FI forums for Simple People

[All Is Lost]

Does anyone know of any online forums where the majority of the members are people like myself who are Low Class or Lower Middle Class who would like to try and obtain FI?

In my Google search, I have only found forums like this one and others that are geared more for Rich people. Thanks for your help.

 

[ShokWaveRider]

In my Google search, I have only found forums like this one and others that are geared more for Rich people. Thanks for your help.

Some of us do not consider ourselves rich at all. You could do a lot worse than looking around here.

On a side note: It is better to take advice from folks one considers successful, than from those who are not. "SWR 2021"

 

[VanWinkle]

Does anyone know of any online forums where the majority of the members are people like myself who are Low Class or Lower Middle Class who would like to try and obtain FI?

In my Google search, I have only found forums like this one and others that are geared more for Rich people. Thanks for your help.

Everyone here is not "rich" and many started out just like you. You can
learn the same lessons to become more successful towards FI by paying attention to what you read here. Not all will apply to your situation, but most of it will help you on your road to FI.

Don't give up on the dream,

VW

 

[rothlev]

correct me if i am wrong , but I think it is a case of "birds of a feather" The OP may feel more comfortable with people in a similar financial situation as h/she is . He doesn't feel that is the case here.

 

[ShokWaveRider]

correct me if i am wrong , but I think it is a case of "birds of a feather" The OP may feel more comfortable with people in a similar finanial situation as h/she is . He doesn't feel that is the case here.

We currently do not know what his/her financial situation is. Sometimes one needs to be out of their comfort zone to move forward. Unless they just want to stay as they are then you are correct.

 

[Andre1969]

Well, I've been called "Simple" before. As well as "Low Class". So this might just be the right place for you!

 

[racy]

@All Is Lost
Here are 10 short videos from Bogleheads to, as they say, "....are about how to take control of your finances to achieve financial independence and enable your life dreams."
https://tinyurl.com/yzhbnw4h
Watch them and ask questions on this forum.

 

[Aerides]

ER.org is not geared for rich people at all. We have a diverse membership of incomes, asset levels, locations, and backgrounds. Blue Collar, White Collar, any Collar.

The whole idea of ER is to have saved enough for your personal expenses, whether that's 20k per year or 200k, doesn't really matter.

 

[monte1022]

Does anyone know of any online forums where the majority of the members are people like myself who are Low Class or Lower Middle Class who would like to try and obtain FI?

In my Google search, I have only found forums like this one and others that are geared more for Rich people. Thanks for your help.

You are welcome to stay here as long as you like. I started my financial journey from -$93,000 in 1991. If you want to be FI then you should learn from people who are FI. That's why I'm here.

 

[rothlev]

We currently do not know what his/her financial situation is. Sometimes one needs to be out of their comfort zone to move forward. Unless they just want to stay as they are then you are correct.

no, he does not want to stay as he is, or he would not have asked for help. And you are correct, h/she will get plenty of help here.

 

[Souschef]

We are certainly not rich, we live in a "trailer down by the river" as Chris Farley used to say.
The advice here is very well thought out.

 

[bobandsherry]

Perhaps OP doesn't have the financial resources that he sees others here have. And that makes them feel "different". But I'd wager that many here started by being "simple" and lower on the financial scale of "class". And many have ended up doing well by following suggestions and walking in the steps of others here who are "successful".

But a couple quotes.

"if you want to be successful, hang around successful people"

"Never give up, constant effort is the key to success"

"A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step"

And tips for gaining wealth.
https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/blog/how-to-get-rich-from-nothing/

 

[GreenEggs]

I think most forums that focus on financial topics will have a fair number of successful members. Regardless of your socioeconomic level, you can participate in, learn and benefit from the conversations. We all, here and elsewhere, are in unique individual situations. I value most everyone's perspectives, and can easily skim past the ones I don't happen to care for.

It's often obvious that a poster has a very different lifestyle than I have, but it's interesting to hear their perspective about things. It often reinforces the decisions I've made in life, even if they're boasting about things I may not have or perhaps can't afford. I've learned that money can buy you happiness, but it can simultaneously buy you headaches.

We can all afford simple pleasures. The secret is to realize their value.

 

[ShokWaveRider]

There are a lot of folks out there that attempt to, and do make a lot of money from so called "simple" people, and do, who better to sell a get rich scheme to. One in particular comes to mind. Most just take advantage of them.

Most of us started off as being "Pretty Simple", although I am not keen on the label as it implies something else.

 

[The Cosmic Avenger]

There is a BTD thread, does anyone think we could use a leanFIRE thread/forum? I did start a LBYM thread, but it was more about things I do that I now feel like I don't HAVE to, but I still feel like I don't want to pass up...well, maybe a quarter now, rather than a penny!

 

[Jerry1]

We are certainly not rich, we live in a "trailer down by the river" as Chris Farley used to say.
The advice here is very well thought out.

