Philip Brewer

Senior Writer

I wanted to be a full-time writer. So, I came up with a naive plan: Live more frugally; save and invest; free myself to do the work that I choose.

Philip Brewer's bio

Philip Brewer's Favorite Articles

What I've been trying to say	Getting by without a job, part 1--losing a job
Reverse engineer the best time of your life	Can You Buy Your Way Out of the Rat Race?

Latest articles by Philip Brewer

New $100 Bill: Issue Date Set

After years of production problems, the new $100 bill finally has a date of issue — October 8th. Learn what's new and different.

by: Philip Brewer | channel: Personal Finance

Eating at the Intersection of Cheap and Healthy

A lot of healthy food — organic, locally grown food — comes at specialty food prices. But with some planning and smart shopping, you can eat both well and cheap.

by: Philip Brewer | channel: Food and Drink

Get Ready to Manage Your Bank (and Other Cash) Accounts

Recently, there's been no reason to pay much attention to how you store your cash — it doesn't earn enough interest to worry about. That's about to change.

by: Philip Brewer | channel: Banking

Being Frugal Without Giving Up Your Social Life

Despite what some people think, you don't have to be a hermit to be frugal. Learn how you can have a fun social life AND maintain your budget.

by: Philip Brewer | channel: Frugal Living

The False Allure of Compound Interest

You've seen stories about compound interest adding up to big savings. That can happen — but often, it's not the whole truth.

by: Philip Brewer | channel: Investment, Retirement

Becoming Financially Secure: What to Do First

Standard financial advice is full of things to do first — emergency fund, 401(k), paying off debts...but what REALLY comes first?

by: Philip Brewer | channel: Personal Finance

Student Loans: The Third Way to Ruin Your Finances

"Is college worth it?" has become a difficult question to answer — and answering wrong could saddle you with years of debt. Here are your options.

by: Philip Brewer | channel: Debt Management, Education & Training

The Limits of Small Economies

People often recommend cutting out little expenses to help get back on financial track. What's rarely mentioned is that this alone won't solve the problem.

by: Philip Brewer | channel: Personal Finance

Capital Substitutes for Labor — and Vice Versa

Retirement planning has changed a lot since the economic downturn. But the things you need to understand and do are still very simple.

by: Philip Brewer | channel: Personal Finance

The "I Knew It!" Benefit of Expense Tracking

It's worth tracking your spending because it's the only way to learn where your money is going. But it's worth doing for another reason as well.

by: Philip Brewer | channel: Personal Finance

Stockpiling Is Rarely the Answer

Stockpiling for an emergency might seem like a good (and frugal) idea. But in reality, your time and money is probably better spent.

by: Philip Brewer | channel: Personal Finance

What's a Fair Relationship Between Salary and Rent?

A recent study suggests that many workers can't afford a decent place to live. But is truth that we need to change our concept of a good standard of living?

by: Philip Brewer | channel: Personal Finance

Downside of the Rolling Jubilee

The Rolling Jubilee is a great PR move — buying, then forgiving debt from real people. But in terms of change, one writer says it might hurt more than help.

by: Philip Brewer | channel: Consumer Affairs, Debt Management, Financial News

What You Pay in Time

You probably think about costs in terms of currency. Experiment with this alternative way of thinking that could change how you work and spend.

by: Philip Brewer | channel: Personal Finance

Preparing for the Fiscal Cliff

There's a good chance that the "fiscal cliff" America is about to go over will be a non-issue. But that's no reason not to do a bit of preparation.

by: Philip Brewer | channel: Personal Finance

On Problems and Opportunities

People who say, "It's not a problem; it's an opportunity" might be jerks. But they might also have a good point.

by: Philip Brewer | channel: Frugal Living, Personal Development

Take One More Thing Seriously

When time and money are tight, it's natural to try to narrow down what you're trying to get done. But the opposite might be what you really need.

by: Philip Brewer | channel: Life Hacks

6 Ways to Avoid Running Out of Money in Retirement

Stop worrying that you won't have enough money in retirement. Instead, follow these tips to ensure you remain financially comfortable as long as you live.

by: Philip Brewer | channel: Investment, Retirement