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I went to my first FIRE meet-up in 2018 in Denver, Colorado. It was so amazing to meet like-minded people and learn a lot about what people felt was and wasn’t acceptable in our community. I remember the conversation centering a lot on frugality, how to save hacks, and the like. Since then, I have seen the FIRE community grow up, and the underlying frugality give way to a more balanced approach to life. Here are three things I have learned about the FIRE community after hosting 120 people on a 2025 Royal Caribbean Cruise to the Caribbean.
- The FIRE community is generous.
- They are the most generous with their time. It was incredible to see the support that everyone had for each other. If someone needed help determining how to set up a will and trust, someone was there. If someone needed help determining if now was the time to quit their job, someone was there to review their numbers with them. Spoiler alert: They quit their job when they got back home!
- They DO like to spend money.
- The FIRE community can get a bad rap for being too frugal. It is a trope in the community for a reason, BUT it turns out that if you offer something fun, like food, drinks, entertainment, and community, they are super happy to spend their money. It just has to make sense to them.
- Freedom is the heart of the community.
- It really isn’t about quitting jobs, the rule of 25, or spreadsheets (though we all love these). It really is about buying freedom. Everyone just wants to be able to make a choice on what they do with their time and who they spend it with. They have realized that being able to stay home with their kids or help an ailing family member is a luxury that others don’t have. FIRE really is about the FI and not the RE.
It is an honor having a community of some of the smartest people around also grow into very conscientious individuals who are being intentional about creating a life to “retire to.” It is funny because I keep saying “they,” but as a prominent member of the FIRE community, I can relate to all of this. I am sure you can, too!
Want to join us in the Caribbean or Alaska for 2026? Check out more info at https://www.amberlygrant.com/cruise
The Money Podcast
Kickstart your personal finance journey with Scott and Mindy as they break down the good, bad, and ugly of people’s personal money stories. From interviews with entrepreneurs and business owners to breakdowns of listener finances, you’ll get actionable advice on how to get out of debt and grow your money.