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'

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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. 

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    ~Ropirito (Ocommo... @ropirito Good morning everyone
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    r/Fire u/Ok Contribution_6321 . 1d FIRE was a mirage Opinion Join I'm 44 and basically at FIRE now. Honestly, I would give it all back to be in my early or mid-thirties living with roommates as I was. Sure I have freedom and flexibility now but friends are tied down with kids/ work; parents and other family are getting old/ infirm; people in general are busier with their lives and less looking for friends, new adventures; and I'm not as physically robust as I was. What a silly thing it seems now
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    Nick @nickcammarata · 17h Replying to @ropirito • maybe reverse-FIRE is the move? take a bunch of debt now and then work hard in your 50s to pay it off when your alternative uses of time aren't as fun 34 2713 667 ılıl 80.3K • ~ Ropirito (OcommoDTE) @rop... 17h : Not sure about this one bc you're taking on the risk of not being able to work as intense when you're older
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    MIA @MIA on line 19h @MIA_on_line - Replying to @ropirito im am absolutely begging people to think through the long-term ramifications of pursuing their goals and that what they might want now defers from what they'll want in the future
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    • FloopDoopz ❤ @FloopDoopz · 18h Replying to @ropirito Oh no, he's in his mid 40s with tons of money, instead of being broke and still grinding in his mid 40s like everyone else. Being an old loser is even worse when you're also broke.
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    Mad ML scientist @HououinTyouma Replying to @ropirito Follow All of that happens to everyone, but most people also go through it without any money
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    only here for directio... @thebitterlesson Replying to @ropirito I spent my twenties Follow around and having fun, and I too wish I could turn back time and be young again. That's just nostalgia. If I could do it again, I'd be much more ambitious in my younger years so I could be more financially secure now. I'm also in my early forties and physically just as capable as I ever was, but if I had gotten wealthier sooner, I'd be much freer to enjoy my life with my wife and kids vs still hustling fo
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    Amy Nixon @texasrunnerDFW - 12h Replying to @ropirito It does not sound like he regrets FIRE It sounds like he regrets that he is alone Relationships > Money
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    • Jacob Bartlett @jacobs_handle 17h Replying to @ropirito Men will literally get a net worth of $4m before talking to a therapist
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    Rmoney-$@aremuhknee 21h Replying to @ropirito • Sounds like that midlifer needs to hit the gym and touch grass.
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    Dongle Dangler @Dongle Dangler · 18h Replying to @ropirito All their eggs dropped into an imaginary basket
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    Dunbar @dunbar422 14h Replying to @ropirito There's a temptation to think financial freedom solves all of your problems and guarantees happiness. Like a lot of things once you achieve it you realize nothing guarantees happiness (including money.)
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    Sean Dunn @seanldunn • 17h Replying to @ropirito There are a bunch of different ways to do FIRE. But 20 years grinding and single is the wrong way to do it.
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    Zebra Cat@ZebraCat20 - 18h Replying to @ropirito Some of those will die before retirement. He should find his purpose and dig in. Find some great retired guys to hang with. They do exist.
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    Pseudonym @tariusdamon - 18h Replying to @ropirito : practice of the alchemical art of happiness in the present that's a thought I pull myself back to on the regular
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    Lost Nomad @lost_nomad__ • 13h · Short Guide for your 20s: - Go on trips as much as physically possible - Don't spend more than half of your weekends at home - Always go out Saturday nights - Do any hobby/recreation that interests you - Meet everyone Paradoxically more spending incentivizes more income anyway
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    cold @coldhealing 18h FIRE isn't a serious retirement plan strategy, it's a way for people who don't have a lot of desires in life to cope with that
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    Memnon of Rhodes @adornai 18h insane that it took him 44 years to figure out this is what gap years in college are for
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    Benedict @carto_graph - 17h I can't imagine how miserable you must be to do FIRE. The idea that life is a struggle to avoid working is just plain depressing.
    via carto_graph

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