TicTocLife - A Story of Financial Independence
Hello Subscriber, here's our latest FIRE newsletter!

What’s Going On With Us & Giving Back


We've had a busy start to August in the TicTocLife household after our staycation break at the end of July!

Jenni has been busy juggling an ever-changing part-time work schedule, supporting her fellow pharmacists as they need a break with little vacations during the pandemic. Being new to the semi-retired life, she is working on developing healthy habits. A few of her first goals are to have a consistent wake-up time and exercise daily. Without a set time and place to be every morning, it is easy for her to hit the snooze button.

Chris has been focused on partnering with a good friend to build-up his own digital consulting. They've been negotiating a contract together with a non-profit publisher that focuses on environmental missions. Mentorship opportunities are a primary motivator for Chris' ongoing, though minimal, work.

We've been working through our giving plan together. We've just published our three-month update for the TicTocLife blog and made public one key component of our giving: Reader’s Choice FIRE Fund with a goal to reach $41K by TicTocLife's one year anniversary. Help us decide which non-profit we should give to on September 1, 2020, by voting on the fund's page!

Personal Finance Favorites on the Web


  1. The Sweet Spot - Mr. Money Mustache is back in full form with a great post that combines the Pareto Principle (80/20 rule) with seeking balance in several areas of life. That balance is The Sweet Spot. He also reveals some personal struggles with AADD.
  2. A Pro / Con on Donor Advised Funds - Physician on FIRE has a discussion with The White Coat Investor about the pros and cons of donor-advised funds (DAFs), which are the underlying account type we use for our direct charitable giving and the Reader’s Choice FIRE Fund.
  3. I am the one thing in life I can control - J.D. Roth fends off his demons and harnesses control over his life. He talks about the difference between the circle of concern and the circle of control. Plus, there's a bit of the Hamilton musical.
  4. Upcycle Your Way To Financial Independence - Dave has a hit with us since the post focuses on reducing your electronic waste through creative reuse and upcycling.
  5. Decorating Our New Home With Thrift Store Finds - FI Mechanic does a great job of combining multiple activities we both like: thrift store treasure hunts, DIY, and crafting. They've done a fantastic job of setting their new place up inexpensively but still producing an eclectic, attractive home.
See an article from our favorites a friend might like? Forward this newsletter onto them!

Our Latest Posts


Incase you missed one, here's our latest posts since our last newsletter:

Buying the Total US Stock Market: VTSAX vs VTI and Alternatives

We've been collecting tiny slices of thousands of companies over the years. Let's compare frugal ways you can too with low-cost index funds: VTSAX vs VTI, SWSTX, FSKAX.
Want to buy the total US stock market? Try VTSAX or VTI index funds!

From Hobby to Business: Making What’s Fun Into a Job

Are you prepared for a scene like this in order to turn your hobby to business?
Switching from a hobby to a business venture can bring you riches or leave you with a lost passion. Here's how to decide if it's worth it.

The Value of Time: A Telling Tale of Spending vs. Living

How do you set the value of time? Would you not spend $2M in exchange for 60K hours to do as you please? A telling tale of Chris & Irsch.
Calculating the Value of Time
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Thanks again for subscribing to our infrequent newsletter. We both hope you're enjoying TicTocLife as much as we are. If you have feedback about this newsletter, you can reply directly or use our Contact form.

Warm regards,
Jenni & Chris