What Early Retirement Means to Us: Our FIRE Journey and Retirement Readiness

Last month, Tatiana and I took a weekend trip to NYC to visit some old friends. As we sat around their dining table, enjoying home-cooked meals and lively conversation, I couldn't help but feel excited about our early retirement plans. Our hosts, an awesome couple, were getting inspired by our FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) journey. Secretly, we hoped they'd join us so we'd have more friends to travel with in our early retirement years! This short trip was a glimpse into our future—quality time with loved ones, new experiences, and the freedom to enjoy life on our terms. It got me thinking about what early retirement truly means to us and how we're preparing for it. Early Retirement: A Personal Definition Early retir