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General Discussion => Post-FIRE => Topic started by: myobjectivism on May 11, 2020, 08:22:05 AM

Title: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: myobjectivism on May 11, 2020, 08:22:05 AM
While going through different topics, got a thought to check the following..

1. At what age did you FIRE'd or planning to FIRE?
2. When did you hear about FIRE and started planning for it?
3. Top 3 goals

About me..

1. I am getting FIRE'd next month at the age of 43.
2. Heard about FIRE few months back (at age of 42) and by then, decision was made to retire early and inform d employer.
3. Spirituality, Health, Family (this includes time with them, travel plans with them)

Nice to see people at different ages (earliest I noticed is early 30s) getting FIRE'd with different goals. Based on when we are planning to retire, I feel immediate goals keep changing.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on May 11, 2020, 09:07:12 AM
FIRE'd at 32
Discovered the early retirement community in 2012 at 25
Started planning and getting serious in 2014 at 27
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: Rdy2Fire on May 11, 2020, 09:15:59 AM
FIRE'd 47
Didn't hear about FIRE (movement) til about 2 years ago but had an idea or dream goal of age 50 being semi-retired
Goals stay healthy, travel, enjoy life but find something to occupy more time
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: Financial.Velociraptor on May 11, 2020, 04:45:51 PM
I retired at 40.  I was 43 when I heard of FIRE movement (I started a blog and in my research on how to do that I stumbled across FIRE bloggerverse).  Was delighted to learn I wasn't alone.  Goals?  Stay retired.  Lose weight. 
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: bmjohnson35 on May 11, 2020, 09:23:43 PM

1. Recently at age 50
2. Discovered FiRE movement around 47, but had been saving my entire adult life.
3. Health, Family/Friends and increasing our social circle
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: Mr. Green on May 11, 2020, 10:41:29 PM
1. FIRE @ 33 (2017)
2. Found ER community online @ 31 (2014)
3. Happiness, Health, No Regrets
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: Dicey on May 12, 2020, 12:51:19 AM
I didn't FIRE until I was 54, but I was aiming for "it" for decades because...
I had cancer at 21-22 and knew I didn't want to be a work-until-65 drone...
I was striving for Early Retirement long before @2Birds1Stone and @Mr. Green were born...
I was waiting to pull the plug until 2014 when the ACA kicked in, because I was not affordably insurable otherwise...

Incredibly, I married a great guy in 2012. He loves his job and happens to have amazing healthcare, so I pulled the plug three weeks after we eloped and never looked back.

It helped that my dad retired at 50, so I knew it could be done. The difference was that my "Pops" was a retired federal employee, so he had kick-ass health insurance for the rest of his life. He lived 35+ years after retirement, rest his dearly missed soul.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: chevy1956 on May 12, 2020, 01:21:12 AM
1. I'm 46 and looking to retire late this year.
2. We started this path about 7 years ago. We have always been relatively frugal.
3. I don't have any goals. Maybe play more guitar and read more books.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: Bettersafe on May 12, 2020, 02:34:36 AM
1.hoping to FIRE at 59 cause the kids will probably financially self depend by that time and the mortgage will be gone hopefully. Depending on DH career it might be sooner.
2. Found MMM at the beginning of this year. Due to some very harsh work-conditions I went online to see how I could retire early
3. After FIRE my goals would be gardening, traveling, giving back to community somehow.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: Chris@TTL on May 12, 2020, 12:56:24 PM
Quote
1. At what age did you FIRE'd or planning to FIRE?
This month! 35. I left the 9-5 at about 28, following business pursuits but just this month my other half's plans met up with mine and...we're out!
Quote
2. When did you hear about FIRE and started planning for it?
In general, I started reading GetRichSlowly.org in 2006 just after undergrad. I followed up in 2007-08 by investing all my money in individual stocks and losing most of it. An expensive lesson.
Quote
3. Top 3 goals
FIRE offers a tremendous opportunity to clarify some of those existential questions offered up in those goals.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: LifePhaseTwo on May 12, 2020, 01:15:01 PM
1. FIRE’d at 54.
2. I read about FIRE a few years before that. Had always been a saver, living below my means. Could have FIRE’d sooner, but was ambivalent about my golden handcuffs...
3. More time with grandkids, more (and better) sleep, more freedom. Doing well on all 3 of these goals.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: Linea_Norway on May 12, 2020, 02:06:39 PM
1. At what age did you FIRE'd or planning to FIRE?
2. When did you hear about FIRE and started planning for it?
3. Top 3 goals

1) Me at 46 and DH 49. We are FIREd since Jan 2020.
2) Maybe 12 years ago we noticed we saved a shitload of money each year by living our normal lifestyle. Then we discussed the option to retire at the age of 50, only we didn't have a clue on how much money we needed to do that. Then we forgot about it and about 5,5 years ago we spent all our savings on a clown house. Half a year later I searched on early retirement and discovered this site. Some time later I made my own excel retirement sheet and found a number. We made a plan to sell the house some years later, when we had saved up the rest of our number.
3) Being able to be in the right place at the right time and do the stuff that I want to do. Not spending all my time in an office doing work I don't really enjoy, sitting in a noisy open office, having to be in pointless meetings. Being able to go on many more and longer trips (hiking, skiing etc).
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: LWYRUP on May 12, 2020, 04:40:19 PM
1.  I hope to be financially independent between 40 and 45.  I am 35.  (I could accelerate that with lifestyle changes such as moving if needed but that's not currently the plan.)
2.  I found MMM in late 2012 / early 2013.  I remember reading bogleheads in late college (2005) so savings was on my mind early.
3.  Spend time running a small business (possibly as simple as me consulting part time) and investing in real estate.  Get in fantastic shape.  Spend lots of time with friends, family, cooking, reading, hobbies. 

Basically same as now just with no mandatory meetings, no boss and an ability to just turn down crap I don't want to deal with and no expectation I'm going to be sitting in a chair 40-50 hours a week.

I may leave my job before FI since my plan involves generating income anyways but want to hit a few more financial and professional goals first. 

Edit:  Whoops, did not see this was in the post-FIRE forum.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: herbgeek on May 13, 2020, 04:33:47 AM
I retired last year at 58.  I've been planning for retirement since about age 25 or so, long long before any FIRE movement.  Well, there was Your Money or Your Life, which was instrumental to me.  I had originally planned to retire by 55, but was delayed by layoffs a few times and the stock bust of 2008.  I think we could have done it sooner, but hubby is incredibly pessimistic and a worst case kind of guy.  The thing that really made it possible was a low cost ACA health insurance plan.

My goals are to continue to explore:  new ideas, new physical locations, new connections.  The physical location part is sort of on hold for the foreseeable future, and the new connections are somewhat limited, but eventually I'll get there.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: myobjectivism on May 13, 2020, 01:15:50 PM
Wow.. nice to read all your experiences, goals you set. Lot of learning for me few days before retiring and definitely will adjust my goals based on my learning.

I think it takes more time for me to decompress from work related things. Will go as per the flow and prioritise my goals.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: Car Jack on May 13, 2020, 01:46:10 PM
1: 64 or 65.  Real answer is "when my wife says I can".  (I'm 63)

2: 3 or 4 years ago, reading the MMM site.

3:  I'll be in what I think y'all call fat fire, maybe.  Although I plan to get random jobs doing whatever the hell I want to do, so there's going to be more income.  And my wife just got a full time job, so that money will help.  I'm a very big "safety net" guy, so I'm nearly set to withdraw 2%, ignoring social security and a small pension.  I'm also a big car guy, so I see a very NON Mustachian car in my future.  I do want to exercise more and do stuff outside more.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: stoaX on May 13, 2020, 02:42:27 PM
I was FI at age 56 and retired early last July at age 58.

I first started thinking about early retirement in 2009 or so and came across MMM in late 2011.

My "goals" include caring for aging family members, playing hockey, hiking, and reading a lot more than I could when I was employed. Finally I expect to do some volunteer work that has some relation to the aforementioned activities.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: sui generis on May 15, 2020, 03:04:10 PM
1. FIREd at 41 (2018)

2. Discovered FIRE community in 2017, but had been frugal all my life.  Never knew what I was supposed to do with all my extra money I was saving and people told me I was crazy to hope to retire "early" at 55....so I thought I was being ambitious already.  Once I discovered the FIRE movement and got "permission" to be more ambitious, I was like, "Ok, so I guess I can pretty much retire any time?"  So I did.

3. Do everything slower, no more rushing; do lots of very different things for fewer hours per week so I don't get sick of them and want to stop altogether (I think 7-12 hours per week for any one "thing" is my ideal); travel (this goal is...changing recently)
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: goat_music_generator on May 15, 2020, 03:15:13 PM
1. Our plan was to be FIREd at 29. After coronavirus -- less clear, but almost certainly by 32. Depends on our job situation.
2. I found MMM's blog when I was 20. Fortunately, when I told my then-boyfriend-now-husband about it, he got completely on board and we haven't looked back since.
3. Have as good a time at work as possible in the time we have left to do it; have our first kid in the next year or so; stay connected with friends and family.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: lhamo on May 16, 2020, 07:30:55 PM
Read Your Money or Your Life in December 1997 while writing my dissertation (age 29) -- caught the FIRE bug and never looked back.

Graduated/started first professional job in September 1999 (age 30, barely -- my birthday is later in the Fall). 

Bought NYC apartment summer 2000 (age 31)

Had DS spring 2001.  (age 32)

Moved to China for work February 2002.  (age 33)

Sold NYC apartment for more than 2x what we paid for it spring 2003. (age 34)

Had DD early 2005. (age 36)

Quit Horrible Soul Sucking Job/moved cities/started fellowship spring 2007.  (age 38)

Started new not-soul sucking job early 2008. (age 39)

Bought fancy condo spring 2009. (age 40)

FIREd and returned to the US June 2015.  (age 46)

Sold fancy condo for roughly 3x what we paid early 2017 -- FIRE status locked in even after buying fancy US house. (age 48)

Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: travel2020 on May 17, 2020, 06:58:10 PM
1. In the next 2-3 years. The current coronavirus situation is a bit of an unknown as a portion of NW is tied to a small business that we were planning to sell before FIRE.

2. Probably 6-7 years ago but never really explicitly started planning. We just live below our means, save & invest the rest, and that’s about it.

3. Travel the world and live in a few different places, stay healthy, hobbies and giving back
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: Gardo on May 22, 2020, 09:19:30 AM
First of all, how do you define FIRE?

