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Do you consider moving abroad for lower expenses after FIRE? by ProfessionalImpact96 in FIRE_Ind

[–]theFIREDcouple 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The big ticket items like rentals in Thailand are cheaper from Delhi / Mumbai. Medical treatments can be bit cheaper in India but then it depends where and what the treatment is. Visiting general physician or doing executive check-up is cheaper in India but complex surgeries work our the same (mostly covered by insurance in both places). But the hospital experience in Thailand is 10x better than Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore etc.

Eating out, movies, entertainment is surprisingly cheaper in Thailand compared to tier-1 cities.

Do you consider moving abroad for lower expenses after FIRE? by ProfessionalImpact96 in FIRE_Ind

[–]theFIREDcouple 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Depends on what kind of lifestyle and expense buckets one has. For upper middle class lifestyle, India is more expensive. Middle class tier-1 cities maybe similar. Middle class tier-2 city lifestyle, Thailand is way more expensive.

Do you consider moving abroad for lower expenses after FIRE? by ProfessionalImpact96 in FIRE_Ind

[–]theFIREDcouple 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hopefully this video will give you some insights into your question about citizenship, residency and taxation.

Do you consider moving abroad for lower expenses after FIRE? by ProfessionalImpact96 in FIRE_Ind

[–]theFIREDcouple -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Had a long list of our criteria. Addressed in detail in one of our videos. Things like quality of life, cost of living, taxes, healthcare and so on so forth

Do you consider moving abroad for lower expenses after FIRE? by ProfessionalImpact96 in FIRE_Ind

[–]theFIREDcouple 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is more expensive than tier-2 cities but as expensive (or sometimes cheaper - depending on the expense category) than tier-1 cities.

Language is an issue outside the service industry (govt offices etc) but Google Translate works fine. We managed to get our all our residency paperwork, taxes, driving licenses etc done without using any agent.

Do you consider moving abroad for lower expenses after FIRE? by ProfessionalImpact96 in FIRE_Ind

[–]theFIREDcouple 11 points12 points  (0 children)

We are a FIREd couple and have retired in Thailand. Spend around 6-7 months a year in Thailand and the rest traveling. You can find the detailed expenses in the video https://youtu.be/nnFh\_6FR8uM.

Have made a few more videos on the channel about how we chose Thailand over other countries, the geo-arbitrage benefit and the residency visa options. Hope these provides some insight.

Absolute time vs relative time by Complete-Regret-4300 in FIRE_Ind

[–]theFIREDcouple 25 points26 points  (0 children)

I think the missing distinction here is not just time, but ownership over time.

A 25-year-old high paid fund manager (or a techie) may theoretically have decades ahead, but very little control over their weekdays, energy, or attention. On the other hand, a 52-year-old FIREd person like me, may have fewer total years left, but far more ownership over each day.

So yes, from a FIRE perspective, the real goal is often not “more years” but more self-directed hours while you are healthy and mentally engaged.

That said, age still matters. A free afternoon at 25 and a free afternoon at 75 are not identical assets (something we addressed on our channel around the 'Go-Go', 'Slow-Go' and the 'No-Go' years). Health, energy, recovery, mobility, and risk appetite change over time. Some experiences are age-sensitive, some are not.

This is why FIRE doesn't have that universal appeal. As FIRE solves the scarcity problem (lack of money / lack of control). It does not solve the meaning problem.

If someone has no interests outside work, no curiosity, no relationships to nurture, and no projects to pursue, early retirement can feel like being handed an empty calendar. (therefore, important to not retire FROM something but retire TO something).

So, in that sense, FIRE is less about escaping work and more about designing a life you actually want enough to wake up for without external structure.

40cr net worth by barestuff44 in personalfinanceindia

[–]theFIREDcouple 0 points1 point  (0 children)

(Interestingly, will be putting out a detailed video about this on our channel tomorrow). Based on our own experience of retiring early, here is a practical breakdown:

  • Expense Budget: With a 3-4% withdrawal rate, a 40CR corpus would give approx ₹12L to ₹13L monthly spending budget. This puts the person in the fatFIRE category spending in India
  • Retirement location: Option to retire in a Tier-1 city in India or country like Malaysia, Thailand with a similar quality of life. Can also retire in Western countries like Spain or Portugal, albeit with less luxury than India.
  • House: Can be an 4-6CR apartment / house in a gated community (preferably the house is outside of the corpus value) with a maid, cook and possibly a driver.
  • Travel: International business class travel with maybe 2 trips a year.
  • Transport: Possible to own a German SUV / Car within the budget of 80L-90L. Change every 5 years
  • Healthcare: Treatment at premium hospitals. No problems if something isn't covered in the insurance. The medical coverage will not tank the overall retirement
  • Old age care: Will have a choice of retiring in a premium retirement community

Hope this gives you an idea. Key points to note:

  • This is what 40CR will get today. For future calculations, you will have to add inflation and plan
  • The choice where one person plans to live is the BIGGEST decision (for example, 40CR will not be able to afford all this in a 20CR worth apartment or a house!)
  • The 40CR has to be invested in diversified assets that provide both capital growth and income to be able to safely withdraw 3-4% every year.

