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Why am I choosing FI? First off, thank you for checking out my little short essay. Second of all, let me explain what FI is real quick. FI stands for financial independence. I am still trying to define it in my own words so I’ll cite the book with a similar title as to what financial independence means:

“[Financial independence] is not about retiring early or retiring at all really. It’s all about having the freedom and flexibility to design your life in alignment with your values. You can work on things important to you. You can work at your own pace. Or you can choose not to work at all. FI gives you the power to decide. It allows you to use your money as a tool to live a rich life, freeing yourself from the need to go to a job.” – Choose FI

So, now that you now what this is generally about, let me tell you why I am personally choosing FI.

I am choosing FI because I don’t want to feel ashamed about my debt anymore. I don’t want to have to prioritize making money over making memories. FI gives me the ability to live out my values with more integrity. But, most of all, and sadly more controversially, I simply want to do God’s will and live out my life in service to Him. FI encapsulates a philosophy of money that values the fruits of the Spirit mentioned in the Bible, like discipline, self-control, joy, patience, and peace.

Lastly, I’d like to talk about my main driving force for why I know I will stick to this choice. In my personal and professional life, I have seen just how much turmoil money can cause individuals and families. Just the turmoil of having money control some people’s livelihood has been the driving force that has motivated me to seek out a different way of life from the archaic and typical “work ’til you’re 65 and retire” mantra. And, more intentionally, I aim to be part of the solution not the problem.

The focus in question seems to be money, but it is not necessarily the end goal. The end goal is to be able to “design your life in alignment with your values” as the quote above says. This can happen more quickly when we have rude awakenings, like a death in the family or an unexpected loss of income, or both! I concluded that I have the ability to change my financial life and, once given new and life-changing information, I can actually use the knowledge I learned and change my life.

So, I hope this was somewhat insightful for my motivations that have guided me to choosing FI. And my desire is that my posts will inspire at least one person out there to change their life for the better. I will try to be consistent here, but having a full-time gig does make it difficult to balance hobbies like these. Until next time.