First Hearing about FIRE/FI
I first heard about FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) about 7 or 8 years ago. Back then, I was all in — saving like a maniac, eating frozen veggies, and dreaming of quitting my worst job as soon as humanly possible. Mr. Money Mustache’s shockingly simple math blew my mind, and for a while, chasing FIRE felt like the ultimate freedom plan.
But over the past two years, something shifted. I started thinking less about when I’d retire and more about how I wanted to live right now. That’s when FI — Financial Independence — became the real focus. FI isn’t just a stepping stone to early retirement; it’s a way to reclaim your life, your time, and your peace, no matter your job status or age.
What is FIRE?
FIRE stands for Financial Independence, Retire Early. It’s the idea of aggressively saving and investing so you can retire decades before the usual retirement age. FIRE often means extreme budgeting, high savings rates (like 50-70%), and living with laser focus on that early exit strategy. And once you invest 25 time your annual spending, you can theoretically stop working and sit in your pants and watch Netflix all day.
I chased FIRE hard for years — the spreadsheets, the no-fun budgets, the “just endure this awful job” mentality. And yeah, I saved a lot. But I also burned out. Because life isn’t just math and numbers; it’s messy and unpredictable. And sometimes, you want more than just a finish line.
What is FI?
Financial Independence (FI) is the broader, gentler cousin of FIRE. It means having enough savings and options to support the life you want — without needing to be tied down to a job you hate. FI can look like early retirement, sure. But it can also mean:
- Saying no to toxic work situations Aka, politely declining to be gaslit by a Slack message at 9 p.m. because “we’re all hands on deck this week.” Nope. My deck is closed.
- Choosing part-time or flexible work Because working 40 hours a week to afford therapy for the stress of working 40 hours a week feels… counterproductive.
- Starting a gig/dog walking/dream job you love Not the kind that promises passive income while you sleep, but the kind that makes you lose track of time in a good way — and maybe sells two mugs a month on Etsy. We celebrate that here.
- Taking breaks without financial panic Imagine logging off for a week and not waking up in a cold sweat over your bank account. It’s not a pipe dream. It’s just… a budget with boundaries and a little breathing room.
It’s less about quitting everything ASAP, and more about freedom to choose — freedom to slow down, work for people you like, and enjoy your life while you’re living it.
My FI Journey: From Hardcore FIRE to Slow Burn Freedom
I went full FIRE mode during my worst job ever. 50-60% savings, ramen dinners, endless spreadsheets. I thought, “If I can just get to early retirement, I’ll be happy.” Spoiler: I wasn’t.
Over time, I realized FI wasn’t just about the destination — it was about the journey, too. Back in my hardcore FIRE days, my spreadsheets didn’t include a life — or lives, plural. No room for a partner, a kid, or the beautiful chaos that comes with both. Just one neat little column for “freedom” and a whole lot of frozen peas. These days, the math looks different. There’s space for joy, surprise expenses, and actual living. I’m working jobs I like (turns out, who you work for matters as much as what you’re doing), and I’m focused more on options than obsession.
Here’s a little honest moment: it took me eleven years to get laser eye surgery. Eleven! I could have been seeing clearly so much sooner. Sometimes we get so stuck chasing a distant goal that we forget to clear the blurry vision right in front of us.
So, Why Isn’t FI Just About Retiring Early?
Because FI is really about choice — not quitting everything and moving to Bali (although, honestly, that sounds nice). It’s about building the space to say yes or no without stress, to work with people you respect, and to slow down enough to enjoy your life.
If you think FI is just for 35-year-olds with spreadsheets and tropical plans, you’re missing the point. Those people probably find meaning in something beyond retirement — whether that’s passion projects, family time, or just a slower pace.
What Does FI Mean to You?
Maybe it’s not about an early exit. Maybe it’s about showing up to your life a little more on your own terms, with more peace and less burnout. Maybe it’s about finding freedom in the everyday, not just in some far-off “retirement” dream.
Are you camp FIRE, or FI? What small steps could bring you a bit more choice today?
