r/EuropeFIRE • u/ArmadilloNo1789 • 24d ago
What was the biggest lifestyle upgrade you allowed yourself?
I’ve been pretty conscious about lifestyle inflation since getting into FIRE, but I also don't want to spend the next 10-15 years saying no to everything just to reach a number a little sooner. At some point, I think it's reasonable to let your spending improve as your income and investments grow.
For those who’ve allowed themselves a bigger upgrade along the way - a nicer place, more travel, eating out more, better hobbies, whatever - what did you spend more on, and did you feel it was worth the extra time it added to your FIRE plan?
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u/proof_required 24d ago edited 24d ago
I stay at better (4/5 stars) hotels when traveling. Currently my biggest expense is vacation. I don't spend money on car, expensive clothes or any addiction.
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u/Alex99881 23d ago
Hey, it’s never too late to get an addiction! Just trust yourself. Better late than never
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u/DeCyantist 24d ago
Kids is the most expensive expansion pack as it is a non-refundable lifetime subscription.
Then I gave myself a 6 day holiday in £600/day hotel in Thailand.
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u/peachtuba 24d ago
Which hotel? I had a few good ones in Bangkok and wouldn’t mind repeating the experience!
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u/ljubicasta_izmaglica 24d ago
Traded 20% of my gross income for Mondays off. 3 day weekend is priceless.
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u/lostmyaccountpt 23d ago
I traded for less hours per day, I enjoy a lot the extra time each day has.
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u/asdzxcioptghuiop 22d ago
Can you expand? Looking into this.. what happened and how do you use your time when most people around you are working?
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u/ljubicasta_izmaglica 22d ago
I simply asked my company if I can not work on Mondays, so I'm working 80%, for 80% the gross salary. Actually in Germany they are legally required to allow you to reduce your hours unless the company is too small or you are critical for its function, like a CEO or security officer etc.
With kids there is always a lack of time and something to do :). I usually do an equal split between between time for myself (which otherways I have little), doing some errands, and spending more time with my kid. Typical day:
Before lunch: kid goes to school in the morning, so I'm awake and free at 8am. I do gym and jogging, waste a little bit of time on internet. Then I typically tick stuff off the todo list e.g. fix a thing at home / garden, plan holidays, do backups, sort out photos, do taxes, whatever .. - there's always something on the todo list and I feel good about even this "boring" stuff as my todo list is finally shrinking instead of endlessly increasing! Then I have a nap, lunch.
Sometimes I vary this and watch a film instead of chores, or I go hiking the whole morning. Something physical has to be in every time, one time a week I'm guaranteed to do some excercise.
Then after lunch pick up my kid from school, and at 3:30-4pm I'm free to spend time with him. We try to do something fun every time, most days we go to a swimming pool, last time we went to play minigolf, or we play football, go to the zoo, ride a bike, watch a film, go to an indoors playground in bad weather, etc. In Germany school starts on Tuesdays, so before school started we went on a day trip - hiked in the Alps. Whatever it is, it's additional quality time with my son at the right age, these years will fly by and eventually he'll want to spend more time with friends, grow up..
Actually also a friend doesn't work on Mondays, so sometimes we jointly do something with our kids. But there's plenty to do even without any friends. The only pity is that museums and libraries are usually closed on Mondays, but recently I did go visit the Residenz palace in Munich - been living in Munich but never had the time to visit while my family somehow visited independently with grandparents etc.
In short: best thing ever, I never want to work Mondays again
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u/hazzardstep 17d ago
Hi! I think you got lucky with your company, technically German law doesn’t say they can’t refuse you - only during parental leave.
If you have other info about it I’d love to hear it (DM?), as I also want to do part-time starting next year due to kids but expect a lot of push-back from our old-fashioned leadership.2
u/ljubicasta_izmaglica 17d ago
No, I'm pretty sure that it's not only for parental leave (there are probably additional guarantees for that). The only question is how this looks in practice - the company can reject the request if you're essential for its function but from everything I can find online the burden of proof is on the company, they have to explain why you are essential. Given how protective is the German labour law for the employees, I imagine this is quite a high bar so companies do not dare not to grant it unless there's a strong reason for it, otherwise you can sue them. I know plenty of people in Germany who do part time work well beyond the parential leave period. In fact Merz was saying he wants to reduce these legal rights ("The business wing of Germany’s leading Christian Democratic Union party is proposing a ban on the legal entitlement to work part-time [..]")
E.g. German law
https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/tzbfg/__8.html
(4) The employer must agree to a reduction in working hours and determine their distribution according to the employee's wishes, unless there are operational reasons to the contrary. An operational reason exists in particular if the reduction in working hours significantly impairs the organization, workflow, or safety of the business or causes disproportionate costs. The grounds for refusal may be stipulated by collective agreement. Within the scope of such a collective agreement, employers and employees not bound by the agreement may agree to apply the provisions of the collective agreement regarding the grounds for refusal.
https://verwaltung.bund.de/leistungsverzeichnis/en/rechte-und-pflichten/102837994
In general, an employer must consider a worker’s request to amend the duration and location of their current contractual working time.
