97: Intentionally Choosing the Path to Financial Independence with Financial Mechanic

Financial Mechanic wanted a puppy - and her parents told her she could have one when her little sister turned her age (in four years). When she asked how much puppies cost, she was told $100. So Financial Mechanic started saving. Everything! Birthday money, Christmas money, anytime she received a dime, it went into her puppy fund. Fast forward 4 years, and she tries to hand over the $100 - to her parents shock. “No, you keep that, we’ll buy the puppy.” For four years she had been saving, so she just continued. By the time she graduated high school, she had $8,000 in savings. Her parents paid for her college education, and she knew she wanted options.  She studied Mechanical Engineering which led to programming, which led to a 6-month assignment overseas. Upon her return, she discovered mass layoffs - and that she was significantly underpaid! In this episode we talk about how to prepare for an interview, how to negotiate salary, how salary isn’t the only thing you can negotiate, and how intentionally pursuing a goal can help you achieve it faster and easier. In This Episode We Cover:Financial Mechanic's journey with moneySaved money to buy a puppyThe importance of focusing on your future opportunitiesGraduated college debt-freeHer money situation during her first internshipEarning a lot of money before she discovered financial independenceHow his mindset changed the moment she found financial independenceHow her money journey evolvedOn her careerDid research on glassdoor for salary rangeHow she got her signing bonusWhat her end-goal isHow she lived $20,000 a yearAnd SO much more!Links:GlassdoorPersonal Finance on RedditMr. Money MustacheForum - BogleheadsPersonal CapitalAchieving FI Before 40 Despite Breaking Every Financial “Rule” with Tanja from Our Next LifeBiggerPockets Money Podcast 10: Designing a Frugal But Luxurious FI Life by Age 32 with Liz ThamesEvery Dollar I Spent Last YearHow to Effectively Ask for a Raise (from Someone Who's Done It Twice)How To Make Your Significant Other Hate FIREThe Psychology of Money– 4 Ways Your Brain is Working Against YouConnect with Financial Mechanic:Financial MechanicFinancial Mechanic's TwitterFinancial Mechanic's Instagram