FIRE Archives - Page 6 of 10

The Way to Wealth by Benjamin Franklin: Book Review

Here’s something most people don’t realize when they pick up “The Way to Wealth”: it’s not really a book. It’s a short essay Benjamin Franklin wrote in 1758 as a preface to the final edition of Poor Richard’s Almanack. The whole thing takes maybe 30 minutes to read. What you’re getting on Amazon is usually a very slim volume — the essay itself, possibly with some historical notes. That’s it. Which means if someone tells you “this book changed my life,” what actually happened is that a 30-minute read from 1758 changed their life. That’s either impressive or concerning depending on how you look at it.

The Story of the Mexican Fisherman

Have you heard the story of the Mexican fisherman? If not, allow me to introduce you to a tale that is sure to leave you feeling inspired and contemplative.

Bali Digital Nomad Visa

Bali has been the shorthand for “digital nomad paradise” for years — maybe too many years, which has made it both more developed and more crowded than the version people picture. I still looked into the visa situation carefully, because living and working from Indonesia for an extended stretch is genuinely different from a two-week vacation there. The honest answer is that the Indonesian visa system for long-term nomads is more complicated than most guides make it sound.

VTSAX vs VOO: Which Vanguard Fund Should You Pick?

If you’ve spent any time in FIRE circles or on personal finance forums, you’ve encountered the VTSAX vs VOO debate. Both are Vanguard funds, both are extremely low-cost, and both will make you more money over 30 years than most actively managed alternatives. The debate mostly comes down to structure and personal preference rather than any meaningful performance difference. Here’s what actually separates them.

Common Net Worth

If you’re curious about your financial health, one of the key metrics you’ll want to track is your net worth. In simple terms, your net worth is the difference between your assets (what you own) and your liabilities (what you owe). It’s a snapshot of your overall financial situation and can be a useful tool for setting financial goals and tracking progress.