The OPT-outer: Part Two

Likely you will not go through the same year long OPT-outer process as I did, but I recommend you put yourself through your own experience. The knowledge and understanding gained could change the direction of your life.

You may decide to retire (OPT-out) early or work just long enough to support your intermittent adventures. In any case, to write the story of your life you will need to figure out how to finance it. This requires a detailed analysis of your numbers and a deep and honest look at yourself. Going through your own version of the OPT-outer can give you the insight needed to write that story. This is how it’s done:

• Rank order the highest priorities of your life

• Clarify your values and principals

• Know in detail your monthly expense totals

• Know your monthly income

• Do not let your expenses exceed your income

• Learn how to invest your positive (excess between your expenses and income)

• Learn the lingo of personal finance and investing

• Simply and wisely invest the positive

• Let the investments ride long term

• Learn how compound interest over time can be your very best friend

• Maximize your potential at work to increase your income

• Continuously look for new sources of income to invest

• A passion career is ideal, else find work that is at least tolerable to satisfying

• Fix or eliminate relationships in your life preventing you from saving and investing

• Live your unique lifestyle