F*ck You Money: Building a Life By My Own Rules

“I would love to see you tell your boss that,” Bob chuckled, “but you have no ‘f*ck you money.’” That offhand comment, at the turn of the millennium during my stint as a budget analyst, planted a seed. Back then, financial freedom seemed like a distant dream. Working alongside Bob, the county’s chief economist, I began to understand how budgets greased the machinery of local government. Witnessing firsthand the power of allocated funds sparked a curiosity — could I use that knowledge to build my own financial security?

My biggest expense, like most people’s, was rent. It felt like a constant drain, a ball and chain tethering me to a paycheck. That’s when the idea struck: house hacking. With my newfound budgeting skills, I meticulously analyzed my expenses and formulated a plan. It wasn’t glamorous; it meant buying a fixer-upper. In fact, it meant buying a three-unit building that needed a complete gut renovation. I knew nothing about real estate or construction, which made for a wild ride. We ripped everything down to the studs, practically rebuilding from scratch, even adding an extra unit. It was a baptism by fire, a story for another time perhaps, but ultimately, a stepping stone.

Moving into the building was a turning point. The rent from the other units covered our expenses. We had achieved our initial goal: escaping the cycle of rent or mortgage payments. However, our family was growing, and a two-bedroom apartment wouldn’t suffice in the long run. So, within a few years, we were back on the hunt for a larger space.

While our first project was a nightmare that included thieving contractors, corrupt bankers, and crooked architects, the project turned out to be an incredible investment. With a few years of equity under our belt, we were able to expand our business model from house hacking to include the BRRRR method. Our first project was now yielding market rents and the Brooklyn real estate market in the early ’00s was hot. It was time for the ‘refinance and repeat’ parts of BRRRR.

Our second project was a dilapidated beast — a six-unit tenement from the 1860s that hadn’t seen proper care since the Great Depression. Three units sat vacant, a testament to its neglect. We dug in, living in one unit while renovating the others. Four years later, we expanded further, adding a floor and tackling two more units. The final two rent-regulated apartments, however, remained out of reach for another decade. But tenacity has its rewards. After nearly 20 years, the entire building was finally brought up to its full potential.

The third project was born from a different kind of opportunity. The opportune strategy in 2020 was arbitrage. The COVID crisis gripped the market, fear sending interest rates plummeting and buyers fleeing. The math was simple: a building generating significant free cash flow, financed at rock-bottom rates, offered an arbitrage too good to ignore. We seized the moment, adding another property to our portfolio.

This journey wasn’t a straight shot. Throughout the decades, I juggled kids, multiple full-time jobs in market research, product management, and even took a few swings at tech startups (some more successful than others). But my core approach remained constant — calculated risk and a focus on long-term financial security.

Now, after nearly a quarter-century of building equity, it’s time to break free. It’s about more than just escaping the nine-to-five grind; it’s about leaving a legacy. This next chapter isn’t just for me; it’s for those who share the love of building, creating homes, and fostering a thriving community.

Back when I first heard the term “f*ck you money,” it felt like a distant dream. But here’s the thing: it’s not about flipping the bird to your boss (although, depending on the boss, that might be tempting). It’s about having the freedom to pursue your passions, to build a life on your own terms. For years, we told our tenants, “We’re not in the rental business, we’re in the home business.” Now, for this new adventure, we open our equity war chest to find the next chance at to create beautiful homes where families can flourish and communities can thrive. This is our “F*ck You Money” journey, and we invite you to come along for the ride.

• The Property Alchemist