Earning More

Considering a shift into Cyber security

I have a background in Project/Program Management and Change Management. After going through two layoffs, I’m seriously considering pivoting into Cybersecurity. Realistically, this would mean going back to school, which could take around two years. I’m aware that AI is reshaping many roles, so I’m trying to be thoughtful about the long‑term outlook. I’m 47 and planning to retire in about 10 years. I can work part‑time while in school, and I have a 16‑year‑old at home, so flexibility matters. I’m...

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Sunshine44

9 minutes ago 9 Share

Low pay less stress, higher pay, higher stress

I am stuck. Mid- 30s. I have a chance to work for a corporate company making the same salary I’ve been at for the last 3 years, with the chance to earn commissions and increase exponentially (in theory). OR I can take on a job paying $15k/ year less with no commission at all, but with (I highly suspect) less stress. Same job, but one is in the for profit sector, and one is nonprofit. I cannot stay where I’m at as the company has closed. This is the difference between $52k and $65k, so we’re not...

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SamSalvino

9 minutes ago 13 Share

Self Publishing Input?

I’m working on self-publishing a short nonfiction book and would appreciate input from anyone here who has gone through the process. The premise: I graduated U.S. Army Ranger School a few years ago and kept detailed notes every single day during the course. I tracked food, sleep, weight loss, and wrote a daily journal about what was happening and how I was processing it. Over 62 days I averaged about 2.5 meals and 3.9 hours of sleep per day and lost over 30 pounds. Most Ranger School books are w...

JM

Josh M.

9 minutes ago 16 Share

Guidance for transitioning to CFP (from Army CPT)?

I’m an Army CPT planning to transition out in ~4 years (after transferring GI Bill benefits). I’ve grown pretty dissatisfied with my career path, and I’m exploring financial planning as a long-term career. Note, I'm in the brainstorming stage and am just looking at options. I enjoy personal finance, building plans, and teaching others, from the experience I've had. The end goal would be education-focused (workshops, classes, and/or hourly advice), and not AUM-driven. We’re currently at Coast FI...

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Josh M.

9 minutes ago 16 Share

Side Hustles: Starting a Travel Agency

Good morning all, I have been thinking lately about starting some sort of travel booking service. It's something I enjoy researching, and I think it is something that can easily be scaled as I become more experienced. Does anyone have any experience with starting something like this? I'd love to connect and understand all the proper channels to get something like this off the ground because I'm sure there are parts that I am grossly underestimating. Keo

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Nocek

9 minutes ago 2 Share

GLAM employed or other cultural heritage workers?

Hi! Curious if there are any others here who work in the cultural heritage sector or GLAM jobs (galleries, libraries, archives, and museums)? I feel like my career path is rare in this area of personal finance/FI-pursuing due to low wages + financial barriers to entering the fields. Few people enter these careers for the money/salary. (if you did, then I'd REALLY love to talk to you!) I stay because I care about the collections I work with–my life doesn't revolve around the work, but I value the...

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kristinmac

2 days ago 8 Share

Closing a Firm - Architecture/Landscape Architecture/Engineering

Hi All, I just wanted to reach out and see if anyone had any experience with closing a professional firm when retiring. I am a landscape architect with my own firm, one employee (myself). I am looking to retire in the next couple years. I am wondering how to close my business. I will finish my contracts, but with this type of firm just because I finish my design work, typically it will take a couple years for the project to be built. I am not selling my company to anyone, I am simply ending it....

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amcookfl

5 days ago 6 Share

My interview with Brad Barrett on how to apply FI ideas to leadership...

Hey, FI friends — I recently hosted Brad Barrett on my podcast, *Exceptionally Good: Leaders for a Better World*, and wanted to share the episode with you all. We took a slightly different angle from the usual FI conversation — diving into what *Financial Independence* means for people working in education, nonprofits, and purpose-driven work. We hit on some powerful stuff: - “No margin, no mission” — the link between financial health and long-term impact - Building a life you don’t need to reti...

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mryanm

2 months ago 2 Share

Untitled Thread

To the financial planners/advisors out there, I have a (possibly dumb) question. I feel like I’ve reached “barista FI” and would really like to step away from my unfulfilling engineering job. I think I know what I’d like to do next, but I have no clue if it’s feasible, so I was hoping for some insight into the financial planning world. I'd prefer to be laughed at on a digital forum than in-person from a financial advisor... Here's my idea. I would work in the background for some fee-only advisor...

