FISH | Financial Independence Seeking Happiness

Get Real

Contender 0 Compound Interest, Early Retirement, financial freedom, financial independence, Gold, Investing, Oil, Schiller PE10, Silver, Wheat 14:40

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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Real Stuff (munkee.com)</td></tr>
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 PLAN.AHEAD: "Where have you been CONTENDER we need to get on with your training?" 
 THE.CONTENDER: "THE FUTURE caught our little tribe out with the evil flu but we are back in the game now" 
PLAN.AHEAD: "Right C your NEW training program is called LEARN.SOMETHING.USEFUL" 
THE.CONTENDER: "Is it going to help me defeat THE FUTURE?" 
PLAN.AHEAD: "Now don't get carried away. One step at a time. I have so many things you need to learn. What I need from you is Focus, Listen and Actually Understand, Take your time and let it all sink in" 
THE.CONTENDER: "Yes master tell me tell me I want to know the secrets of the FINANCIAL.INDEPENDENCE.SHIELD and the HAPPINESS.PUNCH (hopefully it is alcoholic ;) 
 
In this post a thesis that the next 30 years are going to be very different than the last 30 years (à la <a href="http://www.peakprosperity.com/" target="_blank">Chris Martinson</a>). In particular considering investing in REAL NECESSITIES instead of passive INDEX investing. 
 
Next post will provide a new stock screening tool that analyses up to 3000 stocks at a time AND an update to CERP - financial planning tool to incorporate an individual stock analysis dashboard as well as a 10x boost to the speed of the tool! 
 
 
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 <td align="LEFT" height="19" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE">Stock analysis of debt, dividend sustainability and the dividend discount model for intrinsic value evaluation</td>
 <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE">Stock screener for company quality and return on capital</td>
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Return of Capital 
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"It not the return on capital but the return of capital" - Jim Rodgers 
 
 "The first rule of investing has always been don't lose money!" - Warren Buffet</blockquote>
 
For those seeking very early financial independence we need to to grow money faster than inflation and build up a passive income. 
 
In order to do this THE.CONTENDER has looked to first understand what is money and investing (after making a few mistakes) before taking the plunge into the stock market. 
 
Ever since our Tribe started to invest in precious metals in 2005 (a very small amount after talking to an investment banker at a party and being inspired by his outlook on investment) we have been interested in what is money? Why is it valuable? Why does it lose its value over time? 
 
We want our savings to AT LEAST buy comparative goods in the future. $10 for a bag of potatoes today + bank account interest should cost $10 in five years time. 
 
If we are growing our money what is the REAL return after inflation? 
 
10 years ago you could get a loaf of bread for 0.5 monetary units,  now it costs 1.5 monetary units in only 10 years! Supposedly technology has improved so the cost of my loaf of bread should be coming down right??!!!: 
<ol>
<li>Transport is more efficient (we mix truck loads to get max fill / weight ratios with complex computer programs and collaboration across multiple companies)  </li>
<li>Energy is captured and recycled in the baking process  </li>
<li>Agriculture productivity is up - better machines, fertilizers and weather prediction systems....  </li>
<li>Waste is down due to efficient inventory management and improved sales forecasting.  </li>
<li>Competition is rife and profit margins are being reduced  </li>
<li>The USA is going to be energy independent and oil and gas prices are going to plummet!</li>
</ol>
Why Why Why has the cost of my loaf of bread trebled after all of these cost saving improvements? Why is THE.CONTENDER paying so much more for the basics of life compared to 10 years ago. Inflation has been reported as very low.....????

Get Real

Real Stuff (munkee.com) PLAN.AHEAD: "Where have you been CONTENDER we need to get on with your training?" THE.CONTENDER: ...

6 Habits for Very Early Retirement

Contender 2 Early Retirement, financial independence, Habits, Rules 20:50

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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perhaps a leaflet instead..</td></tr>
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THE.CONTENDER is on a Scrap in the Savannah! - he is only fighting a has been in UP.TO.HIS.EYEBALLS.IN.DEBT so needs something to hype up the fight. Unfortunately Rhumble in the Jungle has been done.... shame:( 
 
Africa's heat, humidity, local culture, dance, song and animal instincts fuel CONTENDERS's ambition to coax THE.FUTURE to getintheringwithme after putting away this lightweight. Pounding the watermelons for the camera was satisfying but CONTENDER  wanted to prove his killer instincts to the world. He headed out into the Savanna in search of some prey. 
 
Following on from the <a href="http://getintheringwithme.blogspot.com/2012/11/30-rules-of-very-early-retirement.html" target="_blank">30 Rules of Very Early Retirement </a>THE.CONTENDER thought it 
would be fun to list 6 Habits of very early retirement he has developed down the years...... 
 
