Our Inaugural WPF Lengthy Weekend Occasion

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We’d say new friendships too, however these friendships already existed – they simply bought even higher in particular person. The WPF Lengthy Weekend Retreat was open to our Insiders group solely, so everybody who attended the occasion knew one another upfront of exhibiting up in particular person.

Have you ever ever met a brand new good friend the place you simply clicked? That the awkward get to know you section wasn’t a section? This occasion was precisely that. Most of us hadn’t met in particular person earlier than, however all of us knew one another sufficient that we had been capable of get proper previous the introductions and proper into the deep, essential stuff. We’re a group of girls and nonbinary people who got here collectively in regards to the cash stuff and caught collectively due to the entire life stuff.

The Lengthy Weekend

The occasion itself was over 4 days and three nights, and everybody lingered till the final second on Sunday morning as a result of nobody was prepared for it to finish. We even had a pair members point out that they anticipated to want extra Introvert time, nevertheless it wasn’t wanted, as a result of they had been with their folks.

Thursday evening, all of us filtered into the large pretty home in Phoenix, after which spent the night after dinner speaking collectively outdoors within the cool evening air. Even with tiredness and jet lag, nobody needed to go to mattress early, and we stayed up late beneath the celebrities.  

Friday and Saturday each had roundtable chats for the morning – speaking about FIRE, elder care, journey hacking, and extra, break up up in teams of 3-5. Our purpose was to have a stability between a relaxed good friend hang around and just a little little bit of construction, which labored out completely. We had extra unfastened group chats within the afternoons, however we saved getting aspect tracked with new discussions in the easiest means. From the very starting, there was a deep belief and understanding, so we talked about some heavy matters, in between a number of laughter.

One among our attendees was none aside from Lauren, the creator behind the retirement calculator cFIREsim, and we spent two hours on Saturday afternoon sitting round collectively going by means of the small print of the calculator. It was throughout this time that our WPF cofounder, Regina, lastly accepted that she was formally FIRE (financially unbiased, retired early). The numbers don’t lie, and the encouragement of 14 different girls helped her settle for that was actually the reality. Plus, when you may have the creator of the calculator within the room with you…. You recognize the numbers are plugged in proper.

Organizing an In Particular person Occasion Throughout a Pandemic

Since this occasion occurred in 2022 whereas the COVID Pandemic continues to rage on (even when too many individuals are pretending prefer it’s over), we needed to incorporate a brief notice right here about having a gaggle retreat throughout a pandemic.

The WPF Lengthy Weekend was initially deliberate for January nevertheless it bought moved to Could due to the Omicron wave. When the occasion was lastly right here, we knew we nonetheless wanted to be extremely cautious to make sure a secure occasion.

Each attendee was required to be vaccinated – and boosted – and despatched us proof of that vaccination earlier than the occasion. We inspired people to take a COVID take a look at earlier than journey, and whereas it wasn’t required, everybody opted in. Upon arrival, COVID checks had been administered within the yard of the home and solely when the take a look at got here again unfavorable may attendees go inside.

The occasion itself was centered round the home itself, so it felt actually good to be indoors with folks we knew had been secure. Whereas we all know that it wasn’t a assure of zero COVID, everybody did arrive unfavorable and left the occasion nonetheless unfavorable. Multiple member advised us they had been extraordinarily grateful that we took COVID so significantly, and that was the explanation why they felt snug attending the occasion.

Logistics and Particulars of the Occasion

The Lengthy Weekend ticket included lodging and all meals for the weekend aside from Saturday evening dinner, so we had been capable of concentrate on spending the time with one another and having a number of nice conversations.

Whereas there are many occasions that happen at accommodations the place they lease out one or two convention rooms, there’s something additional particular in all staying in a home collectively. Identical to with all components of WPF, whereas we’re a cash group, we don’t restrict ourselves to simply cash discuss. We’re entire folks, and our area is about entire folks.

Life – Group – Finance – Household – Friendship. We’re greater than a cash group. We’re a tremendous group of girls and nonbinary people coming collectively to kind superb group and actual life friendships. We’re a Life Mastermind. Having the chance to have an in particular person occasion simply allowed us to solidify that even additional.

Earlier than we even had time to settle again in at residence, we had Insiders ask us after we had been doing the subsequent Lengthy Weekend, prepared to begin planning and shopping for their tickets. If that isn’t excessive reward, I don’t know what’s.

Insiders Testimonials

After the journey, we requested the attendees to share in their very own phrases how they felt in regards to the occasion, so we’ll finish this publish with that:

“I’ve by no means felt so instantly snug with any group of individuals in my life. WPF Insiders are a particular breed who embody the kindness we have to see on the planet. Lengthy Weekend was NOT lengthy sufficient – I may spend weeks speaking about private finance, politics, and life on the whole with these superb people! That doesn’t even depend the period of time I may spend working simulations on cfiresim with them!” – Heather

“The WPF Lengthy Weekend was fabulous. It was the right mixture of deliberate actions and free time to get to know folks. The integrity, compassion, kindness, and openness that everybody confirmed from the second all of us arrived bred a direct consolation to speak not solely about finance, however to open up about imperfect relationships and life occasions that will usually be painted as problematic. The bravery proven within the humility of everybody was really superb! Thanks for a beautiful weekend the place I made buddies, and likewise discovered some issues about finance.” – Nadina

PS – Our Summer time WPF Insiders Cohort is opening on Wednesday – however if you happen to’re a Mission Supporter you may get early entry right now! We bought out final time in lower than 24 hours, so if you would like in, make certain to behave quick! As a reminder, *solely* Insiders are capable of buy tickets to in particular person occasions like Lengthy Weekend. (Ladies and nonbinary people solely, as at all times.)