7 Most Interesting Retirement Websites (FIRE sites) in 2020

With the world turned upside down due to COVID-19, no one has any idea what the new normal will look like. This heightens the need to think about what the future will bring. 

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The 7 most interesting retirement websites - and FIRE (financial independence retire early) sites - is intended to share the best of 2020.

The reason these are the best and most fascinating sites is each of them shares their journey toward personal success. They include fresh perspectives into the challenges we all face and insights you won’t find elsewhere.

The Accidental Fire graph went viral as it perfectly captures the upheaval in our lives. You might've even seen it or one of the many variations on social media.

In addition to being downright funny, it also reflects the massive disruption in our daily lives. Who ever anticipated how quickly our economy would come to a standstill? 

That sweatpants would become work attire and our cars would remain idle in the driveway. The most interesting retirement websites (and the best in my opinion) plus FIRE sites is more than just listing of great blogs.

I reached out to each of them and asked that they contribute their responses to the following questions:

Personally, I read and enjoy each one of the seven sites listed below. You may notice a common theme of “helping others” and “making a difference”. 

When you have a bit of free time, consider taking a peek at their work. I think you will be impressed.

Their answers capture why and what they are so passionate about. In addition, each maintains an active readership which offer revealing comments and thoughts.

My dilemma became in what manner to display them, after all each one deserves to be first. The fairest way, as my wife pointed out, was based on the order I received them.

So, in no particular order here are the 7 most interesting retirement websites & FIRE sites:

Freddy Smidlap

"Freddy Smidlap lets off some steam"

• Why did you start your blog, what are your goals?

I started my little blog after reading a lot of good content about personal finance. It was a good opportunity and creative outlet without too much initial investment and I had the time on my hands to try it out. 

I also thought of it as a "starter" blog where I could improve my writing and crystallize my own thoughts about my investment choices.

• How would you describe your site and what makes you unique?

The unique thing about me is the tone is pretty light and often irreverent, especially regarding a lot of personal finance dogma. 

I also built my own stock portfolio and am building one from scratch where the readers can follow along with a methodology, I think works to do better than the market average. 

We shall see but readers can see what works and what doesn't and there is our own household very real money involved, and quite a bit of it.

• What do you consider your "best" post?

I think my best posts are the investing ones but I think people prefer the perspective of a rural upbringing and the background stuff. 

I also don't come from a huge paying career so it shows it can be done with an average salary/means. The one I like is "We're on the Glide Path to Retirement: Here's Our Strategy".

Note from Shannon:

It never ceases to amaze me how Freddy consistently "beats the market". 

The Retirement Manifesto

"Helping people achieve a great retirement"

• Why did you start your blog, what are your goals?

I started my blog primarily as a curiosity experiment, having no idea if it would ever be something I pursued. 

At the time, I was three years away from retiring and interested in "testing out" writing as a potential hobby for my eventual retirement. 

It's since become a significant purpose in my retired life, and I'm eternally grateful that I took that first step five years ago.

• How would you describe your site?

The Retirement Manifesto documents "the current, before it becomes the past". It's a tale of my journey from 3 years prior to retiring, to 2 years after retiring (and counting). 

My primary purpose is to share what I'm learning on the journey with the goal of "Helping People Achieve A Great Retirement".

• What makes you unique and different?

My readers tell me that my "voice" is unique - conversational and reality based. 

There aren't a lot of blogs written by folks of retirement age, and baby boomers seem to appreciate having "one of their own" who shares what they're learning along the path of retirement.

Note from Shannon:

I can attest to Fritz's "voice" and how well he covers all aspects of the road to retirement in his blog and book "Keys to a Successful Retirement". You can pick up a copy on Amazon.

Accidental Fire

"Financial Independence; Early Retirement; Outdoor Adventure; Satire"

• Why did you start your blog, what are your goals?

I started it mainly to help others by telling my story. I feel that most folks can either achieve financial independence or at least get their financial lives in much better shape. 

They need to be inspired by others who have done it. I seek to inspire.

• How would you describe your site?

It's a personal finance site that focuses on and explores the often-overlooked behavioral aspects of the human condition that drive money decisions.

• What makes you unique and different?

I'm already financially independent and semi-retired, so I'm writing from a position of having "won the game". And I also do satire to make finances fun.

• What is do you consider your "best" post?

I'm probably most proud of "Poverty, Bubbles, And The Line" because it tells the story of a precarious time in my life where one single decision could have changed everything.

Note from Shannon:

Dave combines multiple aspects of life into a beautiful blend of things to consider. He maintains a light and humorous tone full of thoughts to consider.

Tawcan

"A Taiwanese Canadian's quest for joyful life & financial independence"

• How would you describe your site?

The tag line of my blog is pretty single - a Taiwanese Canadian's quest for financial independence and joyful life. 

Some of the topics I write are financial independence retire early (FIRE), dividend & index investing, money mindset, save-spend balance, and travels.

• What makes you unique and different?

I think everyone is unique and different in their own ways. Because of this, we have different perspectives. 

As someone who is an immigrant of Canada, a visible minority, traveled extensively, married to a Danish girl, I certainly have a unique perspective and this allows me to write differently than other people.

• What do you consider your "best" post?

"FIRE. RIP. 2014-2020"

Note from Shannon:

What most impresses me about Bob is his openness and transparency with his great writing style. In addition, the balance of living life while still preparing is uniquely refreshing.

Freedom is Groovy

"Make wealth not debt"

Note from Shannon:

Whilst this site is based on financial independence, many of the posts deliver the underlying message of what is freedom? It’s really about cracking the code to liberate yourself.

Mr. Groovy challenges conventional thinking into what's important for each of us. Embrace freedom, he guarantees it will be a groovy trip!

Route to Retire

"The path to financial independence"

Note from Shannon:

After achieving financial independence, Jim (I mistakenly called him Joe earlier) and his family relocated to Panama in 2019 to enjoy a better lifestyle at a lower cost. The site reflects three aspects to achieve these goals:

Retire by 40

"How to save, invest and retire early"

Note from Shannon:

Retire by 40 is a blog chronicling the journey to retiring early, by the age of 40. Financial independence is but one part of the puzzle. Joe shares tips and strategies on income producing activities after retiring from the corporate world. These include:

Closing Thoughts on the Most Interesting Retirement Websites + Fire Sites

The 7 most interesting retirement and FIRE (financial independence retire early) sites are the stuff I like to read, and hope you will find them as entertaining and intriguing as I do. 

Each one is the best in their own unique way. Their individual takes on retiring present a compelling view of the future.

They deserve to be shared as they are insightful, genuine, and downright thought provoking.  I find that these particular sites complement each other. 

These blogs help me continue to learn, grow, and evolve in this ever-changing world. 

Let’s face it, there is so much information out there it can be pretty overwhelming. In my opinion, each of these sites is considered to be invaluable and definitely worth a read.

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