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You are here: Home / Random cool things that catch my eye / Closing up shop plus an opening at Chautauqua, my new podcast, phone, book and other random cool stuff

Closing up shop plus an opening at Chautauqua, my new podcast, phone, book and other random cool stuff

by jlcollinsnh 41 Comments

water dancer

Drowning in debt? Great Ted-Talk on Debt. Short, too.

My apologies.

I should have posted this a few weeks back.

As regular readers know, I tend to disappear each summer for a few weeks of extended travel. We roam around at other times during the year too, but usually only for a week or two at a time. Unless you are paying very close attention to the blog you likely don’t notice those.

Since I travel without a computer, laptop, tablet or other device I am for the most part out of touch. I confess I kinda like that and it is a great break from the daily routine. Which, after all, is part of the pleasure of traveling.

Sometimes the places I stay will have a “house” computer and I’ll log on to check emails and the blog. But these are far too uncomfortable to do any serious writing. At least for me.

The point of telling you all this is so you won’t be surprised as the coming weeks pass without any new posts. I’ll also be very slow in responding to comments and questions. But go ahead and leave them. I’ll try to get to a few from the road and will respond to the others when I return.

Actually, our summer travels have already started. We just got back from my in-law’s beach house on Lake Michigan, which they graciously make available to us. You walk out the door right on to the sand that stretches miles in both directions. We returned wondering why it has been four years since last we were there, and resolving to make this an annual trip.

Lake Michigan

Lake Michigan

Since I grew up about a mile from the lake, and spent my mostly unsupervised boyhood adventures in and around it, it holds a special place in my heart. But even without that history, I can’t imaging not finding it magical.

After this short return to New Hampshire, in a few days we’ll head to Ecuador. My wife will spend the first two weeks with me in Cuenca, our favorite city there, before heading back home. For my part, I’ll then head over to the little beach town of San Clemente. For $15 a day I’ve secured a water front room right on the beach. Breakfast included, of course.

If the low price concerns you, this place came with the seal of approval from some local expats. They don’t know it yet, but I’ll be paying for their advice with the taco mix, baking soda and Miracle Whip I happen to know they like and can’t easily get.

From there I head to the Chautauqua. I am very much looking forward to this event. It has taken a lot of work and planning (fortunately for me, mostly by Cheryl :)) and it seems we have an exceptionally interesting and adventuresome group joining us.

Hacienda

Rooftops of Hacienda Cusin where we’ll be staying

Join us in Ecuador

When we first announced the Chautuaqua in late February, it took all of three weeks to fully sell out. But since then, life has intervened for a couple of attendees. Unfortunately, illness and job loss were the reasons. We are very sad as these were two couples we were especially looking forward to meeting.

So we find ourselves unexpectedly with four open slots. If you’d like to join in, just go to the registration page let Cheryl know. Hope to see you there!

The Book

Even when I return, things around here are likely to be more quiet that usual. Thanks in large part the kind encouragement of many readers here, I have finally begun writing my book. I figured this would be far easier than it is turning out to be. While much of the material has been written in the form of the posts here, those have come together randomly as topics were suggested or occurred to me.

Putting this all in book form requires a rather dramatic rethinking and organizational effort, combined with no small amount of rewriting so the material actually flows. Then, too, there is actual process of preparing it for publication. That’s a whole new area for me. It will be fun, but time consuming, to learn.

While far more work than I had imagined, it is also great fun and very rewarding to do. Plus, I can’t wait to get it into your hands. Assuming, of course, you’d want to have it.

While I complain about writing one, my pal Tom has written several in between roaming all over the planet having grand adventures. Oh, and he also just started his own book publishing company: http://www.roundwoodpress.com

Irritatingly, he’s also younger than I. But then, more and more people are these days….

The New Podcast

Earlier this week I sat down for this

interview podcast: Why your house is a terrible investment

with Joshua Sheats who recently launched his blog Radical Personal Finance. Joshua reached out to me a couple of weeks back after having read my post of the same name.  In his email he said:

“I’ve really enjoyed reading your site–your “worst possible investment” article is an absolute gem. I’ve sent a bunch of people to it and literally read it aloud to people a half dozen times. I also really enjoyed your interview on Mad Fientist’s show.”

At first, with all this travel going on, I put him off. But then it occurred to me this might be a great bit of extra content here for while I’m gone. Plus, look at those nice words he wrote to me! Who says flattery doesn’t work? 🙂

Once you are done listening to my podcast with him, or if it just bores you too much to carry on, check out some of his others. He also has interviews up with The Mad Fientist and Paula of Afford Anything.

A new cell phone?

An upstart new cell phone company has asked me to give their new phone and service a test run. My pal Mr. MM already has, and with high marks, so I expect to be impressed.

Assuming I am, I’ll do a full review on it when I return.  It will include a link for the discount the company has promised to offer my readers if they sign up.

It will get its first harsh test when I take it to Ecuador. As I mentioned above, I don’t typically travel with gadgets. But I’m making an exception for this one. Seems I’ll be able to make and receive calls to US area code numbers from anywhere in the world that has a wi-fi connection, in addition to accessing the internet of course. We’ll see.

The phone uses a wi-fi/cell hybrid service that I’m told is transparent to the user. The cost is $19 per month + whatever taxes apply where you live. Unlimited data, texting and minutes. Pretty sweet deal.

As you might imagine if you read this blog, my first and main question was:

“Is there anything I can do with this phone that will ever cost me more than that $19?”

Answer: “No.”