THE.CONTENDER came across the idea of embedding habits in your daily routine from Steven Covey. He is world renound for his <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Habits-Highly-Effective-People/dp/0684858398/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1352709552&sr=1-1" target="_blank">7 Habits of Highly Effective People</a> see summary <a href="http://www.change-management-coach.com/stephen-covey.html" target="_blank">here</a>. THE.CONTENDER highly recommends his follow up book the <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-8th-Habit-Effectiveness-Greatness/dp/0743206835/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1352708902&sr=8-1" target="_blank">8th Habit</a> as well, it includes a brief description of the other 7 - time for a trip to the library?). 
<ol>
<li>Emotional intelligence - Stalking the springbok his head is turned by a rhino - surely that would be the ultimate trophy for his first outing? Very tempting... focus THE.CONTENDER , smell the roses! Its too big, too precious too stupid! The early retiree does not have his head turned by the latest marketing campaign easily (unless it is half price consumable offers in the supermarket - we like those). He stalks his prey for the best deals and he ignores the glitzy, shiny gizmos that cost a fortune and "need" upgrading every year - to whose benefit is that?  </li>
<li>Financial Intelligence - All those years of training. The prey does not stand a chance . Statistics, PE (Price to Earnings), PEG (price to growth), balance sheets, rental yields, mortgage rates, you name it it is all in his arsenal along with the ultimate weapon of choice A SPREADSHEET*. The early retiree has put the hard yards in (New Zealand rugby saying for working really hard as a team to move very slowly forward up the rugby field) he spends time learning the basics, then the ins and outs of finance. What is money "money doesn't grow on trees" todays fiat money is trees - as much paper printing as you like and electronic entries on the computer called QE (quantitative easing) i.e money printing, debasing the currency....more for another day. The early retiree understands the rules of the game and learns all the tricks to get check mate.  </li>
<li>Determination - Slowly moving forward through the savanna he has his prey it in his sights... getting closer and closer as it twitches its ears can it hear him.  It is still a long way in the distance. Getting closer, getting there, getting there...keep going your time will come. Patience is a virtue and planning for early retirement will take time and will power to stay the course. You need to <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Getting-Things-Done-Stress-free-Productivity/dp/0749922648/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1352708994&sr=1-1" target="_blank">get things done </a>and be bloody minded in this time. Our fledgling hunter eyes the goal of master early retiree huntsman, nothing is going to stand in his way!  </li>
<li>Mental agility - thinking on his feet he spots some big rocks in the landscape ahead. They are in his way what does he do? Good job he thought of packing a few sticks of dynamite! Thinking and planning ahead to avoid the big rocks. The early retiree has developed the planning habit. He has worked out his retirement needs and how to deal with any challenges THE FUTURE holds...probably. He regularly checks his progress and changes course if needed. He learns on is feet (actually getting stuck in, not just reading a book or this blog;) He can critically evaluate an opportunity or pitfall. </li></ol>

6 Habits for Very Early Retirement

Perhaps a leaflet instead.. THE.CONTENDER is on a Scrap in the Savannah! - he is only fighting a has been in UP.TO.HIS.EYEBALLS.IN.DEBT ...

30 Rules of Very Early Retirement

Contender 3 #financialindependence, Early Retirement, financial freedom, financial independence, Rules, Saving 07:07

30 Rules of Very Early Retirement

Lots of Rules Today THE.CoNTeNDeR and trainer SORT.YOUR.LIFE.OUT have a look at all of the rules of the Very Early Retirement Fight. ...

A Good Day To Live

Contender 3 Blog, Early Retirement, early-retirement, Happiness 06:59

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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: A good Day to Live</td></tr>
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Fight fans it is a <a href="http://gooddaytolive.wordpress.com/">Good Day To Live</a>! There is a contender out there with strong credentials, a vision for THE FUTURE and a conviction to see it through to the end. MR WOODPECKER is a fellow European who is lighting up the Early Retirement and Live Life to the full movement. His posts on saving for the future, experiences from all the beautiful places he visited, perspectives on early retirement and the beautiful world around us, all that through the photographs he shares from his travels.  His philosophy on life resonates to the CONTENDER tribe! 
 
THE.CONTENDER has been fortunate to work with several people across countries in Europe. Europe is an amazing place full of extremely different cultures, working practices, traditions, sense of humor, rivalries and politics to name a few! This is why it is so good to have another European perspective from Woodpecker. His posts cover similar goals to THE.CONTENDER 's in his own unique way. Being only a few hundred miles away (UK / Germany) you can see the clear cultural differences from the styles. 
 
THE.CONTENDER has more of a western capitalist slant to this blog whilst Woodpeckers is more easy going and philosophical. Just an observation! 
 
THE.CONTENDER enjoys reading about Woodpecker's adventures, analysis of work life balance and what is happiness for Woodpecker and his tribe. THE.CONTENDER sees clearly that he has been dealt a great hand by living in Europe. It may have tones of bureaucracy, too many politicians and silly rules but it works. We have amazing geography and landscapes on our doorsteps, a mature society (as in stable populations and over population limited to some of the European mega cities). 
 
Our architecture may be crumbling in places but new exciting architects transform European cities  (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bilbao_Guggenheim_Museum" target="_blank">Bilbao Guggenheim</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C3%BCsseldorf-Hafen" target="_blank">Dusseldorf harbor</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagrada_Fam%C3%ADlia" target="_blank">Barcelona familia sagrada</a> and good old Blighty's modern glass ode to capitalism the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/30_St_Mary_Axe" target="_blank">Gurkin </a>and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Shard" target="_blank">Shard of Glass</a>. Shame we can't look after our crumbling (literally as well as morally) <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palace_of_Westminster" target="_blank">Houses of Parliament in London.</a>... Old and New, Splendor and Shock all there to be marveled or abhorred! 
 
