The 7 Personal Finance Articles We Loved This Week
For those of you who don’t know, I am a cat person. I didn’t know I was a cat person until I started dating someone with a cat — I’d grown up with dogs and, honestly, didn’t really understand the “point” of cats. (As if a pet needs a point other than existing!) But as I got closer with Peter, I inevitably got closer with his cat, Toby. I started (well, kind of) understanding how to let the cat come to me, even though I was so used to the ever-welcoming presence of dogs. I started understanding how special you feel when a cat sits on your lap — he chose me! I have been chosen! Now, I love Toby dearly, and he feels just as much mine as he does Peter’s.
So I was quite tickled that ESI included a post this week all about financial lessons one can learn from having a pet cat. From my own experience, I find that pets are often a good move for those who want to spend less money — they, of course, have costs that come with them, and sometimes big ones, but their presence is so rewarding, and they do make the idea of a lazy night in sound even more appealing. Posts like this often run the risk of feeling a bit gimmicky, but I found this one to be every bit as insightful as it was charming. (Plus, kitten photos!) I especially liked this bit about how cats can teach us to love free entertainment:
I stopped buying toys for my cats ages ago because the toys don’t seem to make them happier. They’re just as likely to play with a Q-tip on the floor as they are to play with the expensive catnip mouse. And this is a lesson that I think we can all benefit from (not the playing with Q-tips part…that’s just weird). Rather, that there is plenty around us that doesn’t involve a lot of money but is still enjoyable and entertaining.
Be sure to check out the full post below, as well as the rest of this week’s great picks!
1. 50 Ways the World is Getting Better – A Wealth Of Common Sense
“You don’t have to look too far to find negativity these days. Just watch the news, go on social media, or even have conversations with friends, family members, or co-workers.”
2. How a Side Hustle Business Can Get You to Financial Independence in 10 Years – Rockstar Finance
“Is saving 15 to 20 years of working worth it?”
3. What Being On Twitter Has Taught Me About Personal Finance – Military Dollar
“There is no truism in personal finance that is true in 100% of cases. There are things that are better ideas, and things that are worse ideas. Looking at an idea from multiple angles can help you evaluate its true worth, as well as find ways to make it stronger.”
4. Financial Advice From My Cat – Owning The Stars
“There’s no need to buy the latest and greatest; old but reliable is cheaper!”
5. Paying off debt: Did I miss the panic memo? – Half Banked
“I never could have predicted that I would be totally chill about my debt, especially given that I am an aggressively un-chill person in general, and especially when it comes to money. But against all odds, that’s been my reaction more than anything.”
6. Become your best boss ever – Montana Money Adventures
“When we jumped into this latest mini-retirement, I bought myself a new mug. Partly because I’m obsessed with mugs. But I also knew I would need a reminder. Something to keep me on track and focused. My goal was simple: Become my own Best Boss Ever.”
7. How Much Would You Pay For Your Spouse’s Good Sleep? – Frugal Asian Finance
“The secret is this: Mr. FAF and I have been sleeping in separate beds in separate rooms for the past nine months. I can’t sleep with all the snoring, tossing, and turning from Mr. FAF. I do wear earplugs, and we lie on near the edge of each side of the bed, but it doesn’t help.”
Image via Unsplash
