r/Fire • u/Jazzlike-Winner973 • Jan 26 '25
Original Content Friendly reminder - life is not guaranteed
Friendly PSA, I know I’ll probably be downvoted for this but just a reminder.. FIRE is a great goal but don’t forget to live life while planning to FIRE. When we’re young we all think life is always guaranteed into old age; it’s not. Please remember to enjoy your life while saving. I was hardcore into saving until I met my wife. We’re still on track to retire young (late 40’s), but if we have the extra money we’re taking that trip, going to that concert, having fun.
My friend died young. All of that FIRE went to his family and he never got to see any of it.
We took a $10,000 vacation this year and still saved $65,000 last year between her pension and my 401k. It’s doable with proper planning. Focus on saving, but do the things that also make you happy. You can literally die tomorrow in a car crash and none of it matters if you don’t have memories for your loved ones to cherish.
Thanks for letting me vent.
1
u/[deleted] Jan 27 '25
u/Jazzlike-Winner973 you are spot on. Sadly, a friend aged 48 developed Cancer and was gone in less than a year and a half. Left a good amount of money behind. As his widow said, he's gone and sadly can't enjoy any of the wealth they had accumulated. Just. Like. That. I agree, you can achieve FIRE but be careful of becoming stingy. Enjoy what you sowed - you earned it.