Woodpecker's posts are clear and nice to read, and contain lots of personal thoughts on how to achieve work-life balance in a fast paced, modern, corporate lifestyle in a big European city. For instance Mr Woodpecker describes in one post how he considered applying for a promotion and the implications this would have for him and his tribe, read on to see what he chose to do in the end. Quite inspiring for THE.CONTENDER. 
 
This is why <a href="http://gooddaytolive.wordpress.com/">Good Day To Live</a> is a must read. It is a celebration of life an all things good in Europe. What is happiness? Why travel far when there is beauty on your doorstep? The joys of raising a family.  
 
THE.CONTENDER 's favorite posts from A Good Day To Live 
<h1 class="entry-title">
<a href="http://gooddaytolive.wordpress.com/2012/08/20/a-new-era-of-work-part-2-women-back-to-kitchen/" target="_blank">A new era of work – Part 2: Both partners working full time – what a crazy concept!</a> </h1>
This is
 a great post considering the change in the working patterns of the 
"average" family from 30 years ago versus present. The post is a good critique of the crazy change from one wage earner to both parents working and the impacts this can have on your lives. 
 
 <a href="http://gooddaytolive.wordpress.com/2012/10/21/the-income-and-consumption-illusion-more-and-more-will-not-make-you-happier/" target="_blank">The income and consumption illusion – Part 1: More and more will NOT make you happier!</a> 
 
A post on what is enough? Woodpecker considers discussed does a higher grade model of car really make you happier? What is an agreeable income threshold for happiness? All in this post an one to definitely ponder upon. What do you really need and what would your family budget look like if you re-size your lifestyle? 
 
THE.CONTENDER's Favorite Part of the Blog 
 
A small selection of Woodpecker's wonderful photos of Europe which are dotted all over his blog: 
 
 
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gooddaytolive.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/xdsc_6495-e1349775071411.jpg?w=640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="213" src="http://gooddaytolive.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/xdsc_6495-e1349775071411.jpg?w=640" title="Source: A good Day to Live" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gooddaytolive.wordpress.com/2012/10/09/italy-part-6-san-vito-lo-capo-and-genoa/" target="_blank">AGDTL - San Vito Lo Capo and Genoa</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gooddaytolive.wordpress.com/2012/10/05/italy-part-5-sicily/#more-780" target="_blank">See Woodpeckers post on Sicily</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">  </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gooddaytolive.wordpress.com/2012/09/19/italy-part-4-tropeacalabria/" target="_blank">AGDL - Tropea Calabria</a></td></tr>
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<h1 class="entry-title">
Keep up the good work <a href="http://gooddaytolive.wordpress.com/about/" target="_blank">Woodpecker</a>!</h1>
Peace and prosperity 
 
THE.CONTENDER 
 
Welcome New Contender Readers! Take a look around. <a href="http://getintheringwithme.blogspot.co.uk/p/about-me.html">Find out who THE.CONTENDER is</a> or <a href="http://www.getintheringwithme.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/why-why-why.html">Start at the first article</a>, browse the <a href="http://getintheringwithme.blogspot.co.uk/p/all-posts-get-in-ring.html" target="_blank">all posts</a> or just go for a <a href="http://getintheringwithme.blogspot.co.uk/p/about-me.html#random" rel="13">Random Post</a>. Please feel free to play with the FREE <a href="http://getintheringwithme.blogspot.co.uk/p/muff-tools-and-check-lists.html" target="_blank">planning tools and checklists</a>. 
 
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A Good Day To Live

Source: A good Day to Live Fight fans it is a Good Day To Live ! There is a contender out there with strong credentials, a vision for...

Community HELP! Part 2 - 8 Contributions and Develop New Skills

Contender 0 charity, community, Early Retirement, early-retirement, Happiness, health, Life 08:29

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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6Ew_uzGZGdpO6B8w2TmiTVHFkg8Pi6iT3xS4-Ocqd7ySrWcMCkiq7zxmWyrFmBeSCNkPxxNMDts4f-rj8uvm1_J7zssgFLqEGaLoyqFSU8XbGrlhEP-ht4IfVxjQHEhEIkWwn7AdAOsJ/s1600/TheFuture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6Ew_uzGZGdpO6B8w2TmiTVHFkg8Pi6iT3xS4-Ocqd7ySrWcMCkiq7zxmWyrFmBeSCNkPxxNMDts4f-rj8uvm1_J7zssgFLqEGaLoyqFSU8XbGrlhEP-ht4IfVxjQHEhEIkWwn7AdAOsJ/s320/TheFuture.jpg" title="Source: nhs" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look to your community and learn new skills</td></tr>
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SPENDITALL: "CONTENDER, when you decided to hang up your gloves, you talked about giving back to the community. Have you thought about it more? What are your thoughts now? Are you going to make a comeback????" 
 
