The Optimistic Musings of a Pessimist -

I’m on Best of Both Worlds! Let’s Talk Extended Travel to Europe with Kids + Work

Euro Adventure, Guest Post, Podcast, Travel
Aug 25, 2026
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Apparently August is my month for podcasting?! Last week, I was on The Reframe with Kathleen Paley, talking about our 110-day family adventure in Europe—why we decided to do it, what a trip like this actually cost, how it fit with our broader values, and why I’m so glad I said yes to something that…

Never Have I Ever… Part 20.

This is a momentous day! Today’s Never Have I Ever brings us to an even 200. (I published the first list back in April of 2024.)

Never Have I Ever:

Ridden a mechanical bull.

Attended a…

Happy Things Friday: 21 August

Friends, at various points this week I was pretty sure I was going to collapse to the ground like a ragdoll! Nothing objectively hard happened, but it felt like a perfect storm of busy…

Kathleen Paley on Early Retirement: Life After BigLaw

I am so excited to welcome today’s guest.

Eagle-eyed readers might recall that Kathleen Paley has actually visited here before!

Last year, Kathleen joined me for a conversation about gratitude, minimalism, frugality, and financial independence….

Guest Post, Frugality, Minimalism, Time Management
Aug, 20, 2026
34 Comments

11 Recent Frugal Wins

I cut Indy’s hair and trimmed Belle’s. He wanted a taper fade and he got… a haircut. But it doesn’t look half bad, he’s content with it, and it saved me both a trip…

Frugality
Aug, 19, 2026
23 Comments

What Long-Term Family Travel in Europe Was Really Like

Long-term family travel sounds like an extended vacation, but our 110 days in Europe included plenty of ordinary life alongside the adventures.

There were extraordinary adventures (so many of them!!)… but there were also groceries,…

I’m on The Reframe! Talking 110 Days in Europe, Our Budget + More

For anyone curious to hear my voice (or some approximation thereof; does anyone else feel self conscious about hearing their own voice on audio???), I’m on a podcast today!

Earlier this summer, Kathleen Paley invited…