In 3rd year university, I came to the realization that I want to enjoy life. I was tired of working so hard and not experiencing enough fulfillment. I moved to Vancouver and then traveled extensively the following year. Recently, I purchased a home and have been working non-stop to sustain my lifestyle. I have no regrets to buying a house but I am still figuring out how to enjoy life more, travel more, and make my money grow.
For the last 5 years, my money was invested in mutual funds. I was an aggressive saver and had enough money for a 20% down payment but I didn’t pay attention to my accounts. I put money into the funds and left them alone. I didn’t know I was paying high Management Expense Ratios (MERs) and I wasn’t tracking my funds at all. I neglected my accounts, but in the end, I still made some money.
Saving after the house purchase was challenging but on top of my full-time job as a researcher and data analyst, I also work as a freelance social media strategist/manager. In addition to my social media work, I work on a number of projects with a yoga studio and do other odd jobs. I don’t know how to be bored, I don’t know how to sit still, and I don’t like feeling like I am wasting my day. I like working. I love being busy. And I need to feel secure.
While my full-time job pays the mortgage and the bills, my additional jobs and projects allow me to save.
Recently, I’ve been trying to learn more about stocks and ETFs along with other funds. I want to reap the benefits of the market and understand that I need to learn before putting all my eggs in one basket. I want to increase my passive forms of income so I can continue to travel and explore the world. All of the ‘success’ I’ve enjoyed in life has been planned. This blog is my public planning process and I am in step 1– learning.
Here are some of the blogs and resources I’ve been reading. Please send over additional suggestions.
smallivy.wordpress.com: The small investor blog offers guidance to small investors.
mymoneycounts.org: A blog about personal finance and debt repayment.
getdatmoney.ca: This blog is to help explain some common topics and questions in a direct way and hopefully free up a little cash. It’s quite funny, quirky and easy to read.
yourmortgageagent.wordpress.com: This blog posts the latest news information on the mortgage industry.
The Wise Money Manager: Personal finance blog
