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FIRE.077 FIRE = FREIdom…Freedom

Rearrange the FIRE acronym and you almost get FREE—or a phonetic variation.

Not that FIRE costs nothing (free), but rather you gain something—FREEDOM.

This example is almost un-relatable to most people…for now.

The other day I had to wake up at 6am so I could drive to a morning meeting. My normal wake time is between 6:30-8a. However, that is when I wake up, not when I emerge from our bedroom. After waking, I like to read my magazine or book, or email, or news or weather, and slowly start my day. Some days I actually lay there and practice some amazing gratitude for my life/lifestyle. Some might say a meditation of sorts.

So in preparation for my early upcoming alarm (yes, actual alarm beeping) I woke up the day before a little early at 6:06a and read and zen-ned out before beginning my day. It was kind of like changing time zones. So far, so good.

The day of the meeting my alarm sounded and I immediately got out of bed. It was still dark out—which is strange to me in the morning—and got ready for the drive.

It was fun being “forced” to wake up, even though I was looking forward to the (ChooseFI local) meeting. The alarm absolutely compared my “FIRE lifestyle” to the “alarm clock lifestyle.”

I’m sharing YOUR future here. I feel so very grateful for our life decisions and situation which allow us to enjoy near full ownership of our time. Someone mentioned in that morning ChooseFI meeting that “you never get time back.” Of course, that’s obvious, but I thought about how many other people at that meeting—those pushing and wisely working towards a FI life—would hear the early morning alarm beeps tomorrow and have to begin their day/grind to those sounds.

Since you’re reading this, you are amazing and powerful and working toward super-awesomeness. In the future, you will enjoy the ability for “every day to be Saturday” if you choose.

I am telling you, “great job in taking back your life hours!” Nothing will ever be more important than having a healthy, enjoyable life hours for yourself.

*** Nothing in this article is to be construed as financial advice. I am not a financial planner, nor do I pretend to be. You should always consult your own professional when seeking advice.

FIRE.076 Remote work change

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So hopefully you read about my successful Job Design Change and realize the opportunity you may have to steer your own professional work ship. Let me present an equally, or more amazing job change I performed. Three sacred words for many: Work From Home, or two words: Work Remotely.

The year was about 2005. It had been over a year since I narrowed my scope of responsibility but expanded it across global divisions. I spent most of my day working with half a dozen deployment teams located on three continents, while at the same time I was starting to travel more around the country.

Because of the ramp-up of international teams, I was adding more and more daily activities for Europe and Asia requiring earlier start and later end times for my day. Note: I only lived 5 minutes from our offices.

Wednesdays:

I was feeling a little too time-consumed and remembered how I was truly ‘just an employee number’ to the company leadership so I thought I would do something for me. I decided to start working from home on Wednesdays. I didn’t ask anyone, I just stayed home one Wednesday and worked like normal. This is crazy now that I look back on it, but nobody questioned anything because of the traveling.

I worked on a huge hundred(?) million dollar 10-year project so there were hundreds of people working on this, all over the world, traveling weekly. Obviously people were always out of the office, traveling across town, across the country, and around the world—my boss(es) included (they were often all consumed with the people/positions above them, pushing to climb the megacorp ladder, than worry about my @$$ in a seat).

Tue & Thu:

On Thursdays I’d slide into my desk and there were no “where were you yesterday” questions, no push back, no problems. After a couple of months, I changed to Tuesday & Thursday from home. Same result when I arrived at my desk the next day, no issues. Around this time I started emailing my boss updates, important notices, successes/wins so they ALWAYS knew what was going on. I made sure my boss was never stopped in the hallway (or any site hallway around the world) and be caught off guard with a problem/issue. Remember: Job #1 is to make your boss’ job easier and job #2 is to make your boss look good. (I had multiple great supportive, trusting bosses).

Mon, Wed & Fri…Mon – Fri:

Probably about 9 or 10 months since I originally started Weds, I changed to Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from home. Then, which is ultra mind-blowing to think about now, a couple of months later I just stopped going into the office much at all.

