Hey friends, Hannah here 👋

Over the weekend, I thought a lot about investments. And not just the financial kind. That’s because I recently hit a pretty big milestone: I officially reached my Coast FIRE number.

Coast FIRE means this: if I never invest another cent from today onward, my existing investments should still carry me to my early retirement goal.

And just to be clear, “retirement” for me doesn’t mean doing nothing. It means not working because I have to, but because I want to. You’ll never see me sitting still for long 😆

So I'm super happy, naturally, and it's a little surreal. But this milestone is loaded with lessons and things to share. Important to note that this wasn’t the result of clever money hacks or one lucky break. It was the result of lifestyle decisions over time. Yes, I made money decisions. But more importantly, I made choices about how I wanted to live.

Here are some of the best money moves I made over the years:

✅ I built my own freelance business.​
Freelancing gave me leverage. I climbed my own ladder, learned relentlessly, and created opportunities instead of being limited by someone else’s definition of success. Control over my income. Control over my time. And an earning ceiling far beyond what I ever imagined.

✅ I moved and travelled for nearly 20 years.​
Not waiting for “someday.” Designing a life that felt wealthy now, not deferred through living in places with an outlandish cost of living, so that in my world, "frugal" actually felt "free". What many people don't realize is that it costs much less to be on the move than to be static in places like the USA. I actually just created a travel reel of the last year here.

✅ I invested in simple (boring) set-and-forget mutual funds.​
Low-cost mutual funds. No financial advisor. No complicated strategies. Consistency over cleverness. In fact, here's the exact book I followed and recommend often.

✅ I opted out of some very expensive defaults.​
No mortgage. No kids - lucky for me, I'm not maternally inclined, so this is a personal one. A small, intentional home base. A capsule wardrobe. Far fewer recurring obligations pulling on my future.

✅ I use travel points for flights & hotels.
​I took the time to understand how to leverage credit cards effectively and responsibly, and nowadays it's rare that I pay for a flight or hotel. Knowing these "hacks" enables me to invest more and spend less. Here's a free resource and mini course on this that I like. If you'd like to know the exact cards I use for personal and business spend, hit reply and I'll be happy to share.

And this one matters a lot.

✅ I decided what my version of a “rich life” actually is.​
Huge credit to Ramit Sethi for this framing (another book on finance and lifestyle I recommend). His premise is that you decide the things you will spend money on unquestionably, then pull back on the areas that matter less to you.

For me, my non-negotiable "rich life" spends are:

• Travel
• Healthy food
• Health (check-ups, alternative therapies, bodywork)
• Experiences
• Relationships

Everything else is optional, unimportant, or a bonus - for me!

So if I were to zoom out and answer this question:

It’s not crypto.
It’s not timing the market.
It’s not hustling harder.

It’s this:

1. Health (holistic)​
   You are the asset. Without your health and mental peace, none of the rest works, at least not well. This is why health sits firmly on my rich life list, and why inside the Virtual Excellence Academy, we offer monthly health-oriented sessions for our members at no additional cost. This was never just about building a business; it's about building a wealthy, healthy life.
2. Simple, long-term investing​
   Time in the market beats everything else. Low-cost index or mutual funds buy you time, optionality, and future income without ongoing labor. This is your money working alongside you for your future.
3. Community​
   Strong relationships, chosen family, professional networks. These are emotional and financial safety nets. This is a huge reason the Virtual Excellence Academy (VEA) was designed with community at the forefront, and why our members tend to be high achievers.
4. Education​
   Skills compound. Confidence compounds. I say it all the time, "the more you learn, the more you earn". This is again why the VEA exists. Continual, up-to-date learning in the company of trusted, collaborative peers is top-tier investment terrain for any freelancer or VA.

If being in my world more while learning, growing, and having a brilliant community cheering you on is in your investment pipeline for 2026, then you'll want to get on the waitlist for our award-winning Virtual Excellence Academy right here.​

​Waitlist subscribers get an nice discount and early enrollment options next week! This is the most affordable way to get started, and you can ONLY get it when you are on the waitlist!! 😎🔥

This milestone felt good, not because of the money, but because it confirmed something I’ve believed for a long time:

👇 Three Awesome Events Coming Up!

💎 Exclusive to VEA Members: Taxes for U.S. Freelancers Traveling or Living Abroad with Sandra Morno, Jan 28th

A clarity-first session with IRS Enrolled Agent Sandra Morno breaking down how U.S. taxes actually work when you freelance, travel, or live overseas - without the overwhelm. You’ll leave understanding what really changes, what doesn’t, and how to stay compliant while keeping more of your money, with live Q&A to connect it to your own situation. Members can RSVP here.​

🌎 In-Person Event: Travel & Adventure Show NYC, Jan 24th-25th.

I’ll be speaking on two panels about solo travel as a lifestyle and building meaningful work and income in a remote world alongside some of the biggest names in travel, and I’ll be there both days to connect. Tickets are just $15 with code WANDERFUL26 - if you’re coming, message me so we can say hi in real life!

🎥 Free Public Learning Event Hosted by Me: Become a VA or Freelancer & Land Your First Client in a Week, Jan 30th

This is going to be a fantastic way to kick off 2026! Over 900 people are already registered for this free live class where I break down exactly how to land your first client without overwhelm, fluff, or guesswork. If you’ve been circling this world but haven’t taken the leap yet, this is your sign. Register here to hang out with me live, and be prepared to take action with structured, no-fluff guidance. Signed up already? Woohoo! You don't have to do anything but show up on the day 💪

One last question for you before I sign off:

​Share with me by letting me know on this post - I'm SO curious to hear from you and get to know you better! 😊

Hannah