Reply to s/o living on $25k or $36k a year

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]We spent 20k last year on non-housing expenses, and another 14K on rent/utilities. Total ~35K. This was our last year before moving to DC.

[b]For us the key was living in a low cost of living state[/b] (in the South!). We had a 2bd/1ba, cheap restaurants, and went hiking/camping for fun. In DC, we can still most of these things, but rent is killing us.

[/quote]

This is really the key.  Owning your home outright, in an area where property taxes are low, is a great first step.  In addition, being retired, and so having time to do things you might otherwise be inclined to pay for, also is important.  Finally, being single, like a PP, obviously cuts expenses considerably.

But, let's not forget that very few FIRE people are doing it without some public assistance.  They're on Medicaid, if younger than 65; and likely other types of assistance.  This galls me - people who *could* be working and footing their own bills just deciding to stop and live off a small amount each year, plus public assistance that is designed as a safety net (not a "let us help pay for your early retirement" plan).  [/quote]

I also wouldn't necessarily assume all the FIRE people are only spending small amount per year, it just that they are only drawing in that much income and a[b]re otherwise supplementing with non-taxable savings sources so they stay under the thresholds for ACA and other subsidies. [/b] Agree that a lot of this is living in a LCOL area with a paid off home and low property taxes.[/quote]

Exactly my point.  This lifestyle, which is a choice for these people, would not be possible without substantial assistance from the rest of us.  [/quote]

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