Since January 16, 2021, I’ve wanted to write publicly, but for four years I struggled. Several times I opened a Google Doc to write, but it left me discouraged. The words didn’t flow, they sounded clunky, and I gave up several times.
The issue is I wasn’t writing consistently. And when I did, my writing was so dry and inauthentic — like reading from a textbook — that it discouraged me from continuing.
I’ve been asked before why I write. It’s probably less me seeking out more writing, than it is, writing seeking me out. Since my late teenage years I’ve read and journaled for sport.
To be honest, I don’t have the best response. always wanted to write. In 2022, I wrote into the margin of James Clear’s Atomic Habits: “…”
To quote Patrick Star, “The inner machinations of my mind are an enigma.”
My Story
My first “oh shit” financial recalibration of my adult life came when I was 22 years old. I was living in Austin working for a big tech company. They say you should “act your wage” — I was 100% not acting my wage.
Determined to turn my finances around, I had two options:
Spend less. I traded the high rise for a cheaper apartment with a roommate. I traded $8 beers at the bar for camping trips with friends.
Earn more. I worked longer hours, and became laser focused on improving my skills to be the best employee I could be.
With lower expenses and higher income, I saved my 6 month emergency fund, and then some. After three years of hard work and frugal living, I’d saved up $100K. Since then, the snowball has continued to grow.
Why I’m Writing Financial Mutant
Since the early days in Austin, I’ve had quite a few life changes. I’m 29 years old and married. The financial game has changed because now I have a lot of competing priorities. I’m in what some call “the messy middle”.
This is a self-reflection on my own journey of building generational wealth. Because I‘m striving towards my first million dollars, maybe some of the lessons here will help you earn your first million, too.
As always, thanks for reading!
