This cute little blog celebrates its one year birthday this month. How did I survive my first year of blogging? When I started Abandoned Cubicle last September, I had strong encouragement from my ever-patient wife. Here I … [Read more...] about First Year of Blogging Behind Me, Time to Grow Some Traffic
Student Loans Suck (But Action Equals Freedom)
Welcome back to work, everyone! Oh yes, the day after Labor Day marks the beginning of a long slog to winter, complete with darkening days, chillier winds, and moodier moods at the office. We all know student loans suck. So … [Read more...] about Student Loans Suck (But Action Equals Freedom)
Why My Peace Corps Recruitment Failed
Way back in late 2001, yours truly got laid-off. After being in the workforce for a little over five years after college, this came as a bit of a shock. I thought I had it all figured out, and was “well on my way.” Here's the … [Read more...] about Why My Peace Corps Recruitment Failed
How to Pay off Student Loans FAST
A couple of years back, we were sitting on roughly $135,000 in student loan debt. Are you in a similar place and curious about how to pay off student loans fast? Read on... The silver lining of student loan debt is that it … [Read more...] about How to Pay off Student Loans FAST
The Benefits of Free-Range Kids
Today's post is all about the economics and developmental benefits of free-range kids. While enjoying the lovely scenery here in northern Michigan, I've read up on Lenore Skenazy's hugely popular book first published in … [Read more...] about The Benefits of Free-Range Kids
How to Make Your House Look Like a Palace
As a bachelor, I spent the better part of my twenties not giving a rip about the interior decor of my apartment. A few relationships later, I came to understand the value of not living like a pig when it came to impressing … [Read more...] about How to Make Your House Look Like a Palace
My Simple & Elegant Excel Personal Budget Template
Here's a post for anyone who gets shivers down his or her spine at the prospect of regularly tracking his or her expenses. One of the most powerful tools for saving towards early retirement is the humble, simple, elegant … [Read more...] about My Simple & Elegant Excel Personal Budget Template
Why Are All BMW Drivers Assholes?
Is the stereotype true? Why are BMW drivers douchebags? Let's see if we can answer that profound question in a special Tuesday Rant, shall we? Oh, and disclaimer, I hate driving. I'd prefer to be riding my bike, but you know … [Read more...] about Why Are All BMW Drivers Assholes?
A Landlord Checklist to Ensure Rental Business Success
A key part of our strategy to reach an early retirement relies heavily on the income from our four single-family rental homes. We've been fortunate to have super low vacancies in a market with very high tenant demand here in … [Read more...] about A Landlord Checklist to Ensure Rental Business Success
AeroPress: The Perfect Cubicle Coffee Maker
This post is an honest review (and love letter) of the Aeropress cubicle coffee maker. I'm convinced no reasonable person can function without coffee. Which is odd, considering how I got by without it until my mid-30s. I … [Read more...] about AeroPress: The Perfect Cubicle Coffee Maker
Being Debt Free Can Be Costly
Today's post Being Debt Free Can Be Costly is contributed by Amy Nickson, a passionate writer on finance. Amy is a professional blogger who has started her blog and also works as a contributor to the Oak View Law Group. … [Read more...] about Being Debt Free Can Be Costly
Early Retirement Diary Volume 1 (Minnesotans on FIRE)
It turns out that Minnesota, and the Twin Cities especially, is home to a disproportionately high number of bloggers seeking (and writing about) an early retirement. This early retirement diary entry sheds a little light on … [Read more...] about Early Retirement Diary Volume 1 (Minnesotans on FIRE)
5AM Wake Up Call (The Upside of Starting Your Day Early)
There goes Cubert again, promising some snake oil to his merry band of readers. Why would ANYONE in his or her right mind make a habit of getting up early to a 5AM Wake Up Call??? Let's dive into that topic, but be sure … [Read more...] about 5AM Wake Up Call (The Upside of Starting Your Day Early)
What Are the Benefits of Riding Your Bike to Work?
I've been riding my bicycle to work for the past three years now, and have found several hidden benefits. We're going to get into how I started this fun little habit, and share all about how easy biking to work truly can … [Read more...] about What Are the Benefits of Riding Your Bike to Work?
Why Owning a Cabin Up North Is a Bad Idea
While walking the halls at work just before the July 4th holiday weekend, I overheard more than a few colleagues chatting up their plans to head to the cabin. It got me wondering whether this idea of owning a cabin up north … [Read more...] about Why Owning a Cabin Up North Is a Bad Idea
Why Small Cars Are Better Than Big Cars
A few years out of college I had my mind made up that I would buy an SUV. Not that I needed an SUV, as I had smooth-paved roads where I lived, plus I didn't need any hauling capacity. I just thought SUVs were cool. Let's … [Read more...] about Why Small Cars Are Better Than Big Cars
Credit Card Hacking: Travel on the Cheap
Avoiding big expenses and unnecessary upgrades, like fancy cars and large homes, is key for gaining the freedom to choose your field of work or even retire early. But sometimes big expenses are hard to avoid. What if there … [Read more...] about Credit Card Hacking: Travel on the Cheap
How to Retire Early on Less Than Six Figures
Most of the advice you’ll find on blogs like this one comes from authors who have achieved higher than average incomes. In many cases, incomes before retirement are in the six figures (or more) and both partners are high … [Read more...] about How to Retire Early on Less Than Six Figures
Early Retirement Due to Stress?
The pursuit of early retirement due to stress is a topic near and dear to me. Stress is a constant companion that even "happy" people suffer from. It can emerge from a variety of sources, including relationships or even bad … [Read more...] about Early Retirement Due to Stress?
Plumbing 101: How to Save BIG Money with DIY Skills
A big chunk of our hard-earned money ends up in the greasy, grimy hands of plumbers, electricians, heating and air conditioning technicians, etc. Owning a house comes with maintenance costs that can amount to $4,000 or more … [Read more...] about Plumbing 101: How to Save BIG Money with DIY Skills