• Alternatives,  FIRE,  Life

    How Much Is Your Time Worth?

    Reading Time: 2 Minutes What’s up dudes and dudettes! Welcome back to another episode of The Frugal Samurai. SO GUYS, DRAMA in the TFS household. Or rather we had a mini bust-up recently with a close family member. Long story short, it involved some tree trimming, and the question of who is responsible for the leftover rubbish (think branches, leaves, logs… y’know tree stuff). I’d thought that it was a simple matter for the tradies to take away said rubbish. HOWEVER, it appeared that this detail was not negotiated in the works – which meant they left a great big mound in the front yard. Just look at that eyesore!…

  • Economy,  FIRE,  Investing,  Real Estate,  Stock Market

    Market Musings

    Reading Time: 2 Minutes Howdy all! And a Happy Valentine’s Day. Ooo and hugs and kisses goes out to my personal Valentine aka MrsFrugalSamurai. She made me feel very special indeed with a uniquely composed card and personalized message. Although I could only decipher two thirds of her writing, the love and warmth shone through. Received with thanks MrsFS. As for my present? Well, that’s for her eyes only of course (truly, otherwise Crime Stoppers would be called). But today’s not about love and chocolates and naked bloggers – no, today’s post is a bit of social commentary regarding what I’m seeing in the markets, or rather the market participants.…

  • Economy,  FIRE,  Investing,  Life,  Real Estate,  Stock Market

    Wealth Inequality Rises In Australia

    Reading Time: 2 Minutes I was perusing through the interwebs as you do, and came across a very insightful article regarding the wealth or rather, the lack of wealth equality here in Oz. It’s a joint research study by the University of New South Wales and the Australian Council of Social Service and to be honest, it’s very confronting. As we know, COVID-19 has exacerbated what was already a burgeoning wealth gap between the haves and have-nots, and this paper only highlights that. Here are some key take-aways: Household Wealth The below compares the wealth holdings of the highest 10% (highest wealth) of households followed by the next 30% (middle…

  • Economy,  Investing,  Real Estate,  Stock Market

    Australian Housing Tipped To Rise?

    Reading Time: 2 Minutes Hola people! Be ready for a bit of a charting binge today. Ever since we recently bought our place (read here), I’ve been monitoring the housing market ever so closely. And I’ve been noticing a few things. What things? Oh y’know, about the state of our economy in general. I’m a responsible man now OK, got a family to think of. So first up is… Employment Here, let’s start with employment: Would you look at that! Sure, employment levels are still lower than pre-COVID, but it’s come back a fair bit hasn’t it? A sharp “V” shaped recovery puts the trend in the right direction. “Clap,…

  • Economy,  Life,  Real Estate,  Stock Market

    8 Financial Lessons From 2020

    Reading Time: 3 Minutes Happy New Year everyone and WELCOME BACK! Hands up if you’re very excited for what 2021 will bring? Haha, I exited 2020 with a whimper, with a (lonely) jog in the park on NYE followed by watching “Tenet” (confusing) with MrsFrugalSamurai, and get this… going to SLEEP before midnight (exhausting), thereby missing out on the fireworks (disappointing) and also ringing in the New Year with MrsFrugalSamurai (chastising). D’oh! Getting old in my years. Anyhow, as much as I love to look ahead, it’s also important to look back on the previous year because well… 2020 had it’s moments didn’t it? So in no particular order, I…