Ameise's Journal

[FIAmeise]

Intro
I don’t really know how to start this journal and I’ve been trying to figure out the perfect way to do this. But eventually I concluded that there is no perfect – and then there is nothing left but just to do it.

So here I am. My intention is to give something back, to track my own progress towards FI and maybe some of my thoughts can be helpful to others, like many of the journals here are for me. In the last year I learned how beneficial it is for me to write and track my numbers and thoughts and that this makes it possible for me to stick with my ideas.

I’m a 41-year-old gal and my journey here started some years ago, but I really started living the ERE-idea only about 8 months ago. So, all in all I started pretty late on this journey. I live in Germany together with my husband in a nice flat. I work a part-time job in software.
Now, I’m looking at an investment of almost 150K Euro. How did I get here?

Let’s look at my last years:
1. 2022: At 38/39 I got scared: I worked for many, many years as a freelancer and made no preparations for retirement. So, I asked my bank what to do. And they provided me with a bunch of bad investment advice. Thankfully I only bought one of their “products”. After I recognized that this bank didn’t have anything in mind but to make money, I was really very disappointed but determined – I must do this on my own and learn everything necessary.
2. 2023: So, I started reading a lot of books, blogs and following financial youtubers and asking others for advice. I made up my mind to buy ETFs (buy and hold) and then I took all the money I had scattered in different accounts, in bad investments (never listen to a banker) and unprofitable savings contracts and started investing it. It took me about one year to get everything set up. In the meantime, I could also pay back all my debts with the money I saved monthly.
3. 2024: I finished gathering all my money in my depot in March 2024 and hit my first 100k. I was so happy and super motivated – I started reducing my fixed costs in little steps even further.
4. Right at that moment, I stumbled over MMM and the ERE forum and read and got hooked. That’s what I want – not to work until I’m gray and old, but to grow and get better and better with the art of life.
5. So, in August 2024 I decided to cut our expenses more consistently and start the ERE Journy “officially”. I got my husband on board. I stopped buying anything for a month or two to learn how this is feeling, made a lot of adaptations, i.e. we almost don’t eat out anymore and so we were able to live around about 1.200 – 1.500 €/month since then.

When I think about it, it all started a lot earlier, but it would be a looong story. But to keep it short, that’s the way things fell into place in the last three years for me.

So let’s look forward:
My big goals for 2025 are reducing expenses and getting rid of stuff. I am working on that constantly and this are the main topics for the next months. Also, we sold our car recently and we are figuring out how to manage everything with train and bike.
I’m planning to make a monthly update on my numbers and goals.
So I’ll start with April 2025.

My April 2025 numbers:
- Expenses: 490
o Housing: 200
o Food: 174
o Insurance: 31
o Mobile phone plans: 11
o Software: 14
o Train ticket: 58
- Income: 2.052
- Investment: 145.000

Goals for May:
- Stay under 500 Euro expenses
- Bike to work at least once (80km, with my self-built e-bike)
- Training (Felix Klemme) 3 times a week
- Start with building kitchen (first drawer)
- Start Journal (Yey!)

That was exiting - at least for me - next is an overview over my spendings in 2024 so far.

Always happy to hear your feedback, thoughts, critics, ideas and jokes!

[Chris]

Will your trip in May be your first bike ride to the office? What sort of full-electric range do you expect to get on a single charge?

[FIAmeise]

@Chris:

Nice to meet you, Chris, and thanks for your questions!

First of all, yes, it will be my first bike ride to the office. This is coming a long way. Last year I tried to do all my shoppings and errands with a "normal" bike. It kind of worked, but it just took to much time and energy. I was disappointed, because I thought that there will be no way to go without a car - we live in a little village with no shops at all.

But then I decided to go all in and bought a strong electric package for my bike to convert it in Dec 2024. The battery has over 900 Wh - it barely fits into my bike I already did several trips up to around 50 km and I had still 50-60% left. So I'm very positive that I can go around 100 km with a single charge. Of course it depends on how fast I go, at the moment I'm going 25 km/h on average. My route planner says, that it will take me 2:10 h to get to work.

