Building A Great Life: October Update

 

Tracking how often my lived experience reflects my values has been incredibly rewarding.  The dream is to spend more time with family, host friends, visit the ocean, travel, and stay active outdoors. Setting intentional goals keeps me mindful and empowers me to make deliberate choices that reflect my Great Life values.

 

Family & Friends Focused Travel:
This month, our travel plans had to change due to Hurricane Helene. Our usual route through Western NC was affected, so we decided to stay off the roads while the area dealt with flooding and power outages. Thankfully, our loved ones came through safely with only minor issues. Seeing family, including aging parents, is a priority for us, so we rescheduled for the following week and took a longer, southern route to make it happen. It was worth the extra hours on the road to share meals, swap stories, and strengthen those irreplaceable bonds. We reminisced for hours about our parent’s childhood memories, listened to tales of my partner’s first sleepover (and the multiple calls home that night!), and discussed legacy planning, both business and personal.

Hitting Friend Meetup Targets Sooner Than Expected:
This month, our time with friends was rich and meaningful, exceeding my original goal for the year. Setting a “Visits with Friends” target encouraged me to organize more gatherings, including spontaneously inviting ourselves over to see friends along our travel route. We deepened connections with new FI friends over shared meals and hours of conversation, while other days were filled with practical projects, like tackling home repairs and errands together. We even enjoyed culinary advantures such as a cozy dinner of borscht (beet soup) and homemade rolls, or mediterranean mezze boards with friends who feel like family. Tracking these moments has paid off in what I like to call “memory dividends,” as I document these gatherings and cherish the photos capturing all these wonderful experiences.

Embracing the Outdoors:
With the shift from late summer to early fall, I’ve been craving longer hikes and more time immersed in nature. If the workday slows and no clients need urgent help, we seize the chance to get outside, hiking a few miles to soak up the crisp air and changing scenery. Those spontaneous texts from my partner—”Want to go for a hike?”—have been the perfect invitations to break away and embrace the moment.

Choosing Joy As A Metric of Success:
While the pursuit of financial independence often focuses on accumulating wealth, for me, it’s just as much about the freedom to make intentional choices that align with my values. It’s about having the flexibility to reschedule a trip to prioritize family or deciding to spend an afternoon hiking because the day allows for it. Financial independence isn’t just a financial goal—it’s a lifestyle that grants us the freedom to invest in moments and experiences that truly matter. By choosing to spend time intentionally and embrace meaningful activities, I’m not just building wealth but also crafting a life rich in joy, connection, and growth.

Let’s get curious….

What recent experiences brought you joy and fulfillment? How can you foster and celebrate those moments to cultivate more happiness in your life?

What steps can you take to deepen your relationships with friends and family? Are there specific experiences you want to create together that can strengthen those bonds?

How often do you spend time outdoors, and how does it impact your overall well-being? What outdoor activities can you incorporate into your schedule to enhance your joy and connection to nature?

In what ways do you currently measure your success? How can you incorporate joy and connection into your definition of what it means to lead a fulfilling life?

When plans have to change unexpectedly, how can you pivot to ensure that the new plans incorporate your values and bring joy?

Looking ahead, what are some meaningful experiences or gatherings you want to prioritize in the coming months? How can you start planning for them now?

By exploring these questions, you can gain deeper insights into your financial journey and identify actionable steps to move closer to your goals. Financial independence is a personal and unique journey for everyone, and we hope these questions inspire you to take meaningful steps towards your own financial freedom.

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A Bit About Us

Our journey began with humble beginnings. We’ve navigated through the challenges of creating a life and a living we love, while earing low to median incomes. What started as a modest dream of being able to retire someday has turned into a concrete plan. We’ve been on the SlowFI path, consistently saving and investing for 20+ years. Our income over time has stayed roughly in the 50th percentile, so we are truely everyday Americans. We’ve achieved remarkable results through living below our means and consistently investing the difference. Now in our mid-40s, we are in the top 20% for U.S. household wealth for our age group. This has been possible through conscious spending, consistent saving, strategic investing, and a commitment to lifestyle design where we spend generously on things that bring us value and contentment, while cuting back on things we are ambivalent about. It can be daunting when you hear the stories of tech workers or doctors or other people with large income shovels. We want to share how an everyday couple with median US income has built wealth for the future, while also creating a life we love today.

Why Financial Independence?

Financial Independence means having the freedom to make choices that aren’t dictated only by the need for a paycheck. It’s about gaining control over your time and energy, and being able to pursue what truly matters to you. For us, it’s about creating time for friend & family, travel, and the experiences that bring joy and fulfillment.

Join Us on the Journey

In January 2021, I ran some calculations, projected our investment growth, and analyzed our current spending levels. After adjusting our spending assumptions for future inflation, I realized we could replace our earned income (trading time for money) with investment income (our money making money for us) in approximately 10 years. With 90 months left to go, we’re solidly on that path and we want you to join us. Whether you’re just starting out or well on your way to financial independence, Surprising Wealth is here to support and inspire you. Together, we can make every month count and turn dreams into reality.

Thank you for being a part of our community. Let’s embark on this journey to financial independence together!

Disclaimer: All the tips and stories here are from my own journey toward financial independence. Remember, what worked for me might not work for everyone. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial, legal, or tax advice. Always consult with a professional before making any significant financial decisions.