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You Know You Should Invest, So Why Are You Terrified?
You know the what and why of investing, but fear is holding you back. This post explores the real psychological reasons for hesitation - like loss aversion, perfection paralysis, and impostor syndrome - and provides three simple, strategic actions to close the gap between knowing and doing. Learn how to overcome the mental blocks and start investing.
Elizaveta Shafir
Oct 13, 20254 min read
Part 5: The Dream Life: ‘Key Bill’, FIRE, & 'Big Dream' Numbers
In the final part of this series, the focus shifts to the ultimate goals. This post defines the numbers that complete the dream: the "Key Bill" passive income that covers a major expense, the Financial Independence (FIRE) number that makes work truly optional, and the “Big Dream” fund.
Elizaveta Shafir
Oct 13, 20253 min read
Part 4: Designing Freedom: The 'Relaxed Employment' & Net Zero Debt Numbers
This is where the relationship with work and debt fundamentally changes. In Part 4 of this series, the focus shifts to two game-changing milestones: achieving "Net Zero Debt" and calculating a "Relaxed Employment" number - the point where a future retirement is secured, creating immense career flexibility.
Elizaveta Shafir
Oct 10, 20253 min read
Part 3: The Tipping Point: Your 'Feel Safe' Number & the $100k Milestone
After building your financial foundation, it's time to go on offense. In Part 3 of this series, we move from safety to strength by defining your personal "Feel Safe" number and exploring the psychology behind the powerful $100k net worth milestone - the point where your money truly starts working for you.
Elizaveta Shafir
Oct 8, 20253 min read
Part 2: The Foundation: Your Emergency Fund & Debt-Free Numbers
My financial journey has taught me that a strong defense is the key to peace of mind. This post is about building that foundation. I'll walk you through the practical steps to calculate your Emergency Fund and your Debt-Free numbers—the two most powerful milestones for reducing financial anxiety and reclaiming your future.
Elizaveta Shafir
Oct 7, 20254 min read
Part 1: What's Your Number? A Roadmap to Financial Freedom
Focusing only on a single, giant retirement number can be paralyzing. My approach is different: I use a roadmap of 9 clear milestones to make financial freedom feel achievable. This post introduces that framework, giving you the clarity to move from overwhelm to an intentional plan for your future.
Elizaveta Shafir
Oct 5, 20253 min read
The Power of Defaults: Why Automation is Your Best Protection From Yourself
Our brains are wired to second-guess even our best financial plans. This post tells the story of how greed and FOMO almost derailed my strategy, and why automation is the single best tool to protect your money from your own psychology. Learn how to set a default and make the hard financial decision only once.
Elizaveta Shafir
Sep 30, 20253 min read
Happy Birthday, Me? Why My Firstborn’s Birthday is Also My Own
Becoming a parent changes everything, including your financial identity. This personal story explores how the birth of a child is also the birth of a new self, forcing a profound alignment between your money and your deepest family values. Learn why intentional trade-offs create a peace that numbers alone never could.
Elizaveta Shafir
Sep 29, 20253 min read
My First Financial Memory: A Gold Bracelet and a Pawn Shop
Our earliest money lessons shape our entire lives. This is a personal story of a family heirloom, a pawn shop in 1990s Russia, and the first real lesson on the cost of money over time. A reflection on financial resilience, self-reliance, and how our past forms the foundation for our future.
Elizaveta Shafir
Aug 23, 20252 min read
Personal Finance Isn't Math, It's Mindset
Why is personal finance so hard? This post explores the core philosophy that the real work isn't in the spreadsheets, but in understanding our personal money stories, fears, and beliefs. Learn why shifting your internal mindset is the true foundation of building a resilient and intentional financial life.
Elizaveta Shafir
Aug 22, 20251 min read
Own vs Rent Analysis
Beyond the emotional debate, what does the math say about owning vs. renting? This deep-dive analysis explores the financial models and key variables you need to consider. Learn how to weigh the trade-offs between lifestyle and investment, and use the included spreadsheet to run the numbers for yourself.
Elizaveta Shafir
Jul 16, 20227 min read
Financial Pep for 2022
Get a clear, actionable framework for your annual financial planning. This post walks through a step-by-step process: estimate income, define necessary expenses, and strategically allocate the rest to your long-term goals and lifestyle wants. A practical guide to enter the new year feeling in control.
Elizaveta Shafir
Dec 4, 20215 min read
Thoughts About Stuff
A personal journey through the world of stuff, from a cross-atlantic move with just four suitcases to experimenting with Konmari, The Home Edit, and The Minimalists. This post explores the link between physical clutter and financial stress, and how to find a balanced, intentional approach to consumerism.
Elizaveta Shafir
Oct 4, 20214 min read
Time on a Corporate Job: Not Wasted, but Invested
A personal story of navigating corporate burnout and a lack of motivation. This post explores the mindset shift from viewing a 9-5 job as a roadblock to seeing it as an investment - a stable platform that provides the security and resources to explore passions, grow, and build an intentional life.
Elizaveta Shafir
Jan 22, 20212 min read
It Doesn't Have to Be Hard: Unlearning a Lifetime of Limiting Beliefs
A personal story of uncovering the single, core limiting belief that was holding me back: the idea that success has to be hard. This post explores how I identified this and other inherited beliefs and began to embrace my natural talents.
Elizaveta Shafir
Nov 13, 20203 min read
Happiness is Real even when Not Shared
There is a quote by Christopher McCandless that I liked a lot before - “Happiness is only real when shared”. It is a beautiful...
Elizaveta Shafir
Oct 30, 20202 min read
Meet the Moment
Most of the time we think about the past or worry about the future. However, it's not a secret that life happens in the present. And it...
Elizaveta Shafir
Oct 29, 20201 min read
О Личных Границах
Русская культура общения не предполагает выставления и уважения личных границ. Как результат - русские люди одновременно слывут душевными...
Elizaveta Shafir
Oct 9, 20202 min read
The First Post
Update, October 2026: This post inspired a new reflection: Six Years Later: Revisiting My First Blog Post I need to express myself. To show up in the world. Share what’s present for me, and feel a response from people with whom it resonates. And I figured that starting a personal blog could be a good option. I tried using personal pages on Social Media (Facebook and Instagram). But none of those actually worked for me for many reasons. 1. I don’t like limitations in the tools
Elizaveta Shafir
Oct 8, 20202 min read
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