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> This is one of the biggest missing pieces in internet FIRE discussions. So much of the FIRE discourse is about not working that many don’t realize that they’

> This is one of the biggest missing pieces in internet FIRE discussions. So much of the FIRE discourse is about not working that many don’t realize that they’re going to be extremely bored with 16 hours to fill every day. Worse, their friends are all busy with their lives. This is a frequent misunderstanding about early 'retirement'. It's not about not working at all. It's about not working for a living. Very important distinction. If tomorrow I'd acquire 'fuck you' money and not have to work, I will quit my job and finally start the book I've been planning for a while now, travel to my home country and build my genealogical tree, volunteer some of my time to the OCCRP or ACLU, etc.. It's not about not working. It's about working on the stuff I really do want to work on, without the threat of scarcity if I don't 'increase shareholder value'.

wccrawford 5y ago
For me, quitting work would probably not happen immediately after I get FU money, but it'd happen within that year, I bet. At first, I'd do a lot more of my hobbies, but then I'd probably move into finally making video games. I'd finally have the time to just sit and play with it. Right now, I don't feel like I have that kind of time, and getting more than 3 hours in a row is hard on weekends, and impossible on week days. It definitely isn't about not-working. It's about working on what I want to.
solarengineer 5y ago
I regular realise that a lot of my bucket list items don't require money and I then go do them. I have also realised that there's no need to wait to write a book. I've procrastinated for many years and have finally got my act together and I'm writing one.
- decebalus1 5y ago
  Those are all fair points and people do write books or do stuff off their bucket list while being happily and gainfully employed. But people are different and not all jobs are the same. Some people don't have the time or energy [1]. Add the stress of supporting a family, a demanding boss and the fear of losing healthcare along with your job and you'll get to your bucket list either during the scarce vacation days or in your late 50s early 60s (if you're lucky). This is what FIRE's all about. It's about freedom basically. Money == freedom to do whatever you want to do without fear of losing the bottom of Maslow's pyramid. This is especially valuable in the US, where there is no social safety net. [1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spoon_theory https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spoon_theory

wccrawford 5y ago

For me, quitting work would probably not happen immediately after I get FU money, but it'd happen within that year, I bet. At first, I'd do a lot more of my hobbies, but then I'd probably move into finally making video games. I'd finally have the time to just sit and play with it. Right now, I don't feel like I have that kind of time, and getting more than 3 hours in a row is hard on weekends, and impossible on week days. It definitely isn't about not-working. It's about working on what I want to.

solarengineer 5y ago

I regular realise that a lot of my bucket list items don't require money and I then go do them. I have also realised that there's no need to wait to write a book. I've procrastinated for many years and have finally got my act together and I'm writing one.

decebalus1 5y ago
Those are all fair points and people do write books or do stuff off their bucket list while being happily and gainfully employed. But people are different and not all jobs are the same. Some people don't have the time or energy [1]. Add the stress of supporting a family, a demanding boss and the fear of losing healthcare along with your job and you'll get to your bucket list either during the scarce vacation days or in your late 50s early 60s (if you're lucky). This is what FIRE's all about. It's about freedom basically. Money == freedom to do whatever you want to do without fear of losing the bottom of Maslow's pyramid. This is especially valuable in the US, where there is no social safety net. [1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spoon_theory https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spoon_theory