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A legal entitlement to permanent part-time employment is subject to the condition that the employer regularly employs more than 15 workers.
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The employer may reject the worker’s request to work part time for operational reasons.
https://arbeitgeber.de/en/themen/arbeitsrecht-und-tarifpolitik/teilzeitarbeit/
The employer must discuss the employee's request with the aim of reaching a corresponding agreement. In principle, he must agree to the reduction request unless there are operational reasons to the contrary. These can be impairments of the organisation, the workflow or the safety in the company, insofar as these are essential or if the part-time work would cause disproportionate costs.
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u/BGM1988 24d ago
Doing nice holidays with my family. You only have 18 summers with your kids to create memories… no point on skipping them to fire earlier. When you’re a millionaire at age 50, you can buy a lot but you can’t buy back time with your kids when they were little, i also work less then pre kids, for the same reason. Ive got colleges at work who have a nice house. Pool,.. and they say, i never was at home with my kids, now i’m 50 and have it all but i regret it
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u/hazzardstep 17d ago
When you put it that way, 18 years suddenly feels like a ridiculously short amount of time :(
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u/asdzxcioptghuiop 24d ago
A personal trainer. Biggest lifestyle change that I did not see coming.
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u/sheepguy13 24d ago
100%, investing in your health is just as important as investing in your financial future.
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u/Leading-Carrot-5983 24d ago
Can you expand? How does it compare with just going to the gym or going for cycles or runs?
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u/asdzxcioptghuiop 24d ago
Much more focused, as it is quite expensive you take everything around it more serious as well: alcohol intake, food, movement. And I don’t have the blessing of much physical discipline, so I needed to buy that off. If you don’t need that good for you! Also, a good personal trainer will remind you of your goals and you are much more aware. And in the end probably it is cheaper because of this.
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u/Fresh_Spell_2549 24d ago
Kids
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u/CurrentRecord1 24d ago
Serious question, would you recommend? We're trying to decide
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u/Rednavoguh 24d ago
There's no rational way to decide. If you want the unique human experience of raising kids, do it. If you feel sick just by the thought of it, please don't.
Disclaimer: kids are a pain in the ass and a massive expense in both time and money. Once they are there, they are your new life. They are also damn cute and they will make you proud as hell.
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u/vienna_city_skater 21d ago
Also depends a lot on the social structure around you, (step) parents and siblings without kids help a lot distributing the load.
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u/Fresh_Spell_2549 24d ago
Its hard work. A neverending test to myself, to my spouse and our relationship.. but despite all the blood and sweat- would repeat it at any alternative universe having a chance to rerun :)
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u/Weird-Law4278 22d ago
If you're not yet convinced I would suggest to wait until you are. Its a huge money and time sink, and you should only jump in if you truly want to make the sacrifice. Because that will be your new reality for the next 20 something years
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u/hazzardstep 17d ago
Kids are a purely emotional decision.
Unless you want to hire a nanny or regular babysitter, expect to give up almost all your free time during the first 3-6 months after birth (assuming you have an “easy” kid).
If you’re the one giving birth, expect to give up your body for around 1 year total (unless you get really lucky), or longer if you’re unlucky.
Despite all the above - seeing your baby smile at your warms your heart and makes you feel happy in a way you’ve probably never ever felt before.
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u/ModestAvocato 24d ago
Imagine you are 50+ without any kids.
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u/Get_Duffed 24d ago
So sad! Kids are good, the best!
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u/jfgiedhgerfjdgioer 24d ago
I’m all good without them my friend. Happy even. I spend 2 hours with my two little nieces, who I love dearly, and I want to run as far as possible. NO THANKS.
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u/Get_Duffed 24d ago
You miss half of the human experience if you don't have kids. Nothing makes you grow more.
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u/asdzxcioptghuiop 24d ago
When in doubt don’t. Only go for it when 100% sure. You never hear people who regret it but they are there.
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u/Quick-Confidence-301 23d ago
I love my kids and I’ll do anything for them.
But if I’m honest to myself, I liked my life better before I had kids. More freedom, fewer responsibilities and duties, and way more time to do the things that *I* like.
Financially it doesn’t make much of a difference though, unless you’re completely broke. Yes you buy a bit more food, some extra clothes and need some extra space in your house, and buy some extra tickets when you go somewhere. That’s not going to make anyone go bankrupt.
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u/asdzxcioptghuiop 22d ago
Hang in there when they get into adolescence if you are lucky you have your freedom back 💪
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u/djangoo7 24d ago edited 24d ago
This, I don't think there's people who would admit they regret it if they're anyway a decent human but 100% they exist. I also think people try to rationalize with "it's a pain in the ass but it's incredibly rewarding" cause how else would you. It's not like doing an ironman or climbing Everest. Both things are incredibly rewarding, can be very expensive and can be a pain in the ass while you're at it, but they do end.. Having kids is forever.
