It’s no secret that vacationing in Hawaii can be expensive. It’s a remote set of islands, after all, and it’s not cheap to transport goods all the way to the middle of the pacific. My wife and I found out just how expensive it can be when arrived in Oahu, one of the most popular islands for tourism in Hawaii. We had done our research on how to keep costs low, but there were definitely some things that caught us by surprise. If you’re looking to visit Oahu for your next trip, here are 10 tips that will help keep you under-budget.

We millennials are big on the FIRE movement – that’s “Financially Independent and Retired Early” for all you other generations out there :) KIDDING – I think being financially free and able to set our own schedules on a daily basis is one of the most universal human desires. But the road to retirement starts with saving money. If you’re not a natural saver, that can be a daunting task. So where do you start? Here are five tips that can help you save more – or start saving – each month.

In my conversations with people, I have heard a wide variety of perspectives on credit cards over the years. Some thoughts were on-point, while others… well, they were the type of well-intentioned, but misguided advice that makes you slap your palm to your face. Here are five commonly-mentioned, and completely untrue, myths about credit cards. It’s time to get the facts straight.

People have varying opinions about the word “debt.” Some people view debt as a tool; others are wary of it; still others treat it like a two-flush corn log, refusing to touch it with a 10-foot pole. Despite these widely diverging viewpoints on the topic though, debt is a necessity for most of us, and it’s not nearly as well-understood as it should be. (more…)


You may have noticed I’ve been writing in the personal finance section of my site a bit more lately. That’s because I’m committed to paying off my five-figure student debt by the end of 2019. As I think about my own situation though, I’m reminded of the countless others who are in the same boat, and so I want to share the tools and tips I’m using to help put myself in better financial shape. (more…)


My wife and I recently purchased a new home; and by new, I mean 35 years old. Not ancient by any means, but old enough to be in need of a little TLC. As first-time homebuyers in the way-overheated Canadian real-estate market, we were lucky to even be able to afford this place, but it came with a few expenses we weren’t prepared for.

If you’re planning on buying a resale home, you want to be as prepared as possible upfront for the expenses you’ll be facing. That’s why I put together this list of expenses I’ve had to deal with. You may not need to address everything on this list, and it’s not exhaustive, but hey, it’s better than having to take a week’s worth of cold showers when your faucet craps out, right? (more…)