I just wanted to paint, sketch, sew—indulge in my many creative endeavors without having to worry about finances. I would still work to earn a little bit extra but I want to just have the financial freedom, by living off my investments and savings, so that I would not be pressured to hold down a job that I’m no longer enjoying.
That’s the main tenet of the Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) movement. I had been reading about this for years, starting with Financial Samurai, Mr. Money Moustache, JD Roth (Get Rich Slowly)–and of course, The Millionaires Next Door.
Some of them are featured here in this New York Times article last week. I didn’t realize that there are now several iterations of FIRE that it got me confused.
This got me thinking again. I’ve written here some time ago that I shouldn’t be emotionally tied to my job so I wouldn’t be so pissed at management or at my boss…Of course I’m not successful at that.
But now I should heed that thought more so I don’t have to rush and take the next available job just to alleviate the stress. Just use this job to sock away money and to double my investments, especially my balanced global mutual fund. It has been giving me dividends every month, surprisingly.
If a better opportunity comes along, then I will take it. The pay should be a vast improvement over what I have right now so I can carve out 75% of my income and put them into investments. Then I can reach FIRE status before I become 65 years old.
For now I will use my income from my side gig (that I will start last week of May) to buy bonds or mutual funds invested in fixed income assets or a combination of equities and fixed income. I will try to get another gig to gain experience and income that I could shove into my existing porfolio so I can accelerate my savings/investment rate.
It helps that I don’t have consumer debt or mortgage. I eliminated rent by building my own tiny home with the help of investments. My house is already paid for with cash. No 20 to 30-yr mortgage.
The article reminded not to fall again into the trappings of consumerism and remain frugal so I can have more financial freedom.