Last time I was quite naive. Probably still am, but hopefully less so lol. I thought that after reaching financial freedom, I can relax. No need to work, shake legs and spend my passive income and I'll be happy. I calculated my expenses to be $2.5k per month (that's before I have a lot more adult responsibilities like the current me), which works out to be $30k per year. Assuming 5% returns per year, I just need to get 600k capital and I'm settled. And that number just gets anchored in my mind for the longest time.
I am naive because:
1) On paper, having 600k @ 5% per year can settle my monthly expenses, but it just makes my life easier. I still have to work because there's no buffer. I can't sleep well with 100% invested in the market as well. In practice, I need more than 600k, probably 30% cash buffer will be very nice, which means a total of 1 mil is a more realistic figure to aim at.
2) 2.5k is really just good enough for me, at that point in time. I'm at a different life stage now, with more commitments, so 2.5k is just not enough. I didn't account for future life plans back then. Or rather, I didn't know what changes it will make to my expenses to account properly for it.
3) 5% returns per year - this is based on 'average' returns. I am below average because I'm not wizardry material. I know now, but I didn't know back then. I thought I can be Warren Buffett but I am just 我人不肥. I know myself better now and have a more grounded expectation based on data, rather than hopes.
4) Thinking I don't have to work after financial freedom is really naive. On paper, everything is fine but I did not have a more holistic view of financial freedom. In the past, it's all just about money, but progressively, I think financial freedom is more about philosophy. Ultimately it aims to resolve the question of what we are going to do with our lives here. It is more about meaning instead of materialistic pursuits. If we don't have a meaningful outlet to pour our life's best work in, we'll never end up free, regardless of whether materially we are financially free or not.
Hence, I adapted this FI (financial independence) koan:
On the outside, nothing has changed after FI. We still do the same things as before. But on the inside, everything has changed. Our mindset and attitude are not the same and we will approach the same task with more purpose and meaning. Don't expect life after FI to change drastically on the outside - it's all happening on the inside where no man can see.
Live long and prosper.
12 comments :
I had started to believe financial independence is also a phase in adult development and it's not the last stage. In some strange ways, I also think the "cure" to this may be mid-life crisis.
Anyway for me after 40, I think that my whole FI experience was, at best, a rite of passage. At worst, it was an attempt to fulfil someone else's goals based on their experiences. In any case, I am glad it's over even - even though I am hardly independent financially.
Reaching Financial Independence means as Employees, we don't have to worry over the next office rumours of incoming headcount cut or say No Thanks to added roles and responsibilities for career development by bosses
Hi patty,
I understand what you mean. I think maybe mid-life crisis forces one to review the purpose of life. FI doesn't solve that part. My phase is not over, but then again, I'm not that super eager to achieve it either. It comes when it comes
Hi bro8888,
It's true - gives you the option not to work for a living. But I've seen depressed people who are FI too. I'm trying to say in this post that FI isn't a solution for a happy life. I used to think that it is, but I guess I was just being insecure about my own financial situation to want a panadol quick-fix lol
FI means if one day, u are out of the game not by choice but by circumstances. U can take a break and contemplate what to do without worrying about rice on the table.
If I could, i wish I could die
1) in my sleep
2) playing a sports
3) working
In that order of preference.
I dun mean working till I die, if work is continue to be satisfying.
But things change, people change, and job change.
FI is an insurance ...
But if big brother up there likes you, u might not need the insurance.
Hi SI,
Don't die playing sports or during work lah, 惊动小孩!
But I agree with you, FI gives you an option. But like I mentioned in other comments, last time I naively thought it can solve a lot more problems. Like SMOL said, maybe last time using it to escape realities of life. Now I'm more grounded, and realised it won't solve ALL problems. Not meant to be.
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