Despite not have a day job anymore, I’m busier than ever doing some contract work as the company blog editor of a financial startup (which you may be familiar with ;) ). I’m also still trying to keep up with my own blog along with trying to keep house, with being the designated driver for my kids, PTA rep, financial manager of the household and all around errand runner. The digerati spouse on the other hand pours his entire days working on his “best digital camera site” project, which is chugging along at a decent clip.

Our new lives haven’t changed much from our old ones, in terms of time still being the scarcest resource for us. Who said quitting one’s job to “retire” early was going to be easy? No, I haven’t slowed down much since cleaning out my office desk. I did manage to retire from my corporate career, but since then replaced it with a life that I hope to have more control over. So far, as expected, I’ve got more balance in my life and am happier about it; but well… we still got to worry a bit more about our finances as we try to build our ventures and live as self-employed individuals.

Overall, this is definitely a positive change for me, resulting in less stress and increased satisfaction over the work I do. Hopefully, the money angle can eventually improve as well!

Personal Finance Reads

  • The Simple Dollar: Take control of your destiny at work with these insightful tips. I also see these suggestions as ways to increase our value at work.

  • Lazy Man and Money: Do you feel poor? I like these points that Lazy Man made about how to improve our financial state.

  • Money Smart Life: Wanted: financial common sense! Common sense is indeed what we need to survive the housing bust and the shifts in our current economy.

  • Gen X Finance: Jeremy shares a sad story about a couple who met with foreclosure. But who’s at fault?

  • The Sun’s Financial Diary: Sun gets into the ground floor with Visa, who had a spectacular IPO launch this week.

  • Free Money Finance: I tackled the issue of health care earlier this week. And so has FMF, who has this piece on how to pay for health care during your retirement.

  • Mighty Bargain Hunter: If you need a way to remind yourself about paying your bills, especially if you’re paying them manually, then partake of this clever idea.

  • No Credit Needed: These I like: some cool suggestions on how to teach your kids about money, counting and making change. :)

  • All Financial Matters: Are you a likable person? We become more likable when we smile and try to be more positive, upbeat and cheerful. Being a good listener and ditching the temper helps too!

Additional Readings

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