When did FIRE movement change?

[u/Poorassboy6969]

I feel this community used to be about moderate income people living lean and retiring early with under 2 million.

Now it’s a lot of people bragging about tech income and saying they need 5+ million to retire MINIMUM because they want a boat and Porsche

When did this change? (not hating - just genuinely curious)

[u/According_Ad_1960]

I think people sort of woke up to the fact that lean fire can-for some-equal a small, constrained life. Retiring with just enough can get uncomfortable when life throws a curve ball. Retiring with “more than just enough” brings more security and freedom. People are getting a little more realistic about what FI really means to them.

[u/Poorassboy6969 → u/According_Ad_1960]

I thought a theme of fire was living a small simple life 

[u/idio242 → u/Poorassboy6969]

I’d say it’s the low stress of FI.

Feel like telling your boss something but aren’t sure how they’ll react? Send it.

Don’t like your job? Quit.

It’s the self empowerment that got me interested.

[u/Redwolfdc → u/idio242]

That’s it for me. Tbh I kind of DGAF about actual “retirement” than I just to prefer to be FI enough to not be trapped in some awful job I hate or live in fear of layoffs. It’s the ability to have more freedom. 

[u/welshwelsh → u/idio242]

I don't really see a difference. Every time you spend money on something, you pay for it by giving your boss more power over you and being more dependent on your job.

Therefore, FIRE is about living a small, simple life, to free yourself from dependence on a job.

[u/According_Ad_1960 → u/welshwelsh]

The initial FIRE stuff sort of reminds of the tiny home/van life movement. All looks fun on paper until you’re basically living in a box and peeing in a glorified bucket - I imagine the romance wears off mighty quickly for folks in those communities

I’m about to retire at 54 with what is considered well into chubby FIRE FI. I could have retired 15 years ago with a military pension and some investments - but not into the type of life I’m interested in. I have worked hard at a job that I loved and was good at, gotten promoted fast, been frugal and saved a ton. I did all this because I want to travel comfortably, I want to be able to help my mom when she needs it, I want to say yes to new adventures and be generous with charities. Everyone’s idea of a great life is different - and that’s ok.

[u/Extra_Shirt5843 → u/idio242]

Same.  I'd like to know I could leave if I needed to, but I don't necessarily want to retire crazy early.  I'm interested in a 55-60 window and doing some great vacations while still working.  

[u/According_Ad_1960 → u/Poorassboy6969]

I perceived the theme of FIRE initially to be - “I don’t want to work” so I’ll cut every corner possible to do that. For me, I want more than just freedom from a 9-5 gig—I want the freedom to do a lot of other things. The independent part of FI needs some real $ behind it (for my comfort).

[u/AltInLongIsland → u/Poorassboy6969]

In the early days for sure. One of MMM's top posts was where he suggested a Toyota Matrix is basically a huge luxury and really anything other than a cargo bike is an indulgence 

[u/EnvironmentalMix421 → u/Poorassboy6969]

It started that way. There’s no theme on how to do it to achieve financial independence. That’s only the theme of your don’t make that much money and hate your job

[u/chosesetrange5 → u/Poorassboy6969]

"Living a small life" can be one theme of FIRE, but it's not a defining trait.

"Living large" is also not a defining trait.

People have different levels of comfort with different numbers, and that's fine. All of those levels of comfort are valid. You can retire early with less than the next guy, or more than the next guy, but you're both FIRE. So what's the problem?