So, now I’m not going into the office to work. I’d bet some people thought I just spent full-time at another location because of a deployment, I didn’t know what my peers wondered, and didn’t care. Most of them were mostly concerned about success and climbing the corp ladder like the bosses. I loved my job and the level/pay I was at. My work/life balance was exceptional and maybe some of this all had to do with saving (FU money) for years prior.

Let me recap: within maybe 12 months I went from a cube to working from home without asking. I maintained this schedule for about 10 years. I had no less than FOUR different managers who never questioned my working location—or job function for that matter. I guess when the new manager came into our team they just assumed my location-less life was approved. (funny)

Bosses:

I worked smart. I did a great positive job. I stepped up and took on additional work. I never caused employee problems. I showed energy and passion on conference calls. My mid-year and yearly reviews ALWAYS started the same for years and years, “do not change anything you’re doing.”

Side note: I do believe my pay raises may have suffered a little (bonus not at all). I usually only received 75-80% of the maximum raise range. The mean for the team was 50%. I believe the less-than-max amount was because I wasn’t in person ass-kissing all the time. But because we lived a smart savings lifestyle, and we didn’t need to climb the hedonic treadmill, I didn’t have to earn a lot more each year.

Amazing:

Job was great, work/life balance was great, savings were great, marriage was great, FU money was flowing into our accounts amplifying all of the previous greatness listed.

I close on a funny note—not the one where I couldn’t find my bosses new office for my yearly review—but the one where the department admin assistant emailed me and said

“it has been determined that you have not used your physical desk location in over 90 days [actually much, much longer] so you need to remove your personal items so it can be reassigned.”

I was losing my sweet cube on the 4^th floor with a beautiful window view of 20+ miles of desert scenery

Ah, such is life, soon to be LifeInFIRE…

Find little ways to improve your job…your life. As you get stronger financially and professionally you will begin to make some of your own rules. Don’t take from others, but give in a different way.

*** Nothing in this article is to be construed as financial advice. I am not a financial planner, nor do I pretend to be. You should always consult your own professional when seeking advice.

FIRE.075 Fully F* It Job Change

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I was talking with some ChooseFI friends at our meeting/meetup after an excellent presentation on targeting your Super Powers and trying to push the other life tasks to the side. I shared how I did an unofficial Job Design change.

I worked at a mega corp for 18 years. It was great. The worst part was every 18-24 months there was some type of market constraint forcing the management to consolidate teams, departments, and divisions. We peons were always aware during these times that someone in your 4-person cubicle would not be there at the end of the day. FREAKY, crazy stuff—unless you have FU money.

I went through six or seven of these RIFs. Once our whole department was outsourced to IT companies—yeah, that was strange. I ended up being hired back into the mega corp 6 months later into a great position, and bridged my way back in as if I had never left.

What I learned from these activities are:

No matter how hard you work, how much effort you give to the company, you are truly just an employee number—a cost to the company leadership and
The work you perform/deliver must be valuable to your boss(es) to have a chance at corporate survival.

This post is about being strong enough to do what you want—at work, elsewhere, etc.

My new position in 2004 was an IT Infrastructure architect and security leader for our huge division’s global deployment project (a “10-year” project). My colleague had the same position for his division.

This was a great job with a lot of cool technology, lots of interesting travel, and working with very smart people who were hand-picked to work this important project. After about a year in the job, I decided I liked the infrastructure aspect much more than security. This became obvious to me as my peer seemed to love the security tasks.

One day in a meeting, I told him, “I will take over your division’s infrastructure if you take over my security role and we can focus on our interests (strengths).” He thought for a while and said he would “ask his director.” I immediately said, “let’s try it first, in the meetings we share and see how it goes.”

My logic was simple; I thought if we just started working with each other’s divisional teams more and accomplishing the tasks, nobody would care. It turned out that taking on his infrastructure was simple enough for me, the team members and stakeholders seemed to appreciate our expertise immediately compared to each doing both roles simultaneously. (See item #2 above)

We continued in our new roles for the next decade more or less, doing what we loved. Nobody EVER questioned why I worked in the other division and not on my security tasks because all the work was being completed, with both high quality and a positive attitude.

