February 2026. An RTS camera follows Valentin, a lawyer, around a supermarket known for its low prices. He has already checked the catalogues of various shops in advance and knows exactly which fruit and vegetables he will put in his trolley. The deciding factor? Price. He goes straight for the items on special offer.
Valentin has no particular financial worries. His goal is to save as much as possible to reach the million-franc mark, through careful spending and smart investments. The FIRE movement recommends saving around CHF 2.5 million (in the Swiss context) before achieving the financial independence its followers dream of. Born in the nineties, the concept has gained momentum thanks to social media.
A response to overconsumption?
FIRE appeals to Generation Z, who dream of a better work-life balance and aren't afraid to question today's culture of overconsumption. Recently, a French-speaking Swiss programme followed the adventures of Aline and Olivier, who canoed all the way from Switzerland to the North Cape. This couple, both in their forties, worked for twenty years at 80% on a salary of around CHF 4,000 each. They lived in a studio flat. They now travel without a fixed address, on a budget of CHF 25,000 a year. A lifestyle far removed from the norm — but one that reflects their values and their desire to explore the world.
Save and invest
The FIRE movement does not, however, demand complete austerity. By downsizing your home and cutting back on extras such as meals out or new clothes, it is possible — depending on your circumstances — to save more than you might think.
Some blogs, such as the Mustachian Post (aka Marc Pittet) - FIRE through frugalism — have made a specialism of advice on boosting income and growing wealth. According to the blog's creator, author of the book Free by 40 in Switzerland, leaving your savings to gather dust in a bank account is no path to becoming FIRE. Shares and property, on the other hand, are well worth considering.
Does not working mean being free?
The advantages of early retirement seem obvious: protection from the damaging effects of chronic stress on your health, a newfound sense of freedom, and the opportunity to invest in your personal development — whether through an artistic project or going back into education. For FIRE followers, the goal is rarely to spend their days in front of the television. It's about treating work as a choice rather than an obligation.
The downsides that are often overlooked
Beyond the financial challenge of going FIRE, the whole project depends on circumstances beyond your control. Nobody is immune to inflation, economic downturns, or personal health problems — any of which could force a rethink, without any way to recoup the years spent cutting back.
Loss of purpose and isolation
Work isn't only about earning a living. It structures your time, gives you goals, creates opportunities for connection, and shapes your sense of identity. People who make a sudden break from working life can experience a loss of bearings, even a feeling of purposelessness — particularly if they haven't built new projects to move towards. In other words, filling your days can sometimes be harder than freeing them up.
The workplace is also a social space. Daily exchanges, shared projects, and informal chats all contribute to many people's wellbeing. A very early retirement can reduce these interactions significantly, especially when friends and colleagues are still working full-time.
A freedom that can become a burden
Paradoxically, having unlimited time doesn't always bring greater satisfaction. When every day is completely open, some people struggle to establish a rhythm or set themselves goals. Psychologists even speak of the 'paradox of choice': the more options available, the harder it becomes to identify what actually makes you happy.
What if the best answer lies somewhere in between?
As an employees' association, we are committed to a working life that is fulfilling, meaningful, and supportive of personal development. Employers, too, have a responsibility to offer attractive working conditions — flexible working models with remote working or workations, and the option to reduce one's working hours if desired.
The fact that more and more people see freedom as a complete withdrawal from working life shows that attitudes towards employment are shifting — and that there is still progress to be made on work-life balance. Would some FIRE followers have stayed in work if conditions had been better? We may well investigate that question in a future article!
