FI Family of Six - Financial Independence is Possible

Why I’m Not Writing My Kids a Blank Check For College

Hey there, fellow financial explorers! Let's dive into a topic that's as important as it is fascinating – college funding. Specifically, I want to talk about why I'm planning to fund 75% of my kids' college education instead of the whole enchilada. And not 75% of their dream school, 75% of an … [Read More...] about Why I’m Not Writing My Kids a Blank Check For College

So Come On and Let Me FIRE

I did it. After so much consternation over the status of the market and my own preparedness for leaving an admittedly good job, I made the decision to join my husband in Early Retirement. Though sometimes I still tell myself that it could be a sabbatical if it needed to be. I'm not sure if … [Read More...] about So Come On and Let Me FIRE

If I Go There May be Trouble

It feels ironic that my last post began talking about how the bull market has rocketed me to my FI number faster than expected. Between that post and now, my investments are down around 10%. Beyond that, I had some unexpected expenses this year (dentist recommending ¾ kids get orthodontics), … [Read More...] about If I Go There May be Trouble

About

I discovered Financial Independence around 2016, but didn’t really think seriously about it then because I didn’t think it was within reach for a family of six. We’ve rarely lived above our means, but life’s circumstances sometimes required it, or so I thought.

Mr. FIF just retired after 24 years serving in the Air Force. This gives us an incredible leg up on our FI journey because he has a military pension coming in every month. I’d like to say we could live on it, but we can’t.

I met Mr. FIF while also serving in the AF, but separated to have the babies… and babies we’ve had… 4 of them. I’ve been a stay-at-home wife and dedicated military spouse at times. I’ve worked at times. I’ve left jobs when every military assignment came to a close. We’ve always said that after he retired, it would be my turn to really focus on my career. But that ship has sailed. I don’t want to focus on a career anymore. I did when I was younger and I had some regret and disappointment when family and military came before that. But now I’m jealous he gets to be retired. I’m jealous that my parents get to be retired. I want to be retired!!!

So, now I’m serious. We aim to be financially independent in 3-5 years. I wanted to share my goals, experiences, and experiments with anyone out there and show that a big family doesn’t have to keep you from FIRE or financial independence/retire early.

Main Content

One big family’s crazy journey to and through financial independence