FI-RE: An Instrospective History Part 2
When COVID struck, having a paid off home was the new BMW. Working from home became common. Delivery services and people being terminally online were normal.
Cash was printed. 2 or 3 stimulus checks went out. Businesses, governments and nonprofits got bigger stimmy checks.
Inflation hit hard. People were priced out of houses and apartments.
Until well into the Biden Administration, many people lived off stock and crypto investments. There was a labor shortage.
FI-RE astroturf displaced and countered actual economic signals and real conspiracies with slogans, chants, diversions and made up-on-the-spot conspiracy theories.
Although there were crime waves, the general population complied with government overreach, including vaccinations, surveys, financial disclosures and censorship.
Aside from FI-RE, my state GOP retard maxxed its way to defeat in 2022. The opinions of ex-candidates, other political pros and Libertarians were mocked and ignored by alleged Christian conservatives, mental health pros and Q anon.
Why does the Oregon GOP insist on dumbing things down for their candidates to look smart, while the opposition can do as they please?
Back to FI-RE. The BowTiedBull, critical of traditional FI-RE, suggest adding QQQ, SMH and a few tech stocks to our portfolios.
Dave Ramsey, who is also critical of the FI-RE movement has always insists on avoiding technology funds and other specialized funds.
Q anon has advised buying precious metals and XRP.
Most FI-RE seekers and those struggling had high hopes for D.O.G.E. and the D.O.G.E. dividend and ten months of a 10% credit card APR.
Both are vapor.
Cutting expenses, working overtime and side-hustles can hold off inflation for a while. But how about after they don’t?
Promoting side-hustles is a merit badge for FI-RE, Dave Ramsey and the BTB. I’ve heard a few inspiring calls to Dave Ramsey about small businesses that have taken off.
Gambling and degeneracy have also taken off. Thought cops volunteer to troll LTBH investors. LTBH investors are scolded, mocked and isolated. The thought cops tactics come from the PRC. Gamblers and VTSAX hodlers were left alone.
That’s another conspiracy theory FI-RE astroturf and the rock-ribbed Republican Party are ordered not to talk about.
One thing that’s still characteristic of the FI-RE movement is its simplicity. Its so simple, low income people in HCOL area accept gaslighting and punishment.
Retard maxxing is a real thing. To accept the teachings of the people who drive you into the FI-RE camp in the first place, you have to be retarded.
But mental retardation can also manifest due to a poor environment, logging 100 hours per week and by feeling the need to focus on multiple stressors for days.
My state has retarded strawmen who intimidate, belittle and rip off overwhelmed individuals. (They wait for you to let your guard down.)
A nice “independent” church doesn’t have to acknowledge let alone help you. But the show will continue anyway.
Van life, overemployment, autodidact-ism, You Tube, and a few other popular items emerged strongly after 2020. The desire or fantasy to ex-patriate has also continued. Minimalism continued as an almost unsalable niche.
College tuition continues in its bubble. No pol dare pops it.
You can watch videos on the FI-RE movement, here.
