[Ryan]

Everyone’s journey toward Financial Independence is unique, shaped by personal goals, values, and life experiences. For some, it’s about escaping the 9-to-5 grind.

For others, it’s about spending more time with family, traveling the world, or simply gaining peace of mind.

We want to hear your story. What motivates you to pursue FI? Is it freedom, security, time, or something else entirely?

Whether you’re just starting out or well on your way, your “why” is what keeps you going — and it might just inspire someone else too.

Share your reason for chasing FI in the comments. Be honest, be brief, or go deep — it’s up to you.

[Dana]

The ability to tell corporate America to eff off at any moment. My job was eliminated in the 2008 auto industry crash and I made it my point to never have to depend on a company again.

I’ve always saved and invested enough that if it ever happened again that I would be just fine.

And in Jan 2020 I was able to take a nice voluntary buyout, took 6 months off to travel, and decompressed from corporate America before opting back in.

Now I will work as long as it works for me.

I’m job optional now at 44 yo.

[Jason]

1) Money is a tool, not a goal.
2) Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed.

[Anjoli]

I work in healthcare and have seen some scary things happen to young people.

I just want a security blanket for myself and my family.

[Jeff]

I Hate the fact that my life is owned by some other entity besides my self.

They dictate when and if I can take a vacation, guilt me when I do take off. Years go by and I don’t call in sick although I feel horrible.

I work and invest out of pure hatred for the man.

Every day, I count the days till happiness begins.

[Lise]

To be able to live life as my true being wants to live it, not as my boss wants me to.

[Alex]

What does freedom mean? Lots of generic answers. Mine is to put my energy without worrying about payment to improve animals lives and how they are perceived

[Amanda]

Definitely freedom. Plus, it’s nice that when I left my job and my husband got laid off that we aren’t in a pickle.

We can both be off work and decide what the next step is for our family together while bills are continuing to get paid.

[Anne]

I couldn’t live with the fear that I would lose my house. If God forbid I was unemployed by the choice of an employer.

That was many years ago that fear drove me to be free! So grateful that I was petrified lol

[Farre]

Genetic disorder with unknown disability timeline. I’d rather not rely on a government providing a safety net that might be taken away on a whim.

[Arben]

FIRE gives more money and more time = more options. But time and money are finite resources, and they cannot satisfy unlimited desires.

[Author]

Posts