Desire Paths: The Unconventional Way To Live Your Life
Budgets Are Sexy – January 26, 2018
There have been a lot of blog posts and even major media coverage of the financial independence/retire early (FIRE) movement lately. A LOT of people like to talk about how it’s unrealistic, or unsafe, or just plain dumb.
On the other side, the people in the FIRE community are over here going “no, it totally works. You just have to know how to get there.”
I like this post because it explains the difference in the thought processes through the analogy of desire paths. People following traditional financial paths are the sidewalk and rutted trail users of the world. It’s a more recognized path, definitely seen as more safe, and people realize that while it may take longer, it’s a proven path. The FIRE community forges their own path and is willing to take more risks.
Are you a sidewalk user or a desire path creator?
That Time I Spent $44,000 On A Two Week Vacation
Accidental FIRE – February 13, 2018
Speaking of unconventional paths, you need to hear about this epic trip Accidental FIRE took a few years ago!
Now, obviously I’m not advocating that you start budgeting $44,000 to go to the Bahamas or to travel to your family reunion. But sometimes, you have an opportunity to participate in a once-in-a-lifetime event that aligns with your goals in life. When that happens, sometimes you suck up the steep cost because hey – isn’t this why you are careful with your money in the first place?
I have no particular interest in mountaineering, although I’d happily take the cruise mentioned in this post and/or go hike some glaciers. My over-the-top bucket list trip? I seriously have my eye on commercial space travel. When (not if) we get to the point where regular Joes and Janes can hitch a ride to low Earth orbit for $100,000 or less, yeah…I might pay that price.
Is Anyone Else Happy About Your Financial Successes?
Mixed Up Money
Most of my friends and family don’t really care about personal finance. Not the way I do, anyway. In fact, if I were to quiz my 10 closest friends and all of my immediate family in a week, I think the absolute max number that will have read this is 2…but most likely it will be zero.
They (and most people in general) don’t really understand what I’m doing with this blog or why. Nor do they understand my FIRE aspirations. So it’s not something I talk about with them.
I’m obviously not going to ditch my friends just so I can ensure that I speak to financially like-minded people more often. Instead, I split my focus.
I have found a lot of people online who do care about personal finance, and I’m able to talk to them about these things. The personal finance corner of Twitter is a great place to engage with like-minded people. And while I’m stationed here in DC, I get to hang out with the DC Money Nerds, a bunch of local PF bloggers and podcasters who like to get together for a beer, a bite, and 3-5 hours of rambling conversations about IRAs and safe withdrawal rates. Hopefully I can find similar communities at subsequent assignments.
If you are looking for a place to go to talk about these things, remember I have a Facebook group! It’s not just for military members, either. Feel free to join us and start a conversation. We’re happy to have you.
i had read all of these also. i agree with having to split these interests. we had one of mrs. smidlap’s college classmates here for the weekend with her kid, who was scouting out colleges. they live in a high cost of living area and she was mentioning already taking out some monster loans for the older kid’s college and i had to just keep my mouth zipped. you could smell the irresponsibility a mile away with taking on these debts in your 50’s, but you have to let it go. there’s no use in damaging a friendship by proselytizing.
Bite your tongue!! hahahaha
$44k would get you quite a buffet in the Bahamas! Glad you liked the article and thanks very much for the shout out!
Oh man….I’m trying to even imagine how big a buffet $44k would buy…a big one, I’d imagine!
I’m with you on the maybe 2/10 reading my blog / understanding why the heck I care so much. Why it so darn important to have the online community in your corner to celebrate the financial part of life! And maybe hope that a few more people in real life will come along for the ride 🙂
You know I’ll be there to celebrate your financial wins and commiserate on the setbacks! Thanks for being a great part of the community 😉
And thank YOU for pushing me to finally get a Twitter! Seriously has made this whole blogging thing 100x better thanks to all the awesome folks there that have really become friends 🙂
Yeah, it’s great in there!