outandout.boardingarea.comOUT AND OUT – Out for points. Out for money.

Get a Credit Card Travel Rewards Credit Cards Hotel Rewards Credit Cards Cashback Credit Cards Small Business Credit Cards Travel Trip Reports Hotels Finance Credit Cards Financial Independence Best Ways to Monetize Your Blog – Including Past Content! ? Queer and There Just the Tip(s) Positivity About Every Single Out and Out Post How Out and Out Makes Money Contact Me Down market and a huge $50K hit after selling house – May 2024 Freedom update May 10, 2024 by Harlan 2 Comments I’ve been semi-avoiding writing this update to detail this month’s huge losses, but eat the frog , as they say. The Oklahoma house sold, April 2024 was the first losing month for the S&P 500 after five positive months in a row, and the house sale money was gone in a poof. We went to Chicago for five days! I used the money to pay down debt, start on my 2024 Roth IRA, and build up my savings a bit. But, to further illustrate the losses, I invested ~$4,000 but my investments are only up $435 for the month. I also might’ve been overestimating my old home’s value and didn’t include transaction fees against my net worth in previous updates. But now the house is gone, and so too are the mortgage and equity estimate from my net worth calculations. Now that I’m renting again, maybe this is a more pure” version of calculating net worth. All that to say, it was a rough month—and I am down nearly $53,000 . May 2024 Freedom update Read More Posted in Finance FIRE House sold, shifts ahead, and planning for a tax sale? – April 2024 Freedom update April 3, 2024 by Harlan 6 Comments The Oklahoma house is closing on Friday after being on the market only 6 days . I’m thrilled, sad, nervous, etc. Thrilled to no longer make two housing payments, sad because a ton of bad stuff happened to us in that house, nervous because I don’t want any last-minute surprises, and etc . because. THIS BABY. Three months old I’ve been using my credit cards to get us through this patch and very much looking forward to paying them off with the money I get from the sale. But I also discovered a tax lien sale and have a few properties on a watch list. The auctions are in late April. So, I’m going to hold the money for a few weeks and see what I can do there. If nothing, then I’ll eradicate all my credit card balances. And if so… well, I still have until October with my 0% APR rates. Either way, not too worried and seeing a lot of upside and potential. One thing is certain: My net worth will see BIG gyrations this month. I am more at peace with it now, yet I remain hopeful. For one thing, I didn’t factor in the $20,000 it would cost to sell the house… ‍ April 2024 Freedom update Read More Posted in Finance FIRE New city, new energy, and up $12K – March 2024 Freedom update March 4, 2024 by Harlan 1 Comment Bye, Oklahoma! A lot happened there—like, a LOT—and I’m glad to say goodbye to that place. As of this month, we’ve officially moved for a better school district and to get a fresh start. I first moved to Oklahoma City in October 2021 . I was sad for a week but over it now Our old house is listed for sale as of March 1. Considering August 2024— seven more months —is the goal date to save $500,000, that could push me ahead, move the dial back, or be uneventful. I already got the estimated proceeds of how much I’ll get if it sells for the listing price. Also, until it sells, I’ll pay rent for our new place plus mortgage on the old place. We’re renting now which feels… different after owning my house (and before that, a condo). So far, it’s been freeing not dealing with the stuff of ownership. I’d like to buy again eventually—but, one thing at a time. Anything could happen this month (this year, this lifetime). But in this moment, I’m at yet another net worth high (and will never tire of typing that). March 2024 Freedom update Read More Posted in Finance FIRE I Grew Up Poor and Learned Financial Literacy Late. Now, I’m Investing for My Children and Teaching Them to Become Millionaires February 7, 2024 by Harlan 2 Comments For those who are going to comment, What’s this have to do with BoardingArea?”, the answer is nothing , so don’t bother. Close the tab and leave. If you’re still here, know that I’m so excited to travel and can’t wait to post more travel stories. This article has a story behind it. It was originally published on August 25, 2022 , on NextAdvisor in partnership with TIME on the Time.com domain. That site folded in early 2023 and the story disappeared into internet ether. I thought it was a good one, so I want to republish it now—on my own blog—for posterity so it isn’t lost forever. I’ll admit: It’s definitely on the personal finance side of things. It relates to my own personal finance journey that I’ve chronicled here since 2019 (a literal different world ago). It’s a great complement and explains more of my thinking and personal finance philosophy. And so, I hope having one more personal finance post is OK. This one’s mostly for me, and I hope you enjoy it too. I Grew Up Poor and Learned Financial Literacy Late. Now, I’m Investing for My Children and Teaching Them to Become Millionaires Read More Posted in Travel 70% of the way to $500K! Will I reach my goal by August? – February 2024 Freedom update February 3, 2024 by Harlan 12 Comments I’m creating my own nail-biter over here. This is the third month in a row of a new net worth high . That feels dang good on its own: At nearly $350K, I’m 70% of the way toward my $500K goal . But the goal is to hit $500K by August 2024 . That’s in 7 months! Being $150K short means I’ll have to increase my net worth by over $21,000 each month on average until then to achieve it. That’s… a lot. Is it realistic? SleepHaircut I mean, probably not . Is it also incredible? Heck yeah! I continue to be amazed at how compound interest truly has a life of its own. I’ve had plenty of months with gains and losses of that size. But to have 7 winning months in a row? I’m my own underdog. It’s unlikely but it would be soooo cool if it happened. Even if it doesn’t, I think I’ll get pretty close. Either way, 2024 is already shaping up to be an incredible year. February 2024 Freedom update Read More Posted in Finance FIRE New Year goals, up $8K, and an announcement – January 2024 Freedom update January 13, 2024 by Harlan 2 Comments Like last month, this one finds me at yet another new net worth high . But unlike last month, it also finds us with a brand new baby girl . That’s right – we are now a party of five and have spent the last week getting to know our sweet new baby! POV: you fell asleep on Dad Even with all the expenses associated with delivery, my overall net worth continued to tick upward to over $342,000 . I’m excited and so tired. We’re currently on an adventure and making new memories in a new place. Here’s how it’s playing out as I start 2024. January 2024 Freedom update Read More Posted in Finance FIRE Up $30K, goal almost 70% complete, and closing in on $350K – December 2023 Freedom update December 11, 2023 by Harlan 1 Comment I’m at a new net worth high . In fact, a year ago in December 2022 , I was also at a new high: $266K . Must be the so-calledSanta Claus Rally .” This month I’m at $334K . That’s $68,000 higher than this time last year and $166,000 left to go to hit my $500,000 goal. If I can increase my net worth by $18,000 over each of the next nine months , I’ll hit the goal. Is that possible? Well, this month I’m up nearly $30,000 so… if the trend keeps up I just might make it. But I also know how quick it can turn, so don’t want to take mental possession of it yet. I went to a Christmas market in Oslo last week That was a lot of numbers. Here’s one more: I’m 67% of the way there . Whether I hit the goal by the end of August 2024 as planned/hoped for or not, I’m gonna go ahead and give myself some grace. I’m doing so good. December 2023 Freedom update Read More Posted in Finance FIRE Bouncing back, up $19K, and are we on an upward trend? – November 2023...