The Fillennial
@thefillennial.com
Stories about my real-life money experiences and what I've learned from them. Are you building wealth thoughtfully and want to understand yourself better in the process? This is for you.
Find me exclusively on Bluesky and https://thefillennial.com/
Find me exclusively on Bluesky and https://thefillennial.com/
Pinned
The Fillennial
@thefillennial.com
· Sep 2
Home - The Fillennial
Every two weeks I share the real-life experiences that shaped my financial thinking and behavior, in the hope they offer you a new perspective on yours.
thefillennial.com
Today marks the beginning of The Fillennial, my personal finance blog. Every two weeks I share personal stories to spark your financial thoughts. Already there for you: meeting a billionaire, investing in a bear market, and graduating debt-free.
Exclusively here on Bluesky and thefillennial.com
Exclusively here on Bluesky and thefillennial.com
Have you ever wanted to be in a position where a speeding ticket is a mild irritation instead of an impactful event that ripples through your entire budget? I once observed one up close, in the back of a Porsche, and it taught me a great lesson on financial freedom.
5. From Speeding on the Highway in a Porsche, to Unexpected Lessons in Financial Freedom
A Porsche ride taught me that true financial freedom isn’t luxury, it’s the calm to shrug off small setbacks without losing peace of mind.
thefillennial.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Have you ever wanted to be in a position where a speeding ticket is a mild irritation instead of an impactful event that ripples through your entire budget? I once observed one up close, in the back of a Porsche, and it taught me a great lesson on financial freedom.
Ever had one of those moments where you didn't make an expense, and had massive regret afterwards? I once prioritized building wealth over fun with my own friends, and it cost me. New story out now:
11. I Skipped a €150 Festival While Having Thousands in Savings, and Felt Like a Complete Idiot
One book killed my obsession with status symbols and changed how I see wealth, but I had to learn the hard way that building wealth without living is just a different kind of broke.
thefillennial.com
November 12, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Ever had one of those moments where you didn't make an expense, and had massive regret afterwards? I once prioritized building wealth over fun with my own friends, and it cost me. New story out now:
Gotta love Google Analytics, and how cool is this? Barely two and a half months in, and the audience of the blog is already worldwide!
November 10, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Gotta love Google Analytics, and how cool is this? Barely two and a half months in, and the audience of the blog is already worldwide!
Ever had a speeding ticket that disrupted your monthly budget? I once sat in the back of a Porsche, speeding on the highway, without the owner remotely caring about one.
I condone breaking traffic laws, but I certainly got a masterclass in financial freedom that day:
I condone breaking traffic laws, but I certainly got a masterclass in financial freedom that day:
5. From Speeding on the Highway in a Porsche, to Unexpected Lessons in Financial Freedom
A Porsche ride taught me that true financial freedom isn’t luxury, it’s the calm to shrug off small setbacks without losing peace of mind.
thefillennial.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Ever had a speeding ticket that disrupted your monthly budget? I once sat in the back of a Porsche, speeding on the highway, without the owner remotely caring about one.
I condone breaking traffic laws, but I certainly got a masterclass in financial freedom that day:
I condone breaking traffic laws, but I certainly got a masterclass in financial freedom that day:
Ever had a tequila shot with a scorpion in it at breakfast? Probably not, but it accidentally happened to me simply because I prioritize experiences over stuff.
This post from last week explores how my preference for experiences over material possessions gradually emerged:
This post from last week explores how my preference for experiences over material possessions gradually emerged:
10. The Toys That Broke and The Dinners That Lasted: Why Experiences Beat Possessions
From Action Man crashes to 250,000km Toyotas, here's why I've learned to prioritize experiences over things, and functional durability over status.
thefillennial.com
November 5, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Ever had a tequila shot with a scorpion in it at breakfast? Probably not, but it accidentally happened to me simply because I prioritize experiences over stuff.