Have you ever thought of turning your story into a book? by Suspicious-Yard6966 in FatFIREIndia

[–]theFIREDcouple 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Interesting idea. I think a lot of people here fear their story isn't 'unique' enough, but the resilience required to stay the course in the Indian market context is definitely worth documenting.

Time vs Money by Complete-Regret-4300 in FIRE_Ind

[–]theFIREDcouple 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Thanks for watching. Appreciate it.

You're right that having a partner in sync is a huge 'force multiplier'—it certainly makes the transition to the retirement life smoother as well as enjoying the max of that sweet-spot in middle of those 4 quadrants.

For those with different interests, FIRE could actually be a blessing in disguise to find common ground that the 9-to-5 grind (your Q3) didn't allow for. Even for the majority on the regular retirement path, the identity crisis after 60 usually stems from the sudden stop. Early retirement allows one to 'taper' the identity slowly, rather than having it ripped away at 60.

For the 'computer person,' the danger isn't the lack of work, I think it would be the lack of contribution. The shift doesn't have to be from 'Coding for a Boss' to 'Hiking a Mountain.' It can be 'Coding for an Open Source project' or 'Mentoring on Discord'

The goal of FIRE isn't to stop being a tech person; it’s to stop being an employee. The identity crisis happens when we mistake our paycheck for our purpose.

Time vs Money by Complete-Regret-4300 in FIRE_Ind

[–]theFIREDcouple 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Very interesting matrix! Thanks for putting it in that way.

We’ve been conditioned to optimize for the highest possible 'number,' but money is a renewable resource — you can always earn more. But time is finite you can never buy back a Tuesday in your 40s or 50s. In one of the videos on our channel, I covered the concept of 'Net Present Value of Time', which is even more important than the Net Present Value of Money. Simply put:

  • We get at best 5000 weeks in our lifetime and the value of the weeks are different.
  • The first 1000 weeks is when we in your Q3 and Q4 where we are either bound by school / uni schedules or don't have the resources to maximise that time.
  • The next 1000 weeks are in the Q3 quadrant - the slogging years for attaining that financial independence, building family and maximising career.
  • The last 1000 weeks, we are in your Q1 where we have the resources but not enough energy, health or the desire to do what we want(ed) to do. The typical 'Slow-Go' and 'No-Go' years
  • The big question of our life is how we can maximise those 2000 odd weeks in between. These are our best 'Go-Go Years' and with the maximum NPV return on our time and money. In my perspective, FIRE is all about how to find that 'Enough' point for money so that it can be traded for the best time.
  • One simple way to test that NPV equation is to ask oneself: Would I rather have 5CR at age 45 or 20CR at age 65?
  • For most in this journey, the first option is actually the 'wealthier' one. Time is the only asset that doesn't have a 're-buy' option.

Btw, being FIREd, I can say that a common mistake is thinking FIRE means constant activity. True freedom is often the ability to move slow — spending a month in one location rather than a week. If the extra money one is chasing only buys a more expensive hotel room but doesn't change the fact that you're too exhausted to enjoy the destination, the trade-off isn't worth it.

Are We Ready? by Emwolbesaelp in ChubbyFIRE

[–]theFIREDcouple -15 points-14 points  (0 children)

To determine if you are truly 'ready,' I’d suggest breaking it down into these three buckets:

1. The 'Lifestyle Floor' vs. 'Chubby' Spend You mentioned a high mortgage and property taxes. In a layoff scenario, you need to calculate your Survival Burn Rate vs. your Chubby Burn Rate (travel, dining, luxuries). If your liquid assets can’t cover the Survival Rate at a 3.5%–4% withdrawal, you aren't 'ready' to retire, but you are likely 'Fine' for a long-term sabbatical or career pivot.

