How To Retire Early without Financial Independence (FIRE Movement)

Can you retire early without financial independence? Yes... and no. While we haven't hit FIRE, we are following a path called Slow FI.
Instead of focusing on hitting financial independence as quickly as possible, what if you focused on enjoying the journey towards financial independence? That's what Hanna and I are doing and how we've been able to achieve our dream life of traveling in an RV full-time without yet being FI.
Links Mentioned In The Video
Zach from Four Pillar Freedom
fourpillarfreedom.com/the-sho...
Jessica from The Fioneers
thefioneers.com/slow-fi-yolo/
Angela from Tread Lightly Retire Early
treadlightlyretireearly.com/2...
Sean from 2 Frugal Dudes
2frugaldudes.com/
Jillian Johnsrud
www.montanamoneyadventures.co...
Real Cost To Full Time RV (Detailed Breakdown!)
• Real Cost To Full Time...
How to Start Freelancing & Make Money (Even if You're Broke)
• Fastest Way To Make Mo...
______________________________
My Website: mappedoutmoney.com/
Intro by: Ant Bandit / antbandit
FOLLOW ME
Facebook: / mappedoutmoney
Instagram: / mappedoutmoney
Twitter: / nickdtrue
PS: If you have an Amazon Alexa, I just launched a brand new daily flash briefing called 30 Second Money. It would mean the world to me if you checked it out in your Alexa app.
www.amazon.com/Thirty-Second-...

[@shaunboyce727]

Slow Fi: living like a normal person who is responsible with their money? I love how everything needs some marketable term in order for people to latch o to it.

[@mappedoutmoney]

Bingo! Hit the nail on the head my friend. That's all it is. Unfortunately, most people don't ever sit down and really think about their own unique priorities and values :( Hopefully, some folks will watch the video and be encouraged to think about them. Thanks for watching!

[@cgss2213]

I’m on the slow diet: down to 5 donuts from 10. I’ll get there eventually. I’m enjoying the journey. Jk

[@-whackd]

Normal people are not responsible with their money

[@JimmyKSimmonsOfficial]

I applaud you! I am 52 and just realized I was drinking the kool-aid society has been pouring for years. I am in the process of selling 98% of my stuff and selling the sticks & bricks - I have purchased a RV and lowered my cost of living from $4100.00 a month to less than $1100.00. I work remotely with my current job but plan to start my own online business and enjoying the time I have left here on earth and get out and see the beautiful country we live in.

[@mappedoutmoney]

Congrats Jimmy! That's awesome man. I wish you all the luck in the world on your journey. That's super exciting and I'm really glad that you liked the video :)

[@randyfiore1311]

My comments exactly.read my post I'm 53 next month.😊

[@wolfthequarrelsome504]

I presume you mean by "seeing" the country you mean experiencing it

[@JimmyKSimmonsOfficial]

@@wolfthequarrelsome504 Correct!

[@xDuchessx]

That's amazing!! Good luck!!!

[@curtisstewart9594]

I'm 62 and been "retired" for over 30 years. Retired to me being defined as doing what I want and love and getting paid well for it. I only have a high school formal education. I became a welder, certified to be a welding inspector then hit the road. I have had the opportunity to work in 46 states. Even got to be in Key West on somebody else's nickel. My next adventure is in sharpening and selling scissors. And a pretty good trick for someone who has no hair. I developed the sharpening hobby doing my inspection gig. I am not afraid to move around or sell. If someone wants to retire early find something you are interested in and good at. Figure how to get people to pay you to do it then, do it. If you can put $50K back and generate $4-6K a month doing something then you are FIRE. Having a millon is not necessary. I would not spend 1 day at a crappy job thinking 4-6-10 years I can be free. The ability to be free is available to everyone. Right now. But most would rather have that secure crappy job than reach for freedom.

[@mappedoutmoney]

Love this Curtis! Welding is a super underrated. I have some good friends who are welders and it's a great way to earn a living with a lot of side-benefits. I'm super glad that you've been able to find something that works for you and not have to work a job you hate. Thanks so much for sharing and watching my man.

[@twincherry4958]

Hmmmm

[@joefran619]

I tell young people, skilled trades!

[@mappedoutmoney]

@@joefran619 Agreed Joe! Lots of good work and money to be made there. I really enjoy listening to Mike Rowe's podcast, and he talks about this a lot.

[@thecobra...1716]

Curtis you are switched on. the key invest $50k that will generate say $5k a month doing something you really enjoy

[@frugalchiclife4588]

I love this video Nick! A year ago I scaled back my work schedule to 3 days a week and it was one of the best decisions I’ve made. Before that I was on a path to burnout trying to race to the FI finish line. It was exhausting and I was making myself miserable, so I tossed out my self-imposed deadline to focus more on enjoying the journey. As a result I’m much happier in my present, and I’m still working towards my long-term goals. The fastest route isn’t always the best route. There are so many benefits to a slower path and it’s refreshing seeing a different perspective.

[@mappedoutmoney]

Hey! Thanks so much for this Nicole :) I super appreciate it. I'm so glad to hear that you were able to cut back on work and find time to enjoy life more on the way to FI. I totally agree about the importance of tossing out self-imposed deadlines. Love that: The fastest route isn't always the best route. couldn't agree more.

