Recently I’ve been trying to be a little more positive about life. It’s super easy to get bogged down in the missteps and the problems I’ve caused myself, but everything isn’t super bleak. Along the way, I’ve made some choices that were actually pretty good.

1. I Owned My Student Loan Debt 

I took on my student loans head on from day one. I hated them, but I never hid from them. I always had a plan on how to get rid of them and whenever I could, I paid extra towards paying them off.

Without these loans, I never would’ve gotten to live in England for a year, study theater in a totally different environment, and made some really cool theater with an amazing bunch of students.

I also don’t know if I ever would’ve taken my finances so seriously. Those loans were the first time in my life that I ever felt like another person or company sort of owned me and I was accountable to them. I had to make choices that made sure those payments got made, even if I didn’t want to. That feeling of being owned was pretty much the worst ever, so every decision I’ve made financially since then has been in the direction of trying to make sure it never happens again. I like to think I would’ve gotten just as serious about my finances even if it didn’t happen, but I’m really not sure I’d have the same fire about financial stability without it.

2. I Did a Bunch of Research and Bought Some Stocks 

I definitely own a bunch of index funds, but the real stars in my portfolio are in the individual stocks. I prioritize buying index funds each year because they seem to be a very safe bet – and I’m all for building most of my future on safe bets… but I’m definitely a high risk tolerant investor, so buying individual stocks is okay with me. I buy in areas I understand (currently online shopping, soda and death) and when the price seems right. This method hasn’t failed me yet and those individual stocks have made a nice positive difference in my net worth in the long haul, more than balancing out when one of them isn’t having great year.

Specifically Hillenbrand, Inc. I love this company guys. I feel like there are still a lot of areas they can expand into and I’m pretty sure they’re going to take over the entire death industry while no one is really paying them much attention.

3. I Have an Emergency Savings Account

Early on I prioritized creating an emergency savings account. It has given me such peace of mind, it was worth it for that alone. However, my emergency savings account has made sure I actually go to the doctor when I should, instead of putting it off because of how much it costs. I makes sure I visit the dentist if I really need to but can’t quite cash flow it at the moment.

Even better, after funding the lower levels of it, I decided $10,000 was my magic number and since hitting that amount, I’ve even been able to use it to fund a better tomorrow. I was able to take jobs that required relocating because I could tap that fund to make it happen. I could take jobs that would give me exposure to a new skill I needed even if the pay was terrible for a little while.

4. I’m a Low Maintenance Lady

Let’s talk about a few of my favorite things. I like watching Netflix. I love board games. I prefer to stay in and have friends over. I like camping.

When my clothes fit well, I like to keep them forever, even if I have to mend them.

I’m irrationally emotionally attached to my car, so even though she’s a bit old and battered, I want to drive her until it’s impossible to drive her anymore because I can’t imagine getting rid of the car that moved me to San Francisco after a horrible breakup after college and climbed those crazy steep streets with me for the first time or the car that lived in train yards with me for a year when I lived like a hobo after joining the circus the first time.

I really don’t need a lot to be happy, which saves me a lot of money.

5. I Stared a Side Hustle And Always Have a Plan B

Maybe this is number five and six?

I started this blog as a side hustle. It’s location independent so it works great while I roam the world, working my regular gig. It’s pushed me to learn more about personal finance than I ever would’ve guessed and introduced me to the best group of folks on the internet – all the other personal finance bloggers.

I also knew that working in the arts was a bit of a gamble, so I’ve always had fallback plans in case it didn’t work out. I’ve kept my substitute teacher’s license renewed each year in case work falls through. I stay on overhire lists in nearby theaters in case I need to pick up work as a technician. I’m ok with working all sorts of little gigs like brand ambassador work or transcribing to make ends meet.

What are a few good personal finance choices you’ve made?