In our brand new interview series, we are interviewing various individuals from across the web. This interview series focuses on how they are living a better life. They can be living a better life by pursuing financial independence, minimalism, simplicity, and many more aspects. Are you interested in being interviewed? Continue reading!

Want to be interviewed?

If you want to be interviewed about how you are living a better life. Contact us at TimLifeForTheBetter@gmail.com and tell us why you’d be a great candidate!

Give us your best elevator speech!

Hello! My name is Enoch and I live in Winnipeg,  Canada, with my wife and two kids. I am a veterinarian by day and a blogger by night over at savvynewcanadians.com.

Savvy New Canadians is a personal finance blog focusing on money, savings, investing, debt management, retirement planning, financial freedom, frugal living, and more.

While the blog started out with a Canadian audience in mind, it has since grown to cater to anyone looking at improving their finances in general.

How are you living a better life than you were last year? 5 years ago? 10?

We are just a two weeks into a new year (2019), so not much has changed from last year, other than that I need to get back to the gym as soon as possible!

The last 5 years have been memorable for my wife and I. In that time, I obtained another masters degree, started practicing as a veterinary doctor in Canada, we had two kids, bought a home, started a blog that did not fold up after 6 months like my previous blog attempts, and more.

While our lives have changed significantly in the last decade, our modus operandi has not. We work hard, save and live frugally, and continue to focus at planning our finances with the sole aim of reaching financial independence well before the traditional retirement age.

 

What would you tell your younger self?

To stay the course!

Growing up came with its many challenges and while I have very little regrets, I’d advise my younger self to persist even longer in reaching some of the goals I pursued and later discarded as a younger man.

On the investment side of things, I’d tell my younger self to keep things simple and stupid. Don’t pursue unrealistic returns, minimize investment fees, maximize compound interest, and invest for the long term.

What made you want to change the way you were living?

My lifestyle has been pretty “cut” and “paste,” and I have been doing most of the same things I still do now since I was much younger.

Overall, I feel that I am a bit smarter now about how I allocate my resources and where I direct my efforts, but that in itself is a product of staying the course and learning from my mistakes. It is also a natural evolution of my general approach to living life and achieving results.

Does financial independence play a role? If so, how?

Absolutely! I am definitely looking forward to financial independence (FI).

While it will be challenging for us to reach FI early, we are implementing time-tested strategies that should get us there.

For me, FI is not just about having enough money to last a lifetime and all the time in the world. I actually see myself being just as busy (or busier) when we attain this goal. The freedom and time to be able to do the things that really matter without the fear of how to make ends meet will be truly liberating.

Financial independence is certainly a goal that everyone should pursue.

What advice do you have for others in living a better life?

Set big goals, work hard to achieve them, and learn from your mistakes.

Everyone has a different path they must tread in life, and, life deals us different hands. In the grand scheme of things, do your very best, be your very best self, and be kind to others.

Financial independence is great, but you don’t want to get there by leaving a trail of chaos and brokenness in your wake. At the end of the day, you want to have lived a good life!

What books/podcasts/blogs have you consumed that lead you to this point?

I have to say upfront that my upbringing has been the main driver for my way of life to this point. I am blessed to have had parents who embodied most of the characteristics that I find to be integral to success in life and success.

I have also read hundreds of personal finance and self-development books that have also shaped my life over the years. I am just getting on the podcast train and while there are no specific ones that come to mind right now, I am finding that they are great for staying updated and motivated especially when you are always on the move and have limited time to read a book.

What’s one area in your life you still struggle with?

Pacing myself.

I am a very driven person and can become so engrossed in achieving a goal that I let other things suffer. This ability to focus and persist is one that has certainly helped me overcome various adversities in my life and produce outstanding results.

However, I am learning that I need to balance my ambitions with the realities of life as an adult…spouse, kids, family. Sometime life gets in the way of our goals. Balance is key.

If you had to give just 1 tip that you’ve learned along your journey, what would it be and why?

My answer here refers back to Question #8.

Live a balanced life.

What would financial independence look like if you reached it and your life and relationships are in tatters? Would it have been worth it? Would you still feel fulfilled?

Where can readers get in touch with you?

You can stop by to say hi on my blog Savvy New Canadians, or catch me chirping on Twitter.

 

Check out other interviews here!