THE.CONTENDER:  "Hold on, one question at a time! Yes I have been fortunate to be the UNDISPUTED CHAMP! but now it is pay back time. THE FUTURE may still taunt me, he may want me back in the ring. Why? I have nothing more to prove to him. He is still strong and lurks just around the corner in my mind. I must accept he will always be there and get on with life. There is no good looking back, what is important now is life, family, community and everyone's happiness. I'm not here to entertain anymore, too old for the silly games and pranks; brawls and spectacles. Time to move on. Time to live!" 
 
In the last post we had a look at some of the ways our local community has helped and supported us. In this post we are going to consider ways in which we can contribute to the community in early retirement and how you can add to \ improve your skill set. 
 
Giving something back 
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
Early retirement has to be earned but it is a blessing; why not using some of that time to help improve your local community?  </div>
</blockquote>
THE.CONTENDER is fortunate to live in such a nice community. It supports our family, provides friendship and safety. We will miss it when we leave. In the future we are keen to give back and help improve the community we live in. 
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Let me tell you something you already 
know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and 
nasty place, and I don’t care how tough you are, it will beat you to 
your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or 
nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard you 
hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward; how 
much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! 
Now, if you know what you’re worth, then go out and get what you’re 
worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing 
fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or 
anybody. Cowards do that and that ain’t you. You’re better than that! - Rocky Balboa</blockquote>
What
 can early retirees give back to the community in this tough old world
 we live in? This is something we have been thinking about for some 
time. Early Retirement can be great from a selfish standpoint. Loads of free time to do as you wish.
 In our opinion early retirement is about living a happy life which means a happy family and a happy community. Anything we can do towards this will benefit everyone please read on for some that we would like to choose from in the years ahead.

Community HELP! Part 2 - 8 Contributions and Develop New Skills

Look to your community and learn new skills SPENDITALL : "CONTENDER , when you decided to hang up your gloves, you talked about gi...

Community HELP! Part 1 - 10 Amazing Blessings

Contender 0 charity, community, Early Retirement, Education, financial independence, frugality, Happiness 13:48

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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Community guy</td></tr>
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INTERVIEWER: Rocky you are relatively unknown, a southpaw fighter from the harsh streets of Philadelphia, scraping a living in the lower reaches of boxing. What makes you think you have a chance at toppling the champ? 
 ROCKY:  Don't really know, got this chance, need to take it. Guess he's gonna be complacent and underestimate me I guess. Gotta go and run up some steps see ya! 
 
Rocky was more than boxing, more of a life saga that is really a credit to Sylvester Stallone; uplifting, inspirational and down to earth at the same time. The films covered several social themes; poverty, family and community. Rocky wore his heart on his sleeve, never forgetting his roots. He was committed to the community he lived in. 
 
In this post we are going to look at 10 ways our community, its resources and have helped us. A follow up post will cover ways in how we can contribute ourselves, especially in early retirement with all that free time! 
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Well I'd like to get a couple of hats and maybe a 
statue for the church and some of those Muppets for the kid, you know, 
Kermit and Miss Piggy and a Snowcone machine for Paulie, you like 
Snowcones don't you?"-Rocky</blockquote>
Rocky is in a different class in the ring. THE.CONTENDER would be in big trouble. Nevertheless can THE.CONTENDER in Early Retirement engage with the community in the way that Rocky did? 
 
Community Spirit 
 
Since THE.CONTENDER has stopped working, the people and resources in our local community are more important than ever. THE.CONTENDER has met so many generous people who give up their valuable time to make local play groups, farmers markets and Sunday schools happen. Local government maintains the parks and libraries our little tribe enjoy on a day to day basis. Our Local resident group help improve our environment 
(such as new trees for the streets and organising events for the children in our local park). They petition for improvements to 
parking, access, parks and libraries. These are all massive resources that we are very grateful for. 
 
Our area would be poorer culturally and the community would not be so vibrant if it were not for the efforts of these individuals. 
 
New Friends 
 
When THE.CONTENDER was working he had a long commute to and from work, had to rush to go home just in time to pick 
up the kids from childcare then get them to bed leaving little time for anything else. Our tribe hardly knew our neighbors and did not find the time to properly engage with most people around us beyond the polite hellos and goodbyes. 
Our evenings were primarily filled with watching films, reading books, exercising, internet then bed. At weekends we recovered and sometimes a play date with one of our eldest child's friends.We used our community resources only fleetingly at 
weekends such as a visit to the park and library. 
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Stay in school and use your brain. Be a doctor, be a lawyer, carry a 
leather briefcase. Forget about sports as a profession. Sports make ya 
grunt and smell. See, be a thinker, not a stinker. -
Apollo Creed  </blockquote>
With the birth of our second child Mrs C was able to take some maternity leave followed by THE.CONTENDER taking the reigns when Mrs C went back to work, with his paternity leave and now full time commitment to raising the kids. During this time we have both been very fortunate to meet new friends. Especially when we needed them 
most. 
 
