I've Started my FIRE Journey

If you've been following my blog for a while, then you know about my Basic Financial Fitness (or BFF for short) series. In it, I've strived to give common-sense financial advice to people who don't make a lot of money, who already don't buy lattes, and who don't go out to eat for lunch. I've given advice on things like how to create a bill-paying system and how to save money consistently on a very small income. Along the way, my own financial journey has evolved as I've become more knowledgeable and literate about money.

Not long ago, I talked about my dive into the FIRE movement. Now, if you don't know what FIRE is, it means financial independence retire early. I was first exposed to the concept a few years ago but quickly dismissed it as I thought I was too old and didn't make enough money to do it myself. I was doing research recently about investing for retirement and came across the concept of FIRE again. This time, I watched carefully, paid close attention, and realized that my earlier assessment of FIRE - as it applied to me - was wrong. I absolutely can pursue FIRE to reach my goals.

What are those goals? Simply put, I want to:

* be financially independent
* be free of debt
* be able to retire early to a location of my choosing
* be able to live well below my means

That's the simple four-step plan, but FIRE is much more involved than that. It will take some creative planning, some sacrifice, and some changes, but I am more than confident that I can achieve FIRE in ten years or less. So, about the time when I get my daughter out on her own, I'll be ready to retire to Ireland.

I hope you'll follow along on my new journey as I move towards my new goals. Until then, check out some of the other posts here on my blog.