If you're new here, this blog will give you the tools to become financially independent in 5 years. Here's how I did it and here's a few dozen online journals from other people who are currently doing it. This is not some stupid get rich quick scheme. The method is robust and replicable (no need to win the lottery, sell your business, or win at real estate), but not easy; much in the same way that a diet results in weight loss but is hard to follow persistently unless you set your mind to it.
The key is to save 75%+ of your net income and invest it in income producing assets (bonds and dividend stocks). This is done by running your personal finances much like a business, thinking about assets and inventory and focusing on efficiency and value for money. See this post on how to enjoy a middle class lifestyle on $7,000/year (Please read it, especially the part about the lentils!). There is a "21 day" step-by-step plan for how to get beyond 75% in the left side bar. Also, check out my answers to Frequently Asked Questions which also covers common misconceptions regarding my personal budget, blog income, retirement, marriage, children, health care, etc. I also suggest reading About ERE in the top menu bar.
This past week, I have been working on setting up the website of a new non-profit start-up I am part off. We chose to use Joomla. One week ago I did not know any Joomla. I, therefore, figured that maybe, given that I have close to 1000 readers — at least that is what the stats say — yet only “know” about a dozen online and have only met one IRL (Hey A!) that such a large number must mean that I, oh say, have almost a thousand lurkers, which is a huge resource, whence someone was bound to know something about it. Indeed, a few people did and I thank you for your assistance.
So now this got me wondering what else do people know that I don’t(*). I’d like to draw on the collective wisdom. You see, before I die, there are many things I want to do, so my question to my readers is:
- Does anyone practice kendo?
- Has anyone ever piloted a glide plane?
(*) No snarky comments on that one please 
)
Incidentally, reader questions are quite welcome. Solicitations for my “opinion” are even more welcome (I am very opinionated if you hadn’t noticed 
). Send them to jacob at e….com
Permaculture articles!
