Blake Snow

writer-for-hire, content guy, bestselling author

Hi, I'm Blake.

I run this joint. Don’t know where to start? Let me show you around:

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10 things happy people do differently

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Happiness often has less to do with external circumstances and more to do with internal habits and choices. Here are 10 things consistently happy people tend to do differently than the rest of America:

  1. Practice gratitude daily. Happy people actively notice and appreciate what they have, often keeping a gratitude journal or reflecting regularly. Many people focus more on what’s lacking or what’s next, which feeds dissatisfaction.
  2. Prioritize relationships over possessions. They invest time and energy in deep, meaningful relationships — friends, family, community. Much of American culture encourages consumerism and career over connection.
  3. Spend money on experiences, not things. Happy people value memories and moments (travel, hobbies, shared meals) over material goods. Others may chase happiness through purchasing items, which only gives short-term satisfaction.
  4. Set boundaries and say no. They protect their time and mental energy, avoiding toxic people and overcommitment. Many people struggle with people-pleasing, leading to burnout and resentment. Continue reading…

4 proven ways for finding your momentum

Feeling bruised, battered, or beat down? That’s your brain and body waving a white flag. Chances are you’ve been pushing too hard for too long. Getting your groove back isn’t about cranking up the hustle—it’s about igniting your spark again in a way that actually lasts. Here’s what works, according to research and common sense: Continue reading…

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How to be above average

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Hint: You have to do what the average person won’t.

Most people want to be “above average.” It sounds nice, doesn’t it? Better than middle grades. Faster than the herd. A little smarter, healthier, wealthier, and maybe even more likable.

But here’s the rub—very few people are actually willing to do what it takes. Why? Because standing out requires doing things the average person often skips. Not because they’re incapable, but because they’re distracted, tired, or content with just getting by.

The truth is… average is crowded. It’s busy hitting snooze, running late, winging it, avoiding hard conversations, scrolling aimlessly, and skipping the gym. If you want to rise above that—without burning out or becoming an unbearable overachiever—you’ll need to zig where most zag.

Here’s what above-average people consistently do to set themselves apart. Continue reading…

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5 lessons after reading the entire internet

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As written by the world’s smartest computer: That’s a big question—and a fascinating one. After parsing millions of sources across virtually every domain, here are five profound things that emerge from the collective knowledge of the web:

  1. People everywhere want the same core things. Despite surface-level differences in culture, language, and politics, the web reveals that people everywhere deeply value: Connection (friendship, love, belonging), Security (safety, income, food, stability), Meaning (purpose, belief, legacy), Autonomy (freedom to choose, self-expression), Joy (laughter, art, music, nature). From Reddit threads in different languages to heartfelt YouTube comments and viral TikToks, the emotional undercurrent is startlingly consistent. Whether someone’s in São Paulo or Seoul, they’re often asking: Am I enough? Am I seen?
  2. The Internet is both a mirror and a megaphone. The web amplifies both the best and worst parts of humanity. Good: mutual aid, open-source collaboration, health information, education, activism. Bad: disinformation, harassment, extremism, polarization. What gets amplified isn’t always what’s most true—but what’s most engaging. That’s why the structure of social platforms matters just as much as the content they host.
  3. Every niche is a universe. If you can think it, there’s a community for it. People who collect vintage cereal boxes. Entire subreddits devoted to watching clouds. Niche debates over mushroom growing techniques. Forums on medieval sword-fighting or Tolkien’s elvish linguistics. These micro-communities reflect the internet’s beautiful chaos: it’s not one place—it’s every place.
  4. Truth is fragile with information overload. We now live in a world where facts can be buried under feelings, and information ≠ knowledge. Some key takeaways: Repetition can feel like truth, even when it’s false (illusory truth effect). Headlines shape perception more than full articles (and many don’t click). People often search to confirm, not to learn. The most powerful skill in the 21st century is discernment—knowing what to trust, how to verify, and when to question.
  5. The most helpful people are often unseen. Across platforms, some of the most useful and compassionate voices don’t seek attention, don’t go viral, and don’t get thanked. They fix inaccuracies on Wikipedia, soothe strangers in crisis on forums, share life-saving health advice in obscure threads, or teach complex math for free. The internet is quietly sustained by millions of invisible helpers—who restore your faith in humanity, if you know where to look.

