Regretful 44-year-old retiree laments lifestyle, slams FIRE retirement strategy: 'I would give it all back to be in my early 30s living with roommates'

Ally Perry • Writer and Editor

Sep 4, 2024 4:00 PM EDT

For a lot of employees, it doesn't take many years of grinding in the workforce to start dreaming of all the free time and relaxation promised in retirement. By the same token, most people will take a heck of a long time to get to a point where they can afford to retire—and some don't even get the chance to do that. From this perspective, the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) method of living and working is an understandable choice to make.

However, despite what you may think the opportunity to retire at a younger age is not always endless blissful rounds of golf and cocktails on the beach. One retiree in his 40s took to Reddit to complain that the goal he had worked for all those years seemed pointless, as for numerous reasons he didn't feel able to enjoy it. Observers were quick to point out where he might have gone wrong. Sometimes, it really is worth taking that vacation in your 20s.