It’s a van down by the river. A trailer would be a few steps up

OP, there are plenty of people around here that made it to early retirement on the skinny side. It may be true that not many live on the extreme end of frugality here, but many got to financial independence and retired early by living below their means and maximizing savings.

It’s a very viable option to retire early buy setting your living standard in the minimalist range and there are folks here that can help with that. Other components are maximizing your income/return on your investments, maximizing things like SS and healthcare options like ACA, and optimizing taxes. There’s many here how can speak to all these factors. Ask away!

I haven’t visited them in quite some time, but you might want to take a look the Mister Money Mustache and Your Money or Your Life websites.

 

[steelyman]

I first read the term “humblebrag” here. There’s a fair amount of it but it’s easy to recognize and take it for what it is.

Most things, though, are from real, ordinary people and real, ordinary problems/concerns.

 

[ivinsfan]

I went back and read your four posts. I see you joined here this month. How many threads and posts have you read for you to draw the conclusion we are rich people?


You will find quite a few members with special needs family members. They can give good advice.



I want to remind you that LBYM or live below your means applies to both rich and middle class people the numbers might be big or small but the goal is the same.



To actually answer your question, if you think we are all rich(is that somehow a bad thing) and that we don't welcome one and all , I suspect you will not find what you are looking for in any other forum.

 

[TheWizard]

The problem is partly in the mind set.
I've known a few people of limited means who figure they'll never retire and most likely have close to zero savings. (I didn't attempt to pry into the details of their finances, hence "most likely".)

So the point is, it's not the best idea to be taking financial advice from those folks, even if there was an online forum that they are involved with.

I hope that makes sense...

 

[tb001]

You might try Reddit. I believe there are lean/barista fire forums as well. Also the FI forum leans leaner.

But I agree with the posters above. Stick around here too. There is a ton of good information. There are some old threads with current/anticipated budgets and there were many with very small numbers. I’ve learned a lot from them on areas to save!

I also think this site skews older than Reddit, so while people’s nest eggs here might seem out of reach, remember they’ve had many, many years of compounding coupled with a great bull market.

 

[aaronc879]

I went back and read your four posts. I see you joined here this month. How many threads and posts have you read for you to draw the conclusion we are rich people?


You will find quite a few members with special needs family members. They can give good advice.



I want to remind you that LBYM or live below your means applies to both rich and middle class people the numbers might be big or small but the goal is the same.



To actually answer your question, if you think we are all rich(is that somehow a bad thing) and that we don't welcome one and all , I suspect you will not find what you are looking for in any other forum.

Rich is a relative term. I also think most people on here are rich. People say they are very frugal then list their expenses. Their expenses far exceed my highest gross income year let alone expenses. I have been on this site for 15 years and it has seemed to gradually shift more and more towards the higher middle class group overall. This forum is full of people who think a million $ is just a starting point whereas it is far more than I will ever have or need. That doesn't mean I don't belong on the forum. I can learn from and inform people of things just as well as a much higher net worth person can.

 

[GravitySucks]

Reddit has many FIRE forums. The advice you'll find here is higher quality though.
I didn't start out rich. Retired in the lean category but due to a friendly market I have more than I ever hoped for money wise. Partly due to good advice gleaned here.

 

[Time2]

Over the last 40 years our combined income ranged from $20k to $70k. I would not say we were rich, but we did save and invest our way to the top 5% in net worth. Hang around plenty of good information. Also look at MrMoneyMustache.

 

[pb4uski]

ER.org is not geared for rich people at all. We have a diverse membership of incomes, asset levels, locations, and backgrounds. Blue Collar, White Collar, any Collar.

The whole idea of ER is to have saved enough for your personal expenses, whether that's 20k per year or 200k, doesn't really matter.

+1 Whether a member retires with $100k or $2m or $10m, in most cases to my knowledge none of us started out of high school or college with a large portfolio and the principles of building wealth are the same... living below your means, regularlay saving and investing and not doing anything stupid (like draining your retirement savings for a vacation or a boat or something like that).

I was lucky enough to come from an upper middle class family, but entered adult life with only a college degree and no debt and no assets. I think that is true for many here. No inheritance yet... so what we have is what we built piece by piece over the last 40 years.

We have been fortunate but my best friend from high school will be retiring soon with less than 10% than what we have... but he lives within his means as well.

 

[pacergal]

OP--
after reading your other posts, I think you fit here just fine.

My husband and I also both worked in govt jobs and have a pension. We saved as much as we could, but having a pension can reduce the amount you need.
Have you gone on your pension website to know what your income will be when you retire?
If you know your spending budget (really, down to the penny if possible), have you plugged your numbers into Firecalc?
I was very surprised when I did that the first time, it gave me confidence.

DH and I do not have as much saved as many here, but by reading and learning, we felt confident in Firecalc and some other calculators that our retirement numbers would work for us.

Thus is a very friendly and helpful forum, I learn something every day.