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.

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.