For me, FIRE is:

- set with my kids (no more additions and youngest past 10 years old)
- set with my house (no debt)
- set on savings to pay for expenses until ss/401K kicks in

To me that will be mid-2026, or in my early 50s.

So yes, I am going to start my sex, I mean, six year countdown starting next month. 

So the calculation of cumulative non-retirement savings is:

2020 Year End Target:  $185K  (age 48)
2021 Year End Target:  $230K  (age 49)
2022 Year End Target:  $285K  (age 50)
2023 Year End Target:  $350K  (age 51)
2024 Year End Target:  $420K  (age 52)
2025 Year End Target:  $500K  (age 53, youngest child is 10 years old, house is fully paid)

Plan A.  USA

To me, the target of  about $525K by mid-2026 at age 53 (still) is good enough for me to FIRE. From that amount, I could live off at $35K for 14 years until age 67 when SS/401K kicks in.


Plan B.  Asia

As an alternative, I can relocate in Asia mid-2026 with my youngest kid.  I would need to work for 5 years there for a simple job that pays for part of my expenses.  The other part is taking out  $10K per year for 5 years.  At night, I would do stock trading since it is daytime here in US. No conflict with work schedule there. 

2026 Year End Target:  $555K (age 54)
2027 Year End Target:  $620K (age 55)
2028 Year End Target:  $700K (age 56)
2029 Year End Target:  $785K (age 57)
2030 Year End Target:  $880K (age 58)

From 2031 onwards, I can retire and increase my COL budget to $30K per year with savings still growing each year.

2031 Year End Target:  $970K  (age 59)
2032 Year End Target:  $1,070K (millionaire at age 60)
2033 Year End Target:  $1,190K (from here on in retirement baby!  just enjoying life and spending on stuff)
2034 Year End Target:  $1,300K
2035 Year End Target:  $1,400K
 
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: matchewed on May 22, 2020, 11:37:23 AM
Planning to FIRE around 41ish.

Heard about it probably 2008-2009, didn't take much stock in it until a year later or so.

Give more of my time/resources to making my community better, keep decoupling from some negative systems in our culture, maybe start a business?, I'll add a fourth one - train an awesome pupper.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: Body Surfer on May 27, 2020, 01:20:55 PM
Retired age 59 last week.

Started reading MMM 2 years ago.

We love mtn biking and trail running among other activities (body surfing).

Looking forward to the new life
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: Jack0Life on May 28, 2020, 08:49:08 AM
First of all, how do you define FIRE?

For me, FIRE is:

- set with my kids (no more additions and youngest past 10 years old)
- set with my house (no debt)
- set on savings to pay for expenses until ss/401K kicks in

To me that will be mid-2026, or in my early 50s.

So yes, I am going to start my sex, I mean, six year countdown starting next month. 

So the calculation of cumulative non-retirement savings is:

2020 Year End Target:  $185K  (age 48)
2021 Year End Target:  $230K  (age 49)
2022 Year End Target:  $285K  (age 50)
2023 Year End Target:  $350K  (age 51)
2024 Year End Target:  $420K  (age 52)
2025 Year End Target:  $500K  (age 53, youngest child is 10 years old, house is fully paid)

Plan A.  USA

To me, the target of  about $525K by mid-2026 at age 53 (still) is good enough for me to FIRE. From that amount, I could live off at $35K for 14 years until age 67 when SS/401K kicks in.


Plan B.  Asia

As an alternative, I can relocate in Asia mid-2026 with my youngest kid.  I would need to work for 5 years there for a simple job that pays for part of my expenses.  The other part is taking out  $10K per year for 5 years.  At night, I would do stock trading since it is daytime here in US. No conflict with work schedule there. 

2026 Year End Target:  $555K (age 54)
2027 Year End Target:  $620K (age 55)
2028 Year End Target:  $700K (age 56)
2029 Year End Target:  $785K (age 57)
2030 Year End Target:  $880K (age 58)

From 2031 onwards, I can retire and increase my COL budget to $30K per year with savings still growing each year.

2031 Year End Target:  $970K  (age 59)
2032 Year End Target:  $1,070K (millionaire at age 60)
2033 Year End Target:  $1,190K (from here on in retirement baby!  just enjoying life and spending on stuff)
2034 Year End Target:  $1,300K
2035 Year End Target:  $1,400K

Curious as to why plan B is so radically differ from plan A.
Plan A is coasting until you reach 67.
Plan B is moving to Asia but still working and build you savings to an extraordinary amount.
Like 2 totally different mindset. Seems to me if you're going to move to Asia, you certainly can live on a lot less and still coast to 67 and still have savings left until 67.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: SwordGuy on May 28, 2020, 05:46:04 PM
1. FIRED at 60.   Thought I would have to work until I dropped.
2. Heard about it at age 55.   It was a revelation.
3. Make sure our mentally disabled daughter is provided for after we're gone, make sure we're provided for while we're still here, have fun and do some good in the world.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: br89 on May 28, 2020, 06:28:23 PM
1. Planning to FIRE whenever I have kids. So 33ish hopefully? I'm 30 now and could probably FIRE within the next two years or so

2. 24 - while googling how to escape Biglaw LOL

3. I probably won't retire in the traditional sense (I'm pretty entrepreneurial), but I want to be able to spend as much time with my friends and family as possible, travel, take care of my health (no more all-nighters!), and spend more time, money, and energy giving back to society and helping others. Basically, I want to do whatever I want haha
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: former player on May 29, 2020, 12:20:11 AM
Retired aged 50 10 years ago, on the back of always spending less than I earned, investing in property and getting a deal from my employer to go away and stop being an annoying (elected, unpaid) union rep.
Heard about FIRE 6 years ago (when I joined this forum, wow).
Moved from the big city to the rural seaside: got a dog, got involved in local politics, did several years of caring for my elderlies.  Now still got a (nother) dog, still involved in local politics, making a garden, seeing friends (at a social distance) and spending too long on the internet.

Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: LWYRUP on May 29, 2020, 06:53:17 AM
1. Planning to FIRE whenever I have kids. So 33ish hopefully? I'm 30 now and could probably FIRE within the next two years or so

2. 24 - while googling how to escape Biglaw LOL

3. I probably won't retire in the traditional sense (I'm pretty entrepreneurial), but I want to be able to spend as much time with my friends and family as possible, travel, take care of my health (no more all-nighters!), and spend more time, money, and energy giving back to society and helping others. Basically, I want to do whatever I want haha

I am a biglaw refugee.  We should start a support group, lol. 
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: Freedomin5 on May 29, 2020, 07:19:15 AM
1. Planning to FIRE in two years after my contract ends at age 41. Unless I am offered another contract  and decide to renew, in which case I’ll only be FI and not RE.

2. First read about the FIRE movement in 2015 after getting my first real job when I had lots of extra money left over each month.

3. Just one goal: Live well.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: Greystache on May 29, 2020, 09:42:43 AM
My wife and I retired at age 55 a little more than 5 years ago.  I had a pension with an early payout option at age 55. That was my golden handcuffs, so I never really thought seriously about retiring before 55, although, in hindsight, we probably could have if we had made it a goal early on.  We always made good money and lived below our means. We planned our lives so that the mortgage would be paid off and the kids would be through college by the time we were 55.  I did not discover MMM or FIRE until about a year before I retired.  It did help us realize that we were in a good position to retire and confirmed that we had covered all the bases planning wise.
We did not have a really detailed set of goals for retirement.  We both wanted to travel, pursue our hobbies and build/maintain our relationships with friends and family. Mostly, I was just tired of working and wanted a life without being bothered by deadlines other people's needs.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: xbdb on May 29, 2020, 03:12:20 PM
1. At what age did you FIRE'd or planning to FIRE?

Last August at age 51.

2. When did you hear about FIRE and started planning for it?

August 16, 2015. :-) It helped me realize I was already FI, but there were some more things I wanted to do career wise before I retired. 

3. Top 3 goals

1. My health - physical and mental.
Physically, since retirement I have gotten into good shape by eating better and exercising. Mentally, that I am still working on. I was pretty happy go lucky and then the virus struck. Even though I am "ok," it's hard to watch others who are not. The world seems crazy right now, but I know that "this too shall pass."

2. Travel (obviously this is somewhat challenging at the moment). Between my retirement and the virus hitting I was able to enjoy two weeks in Key West, which is my happy place. Going to make a bee line back there once things improve.

3. Work on some projects that are of interest to me (mainly open source). The trick is to not turn that into a "job."



Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: goat_music_generator on May 29, 2020, 04:01:39 PM
3. Work on some projects that are of interest to me (mainly open source). The trick is to not turn that into a "job."

Oh hey, you work on open source? What's that like? My spouse and I have both thought about doing open source development in retirement, but it seems tricky to get into (especially compared to working on our own random projects).
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: xbdb on May 29, 2020, 05:20:17 PM
3. Work on some projects that are of interest to me (mainly open source). The trick is to not turn that into a "job."

Oh hey, you work on open source? What's that like? My spouse and I have both thought about doing open source development in retirement, but it seems tricky to get into (especially compared to working on our own random projects).

It depends if you are the project owner or not and how popular it is. If you are the owner, someone will fork your project and then send you pull requests to merge their changes. People will also submit issues and requests as well. Depending on how many of those you receive it could be a "job."

If you are a contributor then you'll be submitting the pull requests etc. -- it's pretty easy -- you just have to follow the project code of conduct and coding styles/rules.

In either case, you'll run into the random asshole who is butthurt about something. That said, it's very satisfying to contribute and give something back.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: Jec418 on May 30, 2020, 04:50:25 AM
1. Planning to FIRE whenever I have kids. So 33ish hopefully? I'm 30 now and could probably FIRE within the next two years or so

2. 24 - while googling how to escape Biglaw LOL

3. I probably won't retire in the traditional sense (I'm pretty entrepreneurial), but I want to be able to spend as much time with my friends and family as possible, travel, take care of my health (no more all-nighters!), and spend more time, money, and energy giving back to society and helping others. Basically, I want to do whatever I want haha

Are you (a slightly younger) me? I'm a new biglaw partner, but hoping to be a biglaw refugee ASAP (in 1.5-2.5 years, depending on how good next year is). Got the wrong end of some geographic arbitrage by moving to Singapore and marrying a Singaporean who isn't super keen on the American suburban lifestyle that could let us fire today. Don't get me wrong - Singapore gives us a great lifestyle and I love living here, especially with 2 young kids, but the cost of living is insane. Lobbying hard to take San Diego as an "affordable" compromise...
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: rmorris50 on May 31, 2020, 12:28:17 PM
1. Currently 46, hope to FIRE no later than 50.
2. Don't know exactly when I heard about FIRE, but was kinda aware of it for years. Just always saved as much as possible. Became serious about it in the past couple of years when I realized I am burned out and not advancing in my career anymore.
3. Goals are to do whatever I want. Mostly personal growth (fitness, learn a language), do something to give back to family/community, and relax

It's interesting that 20 years ago I said if I had x million dollars I'd retire! Now I have x million and feel like I can't quite retire yet, but I'm close. Mainly I am very much in transition phase (moving, buying a house, spouse finishing doctorate, etc) and need to get more settled and set myself up for FIRE.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: xbdb on May 31, 2020, 09:16:55 PM
It's interesting that 20 years ago I said if I had x million dollars I'd retire! Now I have x million and feel like I can't quite retire yet, but I'm close. Mainly I am very much in transition phase (moving, buying a house, spouse finishing doctorate, etc) and need to get more settled and set myself up for FIRE.