This post from last week explores how my preference for experiences over material possessions gradually emerged:
This post from last week explores how my preference for experiences over material possessions gradually emerged:
What inspired creating my blog? A simple conversation with a friend, actually.
When the blog finally reached a stable state, I immediately wrote down how it started. Nice to reread for myself of course, but there are also some great product-building lessons in it for you:
When the blog finally reached a stable state, I immediately wrote down how it started. Nice to reread for myself of course, but there are also some great product-building lessons in it for you:
Special Post: The Why, How and What of The Fillennial
How a chat with a friend turned into The Fillennial, and what building it taught me (and maybe you).
thefillennial.com
November 3, 2025 at 7:28 AM
What inspired creating my blog? A simple conversation with a friend, actually.
When the blog finally reached a stable state, I immediately wrote down how it started. Nice to reread for myself of course, but there are also some great product-building lessons in it for you:
When the blog finally reached a stable state, I immediately wrote down how it started. Nice to reread for myself of course, but there are also some great product-building lessons in it for you:
My social background heavily shapes what I write about money, so you deserve a clear picture to help you understand where it comes from.
This post on privilege (a topic most finance content ignores) does exactly that, and has become one of my top 3 most read stories:
This post on privilege (a topic most finance content ignores) does exactly that, and has become one of my top 3 most read stories:
2. The Career Advantages I Didn't Earn (and Why They Still Help Me Every Day)
Acknowledging privilege isn’t about guilt or bragging, it’s about context. I tick all the boxes, but it’s attitude and work ethic that decide the finish line.
thefillennial.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:00 PM
My social background heavily shapes what I write about money, so you deserve a clear picture to help you understand where it comes from.
This post on privilege (a topic most finance content ignores) does exactly that, and has become one of my top 3 most read stories:
This post on privilege (a topic most finance content ignores) does exactly that, and has become one of my top 3 most read stories:
Did your toys always end up in the corner of the room as well, to never be played with again? I realized it was the start of a gradual transition towards prioritizing spending on stuff that really matters: Experiences, and the stories they give me. New story out now:
10. The Toys That Broke and The Dinners That Lasted: Why Experiences Beat Possessions
From Action Man crashes to 250,000km Toyotas, here's why I've learned to prioritize experiences over things, and functional durability over status.
thefillennial.com
October 29, 2025 at 6:07 AM
Did your toys always end up in the corner of the room as well, to never be played with again? I realized it was the start of a gradual transition towards prioritizing spending on stuff that really matters: Experiences, and the stories they give me. New story out now:
The Fillennial is live for less than two months, and the numbers have blown me away:
300+ visitors from all over the world (US, Europe, China, New Zealand, and more)
75-80% engagement rate on the stories, meaning you're actually taking time to read them
From the bottom of my heart, thank you!
300+ visitors from all over the world (US, Europe, China, New Zealand, and more)
75-80% engagement rate on the stories, meaning you're actually taking time to read them
From the bottom of my heart, thank you!
October 27, 2025 at 3:34 PM
The Fillennial is live for less than two months, and the numbers have blown me away:
300+ visitors from all over the world (US, Europe, China, New Zealand, and more)
75-80% engagement rate on the stories, meaning you're actually taking time to read them
From the bottom of my heart, thank you!
300+ visitors from all over the world (US, Europe, China, New Zealand, and more)
75-80% engagement rate on the stories, meaning you're actually taking time to read them
From the bottom of my heart, thank you!
Ever checked your portfolio obsessively when you started investing? Even when markets were closed? Then this one's for you. Turned out my first year wasn't about making money. It was about staying consistent despite the emotions that came with volatility.
4. Your First Year of Investing isn't About Returns, it's About Paying Learning Money
My first year of investing was full of red numbers, emotional dips, and late-night portfolio checks. But it also taught me the lessons that still guide me today: patience, preparation, and the value of “learning money”.
thefillennial.com
October 24, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Ever checked your portfolio obsessively when you started investing? Even when markets were closed? Then this one's for you. Turned out my first year wasn't about making money. It was about staying consistent despite the emotions that came with volatility.
