As people are increasingly looking to retire early and live off their investments, the FIRE movement has gained popularity in recent years. In spite of this, the FIRE method is not for everyone. In fact, there are many reasons why the FIRE movement method doesn’t work.
An introduction to the FIRE movement.
A prior Due article explained that FIRE stands for Financial Independence Retire Early. This concept combines extreme frugality, savings, and investment.
“The idea is to achieve financial independence, be free from financial commitments and retire early so you don’t ever have to work again if you don’t want to,” says Elizabeth Buko, (quoted on Stylist) a financial mentor and founder of Wealth from Little. “And anyone can do it, no matter how much money they earn.”
Those who embrace this movement are ambitious and middle-income earners who follow these steps;
- A high savings rate (50-70% of income) is encouraged, as is a frugal way of life (minimalism), and the use of low-cost stock index funds (following Warren Buffett’s standard investment advice).
The average time it takes to achieve this goal is around ten years. However, it’s not surprising that FIRE has sometimes been called the ultimate life hack.
Although this might seem like a very recent concept, it is the result of the best-selling book Your Money or Your Life by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez, which was published in 1992. As opposed to working 9-5 to make ends meet, the authors focused on financial independence.
FIRE retirement has become increasingly popular among young people, especially millennials. Many people who live an extreme-saving lifestyle stay in the workplace for several years, saving up to 70% of their income each year. After saving about 30 times their annual expenses, or about $1 million, they might quit their day jobs.
While it could be possible to retire early and become financially independent, it’s often unattainable for most people.
A large income and a willingness to make sacrifices are required.
What is the biggest disadvantage of following the FIRE movement? Earning a lot of money.
It doesn’t matter how much you cut back on your lifestyle and minimize your expenses, you’re going to need a substantial income. I’m talking six figures here. Why? By the time you reach 35 or 40, you should be able to save enough money to retire. Taking even more drastic measures — or raising your income — may be necessary if you plan to retire even earlier.
A Missouri IT professional, Gwen Merz, discovered this hard way when she went all-in on FIRE.
Merz realized that earning and saving the same amounts as her married, dual-income friends was mathematically impossible after five years of FIRE. Additionally, she was exhausting herself by working multiple side gigs.
“I became really disenchanted with FIRE when I realized that it was difficult for one single person to retire incredibly early at a high-to-above-average salary,” Merz told CNET.
In addition, she had little time for relaxing or interacting with friends because of the effort it took to sustain such a lifestyle.
It requires a high savings rate.
In order to retire early, you must save a large portion of your income. Typically, the FIRE community recommends saving 25% or more. Students with student loans, credit card debt, or other financial obligations may find this challenging.
A good example is student debt. The Federal Reserve estimates that more than half of young adults have student debt; the average monthly payment is $200 to $299. In order to become financially independent, those with student loans will face significant obstacles.
Those who criticize the FIRE movement say that most Americans can’t afford the lifestyle required to retire early. There are many Americans who simply don’t save enough for retirement at 65 let alone retire early.
Again, it takes discipline and sacrifice to be a part of the FIRE movement. A frugal lifestyle, saving a large percentage of your income, and delaying gratification will be necessary. Having a family or other financial obligations may make it difficult for everyone to do this.
You are assuming that your investments will perform well.
The FIRE method relies on steady growth from your investments. However, this is not guaranteed.
Don’t forget that the stock market is volatile. A downturn, for instance, could result in your investments losing value. If this happens, you may have difficulty reaching your FIRE goals or even have to retire early.
Rule of 25
If you want to retire early, you can calculate how much you need to save by using the Rule of 25, explains Jessica Martel in Time. It basically involves estimating your retirement needs per year and multiplying that by 25. For retirement, let’s say you need $80,000 a year.
After determining that Social Security and other sources will cover $30,000, you need to fund $50,000 every year, she adds. Taking $50,000 and multiplying it by 25 leads to $1,250,000. For a 4% withdrawal a year and capital preservation, you need to save this much.
Remember that the Rule of 25 is meant to last you 30 years. In other words, it covers you until 95 if you retire at 65. If you plan to retire for 40 or 50 years, you’ll need more money.
There’s a problem with the Rule of 25, though: it doesn’t take inflation into account. Over time, goods and services rise in price. Inflation is aimed at 2% by the Federal Reserve, but it can fluctuate.
Furthermore, it does not take into account any other changes that may occur like an emergency medical expense.
Unexpected expenses are not included.
As I just mentioned, life is filled with unexpected expenses, like car repairs, medical bills, and job losses. Expenses like these are not considered when using the FIRE method. As a such, a sudden event could lead to a lack of money in retirement.
In fact, according to Suze Orman, a big problem with the FIRE movement is that most people who want to retire early will have too little money for subsistence throughout their lives. Even if you’ve got plenty of money and think you’re well-prepared, it’s still true.
When you retire very early, you have a lot more time to lose your nest egg if something goes wrong. Once that happens, you will have to support yourself for a long time, but getting back into the workforce after a long break might be challenging.