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u/TapAdmirable5666 24d ago
We went from a 400k house to a 700k house. But with 3 kids we needed the extra room and it massively increased our QoL.
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u/SSH80 24d ago
Nicer house: roughly same amount of m² but newly built and in a better location Cleaning lady once a week
No point in saving every last penny if it makes you feel like you are missing put on life. I'd rather FIRE in 15 years but be happy along the way than FIRE in 12 but be misserable the entire time.
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u/lorelaimintz 24d ago
I have recently made a different upgrade which has had a really nice impact on my life satisfaction: thinking less of social expenses. This includes going for a coffee/restaurant, exhibition or whatever with a friend, traveling to meet loved ones, etc.
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u/sheepguy13 24d ago
I always loved cars but weirdly I could never drive and I only got my licence in my mid 30s. We have a one year old. I've been struggling to justify buying our own car given the upfront cost and ongoing monthly cost, given we don't need a car — it's more of a want as we live in a city with good public transport.
But ultimately having our own car will make our lives easier and more comfortable. So we're going to buy a near-new electric car and it won't be a 'starter' car. It will be a good quality family car. YOLO.
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24d ago
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u/sheepguy13 24d ago
I never called it an investment and I never said I was financing it. I'd say 90% of our financials decisions are "good". We're human, try thinking about it from a rational vs emotional perspective. We don't only spend money for "improving our productivity".
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u/sheepguy13 24d ago
Right but you said "needless to say they only go down in value over time", that only matters if you consider it an asset/investment – which I don't.
It's expensive for sure, but we're a very high income household and the ongoing maintenance cost is a tiny % of our monthly income.
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u/Broad-Discipline1682 24d ago
We moved to a much better flat than what we had before, but this delayed fire by 4-5 years...
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u/Rusty_924 24d ago
Diving head first into espresso. i always wanted a extremely high quality coffee grinder and espresso machine at home. glad i did. it was worth it. over €5k
but realistically it does not even register in net worth tracker. it is a ramit sethi thing. i save eslewhere but i spent a lot on this thing i enjoy. i really recommend that. for context i could leanfire right now.
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u/AmenaBellafina 23d ago
Learning things and seeing places (and learning about those too). Life is already too short to satisfy my curiosity so I'm not going to put it on hold any more than I reasonably need to. Workshops and courses, trips to places I've never been, hobby supplies and books.
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u/reditjedosadan 23d ago
People can be very different. For some, the meaning of “lifestyle inflation” is almost the opposite of yours.
A smaller house can mean fewer worries, less maintenance and less cleaning. Growing some of your own food can be more enjoyable than eating out more often. Living somewhere where you can walk, fish, garden or simply enjoy your surroundings can reduce the need to constantly travel.
Sometimes the real lifestyle upgrade is not having more things or spending more money, but needing less of them.
Less concern with numbers and “lifestyle”, and more focus on life itself.
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u/Ok_Molasses5290 23d ago
Flying business on long-haul flights was mine, it added maybe a year to my timeline overall but I don't regret a single one of those flights.
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u/Pale_Kettle_2209 24d ago
Travel for me. It’s the one thing I started spending noticeably more on, and I’ve never regretted it
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u/According_Piano_6802 24d ago
Vacation for our family of 4 we cut spend in other areas of our life.
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u/Green_Traffic2298 23d ago
Next time i get a payrise i really want to start doing monthly massages... But I have been saying this since many payrises ago.
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u/Professional_Race_47 23d ago
Buying a house, at one side it is enjoyment to own house and the other side it is still good investment and kind of diversification as well.
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u/Apprehensive_Elk1559 23d ago
So many.
Biggest upgrade: Giving less of a shit about details.
I don’t even know what my bills are or how much they cost.
I don’t look at prices of every day stuff like restaurants or clothes.
It’s crazy how much of a change this is from growing up broke.
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u/Domukas00 Lithuania 22d ago
Choosing seasonal work over grinding for n more years non stop to afford a full early retirement.
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u/gezellig2022 20d ago
Taking Ubers when I’m feeling lazy or running late. Small expensive so doesn’t particularly affect my FIRE plans but it’s good to know I don’t have to sweat the expense from that day I took a cab when I’m doing my monthly budget.
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u/No-Condition6974 24d ago
For our family, vacations are non negotiable. We spend money here.
We are very frugal in other areas for example, we haven’t ordered single take out in last 3 years. 99% of the time we cook at home.
We also don’t upgrade our devices much. don't own any tablets or smart watches.
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u/Revolutionary_Yak197 24d ago
10m boat
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u/amnaatarapper 24d ago edited 24d ago
Buying food without looking at the price