Life Outside The Maze

Five years ago when I started this site, I was questioning an unhealthy view of work in the USA. I was motivated by a realization that there is a broad misunderstanding about the relationship between money and happiness. I noted that most of us live better lives today than kings and queens used to. So why don't we feel that way?...

Lessons Learned From 5 Years Outside The Maze - Life Outside The Maze Five years ago when I started this site, I was questioning an unhealthy view of work in the USA. I was motivated by a realization that there is a broad…

How I made six figures from boring interest rates and why I sold all my rental properties

I Made Six Figures Off of Boring Interest Rates - Life Outside The Maze Interest rates are boring...until they're not. Over the past couple of years, understanding interest rates has made a six figure difference in my net worth. I'd like to explain while sharing an evergreen bit of wisdom along the way.

There has been an alarming focus recently in the financial independence community around toxic frugality. It has inspired me to reluctantly pick up my virtual pen. The argument goes something like this, saving and investing to amass wealth that enables your lifestyle aspirations is not the biggest financial barrier to living a better life. That is straight forward common knowledge. Rather the biggest barrier is toxic frugality and not knowing how to spend money well. ...

Toxic Frugality and Financial Independence - Life Outside The Maze Why spend less when you could spend more? What if you spent 10X on things you love? Is toxic frugality holding you back?

Have you ever heard financial independence advice that just seems 100% wrong for you? It could be that the advice is intended for someone at a different financial stage in life. I claimed my financial independence around 4 years ago but it is only now in retrospect that I think back on different stages of financial independence that I have gone through. ...

Financial Independence: The Stage You Are At Makes All The Difference - Life Outside The Maze The best advice for one stage of financial independence may be the worst for another. How things change on the way, once there, and beyond

Ducks take off along the surface and a couple of does walk lazily down the South Platte river. The morning sun is shining and I am a little light headed after just pulling 5 vials of blood. However, I leave the hospital excited for a long run. Looking at the day glow yellow trees reminds me that it has been 4 years this month since…...

Lessons Learned From 4 Years Outside The Maze - Life Outside The Maze Ducks take off along the surface and a couple of does walk lazily down the South Platte river. The morning sun is shining and I am a little light headed…

What really works in financial independence from those who have lived it and a look at taking stock

Financial Independence: Taking Stock - Life Outside The Maze What really works in financial independence from those who have lived it and a look at Taking Stock

The sun sets the ocean on fire and dips away into darkness. In the last light a 600 pound critically endangered monk seal flosses it’s teeth on our bow line after gorging at the fish farm a quarter mile offshore. I am already freezing from the first dive. I shiver as I pull back on the top of my wet wetsuit and turn on my light....

https://lifeoutsidethemaze.com/diving-with-manta-rays/

Diving With Manta Rays - Life Outside The Maze To go from lying in a bed to being 30 feet underwater at the base of a volcano at night 2,500 miles off of the continent diving with manta rays