Untitled Thread

This is something I've been thinking about recently - I need to celebrate more. I think that when you're on the path to FI, once you hit one milestone, it's so easy to then set your sights on the next one. When I paid my mortgage off, I remember feeling so excited - I celebrated by buying myself a new watch and a fridge (yes, really - it was a retro style one that I'd wanted for years). But what surprised me most was how everything felt like it returned to 'normal' after I was mortgage-free.

On reflection, it did give me more freedom and opened up opportunities that I wouldn't have been able to make if I still had my mortgage. A few years later, I left my job and started my own business, which is still thriving 5 years on. I can't say I have a better work-life balance, but my days are definitely more stress-free, and as I work mostly from home, I can go to the gym and walk the dog before my workday begins without having to worry about being at work for 8.00am.

But back to celebrating - I know exactly what you mean. We've recently hit our next milestone and haven't celebrated yet - we really need to. Our friends are in different financial situations, so it's not something we discuss with them. Like you, that's why I'm here.

Good for you! I think you can celebrate in a way that is meaningful to you. For example, I have three young adult kids who are working and going to school. I make sure to contribute to their Roth IRA accounts so they can build wealth. I plan trips so I can take them (and me) somewhere fun and relaxing. I also make sure I am making regular donations to local charities that help families in need. What's the point of having all that wealth if you can't share some of it with the people you love? If you don't have kids, do you have anyone in your life that would appreciate a gift or an upgrade? It doesn't have to be extravagant--a nice new sweater or coat, a gift card for groceries? It can even be a neighbor or work friend. I am happy for you. What an excellent question.

I second Charlotte's approach ... dinner and champagne. Having no mortgage or no debt of any kind is a solid thing to celebrate. Portfolio numbers are just snapshots to me. You break the $1M barrier in an account or liquid net worth and with the next market hiccup that milestone will have (temporarily) melted.

Congrats on all of your wins! Is there an in-person ChooseFI group near you? Those are the people you can share your wins with... they will celebrate your hard work! As for how to celebrate yourself, what do you love to do? My husband and I go out for a nice dinner when we hit a FI milestone, or we share a bottle of champagne. It's so important to do the things we enjoy, not just save.