[@xjarheadjohnson]

The Moneyless Man: A Year of Freeconomic Living www.amazon.com/Moneyless-Man-Year-Freeconomic-Living/dp/1851687874

[@carliwalker6837]

YES! This is why I love following you guys. I focus on FI, but not RE. Reality is, I love having a passion....sometimes that passion is making me money, and sometimes it's not. I want FI so I can pursue the life I want to live which very well may include working into my 80s. My grandpa is 87 and works full time but he loves it! My grandparents own real estate and are constantly going. He acts like a 60 year old man but he loves what he does. I know that when I get to that point in my life, I won't want to work as hard as he goes, but I will likely never stop. Therefore, I am creating a FI life that allows me to pick and choose my destiny!

[@mappedoutmoney]

Boom! Totally agree Carli! So glad that the video resonated with you. I really appreciate you saying that and I'm right there with you. I want to find work that I don't want to retire from :) Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! Keep on keeping on.

[@Adrienne0010]

I’ve been obsessing over all of this for the past year or so and you articulated it perfectly.

[@mappedoutmoney]

Hey thanks Adrienne! So glad you enjoyed the video :)

[@kidrissa]

The "Identify YOUR Why" part is SOOO valuable! Thanks again Nick!

[@mappedoutmoney]

Totally agreed. Thanks for watching Kojo! Appreciate you man.

[@marcstump8189]

As a 60+ newly retired person, I wondered about how I was going to finance the life I want to live in retirement. This video gave me answers. Although I watch mostly YNAB videos Nick does, I consider this video is ABSOLUTE BEST!

[@mappedoutmoney]

Awesome Marc! So glad that this was helpful for you and the framework made sense!

[@qmakesithappen]

This video was everything! I'm slowly getting to FI for sure. Just quit one of the 2 jobs I had and I feel a lot less stressed 👌

[@mappedoutmoney]

Woot woot! Love it. So glad you enjoyed the video and glad to hear you were able to cut back on one of the jobs!

[@IsaacHuntertheWriter]

This is the route I ended up taking, kind of by accident. I was very interested in FIRE for several years but had very limited earning potential. It was going to take several more years to save enough money to pull the trigger and that was soul crushing. Along the way, though, I made some really good decisions. I bought a house WAY within my means and paid it off in 3 years. I bought it as a home to live in the rest of my life rather than an investment to sell in the future. I bought it in the exact location I wanted to "retire" to after a great deal of research. Then I landed a job in a neighboring town and moved to my house and started remodeling. Three years later, I discovered that not only was my house paid off (which means I'm not caught up in the rent crisis now), but it was in the perfect location for me, and I no longer needed to work full time. In fact, I discovered I could switch to part-time, work only 2 days per week and enjoy 5 days off as my weekend. I've been doing this for several months now and I couldn't be happier. I show up to work on my first day back, actually excited and ready to go, and then before I know it (the next day) its my Friday and my weekend has started. My coworkers are grumbling as I walk out the door because they still have three more days to endure. It was a huge reduction in my income (about 66%), but what I still bring in is roughly double what I need, so I'm still able to pay off small debts and save for future trips and anything else I might want. Plus, my employer has said I can go back to full hours any time I want to. The 10 additional years it would have taken me to reach actual FIRE would have killed me. This alternative is much more feasible, flexible, and mitigates much of the risks associated with living off investments. Yes, its true I'm not literally retired. But why does it feel like I get to enjoy most of the benefits of FIRE with very little to none of the downsides?

[@mappedoutmoney]

Dude! How awesome. I love this alternative and think it's really great for you. Thanks so much for sharing your story Isaac, I think others will definitely get something out of it my friend! Serious congrats!

[@abbyabroad]

I appreciate this! Thanks so much... I hope to do my own version of this next year and I feel very nervous to go be unconventional without a huge retirement fund, but I have also most enjoyed living in studios and am comfortable keeping expenses low. I think it will be well worth it to build my dream life than to suffer more years in a career I hate.

[@gabrielholland6352]

I wholeheartedly love the video! It's clear, concise, and straight to the point.

[@mappedoutmoney]

Thanks Gabriel! Super appreciate it :)

[@karicarson7104]

Hi Nick! This is great! I think lots of people think retiring early is the magic pill that will solve all their problems. Then they rush to get there and feel painfully empty or confused when their job is gone. I think it is important to begin the journey, as you said, with the "Why?" and one's values. Then take a look at what you're doing now to see how you can start doing those things in the present and make a plan for what you need to do if you can't do them now. Thanks for bringing this to the FIRE discussion.

[@mappedoutmoney]

Thanks Kari, good to see you here! Super glad that you liked it. I totally agree that early retirement isn’t a magic pill. Gotta build a life around your why and core values. I appreciate you taking the time to comment :)

[@Ambrosha385]

This is it!!! Totally was wondering about this. I love it and this is the whole point, you are totally right! thanks to you both!

[@mappedoutmoney]

Awesome! I'm so glad that the video clicked for you, that means a ton :)

[@PartTimeBetting]

Good video showing how to look at FIRS in another way. Also thank you for referencing the other bloggers, articles, and resources. Much appreciated!

[@mappedoutmoney]

Hey there! So glad you enjoyed the video and definitely go check out the other bloggers and links. Lots of great stuff out there!

[@lorrie-thesoulalchemist3130]

SO glad I found this. I have no idea how I found it, but I’m working on a plan to freedom, not so much financial independence. So, my values align with yours. I want to LIVE, travel, and experience life. My youngest has 3 years until graduation. Which puts me on a 3 year plan. Thank you so much for this. I just subscribed. You and your beauty keep living the dream! Much love to you both! You’re an inspiration. ❤️🦋

[@mappedoutmoney]

Hey thanks so much Keelee! I’m super glad to hear that you enjoyed the video and found it helpful. Three years is a great timeline to start planning and testing out different ideas. So definitely get started thinking through your plan. Good luck! And thanks again for watching and commenting.

