Tag: Fire

Calculation, Finance, Tracking, Uncategorized4 Comments

Calculations and calibrations

The Wealthster

Last weekend shortly after making my blog post, buoyed by the confidence that I am approaching debt freedom, I spent several hours calculating whether it would be better for me to save money or to pay off my mortgage. Firstly, there are several viewpoints on whether mortgage debt counts as ‘debt’. Of course it is different to a credit card or a car loan as you have purchased an asset that will appreciate in value and give you ‘equity’, and you pay off a chunk each month which also contributes. However, as that equity is tied up in the home, … Continue reading Calculations and calibrations

Tracking1 Comment

Another week has passed

The Wealthster

I’ve had a good week. My work treated me to tickets to England v Scotland at Twickenham. It was an astonishing game which will stick with me for the rest of my life. I really do wish my Dad had a chance to see it. It would have been an expensive day save that my company will pay for it. Can’t get better than that?! As for my FIRE quest, I’m feeling much better. My cash flow has improved, people have paid their bills to me and I have the cash to get me to the end of the month. … Continue reading Another week has passed

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Feeling the pain

The Wealthster

Last week I paid off £1200 of my credit card. It felt good to be making progress, but also scary. I’ve taken the approach that I must clear these debts as fast as possible with a target of 3-4 months being a stretch target. I’m anxious that I may be biting off more than I can chew. I now only have £1172 in my account to last me the month. I know I have at least £650 of payments coming out before the next paycheck. However, I am owed £500 in rent and have £400 of expenses to clear. In … Continue reading Feeling the pain

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January/February 2019 – financial situation

The Wealthster

I want to track my progress publically for two reasons; one, tracking will allow me to see the progress I have made, and two, it will motivate me and hold me to account knowing I have told people what I am planning to do.  I know it’s February, but I wanted to start at the beginning of the year. Assets: Flat: £450,000 Pension 1: £94,000 Pension 2: £4,382 Investment: £1,800 ETF: £961.00 Savings: £8000 Debts: Mortage: £259,000 Professional studies loan: £7000 Bank loan: £8000 Car loan: £12000 As you may see, I am swimming in debt. It’s not big and … Continue reading January/February 2019 – financial situation

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Why am I doing FIRE?

The Wealthster

I am in my mid-thirties. I didn’t really think much about the future when I was in my twenties and I think my interest in FIRE is part of a realisation that life is rather short and there is a limited time to do what you want. Of course, I thought of the future, but it was perhaps a fantasy future which was what we were taught to aspire to, rather than the reality. I have led a fairly interesting life and have experienced things that the majority of people my age may not have (marriage, divorce, living overseas, loss … Continue reading Why am I doing FIRE?

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Playing with FIRE

The Wealthster

Introduction   Hi, and welcome to my blog, Playing with FIRE. I have been reading a lot about the FIRE movement since I came across it in September 2018, and I have started to dabble in the philosophy a bit. There are a great many resources out there, and many are extremely useful. The main thing about these resources is they are very US focused. As I live in London in the UK, I decided that it may be helpful to document my experiences with using FIRE in a UK context. There do not seem to be many blogs that … Continue reading Playing with FIRE