Our Inaugural WPF Lengthy Weekend Occasion

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We’d say new friendships too, however these friendships already existed – they only received even higher in individual. The WPF Lengthy Weekend Retreat was open to our Insiders neighborhood solely, so everybody who attended the occasion knew one another prematurely of displaying up in individual.

Have you ever ever met a brand new pal the place you simply clicked? That the awkward get to know you part wasn’t a part? This occasion was precisely that. Most of us hadn’t met in individual earlier than, however all of us knew one another sufficient that we have been in a position to get proper previous the introductions and proper into the deep, necessary stuff. We’re a neighborhood of girls and nonbinary of us who got here collectively concerning 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 have been with their individuals.

Thursday night time, all of us filtered into the massive beautiful home in Phoenix, after which spent the night after dinner speaking collectively exterior within the cool night time air. Even with tiredness and jet lag, nobody wished to go to mattress early, and we stayed up late underneath the celebrities.  

Friday and Saturday each had roundtable chats for the morning – speaking about FIRE, elder care, journey hacking, and extra, cut up up in teams of 3-5. Our aim was to have a stability between a relaxed pal hang around and a bit of little bit of construction, which labored out completely. We had extra unfastened group chats within the afternoons, however we saved getting facet tracked with new discussions in the easiest approach. From the very starting, there was a deep belief and understanding, so we talked about some heavy matters, in between a whole lot 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 via the main points of the calculator. It was throughout this time that our WPF cofounder, Regina, lastly accepted that she was formally FIRE (financially impartial, 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 might have the creator of the calculator within the room with you…. You already know the numbers are plugged in proper.

Organizing an In Individual 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 wished 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 received moved to Might 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 protected occasion.

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

The occasion itself was centered round the home itself, so it felt actually good to be indoors with individuals we knew have been protected. Whereas we all know that it wasn’t a assure of zero COVID, everybody did arrive detrimental and left the occasion nonetheless detrimental. A couple of member informed us they have been extraordinarily grateful that we took COVID so critically, and that was the explanation why they felt comfy attending the occasion.

Logistics and Particulars of the Occasion

The Lengthy Weekend ticket included lodging and all meals for the weekend aside from Saturday night time dinner, so we have been in a position to give attention to spending the time with one another and having a whole lot of nice conversations.

Whereas there are many occasions that happen at lodges the place they hire 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 neighborhood, we don’t restrict ourselves to simply cash discuss. We’re complete individuals, and our house is about complete individuals.

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

Earlier than we even had time to settle again in at dwelling, we had Insiders ask us once we have been doing the subsequent Lengthy Weekend, prepared to start out 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 concerning the occasion, so we’ll finish this submit with that:

“I’ve by no means felt so instantly comfy 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 usually with these wonderful people! That doesn’t even rely the period of time I may spend working simulations on cfiresim with them!” – Heather

“The WPF Lengthy Weekend was fabulous. It was the proper mixture of deliberate actions and free time to get to know individuals. The integrity, compassion, kindness, and openness that everybody confirmed from the second all of us arrived bred a right away consolation to speak not solely about finance, however to open up about imperfect relationships and life occasions that may 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 pals, and in addition realized some issues about finance.” – Nadina

PS – Our Summer time WPF Insiders Cohort is opening on Wednesday – however in case you’re a Mission Supporter you may get early entry in the present day! We offered out final time in lower than 24 hours, so if you need in, ensure that to behave quick! As a reminder, *solely* Insiders are in a position to buy tickets to in individual occasions like Lengthy Weekend. (Girls and nonbinary of us solely, as at all times.)