I assume you're familiar with the quote on "waiting until you're ready." If you have the x million you need then you're ready. I retired at 51 and had debated doing it for a few years before I pulled the trigger. I don't regret it and wish I had done it sooner. Time is the only currency we have.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: myobjectivism on June 01, 2020, 02:15:36 AM
It's interesting that 20 years ago I said if I had x million dollars I'd retire! Now I have x million and feel like I can't quite retire yet, but I'm close. Mainly I am very much in transition phase (moving, buying a house, spouse finishing doctorate, etc) and need to get more settled and set myself up for FIRE.

Couple of things might have happened which is normal in most of the cases..

1. Expenses and responsibilities increased and were not considered against corpus of X Million you thought earlier.
2. Not confident whether we can survive with that money rest of life.. may happen if we didn't put the numbers on paper to the detail
3. Or Doubts like whether it is too soon to pull the plug, what we will do later etc

@xbdb.. Thanks for nice words.  Time is the currency. And having time and freedom completely changed how we see and live life. Having said that, good to cross verify numbers against goals and decide.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: Retire-Canada on June 01, 2020, 08:21:13 AM
While going through different topics, got a thought to check the following..

1. At what age did you FIRE'd or planning to FIRE?
2. When did you hear about FIRE and started planning for it?
3. Top 3 goals

1. FIREd at 51
2. Learned about FIRE at 45.
3a. #1 - Stop working FT because I never liked that ever.
3b. #2 - Do fun stuff I enjoy. [Biking, camping, etc...]
3c. #3 - Spend time with those I care about. [Family, friends and my cat.]
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: Trifle on June 14, 2020, 04:33:54 PM
1.  FIREd at 51.
2.  Learned about FIRE at 46, though I was already a saver. 
3.  Goals are more time with family, my passion for farming, and travel. 
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: Monkey Uncle on June 16, 2020, 07:33:24 AM
1. FIREd at 49.
2. I've had the concept in mind since the early '90s, when I got my first career-oriented job and quickly realized I didn't want to do that for 40+ years.  Life got in the way, though my wife and I were always frugal and kept the distant goal in mind.  Got serious about it around 2013, when the end of our kid's college was in sight and investments were recovering nicely from the Great Recession.  Pulled the trigger in January 2018.
3. Do whatever the hell I want, travel, consciously avoid being overloaded (after being overloaded pretty much every day since I got my first after-school job at age 16).
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: duyen on June 21, 2020, 09:45:35 PM
1. Planning to FIRE in 5 years at age 45
2. Heard about FIRE through MMM website 3 years back
3. Goals are to just relax and chill. Want to rent or buy a small home with a pool. Want to float in the pool reading a book for few hours every day. Go out for coffee with DW every day. Surf laptop and watch TV and laze around in the house. Add hiking and walking to the mix
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: MudPuppy on June 22, 2020, 01:01:07 AM
1) will likely FIRE around age 50, but may drop to PT only before that


2) I had known I wanted to retire early (at 60) since I was a child, but realized it could be sooner at roughly 23. Currently early 30s.

3) my postFIRE goals are garden more, pet more dogs, and to never have to sit in a conference room again

Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: soccerluvof4 on June 23, 2020, 03:50:29 AM
1) Fire'd at 50

2) Started thinking/Preparing for it 2-3 years prior

3) Get fit, watch my kids grow up and just chill more.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: RainyDay on July 10, 2020, 07:12:18 AM
I'm 47 and planning to be FI at 50 and then partial-RE (work part time).

Heard about the FIRE movement Aug/Sep 2019.

Planning to do more volunteer work, more hiking/walking, and live life at a slow pace.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: Chris@TTL on July 10, 2020, 09:56:33 AM
I'm 47 and planning to be FI at 50 and then partial-RE (work part time).

Heard about the FIRE movement Aug/Sep 2019.

So about 4 years from hearing about FIRE to planning to pull the trigger towards partial RE? That's pretty good! Sounds like you were already on the path.

Congrats.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: MonkeyJenga on July 10, 2020, 10:13:00 AM
1. Firebattical at 31, again at 33, and might be going back to work soon.

2. First heard about the idea at 12/13. It wasn't called early retirement, and there wasn't a community, just a rich dude who flung off his earthly possessions and traveled the world writing about the underground economies of the countries he visited.

Read ymoyl at 28, which led to mmm/ere/bogleheads.

3. My main goals were travel, activism, and visiting friends. They've shifted after doing that for a while. Now it's long-term relationships, mental health, and charity/activism.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: woopwoop on July 10, 2020, 02:48:36 PM
FIREd at 33, went back to work part time to learn something new a couple years ago.

Heard about FIRE at age 28 or so. I'd always been a saver but this pushed me to start my own self publishing business and it went really well so I was able to retire when I had a kid a few years later.

Top 3 Goals:
- homeschool my daughter (3 yo now)
- Get my CFP and start doing pro bono financial planning work
- Finish my latest novel to give to my mom by Christmas
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: bbqbonelesswing on July 11, 2020, 08:04:07 AM
1. At what age did you FIRE'd or planning to FIRE?

I should be bare-bones FI by 31 (3 years). I like to work and stay busy, so will likely not retire for many years beyond that. It's the FI part of FIRE that I'm most interested in.

2. When did you hear about FIRE and started planning for it?

I had always been a big saver, but read ERE a little over a year ago which brought things into clearer focus and started to define what FIRE might look like for me.

3. Top 3 goals

Maintain a healthy physical lifestyle, maintain a healthy mental lifestyle, give back to my community.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: happy on July 11, 2020, 08:28:30 AM
Found ERE/MMM Dec 2011 and drank the kool-aid and committed to follow the path Jan 2012
Retired aged 60 in October 2018, 6 years and 10months later.
Top 3 goals ( what only 3?) :
-improve my physical and mental health and well being
-learn and try new things, mainly currently in relation to my homesteading lifestyle
-get out of my comfort zone and create new or re-kindle long term relationships.




Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: MonkeyJenga on July 11, 2020, 10:34:52 AM
1. Firebattical at 31, again at 33, and might be going back to work soon.

2. First heard about the idea at 12/13. It wasn't called early retirement, and there wasn't a community, just a rich dude who flung off his earthly possessions and traveled the world writing about the underground economies of the countries he visited.

Read ymoyl at 28, which led to mmm/ere/bogleheads.

3. My main goals were travel, activism, and visiting friends. They've shifted after doing that for a while. Now it's long-term relationships, mental health, and charity/activism.
And wearing pants ;-). The nice thing about FIREing early is that your plans (and life) can be constantly evolving to embrace new things and experiences that you may not have the opportunity to engage in when working a job you need to support yourself.  Your life when FIRE isn't any more set in stone for life then it is when job dependent. Even less so.

Pajama pants these days!
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: Missy B on July 12, 2020, 11:16:02 PM
I learned about FIRE at 10 years old, when I calculated how quickly my money would double in my savings account, which was then at 10% interest. (I'm old.)
I didn't know how much money it took to live at that time, but it struck me that  if I spent less than I made, and saved it all in my savings account at 10% compound interest, that some day I could live off the interest. And then I wouldn't have to work. Not that I hated the idea of working, but the idea of *not having* to do something had quite a bit of appeal.

But not retired yet.

Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: DocToDisco on October 12, 2020, 12:34:52 AM
1. At what age did you FIRE'd or planning to FIRE?

I F.I.R.E.'ed at age 47.

2. When did you hear about FIRE and started planning for it?

I heard about F.I.R.E. through YNAB maybe about 6 or 7 years ago.  Didn't pay much attention.  But when my work became unbearable, I searched the web which led me to ChooseF.I. around 2017.  I crunched the numbers and I was already regular F.I.  So, I worked for two more years and F.I.R.E.'ed - no regrets!

3. Top 3 goals
- lost ~15 lbs, trying to maintain a healthy diet now that the weight is off
- getting my work/stress-related health issues managed
- cultivating close but neglected relationships
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: Fishindude on October 13, 2020, 10:19:51 AM
Checked out of the workforce and got away from a paycheck a few years ago at 57.   Still serve on board of directors of a company which requires a day or two per month and play around doing farm work.
Never heard of FIRE untils reading a few forums like this, but certainly understood early retirement.

My goals are just continuing to do all the fun things we do; lots of hunting and fishing trips, vacation travel, spending time at our other properties, playing around the farms, enjoying the kids and grandkids, trying to stay healthy.   I like not living to a schedule and taking off and doing things rather spontaneously, without plans.   
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: friedmmj on October 14, 2020, 07:04:24 AM
Planning to FIRE shortly after 55th birthday.  Been planning it for about 8 years now.  Been counting the days for most of that 8 years.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: LaserCat on October 17, 2020, 04:52:20 PM
1. At what age did you FIRE'd or planning to FIRE?  47-49ish, I'm working a well paying job now and I'm planning on doing that for the next 3 years saving as much as I can.  Then graduate school, and letting my funds just grow without me adding anything or taking anything out.   Then I am switching to a new career, that pays less, but is more rewarding.  I should have enough stashed then that I can choose to work full time or part time, so that will give me some flexibility. I doubt I would have the funds to not work at all (or it would be very tight), but that's not the plan for me anyways. 

2. When did you hear about FIRE and started planning for it?  in 2014 I heard about FIRE, but I didn't really understand what I was supposed to do and why that was a benefit.  Being frugal by nature, I had more money coming in that I could spend,  I just didn't know what to do with it.  By 2016 it all started to make sense, I read YMOYL and started my wallchart and started tracking, then MMM and I started with Betterment (that's when it dawned on me that I could make money without doing anything), after about 6 months of Betterment I switched to Vanguard.  Then I got a well paying job that I hated, and that kicked my butt in gear, as I began to realize that the profession I chose in my 20s was not something I wanted to do for the rest of my life.  I would have normally just focused on making loads of money until I retired, but once I started to pursue my passion outside of work, I decided that I wanted to make a career shift instead when I am able.   It definitely took me awhile to figure out what that new career shift would be though, I spent years in "I hate my work but I don't know what else to do" mode.

