Based on over 2,000 votes, $5M is the #1 vote-getter to feel financially free. I personally chose $10M because $10M is what’s necessary to generate $250,000 in risk-free income based on today’s interest rates. Somewhere between $5M – $10M seems reasonable, depending on where you live.
The interesting thing I’ve discovered once you obtain F You money is that it’s still extremely difficult to tell others to F Off! Everybody fantasizes about telling someone who wronged them in the past to go screw themselves, but once you get to this level of wealth it’s more common to turn apathetic than belligerent. Society has an incredible way of keeping people in check.
I’ve been tempted to tell annoying strangers who judge me online while providing no value to the conversation to F Off, but instead, I always defer to a more inquisitive response. Using their perspective, I can often write a new comment commentary post with a new theme to keep the party going!
THE BENEFITS OF FU MONEY
There’s an old saying that, “hell is other people.” If you think about all the pain and suffering in your life, it’s generally due to someone else. The sheer act of telling someone to F Off is a response to getting rid of people who make your life hell.
The following are five incredible benefits of FU money I’ve written about in the past:
1) You stand up for what’s right more often. There’s a lot of crap in the world that goes unchallenged because people are afraid of the repercussions. How many times have you bit your tongue because you were worried about the consequences? When you have FU money, you are more confident to speak your mind when you see an injustice because your survival doesn’t depend on your reputation, a person, or a company.
2) You care less about what other people think. Caring less about what people think is Yin to the Yang of standing up for what’s right. It feels liberating to have insults and insinuations roll off your back. There’s less desire to try and get even or one up your dissenter because you’re already set. Insults are usually hurled by unsettled people who want what you have. They are insecure and hope to bring you down to their level so they can feel better about themselves. Showing neutrality or even compassion is the preferred method of action.
3) You become even less afraid to fail. I’m a perpetual failure in many things because I keep trying to challenge myself to do new things. Once you have FU money, your failures aren’t going to crush you anymore. Instead, your failures just beat up your ego until it naturally re-inflates once more because your default setting is a good life with lots of freedom. When you’re less afraid to fail, your chances to succeed at new things go up.
4) You hang out with people because you want to, not because you need to. There are times when you need to go spend time with someone you may not particularly like because you need something from them e.g. business, connections, a job, etc. When you have FU money, you have the freedom to only hang out with people you like. Everybody else be damned.
5) People don’t piss you off as much anymore. The only people who piss me off are those who are perpetually late, those who say one thing and do another or those who are two-faced rat bastards. But I’ve noticed that once you have FU money you simply stop hanging out with such people because you don’t have to. As a result, less people piss you off! Even if someone inevitably disappoints you, you don’t care as much because you don’t need or want anything from them.
Money Makes You More True
Money simply amplifies who you ALREADY are. If you’re like most people, then having F You money isn’t going to suddenly turn you into an asshole. Only people who are already assholes tend to become bigger assholes once they have money!
I’ve found that having FU money actually has the opposite effect for most people. Money makes normal people less agitated, less insecure, and much more appreciative of what they’ve got. Why else do you think so many people swing so far left in the political spectrum once they have money? Why else do wealthy people, especially those who achieved their wealth through inheritance, try and give back as much as they can?
Having FU money actually brings a lot of guilt into the individual’s psyche. They realize they are one of the lucky ones because goodness knows there are plenty of other more deserving people out there who aren’t as lucky. The more money you have beyond what is required to be happy, the more you have a desire to give back to society and be nicer. You actually feel bad for those who hate you the most.
In fact, once you have FU money, you might find it harder to tell people to F Off because society expects you to be more appreciative.
Loading ... Loading ...WHO DO YOU WANT TO SAY FU TO?
I don’t blame my boss for giving me a bad bonus my final year in finance because conditions were tough and he allowed me to get a severance package. The severance package was the #1 reason for giving me the confidence to work on my online endeavors, which has ballooned to something greater than I ever expected.
Even after all my recent rejections, I’ve got no desire to tell my rejectors to F Off because they are nice people at the end of the day who needed to make tough decisions. They don’t want to fail themselves. And again, even the random annoying commenters are just projecting something wrong with themselves, so I sometimes like to figure out what’s bothering them for a new post.
