I didn’t assume I’d ever need children.
There was a lot I needed to do/see throughout my life and I felt like having children would get in the best way.
Two issues modified once I received to my late 30s although.
First, my spouse’s sisters began having children and I received to see how enjoyable/loopy they’re.
Second, I began carrying out quite a lot of the issues I had needed to do…
I don’t assume I’d have been in a position to obtain quite a lot of these issues with out the 5+ years of full freedom that FI supplied. So due to FI and my neices/nephews, I lastly got here round to the thought of getting children.
However the prospect of being a guardian is horrifying (particularly to somebody like me who’s an enormous planner and a little bit of management freak).
Fortunately, FI helped quell a few of these issues as effectively…
- Ideas of sleepless nights had been much less worrying figuring out that we didn’t should get up to go to work
- Caring for a brand new particular person is much less intimidating figuring out there’s sufficient financial savings within the financial institution to deal with any unplanned bills
- Parenting with each mother and father at house is rather a lot much less scary than imagining doing it solo whereas one particular person’s off working
So not solely did FI permit me to get right into a state the place I really needed to have children, it additionally made the prospect of children rather a lot much less intimidating.
Anyway, sufficient beating across the bush…
I’m ridiculously happy to let you know that there’s now a Mad Fientist Jr. 🙂
He arrived on July 14th and Jill and I are each over the moon!
A Model New Appreciation for FI
I needed to put in writing this publish as a result of I really feel like recently, I’ve been primarily centered on the downsides of FI at any time when I speak about it.
Because the FIRE world exploded in 2018, most FI content material appears like this -> “FI IS THE BEST THING EVER AND IT WILL SOLVE ALL YOUR PROBLEMS AND WILL INSTANTLY MAKE YOU HAPPY!!”
That’s clearly not the case nevertheless it’s unsurpising a lot of the on-line content material appears to recommend that. Right here’s why…
When a brand new weblog/podcast begins or when a newspaper is making an attempt to get as a lot visitors as potential, which do you assume will get essentially the most clicks:
- The ten Methods FI Improved my Life and How It Can Change Yours!
- Cash is Not the Purpose You’re Not Pursuing Your Goals :/
Clearly the primary heading would, in order that’s why most FI content material tends to deal with the positives.
However since I’ve been doing this for over a decade and don’t have to get extra readers/listeners/clicks, I really feel it’s my responsibility to share the complete story. And because the positives are so effectively lined by different websites, I are inclined to dwell on the damaging points at any time when I’m interviewed, so that you just get a more-balanced image.
I needed to put in writing this publish although as a result of since having our son, I don’t assume I’ve ever appreciated what FI gives greater than I do now.
Jill and I can focus absolutely on our new addition and we are able to watch him develop with none distractions. My mother and stepdad came visiting for 18 days and we received to take pleasure in time with them and didn’t should share our consideration with work. We are able to nap in the midst of the day and keep up all evening if we have to.
I can actually say I haven’t felt this degree of contentment, happiness, and gratitude since I left my job in 2016, and I’m so pleased we labored onerous and made the sacrifices we did to get to this place.
Absolutely Realizing the Advantages
Over the past two years, I really feel like I’m getting into a brand new stage of life the place I’m lastly reaping the advantages of my previous investments (reasonably than simply accumulating extra investments).
I’m studying tips on how to take pleasure in spending cash (extra on this quickly) and man, is it enjoyable 🙂
As we have a good time 20 years of being collectively in December, investing in my relationship with Jill has yielded a wonderful son and a partnership that’s by no means been as robust and loving as it’s now.
My deal with well being and vitamin over the previous decade signifies that although I’m an older dad, I’ll hopefully really feel simply as younger as the opposite dads that I’ll be interacting with quickly.
And attaining FI has helped me get mentally and financially ready to have the cutest little child I may think about.
Your Investments Will Be Price It
Apologies for all this self-reflection right now however I needed you to know that your onerous work and sacrifices will doubtless repay in a much bigger method than you ever even imagined (as a result of that’s how I really feel now).
Your investments will solely be value it for those who really begin cashing them in although in order that’s what my future posts/podcasts might be specializing in.
Since my publishing schedule might be much more sporadic now that now we have a new child, click on right here to hitch the 100,000+ others on the e-mail checklist and get up to date when new posts get revealed.
6+ Years of FI
My FI anniversary (Aug 1st) got here and went with out me even noticing this 12 months.
I can say that that is the most effective that post-FI life has been although so I’m much more excited for the long run.
I didn’t know that is the place I needed to be however now that I’m right here, I can’t think about being anyplace else. And I’m grateful that FI helped me get right here.
P.S. Large due to Paul H. for the wonderful Mad Fientist child onesie! I promise he likes it much more than the image signifies 🙂
P.P.S. I launched a brief podcast episode about this so click on right here to test it out!