One of my favorite movies of all-time is American Beauty. The 1999 award-winning film stars Kevin Spacey who played Lester Burnham, a 40-something guy who hated his job and was on the brink of a mid-life crisis. The inflection point was when he saw his daughter’s gorgeous 16-year-old cheerleader friend, Angela Hayes (Mena Suvari), perform during a half-time dance routine at a high school basketball game.
Lester becomes so infatuated with Angela that he began having sexual fantasies with her. He becomes obsessed with youth that he started to live his life like he just graduated from high school. And when he was told that he was about to get laid off, he instead blackmailed his boss for $60,000. He then quits work anyway choosing to work as a crew in a fast-food chain instead– the position with, in his own words, the least amount of responsibility.
But what really caught my attention is the scene where Lester Burnham wonders in his cubicle while seeing a reflection of his image on the monitor, which resembles a guy trapped in a jail cell. With the numbers on the spreadsheet forming the jail bars in his mind, it’s pretty obvious that he felt imprisoned by his job and wanted an escape. A feeling that many people can sympathize.

Seven years ago, in August, I launched this blog with a net worth shy of $1M. On Labor Day the following year, I posted our very first net worth update. I thought sharing our net worth was a motivational boost to myself and other financial voyeurs who are on a …

When it comes to managing the household finances, there are two types of wives: those who want to always be on top and take charge, and those who would rather submit to their husbands. Since my wife falls into the latter category, I felt compelled to write her this letter. …

Coming from the eyes of someone who grew up in a third-world country, living in America is an enormous privilege. No other country can provide you with the same opportunities for success and wealth-building as the United States of America. Being born an American is like winning the genetic lottery–- …

Here are the top reasons why I think developing your muscles is one of the best investments that you can make.

If you have a low credit score, you might as well forget about buying anything on credit. Interest rates are so much higher now compared to when I first published this post. Instead, I’d focus on repairing my credit as I did, which is what this post is all about. …

According to the National Study of Millionaires by Ramsey Solutions, 8 out of 10 millionaires invested in their company’s 401(k) plan, and that simple step was a key to their financial success. Not only that but 3 out of 4 of those surveyed also invested outside of company plans— mostly …

My RN wife recently attended her college reunion in Dallas, Texas. As you probably know, Filipino nurses have been on America’s front lines during the pandemic. Now that the pandemic is behind us, they all need a well-deserved break— my wife and all her contemporaries included. So when she asked …

If you’re too gullible, it’s easy to be misled by the movie, “Crazy Rich Asians,” the first Hollywood movie with an all-Asian cast since Disney made “The Joy Luck Club” in 1993. Shot mostly in Singapore, a thriving city-state in Southeast Asia, it features jet-setting, Prada-wearing social butterflies flaunting their …

Image credit: Rugged Motorbike Jeans | Kevlar Pants Biker Jeans Rider Denim I’ve been seriously contemplating buying a new to us car this year. But then I learned about the new Prius 2023 and how handsome it looks. It is tempting to splurge on a brand-new one this year. Now …