8 years later later
Full Storyfinancial independenceEarly Retirement
"Submitted my resignation letter today at 38"
I've been retired for 8 years, living in Thailand, and traveling. I've been saving a majority of my income since I was 28 and investing in the stock market. I've had a solid job with great pay and hours, but my heart wasn't in it. I decided to resign and pursue my passion for travel and helping others.
1/10 regret
1-2 years later
Full Storyfinancial independenceEarly Retirement
"Will retire in prime earning years"
Hit FIRE number, no immediate change
2/10 regret
15 months later later
Full Storyfinancial independenceProgress Update
"Continuing to grind despite burnout and advice to quit"
Reached 80% of FI goal, $2.07m in cash and investments, and learned to change mindset from stress to well-being
2/10 regret
2 years later
Full Storyfinancial independenceSchool Calendar Restrictions
"Achieving FI with kids in school"
Kids in school restrict travel and free time
5/10 regret
1 year later later
Full Storyfinancial independenceRelationship
"Prioritized financial goals over relationship"
I lost a girlfriend because I prioritized saving over spending on her
8/10 regret
1 year later later
Full Storyfinancial independenceSurvey
"2025 FI Survey is Here"
I created the 2025 FI survey to gather data from the community.
1/10 regret
varies later
Full Storyfinancial independenceDiscussion Thread
"Discuss daily financial topics"
No specific outcome
5/10 regret
ongoing later
Full Storyfinancial independenceDiscussion Thread
"Discussing daily FI topics"
I post about daily FI topics
5/10 regret
ongoing later
Full Storyfinancial independenceInvestment Strategies
"Use SGOV for emergency fund instead of high yield savings account"
I earn higher returns on my emergency fund and save on taxes
2/10 regret
1-2 years later
Full Storyfinancial independenceInvesting Strategy
"Investing aggressively to achieve financial independence"
I'm investing aggressively to reach financial independence, but feel overwhelmed by the responsibility of making smart financial decisions for my family
8/10 regret
Immediate later
Full Storyfinancial independenceDiscussion Thread
"Discuss daily FI topics"
No regret, just discussion
1/10 regret
varies later
Full Storyfinancial independenceDiscussion Thread
"Discuss daily FI topics"
No regret with discussion
5/10 regret
1 year later later
Full Storyfinancial independenceInvesting
"Investing in index funds to reach FI"
Invested $1.95M in index funds, exceeded goal of $2.5M
2/10 regret
6-8 years later
Full Storyfinancial independenceMoving Abroad
"Moving abroad for financial gain"
Moved abroad, weighing financial benefits against lifestyle costs
5/10 regret
Ongoing later
Full Storyfinancial independenceDiscussion Thread
"Discussing daily topics"
I'm discussing daily finance topics
1/10 regret
N/A later
Full Storyfinancial independenceDiscussion Thread
"Have FI discussions here"
Discussing FI topics freely
5/10 regret
1 year later later
Full Storyfinancial independenceReddit Moderation
"Implementing rule to combat AI/bots"
I had to remove dozens of AI/bot posts daily, making it hard to verify authenticity, so I implemented a karma posting requirement
2/10 regret
6.5 years after learning about FIRE later
Full Storyfinancial independenceMilitary FIRE
"Retired in mid-2025 at 35"
Achieved financial independence through military service and smart investing
1/10 regret
not specified later
Full Storyfinancial independenceDiscussion Thread
"Discuss daily FI topics"
Relaxed rules for posting
5/10 regret
1 year later later
Full Storyfinancial independenceFI strategy
"Front-loading work years for later freedom"
Stumbled upon old essay that changed my perspective
2/10 regret