A professor started pursuing financial independence at 38. A 7-step ladder helped him go from debt to 'lean FI.'

Miguel Marquez teaches French, Spanish, and personal finance at a university in Shenzhen, China. Courtesy of Miguel Marquez Miguel Marquez began pursuing financial independence in his late 30s. He uses a seven-step ladder, ranging from debt freedom to Fat FI, to make the goal feel achievable. The…