Writing & workSince 2003
Opening notes
Financial independence affects decisions long before retirement. Being able to handle a setback, reduce your working hours, or change careers each requires different preparation.
I’m Harlan Landes, and I write about how to assess those choices and what changes when paid work becomes optional.
Harlan Landes FI / 01
One foundation. Five stages.
A framework for a life with choices.
The liner notes Foundation — Stage 5
Being able to pay the bills, manage a job loss, and afford a career change are different kinds of progress.
Foundation
Ordinary expenses are not yet covered sustainably. The immediate task is to make everyday financial life work.
Stage 1
Ordinary expenses are sustainably covered, and resources can consistently go toward future progress.
Stage 2
The financial system can absorb meaningful disruption without breaking down.
Stage 3
Financial capacity supports meaningful voluntary changes in work and life without unacceptable destabilization.
Stage 4
Sustainable resources independent of required work can support the household’s reality-tested Core Lifestyle.
Stage 5
Sustainable work-independent resources can support the full Chosen Lifestyle, making paid work financially optional.
The Stages of Financial Independence describe what changes at each point, including the changes that happen before you can afford to stop working.
From the writing archive
Work & Life
Financial independence gives me more choice about work. Family has changed how much of it fits, even when I enjoy the people and the purpose.
Financial Independence
Why I’m developing a community where people can work through financial independence decisions with others, using their own circumstances.
The discography / Ideas, put to work
Community
Credits / Founder
A community I’m developing to help people understand their financial position, choose their next steps, and work on them with others.
In development
Explore the communityDecision tools
Credits / Founder
Tools for examining financial decisions using your own circumstances, comparing assumptions, and understanding the tradeoffs.
Active
Explore the FI ToolkitFinancial wellness
Credits / Co-founder
A financial wellness platform we’re developing to help people put financial plans into practice through ongoing habits and decisions.
In development
Nonprofit
Credits / Founder & Executive Director
The professional home for people who teach others about money. We connect and support financial educators, coaches, advisers, and creators, and help their work reach more people.
Active
Meet the foundationA collection of workHarlan Landes
Where this began
In 2003, I began writing publicly about my own finances. It grew into an independent financial publication. Building it, and eventually selling it, changed my own financial circumstances.
Explore the earlier workKeep the conversation going
One thoughtful question each week about money, financial independence, and the choices available along the way.
Get the next questionStudio notes / Harlan Landes
Writing · Teaching · Building
A little about me
I’m a financial independence educator, entrepreneur, and community builder. I founded Consumerism Commentary and the Plutus Foundation, and I’m currently building MOMENTUM and its Financial Independence Toolkit.
My interests include music education, drum corps, photography, and how people use language and make decisions. Those interests influence what I notice and how I explain it.
Read my story