FIRE: Financial Independence, Retire Early

How Much Did I Make Creating And Selling Graphic Designs in 2025?
If you’re not familiar with my story I semi-retired to 20 hours a week at my main job in 2017 after reaching financial independence years before.  Since then much of my newly freed time has been spent on what started... The post How Much Did I Make Creating And Selling... Read more
Published on: 2026-01-21
Source: Accidental Fire
2025 FIRE Wrap Up
Hey Everyone! Are you enjoying 2026 so far? Life in the US is getting crazy, but I am doing okay. I hope you are safe as well. This year, I’m blogging less frequently, and it is nice. The pressure to write a new blog post every week is gone. I... Read more
Published on: 2026-01-18
Source: Retire by 40
T.G.I.F. Friday: Volume 163
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Welcome to “Thank God I’m FI” Friday, Volume #163 Here are some things I really like and that you might too!   Financial Independence/Work Life/Retirement Articles & Content Getting in shape without paying a dime (Early Retirement... The post T.G.I.F. Friday: Volume 163 appeared first on Accidental... Read more
Published on: 2026-01-16
Source: Accidental Fire
2026 New Year Goals
Happy New Year!!! 2026 is here, and it’s time for a fresh start! Isn’t it awesome to have this chance every year? Last year wasn’t a great year for the RB40 household, but I’m optimistic for 2026. This year will be better. First off, I can’t believe I’m 52. Several... Read more
Published on: 2026-01-04
Source: Retire by 40
T.G.I.F. Friday: Volume 162
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Welcome to “Thank God I’m FI” Friday, Volume #162 Here are some things I really like and that you might too!   Financial Independence/Work Life/Retirement Articles & Content Financial Optimization: When More Isn’t Better (Can I Retire... The post T.G.I.F. Friday: Volume 162 appeared first on Accidental... Read more
Published on: 2026-01-02
Source: Accidental Fire
Happy Holidays 2025!
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Joyous Kwanzaa, Delightful Dongzhi, and A Festivus for the rest of us! Happy Holidays, Everyone!!! 2025 is cooked, done, Finito! Good riddance. It’s been a crazy year for the RB40 household. There were many changes, and not all of them were good. However, I’m an optimist,... Read more
Published on: 2025-12-21
Source: Retire by 40
T.G.I.F. Friday: Volume 161
Welcome to “Thank God I’m FI” Friday, Volume #161 Here are some things I really like and that you might too!   Financial Independence/Work Life/Retirement Articles & Content The Ideal Level of Wealth (Of Dollars And Data) “You wake up... The post T.G.I.F. Friday: Volume 161 appeared first on Accidental... Read more
Published on: 2025-12-19
Source: Accidental Fire
End of 2025 Tax Optimization
Wow, 2025 is almost over. We only have about 2 weeks left to finish tax optimization. Actually, we have less time than that. I want to get everything done before the holidays. Mrs. RB40 is already in California, and we’ll fly down to join her for Christmas. Who wants to... Read more
Published on: 2025-12-14
Source: Retire by 40
November 2025 FIRE Update
Hey Everyone! 2025 is quickly coming to an end. Are you ready for the holidays? It will be a bit different for us this year. Mrs. RB40 is going to CA for 6 weeks. She is in the process of moving her dad into an assisted living facility, and there... Read more
Published on: 2025-12-07
Source: Retire by 40
T.G.I.F. Friday: Volume 160
Welcome to “Thank God I’m FI” Friday, Volume #160 Here are some things I really like and that you might too!   Financial Independence/Work Life/Retirement Articles & Content In Favor of Giving Things Up (Raptitude) “… I urge you to... The post T.G.I.F. Friday: Volume 160 appeared first on Accidental... Read more
Published on: 2025-12-05
Source: Accidental Fire
Happy Thanksgiving 2025!
