Title: Confessions of a Hectomillionaire: Introduction
Thank you for the enthusiastic response to my previous post. It was a valuable space to share and organize my thoughts anonymously. Growing a net worth from scratch to $100M+ has been an intriguing journey, but it’s not all rainbows and unicorns. I’ve faced real challenges since my first windfall, and I’m navigating questions about life that financial success alone can’t resolve.
Reaching a goal like $10M+ in net worth for fatFIRE often means working hard and saving aggressively. But once you’re at $30M, what’s the point of pursuing another threefold increase or an extra zero? Many people can live luxuriously on $300K a year, yet I now have the means to spend $1M annually. Should I push further?
I suspect this community is filled with ambitious, hardwired strivers. But what comes next after a significant milestone? Do you stay in the same job and keep climbing the ladder, or do you pursue something else entirely? For many, traditional corporate life isn’t the answer, but true independence presents its own challenges. Rebuilding daily routines, social networks, and an identity centered on work can be deeply difficult. Most people seek meaning, purpose, and self-mastery, but where do you find that after FI (financial independence)? I didn’t have a clear destination after FI, and while I eventually settled on investing, that transition was far from easy—and it remains an evolving process. I’ll share some of my thoughts in upcoming posts and welcome input from others facing similar struggles.
Another challenge is the loss of status. I hadn’t realized how much status can drive behavior and perception. I don’t walk around with my net worth on display, but losing the prestige of a corporate title changes how people treat you. Friends from the old company drift away, and conversations often shift. It shouldn’t have been surprising, but I expected people to respect me for who I am, not what I have. Becoming an investor has helped—people show respect when they seek investment—but I’ve learned better how the game is played and recognized my prior naiveté.
In the coming weeks, I plan to publish one post per week on topics that I believe will resonate with others pursuing FatFIRE and, frankly, help me think more clearly. I welcome suggestions for additional topics. Potential areas include:
- Investment strategy and portfolio management
- Living with minimal financial constraints and optimizing expenses
- Work, purpose, and meaning after FI
- Time management and daily routines
- Maintaining a low public profile
- Navigating complex relationships
- Staying grounded and emotionally resilient
- Embracing humility: “I am not Superman”
My goal is to create something useful for readers while documenting my own evolving perspective. While I hope some readers will find value in these reflections, this is also a personal exercise in self-understanding. I may need to obfuscate certain details to protect anonymity, but I aim to remain candid and intellectually honest throughout the journey.
If you have thoughts, questions, or topics you’d like me to explore, please share. I’m eager to hear from others who are navigating similar transitions and to learn from your experiences as well.
