Rethink money, redefine freedom

About me

Hi, and welcome! I'm the voice behind The Good Life Journey—a blog about financial independence and early retirement, lifestyle design, health, and philosophy.

I’m nearly 40 and currently work as a part-time consultant, but I’ve worn many hats: trained engineer, academic researcher, and now part-time entrepreneur. In 2023, I started this blog to track my journey toward financial freedom—but it quickly became something more.

Here, I write about saving, investing, early retirement (FIRE), and rethinking how we spend our time and money. Alongside personal finance, I explore intentional living, health, and practical philosophy—especially timeless ideas that help us live with more clarity, tranquility, and purpose.

My goal isn’t just to retire early, but to build a life that aligns with my values—where freedom, flexibility, and fulfillment are part of the journey, not just the destination.

This blog is for anyone who wants to live more deliberately—not someday, but starting now.

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A world map highlighting the countries where readers of The Good Life Journey blog come from. Over 100 readers from diverse global locations, shown in dark blue
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    Personal finance

    So many of us struggle when it comes to talking about money, let alone managing it. This blog outlines strategies and personal finance habits that will allow you to take control of your finances and achieve financial independence.

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    Philosophy

    Are you ultimately interested in living a good life, one that pursues meaning but also contentment and tranquility? We distill the knowledge generated from philosophers, writers, and thinkers into actionable advice that you can incorporate into your day to day.

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    Sustainability

    The environmental impact we exert today on our planet is unprecedented in human history. This blog demonstrates that there doesn’t have to be a tradeoff between living sustainably and leading a good life.

Our Latest Personal Finance and early retirement Articles

Featured
Your Most Valuable Asset Isn’t Your Home—It’s Your Future Income (and Why You Must Insure It)
Your Most Valuable Asset Isn’t Your Home—It’s Your Future Income (and Why You Must Insure It)
Understanding the “One-More-Year” Syndrome in early retirees
Understanding the “One-More-Year” Syndrome in early retirees
Should You Invest in Your Home Country? Pros, Cons & A Practical Framework
Should You Invest in Your Home Country? Pros, Cons & A Practical Framework
Seasonal Geoarbitrage: Live Better for Less Without Leaving Your Roots
Seasonal Geoarbitrage: Live Better for Less Without Leaving Your Roots
How Tiny ETF Fee Differences Can Cost You Hundreds of Thousands (and Delay FI)
How Tiny ETF Fee Differences Can Cost You Hundreds of Thousands (and Delay FI)
The Middle Path to FI: Why Slowing Down May Bring Freedom Sooner
The Middle Path to FI: Why Slowing Down May Bring Freedom Sooner
How Long You’ll Really Live After Retirement (and How Much Is Healthy)
