For Parents Raising Kids with a Millionaire MindsetOriginal Post: February 3, 2020 Updated: October 19, 2025 Regret’s been my toughest teacher, and holy cow, I’ve got stories. I used to miss soccer games and birthdays because work owned me. Now, I’m flipping that script with FIRE—Financial Independence, Retire Early—and passing…
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Why cutting funding to my 401k saved my hopes for financial independence and early retirement
Let me first say I love my 401k. I was extremely fortunate that my employer made this a priority for me even when I was not prioritizing it myself. My 401k contains the majority of my retirement nest egg. However, once I got serious about accumulating enough wealth to achieve…
My 2019 Year End Dividend Portfolio Review
As another year closes, and I draw 1 year closer to total financial independence, I reflect back on the yeat that I discovered the joys of dividend stock investing. It is probably too late for me to amass a portfolio of dividend stocks that will replace my salary entirely, but…
My dividend investment strategy; DRIPping towards early retirement. October 2019 dividend report
October was a very weak month for my dividend income portfolio. I thought this would be a great time to discuss my dividend investment strategy. I am currently not using my dividend income to live on. Therefore I am still in the accumulation phase. During this process I felt it…
September 2019 Dividend Report
“Dividends are a gift from the Gods.” Earl Owens The monthly dividend report is quickly becoming my favorite part of this website. I love being able to document and share my results each month so others can know just what is possible with dividend stocks. I only wish I started…
Pay Off Mortgage Early or Invest for Early Retirement? A FIRE Guide to Maximize Wealth
If you’re reading this, you’re probably dreaming of quitting the 9-to-5 grind early, sipping coffee on a beach, or at least not stressing about bills in retirement. Whether to pay off your mortgage early or invest for retirement is a huge decision for FIRE folks because it directly impacts how fast you hit your “FI number”
August 2019 Dividend Report
The Gods envy us. They envy us because we created dividends, because every month we can sit on our butts and collect passive income.
Dividend Report 2019 first half
So since I am so late in reporting my dividends, I have decided to make one post for the entire first half of 2019 from January through the end of July. Starting with the month of August (which is already posted here) I will be creating an individual post at…
A helpful guide to early 401k cash out
The 4o1k plan can be choppy waters to navigate. I myself have had plenty of questions about my 401k plan . So over the years I have done a lot of research. As a result I have put together the following guide to help answer some of your questions. I…
Can Money Buy Happiness? How FIRE Made Me Believe It in 2025
By Early Retirement Earl | Originally Published May 3, 2019 Updated October 13, 2025 Look, I’ve been broke. Like, eating Pop Tarts for three days straight, scrounging spare change for gas to get to work, and lying awake at night wondering if I’d make rent. Those days sucked. They weren’t…