Breaking Broke

Lao Tzu, also called the Old Master, shared wisdom that still hits home today for its practicality and simplicity. As the founder of Taoism—a tradition all about living in harmony with life's natural flow—he's inspired generations to rethink how we approach success and wealth. His insights encourage us to see things with more balance and mindfulness, making them just as relevant now as they were back then. Studying philosophy lets us stand on the shoulders of giants, seeing more clearly and making better decisions.  So let's climb onto the shoulders of a historical giant now with these insightful Lao Tzu quotes about money and life.

2025 is upon us. Here's my simple approach to making this year the best one ever: 1) Take your time 2) Less is more 3) Focus on your money 4) Get shit done 5) Get out of your own way 6) More wins than losses

When you invest in yourself, you're actively creating opportunities for financial growth at the same time. Unlike traditional investments, which depend on market factors outside your control, self-investment directly impacts your earning potential, career development, and personal satisfaction. Furthermore, self-investment cultivates discipline and resilience - two traits essential for building and managing wealth. Discipline can help you create and stick to a budget, invest wisely, and avoid costly habits. Meanwhile, resilience gives you the ability to adapt and recover quickly, even in tough economic times. Ultimately, investing in yourself is the most reliable way to build wealth because it fuels continuous improvement. As you gain confidence and refine your abilities, your capacity to make and manage money well increases. With every small investment in yourself, you're laying down stepping stones toward a more prosperous future.

I closed my work laptop on September 20th for what will be the last time for at least a year. Here's why I chose to embark upon this adventure of an extended sabbatical.

We are definitely in a recession. But no one will admit it. Why is that? Also: 5 things you can do to prepare for the "real recession" once it starts. 

Making a lot of money is good, but it's important to have realistic expectations. Also, where is all the money you've earned thus far? Meanwhile, Millennials and Gen Z are doom spending because the world is about to end. 

I'll be a frontrunner here and go out on a limb to say that traveling sucks. In addition to being wildly expensive, travel sucks because it's time consuming, exhausting, and a major inconvenience at almost every level. These are probably the reasons we often hear people say they need a vacation from their vacation.  Let's talk about it!

Our drive for success can be so strong that it can lead to a perpetual feeling of never having "enough." This episode takes an exploration into the psychological and emotional dimensions of ambition and achievement, and discusses how we can easily find ourselves on a relentless quest rather than a fulfilling journey of getting what we want.   

Extreme saving or extremely stupid? Between 2016 - 2018, a NYC woman went on 6 dates a week to save $200 - $400 on her grocery bill each month.  She brags about this to her 2.3 million TikTok subcribers and when challenged on her money savings prowess,  she responds by saying that "she was busy investing money since she wasn't spending it on food". Were her money saving tactics sounds or did she miss the bigger picture? Let me discuss. 

Why spend your most precious resource doing something you hate?

Getting ourselves to stop spending money is difficult to do. In theory we think we can just "stop spending" at anytime, but life throws us too many variables to actually execute.  This episode will guide you through a process to follow to actually stop spending so much money so you can make real progress toward your financial goals.  Blog Post: Stop Spending Money In 4 Easy Steps

Eating out could cost millions over a lifetime. Discover how a no eating out challenge can put you on a path toward financial independence. Blog Post: Get Rich With A Not Eating Out Challenge

Not only will acting broke keep you rich, it also happens to be the best path to becoming rich for those of us who aren't there yet.  As a financial strategy, acting broke is optimal because it positions us for both wealth building and wealth protection. Rather than growing complacent and sloppy, acting broke keeps us playing both offense and defense with our finances. 

Owning nothing offers unparalleled freedom, flexibility, and risk reduction. Jump into this episode to discover all of the benefits of this counterintuitive approach to life.

If you have to wonder whether your job is safe, then it probably means you could benefit from spending time assessing your level of job security to ensure you are prepared for all possibilities. This episode will help you determine your exact level of job security as I introduce my job security spectrum and the factors that lend most to job security.  I'll also talk about strategies you can use to improve your job security, regardless of where you land today. Blog Post: How to Gauge and Guarantee Your Job's Safety

I've been living alcohol-free for more than a year. This makes me the perfect person to tell you all about the benefits of the no alcohol way. This episode will dive into the top benefits of an alcohol-free lifestyle including potential cost savings, health benefits, and productivity boosts.  Blog Article: Richer, Happier, Healthier: Benefits Of The Alcohol-Free Lifestyle

Join me in this insightful episode as we take a deep dive into the five most common misconceptions about money that frequently trip people up. I'll unravel these myths and provide you with a fresh perspective on financial matters, empowering you to make more informed decisions for your future. Blog post: Breaking Down 5 Misconceptions About Money