10 Questions with Even Steven Money

Today is the 49th edition of our periodic guest post series called 10 Questions and a Pizza Place. (The 1500′s are pizza fanatics.) We have a list of 17 questions we pose to fellow financial bloggers, and they are free to pick and choose 10 or answer all 17. Let us know if you would like to be featured in a future edition of 10 Questions.

My favorite part of blogging is connecting with like minded people and Even Steven (Stevie?) is no exception. Even and I were able to meet in person on one of my work trips to Chicago. We chatted over pizza and beer and like everyone else I’ve met in the blogosphere, Even did not disappoint.

Even writes about a variety of topics including his adventures as a landlord, but one of my favorite posts is the one where he talks about meeting Michael Jordan.  I believe working your ass off is the most important factor to determining success in life and this story is a fine example of this principle. Also, you’ll learn why I referred to Mr. Even as “Stevie” above.

Tell me about your blog and why it’s great.

I’m working on paying all my debt back, becoming Even Steven, and Building Financial Independence. I started my blog recently but have gone through many life and personal finance experiences to share with everyone. I have done everything from buying a Mercedes, working for Michael Jordan, to becoming a landlord, and I share my stories because to me that’s what makes my blog great, telling my story.

What is the worst financial mistake you made?

This is a which financial mistake do I consider to be the worst because I have so many to choose from, how about a top 3.

• Putting my entire spring break vacation on my credit card because I didn’t have enough money and only after I was told that I owed more money because we didn’t get our payments in on time.
• Buying a Mercedes Benz that was more than half of my income, did I mention I was thinking of moving down to Florida at the time with plans to find a job once I got down there?
• I decided after I couldn’t afford going to do a study abroad in Italy, that before I graduated I would study abroad “no matter what”, well my no matter what included private university tuition and one of the most expensive cities in the world in jolly old England, London to be exact, all financed via student loans.

What would you do if you inherited $1,000,000 (after taxes) today?

I would pay off our mortgages, student loan, and personal loan I owe my parents. I would then shore up any remaining debt my parents have so they can officially retire. The remaining I would put in Vanguard funds, probably a breakdown of an S&P 500 fund, small cap, international, and bond. I’d also take a vacation in Hawaii to celebrate.

What kind of car do you drive?

I don’t, you will find me on the finest Chicago train and bus the city has to offer. My wife does own a Toyota Sequoia which is a man beast of a SUV which was bought and paid for many years ago.

What is the best financial move you have made?

Marrying Mrs. Even Steven. She makes me a better person; she stops me from taking gambles which lead to making unwise financial decisions, and supports me in the best possible way.

What is your favorite place to vacation?

I’ve only been to Hawaii once but our vacation to Kauai was amazing, everything about our trip was great. My parents gave it to us as a wedding present, they tried to get out of coming along but we talked them into it and it couldn’t have gone better, minus the 4 hour hike that I thought would take 2 hours, my parents shopped around and then waited in the car, my Dad’s face was not as happy as mine after completing our hike.

What’s your favorite tip for saving money?

Wait 24 hours before making any purchases. If you are shopping online and find the perfect widget that you have to have, sleep on it. Talk it over with someone and if you still want to make that purchase go ahead and make the purchase. You will save so much money by simplynot making that impulse purchase.

What is your favorite pizza place (I am a pizza nut)?

My favorite pizza place includes a mouthwatering thin crust close to the border called Quonset pizza. Since moving to Chicago we have a place close to us called Pizza D’Oro which has the best Hawaiian pizza I have ever had in my life. If you are looking for a Chicago deep dish you can’t go wrong with Giordano’s. I’m making it a personal goal to visit Pequod’s* and Piece which the 1500’s give a thumbs up.

What are your biggest goals in life?

As of today my biggest goals are to become debt free, then work my way to financial independence. I want to have the choice to golf with my Dad every day for a month, sleep on my best friend’s couch for a week sharing old stories and making new memories, live the cold months in Miami and the warm ones in Chicago.

If you could go back in time and give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be (don’t say ‘buy Microsoft,’ everyone says that)?

Debt is the enemy, (student loans, credit cards, and car loans) it will force you to take the long way to your goals and dreams and it will be uphill carrying a backpack full of rocks while you are in a blizzard, that’s what it will feel like every day.

What is your favorite movie?

Can’t pick a favorite here’s just a few I like: Billy Madison, Scarface, The Godfather, Argo, Dumb and Dumber, Shawshank Redemption, Christmas Story, Old School, Swingers, Wedding Crashers, Gladiator, and that should do it.

What advice would you give to a 24 year old, just out of college?

Pay off everything now by sacrificing and go after your dreams by working harder than everyone else.

What are your favorite personal finance websites?

I read a ton of PF websites here a just a few of them: Mr. Money Mustache, 1500 Days, Afford Anything, Done by Forty, Retire by Forty, Financial Samurai, Budgets are Sexy, Mad Fientist, Dividend Mantra.

Dogs or cats?

Dogs. We have a Siberian Husky named Angel we got from a rescue. Come home from a long day at work not feeling that great, it’s really hard to not smile when your dog is doing dolphin jumps and doing her best Risky Business sliding across our hardwood floors.

What is the worst personal finance mistake you see people making?

Buying things they think they can “afford”. Some examples include buying a new F-150 because the payments are only $500/month and they can afford it because the bank told them they were approved. 0% financing for 60 months so you can afford brand new furniture that costs $5,000, you planned on buying $1,500 furniture but it’s 0% interest!

What was your favorite job (or worst job)?

It’s a two man race. I worked for a fast food company called Hardee’s growing up when I was 15 and it was great the people were really fun, the food was great, and the amount of responsibly I had was almost zero. And of course caddying at a golf course during college, I made great money, was on the golf course or outside most of the day, and had the opportunity to meet Michael Jordan.

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Thanks Even Steven for your answers today. How about a pizza again next time I make it to Chicago?