FISH | Financial Independence Seeking Happiness

Frugality+Budgeting+Investing+Planning+ Hard Work=Financial Independence

Contender 2 book, Early Retirement, financial independence, frugality 14:46

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<h2>
Exposing the ways of the financially Independent Wealthy </h2>
SPEND.A.LOT: "I'm off shopping it's Saturday after my pay check. I've worked hard this month and deserve a new pair of shiny flashing light beep beep sneakers" 
THE.CONTENDER: "Aren't the beep beep sneakers way expensive? Can you buy them out of your pay check after paying all the bills?" 
 
SPEND.A.LOT "Well I just received this card through the post it has $2,000 of credit to spend now on it and no payments for 6 whole months - result! I want a new car as well there is a nice sports car in the local dealership with 10%. We can use the other car for the kids and I get to look the business" 
 
Card issuer (AKA THE.FUTURE) - what a sucker! They never read the small print, interest rate of 2000% he will be my little slave before he knows it. 
 
THE.CONTENDER: Would you hold off your purchases a minute, mate? I would like you to read a little book before you buy the sneakers and new car. It is called "The Millionaire Next Door" 
 
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"The Millionaire Next Door" by Thomas Stanley and William Danko  exposes the truth that great defense (that is "controlled spending on necessities" compared to consumerism is the road to wealth. 1 Million + copies sold in the US alone speak for itself. This post has: 
<ol>
<li>A short review of the book </li>
<li>THE.CONTENDER concerns for the kids</li>
<li>A look at putting some of the recommendations of the book into practice</li>
</ol>
 
"The Millionaire Next Door" written in 1996 investigates the lives of the wealthy. Their spending habits and investing traits versus high income low net worth individuals. Again the same result as the one THE.CONTENDER believes in: 
 
<div style="text-align: center;">
Frugality + Budgeting + Investing + Planning + Hard Work </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
= Financial Independence</div>
 
The Book 
  
Simple enough isn't it? What was more fascinating about the book for daddy CONTENDER is the impact of your own consumption and traits rub off on the kids. In the book some very concerning points are made. 
 
Spendthrift high income families generally: 
<ol>
<li>Care about status and keeping up with the Jones</li>
<li>Spend a lot on expensive consumer goods (Cars, boats, clothes, blenders, cappucino makers and the like)</li>
<li>Do not have a household annual budget </li>
<li>Do not dedicate enough time to financial planning and investing</li>
<li>Some rely on sustaining their lifestyle on "gifts" from rich parents.</li>
</ol>
Compare this to millionaires 
<ol>
<li>They save at least 15% of their income</li>
<li>Their income is a very small part of their total wealth</li>
<li>A significant amount own their own business, leverage their contacts to get good deals and business passed onto them.</li>
<li>Are humble in front of their employes and neighbors showing no signs of their real wealth</li>
<li>The are fully satisfied with their humble living and have no intention to change and turn into a consumer. They have clearly defined life goals.</li>
</ol>
It is a fascinating look into the lives of the wealthy with loads of case studies. What is even better is that as it has sold over a million copies, you can pick up a second hand copy for a very modest price so I cannot recommend the book highly enough. 
 
Please read on for the  impact on the kids, FI state of mind what would the Millionaire Next Door ask himself?

Frugality+Budgeting+Investing+Planning+ Hard Work=Financial Independence

Nice shiny stuff - usually very expensive.... Exposing the ways of the financially Independent Wealthy SPEND.A.LOT: "I'm off ...

Facinating Real World People

Contender 0 Black Swan, Conformity, Education, Financial Armageddon, financial independence 08:27

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THE.FUTURE: "So you think you have what it takes to survive what I have in store for you?  
 
THE.CONTENDER: "You are so full of it. I have a whole bunch of advisers that have you in their sights. They are free thinking and certainly not controlled by you!" 
 
This post is short and sweet. Below are some videos of some very interesting REAL WORLD outspoken people THE.CONTENDER keeps tags on. Covering future trends, investing, ecology, philsophy, fiat money and financial independence. A smart interesting bunch of free thinkers. Have a look at any of the videos that take your interest. 
 
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerald_Celente" target="_blank">Gerald Celente </a>- Trend Forecasting Master Jedi 
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Keiser" target="_blank">Max Kaiser </a>- Maverick Ex Trader who Is not afraid to Speak his Mind here talking to the Dollar Vigilante 
 
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nassim_Nicholas_Taleb" target="_blank">Nassim Nicholas Taleb</a> - Black Swans and Anti-fragility 
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Facinating Real World People

THE.FUTURE : "So you think you have what it takes to survive what I have in store for you? THE.CONTENDER : "You are so full ...

