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6th out of 56 books
—
105 voters
Early Retirement Extreme: A Philosophical and Practical Guide to Financial Independence
by
Jacob Lund Fisker (Goodreads Author)
Paperback, 240 pages
Published
September 30th 2010
by Createspace
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Jacob Lund Fisker's Early Retirement Extreme is a convoluted, disorganized, melting pot of pseudo-philosophical ideas. Don't get me wrong--I realize that there aren't too many role models out there for those of us seeking to attain the elusive dream of "Financial Independence". I just don't think that I connected much with Jacob. His somewhat scientific approach to the frugal lifestyle was unnecessarily complicated and for the most part failed to resonate with me. Fisker often repeats that this...more
This is probably the best book I read in 2012.
ERE is a philosophy book more than anything else. Fisker offers a way to get off of the 9-5 treadmill, mainly by radically cutting expenses and saving a high percentage of your income for a long enough time to get to the point where you have many multiples of your annual living expenses.
It is not a "recipe" personal finance book. Rather, he asks some very fundamental questions about the nature of work, advocating that people become "renaissance men"...more
ERE is a philosophy book more than anything else. Fisker offers a way to get off of the 9-5 treadmill, mainly by radically cutting expenses and saving a high percentage of your income for a long enough time to get to the point where you have many multiples of your annual living expenses.
It is not a "recipe" personal finance book. Rather, he asks some very fundamental questions about the nature of work, advocating that people become "renaissance men"...more
I've read a lot of books about personal finance. I wish I had read this one twenty years ago, which would have been difficult given that it was published two years ago. It is a very detailed book that really appeals to my mathematical and systems-oriented nature. Despite the book's claims, it doesn't really say anything hugely new. What it does, instead, is take some of the axioms of conventional wisdom, mix them with a healthy dose of simple living philosophy, and then take them to their logica...more
This is another blog I came across that has morphed into a book. Here is my Amazon review:
This was one of the first books I bought for the Kindle that really began to use the additional features that the machine offers. Specifically, the ability to cut and clip paragraphs that you find notable and the ability to make your own notes as you read were very useful as I worked my way through the text. For me, the most enjoyable thing about this book was that it offered quite a different take on the w...more
This was one of the first books I bought for the Kindle that really began to use the additional features that the machine offers. Specifically, the ability to cut and clip paragraphs that you find notable and the ability to make your own notes as you read were very useful as I worked my way through the text. For me, the most enjoyable thing about this book was that it offered quite a different take on the w...more
Good book, reminded me a lot of Rich Dad, Poor Dad. Author talks a lot about building assets which bring in passive income. However, his primary focus is my decreasing liabilities, or things that cost you money.
The author talks about becoming a "Renaissance Man", and not paying experts to do things for you all the time. If you can't fix it yourself - ask yourself if it's really worth owning.
The author makes it a point in this book to talk about recycling, re-using, and sustainability. Many times...more
The author talks about becoming a "Renaissance Man", and not paying experts to do things for you all the time. If you can't fix it yourself - ask yourself if it's really worth owning.
The author makes it a point in this book to talk about recycling, re-using, and sustainability. Many times...more
The concept was definitely compelling. Stop the cycle of lifestyle inflation, cut back expenses in an extreme way, and retire early.
The philosophy early on in the book was similar to mine. For instance, I think it makes no sense for houses in the suburbs to have postage stamp, individual lawns to take care of with the associated lawn equipment when it can be obviously more efficiently done by one person who is dedicated to taking care of all of the lawns.
As the book goes on, the author focuses...more
The philosophy early on in the book was similar to mine. For instance, I think it makes no sense for houses in the suburbs to have postage stamp, individual lawns to take care of with the associated lawn equipment when it can be obviously more efficiently done by one person who is dedicated to taking care of all of the lawns.
As the book goes on, the author focuses...more
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First 3/4ths of this book goes into great detail to describe the closest thing I've seen to an "equation for modern living". It reads a lot like a math textbook I remember from undergrad, but the systematic breakdown what it means to be human is enlightening and brings comfort to those of use who are always looking to abstract existence into a set of variables with a range of possible values.
