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The Lucky Ones

The Lucky Ones

September 22, 2016 Posted by Grizzly Dad Best of the Bear Cave, Philosophy

We’re going to be writing about money, life, and how those two things are intimately intertwined. We’ll take an occasional detour to talk about philosophy, economics, business and maybe even a little law from Mrs. Grizzly. But we’re going to focus on cold hard cash and the chains or freedom that come along with it.

Given that focus, we need to address the elephant in the room: Mrs. Grizzly and I are blessed. We are the ‘Lucky Ones’. Our parents encouraged us. We avoided major health problems. We went to schools and obtained degrees that are richly rewarded in this country. Our luck has paid off: good salaries, a nice house, a decent sized pot of money saved in our early thirties. Most people around us think we live an amazing life.

However, we woke up to a simple fact over the past year and a half. Our jobs, our high salaries, our house, our cars, our stuff – nothing but a growing pile of chains. Golden chains but chains nonetheless.

What triggered this epiphany? About a year and a half ago we had our first child, a beautiful little girl. She was and is everything a parent could ask for. We took the (very generous by US standards) maternity and paternity leaves granted to us by our employers, but after 6 months we faced the inevitable for two working parents – sending our little girl to daycare and heading back to work. We watched as she changed every day – a new word, a new skill, a new thing she found so funny she laughed out loud. We watched as the time we had with her rapidly slipped through our fingers. Every day it was a little harder to leave her in the morning. Every day our jobs felt a lot less important. Our chains more burdensome.

Our eyes were opened a few months ago when we stumbled upon a little community on the internet that offered a slightly different path than riding a never-ending wave of prestige, money, and stuff as fast as you can until you die. Instead, there was another option. Stop spending on stuff you don’t need, radically reduce your life, start saving a lot more. Once you have enough your future is yours to decide. Chase a dream. Found a company. Hike through endless mountains. Spend time with your family. Change the world.

Life is time, time is life. The meaning of our life is bound in how we spend that time. My wife and I were choosing to spend it working two high-powered and demanding jobs, forging chains for ourselves every day while our daughter was raised by strangers. There are many who have no choice; the world is hard and unforgiving and not everyone has our blessings. We hope that some of what we’re going to write about can help them too. But our real audience is those that do have a choice. Those like us who have blinders over their eyes as they trudge through the world, oblivious to their chains and the options they have to break them – The Lucky Ones.

Tags: LifeMoneyPhilosophy
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20 Comments

Leave your reply.
  • Nichaneco
    · Reply

    September 26, 2016 at 3:06 PM

    Found your site after Mr. Money Mustache posted about it on facebook. Good luck!

  • Donna
    · Reply

    September 26, 2016 at 3:50 PM

    You should also check out thefrugalwoods.com if you haven’t already!

    • Grizzly Dad
      · Reply

      September 26, 2016 at 5:39 PM

      I have! They’re awesome.

  • Sammy
    · Reply

    September 26, 2016 at 4:01 PM

    Mr. Grizzly,

    your blog is super awesome. I’ve been considering starting a blog tracking my wife and I’s own financial journey. It’s encouraging seeing you just starting out. Looking forward to further reads.

    • Grizzly Dad
      · Reply

      September 26, 2016 at 5:41 PM

      I was surprised at how easy it was to set up.I have a ‘bit’ of a tech background in that I did some coding in college, but not that much. It’s been crazy fun setting it up. I’m currently just running it off an AWS virtual server on a free plan + a bunch of plugins from wordpress. Great learning process that’s already helping in other areas. Working with a friend right now to set up a online business.

  • Dr. Peppers
    · Reply

    September 26, 2016 at 4:23 PM

    Congrats, Grizzlies! Your story feels similar to my family’s (me, the husband, 1 kid, 2 sweet jobs, friends buying 5-bedroom houses and fleets of cars while commuting stupid long distances and complaining that they have no time or money). I feel lucky to have stumbled onto MMM’s site when we did – and we’re trying to spread the word to anyone who will listen. Keep up the good work! And welcome to the FI/RE cult. 🙂

    • Grizzly Dad
      · Reply

      September 26, 2016 at 9:01 PM

      Good to be here! I wish we had found it earlier.

  • Tkenyo
    · Reply

    September 26, 2016 at 4:33 PM

    Best of luck on your journey. I will be following. I think about these very same things and hope to follow. -cheers

  • Pixelpusher
    · Reply

    September 26, 2016 at 5:37 PM

    Although I forged chains of silver instead of gold, I am following a similar path to time freedom through extreme saving and un-jobbing. It’s great to read that you too had the exact same epiphany bestowed upon you by Mr. Money Moustache. Keep it up!

  • MO
    · Reply

    September 26, 2016 at 6:36 PM

    We too are just starting off on this path. I think we have been heading on it for awhile now. It’s just time to get it organized. ???? Here’s to us!

  • Beardstache
    · Reply

    September 27, 2016 at 5:49 AM

    Hello Grizzly Family!

    I am in my mid 20’s and recently engaged, working in finance at a large bank. I have been following Mr. Money Mustache for several years and grew up in a home that was exceedingly wise with money.
    My fiancé heard about your blog and I am so hopeful to see it grow. We both look forward to learning from you three as she and I will soon be creating and weaving our own lives together.

    -K & B

  • Bee
    · Reply

    September 27, 2016 at 5:55 AM

    I live in the North Bay and I’m working on our own financial journey. We just had a baby, he’s 4 months now. I’m expected to go back to work in 2 months. Both hubby and I have great careers.. Yet still can’t manage to get out of the rat race. I look forward to reading about your journey and tips on how to manage to save money living in this area. Best wishes!

    • Grizzly Dad
      · Reply

      Author
      October 4, 2016 at 3:41 PM

      Bee – hopefully what we right can be some help! 100% sympathize with your situation, it’s exactly where we are.

  • Doug
    · Reply

    September 27, 2016 at 1:10 PM

    Good luck to you and the rest of the Grizzly family. I also found your site through Mr Money Mustache.

  • Anne the Conqueror
    · Reply

    September 29, 2016 at 4:01 AM

    I’m not AS lucky, but hopefully I’m lucky enough (combined with effort and focus) to pull it off. Congratulation to all the younger people who woke up early,,, you won’t regret it.
    I’m so happy for you that you are designing your own life. The more people who do this, the better. Best wishes on your journey.

  • Margit Van Schaick
    · Reply

    October 1, 2016 at 10:32 AM

    Looking forward to following your journey! Found your site through MMM. Oh, one recommendation: take lots of family photos and videos often, as a regular habit. Those constant changes as your daughter grows are so precious.

    • Grizzly Dad
      · Reply

      Author
      October 1, 2016 at 11:47 AM

      Agree 100%. It’s crazy how fast the type slips through your fingers.

  • TFP
    · Reply

    October 3, 2016 at 2:50 PM

    Hey – found my way to your blog via an MMM Facebook recommendation. After reading through all your posts today I can see why he gave you guys a shout out! Keep up the great work, look forward to following you’re blog for the foreseeable future 🙂

  • Bel
    · Reply

    October 4, 2016 at 2:05 AM

    Can’t believe a link to your blog appeared in my FB feed today of all days. At 10 months old my daughter started her first day of outsourced daycare today as I prepare to return to work in three weeks!!! It was heartbreaking and I would love to be inspired to take a similar journey to yours

    • Grizzly Dad
      · Reply

      Author
      October 4, 2016 at 2:23 AM

      I know the feeling! I wish you guys the best of luck!

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