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Wow, 2025 has been a tumultuous year. Life has been pretty crazy at the RB40 household as well. RB40Jr started high school, Mrs. RB40 retired, the Retire by 40 blog circling the drain, aging parents dealing with health problems, kitchen remodeling, increasing cost of living, and more.... Read more
Published on: 2025-11-23
Source: Retire by 40
T.G.I.F. Friday: Volume 159
Welcome to “Thank God I’m FI” Friday, Volume #159 Here are some things I really like and that you might too!   Financial Independence/Work Life/Retirement Articles & Content When Helping Mom and Dad Hurts Your Wallet (Kiplinger) “New research shows... The post T.G.I.F. Friday: Volume 159 appeared first on Accidental... Read more
Published on: 2025-11-21
Source: Accidental Fire
The RB40 Sandwich Part 1
Hey Everyone! I hope you are doing well. Life keeps changing, and we all have to adapt. It’s a pain in the butt, isn’t it? Mrs. RB40 is back in California for a few days to visit her parents. Her dad had a minor medical emergency, and he was sent... Read more
Published on: 2025-11-17
Source: Retire by 40
The Cost of Raising A High School Freshman
Hey everyone! I’m totally worn out today. Yesterday was a very long day. I got up at 5:30 am to drive RB40Jr and his teammate to a debate tournament in Silverton, OR (about an hour drive). Then Mrs. RB40 and I went for a 4-hour hike in the Silver Falls... Read more
Published on: 2025-11-09
Source: Retire by 40
T.G.I.F. Friday: Volume 158
Welcome to “Thank God I’m FI” Friday, Volume #158 Here are some things I really like and that you might too!   Financial Independence/Work Life/Retirement Articles & Content FIRE.230 Drinking Issues (Life In FIRE) “Another way to look at it... The post T.G.I.F. Friday: Volume 158 appeared first on Accidental... Read more
Published on: 2025-11-07
Source: Accidental Fire
Which Car Would You Choose?
One of my earliest posts was about cars. Then I went nuts and broke my main rule about cars, but had a good reason. Lets do a simple car quiz for the FI folks! If you’re trying to reach financial... The post Which Car Would You Choose? appeared first on... Read more
Published on: 2025-10-31
Source: Accidental Fire
Why I Love Making Pottery
Hey everyone! Today, I’d like to share my love of pottery with you. I’ve been taking ceramics classes at the local art center for about a year and a half. It is so much fun to make things with my hands. Pottery is a great hobby for retirees. My class... Read more
Published on: 2025-10-26
Source: Retire by 40
T.G.I.F. Friday: Volume 157
Welcome to “Thank God I’m FI” Friday, Volume #157 Here are some things I really like and that you might too!   Financial Independence/Work Life/Retirement Articles & Content Nearly 1 in 5 People Who Took Financial Advice From AI Lost... The post T.G.I.F. Friday: Volume 157 appeared first on Accidental... Read more
Published on: 2025-10-24
Source: Accidental Fire
How are you doing in this K-shaped economy?
Hey everyone! Have you been paying attention to the economy? Everything is getting more expensive, and it is very difficult to find a job. Life is tough for little guys and gals. However, the top 10% are thriving due to the “K-shaped” economic recovery. In 2025, the top 10% are... Read more
Published on: 2025-10-19
Source: Retire by 40
My Initial Review Of This Retirement Thing
I fully retired about 4 months ago.  Apparently I still have a small cadre of readers (you da best!) so I thought it’d be nice to give an update with my initial impressions.  One thing to note about my situation... The post My Initial Review Of This Retirement Thing appeared... Read more
Published on: 2025-10-15
Source: Accidental Fire
Should I convert paper gains to real assets?
Hey everyone! Are you getting nervous about the stock market like me? I’ve been getting more worried recently. The stock market keeps climbing while regular people struggle to pay the bills. The AI stocks are driving the market to the moon. This feels similar to the dot com bubble 25... Read more
Published on: 2025-10-12
Source: Retire by 40