	Original Jobs
	Employee 1	Employee 2
Division A	Security/Infrastructure
Division B		Infrastructure/Security


	Changed/Improved Jobs
	Employee 1	Employee 2
Division A	Security (strength)	Infrastructure (strength)
Division B	Security (strength)	Infrastructure (strength)

When I think back to how ridiculously bold it was to change my (newish) job role and work across divisions without asking anyone, especially in a mega corp, I realize I’ve done the same ‘being-different’ in so many aspects of my life.

Maybe the goal to the success of each “life differences“ was to avoid a problem while delivering successfully. Which of the graphics above seem the most logical to a boss? I figured; deliver for the stakeholders so the bosses could only accept the success.

After this job change, I never had to “beg for forgiveness vs ask for permission” because success doesn’t require forgiveness. I (we) just happened to be successful. If we would have failed, then there would have been some serious scrambling.

My next post will be about another un-requested job change that worked out great…

*** Nothing in this article is to be construed as financial advice. I am not a financial planner, nor do I pretend to be. You should always consult your own professional when seeking advice.

FIRE.074 Sale Away Cruise Deals ?

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We finally decided to take a last minute cruise since we have an awesome schetchle.

We’ve always heard of the specials to fill the rooms at last minute, or even the last month or so before departing. Cuba sounded like a great place to visit—one of those better-do-it-now kind of places.

I noticed there were some deals for some 4-night midweek cruises from Norwegian.

We (I) decided to go simple and get an “Oceanview” room to save money. To be clear, this is actually just a standard window room but a step up from being housed in a closet type room.

OK, pricing time; We looked for the cruise 4 weeks away—calculating the time for a 21-day airfare purchase.

On Sept 15^th the Oceanview room was $299 per person. On Sept 16^th the same room was $279. (YES, $20 for being slow) However, when I decided to lock everything in on Sept 18^th, just 3 days later, the price was now $249 per person. We clicked purchase and we were all set.

FEES, FEES, GRATUITIES.

This is our actual billing per person for the $249 room:
249 Room charge
167 Taxes, port fees
80 Forced tips (20/day per person)
=496 each $992 total for two people for 4 nights on the ship.

$248 total per night total with food, drinks, entertainment, gym, etc.

While the charges added up quickly, it was still a really good price on a nice enough ship. But not a super bargain like $249 implies.

Our cruise had free drinks, as well as the option for on-ship amenities such as: internet, meal upgrades, etc. We did not upgrade.

Tip: we did book an early embarkation time. I read to skip breakfast at the hotel and get on the ship ASAP and head straight to the buffet to eat/hang by the pool while waiting for the room to be ready. So, we joined LOTS of people munching away (and drinking) while docked with a nice view of Miami.

It had been 20 years since our last (first) cruise. This experience seemed more organized embarking, disembarking. Moving around the ship was easy. Even with 2000 passengers onboard (medium/smaller ship), there were many quiet places to hang out.

We did notice that our room was very quiet. We located 2 rooms from the stairs/elevators and NEVER heard any commotion. We did hear people talking in the hallways a couple times but it wasn’t bad at all. So even though everyone was loaded onto this floating city, it was quite calm…even for a booze cruise as it turned out.

I have to say even with 21 days notice our Southwest plane tickets were about the same as the cost of the cruise which was a bummer. We also stayed in Florida for 7 more nights to explore Miami Beach and the east coast beach towns. It was two vacations in one.

If we lived within driving distance of a cruise port with amazing destinations, we’d probably take a few last minute cruises each year…but I’d need to figure out how to manage the buffet. The food choices are brutal to the scale if you like eating.

*** Nothing in this article is to be construed as financial advice. I am not a financial planner, nor do I pretend to be. You should always consult your own professional when seeking advice.

FIRE.073 Takeaways from my life to date

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This was an article I wrote for www.Fiology.com

Our story seems quite different than most, but anyone can use pieces of my life examples to better yourself, including my mistakes.