After starting to look after the children full time THE.CONTENDER has met many people in
 the community who have welcomed him with open arms. THE.CONTENDER would like to consider them all friends. They are from 
all walks of life, have very different backgrounds and challenges to overcome. They are very different to the people from working in a corporate environment where most people put on a very "professional" persona. Now THE.CONTENDER meets musicians, teachers, fashion forecasters, editors and publishers, carers, builders, retirees, professional doing an MBA....from what THE.CONTENDER sees they all care deeply about their community and so do we.  
 
Time to have a look at 10 areas of help and resources from our wonderful local community. Please read on: 
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
</blockquote>

Community HELP! Part 1 - 10 Amazing Blessings

Community guy INTERVIEWER : Rocky you are relatively unknown, a southpaw fighter from the harsh streets of Philadelphia, scraping a liv...

10 blogging mistakes - Contender styleee!

Contender 5 Blog, Early Retirement, Finance, frugality, Happiness, Naive, Planning, Writing 08:52

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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bansky - Graffiti Creative Brilliance</td></tr>
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THE.CONTENDER is writing this post about the respect and humility THE.CONTENDER has for the challenge of writing a readable, engaging and hopefully entertaining blog. 
 
What makes a blog attractive? Is it funny, short, arty or just contain as much content as possible. What has THE.CONTENDER done and considered to create this blog (the plan is at the end of the post)? 
 
Importantly what CGBEB (Contender Great Big Enormous Blunders) have been made so far. Will it \ does it meets the needs of the readership? 
 
THE.CONTENDER has been a scientist all his life and worked primarily in large corporations. He had been turned into the proverbial robot happy in herds. THE.CONTENDER wanted to write a blog which is a personal pursuit. 
 
The main problem was that THE.CONTENDER has been a corporate employee trained to give up individuality and not to peruse risks. THE.CONTENDER asked himself how in the hell does one write a blog? Never excelled in English whilst only having expertise at corporate memos and PowerPoint presentations... 
 
<div style="text-align: center;">
How does THE.CONTENDER write something readable in a sphere where professional writers can knock me out for the count????</div>
 
To start the blog I needed a subject and a theme. The content was to be on financial and life planning - putting goals into a plan and making sure they happen. For a theme - boxing and the choice of the website url "www.GetInTheRingWithMe.blogspot.com". Life is a fight so the duel of boxing
 to win seemed to be a good fit. 
 
Secondly an alias name was 
required. MUFF was borne to convey the message  "My 
Unconventional Freedom Fight" secondly the word MUFF is quite silly and can mean several different things and used in several ways. This did not work out and was subsequently dumped. 
 
Next was to get started. I had just stopped work in Feb 2012 to look after the kids. A couple of months were required to get accustomed to looking after the little ones full time. Exhausting to start with and my wife was just getting back into work mode. So I got started on this blog in June July and turned it on in August.........Is anyone going to read it? 
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flop on my hands after all that work - time to change?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
 
 
 
The first couple of months saw very modest traffic. This told me that there was a lot I was doing wrong (as usual) can THE.CONTENDER learn from his mistakes? 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Please read on for the CGBEB (Contender Great Big Enormous Blunders) I have had to correct (so far):

10 blogging mistakes - Contender styleee!

Bansky - Graffiti Creative Brilliance THE.CONTENDER is writing this post about the respect and humility THE.CONTENDER has for the challe...

Early Retirement at 36 - Charity Time?

Contender 0 charity, Early Retirement, financial independence, frugality, Planning 16:00

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Evening fight fans your host for the evening is the THE FUTURE here on FREEDOM FIGHT NIGHT. This evening we are interviewing THE.CONTENDER on his extraordinary decision to Retire Early. THE FUTURE wants to know is THE.CONTENDER going to fade into the distance or stay in the spotlight? 
 
Our champion glides into view floating like a butterfly onto the comfortable leather reclining chair. A hush comes across the audience all eyes are on THE.CONTENDER . 
 
INTERVIEWER: THE.CONTENDER , so kind of you to take time out from your busy schedule looking after the kids:). Your retirement came out of the blue and has shocked a large number of people. Surely is is too early to hang up the gloves? 
 
THE.CONTENDER : Taking early retirement from the ring is a blessing, I have taken some hard knocks down the years. I want to see the kids grow up and secondly I think it is time to "give back" to the the community. 
 
INTERVIEWER: Give back to the community..... THE.CONTENDER you are recognized all over the world are you going to use your ugly mug for the Halloween? 
 
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">THE.CONTENDER helped to put on a school sports day for this special bunch</td></tr>
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Audience laughs 
 
THE.CONTENDER : Freddie's (Kruger) stunt double doesn't have to worry.  I want to be active in the community in a different way! I have been inspired by an orphanage charity project I was fortunate to participate in. As my face is well traveled and the kids were not scared easily....... 
 
THE.CONTENDER has seen poverty first hand. He doesn't think it has a place in the modern world. He has visited rural Africa on two occasions; Zambia and Zimbabwe followed by South Africa. THE.CONTENDER has also seen poverty in Poland, Czech Republic, Thailand and good old Blighty itself in some London housing estates. It's not pretty and really in this day and age should not be there. 
 
