Blog

Thoughts on software development, personal finance, and life's adventures.

8 Feb 2026 • 7 min read

OpenClaw Part 2: Persistent Memory and Disaster Recovery

How I built a memory system for AI agents that survives server failures — with tiered backups, automated restoration, and lessons from the agentic AI community.

TechnologyAIAgentic AI +2

7 Feb 2026 • 2 min read

Hello (Again), World!

After years on WordPress, I finally shipped the revamp. 98% of this new site was written by AI — prompted entirely through a messaging app.

metabloggingai

7 Feb 2026 • 4 min read

Experimenting with OpenClaw: Running a Multi-Agent AI System

Practical lessons from setting up and operating a multi-agent AI system — architecture decisions, cost management, and the surprising compound effects of small automations.

TechnologyAIAgentic AI +2

21 Dec 2024 • 3 min read

2024 Portfolio Review: A Year of Strategic Growth

Reflecting on a standout year of portfolio growth driven by the AI boom, disciplined investing, and strategic rebalancing.

Personal FinanceInvesting

27 July 2024 • 3 min read

Australian Tax Return Guide: What to Claim and Avoid

Complete Australian tax return guide — what documents you need, deductions you can claim, common mistakes to avoid, and key dates for lodging.

Personal Financetaxaustralia +2

24 Nov 2023 • 3 min read

Portfolio Update December 2023

A year of cautious navigation through persistent inflation and crypto upheaval, resulting in steady portfolio growth and a strategic shift toward bonds.

Personal FinanceInvesting

1 Jan 2023 • 3 min read

Raspberry Pi VPN Gateway: Route All Home Devices

Set up a Raspberry Pi VPN gateway to route smart TVs, gaming consoles and IoT devices through a VPN. Step-by-step OpenVPN setup guide included.

NetworkingCybersecurityraspberry pi +4

27 Dec 2022 • 4 min read

Safe Online Shopping: Privacy and Security Tips

Protect yourself while online shopping — secure your connection, use email relays, choose credit over debit, and shield your personal data from breaches.

Personal FinanceCybersecurityonline shopping +4

25 Dec 2022 • 3 min read

Track Expenses and Create a Personal Balance Sheet

Track daily expenses and create a personal balance sheet to build wealth. Practical guide to calculating net worth and gaining financial visibility.

Personal Financeexpense trackingnet worth +2

22 Dec 2022 • 3 min read

How to Budget for Rent and Save a Home Deposit

Practical strategies for budgeting rent and saving a home deposit in Australia — including the 30% rule, automation tricks, and bond assistance schemes.

Personal Financebudgetingrent +3

22 Dec 2022 • 4 min read

Track Work-Related Tax Deductions in Australia

Track work-related expenses to maximise your Australian tax refund. Learn what's claimable, how to keep receipts, and avoid common deduction mistakes.

Personal Financetaxdeductions +2

18 Dec 2022 • 4 min read

How to Choose Health Insurance in Australia

Navigate Australia's health insurance options with this practical guide — compare cover levels, spot exclusions, understand extras, and find the right policy.

Personal Financehealth insuranceaustralia +1

18 Dec 2022 • 3 min read

Portfolio Management for Beginners in Australia

Beginner's guide to portfolio management in Australia — assess your finances, set investment goals, diversify holdings, and monitor your wealth over time.

Personal Financeinvestingportfolio +2

4 Dec 2022 • 3 min read

How to Check Your Credit Score in Australia

Check your credit score in Australia for free — step-by-step guide to Equifax, Experian and illion, what scores mean, and how to fix errors on your report.

Personal Financecredit scoreaustralia +1

4 Dec 2022 • 3 min read

How to Create a Household Budget: 5 Simple Steps

Create a household budget in 5 steps — gather your finances, categorise spending, set goals, track expenses, and review regularly. Includes free template.

