Free to Work
FOR THE RECORD, I’m a card-carrying member of the FIRE—financial independence/retire early—movement. Except I don’t believe in the RE part.
All the folks I know who advocate FIRE, and who have achieved financial independence, are still working in some capacity. Many of them have websites, put out podcasts or write books on how to retire early—which is funny because they’re still working and making money.
For some reason, they feel the need to deny that they’re still working. But why deny the truth? There’s no shame in admitting that you enjoy working.
The pandemic taught us how important it is to have a sense of purpose. Some people woke up to the fact that having a job—any job—was better than just puttering around the house killing time or taking the dog out for yet another walk around the block.
The lesson: Even when you become financially independent and get your freedom back, you still need to find interesting, rewarding things to fill your day. Working at something you enjoy is one of the best ways of doing that. FIRE is still a good concept, one that I’m teaching my kids. We just need to redefine the RE part.
All the folks I know who advocate FIRE, and who have achieved financial independence, are still working in some capacity. Many of them have websites, put out podcasts or write books on how to retire early—which is funny because they’re still working and making money.
For some reason, they feel the need to deny that they’re still working. But why deny the truth? There’s no shame in admitting that you enjoy working.
The pandemic taught us how important it is to have a sense of purpose. Some people woke up to the fact that having a job—any job—was better than just puttering around the house killing time or taking the dog out for yet another walk around the block.
The lesson: Even when you become financially independent and get your freedom back, you still need to find interesting, rewarding things to fill your day. Working at something you enjoy is one of the best ways of doing that. FIRE is still a good concept, one that I’m teaching my kids. We just need to redefine the RE part.
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