Wednesday Reads: Just the Links

A round up of interesting or cool stuff I’ve read.

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Image by suju-foto from Pixabay

 

Not much to say this week, so I’ll leave you with this quote from a classic, and then on to the usual selection of links:

 

“Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the overcompensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn’t nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand.”
Aldous Huxley, Brave New World

 

Interesting links that caught my eye this week:

• Life after the daily grind – Some people are so poor all they have is money
  “Money can buy pleasure: possessions, sex and drugs but not happiness. Happiness and pleasure are often confused as the same thing which is why having unlimited money is not going to bring unlimited happiness.”

 

• Frank on FIRE – Starting your journey to Financial Independence in your 30’s, 40’s, 50’s and beyond
  It can often be overwhelming reading of people who retired at 30. If you’re only just getting a handle on your finances in your 40’s (or later!) is it too late to achieve some level of financial independence?? Spoiler: Of course not! This is a great post for those in that situation. In particular:
  “Stop wishing away the past and live a life of no regrets”

 

• FIRE V London – Margin loans in the UK
  This is way above my level of investing, but was nonetheless very interesting to read about!

 

• Financial Jamming – Doing the Right Thing
  Financial Jamming discusses whether “ESG” investing is the solution to the world’s problems (they focus on climate change, but this same dilemma applies elsewhere as well).

  Is it better to own a company like Shell or BP and try to change them from the inside?

  Or is it better to sell your fossil fuel stocks and put that money towards renewable energy companies?

  How does one define a sustainable company? Batteries are touted as an essential part of the move towards renewable energy (electric vehicles, e.g. Tesla, are usually the first to mind, but they’ll also have a role in storing energy generated from solar and wind, for example). However, there are serious ethical and environmental issues with cobalt and lithium mining. It’s not so straightforward!

 

• The Guardian – Cornwall boats vandalised amid ‘incomer’ tensions
  What happens when an entire county undergoes gentrification?

 

• Sign up to Trading212 via this link and we both receive a free share.

 

• Banker on Wheels – Hokkaido to Okinawa – Cycling in Japan
  I’ve been to Japan twice, and loved it both times. This post by Banker on Wheels is giving me serious envy and wishing I could visit again.

 

• Humble Dollar – Secret Sauce
  “Ponder this: What is it about work that’s rewarding that we never want to lose—and, once retired, what is it about work that we want to eliminate? If you can answer those two questions, you’ll be well on your way to designing the ideal retirement.”

 

• Money Savvy Ladies – My first real estate investment – The good, the bad and the ugly
  LadyFIRE assesses the good and the bad of her property investment, and the lessons learned.

 

• Banker / Physician on FIRE – Eight Lessons From Building A Seven-Figure Real Estate Portfolio
  Sticking with the topic of real estate, Damian recently wrote a guest post on the Physician on FIRE blog, detailing the lessons learned from his vast property portfolio.

 

• Late Starter FIRE – What is holding you back from starting your FIRE journey?
  “Taking action can be scary especially as late starters, when time is already not on our side. But you can start by making small changes or decisions and it will snow ball. Taking action will become a habit.”

 

Thanks for reading. Hope you’re all having a great week!