The only people I want to say FU to are inconsiderate drivers who cut me off or drivers who are texting and talking. They’re unavoidable because we have to share the road. Oh, and for those who don’t pick up after their dogs and allow their dogs to bark incessantly at night or in the early hours of the morning, F You!
Otherwise let’s have peace on Earth.
Recommendation Once You Have F U Money
Manage Your Finances In One Place: One of the best ways to accumulate FU money is by tracking your wealth with Personal Capital. They are a free online platform which aggregates all your financial accounts in one place so you can see where you can optimize your money. Before Personal Capital, I had to log into eight different systems to track 25+ difference accounts (brokerage, multiple banks, 401K, etc) to manage my finances on an Excel spreadsheet. Now, I can just log into Personal Capital to see how all my accounts are doing, including my net worth. I can also see how much I’m spending and saving every month through their cash flow tool.
The best feature is their Portfolio Fee Analyzer, which runs your investment portfolio(s) through its software in a click of a button to see what you are paying. I found out I was paying $1,700 a year in portfolio fees I had no idea I was hemorrhaging! There is no better financial tool online that has helped me more to achieve financial freedom. It only takes a minute to sign up.
Is your retirement on track? Sign up to find out!
Updated for 2018 and beyond. What I’ve realized is that the hate continues to be highest over social media sites like Twitter. If you want to be happier, stay off of social media.
Once I reach $10M, I would not have the heart to say FU to anyone that’s wronged me in the past. I happen to believe that life happens for me (not too me), so all those people who “wronged me” in the past were merely just motivation steps along the journey.
I would say FU to our lack of financial education in the US and start a school focused on educating kids about money in real life while they’re still young teens.
I’d also say FU to hunger and feed as many people as I could both home and abroad.
I don’t think more money will make a person better, but it can certainly magnify his/her intentions (good or bad).
I voted other, because I already tell others to F off regularly-although minus the profanity.
I was a military officer, and it really stripped me of the intimidation factor of other people. It’s not even about what happens when you’re deployed; when you’ve been yelled out by professional ass chewers who could whoop your behind, prepared or delivered briefs for Generals/members of Congress, and been a mentor/responsible for people who by age should be your peers, it hardens you against the random people who try and intimidate you.
Really helps with the in laws :)
Hooah!
Hello, I am currently on my path to FI. I choose not to tell people F Off now due to understanding that each person has their own challenges and reasons why they behave in a certain manner. I choose to take a deep breath and move on to greener pastures, asap. I find that time and karma take care of everything without my outburst.
I don’t have F You money yet, but I’m getting pretty close. One thing I’ve noticed with my journey is that each time I make a progressive leap the things that bother me, and the problems I have to deal with change. Sometimes it’s because the actual people I’m dealing with change, and sometimes because the things that used to bother me now seem petty.
Well (4) and (5) are spot on. I was talking to my girlfriend about that last night. I said that the only people I want to be around now are those who I need something from (a mentor, business contact, etc…) or someone who is a down to earth, genuine person who likes you and is interested in being an actual friend. It’s certainly a two way street. The person has to actually like you and you have to like that person.
I don’t necessarily think you need money to follow the golden rule…but it helps I suppose. It’s a good way to think – trying to understand where these miserable people come from. It certainly doesn’t make you want to be around them, but it’s obvious that they are the ones with the problem.
By the way, why are people so obsessed with dogs? I’ve had to deal with them everywhere I go and I’m trying to find a way to be considerate but assertive in telling them to F Off. Short of living in the middle of nowhere, there’s no escaping it. If you can’t take care of your dog, you don’t need one. And I’d say most people who own dogs have no business having one.
Interesting post, Sam. I was surprised to read point #5, that people don’t piss you off as much anymore. I’m sure you’re right, that you just stop hanging out with the people who annoy you, although I wonder if there’s even less tolerance for the stupid B.S. that you can’t avoid, like people texting and driving, etc. If you have a nicer house, nicer car, etc., do you think there’s less tolerance for other people doing stupid things that could injure you or your possessions, since you worked so hard for them? Or less tolerance for politicians who want to legislate away some of your freedom, because how dare they think they can make decisions for you better than you can, since your success is further proof of your competence?
Sam,
First, I must say that the picture to this article made me crack up when I opened the article. I just keep thinking about how many times the president has wanted to do that throughout his tenure. Politics are a whole different topic though, so I’ll leave it at that.
