FIRE stands for "Financial Independence, Retire Early." It is a movement or lifestyle choice that aims to allow individuals to retire much earlier than the typical retirement age by saving and investing a significant portion of their income and living frugally. The goal of FIRE is to achieve financial independence, which is defined as having enough passive income or assets to cover one's living expenses without the need to work for pay.
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I recently shared that I'm 49 and out of cash because a venture capital fund called capital much faster than I expected. I assumed a conservative 30% of my commitment would be called in year one. Inst...
In 2012, two months before my 35th birthday, I engineered my layoff from a 13-year career in investment banking. At the time, it felt like the riskiest thing I had ever done. Was I really going to blo...
It’s been a while since I’ve done a reader case, so I thought I’d grab one from the ol’ inbox. So here we go! Dear Kristy & Bryce, Firstly- thank you so much for all you do! I have been reading your b...
A while back, I came across a thread on Reddit that asked this question: what expenses do you regret avoiding to reach FIRE? The post Do People Who FIRE Regret Not Spending Money on Things They Could ...
My personal approach to investing for FIRE can be summarized as being 95% boring.
Around this time last year, I raised a couple of questions in my update post:On the topic of the work I was doing I asked “Will I give it up and ever fully FIRE?”; andthen in conclusion I reflected “…...
Learn what families need to be aware of when following the FIRE movement.
“Micro-retirement? I thought that was a vacation?” Well, yes…and no. A micro-retirement is an extended, unpaid career break taken years ... Read more
There’s a particular kind of whiplash I used to feel that I don’t think medical textbooks can quantify. I’d finish ... Read more
Originally published on Millennial Revolution. The Wanderer retired from his engineering job at a major Silicon Valley semiconductor company at ... Read more
We’ve all been feeling something in the air, recently. But unlike Millennials and Gen X who try to maintain the ... Read more
The most common question I get when being interviewed about FIRE is “What about health care?” It’s a big, scary question. Health care costs in America, if not managed properly, can easily run into ten...
FIRE is ultimately about being set for life. You build a portfolio big enough to cover your expenses, and then your one job is to not blow it up. But here's the tension worth talking more about. The m...
Hello friends. I hope you’re enjoying the summer break as much as my son is. RB40Jr just wrapped up an incredibly busy freshman year of high school. Now, his main ... Read more The post The FIRE is Go...
Schedule a Free Financial Assessment with an experienced professional: https://bit.ly/YMYWassessC Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA spitball for three people planning for early retirement and...
Geographic Arbitrage is the most underrated risk-management tool in early retirement, and could help you shave years off your FI journey! Read more → The post Your ZIP Code Is a Bigger FIRE Lever Than...
FAANG FIRE Extra Guac bundle now includes over $1,200 in FIRE tools and 1:1 coaching, including ProjectionLab, Sequence, Mezzi, Silvia, Lunch Money, and a 30-minute call with Andre.
The tragedy of modern ambition is that exhaustion is a badge of honor. Workaholism is mistaken for virtue, and overworking ... Read more
I get investments wrong all the time. Losing money is part of the process to financial independence. But after I FIRE'd in 2012, the math changed. With no paycheck to bail me out, I could no longer af...
Coast FIRE can produce many of the benefits of retirement, all while providing many of the benefits of still working. Here's what to know. The post Coast FIRE — How to Spend All Your Money and Still R...
We check in on some champions of early retirement nearing their own finish line of financial independence. The post How are FIRE adherents making out? appeared first on MoneySense.
The main reason I can't convince anyone in real life to FIRE is the desire for more. The moment you hit a $1 million net worth, you start dreaming of $5 million. Get to $5 million and suddenly $10 mil...
The problem with writing about FIRE since 2009 is that I've become completely sold on the lifestyle. I know how good freedom feels, so I have a natural tendency to want everyone to achieve it too. I'm...
The best financial planning software for FIRE just got even better! Check out the incredible new features that have changed how I invest! Read more → The post The Best FIRE Software Just Got Even Bett...
