
About FinanciallyEngineered:
This blog was started in March of 2020. During this time a global pandemic was quickly spreading which subsequently caused an economic crisis. Outside of health concerns, most everyone was taking a financial beating, as restaurants, retail stores, and sporting events were shutdown to aid in preventing the spread of the novel Coronavirus. The economy was frozen in time as people stayed home, and many people became unemployed, which was the motivation behind this website. I decided that a productive way to spend my time in quarantine was to inform others of my current financial condition, what I've done and am currently doing to improve it, and to start documenting my progress towards my goals.
I have managed my own personal finances as well as other large private and public infrastructure project budgets ranging from $3 million to $3 billion. I have learned from first hand experiences on extraordinary money management as well as frivolous spending.
About The Financial Engineer's Professional Background:
I prefer to keep my identity unanimous, for multiple reasons, but you can refer to me as The Financial Engineer. I graduated from Purdue University's Lyle School of Civil Engineering. I have spent approximately 10 years working on large private and public infrastructure projects and also have my Professional Engineer (PE) license.
I have helped manage multiple project budgets ranging from $3 million to multi-billion throughout the United States. I have been apart of some extremely successful ones, and some projects that have caused financial distress. Being a part of all of those has taught me about budgeting, tracking, and investing. Investing in myself through self education which will ultimately result in exponential growth. Below is a photo to add some perspective to the scale of projects I have been fortunate to help out with (apologize for photo clarity as it is relatively old).
Like most everyone, I am working towards financial freedom! I currently work for a top 20 company on Fortune's list of 100 best companies to work for, and although I enjoy my job, I would also enjoy daily freedom to do whatever I want on any given day.
About The Financial Engineer's Personal Background:
I am a 30 (ish) year old husband and father of two little ones. I grew up in the Midwest where I currently reside. I enjoy traveling to Florida in the summer with my family on our annual vacation.
In my spare time I try to hunt, fish, and watch sports. I love spending time with my family, and watching the little ones grow. Family is my top priority and the drive behind this website, and my "Why".
My wife and I met at Purdue University during our sophomore year (2007), and we enjoy traveling to our alma mater to cheer on the Boilermakers at various sporting events. She has traveled with me throughout the country, as my career has taken us to some crazy places. She is the backbone to the family and this website.
The Financial Engineer's S.M.A.R.T. Goals:
By the time I retire, the devastation created by the Coronavirus will be a distant memory. This will not be the only economic crisis I witness on my 20(ish) year journey. We will have weathered multiple economic storms between now and then. In spite of all the volatility and panic, I will not deviate from my investment strategy. In fact, I will continue to contribute into the investments and allow compound interest / asset appreciation to work its magic.
I have set strict goals for myself. The first is to retire at the age of 53. I am sure most are thinking this is an extremely odd age, but I chose it strategically. The most important reason is that this should be my age when my youngest completes her undergraduate coursework.
To keep myself accountable, I have established specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, time-based (S.M.A.R.T) financial goals. They are:
1. As stated above, retire at the age of 53.
2. There will be 3+ passive income streams as my wife and I enter our retirement year, 2041.
3. Our two children will have no student loan debt, with all (or most) tuition funded through their 529.
4. I will have a net worth of $1.3 million by our retirement date
5. I will contribute to authentic philanthropy work four or more times a month.
6. My wife and I will own Real Estate that allows us to be to be snow birds prior to retiring.
7. My children will learn how to properly invest the inheritance left for them.
What are your financial goals? Do you know what you want out of life? I would love to hear more about you and your journey!
Excited to read more about the future posts.
Thanks for stopping in and reading about me. I will update this by the end of the month to better share my goals which is the foundation of the site!
Hello fellow Boilermaker and engineer. I am kinda your future self. Your goals are similar to mine and I am nearing many of them now at age 49. Retirement is a few years away when my youngest graduates HS in 4 years. Just to give you motivation of your future self, I have over 10 passive income sources. Net worth > $4M. I still work full time as an engineer as I enjoy what I do and my employer pays me well, win win. Best of luck on your financial journey! Boiler Up!
Thanks for reaching out after reading a little about myself. I sure hope to have that net worth by the time I am your age! Well done! Care to share those streams of income?
I almost forgot, Boiler Up!
Where in Florida do you travel to? I am originally from Ocala, and my brother lives in Orlando.
I am not a boilmakers fan, but my mom did go to Butler University. She grew up in Indianapolis.
We travel all over, but our favorite locations are Panama City and Orlando (Disney).
She must be a smart gal, great school. This is a great city to raise a family, and it is affordable. We hope to get back to Florida once the pandemic slows.
Stay healthy, thanks for reading a little about myself. I hope to learn more from you.