It is the Trip to South Africa THE.CONTENDER would like to talk about today. The team that THE.CONTENDER traveled with raised money for and worked on a much needed orphanage for 150 children (1/3 infected with HIV). It is a fabulous example of charity, learning and independence. It was a heart warming, sad, inspirational and joyful experience all at the same time. Is this what all early retirees could dedicate some of their time to? 
 
Charity, Early Retirement and Poverty 
 
THE.CONTENDER did not really understand poverty properly until he saw it first hand. Yes THE.CONTENDER had seen Live Aid and all of the daily horrific news stories on the BBC. THE.CONTENDER had sympathy for them and donated to charity but never actively with his own time. Was this really making a difference? 
 
Thinking back to my upbringing I was dead fortunate. I was brought up in a one parent loving family. Living in a declining coal mining area in South Wales. THE.CONTENDER was happy. He ran free in the beautiful Welsh Valleys with his mates and kicked rugby balls around the playing fields. Even though as a family, we had little money, we did not go without. THE.CONTENDER had access to a very good education system. He was heavily subsidised and had a sponsor to go to an exceptionally good University in Manchester studying engineering. 
 
THE.CONTENDER has benefited from resources a large part of the world population would bend
 over backwards for. THE.CONTENDER has been given it all on a plate - he has been
 very, very, very (yes three times!) fortunate. Did THE.CONTENDER know this at the time - perhaps - definitely now though. 
 
A good education resulted in a good job and the amazing opportunity to be financially free by the ripe old age of 36. Our little tribe has a very comfortable life that is easy to take for granted. We have running water, electricity, rent a nice property, can go to the store and buy Alaskan salmon, French saussion, Italian Chianti heck our local market sells fish from New Zealand! (We think this is completely silly by the way and buy local as much as possible.) Lucky indeed. 
 
Why has THE.CONTENDER been fortunate enough to thrive like this? THE.CONTENDER worked hard but was helped due to the specific advantages of a developed country. So what can THE.CONTENDER do more of to give back to society which has helped him all these years? Can we be charitable and help where it is needed? 
 
THE.CONTENDER 's first real experience of poverty, and how a little charity goes a long way, was his first trip to Africa. My sister was teaching in Zambia at the time. It is an amazing place - even more so if you are a foreign tourist! My sister took us to some places that were completely off the beaten track. This is where poverty first really became real for me. From the funeral parade of at LEAST 50 COFFINS each day out of Lusaka to the bush where they probably never see a white man. It was in a small isolated hamlet THE.CONTENDER inadvertently scared a bunch of kids with a balloon - completely alien to them. Ooops! 
 
These people had a roof over their heads, some small necessary possessions for cooking and gardening and that was it. No schools, no health care, no idea of money really - poverty to a westerner but THE.CONTENDER only saw happiness in the eyes of this vibrant group. Sadly THE.CONTENDER was sure their life expectancy was low. They they probably did not really know what health care was or what a hospital looks like and all the benefits it brings. 
 
My sister is back in the UK and regularly provides donations of clothes and fills her suitcase up with essentials each time she travels back to Africa. Good one sis! 
 
This brings me on to the main part of this post; how the skills THE.CONTENDER has learnt were put to use in a charitable manner and how a modest amount of money can make a huge difference to so many (150 orphans in this case). Please read on about this exceptional project!

Early Retirement at 36 - Charity Time?

Evening fight fans your host for the evening is the THE FUTURE here on FREEDOM FIGHT NIGHT. This evening we are interviewing THE.CONTENDE...

Early Retirement, Lean and Maslow what do they have in common?

Contender 1 Early Retirement, Education, Ethical, Freedom, frugality, Happiness, health, Investing, Life, Planning, Saving, Toolkit 09:27

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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PERL </td></tr>
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Hello Fight Fans, welcome to Fight Night on channel CONTENDER! Let's get ready to RUMBLE! Introducing in the red corner weighing in at 13st 2lb THE.CONTENDER! In the blue corner weighing in an impressive 16st 9lb is THE FUTURE.  
Tonight's fight is over 12 rounds. The prize is for the UFF (Undisputed Freedom Fight) Belt  
 
THE.CONTENDER has been training for the future for some time. Since he was born actually; just like everyone else. THE.CONTENDERhas been fighting to achieve his goals and desires; funnily enough just like everyone else. THE.CONTENDERhas searched for the key to making them happen; just like everyone else, where is it damn it! 
 
So this post is about THE.CONTENDER's personal thoughts on what this key could look like. In particular could it unlock the secret to an effective Early Retirement and Life Planning approach? THE.CONTENDER's approach is based on three key parts: 1) Maslow's hierarchy of needs, 2) a concept called LEAN and 3) Monthly Planning process. This is what it looks like in THE.CONTENDER's world: 
 
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifLekrAUDqj7PQWK2Vg56aH8zkFXg1ic8fdfXFWvIUC5UuHJAOj59WMD-okA0c5uuDimuVQLAyVgFGhUIcwnPBdlvijYkyi3ryInWDbJKrMMXSpOD5xLzauX55-wqAUWxfxUec3rsKwMR5/s1600/Maslow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifLekrAUDqj7PQWK2Vg56aH8zkFXg1ic8fdfXFWvIUC5UuHJAOj59WMD-okA0c5uuDimuVQLAyVgFGhUIcwnPBdlvijYkyi3ryInWDbJKrMMXSpOD5xLzauX55-wqAUWxfxUec3rsKwMR5/s320/Maslow.jpg" title="Maslow's Pyramid of Needs" width="320"></a>1) MASLOW 
 