It’s beautiful that we have computers capable of telling us so much about ourselves. 

Aglio e Olio: The humble Italian pasta that outshines its flashier cousins

I have a theory: the simpler the food, the harder it is to get right. Case in point—pasta aglio e olio. No cream. No meatballs. No tomato sauce or artisan basil drizzle. Just pasta, garlic sautéed in oil, and if you’re feeling wild, a pinch of red pepper and parsley. That’s it. On paper, it sounds boring. A last-minute pantry meal. The dish you make when you’re broke or out of ideas.

But when made well, pasta aglio e olio is nothing short of fantastic.

I first had it years ago in Naples, the spiritual home of carb-driven joy, served by a grandmother who looked like she’d personally invented garlic. I expected nothing. And then—bam. Flavor bomb. The roasted garlic infused every strand of al dente spaghetti with a subtle nuttiness. The olive oil coated my tongue with a smooth, silky richness. The crushed red pepper delivered just enough kick to remind me I was alive. It was rustic, honest, and quietly brilliant. Continue reading…

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If you shrunk the world to 100 people…

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Based on the most recent (2024) global data from the UN, World Bank, Pew Research, and WHO:

By region

  • Asian: 59
  • African: 18
  • European: 9
  • Latin American & Caribbean: 8
  • North American (U.S. & Canada): 5
  • American (U.S. only): 4
  • Oceania: 1

By religion

  • Christian: 31
  • Muslim: 25
  • Unaffiliated (atheist, agnostic): 16
  • Hindu: 15
  • Other: 7
  • Buddhist: 6
  • Non-Christian: 69

Living conditions

  • Substandard housing: 20
  • Illiterate: 14
  • Malnourished: 11
  • Near death (over 65): 9
  • Near birth (under 5 ): 8

Education & tech

  • Own a smartphone: 68
  • Own a computer: 14
  • Have a college degree: 7

Race & ethnicity

  • Asian: 59
  • Black: 17
  • White: 10
  • Latino: 9
  • Mixed: 3
  • Indigenous: 2

Wealth

  • Americans (4 people) own: 35% of the world’s wealth
  • So those 4 Americans own more than the remaining 96 combined.

Published works: New mega cruise, Utah’s Narrows, Miami on a budget, travel hacks

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7 mental health tips, backed by science

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Every human needs a little help sometimes. Here are seven, science-backed ways to improve your mental health this year:

  1. Quit social media. While I’d encourage you to cancel social media altogether (the last 15 years have been amazing since I did so), I realize this is a huge ask. But in the very least, you should restrict your social media for maximum fulfillment, as I wrote in my best-selling book Log Off.
  2. Reconnect with a lost friend. Simply text or say the following: “I thought of you today and miss you. How are you?”
  3. Empathize with someone different from you. People with high levels of empathy tend to function better in society than those with low levels. So go out of your way to meet, learn from, and befriend people that don’t look, think, or talk like you.
  4. Stop thinking about work. It can wait until tomorrow morning or after the weekend. One of the best way to overcome this is to simply write down what you need to do and schedule time on your calendar to take care of it later.
  5. Make time for fun, mastery, social, and physical activities. You should be doing at least one of each every weekday, including fun things that excite you, cleaning or errands that make you feel good, excercize, and talking with your favorite people. If you’re the type that’s always helping others, carve out 20-30 minutes of “me time” everyday to reduce stress.
  6. Write a thank you letter. Gratitude increases happiness better than just about anything.
  7. Consider therapy. I’ve done this twice before and it saved my marriage and tempered my anger management. A good friend of mine is also visiting a therapist for the first time this year and loving it. I’m so fond of counseling that I’m gifting it to all of my kids and their spouses when they get married.

How to slow time

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At what I hope to be a little less than halfway through mortality, I’ve definitely begun to feel the onset effects of aging. Shrinking family. Thinning hair. Achy body.

Perhaps the biggest, though, is how much quicker time flies. Decades pass like years. “Recent” memories aren’t so recent. They’re downright old.

