If you're new here, this blog will give you the tools to become financially independent in 5 years. Here's how I did it and here's a few dozen online journals from other people who are currently doing it. This is not some stupid get rich quick scheme. The method is robust and replicable (no need to win the lottery, sell your business, or win at real estate), but not easy; much in the same way that a diet results in weight loss but is hard to follow persistently unless you set your mind to it.
The key is to save 75%+ of your net income and invest it in income producing assets (bonds and dividend stocks). This is done by running your personal finances much like a business, thinking about assets and inventory and focusing on efficiency and value for money. See this post on how to enjoy a middle class lifestyle on $7,000/year (Please read it, especially the part about the lentils!). There is a "21 day" step-by-step plan for how to get beyond 75% in the left side bar. Also, check out my answers to Frequently Asked Questions which also covers common misconceptions regarding my personal budget, blog income, retirement, marriage, children, health care, etc. I also suggest reading About ERE in the top menu bar.
Heads up!
The Silicon Valley #2 meetup will take place at Lake Vasona in Los Gatos on September 11th @ 2pm. See the forum discussion for ongoing refinements.
The New York City meetup will take place at Columbos Park in Chinatown at September 18th @ 3pm. See the forum discussion for ongoing refinements.
It would be nice to have an idea of the head count. You can make your intentions known in the appropriate forums—if that’s not possible, you can do it in the comments below.
There have been two meetups so far—Silicon Valley #1 and Chicago. There haven’t really been any traditions established for the meetups—no presentations, no schedule; just people talking—and we do seem to click. Ever wondered how it would be to talk to someone who immediately understood why you wanted financial independence/(extreme) early retirement? Find out at the meetups. One thing I have been doing outside the meetups is to lend out some of my books, presuming that everybody will meet again at some time, so I may bring some for the next Silicon Valley meetup.
Permaculture articles!
