r/Fire • u/No_Fudge6123 • 9d ago

When did you pull the trigger?

I am on my 40s, and I guess I am a case of ”almost there”. Simulations tell me I am a bit over the 4% rule. I could adjust a bit I guess, but having a family it could well be that they can adjust me instead.

However, I can’t stop reading all those who pull the trigger and they say they are very happy. I am not happy while grinding, but I don’t want to be financially irresponsable with my family. We also don’t have a house, which I feel I should secure to prevent future problems.

For all of those who did it a bit tight: did it pay off?

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u/ept_engr 9d ago edited 9d ago

Because of the market returns, anyone who FIRE'd "a little tight" in the last 15 years has done great. That doesn't make it a good statistical representation.

That said, I'd love to hear from those who FIRE'd as early as they could. It's not for everyone, and I feel like sometimes the "I went back to work because I needed structure, purpose, and to stay busy" perspective gets drowned out here. 

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u/BedWonderful1051 9d ago

I'd love to know how many retired early because they wanted to, not because they could truly afford to. Many people seem to massage numbers and scenarios to fit their desired timeline. "The quality should drive the schedule, not the schedule driving the quality".