Although no one can literally slow time, each of us can slow how we experience it. Here are 10 ways for doing just that: Continue reading…

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Best Provo Restaurants: New, notable, top-rated, and must-try food in Utah Valley

Diners wait for the best Italian of their life at Di Napoli (courtesy Blake Snow)

In my capacity as a travel writer to all seven continents, I’ve eaten some of the finest food on Earth. Seven course meals on the tippy top of the Eiffel Tower. Michelin star restaurants in the Italian Alps. Amazing home-cooked meals in Latin America and Africa. Several “What delicious thing did I just eat?” in Asia. And some of the best food in all of America—in Wisconsin of all places.

Although biased, I can honestly say that my hometown of Provo, Utah lives up to its reputation as one of the best, most diverse, and original restaurant scenes in the western United States. This summer, my family has been on a mission to try the very best restaurants for a roundup guide I’m penning later this fall.

Until then, here’s an overview of some of my favorites so far: Continue reading…

Movie review: F1 is a mainstream masterpiece that races into hearts

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Let’s get this out of the way: F1 is not just one of the best sports movies of the year—it’s one of the best movies, period. From the moment the engines rev in the opening scene to the triumphant, throttle-wide finale, this 2.5-hour cinematic joyride never stalls, sputters, or slows. If you’ve ever wondered what Top Gun would be like with wheels and European accents, look no further. F1 is the high-octane answer.

Much like the sport it celebrates, F1 starts grounded—intimate, character-driven, mechanical. But with each featured race, the cinematography accelerates into something grander, bolder, and borderline operatic. Director Joseph Kosinski (who also made Top Gun: Maverick) knows how to build momentum. By the time we’re swooping through Las Vegas and barreling down Abu Dhabi at 200mph, the visuals are so immersive, it’s like you’re strapped into the cockpit, white-knuckled and grinning. Continue reading…

Why the USA is kind of a big deal

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  1. Class is in session: With 1.5 million international students studying here every year, the U.S. is the world’s #1 campus. No other country even comes close.
  2. Basically a continent: America is the third-largest country on Earth. It’s nearly the same size as all of Europe—just with way more interstate highways and fewer castles.
  3. Olympic flex: No country has racked up more Olympic medals than the U.S. Ever. We don’t just play sports—we collect hardware.
  4. Money talks: The U.S. has been the world’s largest economy for over 150 years. That’s one and a half centuries of chart-topping GDP swagger.
  5. Tourist magnet: Roughly 80 million visitors a year can’t be wrong. The U.S. ranks third in global tourism behind France and Spain—and we’ve got pretty good croissant game.
  6. Biggest office ever: The Pentagon isn’t just the nerve center of the U.S. military—it’s the largest office building in the world, with a mind-boggling 6.5 million square feet of space.

Happy birthday, America!

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Published works: Wasted travel money, best international stops, Chicago on a budget

Thanks for reading and sharing my latest work:

5 Ways to Decrease Daily Screen Time (and Actually Enjoy Life More)

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Let’s be honest: most of us spend way too much time glued to our phones, tablets, and laptops. Whether it’s endless scrolling, binge-watching, or “just checking one thing,” screen time can creep into every corner of our day. Before we know it, we’re spending more time with our devices than with, well, real life.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. Cutting down your screen time isn’t about going full hermit and living in the woods (though hey, if that’s your vibe, go for it). It’s about finding a better balance—and making room for the things that actually excite you. Here are five tried-and-true ways to break excessive screen habits and live a fuller life.  Continue reading…

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10 powerful, uplifting adjectives that influential humans say

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Both to describe others and to shape more positive, meaningful interactions:

  1. Compassionate. Recognizes empathy and genuine care for others’ well-being.
  2. Gracious. Reflects kindness, humility, and generosity, especially in challenging moments.
  3. Curious. Celebrates an open mind and a desire to learn and understand.
  4. Resilient. Acknowledges strength in the face of adversity, both in ourselves and others.
  5. Genuine. Honors sincerity and being true to oneself.
  6. Thoughtful. Highlights mindfulness, consideration, and emotional intelligence.
  7. Generous. Emphasizes a giving spirit—not just materially, but emotionally and with time.
  8. Capable. Encourages confidence and affirms someone’s ability to achieve or handle things.
  9. Brave. Recognizes courage, even in small, everyday acts.
  10. Uplifting. Describes those who inspire, support, and elevate others.

