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Imagine you received $100,000 in college to run your own charity. What would you do with it?
Today’s guest, Rylan from The Hidden Green, is an inspiration. This is a guy who managed to save $97,000 over just a few years at a young age, started a successful non-profit in college that spread to multiple cities in California, and has generally just optimized his life for financial and emotional well-being.
Oh, and he also surfs, travels extensively, and blogs about financial independence, which means we liked him before we even spoke with him.
In this episode, we chat about..
- starting businesses in college (pros and cons, really)
- how Rylan house-hacked while renting,
- how Rylan has been so prolific and saving money, even at a young age
- Extensive travel, and finding the benefits of travel in your hometown
- and more.
Rylan’s story is incredible, as is this chat. Enjoy, and let us know what you think in the Facebook group!
Show notes and links from today’s episode
- The Hidden Green – Rylan’s blog
- IFTTT – Incredible automation “rules,” this is completely FREE to use and connects to a load of re
- cPro Marketplace – local classifieds app!
- SplitWise – split expenses with friends. Realllly cool.
- Mad Fientist and 1500 Days – Two solid FI bloggers you hopefully already know about 🙂
- Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel
Key takeaways from our chat with Rylan from The Hidden Green
1 – Don’t turn 40 when you’re 22
Starting companies at a young age is a GREAT thing (see below for more on why), but it can also take away from the once-in-a-lifetime-you’d-never-get-away-with-this-with-four-kids kind of adventures.
Rylan eventually seeked to get out of the non-profit he created because he felt like a 40yr old working in a 22yr old’s body. (Not that there’s anything wrong with being 40 of course, but there IS when you’re only 22!)
So he left.
Young folks, don’t grow up too fast. Take advantage of the freedoms and flexibilities you have during college and post-college!
2 – “I just want money to be easy”
This was a direct quote from Rylan, and probably echoes a very common theme: Money can be stressful, overwhelming, and complicated.
Sometimes those of us who are passionate about FI, frugality, personal finance, etc….tend to make it even MORE complicated. This too can lead to stress eventually.
We can’t help but think there is some form of joy in the simplicity of not having to worry about money. As in, it didn’t even exist.
In a way, this is what we’re all hoping for with financial independence, right?
Right.
3 – Network Network Network (when you have the opportunity)
Specifically, for younger folks in college-ish.
THIS is a time when we usually have an absurd number of connections, and those connections have an absurd reach as well, etc. It can be a phenomal time to start a business, side-hustle, non-profit, anything.
The sheer number of people that can hear your message early on, and latch onto it, is (likely) a lot greater in your early 20’s (especially when you’re involved with a very specific community/campus). This is a huge asset for marketing, even if you don’t know it’s actually marketing.
Wise college students could easily take advantage of this opportunity, but this could also apply anywhere in life….when you have the opportunity. Hopefully you can realize the opportunity exists, and then have the assets to capitalize on it!
4 – Non-profits are businesses too
And should absolutely be run like a business too.
Cash flow is important, financial statements are important, systems and processes are important. In fact, even the noblest non-profits simply cannot help people if they lack the structure to sustain their operations.
In Rylan’s own words: “MRR is absolutely key to making any business successful.”
Want to be philanthropic and start non-profits? Heed the business mindset 🙂
5 – Chase YOUR success.
- What’s YOUR dream?
- What do YOU want out of your life?
- How do YOU want to run your blog?
- What’s a comfortable retirement amount for YOU and YOUR situation?
We could likely write a novel here about not judging or attaching yourself to the ideals of others, but we won’t. We think you’re smart and you probably get it.
Let this be your reminder for today to actively discover your own path in life, and live it out.
6 – Make each day a micro-adventure sandwich
“You have to make everyday like a sandwich. Everyday you’ll go to work, and that’s going to be your meat. But you HAVE to package it with bread on bottom and top, every single day. If you don’t, you’ll get sick of it.”
Even while Rylan holds down a day job at an office, he tries to sprinkle in something “fun” in the mornings before work, and after work…every single day. This could be almost anything meant to break up the everyday “grind” and keep yourself positive.
- reading a book
- riding your bike
- blogging
- calling your mother
- experiment with breakfast (avacado waffles are the bomb)
This is an incredible idea, and one we’d realllly like to try putting into practice ourselves!
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