Good piece! Upon seeing the title, I immediately wish I had thought to write something like it.
I was personally involved in FIRE before I got involved in EA. Even now, I donate 10% of my income and save most of what’s left. Because of my decision to try and perform direct work to improve the world, I’m no longer planning the RE part of FIRE. I’ve also become a little less frugal as a result and willingly taken a pay cut to skill up for direct work—what does it matter if it takes an extra year or two to reach FI if I’m planning to perform direct work post-FI anyway?
So, I guess for me, these ideas are in conflict somewhat, in the sense that I can’t simultaneously maximise both. But I agree there is a core to both of these movements that align very well. Mr Money Moustache, whether he identifies as EA or not, has donated significant amounts to GiveWell in the past. It makes complete sense that a person who wants to optimise their finances would also want to optimise their charitable giving in a similar fashion, so I think EA ideas will find fruitful soil in the FIRE movement.
Good piece! Upon seeing the title, I immediately wish I had thought to write something like it.
I was personally involved in FIRE before I got involved in EA. Even now, I donate 10% of my income and save most of what’s left. Because of my decision to try and perform direct work to improve the world, I’m no longer planning the RE part of FIRE. I’ve also become a little less frugal as a result and willingly taken a pay cut to skill up for direct work—what does it matter if it takes an extra year or two to reach FI if I’m planning to perform direct work post-FI anyway?
So, I guess for me, these ideas are in conflict somewhat, in the sense that I can’t simultaneously maximise both. But I agree there is a core to both of these movements that align very well. Mr Money Moustache, whether he identifies as EA or not, has donated significant amounts to GiveWell in the past. It makes complete sense that a person who wants to optimise their finances would also want to optimise their charitable giving in a similar fashion, so I think EA ideas will find fruitful soil in the FIRE movement.