Financial Independence at 50!!!

Well, I FINALLY DID IT!!! I decided in late 2022 that I would no longer sell my most valuable resource (time) to the highest bidder. As I sit here in a coffee shop in mid-January 2023, pondering where I came from, where I am, and where I’m headed, which are REALLY good questions, I feel compelled to write about it, speak about it, and record it in real-time as it’s happening. What am I talking about?

Financial Freedom or more commonly known as Financial Independence (FI)! Of course, without FI, I would not be sitting in a coffee shop pondering life. I would be sitting on I-5, early morning irritation rising as rush hour traffic builds, late for a meeting that doesn’t accomplish anything with equally frustrated coworkers.

I want to make a commitment to you.

I have spent much more than 10,000 hours, which I’m told is what it takes to master a subject, and probably more than 30,000 hours reading every book I can get my hands on, attending seminars, talking with investors, crunching numbers in spreadsheets, reading pro formas, studying accounting (bleah!) with an overall mission of obtaining FI in my life by 50. I was a full-time Civil Engineer for 26 years, and I intentionally resisted promotions so that I had time for my FI studies and work, which is without a doubt, what set me free.

I could keep this to myself, and avoid the trolls on the internet, hide from public scrutiny, OR I could share everything FI I’ve learned over my many years with the hope of setting others free to do the things they love, spend more time with loved ones, far earlier than they could do on their own. So I choose to “pass it on”. No 2 journeys are the same, but I hope that you will be able to pull value from my content that will enhance your life.

I will provide you with new tools and my spin on things. I will conduct interviews with investors that have achieved FI in their life. I will share my past experiences in FI and where I am headed from here, as well as shots of “a day in the life” of a retired man.

All the best in 2023, and hang on to your dollars because this year should be interesting.

Derek Petersen

Aviara Capital Investments