Our Financial Independence Journey: From Dream to Reality

Hey there, freedom lovers! Tatiana and I have some exciting news to share. But first, grab a cup of coffee (or your beverage of choice), get comfy, and let’s chat about our wild ride to financial independence.

The Big Reveal: We Did It!

Drum roll, please… We’ve officially achieved financial independence!

Yes, you read that right. On January 14th, while I was battling a nasty cold and checking our accounts from bed (because who doesn’t do financial planning when they’re sick?), I saw the magic number we’ve been chasing for years. Talk about a surreal moment!

Our FI Journey: A Quick Rewind

Let’s take a quick trip down memory lane:

1. 2012: We discovered the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) concept.
2. 2012-2017: We worked our 9-to-5 jobs, saved like crazy, and dreamed big.
3. January 2017: We hit our target! Our Freedom Fund can now support $35,574 in annual expenses.

Freedom Fund Progress: The Numbers Don’t Lie

Now, let’s talk numbers. After all, this is a money blog, right? Here’s how our Freedom Fund performed in January:

• Our Freedom Fund increased to 101% of our goal!
• This represents a 4% increase from the previous month.
• If we retired today, our investments could cover up to $35,574 in annual expenses.
• We’re $574 over our initial goal. (Extra padding never hurts!)

The market had a nice return this month, but we also kept our spending in check. That combination of market growth and disciplined saving gave our Freedom Fund the final push it needed to cross the finish line.

It’s worth noting that this growth came after some slower periods in 2016. From March to May and July to October, we saw sluggish progress. But persistence paid off, and the recent quick turnaround caught us by surprise in the best way possible!

What Does Financial Independence Mean for Us?

Now that we’ve reached this milestone, you might be wondering:

1. Are we quitting our jobs tomorrow? Nope, not just yet. We have a two-year transition plan that includes saving for a house and planning an exciting move abroad.
2. Are we worried about market crashes? Not really. Our solid asset allocation strategy helps us sleep well at night. Plus, since we’re still working, any market dips just mean we’re buying at a discount!
3. Are we done saving? Ha! We’re still maxing out those retirement accounts for the sweet company match and tax benefits.

The Power of FU Money

Reaching financial independence doesn’t mean we’re planning to sit on a beach sipping piña coladas for the rest of our lives (although that does sound tempting). What it does mean is that we now have what we like to call “FU money”—the power to walk away from situations that no longer serve us.

It’s like having a superpower. Suddenly, our choices are no longer dictated by a paycheck. We have more options, and they’re insanely better options!

Celebrating the Milestones (Even When You’re Sick)

Remember how I mentioned being sick when we hit our goal? It was a stark reminder of why it’s crucial to enjoy the journey and not just the destination. So here’s my advice to you: celebrate every milestone, take care of your health, and don’t forget to have fun along the way.

Speaking of fun, we splurged on Ricky Martin concert tickets for a Cinco de Mayo getaway. Because life’s too short not to dance, right?

What’s Next for Us?

The next two years are going to be a whirlwind of planning, saving, and preparing for our next big adventure. We’re excited to share this journey with you, so stay tuned!

While we’ve hit our FI number, we’re not stopping here. We’ll continue to grow our Freedom Fund to support future goals and provide an extra cushion. Because if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that financial security opens doors to incredible opportunities.

Your Turn!

We’d love to hear from you. How’s your FI journey going? What milestones are you celebrating? Are you tracking your own version of a Freedom Fund? Drop us a comment below and let’s chat!

Whether you’re just starting out or you’re close to your goal, keep pushing forward. Financial independence is possible, and trust me, it feels pretty darn amazing when you get there!

Until next time, keep saving and keep dreaming big!Until next time, keep saving and keep dreaming big!