Millionaire Money Math

Many of us have costly habits. I like drinking wine.

In my 30's I knew quite a bit about wine. I drank it often to "keep myself educated." I still drink wine, but now I am WAY more intentional about it and I drink MUCH LESS.

If you've got costly habits, they could keep you from reaching FI/RE.

What's FIRE?

I wish in my early 20's that my parents, relatives, friends, teachers, or ANYONE had told me about how important it is to reach Financial Independence (FI) and have the possibility to Retire Early (RE).

I wish they hold told me that you should not expect to make it to the top of your profession, work to remain enjoyable, or your salary to continue increasing.

I wish they had told me it's not about ending your contribution to the world - quite the opposite. It's about having the control to choose your best life.

I didn't know any of that starting out. I made lots of money mistakes over the last couple decades, but I never stopped striving to develop my financial skills.

When I stumbled across the FIRE Movement, I was ready for a change. I learned about people that were taking control of the financial lives. They shared how they did it. I eagerly followed their examples.

I succeeded. I made it to my FIRE point. Now I am paying it forward and sharing what I know. That's what Millionaire Money Math is all about.

This one took me awhile to learn: Buying a car with a loan (even at 0% interest) SLOWS your route to Financial Independence (FI). You are way better off with a car you own outright.

I am moving for work in a few months. When I tell colleagues this, without fail they ask "Where are you buying?" They never think for a moment that I might rent instead.

Since I can't educate them about my views of fiscal responsibility in 5 minutes, I just respond with "we're looking at neighborhoods." That's true, but NOT for buying a house because that would be stupid.