BONUS: Vibrant—suggests being lively, spry, and energetic.

When used sincerely, these adjectives can foster connection, encouragement, and a more intentional way of seeing and describing the world.

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Information overload doesn’t exist if you ignore it

The average American is exposed to 12 hours’ worth of information a day, according to one estimate. For any nerds in the room, that’s 34 gigabytes every 24 hours. A lot.

The problem with this excess is that it tricks our brains to biasly assume the data on our screens is more important than it really is. Since many of us ingest too much information, we live heads down more than we should. We connect less with and literally see less of the family, friends, and communities we live in.

This summer, I hope each of us will make a concerted effort to reduce this harmful exposure by deleting our phone alerts, both visual and audible if you haven’t already. I hope each of sets the lofty but healthy goal of spending no more than 1-2 hours on our phones each day. I hope each of us rekindles or takes on new hobbies that excite us to replace “heads down” bad habits.

Lastly, I hope each of us only reaches for our phones when we decide—never when the 12 hours’s worth of daily information asks us to. I believe we can do and hope you do too.

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10 life lessons we learn too late

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  1. Time passes much more quickly than you realize.
  2. If you don’t take care of your body early then it won’t take care of you later. Your world becomes smaller each day as you lose mobility, continence and sight.
  3. Sex and beauty may fade, but intimacy and friendship only grow.
  4. People are far more important than any other thing in your life. No hobby, interest, book, work is going to be as important to you as the people you spend time with as you get older.
  5. Money talks. It says “Goodbye.” If you don’t plan your finances for later in life, you’ll wish you had.
  6. Any seeds you planted in the past, either good or bad, will begin to bear fruit and affect the quality of your life as you get older — for better or worse.
  7. Jealousy is a wasted emotion. People you hate are going to succeed. People you like are going to sometimes do better than you did. Kids are going to be smarter and quicker than you are. Accept it with grace.
  8. That big house you had to have becomes a bigger and bigger burden, even as the mortgage gets smaller. The cleaning, the maintenance, the stairs — all of it. Don’t let your possessions own you.
  9. You will badly regret the things you didn’t do far more than the things you did that were “wrong” — the girl you didn’t kiss, the trip you didn’t take, the project you kept putting off, the time you could have helped someone. If you get the chance — do it. You may never get the chance again.
  10. Every day you wake up is a victory. It’s never too late to become what you wanted to be or might have been if you start now.

© 2015 Twin Cities Public Television

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15 cheap buys that make you feel rich

Courtesy Lindsey Snow

While it’s true that the best things in life are free (i.e. love, family, friendship, deep conversations, the outdoors, gratitude, attitude, etc), for a few extra bucks, you can buy a lot of things that make you feel rich, even if your bank account says you’re not.

Here are 15 of those things:  Continue reading…

How to hotel like a boss: 5 money saving tips

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I do the following every time I book a hotel, which rarely takes more than a few extra minutes.

  1. Compare prices across booking sites (including hotel loyalty programs and “best” online rates, which aren’t always the cheapest)
  2. Take advantage of free amenities (breakfasts, lounges with snacks, fruit bowls, free water bottles)
  3. Understand cancelation policies and resort fees before booking
  4. Verify incidentals at checkout
  5. Check your bank account post stay to avoid non refunded deposits or incidentals

Happy travels!

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Lifestyles of ultra rich “decision coaches”

This is a crazy story about a girl who was a household manager for an ultra rich American family from New England. So crazy they flew her halfway around the world while on vacation to bring them three small yogurts on ice, then didn’t even eat them!!

And here’s another fascinating story about a woman who makes a considerable income coaching people on decisions both big and small. (Spoiler alert: Less thinking, more doing generally results in better decision-making).

The way people make and spend their money is truly amazing.

5 life hacks to make the most of your day

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  1. If you wake up feeling terrible, make your bed, exercise, shower, get dressed, and eat a healthy breakfast. Either this will fix the problem, or you’ll be in a better place to deal with it.
  2. If feeling low energy, take a walk outside or sit in direct sunlight. Both are proven to get you going.
  3. To get more done, start with your hardest task first thing in the morning when your focus, energy, and mental clarity are at their peak.
  4. As you plan your social calendar, remember: being with the wrong person is more lonely than being alone.
  5. Can’t decide if you are hungry? Ask yourself if you want an apple. If the answer is no, you are probably bored and not hungry.

