ClubFreedom

On April 1, 2000, I was on a flight to Maui, Hawaii.  It was my first trip to Hawaii and my first official day of freedom.  My life experiences have since been classified as pre-Hawaii or post-Hawaii.  I've often described April 1, 2000 as the fateful day where I chose the "red pill."  I've since considered on a number of more painful occasions if I should have chosen the "blue pill," but settle always back on being grateful for the journey "down the rabbit hole."  For those who have not seen the movie, "the Matrix," from which I am referencing I say only - where have you been! 

Hawaii was symbolic choice for me.  In high school, my mother's partner of 11 years died of cancer within 6 months of the diagnosis.  He was a retired foreman from a manufacturing company after 30 years or so of service, and had saved up about $100k in the bank.  His biggest dream was to go to Hawaii someday.  He clearly had the funds to take the trip, and having been retired for several years prior to his death, also had the time to go.  He spent every dime on medical bills "surviving" the last 6 months of his life.  As a 16 year old kid, I was enlightened early to the very real understanding that tomorrow isn't promised, and someday might not ever come if you wait too long.  Read the rest of this entry »

My name is Mayumi Young.  My amazing husband is Clinton Young.  We live in San Diego, have been married for just over a year, and are ready to start a family.  We've been practicing being parents with our crazy cat, Ripley.  She's 11 and if she is evidence of my parenting skills, I have a lot to be worried about.  So far, we've remembered to feed her everyday, and she is still alive.  So, I think we've done our parental duties.

I'm 37 and my husband is 33 (yes, Demi isn't the only smart girl on the planet.)  I am the typical corporate ladder climber turned entrepreneur.  I became a CPA because I got an "A" in my Accounting 101 class in college.  I found out how much accountants were paid out of college, compared that to my Syracuse University student loan balance, and basically said "I'm in!"  Not that $32,000 a year (before Uncle Sam) took their share was anything to get excited about.  For me, getting hired by Price Waterhouse (one of the Big Six accounting firms at the time) was a big deal, especially coming from a small town in Massachusetts, raised by a single mom who had an 8th grade education.  Of course, I was going to go to college and get a job.  My mother sacrificed everything for me, my education and my future, and I wasn't about to let her down.  Read the rest of this entry »

Welcome to our Club Freedom blog site!

This blog is intended to bring together a community of like-minded people who are committed to a life of FREEDOM!  Better said, this community is primarily intended for those who have recently quit their jobs and never want to go back to corporate america, for those who have been entrepreneurs or investors for so long that we are categorically unemployable, and for those who may love their job, but are committed to living an "invented life" – free from so many of life's constraints.   This is a place to share thoughts, resources, experiences, insights, and lessons for anyone who has chosen to venture onto a path in life that is a pure invention of one's own imagination, vision, commitments, and values.  Since my husband and I have been working in the world of finances for so long, the conversation will start with financial freedom, and can expand to freedom in all aspects of life.

Why listen to what we have to say?   You don't have to.  This is for us as much as it is for any one else.  Collectively we have 14 years of experience as entrepreneurs and investors, and we just wanted a place to journal our journey.  I could just kick myself for not starting this sooner.  Our personal values include: lifestyle, family, legacy building, and love.  We have found the process of integrating the entrepreneurial visions and personal values to be the most challenging part of the process.  It is easier to create business opportunities that are profitable, but don't align with what you value most in life.  It is also easier to create projects that are purposeful and make your heart sing, but don't pay the mortgage.  Integrating the two is what we call a values-based approach to designing a life worth living. Read the rest of this entry »