You list is great about the benefits of F U money. Isn’t it kind of scary/sad how much wanting financial security when you don’t have it impacts our decisions? The point that hit home to me was that you are more likely to speak up when money doesn’t matter because you care less. To me, that’s how the mindset should be all the time and that’s probably what is best and needed for most businesses. However, if you are afraid of the negative precautions, financially or professionally, then you are much more willing to bite your tongue. If anything, this article has just inspired me to turn on “F IT” mode at work and start being more assertive about my opinions at work. What’s the worst that happens, they fire me and I have to find a new job? I could always follow you lead and really pump some time and sweat capital into our website.
Have a great Sunday. Thanks for taking the time to write this funny/inspiring post!
Bert
Hey there Sam!
Loved the article. Read it because of a reference about it in Flipboard. I gotta say, for the record, I HATE IT when people are perpetually late. Once or twice, no big deal. MOST OF THE TIME?!? Not gonna deal with it. Actually, one of my friends is perpetually late and every time we meet somewhere I tell him to meet me there 30min early so he’ll be on time. Sometimes he’s still late!!! In those cases I don’t wait up for him. Some people see this as cold but I see it as disrespect. If he told me he HATES it when I do ____ I’d make sure to never do that again because he’s my friend and I care what he thinks.
Anyways, I chose $2M because at modest interest rates I’m earning around $60,000. That isn’t a terribly good amount, but it’s a lot to earn passively. I like your website. I’m actually building a blog about the path to wealth. I won’t post it here because that’d be unfair. Hopefully one day you’ll read about it :)
Thanks again for the awesome info! Keep doing what you’re doing!
Welcome from Flipboard! That platform has picked up a lot of posts before. You’re welcome to link your blog in the URL section of the comments.
I personally do not feel that having lots of money will make it easier to forgive people who have wronged you in the past because that has more to do with how you handle your emotions and feelings towards that person and less with the amount of assets you have. I’ve seen poor folks who are down on their luck look at the positive side of things and forgive people who have wronged them, and I’ve seen rich people hole a grudge for years. The line you wrote about money not making people mean is absolutely true and I think Warren Buffet said the same thing but in a different light – that money does not change people and if you are a poor A-hole, even with a million bucks in your pocket, you will still be an A-hole.
The reason most people want to get to an FU money level isn’t necessarily because they want to tell people to f off – it is more to get out of the situation you are in. I believe that most people are inherently good, but situations in their lives put them in a place that might make you want to tell them off. If you aren’t someone who would disrespect someone before you had money, I would hope that the money wouldn’t lead you to begin. Everyone has their reasons for being the way they are and you don’t always know the whole story. Don’t be an ass just because someone was to you.
What a fun post and oh so true! I think money can help people become less insecure and more giving. There will still be some people who remain a**holes, but I think they’d be the outliers.
I couldn’t agree more with your comment on aggressive drivers and people who don’t look after their dogs. I am 110% a cat person and can’t stand barking dogs. I’m pretty chill otherwise. :)
Life does not wait for you. I try to live my life and have learned to spend my time wisely with people who I want to spend it with, no matter what economic status I may be in. In Business, Time can equal money. In your personal life, time can represent anything you wish. If you need to think about money in such a way as in your article, is this the best expression of how you want to be viewed and remembered?
I voted other.
From what I have seen around me, whether or not you will tell people to f*ck off depends more on your personality/moral than your financial position. With social media people ‘f*ck on’ so many different things during the day despite the probable lack of a 10m financial cushion.
I think once you’ve experienced personal success, you realize that life is short and it’s best to keep only positive feelings in your life. Saying F U to someone might feel good in the short term but what does it accomplish in the long term? Nothing. And it makes you a certain type of person.
It’s not in my nature to get that annoyed by people so I don’t have visions of saying FU to anyone. But to me, having FU money means I say no to things I don’t want to do. I don’t get involved in work politics and I don’t fear losing my job. Ironically this attitude has allowed me to hold on to a job when I was on the chopping block. I had little concern for the outcome and just kept at it to the best of my ability, which my employer found refreshing.
Well, to me having enough to say “F You” is different from being Financially Independent. It’s having enough of an emergency fund to be able to wait for the right job or quit a current job if I’m not treated right. But it doesn’t have to mean that I would never work again.
