Channeling Houdini as the HouFIni Escape Artist
HouFIni the FI escape artist is channeling Harry Houdini the great escapologist, illusionist, and stunt performer. Hereafter, HouFIni refers the the ability to perform amazing Financial Independence (FI) escapes from the Retirement Police that are Not an Illusion (ni). The combination of which creates HouFIni.
In 1874, Houdini, named Erik Weisz, was born in Budapest, Hungary before his family immigrated to the United States. Harry “Handcuff” Houdini’s career began in vaudeville and he toured in Europe, challenging police forces to keep him locked up. Sound familiar? Over the years, Houdini performed many escapes, from handcuffs to straightjackets under water, buried alive, ropes slung from skyscrapers, etc.
HouFIni plotting an FI escape from the Retirement Police
Houdini and The Society of American Magicians
Houdini also served as president of the Society of American Magicians. Many suspected that Houdini’s escapes were fake. However, it was Houdini who sought to uphold professional standards and expose those using fraudulent methods. Further, Houdini was quick to initiate lawsuits against anyone who imitated his escape stunts. For the record, we at fi59andahalf.com Blog – fi59andahalf.com or @retirementpolicemostwanted do not intend to sue fellow FIers seeking to replicate our escapes.
Quite the contrary, as HouFIni, we are seeking the legitimate methodology to be successfully unhandcuffing our way to FI. Ultimately, our goal is to make paid work optional. Of course, by working, the Retirement Police will be in hot pursuit. We are most likely causing the Retirement Police to be charging us with attempting to fake our own retirements.
Can you actually fake your own retirement? More on this at a later date.
HouFIni FI and Not an Illusion
We believe we have 91 Months remaining in our 100 Month journey before we make our Great HouFIni Escape. How do we know that Financial Independence (FI) is not an illusion?
The set up is one of the keys to a well executed magic trick escape. As a matter of fact, it is not really magic at all. Unless, of course, you agree with Albert Einstein. Einstein is said to have proclaimed, ” Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it. He who doesn’t, pays it.” To be clear, there does not appear to be any evidence that Einstein made the statement. But we digress.
FI is not an illusion because following certain fundamental rules has yielded success for millions of people over their lifetimes. The magical secret is, in part, to live on less than you earn and save and invest the rest. Typically, keys to success include consistency and commitment to allowing your money to grow for the long haul. Even my financially clueless father, perhaps unintentionally, successfully passed on many of my most important psychology of money lessons.
In our case, our current plan involves creating a two-part FI Number allowing us to make paid work optional. My spouse and I have both been cognizant of money from a very early age. However, even we’ve had our struggles. In fact, there was a point we needed a little Money Knock Out.
Houdini Perfects Repeated Escapes As a Pathway to Unlocking HouFIni
“Handcuff” Houdini was a master at creating various thrilling escapes. Ultimately, each escape required Houdini to use a strategically placed key to unlock his freedom. Similarly, as a HouFIni, the beauty is that there is no one way to unhandcuff yourself. Each escape is seemingly unique and difficult. But with a plan and practice, your inner HouFIni can be successfully achieved.
You may be asking yourself, if you are such a smarty-pants HouFIni, why have you not achieved FI and escaped yet?
Excellent question. First, as parents, we have been on a slower and steadier pathway to financial freedom. We can verify that Family FI is possible. Second, technically we have already achieved Coast FI. Unbelievably, as HouFIni’s, assuming the stock market performs at historical levels, we will achieve FI in the future. Coast FI assumes we will achieve FI even if we never invest another dime in the stock market. Think about how crazy the concept of Coast FI is for a second. Coast FI points back to Einstein’s supposed comment about the power of compound interest? Third, as noted above, time is on our side, through compound interest.
But HouFIni, the Stock Market Has Bad Years?
The stock market in the United States does have bad years. How is the HouFIni escape possible? Take for example, the historical performance of the S & P 500. Looking at the historical S & P 500 performance going back to 1926, there are some very bad years. It’s true that investing during certain periods, such as the Great Depression, returns were beyond atrocious. If you had investment in the stock market and retired during the Great Depression, mathematically, it would have been unlikely you could have outlived your money. However, as of this writing in 2025, the majority of the year, the S & P 500 performed positively.
Yes, there is risk in investing in the stock market. You need to assess that risk for yourself and your family. For our HouFIni Family FI, utilizing dollar cost averaging over the years, has been a key to plotting our escape.
But HouFIni, I Am Shackled By My Debt
If you have debt, you must use the keys to unhandcuff yourself from your debt shackles. You may even need a FIght Club. knock out punch? In most cases, you must take control and FIght your way out of debt. You must face the fact that your own decisions are what is chaining you to a life of shackles and feeling imprisoner. In fact, you may not even be in debt but still feel trapped. You may be doing quite well but feel the imprisonment of your “golden handcuffs.”
HouFIni, it time for a FIght Club intervention?
Here’s a check list that you may be a candidate for a FIght Club intervention. Is your first reaction to paying off debt to say, “But HouFIni, I do not have any extra money.”
Is you automatic reaction to protest, “HouFIni, there is no way I can save any money.”
Does the original Fight Club philosophical money expert Tyler Durden assertion, “The things you own end up owning you,” resonate with you?
Are you feeling trapped to keep up with the Jones?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, it sounds like you are in need of a FIght Club intervention. It’s time for your confidential devastating knock out. Please see the blog post below for more about your FIght Club Money Knock Out.
HouFIni, I’m not in debt but I have Zero Money is Savings
Congratulations, you are not in debt! However, as the Apollo 13 astronauts said to Mission Control, “Houston we have a problem.” The first step in any recovery program is acknowledging you have a problem. If you and/or your are at $0 in savings or better, its imperative you are utilizing your keys to accumulate wealth. Concurrently, assessing you true needs and wants is essential. Admittedly, if you are in debt it is imperative to only focus on needs.
It’s time to go Old School Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robbin Your Money or Your Life. It’s time to develop some money consciousness about your spending and savings habits. We also outline our tactics to achieve Family FI which also work for individuals and/or couples. Many people think the Financial Independence (FI) movement is only for the “Tech Bro’s.” However, HouFIni says, “Everyone can break Golden Handcuff shackles and escape the Retirement Police.” It’s as easy as pulling a rabbit out of a hat if you know the tricks.
HouFIni, the Greatest Magicians Never Reveal the Secret of Their Tricks
Harry Houdini may have been the greatest magician who ever lived, but he did not reveal his secrets. Instead, Houdini’s efforts were to protect the secrets and the legitimacy of his great escapes. Houdini’s reasoning drove the creation of Society of American Magicians.
Unlike, Houdini’s greatest escapes, HouFIni is willing to share the magical tricks allowing you to make your Financial Independence escape. Anyone who has studied magic tricks knows the secrets often rely on psychology, continual practice, misdirection, sleight of hand, and illusions. It’s important to note that HouFIni represents the ability to perform amazing Financial Independence (FI) escapes from the Retirement Police that are Not an Illusion (ni). The combination of which creates HouFIni. HouFIni and other FI magicians create illusions by manipulating other’s perception and focusing their attention away from the secret moves or techniques used to perform the trick.
HouFIni will reveal more of the greatest escape secrets in the coming weeks.
*Disclaimer: The content in this blog posts is not intended to be investment or life advice. Readers should consult with their legal, financial, and accounting specialists and spiritual and/or life coaches to provide insight on their personal and specific circumstances as each situation is unique. This website and any blog posts are written for entertainment purposes only.
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