My very first sports bet was a reckless multi-game combo, and it hit. My stake multiplied sevenfold. It should've felt like a genius move. Instead, it felt like throwing a dart blindfolded, hitting bullseye, and hearing someone say: "Great! Now do it again."
9. How Financial Stress Deleted My Common Sense (and Made Gambling Look Like a Solution)
Money stress hijacks your brain. Here’s how money worries pushed me into some very dumb decisions, and the lessons I’ll never forget.
thefillennial.com
October 22, 2025 at 12:43 PM
My very first sports bet was a reckless multi-game combo, and it hit. My stake multiplied sevenfold. It should've felt like a genius move. Instead, it felt like throwing a dart blindfolded, hitting bullseye, and hearing someone say: "Great! Now do it again."
Have you ever achieved a financial milestone and felt severely underwhelmed after? Then this one might actually be for you.
I woke up in a hotel and found out my net worth had crossed €100K. I'd expected champagne and euphoria, got something completely different...
I woke up in a hotel and found out my net worth had crossed €100K. I'd expected champagne and euphoria, got something completely different...
7. I Hit My First €100,000 and Felt... Almost Nothing? - The Fillennial
Hitting €100k didn’t bring champagne. It brought calm, perspective, and the quiet freedom to choose without fear of money holding me back.
thefillennial.com
October 20, 2025 at 11:08 AM
Have you ever achieved a financial milestone and felt severely underwhelmed after? Then this one might actually be for you.
I woke up in a hotel and found out my net worth had crossed €100K. I'd expected champagne and euphoria, got something completely different...
I woke up in a hotel and found out my net worth had crossed €100K. I'd expected champagne and euphoria, got something completely different...
The Dutch word 'vermogen' means both 'wealth' and 'ability.'
That's not trivia. That's the point.
Wealth isn't what you own. It's what you can do. The ability to say yes. The ability to say no. The ability to walk away. And the ability not to worry about it afterwards, regardless of the outcome.
That's not trivia. That's the point.
Wealth isn't what you own. It's what you can do. The ability to say yes. The ability to say no. The ability to walk away. And the ability not to worry about it afterwards, regardless of the outcome.
October 18, 2025 at 7:26 AM
The Dutch word 'vermogen' means both 'wealth' and 'ability.'
That's not trivia. That's the point.
Wealth isn't what you own. It's what you can do. The ability to say yes. The ability to say no. The ability to walk away. And the ability not to worry about it afterwards, regardless of the outcome.
That's not trivia. That's the point.
Wealth isn't what you own. It's what you can do. The ability to say yes. The ability to say no. The ability to walk away. And the ability not to worry about it afterwards, regardless of the outcome.
Years ago I obsessively checked betting odds during dinners with friends. My savings had hit zero, I was experiencing extreme financial stress and I'd convinced myself gambling would fix it.
My first sports bet hit 7x, but the stress wasn't gone. New story out now: thefillennial.com/09-gambling/
My first sports bet hit 7x, but the stress wasn't gone. New story out now: thefillennial.com/09-gambling/
9. How Financial Stress Deleted My Common Sense (And Made Gambling Look Like a Solution) – The Fillennial
thefillennial.com
October 16, 2025 at 7:39 AM
Years ago I obsessively checked betting odds during dinners with friends. My savings had hit zero, I was experiencing extreme financial stress and I'd convinced myself gambling would fix it.
My first sports bet hit 7x, but the stress wasn't gone. New story out now: thefillennial.com/09-gambling/
My first sports bet hit 7x, but the stress wasn't gone. New story out now: thefillennial.com/09-gambling/
When studying, a €150 speeding ticket would've wrecked my month.
My ex's uncle in his Porsche going 160 km/h? He casually said "A fine doesn't matter."
That's when I realized: financial freedom isn't the car. It's less worries.
When did you realize money buys peace of mind, not just stuff?
