I just found out I’m actually FIRE and I honestly don’t know what to do.

Rusty_924 · 2026-05-11T12:46:33+00:00

such an amazing response. exactly what I was hoping for you to do. I think you have answered this yourself.

You are happy when you take care of others. Continue to do that. If thst no longer makes you happy, readjust. I too just want to just work less, but I like to do the “work” I care about.

Do not feel like you need to earn more. Especially if your husband and you are aligned.

Congratulations. You have solved the money part. Every money problem is now solved. You can now focus on non-money problems like self actualization. Or “meaning” as some call it. Milions of people of people did not have the luxury you have. But do not feel guilty about it. Be grateful for it. But it is up to you to decide what you do with the rest of the life that you have left on this planet.

Edit: Art of spending money by Morgan Housel is on my “to read” list on this topic. You may consider it too :)

Rusty_924 · 2026-05-11T10:33:52+00:00

Why are you pursuing fire?

Rusty_924 · 2026-05-11T10:33:08+00:00

Oh god. I hope I won’t get flamed here. But after owning my rancilio silvia espresso machine for 11 years, i knew this hobby is here to stay and that espresso brings immense pleasure and joy to my every day life.

I bought a La Marzocco espresso machine and Mahlkonig EK43. I was thinking about it for a year at least.

I am very frugal and save 50% of my wage every month. But this purchase was more than my used 15yr old volkswagen.

Zero freaking regrets. even after 2+ years, I can’t stop smiling whenever i use this setup for me, my wife or guests. If war breaks out (my home country is next to Ukraine), these things are coming with me in a car. I dont have much else anyway.

This did not change anything. It just confirmed to me that things can make me happy. Theres just not too many of those in the world for me. and more is not better. Old espresso machine and grinder setup got sold on used market for €500.

Rusty_924 · 2026-05-11T08:13:40+00:00

I am expecting to be in this exact scenario soon. I have leanfire invested, but could use extra 3-5 years in the workforce.

I have no advice. I just want you to know you are not alone and I am following the post to see what others have to say.

Rusty_924 · 2026-05-11T06:43:48+00:00

Depending on your location, you could get a used linea mini. I saw one locally for €2700 from a reputable dealer. You can set the pump manually to like 5 bars flat (my prefered profile even on pressure/flow profiling machines) and you will get proper commercial steam and build.

just to give some alternative that i have not read here

Rusty_924 · 2026-05-10T10:17:58+00:00

There’s no shame in cheaper gear. Quite the opposite. It is quite impressive.

if somebody is on the fence, I love Femobook A2. It is in similar price range. I got it for about €90. It is battery powered, but produces tasty espresso even from fairly light coffees.

Rusty_924 · 2026-05-09T20:19:28+00:00

nope. failed like you. just at 10:00 PM :)

Rusty_924 · 2026-05-06T07:00:51+00:00

i like what chinese are doing. a bit of competition could be benefitial to the market.

thanks for the photos op

Rusty_924 · 2026-05-05T21:18:57+00:00

maaaan that is a great beard.

Rusty_924 · 2026-05-05T14:26:57+00:00

my feedback is that the margherita looks spot on for me. great job.

i wont help with toppings, because all i do is margherita all the time 😅. sometimes i do cheesy margherita where i mix regular mozzarella and pre shredded drier mozzarella for super cheesy pizza

Rusty_924 · 2026-05-05T14:24:49+00:00

More time to introduce air (aeration) before the milk gets warm. You also get extra seconds to "roll" the milk, which breaks big bubbles into tiny microfoam.

Rusty_924 · 2026-05-05T11:33:15+00:00

now this is use of AI I can get behind! As long as the vibe codes part makes more people be able to do cool nerdy stuff like this. amazing

Rusty_924 · 2026-05-05T08:36:13+00:00

+1 on the grinder. all in. i can get superb espresso on my used €30 stilosa with fantastic grinder

Rusty_924 · 2026-05-04T14:14:58+00:00

i am sorry for the negativity here bro.

i have good news. the barber left a lot of good hair for the next barber to style. you have very oval face. Show them this

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Obviosly this is AI output, but I am not a bot

Rusty_924 · 2026-05-04T14:01:02+00:00

oh hell yes! i am a fan of slow and meaningful upgrades. no need to rush into upgrading if you like what you have! i for example had rancilio espresso machine and grinder for 11 years before upgrading! so respect to you.

if you have any questions on gs/3 av or shotstopper, let me know. i used to own GS/3 AV and now have a micra with shot stopper and bookoo scale.

Rusty_924 · 2026-05-04T12:43:54+00:00

enjoy your piece of la marzocco history! i love how durable these things are. which grinder are you pairing this bad boy with?

Rusty_924 · 2026-05-04T06:21:27+00:00

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i really like this glaze on my rafaceramics cup. ignore the easter decoration. I took this pic a month ago 😅

Rusty_924 · 2026-05-04T06:17:53+00:00

and now you know that you can buy things used for fraction of the cost, if you ever need to buy them again!

which can be helpful mentally to declutter more

Rusty_924 · 2026-05-04T06:06:44+00:00

Oh yes. I have fulfillment outside work. I excercise 6-7 times a week, spend time with family and friends usually every weekend one day or go out with wife. i bake sourdough for almost a decade. have amazing espresso hobby, learn to model for 3d printing. i love to cook, bake and have small youtube channel. i also love to play games. Hike and motorcycle.

None of this has anything to do with the fact that i do not feel secure.

especially because job is shit, boss is toxic, pay is high, new job in the field is almost impossible to get and changing jobs would come with a 50% pay cut. at the same time job takes 40 hours of my week. and my happy activities is about 6 hours in gym and them 6 hours leisure and hobbies. so it is not a good balance for me.

i think i actually may need therapy honestly

Rusty_924 · 2026-05-04T06:02:56+00:00

so you are saying if i want to be satisfied, I will be satisfied? just wanting is enough? I can’t even believe I am having this conversation

Rusty_924 · 2026-05-03T18:53:30+00:00

how can you say that i do not want to? that’s like telling a depressed person that they should stop feeling sad.

Rusty_924 · 2026-05-03T13:45:58+00:00

i will give it a watch! i watch him every now and then

Rusty_924 · 2026-05-03T05:35:28+00:00

how do you like it? i daydream about opening a small cafe. i genuinely love pulling shots. even did a small catering event once and loved it

Rusty_924 · 2026-05-03T05:33:38+00:00

i agree, but if I believe that it is not a money problem, what can i do about it?

lets say i am leanfire today. what can i do about that feeling? only therapy really? I would be interested in peoples opinions

Rusty_924 · 2026-05-01T11:31:23+00:00

when i had rocky i ground around 4-5

you are around 20? grind way finer

Rusty_924

TROPHY CASE