At the 2022 Camp FI event, I had the pleasure of meeting Kara Johnson, who was beginning her journey into the realm of financial independence. At that time, she was soaking in information from all directions, as she explains in our conversation below.
Kara later reached out to me, expressing gratitude for a private chat we had during the event when I noticed she seemed a bit overwhelmed. Her journey since then has been incredibly touching and inspiring, which is why I asked her to share her story here.
We are each on our own distinct paths toward financial independence, each discovering what follows. Whether you’re just starting or well along your way, I believe there are valuable insights to gain from Kara’s experience.
Kara, we first met in 2022. What brought you to that Camp FI event?
I stumbled upon the financial independence movement in the fall of 2021, amidst the throes of the COVID pandemic. At the time, I was a burnt-out university career counselor.
Getting Intentional and Finding Balance
I realized I’d been living life on autopilot without reflecting on my path or future. The pandemic forced me to pause and reassess my direction.
During this time, my husband and I met with our financial advisor to discuss our retirement progress. However, this meeting was different; I felt overwhelmed and emotional, yearning for time away from work.
Balancing present joy with future savings was challenging because I’ve always been a diligent saver.
Does it have to be all or nothing?
The loss of my parents to cancer and my best friend to illness reshaped my view on saving and spending. I expressed to our advisor my fear of saving for a retirement I might not reach, as my father passed at 57, and my mother at 62. His straightforward response was, “What if you do live to 85?” He suggested I continue my current job, working towards retirement at 50. I was 42 then, seeking reassurance and alternatives, not a drastic Vegas spending spree.
Deflated after the meeting, I was determined to find another way, and I began exploring options for early retirement online.
Down the Rabbit Hole
My search led me into a wealth of previously unknown resources. Discovering Mr. Money Mustache’s blog blew my mind; he was local to me in Longmont, CO. By late 2021, I attended my first event at his headquarters, where I heard Jillian Johnsrud speak about redefining retirement and savings.
Her insights resonated deeply, and I realized others shared my feelings and questions.
Taking Action
In 2022, I started working with Jillian as a coaching client, who was pivotal in showing me there are multiple career and life paths. Thanks to her guidance, I left my university job in March 2022. She also introduced me to CampFI, which I attended in July 2022, to learn and connect more deeply with the community.
Where are you now in your financial independence journey?
My path has significantly evolved. Initially, the FIRE concept overwhelmed me with its myriad opinions and data points. I was anxious about whether I had "enough" to take a break.
Over time, as I delved deeper, I embraced the journey instead of fixating on a financial target—adopting a Slow FI lifestyle.
Experiencing personal loss has taught me to appreciate the present, understanding that life is unpredictable and precious.
I am also learning how pivotal mindset is on the FI path and in life. While I established a financial cushion to step away from full-time work, the shift from saving to actually using my savings to support this transition was unexpected.
When sharing my appearances at events like CampFI, I often receive inquiries about the event’s benefits. Having been involved for over a decade, my perspective as a speaker differs from a newcomer’s. How did CampFI meet or defy your expectations?
The summer 2022 CampFI was transformative for me. Despite being introverted and anxious about not fitting in due to my newness to the community, I’m glad I attended. The event was enriching, filled with insightful sessions and meaningful connections.
Meeting and talking with you stood out. Your reassurance when I felt out of depth was comforting. In our brief conversation, I spoke of my losses and the struggle to balance future planning with present enjoyment. Your empathy and attentiveness were exactly what I needed at that moment.
I also made a remarkable connection with Amy Minkley, who, like me, was navigating life after leaving a job. She later created FI Freedom Retreats in Bali, which I attended in 2023—a life-altering experience focusing on mindset, passion, and purpose.
Can you detail your path since we met two years ago?
My journey has been eventful. After leaving my university role, I sought a break to discover my next steps, focusing on creating a life where I control my time and priorities.
Gaining Intentionality
Initially, I struggled with how to relax. Transitioning from the relentless pace of my previous job was challenging. Pressure to "do" something was ever-present—“shoulds” crept in, implying I should return to work and have things sorted out.
A New Venture
Simultaneously, a friend working with youth invited me to help her clients explore careers, aligning with my past expertise. This evolved into a career counseling practice.
While my business grew, my satisfaction waned, and my heart longed for art. I believed I could balance the two, but working was overwhelming.
Pursuing Art
After much introspection, I let go of career coaching to focus on art. The decision brought immense relief and excitement. I participated in art-focused events like the Denver Chalk Art Festival, which boosted my confidence. This journey marked the start of my art business in 2024, with a studio in Loveland, CO, establishing a work-life boundary and dedicating more time to my budding career in art.
Discovering a Niche
Recently, I zeroed in on creating mandalas, sacred geometry, and nature-inspired symmetrical patterns. This artistic endeavor marries meticulous planning with spontaneous creativity, offering a sanctuary for mindfulness.
A common FIRE misconception is forecasting expenses decades ahead based on current realities and assuming consistency. Any thoughts?
Reflecting on this, it underscores the complexity of life’s journey beyond financial metrics. Understanding the fabric of life beyond spreadsheets is pivotal.
What elements of your career do you miss? Conversely, what aspects have exceeded expectations? Any surprises?
Transitioning out of traditional employment has a profound psychological impact—something not widely discussed.
Rediscovering Purpose
Numbers alone don’t prepare you for such a life shift. Purpose and passion must guide your actions, not merely financial milestones. Financial independence is not an end, but a means.
Rebuilding Structure
I miss the routine and social atmosphere of my university role. The human connections and helping students were job highlights I took for granted until they were no longer daily fixtures.
Enjoying Freedom
The freedom and autonomy I gain from working independently cannot be overstated. Although entrepreneurship is hard work, calling the shots feels rewarding and aligned with personal goals, contrasting with the unfulfilling aspects of past employment.
What role will work play as you move forward? What benefits, financial or otherwise, do you derive from it?
I don’t foresee traditional retirement; work brings purpose and fulfillment. Autonomy and freedom are essential, and self-employment grants that while letting me engage with meaningful projects. Though demanding, working on personal terms is far more rewarding.
How have the losses of your family and friend influenced your life and financial philosophies?
Loss has profoundly shaped my worldview. It’s prompted deep reflection and reevaluation, gradually fueling positive change. Observing my parents’ hard work without enjoying its fruits motivated shifts in my approach to life.
Turning Loss into Growth
While initially overwhelming, loss forced me to confront pivotal questions about life’s purpose. Embracing art—my childhood passion—was one such personal revelation. Through loss, I’ve learned to pursue what’s truly valuable.
Thank you, Kara!
Kara’s story deeply resonates with me, and I hope with you too. Her transformation through loss and finding balance is both inspiring and affirmative.
Kara’s courage to challenge norms, seek community, and shift perspective is extraordinarily insightful, illustrating the essentiality of supportive communities and advisors that align with one’s values on the FI path.
Thanks, Kara. Your journey is a beacon for many on their financial independence journey.
Valuable Resources
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Chris Mamula, once immersed in traditional retirement planning, reshaped the narrative through lifestyle redesign, and achieved financial independence early. At Can I Retire Yet?, he writes on building wealth and lifestyle strategies. His insights have graced platforms like MarketWatch and Business Insider. Chris also shares his expertise at Abundo Wealth, aiming to make quality financial advice accessible. Contact him at [email protected] or [email protected].
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