Catch a Wave: How to SRFF Your Way to Financial Freedom

The FIRE movement has its shortcomings. Instead, try the SRFF-er lifestyle. Combine high-value consulting and semi-retirement to live your fullest life.

Deconstructing FIRE

I’ve been a FIRE (financial independence retire early) fanatic for 20 years. I’m in my late 40s now. But, the movement has its shortcomings. I’ve struggled with both the “FI” and “RE” parts.

First, let’s look at financial independence (FI).

I’m not a flashy spender, but I live an expensive life. It starts with living in the Bay Area. But it’s more than that.

• I was married at 25 and had a kid at 35. Families are the way to go, don’t get me wrong. But they are expensive.
• Health insurance is important to us and is used (a lot) in our household. It’s expensive.
• My son attends a private school because it teaches to his unique learning style.
• We love the lakes of Northern Wisconsin, so we spend money to live there in the summertime.

Apart from a summer place, our life is pretty standard…and expensive. You may find yourself in the same situation. My financial independence # is big! Using the 4% rule, I would need to save $5 million to live on $200,000 yearly.

Recently, I’ve become troubled with retiring early (RE).

I like working. I enjoy contributing. I feel good when I accomplish things. I like being great at my job. I like the structure that work provides. I like engaging with people. I don’t want to give up any of that. Because once you’re out of the game, for even a year, it gets harder to get back in. Your skills become obsolete.

Also, I don’t like constraints. “I’m on a fixed income.” I’m sure you’ve heard that from a retiree. It’s as if you’re cast back to college and its tight budgets. You fear overspending. An early retiree who doesn’t work can no longer earn to cover an impulse purchase. Your investment portfolio constrains you. You’re at the mercy of the markets. If you’re Type A, or even somewhat Type A like me, losing control stings.

Here are my biggest beefs with FIRE.

• Financial independence takes too long.
• Financial independence requires too much sacrifice now.
• Retiring early constrains my spending.
• Retiring early means losing my professional identity.

“With FIRE, I skimp on life now and sacrifice my present happiness, only to leave my profession early, lose my identity, and relinquish all control.”

Instead, I want to maintain my professional status but work on my terms. Then I can enjoy everything life has to offer sooner. I want to have and eat my cake. I guess I’m greedy.

From Fire (FIRE) to Surfing?(SRFF)

So, what do I do?

Let’s start with retirement.

I prefer semi-retirement (or mini-retirements) to retiring early. In semi-retirement, you choose to take months-long breaks from work. Refreshed and rejuvenated, you resume working better than ever.

Work gives us purpose, status, and our social circles. When working on our terms, we can design it to cut the crap: stress, workplace politics, and whatever else you hate. Semi-retirement is the answer. No more “RE”. Instead, we’ll “SR” and design a semi-retired lifestyle!

Next, financial independence.

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Continue reading at choosyconsultant.com.

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Brian Herriot SRFFs (not surfs!) from his home in Alameda, California, and cabin in Hazelhurst, Wisconsin. He also prepares financial freedom plans for consultants and other mid-career professionals in one-week sprints. Check out his take on a new and different kind of retirement at choosyconsultant.com.