Photo by anvesh baru If you are surprised to see two “case study” posts from me in a row, your reaction is no more than my own. For the last one it could be charged that I succumbed to flattery and bribery in taking it on. No case to be made for that here, as… [Continue Reading]
Case Study #16: Helping dad with an inheritance
Photo courtesy of Van Trapp Farmstead It has been a long time since we’ve done a Case Study around here, but recently I responded to an email that feels like a good one to share with you. It reflects an interesting dilemma and it allows me to, mildly at least, suggest something I have never… [Continue Reading]
Case Study #15: The Scavenger Life — Freedom first, then Financial Independence
“I can’t believe that I got a college education just so I could end up selling old shoes on the internet.” Over the past five years of writing this blog – thru the comments, reader meet-ups and the Chautauquas – I’ve had the opportunity to get to know jlcollinsnh readers pretty well. While not universal,… [Continue Reading]
Case Study #14: One Woman’s Journey to Financial Independence
Cinque Terre “Impossible!” That’s one of the less ugly responses you can expect from the typical American if you are bold enough to suggest that financial independence (FI) and early retirement is a realistic goal. Push a little further and you might get a grudging: “Well maybe. If you lead a perfectly smooth life and… [Continue Reading]
Case Study #13: The Power of Flexibility
The Stock Series here is designed to slice thru the Gordian Knot of investing. To debunk the idea that investing is too complex for mere mortals and to dispel the fear surrounding it and our financial security. Routinely, I hear from people who lament “I’m 32. If only I’d discovered your blog when I was 22.” “I’m… [Continue Reading]
Case Study #12: How to Escape a Soul-Crushing Job Before You’re 70
When Tom’s comment/question showed up February 5, 2015 in Ask jlcollinsnh it immediately captured my imagination as a potential Case Study, mostly because it offered something different. He has arrived at a crossroad. On the surface it was just a couple of simple questions. What retirement accounts to use? Can they be accessed before age 59.5?… [Continue Reading]
Case Study #11: John, a small business owner in transition
Each year I have the privilege of joining ~25 readers for a week in Ecuador at our now annual Chautauqua event. During the week I get to meet one-on-one with several of these folks to privately discuss their situations and to answer their questions. Cheryl, the owner of Above the Clouds Retreats, once said to… [Continue Reading]
Case Study #10: Should Josiah buy his parents a house?
No! No, no, no. A thousand times, No! Or maybe, just maybe… For this blog, two great things about the Ask jlcollinsnh posts are that they help me understand the real world concerns of my readers and they provide ideas for a steady steam of great Case Studies. These are ideas and topics I would… [Continue Reading]
Case Study #9: Lars — maximizing some good fortune and considering “dollar cost averaging”
When I was first out of college and back in Chicago, it took me two years to find my first professional job. I filled the time trying and failing to launch an advertising agency and working for a landscaper. The first gave me something to put on my resume, the second put some much-needed money… [Continue Reading]
Case Study #8: Ron’s mother – she’s doin’ all right!
Yesterday I got a call from a good friend from whom I haven’t heard in a while. He’s a fan of the blog and, after a bit, he gently chided me for the infrequency of posts lately. It is always nice for a writer to hear readers complaining that there should be more. Of course,… [Continue Reading]
