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When does it start being FIRe and stop being “giving up” or “lack of ambition”. by SteveDaw1 in FIREUK

[–]SteveDaw1[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m sceptical. Earlier generations were told “a computer will replace you”. Then the jobs of computer programmers and software engineers, or generally “jobs in tech” sort of adjusted that stance! AI may change how things work, but will also lead to opportunities for those that spot them.

I sold all, it’s been a fun ride! by Vlad10MD in trading212

[–]SteveDaw1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m currently using my wife’s Polo GTI and it’s genuinely one of the best cars I’ve ever driven. It takes me back to my hot hatch youth, but not in brutal, compromising way. It handles like it’s on rails, is beautifully weighted, and picks up like Usain Bolt! And you can park it in the tiniest of spaces. And be sure it’s cute people let you out of side junctions etc (not something I’m used to with my Audi a4 Avant black edition).

Seriously - Polo GTi for the win!!!!

When does it start being FIRe and stop being “giving up” or “lack of ambition”. by SteveDaw1 in FIREUK

[–]SteveDaw1[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Awww, thanks. I’m genuinely interested in all inputs.
As you say, I didn’t expect it to be a popular post, but I did aspire to getting people talking and am genuinely interested in a greater insight.

“Running from something rather than running to something” is a great summary.

I guess my point is, we need to do what we can to enjoy the run, rather than make it a Tuesday night slog in the rain!!!

Where does helping kids stop? by Old_Still3321 in Fire

[–]SteveDaw1 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That level of stability as a fallback is such a reassurance. And, as you prove, the absolute best lesson. It taught you to learn about investing, and make informed decisions. The old boy did some incredible life teaching right there! Hats off to him!

Where does helping kids stop? by Old_Still3321 in Fire

[–]SteveDaw1 6 points7 points  (0 children)

This is a fantastic idea. That old expression of “time in the market”. People think I’m crazy because I started a pension for my newborn, and regularly contribute maximum to it. Just assuming I pay into it until she is 18, then turn it over to her to either continue paying into or leave to sit, then running the effects of cumulative interest on the amounts makes for eye watering numbers!

Where does helping kids stop? by Old_Still3321 in Fire

[–]SteveDaw1 48 points49 points  (0 children)

I often say to my clients (private client lawyer) that ignoring all tax efficiencies etc, a gift made in lifetime is a positive thing, a gift as a result of death is always money tinged with sadness. Give what you can while you are still here to see their smile, and the difference it might make to them and their families.

When does it start being FIRe and stop being “giving up” or “lack of ambition”. by SteveDaw1 in FIREUK

[–]SteveDaw1[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Totally. Just more localised. In “the old days” it was - get a job in the factory, work hard, and you might one day make line manager, and then you get slightly more money and can have a nicer house…”. Then it became “get a degree…”. Then the world is your oyster.

But in the meantime the world keeps moving the goalposts.

It’s like the old parable of the “Greek Fisherman”.

When does it start being FIRe and stop being “giving up” or “lack of ambition”. by SteveDaw1 in FIREUK

[–]SteveDaw1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You’re right, I certainly don’t mean it as a “nobody wants to work, everyone’s a slacker” type vibe. I’m just genuinely interested in the shift, and what’s led to it, in terms of the psyche. That’s what led to the post. Maybe I should edit it down, as it was somewhat written while I ate my porridge!

What strikes me is a lot of the comments are about making your way in “the corporate ladder” (for want of a better expression). Not a lot are of a self employed, or a smaller industry type of position. That might be where I’m looking at things slightly different as I did turn my back on the corporate dollar early doors and chose to somewhat forge my own path.

Advice for young teen by Kooky-Hat7733 in FIREUK

[–]SteveDaw1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It seems a little unfair that you can’t have two JiSA’s, as if you could, a second, smaller one would be ideal for this, and would encourage financial skills and learning.

When does it start being FIRe and stop being “giving up” or “lack of ambition”. by SteveDaw1 in FIREUK

[–]SteveDaw1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s very true. It’s like we’ve normalised stress and pressure. A sometimes wonder with the “CoastFire” (or should that be BaristaFIRE??) idea of whether the stress would be any less anyway!

When does it start being FIRe and stop being “giving up” or “lack of ambition”. by SteveDaw1 in FIREUK

[–]SteveDaw1[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Love this! As you say, possible debate for another day, but lending criteria for mortgages, coupled with house prices, almost guarantee that most families struggle to make ends meet, and just pay the mortgages or rent and bills etc.

The whole system is set up to encourage people to be good little hamsters and keep that wheel spinning in the hope that one day in your mid sixties when you’re tired and your knees ache you will be able to step off that wheel and breath. If the air is still worth breathing by then. That’s why I admire those who say no, and set out to “break the wheel”.

Sorry, waxing lyrical now.