That’s why I call my Emergency Fund my “F You Fund”.
Yeah, there’s no way I’d tell others to F-off, no matter how much I had or how free I was. I just don’t see how it helps me live a better life.
Living well is the best revenge anyway right?
I used to think of my FU fund as FU money, but as I’ve matured a bit and actually acquired FU money, I tend to think of it more as ‘NO’ money. Meaning, I feel far more comfortable saying ‘no’ to clients, people, and businesses. Will you take on this new project with a difficult client? No. Will you accept our halfway decent offer? No. Will you settle for our standard terms and conditions? No. Will you accept the same level of service as our average customer? No. Etc…
Jamin, I think you are exactly right. “NO” Money! The power to say “no” is amazing. You do what you want to do or what you think is right, and that’s it. I like it.
Exactly what I was looking for as a different way of saying ‘FU money’, although the latter does give a little more satisfaction.
Given that I’m nearing 40, only make $100k/yr, and only have about $240k saved/invested (including about $190k+ in retirement accounts), and a $250k house . . . I am never going to have enough to feel comfortable and retire. Not $5m. Not $3m. At least, not in my life time. The only thing I’m really counting on is that I’ll probably die pretty young (40s or 50s?), so it won’t matter.
You sound pretty down about your situation, nerp. Are you ok? Your numbers don’t seem all that hopeless to me. With some good budgeting and maybe some side hustles, I don’t see any reason why you couldn’t hit your goal.
$100k per year is a shitload of money if you only have a $250k house. You should be able to up your savings to $50k per year no problem! How are your other life expenses? I’m sure you could really cut down on some frivolous spending and crank up the saving for your FU nest egg. Frugality is a nice triple win for people with decent incomes already (i.e. $100k per year).
1. You spend less and it enables you to save more.
2. You don’t have to save as much, since your spending is lower, and now you don’t have to work as long.
3. You will discover that making and spending money won’t lead to happiness. Money makes life easier, but since you already make $100k+, I don’t think that is the problem. Try to focus on what really matters to you. I’ll give you a hint, it’s not cable TV, driving a Mercedes, and $50 bottles of wine. It’s all about family, friends, and personal growth (mastering a craft or hobby or creating something!). None of that needs to costs any money (or much money).
I think Sam has an interesting post, but once you have FU money doesn’t mean you are going to be much happier. People adapt extremely quickly to a windfall or a big loss. Lotto winners are excited for a time and then return to how happy they were before the ‘big win’. Amputees will morn the loss, but generally return to their happiness before.
Overall, I am in a similar situation and feel exactly that way sometimes, especially when others talk about needing 3, 5 or 10 million dollars to retire. I have adjusted my spending to save well over 50% of my gross, and over a couple of years that alone has changed my outlook. I am also a realist about how much I need to live per year in retirement, demonstrated by how little
I live on (~25%, the rest goes to taxes)while saving that much. Looking at things through that lens makes me see that I could get by for a long time on 25% of my current income. Meaning I don’t need $10 million, I only need between $800K-$1M, to give that kind of return.
I also don’t need a new car every year, flashy clothes, dinners out, expensive canned vacations, and keeping up with whatever is the gadget-du-jour that my neighbor says I shouldn’t live without.
But I do need my family. And as a close second, all of these FI and personal finance websites.
Thanks for that!
I am not quite yet there to $5M, but getting close. Probably have the same output as a full $5M with my rentals.
Once you have it, you see there is no benefit to being mean to anyone. The same people you met on the way up are the ones you meet on the way down…
I think having the FU money will makes things easier and you can say “No” more often, since you don’t need any more money. But I don’t think having a large pile of cash will actually make me any happier than I am now, at least it won’t increase happiness for long. I am having an equally happy/fun life now that I am raking in the big bucks as I was when I was a dirt port college student. Granted, it is a lot easier now that I don’t have to worry about paying bills, so life will be easier with all that FU money.
Money is not a big key part in happiness for me. The big things are family, friends, and growth that bring lasting happiness to me. Making more money feels good, but only because I am growing more to earn more. It feels good to master something and earn money for it, but if I am earning money doing the same exact task for years that feels fucking terrible!
Spending quality time with loved ones, maintaining a healthy body, and mastery/creation are what drive long term happiness. That said, I will keep shooting to earn more money/invest more until I can make all of my decisions as if money did not exist–read that “until I have enough FU money”.
