Just hit my target amount

[oneyear]

Just hit my fire target with my early Christmas bonus. There you go, the culmination of 3 years 7 months absolute graft and saving a hefty chunk of what I earned has made me financially independent.

For me, the key to becoming FI was increasing my income while not really increasing my spending. I’ve been lucky enough to found a very profitable business and over the last number of years my salary has been north of 200k, coupled with a 24% overall growth in investments. Prior to that I’d my mortgage and commercial mortgage paid off.

This year we began a transition to FIRE with extended luxury holidays but all within our annual budgets. I’m already downshifting in work and bringing the right people in to continue the success of the business in my absence.I’ll always work hard, but for now it’s all about the gamification

So what’s next? Everything will continue as normal. My target amount covers all of life's expenditure including my coveted european holidays. However I see any additional amount above this level as my opportunity to present more for my family in the future. It adds a different level of luxury to this and opportunity to try new things without upsetting any plans we have.

From an financial perspective, my investments will be left untouched and topped up regularly with more of the same. Tomorrow might see us dip under our target amount, it might see it all go higher. Regardless today 14th December 2016, I am financially independent.

[Guesl982374]

Outstanding!

[Uturn]

Congrats!!  I can't wait to make this post.

[ysette9]

Congratulations ! What a wonderful Christmas gift to yourself.

[oneyear]

Congratulations ! What a wonderful Christmas gift to yourself.

It's the best one yet. Now can I buy a ferrari?

Thanks guys. In a weird way it's great to be able to tell people, even if you guys are just from t'internet.

[Roots&Wings]

Congrats!! That's awesome you were able to increase your income so substantially while maintaining spending. What sort of work do you do if you don't mind sharing?

[tarheeldan]

Congratulations!!

[Livingthedream55]

Way to Go!!!!  Congratulations!!!!!

[oneyear]

Congrats!! That's awesome you were able to increase your income so substantially while maintaining spending. What sort of work do you do if you don't mind sharing?

Loosely speaking I help businesses grow, but thats all I'd really say publicly.

Having a beer with the wife tonight to celebrate

[nexus]

Congrats! I can't wait to make this post (and hopefully by then I'll be married too). That's for the motivation to keep on.

[oneyear]

Last couple of days have been mental at work. Right now we could work 24/7 if we wanted to and to an extent I'm considering upping our business hours with new staff members. The quote "make hay while the sun shines" is the key thought behind this.

Any it's great knowing there's nothing that can financially touch us right now. It definitely gives a peace of mind. Though I felt much more elated when I paid off my mortgage 4 years back.

[BuffaloStache]

Congrats! Cheers to you!

[tonysemail]

Congrats!!  I love seeing people hitting their number and lumbering off to FIRE :)
The recent market gains have been unexpected and have really put me in a good mood for Xmas!

[Playing with Fire UK]

Congratulations! That is really fast work.

[HappierAtHome]

Congratulations! Thanks for sharing your good news with us :-)

[oneyear]

Congratulations! That is really fast work.

Yup I can definitely say I put the ground work in on this one and to the expense of a lot of things including my own health on occasion. But  everything MMM put forward on the early days of his blog contributed to the speed of achieving fire. Earn, save and invest wisely.

Checked my accounts today, now we're 101% of our fire target. This may change come monday, but we've done it and the next steps are to secure our fire status through more saving/investing and to slightly relax our own spending habits.

[Playing with Fire UK]

Congratulations! That is really fast work.

Yup I can definitely say I put the ground work in on this one and to the expense of a lot of things including my own health on occasion. But  everything MMM put forward on the early days of his blog contributed to the speed of achieving fire. Earn, save and invest wisely.

Checked my accounts today, now we're 101% of our fire target. This may change come monday, but we've done it and the next steps are to secure our fire status through more saving/investing and to slightly relax our own spending habits.

Amazing. I hope you get to spend some more time/money on your health now that you've hit your number.

[oneyear]

Thats definitely the plan. Less cubicle and more outdoor time all being well.

[Playing with Fire UK]

Thats definitely the plan. Less cubicle and more outdoor time all being well.

Sounds wonderful.

[arebelspy]

Congrats! 

When does oneyear become zeroyears?  ;)

[oneyear]

Congrats! 

When does oneyear become zeroyears?  ;)

Probably not for a very very long time. It'll be more semi-fire for the foreseeable to be honest, with a transition to extended breaks rather than full FIRE. I love what I do and the good days completely outweigh any annoyances I have within my career. A month in the mountains and a month at the beach sound great and would certainly keep me motivated while working.

Truthfully, I haven't fully considered what I'm firing to also.

Having only invested for just shy of 4 years, I've only ever known a bull market. Yes daily variances have seen my shares in the red, but I've never experienced long term negatives. I'm pretty confident they are on the horizon also and so to solidify my FIRE title, I'd like to grow the amount far above whats needed now and a continuation of investments while the market changes.

[Metric Mouse]

Congrats! 

When does oneyear become zeroyears?  ;)

Probably not for a very very long time. It'll be more semi-fire for the foreseeable to be honest, with a transition to extended breaks rather than full FIRE. I love what I do and the good days completely outweigh any annoyances I have within my career. A month in the mountains and a month at the beach sound great and would certainly keep me motivated while working.

Truthfully, I haven't fully considered what I'm firing to also.

Having only invested for just shy of 4 years, I've only ever known a bull market. Yes daily variances have seen my shares in the red, but I've never experienced long term negatives. I'm pretty confident they are on the horizon also and so to solidify my FIRE title, I'd like to grow the amount far above whats needed now and a continuation of investments while the market changes.

Nice plan! Sounds like you've got a great idea of what you want, and are comfortable where you are. I'm certain this will work out well for you.

