FIRE retirement is something that really only became important to me after my kids were born.

In the past, I was blindly ambitious. I dreamed of climbing high up the corporate ladder and achieving remarkable milestones throughout my career.

I could have easily continued on that path, had I decided it was right for me, but thanks to my children, I quickly determined it wasn’t.

That doesn’t mean I don’t respect those that have continued on that path. It’s a tough journey forward, and I applaud anyone for going after their dreams, regardless of what they are.

A FIRE retirement became important to me because I started dreaming of spending more time with my children. I don’t ever see myself giving up ambition, or my career entirely, but I’d like to have more flexibility to choose how I work, when, and how much.

Over the years, I’ve been able to become far more financially free than I ever was, though I’m still working to achieve a FIRE retirement. My partner and I have made remarkable progress on our journey, and we can live off of just one of our incomes today if we choose.

In this article, I’ll share the methods we used to become more financially free, and I’ll tell you what I’d like to achieve with a FIRE retirement.

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It wasn’t until I read Rich Dad, Poor Dad that I started to believe in the possibility of a FIRE lifestyle (financial independence, retire early).

It was as if a whole new world of possibility had suddenly opened itself up, though I was certainly skeptical of it, at least initially.

Like many others, I’d always believed that a fulfilling life meant a regular 9-5 job, a house with a white picket fence, and a herd of children. It didn’t occur to me before then that there were other ways to live. I’d always believed you had to work hard to earn a reasonable income.

It wouldn’t be until years later that I would begin pursuing a FIRE lifestyle. I wouldn’t even hear “FIRE” spoken as a financial freedom phrase until nearly a decade after I read Rich Dad, Poor Dad.

In this article, I’ll tell you how I began my journey to a FIRE lifestyle, some key lessons I learned along the way, and where the rest of my journey is headed.

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As I sat down in our tax accountant’s office, I looked down at the piece of paper I was holding in my hands. It was an important document that reflected what I’d paid in interest toward my student debt that year. 

I couldn’t believe the figure in front of my face, yet it was right there. 

In just one year, I’d paid roughly $3,000 of interest into my student loans. And that was only the interest for one year. It didn’t account for the amount I’d paid into the principal balances, or what my husband had paid into his student loans either. 

That $3,000 was all I was allowed to write off on our taxes.

I had just paid what accounted for a nice cruise vacation into my student debt interest, and it didn’t even help lower the balance. I would have rathered spent the money on that vacation instead, but here I was, holding the piece of paper that proved I’d done otherwise. 

That money was gone, wasted.

I shook my head before I handed the document over to the accountant.

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It can be a challenge to build wealth, but it can be especially difficult if you have a chronic illness. 

As a chronic illness warrior, it may be harder to work, earn money, and save for the future. Between the medical bills and chronic fatigue, among various other life challenges, it might feel impossible to get ahead.

If life was a video game, it would be like constantly playing on hard mode. The game might be harder, but it’s not impossible to beat.

With careful planning and execution, you can still build wealth and achieve your financial goals.

In this article, you’ll get 5 simple steps you can take to start a successful wealth-building journey. I’ll also share key investment strategies you can use to build a solid investment portfolio.

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Would you like to become financially free, but worry that your chronic illness may be holding you back?

If so, I completely understand how you feel, as I had the exact same concerns.

Living with a chronic illness can be challenging, both physically and financially (and mentally, spiritually, and so on, but I digress). Between the constant medical bills and physical symptoms, it can feel impossible to get ahead at times.

And let’s face it, at times an achievement for the day might simply be getting out of bed. When you live with a chronic illness, you constantly battle the demands of your illness and your dreams for the future. It isn’t easy, but somehow you find a way.

If your dreams include becoming financially free, then you’re in the right place. Keep reading on for 10 steps you can use to build your financial future.

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If you’re a mom-to-be, let me first wish you congratulations!

Motherhood has its ups and downs, but few things (in my opinion) are more rewarding than welcoming a new life into your world. 

It’s a major life event to welcome a new baby, and it’s important to be financially prepared for the inevitable life changes.

This is especially true for career-driven moms, who may need to take time off work or change work arrangements to care for a new child.

In this article, I’m going to give you 14 tips to help you financially prepare for a baby.

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The FIRE movement, or Financial Independence, Retire Early, is a growing trend that is gaining popularity among busy, career-driven moms. 

The goal of the FIRE movement is to retire early by saving and investing aggressively. While it can seem like a daunting task, it is possible for moms like you, especially if you’re willing to make some sacrifices and put in the work.

There are a few key things that you as a busy, career-driven mom can do to increase your chances of retiring early. 

In this article, I’ll give you 5 simple steps to help you start your journey to FIRE, plus additional tips you can use further along in your journey.

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Have you ever considered what it would take for you to achieve financial independence?

Perhaps you dream of spending more time with family and friends, being able to take a break from your career, retiring early, or even just investing more of your time in your passion projects.

Financial independence or financial freedom means you can live comfortably without having to work. While it’s a goal that many people strive for, it can be difficult to achieve.

Whatever your reasons for working to achieve financial independence, it can have immense benefits for your life.

In this article, I’ll provide a brief overview of the benefits of financial freedom and I’ll give you 7 steps to help you on your journey to achieve financial independence.

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Have you ever thought about preparing a FIRE runway to prepare your break to Financial Independence, Retire Early?

If you’re feeling panicked about leaving your corporate job, you’re not alone. Many people feel the same way. 

But there are a few things you can do to prepare your FIRE runway, and to get ready for the transition. With a little effort, you’ll feel vastly more prepared for a FIRE lifestyle.

In this article, I’m going to give you a brief overview of why FIRE excites the masses, plus 12 simple ways you can prepare your own FIRE runway.

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Assets and Liabilities: Understanding the Difference

In the world of personal finance, there are two important terms that are good to know: assets and liabilities. Assets are things that you own that have value, while liabilities are things that you owe. 

By understanding the difference between assets and liabilities, you can get a better understanding of your financial situation and improve your ability to reach your financial goals, whether you want to plan for a FIRE lifestyle or otherwise. 

Assets and liabilities are the two sides of the balance sheet, and they provide a snapshot of your financial health, so it’s a good idea to get familiar with the value of each of yours.

In this article, I’m going to explain the difference between assets and liabilities and give you the information you’ll need to help you understand your net worth.

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