[@joefran619]

For me, as long as I have time for my daily exercise, I'm fine.

[@mappedoutmoney]

I like that Joe. I agree, getting some daily exercise is super important. It helps keep me grounded.

[@andrewmabry8995]

One of my biggest reasons for wanting to retire early is so I can do things while I'm actually still physically able to

[@mappedoutmoney]

Totally get that Andrew. Definitely a core value of mine as well. I 100% get it. Thanks for watching!

[@InvestToLive]

I hear that!

[@rollingtinfist]

Yes, this became my number one reason for pivoting to the method in this video.

[@karijames381]

really good job on explaining and making it personal, like always. i think your are SO right about enjoying the journey along the way. to many people wait to long before they start to do what matters to them. being in a job that sucks the life out of you but pays good is ok for a short period of time to help you reach a goal but long term i think you will burn out. giving my 2 week notice was a great day, i couldn't wipe the smile off my face if i wanted to. as always great pod cast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pretty soon 20k!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@mappedoutmoney]

Thanks so much Kari! I really appreciate you being here as always. That's amazing! I know what you mean by saying you couldn't wipe the smile off your face. I love it :) Like you said, all about the balance and finding a way to pursue the long term while also enjoying the journey. Thanks Kari! :)

[@BarksApp]

But Tim McGraw told me to live like I'm dying. In getting pulled in too many directions. I think I'll just sit here and see what happens

[@mappedoutmoney]

lol you win the comment game my friend.

[@markme4]

My plan exactly

[@PersonalFinancewithLeila]

Love this!! This is such a good point and this is exactly how I want to do things. First, I gotta get out of debt, but this gives me a lot of hope!

[@mappedoutmoney]

Hey Leila! So so glad to hear that. Really appreciate you commenting :)

[@kathyearhart]

I don't know that I'll be able to retire early, but I think it is the mind-shift in how you think about the money you earn and what you value in life. Making those 2 things mesh is what will keep you happy along the way! Thanks Nick!

[@emilymacdavid]

Geat video, going to share it with my hubby! Good, detailed, helpful information, as always!

[@mappedoutmoney]

Emily MacDavid thanks so much Emily! I’m Really glad that it was helpful for you.

[@johannbeckham]

Thanks for this post. There is sometimes guilt being past by "Fast-FIers" why we dont go all out and not be extreme about the F.I.R.E. journey. It's refreshing to hear that sometimes in this journey you would want to take a rest and smell the roses. Please create more content on SLOW-FI. And if there are podcast and books around slow fi, please share it with us as well

[@mappedoutmoney]

Totally understand this Jonathan. It's easy to feel guilt or get it from others when you're not going as extreme as you could. I've felt the same way in the past. There's definitely a balance, as you can guess, we don't YOLO everything and definitely make sacrifices, but it's all about finding the balance by hyper-focusing in on what matters most to us. Thanks so much for watching, and yes, definitely planning to create more around this. Be sure to pay attention to the blog The Fioneers and 4 Pillar Freedom, they're creating logs of good Slow FI stuff.

[@PlayingwithFIREco]

Great summation and perspective. Thanks for the effort, and the shoutout Nick!

[@mappedoutmoney]

Hey thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed it and appreciate you taking the time to comment!

[@BradFinn]

Another awesome video Nick! Slow FI is a great way to live. My wife and I LOVE our jobs.. not sure we will ever really get to the RE part of FIRE.. We are finally starting to live outside the spreadsheet and enjoy the journey!

[@mappedoutmoney]

Woot woot! Right on dude. I love it and I’m super happy to hear that for you. It’s a great thing when you love your job. Thanks for watching man!

[@nickfrompleven]

Thank you Nick.This is entirely new way of looking at FIRE for me. Never looked at it that way. Its way more fun and achievable.

[@mappedoutmoney]

Hey Nikolay! So glad the video made sense and resonated with you. I think it’s a lot more fun to look at it this way too :) Appreciate you leaving a comment. Good luck on your journey to FI!l my friend!

[@tomj528]

I've been on the wealth building road for 25+ years and have been through more than most. Realize that you've got a 20% chance of become disabled and God forbid a serious accident/injury affects a loved one. Just a few of many reasons to "make hay while the sun shines" and build your wealth early. I've learned that enjoying life and spending aren't related, in fact, inversely if anything. There are always alternatives to every expense and most are both less expensive AND better (increased enjoyment). Many times simply eliminating all that doesn't add value to your life is all it takes, and there's so much in modern life that doesn't. I'm constantly amazed at how much money slips through most folk's fingers in a day as they almost desperately spend every dime and none of it adds value.

[@mappedoutmoney]

Totally and completely agree with you Tom. Enjoying life and spending are definitely not 100% correlated. Thanks so much for watching and leaving a thoughtful comment.

[@manny6020]

Thank you for the powerful message and perspective change.

[@mappedoutmoney]

Of course! I'm so glad to hear that you found the video helpful. Appreciate you taking the time to comment :)

[@trevor6607]

Im currently about 6 years to FI right now and I stress pretty much daily about every possible factor that could delay my FI date... this video has opened my eyes up to a different way of thinking. I could work for FI but somehow optimize my life for the right now while on that journey... thanks for putting this info out. Very inspiring to see folks who have "made it" before hitting that FI number.

