Surprising Wealth Blog
Welcome to Surprising Wealth, where we explore the unexpected journey towards financial independence and abundant living. Join us as we share stories, tips, and strategies for achieving financial stability and creating a life filled with purpose, freedom, and memorable experiences.
Recent Posts:
2025 Great Life Goals: Mid-Year Friendship Goal Check-In
When I set a goal to have 90+ friend visits this year, I didn’t realize I was actually building a different kind of portfolio. One that pays in health, longevity, and resilience. Halfway through the year with 45 connections logged, these simple gatherings have created compound returns that show up in stories, support, and shared laughter when life gets complicated.
The ROI of Friendship
This year, one of my ‘Great Life Goals’ was to have 90+ visits with friends. It wasn’t an arbitrary number. It was a reflection of the kind of wealth I want to build: the kind that can’t be counted in dollars but shows up in stories, support, and shared laughter when life gets complicated. At just over halfway through the year, I’ve already enjoyed 45 separate visits with friends, each one reinforcing a core truth of the Surprising Wealth journey: the assets that matter most for happiness aren’t always the ones you can measure on a spreadsheet. Money is just a tool for building a great life.
Tracking Our Retirement Investment Rate: 2024 Update
Most people focus on earning more or cutting back, but few track what happens after the money hits their account. Over time, savings and investment decisions tell the true story of financial progress. Tracking them helps you see what’s working, what’s changing, and where your choices are taking you. You don’t need to obsess over every dollar, but you do need to pay attention. When you track your savings rate and investing habits over time, you create a record of your efforts and a guide for better decisions in the future.
81 Months to FI – Focusing on small consistent wins
Our FI countdown is at 81 months, and this month’s focus was about noticing our incremental wins. Instead of chasing an ever-moving goal, we’re focusing on progress, celebrating the small wins that add up over time. We’ve been listening to The Gap and The Gain, which challenges the typical way our brains measure success. Instead of focusing on how far we still have to go to our ideal outcome, the book reminds us to look at how far we’ve come. Small, consistent progress adds up. And when we recognize those wins, we stay more motivated and grateful for the life we’re building.
On Controlling Your Time
Would you trade dozens of hours of your life for a fancier car? A bigger house? A lifestyle upgrade? Most of us do, without realizing it. But what if you measured wealth in time instead of possessions? That shift in mindset has helped me work less, invest more, and design a life centered on what matters most. True wealth isn’t about accumulating more—it’s about reclaiming the one thing you can never earn back: time.
Money For Couples – What Happens To Your Finances If You’re Not Around? The Money Conversation Every Couple Needs
True financial security isn’t just about wealth—it’s about making sure your financial system works for both you and your loved ones, especially in an emergency. A well-organized plan can bring peace of mind and prevent unnecessary stress. We’ll explore ideas on how to simplify your finances and create an Emergency Map that keeps your household running, no matter what.
82 Months to FI – Why Simplicity and Systems Matters
Our FI countdown is at 82 months, and this month’s focus was on consolidating some accounts and making our financial system simpler and stronger. If something happened to me, could my spouse easily take over? Fewer accounts, clear automation, and a simple guide can make all the difference in keeping things stress-free.
Money For Couples – Our Approach To Combining Finances
Money is often one of the most delicate subjects couples navigate together, and for good reason. Whether you’ve been together for years or are just starting your journey, combining finances involves more than just merging bank accounts… it’s about understanding each other’s values, goals, and fears. When it comes to finances, there’s no ‘one size fits all.’ That’s why it’s so important to have open, transparent conversations early on, and to continuously check in as life evolves. In this post, we’ll explore how to create a system that works for both partners, balancing fairness, financial security, and mutual support.
2024 Great Life Goals: October Update
This October, I discovered that life’s joys often come from unexpected moments and meaningful connections. Our modified travel plans in the wake of Hurricane Helene turned into an opportunity to see far-flung loved ones in person, allowing for heartfelt conversations and laughter with family and friends. By choosing joy as my metric for success, I’m crafting a life filled with purpose, adventure, and deep-rooted connections.
