So this is the third year in a row where I’ve wanted to be at FinCon and couldn’t because my stupid work life is so crazy. That being said, the personal finance community is pretty awesome and here are some posts from some others in that community that I’ve really enjoyed over the last few months (and one Atlantic post that made my head spin).

Frugality is a Lifestyle That You Might Be Doing Wrong

This really made me think a lot about my ideas on lifestyle inflation and overall mindset regarding money. Favorite quote:

If living frugal STOPS being fun YET you continue doing it then you’re doing it wrong. Like really wrong. And It needs to stop.

Save the financial recommended standard of 20% – meet your target saving goals…and go out to enjoy the day for god sakes.

Being Rationally Unreasonable

This is pretty much what I strive to be.

Within reason basically means just be part of the normal masses, chained to tradition and the definitions laid out years and years ago. Get a job, go into debt buying crap, buy a big expensive house, save for a retirement that should be delayed until age 70, never question authority and always do what the “experts” claim as the normal thing to do. Now that is what I call being irrational and unreasonable.

The Five Things You Actually Need and Deserve in Life

It’s easy to forget that life really does boil down to some really simple needs. When those are clear, it’s easy to find spots to cut back so you can get ahead when you need to.

However, shifting the mindset from consumerism to frugalism requires you to be able to put your life in perspective, and to readjust your priorities.

Perhaps the Secret Reason Your Job Sucks Is… You?

I mean, the title is pretty self-explanatory. I do love that she pointed out that sometimes change is necessary, but do it with a plan.

It’s easier to blame somebody else when you’re sick and tired of working dead end jobs. Complaining about your job is so normal – after all everyone does it – that it slowly infects your brain to the point where you constantly daydream when you can finally do what you want someday, instead of being chained to your desk.

The Trap of Doing What You Love for a Living (And How to Avoid It)

Since this is pretty much the story of my life and what my career feels like lately, it resonated. On the plus side, there are ways to survive in this life and still do what you want to do for a living, if you’re smart about it all.

How could the union allow it? How could my co-workers allow it? How could I allow it?

Love.

I loved that job so much, I would’ve done it again. And I know my co-workers would have too. And therein lies our weakness as people who love what they do….

Why Are Easy Money Decisions so Hard to Make: Paralysis by Analysis

I’m definitely a fan of simplicity and feel overwhelmed when I have too many options to pick from. While I like to think I don’t suffer from analysis paralysis too badly, I definitely feel it from time to time.

When you have too many choices, or you are “spoiled for choice”, you can have difficulty making up your mind. As you analyze all the different options and their pros and cons, you may feel stuck. This is what’s known as paralysis by analysis.

When Your Mental Health Affects Your Financial Well-Being

Mental health struggles are so real and so common in our society but still so swept under the rug. All of the challenges mentioned in this posts sounded very familiar to me.

Other people have likened depression to a large dog that follows you everywhere and anxiety to a monkey that crashes around in your mind. Both are apt analogies. I’ve been dealing with the dog and the monkey for such a long time that they’re veritably woven into the fabric of my daily experience.

Traditional Wedding Gifts Can Burn in Hell Where They Belong

Because most of what Bitches Get Riches write is hilarious, this post is no exception, and as a thirty something with many married friends and several bouts as a bridesmaid behind me, so much of this post made me laugh.

Nah, brah. If you’re asking for gifts, you only get one. If you want to have additional parties, you need to seriously consider if you have thought about what your guests want as much as you’ve thought about what you want. How sure are you that nobody in your bridal party cried when they clicked “purchase” on the hotel reservation? If the answer isn’t “one thousand percent sure,” pump the brakes on your ceaseless bacchanal.

It’s Not About the Money, It’s About the Lifestyle

I don’t know if you guys have noticed lately, but trying to figure out my lifestyle and a better work life balance has been a big deal in my life lately. The idea of finding happy moments along the way is something I’m still really struggling with.

I think we get so caught up in wanting more all the time that we don’t step back to see the overall picture. Or even realize that we have it in our power ALREADY to craft a life we love before hitting our financial goals!

The Birth of the New American Aristocracy

As someone who just comes from piles of privilege and tries to stay aware of it, this articles was pretty eye opening.

“The meritocratic class has mastered the trick of consolidating wealth and passing privilege along at the expense of other people’s children,” argues Matthew Stewart