My Name Is Charlie, and I Am a Recovering “Financial Independence Retire Early” Addict

But maybe not for the reasons you think

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko at Pexels

I truly thought it was what I wanted. To save enough money that I would never have to work again unless I wanted to. To be “free.”

That’s what the FIRE (Financial Independence Retire Early) movement promises, with shiny poster people living shiny lives to prove it’s possible.

I was hooked within moments of discovering FIRE. Worked out what I could do to get there. Working 60-70 hours a week in my wine store and bar for over seven years with no break was taking its toll. I was exhausted, I wanted a way out. I wanted freedom.

FIRE seemed like a solution.

I was part of the movement for around seven years. Now, I’m not.

There are plenty of critics of FIRE. People say the math isn’t right and that the money will run out. That you can’t possibly know how much money you need to live as you age. That you’ll be bored with all your free time.

What I see discussed much less is the question: Does FIRE — or indeed any personal finance strategy — align with your values?

Because the main reason I am no longer a FIRE advocate — aside from the fact that it was an impossible…