3. Top 3 goals
Buy a house for once, or better yet, buy land, design and build my own house and huge garden with fruit trees.  I've been a renter up to this point, and I'm in my 40s  (I am so sick of sharing walls with other people)
Make a difference in the lives of people and the planet. 
Learn, learn, learn  (I'm someone who would have been a perpetual student if I could afford it)

and as another poster said "Do all of this without rushing!"
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: Steeze on October 17, 2020, 07:07:01 PM
1. Planned on FIRE age 42 originally (2030) but now I think I’ll pull the plug closer to 39 in 2026/2027 when I hit FI. From there I will work for myself part time at least until my kids are out of the house - but I’m thinking 8-12 hours a week initially. Kids should be out of the house when I am mid to late 50s. Have my first on the way this spring.

2. Heard of FIRE/MMM in 2016 when reading about the stock market, kept seeing articles which referenced MMM and started reading the blog - I was about to payoff $100k in student loans in 2018 and was looking at what the next steps were. I knew nothing about the stock market and only had a few grand in my 401k. I started maxing all my retirement accounts in 2017 and hit 0 net worth in April 2018.

3a. Be a role model for my kids, help them create an honest life and be educated
3b. Take care of my parents and in-laws as they age, provide for my parent’s retirement
3c. Take care of my wife, make sure she achieves her goals/dreams an is comfortable
3d. For me: Snowboard trips to Alaska, Japan, the Alps, and Chili, homestead, design my own home, manage rentals & build up a portfolio, build an indoor skatepark, learn piano & Chinese, travel slowly and extensively, learn to surf, catch 10,000 sunsets, see the northern lights, drive a Porsche at a track a few times.

If I can do all of that I can die without regret.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: rae09 on October 20, 2020, 06:14:11 PM
1. At what age did you FIRE'd or planning to FIRE? Shortly before my 39th birthday.

2. When did you hear about FIRE and started planning for it? About 12 years ago. I've always been a saver but not much an investor. So, I changed my strategy, took on more risk, be more active in getting higher paying jobs.

3. Top 3 goals
- Be a better person mentally, emotionally, physically every single day. Get out of my comfort zone.
- Spend more time with loved ones.
- Fix my personal/mostly childhood issues that I still carry on to this date.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: time is money on October 21, 2020, 07:56:59 AM
1. At what age did you FIRE'd or planning to FIRE? Plan is 5 years from now. I will be 42. My wife 36

2. When did you hear about FIRE and started planning for it? Heard about it about 2 years ago. I was quite fed up with work and just told myself - can't do this til age of 65. It was actually MMM site that I bumped into at that moment. It took a while to read through the blog posts and getting familiar with the concept and maths. Properly with monthly investments started to focus on the plan just from March this year.

3. Top 3 goals

- First of all I am excited and looking forward about living the life with not spending 9 hours daily in office chair
- Change of lifestyle - spend more time outdoors, camping, kayaking, travel, gardening, fishing etc
- Spend more time with family and friends. I am living in a different country now, meeting parents and sister only once a year or so. I will retire in my home country - therefore hoping to spend more time with them and meet them more frequently than now.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: Mrs. Healthywealth on November 11, 2020, 09:12:37 AM
1. Just became FI, but will FIRE mid to late 2021 to ensure DW can FIRE too and we have a large buffer.
2. Heard about FIRE think in 2011 or 2012 when reading extreme retirement blog and MMM. We changed course this year by purchasing rentals and that slashed our Fat FIRE from 4-5 yrs to less than a year.
3. Focus on well-being (health, meditation), learn to have leisure time, pick up skills-guitar, building a house, etc. I’m not planning to retire to something, just figuring out where life takes me, and being ok with that.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: FireBob7 on February 14, 2021, 11:50:44 PM
1. At what age did you FIRE'd or planning to FIRE?   Fired and FIRED at 43. 
2. When did you hear about FIRE and started planning for it?   2014
3. Top 3 goals

Diet and Exercise
Learn Spanish
Latin Dance
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: deborah on February 15, 2021, 04:37:44 AM
1. At what age did you FIRE'd or planning to FIRE?

FIREd at 53

2. When did you hear about FIRE and started planning for it?

Learnt about FIRE at 57 when I found MMM. I guess I started planning for retirement at about 50. It had never dawned on me that you could retire early. We have superannuation instead of a 401k, and the superannuation companies run free seminars about the ones you’re in. I was keen to learn about them, and I talked to the presenters to find out more. At one of them, there was a financial planner in the audience, unrelated to the company, but the presenter told us he was there. He told me I could retire tomorrow. It took me three years to convince myself that I could.

3. Top 3 goals
- Be happy. Enjoy life and leave the world a bit better.
- Learn. Satisfy my curiosity, and become skilled.
- Interact. Create and maintain friendships, be part of my community, and have satisfying relationships.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: fraylock on February 17, 2021, 02:30:55 PM
1. At what age did you FIRE'd or planning to FIRE?   Goal of coast FIRE ~2025 and then fat FIRE 10-15 years later
2. When did you hear about FIRE and started planning for it? 2018 
3. Top 3 goals

Live abroad seasonally
Practice medicine in volunteer capacity (no more answering to corporate structure or insurance companies)
Be more present with with my wife/kids/family/friends
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: Much Fishing to Do on February 18, 2021, 07:26:09 AM
1. At what age did you FIRE'd or planning to FIRE?   Went from 60/hr weeks to 20 hr/wks (which is enough to cover current expenses) at 47.  Will likely pull the plug completely at 50 (except for my school crossing guard job that I love, will likely do that for as long as I can).
2. When did you hear about FIRE and started planning for it? Planned for it at 30, well before I ever heard of the term, as I was having to spend a lot of time away from my family (basically just home on weekends) working in chunks of time but making plenty to then take off chunks of time if we kept our spending reasonable (like 3 months on, 2 months off, and the less we spent the longer the time off).  Really helped me divide income from expenses which was important for me to understand.  Occurred to me this all seemed possible on a grander scale, lifelong.  As my circumstances and growing nest egg allowed me to take bigger risks, I was able to work from home, and then the RE part was no longer so important, but the ideas had been planted.
3. Top 3 goals - That's a tough one and that it is is probably why I haven't pulled the trigger yet.

Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: Metalcat on February 18, 2021, 08:28:52 AM
1. At what age did you FIRE'd or planning to FIRE?

-I had to medically retired at 38, had I been able to continue working full time, I would have hit FI by early 40s

2. When did you hear about FIRE and started planning for it?

-I heard about FIRE not long after I finished school in my early 30s.

3. Top 3 goals

-My goals haven't changed just because I'm not working, but they are always in flux as I'm always taking on new things. I don't really have a 'Top 3 goals' as such, just an overall goal to live a really rich and fulfilling life no matter what the circumstances.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: FLBiker on March 29, 2021, 11:06:57 AM
1) We hit our FI number this year (1.2M) but just moved to Canada from the US so I want to see a year's worth of expenses.  I'm 44, DW is 40.
2) I don't know when I found MMM, but I've always been very frugal / invest-y (since high school, if not younger).  I spent my 20's living in Asia (frugally, but not making much of anything) and DW came to the relationship with some debt, so we kind of started in our 30's.
3) I don't really think in terms of goals, but since you asked: be a good dad and husband, grow a significant portion of my own food, meditate daily and go on retreats.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: Ishmael on March 29, 2021, 01:44:18 PM
1) Somewhere between the age of 50-53, which is not very far in the future NW is currently ~1.6m, and should be around 2m when I pull the plug. Wife early retired a couple of years ago, which has made my working easier as I have less to deal with.

2) My Dad had retired at 52, and impressed upon me the magical nature of compound interest, so I started investing soon after I got a real job. I discovered MMM around 2013?, when I was at a job that didn't suit me well, but was "too good to give up". I was aiming for LeanFIRE ASAP.

Luckily, without intending to take chances, I happened to invest in some things that have consistently beat the market over a long time frame (Apple, Google, Cdn Banks, etc). I was trying to pick stocks and build a portfolio of good companies, and just got lucky. My returns for the past few years have been:
Then, just as I hit my LeanFIRE number (about 3 years ago), I finally got a job where I had been trying to get hired at for a few years. I definitely wanted to give it a try, and ended up liking it pretty good - even better than I expected to. Working because I was choosing to, and not because I have to, makes a big difference, in addition to the job itself just being way more interesting. So the LeanFIRE goal has turned into FatFIRE, and the combination of a) kind of liking my job (as much as I believe it's possible to do so, anyway); b) logistics of kids in school; and c) nice amount of vacation time means I'll stick with it until my eldest graduates high school.

3) Goals... I guess I try to be a good husband to my wife (almost 25 years!) and Dad to my kids, and follow the Dalai Lama's simple advice: "If you can, help others. If you can't, at least do not hurt anyone." I guess I want to expand my circle of friends slightly, but that's on pause until this pandemic is over. I also want to do some of the travelling that we never seemed to get around to doing. Our dream now includes a camper van, with a lot of time in it seeing other places in Canada, and also global sights. We had a plan to finally do a family trip to Europe in 2020, but that got COVIDed. A long journey seeing the sights in New Zealand would be pretty awesome, too. Finally get into meditation, take some more time for my health and hobbies.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: Evgenia on March 29, 2021, 02:28:18 PM
1. At what age did you FIRE'd or planning to FIRE?

38, which was mid 2015.

2. When did you hear about FIRE and started planning for it?

I first heard of the concept in Your Money or Your Life, which I came across somehow (maybe Oprah, maybe the copy sitting around at my grandparents' house?) in the mid 1990s. I started saving in earnest as a college student in 1998 (I worked full time and attended school full time as my parents had no money), to get the free 401(k) match money). I heard of FIRE 10 years ago. Until then, I had never associated the idea of retiring early with my blue-collar-born self. Who could conceive of not working?!