Infographic | Achieve Very Early Financial Independence - Part I

Contender 0 Budget, Education, Finance, financial independence, Infographic, Investing, Planning, Saving 09:50

Infographic | Achieve Very Early Financial Independence - Part I

Achieve Very Early Financial Independence - Part I | Create infographics <<< Click here for a spreadsheet planning tool th...

THE FUTURE

Contender 2 Blog, Early Retirement, financial freedom, financial independence, PERL 09:05

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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One Vision of THE.FUTURE (<a href="http://www.edenproject.com/visit-us/whats-here" target="_blank">Eden Project Cornwall UK</a>)</td></tr>
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THE.FUTURE "Contender I'm out to get ya! Yeh I'm watching you, I'm your shadow, I'm your worst nightmare! 
THE.CONTENDER - nice bloke THE.FUTURE time to put him in his place. 
 
<a href="http://www.getintheringwithme.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/the-past.html" target="_blank">THE.PAST</a> - is a has been, in <a href="http://www.getintheringwithme.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/the-present.html" target="_blank">THE.PRESENT</a> we enjoy the things we do each day. Now for THE.FUTURE! What is he up to in the investment world? Lets try to <strike>forecast</strike> guess a few things. What may happen across the planet in 2013? What can we work on on this blog this year? Let's guess. 
 
Guessing THE.FUTURE and Redundancy 
 
Contender used to forecast the sales of a very well known billion dollar brand consumer good. Forecasting as it turned out was educated guessing. As an engineer making a "Best Guess" versus an accurate answer was a bit of a change in mindset. 
 
To counter error in engineering you "add" a bit of redundancy in-case the calculations or assumptions are a little bit out. Forecasting THE.FUTURE on the other hand is guess work based on observations, thoughts and inherent human biases. 
 
Being incorrect with a sales forecast is countered by holding safety stock. You have options - plan for the best case scenario, make the stock early in case you need to make more, have idle machine capacity to "turn on" if required as a few examples. All redundancy and risk mitigation. 
 
So is forecasting about where redundancy is required? Savings are redundancy, food in the house is redundancy. Heating oil / lumber in the shed is redundancy. THE.FUTURE holds many surprises and cannot be forecasted accurately; so where shall our tribe add some redundancy this year? 
 
<div style="text-align: center;">
THE.FUTURE</div>
 
CONTENDER 2013 <strike>Ramblings</strike> <strike>Forecast</strike> Guess 
 
UK:
 In good old blighty QE will re-start hitting the pound and driving inflation higher. 
Economic growth will come but in the wrong areas creating new bubbles in
 the UK economy. What happens when they pop this time? George Osbourne 
will continue to say how well Austerity is going but knows differently ;) 
 
GDP Growth
 forecasts are only a representation of the money printing not real GDP 
growth. Inflation will stay high although it will be reported low (just 
what they really want - how is the UK going to get out of its debt trap 
otherwise?) 
 
More rain? - It is getting wetter in this 
country? The weather more extreme each year. One year a massive heatwave and the
 next year the country is underwater. <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/new_scientist/2012/09/will_2013_be_the_hottest_year_climate_change_and_el_ni_o_will_make_next_year_sweltering_.html" target="_blank">Time for a heatwave?</a> 
 The UK Populus starts to make more noise about the financial systems confiscation of their wealth. People will continue to scale back on expensive consumer goods and move to own label products. The own label products do the job at a much lower price. 
 
In realising that they need to be "savvy" consumers all areas of spending will start to be scaled back.  Holidays aboard, expensive fashion, gadgets, eating out, entertainment. All GDP negative. 
 
Riots in London are unlikely (we had them at the end of our street in 2011) but inflation is pressuring the population all it needs is an increase in interest rates to make times much harder for people. 
 
More people start to move out of poor performing "active" investment funds (who charge high fees) into  low cost tracker funds or invest directly themselves. The cities lavish fund industry marketing teams go into overdrive to save their jobs. 
 
The economy shows some signs of life after all of the money lavished on it but is held back by tail winds from the continent. 
 
Please read on for Continental Europe, China, Japan and the USA, our investment approach, What is going on with the blog this year and some closing thoughts....

THE FUTURE

One Vision of THE.FUTURE ( Eden Project Cornwall UK ) THE.FUTURE "Contender I'm out to get ya! Yeh I'm watching you, I...

