From Getting Fired to Financial Freedom

Before I moved to Japan, I had no idea when — or even if — it would ever happen.

But life has a strange way of aligning when you’re ready for change. Looking back, it wasn’t luck. It was the result of a series of bold choices that reshaped my life completely.

Getting Fired Was A Good Thing

After 15 years in a 9-to-7 desk job, I did something that terrified me — I got myself fired.

For more than two years, I stayed unemployed. Yet, it was the most liberating period of my life.

I used to think stability meant security, but what it really meant was being trapped. My days revolved around an endless loop: wake up, work, recover from work, repeat. That was the “matrix” — a life where you trade your time for money and call it success.

I don’t judge anyone who enjoys their job; many of my friends thrive in that lifestyle. But for me, it felt like slow suffocation. I wanted to breathe, to create, and to live on my own terms.

The Money Game

In my late 30s, I realized how little I knew about money. I had worked hard for years yet had no financial foundation. That’s when I began my real education — not at a university, but through books, mentors, and experience.

Books like Rich Dad Poor Dad and Think and Grow Rich completely changed how I viewed wealth. I learned that financial freedom isn’t about a high salary — it’s about understanding how money works.

I dove into investing courses and started to absorb the mindset of people who had built lasting wealth. One of the biggest breakthroughs came from Andy Tanner’s Four Pillars of Investing, which taught me to focus on cash flow instead of capital gains.

That simple shift changed everything. I stopped chasing quick wins and started building income streams that would pay me every month — no matter what the market was doing.

Facing the Numbers

One of the most humbling moments came when I created my first financial statement.

It was brutally honest: if I lost my job, I couldn’t survive six months. That realization hit hard — but it was also empowering.

Listing my income, expenses, assets, and liabilities forced me to face reality. It wasn’t about accounting; it was about responsibility. Once I could see the truth in black and white, I could finally take control of it.

That’s when I started designing my financial future, intentionally and strategically. Every decision from that point forward was aimed at achieving one goal — freedom.

Redefining Financial Freedom

For me, financial freedom doesn’t mean becoming a billionaire or owning ten luxury cars.

It simply means that my assets generate enough income to cover all my expenses — while still leaving room for savings, investments, and joy.

It means waking up every day knowing that I don’t have to trade my time for money anymore. My money works for me, not the other way around. That peace of mind is priceless.

Building a Life That Fits

My journey to Japan wasn’t just a change of location; it was a change of lifestyle — a conscious decision to live life on my own terms.

Today, I manage properties in the Netherlands, the Philippines, and Japan, work on projects I truly care about, and immerse myself in Japanese culture. I spend time gardening, creating, and sharing what I learn.

I’m no longer climbing someone else’s ladder. I’ve built my own. And every step I take now leads toward more meaning, not just more money.

If you’ve made it this far, maybe you’re seeking something similar — a life that feels truly yours.

If so, I invite you to join me on this journey. On my blog, I share daily insights about life in Japan, personal growth, and the mindset behind financial freedom.