Warning: This is a rare GRS post that contains salty language. If you don’t like salty language, don’t read this article. Anthony Bourdain killed himself Friday morning. “So what?” you might be thinking. “He’s just another fucking celebrity who didn’t know how good he had it.” Maybe you’re right. But his death has weighed heavy …
When Kim and I moved last summer from our riverfront condo to this country cottage on the outskirts of Portland, one of my primary aims was to slash our spending on both housing and food. Although we owned our condo free and clear, living there still cost us roughly $1200 per month. Plus, there were …
My mother turned seventy a couple of weeks ago. This means a couple of things: First, she’s reached the age at which she can receive maximum retirement benefits from Social Security. Second, it’s time for her to start taking Required Minimum Distributions from her retirement accounts. If you’ve been reading Get Rich Slowly for a …
While the contractors were working to replace the siding on our new home last summer, they discovered a termite infestation outside the bathroom. Further investigation revealed that the floor under the tub was not only wet and damp, but had actually completely rotted. So, we hired somebody to repair the damage. On the first day …
When I woke up last Thursday, I thought my mother was flat broke. I went to bed with the shocking realization that she’s a millionaire. Long-time readers will recall that my mother has struggled with her health for a number of years. She’d been living on her own, receiving ongoing treatment for schizophrenia, since my …
I’ve been waiting a year for this day! At the start of 2017, because I was worried about lifestyle inflation, I began tracking my expenses for the first time in years. Using a rusty copy of Quicken 2007, I resumed updating the same budget database I’ve been using since February 2004. After three months of …
Some people, I suppose, do what’s “right” — and do it all of the time. It just comes naturally. They eat healthfully, exercise, keep the house clean, and never speak ill of others. They avoid debt, invest wisely, make productive use of their time, and never drink too much wine. I’m sure these perfect people …
Hello, and welcome to 2018! What a long, strange year was 2017. And what a perfect example of just how tough it can be to predict where life will take you. Twelve months ago, Kim and I were firmly ensconced in our penthouse condo in southeast Portland. We had recently returned from our 15-month RV …
Why, hello there. My name is J.D. Roth, and I’m an accidental personal-finance expert. Eleven-and-a-half years ago today — on 15 April 2006 — I started a little website called Get Rich Slowly. This website. I ran this blog as a one-man show for three years. Then, for a variety of reasons, I sold the …
I know it’s been quiet around Money Boss recently, but that’s because it’s been a busy three weeks in Real Life. Kim and I spent the latter half of June packing the condo and prepping to move. Last Friday evening, we picked up the keys to our new place. We brought the animals over and …