Kate May 25, 2018

Friday reads is a series of articles that I have curated over the week which I would like to share with readers.

These articles could cover a whole range of topics, from personal finance to investment, from minimalism to simple living, or perhaps even parenting and education to social issues.

Basically, these are articles that I have stumbled upon the last couple of days that I find an interesting read and would thus love to use this platform to share with fellow readers.

For this week, here are the goodies….

Mathematics confirms rich people aren’t smart—they’re lucky (BigThink) 

I always thought that in everything we do, hard work and intelligence only forms part of the equation. Another part that has a role to play (could be big or small) is luck. This is debatable at it’s best, but could be a good read to start your weekend.

The 9.9 Percent Is the New American Aristocracy (The Atlantic) 

It’s a particularly long, but riveting read. Could be easily transposed to other developed nations as well, including Singapore. Especially the part where they discuss elitism, education and the inequality. Definitely worth 30 minutes of your life reading it.

How This Couple Saved $1 Million in 11 Years and Became Financially Independent Before 40 (Time) 

Another family that has managed to achieve FI and I love inspirational reads like this. What amazes me most is how these individuals (mainly from other countries other than Singapore), discuss their decisions for car ownership when it’s probably just a small fraction of the cost in Singapore. Let’s be honest, if a car cost just $10,000, most of us probably won’t winch and will start purchasing. Even if it is at $30,000, I think many of us will jump into the pit! Anyway, there are some good tips from them on frugal living.

The Original Natural Remedy for Burnout: Nature (The Cut) 

Shinrinyoku is a term that I came across when I was living in Japan, and it’s loosely translated as “forest bathing”. Accordingly, trees emit a natural substance (can’t remember the name) that is soothing to our mind and helps us to destress when we inhale it. Nature has always been the most natural remedy for almost anything.

Being a Stay-At-Home Dad Is Easy (Retire by 40)

Stay-at-home-mums seems to be more common than stay-at-home-dads. For all papas out there who are contemplating if they should take the plunge, here’s a fun read by Joe from retireby40 from his own experience.

And here’s a quote to round it up.

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Happy Friday!

 

 

0 thoughts on “Friday reads – volume 1”

    1. Yes that was a rejuvenating read and I think it reaffirms what we always know – the benefits of being close to nature 😊

  2. Wow! Never thought that SAHDs existed. I should encourage my future husband to start saving and plan for that in future! :p

    1. Yes it does! But having said that, it depends on individual. Not all will appreciate the role, just like being a stay at home mum. But I think it’s awesome when dads embrace that role!

      1. Mr.C offered being a SAHD repeatedly during my struggle to resign early this year!

        Modern day Dad 😉

        1. A SAHD is sooo cool!!! Dave is looking forward to that too. But I think it’s cool that your employer is willing to work out an arrangement that can keep you in the job. I am in a tricky situation right now, apparently, once I am back from my sabbatical, I will be granted less flexibility (compared to previously) and it kind of puts me in a dilemma. With two young kids, flexi working arrangements is kind of paramount!

  3. Oh dear, that’s indeed a sticky situation re flexibility. I understand your strings attached comment now! Hopefully when it does come time to cross that bridge, it will be less of an issue.

    Re my employer, yep, my MD is pretty awesome 😉 Which made my decision to pull the plug difficult but the deed is done and it’s the first full week of zero work 😉 I just wrote about it on our blog, if you care to read https://www.sippingcoconuts.com/first-week-of-full-retirement/