Lessons:

My story to LifeInFIRE started as a (lucky) middle-class 12 years-old when I was taught how to save and how bonds/high-interest rates worked. That year Alaskans received checks of $1000 each. My dad made me save mine, while ALL my friends bought new stuff. A few years later I had enough to buy a car, but I was forced to buy an older car. I had a little summer part-time job and my dad told me if I saved some money, he would match it. I saved ALL of mine and spent his. These turned out to be great learning opportunities that I don’t regret at all.

Spending:

I also watched my parents log their spending in a multi-column budget book each evening. They could quickly and easily track their expenses over time. I’ve done this in a few different ways since high school. It helps you become aware of your current and historical spending. Note: we spend almost the same decade after decade as some items rise and other categories drop.

Delayed gratification:

I learned you can get what you want, but make sure it’s what you really want, and you can pay for it, rather than paying the bank back. I guess I was a lucky child in that I received a gift for christmas and my birthday, usually what I had been asking for over the previous months. I learned that I had to wait. It became normal. 30+ years later I still plan for what I want, research, validate and then make the purchase decision at a later time. It helps to stay out of stores, or bringing my wants/shopping list for some structure.

Investing Oops:

You won’t have this problem in modern times. I learned about investing in bonds 12-15% in the 80s. At the time a stock trade could be HUNDREDS of dollars. You know about low-cost index funds, I wish my MBA had said just three more words “Total Market Index.” I had no clue. Luckily you are educated in this regard. Remember, you can overcome lower investment returns by saving well. However, it’s very hard to use investment returns (unicorns) to overcome low savings.

FIRE/Not working:

It was NEVER my intent to no longer be a worker (retired) at 43. I originally planned to leave corp America in my early 50’s to teach (at a comm college) and give back to how I started my career. To prep for the change, I actually taught night classes for over 20 years, while working a busy day job (side hustle wasn’t even a thing yet). I saved EVERY dollar from my teaching side hustle because it was just an extra “playcheck.”

Some differences:

We do not have children. We had smallish, manageable college student loans (graduate as well), some with parental assistance, some with employer assistance, some paid for monthly/aggressively for a few years (at 90’s tuition rates). We both were working professionals. We targeted a lifestyle (once we got better organized) of living off one salary and saving the second. That allowed less stress from daily work—even the possibility of a layoff. Financial INDEPENDENCE has many levels, but they all give you control, power, freedom.

Great markers

If possible: Same spouse, same house, same cars over time, save early and continually for the future. If most of the items work out, you will have a stronger, less stressful financial life and possibly (much) more freedom into the future. (Yes, that was worth repeating from above)

Same spouse (25+yrs together), same house (27yrs, 1026 sq ft), same cars (10+ yrs, purchased as 3yr olds), save early (one of our paychecks * 20yrs) and continually (still do a little part-time work for “playchecks”).

Giving:

A big part of my life seems to entail giving back in my own way. There is no big activity or a five-foot-giant-check handed to someone, but rather lots and lots of small efforts to try and help others have a better day/life. It may be like me; teaching, presenting, writing, having a conversation, listening to someone, performing an action to help (carry something, pick something up for someone, smile) in the smallest of ways. If you give out positivity, you will surround yourself with said positivity. (Even grumbling old(er) men can give, I prove that).

Health:

It is vital that you put effort into your health and wellbeing. A strong, happy body will carry you throughout your day much easier than being broken down. I lost 140 pounds when I was 29- 30, anything is possible. Move, get some sunlight, smile to others and fuel your body with the vitamins and nutrients you need.

My wife and I are so basic/normal (stealth?), but we do what we want (planned out) and have a great life. Thousands of smart little decisions over time may multiply into your greatness or really goodness.

*** Nothing in this article is to be construed as financial advice. I am not a financial planner, nor do I pretend to be. You should always consult your own professional when seeking advice.

FIRE.072 Goodwill-Good Stuff, Goodness

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This is an update to last year’s post.

