Oh, hello!

Here we are again 🙂 Another month has gone by, and per usual these days I’m a little late with my update!

Well, better late than never, right?! 😛

Another month went by without me managing to produce more content for the blog, besides the monthly update. It’s a little annoying, but I’m sure inspiration to write more will return eventually. If not, so be it 🙂

I’m happy to see that I still have a few loyal readers (at least I still see a couple of hundred visitors per month), so thank you for staying with me! 🙂

The month in review

I feel like the past year (+/-) has been pretty much on autopilot.

Eat, sleep, work, save, clean, repeat.

BUT, I have just now realized that something big has happened this month. We have reached a major milestone in our journey…

Our Total Balance has now passed 1 million DKK! 

We’re millionaires (in DKK)! 😎

That is of course an exciting milestone, but keeping in mind that it (currently) requires ~7 million DKK to become a Dollar-millionaire, I suppose it’s less impressive in an international context…

Also, as much as I hate to say this, a million just really isn’t what it used to be (literally). 10%-ish inflation this year alone means that a cool million last year is actually only worth 900,000 this year…

What a bummer! Better luck next year, right?! 😆

I think we can safely conclude already that the year of 2022 is going to be a shitty year! I can already see that December is not going to be any better, so lets just end the year already, and hopefully 2023 will be better (I still have hope, but honestly I’m pessimistic about 2023 too 😫 ).

I did however get a decent pay raise in November! 7%. Not quite enough to match inflation, but far better than any pay raise I have ever gotten before (without having to switch employer).

We also had an election in Denmark here in November, and although we did not get a new prime minister (damn), the new government consists of parties around the center (rather than the far-left – or the far-right for that matter), and it seems there’s going to be some tax cuts for the people in my tax bracket next year. YAY! Well, I won’t get too excited quite yet, because it has basically already been eaten up by the higher energy costs. Maybe we will be able to break-even somewhat. We shall see!

I’ve been feeling really un-inspired lately (in all aspects of my life – not just blogging). I think I will just attribute it to the yearly light winter-depression that seem to appear every year around this time.

I used to love Christmas as a kid (who doesn’t?), but nowadays it feels like something that I just want to move past as quickly and painless as possible. I of course make an effort to make Christmas as “magical” as possible for my daughters sake.

Much like myself though, I already see where this is headed for her: She is being spoiled like never before – to the point where I honestly worry a little bit. Our family is the “classic kind”, who believe that spoiling kids with an abundance of presents from the 1st of December is their God given right. Consumers at its finest. We actually try not to buy any (toy) presents for our daughter, but instead give her experiences. It usually works out, but this year I have a nagging feeling that she’s not going to be satisfied with getting her “vacations” that she would probably be getting anyway (smart kid). I remember when my parents gave me a trip to Turkey on my 13th birthday. I did NOT approve of that gift (did I mention that I was spoiled?). It was a memorable trip though, and now I’m doing the same to my kid!? HAHA.

Anyway, my wife and I are considering asking the family to scale down the amount of presents, and instead open a savings account for her, where they can put half of what they would have spent on gifts. This account would then be used to fund a year abroad (or something similar) when she’s ready for that. I realize how blessed we are while I’m writing this.

She get so many presents that she wouldn’t notice, and I really think that this would be a great gift for her. She probably wouldn’t agree to begin with, but if she was to go a year abroad to study (or just hang out?) with money that has been gifted to her by her family over the course of the past 8-10 years, I think it could potentially teach her about the value of saving…Unfortunately I don’t believe that there’s any chance that our family is going to agree to this! HAHA. What do you guys think? Should we pitch it on December 24th after the gift-unwrapping-mania has settled? 😛

My big dream is to one day be able to take December out of the calendar, and go somewhere warm. New Years in the Bahamas, maybe? 😛

Anyway, I feel the need to give a shout-out to a fellow blogger, who is currently going through some “layoff anxiety” in his new life as an expat in America. I’m sure it’ll be fine, dude – don’t sweat it 😉

What struck me about this update was that you listen to ‘Peaceful Piano’ music when you’re trying to get into your writing flow-mode. I did NOT see that one coming! Classic music, really? Color me surprised 😛

This brings me to another fellow blogger, who also uses music for writing inspiration:

I use Spotify (free) when I’m chilling, browsing the internet, writing this blog, updating my numbers etc. – Weenie

Since this months update in my blog-o-sphere apparently all circles around two subjects: Music as writing inspiration and OpenAI’s new ChatGPT robot, I figured I’d share my thoughts on those subjects too! 😛

“What is a ChatGPT” robot you might ask? Well, the good Indeedably has a great post about it, so if you’re curious check it out here (eloquently written, as always):

What was sufficiently interesting that I experienced that same combination of intellectual excitement and existentialist dread? The public trial of OpenAI’s ChatGPT robot. – Indeedably

Of course I couldn’t help myself…I signed up to ask the robot one simple question (technically it wasn’t a question…):

Q: Give me a good value investment. – Nick, the dumbass

And what do you think the smart-ass robot answered?

A: It’s important to understand that there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the definition of a “good value investment” will vary depending on an individual’s financial goals, risk tolerance, and other personal circumstances.

Generally speaking, a value investment refers to the practice of buying securities that are believed to be undervalued by the market. This can involve purchasing stocks in companies that are trading at a discounted price relative to their intrinsic value, or buying assets that are underpriced due to temporary market inefficiencies.

Some investors may consider a company’s price-to-earnings ratio, dividends, and other financial metrics when evaluating its potential as a value investment. Others may look for companies with strong growth prospects or a competitive advantage in their industry.

