Financially Engineered

Solving Money Problems for Financial Freedom

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The Financial Engineer: Financial Independence
The Financial Engineer: Financial Independence

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.

This site is going to share my approach on personal finance which has aided me in paying off my student loan debt 2 years early, eliminated all of my credit card debt, and increased my net worth by $70,000 in a year! It is also intended to share my financial goal(s). I am currently working to save enough money to acquire property in an effort to add an income stream through the gig economy.  I am excited to provide weekly articles about an honest, detailed look at my personal finances and net worth, as well as provide transparency on my journey to invest in real estate and broaden my portfolio.

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!

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