I have long legs and this means that long distance flights in standard economy class seat are agony. This is why, over the years, I've developed a strategy to improve my chances of being assigned a free exit row seat. The first thing I've learned is to always check-in at the airport. Those emails airlines … Continue reading How I secure an exit row seat
All over China loudspeakers blast out public service announcements that, in Australia, would seem borderline patronizing. I heard on one train journey: "Smoking is prohibited on this train" "Take care of your children and keep them away from hot surfaces" "Be careful putting liquids on the foldout table in front of you" The most interesting, … Continue reading “Stop staring at your phones”
I've just spent a couple of days in Shenzhen and Dongguan, visiting some of the factories that will be supplying Below7 products. It's the first time I've done anything like this before and I've learned a lot. Now it's time to reflect on what I did right, what I did wrong and what I'll improve … Continue reading Visiting factories in China
Starting some sort of Tech Startup isn't for everyone and its inherent financial uncertainty goes against the doctrine of a traditional FIRE strategy. However, it's a path that many tech entrepreneurs have done fantastically well from and is something that anyone in Tech should at least consider. Why do this? Anyone can start a business. … Continue reading TechFI: The Tech Startup
In this post, I'll discuss tactics for achieving Financial Independence while working as a permanent employee in the Tech industry. I'll start by saying that it's my belief that for most of us a long-term permanent job is the least optimal route to financial independence. It lacks the flexibility and higher incomes offered by … Continue reading TechFI: A Permanent Job
After nearly one year since 'retiring', I look back on how I've been keeping myself busy and interested in life I finished up my last IT contract gig as a Project Manager in August 2018. Now it's May 2019 and I'm 10 months into early retirement. It's my longest break away from work since I … Continue reading How’s FIRE working out?
The past couple of weeks have been personally transformative. They started with me almost accepting a job as CEO of a tech business here in Melbourne. I'd been in a turmoil trying to decide whether to take it or not. There was nothing wrong with the job, the question was whether or not I wanted … Continue reading Starting an environmentally ethical business
Over the past three years, I've made 5 lengthy solo trips around Asia, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Except for the times that I've taken my bike I've never taken more than a carry-on bag onto the plane when I've left home. I've learned to travel light and discovered unexpected benefits in going without and … Continue reading What I pack
Financial Independence is a long term play that needs to consider macro trends affecting the world now and in the future. Two such trends that I've recently become very interested in are Global Warming and Automation. Whilst I can't predict what difference these trends will have on an FI portfolio I do note some behavioral … Continue reading Global Warming & Automation
Contracting is my favored path to Tech Financial Independence. I'll explain why I like it so much by sharing some stories of how I've used it and how I've seen others use contracting to get ahead. In a previous post I shared how permanent work, contracting and startups can all be valid paths to Financial … Continue reading TechFI: Contracting
