Blazing a Trail Towards Financial Independence
January was a month of lows… like REALLY low. Windchills of negative 20 to 30 degrees below zero canceled classes and work for many around these parts. So, with temperatures colder than Arendelle taking hold, did the arctic air freeze our net worth?
[Read more…] about Net Worth Update 14: Polar Vortex Edition
Mondays… who needs them?! What if I told you I was able to get rid of them… at least partially.
This week marks my first steps toward office independence. I worked up my nerve and I put in my request to work from home on Mondays. So, how did I do it? And, more importantly, what did my supervisor say? Read on to find out.
[Read more…] about Saying Goodbye to Mondays – Negotiating Work From Home Privileges
I often write about cutting back on our spending. But after taking a long look in the mirror I decided I needed to focus on cutting back on… well… me.
[Read more…] about Cutting Back on… ME
Happy Thanksgiving!!
A year ago today, this blog did not exist. November marks the end of my first year of blogging on this site. It’s been a hell of a journey so far and I can’t wait to see where this whole thing goes. So, to get into the Thanksgiving spirit, I thought it would be help to write out a list of Thank You notes for those that are responsible for the existence of this blog.
***Cracks Knuckles***
***Piano Softly Plays***
The flames of the FIRE (Financial Independence Retire Early) movement can spread rapidly. Just like a campfire stacked with kindling, the flames are tall, flickering, and bright at first, but over time, these flames subside leaving the dull glow of smoldering coals.
But you don’t cook on the flickering flames. This short blast of high heat would scorch the outside, leaving the inside raw. You do your cooking on the coals, sustaining just the right level of heat over a longer time.
Having an open mind, self evaluation, and taking bold action are critical to igniting the FIRE and the bright dancing flames of the initial burn.
We all like to think glowingly about our future. Raising our families, fun vacations, memorable meals, and retirement, of course! We spend a great deal of time thinking and planning about what fun things we are going to do and how we will go about doing them. In the Financial Independence Retire Early (FIRE) community, we use high savings rates to reach Financial Independence (FI) much quicker than our non-FIRE peers.
But unfortunately, S^&T happens, and our best-laid plans could go up in smoke. However, the same skills you use to propel yourself on the path to FI can serve you well when everything that can go wrong, does go wrong.