Being really into the financial topic, I’m constantly looking for new ideas, views, and thoughts around how finances are built — concepts like financial planning, investments, freedom, and the FIRE movement as a result.
It seems like most people I bumped into on Reddit are really cautious about early retirement and financial independence. But to me, sometimes this striving looks more like escape?
I kept wondering why the concept became so popular lately — I mean, couldn’t you just work in a corporate job doing what you love, meet with your colleagues, work your 9-to-5 shifts, and happily go home to spend the rest of your time with family, friends, hobbies, and vacation planning?
Corporates used to give you mostly everything — money, insurance, stability, a clear vision of the future.
Has it changed? Well… definitely yes. With all the crises we’ve faced, the global economic situation, layoffs — I guess people stopped feeling safe where they are. They can’t rely on corporate jobs anymore. There’s pressure and fear about the future.
“What if?” — a big question more and more people started asking themselves.
But thinking deeply and philosophically about this — it’s still kinda sad that we can’t enjoy our TODAYS, living in the moment. Or rather — not everyone can.
Chasing FIRE, people sometimes neglect their current life, focusing on some distant point after quitting. That unclear “after” — a time when they’ll “finally live.” That’s the whole fatFIRE vibe — saving up like crazy while not giving a sh*t about the present.
But is that the right approach?
I honestly don’t know. It might work for some people, sure. But then again, if you ask them — “What are you going to do after?” Some can’t really answer. They don’t have one. No hobbies. No strong family ties. No things they love doing (besides working and saving). Isn’t that sad? I think it is.
Others have amazing bucket lists — but why wait? Why not make those wishes come true now? Why wait for a future that might never even come?
Don’t get me wrong — I’m 100% for financial literacy, saving, investing, planning, having plans B, C, and D. I’m also 100% against living paycheck to paycheck just to spend everything on fun and expensive stuff.
But at the same time — I’d rather live in the moment, noticing life now, not only its future projection.
I guess leanFIRE is something I’d stick with for myself right now. But 3–5 years ago, when I was a 25-year-old guy with my first “real” job, I was dreaming of FIRE… Or maybe I just wanted to quit. I’m not even sure. I just hated my job, felt overwhelmed, and under pressure daily. Falling asleep on Sundays with actual nightmares about Mondays.
Relatable? Yeah, many of us have been there.
But was it a strategy for freedom — or the first symptoms of burnout? Maybe signs that I wasn’t actually living my life?
Since then, I’ve changed jobs a few times, got more into personal finance, and even started building my own financial tool.
Funny thing? It’s actually a great tool for planning FIRE 😄 Whether you’re chasing freedom or just burned out completely — welcome.
I really hope this Simulator helps people plan their future and life decisions as smoothly as possible. But also — that it helps people enjoy their life now, not just someday later.
You can check out
Also, what’s your take on the FIRE concept? Is it a plan for freedom — or a reaction to burnout?