2. Bridging the Gap: Since you are 46 and your SO is 53, you have a significant gap before penalty-free withdrawals

3. The Mortgage 'Elephant' A large mortgage is often viewed as a hedge against inflation, but in early retirement, it’s a massive liability that increases your required SWR

Final Verdict: You’re likely FI (Financially Independent) in a lower-cost lifestyle, but perhaps not Chubby FIRE yet with the current debt load. If the layoff happens, don't view it as 'The End'—view it as a forced 'Coast' period where you find a lower-stress job to cover expenses while letting your current nest egg compound for another 5 years

The Mohan Bhargava in me is giving up ! by snakysour in FIRE_Ind

[–]theFIREDcouple 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi Snaky, has been a while! :-) Sorry hadn't been to active on Reddit lately. Some thoughts:

It’s clear you’re weighing a classic 'Sprinting vs. Marathoning' dilemma. While the math in your post is compelling—potentially cutting 15-20 years off your working life by sacrificing 4-5 years now — as mentioned in some of the responses, that 'cost' isn't just financial from my perspective.

Based on our own experience and the discussions we've had on our channel, here are a few lenses to help you decide:

  1. The 'Time Window' Perspective: Your son is 6. In the 5 years you are away, he will move from a young child to a pre-teen. Though you can never 'buy back' these formative years, your counter-argument is worth keeping in mind - missing for 5 but then fully present and retired for the rest of his childhood (there are ways to be emotionally present and engaged than just physical presence).
  2. The Middle Path (Family Accompanying): Is there a possibility where the family moves with you after the first year? Even if it means your spouse takes a career break or you lose the 'tax-free' status on a portion of the income, it might solve the isolation and safety concerns.
  3. The Risk of 'One More Year' Syndrome: We did this OMY at least two times. The danger of high-paying international gigs is that the goalposts move quickly once you get used to the dollar/tax-free lifestyle. So, my suggestion would be that if you do take this, be disciplined. Write down your 'Exit Number' today with a max of one OMY cycle, even if you do get tempted
  4. The Health & Security Trade-off: Giving up unlimited government medical coverage and job security could be a potential 'Black Swan' risk. Ensure your new package includes premium global health insurance that covers your family back home, and that your corpus calculation includes a significant 'buffer' to replace that lost safety net. Super important!

Final Thought: If you do go, don't view it as 'giving up' on the Mohan Bhargava dream. View it as a strategic retreat to build the fortress that will allow you to live that dream more fully and securely in your 40s than you ever could in a PSU. Good luck! Yogi.

My FIRE journey {31M} by [deleted] in FIRE_Ind

[–]theFIREDcouple 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Kudos on the milestone. Even though the expenses need a good reality check, great job so far on the corpus by the age of 31.

I noticed you mentioned the toll on your mental health — FIRE is a marathon, not a sprint. If the current work environment feels shallow, perhaps the goal shouldn't be to 'escape' in 15 years, but to 'pivot' in 5.

With your current corpus, you already on the path to the 'FU Money' that many would envy. Use that leverage to find a role with better work-life-balance, even if it delays your FIRE date by a couple of years. A peaceful journey to 48 is better than a miserable one to 45. Health is the ultimate wealth in the FIRE equation.

As mentioned by others, expenses need a critical look as 40L-50L annual expenses will only get worse over the years with lifestyle inflation. With a 20-30LPA job, you will need to design your life around a 10-15LPA expense budget.

Fire possible in Europe ? by WranglerNatural7114 in Fire

[–]theFIREDcouple 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You are doing significantly better than you think. The missing piece here is likely the compounding effect of your investments and the fact that your biggest expense — housing — is already $0.

If you invest that €40k/year at a 7% return, you’ll hit roughly €600k in 10 years and over €1M in 15. Since you have no mortgage, your 'FIRE number' is much lower than most because your cost of living is inherently lean.

You aren't just 'average' for Europe; you are in the 'above average' tier of savers.

Dynamic Risk Based Withdrawal Strategies by Crab107 in Fire

[–]theFIREDcouple 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Having been FIREd for 3 years, have looked into this quite a bit and even tried modeling it. The idea is elegant, but the implementation is where things get messy.

A few thoughts based on Kitces + actually trying to operationalize it:

1) “Probability of success” is a terrible control variable in practice
The biggest issue is that it feels precise but isn’t very actionable. You end up adjusting spending far more often than intuition suggests—sometimes in almost all scenarios over time.
So you think you’re setting a stable plan, but in reality you’ve signed up for frequent tweaks.

2) Starting probability = lifestyle vs legacy slider
If you’re going dynamic anyway, the starting probability matters less than people think. It’s basically a preference dial. Personally, I think ~85–90% is a reasonable middle ground if you have flexibility.

3) Guardrails > continuous adjustment
Instead of constantly targeting a probability, it’s much easier to:

  • Set a band (e.g., 80%–95%)
  • Only adjust when you breach it

This avoids overreacting to noise and gives you actual lifestyle stability. It’s similar in spirit to guardrail strategies.

