There is a junior colleague in my company who joined just a few years ago. He mentioned that his ultimate goal right now is FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early). If you had such a junior, a family member, or a friend, what advice would you give them? Would you encourage them to boldly pursue their grand ideals, or would you dissuade them by reminding them of the harshness of reality?
My view is that, first and foremost, I support any young person who harbors the dream of FIRE. However, the crucial point lies in how one goes about achieving it. On the path to financial freedom, too many people are in too much of a hurry for overnight success. They are overly blind, treating money as a stake to be squandered in a gamble. Cryptocurrency, FX, financial leverage, futures, options… these terms are like modern-day versions of “Open Sesame”, seemingly possessed of a magical power. But do not forget: while “Open Sesame” might bring you overnight wealth, it can just as easily cost you your life.
The pursuit of freedom should not be a high-stakes gamble. “If I lose the bet, at worst I’ll just go back to the grind.”—I believe no rational person would willingly face such a fate. Therefore, we need a solid strategy, much like climbing a staircase, ascending step by step. And this is precisely why I recommend this book.
To achieve the goal of FIRE, we must accumulate a pool of assets that allows us to live comfortably without having to work. This book imparts an important truth: what you must do varies distinctly depending on the stage of your assets. For someone with an asset base of $10,000 or less, the focus to reach the next tier must be entirely on increasing one’s active income. If the current goal is to elevate assets from $100,000 to $1 million, the gains from labor income might become quite limited; at this stage, one must rely on investment and financial management. And if your dream is to own a private jet, then you must possess a business enterprise capable of sustaining such expenses.
In conclusion, I would like to add one final thought, especially for those readers whose ultimate goal is FIRE:As you climb the wealth ladder, do not focus solely on how to make money. Instead, pause from time to time and ask yourself: Why do I need this much money? Does true freedom simply mean endless leisure? Do I possess a calling—a vocation—to which I am genuinely willing to dedicate my time and energy? It is precisely through this process of self-examination that we may grasp the true meaning of life, thereby making the ideals in our hearts much easier to attain.
At the very, very end, no matter which rung of the wealth ladder you currently stand on, never forget that reading remains one of the single best investments you can ever make in yourself.
