Financial independence started as a formula: save and invest 25 times your expenses, then step away from the job. In this solo episode, I respond to an Instagram post from Ashley Evans asking whether the FIRE movement has lost the plot, as more of the conversation shifts toward making more money, growing businesses, and owning more. I explain the 25 times rule and the 4% draw down math that first drew me in 12 to 13 years ago, and share the comment I left on Ashley's post. I reached my goal of leaving my nine to five in 2018, and today I'm in what I call work flexibility, stage four of my five stages to financial independence. As a mom of three living in New York City, I have no interest in growing my business if it costs me time and energy freedom. I also walk through the idea of a "vehicle" for reaching FI, which was my full time job and later became Journey to Launch, and why it's okay for that vehicle to slow down. The episode also covers the parable of the Mexican fisherman and the investment banker, and the reality that "enough" looks different for everyone depending on security needs, family responsibilities, and history with money. Your plan can change, your pace can change, and you get to define what enough means. In this episode, I share: Why Ashley Evans's post on the FIRE movement prompted a bigger conversation How the 25 times rule and 4% draw down work, with a $40,000 a year example Using a full time job or a business as the "vehicle" to reach financial independence How to think about enough versus more, security, and the choice to say no + more What's New in the Paperback Edition of Your Journey to Financial Freedom: A bonus chapter: When Life Happens: Staying on the Path to Financial Freedom Through Setbacks, Shifts, and Uncertainty A book club and discussion guide with prompts, exercises, and action steps Updated corrections from the original hardcover Exclusive bonuses when you purchase the paperback, including: The Fire Starter Course The Find Your FIRE Number Worksheet Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DcoqNBUuYuh/?stkn=b3Zhajh5NGZtdno= Get your paperback edition of Your Journey To Financial Freedom if you haven't already. Apply to Share Your Journeyer Story, here./' Join the Journey to Launch Book Club to dive deeper into financial freedom with guided discussions and resources here! Join The Weekly Newsletter List to get updates, deals & more! Leave Your Journey To Financial Freedom a review! Get The Budget Bootcamp Check out my personal website here. Leave me a voicemail– Leave me a question on the Journey To Launch voicemail and have it answered on the podcast! YNAB – Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 34 days trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link. What stage of the financial journey are you on? Are you working on financial stability or work flexibility? Find out with this free assessment and get a curated list of the 10 next best episodes for you to listen to depending on your stage. Check it out here! Connect with me: Instagram: @Journeytolaunch Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch Facebook: @Journey To Launch Join the Private Facebook Group Join the Waitlist for My FI Course Get The Free Jumpstart Guide
