Retire Early? Meet the Millennials Who Did It by 35

In a world where traditional retirement is typically envisioned at age 65 or older, a growing number of millennials are defying convention. They are not waiting for decades of work before enjoying financial freedom. Instead, they are choosing to retire as early as their 30s. This radical shift in mindset and lifestyle is largely driven by the FIRE movement, which stands for Financial Independence, Retire Early.

The movement promotes aggressive saving, smart investing, and mindful living. By focusing on financial independence rather than the typical retirement trajectory, these individuals have carved out an unconventional path that is gaining more attention every year. But how do they do it? What does life look like after early retirement? And is it something anyone can realistically achieve?

This article dives deep into the stories, strategies, and lessons from millennials who have actually done it. They did not win the lottery. They did not inherit wealth. Instead, they reimagined what a fulfilling life looks like and made bold financial choices to support it.

The FIRE movement began gaining traction in the early 2010s. It encourages individuals to live well below their means, save a large percentage of their income, and invest wisely so that they can achieve financial independence early in life. Once their savings and investments generate enough passive income to cover living expenses, they can choose to stop working full-time.

For many millennials, the idea of retiring early offers a powerful escape from the burnout culture and the pressure of consumerism. It is about reclaiming time, focusing on health, creativity, and relationships, and rejecting the notion that work must dominate most of one’s life. The FIRE lifestyle does not necessarily mean never working again. It often means working on your own terms or pursuing passion projects without the pressure of needing a paycheck.

Sarah and James, a couple from Austin, Texas, reached financial independence at the age of 33. Neither of them came from wealthy families. They both held average-paying jobs in marketing and software development. After discovering the FIRE community through blogs and podcasts, they began tracking their expenses and realized how much of their income was going toward lifestyle inflation.

They cut unnecessary expenses like frequent dining out and luxury gym memberships. They sold one of their two cars and moved into a smaller apartment. The couple started investing over 60 percent of their combined income in low-cost index funds. Within eight years, their investments reached a point where the returns could comfortably support their thirty-thousand-dollar yearly budget.

Since leaving their jobs, Sarah has focused on writing fiction, while James volunteers with a local coding boot camp. They travel frequently and have adopted a flexible approach to work, occasionally freelancing to supplement their income. Their story illustrates that early retirement is not just about frugality but about intentional living.

Early retirement is more achievable than it sounds if you understand the math. Most FIRE adherents aim for a savings rate that is significantly higher than the typical ten to fifteen percent. Saving fifty to seventy percent of income dramatically reduces the number of years needed to work before retiring.

The core principle revolves around something called the four percent rule. This rule suggests that if you withdraw four percent of your investment portfolio each year, your money should last through retirement. So if you want to live on forty thousand dollars annually, you need to save approximately one million dollars.

For those who can live on less, the target amount is even lower. The focus is not necessarily on making a six-figure salary but on keeping expenses in check. It is about the gap between earnings and spending. The larger that gap, the faster financial independence can be reached.

Another millennial who embraced FIRE is Luis, a graphic designer from San Diego. He did not aim to stop working forever by his mid-thirties. Instead, he wanted freedom from traditional employment cycles. Luis adopted a variation of FIRE often called Coast FIRE or Barista FIRE. He built up his investment base early so that it could grow on its own, and now works part-time doing freelance design.

Luis calls his approach "lifestyle-first retirement" where he takes long breaks between short, intense working periods. In his twenties, he took on extra projects and lived frugally. Now in his early thirties, he travels the world slowly and only works when he needs to. He spends months in Southeast Asia or South America, where his dollars stretch further.

He shares that this hybrid version of FIRE allows him to enjoy the benefits of retirement without having to be completely hands-off with work. His mental health has improved and he has time to invest in hobbies like photography and language learning.

One common strategy among millennials who achieved FIRE early is automation. They automated their savings, investments, and even bills to reduce decision fatigue and stay consistent. Every paycheck, a fixed percentage was automatically routed to investment accounts, retirement funds, and emergency savings. What remained was used for everyday expenses.

Budgeting apps like YNAB and Mint helped them stay on track, but the key was simplicity. Instead of constantly revising their budget, many stuck to broad spending categories and focused on the big wins. These include reducing housing costs, avoiding new car loans, and limiting subscription-based expenses.

Some also used cash envelopes or prepaid cards to control discretionary spending. By treating savings as a non-negotiable monthly expense, they built strong habits over time. It was not about deprivation but about aligning spending with personal values.

There are plenty of myths surrounding the FIRE movement. One major misconception is that it is only for high earners. While a higher income can speed up the journey, many FIRE followers have modest incomes but control spending and increase savings rates creatively.

Another myth is that FIRE means never working again. In reality, most early retirees do continue to work in some capacity. They might freelance, start businesses, or take seasonal jobs, but the difference is they do it because they want to, not because they have to.

People also assume FIRE followers live miserably frugal lives. While some are extreme minimalists, others simply prioritize mindful spending. Instead of spending lavishly on material things, they may splurge on experiences or quality time with loved ones.

Investing plays a critical role in the success of early retirement plans. Most millennials in the FIRE movement focus on low-cost index funds which offer diversified exposure to the stock market with minimal fees. The long-term returns of the stock market are a powerful force thanks to compound interest.

For example, if you invest five hundred dollars a month in an index fund with a seven percent annual return starting at age twenty-five, you would have nearly six hundred thousand dollars by the time you are forty-five. Add in employer matches or larger contributions, and that number grows even faster.

Time in the market is far more valuable than timing the market. That is why many in the FIRE movement start as early as possible and remain consistent, even during market downturns.

While retiring early has obvious financial benefits, it also comes with emotional challenges. Many early retirees report struggling with identity after leaving their jobs. Society often ties worth to productivity and job titles, so stepping away can feel disorienting.

Some also face loneliness or a lack of purpose. That is why many FIRE followers stress the importance of building a plan for what you will do after achieving financial independence. Volunteering, creating, mentoring, or starting new businesses often fills that gap.

Relationships can also shift. Friends and family may not understand the decision to retire early, especially if it means saying no to events or traditions that involve spending more. Clear communication and surrounding yourself with a supportive community helps.

The answer is yes, but with important caveats. Achieving FIRE by thirty-five requires a blend of mindset, discipline, and long-term planning. It is not easy, but it is possible, especially with early education, clear goals, and flexibility.

You do not need to adopt the most extreme version. Even pursuing a partial FIRE path, like Coast FIRE or Slow FIRE, can yield meaningful results. The key is knowing your values and aligning your money habits to support them.

Start by tracking your expenses, increasing your savings rate gradually, and learning about investing. Avoid lifestyle creep and keep asking yourself what truly brings value to your life.


As housing prices rise and inflation impacts everyday costs, critics argue that FIRE is becoming less accessible. But many in the community are adapting by exploring geo-arbitrage, remote work, and nontraditional income streams like digital products and online businesses.

The movement is also becoming more inclusive. Women, people of color, and those from diverse income levels are sharing their own versions of FIRE. The common thread is not retiring to do nothing. It is creating the freedom to live life on your own terms.

FIRE is not about escaping life. It is about building a life you do not want to escape from.