Chasing Experiences (Not Money)

Although there are many things that brought me out to the Philippines (for starters, I have a strong preference/affinity to being around warm weather), one thing that I was hoping to be true (from the beginning) was this:

Leave behind a world filled with people who are too caught up in whining about “first world” problems…

Nothing wrong with that, I been there, done that…

For myself, though, after living high off the hog for the bulk of my life… I really just wanted to get back to steady-state, and learn to re-focus my efforts towards actually living life… and obtaining “real happiness”.

As a dude who was born and raised in Silicon Valley (and later spent my entire working career there), it’s no secret to most anyone that just being in that mix probably puts you up in the top 10% (if not top 1%) of lucky souls out there in the world… Sure, I worked hard, but was even more fortunate to be in “the right place at the right time”…

I made good money, but one thing that I always tried to do was stay grounded with who I was… and what I ultimately wanted out of life.

For all my friends and family in the Yay Area reading this, please don’t get offended… You won the fucking lottery being fortunate enough to live where you’re at now, you’ve got it way, way, way better than the majority of people on this planet, and like that frog boiling in hot water, you’re probably a tad bit comfortable (maybe even complacent) at this stage of the game…

Although folks chase early FI for a multitude of reasons, I tend to gravitate towards and connect most with the peeps who really value life experiences and who realize full damn and well that in the end, we all end up as dust, anyway…

We can’t take none of this material wealth with us, and as cool/fun as it is to make lots of $$$, all dem dollar signs represent a tool, or means to an end, more than anything else…

So, despite the fact that 2018 has been a most horrible year for investing (across many asset classes), I’m doing my best not to sweat the technique, and especially right now during the holiday season, I just want to take a step back and remember to appreciate just how lucky I am…

Here’s a recent tweet I threw up in reply to something else that kinda hits home right now…

I guess it’s all relative right? I have friends in the Philippines who rent out a bed space, sharing a bedroom with 3 other people (4 people to each room). Living room, kitchen, baths are common areas shared with even more people… Even then, it’s tough to make ends meet…

- FI Fighter (@FI_Fighter) December 15, 2018

Yes, it’s true… I ain’t being dramatic or painting a fake picture… I know friends in the Philippines who live a very simple existence… yet despite not having much material wealth (relatively speaking, of course), they work their asses off everyday, don’t fucking complain, and still know how to smile and live each day with meaning and purpose…

It’s a hard knock life out there, no question, but I so often find that it helps once you put things in perspective… You could say, certainly, I was am shellshocked everytime I’m in Asia, especially when I’m immersing myself in environments where most of the surrounding everyday peeps aren’t swimming in money…

You really do learn to, again, filter out the noise and bullshit, and get back to being a human being…

Embracing life, the simple things, and ultimately, focusing on the important stuff you’re actually going to remember way down the line after you’ve turned old and grey…

This past Thursday, it was a 1 year “friendversary” with two of my favs that I met in Manila last time around…

Just look at how eggcited my bud was to see me when I arrived…

When you’re in good company and having an even better time, ain’t nobody gives a shit what your net worth is, your title/status, etc…

To me, “real wealth” and “real currency” is being able to meet, connect, and build strong bonds with people and relate on a more human level… I want good people in my life who actually care about my well being… NOT the size of my bank account!

Then, all the hardships and tough stuff associated with day-to-day life just becomes that much easier to deal with and manage…

And contrary to popular belief, there’s awesome, genuine people all across the globe… Nobody says you can’t get up off your ass and make a concentrated effort to find it… away from your comfort zone… if need be…

Though, to be perfectly clear before I piss off even more folks back home in the Bay Area, I’m NOT suggesting that there aren’t any down to earth people in Silicon Valley (there certainly are, some of my best friends reside there, not to mention family)… It’s just maybe a bit harder to find “real peeps” because so much of that environment/lifestyle is fixated on the rat race and climbing corporate ladders and even flaunting your “wealth” (material goodies)…

I still got love for the Bay Area, but I also appreciate leaving that scene (from time-to-time) and getting smacked in the face so that I have better appreciation for all my blessings…

Constantly living in a bubble really fucks with your mind and ability to see things clearly… Tunnel vision/myopia, or whatever you wanna call it…

If you aren’t willing to adjust/adapt, you might miss out on something spectacular…

Like I keep emphasizing on many blog posts, thanks to technology and the internet, many places (especially developed global cities) are much more similar than they are different…

And never forget, most everyone out there has the same: goals, dreams, aspirations, desires, etc…

You aren’t that fucking different from someone “overseas” so stop thinking everyone else is a “foreign alien”…

Humble yourself…

Anyway…

I realize that these type of posts may perhaps not be as popular or enjoyable to read for followers, but I feel these thoughts are important to put out there, nonetheless…

Yes, most everyone wants to read “shock and awe” and hear sensationalized (fake) stories about early FI and living it up to the MAX all the time, but you know (if you didn’t already), there are also simple folks out there (like yours truly) who just ain’t into all that razzle dazzle…

As someone who nearly destroyed himself working the grind and had a slew of health problems to overcome very early in their 20s, you can say perhaps I appreciate this type of monotonous (uneventful) living more than the average person… But, who knows, maybe you’re reading this and you can relate!?!

God, I really do hope somebody out there is reading this and can appreciate the angle I’m coming from…

You know, I still vividly remember when I moved out to Orange County back in 2011 and was working my ass off everyday as an engineer… Back then, when I first took on the new gig, I attempted cooking for myself for a good, oh I dunno, 2-3 weeks, before I conceded defeat and threw in the towel…

I was just way, way, way too exhausted after a day’s work to want to: go grocery shopping, prep, cook, clean…

F that…

But when you’re in early FI (and I’m sure this is super common), one of the hobbies that I’m not surprised people gravitate towards is cooking your own meals…

Fast-forward to the here and now, although I’m still hopping around apartment units a lot and I don’t yet have my own personal residence yet, you can say the concept of home cooking is a little bit more challenging, but I mean, I’m still trying to have fun with it… and actually do it…

I can’t cook for shit, but hey, it’s still fun and a really cool “life experience” I’ve always wanted to mess around with…

Sinigang na baboy.

Sinigang na baboy with chop suey.

Sisig made with: liempo (pork belly), chicken liver, and bagnet (super crunchy pork).

Damn is it crunchy!

In a country where you can go out into the province and get a haircut for less than $1 USD (more around ~$0.80 USD), I’m pleased to report back that you can indeed feel like a million bucks… even if you’re not worth a million bucks…

Guys, the perpetual quest towards trying to locate: meaning, purpose, and importantly, happiness, is probably a never-ending journey…

I can’t say it’s easy and I’m not gonna bullshit you and tell you that early FI is the most amazing thing ever and only filled with endless joy…

It’s NOT!

But like almost everything worth having in life, you gotta put in the effort…

I’ve stumbled, fallen on my face, and made a total ass of myself on many occasions in my search for happiness, but I really meant it when I said in a previous post that the life experiences I’ve had in the past year are worth more to me than what I experienced during the ten years of my working career.

1 > 10

For that, I’m most thankful.

Early FI is all about trying to maximize time and actually getting out there, living life…

2018 has been an especially tough year for making money via many asset classes out there (gold, silver, cryptos, even general equities aren’t doing so hot lately, etc.), but life is still worth living.

For me, when in doubt, get back to basics…

Chasing experiences ftw!

Fight On!