Have you ever tried negotiating for more flexibility at the workplace?

That's exactly what Ms Mod did: she presented a proposal for better policies, and was able to negotiate with her employer to work from home for the same pay and benefits. She's also halfway on her path to FI and is mortgage free!

You'll love her story.

We also chat about...

Ms Mod's path to FI
How she got started with her career
Negotiating flexibility
How to present a policy proposal
The Canadian path to FI
Taking out money to pay off a mortgage

Enjoy this chat with Ms Mod, and please subscribe to us in iTunes if you enjoyed it!

Show notes and links from today's episode

Blog: Modest Millionaires
Ms Mod on Instagram and Twitter
Cody at Fly to FI
Gold City Ventures
Article: 2018 Spending & Investments Review
Book: Work Optional: Retire Early the Non-Penny-Pinching Way
Blog: Our Next Life
Mr Money Mustache Forum
ChooseFI Episode: 088 | Career Hacking the Tech Industry | Millennial Boss
Episode: How Negotiating Boosted My Income to a 6 Figure Salary | Financial Mechanic
Blog: A Purple Life
Episode: How I’m Retiring Next Year on a $500,000 Nest Egg | A Purple Life

Key takeaways from our chat with Ms Mod
1 - How Ms Mod is getting to FI
Ms Mod is half way on her path to FI, with 5 and a half years left! Her and her husband currently invest in real estate and use investment vehicles to build their wealth. They started building their wealth in 2012, and as they say it takes longer to get to the first half than the second half. Last year they saved $45,000, and they use the 'Pay Yourself First' strategy to keep their savings on track. Ms Mod doubled her salary in 4 years thanks to a career change.
2 -How to create a proposal for a policy change
Ms Mod had her second baby, and decided she wanted more flexibility in the workplace to be with her children. So after hearing ChooseFIs episode with J on presenting a policy proposal, she did the same to change her work environment. On a 3 page proposal she added everyone's reasons for wanting to work from home, the benefits, statistics, surveys, Q&As and potential solutions for problems that may arise. She then gave them several options for them to work with, and they did a trial period of 6 months. She now works full time from home.
3 - The Canadian path to FI and paying off the mortgage
Ms Mod explains that as a Canadian you have two main tax vehicles to invest with: TFSAs and RSPs. She says that your best bet is looking at your taxes and understanding them, so you know which one to prioritise. This allowed Ms Mod to take out the appropriate amount of money to pay off their mortgage. They decided they would be happier without having to pay off their mortgage every month, and so paid it off all in one go. She says the feeling to be mortgage free is priceless. ?
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