I’m a woman of many dreams. I spend a lot of my time thinking about all the things I want to do, the places I want to see, the people I want to meet. (Oprah, top of the list.) Possibility is like a drug to me. In so many ways, my life is full of possibility.
I’m swimming in a lot of different privileges, which afford me chances most of the world will never get. The door is open to a lot of things, but it takes hard work and dedication to get through the door.
Well, here’s the big reveal y’all: I put in my month’s notice at my non profit. I’ve taken a few freelance projects on. I’m planning a huge project for this fall that could easily be a total disaster. I am making my attempt at my dream.
I’ve been blogging for a year and a half, and I feel like I’ve finally found my place. I love blogging. I like having my corner of the internet where I share my experiences, hopes, and failures with you. Even if no one came to read this place, I would still write here.
Furthermore, I love personal finance. I am enamored with our world. I feel empowered by personal finance and I enjoy learning more and more about it. Debt payoff is my jam, but bring on the mortgage articles. Bring on the dividend investing articles. Bring on passive oncome, frugal living, and how to make more money articles.
While I’ve wanted to write since forever, I chased after a few other types of writing before I found personal finance blogging. None of them stuck but the idea of writing- that was something I couldn’t quite shake. I am now in a place where I want to grow my writing and my voice. The pf blogosphere is my jumping off point. And baby, I’ve just taken the leap.
My last day of work at the non profit will be June 3rd. After that, it’s all writing all the time.
While my big picture dream is still to achieve FIRE, that’s been pushed back a bit. Right now I’m focused on creating a life that maybe I won’t want to retire from. (I definitely still will.) I believe pretty strongly there’s a cult of ‘do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life!’ out there, and I think it’s mostly BS. Even if you love what you’re doing, there are still bad days. There are still tasks that suck. You would probably still prefer the flexibility to do whatever you feel like at any given moment, rather than knowing you have to work.
Long term, I am working towards FIRE. To that end, I’ve maxed out my IRA this year and I have a savings account I’ll contribute to for the remainder of this year. I may use it to invest in some taxable accounts this year, I may use it to fund next years IRA. I’m not sure yet.
What I am sure of is that frugal living, and saving at a high rate is important to me. No matter what kind of job I’m working I’ll still practice those habits.
So as I am designing this new life of mine- one where I pour my energy into things I care about, things that I love- I’ll still be eating those leftovers. I’ll still be shopping at thrift stores, walking instead of driving, and making my coffee at home.
These are all aspects of life I like. In going after my dream I’m giving up the things I dislike. Things like splitting my time and attention across jobs I don’t care about. Things like putting dreams on hold. Those have got to go. Frugal living can definitely stay.
My dream isn’t changing. How I’m getting there is. My day to day is. It’s interesting to watch my life change, even as I’m the one changing it! It feels wonderful and gratifying to finally pursue a dream.
Kara Perez is the original founder of From Frugal To Free. She is a money expert, speaker and founder of Bravely Go, a feminist financial education company. Her work has been featured on NPR, Business Insider, Forbes, and Elite Daily.
It’s pretty cool to hear that you are pursuing your dream without buying the “never work a day in your life” line. I like your balanced perspective–and the power of frugality to help fuel that. I hope your project goes really well!
Thank you! I dislike that mentality…it rings so false with me. From frugality comes all good things! 🙂
That never work a day ish is for the birds, lol. I love writing. I actually have dreams about writing about writing (true story!), but yet still there are times it doesn’t come easy and it’s frustrating. In those moments I focus on my next love, which is reading. Sometimes you have to focus in the complete opposite of your heart’s desires to move forward. So happy to read about your progression towards doing what’s important to you.!
I was a voracious reader all my life, through college. I’ve really fallen off of it in the last year and i miss it. I’m traveling right now and i’ve gotten halfway through ‘gone girl’ in 3 hours. You’re so right- sometimes you need a break from the grind, even if you love the grind!
I couldn’t agree more with you. I love my job but not every second or even every day and I never ever tell people to FOLLOW THEIR PASSION. I have a LOT of issues with the DWYL ethos.
Also love this: my dream isn’t changing, how I’m getting there is. Wish you all the best, and congrats!
Thanks so much! Even as I’m stepping into a world I love I’m finding there are tasks I don’t like. Sending invoices? No thanks. Silence from editors? Annoying. So the frantic ‘Find your passion! Be happy all the time!’ message is so false to me.
Woooo! Congrats Kara – so excited for you! And to echo what everyone has said so far, I LOVE how you balance building a great life with the do-what-you-love stuff. So wise!
Hahaha, I don’t feel very wise, but I feel excited and happy! More so than I have in a long time, so I think that means I’m doing the right thing. 🙂
Congrats on opening a new chapter. It’s always inspiring to see someone follow a dream, and i look forward to watching your progress as you move into full-time writer mode.
Thank so much! You’re very kind. I’m sure there will be ups and downs along the way- should be interesting!
Congrats! That is awesome! I can only imagine the feeling of taking a chance at going after what you truly want! I will do it someday but I’m still not at that point. Good luck and enjoy the last week’s of the 9-5!
Thank you! We take what chances we can, when we can. A year ago I couldn’t have done this. I’m sending you good vibes for your day today and the day you go after your own dream!
How exciting! So happy for you that you are going after what you truly want out of life and I can’t wait to hear more about all your projects. Part of me can’t wait to turn my notice in the other part of me is hesitant. I know that as long as I have my ducks in a row everything will be fine and I don’t need to psych myself out.
I think even if you have a years worth of money saved it, the risk is still scary! There’s always a fear of the unknown. We can do it though!
This is so exciting, Kara! I know you’ve been wanting to move on from that job for a long time. I hope to hear more about this in person soon. 🙂
And I definitely agree that work is always going to be work — there will always be moments when we would rather be napping or curling up with a book, and it’s important to keep that in mind. Anything worth doing requires discipline and a work ethic.
Thanks Sarah! I believe strongly in work ethic and discipline- I just don’t believe it has to consume your entire being. At least when it comes to trading your time for money.
Congratulations Kara! It takes a great deal of courage to follow your dreams! You already possess the most important qualities where you have good work ethic combined with a strong drive. Good luck (not that you need it)! 🙂 – Mrs. FE
Thanks so much! I’m blushing. 🙂 I’m not sure how it’ll go but I’m going to give it my best!
Hi Kara,
So thrilled for you.
Can you believe, I gave 2 weeks notice too? My last day at the non-profit I have been working for the last 5.5 years is on June 10th!
Change is scary but of so exciting.
I trust people continue to do things they don’t enjoy any longer because of the FEAR. Let’s make June 2016 the start of the No-Fear Year! With hard work and positive attitude we can totally do anything we want to be doing. 🙂
Thank you! And CONGRATS! Here’s to both of us. I like a No Fear Year- what a great mindset to move forward in.
Your bravery is inspiring. I’m committed to the idea that my income is necessary to achieve our long-term goals, and constantly shut down that inner question of whether there is another way. I wish you the best of luck in these new endeavors and can’t help believe that you will be successful, because you’re following your heart.
Thanks Harmony! I have high hopes, but I’m also scared. It’s a risk, but one I feel I have to take. I hope that you’re happy with how you earn your money- if I was happier, I probably would never do this!
Congrats on making the leap! I hope you can find all the balances you desire.
Thank you!!
Wow! You are one brave woman. I wish you all the best in your endeavor. 🙂