How Long You’ll Really Live After Retirement (and How Much Is Healthy)
Safest and Most Affordable Countries to Retire in 2026: Europe, Asia & Latin America Compared
Safest and Most Affordable Countries to Retire in 2026: Europe, Asia & Latin America Compared
How Climate Change will Reshape Europe’s Best Retirement Destinations
How Climate Change will Reshape Europe’s Best Retirement Destinations
Should You Tell Friends, Family—or Anyone—You’re on the Path to FI?
Should You Tell Friends, Family—or Anyone—You’re on the Path to FI?
Why Flexibility Beats a 3% SWR in Early Retirement
Why Flexibility Beats a 3% SWR in Early Retirement
Germany’s new Frühstart-Rente Shows the Power of investing Early
Germany’s new Frühstart-Rente Shows the Power of investing Early
Why People Bet on Unicorn Startups—And Why Most Don’t Get Rich
Why People Bet on Unicorn Startups—And Why Most Don’t Get Rich
The Bond Trap: How Low Savings Rates Can Cost You Decades of Freedom
The Bond Trap: How Low Savings Rates Can Cost You Decades of Freedom
Bonds in Your FIRE Portfolio: The True Cost in Cubicle Years
Bonds in Your FIRE Portfolio: The True Cost in Cubicle Years
Rising Nursing-Home Costs in Europe: What They Mean for FIRE
Rising Nursing-Home Costs in Europe: What They Mean for FIRE
The Most Important FIRE Strategy: Choose the Right Spouse
The Most Important FIRE Strategy: Choose the Right Spouse
Do REITs Have a Role in a FIRE Portfolio?
Do REITs Have a Role in a FIRE Portfolio?
Best Nordic Countries to Retire (2025 Rankings & Costs)
Best Nordic Countries to Retire (2025 Rankings & Costs)
FIRE and Housing FOMO: 10 Reasons I’m Still Renting While others around me Buy
FIRE and Housing FOMO: 10 Reasons I’m Still Renting While others around me Buy
Retiring Abroad? You're Probably Overestimating Your Capital-Gains Tax
Retiring Abroad? You're Probably Overestimating Your Capital-Gains Tax
Retiring in Denmark vs Germany: Can Low-Cost Homes Beat Higher Taxes?
Retiring in Denmark vs Germany: Can Low-Cost Homes Beat Higher Taxes?
Why I've Made Peace with Being an influencer (and What It Really Means)
Why I've Made Peace with Being an influencer (and What It Really Means)
How much do you need to save to retire early at age 45
How much do you need to save to retire early at age 45
AI and Your Financial independence Journey: Risk, Opportunity, and How to Prepare
AI and Your Financial independence Journey: Risk, Opportunity, and How to Prepare
Lifestyle Inflation and Lifestyle Creep: How They Derail Financial Independence
Lifestyle Inflation and Lifestyle Creep: How They Derail Financial Independence
Is FIRE Escaping Life? 12 Reasons it could be the Opposite
Is FIRE Escaping Life? 12 Reasons it could be the Opposite
From Resilient to Antifragile: Designing a FIRE Life That Thrives in Uncertainty
From Resilient to Antifragile: Designing a FIRE Life That Thrives in Uncertainty
What Will You Actually Do in Early Retirement? Designing a Fulfilling and Meaningful Life
What Will You Actually Do in Early Retirement? Designing a Fulfilling and Meaningful Life
How Much Emergency Fund Should You Really Have for FIRE
How Much Emergency Fund Should You Really Have for FIRE

