The Nuts and Bolts of Frugality: Weird Tips and Tricks

Eccentric money-saving advice.

Photo by Andre Taissin on Unsplash

I like to think that most people who managed to make it to the early retirement finish line are a bit weird. Sure, sometimes you get folks who got $200K salaries right away based on their mad coding skillz, and then retired within a decade, but then there are those of us who played on a slightly higher difficulty level, worked longer, and picked up some odd but fun habits along the way. (And hey, if you’re a high-paid coder — kudos to you. The world needs more autodidacts who can help others learn too.)

I would be lying if I said I’m not a bit eccentric, and I seldom lie. It would be quite easy to invent this imaginary, hyper-successful persona that has a butler/intern, a pet falcon, 10 different recycling cans, a private jet, and very rich night life. It would be easy, but it would be false, and it’d make me just as bad as all the Instagram influencers out there. (If you’re not aware, there’s a company with an actual photo set that makes you look like you’re flying in a private jet. Oh brave new world that has such selfies in it…)

….but I digress. I want to describe the lean-FIRE lifestyle fully and honestly, and that — by definition — includes the good, the bad, and the ugly. (Or at least highly eccentric.) The things I do work perfectly fine for me…