Me and My Story
My story to Financial Independance Retire Early
About me:
I am a mid 30's British guy who is married and we have two young children. I was first introduced to the world of Financial Independence Retire Early - FIRE, in 2021 and it blew me away. It was a seismic shift in how I wanted to live, and where I wanted to aim for.
I was driving to work with a long commute so was listening to a lot of podcasts. I realised I needed to improve my financial situation as I was either always in some sort of debt, or just about clinging on till the end of the month for the next pay cheque, with zero savings or security.
This isn't the best at any time in your life but perhaps the addition of a mortgage and a baby made this scenario of uncertainty even more worrying.
I searched on my podcast platform 'finance' and up popped Mad Fientist's Financial Independence (FI) podcast with Mr Money Moustache (MMM). I had never heard of either of these two people, with quite ridiculous names, but it was immense.
I was hooked.
I binge listened to every episode, I was glued to MMM's, Mad Fientist's and many more websites trying to take in as much as possible. Reading as many books recommended as my small little brain could handle. I loved it. They taught me the basics on how to invest, and then with some further reading on some recommended finance books I was keen to give things a go.
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There was however one factor I couldn't see changing which I could see limiting me achieving Financial Independence earlier than "average".
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My love of adventure and travel.
My story:
Since I have been 18 my life has been based around adventure and travel.
The cycle of each year went like this: Save up all my pennies, quit my job, then go on an adventure for a number of months, come back to work and save my pennies again.
Whilst in my job, I would spend every evening and weekend trying to squeeze in as much as possible.
In a similar fashion that Mad Fientist podcast rocked my world and shook things up, so did a certain adventurer who I follow called Alastair Humphreys.
He promoted a life where you follow dreams not dollars, to do what you love and not stick to the norm, and to experience all of life has to offer.
I tried to live this life as much as possible throughout my 20's and early 30's - and gave it a solid effort. So many great experiences and memories, and ultimately I have zero regrets on this lifestyle or choices I made.
I also do not intend to stop this, even if it has slowed down in recent years.
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I want to combine these two loves. I want to achieve financial independence where I am at an age to fully appreciate it and do some cool epic adventures. Not retire at the age of the 'norm' and be too old to see the world and do cool things. I've learnt since the start of my journey trying to combine my two loves with my side hustles is a great combination.
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So this website aims to follow my journey on achieving financial independepence. What I learn, what I change, and new things I start along the way.
I'll point you to resources I find helpful, and review the finance books I have used which I have found interesting and others which I thought were a waste of time. I'm using this platform to share my experience, learn some news things, and for others to pass on their knowledge to me also.
I hope you find it helpful on either your financial independence or adventure journey.
Contact me for any feedback or suggestions: