Category Archives: Money Management & Personal Finance

From The Mail Buoy: Staying For 20 And Hacking The High Cost Of Living in Hawaii


A reader writes: “Nords, I’m an avid reader of your website and love your Reddit replies. I’m active duty with 14 years of service.  I’m saving a considerable amount of my paycheck and investing in dividend growth stocks with a … Continue reading

Posted in Financial Independence, Military Retirement, Money Management & Personal Finance, Travel | 4 Comments

The 1980s-2000s: How I Wish I’d Invested Back Then


My spouse and I were not brilliant investors. We made the typical dumb mistakes of our 20s and 30s and we paid ridiculously large fees along the way to financial independence, but a high savings rate overcame all of those errors. … Continue reading

Posted in Financial Independence, Investing & TSP | 12 Comments

Our Retirement – The Spending Smile Of Financial Independence


Disclosure: This article is part of the Life Uninterrupted campaign sponsored by USAA. The #LifeUninterrupted campaign is designed to help future retirees learn how they can transition into retirement without worrying about financial interruptions. You can receive a free, no-obligation retirement review … Continue reading

Posted in Financial Independence, Military Retirement, USAA | 5 Comments

Good News! How Our Nords Family Financial Independence Life Will Change In 2019


2018 was quite the turbulent year for the financial independence crowd, and it’s just going to get busier in 2019. Let me cover a few highlights from last year and then give a personal update. I’m here to reassure you … Continue reading

Posted in Financial Independence, Investing & TSP, Military Retirement, Money Management & Personal Finance, Travel, What Do You DO All Day?!? | 10 Comments

Go Ahead, Buy a home when you leave Active Duty*


This article was written by Eddie Wills, from GubMints.com. This is a friendly rebuttal to Nords’ recent post Don’t Buy a Home as you Leave Active Duty. The GubMints family has lived in the same North San Diego home we … Continue reading

Posted in Military Life & Family, Military Retirement, Money Management & Personal Finance, Mortgage & Real Estate | 8 Comments