Mr. FireStation isn’t a real life fireman. His nickname isn’t Chief Sparky and he has only had a chance to ride on a fire truck once in his 50 years. You probably guessed those things already, but he does want to note that he has the utmost respect for real firemen and draws inspiration from their preparation & courage (2 things also critical for achieving financial independence & retiring early). 🙂
In fact, Chief Sparky is a Midwestern husband, dad, son and brother who just turned 50 in 2016. With BBA & MBA degrees, he has worked in strategic marketing roles over the last 25+ years for three well-known MegaCorporations. On April Fools Day – just two weeks before his 50th birthday – he reached his life long dream of trading in MegaCorp FIRE drills for FIRE of another kind altogether:
F.I.R.E. = Financially Independent & Retired Early
Mr. FireStation’s quest for FIRE began (with his DW) many years ago. On his first day of work his brother asked him how much vacation he would get. “Two full weeks paid every year” said Sparky proudly. “Oh, so that’s like 1 year off for every 26 years that you work?” said his brother mockingly. Ouch. But, thought Sparky, what if he could stop working completely after 26 years? That would be just shy of 50 years old, since Sparky was just one year out of college. A plan was born.
This website is designed to detail the end of the journey. MrFireStation thought it would be helpful to share the trials & tribulations of the challenge. Specifically the wisdom and planning that have gone into being financially independent & retiring early (by 50). How to make your own FIRE escape.
PARABLES & STORIES
LIEBSTER AWARD / THANKS
- MrFireStation Answers The 10 Questions
- MrFireStation Nominates New Blogs
- Giving Thanks – Career Highlights
- Top Posts / Most Read – 2015
Image Credits: Pixabay
LEGAL: Opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views or anyone else, including my current or past employers. Please work with a financial professional before making significant investments and financial decisions.
All Rights Reserved for Original Content published on MrFireStation.com
(C) Copyright 2015-16, MrFireStation.com – Owned by StrategyDevil LLC
MrFireStation 
Love the Blog.
Can you consider doing 1 on 1 personal mentoring for early retirement?
AJ
Lajaj9@gmail.com
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I hadn’t thought about that, but it might be interesting (for both of us). I’ll shoot you a note in a few days and we can discuss.
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Can you consider personal mentoring for those interested for early retirement?
AJ
Lajaj9@gmail.com
Please fire me an email.
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very nice
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Nice to find your blog. We fell into the FIRE without any time for planning. We have had to make it up as we go along! I like that you have kept a sense of humor! Nice to meet you! Keep enjoying the voyage!
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Thanks for stopping by the Fire Station! It’s a big week for me – tomorrow’s the day I give notice. Look forward to reading about your story …!
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“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” – Helen Keller. Congratulations on your daring adventure, Mr. Fire Station. It was great catching up with you last night. Keep up the good fight. Onward & Upward. JB
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Great quote! I have a sign on my wall that says “Live A Great Story”. I am trying to – and sharing a lot of the chapters of that story on this site.
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I’ve read your blog off and on since the beginning. I really enjoy your writing. I’m just a little ways behind you. I turn 50 in July 2019. I am really considering following you into retirement. Has it been great?
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That’s great to hear – congratulations! Early Retirement definitely has been GREAT. I’m about 2.5 years in now and the absolute freedom & independence are truly PRICELESS. Let me know what you do. No regrets!
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Enjoy the blog! I retired at 50 in July 2017. I think it is the perfect age to retire — 10 year window to pre-tax accounts, still healthy to do numerous activities, kids finishing college and it enhances your marriage. Interesting that you don’t optimize expenses as others do in the FIRE community (know you track them carefully). Keep the articles coming!
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Thanks, Pedro & welcome to the Fire Station! It sounds like you are just a year behind me, but already 2 years in yourself. I’ll be interested in your comments, based on your experiences. No, I haven’t been great about tracking expenses. In fact, our main bank just disconnected from Mint.com, which is what I primarily have used to track spending. Oh well!
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That’s a good idea! Will it add to the ‘story list’. We work with an Advisor at RBC in MN. We talked to quite a few people before finding someone who fit for us.
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Sure- just deleted it. I’m in Woodbury. Have we met? Text me at 651-336-1949. Will delete this in 10 minutes.
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Found your blog about 6 months ago and it’s been incredibly inspiring and enjoyable. Moreover, it’s been eerily similar to the journey I’m taking! I’m 49 years old (turn 50 next month) and this Friday (10/30) is my official retirement day. 🙂 I’ve been re-reading your “Last Week” post as I prepare to say goodbye to everyone after a 17-year stint at my current employer, but know my experience will be quite a bit different as all of the goodbyes and the party will occur via Zoom due to the pandemic. Especially because I’ve been working from home for the past 7 months, I’m not sure it will sink in until next Monday, when I plan to pack up all (or most) of my work clothes for donation!
Thanks for sharing your journey!
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Congratulations! Yes, it sounds like our ages heading into FIRE align very much. Too bad you are finishing up during the pandemic and over Zoom, but I’m sure that will quickly be a distant memory. Do you have any specific plans to celebrate? A special dinner or trip?
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We’re going out to our favorite restaurant on Friday. Luckily, still warm enough here in CA for outdoor dining. We’re also planning a local trip in a few weeks. My wife is still working — she dropped to part time a couple of weeks ago to wrap up some obligations and with the intent to retire early next year. So, for a few months, we’ll be a bit more limited. With Covid though, travel isn’t so appealing, so looking to brush off the golf game. And, like yourself, we bought eBikes last week and took them for a very pleasant, motor-assisted ride — definitely see us getting a lot of use from those!
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That sounds nice. Everything is low-key because of the pandemic, but I like low-key. Unfortunately here in MN, there won’t be any outdoor dining until next spring! We got hit with snow already last week.
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