My first impression (and hope) is that these guys could be to phone companies what Vanguard is to investment companies. And that would be a very good thing for us. I’ll let you know.

Random cool stuff

As always, I’ll leave you with some random cool stuff I’ve been collecting….

Butterfly by Missy

Butterfly

Photo by Melissa Boulanger

el-angel-paramo-76

El Angel

Here’s some great music from Stan Hirsch, my favorite guitarist:

The Good, Bad and the Ugly

Dawn’s Dance

Before I Fell After

Compelled to Play

Mardan Palace

24 amazing pools

The Fairy Doors of Ann Arbor, MI

Sailing-Stones-Death-Valley-631

Rocks moving themselves along the desert floor

Cool facts about Planet Earth

woodpile

 How to stack firewoodtepui-venezuela-1[4]

tepuis

WPA poster

WPA – Works Progress Administration art.

shacks

As you watch this two minute clip showing all the features, remember: This thing was built some 200 years ago using only hand tools:

The Roentgens’ Berlin Secretary Cabinet

Star-Wars-Set-1

Say, Luke, this place looks oddly familiar….

Finally, here’s my favorite motorcycle video:

http://vimeo.com/31288625

It’s Better in the Wind

I first put this up in my motorcycle post way back in ’11. It deserves another look. Even if you don’t care about motorcycles, it’s 15 and a half minutes well spent for the sound track alone.

(I have it playing as I write)

This short film was created by a young guy named Scott Toepfer and as much as anything I’ve seen it captures the sheer joy of motorbiking.  Doesn’t hurt that a couple of the bikes in it are Triumph Scramblers like mine.  Scott and his pals have good taste.

 

Related

Important Resources

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  • Vanguard.com

Filed Under: Random cool things that catch my eye

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Chautauqua 2013: A Week of Dreams »

Comments

  1. Vince says

    August 2, 2013 at 3:52 pm

    Great. I guess I’ll just have to reread everything again while we wait! 😉

    Found you through MMM, but quickly has become my most favored blog to follow. Can’t wait for the book.

    Have a great trip and too cool on those table top mountains!

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      August 2, 2013 at 4:34 pm

      Thanks Vince…

      …you made my day!

      Hope you also enjoy listening to the podcast.

      Those table top mountains are in Venezuela. Angel Falls, the highest waterfall in the world, pours off one. We were there many years ago and I remember flying between them to the airstrip in the jungle on the valley floor below.

      Reply
  2. CashRebel says

    August 2, 2013 at 5:41 pm

    Im also headed to a beach house on lake michigan later in summer. Such a wonderful way ti relax and enjoy a little nature close to home (for me). I didn’t know you did podcasts. Ill have ti check them out.

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      August 2, 2013 at 6:33 pm

      cool beans CR! I love that lake. Where on it will you be?

      Yep, I’ve been invited twice now to be interviewed for podcasts. Both have been fun to do.

      Recently I created a button at the top of the blog that will take you to links for them and for guest posts I’ve done and posts others have done about me:

      https://jlcollinsnh.com/podcast/

      Hope you enjoy them!

      Reply
  3. Done by Forty says

    August 2, 2013 at 5:42 pm

    Hi there!

    I’m excited that you’re writing a book. I can imagine that’s a tough exercise but I’m sure the end result (and the feeling you get) will make it all worth it.

    We cannot make the trip in September but I will be in South America in November, to visit my wife (who is taking a 5 month trip to Peru for her dissertation research). She’ll need to leave Peru for a bit (say, a few days to a week) in November as her time for one stretch in Peru is limited to like 90 days, and we’re trying to find a good country/city to visit. Brazil seems great but also expensive, and the Mrs. isn’t excited about Argentina. We were thinking Santiago, Chile…but then I know you are a fan of Ecuador. Any advice?

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      August 2, 2013 at 6:16 pm

      Hey DB40…

      Great to see you over here!

      Too bad you can’t join us for the Chautauqua this year, but there will be others.

      Very cool you’ll be making your way to Peru come November. We had a great time there last year. Where is you wife based?

      Tough question for me to answer. I’d go almost anyway the locals aren’t actively hacking each other to death with machetes. So I’m not very discriminating. 😉

      Brazil is also high on our list, but we’ve yet to make it. For now we want to focus on Spanish speaking countries as we’ve trying to learn the language.

      We’d love to go to Argentina, especially Buenos Aries. But the summer months here are their winter time there, so that will have to wait till my wife finally retires.

      I have motorbike riding pal planning to retire to Chile and he likes to remind me that is is a 1st world country these days. He speaks highly of Santiago. We only crossed the very northern tip last year, but were very favorably impressed. Especially in that we crossed over from Bolivia. Great place, but very 3rd world.

      So far, Ecuador is my favorite. But that’s just personal choice, not because it is “better.” If you go I’d avoid Guayaquil. Not much there and it is probably the most dangerous city in the country. We spent four days, enjoyed it and had no problems, but that was more than enough.

      For what it’s worth, largely based on Go Curry Cracker’s adventures, we a now planning to head to Guatemala over the Christmas holidays.

      See you out there!

      Reply
      • JP says

        August 4, 2013 at 1:41 pm

        Hi there! I’m from Santiago, Chile, and I highly recommend visiting the city in November for a couple of reasons: 1) the air pollution is lower than during the winter – you can see the Andes 🙂 and 2) tourist season is still low so you don’t feel overwhelmed by so many people around you. I live now in the States, and I always choose the month of November to visit. I’m not sure though whether I’ll be there this coming November or not.

