Author: Chris

Chris began his financial independence pursuit in 2007 as he learned basic personal finance from Get Rich Slowly as an aspiring web designer and novice investor. After several missteps, he learned the secrets of financial independence and began his pursuit of freedom.

He reached financial independence in 2018 with $1.2M and two businesses. He began the process of transitioning to early retirement in 2020.

Learn more: Meet Chris.

Psychology

The Value of Time: A Telling Tale of Spending vs. Living

Post author By Chris
Post date August 21, 2020
9 Comments on The Value of Time: A Telling Tale of Spending vs. Living

Thinking about the value of time while hiding away on a recharge to the beach, ocean, and dunes of NC.

How do you set the value of time? Would you not spend $2M in exchange for 60K hours to do as you please? A telling tale of Chris & Irsch.

Tags Financial Independence, Retire Early, Story

Finance

How to Retire Early With Real Estate Reader Case Study

Post author By Chris
Post date August 17, 2020
7 Comments on How to Retire Early With Real Estate Reader Case Study

We break down Mike’s family’s numbers to see if real estate investing is the best path to financial independence for them.

Could real estate investing be the route for Mike’s family to reach financial independence with their $1.5M net worth goal?

Tags Financial Independence, Reader Case Studies, Retire Early

Reader’s Choice Donor-Advised Fund Launch and Blog Update

Post author By Chris
Post date August 9, 2020
5 Comments on Reader’s Choice Donor-Advised Fund Launch and Blog Update

What can you do to make a change and give back to the community that helped you reach your goals? This month we're working on giving back directly through a donor-advised fund (DAF) and charitable giving.

Furthering our mission to give back, we’ve launched a donor-advised fund (DAF), funded with FIRE, where our readers choose the grant recipients.

Tags Giving Back, Tactics

Net Worth Revealed! (Jul. 2020 Update)

Post author By Chris
Post date August 2, 2020
No Comments on Net Worth Revealed! (Jul. 2020 Update)

July 2020 didn't include any serious trips, but it did include some expenses from previous months like my adventure out west with a buddy!

Our dividends tumbled but an Accountable Plan rescued our savings rate! We’ve revealed our net worth details for a little financial voyeurism.

Tags Budget Updates

Psychology

Negotiating Pay Effectively: Why I Turned Down a $175K Salary

Post author By Chris
Post date July 29, 2020
11 Comments on Negotiating Pay Effectively: Why I Turned Down a $175K Salary

Financial independence is your permit to negotiating pay from a position of strength.

If money didn’t matter, wouldn’t that be your strongest position to start negotiating pay from? You can go from a weak position to the strongest with FI.

Tags Financial Independence, Story, Tactics

Travel

Staycation Ideas: Make the Most of Your Pandemic Vacation

Post author By Chris
Post date July 27, 2020
2 Comments on Staycation Ideas: Make the Most of Your Pandemic Vacation

A staycation idea to steal: local zip line and obstacle courses!

Steal our staycation ideas to make the most of vacation during the pandemic. Healthy, safe ways to have fun and explore home like tourists!

Tags expenses, Retire Early, Story

Psychology

How Much Money is Enough in 2023? (Find Your Answer Here)

Post author By Chris
Post date July 20, 2020
12 Comments on How Much Money is Enough in 2023? (Find Your Answer Here)

How much money is enough is a question we've been working to answer for nearly a decade together. But, are we left praying at the altar of money rather than living life?

Wondering how much money is enough for you as inflation rages in 2023? Don’t fall for common traps. Learn how to find your “enough” and live a happier life.

Tags Financial Independence, motivation, Retire Early, Story

Finance

How to Become a Millionaire in 10 Years (Debt to $1.2M at 33)

Post author By Chris
Post date July 15, 2020
14 Comments on How to Become a Millionaire in 10 Years (Debt to $1.2M at 33)

Planting seeds and letting time nourish their growth is how to become a millionaire in 10 years (or less!). This tree was shot on a beach of Grenada, fighting for its life alone, but thriving.

Our thirteen-year saga from student loan debt, to graduate school, shifting careers, and starting two businesses. At the lowest point, we went from a negative $107K net worth to $1.2M in nine years. This is how we became millionaires and reached financial independence.

Tags Financial Independence, motivation, Story, work

Psychology

City Life vs Country Life: 12 Key Differences and Pros/Cons

Post author By Chris
Post date July 9, 2020
13 Comments on City Life vs Country Life: 12 Key Differences and Pros/Cons

How do you imagine city life vs country life to compare visually? This is AI's take on the contrast—urban density and country landscapes.

Wondering whether to live in the city or the country? Learn about the pros & cons of city life vs country life from our personal experiences plus financial insights.