F.I.R.E. stands for “Financial Independence, Retire Early.” The goal is to save and invest aggressively so you can retire 10-30 years ahead of most people’s assumption of retirement age.
Individuals pursuing F.I.R.E. are always looking to do two things: keep their expenses low and raise their income. The higher your income and the lower your expenses, the faster you can reach financial independence.
They say to do more of what sets your heart on fire. For me, that meant not sitting at a desk 9-5 making another white male CEO get richer and richer. Financial independence allows me the freedom and confidence to leave. I want to help ignite the FIRE in other women as well.
Heather, aka “Redhead on fire”
For myself, “financial independence” doesn’t mean quitting my job and doing nothing for the rest of my life. It means reaching the point where I don’t have to work a full-time job if I don’t want to. It means I can leave a toxic work environment and enjoy a sabbatical in Greece for a few months with my family before returning stateside and finding a new place to work for a while. For me, it also means my 9-5 job isn’t my primary source of income so if it were to disappear (layoffs, downsizing, recession), my lifestyle would not suffer.
Wealth is the ability to fully experience life.
Henry david thoreau
I used to fear the subject of money. The thought of asking for a raise terrified me. I had over $30,000 in student loans that went into collections at one point. I’m proud to say I’ve since paid off the student loans in full, repaired my credit, and aside from a modest mortgage, I currently live completely debt-free.
I started this personal finance and lifestyle blog to help me continue improving my relationship with money, learn wealth-building skills, keep track of my FIRE (financial independence retire early) progress, and help readers learn how to improve their relationship with money along the way.
Become so financially secure, you forget it’s payday.
Heather, aka “redhead on fire”
While I have a substantial F-U savings account that gives me the power to say “F-U I’m quitting” my 9-5 job, I’m still holding a W2 job to work towards my ultimate fat-FIRE goal. So while I’m still working, I’ll be keeping my identity anonymous so that current and future employers aren’t aware of my plans to retire early.
If you’re reading this blog, asking questions, or curious about other options: there is a spark within you already. It’s time to set it ablaze!
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