Personal Financebudgetingpersonal finance +1

4 Dec 2022 • 3 min read

How to Pay Off Credit Card Debt Faster: 5 Strategies

Pay off credit card debt faster with these 5 strategies — budgeting, avalanche vs snowball methods, debt consolidation, and when to get professional help.

Personal Financedebtcredit cards +2

21 Nov 2022 • 2 min read

Portfolio Update December 2022

Navigating a difficult year of surging inflation and crypto turmoil, finishing roughly flat while repositioning for what lies ahead.

Personal FinanceInvesting

21 Mar 2022 • 3 min read

Superannuation Tax Deductions: DIY Contributions Guide

Claim DIY super contributions as tax deductions in Australia. Learn the catch-up contribution strategy and concessional caps to maximise your refund.

Personal Financesuperannuationtax +2

28 Dec 2021 • 2 min read

Portfolio Update December 2021

A year of steady growth, new lessons, and evolving crypto allocations as the pandemic dragged on into yet another variant.

Personal FinanceInvesting

23 Sept 2021 • 4 min read

Stay Relevant as a Developer: Behavioural Science Tips

Apply behavioural science to stay relevant as a software developer. Practical strategies for continuous learning from Katy Milkman's 'How To Change'.

Book ReviewSharingsoftware development +4

19 Dec 2020 • 2 min read

Portfolio Update December 2020

Closing out a turbulent year with markets recovering strongly and a successfully rebalanced portfolio reducing REIT exposure.

Personal FinanceInvesting

23 Sept 2020 • 3 min read

10 Budget Recipes Under $10: Cheap Meals from Scratch

Budget-friendly pantry essentials and 10 cheap meal ideas under $10 each — perfect for students, beginners, and anyone wanting to save money on food.

Personal Financebudgetingcooking +2

12 Sept 2020 • 2 min read

Portfolio Update September 2020 — COVID Recovery

A mid-pandemic portfolio check-in as markets bounced back from the March crash, with a strategic pivot away from REITs and into bonds.

Personal FinanceInvesting

24 May 2020 • 3 min read

50 Books I Read in 2019: Freedom, Innovation and Humanity

My 2019 reading list of 50 books — from Roman history and philosophy to surveillance capitalism, with themes of power, politics and human nature throughout.

Book Reviewbooksreading +1

21 Sept 2019 • 4 min read

Life Insurance in Australia: How Much Cover Do You Need?

Practical guide to life insurance, income protection and TPD in Australia — who needs cover, how much to get, and when premiums stop making sense.

Personal Financelife insuranceincome protection +3

7 Sept 2019 • 2 min read

Australian Shares Portfolio — September 2019

A look at the Australian shares portfolio after modest growth driven by RBA rate cuts, plus two new additions to the holdings.

Personal FinanceInvesting

24 Mar 2019 • 3 min read

How to Choose a Super Fund in Australia

Choose the right superannuation fund in Australia — why fees matter more than performance for young investors, plus how to adjust your strategy as you age.

Personal Financesuperannuationinvesting +3

19 Feb 2019 • 3 min read

How to Choose Bank Accounts in Australia

Choose the best transaction and savings accounts in Australia. Learn the three-account system that automates savings and builds wealth without willpower.

Personal Financebankingsavings +2

17 Feb 2019 • 2 min read

Essential Personal Finance Skills for Millennials

Complete list of personal finance skills every millennial needs — budgeting, saving, investing, tax, insurance and more. With links to detailed guides.

Personal Financepersonal financebudgeting +2

16 Jan 2019 • 6 min read

100 Books in 2018: History, AI and Fiction (Part 2)

Part 2 of my 100-book reading challenge — exploring Ottoman and Mongol history, behavioural economics, AI, government, and Chinese diaspora fiction.

Book Reviewbooksreading +2

9 Jan 2019 • 5 min read

100 Books in 2018: Economics, Politics and Habits (Part 1)

Part 1 of my 100-book reading challenge — economics and inequality, political tribalism, productivity habits, leadership biographies, and capitalism.

Book Reviewbooksreading +3