It's going to be a great adventure! Oh and the car is already gone and I didn't miss it for a minute so far! What does your ride look like? Do you have any experience with long bike trips to work?

[sky]

I used to bicycle commute on a trip of 16 km, on a 3 speed nonelectric bicycle. It took about 1 hour.

Some things I remember:
A rain cape is essential and much better than a rain coat.
Take a tire pump, an extra inner tube and patch kit. I don't think I ever used the patch kit on the commute, but it is important to have it.
Take basic tools that fit your bike and allow you to do basic maintenance. Most maintenance you can do at home.
Look at the routes you can take, if there is a route through a forest or wooded area, that will be better if it is windy. If there is no wind, the shortest paved route with no hills is fastest, although you may prefer to take a quiet route through nature.
Sometimes it is worth it to get off the main streets in villages/cities and take side streets to get away from the traffic.

[loutfard]

at the moment I'm going 25 km/h on average.

Is this the popular pedal axis/mid motor way?

Some hints:
- For long distances, and especially on flat terrain, a direct drive back wheel hub motor should last you much longer, with much lower maintenance. Not terribly difficult to convert.
- Most bicycle battery systems are horribly overpriced and locked by digital restrictions management. Bosch is the primary example. Bafang is quite a bit less open than before too, and still quite expensive. There are _much_ cheaper options for ERE minded people.
- I'd be careful about staying within the law insurance wise. For EU diy builds, that means max assistance up to 25 km/h, only when pedaling, and max 250W.
- If you live in a somewhat flat area, you may want to try a muscle powered velomobile as an alternative.

Do you have any experience with long bike trips to work?

I've been known to cycle to work once or twice a year. 70km one way, overnight stay, 70km back. Using slightly less common muscle powered bicycles only: a recumbent, a foldable bike and a velomobile.

[Chris]

It's going to be a great adventure! Oh and the car is already gone and I didn't miss it for a minute so far! What does your ride look like? Do you have any experience with long bike trips to work?

Why do you just assume that I ride?

Oh yes, of course I do. (-;

When I was commuting, it was a pretty quick 8km; downhill on the way in, and uphill back. That was with human power (or rice+lentil power, if you'd like).

I don't have any practical tips, but an unexpected benefit was the improvement in my mood. On the commute in, I would feel that I had already accomplished something in the morning before even starting my actual job. That was nice. And on way back, having that slightly longer ride -- amongst grass and trees, instead of asphalt and cars -- created more mental distance between the office and home.

It's very cool that you opted to convert your existing bike. I hope it works out well for you, and that you inspire others to ditch their cars as well.

Are there mass transit options along your route? It might be beneficial under some circumstances to hop a bus for part of the trip.

[Jean]

My daily commute for 2 years was 17km with 500m elevation difference. So quite shorter, but still about 75 minute on the way back. It was usually the best part of the day.
Main advice is to wear rubber boots, that was the best way to keep feet dry.
Rain pants and jacket do work. I dont like rain cape (ponchos?). Rain pants over the boot but with something to keep it from flying into the chain.
Having a dedicated riding atire, and changing cloth at work was also fine. You just have to pedal enough to stay warm. Goood gloves are very important in the cold.
Also take some extra time to try different routes in the beggining. It will pay off in the long run, to add variety, or adapt to weather like sky said.
2h both way is very long, so as chris said, a smart use of öv would be great, if they were as reliable as they used to be
But yeah, have fun!

[FIAmeise]

Thank you for your interesting ideas and views.

@sky: I really like your idea to see the bike commute rather more than a system with more components than only me and my bike. To put route, bike, material and even weather in the system and then find the best way: This approach is a great input.

