As I was cleaning out my pantry, I found several jars of odds & ends ingredients. Chia seeds that I never touched, a leftover chocolate baking bar, nuts, oats. I’m a big fan of clearing out the food I have in my pantry before grocery shopping, so that’s how I thought of making these energy balls. They’re a breeze to make, healthy & delicious, and you can keep a batch in the fridge for when the snack cravings hit.

Notes for BiggerPockets Money Podcast 120
Guest: Michael Kitces
Audio time: 1 hr 23 min
Read time: 2 min

One Line Summary

The 4% rule still works in times of recession because it was modeled for the worst-case scenario over years of historical data, including 3 of the biggest financial crashes in the last century.

Origin of the 4% rule

• In the past, 7-8% withdrawal rate was considered “conservative”
• In 1994, Bill Bengen saw that 7% worked on average but might not account for bad years (recessions)
  • Analyzed historical data and found that a 4% withdrawal rate covers most worst-case scenarios
• 4% is the one rate that worked in the worst historical market sequence

Notes for BiggerPockets Money Podcast 122
Audio time: 55 min
Read time: 1 min

Basics of Financial Independence (FI)

Spend less than you earn

• Track your spending (ex. Mint)
• By tracking his spending, Scott was able to identify his biggest spending categories (housing, transportation, food)
  • House hacked to get rid of housing expense
  • Reduced car travel
  • Can splurge on food because above two categories are minimized

After making this banana bread, I wasn’t sure if I could ever buy another slice at the store. This was not only the best banana bread I’ve MADE, but the best banana bread I’ve ever EATEN. Seriously, I would just skip to the recipe now and get started. And get back to this intro while it’s baking in the oven.

If you are starting a crochet project with a round center/base, creating a magic ring will allow you to have a completely closed center. Typically, these projects start with a few chain stitches that are joined to form a ring. This isn’t ideal as it would leave a small opening in the middle. The magic ring will allow you to close up the stitches altogether, with no gap in the center. What’s also “magic” about it is that you can work as many stitches as you’d like into the ring, and cinch it closed. Without further ado, let’s get started!

As the entire world shuts down and millions of people are forced to shelter in place, we are extracted from our daily routines and habits. It is in these unexpected transitions that we may experience personal growth or change. When placed in a new environment, we may find another side of ourselves. In these times, without distraction from the outside world, what do you find yourself gravitating towards?

This quarantine has really set off a few trends that I’m sure many will come to remember Covid-19 for. The hoarding of toilet paper, whether Carole Baskin killed her husband, and the viral dalgona coffee.

Lately, I’ve been really into mug cakes. For one, I have a major sweet tooth so it’s a rare occasion when I’m not craving sugary carbs. But especially with the shelter-in-place orders here in San Francisco, most of my favorite bakeries have shuttered their doors. Baking a dozen muffins is also not logical, since I can’t share them with my neighboring friends. So I’ve had to experiment with single serving mug cakes and this is my best recipe yet!

If you’re here, I’m assuming you know THE Levain Bakery cookies. If not, stalk their Instagram, read this review, or watch this video. Hungry now for some thick chocolate chip cookies?? People flock to New York just to try them and retain a cult-like following, aka me who tried it once years ago and have never forgotten the magical experience. They’re ginormous, crispy on the edges, soft and fudgy (even warm!) on the inside. These cookies are so satisfying and will leave you wanting more, even when you’re stuffed to the brim.

Once upon a time, my friend Christy told me about a 6-hour race around a 0.75 mile track that she was signing up for, and I thought she was crazy. But I did dream of doing ultras and am slightly crazy myself, so I signed up too. The course was at Polo Fields with an aid station on the track, and I’d just run as many laps as possible within 6 hours.