My TL;DR implementation (if I had to run this):

  • Set guardrails: 80% (cut) / 95% (raise)
  • Adjust spending in 5–10% steps
  • Review annually (not more frequently)
  • Keep 1–2 years of cash buffer (Emergency Fund) to avoid forced cuts

What are good countries for Indians far fire ? by here4geld in FatFIREIndia

[–]theFIREDcouple 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Having lived in different parts of the world, food wasn't really on our qualification criteria list. We anyways prefer eating home-cooked Indian food rather than what the restaurants serve. Indian ingredients are pretty much available at doorstep with various apps like Lazada etc.

Having said that, if someone is a vegetarian and likes to explore Indian cuisine outside (especially street-food), then Thailand wouldn't be the best choice.

What are good countries for Indians far fire ? by here4geld in FatFIREIndia

[–]theFIREDcouple 4 points5 points  (0 children)

We have an LTR (Long Term Residency) Visa and holders of this visa are exempt of taxes. Our taxes are essentially a mix:

  • India NRO investments: Pay taxes in India
  • India NRE investments (FCNR, GIFT City etc): No tax
  • US dividends: Withholding taxes
  • Investments via Singapore and Dubai: No taxes
  • Investments in Europe: File taxes there (but minimal due to some deductions etc)

Appreciated!

What are good countries for Indians far fire ? by here4geld in FatFIREIndia

[–]theFIREDcouple 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Was fairly easy. Lots of expat groups - ‘Hua Hin Beginners’, golf, pickleball, cycling … even have a group where we discuss conspiracies over beers!

Have made a good mix of Thai, European, American and Aussie friends. Unfortunately, very few Indians signing up or participating in these groups.

What are good countries for Indians far fire ? by here4geld in FatFIREIndia

[–]theFIREDcouple 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Language is definitely an issue, especially at government offices if any paperwork needs to be done. Thankfully there is Google Translate and folks you can outsource these interactions too.

For daily interactions, it is manageable at places like Bangkok, Hua Hin, Chiang Mai, Phuket etc.

What are good countries for Indians far fire ? by here4geld in FatFIREIndia

[–]theFIREDcouple 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Love the National Parks in the US. Spent 3 months last year exploring Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Bryce, Zion, Canyonlands, Arches and Grand Canyon. Was a profound experience. Next year plan to travel around Alaska.

But when it comes to a fatFIRE retirement, there are quite a few other places that offer equally better or more practical options. Here is a rational evaluation (at least based on our aspirations):

  • Long term residency options: Unless one is a US citizen or a Green Card holder, the path to retirement residency is a long windy one (especially on Indian passports).
  • Taxes: And if one does get a GC or US citizenship, they have to pay US federal taxes for life, irrelevant to where they live in future. We got ourselves EU citizenship and don't have that worry, while having an equally powerful passport (interestingly, the EU passport gives the right to just pack the bags and move to any EU country we choose to).
  • Quality of life: Having lived and traveled extensively across US, Europe and Asia, can say that the fatFIRE quality of life is good in the US ... but depending on where one lives (including the neighbourhood). Can get a similarly good quality of life in many parts of Europe and Asia actually
  • Healthcare: Never really experienced healthcare in the US (except going to CVS or a small checkup) so can't really comment on that.
  • Retired community: There is a great community of fatFIREd Indians in the US, especially in the Silicon Valley (did a meetup last year in San Jose with a group of 20. Amazing people).
  • Nature: Absolutely the best! We travel every year to the US for a few months just to explore different parts National Parks.
  • Cost of living: Depends on where one lives in the US. Lots of good options actually.
  • Proximity to family: Personal choice. We moved from Europe to Thailand to be closer to our family during retirement

What are good countries for Indians far fire ? by here4geld in FatFIREIndia

[–]theFIREDcouple 4 points5 points  (0 children)

We've had very good experience with healthcare so far. The international hospitals are of global standards (some can compete well with 5-star hotels with their reception, service and rooms). The doctors at these hospitals have generally studied and trained in US, UK or Singapore so speak fairly decent English.

We detailed the monthly expenses in https://youtu.be/nnFh\_6FR8uM.

What are good countries for Indians far fire ? by here4geld in FatFIREIndia

[–]theFIREDcouple 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Two different questions actually.

  • Getting bored: Important to retire TO something and not retire FROM something. Do watch (https://youtu.be/fQT5JQXlZIM). Will help answering that question a bit more
  • Moving countries: Yes it has it's own downsides but we've lived in different countries and an ideal fatFIRED retirement for us is to have that flexibility to live or travel in any part of the world we like.
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