As a DGI I’m working towards financial freedom. For me this means doing things I like to do, and do not have to worry about money. On my blog (https://www.polliesdividend.com) and twitter account (@Polliesdividend) you can read my progress.
I have been a DGI since July 2014, so I just started and still have a long way to go. But I’m determining to work hard and constant to reach my goal.
Work freedom day
Last year I stumbled upon the idea of “ Work Freedom Day”. This is the day of the year where you’ve accumulated enough dividend income during the year to no longer need to work.
This Work Freedom Day is introduced by Dividend life. As he wrote, for early retires, that day would be January 1st but for many of us still on the FI Journey it’ll be somewhat later in the year.
In 2015 my Work Freedom Day was December 16. Now a year has passed and I’m curious what my progress is.
How to calculate your Work Freedom Day
For working out your work freedom day, Dividend Life came up with a simple formula:
Day of year = (1 – (Total Projected Income) / (Total Yearly Budget) ) * 365
This gives you a number, which corresponds to the day in the year you are “free”.
My Work Freedom Day
Based on my projected Dividend income for 2016 (€ 3,055, including the super dividend I received) and my yearly expenses (€ 44,000), My Work Freedom Day will be Wednesday 4 December.
| Year | Dividend | Work Freedom Day |
| 2014 | 1,115 | December, 20 |
| 2015 | 1,760 | December, 16 |
| 2016 | 3,055 | December, 4 |
Okay I will not retire this year (you have to love an understatement), but it is, as Dividend Life wrote, a nice milestone to celebrate!
Tracking my progress
Just like Dividend Life, I’m going to be tracking this date going forward and hope to watch it move towards me due to higher than projected dividends!
What is your Work Freedom Day? And what do you think about this concept?
I like to hear from you.
Cheers,
Pollie
Hi Pollie,
This indicator is one I really love to. My work freedom day is somewhere around 10th july but I must say that I consider some income that it is not dividends (and that will not be there forever). Additilonally, my spending is much lower as I’m single so it is easier.
Kind regards,
HomoInvestor
Wow, you’re are really doing well. Keep up the good work!
Cheers,
Pollie
Hey Polllie, cool concept. Dividend Life is s smart cookie. I don’t have all our data with me right now, but from recollection of the data, we get to around 7 November 2016. But this is before taxes… If we take that into consideration it would shift considerably.
Hi Team CF,
I like the concept of Dividend Life too.
But wow what a great number you have already.
I used the numbers after taxes, as I do in all my posts.
Cheers,
Pollie
Problem is that I cannot do after taxes, most stocks are in Canadian retirement accounts and I cannot completely calculate taxes until I actually take it out….(we pay 25% withholding tax in Canada + Dutch tax on income in Box 1, which depends on our other incomes).
Okay,
I calculate and report my dividend income always after taxes.
Good concept, I had missed the original article, looks like mine is coming up in mid-November. Thanks for sharing. Always looking for ways to track progress.
👍
An interesting post and way to keep you motivated towards your goals.
I agree. It is a great way