I'm an engineer on a journey to financial independence, and I want to help you get there too.
My Story (The Short Version)
True confession: Two years ago, I was staring at my 401(k) statement while eating lunch at my desk for the third time that week, when a crushing thought hit me: “Is this really it for the next 25 years?"
After 20+ years as a corporate engineer, I decided the standard retirement path wasn't for me. Now I'm building my exit strategy, and this blog documents every step of that journey.
What You'll Find Here
This isn't your typical financial blog. I'm not a certified advisor with perfect finances. I'm a regular person who:
- Made plenty of money mistakes (like that $12,000 car loan at 18% interest — ouch!)
- Discovered financial independence concepts in my 40s (later than I wished)
- Is figuring this out in real-time, just like you
My Approach to Money
My engineering brain loves breaking down complex problems into manageable steps. Here's how that translates to personal finance:
- Data-driven decisions – I track everything and make adjustments based on results
- Systems over willpower – My automatic savings increased 320% when I stopped relying on motivation
- **Incremental improvements: small changes compound dramatically (my first $1,000 took 4 months; my latest $1,000 took 18 days).
Why I Started This Blog
Last year, I helped three colleagues restructure their finances. One cut monthly expenses by $870 without lifestyle changes. Another eliminated $22,000 in credit card debt in 11 months.
Their results made me realize: most people don't need complicated strategies—they need clear, actionable steps explained by someone who understands both the math and the emotional reality of money decisions.
What Makes This Different
Financial advice often comes from:
- 22-year-old minimalists living in vans (not realistic for most of us)
- Wealthy advisors who've forgotten what paycheck-to-paycheck feels like
- Theoretical experts with perfect spreadsheets but messy real lives
I'm offering something different: practical strategies from someone in the middle of the journey, not preaching from the finish line.
Let's Connect
Try this today: Calculate your "Freedom Day"—the day when your passive income could cover your basic expenses. Even if it's decades away, knowing this date gives your financial decisions purpose.
My Freedom Day started at age 67. Through careful habit-building and strategic decisions, I've moved it to 54. What could you do with an extra decade of freedom?
Have questions or want to share your journey? Drop me an email at [email protected].
Let's figure this out together.