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…
Better Living Through Deprioritizing Money
Lemme say right off the bat that this blog post is written from a position of privilege. One might credibly argue tremendous privilege. I mean, if I were struggling financially and/or had all manner of financial obligations—for myself, for loved ones, and so on—I think reading the title of this blog post would make me…
That Found-Money Feeling
Every so often I find some money. On the street. Under a cushion. In a drawer. You’ve probably had the same experience. Even when (in the case of the drawer or cushion finds, for sure) the money was mine to begin with, I still get not just a wee bit happy when these finds happen….
