Brian, Author at The Outlier Model - Page 34 of 35

Updates: June 5 – 11

Brian / June 12th, 2011 / 1 Comment

Another light week here on The Outlier Model, but with good reason. CF is wrapping up her first term of summer classes which has resulted in a succession of midterms, projects and a final all coming due in a two week period. She is currently out trying to get PHP and SQL to work together. I’m not a computer guy but I’m told this can be quite tricky! I have been thoroughly engrossed in the...

Posted in: Weekly Updates Tagged with: Canucks, early retirement, garage sale, second career

Updates: May 29-June 4

Brian / June 5th, 2011 / No Comments

Summer has finally arrived in Vancouver! CF and I just spend the last few hours checking out the local “Italian Day” celebrations and sipping basil flavored beer on an impromptu patio. Nice. CF is pre-occupied this week with an impending mid-term, so I’m stepping in with my first weekly update. Summer classes are pretty intense – following her midterm tomorrow the final is only...

Posted in: Weekly Updates Tagged with: basil flavored beer, Dividend e-book, Italian day, simple recipes

Paying off my student loans

student loans, paying off student loans, debt freedom, paying off debt

Brian / June 3rd, 2011 / No Comments

According to Statistics Canada, over half of Canadian students graduate from post secondary education with an outstanding government student loan. As you know, CF graduated with a large student loan, while I owed less to the government but more to my parents. On average, we had as much debt as everyone else. Not very appetizing for a couple who prides themselves on being different! Photo Credit:...

Posted in: Credit and Debt, Money Tagged with: compound interest, debt reduction, debt snowball, paying off debt, provincial loan vs. federal loan, sacrifices, student loans

Doing what you love for less

Doing what you love, wine classes, wine courses, studying wine, drinking wine

Brian / March 30th, 2011 / 6 Comments

By now, you’ve heard about my passion for wine. I recently took the first step to formalizing this hobby by completing the Level 1 WSET course. Today, I’d like to talk more about how I can afford to pursue this passion without compromising my finances. Following your passions In 2005, I spent three months working and living in Paris. This was my first real introduction to wine. It was...

Posted in: Career and Work, Philosophy Tagged with: passion, vancouver wine festival, wine blog, WSET