I recently went to a FIRE-community event and had a grand old time. It was really great talking to people who not only are into FIRE as a concept and a goal, but who are passionate in their quest for it. Just as fantastic was being able to talk to people on the same wavelength…
Forward Looking: I Would Like to See Your Backside
Welcome to another installment of my “Forward Looking” series of posts, in which I cover things that I’m either looking forward to, or seeing how they’ll unfold, when I FIRE. Colleague bound I’ve worked with loads of great people over the years. Definitely in the smallish groups within which I most directly worked. But also,…
Mock One
Almost everyone I’ve talked to about the subject of FIRE—both the FI and the RE parts—has shown little if any interest. That bothers me a bit. In fact, as I recently explained, I often find it highly dispiriting. But what’s bothered me a lot is that some people have mocked me about my FIRE plans….
Forward Looking: Reevaluating the Weight of Things
Welcome to another installment of my “Forward Looking” series of posts, in which I cover things that I’m either looking forward to experiencing, or seeing how they’ll unfold, when I FIRE. Minimal effort Not too long after I discovered FIRE, I encountered a mention of the Minimalists. I was intrigued by what I read, but…
Secrets and Lies
Like a lot of people who discovered FIRE and had a consequent lightbulb moment (if not immediately, then at some point), I thought everyone should and would want to know about it, too. So, I told The Missus and some friends. Then I told some colleagues and other family members. Yay me for spreading useful,…
I Could Not Have Conceived
Dear Reader, don’t let the title of this blog post mislead you. This male blogger has not tried to defy the laws of nature by trying to get pregnant. Rather, the post is about my ignorance and the miracle of me—a self-proclaimed idiot of the highest order—learning and achieving a few life-altering things here and…
Long Live the Revolutions
As I’ve explained on this here blog from time to time, I’ve pretty much always been a rule follower. And a high achiever. A people pleaser, to no small extent, too. Society has always told me that this is right. But a consequence is that I’ve been far too focused on work more times than…
Well, What Do You No?
Pursuing FIRE is pretty straightforward. Maybe not easy or quick. For some, perhaps not even realistic. But straightforward. Distilled to its essence, you need to spend less than you bring in and smart(ish)ly invest the difference. Perhaps in broad, low-cost index funds, real estate, or a business, for example. The bigger the spread and the…
It’s Time
One of the biggest questions anyone pursuing FIRE has to contemplate is what’s “enough” for them. That is, what type of lifestyle they want to live post-FIRE. Once that’s decided, then comes the task of figuring out what it’ll take to fund said lifestyle. Many hands have been wrung considering the “enough” question. Brows furrowed,…
The Motivating Power of Fear
I’m a pretty stubborn disciplined guy. Once I have a task to complete, or a goal in mind, I tend to pursue it diligently. I’ve had my share of facepalm-inducing failures, but the number of successes probably? overwhelms those. I like to think that it’s the allure of the hoped-for positive results of the goal…
