Playing with FIRE (Financial Independence Retire Early): How Far Would You Go for Financial Freedom?

Name: Playing with FIRE (Financial Independence Retire Early): How Far Would You Go for Financial Freedom?
SKU: 129525
Availability: InStock

4.5 | 875 ratings

Price: 13.08

Last update: 09-04-2024

About this item

What if a happier life was only a few simple choices away?

A successful entrepreneur living in Southern California, Scott Rieckens had built a “dream life”: a happy marriage, a two-year-old daughter, a membership to a boat club, and a BMW in the driveway. But underneath the surface, Scott was creatively stifled, depressed, and overworked trying to help pay for his family’s beach-town lifestyle. Then one day, Scott listened to a podcast interview that changed everything. Five months later, he had quit his job, convinced his family to leave their home, and cut their expenses in half. Follow Scott and his family as they devote everything to FIRE (financial independence retire early), a subculture obsessed with maximizing wealth and happiness. Filled with inspiring case studies and powerful advice, Playing with FIRE is one family’s journey to acquire the one thing that money can’t buy: a simpler - and happier - life.

Based on the documentary

mbb657

Compelling and engaging financial adventure story

Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2019

I have been following this Playing with FIRE mostly for it's upcoming Documentary and decided to get the book too. It was a really quick and fun read. Like a mini financial memoir covering this guy Scott and his family jumping into this whole FIRE financial independence retire early thing. I learned that FIRE is really quite a massive movement of folks like Scott who are chopping expenses aggressively but with care and savvy to live more minimalist lifestyles toward achieving financial independence in their 30s and 40s. What was cool was that it was a nice flowing story, an interesting and sometimes fascinating one, that layers in the "how to" logistics quite organically. It's much more of the story of the journey - introducing the reader to what the experience is like- the ups, downs, feelings, etc. It also introduces us to the variety of characters who serve as the ambassadors of this FIRE movement, as Scott met a bunch of them and got counsel from them (again the story takes place while he's both doing FIRE and producing a documentary on that experience). He also goes to some of the camps, festivals and conferences where these folks cluster around the country and even one in remote Ecuador...that was a cool off shoot I wasn't expecting! I must say the book has changed me a bit. While I don't foresee myself chopping my own expenses in half, I have already begun doing some chopping. And it's not that the book was preachy AT ALL. It was a genuine, "this was my experience" type angle. It's just that it inspired me a little. Made the practices that Scott and these other under take seem not too harsh sounding at all. On the contrary it makes a lot of common sense to me: drive a used Honda instead of leasing a new BMW and retire 3 years sooner. Live in a 1,000 square foot home instead of a 1,500 sq ft home and cut 4 years off my retirement date. Wise, simple living. I'm already digging into some of the blogs and podcasts that Scott used to guide him. Thanks Scott for sharing this story. I think it will help a lot of people and it is already helping me. Most importantly, much like your entry experience, it's happening very organically without any sense of sacrifice. I think these FIRE folks are truly onto something special. Can't wait for the documentary and to steep myself further in this genre. Highly recommend the book. It's a one day easy fun read.

R. Landers

Inspired me to take action midway through the book!

Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2019

I devoured this book. The writing is exceptional and to be honest, I did not want the book to end - it is that good. Not just good, but captivating, inspiring, motivating, thought provoking and quite frankly, the best book I've read in a long time. Even at age 50 it makes sense to diversify and rethink my saving & investment strategies. I would have loved to have found this book 10, 20, 30 years ago and gotten on the financial independence path then, but I learned, thanks in part to this wonderful book, that any time is the right time to get on the right path. Just start. Rethink and examine where your money is going and take a hard look at your values and priorities for the not so distant future. And take action as soon as possible. I highly recommend this book for everyone in any type of situation. Save, invest, and dream of what you want your life to look like, and go for it! And watch the documentary as well - I watched it during the same week I read the book - you will not regret it!!

Simon Parsons

Not exactly what i was expecting but a good read

Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2019

This book is more about the journey of a husband and wife into the Fire movement rather than an instructional book. At first it seemed to be putting the cart before the horse because this couple is barely starting on the path of Fire, but it had plenty of great resources within the Fire community. I definitely got the feeling that I could do without the extremes that this author talks about, the camps and conventions he talks about remind me of the MLM conferences that get people all pumped up and kind of remind me of a cult. This book is good for people that might need their hand held as they walk through this journey. For me, I've found a great balance of saving and spending that allows me to enjoy life and put away tons of money without having to drastically later my way of life, if anything mine has been a decade long shift in my habits. With that said it was an enjoyable read and although the authors are just beginning their journey, they aren't trying to take anything. Read this book of you need emotional support on your transition, or just do like i did and scale into it.

Abby H.

Vivid delivery and refreshing frame for FIRE

Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2019

I first encountered (and loved) the concept of financial independence back in 2012, but have found this reintroduction a delightfully new animal. Scott provides an “in” to this world through the powerful fulcrum of his own life, sharing the narrative of he and his wife’s journey from hearing about FIRE to the pursuit of it with warmth, intelligence and honesty. Unlike other memoirs I’ve read, however, he doesn’t lapse into excessive self-reflection OR assume a prior level of knowledge in his readers. He also harbors no condescension or arrogance towards fledglings in this world, even as he praises and introduces advanced individuals in the FIRE community with ease. Such a balance indicates a gifted writer, experienced communicator and—let’s not forget!—a skilled editor. :)

Coming from my own background as someone feverishly paying down debt after struggling in a daze for years, I found it the perfect mix of story and facts, and more than anything, both encouraging and hopeful. I don’t know where I’ll end up on my own journey, but Scott’s words definitely gave me the boost I needed as I climb out of my own financial hole to work towards something bigger, more secure, and life-giving.

Needless to say, I cannot wait for the documentary.

(From Frugal Fuyanger on IG)

J. Mikes

The perfect introduction to the FIRE movement

Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2019

I loved this book. I read it after seeing the movie and it is even better than the movie (as books always are). I devoured it in only 4 nights and was sort of bummed when it ended.

This was the first time I've heard from someone my own age with a similar outlook and lifestyle, so it was immediately relatable and easy to follow along. Scott and Taylor's story is the perfect introduction to the FIRE movement and the book itself is a great crash course for everything you need to get going. This book really made me excited about the lifestyle and fired me up. Legitimately no pun intended!

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