[ahelwer]

The straightforward 4% analysis is a simplification. It’s pretty easy (and pleasant, even) to do independent contracting for a couple months of the year and cover almost all your living expenses - so no or very little withdrawal. Since you have lots of leisure time to explore your interests, you can also get lucrative niche-of-niche contracts in your specialty.

[Retric]

You can also live comfortably in most of the US on 30k per year assuming you have no dependents or disabilities. It’s simply a comment about spending not the ability to retire.