My kids are 9, 9, and 7. At that age, they don’t care about “net worth” or “index funds.” They care that Dad is the one standing at the end of the driveway when the yellow bus pulls up.
But they’ve started to notice. Their friends’ dads leave in suits at 7:00 AM. They see the neighbors’ shiny new trucks. And they’ve started asking: “Dad, why are you always home? Do you even have a job?”
Explaining FIRE to a 7-year-old is a balancing act. You want them to feel safe, but you don’t want them thinking life is just a free ride.
Here is how I explain our “unemployed” life to them.
1. Money is “Time in a Jar”
I don’t talk to them about millions. I talk to them about Time.
I explain it like this: “Every dollar I saved while I was working in that corporate office was like putting an hour of my life into a jar. I worked really hard for a long time so I could buy back all the hours I want to spend with you guys now.”
When they see me at the bus stop, they aren’t seeing “wealth”—they are seeing the result of a trade I made. I traded a fancy title for a front-row seat to their childhood.
2. The Subaru vs. The Shiny Truck
Kids notice cars. They’ve asked why I’m still driving a 2021 Subaru Impreza while other people have the massive, brand-new SUVs. “Why does Daddy drive an old beat up car while Mommy has a nice big new one?”
This is the ultimate teaching moment. I tell them: “We could buy another big shiny truck today with cash. But if we did, I’d have to go back to work for a long time to pay for it. Would you rather have a cool truck in the driveway, or have me here to take you to karate and soccer?”
For a 9-year-old, “Dad being home” wins over “Shiny Truck” every single time. It teaches them that spending is always a trade-off.
3. The “Money Machine”
I don’t want my kids to think the bank account is a magic hole in the wall. I explain that I built a “Machine” (the investments).
I show them—in very simple terms—that because we own pieces of companies and we “rent” our cash out to the market, the machine “spits out” enough money to pay for their lacrosse fees and the “no-look” dinners we have on Fridays.
The Lesson: You don’t want to work for money forever. You want to build a machine that works for you.
4. Retirement Isn’t “Doing Nothing”
One of the biggest risks is that your kids might think success means sitting on the couch.
I make sure they see me staying disciplined—managing my options trades, working on my fitness, and staying on top of my 48-lesson “compass.” I tell them: “I retired from a boss, I didn’t retire from being a man with a mission.”
The Bottom Line
I’m not raising my kids to be “rich kids.” I’m raising them to be free. By the time they leave this house, I want them to know that a $3M net worth doesn’t mean you stop trying. It means you’ve earned the right to choose how you spend your life.
I’m teaching them that the greatest luxury in the world isn’t a car or a watch—it’s being the guy who meets the bus.
He didn't just save his way to freedom; he built a compounding engine. By combining "Bogleheads" index investing with a conservative options strategy, Earl turned a late start into a total victory. He’s not just talking theory—he’s living the math. Last year alone, Earl generated $78k in options premiums via the "Wheel" strategy and ~$400/month in passive dividends, proving that liquidity is the true key to quitting early.
Launched in 2019, EarlyRetirementEarl.com is a no-BS zone for dads and late-starters who want actionable, battle-tested steps to freedom. Featured on ThinkSaveRetire and Camp Fire Finance, Earl’s mission is to share the financial literacy he was never taught in school. No fluff, no gurus—just the math.
Not financial advice. I’m not a CFP or licensed advisor. All numbers are historical; markets fluctuate. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Do your own research and consult a professional.
