Today is the 27th 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.
Today’s 10 Questions features Jeff from Sustainable Life Blog. I like the way Jeff thinks. In addition to money, he discusses how he can minimize his impact on our little Planet Earth:
I’m Jeff and I write at Sustainable Life Blog. I started writing Sustainable Life Blog in 2009, to share my journey towards becoming a more sustainable person in my finances, the environment and my health. Even though all of these topics alone are difficult to deal with, I’ve found that you can often kill a few birds with one stone (For example, if you wanted to get healthy, help the planet and save money, just ride your bike to work. It will save you money on gas – and you may even be able to get rid of your car insurance – you’ll reduce pollution from your cars tailpipe and you’ll get some exercise!)
I completely agree with Jeff. A good frugal and financially stable life go hand in hand with sustainability.
Be sure to check out Jeff’s post on hard cider too. Mrs. 1500 is a hard cider fan, so we’ll be giving this a try very soon.
What is the worst financial mistake you made?
Spending more than I earned for about 4 straight years.
What would you do if you inherited $1,000,000 (after taxes) today?
I’d probably buy a couple rental properties (finance them), perhaps 3-4 houses and a 2, 3, or 4 unit complex, Then pay off our primary residence, then buy a piece of land somewhere, and invest the rest. That may sound like a lot, but could probably get all the rental properties for ~250k.
What kind of car do you drive?
I don’t typically drive, as I walk to work and try to bike or walk for most errands. When I do drive though, I have a 2010 ford ranger.
What is the best financial move you have made?
Having 2 jobs out of grad school and working 70 hrs/week to pay off consumer debt, student loans and save an emergency fund.
What is your favorite place to vacation?
I love Alaska.
What’s your favorite tip for saving money?
Make it automatic. As soon as you get paid, move the money into another account (at another bank/financial institution). You’ll never see it, and won’t notice it’s gone.
What is your favorite pizza place (I am a pizza nut)?
A place called Moose’s Tooth in Anchorage, AK. The first time I went there I was alone, but for our 1st wedding anniversary I took my wife to Alaska. We stayed near downtown and ended up getting the wrong bus (whoops). We got off the bus but still had to walk a mile and my poor wife was starving and didn’t think the pizza would be worth it. She was
converted quickly.
What advice would you give to a 24 year old, just out of college?
Pay off whatever consumer debt and student loan debt you have as quickly as humanly possible.
Mac or PC?
Mac, it’s a refreshing change from working on a PC all day.
What are your favorite personal finance websites?
ptmoney.com, mrmoneymoustache.com (and of course 1500days),
affordanything.com and financialsamurai.com
Dogs or cats?
Dogs.
Prosper or Lending Club? Please explain.
We can’t do Prosper where I am (Wyoming) but I didn’t have much luck with lending club because I didn’t put enough in the account to ride out defaults I got.
What is the worst personal finance mistake you see people making?
I think buying more car than they can afford or need. Lots of people pay off a car, then trade it in right away for something newer and just get a car payment again. I haven’t had a car payment for 2 years, and I don’t want to get one again ever.
What product or service epitomizes consumerism?
Public storage places. People buy crap they don’t need and cant afford, then instead of getting rid of it, they pay someone to store it for them!
Thank you Jeff for you answers today! Be sure to show him some love over at Sustainable Life Blog.
Public storage places is a good one. But if we didn’t have them what would masses watch on tv? No more storage wars? Oh the humanity…
Mr. Grump recently posted…How we built wealth in May 2014
I’m pretty sure I would die without Storage Wars….kidding.
Retired By 40! recently posted…My Disagreement with Dave Ramsey – Part 3
Oh yes! Public storage places! Never thought of that one, but oh so true. I’ve known a few people who have used them when they’re in transition (ie. renting a small place while they save for a home), but there can’t possibly be enough of those people to warrant the pox of storage places in this small-town, low-income area. I can’t stand them.
I like Jeff’s perspective on sustainable living. I’ve found that frugality and “going green” very often go hand-in-hand. It feels good when something that just makes sense financially also happens to be environmentally friendly, and/or healthy. When people are just focused on those issues separately, chances are they’ll be spinning their wheels not accomplishing much.
Jen @ Jen Spends recently posted…A Goodnight Moon Birthday Party
I love that you walk and ride your bike a lot. You are hitting 3 goals at once and what’s not to love about that?
debster recently posted…Found money
Hey, thanks for the Alaska shout out…..love the Moose’s Tooth. Try the Bear’s Tooth next time you swing through our state. DK
I agree. The more frugal I become, the more ‘green’ I become.
Unfortunately, public storage places are becoming more common place in the UK now as more and more seem to be popping up.
As for a product that epitomises consumerism, In the freezer section of our local supermarket I saw a box of ready made microwavable jacket potatoes. Like, what the f***!! I always thought a potato was already practically ready made in that you stick it in oven or microwave and ping, its ready.
MrsFinancialFreedom recently posted…My Leaky Money Bucket
Alaska really is beautiful! We went there last year and it was incredible… good choice!
Jon @ Our Fine Adventure recently posted…How I Use Swagbucks To Earn Extra Cash