A few years back I started OMentoring, an options trading group, with little plan as to what exactly I had in mind for it. Fortunately, those that signed up were kind to me during the learning curve, and before long we were really rolling along. Eventually, that group grew into Wanderer Financial. I took on a business partner, Lorin. Ali started keeping legitimate books for the business. Lorin’s wife took over social media/e-mail stuff. And another person now handles the techy back-end crap I can’t stand dealing with. Heck, even Ouest and Lowe are onboard in their own way, managing their own investment portfolios (with a little gentle steering). All in all, it’s become a real family business with hundreds of subscribers spread out all over the world. It’s been challenging at times, dealing with a business while RVing all over Mexico, or cruising in the Caribbean, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I still marvel every day at how incredible the ability to do all of this is—from anywhere in the world we choose to be.
I’ll never forget that it began with me asking Ali back in 1997—freshly married and out of college—if she was okay with me taking an $8/hr part-time job as a pit reporter at the Minneapolis Grain Exchange (basically would she pay all our bills). After work there I’d take off to my college summer job hanging up vinyl siding for $15/hr. The pit reporter job was my foot in the door attempt, and it worked. Not long after that I was asking Ali if we could sell my truck (ie, can we just have one car) and put the money in a trading account. I traded that money in Minneapolis, and after another year or two passed I was asking her if we could move to Chicago so I could try trading against the big boys in the CBOT pits. Fast forward another three years and I was asking her over beer and pizza if she wanted to sail around the world. Then drive around the world, have kids, sail again, RV, another boat, and on and on and on and on.
It’s pretty awesome that Ali and I have gotten to do all the things that we’ve done, and do them together from all over the world, on all sorts of different adventures. Our kids get to learn about the world, business, and finance on a daily basis, too.
It’s cool that I can also have a great business partner whom I’ve only hung out with in person a couple of times. What could be more online/vagabond/digital nomad-ish than that?
Anyway, I was upstairs working this morning when Lowe came up and asked me when I was going to take a break. I said I’d come down and have something to eat with him, and he told me Ali was making “something she’s never made before.” Ominous.
I came down shortly afterwards to this. The surprise Wanderer Financial three-year birthday party celebration:
Thanks to all of you who have joined us at Wanderer. It’s been great fun. I really do marvel at what an interesting, diverse, adventurous group we’ve gathered together to talk trading and travel with each day. And hey, three-year returns double the market don’t hurt. Next birthday celebrations will be the 5-year, 10-year, and maybe we can even work in a 20-year. See ya!
19 Comments on “A Wanderer’s Life”
Congratulations! This really is a great accomplishment.
As a fellow entrepreneur of a 3-year old business, and a nomad business owner (whose business partner is 3000 miles away), I can relate to the challenges and freedom that comes with running a successful company from the road (or sea). It’s incredibly exciting and takes an immense amount of determination and discipline. (It’s hard to focus on growing a business when your home is parked at a famous surf break for 6 months.)
One day, I hope to have enough saved to join in the Wanderer community and learn to trade. Keep it up!
Congrats to you, Shelly! Happy for you.
And would love to have you join us at Wanderer. We thought we had some amazing friends from all these bumfuzzle years, but man our Wanderer community is full of some creative, awesome people. Work is fun now.
I love y’all story. Thanks for sharing it all these years. I don’t follow as much as I used to, which is partly your fault. We’ve been cruising and RVing around for years now – and we really thank you for putting it out there that this is a completely do-able life. Congrats on 3 years of your newest venture!
Hi Jennifer, I remember hearing from you – way back when. Happy for you! Keep on enjoying life.
Congrats Pat, Lorin and family! I’m no longer a part of Wanderer Financial but the only reason I’m not is because you guys gave me all the tools and knowledge to allow me to now trade on my own full-time. Those skills have allowed my family to broaden our scope in terms of how we work and travel. I owe ya a beer or two.
p.s. IWM between 142- 144.70 good area to build a short position ?
Hey Dave, your success makes us really proud. While we miss your input with the group, we’re extremely happy you were able to strike out on your own with what you learned. We’ll get that beer together one of these days.
Congratulations Pat, Ali, Ouest, and Lowe!! You’ve all accomplished so much, grown in so many ways, and are seeing the world. You go guys!!
Thanks, Lorraine. Still hoping to meet you in person some day. Thanks for always being our cheerleader.
Good job ladies and gentlemen! I’ve been following quite some time, even prior to “Live On the Margin”. We’ll be in the BVI’s in mid October, so if you all are around I’ll buy the Painkillers at Soggy Dollar or Cow Wreck?
Thanks, Curt. Hope to see you there! Cheers.
Congratulations, I had a lot of fun with the Omentoring, and learned a lot. I really miss the chats, etc. I have often thought about joining the Wanderer Financial group, but with the time difference, my son, and everything I just have other priorities at the moment. Your a great instructor Pat.
Thanks, Dave. We miss having you around, but I totally understand. You’ve got your priorities in the right place! When the time is right, come on back.
PS: I like the Oregon shirt. 🙂
Well done and thank you for my favorite blog. I’ve been with you since reading your round the world sailing adventure. Looking forward to 20 more years.
Hey Oliver, thanks. Appreciate all our friends we have out there. What a ride.
Goodonyas! dontchaknow, those kids are the true beneficiaries!!!! Goodonyas!!!!
Hey, hey Scotth! You still in PR? Or is the job done now? Thanks for all your good vibes over the years.
Hi Pat
We are retiring in a couple of months when our units and business is sold
Have you any suggestions on how you could help us as interests rates are not good at present.
In the meantime take care and stay safe and don’t take this virus lightly.
Read about the couple on sv brickhouse
Cheers
I’m so very.proud of you, Patrick and Ali, Ouest and Lowe!!!
Loved this post, it’s a wonderful thing to read and know what are up to:)
Love and hugs,?
Grammy