Can You Really Retire Early?
Think early retirement is only for high earners? Think again! With the right planning, saving, and investing, even median-income earners can retire early and live life on their own terms. Dreaming of early retirement but don’t know where to start? Learn the steps to financial independence, including how to calculate your FI Freedom number. This post introduces you to the 4% rule (of thumb) and shows how you can take control of your financial future, starting today.
87 Months to FI – Why Every Step Toward FI Matters
87 months to go (🎉 ). Financial Independence isn’t just about the final destination, it’s about what you gain along the way. This month, I experienced firsthand how the incremental freedom FI provides can offer peace, options, and space to focus on what matters most, even during challenging times. By living below our means and building financial security, I was able to take time for mental health without the pressure of financial stress.
2024 Great Life Goals: September Update
This September, I immersed myself in the joy of connection and adventure. A weekend getaway with my mom in Florida allowed me to celebrate family, explore new places, and savor life’s simple pleasures. With every gathering, every hike, every hug from family, I discovered how living intentionally enriches my life and deepens my relationships. Read on to see how I’m tracking my Great Life Goals and creating lasting memories.
When Life Calls for Simplicity: How Financial Freedom Creates Space for What Really Matters
When life throws unexpected challenges your way, financial independence isn’t just about having money, it’s about having the freedom to choose how to respond. In this post, I share my personal experience with emotional overwhelm and how simplifying my lifestyle is giving me the mental space and time to heal. Consider how simplifying your finances and lifestyle can create more peace, resilience, and freedom.
FI Weekend: What if Your Dream Life Is Already Within Reach? Embrace the Power of Simple, Purposeful Living
From collaborating with our friends on DIY projects to Sunday Funday tacos, we made time for the people who matter most. We adapted our plans when needed, whether it was creatively solving a problem with a custom kitty toy or balancing work and leisure on our own terms. Our journey to financial independence isn’t just about money, it’s about building a life we love, filled with meaningful connections, joyful experiences, and personal growth. What’s one thing you can do this week to take a step toward your own version of a dream life?
Getting Roasted by ChatGPT is the Compliment I Didn’t Know I Needed
Social media trends come and go, but there’s a new viral sensation that’s capturing the attention of influencers, creators, and casual Instagrammers alike: the ChatGPT Roast. The premise is simple—submit your blog or Instagram feed to ChatGPT for an honest critique and brace yourself for some hilariously savage feedback. But here’s the twist: as brutal as these roasts can be, they’re often weirdly flattering.
Ever wonder how much money you’ve actually made in your lifetime?
Do you know the total amount of money that’s passed through your hands over the years? Learn how to calculate your lifetime earnings and see your financial journey in a whole new way. What Is Lifetime Earnings? It’s the total amount of income you’ve earned throughout your working life. This includes wages, salaries, tips, and any other forms of income that have been reported to the government for tax purposes. Tracking your lifetime earnings helps you see how much you’ve made over the years.
How To Calculate Net Worth
Tracking your net worth, especially when you’re new to the concept of financial independence, is a powerful way to see the impact of your financial decisions over time. It can be challenging to start with limited savings, but every step you take towards saving and investing adds up. By periodically calculating your net worth, you can celebrate the gradual growth and stay motivated. This practice helps you recognize that building wealth is a marathon, not a sprint. Each dollar saved and invested compounds, leading to significant financial gains over time, and eventually leading to truly Surprising Wealth.
Real Talk: The Life You Want vs. The Life You Choose To Live
Your daily habits hold the power to create the life you desire. But are they? Dreaming of a better life is easy; making it a reality is where the challenge lies. This post is your wake-up call to examine your daily habits and take brave steps toward closing the gap between the life you want and the life you live.