Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) is an acronym that will accurately describe what many of us on blockchain are trying to accomplish. If everything works out good, retiring in while my 20s will be accomplished during this bull market. Most of it will be built on top of $HIVE and its DAPPs.
It has been over a month since I talked about Lean FIRE and why it is more important that getting rich. I asked my readers to assume the worst financial conditions for the futures and assume the worst of tyranny and surveillance to go along with it. It is best if you read that article and watch the videos linked to get the best understanding of the underlying logic.
Lean FIRE and The Preparation for The Coming Civil War(s)
I don't need this $1K USD like Night_Runner. I would say that majority of the world's population can live comfortably at a lower cost. The only catch is that you must be willing to base yourself around a country with a very low cost of living. Poor countries are capable of providing stable internet and safe residence to live. These places will not be as safe as Japan and similarly safe places. But I can guarantee you that the developing world can be safer than the cities of many developing countries.
A Look at Safety and Crime
Once you start looking at the data and combine them with boots on the ground information, you will find that some of the most developed countries rank in the middle.
Crime Index by Country 2024
Statistics can be manipulated and they rarely provide the full picture of what is happening on the ground. There is still utility in looking at them to have a broad understanding of the world. Most of us cannot travel to dozens of countries in an year to experience them first hand.
Ukraine may have lower crime than USA, UK, Australia and New Zealand. At the same time, Ukraine is in an ongoing war. It is not a country one should retire to at this point. Let us observe some of the countries that are higher on this list.
The Organized Crime Index
This is another imperfect metric that does clearly show that cheap locations can be generally safe if you choose carefully.
The reason I had this deep dive is because location is the single biggest factor that affect how much money one is required to generate in order to be able to retire. In most developed countries, $200 is not even enough to have a roof over your head. I plan to live off less (and I currently live off of less than $150).
Cities Have Changed
Coverage could always be biased. I do not pay much attention to the narrative. What matter to me is real footage from a location that is not staged.
Los Angeles
Venezuela
Poland
London
New York
Gotham (Seriously Watch This)
The Dark Knight Returns was published in 1986 and I consider it to be Frank Miller's best work. While watching the videos of the videos of how crime is being treated in many areas of the world, it occurred to me that Gotham was exactly like this in The Dark Knight Returns. There is some slang in some parts of the story that sounds close to what Gen Z and Gen Alpha slang is like. It is always very interesting to see an old work that predict things decades in advance (whether they intend it or not).
Cost of Living Index by Country 2024
I'm already established in one of the green zones and I live with my parents. This is one of the biggest reasons why I am capable of living off of 200 dollars.
Argentina could have an economic resurgence if the current trend of Javier Milei continue. _History of a country is less important than its future trajectory.
Consider This Knowledge an SDK
Software development kit (SDK) a collection of software development tools in one installable package. Programmers can get started with an SDK and build what is best for their needs. I share these details about my finances and strategies to help more individuals build and refine their own systems. There is no need for you to live off of $200 and move to a developing country.
I have linked various resourced in this article and in others. Use them to navigate the world and make better decisions. There is going to be a great many changes in this decade that will transform this planet Earth into a very different place from what you used to. The status quo will change drastically. Know where you are going; but be ready for anything!