For those pursing a financial independence, retire early (FIRE) strategy, the centerpiece of their focus tends to be anything except aesthetics.
FIRE starters are people driven to pursue a singular objective: earn and save enough money to retire from working while they are still young enough to enjoy it. Standing in the way of that objective, however, are social expectations around personal hygiene, image and aesthetics. This list documents 6 disgusting habits of those who ignore social norms in their pursuit of FIRE.
#6 - They Don't Worry About Cleanliness
Cleaning is like a sport for some Americans. The various tools they use and products they buy reflect competitive behaviors. And the result of their cleaning efforts are often on display at gatherings and dinner parties. The cost for clean results can be enormous. The popular Dyson vacuum is a whopping $499.00. And while it may feel nice to have a clean home, FIRE starters would rather have the cash.
#5 - They Have Smelly Underarms
Under arm deodorant is not a huge expense, but it is a cost that must be paid forever. The moment you are stuck with a never ending subscription of payments is the moment when the dreams of FIRE have slipped through your fingers.
With forced subscription payments to things like taxes and insurance, the last thing you need is an anchor dragging you down. If that anchor is one you've tied your leg yourself, it only makes sense wriggle yourself loose and swim away from a bad financial situation.
#4 - They Have Beards
OK, not everyone with a beard should be classified as disgusting, but the rationale as to why FIRE starters have one is a little offside. Men who wear beards usually take pride in their look, grooming it to reflect the image they intend to project. For FIRE starters, the real key is saving money. Without contributing to the ridiculous $20.52 billion men's grooming market, FIRE starters can keep a lot of money in their wallet that would otherwise fly away. Those who are comfortable with a beard probably do not mind what others think of them - after all, a beard can be shaved in an instant, but achieving FIRE is a much more difficult task.
#3 - They Drive Rust Buckets
It's no secret that cars cost a lot of money. The average purchase price of a new car is $36,270.00. Beyond the original purchase price, cars have on-going costs for gas, insurance and maintenance. And those costs really add up.
By driving an older vehicle, FIRE starters do not save any money on gas costs. But they definitely save money on purchase and insurance costs. And a 4 year old used car will have experienced depreciation of approximately 50% of its original purchase price. Cars today are built with the long term in mind, and any defects in the construction of the vehicle will very likely have been repaired within the first 4 years. Buying a 4 year old used car can keeping it for another 8 years - even if the car is purchased with a loan - means that for all but 1 year, you will own a vehicle with positive equity. Positive equity means that you can sell it for more than you owe on it.
#2 - They Have Ancient Computers
FIRE starters know that a computer can assist them with planning and writing about their retirement plans. But they also have a pragmatism that affects the type of computer they own. FIRE starters who work on a computer that they purchased themselves - as opposed to an employer provided - tend to be ancient; a computer capable of serving basic needs without going overboard. Considering a new Apple MacBook will run you $979.00 for the base model, a cheaper computer that produces the same results can represent a significant savings.
#1 - Their Home Decor Looks Like Something From The 1970's
There's a reason the furniture in the home of a FIRE starter looks like it came from the 1970's: it did! FIRE starters see a need to sit, not a need to impress people with overpriced furniture. If a chair from 1976 can be had for a microscopic price and serve their basic needs, then that's the chair they'll get. Given furniture can be one of the top methods to drain your wallet, cutting corners on furniture makes tremendous sense if you are pursuing FIRE.
Summary
For those attempting to achieve FIRE, meeting social expectations are not top of mind. Instead, FIRE starters are willing to adopt some habits that might be labeled as disgusting if the end result is an edge toward their goal of achieving FIRE. This list of 6 disgusting habits documents many of the habits that pit the trade-off of savings with the expectations of meeting social image obligations. If you can steel yourself to resist the taunts of your peers, you might end up richer for the experience.
Do you have any habits that would be considered disgusting that have their origin in your pursuit of FIRE? How much do you think these habits contribute being about to achieve FIRE?