The Optimistic Musings of a Pessimist

How Our Family Mealtime Habits Have Changed

Growing up, my family had very structured eating habits.

Breakfast was eaten together. After we finished, we’d read the Bible and a little devotional, pray together (we had a list of different people and situations…

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

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…

Euro Adventure, Guest Post, Podcast, Travel
Aug, 25, 2026
15 Comments

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…