Category Archives: Money

Thriftygal’s thoughts on….money.

I wish I could think of a synonym for money that started with “th.”

The basics.

How to decide if a salary bump is worth the move or another article from years ago that I never published because you know all this stuff already and it’s too much excruciating detail that nobody but me cares about.

By Thriftygal | February 22, 2019

My friend Mimi is contemplating relocating from Chicago, Illinois to Sydney, Australia for her job. The assignment would last anywhere from 18-24 months and comes with a cost of living increase. She asked me, since I’m trying to impersonate a personal finance guru, if the move was “worth it.” So I asked her some questions… Read More: How to decide if a salary bump is worth the… »

Updating my Chart – 2018

By Thriftygal | January 15, 2019

32 Comments

The year ended! 2018 retired and it’s time to update my chart! But, first, if you don’t mind, a stroll through history. History lesson I was reading through my old journals and I came across some fun stuff I think you’ll like seeing. Or maybe you won’t. I don’t know what you like anymore. How… Read More: Updating my Chart – 2018 »

Updating My Chart – January – April 2018

By Thriftygal | May 22, 2018

75 Comments

When my financial avatar, Mimi, was a finicky baby with more student loan debt than sense, I checked her pulse hourly. Before I retired, I popped my head in monthly. Since retirement, I’ve been poking her to make sure she’s still breathing three times a year. Mimi is getting annoyed with my poking, though. She… Read More: Updating My Chart – January – April 2018 »

Updating My Chart – September – December 2017

By Thriftygal | January 8, 2018

37 Comments

When I started this blog, updating my chart each month was great fun. Even when the market was temporarily down, my net worth almost invariably went up. It’s a delight to plot your way to retirement while you’re working and making gobs and gobs of money in a bull market. The deeper I wade into retirement… Read More: Updating My Chart – September – December 2017 »

Want something free?

By Thriftygal | December 7, 2017

98 Comments

Have you read The Simple Path to Wealth by JL Collins yet? This book outlines the investment strategy I use. I read it in one night and told you about it here. Do you like listening to audio books? I’ve tried, but I stop paying attention after a couple of minutes. I’m a visual learner.… Read More: Want something free? »

Say thanks and hope the rest of the day goes better

By Thriftygal | November 6, 2017

19 Comments

I was watching Judge Judy the other day and she said something that stuck with me enough that I’m now telling you. She was talking to a man who was very obviously losing his case. He had taken a dog from his ex-girlfriend who, he acknowledges, had paid him $500 for it. He had no… Read More: Say thanks and hope the rest of the day goes… »

Guinea Pig Update: Leif!

By Thriftygal | October 30, 2017

22 Comments

Do you remember me telling you about my friend, Leif?* I knew him when I lived in Chicago. He carries one of the best souls I’ve ever encountered. Kind and loyal and good, we saw each other almost daily for years and I counted him among my favorite people. He was also, unfortunately, a super… Read More: Guinea Pig Update: Leif! »

Did you already freeze your credit?

By Thriftygal | September 18, 2017

27 Comments

For years, I would check my credit report every four months. I can peek at them for free once a year from each of the three credit agencies, so staggering this way gives me the maximum amount of free without obsessing and still keeping a close eye. I like this strategy too because, if I do… Read More: Did you already freeze your credit? »

Updating My Chart – May-August 2017

By Thriftygal | September 4, 2017

55 Comments

This reminder popped up for me recently: Check your net worth, my darling! Oh. Right. It’s September. Another four months of living and not working and it’s time to write another post updating my progress on this early retirement experiment. This is normally my best shot at evangelizing. Look, it’s working! Truth be told, I… Read More: Updating My Chart – May-August 2017 »

Updating My Chart: January-April 2017

By Thriftygal | May 1, 2017

43 Comments

Hi guys, how you going? That’s how Australians say “how are you” and not poor grammar on my part. It’s time for the only post you really care about! I’m updating my chart for the first third of 2017! Whee! I check in with my financial avatar three times a year, making sure she hasn’t started… Read More: Updating My Chart: January-April 2017 »