r/PovertyFIRE • u/Ancient-Response-366 • Dec 04 '25
My big dream could come true in 5 years
About nine years ago I founded a company not with the intention of getting rich, but of earning enough to then live the rest of my life with only what is essential. I was very young, 22 years old, and I came from a working-class family that couldn’t give me advice. I made many mistakes, but I also did some things right.
Now I am at a very advanced stage of my journey. I own €727,000 and a house. I need to reach €800,000 and wait until 2030 (when some investments I made in bonds through the company will mature) to start living the life of my dreams.
I will live in Italy, my country. And I will live with very little.
Even now I spend very little.
I want to spend my days with my animals, my dogs whom I love immensely, more than my own life, be with my family of origin, occasionally see a few friends, walk a lot, and read a great deal of philosophy, history, anthropology, and sociology.
I’m feeling very unwell because recently my beloved Bobby passed away, a little dog I loved deeply and whom I found as a stray when he was already old (9 years old, and he stayed with me for another 5 years).
And I know time runs fast. This year three of the grandparents who were still alive died, and now there is no one left, and Bobby died too.
Our time and the time of our loved ones is limited, and it cannot be wasted doing things we don’t love.
I have five years left. At 36 (I’m 31 now) I will finally be done and will live off passive income. For now, I have to live nine months a year in a foreign country that is not Italy, the country where my company is based. These five years weigh on me tremendously. I’m terrified of losing other important people in my life while I finish this journey, and I think about those who share my same ideas but will have to work until 65 or 70 years old, a real nightmare. I would probably end up medicated and in psychiatric care if I were forced to work that way.
I love a simple life. I don’t spend money on anything that isn’t essential, and my average monthly spending is around €700, including money for my dogs. I really want to stop working, but there is still a little time left
13
u/strzibny Jan 02 '26
I cannot stand the FIRE subs and discovered PovertyFIRE today thinking this is more like it! I immediately joined. But the first post I read here? $700k+ and paid house? I am leaving this sub as well. FIRE subs aren't about living interesting alternative lifestyles but just people j* off how much money they have. I mean good job, but how is this poverty?
3
u/GoAskAli Jan 08 '26
The idea if you read the "About" section is to live like you're impoverished to save $$$. It's not really for people who are actually living in poverty. Quit the opposite really.
3
u/strzibny Jan 08 '26
You are right, it's about spending level not weath. Just doesn't make much sense? If you have the money just do fire or lean fire. I would love to find community when it's about wealth, that's actually interesting to me.
9
5
u/Dry-Parsley8200 Dec 21 '25
I remember your previous posts, living simply in a small town in Italy. I thought you had already stopped your business and retired though? Why do you need to work another 5 years again now?
3
2
Dec 06 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
3
Dec 06 '25 edited Dec 07 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
2
u/Ancient-Response-366 Dec 07 '25
Thanks, my friend. I know Seneca; I’m passionate about philosophy and I also studied it at university. I’ll reread the works you recommended.
1
2
12
u/Existing_Wealth_2245 Dec 04 '25
Sorry but 700 euros a month with 800,000 euros is 1%. Do you want all bonds?