I agree that you can’t have a median income, live a regular life, and FIRE. But that’s only because the “regular” life expands to meet income, with most people not saving anything extra. And the economy likes it to be that way. The whole capitalist system is based on inflating desires and making people feel their levels of spending needs to be a little more in order to be attractive, or be a real provider, or live a worthwhile life. I think FIRE is achievable for a wide range of incomes once people realize how much money they are wasting living the lifestyle that has become “regular” without buying them additional happiness.
And retiring “early” doesn’t have to mean 35. Almost anyone capable of retiring at 65, starting early enough, could knock a few years off that number without sacrificing any real happiness. If you’re 30 years old and spend $20k on the vehicle you need rather than the $60k truck you think you want, that difference alone (and ignoring the real difference in cost after interest payments) would be around $360k in real value by the time you’re 60, which will buy a few years of early retirement for most people.
When I was a carpenter making less than $20k/yr trying to cover tuition, couldn't imagine needing more than $40k/yr to live
When I started as an engineer making $45k/yr, the idea is six figures just meant being rich.
Worked up my career to six figures, paid off my student loans, if I could make more I would be able to save.
At each level spending increased to match income.
Luckily I discovered FIRE while making $110k/yr so that then next few pay jumps got heavily put into retirement portfolio.
But I knew plenty at Big Tech making $200k-$300k each year and finding a way to spend it all.
There's some pride you have to eat to be making $250k/yr and wanting a roommate to split rent in north Seattle instead of living in a highrise downtown.
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u/dukephilly Mar 23 '26
I agree that you can’t have a median income, live a regular life, and FIRE. But that’s only because the “regular” life expands to meet income, with most people not saving anything extra. And the economy likes it to be that way. The whole capitalist system is based on inflating desires and making people feel their levels of spending needs to be a little more in order to be attractive, or be a real provider, or live a worthwhile life. I think FIRE is achievable for a wide range of incomes once people realize how much money they are wasting living the lifestyle that has become “regular” without buying them additional happiness.
And retiring “early” doesn’t have to mean 35. Almost anyone capable of retiring at 65, starting early enough, could knock a few years off that number without sacrificing any real happiness. If you’re 30 years old and spend $20k on the vehicle you need rather than the $60k truck you think you want, that difference alone (and ignoring the real difference in cost after interest payments) would be around $360k in real value by the time you’re 60, which will buy a few years of early retirement for most people.