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Happy Monday! Here’s another edition of #AusFIWeekly, bringing you great financial independence blog posts, podcasts, news and events from Australia and beyond.
I’m Michelle, a mid-30s Australian sharing my journey to FI at FrugalityandFreedom.com. I write about semi-retirement, frugal hacks, minimalism, sustainability, and budget travel (40 countries and counting!)
This week, I’m happily boosting my travel fund savings for the next big trip! I’m housesitting in Auckland for free accommodation and the company of a floofy cat. I’ve also joined Sidekicker for extra work in Aus/NZ, doing event gigs such as ticket sales and gate staffing; 13 hours this week, in fact. While my day job contributes to my long-term FI stash, having an upcoming travel goal keeps me motivated to hustle and save extra (tracked by a spreadsheet too, because #moneynerd). Canada, see you in Summer 2020!
Are you saving or earning for specific goals? What tools or strategies are you using? Let me know.
Australian Links
What Tools Are In Your Wealth Maximisation Tool Box? – The Flawed Consumer
“Whether you live in the city or country, work full time or are retired, are in your 20s or 60s… There’s wealth maximisation tools available for your use. Such tools include: a second job or side hustle, career progression strategy, smart investments, frugal living, living in a tiny house, extreme couponing, self-sufficiency, dumpster diving, etc.”
Timing the Market: Silly or Sensible? – Strong Money Australia
“The best time to buy will very likely be the scariest time to buy. When everything inside you screams don’t do it, and seemingly nobody wants to own shares. When the economy is in the shitter and the market falls further every week.”
Stop Going Broke Trying to Impress People – Lifelong Shuffle
“We are all so busy trying to impress each other, trying to keep up with the Joneses and trying to gain external validation, that it is sending us broke… Have we all gone bonkers? Since when did appearing rich become more important than actually building wealth?”
What is ‘Retire Early’ and Why It’s The Most Important Part – Aussie Firebug
“The most misunderstood and important part about FIRE has to be ER… I honestly could think of nothing worse than to sit around all day doing nothing for 50+ years and I’ve yet to hear about anyone who achieves FIRE handing in their resignation letter only to sip Pina Coladas by the pool and play golf all day until they die.”
Australian Events
Brisbane: Mustachians Australia – North Brisbane Monthly Mustachian Picnic, Sat 12 Oct 1pm, Alderley
Canberra: ChooseFI Australia – Canberra Meetup, Sun 20 Oct 2.30pm, Fyshwick
Melbourne: FI Meetup Melbourne – Monthly Wed Night Meetup, Wed 16 Oct 6pm, CBD
Perth: ChooseFI Perth – October Meetup, Sun 6 Oct 10am, Northbridge
+ Auckland NZ: FIRE & Mustachian Meetup, Sun 3 Nov 2pm, Mt Eden. I’m hosting another meetup while here in Auckland. Let your Kiwi friends know!
International Links
The Best and Worst Thing About Financial Independence – Mad Fientist (US)
“If you’re unhappy when you’re working and you blame your job for all your problems, you may struggle after FI if you’re still unhappy… What do you do when your biggest scapegoat disappears?”
Hello, I’m a Messy Bitch and This Is My Fuck Up Fund – Brave Saver (US)
“My Fuck Up Fund is my failure insurance. I’ve tapped my Fuck Up Fund to smooth over a number of messes, silly moments, or general foolishness.”
Why Are People Hating on FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early)? video – GoWithLess (US)
“What’s with all the shade about the FIRE movement? Seems there are a lot of naysayers about the Financial Independence, Retire Early way of life. We’re all revved up and share our opinion about early retirement.”
How To Estimate Your Risk Tolerance – Monevator (UK)
“Can you take the pressure when your portfolio is sinking faster than a sub with a leak? At what sorry depths does your brain implode and your stomach dissolve in an acid bath of its own stress? That’s what risk tolerance hopes to tell you.”
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