The last 1/4th outlines specific details on how to achieve rudimentary comfort on $7-10,000 per year per...more
The last 1/4th outlines specific details on how to achieve rudimentary comfort on $7-10,000 per year per...more
I first learned of Fisker's work from browsing through the recommendations on Google Reader. They had put up one of his posts on education. I found his views intriguing. Having read this book (and a good number of his blog posts), I can say that most of Fisker's views are intriguing. The intrigue isn't "wow, that's a great idea, I need to try that," but it is the "wow, I never thought of it that way before" variety.
This book is too often described as a personal finance book. It's not. This is a...more
This book is too often described as a personal finance book. It's not. This is a...more
Not your typical finance book. The trippy ideas presented are not meant to be read in the usual straightforward manner. This is not a How To, but a reformation of our inherited consumer-based, work-spend hamster wheel lifestyle. Boiled down, you can look at it as a simple solution, yet learning to question your motivation for everything you do/buy/covet is not as simple as it sounds. I'm not finished with it, but then I never will be. I borrowed this from the library, but this is a book meant to...more
A philosophical and mathematically precise treatise on financial independence written by a retired former PhD physicist who retired at the age of 30. The philosophy underpinning is about self-sufficiency and the mathematics details how to build enough financial resources to support oneself on purely portfolio income.
A short primer:
Retirement is achievable if one is steadily employed, lives simply and saves over 75% of one's income for a period of 6-9 years. During this time one will build a nes...more
A short primer:
Retirement is achievable if one is steadily employed, lives simply and saves over 75% of one's income for a period of 6-9 years. During this time one will build a nes...more
My Amazon review:
My high school required all students to take a home economics course, which involved cooking potatoes, sewing a shirt, and basic pantry keeping. What a lost opportunity! The world would be a better place if that curriculum were replaced with a semester-long study of this book. I wish my peers and I had been exposed to these ideas before we left for college and started making life-shaping economic decisions.
The book is densely packed with ideas and difficult to summarize. That sa...more
My high school required all students to take a home economics course, which involved cooking potatoes, sewing a shirt, and basic pantry keeping. What a lost opportunity! The world would be a better place if that curriculum were replaced with a semester-long study of this book. I wish my peers and I had been exposed to these ideas before we left for college and started making life-shaping economic decisions.
The book is densely packed with ideas and difficult to summarize. That sa...more
Many people live their lives chained to their pursuit of more while simultaneously wanting out of their work situation. Throughout their misery they never connect that it is their pursuit of more that is solely responsible for their enslavement. Jacob offers a philosophical outline of how to escape from these bondages and to leave the cave of self oppression in as little as 5 years. By engaging in a �renaissance lifestyle� not only does one achieve financial independence but also a sense of peac...more
Was intrigued when I heard author lives on less than $10k a year of income generated by retirement savings from five years of working and saving. Author has many strongly held opinions, and many will put readers off. I appreciated the fresh perspective.
I especially liked his idea that everything he owns is for sale and he knows the selling price. How much savings are required to generate an annuity stream to finance yearly ownership of each possession?
I especially liked his idea that everything he owns is for sale and he knows the selling price. How much savings are required to generate an annuity stream to finance yearly ownership of each possession?
This isn't your typical personal finance book. In fact, it turns most popular personal finance thought on its head. If you spend all your free time wondering why you spend all your youth working only to be able to do the things you want, that you can't physically do anymore, when you retire, this is an excellent book for you to pick up.
Be warned, it is a thinking mans(or womans) book. It will make you think and it will make you question the things that we all do in our day to day lives.
Pick it...more
Be warned, it is a thinking mans(or womans) book. It will make you think and it will make you question the things that we all do in our day to day lives.
Pick it...more
I enjoyed the contrarian approach to modern life embodied in this book, and found it dense and thought-provoking on many levels.