@loutfard: It’s a front-wheel- motor and I tried the muscle power for the last half year – it just didn’t work for me. Thanks for the law insurance reminder, I think it is very important, and I did a fresh up on int now myself. (I have been riding an e-bike for 10 years +). Unfortunately, my area is very hilly and only muscle takes up really a lot of time and effort. What are the much more cheaper options you mentioned?

@Chris: Yes, I too love biking and after 5 minutes on the bike I just need to smile. Seems my face is wired this way Transit options are super duper: I can practically stop in almost every village I pass, get into a train (with my bike) and transit to work or back home– so it’s a great reassurance.

@Jean: Rubber boots! What a phantastic idea: You gifted me a real “Why didn’t I think of that before!!!”-moment. I checked the web, and I can get a used pair for 10-15 bugs. This maybe can even solve more problems for me – I use barefoot shoes (hope you know what I mean) and the waterproof shoes are super expensive. Rubber boots will be tested for that. So, thanks Jean!

[FIAmeise]

first week review

This first “Journal” week wasn’t very good to me. I got sick and I’m still not recovered properly. Nevertheless, I want to drop a short financial review of my week.

I already spent 374 € this month. This comes partly from a bigger grocery purchase that we made, because the shop had a big discount on things we regularly buy. Also, I had to spent 35 € on medication. Not sure if more will be necessary. I think this really is hard: You’re not only sick (and probably unhappy), you must spend money also, bah. It’s going to be tough to not crush the 500 € goal this month, as I think property tax is due this month (and I will need to buy rubber boots ).

I haven’t had any chance to bike or do sports so far. I really hope I get better soon and can start with my May goals.

[frugaldoc]

I am amazed at your low level of expenses. Just when I think I am doing well, someone like you comes along and shows me that I am leading a pretty luxurious life at $2000/month.

I see that somewhere in there that you said you got hooked on MMM. I am sure he would be aghast at a 2hr commute to work, even if it is on an ebike. Remember, money is just one currency of life. Time is another. Arguably, ERE is about clawing back more of our time. Spending 4hrs commuting seems to run absolutely counter to that.

[loutfard]

@loutfard: It’s a front-wheel- motor and I tried the muscle power for the last half year – it just didn’t work for me. Thanks for the law insurance reminder, I think it is very important, and I did a fresh up on int now myself. (I have been riding an e-bike for 10 years +). Unfortunately, my area is very hilly and only muscle takes up really a lot of time and effort. What are the much more cheaper options you mentioned?

With some study - who am I kidding, a lot of it - the following could help build a more generic, cheaper, more maintainable solution:
- Shengyi or perhaps Bafang (might require reverse engineering) direct drive back wheel hub motor
- generic Chinese batteries. Bonus points if you can build a LiFePO4 pack with suitable properties
- the VESC project
- the endless sphere forum

If you want something compliant with an ERE budget, the crux of the matter really is the combination of a direct drive back hub motor and generic batteries.

[Jean]

@frugaldoc
If the ride is enjoyable, is it realky a waste of time?
It's only 2 extra hours compared to car or transit. You get an great (optimal?) amount of exercise. Only question is if so much time on a bike might cause health issues. I'm not aware of any, but i'de be curious.

@ameise
I wear my rubberboots regularly, and i had them for more than ten years.

[frugaldoc]

@jean

My understanding is that this is an electric bike, and the daily round trip time is four hours. If done daily, her commute is equal to 50% of the time she spends at her job. If she truly enjoys it, then hats off to her but I doubt if many people would enjoy a four-hour daily commute for very long.

[loutfard]

My understanding is that this is an electric bike, and the daily round trip time is four hours. If done daily, her commute is equal to 50% of the time she spends at her job. If she truly enjoys it, then hats off to her but I doubt if many people would enjoy a four-hour daily commute for very long.

Many employers in Belgium are obliged to pay their cycling employees up to .36€ per km cycle commuted up to 10k km a year tax free. In Belgium, the world labour taxation gold medalist.

