In case you missed it, here are the previous parts:
- Year 1: From $0 to Financial Awareness
- Year 2: Navigating Setbacks and Growing Savings
- Year 3: Realizing the Power of Small Wins
- Year 4: Overcoming Self-Doubt and Boosting Earnings
- Year 5: Gaining Financial Confidence and Big Changes
- Year 6: Investing Big and Watching the Wealth Grow
Year 7: Redefining Success and Expanding Horizons
Year 7 was the year everything clicked in a way I hadn’t fully anticipated. After six years of living the FIRE lifestyle and embracing the freedom I had worked so hard to achieve, I was finally able to step outside the confines of my self-imposed boxes and explore life on a deeper, more expansive level. In the past, I had focused mainly on creating income streams, securing financial independence, and then finding personal fulfillment through passion projects. But in Year 7, I realized that success isn’t just about achieving a set goal. It’s about constantly evolving, growing, and reshaping your life as you learn and experience new things. And that realization reshaped how I viewed both my career and my finances.
Embracing the Power of Purpose
By Year 7, I had settled into a routine where I no longer defined success solely by my bank account. While my passive income was consistently growing, and my investments were thriving, I realized that I needed something deeper. In Year 6, I had explored my passion for sustainable travel, and it had sparked an unexpected level of fulfillment. But I felt like I was just scratching the surface. This year, I wanted to make a bigger impact—not just for myself, but for the world.
I decided to focus more seriously on using my platform to advocate for causes that aligned with my values. I launched a new project that focused on financial education for those interested in FIRE, but with an emphasis on social equity. It became clear to me that while FIRE was an amazing personal journey, it was also a privilege that not everyone had access to. I wanted to help bridge that gap by offering accessible resources for people from all walks of life to improve their financial literacy and start on their own paths to financial independence.
This shift was eye-opening. It wasn’t just about me anymore—it was about creating value for others, building something bigger than myself. I started hosting workshops, writing more content, and collaborating with others in the FIRE community who shared similar goals. I was putting my money and time into causes that aligned with my evolving values.
Building Relationships and Expanding My Network
Throughout Year 7, I began to realize that success wasn’t just a solo journey—it was about the people you meet along the way. So many of the projects I had started to take off in previous years were due to the relationships I had nurtured. As I expanded my network, I realized that I didn’t have to do everything alone.
I got involved with several non-profit organizations that focused on financial literacy and environmental sustainability, two causes that had become central to my life. Through these collaborations, I connected with people who had similar interests and goals but brought entirely different perspectives and skills to the table. This was the beauty of FIRE—I now had the freedom to work with others, collaborate on projects, and contribute to something that would help build a better future for everyone.
Diversifying My Investments Even Further
Financially, Year 7 marked a new level of maturity in my investing strategy. I had reached a point where I felt comfortable taking more calculated risks. Over the years, I had built a solid base of passive income and investments, but now I was ready to venture into more alternative investment opportunities.
One of the biggest additions to my portfolio in Year 7 was real estate syndications. I partnered with a few trusted friends in the FIRE community who had experience in real estate and invested in a few high-potential properties. This allowed me to diversify my income streams even further, and I learned a ton about managing larger-scale real estate projects, all while remaining hands-off.
Additionally, I continued to expand my cryptocurrency investments. While I had dabbled in crypto during previous years, Year 7 was the year I decided to increase my exposure. I wasn’t fully “all in,” but I found the risk/reward ratio intriguing, especially as the industry matured and more institutional investors got involved. While crypto can be volatile, it was also an exciting space to be part of.
The diversification helped smooth over any market downturns, and the overall growth of my portfolio gave me even more confidence that I had made the right decisions throughout my FIRE journey.
Managing Life After FIRE
Although my investments were growing, and I felt financially secure, the journey to FIRE was never just about the money. It was about time and freedom. However, by Year 7, I began to see that even though I didn’t have to work for a paycheck, I still had the desire to contribute to society in a meaningful way. This realization shifted my focus from passive income to active engagement in projects that would make a positive impact on the world.
As I worked on more projects related to financial education and sustainability, I found myself more fulfilled. It wasn’t just about financial success anymore—it was about how my time and resources could be used to help others achieve their own FIRE dreams or improve their lives in other ways.
Year 7 was about finding a balance between work and rest. I wasn’t “retired” in the traditional sense, nor was I working a 9-to-5. Instead, I had the freedom to choose the projects I worked on, collaborate with like-minded individuals, and take care of my well-being—all without the pressure of needing a paycheck.
A Growing Net Worth, But a Changing Definition of Wealth
Financially, Year 7 was incredibly strong. My net worth had continued to climb, thanks to my diversified investment strategies and the growth of my side hustles. However, the most important growth wasn’t the financial one. It was in how I defined “wealth.”
By Year 7, wealth was no longer about accumulating more and more money for the sake of it. It was about having the freedom to do what I love, make a positive impact, and create a life that aligned with my values. I no longer felt the urge to constantly grow my savings for the sake of hitting arbitrary numbers. Instead, I felt content with my financial position and was more focused on what I could do with the resources I had.
The Impact of FIRE on My Lifestyle
As I continued living the FIRE lifestyle, I began to notice shifts in my day-to-day life. My relationships deepened. I had more time to spend with the people who mattered most, whether it was traveling with friends or having more quality time with my family. And I had more time to invest in my health and well-being—something I’d neglected in previous years while chasing financial milestones.
Physically, I started running and working out more consistently. I realized that wealth was not just in the bank, but in good health and relationships too. The shift from a purely financial perspective to a holistic one was one of the most fulfilling changes of Year 7.
Current Finances (End of Year 7)
- Salary: $0 (Living off passive income and side projects)
- Spending: $35,000 (Focused on experiences, health, and philanthropy)
- Net Worth: $500,000
- Investments: $375,000 (stocks, real estate, crypto, and alternative assets)
Stay tuned for Year 8: Leveraging My Network and Creating Legacy.