I’m 57 and getting close to the level the readers cite as FU money and I agree that’s about the right amount, at least based on my situation (done w/ college tuition, car paid off etc). And I agree it gives you more options and willingness to try new things (new career) than ever, and also once I move to 2nd career, it will give me more time to give back, I have a growing list of local organizations I’d like to spend time helping with my time as well as $.
Great article, exactly taps into my recent thinking about how much is the right amount of $ to start that 2nd career. only concern is affordable health care
Great post. I don’t have FU money, but I certainly like to envision it. i think the comments about having “No” money might be more accurate. Having the ability to focus on what you want, when you want, is priceless.
I already have a don’t care attitude but once I have financial freedom, I won’t have to put up with lazy people or roll over!
My spine can show itself!
For me F you money, is 0 to 5 years after the first time my networth consistently grows by more than 250k in a year. Its far less than 10 mil. You have already reached my F you moment which is nice.
One of the joys in getting FU money (and I am not there) is you can also be a lot more generous. It is easier to leave a 30% tip when you are not as worried about your own budget. But I find that the older I get and the more I make, the more generous I am – and not just in terms of charitable giving, but in giving more in tips, tipping people you might not otherwise tip, buying goods from young people who are hustling that you may not otherwise need.
Interesting subject, one that has impacted me directly the last few years (since no longer needing to work, or maintain work/client/colleague relationships).
My consulting job, and client assignments, ensured plenty of opportunities for insults, criticisms, and disrespect to be thrown my way. In the ’90s, I had a number of epiphanies about how to handle these unconstructive interactions, and in a nutshell the philosophy I tried to adopt was “A pebble lies still at the bottom of the stream, worn smooth by the troubled waters passing by.” As years went by, and I approached FI/RE, it became much easier to absorb hostile and unproductive people and their actions.
Of course I have memories of what I think are/were injustices, and I have indulged in burning a few bridges. It is very satisfying. But the way you tell someone “F U” is important; someone who has wronged you intentionally already doesn’t care about your opinion of them, and they have decided that wronging you is worth whatever hard feelings you may have towards them. They aren’t afraid of any consequences. “Never show your enemy your face.” – Bobby Collins Actually it was Lao Tzu, but I first heard it from the very funny Bobby Collins. His point was that people you hold grudges against are wildcards, and you never know what action (or inaction) they may take against you. So don’t reveal yourself or intentions.
The best and most satisfying actions I have taken in the past few years is to let people know indirectly that my life worked out, I retired early and acquired the means to do so myself, and that I have left all the sturm-und-drang behind. Old schoolmates, teammates, work colleagues, neighbors, etc. They probably don’t care that much, if at all, but it does feel good to inform them that I made it out of the lobster-cage while they are still trapped.:-)
The one thing that has also become clear with the perspective of time, is that quite a few people were positive influences, generous with their time and knowledge, and supportive and constructive. I’ve made a point to reach back and thank a number of these people, too (i.e. teachers, friends, workmates, bosses, etc.). And the figurative “F U!” feels good, but so does the “Thanks!”
Wise words as always! Thanks!
There is a simple rule about having “enough” that works well for us. We both retired when we felt we had “enough.” For me, that was age 60, for my wife age 62.
I had enjoyed enough of work, the traveling, the daily grind. My wife was involved in an IT project that wound up shortly after her 62nd birthday, and she felt that was a good time to say ‘bye.’
We live in a rural midwest area where a nice home doesn’t cost a million. We enjoy the 4 seasons, and for us a million seems like more than enough for our life style. Your mileage may vary.
Financial freedom is simply being able to take charge of your TIME, the only commodity you can not purchase, can not trade, though you can use it productively, or idle it away. Freedom of choice is yours when you do not HAVE to do something. You may chose to do nothing.
As for having FU money, it is not license in my opinion to tell others FU, though I do have that option, I use it sparingly. We are more generous in our giving to friends, charities, and family because we simply can be!
See, this is where I want to be at!
Good article. One question, you said most people turn left politically once they reach FU money. Is that true?, what happened to the Republicans being the party of the rich?
Just look up the net worth a of the richest people in Congress. It skews left.
The idea is, once you have lots of money and your tax shelters to boot, you can be much more liberal with money.
