About Me
Hi, I'm Chad! I'm a software engineer with a passion for building great web applications (with great backends!) and helping teams optimize their workflows. I specialize in backend development, data processing, and performance optimization. Outside of work, I enjoy playing chess, working on my lawn, and spending time with my family.
What is this website?
My wife and I embarked on our FIRE journey at 30, determined to achieve financial freedom by 45—🔥 Fire in 15 🔥, if you will. As we raise our son and care for our beloved dog, we understand the challenges of balancing financial goals with family life. This website serves as a record of our journey—our strategies, lessons, and progress—so we can share what works, what doesn’t, and how we’re building a future with more time, less stress, and true financial independence. Beyond sharing our experiences, my goal is to build practical tools and utilities to help others track their own FIRE progress. From net worth calculators to savings rate trackers, I want to provide simple, actionable resources that empower people to take control of their financial future. As time permits, I will also include tutorials, and youtube videos.
How Our FIRE Journey Began
Our journey toward FIRE began when my wife and I read A Simple Path to Wealth by JL Collins. This book provided us with the foundational knowledge of investing, index funds, and financial independence, shaping our approach to building wealth and securing our future.
Why I'm Sharing This Journey
I’m not a financial guru or Wall Street expert—I’m just a guy who’s spent a ton of time figuring out how to save, invest, and plan for early retirement in a way that actually works. Since reading A Simple Path to Wealth, I’ve been applying what I’ve learned, making adjustments, and now I want to share that knowledge with others who are on the same journey.
The Mission: Financial Freedom for Everyone
This website is meant to be straightforward and actionable—no fluff, no impossible promises, just real strategies that anyone can follow to take control of their financial future.
Whether you’re just starting out or refining your FIRE plan, I hope this website provides practical insights and motivation to help you achieve the freedom to live life on your own terms.