You got this!

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Here’s what all 45 of my songs are about

Courtesy Lindsey Snow

Over the last five years, I’ve written over 60 songs and have professionally recorded 45 of them across three albums and one extended play.

I’m biased, but with the help of my audio engineering brother-in-law (Hi, Adam!), the vast majority of those songs are radio-quality.

As my band is entering the recording studio this summer to record five more songs, here’s what each of my already released songs is about. Continue reading…

Published works: Great Wall of China, Cancun All-Inclusives, Colorado & Whistler

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Thanks for reading and sharing my latest clippings:

5 leading causes of death among men

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Take care, gentlemen.

  1. Heart disease. The No. 1 cause of death for men, regardless of race or ethnicity, is heart disease. Compared to women, men are more likely to smoke, drink, and abuse substances. Heart disease hits men at an earlier age, and they are more likely to overlook nagging symptoms, work through discomfort, and avoid seeing a doctor for early detection.
  2. Cancer. After heart disease, cancer is the second leading cause of death among men. One in seven will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Lung and colon cancers also disproportionately affect men, who have a higher cancer mortality rate than women. In addition to pride, financial stress is another big reason why men avoid getting age-appropriate screenings.
  3. Unintentional injuries. Following heart disease and cancer, unintentional injuries kill a lot of dudes. In fact, men are twice as likely to die from unintentional injuries than women, given their propensity to engage in riskier pursuits and jobs, and they are more likely to avoid safety regulations.
  4. Mental health. While younger men have made great strides in communicating mental health, many men still treat mental health as highly taboo. As such, they avoid therapy and commit suicide far more often than women. Furthermore, the financial stress of providing for one’s family results in higher rates of depression and anxiety among men.
  5. Less treatment. The U.S. Department of Health reports men are 24% less likely to visit a doctor annually. Many men view doctor’s visits as a waste of time and money, if they aren’t bedridden or exhibiting serious symptoms. But heart disease, cancers, harmful behaviors, and mental stress can all be reduced through annual doctor visits.

The more you know.

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5 facts about Mexico, one of my favorite countries in the world

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Happy Cinco de Mayo! Here are five facts about North America’s second best country:

  1. Mexico City is the oldest city in North America.
  2. Chocolate, corn, and tomatoes all originated from Mexico—thank God!
  3. Mole Poblano is the national dish, a dark sauce made of chilis and chocolate.
  4. The meteorite that theoretically wiped-out dinosaurs struck Mexico.
  5. Mexico is the most popular destination in Latin America (both North and South America).

Viva, Mexico!

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Canceling air travel is unsustainable

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Last year, a travel editor I’ve written for at a prominent newspaper informed me that his publication would no longer accept pitches or promote destinations that require air travel. “Since commercial airlines create the majority of harmful climate emissions, we will only cover destinations within a three hour drive or train radius from now on,” he told me.

While I respect the noble intentions and free will of this newspaper to “save the world” in the way it sees fit, I also believe that avoiding air travel is even more harmful to humans than the legitimate and still mysterious concerns of global warming.

Over the last 75 years, world travel has lifted millions out of poverty. It’s grown to 10% of total global GDP. One in 10 humans work in travel, which on a global scale is only possible though commercial airlines. Canceling these modern wonders would not only wreck the world economy, it would impoverish people worldwide and shrink borders. That’s not sustainable.

While travel undeniably causes negative impacts on local, regional, and even global emissions, denying air travel is a short-sighted and poorly thought-out answer.

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20 life skills everyone should master


In no particular order:

  1. Making new friends
  2. Public speaking
  3. Saying “no”
  4. Negotiating
  5. Daily exercise
  6. Active listening
  7. Compromise
  8. Consistent sleep
  9. Taking criticism
  10. Budgeting money
  11. Avoiding scams
  12. Saying “sorry” and “I don’t know”
  13. Accepting a compliment
  14. Not allowing peer pressure or guilt decide for you
  15. Working hard (but not overworking)
  16. Expressing your feelings
  17. Staying in touch with loved ones
  18. Being nice to others who have little to no status
  19. Creating art
  20. Loving yourself and others
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Why most people don’t finish video games

Once considered a cult pastime, video games have grown immensely in the last 40 years to become a mainstream fixture alongside movies and music.

