Switching things up slightly from this month going forwards, nothing major, don't worry. I'm just swapping around the finance and non-finance update. Over the past couple of years, as my numbers have compounded the numbers have mattered less and the lifestyle has risen to a priority. 2 months off work, again! Regular readers will know that I took 8 weeks Unpaid Parental Leave in 2025, taking off pretty much all of the school holidays to spend time with my kids. In January I've submitted the same again, and just had it approved (not that they can't not approve it, they can delay it under extreme circumstances but can't turn it down outright - see more in a previous post of mine here ). Lots of plans this year, so far we have booked a 2 week driving holiday in the French Alps, a long weekend in Salzburg, a biking holiday and Efterling in the Netherlands as well as a few days in Wales and the Peak District. Snowy Scarborough We had a night booked in Scarborough right a...
I'm a 39 year old father of 2 young children. I currently live with my wife and kids in Wakefield, West Yorkshire and work in Cyber Security. I've always been obsessed with frugality, optimising time and money and discovered the FIRE movement (Financial Independence Retire Early) in the mid 2010s.
I don't drive a fancy car (mine is almost 10 years old!), and I live in a fairly big standard semi detached (with a postage stamp garden!). I'd much rather spend my money on buying my time back as well as on adventures and holidays with my family.
Over the past few years, I have pursued a heavy savings rate and have directed this into savings, investments and overpaying the mortgage.
Most people pursuing people have a figure, an overall number to achieve. My FIRE aims however, are currently not set in stone, largely down to having 2 kids! I would be happy with being Financially Independent by the time I am mid-40s, however I enjoy work too much to retire completely and cannot see myself "Retiring Early" until much later than this.
My saving pots consist largely of a mix of Pensions, Stocks & Shares ISAs, Junior ISAs and easy access Savings. My portfolio also consists of Bitcoin (early adopter in 2015 thanks to being involved in Cyber Security!), Share Incentive Plan shares and Gold and Silver bullion. Currently, I have the above 5-prong attack focus on my savings. This blends a mix of small amount of short-term, low risk savings, with the majority being in longer-term investing.
I love helping people when it comes to personal finance, and am considering becoming an IFA or a Financial Coach at some point in my life - it's just that Cyber Security is very interesting, very much in demand and verrrry financially lucrative right now.
This blog will consist of tips and tricks to achieve FIRE, as well as parenting financial hacks and good offers I have come across.
I hope you enjoy!
Over the past few years, I have pursued a heavy savings rate and have directed this into savings, investments and overpaying the mortgage.
Twitter Account: https://twitter.com/Dad_on_FIRE
Key milestones:
- 2022 - Mortgage free!
- 10 years after buying our 1st house.
- 2023 - Coast FIRE
- In 2023 I had enough in my pension that it would coast up to a figure I would be happy with at age 55 (circa £1m)
- 2024 - Hit £1m net worth
- 2025 - Took 8 weeks off work (through Unpaid Parental Leave)
My FIRE journey:
My 5-prong approach:
My saving pots consist largely of a mix of Pensions, Stocks & Shares ISAs, Junior ISAs and easy access Savings. My portfolio also consists of Bitcoin (early adopter in 2015 thanks to being involved in Cyber Security!), Share Incentive Plan shares and Gold and Silver bullion. Currently, I have the above 5-prong attack focus on my savings. This blends a mix of small amount of short-term, low risk savings, with the majority being in longer-term investing.
I love helping people when it comes to personal finance, and am considering becoming an IFA or a Financial Coach at some point in my life - it's just that Cyber Security is very interesting, very much in demand and verrrry financially lucrative right now.
This blog will consist of tips and tricks to achieve FIRE, as well as parenting financial hacks and good offers I have come across.
I hope you enjoy!
Hi! I just discovered your blog. I am also a 37 year old dad, pursuing FIRE, and living in West Yorkshire!
ReplyDeleteNice!! Hit me up on Twitter and we could do a meet up. There's another FIREite literally down the road from me as well!
DeleteHi! Thanks for writing this blog! We really enjoy the monthly updates. Fun enough we are in a quite similar position, attitude, etc. so it's fun to see. And when I see my S&S go up I think "Dad on Fire will be happy as well!" or when I read your activities we think "ha! we might do this at some point". So, thanks for writing it!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment! Means a lot to me that my posts are getting read by people and even more that it resonates with other people's journeys!
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