Greetings.
Today I write this post as a means to reach out in search of advice from fellow human beings with a like, or at least similar mind-set, to mine own. I do not have a particular outline for this post, nor do I know where it will end. I am simply here to ask advice from a community of people who share similar values. This case study will be broken out into categories of my life and may or may not go into detail about certain subjects. Thank you for your time and advice, it will be read and appreciated.
Financial: After all this is the MMM forum, so it’s hard not to start off a case study without reference to one’s financial situation. However, my case study does not necessarily involve seeking answers of financial advice rather it will lead towards a deeper search (yeah it’s getting heavy already folks).
With that being said I make, in my opinion (obviously I’m writing this), plenty of money. Classic story – I work a 9-5, or more, job and am not satisfied with it. The more I think about it the more I come to realize that I’m working the job because it is what society expects of me and not what I truly want. Not to mention the more I get into researching FI and related topics the more the choice seems inevitable to me. To be free.
Okay, okay you want some numbers so you can give me legit financial advice. Too bad, I’m leaving out details for a reason. A key realization occurred to me recently as I have accumulated some knowledge and life experiences in that for the majority (not speaking of people in crazy unfortunate circumstances) of people in my situation, or similar, that the choice to not be FI tomorrow is just that, a choice. This is the choice that I cannot seem to make and why I am here asking for advice because it seems so clear to me, yet I am having great troubles in taking that step.
My Situation: Why I think anyone in my situation is not FI simply because they choose not to be. I have zero debt, a stockpile of cash, own multiple rental properties, a lot of stock investments and most importantly a self-disciplined frugal lifestyle. I will admit that I was born and raised with the latter part so when I found MMM I felt like a new world opened up and it allowed me to hone those skills even further and more importantly realize that my view of the world wasn’t something crazy or outlandish. Back to my choice theory though…I also am not responsible for any other human beings to speak of at the moment (very important note here). So, as a self-disciplined individual living in a wealthy, free, nation why do I subject myself to the slavery of 40+ work week? To take it to an extreme, I could literally live for damn near free if I played my cards right based on some opportunities I have available to me without “working: in a mustachian sense”. What am I doing then? You ask. Great question, I’ve been trying to answer that for a long time and slowly I think I am getting there. Hopefully with some words of wisdom from the community to proverbially push me in the right direction.
Note: I have simply left out the details of my life because I am trying not to focus on those when making my decision. If you think you need more information to help me out let me know and I can provide more!
-PBM