August FIRE Metrics That Matter: Strategic Reset Month
Okay, August was flat-out weird.
Did my consciousness get hijacked by some kind of MK Ultra conspiracy, or was I just ready to confront my life more directly?
I will go with the latter. However, space aliens may have been involved. Just saying.
It was a month I used in an attempt to reset the agenda.
Have I wiped the slate clean?
No, but I am ready to think about the next year very differently than last year
(September 2025 to August 2026).
That said, this month, I will provide updates based on the Back On Campus Lifestyle strategy components.
Health and Fitness — the “Bicycling Class”
It was a mixed bag.
On the positive side of the equation:
Exceeded 15,000 steps per day average
15,782 average for the month of August.
Since setting this One Hit Wonder goal, I have maintained it.
I am at about 15,800+ steps per day average.
That gives me roughly five full days of steps in the bank, which is where I have been since June.
I could miss five full days, getting zero steps, and still hit my end-of-year goal.
It sounds like a thin margin, doesn’t it? But it’s enough for now.
Massively reduced alcohol consumption
I had four alcoholic drinks the first day of the month, and then zero afterward. I am still on the teetotal express.
The night I did have the four drinks was very appropriate. It was the karaoke party during the Tarot Symposium.
That’s the type of event I want to save “partying” for, not open mics, sitting around at home by myself having a few beers and listening to music, etc.
I’ve been in “zero solo drinking” mode since the beginning of the year and haven’t really broken that rule.
The only time I have is when I was out partying it up with people, and then got home and found I wanted to keep the music going.
Calories Stayed Below Target Level
They went up from July by about 85 total calories.per day
And that was with having a dessert or sweet treat 19 of 31 days.
Target Weight Range Maintained
Barely.
I ended the month right at the top of the acceptable range.
Self-Care
Critical doctor’s appointment completed successfully. Clean bill of health.
Taking time to reassess life trajectory. Check.
Depressive funk came and went. Phew.
On the not-so-positive front:
Too many days of sweets and desserts.
Thus, protein grams per day average went down by 20 grams per day.
That’s right under the target for protein grams.
Close, but off by 3 grams.
Also, body fat was up and muscle mass was down from July by .7% for both.
To correct, I have shifted to a once-per-week dessert day/cheat day.
Grade — A-
Wealth: Time & Location Freedom to Live Your Truth
Being a hermit for much of the month helped bring my expenses down.
But my net worth and portfolio performance were flat. So, a mixed bag as well.
Spend/Withdrawal Rate
Trending towards 4.08% for 2026.
However, for the school year 2025-2026, I came in at 3.94%.
That is great.
Two homes, and a lot of fun.
Encouraged to see if I can bring 2026 in at 4% or less, too.
What would be great is to land at 4%.
And then bank the 1% and spend it on big dream goals, immediately.
Don’t overthink it, just buy the tickets.
Cash Flow
Wow, I caught a massive error in my calculations. Glad I do these report-outs!
I am only at 42% of my 2026 goal to increase cash flow by 20%.
As I have said, I don’t expect to know the actual result until after December.
Cash flow is “back-loaded” for my portfolio.
This is why I set my in-year budget based on my end-of-year cash flow and liquid net worth the year before.
End of 2025 is what my 2026 spending is based on.
Again, I sold positions last year before the “great tariff fiasco,” or whatever they were calling it.
This year, I am letting things ride, so I doubt cash flow will increase. Likely, it will go down.
Overall, I am doing well against planned spending based on cash flow from last year.
Net Worth
liquid net worth went down again by 1.2% in August.
Total net worth also decreased slightly.
Combined, I am basically flat at about $50,000 down for the year.
I had higher-than-expected “outside the budget” expenses, which brings this down some.
But inflation is not letting up either, so this is somewhat of a concerning trend.
Grade — B
Simplicity: A “Dorm Simple” Lifestyle
I am failing at this, big time.
My home is a drag. But it is also a stable sanctuary.
Overall, this is at the heart of my depressive funk in August.
I have likely overstayed my expiration date in my Hobbit Hole Hermit house.
And I am depressed because I didn’t use my time wisely this summer.
Oh well.
And I still don’t have a clear idea of what to do.
Need to fix this, ASAP.
Grade — D-
The Troubadour: the “Annual Musical Production” Course
Uh, yeah. Not great here, either.
Only attended two open mics
that was by intention so I could figure out WTF I am doing with my life.
Rehearsed about 65% of the desired amount I would want.
No new songs written.
Guitar practice nearly non-existent.
However, I did go back through all my top 100 songs so far and pulled forward some that were “on the fence.”
Based on reactions I have been getting at open mics to my other songs, I felt like they might work.
They did. All five tested were enthusiastically appreciated.
That was great. Saves me from a grade of F for this course this month, LOL.
Grade — D+
Learning: Dr. Bob’s Self-Actualization Class
A bit better in this course.
Northwest Tarot Symposium was two days in August. That was great.
Integrated what I learned … sort of, but also got spun up on it too much.
Continued to read and finished three books. That’s way better than zero, where I have been.
Explored “Foolish” learning experience opportunities I might sign up for and got some clarity on that.
Applied to a dream certification course.
Was notified that the cohort is full, but I am a fit.
That is good, but I am still in limbo. When does the next cohort start?
I am left without a new opportunity in the works besides this.
Grade — B
Trips With the Gang: the “Weekend Exchange Student Trips”; or “Fun in the Sun with Friends and Family”
Let’s just call this one stagnant water. Needs more flow, less pooling.
Started reaching out to people about opportunities for the coming year, but slow going.
A couple of nice connections with friends and family members, but overall I was a hermit in August.
Grade — Incomplete
Becoming A Professor On A Highway to Yeah
Do I even want to be a professor? I am not sure.
Do I want any kind of “vocational” push? I am not sure.
So, I am backing off, or at least reimagining what I am doing in this regard.
That said, some positives here, for sure:
Posted a blog article to the Highway to Yeah tab on our website every single day.
Gained massive clarity coming out of my deep dive and depressive funk.
100% success in month two of escaping the algorithm.
I am listening to some podcasts again that I think are worthwhile, but much more intentionally.
Grade — A
Tough month.
Perhaps necessary.
That is the past, though, so here’s to a better start to the new school year!
Pssssh!! (JK, no beer or non-alcoholic beers today, but I am looking forward to Oktoberfest!)
Next month, I will pivot to a new perspective from which I want to do these updates.
In the meantime, I hope you keep your own FIRE journey burning.