It’s important to note that value investing carries its own set of risks, as there is no guarantee that a security will eventually reach its perceived intrinsic value. It’s always a good idea to thoroughly research any investment and consider the potential risks before making a decision. It may also be helpful to consult with a financial advisor or professional before making any investment decisions. – Smart-ass robot

Damnit.

I asked a bunch of other investment-related questions, but the results were pretty much the same. None the less, it is quite impressive, and like my peers I see a great potential for the ChatGPT robot to change the world – maybe even greater than that of bitcoin…(I said maybe!)

I had to ask a couple of other questions though, so I asked the robot to give me a good FIRE strategy.

Here’s the answer:

FIRE, or “Financial Independence, Retire Early,” is a movement that advocates for saving and investing a high percentage of one’s income in order to achieve financial independence and the ability to retire at a relatively young age. There are a number of strategies that individuals can follow in order to achieve this goal. Here are a few potential strategies that someone might consider as part of a FIRE plan:

1. Save and invest aggressively: One key element of a FIRE plan is to save and invest as much money as possible, in order to build up a large enough nest egg to support oneself during retirement. This might involve setting aside a high percentage of one’s income and investing in a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, and other assets.
2. Minimize expenses: Another important aspect of a FIRE plan is to minimize expenses in order to free up more money for saving and investing. This might involve cutting back on unnecessary expenses, living below one’s means, and finding ways to save money on everyday expenses.
3. Increase income: Another way to accelerate the timeline for achieving financial independence is to increase one’s income through raises, promotions, or side hustles. This can help to boost the amount of money available for saving and investing.
4. Consider alternative living arrangements: Some people pursuing FIRE may also consider alternative living arrangements, such as downsizing to a smaller home or living in a lower-cost area, in order to save money on housing costs.

It’s important to note that the specific strategies that will work best for a given individual will depend on their personal circumstances, financial goals, and risk tolerance. It may be helpful to consult with a financial advisor or professional before making any decisions about a FIRE plan. – Smart-ass robot

Well, there you have it folks. It is that simple.

And, the last question?

Q: What music is best to listen to if I want to get inspired to write a good blog post?

A: The type of music that is best for inspiring writing will depend on personal preference and what works best for you. Some people find that instrumental music without lyrics can be helpful for writing, as it allows them to focus on their work without being distracted by lyrics or vocals. Others may find that certain types of music with lyrics can help to inspire their writing or set the mood for their work.

Here are a few ideas for types of music that you might consider listening to if you want to get inspired to write a good blog post:

• Classical music: Classical music is often instrumental and has a wide range of styles, from the energetic and upbeat to the soothing and contemplative. It can be a good choice for setting a focused, creative mood.
• Ambient or electronic music: Ambient and electronic music often have a slower tempo and can be instrumental or have lyrics. These styles can be helpful for creating a relaxed, introspective atmosphere.
• Film scores: Film scores are often instrumental and can create a sense of drama, tension, or excitement. They can be a good choice for inspiring creative writing.
• Acoustic or folk music: Acoustic and folk music often have a more laid-back, organic feel and can be instrumental or have lyrics. These styles can be helpful for creating a warm, contemplative atmosphere.

Ultimately, the best music for inspiring writing will depend on your personal preferences and what works best for you. It may be helpful to experiment with different styles of music and see what works best for you. – Smart-ass robot

CLASSICAL MUSIC?! Really?! OMG…You got me there, TSN! 😉

I found it intriguing to learn that you guys also use music to get yourself in the grove. – Because I do the exact same thing myself. However, I usually listen to some sort of rock music. When I was at the university studying for my engineering degree, someone introduced me to the Dutch symphonic metal band called Within Temptation.

Q: Define the music style of the band within temptation

A: Within Temptation is a Dutch symphonic metal band that was formed in 1996. The band is known for its blend of heavy metal and symphonic elements, as well as its use of powerful, operatic vocals and epic, cinematic soundscapes. Within Temptation’s music has been described as a mix of gothic metal, symphonic metal, and rock, and it often incorporates elements of other genres, such as classical, pop, and electronica.

The band is known for its ambitious, epic sound and its use of grand, orchestral arrangements and symphonic elements, such as strings and choir vocals. Within Temptation’s music also often features prominent guitar riffs, soaring vocals, and driving rhythms. The band’s lyrics often explore themes of love, loss, and personal struggles, and their music has been described as emotive and powerful. Within Temptation has released several successful albums and has developed a dedicated fan base around the world. – Smart-ass robot

The pwetty graphs

It is NOT looking good for that yearly target…

The boring income statement

A pretty standard month in terms of passive income. I’m a little annoyed that I have to add another month of negative growth to the books, but I think it’s pretty typical for this year, isn’t it? What a crappy year!

We can only hope that 2023 has something better in store for us, but I remain skeptical about the outlook for 2023 to be honest. Recession inbound! What will it mean for the stocks?

Hopefully it will mean the end of double-digit inflation, but I have my doubts whether it will be a soft landing or not…Time will tell.

The Classic growth Charts

As always, I include the Classic Growth Charts for tracking purpose:

Cash is king, baby!

In Conclusion (TL;DR)

We became millionaires! (In DKK). – But besides that it was a fairly un-eventful month.

I seem to suffer from my usual light winter-depression, so I really can’t wait for winter to end! (Is it soon?! No? Damnit!).

I played around with the new Internet-sensation that is the ChatGPT robot from OpenAI. It’s pretty mind blowing, and I believe this is only one of the first big applications of conversational AI – the next iterations will likely only be even more mind blowing. Interesting times ahead indeed!

No change in investments this month, but we did gather a respectable passive income of €130. Not too shabby I suppose!

I got a 7% raise (which is better than I had expected – but not at all enough to keep up with inflation these days).

See you next month for the 4th Year-end update of this blogs short lifespan! I can already say right now that we’re going to land miles away from our target this year…