3.6k€ a year for one way commute distances >= 23km. That's 0.6 JAFI! The excess is remunerated too, but also subject to social security contributions and taxes, so only ~.12€/km net. Can be combined with a free bicycle from work. And speed pedelecs (45 km/h electric bicycles) also count as bicycles here. No smelly problems because the employer is obliged to provide showers in the workplace.

Plus better physical condition for free.

I can cycle ~90% of my commute on dedicated flat, well-maintained bicycle only lines. If my wife would not be so scared of me getting into a cycling accident, that would be my preferred way to commute to work...

[Jean]

What is the idea behind rewarding comuting?

[loutfard]

What is the idea behind rewarding comuting?

I guess the justification is about stimulating bicycle commutes over other means of transport. It's reasoned to be cheaper both to the employer (less car parking, taxes, healthier employee...), employee (health, expenses, ...) and government (infrastructure).

[FIAmeise]

Thanks for your thoughts and ideas!

@frugaldoc: Thank you for the compliment, it does me good. It took me years to get here Interestingly I feel exactly the same way: Every time when I think “So, now I really hit the bottom of what is possible (for me)” than someone I read about is spending even less. I can’t remember where, but there was a family of 5 living on 300 $ a month. My first response: That’s impossible. And that’s my signal – each time I think, something is impossible it’s a good point to start some investigation and testing. And to be honest, the 500€ budget is a brand-new goal, and I don’t know if I can succeed. This month for example, it looks bad. That’s life.

@all: Yes, that’s interesting what a tiny too little information can do. So here comes the missing piece: I work mostly remote and only travel to work every now and then – so I guess everyone was right.

[loutfard]

And to be honest, the 500€ budget is a brand-new goal, and I don’t know if I can succeed.

This is for one person, right?

[FIAmeise]

@loutfart: Yes, it's just for me.

[FIAmeise]

May: 2. Week Review

As I mentioned before, the 500 € goal is very eager. So, this month it completely fell apart of course of my sickness, which is still ongoing. I spent round about 64 € for medicine and stuff (which didn't even work) – for something like this there is no wiggle room in my planned budget. And I needed to change my in-ear headset with a normal one to put on the ears, because they caused me problems with my ears.

But how much wiggle room is there even with 500 € a month?

I calculated my cashflow instead of just costs and I discovered there are only 5 months in one year, where I can spend round about 15 € for unplanned/me things. So, it’s more or less a spend nothing year
Okay, but I’m willing to work with what I have. Which options do I have? I can keep working on my fixed costs and push them lower. Every 1€ will give me more freedom. I have some ideas here:

•Cancel my mobile contract, which is 5 € per month and use a prepaid option (this means only internet, when there is WLAN). I could try it.
•Cancel occupational disability insurance. This I’m not sure of, I probably will postpone it until I have a little more FU money.
•Check out if there is any opportunity to pay less for the housing costs. But this is something I can’t decide on my own, but together with all
owners. And - which doesn't support this idea -it’s probably good to save some money, if something comes up with the house.

Okay, now, what’s about this week:

I spent more on medication, bought earphones, needed groceries and the tax came in, which together resulted in 125 €. So, I’m at 460 € and there is still a lot of month left…

The goals for May are canceled. I have no chance to achieve them as I’m sick and next week we will leave for vacation.

Retrospective:
Bad: Bought medicine that didn’t help – it’s just advertisement, I guess. And I’m still not fully recovered yet. Couldn’t figure out a way to get new headsets but buy them at Amazon. (Good: I like them very much and I waited and looked around for months now). I will not meet my budget target.

Good: It’s nice that I have more than enough time and a wonderful home to regenerate. I have access to a good (enough) health system where I can seek help, whenever I need it, I appreciate that.

Learnings: Don’t only set goals that depend very much on fitness.

Next steps are to get healthy and to have a stress-free journey as far es possible. No more extra spending is in sight, only a 8 € train ticket for the journey and groceries, when we arrive.