About

TheZenDollar is run by a 23 year old Software Developer living in Jacksonville, FL. It is a blog that chronicles the activity of a 20-something and his quest of extreme early retirement. The goal right now is to be out of the 8-5 workforce in a maximum of 12 years or by the age 35.

The Zen Dollar name was loosely based on some various Buddhist philosophy that I try to apply to my everyday life and personal finances. In order to reach my goals I strive to live as simply as possible at a level that provides me with a comfortable and enjoyable existence. I live well below my means, and enjoy the simple (read cheap) things in life.

Another facet is to have to willpower to follow through with my plans and not give in to the constant temptation to live a consumerist lifestyle. The cardinal rule I live by every day is “Spend Less Money”. Number two is “Make More Money”.

This dedication to a frugal lifestyle and the will to become financially independent is achieved through mental focus and my complete desire to enjoy the majority of my life not work the majority. This mental focus of my energy into personal finance and early retirement is somewhat similar to the Buddhist practice of Tantra and the inward manifestation of power to achieve ones goals, whether spiritual, material, or otherwise.

Something else you should know, I’m not an expert on Buddhism.

Nor personal finance. Or investing.

I’m just a kid with a lot of ideas, a lot more opinions, and a few desires that will never be satisfied by pissing my life away at work or from the instant gratification of material possessions.