

Experienced quite the culture shock this weekend while visiting a southern state for the first time. Apparently free water isn’t a guarantee in restaurants everywhere. We went to dinner at a fast food style restaurant and if I wanted water I would’ve had to buy a bottle from them. I went without any drinks, but I now understand why some people in the south only drink soda (if you have to pay either way may as well get the one that comes with refills).
It’s both my birthday and spreadsheet day!
It’s pretty crazy to think about how far I’ve come, since it was exactly 10 years ago I started making major moves for FIRE. Back then I was stuck in a dead-end job, had a bad relationship, and was living in my parents basement. I decided around that birthday I was going to go back to school and get a masters degree to jumpstart a career change.
That choice led me to my current job that I’ve been at for roughly 9 years, am happily married to someone who respects me, have my own house and dog, have been able to travel to multiple countries, and have increased my net worth by roughly $750k.
For anyone in their mid-20s who thinks getting ahead in life is impossible and is feeling hopeless. I am living proof that it’s not. A decade can change absolutely everything so long as you can work up the courage to jump out of a bad situation.