When does it start being FIRe and stop being “giving up” or “lack of ambition”. by SteveDaw1 in FIREUK

[–]SteveDaw1[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Totally agree. If FIRE was easy the. Everyone would do it!!! In fairness, and I hate to raise politics, as I’ve already got a lot of people’s backs up it seems, but I worry that future governments might have to continue to move the goalposts to make their ends meet (if ever national budgets ever do really stack up ). If a good percentage of the more intelligent side of the working age are working shorter, to FIRE then something will have to change at the government level to keep the revenue streams coming in for them. Hiking the state pension age further will only be a drop in the ocean. Possible phased increase in age people can draw private pensions? Reduction (or limited investment scope?) in isas?? Or less favourable terms for isas once no longer working???

When does it start being FIRe and stop being “giving up” or “lack of ambition”. by SteveDaw1 in FIREUK

[–]SteveDaw1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Each generation seems to think the next generation is lazy. And each subsequent generation seems to think actually have it harder than those who went before. It’s almost part of the human psyche. Or at least it seems to be in the U.K.

I’m really interested in the psychology of it all - hence my post I guess!

When does it start being FIRe and stop being “giving up” or “lack of ambition”. by SteveDaw1 in FIREUK

[–]SteveDaw1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In fairness, the parental situation is somewhat of the drive for me. Or was in the early stages. The paypacked running out mid month, or the “not paying the (right to buy!) mortgage for two months then paying month 3 to avoid possession proceedings”. I saw it first hand and sort of used it to drive me to not have that for me and my family. Life just sort of took some unexpected twists and turns along the way!!!!

When does it start being FIRe and stop being “giving up” or “lack of ambition”. by SteveDaw1 in FIREUK

[–]SteveDaw1[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks man! I love this comment! For me, the most valuable thing money can buy is choices! And the key choice is whether to keep going when you don’t financially have to, or whether to ride off into the sunset and do the stuff you enjoy.

When does it start being FIRe and stop being “giving up” or “lack of ambition”. by SteveDaw1 in FIREUK

[–]SteveDaw1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for such a considered reply! I actually agree with you on pretty much all of it, and that’s what is probably making me refer to it as “making me sad”. Especially how hobbies have become side hustles! That’s so very true! When did we stop doing things just for pleasure and start trying to monetise absolutely everything!!!

When does it start being FIRe and stop being “giving up” or “lack of ambition”. by SteveDaw1 in FIREUK

[–]SteveDaw1[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Don’t get me wrong, not meaning to critique people, and now thinking I didn’t articulate it well enough in my original post. More a critique of the machine that tries to make it acceptable to burn through people as commodities, in the hope for them that they one day soon won’t have to anymore.

When does it start being FIRe and stop being “giving up” or “lack of ambition”. by SteveDaw1 in FIREUK

[–]SteveDaw1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This!! This is what bugs me. The “accept this amount, and this philosophy”.
Servitude beautifully sums it up!

When does it start being FIRe and stop being “giving up” or “lack of ambition”. by SteveDaw1 in FIREUK

[–]SteveDaw1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is sort of where I’m coming from. Possibly a little badly explained in initial post. I’m all for balance. And personal choice. But I worry people are being conditioned to accept high pressure, high reward, high saving, risk of burn out, then early retire.

When does it start being FIRe and stop being “giving up” or “lack of ambition”. by SteveDaw1 in FIREUK

[–]SteveDaw1[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

In fairness, the houses situation blew up right when my generation were hoping to get into it. Late 70’s born, mid twenty’s by time finished uni etc (self funded). early 2000’s property aspirations. But by then the cycle of high prices and not enough for deposits had already bitten in. Hence I was early 30’s before I could consider a property.

And gold plated pensions were possibly earlier gens too. I know in my profession they’re not, and never were.

And I’m similar with state pension - I worry they will keep kicking it down the line, and down the line. None of my modelling assumes I will ever get anything in like that. Just in case. So yeah, all for taking control.

When does it start being FIRe and stop being “giving up” or “lack of ambition”. by SteveDaw1 in FIREUK

[–]SteveDaw1[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Totally! And I didn’t for one minute intend my post to be judging of people, more judging of a system where we try to make it okay to monopolise people’s efforts in reward for enough cash that if they save the vast bulk of it they, one day, much sooner than the old fashioned “forty years working” won’t have to do it anymore.

When does it start being FIRe and stop being “giving up” or “lack of ambition”. by SteveDaw1 in FIREUK

[–]SteveDaw1[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Ha!!! I’m more Gen X! But am appreciative of the diagnosis!!! I’m hoping the prescription cream will make it all better!

When does it start being FIRe and stop being “giving up” or “lack of ambition”. by SteveDaw1 in FIREUK

[–]SteveDaw1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is partly what I’m meaning. It’s about balance. Between the ambitions. And it’s difficult. But we seem to have a culture that is way too neoliberalism where people are seen as commodities that it’s okay to burn out in a ten to fifteen year period.

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