7 Great Tips for FIRE – Financial Independence, Retire Early
A large number of individuals are working hard but aren’t making any progress in terms of achieving their ultimate goal of FIRE: Financial Independence, Retire Early. There are many reasons for this, but one of the key factors is a lack of clear and actionable investment advice.
Are you one of those who are sick of working long hours for little pay just to make someone else rich? Are you ready to break free? Do you want to achieve financial independence quickly? If yes, then you’re at the right place.
This article will give you seven great tips for FIRE: financial independence and retiring early. So let’s get started!
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Invest in Assets, Not Liabilities
When it comes to investing, it’s important to focus on assets, not liabilities. An asset is something that puts money in your pocket, such as a rental property, stocks, mutual funds, or a business. A liability, on the other hand, is something that costs you money, such as a car or a house.
If you want to achieve FIRE, you should focus on investing in assets that will generate income. That way, you’ll have more money coming in than going out and get you started on your way to financial independence.
To better manage your investments in assets, you can take the help of a wealth expert and even a wealth tracker app. A wealth tracker app will help you see your progress and keep you accountable.
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Diversify Your Income Sources
Remember the adage, “Never put all your eggs in one basket”? It applies to FIRE perfectly.
So, if you want to achieve FIRE, it’s important to have multiple sources of income. That way, if one source dries up, you’ll still have others to fall back on.
For example, if the stock market is down, you can earn a decent amount from your rental properties. Similarly, if the real estate market is down, you can fall back on your savings.
There are several ways to diversify your income sources. One way to do it is to have a mix of investment income, such as dividends from stocks or interest from bonds, and earned income, such as a salary from a job.
Another way to diversify is to have a mix of passive and active income sources. For example, you could have a blog that generates passive income through advertising, and you could also have a job that provides active income.
Tracking multiple income sources can sometimes become tedious but you can use this wealth tracking app to monitor your income sources, investments, and their average returns, in one place and ensure that your portfolio is diversified.
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Invest in Yourself First
If you want to achieve FIRE, you must invest in yourself first. That means saving up and investing in your own future rather than someone else’s. It might seem counterintuitive, but it’s the best way to secure your financial future.
For example, let’s say you have $75,000 in savings. You could put that money into a traditional retirement account like an IRA or 401(k). But if you did that, you’d be giving up control of your money to someone else.
Instead, invest that money in yourself by buying rental properties or investing in a business. That way, you’ll have more control over your money and your future.
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Automate Your Finances
Another simple way to achieve FIRE, you must automate your finances. That means setting up automatic transfers from your checking account to your savings account and investment accounts. It might seem tedious, but we assure you, it’s worth it. Automating your finances will help you stay on track and reach your goals faster.
For instance, let’s say you have a goal to save $20,000 in two years. If you automate your finances, you can have $833 automatically transferred from your checking account to your savings account every month. That way, you’ll reach your goal in no time.
It will also help save on penalties and fees, as you won’t have to worry about forgetting to transfer money into your savings account or paying for a credit card.
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Make Your Money Work for You
Ask any financially-successful person, and they’ll swear by this rule – you need to make your money work for you instead of you having to work for money all the time. That means investing your money in assets that will generate income. For example, you could invest in rental properties or a business. Doing this will make your money work for you, and you’ll be on your way to financial independence.
Similarly, you could also invest in a high-yield savings account or a Certificate of Deposit. That way, your money will work for you, and you’ll earn interest on your savings.
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Live a Frugal Lifestyle
A difficult but guaranteed way to achieve FIRE is to live a frugal lifestyle. That means cutting back on your spending and living below your means. It might seem difficult at first, but it’s essential if you want to achieve financial independence.
For example, you could cook at home instead of eating out, invest in quality items that will last, and shop when necessary at inexpensive stores. By living a frugal lifestyle, you’ll save money and be on your way to FIRE.
But remember, as author Catherine Pulsifer said, “Being frugal does not mean being cheap! It means being economical and avoiding waste.”
Also read:
- 4 Lessons of Financial Literacy – Robert Kiyosaki
- 7 Ways to Save Money in Tight Times Without Layoffs
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Have a Long-Term Perspective
Many financially-successful people always think of long-term goals rather than focus on short-term goals. If you want to achieve FIRE, you need to have a long-term perspective. That means thinking about your future and making decisions today that will benefit you in the future.
For example, instead of buying a new car, invest that money in a business or rental property. At the end of, say, five or ten years, your money will increase instead of being depleted. You’ll be glad you made that decision. Taking similar decisions throughout your life, you’ll be on your way to financial independence.
Conclusion
We hope this blog post has given you some insights into what it takes to achieve FIRE. If you follow these tips, you’ll be well on your way to financial independence. Just remember to have a long-term perspective and to automate your finances, in addition to following the other tips mentioned. Start your journey of savings, accelerate towards financial independence and retire early.