Guys, it’s February. I don’t even know how that happened.
But 2014 hasn’t been too shabby so far. Things could always be better, but I’m not complaining. How’s it been for you?
It’s been a busy blogging week around here. I guest posted over at Null N Full about life in New Zealand (and hosted a guest post by her on her top 5 impressions of Aotearoa) as well as at Enemy of Debt about frugal travel hacks that have backfired on me.
Also, thanks to Figuring Money Out, who included my RTW budget recap in this week’s carnival of personal finance
To the rest of the links!
I always enjoy Her Every Cent Counts’ insights into startup life, and this week’s glimpse into SaaS biz specifically was a gem
Lindsay just wants to meet a normal, well-adjusted guy – but apparently that’s a tall ask
Jessica dropped $7k on travel and hasn’t even got a lousy shirt to show for it 
Carol Tice sheds the light on a lucrative freelance niche most writers overlook
On Brazen Careerist: You’re mediocre, and here’s what to do about it
This is a poignant tale about the misery of job hunting, in which an interviewer took pity on the narrator and gave her money to go and buy a suit. I must admit I do enjoy that thrilling world of possibility that you get a glimpse into when you browse job listings, but actually having to job search? NOT FUN. Also, I’ve never owned a suit and hope that never changes
The Atlantic explains the lives of 27-year-olds, in charts
Hilarious and mostly true (YMMV)! The unwittingly attractive things men do
This couple has traveled for 13 years with their kids – definitely not my jam, I wouldn’t be comfortable with such an unstable existence (they rely a LOT on the kindness of strangers) but kudos to them
Probably more relevant for the rest of us: Buzzfeed’s 9 unconventional ways to travel (many of which I’ve done)
Scandinavia has never held much appeal for me as a place to live (mainly due to the climate, how depressing would a winter there be?!) so this look at the downsides of this region in Europe had me hooked
As for the downsides of living in NZ, if you’re a regular here, you’ll know I’ve covered them over and over again. That said, this Twitter thread from my stream this week was too good not to share…
Dear American republicans who want to move to NZ. We still have socialised medicine and gun control and you can’t sue for damages. Welcome!
— paulbrislen (@paulbrislen) January 29, 2014
@paulbrislen @DaChadUnleashed Did they just pick the furthest place away on the map and figure we’d be insular as fuck or…? — Hayley Heartbreak (@HayleyHeartbrk) January 29, 2014
@paulbrislen Perhaps these Republicans could move to Canada instead. Oh wait — Trish Anderson (@rambling_shrew) January 29, 2014
.@paulbrislen And no cap gains tax, top marginal tax rate 33%, gay marriage, decent civil liberties….
— Eric Crampton (@EricCrampton) January 29, 2014
@EricCrampton @paulbrislen we’re also irreligious and foul mouthed.
— Stephen Judd (@saniac) January 29, 2014
There were many more – the full conversation is here.