I’m back on the BiggerPockets Money podcast this week with Mindy! So exciting! For me at least. I enjoy podcasting and look forward to recording more when the F.O.O.L.I.S.H. Project is over. What FIRE...
Dual-physician households want for nothing. In the eyes of the observer, they’ve won the lottery of life. A combined household ... Read more
Picture this: You’re in your mid-40s and you’ve just quit your stressful corporate job. You’ve set aside enough money to ... Read more
Hi readers, it’s been a while since we’ve done a reader case, so here goes! This one is a doozy, and I knew it as soon as I saw the headline in my inbox “FIRE with 7 kids”. If you have a big family, i...
As someone who's been writing about FIRE (Financial Independence Retire Early) since 2009 and actually leaving full-time work for good in 2012, it's been quite an interesting ride. For the most part, ...
Hey Everyone! I’m still here. The Retire by 40 blog is on life support, but I’m committed to posting at least once per month this year. Did you know Retire ... Read more The post Q1 2026 FIRE Update a...
From 2009, when I started writing about FIRE, until now, the FIRE movement has had a great run. It was born out of the 2008-2009 global financial crisis, when hundreds of thousands of people were losi...
As the Retirement Plan Live case study continues, Roger Whitney helps Henry and Lucy articulate what they want their FIRE retirement to actually look like—starting with values, dreaming without constr...
As the new year begins, Roger Whitney launches a new Retirement Plan Live case study, introducing Henry and Lucy, a couple in their mid-40s pursuing Financial Independence and Retire Early (FIRE). Rog...
How shifting from "Retiring Early" to "Living Early" allows child-free adults to enjoy their wealth while they’re still young enough to use it.
YMYW friends, welcome to 2026. What actually mattered most to you in 2025? It turns out to be tax-free gains on investments, retirement timing, and claiming Social Security. Today on Your Money, Your ...
MillennialAcademicScientist (or MAS) wrote to us when this blog was just a tiny fledging collection of articles back in 2017. What made her story stand out was her background. Like me, she had grown u...
Hey Everyone! 2025 is quickly coming to an end. Are you ready for the holidays? It will be a bit different for us this year. Mrs. RB40 is going to ... Read more The post November 2025 FIRE Update appe...
Are you dreaming of the day work is an option? Are you on track for financial freedom or perhaps Coast Fire? Which is betst for your financial goals?
Today’s reader case touches on an issue that’s near and dear to my heart, so without further ado, let’s dive in! Hi Firecracker & Wanderer! I’ve been an avid reader of your...
Hey Everyone! Oh wow, it’s November already. The leaves are turning, and it’s a beautiful day in Portland. We had a rainstorm yesterday, but the sun is out today. Ahh, ... Read more The po...
It’s a raging bull market, and I’ll confess, I’m a little annoyed I don’t have a large paycheck anymore to take advantage of more investment opportunities. Every day, I see peo...
I used to be thrifty but not financial literate. This is my journey to learning about money and why, in retrospect, it was so vital. The post What’s Your Motivational Fire Toward Financial Liter...
Hey Everyone! It’s October and the days are getting shorter in Portland. This year is a bit crazier than usual because the troops are massing in “war-ravaged” Portland. I haven&rsquo...
The precious metals market is experiencing a historic rally that’s catching the attention of savvy investors. As of early October ... Read more...
Most people stay with the wrong financial advisor far too long: out of loyalty, inertia, or fear of starting over. But the cost of sticking with the wrong person can be measured in dollars, stress, an...
In 2020, during the heart of the COVID pandemic, I remember listening to a FIRE-focused podcast hosted by two people who claimed to be financially independent and retired early. Even though it’s...
Even with the money to retire early, FIRE clients often face unexpected challenges. Advisors say mindset — more than finances — is often the real hurdle....
Test your knowledge of the different types of FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) with this short quiz....
The other evening, my wife and I went to a school reception held for parents and alumni who donated at least a certain amount in the calendar school year. It was a warm, intimate gathering where we mi...
If you want to FIRE, one of my regrets was pulling the ripcord too early at age 34 in 2012. Even though I started writing about FIRE in 2009 with the launch of Financial Samurai—trying to uncove...