Mastering the Side Jam | Page 2 of 14 |

Tue
05 ^th

Why, Oh Why, Can’t I Be FI?

Written by Robin - 8 Comments

Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash

In Pursuit of Financial Independence

I attended a meetup last weekend for the local ChooseFI group I belong to. It was actually more of a presentation. The group tries to do several throughout the year, balancing out educational with social. Yesterday’s presentation was about the recent tax changes.

Since I’m in the midst of doing taxes for all of my family members, I figured it would be worth it to attend and see if I could glean a few pointers from the discussion.

Also, I’m trying to make myself attend more of these events, to try to be more social. Because a discussion on taxes is clearly a social excursion …

But given the fact that I work from home, I can sometimes go a full week without ever leaving the house. I’m a homebody, and don’t see the need to go out just to go out.

Some people think that’s weird. I know it’s just the way I’m most comfortable.

Since making the conscious effort to co-mingle with the human race, I’ve found this local chapter of Choose FI to be a great place where I can interact with others. We’re all interested in money topics, and I don’t even need to say anything if I don’t want to. I can just sit back and listen.

Because I’ve met many group members who know A LOT, and are more than happy to share their knowledge. Which is really helpful, since this whole FI (Financial Independence) concept is still fairly new to me.

But a funny thing happened as the meeting was commencing and we were going around the table doing introductions.

Tue
26 ^th

5 Smart Ways to Save on Vet Bills

Written by Robin - 2 Comments

I took my little peanut to the vet the other day.

Don’t worry — nothing was wrong with her. She was just due for her annual checkup, and a couple of vaccinations.

Each year, we budget for the expense of an annual checkup for both of our dogs. Some people choose to spread this expense out over multiple appointments throughout the year, to balance out the bills.

We prefer to save up and take care of everything at once, with one large vet bill.

But overall, it’s less stressful for the dogs to only go to the vet once per year, and get everything out of the way.

So as the receptionist presents me with this super-painful piece of paper itemizing each individual charge and service that is rendered, I get to thinking.

There are two ways one can logistically approach this, in order to save on vet bills:

Budget for the entire expense, knowing each year we will have to pay (at least) this amount for each dog.
Find ways to reduce expenses and/or supplement what is being paid for these services, to make it a little less agonizing for all involved.

I, for one, choose to engage both of these practices. Because I do want to prepare for the worst.

And more or less have to — since who has an extra $400 just sitting around, begging to be spent?

But I also want to mitigate the amount spent, and only pay what is absolutely necessary.*

Tue
19 ^th

Side Jam Interview #1 – Homegrown Plant & Worm Farm

Written by Robin - 4 Comments

Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash

Side Jam Interview #1

Hello and welcome to the very first installment of the Side Jam Interview Series!

The purpose of the Side Jam Interview Series is to highlight unique, interesting, and creative ways to make extra money on the side.

I interview people about side hustles they’ve tried, and find out the real scoop:

Is it legit or a scam?
Were you able to make money?
How much effort was involved?
Did it require any prior skills?
Was it ultimately worth the time put into it?

Do you have a Side Jam you’d like to share?

Let me know by filling out THIS FORM, and you could be featured on my blog!

And now down to the good stuff — Here are all of the details on my first Side Jam Interview:

The Homegrown Plant & Worm Farm

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