Fifteen years ago, after just over a decade playing my part in a war that had already gone on too long and a lot of accumulated “travel abroad” to sandy locales, I was at a happy transition point in my life. A short walk, mere blocks from the Pacific Ocean in San Diego, I was … Read more
A guide to every variation of FIRE, how taking it abroad enhances the plan, and how to use each in sequence to achieve financial independence faster. Disclaimer: This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not individualized financial, tax, or legal advice. Examples and calculator outputs are hypothetical. Consider consulting a qualified … Read more
Frugality is a tax you pay every day through mental energy and effort, with each additional decision sticking to the plan. “Lock-in” is a single decision made once that pays dividends indefinitely, and living abroad multiplies the possibilities of “locking in” more for less. There’s a number most people never think to calculate, and it’s … Read more
Two Americans move abroad for the same dream. One leaves hundreds of thousands of dollars on the table. The other never pays a penny of income tax again. The difference isn’t luck — it’s two decisions almost nobody knows they’re making. The story of two Americans abroad In the flood of Americans moving abroad in … Read more
In a world where wealth has always equaled accumulation, the future of wealth holds a counterintuitive opportunity. Boarding school… I didn’t expect that answer. As we sat chatting over a midday cappuccino, in a café filled with teak, surrounded by banana trees, and filled tropical ambiance, I’d asked a casual question as we discussed plans … Read more
Why where your money works matters more than how much you make One Morning, Two Worlds The coffee arrives before I’ve fully settled into the chair — a small, handmade ceramic cup filled with a dark, creamy espresso with beans freshly arrived from Honduras touched with a tinge of chocolate. A luxurious morning start that … Read more
A testament to ExpatFIRE, NomadFIRE, BaristaFIRE, CoastFIRE, and financial creativity on the path to financial independence As I sit on another one way flight to Bangkok, this time from Seattle, I can’t help but smile, excited with both anticipation and appreciation…for what I experienced on my financial journey of the last 9+ years, for what … Read more
Everyone would love the idea of being “financially independent,” and the FIRE approach is a great option that makes that life accessible. Unfortunately, the prospect of sacrificing life’s comforts to achieve and live in Lean FIRE, or even FIRE, is too much for some to fathom. At the other end of the spectrum, the millions … Read more
For the average person who wants to achieve financial independence, that desire for early retirement is also for comfort. For many, the prospect of never having to work again is only a worthwhile opportunity if it comes with a lifestyle worth living, and without compromise. This is the prospect of Fat FIRE. The Fat Financial … Read more
Most people want financial independence and the opportunity to retire early. Unfortunately, the small margin of savings that many Americans have after paying the bills doesn’t make it easily possible to early retire with $2 million in the bank, or an $80,000 retirement withdrawal. But luckily, the solution doesn’t have to be working forever, or … Read more