        Jim, I just heard your podcast, took some notes, and I wrote your advise about FI on my whiteboard. Great stuff! I really like your blog too!

        JP

        Reply
        • jlcollinsnh says

          August 4, 2013 at 6:50 pm

          Hi JP…

          Always good to here the views of a local!

          Thanks for the kind words on the blog and podcast. High praise indeed getting up on the whiteboard!

          Reply
      • Done by Forty says

        August 13, 2013 at 1:22 pm

        Hi Jim,

        My wife and I are considering Ecuador as well (in part because they don’t charge us $160 pp just to visit the country). Is there a particularly city you’d recommend spending a week in as a home base? We’re open to seeing some nature on hikes, horse rides, or short bus excursions on day trips. We kind of like seeing authentic parts of cities, too, rather than touristy bits. And we’re planning to stay in hostels, if possible.

        It seems that Quito & Cuenca might be affordable options to fly into from Lima, so if you recommend either of those, that might be a fit.

        Oh, and my wife is based in Moquegua, Peru, for the trip.

        Thank you!

        Reply
        • jlcollinsnh says

          August 14, 2013 at 4:01 pm

          Hi DBF….

          At the moment we are in Cuenca, which remains my favorite city in Ecuador. Lots to do in and around here, and a beautiful place to boot.

          For our first trip we rented a flat in Quito and had a great time, but that is a bigger city and a bit more dangerous too.

          The last night of the Chatauqua, we´ll be taking the group to the old town there for dinner and I´m looking forward to seeing it again. But I´d rather stay in Cuenca.

          Interesting comment about wanting to visit the “authentic” bits. I never quite thought of it that way, but it makes sense.

          Except for some specific tourist attractions like the muesem on the Equator, all of Ecuador feels authentic to me.

          In contrast, Venice Italy, while still a beautiful city, has been entirely given over to the tourists. To me these days it feels a bit like a part of Disneyland.

          Machu Pichu in Peru is a bit like that, but it is so magnificent it is worth overlooking.

          I´ve not been to Moquegua. What is it near and how does your wife like it?

          Hope you make it to Ecuador and if you do, be sure to let us know how it goes.

          Reply
          • Done by Forty says

            September 17, 2013 at 3:02 pm

            Hi Jim,
            So we’ve decided to go to Cuenca in November, and wondered if you might pass along any tips on where to eat, things to see, hikes to take. Any thing you think some gringo out to do before leaving the city would be of a great help.

            Thanks!

          • jlcollinsnh says

            September 20, 2013 at 12:46 pm

            That’s great, DbF! How long will you be there?

            If you haven’t already, check out:

            https://jlcollinsnh.com/2012/11/25/so-what-does-a-month-in-ecuador-cost-anyway/?preview=true&preview_id=1969&preview_nonce=d6887c8be5

            https://jlcollinsnh.com/2013/02/13/cafes/

            While you do that, I’ll be catching up on all the comments and questions that accumulated while I was gone. We can talk more then.

            For now, There is a beautiful national park – El Cajas – a short bus ride away, but I’ve not been. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Cajas

            Personally, I like wandering aimlessly around the city.

            In one of those posts I describe Cafe San Sebas which is a great place and an expat hangout. They are very approachable and will be happy to fill you in.

            There is a city bus tour that leaves from Parque Calderon – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQD_2Yq-JMw – which gives a nice overview.

            When we first went we took a day tour to some of the surrounding villages thru these guys: http://www.terradiversa.com They are located on Calle Larga, one of the main streets in the old part of the city. Also great for an overview. You can just wonder in a book it. No need to set it up before you go.

            But remember, I’m a pretty lousy tourist as I describe here: 😉

            https://jlcollinsnh.com/2012/01/27/travels-with-esperando-un-camino/

            Keep us posted on your adventure!

  4. Prob8 says

    August 2, 2013 at 7:41 pm

    Thanks for posting the link to the podcast. Good interview.

    As for your new cell phone . . . MMM wrote in the comments to his review that if you start a call on wifi but then walk out of wifi range the call will be dropped. Hopefully you have an opportunity to test that out and see if they have fixed that glitch. I am hoping to transition my wife to their system soon. It would be nice to see your review first.

    Happy travels!

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      August 2, 2013 at 11:24 pm

      Thanks Prob8….

      glad you liked it.

      I remember that dropping issue and my understanding is it will switch to cell and ask if you want to reconnect. But I have yet to experience this. Not ideal, but better than just a dropped call that needs to be redialed I guess.

      My review likely won’t be until October, if you can wait that long. On the plus side, they tell me upgraded phones will be available then. We plan to wait for the new phones to get my wife set up.

      Reply
  5. Tom Mullen says

    August 3, 2013 at 8:05 am

    Enjoy your travels! Ecuador sounds wonderful Jim…and thanks for the mention of my blog. Looking forward to your book!

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      August 3, 2013 at 5:15 pm

      My pleasure Tom….

      My hope is putting my book-in-progress out there will help commit me to getting it done.

      After bumming around for the summer, of course. 🙂

      Reply
  6. cv says

    August 3, 2013 at 9:00 am

    Very cool picture, and I am very happy to find that you grew up a Michigander. I live in ann arbor- what a strange place it is, after spending 5+ years away. I think the podcasts alike would be great opportunity for promotion for your book, which, like I said before, I can’t wait to get my hands on multiple copies. I’ll also be sending my libraries requests to order them when they are in print so more people will have access to them. Can’t wait to hear your comment on the new cell phone gig- maybe a chapter of your book should be just that “the Vanguard of everything else in life.”