THE PRESENT

Contender 0 Blog, financial independence, frugality, Life 08:07

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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">January in London? - So Pretty under Snow</td></tr>
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THE.PRESENT: "Come on Contender have some fun, get yourself one of those gadgets, go on holiday you need one and the kids do as well, a few more presents - they have not had enough for Christmas" 
THE.CONTENDER: "Thanks for the pointers. At the moment we are happy with our little lot, love our community and have some great laughs." 
 
 
This post - Enjoying life one day at a time, Embracing Change through planning and a little list of things to do at the start of the year. 
 
 
<div style="text-align: center;">
THE PRESENT</div>
Enjoying life now 
 
January 2013! Waking to the smell of freshly ground coffee. Our kids are playing happily with their generous Christmas presents, thank you Santa / Grandma. School starts next week. We meet and chat about random topics with friends in the park and run around the library. 
 
Hot warm home cooked meals are the order of the day. Delicious porridge for breakfast. Lentils with french sausages, vegetables and the last of the clementines a satisfying lunch. Soup and dips for tea. 
 
Skype the grandparents in the evening to amaze them with the new skills the kids have learnt. Bath time, story and bed. 
 
Time to enjoy a good book and perhaps a glass of wine, cozy on the sof,a stroking the purring cat on the lap. 
 
Simple times for a cold, damp dark time of the year and time to get on with a few things......

THE PRESENT

January in London? - So Pretty under Snow THE.PRESENT: "Come on Contender have some fun, get yourself one of those gadgets, go on ...

THE PAST

Contender 0 Black Swan, Blog, Dividends, Early Retirement, financial freedom, financial independence, Investing 20:12

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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La Romieu Gers France</td></tr>
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THE.PAST: "Well you did not see that coming did ya man!" 
THE.CONTENDER: "We planned enough of it mate!" 
 
This is the first of 3 posts, a look at THE.PAST, the year that was 2012.  
<ol>
<li>THE.CONTENDER Tribe 2012 road to Financial Independence and this year's highlights. </li>
<li>What happened in the financial world and the impact on the THE.CONTENDER investment portfolio.</li>
<li>What we learnt as a family over the year. What did you learn about yourself?</li>
</ol>
 
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THE.PAST</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it” George Santayana </blockquote>
Tribe road to financial Freedom and France in 2012 
<ol>
<li>Mr C takes over the parental duties while Mrs C goes back to work </li>
<li>Our eldest child left creche and started nursery school </li>
<li>Spending was cut dramatically with no impact to our standard of living, as described in <a href="http://getintheringwithme.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/father-muff-financial-frugality-case.html">Father C a Financial Frugality Case Study of Bringing up Baby</a></li>
<li>Standard of living actually increased as we had one adult at home, which is positive for the children and less stressful for the parents (no more rushing around to pick up kids, having to book days off when they are sick and finding child care solutions)</li>
<li>Both children have grown up immensely this year and are showing real progress - the eldest with reading and writing (just turned 4) and the youngest is a real little person now she is mobile. </li>
<li>Saving exceeded expectations but investments were flat (see below)</li>
<li>Investment knowledge has increased see <a href="http://getintheringwithme.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/round-5-156s-investment-challenges.html">Investment Challenges</a> and <a href="http://getintheringwithme.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/risk-versus-reward-round-5-2m-59s.html">Risk Versus Reward </a>and <a href="http://getintheringwithme.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/financial-independence-planner-stock.html">Financial Independence Planner & Stock Screener</a></li>
<li>The Tribe has improved its knowledge and use of alternative health practices, see <a href="http://getintheringwithme.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/keeping-muff-healthy-round-6-1m-37s.html">Keeping the Tribe healthy</a> </li>
<li>Wonderful holiday in the south of France researching where to live (photo above from the Gers region of France).</li>
<li>Started this blog! see <a href="http://getintheringwithme.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/10-blogging-mistakes-muff-styleee.html">10 blogging mistakes - CONTENDER styleee!</a></li>
</ol>
Financial Impact of 2012 
 
First for all those Boggle heads out there our investments came out at a slightly positive 1.5% gain compared to an approximate 7% gain for the US market. 
 
We did exceed our savings plan but took a hit when Mr C left work and hence lost his share options. 
 
Overall this is disappointing but there is always a silver lining! First let's have a look at what happened across the world and why the THE.CONTENDER investment portfolio turned out flat. 
 
By World Region 
 
UK: Austerity is doing its job, shame about the un-realistic growth figures (as usual) along came the double dip recession. Odd thing is that the "austerity" still means that the national debt is increasing year on year...... Nothing to see here, move on, all is well! (quick, appoint another ex Goldman Sachs employee as the Governor of the Bank of England as Merv has stopped printing to cover up the mess that the UK finances are in). 
 
