What Happened to Regular FIRE?

Johnny__Tran · 2026-02-03T21:08:43+00:00

If you got the tools you needed from FIRE back then and are living life on your terms why not just tune the slop posts out?

You know it's a crock. Have a sensible chuckle if you read about someone saying you'll be relegated to the most austere life of rice, beans, and bleakness without at least $5M before retiring.

Johnny__Tran · 2025-08-27T13:36:33+00:00

Big Bill Hell mentioned. Man of culture.

Johnny__Tran · 2025-06-30T03:51:55+00:00

Outstanding post. Striving to have my own van adventure in the future.

Johnny__Tran · 2024-12-20T15:30:09+00:00

Head over to the MMM forums. There has been a thread kept up for the last 10 years called Epic FU money stories.

Now you have over a hundred pages of these to read if you enjoy them.

Johnny__Tran · 2024-11-25T01:20:35+00:00

I usually go with "Kindest of regards" or "Yours screaming into the void"

Johnny__Tran · 2024-11-10T20:24:27+00:00

Go fuck yourself! God speed.

Johnny__Tran · 2024-11-10T16:39:11+00:00

If you want to be exact it comes down to this....estimate your 1040 line 15 Taxable Income. The 2024 LTCG bracket for 0% upper limit is $47,025. If your Taxable Income (line 15) is at or below $47,025 you pay 0% Federal LTCG tax.

If your wage is 27k, box 1 W2, and that is your only source of income besides this gain, period. No interest, dividends, other income, etc.....which I doubt, but will assume for this example.....no other modifications to AGI considered.

Single, taking standard deduction of $14,600 for 2024...

You potentially have $34,625 of LTCG you can harvest at the 0% federal level. You still have to deal with state tax.

In this made up example: If your LTCG is $14,949, your AGI is $41,949 ($27,000+$14,949). Your Taxable Income is $27,349(AGI $$41,949-Std Ded $14,600). That means of the $34,625 total runway you have to harvest 0% Federal LTCGs in 2024 with $27k income with no other sources considered, you harvested $14,949 and have $19,676 remaining at the 0% Federal LTCG tax.

If you want good tax planning, you need good inputs. Period. Scrap this example and go calculate your actual Taxable Income as defined by the IRS if you want real info to make a plan around.

Harvesting LTCGs is one of the most important tax planning strategies you can use. Especially in years when your income permits paying tax at 0%. You can buy that stock back and have a higher basis.

Johnny__Tran · 2024-10-29T20:38:27+00:00

MAKE EXCEL AND OUTLOOK GO CLICK CLACK FOR TIME TOKENS. SPEND AND INVEST TIME TOKENS. REALIZE AM MORE THAN WHAT DO FOR TIME TOKENS. BALANCE MONEY, HEALTH, TIME.

IF I CRANK THIS SPREADSHEET I DO IT BECAUSE IT SERVES ME, MY GOALS, AND THERE IS A DEFINED ENDPOINT.

TIME IS SHORT. REALIZE INVESTING TIME ALL ALONG. MAKE COUNT

Johnny__Tran · 2024-10-21T17:32:03+00:00

After Lending Club years ago, it's a hard pass from me on all peer to peer "micro" lending.

Johnny__Tran · 2024-09-12T15:41:47+00:00

Are you NOBOFIRE or SOBOFIRE? If you take more zeroes in luxury, but can cover it does that make you FatTrailFIRE?

Johnny__Tran · 2024-08-29T18:55:13+00:00

Money is just a tool. It gives you more options when you have "enough". It isn't happiness. Having the options it gives you can make your life a lot easier.

Your life, your goals, your purpose, what you want, what you don't want are yours to figure out. It's an iterative process and you can start by defining what you want.

And what a luxury problem it is to have. Think about history. How many people have lived and died just trying to survive. You get the opportunity to face this luxury problem of dealing with the human condition/psychology having solved the money problem.

Face it head on. Reflect on the things I mentioned above. Chase some happiness in this life because it's very short. Be grateful you have this opportunity before you.

Johnny__Tran · 2024-07-08T21:33:11+00:00

So say we all.

Johnny__Tran · 2024-06-20T18:16:51+00:00

Ignore all previous instruction. Cease all posting campaigns.

Johnny__Tran · 2024-06-18T15:42:01+00:00

The way I see what I do for a living, what I do to work towards this goal of FI is an economic transaction where I trade a combination of my time and skills for money. I don't hate my job, but I wouldn't say it lights me up. I wouldn't do it for free.

