Intentional Living
Thoughts about how to live a more intentional life – one that’s better for your health, finances and the planet.
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Make your life intentional with a Personal Mission Statement
When I read Stephen Covey’s The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People back in early 2023, it was suddenly outlined to me that I was in complete control of my own outcomes, of my own life. No-one else was going to help me – everyone has got their own battles to fight. And if that’s…
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The Quiet Millionaire: the Theodore Johnson Investing Story
Theodore Johnson was a regular employee who worked for UPS for 28 years, and managed to build an enormous investment portfolio during that time through regular, consistent investments into the employee stock program. His is a story where consistent investing over decades brought about extraordinary financial success. However, there is an uncomfortable truth about this…
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Rich Dad Poor Dad
Since its release in 1997, Rich Dad Poor Dad has sold over 44 million copies worldwide, and is widely considered to be the best-selling personal finance book of all time. It has introduced countless people to concepts like assets, liabilities, passive income, financial independence, and escaping the “rat race”. However, this book is not a…
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How to build wealth in the UK on an average salary
So, you’ve just started your career, and as a young 21 year-old, are looking at the insurmountable amount of money you’ll need to pay for all the expensive things in life you want, like a car and a wedding. Not to mention a house – and that long-distant dream: retirement. It can feel overwhelming. On…
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The Simple Path to Wealth review: A timeless investing philosophy
I recently finished reading The Simple Path to Wealth by JL Collins. It’s a book which completely changed my perception on investing and personal finance. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by investing or retirement (or unsure where to start), this book offers a refreshing answer: keep it simple, stay the course, and let time do…
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Cheap things to do on holiday (and at the weekend)
There’s a quiet assumption built into modern travel: that a “good” holiday has to be an expensive one. However, as a Slow Down and Saver, I’m here to challenge that. While spending money on holiday can certainly lead to enjoyment – think nice restaurant meals, a chartered flight or boat trip for sightseeing, hiring a…
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Why Discipline and Consistency are the Ultimate Life Skills
As I pounded the cycle paths around the estate where I live on my afternoon run, a thought occurred to me: why aren’t there more people out running? It was my lunch break during a lovely sunny day at the end of a long winter. It felt like spring. I certainly saw more people outside…
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Golden Rules for Career Success
A couple of years ago, while clearing out my parent’s study, I stumbled across a gem from the May 1994 edition of Reader’s Digest: “Golden Rules for Career Success”. Even though it’s more than 30 years old, the advice is timeless and still resonates today. The world of work can feel ambiguous, with wins and…
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How to be a Badass at Life
I was reading a Mr Money Mustache blog the other day and was so inspired by the content that I decided to incorporate the information directly into my own life (as well as to write this blog). In Lessons From the Badass Muscular Neurobiologist, MMM reflects on lessons he’s learnt after listening to 70 hours…
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Is a Career a Wasted Life?
A career is a wasted life – well, possibly. That depends on whether you get satisfaction out of working for someone else, and building someone else’s dream. But is your job what you really want to spend your time doing? Does it bring with it a deep sense of satisfaction and enjoyment at what you’ve…
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Stop Procrastinating and Start Building your Dream Life
I’ve always said that procrastination is the root of all evil.* Everybody does it – don’t think you’re weird if you spend hours in the evening scrolling through your phone. I often get distracted – usually it’s YouTube on my phone or TV, and occasionally just daydreaming. Aha! I spot an area of our lives…
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Make Hay while the Rain Pours
Rain, rain, keep falling every day. Well okay, maybe not every day. We all like to see Mr Blue Sky every now and then. But between the months of November and March, I’m generally fine if the weather is gloomy. It means I can be productive indoors through building my intentional life and improving myself…
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A life of joy means to never stop working
The whole point of Slow Down and Save is to encourage you to live a more intentional, meaningful life – truly living a life of joy – by reducing your spending and focussing your time, energy and money on the things that bring you joy. You will discover that these things are rarely material possessions,…
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Overconsumption: Why We Consume Too Much
Have you ever wondered what happens when you throw out the rubbish? Humanity now produces billions of tonnes of waste and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions every year. This overconsumption means we’re using natural resources at an unsustainable rate – faster than the Earth can replenish them. Here’s why consuming less matters. Overconsumption is increasing Municipal…