Describing the practical application of my Financial Pragmatism philosophy.
In this ongoing series, I break down the systems behind financial independence — why I designed this system, the basics of how I started digging out of debt and building wealth, how to calculate your SURE-FIRE number, budgeting with purpose, understanding your investment psychology, and building investment buckets and maintaining a steady course. It’s not theory or advice — this is what I actually did the past 20 years to retire before 50.
I have a few articles in the pipeline I’m working on…
SURE-FIRE: The Smarter Framework for Financial Independence
A 20-year journey of financial design — turning a loose idea into a secure, resilient system for freedom and creative independence.
Fear: The Hidden Cost of Inaction
How fear keeps people stuck and how to use it as a signal, not a stop sign.
Paying Off Debt: Discipline of Momentum
How I paid off $50,000 of debt in 5 years while growing my assets, and why it works.
Budgeting for Freedom: How to Reverse-Engineer Your Expenses
Understanding your burn rate and how to get to the finish line.
How to Figure Out Your SURE-FIRE Number
Turning your lifestyle and expenses into a target. Figure out how much you need to retire.
Understanding Your Investment Psychology
Finding the strategy that fits you. What is your risk tolerance? And why?
The Price of Safety
Why too much caution is more risky than you think.
Building Your Buckets: The Architecture of SURE-FIRE
What the buckets are for, and how to allocate assets by purpose, time, and risk.
The Patience Premium
What investing really looks like, and why people give-up so easily.
The Psychology of Staying the Course
Handling market cycles, temptation, and uncertainty.
The Art of Financial Minimalism
Living well with less — how to become wealthy and stay wealthy.
The Psychology of Comparison
How other people’s success should not be your focus.
Tax-Smart Freedom: Leaving Canada and Structuring Withdrawals
Designing for low-tax or no-tax living.