Fireball

Introduction

When I first heard about Financial Independence and Retiring Early (FIRE), I thought it was too late for me. In my 40s, with much of life behind me, financial independence felt like a distant dream. Yet, something about it sparked my curiosity. The thought of not just financial security but true freedom—the ability to align my time and energy with my values—stirred something within me. And something about it stuck. Not just the idea of freedom from financial stress, but the opportunity to redefine what life could look like.

And so, despite my doubts, I decided to start.

The Moment of Discovery

I didn’t stumble upon FIRE until much later in life. It happened one day when by pure chance, I saw a book on my local library’s Featured Books shelf. It was the book, Quit Like a Millionaire by Kristy Shen and Bryce Leung. This book literally changed the direction of my life, and to-date I consider Kristy Shen my ‘Spiritual Mentor’ for all things FIRE. She introduced me to concepts, like being aware of, and managing, the scarcity mindset, that reshaped my thinking about money, purpose, and life itself. I will write more in detail about this in a future post.

After I finished reading the book cover to cover, twice, I also got the audio version of the book to continually listen and loop through various chapters. At first, I felt like an outsider looking in, as though I had missed the window of opportunity for FIRE. The stories of people retiring in their 30s seemed so distant from my reality that I wondered if I could ever catch up. But the more I explored, the more I realized that FIRE is a personal journey, not a one-size-fits-all formula. Recognizing this gave me the confidence to start where I was and focus on my unique path forward.

And, the more I explored, the more I realized FIRE wasn’t just about early retirement. It was about gaining control over your life and aligning your finances with your values. For me, it was about giving purpose to what I was instinctively doing—saving—but without a clear goal. That’s when I knew this was a journey worth taking, even if I was starting a little later.

Why Balance Matters

As I learned more about FIRE, I noticed something missing from the conversation: balance. It’s easy to get caught up in spreadsheets, withdrawal rates, and timelines, but what’s the point of it all if we lose sight of the life we’re trying to build?

I wanted to approach FIRE differently—not as a race to the finish line, but as a way to savor life along the way. This meant prioritizing wellness, family, health, and hobbies, even as I worked toward my long-term goals. That’s how the idea for FireBall was born: combining the pursuit of financial independence (FIRE) with a focus on living fully and intentionally (the “Ball”) during and after financial independence. It’s not easy, and I’m still figuring it out, but I’m learning as I go.

A Late Start, but Not Too Late

Starting this journey in my 40s hasn’t been without its challenges. Looking back, I realize that much of my earlier financial journey was directionless. I didn’t have a clear plan or vision for what my financial goals really were. I knew I needed to save and invest, but I didn’t fully understand the concept of financial independence or how to shape my actions around it. Without that clarity, my path was riddled with mistakes—decisions that, in hindsight, were clearly detrimental to achieving financial freedom.

But here’s the thing: it’s never too late to start. One small step I took when beginning this journey was to consolidate and simplify my scattered, “shotgun” approach to investing. Previously, I was jumping into every type of asset that caught my fancy. With newfound purpose, I brought order and method to my investments, which gave an enormous boost to my FIRE confidence. For the first time, I had a clear view of what I had built (despite my earlier lack of direction) and a better understanding of where I needed to take it next. This transformation gave me much finer control over how I am building my portfolio to meet my FIRE goals.

In some ways, starting later has its advantages. I have more clarity about what truly matters to me, more career stability to build on, and a deeper appreciation for the importance of balance. I’m not chasing someone else’s timeline—I’m working on a path that feels right for me.

Why FireBall Exists

FireBall is my way of documenting this journey—not as an expert, but as a fellow traveler who’s learning every day. I hope this space becomes a source of encouragement and inspiration, where we can learn and grow together. I’ve made mistakes, and I know I’ll make more, but that’s part of the process.

Through this blog, I hope to share my learnings, spark conversations, and connect with others who are navigating similar paths. Whether you’re a late starter like me or just curious about what FIRE could mean for you, I hope FireBall can be a place of inspiration and collaboration.

Because at the end of the day, this isn’t just about financial freedom—it’s about building a life that feels free and full.