I went to Goodwill on Thursday, Jan 3rd, 2019 because I was passing by after the gym. THE GOODWILL RACKS WERE PACKED!!!

I could not believe all of the items on the racks and shelves. It was like hundreds of homes had cleaned out their over-consumption stuff for other’s to enjoy at discount prices. The clothes were so packed the hangers couldn’t slide.

Question: Friday or Thursday? Friday starts a new color of half price tags. Thursday those color tags become $1 each just to get the merchandise out of the store.

As I said, I was there Thursday—usually slim pickings-—just to see if they had anything good available. WHOA, there were dozens and dozens of $1 clothing items, household items, books, etc. I looked around a little and ended up with 10+ items for $13 (I had to over-pay more than $1 for a couple of nice clothing items; Oakley, Nike ~ 1.99-2.99).

I know in the next 3-4 weeks—as the color tag cycle rolls over—there will be so many great deals. I now have a “goodwill wish list” on my phone of clothes/things to look for—just like an Amazon wish list, but for Goodwill.

Original Article from 2018 below:

Let’s talk about shopping. There’s either planned need-based shopping or entertainment shopping. We’ve all done both at many times in our lives. Of course, we’re supposed to just perform planned/need-based shopping excursions, but that’s no fun. Let’s talk about discount shopping—with a plan.

Normal shopping has a few pricing models, full-price, sale-price, some other crazy-price. The goods we purchase come in two states—new or used.

Today I feel the need to talk about used items. Something that someone wanted to get rid of and allow us to have that those items for less money. So excellent for the wallet! There are many used item locations ebay, craigslist, garage sales, neighborhood posting sites, thrift stores, (bulk trash for some), etc.

Let’s talk about Goodwill thrift stores. Tons of merchandise—some horrible junk, other may be nice finds or “treasures.”

Here’s the best part: Goodwill stores often have multiple pricing options. Full priced items, half priced items, and excellent $1 items. Many Goodwill stores base the price on how long the item has been for sale in the store.

Full Price: As items arrive they are priced with the new color tag of the week (e.g. pink) for full price. I’m not sure, but I believe my store has 5 colors of tags— as an example a store may use Pink, Purple, Green, Blue, and Yellow.
50% off: The fifth(?) Friday after arrival, those old pink tags become 50% off their full price to incentivize people to get those items out of the store. Friday morning can get a little busy in some goodwill stores. There may also 50% off Saturdays when the entire store is on sale.
$1 day: Then on the following Thu—end of that color’s 50% off week— all those 50% pink tagged items become $1 to really try and push the items out of the store. Thursday morning can be even crazier. Imagine getting jeans or a jacket for $1.

Then the next day (Friday) the discount process starts over with the next (oldest) color, in this example, Purple tags become 50% off their full price.

There are also 50% off Saturdays, Senior 20% off Tuesdays, Military day savings, etc.

My tip: Near the end of the year many people donate items for the tax write and in Jan many items are donated because of new year’s ‘cleaning’ resolutions. So if we can time 5 weeks after these items arrive (mid-Jan – mid/late Feb) you will find a large selection of very discounted stuff. My local Goodwill’s racks are jam-packed with clothes and shelves are stacked with items.

I’m sorry this post went up at the end of this timeframe, I just realized myself why there was so much stuff at the stores. Keep a shopping list of items you need/want in your task list. Set up a calendar reminder for late Jan and Early Feb next year to take advantage of Goodwill Thrift Store donations sales to load up on stuff and save your wallet some serious money…and have hopefully a great entertainment shopping adventure.

*** Nothing in this article is to be construed as financial advice. I am not a financial planner, nor do I pretend to be. You should always consult your own professional when seeking advice.

FIRE.071 WE-Day (WE-dnes-DAYs)

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We decided to lock in a day of the week to make sure we do something cool together. Maybe we’ll do something new, something totally out of the ordinary, maybe something far away, or maybe something small and normal-ish but still together.