My ex's uncle in his Porsche going 160 km/h? He casually said "A fine doesn't matter."
That's when I realized: financial freedom isn't the car. It's less worries.
When did you realize money buys peace of mind, not just stuff?
October 13, 2025 at 9:00 AM
When studying, a €150 speeding ticket would've wrecked my month.
My ex's uncle in his Porsche going 160 km/h? He casually said "A fine doesn't matter."
That's when I realized: financial freedom isn't the car. It's less worries.
When did you realize money buys peace of mind, not just stuff?
My ex's uncle in his Porsche going 160 km/h? He casually said "A fine doesn't matter."
That's when I realized: financial freedom isn't the car. It's less worries.
When did you realize money buys peace of mind, not just stuff?
Because I had been writing a blogpost about it not too long ago, I recently started a new campaign in my favorite video game of all time: Fable II. And yes, the timeless investing lessons I got from it still hold up!
3. How an Xbox Game Taught Me The Principles of Investing, Passive Income, and Financial Freedom - The Fillennial
Fable II taught me investing lessons long before real life did: buy assets, let money work for you, and build the freedom to play on your terms.
thefillennial.com
October 10, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Because I had been writing a blogpost about it not too long ago, I recently started a new campaign in my favorite video game of all time: Fable II. And yes, the timeless investing lessons I got from it still hold up!
I'm genuinely amazed to see that people find their way to all my previous blogposts as well. The first post on my blog is still the most-read today, with an engagement score of over 90 percent (!). I cannot be grateful enough for these saving lessons taught by my parents.
1. Adopting My Parents’ Saving Mindset Got Me Debt-Free Through University - The Fillennial
Growing up with saving as the default helped me graduate debt-free. The real inheritance? A mindset of freedom, preparation, and calm.
thefillennial.com
October 8, 2025 at 6:04 AM
I'm genuinely amazed to see that people find their way to all my previous blogposts as well. The first post on my blog is still the most-read today, with an engagement score of over 90 percent (!). I cannot be grateful enough for these saving lessons taught by my parents.
If you agree preparation pays off in your career, personal finances and other aspects of life, I think last week's article might really resonate with you!
Readership on the blog has been steadily increasing since starting it last month, I'm grateful for your enthusiasm!
Readership on the blog has been steadily increasing since starting it last month, I'm grateful for your enthusiasm!
8. Preparation Pays: How Being Ready can Shape Your Life and Income - The Fillennial
From Mario Kart rivalries to job interviews, efforts to be prepared have turned “lucky breaks” in my life into long-term confidence and career growth.
thefillennial.com
October 6, 2025 at 12:41 PM
If you agree preparation pays off in your career, personal finances and other aspects of life, I think last week's article might really resonate with you!
Readership on the blog has been steadily increasing since starting it last month, I'm grateful for your enthusiasm!
Readership on the blog has been steadily increasing since starting it last month, I'm grateful for your enthusiasm!
No blogpost promoting this weekend, since a new one has just dropped last Tuesday. This time a question, and hopefully some discussion:
How did you feel the first time your investments went red, and what helped you stick with it?
Find my answer below!
How did you feel the first time your investments went red, and what helped you stick with it?
Find my answer below!
October 4, 2025 at 3:39 PM
No blogpost promoting this weekend, since a new one has just dropped last Tuesday. This time a question, and hopefully some discussion:
How did you feel the first time your investments went red, and what helped you stick with it?
Find my answer below!
How did you feel the first time your investments went red, and what helped you stick with it?
Find my answer below!
“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity” - Seneca
A new post has dropped about how trying to be prepared has impacted my income and career growth.
Crafted with care, I hope you can take something valuable from it! #personalfinance
A new post has dropped about how trying to be prepared has impacted my income and career growth.
