May was a very quiet month for me and EPF.  Kyle’s defense took a lot of time and energy and now I’m working mega hard trying to make my defense happen by the end of the summer, so there hasn’t been much time for posting or commenting.  Still, I have been reading/skimming my normal blogs, so I have gathered up my favorite posts from the month of May for you to enjoy, as well as the top comments left on EPF.  Thank you all for bearing with me!

Great Posts This Month

Lance from Money Manifesto doesn’t want you to take and early or late retirement but rather periodic retirements.

Brian from Luke 1428 is becoming a stay-at-home dad!

Sam from Frugaling reveals how much he made off his blog in his first year (um… it’s a lot!) and has an insight into bloggers and advertising.

My Money Design outlined how he wants to spend his time post-retirement – and it’s everything I want to do with my funemployment!

Michelle from Making Sense of Cents doesn’t want to be judged for her spending and won’t judge you, either.

Paula from Afford Anything is running an experiment renting out an apartment on AirBnB instead of to a long-term renter and tracking what she’s earned and spent.

Kraig from Create My Independence had a great month with his lifestyle business.

Mentions

Jessica from Mo’ Money Mo’ Houses listed A New Appreciation for Living Below Our Means in her blog love.

Freedom Thirty Five Blog listed A New Appreciation for Living Below Our Means in his blog roundup.

Carnivals

Grad School vs. Blogging vs. Career vs. Money was featured in the Financial Carnival for Young Adults.

What Do You Wish You Had Discussed before Marriage? was featured in the Carnival of Financial Camaraderie and the Carnival of Money Pros.

A New Appreciation for Living Below Our Means was featured in the Carnival of Financial Camaraderie, the Carnival of Financial Planning, the Carnival of Money Pros, and the Carnival of Financial Independence.

The US Airways® Premier World MasterCard® – A Tempting Sign-Up Bonus Offer was featured in the Festival of Frugality #432.

Blog Statistics Update April – May 2014 was featured in the Yakezie Carnival – Reach Your Goals Edition.

Top Comments

Tara from Streets Ahead Living added two great points to my call for premarital finance conversation topics: “Honestly, the only thing that I wish we talked more about ahead of time is ensuring our parents are doing ok financially. My in-laws are in a bit of debt and they’re not on the right track financially. It worries me because I’m worried we’re going to have to help them eventually. My husband is now working with them to try to help them get out of debt and cut back on their expenses (they had a $400 monthly electric bill this winter!). Little things like helping out with energy efficiency, reducing over-shopping at grocery store to avoid wasting food, etc.”

Richard asked me an amazing question on April 2014 Month in Review: Money and my response was about the length of an entire post and I really want you to read it: “How would different areas of your budget expand if you suddenly got a raise? I assume you would increase giving proportionately, and you would increase retirement heftily up to a point, and maybe start going hard at a down-payment, but at what point would your discretionary items expand, and at what rate? Maybe the simpler question is, how much do you have to be saving before you feel like this month’s restaurant spending is under-budget.”

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