Pete Adeney retired at age 30 and has been working hard ever since to inspire his FIRE followers.
ON A SUNNY SEPTEMBER morning in downtown Longmont, Colo., 80 or so people are packed into the Mr. Money Mustache headquarters. Pete Adeney, the man behind the blog that helped ignite the FIRE movement, owns the venue, and today, students are cramming in for the “PopUp Business School,” a free, 10-day course on how to start a business with minimal costs and develop the skills necessary for success. The vibe is Colorado casual—T-shirts, shorts and sneakers—but energy crackles among the attendees, many of them FIRE devotees with dreams of launching their own ventures.
Adeney makes introductory remarks. He has full coverage stubble rather than a mustache, although he sported a handlebar in the blog’s earlier days. But true to the bold persona he’s developed for Mr. Money Mustache, he uses the word badass a couple of times. (The blog’s logo bears the slogan “Financial Freedom Through Badassity.”) The edge that he injects into his musings about frugal living and financial independence is one ingredient in the secret sauce that draws a cultlike following to the blog. Dedicated readers form meet-up groups all over the country, and road tripping fans stop by the headquarters daily (Adeney discourages such unannounced visits).
Despite his celebrity status in the world of FIRE and his blog’s brazen tone, Adeney is modest and mellow when we talk later. He believes that his blog resonates because he peppers it with personal, relatable stories about his own journey. “It appeals to people’s sense of aspiration and the life they want,” he says.
This story is from the November 2018 edition of Kiplinger's Personal Finance.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 2018 edition of Kiplinger's Personal Finance.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
My Top 30 Index: An Update
A year ago, I put together what I called \"my own reinvention\" of the Dow Jones industrial average, the popular 142-year-old large-cap index.
Balance Your Risk and Reward
These new ETFs let you cut stock market losses. But you'll sacrifice some gains.
IS A HYBRID CAR RIGHT FOR YOU?
Hybrids offer a fuel-saving option for drivers who have reservations about all-electric vehicles. But there are trade-offs.
HOW TO REACH YOUR INVESTING GOALS
Patience helped these four investors make their portfolios work for them.
WHERE TO INVEST NOW
Expect a lot of midyear churn, with a rally toward the end of 2024.
TIPS FOR FINANCING A HOME PROJECT
I recently had a call with a client who was looking to fund the construction of a swimming pool at his house.
MORE WOMEN THAN EVER ARE STARTING BUSINESSES
Retail and travel businesses, along with health, beauty and fitness, are popular with women entrepreneurs.
Finding Home Health Care
It’s important to hire a caregiver you trust.
UNDERSTANDING BOND FUND YIELDS
What's a 30-day SEC yield? A trailing 12-month yield? A yield to maturity? We explain what each measure says about an income fund.
ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS ON STUDENT LOANS
If you have federal student loans, you may benefit from new government policies. Here's what you need to know.