[@mappedoutmoney]

Hey Aaron! So glad that that this was helpful for you. I really appreciate you taking the time to comment. It's definitely important to think about that balance my friend. Hope you're able to find a way to optimize now! Let me know if there's ever anything I can do to help.

[@NLChristadelphians]

Thanks for your video - some interesting points that's got me thinking about things a little differently. I appreciate you sharing your perspective!

[@JPaz-cr8os]

I'm on the same boat. I quit my terrible corporate lawyer 16 hour days job 5 years ago, found remote work that I can do from anywhere in the world. Started making pennies, now I'm making good money. It took some time, but I never worked more than 25 hours a week. Best thing is that I got used to living simply in the process. I'm now in a position where I can save again (around 60% of my income) without even trying to. I prefer to stay in small, hippie, beach, surf towns in tropical countries and those are always dirt cheap! I've been to 5 countries in 2019 alone, slow traveling and working 3-5 hour days, saving and investing. I don't think I even want to retire. I feel good when I'm working, keeps me from overthinking. I consider myself semi retired anyways.

[@mappedoutmoney]

Love this J. Paz! I totally agree with you. Thanks so much for sharing. It's awesome to hear you're getting to see the world and jump around. I totally agree with you and love the small beach towns as well. Great job!

[@lilolme69]

I'm with you. I will never stop 'working' but I work for me these days with no employees. If I want to work 10 hours today, I will, or if I don't want to work for 4 days, I won't. Have fun J. Life is short!

[@mappedoutmoney]

Sparkle Shine yes! Love it :)

[@JPaz-cr8os]

@@lilolme69 Exactly, I'm all for saving a nice egg nest for peace of mind and that elusive false sense of security, but life is now. I'm not going to spend my money, but I am for sure going to spend my time doing whatever I want. And for people who say you'll be too old and tired to work more when you're 50, well the same applies to doing sports, hiking, surfing, I'd rather do those than sit in front of a desk 10 hrs a day.

[@JPaz-cr8os]

@C Hoc well maybe you can't relate to it or you need specific instructions on what to do to. I'll sum it up for you. The message is clear, don't put up with a job you hate, that consumes all your time, thinking that you will just suck it up a bit longer (usually 10 years) and then be able to retire. Re-evaluate your priorities and think about what makes you happy and how you can have more of that today. Pursue those things, sacrify income, gain time. I'm a lawyer for example, I make 1/3 of what I would be making with my years of experience sitting in a corporate office or law firm. That's fine with me. I'd rather have all the time in the world to read, cook all of my meals, go surfing, hang out, stare into empty spaces and just chill.

[@dexterne]

Good stuff. I'm 41, 12yrs into my SlowFI journey. At 29 I quit a 60+hr/wk high tech job and started consulting ~30hrs/wk. I cut things I didn't care about and ended up accelerating my progress towards FI while dramatically improving my enjoyment of life. Now I have ~2yrs to FI, but I like my "semi-retirement" so much, I'll probably just cut my hours to 20/wk rather than quit altogether.

[@dexterne]

Btw, no "suffering" in this scenario. I have a new, if not flashy car. I have a modest 1400sqft home in the suburbs and a slightly less modest beach house 😉, a wife, 2 kids, 2 dogs. I eat out whenever I please, though I usually prefer to cook. My savings rate is ~30%, and I started life without a trust fund or connections, and no degree. Left the trailer park at 17 with a car from the dump, $500 and a job pumping gas.

[@mappedoutmoney]

Dude. This is an amazing story Tim! How awesome my friend. I love that you were able to leave the high stress work at 29 and do consulting in a way that allowed you to still pursue FI and enjoy your day-to-day. What a great setup. Thanks so much for sharing my friend! Appreciate you being here, watching, and commenting. It means a ton.

[@dexterne]

@@mappedoutmoney Thanks for your content. Found you when I was exploring YNAB, and I liked the way you broke it down. Back in '03 I made a spreadsheet that filled that tracking net worth/budgeting function for me, but always found it a bit too manual. I tried Personal Capital, Mint and a private one from a financial advisor, but none of those fit my natural flow. YNAB all the way now! Keep fighting the good fight, more people need to hear this.

[@mappedoutmoney]

@@dexterne Oh nice! Well I'm so glad that the videos have been helpful for you. Yes, YNAB is truly unique in the way it handles things. Glad you've found that it works for you as well! And thanks man. I super appreciate the encouragement.

[@twincherry4958]

@@dexterne what's YNAB

[@stevenle6811]

Thanks for the positive perspective of thinking!

[@mappedoutmoney]

Of course Steven! So glad that you enjoyed it. Thanks so much for watching.

[@charlesjenkinson5020]

Man, you're so gracious, replying to nearly every comment. True humility.

[@mappedoutmoney]

Charles Jenkinson thanks man. I super appreciate that. I feel really honored to get to make these videos. I definitely want to try and show appreciation to people who take the time out of their day to watch them. Thanks for the comment Charles and good luck on your journey!

[@TheGRoques]

Thank you. The video confirmed what I've been feeling and thinking about lately, but haven't articulated well enough for myself. 🙂

[@mappedoutmoney]

Awesome G Roques! I'm so glad to hear that the video was helpful for you and put some things into words. Thanks so much for watching.

[@BalrajSingh-gg3qm]

I found this to be an insightful video. Thank you for sharing those points.