Olympics - good job and pulled the UK out of recession due to the ticket sales alone..... Record haul of medals and Sir Bradley Wiggins won Gold following on from his Tour de France success.  And UK sports personality of the year to boot. GO WIGGO! 
 
Rain - funny that and in the UK of all places - IT HASN'T STOPPED!!! Why invest in wind power we need hydro dams! 
 
Tribe Investments 
<ul>
<li>Stocks generally positive for the year. Income stocks did OK (oil and gas, utilities, telecoms and pharmaceuticals)</li>
<li>Funds generally negative due to exposure to precious metal miners which have had a second poor year of performance in a row compared to the underlying metals which were both positive for the year. </li>
</ul>

THE PAST

La Romieu Gers France THE.PAST: "Well you did not see that coming did ya man!" THE.CONTENDER : "We planned enough of it...

Some of the best FI / ERE Posts of 2012?

Contender 1 Early Retirement, financial freedom, financial independence 08:20

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Hi fight fans, nearly the end of the year already! Where did it all go. Who were the winners in the game of life?   
THE FUTURE is still lurking there ready to take THE.CONTENDER to the cleaners when he gets the chance. What is THE.CONTENDER to do? Keep on LEARNING.  
 
Below are some of the favorite posts THE.CONTENDER has read this year and a brief summary of what they were about, and what can be learnt from them. 
 
January Freeze - too cold for brass monkeys. New Year Resolutions for the rest of the year anyone? (<strike>P.S. </strike><strike>CONTENDER remember last years and don't kid yourself;o</strike>) 
 
jlcollinsnh<a href="http://jlcollinsnh.wordpress.com/2012/01/06/index-funds/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to The bashing of Index Funds, Jack Bogle and a Jedi dog trick"> - The bashing of Index Funds, Jack Bogle and a Jedi dog trick</a> 
What: Why cheap index funds such as Vanguard are a great way to invest and why the financial media and investment houses hate them* 
Early Retirement Angle: Cut out the investment fees to retire early 
 
February Blues - bills bills bills Christmas overspend? 
 
Brave New Life - <a href="http://www.bravenewlife.com/02/how-to-get-your-significant-to-embrace-a-brave-new-life/" rel="bookmark" title="How To Get Your Significant Other To Embrace a Brave New Life">How To Get Your Significant Other To Embrace a Brave New Life</a> 
What: Change of direction, stop wasting money and being a good little consumer? What about the rest of the family? 
Early Retirement Angle: Taking people with you all working towards a common goal of early retirement is a change in mindset. The consumerist live for today lifestyle needs to countered with save to day to enjoy tomorrow financially free. 
 
March Madness - It is getting lighter in the evenings and the world is a better place 
 
Brave New Life - <a href="http://www.bravenewlife.com/03/core-principle-6-this-is-water/" target="_blank">Core Principle 6 This Is Water</a> 
What: David Foster Wallace inspiration talk on life - what is it all for / have some perspective on life? 
Early Retirement Angle: Consider the big picture in life who are you and think carefully about the world 
 
Brave New Life -<a href="http://www.bravenewlife.com/03/10-reasons-not-to-retire-early-uh-oh/" rel="bookmark" title="10 Reasons Not To Retire Early? Uh-Oh!">10 Reasons Not To Retire Early? Uh-Oh!</a> 
What: Nice post on the financial media's excuses \ procrastination against early retirement. 
Early Retirement Angle Grinder: Doubts, herd mentality, media - think clearly set your own goals and try to shut out all of the negativity that is out there about "retirement" and "frugality".

Some of the best FI / ERE Posts of 2012?

Hi fight fans, nearly the end of the year already! Where did it all go. Who were the winners in the game of life? THE FUTURE is still ...

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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 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" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE" width="86"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V8fN5bMTCyk/UMSB6OWVZsI/AAAAAAAACNU/zan6Tivedfk/s1600/Stock+Screener.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="90" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V8fN5bMTCyk/UMSB6OWVZsI/AAAAAAAACNU/zan6Tivedfk/s200/Stock+Screener.JPG" width="200"></a></td>
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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

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O5KDTPOwwZw/UKD2AmhphgI/AAAAAAAACFM/d6yj9M6EIuw/s1600/6+Habits+of+Very+Early+Retirement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="6 Habits of Very Early Retirement" border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O5KDTPOwwZw/UKD2AmhphgI/AAAAAAAACFM/d6yj9M6EIuw/s200/6+Habits+of+Very+Early+Retirement.jpg" title="6 Habits of Very Early Retirement" width="200"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perhaps a leaflet instead..</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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. ...

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)