[mikasjoman]

After reading this thread, now I get why /r/financialindependence is so full of IT guys like me. We got so roasted during 2001, that we never ever again want to be dependent on our cosy well paying jobs we know not to take for granted. I think FIRE is mostly an insurance for us who has seen those dark days. Like 50% of the other swedes working in IT, I got kicked out of the trade for many years. Moved to China, had a crazy wild life there, married there and moved back to Sweden after 12 years. Currently work in one of the four big IT consulting firms. After the 2001 IT bubble/crash, I still today fear that the crash will come again and wipe us out. Today I grow a healthy sized emergency fund and my investment portfolio is very hedged against a stock market crash. I suggest the same to anyone who asks me for advice.

[ggambetta]

Very interested in FIRE myself. Would love to hear more about your hedging strategy!

[cerberusss]

Indeed. I had a cushy government job for years and remember reading about FIRE. But at some point, I decided I'd go freelancing and although you earn better, it definitely put the fear of recessions in me, and I've seriously started my FIRE journey. Including, like you said, a hedged investment portfolio.

[appleiigs]

what is FIRE?

[MattSayar]

Financial Independence (Retire Early). ie have a ton of money saved up and invested to live off the interest without working.