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      August 3, 2013 at 5:07 pm

      Thanks cv…

      Glad to know somebody plans to buy it! Turns out it’s not cheap getting it done, at least to the level I’m aiming for. I also love the idea of getting it into libraries. While I, of course, hope people will buy it, I also want it to reach those who’d be interested regardless. Who knows? If I do it well enough, perhaps after reading the library copy they’ll find enough value to want to own it.

      Great chapter idea! But for now it would be a short one. So far, in my opinion, only Vanguard would be in it. Mmmmm… That would be a great question to ask readers here: What companies would they nominate?

      Finally, sorry to have misled you, but I grew up around Chicago on the other side of the lake. Hope you’ll still buy my book. 😉

      Reply
      • cv says

        August 3, 2013 at 9:26 pm

        no worries; chicago is acceptable. 🙂 talked to some family members tonight, and introduced them to your website, they are super excited to start reading your blogs from chapter 1. And my dad is also starting to ask some more questions… I am psyched that the ripple affect continues.

        Reply
        • jlcollinsnh says

          August 3, 2013 at 9:55 pm

          passing this place on to your family and friends is the highest complement of all. Thank you!

          Reply
  7. Opus says

    August 3, 2013 at 11:42 am

    Lake Michigan was on our list for a vacation this summer. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find an affordable house/cottage for rent for a week stay. Another year perhaps, as it sure looks beautiful.

    I love the pictures you post.

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      August 3, 2013 at 5:10 pm

      That’s too bad. Hope you make your way there one day.

      When we are at our in-law’s place I ofter wonder what it would cost if we were paying. If they are around, we take them out to a nice dinner and we leave $100 to have the place cleaned. Combined that might buy what? one night?

      Reply
  8. Mrs EconoWiser says

    August 4, 2013 at 1:59 am

    Looking forward to the book and I’m going to listen to the podcast right now! Wish I could join you guys in Ecuador.
    On a personal note, I’m also very glad you posted this article. I kinda check your blog every other day to see whether there’s a new post. Hope you’ll post more inspiring articles after a great summer. Enjoy!

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      August 4, 2013 at 10:02 am

      It would be great fun to have you there, Mrs. EW. Perhaps for another one. We also intend to visit the Netherlands one day, but that’s likely a couple of years in the future.

      Why not subscribe? That way any new posts come to you!

      Reply
      • Mrs EconoWiser says

        August 4, 2013 at 1:57 pm

        Thanks, I’ll ask my husband about the best form of subscription for me. Never done that before. You’ll love our quirky country!

        Reply
  9. PFgal says

    August 4, 2013 at 11:08 am

    Have a great trip! I look forward to reading about it, and especially the Chautauqua, when you get back. And I’m jealous of your phone deal. I know the carrier and I’d love to try it, but it runs on Sprint’s network, which has lousy reception around here. Too bad, because it sounds like a great deal. I hope it works out for you! I’ll just have to keep looking around for another one for around here 🙂

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      August 4, 2013 at 6:53 pm

      Thanks!

      So far when the phone is in cell mode (it defaults to wi-fi when that’s available) the reception with Sprint has been fine. That was a concern of mine as well. We had been on Verizon, which had its own issues…

      Reply
  10. insourcelife says

    August 4, 2013 at 10:18 pm

    Thanks to your picture of Lake Michigan I have now added it to my list of places to visit in the US. I didn’t realize it looked so nice!

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      August 14, 2013 at 3:21 pm

      it really is a special place. We are already planning our return next summer.

      hope you make it there one day.

      Reply
  11. No Waste says

    August 5, 2013 at 10:34 am

    Incredible photos!

    Your vacation “disconnect” sounds like the perfect plan to me!

    It was a sad day when I realized that professional athletes were almost all younger than me. I used to think I could be on of them, now they could be a little brother or sister!

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      August 14, 2013 at 3:24 pm

      Thanks NW…

      Right in the middle now and having a grand time!

      Reply
  12. Trisha Ray says

    August 6, 2013 at 11:52 am

    (Great photos, by the way! And the house on Lake Michigan – sweet!)

    I’m curious about the phone results…it would be nice to keep the same number overseas instead of having to buy a new SIM card each time. And get RID of the contract with Verizon! So keep us posted.

    And – YES! Publishing a book is harder than I thought, having just finished mine. Yikes. Worthwhile, and fun, but – certainly more effort than originally suspected.

    Enjoy your summer travels – always love reading your posts.

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      August 14, 2013 at 3:25 pm

      You and Stan should plan to join us next year!

      Reply
  13. Dividend Mantra says

    August 11, 2013 at 2:39 pm

    Jim,

    Wow! A book? That’s phenomenal. Great stuff. I’m anxious to see how it turns out!

    Great shot of Lake Michigan. I grew up in Michigan, and spent some time out in Grand Haven and Muskegon. I always hated how cold the lake was in the summer, but now a big piece of me misses those summers and other days long since passed. Funny how some memories get better over time.

    Looking forward to seeing your review on Republic. I’ve heard mixed stuff so far, but a new perspective is always nice.

    Have a merry time in your travels!

    Best wishes.

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      August 14, 2013 at 3:37 pm

      Well, in theory anyway. 🙂 lots of work yet to come on it.

      mostly the lake is very cold, but somedays when the breeze pushes the sun-warmed surface water to shore, it can be delightful. Maybe that doesn´t happen on the MI side?

