From Adversity to Innovation

Many Americans work their entire lives and end up retiring with nothing. But a group of frugal obsessives is challenging that.

They call their approach FIRE: “financial independence, retire early.”

Amy X. Wang, the assistant managing editor of The New York Times Magazine, looks at the people behind this growing movement and their bid to rethink how long we work.

Guest: Amy X. Wang, the assistant managing editor of The New York Times Magazine. 

Background reading: 

• Allen Wong is one of the FIRE adherents who always knew how he wanted to live life. After decades of tolerating workaholic culture as the norm, employees are tired and unafraid to show it.
• FIRE started in the early 2000s with a mantra of extreme saving, but the pandemic forged new followers.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. 

Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.