[@coltonmandell4829]

Super awesome video, thank you for sharing your thoughts. This gives me a new way/approach to FIRE.

[@mappedoutmoney]

Awesome Colton! So glad that you enjoyed the video and found it helpful man. Good luck!

[@QuesttoFIRE]

Love it!! And I LOVED y’all on the chooseFI podcast. 👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@mappedoutmoney]

Hey! I so appreciate you watching. Good to see you :) glad you enjoyed it and glad you enjoyed the choosefi podcast episode. That was a ton of fun to record :)

[@LearnHustleGrow]

Good stuff Nick! Great meeting you guys in DC!

[@mappedoutmoney]

Hey! Super great to meet y'all too, that's what I love the lobby for, all the great little meetings. Thanks for stopping by.

[@moo1388]

I love this! Beautiful Sensible Simple approach to promotion of Living

[@mappedoutmoney]

Thanks Becky Jo! So glad that you like the video. I really appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment.

[@drizzt197three]

Probably the best video on this subject I've seen, and an unconscious validation of the path that my wife and I are on, but couldn't have articulated in this way. Thank you!

[@mappedoutmoney]

Well awesome! I'm so glad that the video resonated with you and that y'all are on a similar path. That's exciting. Thanks so much for watching :)

[@valueinvestingdaily9259]

I really enjoyed this video, thanks for posting.

[@mappedoutmoney]

Thanks, so glad you liked it!

[@freedominabudget]

Yessssss!! Awesome perspective!

[@mappedoutmoney]

Hey thanks! Glad you liked it :)

[@LiciJamaicaLi]

Wauw this was really clear and helpful! Thank you very much!

[@mappedoutmoney]

Glad to hear it! I appreciate you taking the time to comment.

[@PaulCurleyBC]

Thank you for creating and sharing.

[@mappedoutmoney]

Thanks Paul! I appreciate you watching man. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@deveroncrawford8536]

This is one of the best videos on KZbin.

[@mappedoutmoney]

Hey thanks Deveron!

[@sunsets6075]

Excellent video!!! Thank you!

[@mappedoutmoney]

Thanks so much! I'm really glad you enjoyed it :)

[@forestday2736]

STRONG POINT... meaning and fulfillment after retirement... Few realize how much we self identify with our occupation

[@mappedoutmoney]

Totally. Have to find the meaning and fulfillment. Thanks so much for watching Forest Day.

[@tomyr95]

Loved this video! Thanks for the advice!

[@mappedoutmoney]

Hey thanks Tomas! So glad you liked it.

[@MoniqueViola]

This was worth every second!

[@mappedoutmoney]

So glad that it was worth it for you. Thanks for watching and commenting to let me know! :)

[@allisonm7216]

thanks for this - I loved this video

[@mappedoutmoney]

Thanks Allison! So glad you enjoyed it

[@cathleensmith4717]

Excellent! Thanks.

[@jamesrounce3043]

Great video Nick. As someone who actively reduced their hours at work to spend more time with family, this made sense to me. I'd much rather see my children growing up than be able to buy more things I don't really need!

[@mappedoutmoney]

That’s so awesome James! Seriously what a blessing to you and your family to do that. So glad you’re able to cut back and spend more time with them. Thanks so much for watching!

[@HEALwithFelicia]

This was a really great video. I’m glad it popped up in my recommendations. New subbie here.

[@mappedoutmoney]

Hey thanks! So glad you enjoyed it. Really appreciate you watching and commenting :)

[@sharonhelleman7378]

This!!! Yes! This is what I am doing. Mainly because I need to keep making art to be a whole, grounded person, even if I can only do this about 1/4 of my time currently. Looking forward to the day I can do this fulltime, but in the meantime, I do my more profitable "dayjob" at about 3/4 time and my art about 1/4 time. It's a slower path to FI, but it's what's best for me.

[@mappedoutmoney]

YES! Love this Sharon. I think that's awesome that you've been able to find a balance that you need to pursue right now. Great job and kudos to you. So glad that you enjoyed the video :)

[@privat5316]

After 3-4 years of extreme saving and extrem husteling I realize, what I lost along the way. I soon have 8 rentals, but my relationships suffer a lot.. and I did not go on vacation for years. My back hurts and my whole system is kinda stressed out. I delayed having kids because of my FIRE journey. Now I am 34 and I have 4 cats. I need to rethink my plans, find out what I really want in life and take it more slowly. My soul needs a break. Thank you for this video!

[@mappedoutmoney]

Hey there, I really appreciate you sharing that. I know it's tough to re-assess your gameplan. But I'm super happy that the video was helpful for you. Reach out if there's ever anything I can do to help. :) Nick

[@bushramobi2104]

My soul needs a break like you

[@reubenwilliams51]

Brother or sister, Christ is the answer. God bless :)

[@privat5316]

Liam O’Neil Thank you... yes, you are right.. being greatful for what I already have.. thanks for the important reminder 🙏

[@privat5316]

P C Thank you.. and congrats on your achievements! Yeah, rentals are work.. uuugh! I hate love rentals. Hehe, actually I am a woman 😊 and an artist/musician. I always wanted to be financially save to be able to go on a more artistic path in life. Now a lot of my money is invested in real estate and I feel like I put some stress on myself by being too eager. However, I will recover my savings and maybe I can still find a way of doing what I want AND keep progressing towards FI. Thanks for your thoughts!

