Learned vs Enlightened (Quote)

Learned vs Enlightened (FI Quote)

I used this quote a lot on my FI journey. At the start of my FI journey, I tried everything under the sun to make sure I got to FI sooner. I pulled all the levers I could find to reduce spending and improve investment returns. And I spend a lot of time trying to … Read more

Time and Money (Quote)

This is a line from the Avengers movie. Although this is a finance blog, it is important to remember that money is not an end in itself. Money is very powerful, no doubt. But we should make money just for the sake of making money. Money should be used to enable our life. We only … Read more

Spending Money (Quote)

A classic quote that I have, sadly, seen play out many times. Spending money to impress others is nothing new. However, it has been supercharged now with the overabundance of credit and the proliferation of social media. The sad part of this is that there is no end to buying bigger / better things. No … Read more

Sign of Wealth (Quote)

This is a funny quote on Financial Independence (FI). It basically says, once you get to FI, you can do what you want and don’t need to work based on other people’s schedules / agendas. However, I have found that people who get to FI do not like sitting around and doing nothing. Typically if … Read more

Retirement vs Working (Quote)

This quote, I think, is particularly applicable to me. After I reached FI, I decided to continue working. There is nothing wrong with quitting your job after FI. In fact, that is what many people do. I think I will do that also, eventually. But for now, I am using my FI superpower to get … Read more

Joys of Retirement (Quote)

Although I don’t want to spend my time fishing all day, I do like this quote because it contrasts life before and after FIRE. Most people are not in their dream job. It may be because the dream job does not pay much. Or because it is difficult to get. Or maybe because a dream … Read more

Importance of Money (Quote)

When I was young I thought that money was the most important thing in life; now that I am old I know that it is. Oscar Wilde

Although this is a funny quote, it highlights the importance of money. Different people value different things, and some people may not agree with this quote. However, all things being equal, I would rather have more money than less. As they say – money is not the key to happiness, but if you have enough … Read more

Commanding Our Wealth (Quote)

If we command our wealth, we shall be rich and free; if our wealth commands us, we are poor indeed. Edmund Burke

This is a quote that I found useful, especially towards the end of my FI journey. When I was heads-down in my pursuit of FI, I was focused on reaching FI as soon as possible. I was trying to save a lot of money and invest it wisely. All my decisions were driven by the … Read more

My Journey – Chapter 2: Searching for Answers

Searching for Answers

This article is part of the My FI Journey series – click here to access the full journey. Looking for Answers to the Big Two Two issues haunt me from the lost decade of my professional life: Busy Becomes Normal and No Financial Plan. To become less busy, I focus on becoming more efficient at work. I become obsessed with … Read more

FIRE is fantastic and awesome; So why does no one actually do it?

FI and Friends

Over the years, I have been pleasantly surprised at the benefits of Financial Independence / Early Retirement (FIRE). I have also been amazed at how hard it is to convince my friends and relatives to try FIRE (much less adopt it)! FIRE Reactions from Friends and Relatives Financial Independence (FI) has worked wonders for me. … Read more