Author Topic: Another anti-FIRE article  (Read 2102 times)

phildonnia

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Another anti-FIRE article
« on: August 14, 2020, 04:23:07 PM »
https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/obsessed-with-fire-movement-wasnt-right-for-me-2020-8

Ok, it's not "anti-FIRE"; more of an "it isn't right for me".  But with the usual assertion that aggressive savers are sad misers with no life. 

The bottom line:
Quote
Today, I believe there's a balance to maintain between enjoying your life right now and ensuring that you've planned appropriately for the future.

That sounds wise and all, and it has that wonderful word "balance" in it.  But I think it's flawed, because it assumes (as so many anti-FIRE people do) that present enjoyment and future planning are in opposition. 

You don't balance enjoyment of life and planning.  You do them both, to the greatest degree you can. 





LWYRUP

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Re: Another anti-FIRE article
« Reply #1 on: August 14, 2020, 04:50:08 PM »
Seems like the author still saves 40-50% of her income.

Sooo, saving 60-80% of your income for a bunch of years, then deciding to mix things up and drop it down to 40-50%?

Still seems pretty FIRE-y to me. 

Just an advertisement for her blog / podcast?

bacchi

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Re: Another anti-FIRE article
« Reply #2 on: August 14, 2020, 05:07:02 PM »
FIRE is about only spending on the future and everything is saved except for what goes to food, water, and a minimally appointed shelter. It's too extreme.

YOLO is about only spending for the present and nothing for the future is saved. It's too extreme.

But my blog is about the balanced middle ground, where you can save for the future and enjoy life now. Click www.marketing.com to see how I've defined my niche!

channtheman

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Re: Another anti-FIRE article
« Reply #3 on: August 15, 2020, 04:27:03 PM »
I don't know, it sounds exactly like the recent blog post here by MMM.  I don't really have any issues with it.

American GenX

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Re: Another anti-FIRE article
« Reply #4 on: August 15, 2020, 05:44:17 PM »

Mehhh...  I don't usually even bother reading those articles.  I haven't even read much of the MMM blog, for that matter.

moof

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Re: Another anti-FIRE article
« Reply #5 on: August 16, 2020, 12:28:25 AM »
Yeah, Meh.

She hated her job (didn't say what it was), went the FIRE route for a bit, realized she was more miserable than just the job, backed off from FIRE, and find "meaningful" work (also didn't say what it was).  Big on headline, short on details.  FIRE should make liking yourself an easier project to tackle, not a harder one.

I mean sure, there are plenty of jobs I'd rather have.  Heck I like a lot about he job I have despite it not being terribly "meaningful" (I make the chips that go in the gear that tests the chips that go in your cell phone...).  I still would rather spend more time with my kid and more time adventuring than any full time job will ever reasonably allow.  I also am just tired of all the life wasting administrivia that come with a corporate job.  Annual reviews are going through their motions right now, which is always a low point to the year, and we have to jump through the hoops despite there being zero raises this year.  I'd rather be FIRE'ed and be sewing, hiking, biking, running, and sleeping in, clearly she hadn't figured out how to have a life outside work, while my life is neglected because of work.

Metalcat

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Re: Another anti-FIRE article
« Reply #6 on: August 16, 2020, 04:40:30 AM »
It's just a stupid click-bait title for an article that really doesn't say much.

It's a valid point to talk about finding balance in your FIRE process, I think many of us at some point overdo it on the frugality in the process of finding out limits, it's just a normal l, temporary over correction.

That's not a case of abandoning FIRE, nor is it a very interesting telling of the legitimate stresses and introspection one can find along the way, because it's so short on, well...any details really.

I think it is very important to realize that FIRE is not a panacea, cure-all, blank cheque for happiness, and there's a really valid conversation to be found in there.

However, it's nonsense to claim that she's abandoning FIRE, when what she's actually doing is abandoning the unhealthy belief that achieving an arbitrary savings target will change her mental health.

John Galt incarnate!

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Re: Another anti-FIRE article
« Reply #7 on: August 16, 2020, 10:16:11 AM »
https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/obsessed-with-fire-movement-wasnt-right-for-me-2020-8

Ok, it's not "anti-FIRE"; more of an "it isn't right for me".  But with the usual assertion that aggressive savers are sad misers with no life. 

The bottom line:
Quote
Today, I believe there's a balance to maintain between enjoying your life right now and ensuring that you've planned appropriately for the future.

That sounds wise and all, and it has that wonderful word "balance" in it.  But I think it's flawed, because it assumes (as so many anti-FIRE people do) that present enjoyment and future planning are in opposition. 

You don't balance enjoyment of life and planning.  You do them both, to the greatest degree you can.

Agree.

Furthermore, before FIREing, my enjoyment of life included the planning, expectations, and excitement about  what my life would be like in FIREtirement.

« Last Edit: August 16, 2020, 10:27:27 AM by John Galt incarnate! »

ixtap

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Re: Another anti-FIRE article
« Reply #8 on: August 16, 2020, 10:27:09 AM »

However, it's nonsense to claim that she's abandoning FIRE, when what she's actually doing is abandoning the unhealthy belief that achieving an arbitrary savings target will change her mental health.

Such a common issue. We talk about lean FIRE, fat FIRE, etc. But we need to talk more about FILOL (FI, life of leisure) versus FIFULL (FI and fulfilled).  Or, as it has been more succinctly phrased, what are you going to retire to?!

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!