What you’ll learn about me is I am a perfectionist and I have an addictive personality. I can’t do things half-ass. Sometimes this is good, and sometimes this is bad. What that means is when I find a blog I really like; I need to read it from the beginning. This is not the most efficient method of reading (I know), but it’s where I am at.
There are so many good blogs out there that I would like to read, but I simply can’t right now. Number one, I don’t have the time (corporate life still beckons), and number two, I need to get up to date on the ones I am currently reading.
So, what am I feeding my brain?
There are no surprises here:
I know… everyone is probably thinking: Q-FI, what the Fuck? Why would you put that blog here? Everybody puts that blog on their list? And yet… that – is – why – it – is – here. And as Keith Jackson would say, “Mr. Money Mustache is the granddaddy of them all.”
If you are here, reading my blog, then I’ll actually go as far as saying that I guarantee you’ve already been indoctrinated to Mr. Money Mustache. And there is a good reason why: he’s witty, hilarious, an expert optimizer, plays his character mantra up to the extreme and possesses an intelligent financial literacy. I think one of his best and underrated talents is his ability to take complex financial concepts and explain them in a simple entertaining story.
Although I do not agree with all of his views, there is so much to soak up and learn, ranging from the financial newbie all the way to the experienced investor. If you happen to live under a rock and don’t know who he is, then dive in and get lost in the face punching mania!
Reading status: It was a quick, brisk pace at first, slicing through his material like a Ninja with glee. But lately it’s been slow. I’m only up to May 2013.
#2: JL Collins – The Simple Path to Wealth
I consider Jim Collins to be the Yoda of the FI world. He has been around and seen some shit, and the force is with him (I am not a Star Wars fan at all either, but for some reason that analogy just popped into my head). While MMM is out punching faces and trying to save the world, Jim plays the elder statesman who has already served his time.
Best known for his Stock Series, which is a good breakdown of investing advice for beginners, Jim was FI before FIRE was a thing. He also coined the epic term “F-You Money” – a nice savings stash so you don’t have to work a shit job if you don’t want too.
I think what I like the most about Jim’s blog is his wisdom, the blog is sprinkled with little tidbits of life knowledge and a crusty sense of humor that reminds me of the good ol’ boys club. Maybe since I am little older myself, I tend to favor blogs that offer a wider life experience spectrum than the under 30 crowd.
I also have the utmost respect for him in how he markets his book, The Simple Path to Wealth. He always says “There is nothing in my book that cannot be found on my blog.” I find this extremely refreshing. It seems that with so much blogger marketing – buy my book for exclusive only content – I love that he takes his “F-You Money” approach to “F-You mainstream marketing” as well. Fucking awesome Jim! (He might not agree with this, but that’s my interpretation. And I stand by it.)
Reading status: Going slow because I like to soak up all the wisdom: September 2012. Hahaha. Hopefully this posting will give me reason to pick up the pace.
#3: Our Next Life
I have yet to find a blog yet that reaches the depth and soulful content that Tanja and Mark produce in Our Next Life. They post thought provoking question after thought provoking question, which makes you pause and examine the underlying themes in your own life. I also think since they were political consultants, not your typical FI engineer, they have a unique perspective and take on things that I find compelling. Plus, they are outdoors people and that speaks to my inner calling as well.
The accountability and transparency on this blog are par to none. Linked is the post that got me hooked on them: Don’t Listen to US // Blogs Don’t Tell the Full FI Story. I had been thinking the exact same thing when I first read this post. It takes some pretty darn big cojones to publish this when you know a huge backlash might be coming from your peers! Kudos to them.
I can’t recommend this blog enough if you haven’t stumbled across it yet!
Reading status: July 2015 – though much more up to date than the other two blogs, this one began in 2015 so it’s a false positive. =) Sticking to more of the same with my slow pace.
I was going to make a list of all the blogs I wish I had the time to start reading, but it would be way too long. So, when I can knock these off of my list, I’ll do a post of my next top three.
Til’ then, keep on flying the FI…
-Q-FI
“What that means is when I find a blog I really like; I need to read it from the beginning. ”
This line made me laugh out loud! I read one of your blog entries – Yonge FIRE bloggers remind me of Good Will Hunting – on AccidentalFIRE. So what do I do, I go to your first entry post and start reading, in chronological order!
Not sure if you’re even made aware of comments posted so late, but for what it’s worth, I thought I’d comment.
Looking forward to learning the rest of your story.
Hey Veronica!
Comment away on any of my older posts! They probably suck a little, but hey, it takes time for all of us to get into our groove… hahaha. I keep all of my comments open, simply for this exact reason. I like to interact as much as I can with anyone that has the boldness to leave a comment. I’m small time, so the more the merrier!
Plus, I also read blogs for a while and never commented at all. Then when I started writing you realize how much it means just to get one comment and glean a little insight from a reader, so I started commenting more.
I’m actually kind of embarrassed by this post now. Hahahaha. Nothing against the blogs, they’re all successful heavy hitters, but I like to seek out more interesting stories now. It’s been a long time since I’ve been to any of these.
For what it’s worth, some of my latest favorites are Indeedably, Fates on Fire, Freddy Smidlap, Along The Camel Ride, Happily Disengaged, Full Time Finance and Steveark – all very different stories but unique in their own way.
Thanks for the comment today Veronica. You’ve motivated me to do an updated post on this. Not sure when I’ll get to it, but it’s been added to the queue. =)
Word!
I haven’t come across any of the ones you’ve listed. Not looking for more blog to add to my role call at the moment, but I’ll bookmark them for future reads. (We’re in lockdown 3.0 at the moment so I think I’ll have spare time freeing up soon).
I’ve started to gravitate more towards personal finance blogs written by women as well as blogs that blur personal finance with sustainability/voluntary simplicity (the path by which I arrived at personal finance). Current favourites are Bitches Get Riches, Tread Lightly Retire Early and She Picks up Pennies.
Based on your reading, I’d definitely check out Katie at: https://alongthecamelride.com. She checks all of your boxes and is a great story teller. She’s the main female blogger I keep up to date on.
Just curious – where are you located for lockdown 3.0?
Lockdown 1.0 was in Spain. For Lockdown 2.0, I was one of those persons with ‘no fixed address’ in Toronto, Canada. Lockdown 3.0 is in my very own flat in Toronto. I’m no longer homeless!
The covid variants are ripping through the province at the moment and the numbers are the worst they’ve been since the start of this pandemic. The health authorities have warned that they will have to start to triage who gets helped within the next few days as beds/equipment run out. Vaccination is way behind. The politicians in charge really mismanaged this one…..
I thank my lucky stars that I am privileged to have a home to stay-at-home in and an income that lets me off the employment hook.
I will check out Katie’s blog. Thanks for the tip.
veronica
PS Just finished reading your 2019 year end review. I liked it. I like that you don’t reveal any numbers. I always skip over the monthly/quarterly/yearly net worth updates – couldn’t care less how much money someone else has.
Wow. Thanks for sharing. That’s a trip. I didn’t realize Canada was doing so bad and am surprised they mismanaged it to that extent.
I hope things improve and your seclusion isn’t for too long in Toronto.
Stay safe Veronica.
Hahaha… this has actually been a pretty fun exercise for me. I usually don’t go back and read anything I’ve already written. I’m glad the 2019 review resonated with you and thanks for reading.
P.S. I couldn’t care less how much money someone has either. =)