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Share your FIRE story

Your road could help someone else find theirs.

I'm Matt W, uFIRE's founder. I retired at 40, went back to work ten years later, and wrote about all of it. I started uFIRE to collect the stories I wanted to read.

If you've retired, are getting close, or had to change your plans along the way, I'd love to read yours. You don't need to be a writer. Tell it the way you'd tell a friend.

Matt W

Takes about 10 minutes. No account needed. Pen names welcome.

Our promises to you

  • Your email is never published or shared.
  • We read every story before it goes up.
  • You can ask us to take it down any time.

The questions we'll ask

Every one is optional. Answer the ones that speak to you.

  1. Where were you when you decided to pursue financial independence, and why?
  2. What did “enough” mean for you?
  3. How did you handle health insurance before 65?
  4. What surprised you, good or bad?
  5. What would you tell someone five years behind you?
  6. What does an ordinary Tuesday look like now?

What happens next

  1. You send your story using the form below.
  2. We read every one.
  3. If we'd like to publish yours, we email you the edited version to approve first.
  4. Nothing goes live without your OK, and you can ask us to take it down any time.

Tell us your story

1. About you

Only four things here are required. Everything else is up to you.

Your first name or a pen name. This is shown with your story.

Never published, never shared. We use it only to send you the edited version to approve, and to handle any removal request.

Where are you now? (required)
How old were you when you stopped working (or when do you plan to)? (required)

For example, 2016.

For example, Henderson, Nevada.

Do any of these describe you? (optional)

Check any that fit. They help readers find stories like theirs.

2. Your story

Answer as many or as few as you like. Write the way you'd talk to a friend. We'll help with the editing.

Please leave out account numbers, employer names, other people's full names, and the names of any advisors, agents or investments.

Share numbers as ranges, or not at all.

3. Numbers, if you'd like

Ranges only, never exact amounts. Skip this part if you'd rather not say. Plenty of good stories don't include numbers.

4. Your permission

Optional. Leave these unchecked if you prefer.

Read our privacy policy.

 

Storytellers aren't paid, and partners can never sponsor a story. Featured storytellers may get a small thank-you gift, which we disclose on the page.

Prefer email? Write to stories@ufire.ai.