Maslow placed the most important aspects of life at the bottom of a PYRAMID. Water, food and shelter at the bottom as they are essential through to self-actualization at the top. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPztYktJDZnAuDiWSX-Stf-t81W1DwUD83qlsbZNGcAc8KMbG51N9yKmc7nNi3lRdGY8nscgpfm-OV-2e83RjKPnHADiM2np2Z_eGD8cH_w81MsPqzu7VUBsF22ATjUi7VB66AQR_vgE-P/s1600/Lean+House.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>2) LEAN 
 
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THE.CONTENDERwould like to introduce Tachi Ohno of Toyota. He is considered the father of  <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lean_manufacturing" target="_blank">LEAN</a> in the manufacturing world. LEAN is all about removing waste (Japanese for waste is "muda") and making the products as close to the point of  delivery as possible (JIT - just in time). 
 
What is interesting is that LEAN principles have been simply represented as a house. You need strong foundations, build the walls and top off with the roof while regular maintenance will keep it in tip top condition. 
 
3) PLANNING (Making it Happen): 
 
Project management has lots of models and different approaches depending on what the project is. It can can be very complex such as building a skyscraper or simple in the case of planning a journey to the Zoo. 
 
Over complication and missing steps, have put THE.CONTENDERin hot water in the past. THE.CONTENDERhad to learn how to mange projects and people effectively to make sure he could not see the wood from the trees.  
 
THE.CONTENDEReventually learnt that planning really is a simple process wits for key repeating steps PLAN - DO - CHECK - ACT. When carrying out these steps a list of checks and skills must be used. Below is a list of the key aspects of planning, leading and execution that THE.CONTENDERhas been rigorously trained on. In THE.CONTENDER's opinion consider all of them, in a robust review process, and you won't go too far wrong: 
<ul>
<li>What is your VISION - what do you want- your end goal - Early Retirement and Happiness?</li>
<li>Do you have a PLAN to get there - this can be on the back of a biz card or a spreadsheet? </li>
<li>Are you keeping everything SIMPLE?</li>
<li>Be prepared to ADAPT your plan and goals, make sure you have regular checks </li>
<li>Do you have the right ATTITUDE - are you really committed to being frugal for early retirement?</li>
<li>Do you see the PROBLEM clearly? is it that you have to pay your debts first or get a new job close to home?</li>
<li>Have you DISCUSSED this with your close family / friends and do you have everyone on board?</li>
<li>Who is in CONTROL - tracking progress and spotting deviations, obstacles and opportunities and getting back on track if you fall behind.</li>
<li>ASSERTIVENESS - get on with it, have a go, back up your convictions</li>
<li>INVOLVE everyone in the decision making progress - THE.CONTENDER and his tribe are moving to France, the reason is that the living standard is higher, decent warm weather and it has good schools for the kids; so THE.CONTENDER turned to the grandparents: "what do you think?"</li>
</ul>
So what if we try combining the life (Maslow) with the continuous Improvement and removal of waste of Lean (Tachi Ohno), with the principles of planning and financial freedom? Here is THE.CONTENDER's interpretation, please read on ;)

Early Retirement, Lean and Maslow what do they have in common?

PERL Hello Fight Fans, welcome to Fight Night on channel CONTENDER! Let's get ready to RUMBLE! Introducing in the red corner weig...

10 Career Skills for Early Retirement

Contender 1 Critical Thinking, Early Retirement, financial freedom, financial independence, Planning, Work 10:51

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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheyHkbAAXYMYsvCwh1XyF9SKkmbpUP8spUnKd4230DCV63YZLwd6KjgbZlO2E1VH5DbO_uIGQrfr1ZrJ6zbALK2ynrK0l9d2sujR_iRRkY_3d69132K5CkoOTX9HZcquNkhogzPYDVTIv6/s1600/Pictures+076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Chicago" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheyHkbAAXYMYsvCwh1XyF9SKkmbpUP8spUnKd4230DCV63YZLwd6KjgbZlO2E1VH5DbO_uIGQrfr1ZrJ6zbALK2ynrK0l9d2sujR_iRRkY_3d69132K5CkoOTX9HZcquNkhogzPYDVTIv6/s320/Pictures+076.jpg" title="Sears Tower View" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the Sears Tower Chicago - BIG Business</td></tr>
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THE.CONTENDER 's career has been short and sweet. He is now officially semi retired* after only 13 years on the job - lucky B******. So it is hard to call it a career really. 
 
As a graduate THE.CONTENDER went straight into a process improvement role (adding new computer planning systems, training, creating reports and interactive tools) and actually enjoyed 90% of the experience and learnt a few tricks along the way. 
 
