Typewriters And Tape Recorders

This post is entirely inspired by a picture of an old typewriter. When I saw it I knew I had to write about it. Or rather write about the memories it triggered. My parents had a typewriter like that. This was in the 1970's. Before there were computers. Well at least those that weren't the …

Is (Seeking) Financial Independence A Synonym For Being Selfish?

The other day I told an acquaintance about my financial independence plans. He didn't get it. Called me selfish. 'It is not all about you', he said. I was a taken aback by his bluntness. I tried to argue it was the opposite, but his facial expression clearly revealed he wasn't willing to listen to my …

Torwarthandschuhreiniger – Or How To Sail A Boat

German is notorious (or famous) for its compound words. In English you would say goalkeeper glove cleaner. But Germans stick words together to make longer ones and call it torwarthandschuhreiniger. Much to the despair of Mark Twain: I can understand German as well as the maniac that invented it, but I talk it best through …

A Travel Story: Iceberg Salad

(Very) short travel stories by a 'financial independence' wannabe - guaranteed 50% true. Buckled up in my uncomfortable economy class seat and several uneventful hours into the flight to Chicago I gazed through the small oval window next to me, hypnotized by the countless white specks that dotted the dark blue ocean, thirty thousand feet …

Do You Have What It Takes To Retire Early?

Early retirement? Why? Don't you like your job? What will you do? I'd get so bored! This is what I hear sometimes when I tell people I want to retire early. There's the why and the what. Why would you do it? What (on earth) would you do? I have been thinking about it and …

5 Things You Can Afford When You Are Financially Independent

Financial independence (FI) is an interesting phenomenon. It doesn't necessarily mean you are money-rich, but you are definitely time-rich (if you retire) because you no longer have to trade your precious time and labor for a monthly paycheck. People usually know how to spend money right? But believe me, they have a much harder time …

Retirement: A few years of dignity?

As far as retirement is concerned, 70 is the new 65 they say. Sounds catchy, but it simply means people are expected to work longer before they retire. State pension is under pressure, no matter where you live. In my case it is 68, but that is not a number that is set in stone. …