[Playing with Fire UK]

It'll be more semi-fire for the foreseeable to be honest, with a transition to extended breaks rather than full FIRE. I love what I do and the good days completely outweigh any annoyances I have within my career. A month in the mountains and a month at the beach sound great and would certainly keep me motivated while working.

Truthfully, I haven't fully considered what I'm firing to also.

Having only invested for just shy of 4 years, I've only ever known a bull market. Yes daily variances have seen my shares in the red, but I've never experienced long term negatives. I'm pretty confident they are on the horizon also and so to solidify my FIRE title, I'd like to grow the amount far above whats needed now and a continuation of investments while the market changes.

Sounds like you have a good level of flexibility with your work. Could you be/are you location independent?

[MonkeyJenga]

Congratulations! Are you considering starting/upping charitable contributions?

[oneyear]

Happy New Year mustachios.

I was reviewing a post on another forum I made 4 years ago and I have literally achieved all I set out to do 2 years short of my planned timeframe. It's a great reminder to make yourself accountable. Even if you don't hit your target, you'll make vast improvements over today. This post is to hold me accountable to myself next January.

Market highs last week have seen me hit 103% of my FIRE target. 2017 is panning out to be a big year. I have 2 major trips planned and paid for (bar spending money) during 2017, with a 3rd in the mix for late October, but I'll hold off on booking it to very last minute.

From a financial perspective, this year will be spent securing the FIRE target, whether there's a pull back or more market highs, the plan remains the same, save and invest. I reviewed our December spending this morning and even with Christmas in the mix, we're below our budget target for the month, which is great.

Aside from finances 2017 is about taking control of family and personal life. I'm taking work/life balance to a new level and my main aim is to be more present with the family. Now the days are getting longer again, we'll spend more time outside and doing things together. As we've loosened the spend somewhat, we're aiming on more short breaks.

Personally I have been giving serious consideration around the idea of what I'm retiring to. A second business or a blog were my first considerations. At times they have great ideas, others they sound like hard work when comparing the return I'd receive vs continuing to work in my business. I'd also have a seriously larger pay packet for doing so as well. So I need the "what to". I've been focusing on health and well being and I imagine that'll be a large part of retirement for socialising and keeping me active. In December I hit the gym 16 times and already after 1 month I've noticed differences. Nothing earth shattering, but positives I'd like to continue.

Due to our location my main passion, skiing, requires trips abroad. A relocation is unfortunately not an option either and so these activities are restricted to time away. There's little chance of making it a priority in retirement though that would be awesome. I might look into it.

Anyway, hope everyone has an amazing 2017 and hits all their goals and targets.

[Metric Mouse]

Thanks for the update! Sounds like you're doing great.

[soccerluvof4]

Well done! Congrats!

[SwordGuy]

Congrats!!!  Well done!

We're aiming for April/May 2018 (whenever the school semester is over and grades are in).

Thankfully, we've already answered the "FI to what?" question.

[arebelspy]

Thankfully, we've already answered the "FI to what?" question.

Swords, I'm assuming.

[BuffaloStache]

Thankfully, we've already answered the "FI to what?" question.

Swords, I'm assuming.

In my head:

[Greenback Reproduction Specialist]

AWESOME!!!

Nice work and thank you for sharing, its very motivating to read : )

[Secretly Saving]

Congratulations.  Now on to the fun!

[oldtoyota]

I'm so glad to hear this. Sounds like you have awareness about not being sure what to do next and will figure that out. I'm curious to hear about your journey as you ramp down the business (or your participation in it) and ramp up the European vacations and time with family. =-))

Well done! You are an inspiration.

[Metric Mouse]

Thankfully, we've already answered the "FI to what?" question.

Swords, I'm assuming.

In my head:

Nice. I saw street performers outside of Montmartre put on a display like this one time. Lighting all sorts of things on fire and swinging them around. Good memories.

[oneyear]

Cheers for all the messages guys. Things are all going well. Markets are favourable and I'm continuing to add to my accounts. 100% is now 104% and the fire buffer is increasing.

On a home front, the extra morning I spend with the family is just like a Saturday morning. A lie in, a hair cut and some play time. It may become a productive time, but for now it's family time.

Business is busy and we're recruiting with the view to replace part of my role. That's always a scary thought, "no one can do what I do". Lol it may cost more to put the new guys in place but that's succession planning and should mean we end up with a better and larger business. It is a common thought that a business owner is replaceable but that's really just arrogance and while no one will run my business exactly like I do, letting go and managing is all part of the fun

[MoonLiteNite]

increasing my income while not really increasing my spending.

I have been like that since i was making 5$/hr 13 years ago! Granted there was times where i was spending a bit more, but over all i average around 5$/hr as my spending income :D
I wish  i could get the 200k yearly pay but in 7-10 years ill have a post like yours!

nice job!

[2Birds1Stone]

Awesome job OP!

[Metric Mouse]

Cheers for all the messages guys. Things are all going well. Markets are favourable and I'm continuing to add to my accounts. 100% is now 104% and the fire buffer is increasing.

On a home front, the extra morning I spend with the family is just like a Saturday morning. A lie in, a hair cut and some play time. It may become a productive time, but for now it's family time.

Business is busy and we're recruiting with the view to replace part of my role. That's always a scary thought, "no one can do what I do". Lol it may cost more to put the new guys in place but that's succession planning and should mean we end up with a better and larger business. It is a common thought that a business owner is replaceable but that's really just arrogance and while no one will run my business exactly like I do, letting go and managing is all part of the fun

Be sure to keep us updated!

[TheMCP]

Surely I'm not the only one that didn't know graft also meant hard work and not just bribery / stealing... I thought this was going to be a really unique thread for a minute

Congratulations