Financial independence can feel overwhelming when you're first getting started.
We'll be sharing our journey openly, including the wins, lessons, mistakes, and milestones, in hopes that it helps others see what's possible.
This site is our digital journal, accountability partner, and record of what happens when ordinary people commit to extraordinary consistency.
If you're pursuing FIRE, building passive income, exploring real estate lending, or simply trying to create more freedom in your life, you're in the right place.
About Us
Like many people, we spent years following the traditional script: work hard, save what you can, and hope retirement eventually arrives. Once we learned about financial independence in 2021, our perspective changed completely.
When we discovered the FIRE movement we realized there was another path, one built on thoughtful investing, purposeful spending, and designing a life around what matters most.
Since then, we've focused on:
- Maximizing tax-advantaged retirement accounts each year.
- Consistently investing in low-cost index funds through our brokerage accounts.
- Increasing our savings rate while still enjoying life today.
- Getting out and staying out of consumer debt.
- Continuously educating ourselves about wealth building and passive income strategies.
Our goal isn't to retire as quickly as possible. Our goal is FLOW: Financial Liberty, Optional Work.
What We're Building
Work Optionality
We want the freedom to choose the work we do and not be shackled to a paycheck.
Passive Income Streams
We're intentionally building multiple sources of income that aren't directly tied to our time.
These include:
- Retirement and brokerage investments
- Private money lending for Denver based real estate investors
- Future income-producing assets
- Additional opportunities as we continue learning and growing
Each new income stream brings us one step closer to greater flexibility and resilience.
A Life By Design
We're not running away from work. We're moving toward a life with more purpose, flexibility, and alignment where we can:
- Spend more time with family and friends
- Travel on our terms
- Support causes we care about
- Pursue creative projects and personal passions
- Focus on work that energizes and fulfills us
Follow Along
We'll be documenting our progress, sharing lessons learned, tracking milestones, and exploring new opportunities on the path to financial independence.
Join us as we continue building a life we don't need a vacation from.
Get in touch:derekateonfire@gmail.com