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.

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.

Tags Financial Independence, motivation, Retire Early, Story, work

Credits & Dividends Yield 78% Savings Rate (Jun. 2020 Update)

Post author By Chris
Post date July 2, 2020
No Comments on Credits & Dividends Yield 78% Savings Rate (Jun. 2020 Update)

On a hike we ran across wild blackberries and loaded up. Yum!

Our second monthly balance sheet update: with dividends added our savings rate ballooned. See the details for a little financial voyeurism!

Tags Budget Updates

Finance

7 Apps & Websites to Sell Stuff Locally (Detailed Guide How)

Post author By Chris
Post date June 29, 2020
2 Comments on 7 Apps & Websites to Sell Stuff Locally (Detailed Guide How)

The best apps & websites to sell stuff locally: Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and Nextdoor.

Part of our method of becoming millionaires was to constantly leverage apps & websites to sell stuff locally, here’s our step-by-step guide and tools!

Tags Financial Independence, Retire Early, Tactics

Psychology

What Is Your Fire Number? (Learn How To Define It!)

Post author By Chris
Post date June 22, 2020
4 Comments on What Is Your Fire Number? (Learn How To Define It!)

How will you decide when to retire? Will it be a straight shot as fast as you can to reach your FIRE number or meander like this river with stops and new paths along the way?

Follow us in learning how to define your FIRE number! Our infographic shows that building wealth and picking a date is only the start!