Gen Z Guide to FI

“God will provide” isn’t a financial plan. I was venting to my therapist about financial dynamics I grew up with.

To me, knowing exactly where every dime of my money is has always been important. But my parents were very different. Of course, living in a Nigeria with the responsibility of supporting several extended family members, it was not easy to plan or budget for expenses. I recognize my privilege since I started living in the United States.

However, I always felt like instead of my parents understanding their cash flow, they just left it to God to figure out. Even now, when I ask my parents who are in their late 50s and 60s “WHAT IS YOUR RETIREMENT PLAN?”, I get vague responses like “BY GOD’S GRACE, EVERYTHING WILL WORK” or something similar. That does not sound like a plan. Unless they are keeping secrets like the many secrets I keep from them (xoxo gossip girl).

I fully expect to support my parents in some way (or many ways) when I graduate business school. I’m looking forward to becoming someone that my mom can rely on financially. She is always ready to give support to anyone who needs it and puts herself last on the list. The financial support is something that I am factoring into my grad school decisions and why I want to go to school for as cheap as possible. I don’t want to be in so much debt while supporting my family and give up my retirement dreams.

I can’t give up on my retirement y’all. Please drag me if I try to give up.

I am a believer and I know that God comes through when we need help. But God helps those who help themselves. One of my life goals is to make sure my children and FIRE babies have a healthy relationship with money. I am tired of worrying about money. It is exhausting. That is why I am praying that if I ever get married, it has to be someone who gives me peace in every way: mentally, spiritually and FINANCIALLY. The only place that I don’t want peace is in the bedroom (it should be very loud in there). WINK WINK 😉

xoxo Gen Z Fire Baby