      As for the Republic phone, I´ve also read some of those mixed reviews. Mostly the critisems seem to be about the phone itself not being on a par with the newer models now available. Word is, come October, RW will be offering a newer and more powerful version.

      Since I am moving from a dumb phone, my issues have revolved around the learning curve of using a smart phone for the first time. As antiquated as it may be, is is light years ahead of what we had. That been a bit frustrating, but I do love the ablity to check emails and to call the USA from here in Ecuador at no additional charge.

      Looking at just the RW service seperate from the phone itself, so far it has been flawless. And I love being Verizon free!

      Reply
  14. Kraig says

    August 12, 2013 at 9:11 pm

    Jim,

    Good stuff. Wish I was coming to Ecuador. Maybe next year or the year after, we’ll have to see. Let me know how things turn out with Republic Wireless. I tried them out but it just didn’t work out for me. I may try it again once they come out with a new phone.

    A book sounds great. I look forward to sending my readers to it, and reading it myself of course.

    Take care and I look forward to chatting again when you return.

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      August 14, 2013 at 3:41 pm

      Thanks Kraig….

      You´ll always be welcome!

      Once I get the book published, any support you care to offer in spreading the word will be most welcome!

      Reply
  15. Giddings Plaza FI says

    August 22, 2013 at 1:37 pm

    Have a fan-freakin-tastic summer! BTW, I also grew up along Lake Michigan (Milwaukee) and spend a ton of time in Chicago, starting at that gorgeous coastline.

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      August 23, 2013 at 4:30 am

      Thanks GP….

      It has been so far.
      On the beach in Ecuador just now, the Pacific lapping the sand outside the window of my $15 per night room. Of course there is no hot water. But cold showers make you tough. Heh.

      Dinner at the little place in the center of this dusty little town was roast chicken and beer. $5.25

      Reply
  16. femmefrugality says

    August 31, 2013 at 1:44 am

    Wow, I can’t wait to hear all the stories when you get back! Hope you’re having an amazing time!

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      August 31, 2013 at 12:07 pm

      Thanks ff…

      Living the slow and easy beach life here in this little fishng village. There was a dead whale on the beach today so that was exciting.

      Next week I’ll be at the Chautauqua. Very much looking forward to meeting all the cool folks coming.

      Wish you, and some of the other great readers here, could be there too!

      Ok. Time to walk the beach. Those Pacific waves won’t roll in by themselves ya know.
      .
      Cheers!

      Reply

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The Simple Path to Wealth Book by JL Collins

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  • When Your Country Becomes a Global Outcast When Your Country Becomes a Global Outcast
  • Staying the Course in War-Time Staying the Course in War-Time
  • Pathfinders update from Hh Pathfinders update from Hh
  • A New Chapter for Chautauqua A New Chapter for Chautauqua
  • Season’s Greetings!! Season’s Greetings!!
  • Fun with numbers: Historic Stock Market Returns Fun with numbers: Historic Stock Market Returns
  • Let’s talk about what’s up with Bonds, and what ever else you’d like to ask me Let’s talk about what’s up with Bonds, and what ever else you’d like to ask me
  • Today Week Month All
  • Stocks — Part 1:  There’s a major market crash coming!!!!  and Dr. Lo can’t save you. Stocks -- Part 1: There's a major market crash coming!!!! and Dr. Lo can't save you.
  • Why your house is a terrible investment Why your house is a terrible investment
  • How I failed my daughter and a simple path to wealth How I failed my daughter and a simple path to wealth
  • Stocks — Part VI:  Portfolio ideas to build and keep your wealth Stocks -- Part VI: Portfolio ideas to build and keep your wealth
  • Stocks — Part II:  The Market Always Goes Up Stocks -- Part II: The Market Always Goes Up
  • Why you need F-you money Why you need F-you money
  • Stocks — Part V:    Keeping it simple, considerations and tools Stocks -- Part V: Keeping it simple, considerations and tools
  • Today Week Month All
  • When Your Country Becomes a Global Outcast When Your Country Becomes a Global Outcast
  • Staying the Course in War-Time Staying the Course in War-Time
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Archives