Even with so much available time in our LifeInFIRE we still find we get into the same general routine, the same schetchle week after week. We are planning to break up that routine every week, right in the middle of the common week—remember, every day is Saturday in FIRE—when the pace of the world seems a little slower and easier to manage, or at least slightly less stressful in the “retirement activity window” of 9a-3p.

Our WE-Day concept is not new, Fritz at The Retirement Manifesto has a weekly Cookie Jar activity plan that’s super creative (commandment 5). Other people maintain bucket lists or ToDo lists—which we also have—but WE-Days are forcing action on the adventures. …someone’s gotta be in charge, so WE-Day is now the boss with requirements.

Examples:

WE-Day1: we started simple, with an hour hike on the “mountain” by our house. That was followed up with visits to two local libraries to get updated library cards to fully expand our accessibility to books, magazines, videos, courses, etc.

WE-Day2: is targeted to tour a museum a couple hours from our home. This visit is something I’ve wanted to do for YEARS but never locked in a time to head over there. Next WE-Day we will do it, the WE-Day boss said it was required.

Future WE-Days: we are quickly pulling together a list of activities we would like to do, or that one of us would like to do and the other will join in because that’s the rule. So, I’m going to a large car auction that I’ve avoided for decades. WE-Days sure seem like a routine ~~buster~~ expander.

To be clear, our new idea of WE-Days is not part of our xmas revelations because those tend to be more internal, progressive goals. (Caring, Calm, Cleaner Eating). But, WE-Days are about growth, progress, and improvement.

I’d suggest taking at least one day a month and ALWAYS using that day for an adventure. Live life now, enjoy every day.

*** Nothing in this article is to be construed as financial advice. I am not a financial planner, nor do I pretend to be. You should always consult your own professional when seeking advice.

FIRE.070 Honey merry Xmas debt keys

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I am so sick of seeing commercials of shiny new SUVs with Christmas bows in the driveway and a happy couple (+2kids) frolicking in the 1” of artificial snow.

Economics

I understand the money making (selling) machines of corporate America are behind this and our economy thrives from purchases, and nobody is going to pay for a commercial that says “Hey honey, surprise! We’re now in debt for another 72 (84?) months.” Hmmm.

I’m not a total curmudgeon chanting Bah Humbug, not at all. Yes, the holidays are a time for sharing with loved ones. We can share time, energy or even thoughtful gifts to show our love. I understand the commercialism in our culture and important to the country (companies/shareholders).

It’s just these artificial, over-extend-yourself commercials drive me crazy.

Wealth Destroyers

Maybe it’s my deep-rooted belief that repeated new car purchases and other large disposable items continue to smash the financial (future) stability of millions of people. Come to think about it, maybe I am a curmudgeon. Maybe I just have too much time in my LifeInFIRE to notice these things and grumble. Or maybe, just maybe, I am onto something smart here.

Maybe, I just need to get off my $1/month Hulu subscription with commercials and do something more productive (like write my thoughts online?).

Gift Timing

For some of our younger family, we do back-to-school gifting (more than xmas) because they already get SO many gifts at xmas and nothing in the summer. It seems to make sense for our different mindedness.

I hope you are wise and enjoy the holidays with your loved ones, and also remember to enjoy the entire year, and share and give throughout the year.

Enjoy every day. That’s my goal.

*** Nothing in this article is to be construed as financial advice. I am not a financial planner, nor do I pretend to be. You should always consult your own professional when seeking advice.

FIRE.069 Vegan Budget Buster

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“Oh how expensive it must be to eat vegetarian (plants) all the time.” Are you thinking “here goes an entire paycheck to Whole Foods” to get the organic new superfoods of the month? This is what so many people believe. Maybe it’s our marketing culture.¹

Then it occurred to me, what do poor people stereotypically eat? Rice and Beans, Spaghetti, Peanut Butter sandwiches…aren’t all of these vegan meals?

Smarts

You may have read that I lost over 140 pounds about 20 years ago. I changed one food item to a better version each week. The power I possess is that I never changed back to the bad version. I never changed from whole wheat bread back to white bread, or from brown rice back to white rice. I’ve said before “the financially smart lifestyle is VERY similar to eating smart lifestyle,” though a smart diet is much harder to maintain than money smarts.

