Early Retirement Extreme Forums

@horsewoman: Nothing really prepares you for the real thing! I will continue to try my best to not get drawn into the more negative aspects and enjoy the positive. After all, visiting the States has given me a new appreciation for my home country and allowed me to identify certain things that really...

Thanks for reading! Yes it's been a ride - not the easiest, but I still had amazing opportunities along the way. I think having to fight for something makes one appreciate it more (education, financial independence, freedom of information/travel/decision). Best and worst in USA? I'd say the best was...

It has been a while since my last post and a lot has happened. I’ve concluded my 2018 research stay in Cincinnati, then spent the first half of 2019 traveling around for business and science. Living in the States has been an eye-opening experience both for my minimalism and from a cultural standpoin...

So I got the pressure cooker and I have to say I'm quite impressed. The duromatic is made of solid plastic material, cleans off well, doesn't get super hot and has two steam vents, one of which has an indicator to tell whether the pot is under pressure. It fits 4 quarts (3.78 L), which produces 5-6 ...

This country can't give me a goddamn break :D Long story, but there is no way I'll make it in time to the meeting. I sincerely hope you guys have an informative, inspiring and culinary exciting meet-up! Perhaps I get the chance to meet some of you in the future - and if someone visits Cincinnati til...

Budget USA Living in the USA on a research fellowship gives me the opportunity to build a simple life from scratch from a clean slate while knowing exactly what goes in and out of my bank account. Ideal conditions to lead a self-examined life! My Euro-based investment portfolios are self-contained ...

@7Wannabe5: Urban development is still sort of an enigma to me. But now I understand why part of the gentrification of former-ghetto neighborhood Over The Rhine here in Cincinnati involved building a hugely controversial streetcar line through it. Even so, public transport is still very sad here. @F...

From the Website: How does it work? In simple terms, cooling with Embr Wave feels like putting an ice cube on your wrist. It's refreshing and helps take the edge off when you're feeling uncomfortably warm. Similarly, warming with Embr Wave feels like cupping your hands around a mug of hot coffee. 1...

Interesting point... In Europe I would hitchhike, couchsurf, camp in the wilderness and go on all kinds of crazy adventures as a solo female. I never had reason to be scared. Here in the US, I'm not so sure anymore. Maybe this is just me being paranoid in an unfamiliar environment, or things are rea...

Interesting points you raise. I was especially unaware microwaves have such a lousy energy conversion efficiency... and that classic stovetop pressure cooking performs quite well by compairson! That being said I currently don't have access to a proper kitchen, or pots, or a metal pressure cooker, or...

ER-lifestyle vs being taken advantage of My attempt to live an ER-lifestyle (aka being a greedy penny-pincher) in an unfamiliar environment has put me in a series of bad situations. Without getting too much into details this was due to these lifestyle decisions: 1. Forfeiting a classic cell phone p...

I shall be joining as well. Looking forward to it!

I stumbled upon the Kuhn Rikon Duromatic Micro Microwave Pressure Cooker the other day. I’m highly intrigued and was wondering if anyone had experience with the product. On top of the energy- and time-savings of conventional stovetop pressure cooking, the microwave aspect will also cut down time and...

Gotcha, no twinkies then! I went to a Whole Foods the other day - lots of expensive things, especially ready-made stuff and the lunch bar, but some basic items, produce and eggs are priced reasonably for the quality. I continue my exploration of the American lifestyle, this week with some observatio...

Ad astra per USA! Yes, I am still among the living. It took me some time to get settled here and start my research work. First of all I have to say that people are amazingly friendly and open, I’m somewhat overwhelmed with everyone’s positivity. Here’s some of my experiences in the US and things I f...

After all the farewell parties, tying up loose ends at home, packing bags and imagining all the crazy what if scenarios, there was only one decision remaining: what was the book - the only book - I was taking with me: some fiction to keep me entertained during the long trip? Something to prepare me ...

J-1 Visa Interview at US Embassy I had my Visa interview and it went well! Everything better than expected – I'll try my best to recount it here in hopes that it is helpful for anyone going through the same process in the future! Preparation: I dressed rather conservatively for the appointment (not...

Serious question: can someone explain to me how Freedompop works? Their website is kinda ominous. What is their buisness model here? Do they sell your data? Push paid plans on you? Is there some fine print that you pay humongous fees if you go over the free minutes/texts? Or do they mainly make mone...

I recently read How Much is Enough? Money and the Good Life (2012) by Robert and Edward Skidelsky and was surprised to not find it mentioned anywhere on the forums. So here’s a brief summary and some thoughts: In this book, economic historian Robert Skidelsky and his son, philosopher Edward Skidelsk...

In terms of assets, I've been selling off my high-riding tech stocks over the past half-year and moving money into 1. Gold and Silver (tend to do the opposite of the stock market in a crash) 2. Consumer-goods index fonds (no matter how bad things get, people will still buy toilet paper and laundry d...