Unread postby phade » Thu May 13, 2021 5:24 am
I'm probably the definition of what most of you labeled - working in leadership in a large company. I took on massive debt in my early 30s due to a home flooding issue, which was compounded by a large student loan of nearly six figures that wasn't going away any time soon. I could have easily went through bankruptcy at that point and nobody would have judged - water tables changed around my home and it flooded with 4-5 feet of water 1-3x per year from 2013-17 before we got out of it. I'm talking my washing machine would be bouncing off the ceiling bobbing in the water - yes, 1-3x per year.
The company gave me opportunity to advance and quite frankly out-work my problems. Now, I have material funds in 401k and investments and a positive net worth. I also started my own company selling trail cameras because it is a passion of mine within the hunting space and it afforded me some "luxuries" such as being able to pay for the cost of going on out of state hunts. I'll be in three states this year.
By August, I'll be down to just paying the mortgage in the home we bought in 17, and we have solid equity in that already. No student loans, no car payments, no nothing. Just monthly expenses and the mortgage. If all else stays constant August of 2023 the mortgage will be "paid off" per say with non-retirement investments in the market that outpace the expense side of the house and my focus will be on income generation of some sort so I can start backing down on my corporate job. I'm turning 40 in less than 60 days and I'm wore out.
I wish I could have lived a simpler life, more fun life in my 30s, but I'm making sure that they at least paved the way for me to enjoy my 40s and 50s much more than having to worry about bills. Next thing up is making health and family a priority.
Whatever it is you seek, go find it, even if the path is what is enjoyable.