Is the “Early Retirement” Dream a Reality? I'm Not Buying It | Bigger Pockets Video

Episode #635

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You’re part of the FIRE movement (financial independence, retire early) so you can quit your job, have complete time freedom, and truly enjoy your life. But what if early retirement isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be? What if you grind for years or decades, reach your FIRE number, quit your job, and realize… you’re bored? Your schedule is wide open, but what do you fill it with? You start asking yourself, “Did I pursue FIRE for financial freedom—or to escape something else entirely?”

Tyler Gardner, former portfolio manager and financial advisor, has seen the toxic side of FIRE far too often. Tyler believes that working on something you love can be far more meaningful than early retirement, and he might be right. Early retirees often struggle with their post-career lifestyle, and many find they can’t thrive without meaningful work. This identity shift can cause profound dissatisfaction, even after so much sacrifice to get to this point.

Tyler’s advice: slowly phase out of work or have other income streams that can keep you going, not just for your mental health but your portfolio’s health. So, how do you do that? Mindy, Scott, and Tyler have a meaningful debate, with significant disagreements, on the best way to phase out full-time work, why a 100% stock portfolio may be safer than you thought, and the toxic side of FIRE nobody talks about.

00:00 Intro
01:06 Sponsor: Baselane!
02:01 The Problem with "VTSAX and Chill"
05:52 English Teacher Turned Financial Advisor
09:08 The Toxic Side of FIRE
16:56 "Phasing Out" of Employment
24:33 Trimming Your Work Schedule
33:12 Living Without a Paycheck
42:14 Cash Flow to PROTECT Your FIRE
45:19 Connect with Tyler!