3. Top 3 goals

Spend as much time with my husband and dog (preferably outside) as possible. Continue doing what I'm doing, all of which I love. Never have another job interview.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: anni on April 14, 2021, 03:53:55 PM
1. I want to be FI by 30-31 but don't currently plan to RE, at least not fully, I just want to start working weirder/less stable/seasonal jobs or start a small business that involves one of my hobbies. I'm about 1/5 of the way there!
2. I first learned about FIRE from the MMM blog by accident when I was 18 and it directly led to me going to grad school at 20 to pursue my current career, so shoutout to MMM.
3. My first goal has always just been to not be worried about money, to really be able to take care of myself and friends in need. Otherwise I just want to spend really good quality time with my loved ones for as long as I have them, and keep my mind and body active and healthy for as long as that's in the cards.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: Abe Froman on April 17, 2021, 07:44:02 AM
1. At what age did you FIRE'd or planning to FIRE?

I am currently FIREing at the ripe old age of 46. My goal was to beat 50.

2. When did you hear about FIRE and started planning for it?

I think I heard about it somewhere in 2016. I started planning for it in 2017-ish - but already had a plan for a stash by that time. I mostly was savign hard for something - but did not know the goal of FIRE until I started reading through this MMM forum and all the links (blogs/calcs/dreams) shared.

3. Top 3 goals

Be OK with lingering in boredom for once, appreciating a slower life - and living in the moment with my wife and kids.
Spending time with my pre-teens before they run to their HS/College friends.
Sail down the East Coast to FL, maybe the islands.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: sideways on April 17, 2021, 10:54:15 PM
Planned for age 40, and now I'm 40, and I did it. Still reeling.

My goals are:

1. Spend more time with the kids while they still want to spend time with me
2. Catch up on my open source software hobbies
3. Study physics with the goal of understanding electroweak symmetry breaking

Physics is a terrible career but a wonderful topic, I will re-enroll in college (nearby state university) to learn this stuff.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: Malee55 on April 22, 2021, 06:49:35 PM
Planning on retiring this year so I will be 55.

I first found MMM about 4 years ago but had no intention of retiring early as I loved my job and found it very self fulfilling. I am just naturally relatively frugal so we are financially able to stop work.

3 goals are 1 not work
                 2 socialize more
                 3 get more exercise and get fitter so I am healthy as I get older.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: Maenad on April 23, 2021, 06:55:48 AM
While going through different topics, got a thought to check the following..

1. At what age did you FIRE'd or planning to FIRE?
2. When did you hear about FIRE and started planning for it?
3. Top 3 goals

1. FIREd a year ago at age 45.

2. Heard about it from John Greaney's Retire Early Home Page and the associated Motley Fool message board in 1998. Told DH and we started planning immediately.

3. a. Lose weight - almost done, the pandemic stress had me going in the wrong direction my first 6 months of retirement.
    b. Help my parents more - going well, they need it and I'm glad to do it.
    c. Catch up on house projects and revamp our yard - eh, still working on that one.

Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: MishMash on April 23, 2021, 07:08:33 AM
I FIRED 3 years ago at 35, didn’t mean to, I quit a terrible job with the intention of getting another one but taking a few months to get overdue medical stuff taken care of, and three years and three spinal surgeries later, I’m still without a job and not employable in my old field anymore.  Thankfully I was paid very well in my 12 years of working and we never spent a dime of my salary, because you never know what could happen.

 DH was working until he hit 20 in the military which is this year.  This secures pension and the biggie...medical for life. 

Goals, finish recovering from surgery number 3, which was excruciatingly painful and doesn’t appear to have helped at all so far

2. Come to terms with my new limitations, which I must say is taking a bad mental toll on me

3.  Try to find new things that I enjoy that don’t involve bending over or lifting over 10lbs, and try to exercise more, which is difficult with the pain level and loosing feeling in my feet. 
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: FIREby35 on April 23, 2021, 08:53:52 AM
1. When did I hear about FIRE start planning for it? April 13, 2013 in the Washington Post; https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/meet-mr-money-mustache-the-man-who-retired-at-30/2013/04/26/71e3e6a8-acf3-11e2-a8b9-2a63d75b5459_story.html That was a lightening bolt for me.

2. At What age did you FIRE or planning to FIRE? I was 28  when I read that. I had been practicing law for two years. I made the goal to retire at 35. In the end, the power of being financially independent enabled me to practice law solo and for clients and causes I wanted. By the time I hit 35, I was winding down a significant part of my law practice to focus on jury trial work exclusively. I reduced the size of my practice big-time. But, since I have so much control over what I do and who I do it for, I no longer feel the need to "retire." I'm just living and working on my terms now.

3. Top 3 Goals: In truth, I achieved so many things, I'm trying to move past achievements and goals and focus on what's right in front of me. If I gained freedom from money worries from MMM, I also gained freedom from chasing worldly achievements/goals. But, I'm an active person. I garden, play music, write, run community activities, engage in civic/government activism. I've got three small kids, a wife, a dog, the whole show. But, thanks to MMM and the money advice, I don't have to worry about money and just try to fill as many roles as I can for as many people as I can. It's awesome to be able to empower others to get stuff done by offering free legal advice, a few hundred bucks and some encouragement.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: Laserjet3051 on April 23, 2021, 09:56:36 AM
1. First Heard about FIRE at age 46. Starting planning for it at age 47.

2. Love my career but hate the power these assinine employers have over us and their twisted politics. Planning to be FI ASAP. Planning to fully RE in the 65-67 age range. Possibly semi-RE as early as 62.

3. Top goals are stay healthy and engaged in my pursuits. Work towards FI/stay employed. Get kids through college and no longer be financially dependent on parents (us).
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: BlueHouse on April 23, 2021, 10:14:26 AM

1. At what age did you FIRE'd or planning to FIRE?

FIREd at 53.   (5 weeks ago).  I was planning to go one more year into 2022, but I got there early and I just didn't want to work anymore.

2. When did you hear about FIRE and started planning for it?

First heard of the FIRE movement in 2013/2014.  I had just bought a big house in a HCOL area and was panicking about what that meant to my financial future.  I assumed I'd be working until age 74.  Then I learned I had options just by paying attention to what I spent.

3. Top 3 goals

Just want to live a good life.  good = good to myself and to others.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: anotherAlias on April 26, 2021, 10:12:32 AM
1.  I'm 45 and will be officially retired tomorrow.
2.  I first heard about FIRE about 20 years ago when I read an article about the Kaderli's.  At first I thought it was nuts but then as I read more about finances and retiring early, I slowly realized it was possible for me.
3.  Goals?  stay healthy, have fun, and enjoy my family
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: itchyfeet on May 16, 2021, 06:07:37 AM
1. Will FIRE next year aged 50.

2. Have always been sensible with my money. Always worked hard to be able to enjoy life, travelling the world and splurging on good times.. but also always had one eye on my growing stash.

At around 40 I became a bit disillusioned  that I had achieved enough from my career and turned my eye to post work. I started tracking my costs and building spreadsheets. At that time I had in mind I would want a house worth $500K and $80K a year spending, which I thought would require me saving $1.6M, so I thought I was targeting a total net worth of $2.1m by 50. At that time I had a bit over $1M NW.

At about 42 I started reading about early retirement and doing my homework to check amd fine tune my plans. First I came across ERE, then bogleheads and finally MMM. I learnt so much!

At 43 I managed to secure a job in the Middle East. The move revitalised me work wise.... for a while. Haha.

Since 43 I have been grappling with “how much is enough”. My post FIRE spending ambitions have grown significantly over the past 10 years as my NW has grown. In particular in FIRE we are now looking at buying a home worth $1.5M AUD+ rather than $500K and when I FIRE at 50 my net worth will be well north of double what I thought I was aiming for 10 years ago.

3. Goals...hmmmm.

  1. I want to be there for my family when they need me. Especially my parents (I want the time to help them in their final years with whatever they need to be comfortable) and my nieces and nephews. I don’t have my own kids but would like to make a meaningful, potentially financial, contribution for my nieces and nephews to get them set in life. Potentially pay their university tuition or provide a deposit for their first house. Maybe just be a mentor to them when they need some perspectives. I’ve made plenty of mistakes, and come out pretty unbruised.

  2. Tackle the great hikes in the world before I’m too old. My knees are already stiff. I don’t want to leave it to much longer to regain my fitness and to explore the worlds mountains and national parks. I used to want to hike the PCT but 4 months is to big a chunk of the limited time remaining when there are so many different hikes across the world. Now my ambition is limited to hikes between 1 day and maybe 30 days duration.

  3. I don’t want to stop using my brain post FIRE. I am not yet sure what “using my brain” post FIRE looks like, but I am considering going back to school and maybe studying something intellectually stimulating, with no aim to make a career from it. Maybe anthropology, or history or architecture or zoology or botany....I don’t know. Maybe I’ll just read and not do anything formal.

  4. I’d like to tinker with a car and be part of a club. I am trying to decide whether I’ll go the classic car route or the off road 4x4 route Maybe both.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: boarder42 on May 16, 2021, 02:30:05 PM
2014 - 27 years old
Will fire early 2022 35 years old.
Goals
Teach personal finance
Travel
Be there for all my kids activities
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on May 16, 2021, 02:50:17 PM
FIRE'd at 32
Discovered the early retirement community in 2012 at 25
Started planning and getting serious in 2014 at 27

relapsed into work and now targeting June of 2023 (Age 36).....failure at its finest.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: boarder42 on May 16, 2021, 03:03:19 PM
FIRE'd at 32
Discovered the early retirement community in 2012 at 25
Started planning and getting serious in 2014 at 27

relapsed into work and now targeting June of 2023 (Age 36).....failure at its finest.

Relapsed for monetary reasons or something too do
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on May 16, 2021, 03:06:50 PM
Relapsed for monetary reasons or something too do

When I discovered FI/RE, I was in one-player mode. Got married shortly after pulling the plug in 2019. That changed the numbers quite a bit for us to be FI as a household. So a little of both, since we could probably wing it with a little PT/Seasonal/Sporadic work, along with geoarbitrage. Learned some important lessons over the past year though (especially with short term rentals being sucked dry in the USA this spring/summer), and landing in a not so nice area due to costs last month, Myrtle Murder Beach.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: Abe on May 16, 2021, 08:40:13 PM
Plan to be FI in three years (age 38) but no current plans to retire. Maybe age 50? Probably will work part-time in research for another 10 years after, or until they think my ideas are stale. That may just end being a hobby if they don’t want to pay me.

My wife may retire sooner (she’s working part time already).

Heard about this site 7 years ago roughly, but had planned on being financially independent since my first job at age 17.

Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: luckyme13 on May 17, 2021, 01:30:50 PM
I'll FIRE next year at age 47/48

I read Your Money or Your Life at age 28 and it solidified my goal of saving as much as possible so I could gain my freedom.  I've always been a hard worker and saver but that book gave me the confidence to optimize my earnings and savings.  My personal goal was to step away from anything that wasn't fulfilling me work wise by age 50.  I'm coasting at this point and marked my calendar to resign by May 2, 2022.

Top 3 Goals:
1. Spend time with my family.  More time together; less worrying about keeping up with others and buying the latest and greatest.
2. Slow travel.  Take a slow train in Europe and enjoy the scenery.
3. Possibly train for another marathon just for fun and not worry about my finish time.

Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: Tester on May 18, 2021, 11:33:31 AM
1. At what age did you FIRE'd or planning to FIRE?
For now hoping, as the planning part is not going smoothly - can't get wife to talk about long term financial plans and I don't know the expected expenses.
Hoping 2 million would be enough - which right now means it could happen at 50 years old.

2. When did you hear about FIRE and started planning for it?
I was thinking about how to not work since I was 30.
I heard about FIRE when I was 35.
I started saving at 37.
We are at 500k net worth after 6 years of saving, I am ok with this but I need to put a cap on spending...

3. Top 3 goals
Family.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: boarder42 on May 18, 2021, 01:16:29 PM
Relapsed for monetary reasons or something too do

When I discovered FI/RE, I was in one-player mode. Got married shortly after pulling the plug in 2019. That changed the numbers quite a bit for us to be FI as a household. So a little of both, since we could probably wing it with a little PT/Seasonal/Sporadic work, along with geoarbitrage. Learned some important lessons over the past year though (especially with short term rentals being sucked dry in the USA this spring/summer), and landing in a not so nice area due to costs last month, Myrtle Murder Beach.

oh man thats not fun but its one of the things people just don't consider. too many people work too long b/c they wonder about what if.  In your case what if i get married.  But you can always flex your RE muscle then go back to work and its just a shift in life.  I really think people re-entering the workforce after RE should broadcast their stories more as it may make people feel like the RE date isnt a cliff you fall off and can never return from.  And its not a negative or a "failure" to return to work.  You base decisions based on the data you have and that changes over time.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: InvincibleChutzpah on May 19, 2021, 07:59:11 AM
1. At what age did you FIRE'd or planning to FIRE?
I'm 39 now and planning on retiring around 47

2. When did you hear about FIRE and started planning for it?
My father and grandfather both retired in their early 50s before the modern FIRE movement was a thing. So early retirement has always been on my radar as an option. I graduated college at the beginning of the recession and floundered a bit in my career. I had a Roth IRA and small investment account in my 20s at my fathers insistence, but didn't start seriously saving until I got my first "grown up" job at 31.

3. Top 3 goals
Health, time with my partner, free time to pursue my hobbies
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: boarder42 on May 20, 2021, 09:08:08 AM
1. At what age did you FIRE'd or planning to FIRE?
For now hoping, as the planning part is not going smoothly - can't get wife to talk about long term financial plans and I don't know the expected expenses.
Hoping 2 million would be enough - which right now means it could happen at 50 years old.



I kinda brute forced my way into this.  Just track all your spending today with how your life is.  You cut spending where you can influence it and be more efficient and save those dollars.  You can use that forecast as a starting point once you understand how much you spend today.  Future spending can be inferred as well.  We hit FI this year with my wife not really buying in either now she's going to be the first to jump ship.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: Tester on May 22, 2021, 09:51:40 AM
1. At what age did you FIRE'd or planning to FIRE?
For now hoping, as the planning part is not going smoothly - can't get wife to talk about long term financial plans and I don't know the expected expenses.
Hoping 2 million would be enough - which right now means it could happen at 50 years old.



I kinda brute forced my way into this.  Just track all your spending today with how your life is.  You cut spending where you can influence it and be more efficient and save those dollars.  You can use that forecast as a starting point once you understand how much you spend today.  Future spending can be inferred as well.  We hit FI this year with my wife not really buying in either now she's going to be the first to jump ship.

Thank you, this is what I am doing.
Just that lately we had some big expenses for the house and the budget is kind of funky.
I plan to get to a steady spending starting the next month and will see hot this pans out over the next 6 months.
Without the mortgage we should be fine on 2 million..
Will get to a better plan soon as passing 500k net worth and being able to buy a house has showed my wife that I am not completely nuts :-).
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: boarder42 on May 22, 2021, 12:45:16 PM
1. At what age did you FIRE'd or planning to FIRE?
For now hoping, as the planning part is not going smoothly - can't get wife to talk about long term financial plans and I don't know the expected expenses.
Hoping 2 million would be enough - which right now means it could happen at 50 years old.



I kinda brute forced my way into this.  Just track all your spending today with how your life is.  You cut spending where you can influence it and be more efficient and save those dollars.  You can use that forecast as a starting point once you understand how much you spend today.  Future spending can be inferred as well.  We hit FI this year with my wife not really buying in either now she's going to be the first to jump ship.

Thank you, this is what I am doing.
Just that lately we had some big expenses for the house and the budget is kind of funky.
I plan to get to a steady spending starting the next month and will see hot this pans out over the next 6 months.
Without the mortgage we should be fine on 2 million..
Will get to a better plan soon as passing 500k net worth and being able to buy a house has showed my wife that I am not completely nuts :-).

Part of it may be the medium for delivery. I was rewatching MMM at the world domination summit in 2016 last week. And my wife was looking over my shoulder and was like who is that I'm like MMM or Pete. She's like that's MMM he's hot. Why didn't you show me videos of him years ago I'd have watched that. On top of that his public speaking is just as good or better than his writing. I mean we're already FI but she was nodding along and was like yeah we do that we did that wow this really all did work out.

So figure out how your wife likes to consume. My wife loves the short funny videos from dude dad et al.  And Pete's speech was pretty humorous too
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: monarda on May 27, 2021, 06:45:47 PM
1. I'm FI and reached that at 60. I'm 61. Still working but might go to half time at some point this year. I like my job.
2. Learned about the concept at age 53. Started first contributions into 403b, 457b at age 56. Been doing major catch up- something like 60%-70% gross income savings rate for the last 5 years. Joined the forums here via the rental/landlording/real estate threads.
3. No goals. Never had them. I try and always enjoy all the moments. The whole journey. I try new stuff all the time.  Work doesn't keep me from doing that. So I guess my goal is to never be bored. How's that?
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: Arbitrage on May 28, 2021, 08:54:55 PM
1. Coast-FIRE in two weeks at age 43.  Moving to a new location and cutting way back on hours.  Full FIRE will be...?  Anywhere from 6 months to several years, depending upon part-time remote job opportunities and how much I enjoy doing part-time work.  A terrible stock market crash would also probably inspire me to keep working longer.
2. Always knew I wanted to retire early, but figured that probably meant no earlier than 59.5.  Started planning for mid-40s FIRE at age 38 after really diving in to various blogs, including MMM.
3. Family, health/outdoor activity, meaningful activism.  Not sure what form that last one will be yet - some combination of volunteering and environmental stuff, perhaps. 
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: YK-Phil on May 29, 2021, 05:30:12 PM
1. I FIREd at 62, last fall. Not early by FIRE standards but I loved my job and really had no desire or incentive to leave until I started to have some issues with the top guy at my work, so I called it quits. My boss was fired, my board of directors asked me to stay on board, but I had already moved on.

2. I lead a semi-clown life with the spending that came with it until my late 40s that was somehow offset by the fact that I lived in the Arctic all my working life, making really good money but spending big on toys. No sports car or fancy clothes for me but a bunch of ATVs, snowmobiles, boats and everything you "need" to have fun in the Arctic, and regular and expensive winter and summer holidays in the "south" with my four kids. I don't really regret any of it but I should have been a little more careful.

3. Goals: my first year of retirement has been boring AF, a combination of not being able to travel freely due to the pandemic as my wife and I had planned, and the fact that I really miss all the exciting stuff from my old working life. Once the pandemic-related stuff is over, I'll resume my retirement plans which were to drive down the Panamerica with my wife. This alone should make me forget about my old life, hopefully.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: ronsbusa3 on May 30, 2021, 05:09:03 PM
Just fired April 1st. at age 50.
Always wanted to retire by 58..  Learned about fire at age 44...Living the dream at 50 🤘
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: boarder42 on May 31, 2021, 07:58:17 AM
Just fired April 1st. at age 50.
Always wanted to retire by 58..  Learned about fire at age 44...Living the dream at 50 🤘

Awesome how have the first 2 months been
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: 2sk22 on June 01, 2021, 06:30:44 AM
1. At what age did you FIRE'd or planning to FIRE?

I retired last year in my late 50s.

2. When did you hear about FIRE and started planning for it?

I have followed Boglehead principles of saving and investing in index funds for over 25 years. But, I was not aware of the FIRE movement or even the concept of early retirement until 2018. After I discovered MMM and read through his blog and JL Collins' blog, I suddenly realized I was already way past FI and I did not have to work until traditional retirement age. I then set about getting ready to retire asap. It was mostly a matter of consolidating and cleaning up my finances which took about a year.

3. Top 3 goals

- Study math, science and philosophy
- Build model train layouts
- Do a lot of programming
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: ldsfire on June 15, 2021, 01:38:39 PM
Quote
1. At what age did you FIRE'd or planning to FIRE?
Planning to fire by 2032, and I'll be 45. I just ran the numbers today - we should be able to pay off our house by 2030, and then put our monthly payment towards retirement for a couple years.

Quote
2. When did you hear about FIRE and started planning for it?
My wife and I started the Dave Ramsey baby steps when we got married (a couple people gave us books as wedding presents), and it has been an amazing journey. I think that caused us to focus on personal finance, and then I heard about FIRE about 5 years ago - but we were already on track.

Quote
3. Top 3 goals
Top 3 goals (right now)...
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: stoaX on June 16, 2021, 05:47:49 AM
Quote
1. At what age did you FIRE'd or planning to FIRE?
Planning to fire by 2032, and I'll be 45. I just ran the numbers today - we should be able to pay off our house by 2030, and then put our monthly payment towards retirement for a couple years.

Quote
2. When did you hear about FIRE and started planning for it?
My wife and I started the Dave Ramsey baby steps when we got married (a couple people gave us books as wedding presents), and it has been an amazing journey. I think that caused us to focus on personal finance, and then I heard about FIRE about 5 years ago - but we were already on track.

Quote
3. Top 3 goals
Top 3 goals (right now)...
  • Spend more time with my kids to teach them hands-on things outdoors.
  • Write lots of music and finish writing books that I started.
  • Give to random strangers!

