Hi, I'm Rachel.
“Helping people build enough financial freedom to spend more time living.”
I'm a software engineer who became fascinated with one question: How can money buy back time? Optional Mondays is where I document what I'm learning and build tools to help others create more freedom.
My Money Philosophy
Money is simply the tool and time freedom is the destination.
Recent Articles
Browse all →Passive Income Ideas That Actually Work (No Hype)
Most "passive income" requires a lot of upfront work. Here are the options that can genuinely generate income with low ongoing effort.
Aug 3, 2026
Roth IRA vs Traditional IRA: Which Is Better for You?
The Roth vs Traditional IRA debate comes down to one question: when do you want to pay taxes? Here is how to decide.
Aug 3, 2026
The FIRE Movement: A Beginner's Complete Guide
FIRE — Financial Independence, Retire Early — is a movement that has helped thousands of people retire in their 30s and 40s. Here is how it works.
Jul 28, 2026
How to Build Marketable Skills That Increase Your Income
The fastest path to higher income is developing skills the market values and is willing to pay for. Here is a framework for identifying and building them.
Jul 27, 2026
Coast FIRE: How to Let Compound Interest Do the Work
Coast FIRE is the most achievable path to financial independence for most people. Here is what it means and how to calculate your number.
Jul 17, 2026
The 4% Rule: The Research Behind the Most Important Retirement Number
Where did the 4% rule come from, does it still hold, and how should you apply it to your own retirement planning?
Jul 16, 2026
From the Journal
Read all →
The Hidden Number That Could Buy Back Years of Your Life: Your Income Gap
Most people focus on spending less, but one of the fastest ways to reach financial freedom is earning what you're truly worth. Learn how finding your income gap could help you buy back years of your life.
July 14, 2026
Why I Finally Started Taking Credit Card Rewards Seriously
A personal look at how I'm using credit card rewards to reduce travel costs and move one step closer to time freedom—without spending more than I already do.
July 10, 2026
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