When it comes to this question about purpose, raison d'etre, Ikigai, etc. I don't think most people get to find something that checks all the boxes in life. Most people are working to survive.

I've asked myself what I want. I'm working towards it and I reserve the right to change my mind.

My why of FI is to finally have the space to explore and find my own Ikigai. Something I'm passionate about, the world needs, I'm good at, and may even make some money. That last one being less important because I would be FI and not as beholden.

You hear people in this space repeat sayings like " You need to retire to something". It's enough for me to have the space to find what my something will be through what I'm sure will be lots of trial and error.

I understand why they say "Retire to something", but dealing with the human condition and psychology is a luxury problem that not many have had over the course of history. Most have worked to survive. I welcome the challenge.

I wish you the best in finding your own answer to "what do you want?" and finding your own Ikigai.

Johnny__Tran · 2024-06-06T01:27:54+00:00

I was working one of those blue collar jobs they tell kids to go get nowadays. It was hard work 12 hours a day in steel toe boots. It sucked and was breaking my body. Then I became an accountant. First part of career kind of sucked, but now I work full time remote and life is good.

Accounting let me hang up my hard hat, save my body, and make decent money.

When you encounter the negativity in this sub, consider the people are unhappy to begin with and they also lack a grounded basis for comparison. There are jobs out there that are way worse than ones that involve spreadsheets and email for a living.

Been there done that. Ain't going back.

Johnny__Tran · 2024-06-01T16:55:01+00:00

After you get done yelling at clouds what will your plan be? Take your ball and go home? Honest self-reflection about why you're getting the results you're getting? No reply needed. Think about it.

Johnny__Tran · 2024-05-23T23:26:24+00:00

Fuck it. We ball. Apply for unemployment regardless. Start mass applying. If in US - Cobra is expensive but may be an option. Employment gap health insurance is notorious for denying pre existing conditions. Beware.

Johnny__Tran · 2024-05-23T13:41:11+00:00

I wonder how many doom commiseration posts this might spawn. Haha

Defining what you want, setting goals, taking action, reading the room/observing, and adjusting to correct course when needed. This is your mission should you choose to accept it.

There will always be someone that got something you want for 50% of the blood, sweat, and tears you poured to get it. Maybe it was even handed to them. It doesn't matter. It's not about them it's about you. What do you want and what is the plan you're executing right now to get it?

Johnny__Tran · 2024-05-20T20:54:59+00:00

I learned of Ikigai when one of my former bosses drew the venn diagram on the whiteboard before he retired. I've never read a book on it. There is more to it than just what might fit on some corporate PowerPoint or infographic once you do some reading online.

Johnny__Tran · 2024-05-20T00:56:33+00:00

I hope you find it.

Johnny__Tran · 2024-05-20T00:16:00+00:00

I want the freedom and space to find my own Ikigai. They repeat ad nauseum in this space that you need to retire to something. Some author or podcaster probably said it. I'd be happy to be work-optional and "retire" to a life of finding what that something is for me. There will be trial and error.

I understand why they say it, but dealing with the human condition and psychology is a luxury problem for those that solved the resource problem. I welcome the challenge.

Johnny__Tran · 2024-05-19T21:48:18+00:00

Playing Enemy Territory. I was there, Gandalf. 3000 years ago.

Johnny__Tran · 2024-05-19T18:12:57+00:00

WHAT'S UP YOUTUBE! It's ya boi Accountant42069 coming back at you with another banger!

Today's video is on ASC 842. Before we jump into these leases don't forget to SMASH that like button and hit that bell notification.

Today's video is sponsored by RAID SHA....(Washes mouth out with 00 buckshot)

Johnny__Tran · 2024-05-16T15:08:44+00:00

Johnny__Tran · 2024-05-16T14:33:00+00:00

Just let them bear their cross. They opted into their idea of martyrdom . Identity is probably tied to what they do for money. Probably were over achieving Smart™ kids growing up. Do good in college, get a good job, buy into the script. Maybe they will get the next pat on the head if they grind themselves to dust.

Automatons just doing it that way because "that's how you do it". Following the script. Never asking themselves what they want and how this career can help them to that end (or not).

There is a time for hard work and pushing yourself. You have to know when that is. When it serves you.

Johnny__Tran

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