Except that doesn’t bear out in charitable giving. People on the right give much more than people on the left. People on the left are however, certainly more charitable with government money:)
I would disagree with how you describe point 1:
1) You stand up for what’s right more often.
I’ve actually ran into situations where, had I had the FU money, I would probably have stood up for something I thought was really wrong. But I chose to shut up (for example because otherwise it would get me fired).
I often realize, later on, that raising my voice at that given moment would not have helped anyone, and could have made the situation worse.
There are many times, at work, where what I think is an extremely unfair situation, turns out to be something where I did not know the entire story. With FU money, I’d be at risk of putting people into bad situations… so in a way I’m glad I shut up some times, even if it’s for the wrong reason, it turns out to lead to a better outcome.
F you money… Now that’s what I’m talking about. I was at work when someone described what this was to me for the first time, I could not stop laughing and have been using it ever since.
True story. I was just thinking about this very thing the other day while sitting on the toilet at work. Sam I am not sure if I would be comfortable even with ten million dollars nowadays to say that I am set for life. There is always that nagging feeling that something unexpected and terrible can happen so you always end up wanting more just in case. a
Also when you actually reach a certain landmark , you always want to achieve more than that. I remember while in school thinking that if I make A grand a year I will be set and not worry about money anymore and try to enjoy my life, here I am making well above six figures and still worrying about money.Does this mean I am greedy? I used to think that 100 grand a year would give me the mindset of peace, but that has not happened. Therefore I am doibtful of $10 mil getting me there as well.
I hate to say this, but I think you’re correct – wealthier people are easier to hang around with, are less angry and bitter about the world and tend to rub along with things in a more relaxed way. Clearly there are individual exceptions to this, but money makes life a bit easier to live with. I wish it wasn’t true, but I’m speaking from my experience of the people I’ve met in social situations and work. I really wish that the “working classes” were the happy, rough diamonds of legend and that the idle rich were unhappy, unfulfilled and depressed despite their money. I wish things were more equal, and hopefully that’s what society is working toward, but it seems to me the rich know damn well that life’s a lot nicer with money in the bank and that they’re going to quietly fight to keep their wealth for themselves.
According to your survey results I have “F” You Money. It allows me to be myself and get around the annoying PC world. Being your self is the greatest success. I am second generation $$$ and my parents were high consumption. Second generation think differently than the nuvo “F” You $$$. Before I was retired at work (I spoke my mind), I used to tell people there, success to me was not having a fancy car or ostentatious crap. Success to me was to tell the world to “kiss my grits.” 99% of my coworkers were and still are “wage slaves.” They never figured out that money follows capital and not wages. They parade around to try to impress others and regularly get bent over backwards by those above them. The book “The Millionaire Next Door” is me. House paid off years ago, use one check to buy a new car (a Ford!). I just finished teaching a productivity class at a community college as a low wage adjunct. I did it because teaching at a college was on my bucket list. After the first of the year I go to the next line on my bucket list. Did I tell you I stayed in Kyoto, Japan last April and toured with a Japan Rail Pass about everywhere cool?
Hi Tim, may I ask how you developed your wealth? Thanks
I chose other because I intend to become invisible once I get to my financial goal. No need to tell anybody anything if they’re not around.
I think my FU is retiring. I laugh at all the jerk offs who made fun of me in grade school because my parents drove a rusted out 1979 Chevy Malibu station wagon with a bumper tied on to it, because my parents did’t want to pay to have it put on the right way. Do I feel like they can all go just f themselves? Absolutely. Do I take their insults personally? Yup, check.
However, some of these fools are slaves to the man, and unlike myself, they will be slaves to their possessions long after I am just chillin’.
I was initially surprised at 1,2,4 which is about standing up, caring less, and hanging out. While I’m not from a rich background (both parents fall under poor category growing up in most countries definition of poor) I never felt that I should not stand up for whats right because it is not inconvenient, care so much about what people think (I may a bit more apathetic than a normal person tho…) or hang out with people for insincere or un-genuine reasons.
It is my belief that it was this trait that I managed to be come a branch manager. It was not an easy ride with colleagues however. But I can understand the lure of doing such things but if you are more sincere with yourself, people will notice and you will gain favor from wise good people. These people will go the distance with you and sometimes for you. The others are just temporary goodwill which will suddenly go to someone else better at flirting/impressing/outspending you.
