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FIRE retirement is something that really only became important to me after my kids were born.

In the past, I was blindly ambitious. I dreamed of climbing high up the corporate ladder and achieving remarkable milestones throughout my career.

I could have easily continued on that path, had I decided it was right for me, but thanks to my children, I quickly determined it wasn’t.

That doesn’t mean I don’t respect those that have continued on that path. It’s a tough journey forward, and I applaud anyone for going after their dreams, regardless of what they are.

A FIRE retirement became important to me because I started dreaming of spending more time with my children. I don’t ever see myself giving up ambition, or my career entirely, but I’d like to have more flexibility to choose how I work, when, and how much.

Over the years, I’ve been able to become far more financially free than I ever was, though I’m still working to achieve a FIRE retirement. My partner and I have made remarkable progress on our journey, and we can live off of just one of our incomes today if we choose.

In this article, I’ll share the methods we used to become more financially free, and I’ll tell you what I’d like to achieve with a FIRE retirement.

FIRE Retirement Explained

If you’ve been here for a while, then you might remember that FIRE stands for financial independence, retire early. So what is FIRE retirement?

You may have your own interpretation, but I’m going to share mine with you.

To me, a FIRE retirement means that you’ve managed to secure enough assets and have a standard of living such that you can live on that alone. This means that you don’t have to work unless you want to.

Between my partner and myself, only one of us needs to continue working to sustain our current standard of living. So we’ve managed to achieve a good amount of financial independence.

However, to me, we’ll have achieved FIRE retirement when we no longer rely on either of our incomes.

We still have progress to make, but I’m confident we’ll get there.

How We’ve Become Financially Free

I once believed that financial freedom was only something that the uber-rich achieved. But once I started learning the key principles behind FIRE, I realized it was shockingly simple.

The key is to live below your means, avoid and pay off debt, and maximize your income. 

Have you ever actually looked at your financial statements, focusing on what you pay toward interest alone? As an American, I was shocked at how much of my money was wasted on interest. Yet this is the American standard.

This is considered normal in America, so most people accept this reality. They continue to acquire debt, live AT their means, and have trouble getting ahead.

If FIRE retirement matters to you, then you will need to reject this standard. You’ll also need to accept the fact that your family and friends may question your judgment.

I’ve decided that a FIRE retirement is worth it to me. Is it worth it to you?

My Dreams for FIRE Retirement

It will be some time before we fully achieve a FIRE retirement, but the journey alone has been well worth it.

Yes, we’re still working to achieve all of our financial goals, but we’ve made remarkable progress on our journey. And it has given us so much more freedom and peace of mind.

As long as one of us is working, the other has the chance to be choosier about how and when we work. We’ve been able to more effectively navigate job losses, changes, economic downturns, and whatever else life has thrown at us.

More of that kind of freedom is what I want to achieve. 

I look forward to the day that we can live exactly as we choose. Perhaps we’ll choose a temporary retirement, and maybe we’ll pursue new side hustles.

I’d like to show my children the world and take them on countless adventures, without having to beg for PTO.

My children will only be little for so long, and there’s so much I want to do with them while they’re here with me.

I look forward to the day when we finally achieve a FIRE retirement.

Conclusion

What do you envision doing in a FIRE retirement? What are your dreams and hopes for the future?

Share your story in the comments below and if you request support, I’d be happy to provide you with feedback for your current circumstances.

This website is updated regularly, so check back soon for the latest tips to help you FIRE Your Career.

Best of luck to you on your FIRE journey!

Think achieving a FIRE retirement will help you FIRE Your Career? Check out the posts page for more ways you can FIRE Your Career and achieve financial freedom.

FIRE Your Career: Achieve Financial Freedom Through Your Career & Spend MORE Time Doing What You Love.

Tools I frequently recommend:

ClickUp (my recommended goal-tracking and project management tool)

Strengths Finder (book to help you uncover your innate strengths, includes a free personality quiz)