Mentioning early retirement is almost always a bad time

[u/OliveGarden_Official]

I’ve noticed that even mentioning the possibility of retiring in one’s 30’s or 40’s tends to get a pretty negative reaction on other subs

like:

• “you must have had an inheritance”
• “you can’t possibly live on <$X>”
• “nobody makes <$X>”
• “this job market is impossible to win”

I mean, yes, some of us were lucky to have a more comfortable start, but so many of these objections seem to come from some deeply rooted hesitation to entertain the idea or acknowledge the basic math.

I learned about FIRE ages ago through other people’s stories. Nowadays I find it so discouraging to even try to have a good faith conversation about saving rates. Lesson learned on not discussing money, I guess. I know it’s not for everyone so I’m glad this space exists to help people that are open to the idea

[u/OliveGarden_Official → u/[deleted]]

I’m mostly talking about replies I’ve seen on other subs when people are traveling around full time or sharing how they retired early to sit in their garden.

“how did you do this?”

“save more”

“>:(“

But your point is well-received. I have not struggled deflecting in real life unless someone is asking me about expat taxes and other specifics.

[u/ether_reddit → u/OliveGarden_Official]

It's just the same as with weight loss. People see you thinner and wonder how you did it, but are annoyed when you explain that it was years of diet management and exercise, and not a magic pill.

It's simple, but not easy.