  • ► 2023 (3)
    • ► January (3)
      • When Your Country Becomes a Global Outcast
      • Staying the Course in War-Time
      • Pathfinders update from Hh
  • ► 2022 (12)
    • ► December (3)
      • A New Chapter for Chautauqua
      • Season's Greetings!!
      • Fun with numbers: Historic Stock Market Returns
    • ► October (1)
      • Let’s talk about what’s up with Bonds, and what ever else you’d like to ask me
    • ► August (1)
      • The Price of Security
    • ► July (1)
      • Case Study #17: Buying into the market right before a Bear
    • ► June (1)
      • Case Study #16: Helping dad with an inheritance
    • ► May (1)
      • Just inked a contract for my next book, and I want you to be a part of it!
    • ► April (1)
      • The Dinky Diner
    • ► March (1)
      • Chautauqua: A terrible business model
    • ► February (2)
      • Chautauqua is back for 2022!
      • JLCollinsnh.com Enters New Era
  • ► 2021 (14)
    • ► December (1)
      • Season's Greetings!!
    • ► November (2)
      • The new book is out!
      • Are bonds done?
    • ► October (1)
      • Guess what I just finally read for the first time...
    • ► September (1)
      • The negligence that led me to DIY investing
    • ► August (3)
      • Chainsaws and Credit Cards
      • Part XXXVI: Estate Planning 101 -- The Simple Path to an Estate Plan
      • The Simple Path to a Lucrative Career
    • ► July (1)
      • Help Wanted: a new book
    • ► June (1)
      • The Top 9 (Bad) Arguments Against Bitcoin
    • ► May (2)
      • Collins on Crypto
      • The Alfred Hitchcock Path to FI
    • ► April (1)
      • Time to sell?
    • ► February (1)
      • Mariah International: All that glitters…
  • ► 2020 (11)
    • ► December (1)
      • Season's Greetings!!
    • ► June (1)
      • How to give when you have a business
    • ► April (4)
      • Investing with Vanguard for Europeans: 2020 update
      • Part XVII-B: ETF vs. Mutual Fund -- What's the difference?
      • Reviewing the comments on my post of April 1st
      • Why I will no longer be writing this blog
    • ► March (4)
      • My move from VMMXX to VBTLX
      • COVID-19: The unvarnished truth from Doc G.
      • Chautauqua sits out 2020
      • Taking advantage of Mr. Bear
    • ► February (1)
      • Mr. Bear, Podcasts, a good book and why I should be in 100% stocks
  • ► 2019 (11)
    • ► November (4)
      • How we bought our new car
      • The House Hacking Strategy
      • What does buying a new car really cost over the years?
      • Why we bought a brand new car
    • ► August (1)
      • A Guided Meditation for When the Stock Market Is Dropping
    • ► June (2)
      • 7 Days in Heaven: or Why Slowing Down Will Get You There Sooner
      • Quit Like a Millionaire
    • ► March (1)
      • Stocks -- Part XXXV: Investing for Seven Generations
    • ► February (1)
      • Chautauqua 2019 - UK & Portugal - Tickets Now Available
    • ► January (2)
      • Mr. Bogle passes
      • "I wanted the unreasonable"
  • ► 2018 (16)
    • ► December (1)
      • Happy Holidays! and a bit on Mr. Market
    • ► November (3)
      • Truly Passive Real Estate Investing
      • Car Talk: An update on Steve and looking at Leafs
      • Chautauqua 2018 Greece: A week for the gods!
    • ► October (1)
      • On Twitter, gone for Chautauqua and dark on comments till November
    • ► September (2)
      • What we own and why we own it: 2018
      • Tuft & Needle: Our Walnut Frame and Mint Mattress
    • ► August (1)
      • Kibanda Part 5: Pretty, and pretty much done
    • ► June (3)
      • Stocks--Part XXXIV: How to unload your unwanted stocks and funds
      • Tracking your holdings
      • Stocks -- Part XXXIII: Optimism
    • ► May (2)
      • Kibanda Part 4: Quicksand!
      • My Talk at Google, Playing with FIRE and other Chautauqua connections
    • ► March (1)
      • Stocks -- Part XXXII: Why you should not be in the stock market
    • ► February (1)
      • Chautauqua 2018: Mt. Olympus, Greece
    • ► January (1)
      • An International Portfolio from The Escape Artist
  • ► 2017 (15)
    • ► December (2)
      • The Bond Experiment: Return to VBTLX
      • How to Invest in Bitcoin like Benjamin Graham
    • ► October (1)
      • Kibanda Part 3: Running the numbers
    • ► September (1)
      • Sleeping soundly thru a market crash: The Wasting Asset Retirement Model
    • ► August (2)
      • Stocks -- Part XXXI: Too hot. Too cold. Not pure enough.
      • Kibanda, Part 2: Negotiating the deal
    • ► July (2)
      • Time Machine and the future returns for stocks
      • Kibanda: Mr. Anti-house buys his dream house
    • ► June (2)
      • Is there an interior designer in the house?
      • The Simple Path to Wealth goes Audio!
    • ► May (1)
      • Life on the Beach
    • ► April (1)
      • Sell! Sell!! Sell!!! Sell?
    • ► March (1)
      • Vicki comes to Chautauqua: United Kingdom
    • ► January (2)
      • Chautauqua - Ecuador 2017 open for reservations
      • Chautauqua - United Kingdom: August 2017
  • ► 2016 (22)
    • ► December (3)
      • Season's Greetings and other cool stuff
      • Angel Investing, or Angel Philanthropy?
      • Mr. Bogle and me
    • ► November (1)
      • Where did you learn about money?
    • ► October (2)
      • Buy Your Freedom; Rent the Rest
      • So, what do you drive?
    • ► September (2)
      • Stocks -- Part XXX: jlcollinsnh vs. Vanguard
      • A visit to the Frugalwoods
    • ► August (1)
      • What the naysayers are missing
    • ► July (1)
      • Reviews of The Simple Path to Wealth; gone for summer
    • ► June (2)
