A Japanese man took the principles of Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) to an extraordinary level, pushing his frugality to the limits in a quest to escape his grueling job.
Photo via South China Morning Post
This 41-year-old, who remains unnamed, embarked on his savings journey in the early 2000s. Frustrated by the relentless demands of his job—which required him to work long hours, often into the early morning—he decided that his only way out was to save aggressively.
Despite a substantial annual salary of 5 million yen (RM150,000), the stress and monotony of his work drove him to set a colossal savings goal of 100 million yen (RM3 million).
Adopting the nickname "The Man Who Will Definitely Resign," he immersed himself in an austere lifestyle to reach his financial target. For nearly 21 years, he lived in his company's dormitory, shelling out just 30,000 yen (RM896) per month in rent. He embraced a life of extreme minimalism, scavenging for discarded furniture and appliances, and subsisting on a sparse diet of sour plums, salted vegetables, and rice. Occasionally, he'd rely on energy drinks earned through loyalty points.
He eschewed comforts such as air conditioning and heating, opting instead to wear a wet t-shirt during the sweltering heat and performing squats to stay warm in winter. When his microwave broke down, he ingeniously used the sun to cook sweet potatoes on his colleagues' car windscreen.
After 20 years and 10 months of relentless frugality, he amassed an impressive 135 million yen (RM4 million). He even authored a book detailing his money-saving strategies, which has since provided a supplementary income stream.
Photo via KED Global
However, his financial victory was overshadowed by a severe blow. As the yen began to depreciate in early 2024, his substantial savings were eroded. Reflecting on his journey, he questioned the value of his sacrifices: "If the yen continues to fall, all my efforts over these 21 years might be for nothing. It’s devastatingly pointless," he expressed, as reported by the South China Morning Post.
His story has sparked a wave of empathy on Chinese social media, where users have reacted with a mix of astonishment and sympathy.
So, how much should one truly invest in the pursuit of financial freedom?
