Investing: The Ultimate Way to Buy Back Your Time

As nurses, we sacrifice a lot, long shifts, crazy hours, and enough stress to last a lifetime. But when it comes to saving and investing? That sacrifice can feel even tougher, especially if spending comes naturally to you (trust me, I get it).

Here’s the thing: every day, we trade our time for money. But what if you could flip the script? What if instead of only working for money, your money started working for you? That’s what investing does, it buys back your time.

The Hardest Part? Getting Started

I won’t sugarcoat it, investing isn’t an overnight success story. The first 10 years? It will mostly feel like you're just throwing in your own money. Growth will be slow. It will test your patience.

But here’s the magic part: once you hit your first $100,000, things start to snowball. Compound interest kicks in, and suddenly, your money is making money, without you lifting a finger. That’s when investing goes from feeling like a chore to feeling like a cheat code for financial freedom.

The Secret to Staying Consistent

Want to make this whole thing easier? Build good habits and set up systems.

• Budget (yes, really) so you know where your money is going

• Set up a payday routine to keep saving and investing on track

• Automate your investments so you don’t have to think about it

• Talk to your partner about money goals so you’re on the same page

Once you lock in these habits, it’s like putting your finances on autopilot, less stress, more progress.

Build for the Future, But Live for Today

Wherever you are in your financial journey, it will all pay off. The patience, the small sacrifices, the consistency, it’s all building toward a future where you work because you want to, not because you have to.

But remember: while you're investing for the future, don’t lose sight of the present. Time is our most valuable resource, and none of us know how much we have.

When I first discovered FIRE, I was eager to reach my Freedom Number. I checked my investment accounts daily. Sometimes it was exciting, other times nerve-wracking, depending on the market. But the stock market naturally fluctuates, and that’s just part of the process. Be patient.

The real key is finding balance, making smart financial moves while still enjoying your life. That’s what makes this journey truly worth it.