But you wouldn’t know it by how often players finish their games.

In fact, the attrition (or bounce rate) of video games is pretty pathetic. “What I’ve been told as a blanket expectation is that 90% of players who start your game will never see the end of it unless they watch a clip on YouTube,” says Keith Fuller, a longtime production contractor for Activision.

That’s a lot of unfinished games. Continue reading…

“Random street view:” What MapCrunch taught me about travel

Screenshot

I recently fell down the MapCrunch rabbit hole.

The website works like this: a “street view” from Google Maps is displayed at random. You can examine that view in detail or hit the green button to move to the next random street view. Sometimes it’s not even a street. But the result is mesmerizing, inspiring, insipid, surprising, and lackluster all at once.

As a devout traveler, here’s what I love most about MapCrunch, after spending way too much time with it than I’d like to admit: it’s proof that the world (and even oceans) are mostly flat, full of life and vegetation, usually dull, and never ceases to surprise us.

There’s beauty in that. Not as much as the more majestic and captivating land and seascapes. But still worth seeing.

12 Minimalist Habits To Save You Money


Truth.

  1. Purchase “Buy It Once” Items That Last
  2. Seek Out Multi-Functional Items (not single use kitchen gadgets)
  3. Automate Credit Card, Savings Accounts, and All Other Bills
  4. Repair Items Instead of Replacing Them (Especially Cars)
  5. Rent/Own a Smaller Home
  6. Don’t Need External Validation
  7. Follow the “One In, One Out” Rule
  8. Prioritize Their Needs Over Wants
  9. Regularly Audit All Aspects of Their Lifestyle
  10. Often Work From Home
  11. Spend Money on Experiences Over Things
  12. Sell or Swap Their Unused Items
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Map of the day: Where in the world have I been?

I feel fortunate to have visited 54 countries and all seven continents.

And yet I’ve only scratched the surface—just 27% % of the world’s 200 countries. Furthermore, the above map is grossly skewed. I’ve only visited 75% of America’s states. I’ve yet to visit mainland Asia and 90% of the rest of Africa. And I’ve visited just three states of USA-sized Australia.

Granted, I have no intention of visiting every country on Earth. It doesn’t take that many to realize we’re all the same and live on the most beautiful rock in the observable universe. That and I still have a lot I want to do in my own backyard, not to mention repeat trips to the places I love.

But I do hope to see at least 45 more countries and all 50 states someday. Not only does distance makes the heart grow fonder, but a change in geography is good at keeping us on our toes.

Love you, Earth.

PS—Airplanes are amazing and travel is overrated for the following reasons.

What I’ve learned after 20 years of blogging

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This month, my blog turned 20 years old. After more than 2600 posts and writing almost every day for the past two decades, this is what blogging has taught me:

  1. How to write
  2. Persistence pays
  3. Creation is worth it (even when it doesn’t pay)

However long you’ve been with me, thank you for reading.

What makes us happy?

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Contrary to popular belief, it’s not money, career achievements, or even a healthy diet that make us happy, according to a 100 year old Harvard study. Rather, deep connections with family, friends, and community members impact our overall happiness more than anything else.

What, then, can each of us do to nurture deeper relationships? Seek out and spend more time with people who make you feel energized and excited to live. Make time for them on your calendar. When in doubt, choose them over other social invites.

As George Vaillant, a key figure from the Harvard study famously said, “Happiness is love. Full stop.” Relationships or bust!

Why so many adults abandon video games?

I can tell you the exact moment I quit playing video games with any kind of regularity. It was the day my first son was born. I was 32 years old.

Before that, I had played console, handheld, and “computer games” since I was four. One of my earliest memories was playing a rudimentary, Atari-like soccer game at a friend’s house on a mysterious white console that I was never able to identify.

For nearly 30 years of my life, I was what you’d call a “dedicated gamer,” following every morsel of video game news, buying and playing the latest hardware and blockbuster titles, and even becoming a full-time game journalist for six years—my first gig and beat as a lifelong writer.  

