NY post article about a couple FIRE folks

[partgypsy]

https://nypost.com/2019/10/08/inside-the-strange-secretive-lives-of-rich-millennial-cheapskates/?utm_source=pocket-newtab

[ysette9]

Too much focus on what feels like deprivation for me, but more exposure is good.

[Bloop Bloop]

Dumb article. It suggests that FI/RE necessitates high income and extreme frugality whereas it requires neither.

The first guy mentioned also is able to "bank 70% of his attorney's salary" of $260,000 which, unless the 70% is relative to his pre-tax income, isn't even frugal at all. It doesn't add up.

I don't know why the media insists on:
1. Caricaturing the movement. Everyone is either a miser, a tech-bubble billionaire, or both.
2. Focussing on literal penny-pinching and coupon grabbing, rather than things like tax mitigation, picking investments with lower management fees, careful use of retirement accounts for tax savings, knowing how to shop around (and negotiate with) service providers, etc. There are so many aspects of "frugality" that don't relate to material deprivation.

[MonkeyJenga]

WTF is with this "shabby apartment" nonsense? It looks fine.

"They’re also committed to a monastic existence, even amid NYC’s many social temptations — drinks with co-workers, workout classes and even the odd fast-casual Friday lunch."

Maybe that first dude, I don't know. I lived on very little in NYC, and I had a ton of fun. There is so much free and cheap entertainment in all big cities, there is no need for money to prevent you from having a life.

[EscapeVelocity2020]

I don't know if it was the writing, bias, or misunderstanding, but the focus on six figure earners enjoying 'rare Chipotle splurges' in their torn suits and the deeply pregnant gal finally taking a 'Via' vs. subway sounded ridiculous.  It might be a bit counter-culture or unusual to choose to put saving as a priority early in life, but FIRE seekers don't really look or act as different as this article would suggest. 

It's probably like most news - this movement really doesn't look newsworthy unless you sensationalize it, although it most definitely is having a large impact even if you don't make a hyperbole out of it.

[Bloop Bloop]

I don't know if it was the writing, bias, or misunderstanding, but the focus on six figure earners enjoying 'rare Chipotle splurges' in their torn suits and the deeply pregnant gal finally taking a 'Via' vs. subway sounded ridiculous.  It might be a bit counter-culture or unusual to choose to put saving as a priority early in life, but FIRE seekers don't really look or act as different as this article would suggest. 

It's probably like most news - this movement really doesn't look newsworthy unless you sensationalize it, although it most definitely is having a large impact even if you don't make a hyperbole out of it.

I guess if you characterised the movement as above-average intelligence people seeking to make sensible and well-informed decisions about spending and earning, then most of the newsworthiness goes away. FI/RE doesn't require anything other than commonsense, intelligence and planning ability. It requires no deprivation whatsoever. How many of us feel deprived?

[APowers]

I don't know if it was the writing, bias, or misunderstanding, but the focus on six figure earners enjoying 'rare Chipotle splurges' in their torn suits and the deeply pregnant gal finally taking a 'Via' vs. subway sounded ridiculous.  It might be a bit counter-culture or unusual to choose to put saving as a priority early in life, but FIRE seekers don't really look or act as different as this article would suggest. 

It's probably like most news - this movement really doesn't look newsworthy unless you sensationalize it, although it most definitely is having a large impact even if you don't make a hyperbole out of it.

I guess if you characterised the movement as above-average intelligence people seeking to make sensible and well-informed decisions about spending and earning, then most of the newsworthiness goes away. FI/RE doesn't require anything other than commonsense, intelligence and planning ability. It requires no deprivation whatsoever. How many of us feel deprived?

I feel deprived. I'm trying to retire and don't even have a housecleaner. Or even a roomba! Just slumming it like a working-class stiff. What a drag. May as well just wear a brown robe and call myself a monk.

[ysette9]

Oh god, I got a roomba in FB marketplace a couple of months back and she has been a life saver. We were sweeping twice a day and still dragging crumbs into our bed. “Halsie” is programmed to run each day and keeps the floors respectable with almost no effort from me. I’m in love and the kids think she is great entertainment.

[bacchi]

^^ What does the cat think of it?


It's the NY Post. It's like the Daily Mail -- it's over-the-top reporting by definition.

[Linea_Norway]

Too much focus on what feels like deprivation for me, but more exposure is good.

??? I need unexposed spendypants to buy my clown house!

[Linea_Norway]

I think the couple is overdoing the frugality a bit.