Comments on: FI without the RE

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 12:58:20 +0000

Late to the party for this thread, but so glad you mentioned it because that episode really irked me. I like my job, and am financially responsible, and play with my children. It’s not a zero sum game.

Another thread from that conversation that irked me was when he mentioned that if you have 52 friends, you can stay with each for a week and be housed for a year if you fall on hard times. How is that financial independence? It just didn’t add up!

By: Cathy

Cathy — Tue, 03 Aug 2021 11:18:42 +0000

A mom who’s at the park with her child in the middle of a workday has created a beautiful mosaic! I consider it a great achievement when I can be at the park with my daughter for a short time after picking her up from school. We might have to leave after 45 minutes so I can be on a zoom meeting with one of my PhD students, but we’ve squeezed a bit of adventure and activity into our day.
It didn’t use to be that way for me, in the years when I worked solely on campus (then park time was reserved for evenings and weekends), so I am grateful for the flexibility. We are great with money, but we still need some … and I love how I earn it!
Here’s to all the parents who are working, playing at the park, earning money, and loving their kids!

By: LauraC

LauraC — Mon, 02 Aug 2021 15:13:34 +0000

Yes, thank you! Double thank you! Being at the park for many hours can get boring!
My spouse follows the FIRE folks, but I feel like 1) I worked really hard to get the job I have. I spent 5 years working on my doctorate. Years teaching before that. Very few people get to be professors. And of those who get to be professors, very few enjoy where they work. Also, 2) I do not want to be super frugal anymore. I want to enjoy my life while I am young. I don’t want to eat ramen and rice and beans. I want to buy pretty clothes that make me happy and I want to have a beer at an open-air bar on a summer day even if it would be cheaper to drink one at home – and hire a babysitter for two hours just ’cause.
But, I like the idea of financial independence (or stability) bringing options. The challenging part I find is acting on those options. When you no longer need to raise your hand for all the things to get the next promotion, how do you stop doing it? Or from picking up extra work, even when it is for money? It is a very hard habit to break.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Thu, 29 Jul 2021 19:45:42 +0000

I honestly find that anecdote ridiculous! Thanks for calling bs and continuing to share your very worthwhile views.

By: Taryn

Taryn — Thu, 29 Jul 2021 18:24:07 +0000

Yes to all of this! I’ve never really understood the FIRE movement for me personally. FI? Absolutely. But it assumes everyone wants to retire early if they can. I’ve spent a long time in grad school because I’m passionate about my research. And I’ve been working several years in a lower-paying job to gain experience and because I LOVE the work. When I transition to a higher-paying job, I really hope to continue to do work I genuinely enjoy. Since I’m starting my career later than many, I’m sure I’ll be retiring “late.” But I hope that I will enjoy my career so much that I won’t even want to retire, at least not full-time. I know plenty of professors working well into their 70s. If you’re doing meaningful and fulfilling work, why retire early?

By: Kirsty

Kirsty — Thu, 29 Jul 2021 18:12:13 +0000

Preach!
I listened to that episode and I got really annoyed at that comment too! She took the time to go to the park on the way to work, rather than not going. And he absolutely did come across as judging her because she had to work because she was bad with money!

By: Cb

Cb — Thu, 29 Jul 2021 13:21:01 +0000

Yeah, that is totally ridiculous. I like to work, my kid likes to do his work (preschool). We took the week off to do some hikes and some DIY and generally rest, and my son opted to go to preschool, because it is definitely more fun than home.

By: Sara B.

Sara B. — Thu, 29 Jul 2021 12:21:59 +0000

Amen to all of this! Thank you for writing it. That mom could have been me 100x – and I hope my girls are learning that work can be something that you enjoy, not something you want to get out of as soon as possible; that there’s more to work than just money; that they, too have value both at the park but also beyond it; and that they should always ask “why don’t you make this assumption about my husband also?”

By: Bridget

Bridget — Thu, 29 Jul 2021 11:51:18 +0000

In reply to Laura Vanderkam. The world needs widgets too! There is dignity in manufacturing work too and meeting a need. :)

By: Sarah K

Sarah K — Thu, 29 Jul 2021 05:11:08 +0000

I love my job (M.D.) and as long as I stay in good health I have no desire to retire early. I tend to get depressed when I spend too much time at home. My husband is super restless and has a lot of energy so I have told him multiple times that he is not allowed to retire early. He would drive me crazy.
I wouldn’t spend 3 hours pushing a kid on the swing either. Today I am on vacation and I could still only handle 30 minutes of mind-numbing playing with Matchbox Cars with my 7-year-old. Lack of time is not keeping me from playing with my child…