But it may have captured the idea behind FI Adventure Club better than some trips that are.
Bridgett and I were in Charleston, South Carolina, and while we were there I posted an open invite through the local ChooseFI Charleston group. We didn’t really know what to expect.
People showed up.
A casual meetup turned into a table full of conversations, local tips (we are considering relocating there), and new connections with people we had never met before.
That stuck with me.
A lot of the Financial Independence journey is focused on numbers: savings rates, withdrawal strategies, tax optimization, portfolio allocation.
But…
Mount Pleasant
Pineapple Fountain
What are you creating the freedom for?
For me, a big part of the answer is becoming clearer: more experiences, more adventure, and more time with good people.
Charleston gave us plenty of the first two. We wandered historic streets, explored the city, ate well, took in the Lowcountry scenery, and caught one of those Charleston sunsets that barely looks real.
But the most memorable part was the people we met.
That’s exactly why community matters.
Without the ChooseFI network, we probably never would have met anyone sitting around that table. Instead, a simple post turned strangers into new friends.
I shared our story with FIRE legend Brad Barrett. I was tickled pink that he took the time highlight the meetup in the August 25 edition of ChooseFI Weekly, writing about how local groups can help people connect while traveling.
That experience feels closely connected to what I want FI Adventure Club to become.
Just people with some shared values getting out into the world and doing something together.
A hike. A paddle. A road trip. A ballgame. A new city. A meal around a crowded table.
Because genuine friendships usually aren’t built by exchanging business cards.
They’re built by shared experiences.
And maybe one of the best uses of financial independence is creating more room in our lives for exactly that.