      • The Simple Path to Wealth is now Published!
      • A peek into The Simple Path to Wealth
    • ► May (1)
      • It's better in the wind. Still.
    • ► April (3)
      • Cool things to check out while I'm gone
      • Stocks — Part XXIX: How to save money for college. Or not.
      • Help Wanted: The Book
    • ► March (1)
      • F-You Money: John Goodman v. jlcollinsnh
    • ► February (2)
      • Q&A - V: The Women of Amphissa
      • jlcollinsnh gets a new suit
    • ► January (3)
      • Chautauqua 2015 Reviews, 2016 registration open
      • Case Study #15: The Scavenger Life -- Freedom first, then Financial Independence
      • 3rd Annual (2015) Louis Rukeyser Memorial Market Prediction Contest results, and my forecast for 2016
  • ► 2015 (18)
    • ► December (2)
      • Q&A - IV: Strawberry Patch
      • Seasons Greetings! and other cool stuff
    • ► October (2)
      • Personal Capital; and how to unload your unwanted stocks and funds
      • Stockchoker: A look back at what your investment might have been
    • ► September (2)
      • Case Study #14: To Dream the Impossible Dream (and then realize it)
      • Hotel Living
    • ► August (1)
      • Mr. Market's Wild Ride
    • ► June (4)
      • Gone for Summer, an important note on comments and random cool stuff that caught my eye
      • Around the world with an Aussie Biker
      • Case Study #13: The Power of Flexibility
      • Stocks — Part VIII: The 401(k), 403(b), TSP, IRA & Roth Buckets
    • ► March (2)
      • Stocks -- Part XXVIII: Debt - The Unacceptable Burden
      • Chautauqua October 2015: Times Two!
    • ► February (2)
      • YNAB: Best Place to Work Ever?
      • Case Study #12: Escaping a soul-crushing job before you're 70
    • ► January (3)
      • Case Study #11: John, a small business owner in transition
      • Trish and Stan take an Intrepid Sailing Voyage
      • 2014 Annual Louis Rukeyser Memorial Market Prediction Contest results, and my forecast for 2015
  • ► 2014 (29)
    • ► December (2)
      • Diamonds and Happy Holidays!
      • Micro-Lending with Kiva
    • ► November (3)
      • Chautauqua February 7-14, 2015: Escape from Winter
      • Stocks -- Part XXVII: Why I Don’t Like Dollar Cost Averaging
      • Jack Bogle and the Presidential Medal of Freedom
    • ► October (3)
      • Tuft & Needle: A better path to sleep
      • Nightmare on Wall Street: Will the Blood Bath Continue?
      • Help Wanted
    • ► September (1)
      • Chautauqua 2014: Lightning strikes again!
    • ► August (2)
      • Stocks -- Part XXVI: Pulling the 4%
      • Stocks -- Part XXV: HSAs, more than just a way to pay your medical bills.
    • ► July (3)
      • Stocks -- Part XXIV: RMDs, the ugly surprise at the end of the tax-deferred rainbow
      • Summer travels, writing, reading and other amusements
      • Moto X, my new Republic Wireless Phone
    • ► June (1)
      • Stocks -- Part XXIII: Selecting your asset allocation
    • ► May (1)
      • Stocks -- Part XXII: Stepping away from REITs
    • ► April (3)
      • Q&A III: Vamos
      • Q&A II: Salamat
      • Q&A I: Gaijin Shogun
    • ► March (2)
      • Top 10 posts
      • Cafe No Se
    • ► February (4)
      • Chautauqua 2014 preview, closing up for travel and other random cool things that caught my eye of late.
      • Case Study #10: Should Josiah buy his parents a house?
      • Case Study #9: Lars -- maximizing some good fortune and considering "dollar cost averaging"
      • Case Study #8: Ron's mother - she's doin' all right!
    • ► January (4)
      • roundup: Some random cool things
      • Stocks — Part XXI: Investing with Vanguard for Europeans
      • Case Study #7: What it looks like when everything financial goes wrong
      • 1st Annual Louis Rukeyser Memorial Market Prediction Contest 2013 results, and my forecast for 2014
  • ► 2013 (41)
    • ► December (4)
      • Closing up for the Holidays, see you in 2014
      • Betterment: a simpler path to wealth
      • Case Study 6: Helping an ill and elderly parent
      • Stocks -- Part XX: Early Retirement Withdrawal Strategies and Roth Conversion Ladders from a Mad Fientist
    • ► November (3)
      • Death, Taxes, Estate Plans, Probate and Prob8
      • Case Study #5: Zero to 2.6 million in 25 years
      • Case Study #4: Using the 4% rule and asset allocations.
    • ► October (3)
      • Republic Wireless and my $19 per month phone plan
      • Case Study #3: Let's get Tom to Latin America!
      • The Stock Series gets its own page
    • ► September (2)
      • Case Study #2: Joe -- off to a fast start!
      • Chautauqua 2013: A Week of Dreams
    • ► August (1)
      • Closing up shop plus an opening at Chautauqua, my new podcast, phone, book and other random cool stuff
    • ► July (1)
      • They Will Kill You For Your Shoes!
    • ► June (4)
      • Stocks -- Part VIII-b: Should you avoid your company's 401k?
      • Shilpan's Seven Habits to Live More with Less
      • Stocks -- Part XIX: How to think about money
      • My path for my kid -- the first 10 years
    • ► May (5)
      • Why your house is a terrible investment
      • Stocks — Part XVIII: Investing in a raging bull
      • Dining with the Ghosts of Sarah Bernhardt and Alfons Mucha
      • How we finally got the house sold
      • Stocks — Part XVII: What if you can't buy VTSAX? Or even Vanguard?
    • ► April (4)
      • Greetings from Prague & a computer question
      • Swimming with Tigers, a 2nd chance on the Chautauqua, a financial article gets it wrong and I'm off to Prague
      • Storage, Moving and Movers
      • Homeless, and a bit on the strategy of dollar cost averaging