For reference, my parents are both still working at ~60 yrs and their income just exceeds the US poverty line for 2 adults with no dependents. Same for myself. Strictly middle income people in an asian country. I’m in a position of no3 where I can afford some small failures and yes, people piss me off less because I don’t have to talk to customers or supplies I don’t want to anymore. Yay!
Samurai – Have you hit your FU number?
Yes, years ago and have watched my behavior and other people’s behavior who’ve hit their FU number evolve, hence this post.
But I’ve recently raised my FU number by 50% since we had a baby. Gotta keep hustling, at least for the fun of it!
I am 20 months from my and my wife retirement. I have no reason to tell people to F off simply because I am sure that at some point during my 45 year career, I have made the same mistakes that at times make me mad when others do them. Some people live for confrontations. So I avoid them and move on. Others wish to gossip and backstab. I stand there and pretend to listen, then walk away and find someone with a smile on their face to talk to, blowing off the last conversation completely. As I finish out my career, I have taken a step down from the corporate ladder. I now do what I enjoy at work because I work for people who know I am very good at it and they appreciate the dedication to getting it right the first time. I listed $2M as my FU need. I will have more than this when I leave, so I can go at anytime now and not worry about the future. My guess is that since I lowered my stress, I also lowered my need to prove anything to anyone.
I checked other because I long ago decided the peope that needed being told to F off were usually the last people to understand why they needed to be told. My guide is Musashi “Do nothing that is of no use.” Instead, I would just spend my energy getting away from them.
Gassho Samuri! I read once that we can never really have too much of what we do not really want. At 62, although frugal and comfortable with decent savings and investments, I don’t have FU money and I practice everyday relearning not to care. In truth, none of us ever do or ever will. Since money is just a kind of placeholder of our personal and cultural values, it is temporally bound and ephemeral at best. Although it certainly does help when the bills come, it doesn’t ultimately provide the things we want most (freedom, autonomy, love, connection, community, peace, joy, purpose, adventure, creative fire, meaning). Since the entities that create and control money and other “valuable” things constantly change, and since human organizations (governments, countries, cultures) are by nature unstable and disappear, any store of value will be unstable and disappear. Hence, we can never really have too much of what we do not really want (FU money), because we know inherently that it isn’t REAL and not what we DO want (freedom, autonomy, love, meaning, etc.). It takes enormous personal effort to actually discover what you truly want from this short existence, and no one will applaud you for your efforts (or pay you) since it goes against everything human culture dictates. Your wonderful little muffin will be just fine, but even more so if you spend less effort on the side hustles trying to ensure a future you have no control over, and invest more in enjoying the best thing that you’ve ever done (hint: the muffin). You won’t be wishing for another cool mil or super side-hustle when your final timer goes off, but you might just be dreaming about the twinkle in that baby’s eye remembering how you shared yourself and your world with them.
I think $1M (taxes accounted for) would cover fixed expensess for my next four decades or my total expenses for the next two decades. I would hope that that would free me up enough sanity and/or time to do something worthwhile instead of mindlessly punching a clock every week with the fear of an unexpected change outside my control (economy, medical emergency, human error at my job…) leaving me to live out of my car.
I hear others preaching the “get along,” which convinces me that they haven’t found the personal power to stand on their convictions. FU is the conviction to call it as you see it, and stop filtering your vision down to palatable pap for the conditioned masses. When you live in that confidence, your FU is not angry, just tenacious and single-minded. I am living my FU without significant cash of my own to back it up, but then I am resourceful and creative enough to find my way on grants and collaborations with others. I can see, though, how people shackled to an employer for their basic needs can look to the fantasy of financial freedom as their potential game-changer.
Your question talks about people I *hate*.
Well, if I have FU money and they know it, I feel that mere fact is enough to frustrate them. Especially when they try to engage me and I don’t respond.
Also, why would I waste my breath and lower myself to their level? When you write things on the internet, it’s also permanent, so why risk looking silly years later?
Now if it’s about standing up for what’s right, yes, by all means, and I’d use some of that FU money to make sure I do it as effectively as possible.
I think my FU target is $800k. That’s enough to buy a house and a car and cover essentials for the rest of my life, and I could do occasional gig work for pocket money, but would still be able to turn down work.