It's hard to believe that 2030 is less than a decade away.    Spending time with your kids outdoors is a fantastic and remarkably important goal!
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: epritch7 on June 16, 2021, 08:52:22 AM
1. At what age did you FIRE'd or planning to FIRE?  Plan to at 41
2. When did you hear about FIRE and started planning for it?  Around 2015 at age 35
3. Top 3 goals:  1. Be present for my wife and 3 kids; 2. Explore via slow travel in our camper and/or short term rentals; 3. Challenge myself doing part time work/service locally
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: davisgang90 on August 09, 2021, 07:39:01 AM
1. At what age did you FIRE'd or planning to FIRE? Age 49, 3 years ago
2. When did you hear about FIRE and started planning for it? Age 41
3. Top 3 goals, Time with family, Photography Hobby and relaxing

I'm retired Navy (28 years active duty) and I stuck around for a couple tours as I still enjoyed the challenge and wanted to pad the old TSP a bit more. I timed my retirement for my youngest son to start High School in our new FIRE location and for my middle son (who has autism) to have 2 years of job training "eligibility" through the school system.

I failed at FIRE by taking a full time job for a year at my alma mater, but left after a year as the pay was poor and my time was too valuable. I'll do no more than part-time or volunteer work from now on.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: FLBiker on August 11, 2021, 10:33:10 AM
1. At what age did you FIRE'd or planning to FIRE? Planning to FIRE next summer, age 45.

2. When did you hear about FIRE and started planning for it? I don't remember when I heard the term FIRE, but I have a vivid memory of realizing in high school that every dollar I didn't spend was time I didn't have to work.  In my 20s, my goal was more not working than saving money (which was fine) but in my 30s I got more into the FI side of things.  I was always frugal and I was into low-cost index funds before I found this forum, which I believe was my introduction to the formal concept of FIRE.

3. Top 3 goals: Time with family (wife and 6 year old daughter), spend time outside, give back to my community
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: soulpatchmike on August 11, 2021, 11:47:34 AM

-At what age did you FIRE'd or planning to FIRE?  Targeting 2030 at age 55. The youngest of 5 kids will be 20yrs old and potentially in college.  DW has been a SAHM/Teacher since 2002 so only one of us has generated income/savings to achieve FIRE for us.
-When did you hear about FIRE and started planning for it?  2015 at age 40, started planning more deliberately in 2018.
-Top 3 goals
--From now until FIRE  1. Enjoy my kids while they are still living with us as much as possible(vacations and being present at home).  2. $1MM in liquid equities 3. Payoff 4 mortgages.
--After FIRE 1. Travel south for warmth each winter 2. Create cool things with electricity, metal and/or wood  3. Maximize the potential that our children and grandchildren will want to share their lives with us regularly with a flexible lifestyle and home.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: mboley on August 15, 2021, 02:04:36 PM
I started thinking about ER in my late 30's because I absolutely hated my high paying job. My plan was to stick it out till age 48 anyway because I was on the more traditional boomer path, meaning spending money, nice house, ect. FIRE wasnt a thing back but I knew I didn't want to work into my 50s.

 But shit happens. It was 1999 and the market crashed a few months later, and 1.5 years after that, my employer and I parted amicably with a nice parting gift.  They knew my heart wasnt in it.

For two years I tried not working and being a stay at home dad. I then bought a small business and was rockin and rolling when 2008 happened. I lost 40% of my revenue almost overnight. At the same time my wife and I separated, then divorced. With some luck and alot of grinding I did recover and FatFIRED for good at 56 in 2015.

So my unsolicited advise for those of you on the younger side is realize the next ten years may not be like the last ten in the market and real estate.
And stay married; divorce can devastate your FIRE plans.

Sent from my SM-A205U using Tapatalk
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: jeroly on August 16, 2021, 07:39:46 PM
While going through different topics, got a thought to check the following..

1. At what age did you FIRE'd or planning to FIRE?
2. When did you hear about FIRE and started planning for it?
3. Top 3 goals



1. I FIREd about 21 years ago.
2. I didn't hear about FIRE until about five years ago. It was just as well that I hadn't heard about it when I pulled the plug, because I would've probably not done it if I had - I had ignored SORR and FIREd with about a 7% WR. (Despite retiring at a terrible time for my cohort, I wound up getting very lucky with investments and now am at about a 3% WR).
3. Family, travel, control of my own destiny.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: Fire2025 on August 17, 2021, 07:24:43 AM
1.  I plan to fire end of 2025 at 55
2.  Found FIRE at age 44-ish, making 58k a year, and the rest is history.
3.  Freedom, happiness, and be a full time stay at home artist/ gardener.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: Steeze on August 17, 2021, 12:06:22 PM
While going through different topics, got a thought to check the following..

1. At what age did you FIRE'd or planning to FIRE?
2. When did you hear about FIRE and started planning for it?
3. Top 3 goals



1. I FIREd about 21 years ago.
2. I didn't hear about FIRE until about five years ago. It was just as well that I hadn't heard about it when I pulled the plug, because I would've probably not done it if I had - I had ignored SORR and FIREd with about a 7% WR. (Despite retiring at a terrible time for my cohort, I wound up getting very lucky with investments and now am at about a 3% WR).
3. Family, travel, control of my own destiny.

Damn ... 7% WR I could pull the plug next year
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: jeroly on August 18, 2021, 05:58:51 AM
While going through different topics, got a thought to check the following..

1. At what age did you FIRE'd or planning to FIRE?
2. When did you hear about FIRE and started planning for it?
3. Top 3 goals



1. I FIREd about 21 years ago.
2. I didn't hear about FIRE until about five years ago. It was just as well that I hadn't heard about it when I pulled the plug, because I would've probably not done it if I had - I had ignored SORR and FIREd with about a 7% WR. (Despite retiring at a terrible time for my cohort, I wound up getting very lucky with investments and now am at about a 3% WR).
3. Family, travel, control of my own destiny.

Damn ... 7% WR I could pull the plug next year
Not recommended unless you have a plan that will be sure to...

Pull all your money out of equities while the market drops for the first three years of your retirement

Cash out your company stock options at the peak of the market

Be so busy that you don’t change your equities during a crash and recovery (2007-2013) and then continue to keep them until just before another crash (2018)

Have your primary residence quadruple in value (1994-2014) and see your real estate equity increase forty-fold (due to leverage)


Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: Steeze on August 18, 2021, 09:09:06 AM
While going through different topics, got a thought to check the following..

1. At what age did you FIRE'd or planning to FIRE?
2. When did you hear about FIRE and started planning for it?
3. Top 3 goals



1. I FIREd about 21 years ago.
2. I didn't hear about FIRE until about five years ago. It was just as well that I hadn't heard about it when I pulled the plug, because I would've probably not done it if I had - I had ignored SORR and FIREd with about a 7% WR. (Despite retiring at a terrible time for my cohort, I wound up getting very lucky with investments and now am at about a 3% WR).
3. Family, travel, control of my own destiny.

Damn ... 7% WR I could pull the plug next year
Not recommended unless you have a plan that will be sure to...

Pull all your money out of equities while the market drops for the first three years of your retirement

Cash out your company stock options at the peak of the market

Be so busy that you don’t change your equities during a crash and recovery (2007-2013) and then continue to keep them until just before another crash (2018)

Have your primary residence quadruple in value (1994-2014) and see your real estate equity increase forty-fold (due to leverage)

(https://i.pinimg.com/564x/93/8f/56/938f5621c7a9fe06b01e60d7a57b8917--famous-men-dumb-and-dumber.jpg)
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: J.R. Ewing on August 18, 2021, 10:02:07 AM
1 - Plan to retire at 44 in two years.
2 - Heard about fire at age 39.  I always figured I'd retire early at around 55, but then I learned how close I really was.
3 - Some many things I want to do, it's hard to imagine that there will be enough time.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: BlueMR2 on August 21, 2021, 01:16:16 PM
1. Have been FI for awhile now at varying levels of being able to support all the extra hobbies I indulge in.  I'd go with safe comfortable full FI about 2 years ago.  Have not pulled the trigger on RE yet for a number of reasons.  My planned RE window opened a year and a quarter ago, and extends for another 3 and a half years.
2. I had not heard the term FIRE until I bumped into MMM website probably/guessing about a decade ago now?  However, way back when I was very young I remember my parents discussing friends that had a tiny apartment, no furniture, living off of Ramen despite 2 high paying jobs planning on retiring in their 40's.  Seemed strange to me at the time.  I was all in on the get out of school, work until 65, stop working thing.  Didn't really understand until I ran into the MMM pages...
3. I'm struggling to come up with any.  I just don't have any real goals.  Does not running out of money count?  I guess I'd like to spend some time getting back into physical shape while I still can?  Even that's not a big deal though.  I've already done everything I really wanted in life.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: Gone Fishing on August 21, 2021, 01:47:35 PM
Retired in my early 30's.

Never really heard about FIRE from anywhere, just figured a million bucks would be enough not to be forced to go somewhere I didn't want to go every day.  Started planning my FIRE seriously in high school.  Sat in class with a TI-85 and ran PERT calculations to see what I needed to do.

Goals were freedom, travel, and enough cash to pursue some cool hobbies. Covid has thrown a wrench in things, but for the most part, I have acheived those goals.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: itsallgood on August 26, 2021, 10:29:27 AM
1 - FIRE'd 20 years ago at age 48.  DH retired 23 years ago at age 51.  Both retired from telecommunications industry with incentives to retire early.
2 - I followed John Greaney, The Retire Early Homepage, read books like Your Money or Your Life, long before Mr. MM was around the internet.
3 - Have not run out of money, still healthy, and have enjoyed every day of the last 20 years.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: SYNACK on August 29, 2021, 02:40:12 PM
1. I'm 51 and already financially independent however I'm planning to pull the plug at the end of next year (2022)

2. In 2008 when the market crashed my employer (a large company) laid off thousands of people. At that time I was basically living paycheck to paycheck. Little savings... and from looking at the people that were let go I knew I simply got lucky. And I knew if it were me it would have turned our lives really badly. Have kids/wife to feed and pay the bills etc. That was my wake up call and decided to fixate on that one thing... to not be vulnerable. Few years later I heard about FIRE (don't exactly when) and that cemented my plans and effort.

