In my continuous journey to demystify the interwoven aspects of finance, work ethic, and personal growth, I’ve stumbled upon a trio of thought-provoking articles that present a refined understanding of what it means to truly prosper. This week’s internet odyssey brought me face-to-face with narratives that push the boundaries of conventional wisdom in finance—from the silent pressures of affluence and the labyrinthine rules of pension drawdown to the humbling power of low-status jobs in the pursuit of family well-being and financial independence. Each piece not only contributed to my financial ..read more

Most people I know were introduced to FIRE through Mr Money Moustache, Early Retirement Extreme and Mad FIentist. These pioneers quantified and codified FIRE into a lot our minds. But surely these concepts were already around? Today’s post is a history lesson folks, so keep up right, fold your arms and no talking out of turn (if my history teacher is reading this, she will know what I’m on about). The Historical Roots of Financial Independence When we delve into the history of financial independence, we’re journeying back to a time long before the modern conveniences and financial systems we k ..read more

Introduction to Early Retirement and the 4% Rule Ah, early retirement – the dream of quitting your day job and living your best life well before the traditional retirement age. It’s not just a fantasy; it’s an achievable reality for those who plan and manage their finances with the concept of financial independence, retire early (FIRE) in mind. At the heart of the FIRE movement lies the cornerstone strategy known as the 4% rule. But what is this intriguing rule, you ask? Originally conceived by financial advisor William Bengen in 1994, the 4% rule is a simple yet powerful guideline. It states ..read more

This week, the digital landscape has been rich with thought-provoking articles that traverse the realms of financial wisdom, the weight of personal choices, and the unavoidables of everyday life. As we scoured the internet, we stumbled upon narratives that not only challenge our perspectives but also guide us toward reflecting on our personal and financial well-being. From the cautionary tales of prioritizing career over love to strategic financial maneuvers aimed at securing a brighter future, each piece presents a unique lens through which we can assess and potentially recalibrate our life’s ..read more

Introduction to Holistic Wealth When we talk about cultivating wealth, most people’s minds dart straight to hefty bank accounts, luxury cars, and lavish vacations. But let’s pause and rethink what true wealth means. It’s not just about the numbers on your balance sheet; it’s about living a richer life in every sense of the word. This is where the concept of holistic wealth enters the stage. Holistic wealth extends beyond mere financial gain to embrace a fuller, more balanced life that encompasses physical health, emotional well-being, and fulfilling relationships. It’s about crafting a life wh ..read more

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from FatFIRE Dad and all the FatFIRE Family! Another year, another few boxes of mince pies and leftover mulled wine… Slowly grinding, steadily saving, regularly investing, seemingly oblivious to overall economy, sentiment and bad news. Our targets are higher due to hyperinflation, but we soldier on towards our FatFIRE numbers. I hope everyone is still on track and if you have fallen off the proverbial then I hope you are able to pick yourselves back up and go again. One thing has been clear this year: It is getting harder and harder to concentrate at work ..read more

Ever felt that sinking Sunday evening feeling, dreading the inevitable return to the grind come Monday morning? Yeah, me too. It’s like this little alarm bell in your head, screaming that it’s time for a change. That’s where I found myself, and maybe you’re in the same boat, recognizing signs of burnout and a deep need for something different. You know the drill—chronic fatigue, a serious case of the “mehs,” and that nagging sense that what you’re doing just doesn’t cut it anymore. And let me tell you, it’s not just about feeling tired. It’s about asking yourself if what you’re doing every day ..read more

Let’s face it, New Year’s resolutions are notorious for failing. Despite our best intentions, most of us struggle to make it past February with our commitments intact. Why? Well, we often approach resolutions with a kind of wishful thinking, setting lofty goals without considering the practical steps to get there. It’s like we expect our future selves to have superhero levels of willpower that, frankly, most of us just don’t possess. We are creatures of habit, and that’s why when the initial New Year buzz wears off, we slide right back into our old ways. And let’s not even talk about the confu ..read more

It’s been a while since my last post. I have been overwhelmingly busy at work. Evenings and weekends are really hitting me hard. It’s hard for me to get the time to come home and write. I logged in to WordPress to see the number of hits this morning and realised that while I was taking a break from writing you guys have been reading a lot so I decided to finish up one of the many posts I had in draft. Enjoy! Things are easing up so I will be publishing more content. And more updates on my progress towards FatFIRE – some interesting revelations to come… I’m going to sound a little controversial ..read more

Happy New Year to all! I hope that everyone has a healthy 2021. This year I realised that I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to save and invest enough money to eventually retire early. I am fortunate enough to obsess about savings rates and SVRs. I’m fortunate enough to hunker down through black swan events and continue chipping away at my goal. This year I realised who I was doing it for: family. And this year I realised that I’m not the head strong, ‘throw anything at me’ person I thought I was. I got scared. I feared for my family: especially my parents and my in-laws who are vu ..read more