Top 5 articles of 2019

5. Books. Do we need them anymore?

Why do we keep books? To read them again? How many do we ever read a second time? I worked it out.For me not many.

This lead to a second post on my technique for streamlining my book collection.

4. Living in a converted barn.

This was something my wife and I tried on a trip away this year. Check out the pictures. I still reckon it could be possible long-term. We really don't need as much space as we have.

3. What's your retirement age?

It's not 67. At least it doesn't have to be. If we spend less, compulsory work can become optional at a very early age. It could even be in your 30s.

2. The automatic guest room

On the same trip as number 4, we stayed with a friend who (with some clever furniture) converts her living room into another bedroom. It's a clever way to be able to have guests, but without paying a heap of money for a bigger place.

1. Don't dump on charities

This time last year, Marie Kondo's documentary hit Netflix - and decluttering became trendy. Combined with post-Christmas cleanup, new year's resolutions and (in Australia) summer holidays) donations to charity surged.

Trouble is that it already costs charities 8-figure sums each year to dispose of the "donations" left outside their store.

In my post I put forward a better solution

Want more?

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Happy New Year

Hope your 2020 is a year of less. Less stuff, less clutter, less expenses, less debt, less pressure and less stress. :)

Comments

The real cost of owning a car

It's been about 10 years since I've owned a car. My wife doesn't own one either. "You must save a lot in petrol" That's one of the frequent reactions when someone discovers we don't own a car. "Of course, but it's just the tip of the iceberg" is the usual theme of my reply. Many people I've talked to just aren't fully aware of the real cost of owning a car. Or even that there are six different costs of owning a car. Six? Really? Yes. Occasionally a work colleague or friend will boast their car only costs $X per week. Of course it turns out only some factors have been counted. Sometimes it's just petrol alone. To some people, that feels like the only cost they pay each week. Why does this matter? You might be questioning the need for a second car in the household (or even having one at all). Or you might just be choosing which car to get next. Either way, to make an informed decision we need proper information. So let's look at...

How much super will we have?

Will we be OK in old age? How much will we have? One of the great things about living in Australia is superannuation. Our employers are required to pay into an investment account for our retirement. In recent times, my wife and I have been in several conversations with friends who are wondering (or worried) if their balance will be enough. That's what inspired this article. Great question It's a great question to ask, especially around the age of 35 to 40. At that point, old age is less of a distant abstract concept. It's becoming a medium-term reality. At 35 the number of years of living off super is possibly more than half of your remaining years. At 40 you may consider yourself about half way through your working life. Looking at your balance, it's easy to think that twice that balance may not be enough. Read on, because I have good news for you. It's better than you might think As I've mentioned in earlier posts, compound growth means the investment grows f...

Less Clutter More Cash - now available

Do you feel like you have too much stuff? Is your home full of things you never use? Would you like to swap them for cash? We did My wife and I have sold more than 550 items online as we downsize and we've learnt a bit along the way. I've put some of our best tips into this handy ebook. I hope you can use these tips so you too can have less clutter and more cash. Enter your email address below to receive the book for free. Less Clutter More Cash Get my new ebook for free. PS. This will subscribe to the But Wait There's Less email list, so you'll know when the new updated version of the book is available. You can unsubscribe at any time.

But wait... there's less!

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