As we transitioned into our “summer challenge of no meat” or dairy as well, this was normal for me based on my very clean eating style (‘diet’). We already ate LOTS of fruits/vegetables and whole grains. The new addition was increasing our beans/lentils. [Insert Instant-Pot miracle here]

Options

I’ve found that there are SO many meatless versions of foods available in the grocery stores now. I’ve also noticed that more often than not, they are not truly healthy/clean alternatives. They are often “natural” but loaded with Sugar Oils Salt (SOS). The marketing machines of the US definitely want to provide options that they can push on us to increase their earnings. They will meet our needs (meatless) but may not be better for our long-term health prospects (or wallets).

Health and Money trends may be aligned.

So now I eat interestingly enough meals to be satisfied. I often have whole grain bowls (rice, quinoa, etc) with a scoop of legumes (beans, lentils), some veggies tossed in (cauli, broc, greens, potatoes, other colors) and top it off with a little sauce of worldly flavors (the weaker part of my meal). I eat Mexican, Asian, bbq, citrusy, spicy, sweet, dark, tangy, etc. depending on my mood.

I’m not sure the cost of these meals/bowls, but I have to think they are in the range of quarters/50cents for rice/beans/sauce. I’m lucky, having eaten clean for some many years, I don’t feel deprived. I get my fuel easily and then go about my day.

Side note: Strangely as a non-meat eater, I don’t like, or eat salad. I’m a strange vegetarian…a strange version of a vegetarian. I guess in so many ways I am just a different breed.

So my suggestion for your wallet and far more importantly, your health, try a few hearty, heavy, thick meatless bowl meals and see how it works for you. What’s the worst that could happen, extra cash and less weight?

Use your Amazon Prime/Prime Visa at Whole Foods. It’s my understanding Amazon Prime discounts apply at Whole Food stores. This is a great way to get super specials and the Amazon cash back discounts…maybe bundle the sale price AND cashback.

*** Nothing in this article is to be construed as financial advice. I am not a financial planner, nor do I pretend to be. You should always consult your own professional when seeking advice.

FIRE.068 This is your Brain

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What if your brain goes bad? What if you start to lose control of your functioning? STOP…and think about this for a few seconds. In less than 30 minutes yesterday, two family friends released funding campaigns to help them deal with their upcoming brain surgeries. Just typing this I feel a sense of anxiety at the severity of their medical conditions and how easily this could affect any one of us, or our immediate family.

FIRST, never take your health/life, for granted. You must ENJOY EVERY DAY. It doesn’t matter if your FIRE’d, working, going to school, etc—each day is a reward that you should treasure. Your Health, Happiness, and Family matter most.

In order to treasure your day/life you need to be aware of the amazing-ness we posses. I don’t know what other creatures have the same level of comprehension that we have, but I’d like to hope that human comprehension is on the highest level and that we use this comprehension to better everything.

If you are reading this you are smart, driven, and you put your brain to good use. It’s obvious because you take the time —and put in the effort—to learn. Your brain is vital to your lifestyle and goals, not to mention your body’s ability to function.

We know science is progressing quite rapidly to understand the body/brain, but take some time now to prep your brain for the long term. It’s my understanding that this includes blood-pumping exercise, eating clean foods, practicing zen-ness, feeling love, and helping what’s around you.

Brain/medical issues can strike anyone. The two family friends are a young woman with three children and an older woman with three children. Not only are these mothers dealing with the issues related to the diagnosis, but so are their children and grandchildren. These families are dealing with such pain.

As for our personal abilities to help in this time of need, it looks like we will be able to help some financially, as well as with housing and assistance during this treatment time to allow for more energy to be spent on recovery. FIRE continues to be a gift to allow us to help—and spend time with—those we care about.

Please take action to enjoy each day, take care of yourself, take care of others and try and plan for alternate futures.

*** Nothing in this article is to be construed as financial advice. I am not a financial planner, nor do I pretend to be. You should always consult your own professional when seeking advice.