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Living a More Purposeful Life One Cent at a Time

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Other Voices: A Story of Loss & Feeling Less Alone

October 23, 2019 by Penny 18 Comments
Other Voices: Loss & Loneliness

A few weeks ago, an Internet friend reached out about a guest post. It was a story she had already written, and she wanted it to live somewhere outside her hard drive, outside her heart. For weeks, I’ve struggled with how to frame this story. How to present it. How to care for the incredibly … [Read more…]

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Posted in: Other Voices Tagged: career, family, guest post, miscarriage, other voices, relationships, women, work

To Everyone Who Went to Work Today

September 9, 2019 by Penny 27 Comments
Going to Work is Something to Be Proud Of

Years ago, I made a fairly bold declaration as a total newbie poking around the FIRE space. I said I wasn’t leaving my classroom, and I meant it. Now, wonderfully, more and more people are realizing that financial freedom doesn’t have to mean retiring early…or ever.  Even so, there is so much talk about the … [Read more…]

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Posted in: Make Tagged: careers, classroom, dream job, early retirement, FIRE, retire early, teaching, work

On Mondays, We Spend Money

August 26, 2019 by Penny 13 Comments
On Mondays We Spend Money

What’s the best cure for a case of the Mondays? Shockingly, my answer isn’t early retirement. (Though, I’m sure losing track of your days helps immensely.) Now that our little family is back to its usual school time routine, we’re at risk of catching all sorts of conditions. No matter how much hand sanitizer and … [Read more…]

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Posted in: Spend Tagged: intentional spending, meal planning, Monday morning, schedule, spending, Sunday Scaries, work

Reflections on Two Years of the Hardest Job I Ever Loved

July 15, 2019 by Penny 15 Comments
Toddler running down bridge

Two years ago, every single cliche came to life the moment I laid eyes on my son. Or perhaps it was a few moments after that initial instant. Much like a new ship is christened with champagne, this new mom was sprayed with another yellow liquid.  Thanks, kid. Growing up, I never once fantasized about … [Read more…]

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Posted in: Celebrate Tagged: careers, child, jobs, kids, motherhood, parenting, work

How I Found Financial Freedom Without the FI

December 5, 2018 by Penny 18 Comments
Financial Freedom FI

I found financial freedom in a chocolate bar. Of course I did. It’s not like it was an ingredient or anything. It’s more like it was a lingering effect (which is a vast improvement over the “what have I done!?” feeling). I’ve been waiting my whole life for chocolate to be a metaphor, and it … [Read more…]

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Posted in: Make Tagged: careers, FI, financial freedom, financial independence, FIRE, golden handcuffs, teaching, work

Naps are Priceless and Other Things I Learned Going Back to Work

November 5, 2018 by Penny 15 Comments
What It's Like to Be a Working Mom

Exactly one year ago, my maternity leave ended. In some ways, time has never moved faster. In other ways, I can’t believe how much things still feel the same. But for 365 days, I have had a full-time job in addition to being a mom. My son has spent more of the time that he is … [Read more…]

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Posted in: Make Tagged: baby, career, earning, education, income, maternity leave, mom, motherhood, parenting, salary, savings, son, teaching, toddler, work, working

10 Lessons Learned After a Decade in My Career

May 29, 2018 by Penny 8 Comments

I am about to close the door on a decade in the classroom. For ten years, I have been able to pursue my passion and do what I love. It isn’t ever easy, but it’s always been worthwhile. Here are ten things that I’ve learned after ten years in my career. 1. Pursue your passions. … [Read more…]

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Posted in: Wonder Tagged: career, flexibility, goals, income, job, job loss, lessons, planning, salary, savings, work

Leaving the Best Job I Ever Had

November 6, 2017 by Penny 54 Comments

Today, the best full-time job I’ve ever had is ending. Don’t get me wrong. I’m going back to a pretty fantastic one. But as I pull out of our driveway and say goodbye to my maternity leave, I can’t help but think about the sixteen-pound drooling baby bossman who made that job so wonderful. I’ve … [Read more…]

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Posted in: Wonder Tagged: baby, baby fund, career, family, maternity leave, passion, school, teaching, work

National Boards: The Money Behind Being Better at Teaching

April 26, 2017 by Penny 7 Comments

Teaching: it’s one of the most celebrated and most maligned professions around. Some days, we work too hard for far too little. Other days, we are glorified babysitters getting away with highway robbery. Whatever your opinions are on education, I’m not here to sway you. What I thought I’d do instead is give you a … [Read more…]

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Posted in: Make Tagged: career, education, graduate school, money, National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, National Boards, raise, salary, salary schedule, self-improvement, teaching, work

My Approach to Group Gifts at Work

January 9, 2017 by Penny 20 Comments

Have you ever gone a month without being asked to contribute to a group gift at work? In nine years of teaching, I’m almost positive I haven’t. If it isn’t a bride-to-be and her shower, it’s a new baby on the way, meal train for an ailing coworker, or a bouquet of flowers delivered to … [Read more…]

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Posted in: Spend Tagged: coworkers, gifting, gifts, health, illness, office, showers, teaching, work
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