[@Davena]

Love the new intro. Beard is wild! LOL

[@mappedoutmoney]

hahaha, thanks! Trying to keep the beard going strong ;)

[@TheMr880]

spot on brother, love it.

[@mappedoutmoney]

Thanks Matt! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@chuckroth4224]

Thanks for info and process!!

[@mappedoutmoney]

No problem Chuck! Thanks so much for watching.

[@inakswas4200]

Nice and inspiring post, glad i stumbled on this video.

[@mappedoutmoney]

Thanks! Really glad that you liked it. I appreciate you taking time to comment.

[@forrestgump8241]

The charts are out there just to show what's possible and whenever someone reaches their goals it is definitely worth celebrating. There are a lot suggestions around possible improvements but none of that says that you should make RE part of FIRE your top priority. In fact I think all the blogs I read talk about 2 main things: being able to do something you would do without pay and financial security for your family. That's why nobody talks about any specific amount of money others should have, they just say have enough to support the life you want to live and here are the tools that helped others.

[@mappedoutmoney]

Totally agreed. It’s all about finding a way to do something you love and build security for your family to find the life you want to live. We’ve all got to find the right balance of sacrifice and joy along the way, and that looks totally different for each of us. Thanks so much for watching!

[@underhiswingz]

Need more videos like this! on this topic please. More break down of working through the values!

[@mappedoutmoney]

Thanks! I definitely want to do more on this topic : )

[@YouMakeMeBean01]

SUCH A GOOD VIDEO!! THANK YOU!!

[@mappedoutmoney]

So glad you liked it! Thanks for taking the time to comment :)

[@cherishgp]

Very thoughtful video.

[@mappedoutmoney]

Thanks so much. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@JWalton314]

I love watching videos like this.

[@mappedoutmoney]

Thanks Johnathan, appreciate you stopping by

[@CoachChadCarson]

Good stuff Nick! And love the casual campground atmosphere as the backdrop. Where is this?

[@mappedoutmoney]

Thanks Chad! Super appreciate it. And it’s at a campground right near the beach down in Gulf Shores Alabama. Really fun area to shoot this video :)

[@lilolme69]

That word.... J O B makes my stomach turn. Back in the 90's I started a house cleaning business with $3.17 in my pocket. I went on to make millions in the cleaning business and there is no WAY I could ever think about working for someone again. I just don't know how people do it. Having to be to work at a certain time or I get in trouble.... LMAO Oh HELL NAW!! My biggest worries these days is that I try to go to bed before 3am so I wake up before noon. The only reason I am up at 9am is because the thunder woke me up. :)

[@mappedoutmoney]

Love it Sparkle Shine! You've definitely been able to build a life based on your priorities. Great job and kudos to you!

[@lilolme69]

@C Hoc What do you not believe about it? I made $55.00 PROFIT (after everything was paid) from each house. My girls cleaned 25-30 houses per day x 5 days per week (sometimes 6 days a week) x 52 weeks a year. Are you able to work a calculator Einstein? If you are, add that up x 19 years. And that doesn't include any of the commercial jobs we did. The commercial job I remember off the top of my head I made $2000.00 profit per month so that even adds more to the total profit over the 19 years. If you wasn't so lazy, you could do the same thing today.... but you won't get up off the couch. These opportunities are still there, more so than ever. Yep, $3.17, a borrowed bottle of window cleaner, a borrowed bottle of shower cleaner, my girlfriend cut up some big towels to use as small towels and off we went in my 1974 Nova that had the back shocks rusted out so the back fenders dragged on the tires. I have other businesses now. I have a used appliance business nowadays and today I made $1009 profit from that business AND I was smart enough to invest in other very small businesses along the road. Do I ever have to work 1 more minute in this lifetime? Nope, but I do because it gets boring. Now go do the dishes for your mother so you make her feel proud.

[@lilolme69]

@C Hoc Yep, I think we clearly see who the loser is in life..... it's you. You may even have millions, but as for being a loser in life, I'd say you WIN!!! Odds are, you don't have a pot to piss in or can afford a bottle of water to make the piss. Single cleaning people scam on their taxes (I know hundreds of them and more power to them! LOVE IT!!!), not companies with several workers. We mostly took checks, not cash.... do you think the bank would let me walk in with 150 checks every week? Hopefully, you mature some day and make something out of yourself. I notice you haven't ever taken me up on coming here to see how it's done...... crickets.... Oh listen..... nope, nothing. Maybe the best thing out of this long conversation is that it probably helps this video rank..... hopefully. :) T

[@thedivaisin]

Awesome! Video.

[@mappedoutmoney]

Hey thanks! Glad you liked it :)

[@swetha2244]

Really puts me thinking about fun & exploring.... but hopefully soon I will do so

[@venividivicipartita3750]

This makes a lot more sense to me. Yay!! I’m raving on the slow-fi now 😃😃 In the end I’m Fre-e

[@raidanbolt4844]

I've done some large over sea strips and talking with old retired folks. While financially the trips weren't the most financially wise the retired folks all tell me they wished they would have traveled more when younger. Travel can be more strenuous than people realize. Long flights, Europe requires a lot of walking on uneven roads/walkways. All the cool sites require a bit of a hike. Also, you're not guaranteed to have goog health when you retire or if you don't die, then kids blow all your money.

[@mappedoutmoney]

Totally agreed. Life is a funny balance of planning for the future, while also making the most of today. Ideally we can all find a way to balance that out and if you want to travel, don't wait, there's lots of ways to make it happen sooner rather than later. Thanks for watching Raidan!

