Escaping the Cubicle: My Journey to Financial Independence
Today we’re going deep into the historical archives. I’m going to take you on a journey through my early career, filled with endless spreadsheets, stuffy conference rooms, and the constant refrain of “get me out of this place!!” echoing in my head. I started my career in the most mundane way imaginable, as an Accountant at one of the Big 4 firms. It’s a path many of us rule-following and compliant accounting students take – the allure of a good salary, a signing bonus, and the prestige of saying you’re part of the Big 4 Club. But it didn’t take long for the daily grind to wear me down.
A Bad Feeling Surfaces
Looking back, I should have seen the warning signs during my summer internship at the firm. They pulled out all the stops, treating us to a week at Disney World, complete with team building and motivational speakers. But beneath the perks, I felt a sinking feeling. I hated the job, the work, and the culture. If I had been brave enough to be true to myself, I would have never accepted a full-time offer upon graduation.
I spent four and a half years in the accounting world, with two and a half at the Big 4 and two at a small CPA firm. I had hoped the smaller firm would offer a better work-life balance, but it brought its own set of miseries – outdated attitudes, archaic processes, and less-than-friendly coworkers. Not to mention a grueling two-hour commute in New York City traffic. I was working long hours, commuting for hours, and taking home a meager paycheck given the circumstances.
First Exposure to Financial Independence/Retire Early (FIRE)
In 2012, at the age of 26, I found myself desperately Googling “how to escape corporate life.” That’s when I stumbled upon the Father of Financial Independence. At the time, I was feeling lost and powerless. I had gone from thinking, “I guess this is how work goes,” to a state of hopelessness. The FIRE movement was my lifeline. It gave me back control and a roadmap to a better future. A future where I wasn’t stuck working endless hours on mind-numbing tasks.
The Great Escape
At 26, I knew it was now or never to make a change. While financial independence motivated me, I couldn’t envision staying in a job that left me feeling defeated. I couldn’t bear to apply for more accounting positions, pretending to be enthusiastic about them. So, I decided to pursue my passion for psychology and transitioned into HR. It meant taking some more college classes and earning a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources. I interned, then landed an entry-level HR job. Eventually, I found my niche in HR software.
A Decade of Progress
Over the past decade, my husband and I have made significant strides toward financial independence. We’ve focused on living below our means and consistently saving and investing. Here are three major accomplishments from the past 10 years:
- Grew our net worth by 500%.
- Paid off our entire mortgage balance (around $200k).
- Hit the $1 million milestone in investable assets, all before either of us earned six figure salaries.
Yes, I’m privileged to have grown up in a supportive environment and a prosperous country. But we didn’t have high-paying jobs, inheritances, or lottery wins. Our journey is a testament to intentional living and working toward the goal of making work optional.
We’re not done yet. Originally, our plan was to save a specific amount and then quit our jobs. But recently, we’ve been drawn to the idea of Slow-FI or Coast-FI – a path where we continue working, but on our terms and at a more enjoyable pace.
Conclusion
The pursuit of financial independence has transformed my life and given me newfound purpose. I’m excited to share more strategies and insights with you in this blog. The effort you put into your financial well-being is incredibly rewarding, and I’m thrilled to explore this journey further with you. Stay fierce and financially free, my friends!