And then I just quit. I’m not the only one. In fact, this “phenomenon” if you can call it that affects many adults (especially men) in their early 30s. What gives? 

Here are five big reason: Continue reading…

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How I became a binge eater (plus 5 ways to overcome it)

I started binge eating last November. In the preceding two and a half years, my family was mostly vegan for health (not moral) reasons. We rarely consumed meat, dairy, desserts, or caloric drinks. Usually only once or twice a month on special occasions. My health, weight, and fitness were like clockwork, according to my annual physicals and bloodwork. I never felt better.

But then something changed. My oldest child and daughter left on an 18 month church mission to Mexico that same month. It’s been a wonderful but more difficult transition than I expected. I’m overjoyed watching her spread her wings, beliefs, and beaming face with the world. But I miss my daughter and am still adjusting to my shrinking family. Continue reading…

Life on Willis Island: Population 4

“Out here, there’s no-one,” says station officer William Tom, who lives and works on the Australian island for six months of the year as one of four weather forecasters for the Bureau of Meteorology. “It’s just us and 10,000 birds.”

To pass the time, Tom and his roommates run around the tiny island, snorkel a lot, and chat over ship PA’s with cruise ships passing by. Sounds fun.

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20 ways to combat tyranny

I really like these 20 lessons for the 20th century, especially defend institutions, beware of one-party states, investigate, make eye contact, and corporeal politics. But these two are my favs:

  • Be kind to our language. Avoid pronouncing the phrases everyone else does. Think up your own way of speaking, even if only to convey that thing you think everyone is saying. Make an effort to separate yourself from the internet. Read books.
  • Believe in truth. To abandon facts is to abandon freedom. If nothing is true, then no one can criticize power, because there is no basis upon which to do so. If nothing is true, then all is spectacle. The biggest wallet pays for the most blinding lights.

All in all, these are great lessons from a smart man who has studied tyranny and democracy for many years.

Ranking International Delight creamers: Hazelnut, Carmel, and Irish Cream

I’m a sucker for coffee creamer. I can drink them straight from the single serving condiment cups. From over two dozen flavors, these are my favorite:

One, two, and three. Again, I can drink them straight from the condiment cups (and regularly do).

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10 money tips that have enriched my life

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  1. Live below your means. If you spend less than you make, you’ll rarely experience financial stress.
  2. Buy needs, rarely wants. This is key to accomplishing the above.
  3. Follow a budget. If it’s not in the budget, make it wait. Oh, and regularly track your purchases.
  4. Keep an emergency fund. If you save extra, you’ll rarely experience stress over unexpected big purchases.
  5. Start investing early. Money doesn’t usually grow that much from month to month, but you can really see a big difference over years and decades.
  6. Carry no credit card debt. This is a great way to avoid paying high interest and earn hundreds of dollars a month in rewards cash or incentives.
  7. Have a good credit score. Pay a lot less interest for everything and be able to finance a home, car, or business loan.
  8. Buy a used car. This saves thousands each time. Better yet, drive it till it dies and repair it often.
  9. Don’t rely on a single paycheck. Look for ways to make extra money, even if that means selling things you no longer use.
  10. Avoid lifestyle inflation. As your income grows, avoid proportional increases in your spending habits.
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Published works: Spanish cell phones, Yosemite in spring, cruising Australia

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Thanks for reading and sharing my latest travel clippings:

The Great Barrier Reef: 5 things to know before cruising Australia

I recently returned from a two-week Australian cruise to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef. It was an amazing adventure shared with my wife, sister, and brother-in-law that taught me several things. Chief among them: worth it!

Here are five lessons learned from my second trip down under:

  1. It’s far out (literally). Not only is Australia well out of the way (nearly 20 hours flying for me), it requires noticeably more sea days (and fewer ports) to cruise when compared to other global itineraries. Be patient with it.
  2. The “outer” reef is all that matters. Forget the more accessible “inner” reef. Most Great Barrier visitors come all this way… only to stop short of the real star of the show: the “outer” reef. Don’t make the same mistake even locals do (and I almost did). Heading further north and farther out to see is worth it (like underwater mountains, canyons, and trenches covered in corral and insanely vibrant marine life).
  3. Shore excursions and porting can be tricky. Think long tender lines, limited bookings, and tours that fill incredibly fast. You can’t book last minute tours here on the dock like they do in the Caribbean and beyond.
  4. Queensland resembles Hawaii. Who knew the South Pacific would look so similar!? Although the area puts off heavy Hawaiian vibes, the wildlife is dramatically different. Which brings me to…
  5. This continent will eat you. Dangerous animals. No swimming its beautiful beaches. Scorching sun that burns in seconds. This dazzling but harsh environment might be even more deadly than an African safari.

