As 2024 wraps up, we’ve been reflecting a lot. 💭💭💭

What’s the plan once we “get there”? 🤔 Financial Freedom is just a means to an end, after all.

But shifting from 'build net worth' mode to actually enjoying freedom has been harder than expected.

Slowing down from the dopamine rush of chasing goals takes time. Building a fulfilling lifestyle takes plenty of trials and errors—and staying in one place long enough (our constant travel doesn’t make it easy 😔).

Still, we’re hopeful 🤞—if we had the discipline to achieve financial independence, we can surely build the habits to enjoy it.

Next year, we’re making it our mission to build routines and habits that bring more meaning and joy to daily life outside of traveling—truly savoring the freedom we’ve worked so hard for.

Like someone on Youtube said, “We’ve been busy building wings 🪽*, now we’re building roots.”*

And when we get there, we’ll be ready-ready. ✨

We’re brewing some ideas 💡 and will share how it goes in our upcoming letters.

How about you? Got any New Year’s resolutions? 👀

Hit reply and let us know—we read every single message! 🧡

OK back to the main topic… 🤭

In this letter, we’ll share how we’ve cracked a code to saving hundreds—even thousands—every year on phone, internet, and insurance bills. 💰

How we saved $1,874 this year after 2 chats & 1 call

There’s a Vietnamese proverb: "Those who steal at night are bandits, but those who steal in broad daylight are officials."

In November 2022, Angie got bewildered 🤬 when our internet bill jumped from $85 to $110, then to $125.

Thank God we had another provider at our other house, so we knew the market price.

Angie hit her breaking point: "If I have to switch and reinstall internet all over again, so be it! This is ridiculous!"

So, she called them up, pointed out how absurd the price was, and when nothing they offered matched the competition, she insisted on canceling.

And… she got off the phone with the bill slashed to $65. 🤯‼️

From $125 to $65, and they’re still making a profit. Truly, day thieves. 🤬

And this year?

• Our auto insurance skyrocketed from $110 to $180/month—so Tyler called around and snagged a new quote for $50.83. 🙀‼️

  No wonder people say you should call your insurance every six months.

• Meanwhile, Angie worked her magic with the internet providers (after spotting those ridiculous upcoming bills). She talked one down from $75 to $65 and another from $82 to $65.

Those discounts last for a year—and that’s how we shaved $1,874 off our bills. 💰

OK how we handle these day thieves

1. Know the Market Price

Call around, check subreddits, Google, run online quotes—whatever it takes to know what you should be paying.

2. Reach Out

• For internet or phone, use live chat—it’s quick and easy. Log in to your account and look for “Chat” under “Contact Us.”
• For insurance, calling works best so you can clarify terms.

3. Bargain Like a Pro

Internet providers love their scammy first-year promos—but guess what? You can usually reset them every year as long as you’re willing to chat with customer service.

Start with:
"The new price is too high for what I need. Other providers are offering better rates. Can you lower it?"

Then hit them with:

• "Any ongoing promotions?"
• "If I switch to ACH payments, can I get a discount?"

If they don’t budge (highly doubt that 🤨), try talking to another agent—or be ready to cancel and switch.

You’ve done your homework! Installation for a new internet provider doesn’t take long—an hour tops.

4. Rinse and Repeat

Every year, as the last bill of the one-year cycle rolls in, we reach out to renegotiate.

Yeah, the fact that we have to do this annually is obnoxious. 😩 But the silver lining? We always keep our prices down.

SO…want to save hundreds (or even thousands)?

Roll up your sleeves and negotiate with your internet, phone, and insurance providers. 💪

Those chats and calls usually take less than 10 minutes—talk about ROI! 💎

Then take those savings—treat yourself and fuel your future F.I.R.E. goals. 💰 Good luck! 🍀

Hope it's helpful for your journey to Freedom 🙏

Love you to freedom and back, 🫰

Angie & Tyler

Things We are Loving Right Now ❤️‍🔥

🎆 New Year Prep

• 📝 Weekly Planner: Angie used to rely on the Sunsama app for intentional daily planning but eventually drifted away. This planner is not only helping her get back on track but also rekindling her love for quick journaling. ✍️

  On her monthly calendar, she jots down facts in black ink and happy moments in orange. Flipping through the pages, Flipping through, she’s like, 'Whoa so many happy moments this year!'. And there’s nothing quite like the feeling of pen on paper, jotting down thoughts.

  She bought a new one for 2025 during Black Friday and can’t wait to dive in!

🏋️‍♀️ Welness

• 🚴 Peloton Lanebreak: If you have access to a Peloton, you’ve got to try the Lanebreak experience! Angie’s friend mentioned it last week, and she’s hooked 😍—it’s like a throwback to Dance Dance Revolution at the arcade!