With about 3% of adults have over us$100k net worth, those with practical experience is fewer than most expected.

The option to work or not to work. If you don't have FIRE, you work until retirement. By having that option, you can semi retire, quit your job and have more time to yourself.

There's so much you can do. No need to force yourself to go to work, stress up over work issue, come back late because of work. You get to live how you like. Get up what time you want, do gardening, go hiking, go jungle tracking without big bosses breathing down your neck.

There is so many things you can do when you achieved FI. If you want to continue working, nobody will stop you.

Who said anything about not doing anything? There's so much thing you can do.

First, which job allow you to set your own pace? How many of us are lucky to end up with such jobs?
With FIRE, you have that option about setting the pace you like. If you don't work, there's still money coming in to pay your bills and whatever stuff you need. If you don't work you still can afford to go on vacation as money is coming in.
Make sacrifice early. Rather work until full retirement.

If you want to work until retirement, be my guest. No way I am working 12h+ and not compensated well for it.

Like I said which job let you have balance and how many are lucky to end up with that kind of job?
If we are not lucky, we need to think of ways out either by
1) quiting the job - no money how to quit?
2) finding a replacement - is not easy to find jobs nowadays?

My job is 12h+ and there are many people who are in the same boat with me.

Let me give you my example. Working 12h+/day with only one day off/week. Mine working hours are basically about 14h/day How are you going to find balance after work? I am all ears to suggestion.

This 3% number is from a investment bank i.e. independent, is consistent with data from epf.

Scenario A: this is why balance and moderation is important in achieving FI. Appropriate withdrawals to enjoy life will keep to process rewarding

Scenario B: disagree. One primary reason of FI is security, i.e., we really never knows when a company will sack us and therefore with FI this is no longer a worry. In addition, with FI we have the call of staying in the job over the boss than vice versa - I see this as a very important element because of the following third reason - no need to "see people face", if you know what I mean. Politics is always unavoidable in any institution and I find it tiring. And yeah, with FI we can focus on doing the things that we love to without all these factors coming in.

Very true - people tell me it is very 'sayang' to give up my PR after so long living in Sydney. I think chances are very high that i will eventually have to give up my PR because it is very hard to meet the '2/5 years stay' condition esp when coming back to stay in Sydney will be like going to 'prison'.

Time now is 8pm so it is good night to all. Talk to you guys tomorrow.

RE at 40 years old would not be possible, and he may need to start all over again

Our Wealth is not money, but the FREE TIME you spend with your family or to do something you really love, the rest is called "rat race"

President of Uruguay  Pepe Mujica :  “I live with little. Just what’s necessary. I am not tied down to material things. Why? So I can have more free time. To do what? What I love. Money is irrelevant when you do what you truly love.”

Another reflexion that i like and tray to apply day to day is,

President of Uruguay  Pepe Mujica:  “when you buy something, you’re not paying money for it. You’re paying with the hours of life you had to spend earning that money.”

Sounds good on paper. In reality, I estimate about 90% of people do not love their job or they started out loving their jobs but after 5,10, 20, 30 years ... most of them would have had enough ... just like most people keep changing the games they play, their sports or hobby..

Hobbies are easier to maintain than love for their jobs, I think ... like if you like to collect stamps or photography , u May or may not continue for long but at least chances are higher u will continue to like compared to continuing to like your job...

Hence why people look for FI, the RE is optional , they have the option, if they like, they continue or they continue part time.. and engage other hobbies.. much better than no options at all..

Dua sen saya...

Ya, agree that it must not be extreme.

On your points..
1. Skimping food does not mean will affect their health e.g. if everyday they eat mixed rice, I don’t see how it is detrimental to health, on the contrary, eating steak, crab, salmon or carbonara everyday might die faster..

2. Fun things in life ... it can be endless, the key is moderation, if everything also you want to spend on because YOLO, then you can forget about FIRE unless you are super earner and that also you must save in order to FIRE

Consider this - those who aim for FIRE, they place a lot of value on freedom... to be financially independent is LIBERATING... this thought of waking up being free must be weighed against a YOLO lifestyle ...meaning, do you treasure consumption and enjoyment more, or do you treasure the feeling of freedom more...

As in all things, like you say, moderation ... either end is no good.

Ok, we agree on the FI part. I don’t understand why u give 0 points to RE. RE is just an option. You can retire early or not, up to you. I assume you love your job 100%. Even then, what’s wrong with quitting the job you still love and try other things in life? You might like travelling more, or play games whole day, or explore museums or scuba diving etc. The point is you have an option. I get it; what you mean is do not delay living just because you want to save up and I agree with you...one can’t just do the extreme and live in abject poverty just so they can retire ...again, moderation ... how moderate? That is very personal ... some people naturally do not like spending and so for them, saving is easy... some are born spenders and so they might have to practise restraint a bit...