here’s how.

I’ll begin with a story.

June 1, 2020June 1, 2020

Podcast Interview: The Nugget Climbing Podcast

Hello! I’m pleased to announce the release of an interview I did with Steven Dimmitt of The Nugget Climbing Podcast.

What is the point of a website about climbing and personal finance? Is a life in pursuit of financial independence all deprivation and drudgery? Well, tune in for a lot of words with a slight southern accent. Oh and don’t worry, we talk about climbing too.

This was a lot of fun.

May 11, 2020May 10, 2020

Do Tough Times Make Tough People?

History provides context to the current events of our lives. If you snoozed through your high school history class, the global shutdown and pandemic of the novel coronavirus might seem like the worst event to ever face mankind. While it is certainly not, many of us might (or will soon) find the pandemic to be the largest global crisis we’ve faced in our lives. It begs the question: Do tough times make tough people?

May 4, 2020May 4, 2020

Lauren Abernathy: Finding the Balance

Alrighty folks, we’re back on the interview bandwagon! This week I am pleased to bring you an interview with the industrious and energetic Lauren Abernathy. Lauren is a 25-year old professional, fully-obsessed climber, writer, and lover of adventure. And she’s a boss of her money.

At an age when Lauren began optimizing her professional life and learning to save for her freedom, I was trying to free myself from four to three nightly PBR’s.

Grab a cup of coffee, PBR, or whatever and let’s settle into some incredibly important life lessons for those at any point along their journey.

April 13, 2020April 14, 2020

Market Timing: Why It (Still) Doesn’t Work

Oh boy! Nothing like a good bear market/recession quick-slider combo to stir the simmering pot in the investing world! There’s no need for a long introduction. Let’s dive into the meat: why market timing still doesn’t work.