i think we may have different interpretation of the terminology of FI/RE.

what is FI/RE?
If someone needs 100m to have FI/RE, i would very much like to know what are the $$$ for.

FI to me is the person must be free of debt.
RE to me means the person has attained sufficient reserve to guarantee basic needs are covered till their demise.

therefore my basic understanding of FI/RE would be:
1. free of debt (be it mortgage, car loans, education fund, insurances, etc)
2. sufficient reserve of RMx/month x anticipated duration of balance life + contingencies for emergencies

whatever extra and over would be for enjoyment such as:
1. new car every 3 years
2. 4 overseas trip
3. etc

i think generally a lot of people tends to factor in the extra as part of FI/RE.
it's not wrong as it's a great motivator to keeps one growing. but in truth, am sure there are plenty of people who has achieved FI/RE but they are just growing their warchest for the "nice to have" instead.

trajectory is very important to keep one in check.
if you perform an excel, a simple starting pay of RM2k at 3% increment yearly without bonuses and 5% yearly epf dividend, the person should amass >RM1mil by end of year 40.
so if RM1mil is your target, you just need to make sure you beat either:
1. a higher starting pay
2. better than 3% increment yearly
3. have bonuses
4. pray for higher than 5% dividend from epf
5. work for 40 years

as you can see, these goals are indeed very achievable once things are put into perspective

yes. fully agree.
just that my own interpretation a person who is FI must be debt free.
and again my own definition  of the debt free doesn't literally means no outstanding loan but cash in hand must exceed the loan amount AND the more important criteria is the cash in hand must not be used in any risky investment that may jeopardize the value to affect the repayment of the loan.
if a person having cash in hand of 2mil but parked at safe haven investment such as capital guarantee bonds/investment, FD, etc is fine. but if the 2mil is parked at stocks, business, etc, i wouldn't exactly say they are fully covered since from the covid pandemic, wht was once deemed safe stocks can also dwindle down.

eg. BAT stock year high and low for this year alone ranges from 8.xx to 31.xx.
dy 11% currently but is that any form of guarantee?

obviously you are not reading my previous post.
that's under RE.

https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...post&p=97238491

anyway, will not continue to debate the definition with you. am merely sharing my own interpretation.

  a part of FI
Freedom from Debt Payments.
reducing the expense per month   

He is Wealthy.

Generally people who is wealthy, will have TIME, MONEY and the most important HEALTH.

according to wikipedia....
Financial independence is the status of having enough income to pay one's living expenses for the rest of one's life without having to be employed or dependent on others.
Income earned without having to work a job is commonly referred to as passive income.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Financial_independence

Yeah but for my own interpretation of above is when one having reached that status, one can afford to RE. But whether one really wanted to RE or not, is really up to that individual preference n circumstances...

so uhm.. how much do we need to have to start for FI? how much when you started?

My ex-boss told me one of his secrets to FI.  He made sure he found a wife that was even stingier than him AND he married young. He was actually surprised that the new gen of husband and wife have their own bank accounts.