Origin Story
Origin Story
I have claimed before that I don’t have an adequate origin story. This is not exactly true. The winding path that lead me to the financial independence blogosphere is neither winding nor a path per se. It was a chance encounter with a giant in our community. It was unexpected, it was random, and it changed my life.
Although I was well on the path to financial independence on my own, my encounter with this visionary helped me consolidate a thousand disparate ideas and notions about managing my money. If I hadn’t met him, DiverseFi would not likely exist. My assets would still be managed by my financial advisor, and I would have missed out on all the knowledge and collegiality that I enjoy today.
It All Started With A Simple Request
It was the dead of winter, 2014, and I was packing up my computer to leave the office. As I climbed into my winter jacket, my personal assistant stepped into the doorway.
Some guy left a message about reading his book. He wants you to put up a review on your blog.
The medical blog I was writing at the time, had been around since 2008, and had a moderately successful number of viewings per day. Being that I had just finished my own book (a compilation of previous blog posts), I was feeling quite amiable towards the request, and gave my assistant the consent to have the book sent over to the office.
The manuscript was about personal finance. It was 160 pages and well-organized, clearly written, and packed full of great actionable information. It was the beginning of my origin story.
The White Coat Investor
The guy was Jim Dahle. After reading his book, I sprinted through many years of blog posts in just one night. It was like suddenly the veil of confusion was torn from my face.
- How to invest
- The why of insurance
- Living like a resident
- Retirement savings
- Budgeting
It was all there. He laid out confusing topics in a clear and concise manner.
The book and the blog are must reads for high income professionals as well as your average Joe.
There is just so much great information there.
Spread My Wings
It was only a matter of time before I found Physician on Fire, Mr. Money Mustache, Retire by 40, Mr. Tako Escapes, and the list goes on. It was not only that I was fascinated by all the great content, It actually spurred me into action.
My life is radically different now. No, I have not quit work. The fact is, I enjoy work all the more. Since discovering this great community, I have had the courage to cut out all the parts of my job that I don’t enjoy. I am now captain of my own financial ship and fired my financial advisor.
And of course, I started this blog. This wonderful, frightening, maddening, awesome creation that I am thinking about all the time. After 10 years of writing about medicine, it was time to fill my cup with something else. Something important.
Although you may still see some medicine peek through, I figure there is at least 10 more years of writing financial content to come!
So If you like this blog, and I sure hope you do, head over to The White Coat Investor and tell Jim I said thanks!
What an interesting “origin”. I imagine that medicine and health might peek through because financial independence is really all about health and life. I’m interested to check out that book now. Maybe I’ll see a good review written by someone whose name starts with G.
It’s really a great book. Though Jim wrote it for medical professionals, I think it’s a great read for anyone!
That’s a cool origin story – you were so famous Doc G that the white coat investor reached out to you! Awesome.
If I was only that famous now!
Ah, the White Coat Investor. Just like many other physicians, I was also inspired by WCI. I was a casual follower of his blog since the early days in 2011-2012 when I was a resident. I could have sworn I came across his stuff when I was in medical school too!
Do you still keep up with your medical blog? And if so, are you going to reveal it?
I stopped writing on my other blog in July. Not yet ready to reveal since it is not anonymous.
Pretty cool origin story. I always like hearing about how people got started on the path to financial independence – which sometimes appears like a parallel universe compared to how most people manage their finances.
All it takes is one chance encounter to change our lives. If you hadn’t been blogging WCI wouldn’t have found you and reached out to you and you may not have discovered the FI world.
HH
Random. Yet somehow seems like things happened the way they were supposed to!
I wonder how many origin stories involve stumbling into Jim Dahle’s White Coat Investor Content. Better yet, imagine how many origin stories are incubating out there. It is truly an amazing tribe.
It really is. People like Jim have provided such a jumping off point.