Question and Experiment
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One of the hallmarks of a FI mind is thinking differently. This extends to all areas of life and we find that testing and experimentation help us succeed in ways that most other people simply donu2019t.
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We arenu2019t content to take things as they are.
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We constantly question. We constantly experiment.
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Things that are societally u201cnormalu201d arenu2019t a given.
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Everyone else spends all their money and lives paycheck-to-paycheck.
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Why does it have to be that way?
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We live the same middle-class lifestyles, but weu2019re getting wildly wealthy in the process.
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We arenu2019t content to work for 50+ years and maybe eke out a few years of u201cretirementu201d in our 70s and 80s.
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We consider mini-retirements, Coast FI, or a period of concerted saving to get us to the point where working is optional forever.
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If we find ourselves in communities where everyone thinks the same way, we donu2019t go along with it, we question and try to understand.
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And if we canu2019t understand or donu2019t agree, we forge our own paths.
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We donu2019t fall prey to u201ceveryone says,u201d even when itu2019s something small.
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For example, Iu2019ve always looked at the made-up holidays like Valentineu2019s Day or Motheru2019s/Fatheru2019s Day and thought youu2019d have to be crazy to go out to eat on those days when restaurants are crowded, the food is rushed and more expensive and itu2019s a stressful experience.
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How about February 13th or 15th? Same way to show your affection, but just a little bit smarter.
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u201cEveryone saysu201d you need to come out of the gym sweaty and miserable to get a u201cgoodu201d workout.
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For the last 3 years I havenu2019t sweated once during my strength training u2013 in fact, to an outside observer it looks like Iu2019m walking around for 45 minutes and lifting for 12.
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But yet Iu2019ve gotten the best results of my life.
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Because I sought out something better, and I found it.
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Iu2019m fanatical about staying ahead of chronic diseases, especially Type 2 Diabetes, which runs in my family, so I went to the Ulta Lab Tests website last week and subjected myself to an u2018Oral Glucose Tolerance Test.u2019
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I bought my own glucometer, so every 30 minutes I tested my blood sugar and had a running conversation with ChatGPT to assess the results.
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It was like having the most intelligent doctor in the world in my pocket.
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The world has never made it easier to question, test and experiment.
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By pursuing FI youu2019ve already stepped up and said youu2019re someone who thinks differently. Iu2019d love to see you expand that into other areas of your life and continue that lifelong process of experimentation.
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Merit Aid for College
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If youu2019re the parent of a 6th through 11th grader and you havenu2019t listened to ChooseFI Episode 460 with Brian Eufinger, you need to drop everything and listen to that episode.
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This was the most eye-opening episode Iu2019ve recorded in years, as I was completely unaware of u201cmerit aid gridsu201d based on GPA and ACT/SAT test scores.
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After doing some research, I found a college we really like here in Virginia publishes a merit aid grid and it seems plausible to get up to a full tuition scholarship for a capable student. We simply wouldnu2019t have known this existed if Brian hadnu2019t come on the show.
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Reminder that Brian suggests all parents of 10th graders review the presentation they have available on this u201cSophomoreu201d page on their site and sign up for one of 50+ entirely free mock testing sessions to determine if the ACT or SAT is better for your student to focus on.
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To paraphrase Brian, u201cbetter to be Varsity in one test instead of JV in two.u201d
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Life Hack: FlightAware
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As Iu2019m writing this, Iu2019m getting set to pick Katie & Alan Donegan up from the airport for a live event weu2019re holding in Richmond next weekend.
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I tracked their airplane all day to watch for delays using FlightAwareu2019s Flight Finder and I realized this may be a life hack you arenu2019t aware of.
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I use this for EVERY flight I ever take, especially if thereu2019s a connection, so I can track the whereabouts of both airplanes to look for delays.
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Go to FlightAware and enter your flight details. You can click u201cWhere is my plane now?u201d and find exactly where the airplane is at the current moment and see if itu2019s on-time or are there any potential delays.
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Itu2019s also kind of fun to track the flights with GPS this way and see their arrival time, altitude, speed, etc. (but that might just be fun for me! Ha)
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My wife and I had our first baby a year ago and have been sharing her 2016 Camry ever since I sold my car in 2021 when the car market was crazy, and you could get more than you paid for it. We are planning on having a second child next year and figured the time was good to start looking for a second vehicle was before we really needed it. With end of year around the corner, we might be able to score a deal on a used Toyota Sienna.
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I’ve been casually shopping for a few months tracking what mileage and prices look like. I saw an amazing deal pop up in Pittsburgh (350 miles from me) for a top trim, AWD Sienna with low miles. I called the dealer to verify all the details because the price was amazing. After a little more negotiation due to some scratches that weren’t shown online, I booked a flight and hotel with points that same day. The next morning, I stopped at the bank for a cashier’s check and was driving the car home about an hour later.
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It was a long 10-hour drive, but I didn’t mind because I got a fully loaded, slightly used vehicle for 33% off vs. buying brand new. I know the car market has been crazy, but if you know what you want, take your time, and are willing to travel, you can still get a great deal.
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Also, I cannot recommend enough getting a Toyota Sienna hybrid if you are looking for a great family vehicle!
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u2014 Andrew
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