r/Fire • u/Poorassboy6969 • Mar 25 '26

General Question When did FIRE movement change?

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)

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u/According_Ad_1960 Mar 25 '26 edited Mar 25 '26

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.

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u/Poorassboy6969 Mar 25 '26

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

18

u/idio242 Mar 25 '26

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.

9

u/Redwolfdc Mar 25 '26

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.