My Journey – Chapter 5: Getting There

This article is part of the My FI Journey series – click here to access the full journey.

Steady As She Goes

When I started the FI journey, progress was slow… painfully slow. The FI goal seemed so far away for the first couple of years.

But I had underestimated the magic of compounding. Small sums of money saved and invested over time can turn into enormous amounts. Einstein thought compound interest is the most powerful force in the universe!

The last few years have been pretty uneventful. Once you get the basics right around saving and investing, there is not much else you can do to reach FI. You just need to sit back, relax, and have patience.

FI and Work

My FI journey has changed my relationship with money and, by extension, with work.

I realize now that a lot of my overwork was self-imposed. I worked hard because I wanted to do the best work possible / wanted the next promotion / wanted to help my team / etc. And if I am honest with myself, I was also afraid of losing my job. So, if anything, I should blame myself for overworking – not my company.

Now that I am close to FI, I do not care about that next promotion. I don’t have to ‘overdeliver’ on every task or spend time ‘networking’ or doing everything needed to get ahead in the rat race.

I still do care about doing a good job. So I still work hard. But I am learning that there is a difference between hard work and overwork.

Interestingly enough, I now find it much easier to say NO to things that waste my time. I am beginning to appreciate the wisdom behind Warren Buffet’s quote – “Really successful people say no to almost everything”.

Ironically, I started the FI journey to stop working – but FI has helped me get better at work!

FI and Health

There are some things you realize only after you stop doing them. Now that I do not worry about money and work, I recognize that previously I used to have a lot of low-level stresses all the time. Continuously thinking about the next meeting, the next presentation, the next deliverable was hurting my health.

Losing my job will not be a big deal – I have enough of a financial cushion.

My health is much better now. I have time to exercise, and I get enough sleep. I have also started playing tennis – a bit late in life, but who cares!

Life is becoming less hectic now, and I am enjoying the slower pace. Maybe because I am turning 40 and I am older and wiser now. At any rate, I like having more time. As Gandhi said – “There is more to life than just increasing its speed”.

What After FI?

I don’t know what’s next. This is, by far, the biggest mistake on my FI journey…

I was so focused on getting to FI that I did not plan for what I would do once I get there. It feels like the dog that runs after cars! I should have spent the last year or two trying to plan out my post-FI life.

Instead of running away from my job, I should have found something to run towards!

Some Options

I worked so hard at my job and getting to FI that I have not developed any hobbies or passions – I am mildly good at many things but not great at anything (except work).

I love writing, and I have written a few articles. Maybe I can work on improving my writing.

I teach teenagers about personal finance (I wish someone had taught me when I was a teenager). This is something I would like to continue.

I help out at local charities / events; I could do that more.

As I get closer to FI, I realize that getting to FI is only half the battle. The other half is figuring out my life after FI. Trust me, I am not unhappy. I am thankful that I started this FI journey, and I am excited that I am finally getting close.

Now I need to start planning my post-FI life…

Latest Update

I am now financially independent! It has been a long journey, and I am glad I had the patience to stick through it.

However, reaching FI does not feel any different. And why would it – having a dollar more than your FI number is no different than having a dollar less. We are the same Finer family as before.

I have not quit my job… yet. And I am still no closer to figuring out what I want to do after leaving my job!

The only thing that is happening is that my writing is getting better. So there is hope!

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