[@406Guge]

Great video! I like the take on looking at what’s important in life and tailoring your life to take advantage of what you value. What is it that you want to do when you are retired? Can you ascertain 80% of retirement while still working. Live life enjoying yourselves instead of thinking you have to be tied down at a ho hum job with a dream that is 30 years away because that is how everyone else is doing it.

[@mappedoutmoney]

Jason Guge exactly right Jason! So glad you took that away from the video. That’s what I was hoping to share. Really appreciate you taking the time to comment!

[@nujamnella5967]

Great information! Hanna, I am a PT too and want to remotely work. Our profession does not allow that yet so I am staying put. Happy travels!

[@mappedoutmoney]

How cool! Glad you enjoyed the video. Really appreciate you taking the time to comment :)

[@theerarestjewel]

Love this. ❤.

[@mappedoutmoney]

Thanks!

[@fatcapital88]

The aren't enough people in the FI community taking about this... thank you!

[@mappedoutmoney]

Thanks! So glad you liked the video :)

[@mamikiramafoko4095]

Sure,enjoy your life while saving for the future.Well said!!!

[@mappedoutmoney]

Thanks Mamiki! Glad you liked the video.

[@AfterDeath1986]

Good video bro, never realized what I was planning had a term. I guess I am on Slow-Fi system :) I plan on working part time while circumnavigating the world on a boat to supplement investment income :)

[@mappedoutmoney]

Abdullah Dimion boom! Love it. That’s a super exciting plan my friend. Thanks so much for watching and good luck on your journey!

[@haileyqueen6115]

I love this video. It articulates my long term goals in a way that I haven't heard before. FIRE has always been interesting to me because time and flexibility are important to me and I'd like to have more control over those resources. I like my job(!), but I work for the state so I don't have the opportunity to make tons of extra money or get big raises, but I'm not interested in trying to pick up a side hustle to make more money to retire sooner because that is counter to my ultimate goal of using my time for things that are most important to me. So my hope is that I continue to make adjustments that in line with my goals (using all 5 weeks of my vacation each year; working from home one day a week, which I start in a few months) and in about 8 years I want to move from a 12 month position to a 9 month position and then officially retire (to a new gig) 5 to 10 years after that. I love this slow-FI idea. It is certainly is in line with my thoughts around FIRE. Thanks for a great video!

[@mappedoutmoney]

Hey Hailey! Thanks so much for taking the time to write such a thoughtful comment. I'm really glad to hear that the video was encouraging to you and I think your path is awesome. It sounds like you've struck a good balance of prioritizing your values while also still planning for retirement and the long term. Good luck on your path! :) Nick

[@FiftyFoxynFierce]

I love this mentality and totally agree.

[@mappedoutmoney]

Thanks Bailey! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@abbyabroad]

I am an introverted teacher with ADHD who got really into FI a few years ago. The more I got into it, though, the more I realized that I already had a lot of the perks & a creative career that enabled me a lot of flexibility. I had already traveled a lot, enjoyed months of vacation per year, and had picked up skills that I can parlay into remote work pretty easily, and never hated my life-until now 😂. I managed to live a really interesting life that has given me a TON of material for the businesses that I am starting now, while a lot of FIRE mentors wasted their 20’s in cubicles, reach their 30’s and FI, and did not find life suddenly perfect. Meanwhile, I have no regrets but have realized that teaching is no longer a great fit because I adore independent work-a fact I never would have realized had I not been living in China this year, when we went to online classes in May and June. Going back in person made it crystal clear that I hate my job. I realized that it wasn’t just the job, though; it’s also that I want a quieter life that caters to my introversion. Through the unconventional kind of teaching I’ve done, I now possess the skills to pivot to an online job of my own. TL; DR: IMHO, it’s better to have an interesting life that you can pivot from when it no longer suits you in your 30’s, but have rich experiences along the way, than to suffer to reach FIRE fast, miss your 20’s, and reach middle age having barely experienced the world. YMMV, but I have no regrets. I’m ready now at 37 to relax and live quietly, and I can do that because I’ve already had a ton of adventures.

[@dmitrymazur3184]

Good idea actually 👍 I like it - find out what you want to do when you retire and see if you can change your lifestyle to do it now without FI.

[@mappedoutmoney]

Bingo! Glad you enjoyed the video Dmitry and I wish you luck on your journey!

[@titalondonmrsbillskitchen1672]

New subscriber from uk 🇬🇧 great vlog. Thanks 😁 😊

[@mappedoutmoney]

Thanks! Glad you’re here

[@titalondonmrsbillskitchen1672]

@@mappedoutmoney de-cluttering the kitchen have two boxes and four big bags of unwanted things that we have collected over the years that we're not even using. Threw away so many foods that had expired too that had been pushed to the back with newer products. Lesson learnt buy less and consume b4 running out to buy more. 😆

[@jc32750]

Love this. I’m there but working part time due to liking what I do.

[@mappedoutmoney]

Love it Jeff! Thanks for watching man. I’m really glad you liked the video and congrats to you!

[@teodoryovev2317]

Nice video. Thank you.

[@mappedoutmoney]

Thanks for watching! Glad you liked it.

[@bullbear1113]

Great video!

[@mappedoutmoney]

Glad you liked it Bull Bear!

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

I read moyl about a year ago and it made a lot of sense. I like the idea of slow fi better or a mixture of the two. We downsized to a fifth wheel and planning what to do for the next 10 years.