“If you only have a few hundred thousand, or a million, or two million dollars, I’m here to tell you … if a catastrophe happens, if something happens, what are you going to do? You are going to burn up alive,” Orman cautioned.
It can be boring and isolating.
It’s possible to spend decades without doing very much if you exit the workforce too early. It’s not uncommon for people to retire early only to discover that they have become incredibly bored. You may begin overspending to alleviate boredom, putting your retirement savings at risk and overspending to alleviate boredom.
In fact, a study conducted in 2019 found that the average retiree feels bored after just one year without working!
In addition, the FIRE movement can be isolating. It will be difficult to keep in touch with your friends and colleagues if you retire early. As a result, it can be difficult to remain engaged and connected.
FIRE isn’t the answer just so you can leave that job you hate.
Those who hate their jobs may find the FIRE movement appealing. Only 34% of Americans say they are actively engaged in their jobs. So, it’s no wonder many young workers dream of leaving the workforce.
In reality, there’s a much deeper problem going on, and F.I.R.E. isn’t going to fix it. In that case, FIRE is not what you need. Rather, you need a career change.
Ken Coleman, America’s Career Coach, refers to this as “finding your sweet spot.” This is the area on your career path where your greatest talents and passions overlap.
Retirement is not the answer if you want to avoid going to a job that you hate. After all, it isn’t worth wasting a few years or even decades working at an unsatisfactory job.
You may outlive your retirement savings.
Almost half of Americans (48%) say they won’t have enough money to retire comfortably. Also, according to Americans, there is a 45% chance they will outlive their savings. And, that’s for folks who aren’t a part of the FIRE movement!
We can’t predict how long we’ll live or what our lives will look like in decades to come. You can face a lot of health-related expenses later in life, for instance. In retirement alone, Fidelity estimates that the average retired couple will need approximately $315,000 in savings for medical expenses by 2023. Another huge risk that current retirees are facing is the unpredictable nature of inflation.
The FIRE movement urges followers to create safeguards and backup plans in order to ensure their money truly lasts a lifetime. An arbitrary retirement rule, like the 4% rule, can be very naive.
It may be difficult to reenter the workforce after a long absence.
A few years ago, you retired but realized you didn’t want to live the FIRE lifestyle. What should you do?
Reentering the workforce can be difficult if your resume has large gaps. It may be difficult to find a similar position to where you left off due to the needs of your industry and technological advancements.
You should keep up with trends if you are working in an ever-changing industry. In retirement, keep learning new skills to keep yourself employable in the event you must return to work.
[Related: The 17 Best Financial Products to Retire Early and Build Extreme Wealth]
Other drawbacks to the FIRE movement.
- Skipping retirement contributions. Most workers can’t save at a FIRE rate – regardless of their frugality. But, they can contribute to a FIRE-inspired 401(k) plan. Additionally, you may be missing out on an employer match.
- You’ll be in medical coverage limbo. If you leave a job that offers health insurance, you’ll need to find your own coverage — which can be pricey. Plus, you’re not eligible for Medicare until 65.
- Less Social Security income. Benefits from Social Security are calculated based on your 35 highest earning years as a worker. At age 40, for example, you will not have 35 years of income to report to Social Security. In other words, your retirement benefits formula will incorporate a number of years with no earnings.
FAQs
What is the FIRE movement?
FIRE means Financial Independence, Retire Early. By saving and investing aggressively, people can retire early and live off their passive income.
Are there any benefits to the FIRE movement?
The FIRE movement offers many benefits. The following are some of the most common benefits:
- Having the freedom to retire early and spend more time on the things you enjoy.
- Choosing your own work or lifestyle.
- You can live a more relaxed life by reducing your stress levels.
- Leaving a legacy for your loved ones.
What are the challenges of the FIRE movement?
The FIRE movement also faces some challenges. Challenges most commonly encountered include:
- A significant amount of money must be saved and invested.
- It is necessary to make sacrifices now in order to reap future rewards.
- Maintaining discipline and following through on your plans is essential.
- Investing involves risks, which should be understood.
How do I get started with the FIRE movement?
The following are some steps you can take to get started with the FIRE movement:
- Set your financial goals. How do you envision the FIRE movement achieving your goals? Have you ever dreamed of retiring early, traveling the world, or simply having more financial freedom?
- Calculate your FIRE number. In order to retire early, you must save this amount of money. You can find many calculators online that can assist you.
- Create a budget and track your spending. Making sure you are on track to reach your FIRE goal will help you see where your money goes.
- Make a plan to increase your income and/or decrease your expenses. Consider starting a side business, negotiating a raise, or downsizing your house.
- Invest your money wisely. In order to choose the right investment option, you should do your research.
- Stay disciplined and don’t give up. In order to succeed in the FIRE movement, one must remain disciplined and not give up.
Is the FIRE movement right for me?
There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to the FIRE movement. Before making a decision, take into account your personal circumstances and goals. It is important to take your age, income, expenses, and level of risk tolerance into account.
Online and in libraries, there are many resources available about the FIRE movement. As you embark on your journey, you can also find support from the FIRE community.
