Early Retirement Extreme Forums

Hi guys,

my name is Mike and I am a 27y old German.
While eating some Sauerkraut (really, I am from Bavaria), I decided to start this journal.

About me:
- Studied IT, but never worked
- I study economics part-time
- I freelance ~10h/w for earning money
- Dec13 I started a business to help founders
- I live for free in my father's appartment (he lives with his new wife elsewhere)

FI:
Because I live rent-free, I don't have to work more.
Income ~600€ ($820), expenses ~200€ ($270), so I can save 400€ ($550) per month.
Assets: stocks 2.300€ ($3.100)

2014:
I want to work more, especially in my original profession (IT).
Never worked, because I couldn't get a job that fitted my circumstances (15-20h/w, low time in commuting).
I want to double my income to ~1.200€ ($1.650) by working approx. 25h/w, so I can evolve my business, finish my study and save ~1.000€ ($1.350) per month.

I like this forum because in my real life, there aren't many guys living my lifestyle.
My friends all are having this fancy stuff like 50inch-flatscreen, BMW/Mercedes - I love riding my bike
I live in a rich neighborhood (near Munich), so you have to show what you've got

Welcome!

Good to see someone from Bavaria! In my days in physics I used to know quite a few Germans, most of whom were from Bavaria. I haven't been to Munich yet, but I will make it a mission to visit that town (as well as Berlin). Welcome to the boards!

Thanks, nice to hear that you know some bavarian/german guys.

In the last week I sold all my redundant IT-hardware for ~230€ ($310).
I`ve downgraded to a used laptop (300€/$400), which fits my usage (office, coding, watching movies) and a cheap android smartphone (150€/$200). My mobile-plan is 6€ ($8) for laptop and mobile (I use my smartphone as router).

My assets in stocks contain:
BAT, Unilever, Google

Because of the complex german tax-system, I do not own US-dividend-stocks.
My plan is to invest in german/UK/NL dividend-stocks (save in taxes) and US-growth-stocks.
By hoping for a stronger $, I could make some benefits with US-growth-stocks (I buy them in €).

01/2014
Income: 880 €
Expenses: 766 €
Saving Rate: 13%
I had to buy a new notebook (350€) --> Investment
I watched a soccer game (70€).
I extended my hosting-account (60€) --> Investment

02/2014
Income: 760 €
Expenses: 619 €
Saving Rate: 19%
I bought sports gear (120€) and an online course (60€) --> Investment

03/2014
Income: 1.150 €
Expenses: 380 €
Saving Rate: 67%
Study-costs (160€) --> Investment

March was very good in income, because my tradings made 550€.


Assets 31.12.2013: 2.300€ ($3.100)
Assets 25.03.2104: 3.200€ ($4.400) +39%

Welcome. My big concern with your finances is the living situation, as you don't necessarily control it. I'm sure your father won't just kick you out, but you do probably want to work more to build up assets. This is the perfect time for you to do it, as one of your big expenses (living space) is taken care of.

Hi qbert, would be interesting to see how you create your own business in IT, perhaps create Applications, perhaps start a shop in designing Web portals, etc... you are the new generation, have plenty of time, good starting position in having a free roof on top of your head, really, I am interested what you will create, I envy you, the coming 20-30 years you will see an acceleration of changes, and life in 2040 will be totally different, un-imaginable compared to today

Thanks for your input!

I know that the time is right to work hard.

7 times a week I wake up at 6am although I don't have to. I love working in the morning, there are no distractions.
From 7:00 -9:00 I do my freelancing stuff and from 9:30 - 12:30 I learn new skills, at the moment it's Android developing. In the afternoon I read 2-3hrs about personal development, wealth etc.
In the evening I excercise and learn kids to play handball.

I've just finished the first 40 pages of the book. 210 to go.

Sold BAT and Unilever, bought BASF.

What did you to decide to sell unilever?