The Financial Independence Wisdom Transfer Project

Welcome to the FI Wisdom Transfer Project. The sun is setting on the season of my life dedicated to career-path work. Despite working in a field with relatively high income, I am surrounded by individuals who are absolutely nowhere near achieving financial independence. I have watched these people poorly manage their money for years. I have tried to help and offered advice when I could, but most of it was not well received. The most difficult to observe has been the young professionals who were just out of school making lots of money. Almost none of them had a personal financial plan or well-developed goals.

Currently, our family is ready to access all of the freedom of living the financially independent lifestyle. Through experience and education, we have developed enough wisdom to learn the value of stealth wealth. We are truly experts at hiding in plain sight. From a distance, a person would have no idea of the amount of resources we control—and that is the way we like it. Not even friends and family have any idea what we have accumulated. Almost 100% of the time we have lived a quiet and stealthy lifestyle… until somebody does something that really angers us. Then, rarely, we flex and show off a little bit because we can. This does not happen very often, but some behaviors deserve a measured response.

Matthew 23:12 speaks clearly about this: “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

This can be interpreted as self-promotion inviting God to bring correction into your life, while behavior consistent with humility invites the favor of God. Keep quiet about the blessings you have received and manage them well. Living with quiet confidence and stoic strength says more than any self-promotion.

The pursuit of wealth, or FI, has been a lifelong journey. This has been my thing. Much of it has been done in silence, or within the confinement of our marriage and immediate family. There have been a few times when I have given presentations about financial independence, and I have always been able to grab the attention of everyone in the room. Leading these conversations has always felt like, in that moment, I was doing the work I was meant to do. I was spreading the gospel of Jesus and teaching others how to build a strong financial foundation so they could become the community leaders of tomorrow. Most were receptive; even the most indoctrinated Marxists and atheists paid attention, as they too wanted to learn more about finances and freedom. Even they desired the freedom and power that accumulated wealth provides.

I have witnessed burnout and despair. I have seen suicide and divorce. I have seen heart attacks, cancer, and death. Almost none of it had to be that way. People simply did not have healthy mentors, and they did not grow up in homes where money was discussed. Very little effort was made toward self-education about financial independence. Most who suffered in this way did not grow up in Christian homes, or they had abandoned their faith for a multitude of reasons.

In summary, the more we can see, the less true wealth a person has. A collection of expensive toys is very different from financial independence. FI gives a person freedom of their time and life energy. None of this has to be exclusively tied to worldly things. Wealth should bring peace, calmness, and stoic strength.

In Luke 12:15 it is stated: “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

This is known as the parable of the rich fool. Jesus warned the crowd about trusting in material wealth. He made it clear that material success is not congruent with the favor of God. Even with an abundance of wealth, a person can miss the true purpose of life. This stands in direct contrast to the worldly mindset that more possessions lead to greater happiness and security.

I am extremely frustrated with the current American education system. It has failed to evolve. The so-called educators have our children for 13 years, all day, 10 months a year. Yet, when students graduate high school, most are not capable of doing anything beyond obtaining a minimum-wage job. The most likely pathway to success shown to these children is taking out student loans and pursuing an expensive college education. This is often followed by costly graduate school and additional debt. By the time they enter the workforce, many are already burned out and deeply in debt. Very few have any practical work experience. It can take a decade or more before they feel they are experiencing the American Dream. Buying a first home has shifted from the 20s to the early 40s for many. Their struggle is real.

The school system has removed everything patriotic and Christian. What is left is more than a void or vacuum—it is a tremendous black hole that is sucking the life out of our children. It has been filled with ideologies such as socialism, Marxism, communism, and atheism. Many children in public school environments do not have the opportunity to form a solid Christian foundation or develop strong morals. Even those from strong Christian families are deeply affected by being told all day, every day, for 13 to 20+ years, that their way of life is wrong. They are taught to follow their feelings or whatever feels good in the moment, instead of striving to live a biblical life.

All of this has led to confusion, depression, and feelings of hopelessness among our children. For too long, many of us have been too quiet. We chose not to get involved. Those days are over. If we are to save the next generation and our country, we must engage. These public schools belong to the community, and if we send our children to them, they must reflect the values and norms of the majority of that community.

We can no longer allow the loud 1% to 3% to control the entire education process and curriculum. Schools have become indoctrination centers rather than education centers. Many have failed their primary mission: educating students to be successful in the workforce and active participants in society. Teaching ethics, morals, and life skills is absolutely necessary.

After considering the damage caused by the indoctrination system, our attention must turn to the marketers. They have engineered marketing into a vicious science. What they have developed comes from hundreds of years of research—some conducted ethically at reputable universities, others involving unstable individuals suffering from severe psychological trauma. Much of this knowledge was developed without the consent of subjects. These individuals are masters of manipulating thoughts to direct behavior. While they cannot guarantee outcomes, they can guarantee chaos. Each campaign is measured, refined, and redirected toward their goals.

Wherever there is accumulated wealth or income, marketers place a target on it. They have little concern for the physical or psychological damage inflicted. To them, it is all about money.

In the next season of my life, I plan to share the wisdom I have gained about financial independence. This will be done through storytelling—like sitting around a campfire talking about life. Knowledge plus experience equals wisdom. The purpose of this project is to efficiently transfer wisdom to the next generation, reducing pain and suffering while helping Christian individuals achieve financial independence at a younger age. With strong financial foundations, they will have the time and energy to become even more influential in their communities.

Proverbs 16:16 states: “How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!”

This project will be delivered through unpolished blog posts, unedited verbal rants, and a new medium that will be revealed in the future. More to come.

Our path forward is to use the wisdom gained in our generation to help the next generation achieve financial independence early. It is reasonable for most individuals to complete career-path work in 15 to 20 years. After that, people should continue earning income through work they enjoy while making meaningful contributions to society. Retirement as complete disengagement is a façade. Society needs successful individuals to remain engaged on their own terms.

Topics will include the financial timeline, RMDs, Social Security, deferred income plans, the Rule of 72(t), 457s, 409s, and breaking free from the flat part of the investment curve. Early investment education is critical. Letting go of the retirement illusion created by marketing will redirect a motivated individual’s life energy.

Building brokerage account assets is essential and often more valuable than savings or emergency funds. For some, understanding the options wheel will be critical. When career-path work ends, these accounts provide stability.

Career-path work is necessary but must be limited to 15–20 years. Most work environments are toxic and undeserving of a person’s full life energy. Quiet quitting has emerged because corporate America does not value workers. This reality is unlikely to change, so individuals must protect themselves.

Two difficult emotional topics—dividend investing and paying off a home—will be covered in depth. The data often contradicts what our emotions tell us.

Cell phones, cars, yachts, and airplanes will each have their own discussions.

The daily brand cycle—what is it? Once explained, it will permanently change how you think. This requires a deep mental reset.

Health articles will be presented from a new perspective. Research and data will challenge existing beliefs. Change is the only option; otherwise, expect poor health and a shortened lifespan.

And what about your children? The power of the 529 plan will be explored, along with the concept of “blood money” and how it bends the curve of what others have planned for your future.

I hope you find value in this project. Please engage by commenting on articles and rants. I would like to get to know you and build powerful new friendships. We will be running uphill and dodging bullets—have faith. We are about to begin an incredible adventure together.