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Anonymous

2 months ago 5 Share

Jobs and Opportunities

Based on the original Jobs and Opportunities Monday thread active during COVID, how about creating a place to assist recently displaced Federal Government or other workers in connecting with new opportunities.

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Blue22floyd

3 months ago 0 Share

Just double check with HR about your benefits

A gentle reminder to really double check with HR about any benefits that are still open to you. As a teacher in the EU I have about 833 days of parental leave, but HR miscalculated it the first time around. I thought I'd used it all up already.Turns out I have 2 years (!) worth of parental leave for 0.2 fte left open. That's 2 years of working a day less for equal pay! Now I can be with my kids a day extra, get paid, get the same contributions to my pension, and can go back to my previous hours...

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Pluis

3 months ago 0 Share

Nontraditional Career/job Inventory

Looking for a crowd sourced directory of "noncorporate" careers/jobs, side gigs, etc with information like upfront cost, time commitment, skill set required, remote/in person, solo vs community, average income, perks and point of contact who'd be willing to give a brief overview of their experience. I know there are episodes of ChooseFI with this stuff peppered in, but I'm not sure if there's a centralized resource. Also right now the whole world feels like it's trying to sell you something, so...

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Sarahughes

3 months ago 0 Share

I got laid off and now make $30k less

Hi all, Long story short about a year ago I lost my job and was laid odd. I made about $150k but was miserable and had to take a mental health leave - the layoff was about a month after I got back. I spiraled during that job and by the time I got laid off, I went into $30k worth of debt. I have landed a much better job in terms of my mental health but I have had to cut back significantly - I have tried to interview but it’s really rough in the tech industry right now even with a stellar resume....

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Nicole Franq

3 months ago 1 Share

Just double check with HR about your benefits

A gentle reminder to really double check with HR about any benefits that are still open to you. As a teacher in the EU I have about 833 days of parental leave, but HR miscalculated it the first time around. I thought I'd used it all up already.Turns out I have 2 years (!) worth of parental leave for 0.2 fte left open. That's 2 years of working a day less for equal pay! Now I can be with my kids a day extra, get paid, get the same contributions to my pension, and can go back to my previous hours...

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Pluis

3 months ago 0 Share

Coaching Business

We have been thinking of starting a Financial Coaching business, but not for sure if we need any credidations or training to get started. Looking for any insight or help that can direct us towards the next chapter in our lives. Thanks and have a blessed week.

DH

Deaon Hackley

3 months ago 4 Share

Remote Worker Incentive Program

Just gonna leave this here for anyone interested…👀 They’re currently accepting applications. https://www.columbus2025.com/columbus-remote-program

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tchance

3 months ago 1 Share

First Step to Resume Building

Very few positions today are requiring a paper resume copy that is reviewed in person. Rather, AI is doing most of the work in reviewing our resume, at least to get us to the top of the pile and potentially landing an interview. I had an awesome job at my County's employment center and learned a lot that I can share here. Your first step and biggest gold nugget in going after a job is locating the: Job Description! Yep, you will actually need to build a resume for each job you're going for. Anno...

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911onFire

3 months ago 4 Share

Website Builders

Hi All! I've been inspired by [@Alan Donegan](/member/@Alan%20Donegan) to start a side hustle with my husband. Our next step is to start building a website. We would need to be able to schedule appointments, provide invoices, and collect payment. Does anyone have any suggestions for favorite sites to look into? So far I'm liking wix and squarespace.

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leah_mc

3 months ago 1 Share

How to find remote work in 2025?

My question for the FI community is how to find a remote job in 2025? I am currently on summer from college where I am studying nursing and I am looking for a remote job to supplement my partime summer job as well as to support me during the school year. I'm looking for suggestions of what companies to apply to, what roles to look into, and if there is any certifications I should consider to make myself an attrictive remote employee.

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MegGleasner

3 months ago 3 Share

Software development contracting?

Anyone here successfully transition from full time employee in software development to being an independent contractor? Curious if it's worth the effort. I'd worry a lot about liability risk and not being able to complete a project on time. I feel like you could easily get way in over your head. What's a good starting point? How did you do it?

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newfi25

3 months ago 1 Share