Crafted with care, I hope you can take something valuable from it! #personalfinance
8. Preparation Pays: How Being Ready can Shape Your Life and Income - The Fillennial
From Mario Kart rivalries to job interviews, efforts to be prepared have turned “lucky breaks” in my life into long-term confidence and career growth.
thefillennial.com
October 1, 2025 at 3:41 PM
“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity” - Seneca
A new post has dropped about how trying to be prepared has impacted my income and career growth.
Crafted with care, I hope you can take something valuable from it! #personalfinance
A new post has dropped about how trying to be prepared has impacted my income and career growth.
Crafted with care, I hope you can take something valuable from it! #personalfinance
My social media strategy to spark new financial thoughts, conversations, perspectives and behavior?
Exclusive presence on Bluesky, core focus on engaging with people I can actually learn something from, and limit pushing my own content to three meaningful posts a week.
Exclusive presence on Bluesky, core focus on engaging with people I can actually learn something from, and limit pushing my own content to three meaningful posts a week.
Home - The Fillennial
Every two weeks I share the real life experiences that have shaped my financial thinking and behavior, to offer you a new perspective on yours.
thefillennial.com
September 29, 2025 at 4:37 PM
My social media strategy to spark new financial thoughts, conversations, perspectives and behavior?
Exclusive presence on Bluesky, core focus on engaging with people I can actually learn something from, and limit pushing my own content to three meaningful posts a week.
Exclusive presence on Bluesky, core focus on engaging with people I can actually learn something from, and limit pushing my own content to three meaningful posts a week.
Some of the ultra wealthy seem to be in the news quite a lot lately. I once had dinner with one of them, and he was totally not how I expected: extraordinarily ordinary.
6. A Billionaire Paid For My Curry and Taught Me a Lesson in Success, Money and Humility - The Fillennial
Dinner with a billionaire taught me that wealth doesn’t change who you are. True success is carrying money lightly, with humility and clarity.
thefillennial.com
September 27, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Some of the ultra wealthy seem to be in the news quite a lot lately. I once had dinner with one of them, and he was totally not how I expected: extraordinarily ordinary.
Not every post needs to be about money, and this one is very dear to me. It was created immediately after my blog went live, to explain why I'm doing what I'm doing. Thanks for being here!
Special Post: The Why, How and What of The Fillennial - The Fillennial
How a chat with a friend turned into The Fillennial, and what building it taught me (and maybe you).
thefillennial.com
September 24, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Not every post needs to be about money, and this one is very dear to me. It was created immediately after my blog went live, to explain why I'm doing what I'm doing. Thanks for being here!
Don't forget to read the new article that went live last week!
Making my first €100k didn't make me euphoric like I thought it would. Instead, it was a very small, light feeling of satisfaction and calm that went away just as quickly as it came.
Full story here:
Making my first €100k didn't make me euphoric like I thought it would. Instead, it was a very small, light feeling of satisfaction and calm that went away just as quickly as it came.
Full story here:
7. The Morning I Hit My First €100k - The Fillennial
Hitting €100k didn’t bring champagne. It brought calm, perspective, and the quiet freedom to choose without fear of money holding me back.
thefillennial.com
September 22, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Don't forget to read the new article that went live last week!
Making my first €100k didn't make me euphoric like I thought it would. Instead, it was a very small, light feeling of satisfaction and calm that went away just as quickly as it came.
Full story here:
Making my first €100k didn't make me euphoric like I thought it would. Instead, it was a very small, light feeling of satisfaction and calm that went away just as quickly as it came.
Full story here:
No link to a post today, since a new a new one dropped earlier this week. Just a question, and maybe a good conversation:
What's been a money mistake you regret, and what did you learn from it?
Find mine below:
1/2
What's been a money mistake you regret, and what did you learn from it?
Find mine below:
1/2
September 20, 2025 at 11:16 AM
No link to a post today, since a new a new one dropped earlier this week. Just a question, and maybe a good conversation:
What's been a money mistake you regret, and what did you learn from it?
Find mine below:
1/2
What's been a money mistake you regret, and what did you learn from it?
Find mine below:
1/2