Get the Financial Independence Newsletter
Happy new year!
I hope you all had a fantastic break, and I hope you’re ready to make some serious progress in 2025.
To kick things off, I’ve got a reader interview for you, a new FI case study, some musings you might enjoy, and news of a special project I’m working on!
******
What happens when you question home ownership as a core pillar of financial independence?
Well, you’re free to explore what other strategies might work for you.
In this month’s Strong Money Story, we meet a family who took a highly unconventional approach to lifestyle design.
And guess what? It’s working out amazingly well for them.
They began to see their house as something that held them back, rather then propelled them forward, and made some bold decisions that has resulted in:
More time with their kids. More adventure and fun. Faster wealth growth. And a period of learning, experimenting, and far greater flexibility than they had before.
I can almost guarantee you won’t guess what the strategy is…
Read: “FIRE First, Then A House” | Strong Money Stories #4
NEW PODCAST
In the latest episode of Aussie FIRE, we discuss an FI case study.
This time, from a thirty-something couple who wants to be work-optional in their 40s.
Our couple is wondering if they should stick with their current approach, or switch things up.
We also tackle questions on dividend reinvestment plans (DRPs) and social isolation.
Listen now on Spotify or Apple.
|
|
THOUGHTS OF THE WEEK
Stock market prediction 2025:
I predict the market will go up. And down. It’ll finish the year up… or down… or flat. I predict dividends will be paid. And most of all, I predict people will waste time predicting/watching the market, when they could be learning or making more money to invest.
Once you begin building wealth, it’s so easy to KEEP building wealth, that it’s almost impossible to lose. Momentum and compounding feed your snowball and create an avalanche of progress.
The idea of working full-time, week after week, for 50 years, scared the shit out of me. I refused to accept it as a ‘normal’ way to live. “There has to be another way.” Thankfully, there is. Making work optional is the ultimate life enhancer.
SPECIAL PROJECT
So what’s the special news? I’m launching a Strong Money Podcast.
The first brief intro episode will hit podcast apps any day now, and it’ll give you a good explainer on my plans for the show.
At this stage, I’m turning my most important articles into podcasts, and I’ll also be sharing my updated thoughts along the way.
I’m launching with 10 episodes over the month of February. From there, I’ll continue covering some of the classics and might branch out into Q&A and other new content.
CLASSIC ARTICLE
The new year is a perfect time to make changes in your life.
Take advantage of the mental reset and start 2025 off the right way.
I wrote an article on how to level up your finances and life in the new year, discussing mindset, strategy, habits, and money. Check it out here.