3. Not sure...I already put a lot of focus on "work/life" balance in the past 2-3 years. So I suppose my new focus would be to change that to focus to "life"
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: Finntastic on September 02, 2021, 07:23:25 PM
1. 43 (next January)
2. About 2 years ago
3. Health, experiences...
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: stoaX on September 03, 2021, 04:25:10 AM
1. I'm 51 and already financially independent however I'm planning to pull the plug at the end of next year (2022)

2. In 2008 when the market crashed my employer (a large company) laid off thousands of people. At that time I was basically living paycheck to paycheck. Little savings... and from looking at the people that were let go I knew I simply got lucky. And I knew if it were me it would have turned our lives really badly. Have kids/wife to feed and pay the bills etc. That was my wake up call and decided to fixate on that one thing... to not be vulnerable. Few years later I heard about FIRE (don't exactly when) and that cemented my plans and effort.

3. Not sure...I already put a lot of focus on "work/life" balance in the past 2-3 years. So I suppose my new focus would be to change that to focus to "life"

Yeah, circa 2008 was a scary time economically. 

Regarding point #3, the common wisdom is that retiring "to" something, as opposed to "from" something makes for a better transition to your new situation.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: Present Muse on September 12, 2021, 05:13:27 PM
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: travel2020 on September 12, 2021, 11:50:16 PM
1. At what age did you FIRE'd or planning to FIRE?

Planning to FIRE 2023, but somewhat dependent on this pandemic. Have a small business that I had planned to sell about now, but with COVID, need to wait till the business shows decent profitability again.

2. When did you hear about FIRE and started planning for it? Came across it 2019 or so


3. Top 3 goals

Slow travel around the world, give back to the community/volunteer, learn something new
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: Dicey on September 14, 2021, 06:06:51 AM
1. I'm 51 and already financially independent however I'm planning to pull the plug at the end of next year (2022)

2. In 2008 when the market crashed my employer (a large company) laid off thousands of people. At that time I was basically living paycheck to paycheck. Little savings... and from looking at the people that were let go I knew I simply got lucky. And I knew if it were me it would have turned our lives really badly. Have kids/wife to feed and pay the bills etc. That was my wake up call and decided to fixate on that one thing... to not be vulnerable. Few years later I heard about FIRE (don't exactly when) and that cemented my plans and effort.

3. Not sure...I already put a lot of focus on "work/life" balance in the past 2-3 years. So I suppose my new focus would be to change that to focus to "life"

Yeah, circa 2008 was a scary time economically. 

Regarding point #3, the common wisdom is that retiring "to" something, as opposed to "from" something makes for a better transition to your new situation.
I think that "common wisdom" is directed more to people of conventional retirement age and is less applicable to people who FIRE. In the latter case, you're talking about a group that has made a concerted effort to exit the work force early. They're much more likely to be successful than folks who merely age out without much planning. IMO, retiring to not working is a fine goal all by itself.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: Metalcat on September 16, 2021, 07:35:59 AM
1. I'm 51 and already financially independent however I'm planning to pull the plug at the end of next year (2022)

2. In 2008 when the market crashed my employer (a large company) laid off thousands of people. At that time I was basically living paycheck to paycheck. Little savings... and from looking at the people that were let go I knew I simply got lucky. And I knew if it were me it would have turned our lives really badly. Have kids/wife to feed and pay the bills etc. That was my wake up call and decided to fixate on that one thing... to not be vulnerable. Few years later I heard about FIRE (don't exactly when) and that cemented my plans and effort.

3. Not sure...I already put a lot of focus on "work/life" balance in the past 2-3 years. So I suppose my new focus would be to change that to focus to "life"

Yeah, circa 2008 was a scary time economically. 

Regarding point #3, the common wisdom is that retiring "to" something, as opposed to "from" something makes for a better transition to your new situation.
I think that "common wisdom" is directed more to people of conventional retirement age and is less applicable to people who FIRE. In the latter case, you're talking about a group that has made a concerted effort to exit the work force early. They're much more likely to be successful than folks who merely age out without much planning. IMO, retiring to not working is a fine goal all by itself.

Agreed. For a lot of FIRE types, retiring "to" something is actually unhealthy because what they really need is a true break to discover who they are without a job, and allow new motivations to bubble up organically.

FIRE folks are highly proactive, autonomous people who have no problem building their own best lives and establishing their own definition of happiness and success. The "retire to something" advice is for people who otherwise wouldn't know what to do with themselves an run the risk of ending up aimless.

I retired "to something" and it was ultimately stupid as it just kept me in "work mode", it wasn't until I was forced out of it that I finally decompressed, and spending a few months committed to absolutely NOTHING was the best thing for me.

Autonomous, self directed adults don't need guard rails or training wheels.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: bye-bye Ms. FancyPants on September 18, 2021, 08:06:06 PM
1. At what age did you FIRE'd or planning to FIRE?
Planning to FIRE soon (2022-2023), 44ish

2. When did you hear about FIRE and started planning for it?
I just looked at when I joined this community - 12/2013. Probably started learning & planning 2012, but we had some debt to pay off.

3. Top 3 goals
- less rush and hustle
- spend time with my kids while they still like me
- hike, bike, kayak or camp on a random Tuesday
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: ChpBstrd on September 18, 2021, 08:31:14 PM
1. At what age did you FIRE'd or planning to FIRE?
Hoping for age 44.
2. When did you hear about FIRE and started planning for it?
Hard to remember... maybe 2012? By then my NW was already about 200k-ish.
3. Top 3 goals
a) To have more time available to cultivate friendships and build a strong family.
b) To get involved in community organizing and IRL community-building.
c) To spend more time doing fun stuff like mountain biking, traveling, running the occasional 5k, attending cultural events, etc.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: Anon-E-Mouze on September 19, 2021, 07:37:59 PM
1. At what age did you FIRE'd or planning to FIRE?
We are already FAT FI. I'm planning to either retire (very probable) or cut down my hours (as lawyer) to 28 or fewer per week when I turn 60, on 2024. If I decided to the part-time route, I imagine I'd only keep it up for another 2-3 years. I really enjoy my job as a knowledge management lawyer and it's the kind of job that could be done on a part-time basis, so that's why I'm considering it.

2. When did you hear about FIRE and started planning for it?
I heard about it probably around 2015, when I came across the FIRECALC website while looking for a good retirement income calculator. I started thinking seriously about retiring before 65 in late 2016, when I got RIF'd from a corporate job and realized that we were comfortably FI but probably would want to keep working for a few more years to enhance our stache.

3. Top 3 goals
1. Improve our physical health (fitness and nutrition) so that we can reduce health-related risks and enjoy retirement. (We're in good health and decent shape but would like to be better.)
2. I'd like to get back being more involved with farmed animal rescue organizations as a photographer and maybe a board member. And I'd like to spend more time focusing on photography.
3. Finish my undergraduate degree! I have a law degree and an LL.M, but I'm about a half year short of credits for my undergraduate degree. (In Canada, you can get into law school without an undergraduate degree if your grades and LSAT score are high enough.) And once that degree, is finished, I'll just keep studying.
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: dougules on September 21, 2021, 03:34:37 PM
1. At what age did you FIRE'd or planning to FIRE?

Next month at 43.

2. When did you hear about FIRE and started planning for it?

I came across the MMM blog in 2014 while trying to figure out how to invest the spare cash I had built up.  FIRE hadn't even registered to me as something that many people could do before that. 

3. Top 3 goals

1. Not have to write out goals.  I'm feeling a bit snarky today, but seriously why does every little detail in life need to be obsessively planned and compulsively managed?  Isn't FIRE about having the space to free yourself from that mindset?

2. Sleep according to my own natural cycle.  I'm coming to the conclusion that wanting to sleep in in the morning isn't just frivolous and that the Puritanical idea of "early to bed, early to rise" that I was raised with is probably causing me health problems. 

3. Generally recover from being burnt out.

Honorable Mention. Travel. 
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: Financial.Velociraptor on September 21, 2021, 04:54:56 PM
2. Sleep according to my own natural cycle.  I'm coming to the conclusion that wanting to sleep in in the morning isn't just frivolous and that the Puritanical idea of "early to bed, early to rise" that I was raised with is probably causing me health problems. 

Highly recommended!

For years after FI, I slept in every day until 10AM or so.  Eventually, I started waking up around 7 naturally (still just kind of lollygag in bed until at least 8 most days).  But I'm ready to be alive and find you don't need as much sleep when you don't dread the day.  It takes time though to establish a natural rhythm. 
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: evanc on September 21, 2021, 06:42:57 PM
1. At what age did you FIRE'd or planning to FIRE?

By 45, possibly sooner

2. When did you hear about FIRE and started planning for it?

37, found MMM. Prior to that, I had more or less resigned myself to a “normal” retirement age of mid-60s, but still hoped there had to be a better way. From doing my research on how much to save for retirement, I found MMM. The first time I read the “Shockingly simple math,” I thought it sounded too good to be true. Fast forward 5 years, and am about 80% to my FIRE number.

3. Top 3 goals - in no particular order

Travel more
Spend more time with family and friends
Opt out of anything I don’t want to do, because I don’t need the money:)
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: Numbers on September 30, 2021, 04:32:30 PM
1. Could FIRE now, but doing super interesting things with good people at work for the past couple of years now so have been holding off and will downshift to PT around spring 2022; then something that looks kind of like Fat FIRE in another year or two at ~53-54

2. (age ~44) Always knew about and wanted to be FI as soon as I could. Had never really known how much exactly that might mean for me to save personally until I ran into MMM in ~2013 and began reading up on 4% rule, how to withdraw from various accounts, etc...

3. Time with family/raise teenage son, Travel for interesting/fun things more (currently travel for work a fair bit), non-profit work/assistance
Title: Re: At what age you are FIRE'd / planning to FIRE and when did you hear about FIRE?
Post by: Ishmael on October 04, 2021, 08:49:27 AM
1. At what age did you FIRE'd or planning to FIRE?
Plan is for spring of 2024, so around 33 months; I'll be 49. I could pull the plug now and basically match my current work income indefinitely, but I have a job that I like OK, gives me a decent amount of time off, and I like the people I'm working with, so I've decided to pad things. Also, we have kids still at home, so there would be constraints on my time/freedom anyway. Just seems like a better option to defer it a bit. Wife is retired though, as of 2 years ago, so that removes a lot of stress/burden from my time outside of work anyway. She takes care of most of life's administrative bullshit

2. When did you hear about FIRE and started planning for it?
I started saving for retirement early in about 1999, but didn't realize how early it was possible to retire until about 2007. I started tracking my numbers in earnest in 2012.

3. Top 3 goals
a) Enjoy my hobbies while having the time and energy to put towards them that I currently do working. Camping, cooking, canoeing, building things, gardening, board gaming, ...
b) Travel with Wife. Probably will buy a camper van. 
c) Get healthier - more light activity, less sitting.