How IKEA and Sonos roped me into their sound system
I didn’t grow up with money. I didn’t even get my driver’s license until I was nearly 18 years old because I had to save up for the classes myself. We didn’t have the “latest and greatest” anything. Our house didn’t have air conditioning. I drove my parents’ cars until I saved up all the […]
Why I juggle 5 businesses at once
I started freelancing in 2007. By 2008, a month before my college graduation, I embarked on it full-time as a career. The years 2008-2012 were roller coaster rides that would give anyone gray hair (or in my case, make me lose my hair). Clients came and went. Money rose and fell, as did stress. Then, […]
7 Keys to Our Transition to a One-Income Household
I recently published an article on the unique and often-unspoken benefits of working from home. One reader commented on the struggles of having kids at home, and I realized I failed to mention that I have three small children at home as well, aged 7, 4, and 8ish months. It gets loud around here, is […]
11 Benefits of Working From Home Nobody Talks About
These are the things people rarely talk about. I’ve been working from home for 13 years now, and other than a brief stint answering customer service emails for a department store and a few months of bartending, I’ve been doing it full-time. When 2020 hit and offices everywhere were closed down, I told my wife […]
I’ve Used Android for More Than a Decade – and I Just Bought an iPhone 12 Mini
I never thought I would live to see the day. I took a deep breath, sighing audibly to myself as I pulled the shiny white box out of the package – the familiar Apple logo emblazoned across the top. I can’t believe I’m doing this. My first smartphone, way back in 2008ish, was a Windows […]
Ranking the Top 18 Illusions of David Copperfield
David Copperfield was my childhood. Ever since I was a little kid, I was fascinated by magic shows. That fascination continues to this day. Simple sleight of hand, some misdirection, it’s all wonderful to me. I enjoy watching “Fool Us” with Penn & Teller these days. David Blaine can still wow me from time to […]
Screw Audiobooks: 8 Services I Use to Efficiently Consume Content Every Week
I used to live with a lot of consumption guilt. I should be listening to more audiobooks. I should be reading the latest books from that author. I should be listening to that in-depth podcast discussion. But it can take hours to get through those audiobooks. Those nonfiction books are often a slog to get […]
I’m Not Good, But I’m Trying To Be Better
A couple years ago, my wife and I were standing outside of a bar in a small town over half an hour away from our house. It was a Saturday afternoon in late 2018. We were waiting with my mother-in-law at the curb for my father-in-law to bring the van around to pick her up. […]
7 Ways I’m Taking Control of My Social Media Urge
It’s almost scary how much social media has changed the way we behave. When I’m out and about, my brain thinks about funny sights as whether or not they are shareable. When something witty comes to mind, I want to craft a post around it and get it on Facebook. You might think I’m chasing […]
This One Device Completely Changed My Sleep
Ever since college, I’ve had some serious troubles with my sleep. I’m not sure why or how it happened. I’ve always been a great sleeper. My mom enjoys telling people how we would have our extended family over for a party, and I would decide to just crawl under the covers and put myself to […]