About Me
From trading 60 hours a week for a paycheck to building systems that work for me.
The Short Version
I'm a software engineer who spent years believing the formula was simple: work hard, get promoted, earn more. Then I calculated how long that would take to actually retire and realized I was on the wrong track.
The FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement showed me a different math. I started tracking every dollar, building side projects, and automating everything I could. Within 3 years, I went from "I'll work forever" to "I could stop whenever I want."
Now I build tools, write about what I've learned, and document the nomad lifestyle. The goal isn't just retirement—it's having the freedom to do work that matters to me, on my own terms.
Quick Stats
The Journey
The Wake-Up Call
Working 60+ hour weeks as a software engineer. Realized trading time for money was a broken model.
First Side Project
Built an automation script that saved my employer 20 hours/week. Started thinking about independence.
FIRE Discovery
Discovered the FIRE movement. Calculated my number: $1.25M. Started tracking every expense.
First $100K
Aggressive saving + side income. Hit $100K net worth. The compound effect started clicking.
Remote Work Transition
Left corporate for remote consulting. Gained location independence. First international workation.
Building in Public
Launched jermz.io. Documenting the journey. Helping others accelerate their own FIRE paths.
Currently
Building tools that automate the mundane, writing about financial independence and location independence, and exploring what's possible when your cost of living is a fraction of your earning potential.