    • ► March (4)
      • Wild Turkeys, Motorcycles, Dining Room Sets & Greed
      • Roots v. Wings: considering home ownership
      • How about that stock market?!
      • The Blog has New Clothes
    • ► February (5)
      • Meet Mr. Money Mustache, JD Roth, Cheryl Reed & me for a Chautauqua in Ecuador
      • High School Poetry, Carnival, cool ads and random pictures that caught my eye
      • Consignment Shops: Best business model ever?
      • Cafes
      • Stocks -- Part XVI: Index Funds are really just for lazy people, right?
    • ► January (5)
      • Social Security: How secure and when to take it
      • Fighting giraffes, surreal landscapes, dancing with unicorns and restoring a Vanagon
      • My plan for 2013
      • VITA, income taxes and the IRS
      • How to be a stock market guru and get on MSNBC
  • ► 2012 (53)
    • ► December (6)
      • See you next year....until then: The Origin of Life, Life on Other Worlds, Mechanical Graveyards, Great Art, Alternative Lifestyles and Finding Freedom
      • Stocks -- Part XV: Target Retirement Funds, the simplest path to wealth of all
      • Stocks -- Part XIV: Deflation, the ugly escort of Depressions.
      • Stocks Part XIV: Deflation, the ugly escort of Depressions.
      • Stocks -- Part XIII: The 4% rule, withdrawal rates and how much can I spend anyway?
      • How I learned to stop worrying about the Fiscal Cliff and you can too.
    • ► November (2)
      • Rent v. owning: A couple of case studies in Ecuador
      • So, what does a month in Ecuador cost anyway?
    • ► October (4)
      • See you in December....
      • Meet me in Ecuador?
      • The Podcast: You can hear me now.
      • Stocks -- Part XII: Bonds
    • ► September (6)
      • Stocks -- Part XI: International Funds
      • The Smoother Path to Wealth
      • Case Study #I: Putting the Simple Path to Wealth into Action
      • Tales of Bolivia: Calle de las Brujas
      • Stocks -- Part X: What if Vanguard gets Nuked?
      • Travels in South America: It was the best of times....
    • ► August (1)
      • Home again
    • ► June (4)
      • Yellow Fever, closing up shop for the summer and heading to Peru y Bolivia
      • I could not have said it better myself...
      • Stocks -- Part IX: Why I don't like investment advisors
      • Happy Birthday, jlcollinsnh; and thanks for the gift Mr. MM!
    • ► May (6)
      • Stocks -- Part VIII: The 401K, 403b, TSP, IRA & Roth Buckets
      • Mr. Money Mustache
      • The College Conundrum
      • Stocks -- Part VII: Can everyone really retire a millionaire?
      • Stocks -- Part VI: Portfolio ideas to build and keep your wealth
      • Stocks -- Part V: Keeping it simple, considerations and tools
    • ► April (6)
      • Stocks -- Part IV: The Big Ugly Event, Deflation and a bit on Inflation
      • Stocks -- Part III: Most people lose money in the market.
      • Stocks -- Part II: The Market Always Goes Up
      • Stocks -- Part 1: There's a major market crash coming!!!! and Dr. Lo can't save you.
      • You can eat my Vindaloo, mega lottery, Blondie, Noa, Israel Kamakawiwo 'Ole, art, film and a ride on the Space Shuttle
      • Where in the world are you?
    • ► March (7)
      • How I lost money in real estate before it was fashionable, Part V: Sold! and the taxman cometh.
      • How I lost money in real estate before it was fashionable, Part IV: I become a Landlord.
      • How I lost money in real estate before it was fashionable, Part III: The Battle is Joined.
      • How I lost money in real estate before it was fashionable, Part II: The Limits of the Law.
      • How I lost money in real estate before it was fashionable, Part I: Impossibly Naive.
      • You, too, can be conned
      • Armageddon and the value of practical skills
    • ► February (6)
      • Rent v. Owning Your Home, opportunity cost and running some numbers
      • The Casanova Kid, a Shit Knife, a Good Book, Having No Regrets, Dark Matter and a bit of Magic
      • What Poker, Basketball and Mike Whitaker taught me about Luck
      • How to Give like a Billionaire
      • Go ahead, make my day
      • Muk Finds Success in Tahiti
    • ► January (5)
      • Travels with "Esperando un Camino"
      • Beanie Babies, Naked Barbie, American Pickers and Old Coots
      • Selling the House and Adventures in Staging
      • The bashing of Index Funds, Jack Bogle and a Jedi dog trick
      • Magic Beans
  • ► 2011 (22)
    • ► December (1)
      • Dividend Growth Investing
    • ► November (2)
      • The Mummy's head, Particle Physics and "Knocking on Heaven's Door"
      • "It's Better in the Wind" or why I ride a motorcycle
    • ► October (1)
      • Lazy Days and School Days
    • ► July (2)
      • The road to Zanzibar sometimes goes thru Ecuador...
      • Johnny wins the lotto and heads to Paris
    • ► June (16)
      • Chainsaws, Elm Trees and paying for College
      • Stuff I’ve failed at: the early years
      • Snatching Victory from the Jaws of Defeat
      • The. Worst. Used. Car. Ever.
      • Top Ten reasons your future is so bright it hurts my eyes to look at it
      • The Most Dangerous Words Your Customer Can Say
      • How not to drown in The Sea of Assholes
      • What we own and why we own it
      • The Ten Sales Commandments
      • My ever so formal and oh so dry CV
      • How I failed my daughter and a simple path to wealth
      • The Myth of Motivation
      • Why you need F-you money
      • My short attention span
      • Why I can’t pick winning stocks, and you can’t either
      • The Monk and the Minister

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