How Time Flies: A Reminder to Live Now
I can’t believe it was November 2021 when I first set out to start blogging, and now it’s January 2023. How time flies indeed. When I first discovered FIRE (Financial Independence Retire Early), I was excited, maybe even a little impatient. I wanted the numbers to go up quickly and to reach that elusive FIRE number. What I’ve learned since is that life is a journey. I need to be patient. Slow and steady wins the race. More importantly, I’ve learned to appreciate the time I have now and to make the most of each day.
The Leap of Faith: Chasing a Dream Abroad
Who would have thought I’d be at this point today? In July 2023, I’ll have lived in Australia for twenty years. My journey began as an international student with a dream of becoming a doctor. I remember the excitement and the fear of moving to Australia. I had never been overseas and only had a one-way ticket, as my family couldn’t afford a return fare. When I started university, I discovered that my Biomedical Science degree didn’t guarantee entry into medical school. To get in, I’d need to sit for the GAMSAT (Graduate Medical School Admissions Test). Additionally, the tuition fees would be three to four times higher. How was I going to explain this to my dad?
Lessons in Persistence: The Long Road to Medicine
I could have easily given up on the dream. My grades were excellent. A grade point average (GPA) of 6.13 out of 7, but I couldn’t quite get the minimum GAMSAT scores across all sections. It took three attempts. By the third try, I’d considered asking for a refund for the exam fee but couldn’t get one. So, I figured I might as well sit it again. With far less study than before. Ironically, that was the attempt that earned me a score high enough to apply for medical school in Australia. I started in January 2008.
Balance Over Burnout: Redefining Success in Medicine
Fast forward to today. Ten years since graduating from medical school. I made a conscious choice not to pursue Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Instead, I chose balance. I became a General Practitioner (GP) and prioritised lifestyle over long hours. Now, I’m a “net-worth millionaire.” I work three days a week and enjoy a four-day weekend most weeks. I live in a beautiful seaside town. I like to think my time is my own now. That wasn’t always the case. My goal now is to work only for the joy of it and live life on my own terms.
Redefining Rich: From Net Worth to Time Freedom
Net-worth millionaire snapshot:
- Home value $933K
- Mortgage $285K
- Offset $44K
- Vanguard personal investor Index Funds $114K
- Pearler ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds) $76K
- Superannuation $162K
- Freedom Fund $8K
I’m still “house rich,” but what amazes me most is how much progress I’ve made since February 2021. My investments outside of superannuation have grown from $30K to $190K. Numbers aside, I’ve learned that true wealth isn’t measured in assets alone. It’s in having the freedom to choose how to spend your days.
Time Is on My Side: Trusting the Process and Enjoying Life
I need to stay the course. Time is on my side, investments will grow. In the meantime, I want to live my life and enjoy this one life that I have. Time is the only currency we can’t earn back. Invest it wisely, spend it meaningfully, and measure your wealth not just in dollars but in days well lived