America has an obsession with productivity. We’ve been programmed to believe that every activity must be monetized or lead to some ideal self actualization.

You’re allowed to rest without feeling guilty.

Since moving to Portugal I’ve stopped working nearly as much as I used to. I’ve made less money, I’ve turned down book offers, a TV hosting offer, and countless other opportunities.

I couldn’t be happier.

To be fair, I did front load a lot of work. 14 years as an attorney

Consumerism is literally built on the notion that you need to “use stuff up.” The idea of making something reusable and long lasting is contrary to consumerism.

That is why companies prioritize making and marketing cheap goods that force you to repeatedly buy replacements.

It’s encouraging that 61% of Americans invest in the stock market.

However, they are not investing enough.

Part of that is due to massive wealth inequality. The top 10% of earners own 93% of the stock market.

There are some people who would be extremely happy & comfortable living off $100K a year and some who would be miserable.

Inflate your lifestyle at your own risk.

A reminder that history is written by those in power & conveniently erases oppressed groups:

Memorial Day was originally founded & organized by freed slaves on May 1, 1865. The original celebration was completely ignored and the ceremony that took place in Arlington National

If you’re struggling with paying off debt & overspending, try turning it into a game.

Every time you pay off $1K or $5K you gift yourself a massage, a dinner at your favorite restaurant, an outfit, etc.

Gamifying your debt payoff gives you the dopamine kick & structure that

I’m just sitting on my terrace in Portugal watching this stunning moonrise & remembering my many basement apartments in NYC. I would fantasize about having an unobstructed view of the sky & now I have it. It took me a while to get here, but I’m so grateful I didn’t give up.

Every investment has risk.

Education, real estate, business, stocks.

The point is to take a calculated risk not gamble.

Choose the ones that fit your personality and needs so you can actually make some money & not just feed your ego.

Women couldn’t take out biz loans without a male cosigner until 1988!

Male cosigners had to be relatives like a husband or even her own child.

One witness testified that she had her 17-yr old son cosign for her since she had no other living male relative.

Since that law was

Not all wealth grows linearly.

Some people experience a windfall like an inheritance. Some experience unusual business success in a short period of time. Some take on risky investments that result in big returns.

The trick is knowing what to do with the money when that

Your singleness is not a punishment for failing to achieve some random level of self actualization.

Most people in relationships haven’t done the self work you’ve done.

They just randomly found someone they chose to stay with. Some have settled & are miserable. Some are