Hello hello hello! It looks like I got a pile of new subscribers overnight, and I have no idea where you all came from — so I am very curious to learn how you found this blog, and why you decided to stick around!

Are you here for my freelance writing advice? If so, start with my post on how to break out of the content mills — and feel free to send me advice requests of your own!

Are you here to watch me revise my own writing? If so, you might enjoy the breakdown of the first chapter of my (draft) mystery novel.

Are you here to watch me improve my piano technique? If so, here’s a transcript of my most recent practice video.

Are you here for my personal finance advice? If so, you’ll want to read my post on money-generating environments vs. wealth-building environments — especially because I’m going to do a follow-up on Monday.

This whole site is devoted to the practice of becoming excellent at things, with an especial focus on writing, music, and love. (When I write about money, which I also do for a living, I focus on the intersection between finance and freelance.)

You might also see me refer to a person whom I call “L,” the gentleman of the house and the great love of my life. He and I are working together to become so advanced at a few specific technologies that we are indistinguishable from magic.

My Friday posts are generally short, but I’ve given you enough links that you should have plenty of my best work to read, if you want to. ❤️

I also end every Friday post by sharing where I got published this week, so here we go:

Guide to Chase’s Pay Yourself Back, Bankrate

If you have a Chase Sapphire Preferred® or Chase Sapphire Reserve® card, you probably already know that you can increase the value of your Chase Ultimate Rewards points by redeeming them for travel booked through Ultimate Rewards. But many Chase cardholders are unaware that they can also increase the value of their Ultimate Rewards through Chase’s Pay Yourself Back program.

What millennials should do about inflation, according to the experts, Haven Life

If you’re like me — that is, if you’re a member of the Millennial generation — you’ve never really experienced a period of prolonged inflation. What should you do financially as prices continue to rise? We asked the experts, and received four money-saving tips when it comes to how to prepare for inflation as consumers.

What inflation means for the FIRE movement, Haven Life

Is FIRE right for everyone? It’s fair to say that many people will not be able to retire early, given the amount of money early retirees would need to accumulate towards their retirement account to live on their investments for 30 or 40 years. However, we can all benefit from asking ourselves how to move in the direction of financial independence — first by building up an emergency fund and paying off our debts, and second by creating the kind of financial stability that allows us to live and work mindfully.