[@mappedoutmoney]

Awesome! Hope you're enjoying the fifth wheel. I totally agree that it's good to have a mixture and balance it out.

[@cellocello1762]

Yes! Someone said it. Thank you.

[@mappedoutmoney]

Thank you for watching! Glad you enjoyed the video :)

[@johnmurray9660]

Great video which makes tons of sense! Almost 65 year old retired Air Force and 14 months away from second retirement as a High School Teacher. I've enjoyed most days during both careers so I feel very fortunate. Barbara and I are looking forward to some RV traveling in retirement, but love our home in SC too. Do you still have a link somewhere that helps you when I join YNAB? Enjoy and you two be safe. 😎

[@mappedoutmoney]

Hey thanks John! So glad that you enjoyed the video, and congrats on having two careers you really enjoy! That's the way to do it my friend. Serious kudos to you. And yes, I do have a YNAB link: mappedoutmoney.com/ynab I appreciate it! Nick

[@Scott-by9ks]

Why is it that everyone thinks that you need to spend money to have fun or enjoy life? Enjoying life doesn't really cost that much money, at least to me. I love to travel, but that doesn't really cost that much money, at least for me. I enjoy the outdoors and fishing. I love seeing new things and trying new foods. I love to learn.

[@mappedoutmoney]

Not sure Scott, but you're right that there's lots of amazing ways to enjoy life without spending lots of money. Thanks for watching and sharing. :)

[@tranger4579]

Years back I bought a yeti 45 ice chest. Everyone was like what????? That's insane those things are way over priced. Over the years as my family and I traveled that cooler would travel with out everywhere and kept our drinks, food, and produce cold along with holding our ice for days and preserving our catch when out fishing. That cooler has paid itself 50 times over. You are correct, it dose not cost a lot of money to have fun.

[@Alvin_Vivian]

Literally existing costs money.

[@rokyericksonroks]

Scott You have the right idea. Some people take forever to figure it out.

[@palomadelgadillo1970]

Even as someone who's totally on-board with FIRE, I thought this was a very thoughtful counterargument that is, oddly enough, totally in the spirit of FIRE. I enjoyed this challenge to traditional ideas of success and our expectations of how a normal person "should" live (again totally in the spirit of freedom or FI). This gives me something to think about. Thanks for sharing!

[@mappedoutmoney]

Hey thanks Paloma! Really glad that you got something out it. It’s definitely in the spirit of FIRE to break the traditional and think outside the box. Really glad you liked it :)

[@christinarouton7990]

We're also in an RV because we can live cheaper at an RV park instead of a house or apartment and move around as we need to work. We're working on a FI slow plan too so we can enjoy where we are right now but have more flexibility in the future.

[@mappedoutmoney]

Love it Christina! Glad you've found the slow FI path to work for you as well :)

[@Dano-uf8ys]

Nick True: I never wanted that to happen to me and would have preferred to have waited till turned 70 but I still worked till I turned 71 but I had to take SoSec at 66. But I'm doing ok. I'm looking to publish a book of poems I wrote over a 57 year period.

[@relaxingnaturesounds9675]

I like this idea. Slow Fi. Never heard of it

[@JohnDoe-du1no]

Good luck My friend

[@mappedoutmoney]

Thanks Jeffy! Same to you!

[@markneff7546]

Love this valuable content!!!! Great job man!!

[@mappedoutmoney]

Thanks Mark! Really glad that you like it! Thanks for taking the time to comment :)

[@markneff7546]

Nick True - MappedOutMoney it is definitely very helpful. So many of us get caught up in the destinations rather than enjoying the journey. Definitely some much-needed content that you’re putting out.

[@mappedoutmoney]

@@markneff7546 Thanks Mark! I totally get that too. I struggle with that myself. I'm trying every day to be better about enjoying the journey.

[@markneff7546]

Nick True - MappedOutMoney It’s also inspiring that you are learning this with our wife and at such a young age! Keep it up!! 💪🏼💪🏼 how old are you guys?! And where are you currently traveling?

[@mappedoutmoney]

@@markneff7546 Thanks, man! I'm 26, my wife is 28, and we're currently down in the panhandle on the beach in the gulf. Although we're heading north next week to visit some family in Alabama.

[@peetsnort]

I'm 60 now but for the last 6 years I have been working on a 3hour maximum work per day and the rest of the time is mine. I came to the conclusion that you will never get enough money but your life WILL get shorter. So enjoy it while you havit Just do it after 40 BE well

[@mappedoutmoney]

That's awesome Howard! Congrats to you. Thanks so much for watching and enjoy life my friend :)

[@papi8659]

Brilliant, too many people on ZombieFire running away from meaningless lives , so much more intelligent to find something you love and enrich your life , thank you

[@mappedoutmoney]

Bingo! Glad you enjoyed the video Papi and found it to be a helpful framework. I really appreciate you taking the time to comment.

[@adriennmichaels4682]

I agree completely, we are not far, just 1.5 years to go.... there is a light at the end of a tunnel.

[@mappedoutmoney]

Nice Adrienn! That's awesome, congrats on being so close :) Keep after it!

[@davidsjelin1739]

Good stuff 👍now is the time to pursue your dreams. Not waiting for a magical number of 0s in the bank to start life

[@mappedoutmoney]

Totally agree. Thanks for watching David!

[@lordshiplures]

You are wise beyond your years!

[@mappedoutmoney]

Thanks for that. I super appreciate it. And I'm glad that you liked the video.