However, the author lets himself down in some ways: heavy-handed sarcasm, sexism, and odd excursions into detail that doesn't fit with his ostensible mission of providing high-level guidelines.
Still, I have read and re-read this book and am incorporating some of its lessons into my life.
However, the author lets himself down in some ways: heavy-handed sarcasm, sexism, and odd excursions into detail that doesn't fit with his ostensible mission of providing high-level guidelines.
Still, I have read and re-read this book and am incorporating some of its lessons into my life.
So far it's about as interesting as reading a technical manual....
First, Your Money or Your Life is the same topic, but told much better and simpler. Second, this guy is insane. There is a whole section on how to wash clothes by putting it in a bucket with soap and water and then driving with it down a bumpy road. Simplifying is one thing. Spartan is another.
First, Your Money or Your Life is the same topic, but told much better and simpler. Second, this guy is insane. There is a whole section on how to wash clothes by putting it in a bucket with soap and water and then driving with it down a bumpy road. Simplifying is one thing. Spartan is another.
"... Formerly, men were made slaves under physical compulsion. Now they are enslaved by temptation of money and of the luxuries that money can buy." M.K.Gandhi in Hind Swaraj p. 32 copyright 1938
Early Retirement Extreme is a guide to help people today find their way out of modern slavery.
Early Retirement Extreme is a guide to help people today find their way out of modern slavery.
Masterfully lucid writing, despite the authour's academic training. Principals over passive tips, philosophy over superficial of-the-times tidbits, this book will interest anyone who both seeks a thoughtful life and is willing to "think through" rather than "lazily adopt".
incredibly intriguing book. author essentially promotes a minimalist lifestyle by decreasing consumption and thus increasing wealth.
not for those who are strongly attached to the idea of retirement = relaxing in a huge house with lots of money and accumulated material items.
not for those who are strongly attached to the idea of retirement = relaxing in a huge house with lots of money and accumulated material items.
Of course this is my sweetspot. I LOVE anything about Early Retirement and simple living. This is quite extreme and not realistic for my life (no car, living on 10k per year etc) but still motivational. I enjoy the part about being not being a wage slave.
Some interesting arguments about the logic of financial independence. Mathematical formulae are fun for those that like that kind of thing. Basically save lots, spend little and have a wide range of income streams.
The conceptual framework created by Fisker is interesting and mind expanding. It makes it easier to live in a world where consumption dominates the human being.
Deep thinking financial and early retirement book. Also a good dose of do it yourself thinking. Good to add to the list when studying early retirement,
Didn't really care for this book. I like the ideas - but I thought it was not written all that well - too wordy, taking a long time to get to a not so original point.
Interesting perspective on reclaiming the well-rounded human in us, as opposed to society's current push for specialization and out-sourced consumerism.
This author is one of the three man in the history whose work brought the biggest positive influence to my quality of life.
Pretty awesome book that will change your life. Gives you a lot to think about if you want to retire extremely early.
This is easily the best book I've ever read. I hate telling people the title of the book because they write it off as some "10 steps to retire in your 30's" book. Fisker does an incredible job conveying his point, and since I'm an engineer graduate as well, I really enjoyed his use of pragmatism, practicality, insight and graphs. I encourage everyone to read this book and think about the ideas presented; like Fisker said, don't expect this book to give you directions on how to live your life......more
Extreme alternative ways to save big. An inspiration to live on less.
Nov 24, 2010
Bologna_frog
marked it as to-read
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I'm a recovering physicist currently working as a quant.
I run a blog about personal finance and have published one book about the same topic.
I'm currently working on an investment book, a beginner's book on financial independence, and a book on ethics.
I've also written a chapter in a book about peak oil, some creative stories for an ezine, and about 30 papers in academic journals mostly concern...more
More about Jacob Lund Fisker...
I run a blog about personal finance and have published one book about the same topic.
I'm currently working on an investment book, a beginner's book on financial independence, and a book on ethics.
I've also written a chapter in a book about peak oil, some creative stories for an ezine, and about 30 papers in academic journals mostly concern...more
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Oct 28, 2012 03:52pm