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Hello Fastlaners!
I don't think I can adequately describe my mixed emotions: excitement, uncertainty, fear, courage. I just finished reading The Millionaire Fastlane , in just about 4 days, a new personal record for time to completion! I joined the Fastlane Forum and have been hesitant to post an introduction as I typically don't get involved with Forums, I'm more of an observer. I felt compelled to share my story...
I'll rewind as my financial journey has been an combination of very smart and very poor decisions. I grew up in a low class(ish) family as there was never extra money but we always had what we needed. My mother ended up going back to school to increase her intrinsic value and provide for the family - which only slightly helped. After my parents nasty divorce she got sentenced to life of alimony (the irony of this). As a teenager, I started working to help out and have pretty much supported my mother since.
As a poor kid, I (just like many others) thought the golden ticket was going to college and getting that big corporate job. I took out six figures in student loans to fund my education (at least I got a semi-useful degree in engineering and I've paid almost all of it back) and landed a job with a fortune 50 company. My corporate journey has required multiple geographic moves, switching roles every 2 years, and going back to school for my MBA (which I never finished because it is useless) - none of which I actually wanted to do but its what HAS to be done to climb the ladder. I always knew deep down I wasn't meant for Corporate America as I've always gotten in trouble for "upsetting the apple cart" or not accepting "this is how it's always been done." My problem - if not Corporate America...then what?! Needless to say, it has been 8 years and I'm still working for the same company, hating it more than ever. The brainwashing is real, for the longest time I truly believed there was no other way.
I always thought I was decent at financial management but never really paid too much attention. About 2 years ago, I drank the kool-aid and read "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" and it finally clicked. Although the book should be taken with a grain of salt, the mindset shift had begun. Since then, I've made some pretty big changes, but they have been Slowlane thus far. I have a very strong budgeting process, I know where every dollar gets spent every month. I have minimal expenses and I've saved a fairly decent amount between retirement accounts, brokerage accounts, emergency funds, etc. I'm the poster child for following the "Guru" advice of putting money into 401Ks, IRAs, High Yield Savings accounts and watching it grow....slowly....very slowly.
Prior to reading the Millionaire Fastlane, I was taking the Slowlane advice to "increase your income" and "save as much as possible." As if one corporate job wasn't enough, I decided to GET ANOTHER ONE. For the last year - I was working not one full time job but two in order to maximize my income. It helped but I can say I'm no closer to retirement than I was a year ago. Recently, I was let go from my second job due to economic hardship and at first I was a bit irritated thinking that was my ticket to financial freedom. Looking back now, getting let go was the best thing to happen. After reading The Millionaire Fastlane - I realize that it was a necessary step in switching to the Fastlane. The Millionaire Fastlane talks about TAKING ACTION, I'm very, very close to quitting my last corporate job as I feel the need to release myself from the toxic environment to have freedom to solely focus on the Fastlane [I hope I'm not interpreting action incorrectly
]
I've been surrounded by Sidewalkers and Slowlaners my entire life which has for sure hindered my ability to realize my fullest potential. My mindset shift has definitely impacted my inner circle. As I no longer spend all my free time drinking and partying, I've lost quite a few friends. I've been finding it hard to stick to the plan and hope that this Forum can provide some support and allow me the opportunity to support others as we all make our way down the Fastlane and ultimately to financial freedom.
I look forward to meeting new people! If you've gotten this far reading my post, I appreciate your time and look forward to taking action.
Thank you!
I don't think I can adequately describe my mixed emotions: excitement, uncertainty, fear, courage. I just finished reading The Millionaire Fastlane , in just about 4 days, a new personal record for time to completion! I joined the Fastlane Forum and have been hesitant to post an introduction as I typically don't get involved with Forums, I'm more of an observer. I felt compelled to share my story...
I'll rewind as my financial journey has been an combination of very smart and very poor decisions. I grew up in a low class(ish) family as there was never extra money but we always had what we needed. My mother ended up going back to school to increase her intrinsic value and provide for the family - which only slightly helped. After my parents nasty divorce she got sentenced to life of alimony (the irony of this). As a teenager, I started working to help out and have pretty much supported my mother since.
As a poor kid, I (just like many others) thought the golden ticket was going to college and getting that big corporate job. I took out six figures in student loans to fund my education (at least I got a semi-useful degree in engineering and I've paid almost all of it back) and landed a job with a fortune 50 company. My corporate journey has required multiple geographic moves, switching roles every 2 years, and going back to school for my MBA (which I never finished because it is useless) - none of which I actually wanted to do but its what HAS to be done to climb the ladder. I always knew deep down I wasn't meant for Corporate America as I've always gotten in trouble for "upsetting the apple cart" or not accepting "this is how it's always been done." My problem - if not Corporate America...then what?! Needless to say, it has been 8 years and I'm still working for the same company, hating it more than ever. The brainwashing is real, for the longest time I truly believed there was no other way.
I always thought I was decent at financial management but never really paid too much attention. About 2 years ago, I drank the kool-aid and read "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" and it finally clicked. Although the book should be taken with a grain of salt, the mindset shift had begun. Since then, I've made some pretty big changes, but they have been Slowlane thus far. I have a very strong budgeting process, I know where every dollar gets spent every month. I have minimal expenses and I've saved a fairly decent amount between retirement accounts, brokerage accounts, emergency funds, etc. I'm the poster child for following the "Guru" advice of putting money into 401Ks, IRAs, High Yield Savings accounts and watching it grow....slowly....very slowly.
Prior to reading the Millionaire Fastlane, I was taking the Slowlane advice to "increase your income" and "save as much as possible." As if one corporate job wasn't enough, I decided to GET ANOTHER ONE. For the last year - I was working not one full time job but two in order to maximize my income. It helped but I can say I'm no closer to retirement than I was a year ago. Recently, I was let go from my second job due to economic hardship and at first I was a bit irritated thinking that was my ticket to financial freedom. Looking back now, getting let go was the best thing to happen. After reading The Millionaire Fastlane - I realize that it was a necessary step in switching to the Fastlane. The Millionaire Fastlane talks about TAKING ACTION, I'm very, very close to quitting my last corporate job as I feel the need to release myself from the toxic environment to have freedom to solely focus on the Fastlane [I hope I'm not interpreting action incorrectly
] I've been surrounded by Sidewalkers and Slowlaners my entire life which has for sure hindered my ability to realize my fullest potential. My mindset shift has definitely impacted my inner circle. As I no longer spend all my free time drinking and partying, I've lost quite a few friends. I've been finding it hard to stick to the plan and hope that this Forum can provide some support and allow me the opportunity to support others as we all make our way down the Fastlane and ultimately to financial freedom.
I look forward to meeting new people! If you've gotten this far reading my post, I appreciate your time and look forward to taking action.
Thank you!
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