Lastly, with current exchange rates, everything in Australia is around 40% off for Americans right now, making it a great time to visit the otherwise costly continent. If you have the means, make it happen, cap’n!

Work smarter, not harder: 5 signs you’re a workaholic, not a peak performer

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Your schedule is packed, you’re juggling endless tasks, and you’re working overtime. But are you actually being productive?

The line between being a hard worker and overworking to the point of harm is often razor-thin, and the growing awareness of burnout and mental health is bringing this into sharper focus. While dedication and hard work are often celebrated, they can easily disguise themselves as productivity when, in reality, they may just be a front for constant busy-ness.

A 2022 report from the American Psychological Association revealed that 79% of employees identified chronic workplace stress as a major issue impacting their well-being. This troubling number indicates the widespread nature of the tendency to confuse overwork for high performance.

“What high performers understand that workaholics don’t is the importance of strategic effort,” says Dr. Ramon Velazquez, a neuroscientist at Mind Lab Pro. “Recognizing and breaking free from unhealthy work habits is key to avoiding burnout and sustaining long-term success.”

Here are five signs that you may be a workaholic, with tips on how to achieve more in less time. Continue reading…

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How to be funny in 5 easy ways

If you want to have more friends, more fun, and more success in life, then you need to be funny.

For many people, this comes naturally. But for others like myself (why so serious!!??) you’re gonna have to learn.

Thankfully, you can learn anything in life—humor very much included. Here’s how.

  1. Listen carefully. Not only to how comedians and funny people say things, but what’s being said in the very conversation you’re engaged in. Being funny is mostly about wordplay, surprise, and timing, so pay attention.
  2. Say the opposite of what’s expected or intended. That’s called irony, which is often hilarious. That could be saying the opposite to obvious yes/no questions, using exaggerated numbers with deadpan delivery (“How many people were at the party? Around 10 million.”), or unmatched listings, (“I love peanut butter, mangoes, and anorexia.”)
  3. Never lose your cool. Doing so is never funny. To do this, you must accept, if not embrace your vulnerabilities and quirks. You must be self-deprecating and make fun of yourself, which makes those around you laugh and like you more.
  4. Tell funny stories, not jokes. The vast majority of both comedians and humans do this. You should too. Retell the funniest, real-life stories you’ve experienced (especially embarrassing ones) and people will laugh and love you for it.
  5. Call backs. Repeat something funny or witty that someone said earlier in the conversation. This never gets old.

Remember, if something doesn’t make you laugh, it probably won’t others. Also, never belittle or employ shock comedy. Rudeness and discomfort ain’t funny. It’s a cheap way of eliciting nervous laughter.

Subconscious solutions: How the resting mind can solve your problems

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I’m amazed by the number of times I’ve woken from a good night’s sleep with a clear answer to a specific problem — no conscious thinking required. That could be the opening sentence to a writing assignment I didn’t know how to start, the best way to overcome a disagreement with a coworker, or how to approach a crucial conversation with a family member.

It might not make sense, but the truth is our subconscious mind can do a lot of heavy lifting (if not most of it) when it comes to solving problems. For example, Thomas Edison, Winston Churchill, and David Ogilvy were all big proponents of regularly resting their active minds with lots of sleep, long walks, bird watching, and frequent vacations that allowed their subconscious to sort out challenges without their actively thinking about it.

How can this be done? The latest thinking on subconscious problem solving emphasizes the following: keeping your thoughts separated in different environments (i.e. bedroom for sleep, desk for work, etc) and writing down your problems so your subconscious can recall them later. Additionally, it helps to go on outdoor walks as both forward momentum and nature encourage our unconscious minds to sort out our deepest concerns. Lastly, get a good night’s sleep, which is just as good for our cognition as it is physical energy.

How would have thunk it?

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