Welcome to the third iteration in my ‘Reel Freedom’ FIRE-related film series. It’s been a while since my previous ones but I'm back with a corker! Previously I explored consumerism in Fight Club and money vs meaning in A Christmas Carol. This time round I'm looking at what is probably the most obvious of FIRE-related films... ' Office Space'. This is a 90s cult classic that strangely I acutally only got round to seeing a few years ago. If you've not seen the movie I've no doubt that will have at least seen a few memes based on the film. This film tackles a number of topics associated with the FIRE movement, most notably: what would you do if you didn’t have to work for money? Peter, the main protagonist, is the relatable everyman, wrestling with that age-old exchange of time for money, especially when the money comes from a job he hates! As before, disclaimer here is that this will probably contain spoilers. All set? Let’s have a look! "It's not...
I'm a 39 year old father of 2 young children. I 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. This has enabled me to take Shared Parental Leave, as well as currently 2 months a year off via Unpaid Parental Leave.
Over the past decade, 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 decade, I have pursued a heavy savings rate and have directed this into savings, investments and overpaying the mortgage.
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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