Our Latest Lifestyle Design and Philosophy Articles

Featured
Why we should embrace a Multi-Career Life in the 21st Century
Why we should embrace a Multi-Career Life in the 21st Century
Forget the Goal—Fix the System: How James Clear’s 1% Rule Can Change Your Work and Life
Forget the Goal—Fix the System: How James Clear’s 1% Rule Can Change Your Work and Life
Money, Meaning, and Mental Health: Why Financial Security Shapes the Gen Z Work Mindset
Money, Meaning, and Mental Health: Why Financial Security Shapes the Gen Z Work Mindset
Quiet Quitting: What It Really Means, Why It Happens, and What To Do Instead
Quiet Quitting: What It Really Means, Why It Happens, and What To Do Instead
The Middle Path to FI: Why Slowing Down May Bring Freedom Sooner
The Middle Path to FI: Why Slowing Down May Bring Freedom Sooner
Top Five Regrets of the Dying—Lessons for Financial Independence (FI)
Top Five Regrets of the Dying—Lessons for Financial Independence (FI)
Why Most People Aren’t Happy in Their Jobs (and What You Can Do)
Why Most People Aren’t Happy in Their Jobs (and What You Can Do)
The Most Important FIRE Strategy: Choose the Right Spouse
The Most Important FIRE Strategy: Choose the Right Spouse
Why I've Made Peace with Being an influencer (and What It Really Means)
Why I've Made Peace with Being an influencer (and What It Really Means)
Feeling Life Has No Meaning? A Relativist’s Answer to Nihilism
Feeling Life Has No Meaning? A Relativist’s Answer to Nihilism
“The Mind Is Dead”: Bryan Johnson’s Algorithmic Living to Transform Your Health
“The Mind Is Dead”: Bryan Johnson’s Algorithmic Living to Transform Your Health
AI and Your Financial independence Journey: Risk, Opportunity, and How to Prepare
AI and Your Financial independence Journey: Risk, Opportunity, and How to Prepare
Money, Power, or Health? The Status Game That Actually aligns with Happiness
Money, Power, or Health? The Status Game That Actually aligns with Happiness
Is FIRE Escaping Life? 12 Reasons it could be the Opposite
Is FIRE Escaping Life? 12 Reasons it could be the Opposite
Mini‑Retirements: Boost Your FIRE Journey with Intentional Breaks
Mini‑Retirements: Boost Your FIRE Journey with Intentional Breaks
What Are the Sunday Scaries? 9 Proven Ways to Overcome Them
What Are the Sunday Scaries? 9 Proven Ways to Overcome Them
Why We Still Work So Hard — And How to Break Free
Why We Still Work So Hard — And How to Break Free
From Burnout to Freedom: Why I Quit My Job Before Financial Independence
From Burnout to Freedom: Why I Quit My Job Before Financial Independence
The ‘Second Mountain’ by David Brooks: How Relational Living Leads to a Fulfilling Life
The ‘Second Mountain’ by David Brooks: How Relational Living Leads to a Fulfilling Life
Green Living, Wealth Building: The Financial Rewards of a Sustainable Lifestyle
Green Living, Wealth Building: The Financial Rewards of a Sustainable Lifestyle
What Is Stealth Wealth? A Proven Strategy to Financial freedom
What Is Stealth Wealth? A Proven Strategy to Financial freedom
8 Frugality Lessons from 'Your Money or Your Life'
8 Frugality Lessons from 'Your Money or Your Life'
9 Key Work and Money Lessons from ‘Your Money or Your Life’
9 Key Work and Money Lessons from ‘Your Money or Your Life’
Seneca on Time & Purpose: 9 Lessons for a Better Life
Seneca on Time & Purpose: 9 Lessons for a Better Life
How to Stop Chasing Status and Find a Fulfilling Life Path
How to Stop Chasing Status and Find a Fulfilling Life Path
Naval Ravikant’s Happiness Formula: 12 Lessons + Powerful Quotes
Naval Ravikant’s Happiness Formula: 12 Lessons + Powerful Quotes
Netflix's Blue Zones Explained: 8 Secrets to Living Past 100
Netflix's Blue Zones Explained: 8 Secrets to Living Past 100
30 Things I Learned in My 30s for Success, Purpose & Well‑Being
30 Things I Learned in My 30s for Success, Purpose & Well‑Being
Why We’re Unhappy: Bertrand Russell’s 8 Timeless Lessons
Why We’re Unhappy: Bertrand Russell’s 8 Timeless Lessons
Seneca’s 20 Stoic Principles for Lasting Wisdom & a Resilient Mindset
Seneca’s 20 Stoic Principles for Lasting Wisdom & a Resilient Mindset

financial independence tools

Dreaming of Early Retirement?

Use our free Financial Independence Calculator:

✅ See your baseline FI timeline — how many years you have left.

✅ Run “what-if” scenarios by adjusting savings, spending, and location.

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✅ See how relocating to lower-cost countries shortens your FI timeline.

Our data-driven Financial Independence Calculator estimates your early retirement target portfolio (FI number) and timeline to Financial Independence. Explore also whether you can accelerate FI by retiring abroad in a lower cost-of-living location.
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🌍 Dreaming of Retiring Somewhere Better?

Try our free Retirement Relocation Tool — find your best destinations for retirement in minutes.

✅ 🌍 Rank 100+ countries by cost of living, healthcare, safety, climate, and more.

🧭 Adjust sliders to personalize your search across 9 lifestyle and financial factors — see below.

💰 Compare destinations visually to see where your retirement savings stretch furthest.

📊 Filter by continent and instantly reveal top-ranked countries that fit your priorities.

A scatter plot titled 'Retirement Suitability vs Cost of Living' showing data points for various countries colored by continent: orange for America, blue for Europe, green for Asia, red for Africa, and purple for Oceania. The x-axis represents 'Retirement Suitability' ranging from 0 to 100, and the y-axis represents 'Cost of Living' ranging from 0 to 100.
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