After creating Distilled Dollar earlier this year, I faced a photography dilemma — between using stock photos or my own photos. In the process of deciding to use my own photos, I have learned a few things about photography, frugality & myself. Photography, just like frugality, is about capturing the beauty that is already there. The simplicity of [...]
When we’re out of our comfort zone, it becomes increasingly difficult to hold true to our principles. At the end of last year, my girlfriend and I took a vacation to Hawaii. Naturally, we had to travel through a few airports on our way there and back. As is the case in our lives, we often find ways [...]
When I’m about to make a small purchase, I often remember a phrase Ben Franklin wrote, “Small leaks will sink a great ship.” I pause a moment and ask myself if the purchase I’m considering will truly add value to my life. When we justify our expenses, I’d encourage you to take the following two steps [...]
Personal Finance, for all the subcategories and complexity, boils down to: “Increase your savings rate”. The standard advice is to save 10% of our income. Most Americans struggle to meet this recommendation. In today’s high consumerist world, I’m convinced everyone has the ability to not only maintain a minimum of 10%, but also increase the amount [...]
