The Many Paths That Lead to FI – A Case Study – Part 2

This is part 2 of the case study with Michael from Ireland, who is exploring alternative pathways to get to FI. If you have not read part 1, I recommend you do so before you read part 2. Michael’s FI Lifestyle Goals Before we get into the numbers, I’ll share some more background from my … Read more

The Many Paths That Lead to FI – A Case Study

I’m excited to share the first FI case study in a very long time! This case study has two parts: an introductory guest post and a “numbers and options” part. Micheal, originally from New Zealand, is 38 and lives in Ireland with his family. He has been on the path to Financial Independence since 2018. … Read more

How to “Die With Zero” – The Math Behind the Mindset

The book “Die With Zero” by Bill Perkins is fast becoming a FIRE classic – for a good reason. Many in the community have adopted a Die With Zero mindset, which goes against many of the core pillars of the standard approach to Financial Independence like delayed gratification and frugality. Instead, Die With Zero is … Read more

Show Me the Money!

Want to know my numbers? This is the innocent little question I recently asked my subscribers. After all, I’ve run Money Flamingo (which is, at least in part, a financial independence/personal finance blog) for almost five years now without revealing our net worth or FIRE number. Instead, we use multiples of our expected future expenses … Read more

What Does F.I.R.E. Really Stand For?

F.I.R.E. stands for Financial Independence, Retire Early – or does it? Sure, the basic premise behind the FIRE movement is pretty simple: Spend less than you earn (or earn more than you spend) and invest the difference. Eventually, you’ll reach Financial Independence, which will enable you to Retire Early. However – and I’ve written about … Read more

Semi-Retirement Update – Q4/2022 – Coasting to FI

Welcome to our latest Semi-FI update, where we share the ups and downs of our Coast FI journey from Flamingo FI to full Financial Independence and beyond. If you are new to the blog and not familiar with our plan, you can find an overview here. Life Update We had a great break over the … Read more

Yearly Review and Goal Setting: 5 Questions to Help You Create Your Ideal Life

In this article, I’ll share five simple questions and some ideas to help you to move towards your ideal life (and not just towards your financial goals). Most Financial Independence enthusiasts have an annual review and goal-setting routine. We check how our investments performed over the last year, calculate our savings rate, review our spending … Read more

26 Alternatives to Early Retirement (that don’t require full FI!)

No matter where you are on the path to financial independence, there are many lifestyle design options you can use to create a better life for yourself and your family. They allow you to improve your life along the path to FI but are also great alternatives to early retirement once you reach your financial … Read more

The Retirement Lie and Its Unintended Consequences

Here is the standard FIRE blueprint: Step 1: Work hard, save, invest and … wait.Step 2: Reach FI, retire and sail into the sunset. We all know that’s not what usually happens (bear with me). Almost everyone (as in 99%+) of people who hit FI in their 20s, 30s, 40s and even early 50s will … Read more

Full-Time Nomadic Travel – Living a Life of Adventure

I’m super excited to share an interview with a couple who decided to sell most of their belongings, quit their jobs and embark on a permanent nomadic travel adventure. I’m sure you’ll find this story inspiring – whether nomadic travel and #vanlife are part of your life vision or not. Jed and his wife Kelly … Read more