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This post is about some of the amazing skills learnt on the job. Specifically how THE.CONTENDER has since applied them in his quest for early retirement and how THE.CONTENDER will use the skills in the future.</div>
 
First here is a list of 10 business skills that THE.CONTENDER learnt from work and considers highly beneficial in his personal life. This will be followed by a section on how they can be used in respect to financial freedom / early retirement: 
<ol>
<li>Discipline -  THE.CONTENDER had to act like an adult from now on. Work had to be completed on time and correctly. Mistakes cost money and made THE.CONTENDER loose face let alone slowed down my career advancement.  </li>
<li>Project management - THE.CONTENDER was meant to deliver projects on time and get everyone involved......at lest that was the idea, this really took some practice! It was one hell of a learning ride on the way. From the indemnity of being pulled up in front of senior management for a delay to being proud of oneself in delivering a valuable time saving tool to my colleagues. The project management skills eventually set THE.CONTENDER up to succeed. THE.CONTENDER considers project management as one of the hardest skills to learn and actually excel at. If you are good at it you will build significant trust making you the go to guy to get something done.  </li>
<li>Learning business interpersonal skills - simple communication, adjusting your style to the person you are dealing with, listening attentively to that person and addressing their concerns (Or in THE.CONTENDER 's early career telling them they were wrong because they were.... so there! Opps! I was right 80% of the time, sort of :)  </li>
<li>Independence and Responsibility - booking business travel to go to different countries, planning your own workload, deciding on priorities (and what to ignore). Taking ultimate responsibility for your appraisals - without significant effort how will you get noticed. </li>
<li>Time management - work on what was really needed 80:20 rule (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pareto_principle">80% of results come from 20% of the work</a>) - THE.CONTENDER is adamant that you work on the really important stuff, complete 80% of it and move on - but how many people work that way! So THE.CONTENDER learnt how to delegate it onto someone who will actually finish it o  </li>
<li>Critical thinking - Why do we want to do that? Is it worth the effort? What will other people think?  </li>
<li>Mentoring - Really this is all about networking. Two main benefits : 1. Learning who and how to influence to get your way 2. To get a promotion - Sorry THE.CONTENDER's opinion.! What THE.CONTENDER really got out of mentoring was crystalisation of my thoughts towards EARLY RETIREMENT through the interrogation \ questioning process - :)  </li>
<li>Computer skills - reporting, basic programming, websites, writing training documents. Computer allow you to get things done quickly and in our data overload world if you have the right skills analyse the data to get to the real problems and opportunities and present them in a way that conveys the importance of you message. Get noticed.  </li>
<li>Change management / influencing - possibly the hardest skill to learn and master and the biggest problem THE.CONTENDER had in this short career.  </li>
<li>Presentation skills - Professional training in this area is invaluable - watching a playback of a presentation you give followed by some professional coaching - the end result is astounding. Maybe one day THE.CONTENDER will post his video in the future...... </li>
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Not forgetting the need to be paid A reasonable salary for the work- more you earn the faster it is to retirement ;) 
 
THE.CONTENDER has no way mastered any of the skills but all are highly useful compared to some of the education THE.CONTENDER had in school <a href="http://www.getintheringwithme.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/10-education-topics-for-financial.html" target="_blank">(please see </a><a href="http://getintheringwithme.blogspot.com/2012/09/10-education-topics-for-financial.html" target="_blank">THE.CONTENDER's post on missing education skills)</a> 
 
So THE.CONTENDER has provided a list of "boring" but must have business skills lets have a chat how actually each skill can contribute to early retirement and a successful private life. Please read on.....

10 Career Skills for Early Retirement

View from the Sears Tower Chicago - BIG Business THE.CONTENDER 's career has been short and sweet. He is now officially semi retir...

Welcome to FISH !
You have come here looking for answers. How to get out of debt? How to save and invest? How to retire early and how you want to live in retirement.

Well this is the right place for you as out tribe has been through all of these steps. We no longer work for a corporate employer and have saved enough to retire early. How we did this is shared here on this site for you.

Our little tribe found out these secrets to financial independence in our late 20’s. Since then we have taken early retirement, in our late 30's, in just 7 years. We now live in the South West of France with our two young children.

Along the way I decided to share everything I learnt. My articles and tips on aggressive saving and compound investing are there to help you meet your financial goals fast. I discuss ways to help you decide what you want by building a life plan. This helps to work out how to get where you want to be whilst avoiding the pitfalls along the way.

My expertise was built up working in blue chip corporate jobs, extensive reading and putting it into practice. I have condensed this knowledge into simple strategies to help you meet your goals and not those of the bank or the place you work.

There are free planning tools on this site that help you make a life plan. A plan for your future. The tools calculate how to reach your financial goals in a timeline that suits you. The tools help set out your life goals, make them happen and how to exceed them.

There are tips on how to simplifying your life to remove day to day headaches. These include ways to pay off debt fast buy eliminating wasteful spending habits. How to reduce your monthly bills through choices that actually improve your health and wellbeing. Identifying things you don’t need that sap your time and wallet.

There are little sustainability projects to reduce your dependence on shops and utilities whilst saving money to spend on things you want.

All of these little steps will show you how save 50%+ of your salary so you can meet your goal whatever it is. This huge saving rate can be compounded for very early retirement. I am sure you will find something here for you.

Darren Lee (A.K.A the Contender as in my blog)