I'm not aware of any journals where someone's hit ERE right out of HS, avoided university, and beelined towards FIRE (which is what I think you meant?). Not that many people find ERE that early! I only know off-hand of one other forumite who joined around the end of HS (RoamingFrancis), and he's on a pretty alternative path so not totally relevant to your question.
The closest I'm aware of are people who found ERE in university and then either graduate (or not) and beeline towards ERE/FIRE generating income without much relevance to whatever their degree was. @ether (FIREd off of flipping apts if I recall correctly) and @theanimal (ran off to the tundra of Alaska to become an arctic badass) come to mind.
Blaze the trail! Be the first! All the glory goes to the first ascenders.
Thanks for telling me about these journals. It seems I'm more interested in @theanimal's type of life (arctic badass) than @ethers (Super smart guy with tech). I'm still going through and reading them.
@Revan - The one journal that comes to mind is Cam's. They found ERE relatively early and had some headway with an electrician and welding apprenticeship, but ultimately moved in another direction. Someone else already commented in your journal who took a sales route shortly after high schooled, dramatically increased their income, and hit FI relatively quickly. You might think about visiting that journal.
In addition to the fact that not many people find ERE early, keep in mind that the FI forums, and this one in particular, attracts nerds who like spreadsheets, ecology, and philosophy. The type of people and professions who are already sitting at a keyboards for much of the day. I have at least a half dozen close friends who have found a lot of financial success in the trades or starting their own businesses without college degrees, but they aren't the kind of people who hang out on internet forums, if you know what I mean.
Thanks. Can you tell me the full username of "Cam"?
Yeah, it makes sense that people in offices are more likely to scroll on the internet than someone who has to be on their feet all day in the trades.
A friend of mine in his 30s started personal training, rented a private box, and began training people. He earns a net income of $100,000 per year. No one would have predicted that. However, at this rate, he could easily retire in less than 10 years and use the SWR to cover his COL while continuing to train, perhaps with a limited schedule.
How does that sound to you?
He knows he will do it for a good part of his life, at least for another 30 years, and then, who knows, maybe he will train the people who grew up with him, specializing in training for the elderly.
This job satisfies his lifestyle, providing a great income, doing what he really enjoys, and something that makes others happy. It seems like an ikigai.
How does it sound to me? Sounds like a great gig for your friend.
WRC wrote:@Revan - The one journal that comes to mind is Cam's. They found ERE relatively early and had some headway with an electrician and welding apprenticeship, but ultimately moved in another direction
Just to add context - I did get my Bachelor's degree in Psychology. During university I was all about real estate investing and reading Mr. Money Mustache. I believe I read the ERE book back in 2017, but it didn't fully take hold until later on.
My journal begins after all that, as it was when I finally sat down while living on the homestead (almost 4 years ago now!) to start my journal. My best guess is my journal starting to head in the semi-ERE direction...due to chronic health issues I'm working through I am focusing on recovery and part-time work options. Have enough savings for 3.3 years currently. Anyhoo thanks for the mention!
