"Screw you" money

Have you ever heard the term "screw you" money, or some variation thereof?  Probably not, since it's not generally used in polite company.  But you probably understand the concept, and it's something you definitely need.  "Screw you money" is having enough money to be able to tell almost anyone to fuck off.  Most people would call it financial independence.

Is your boss a jerk?  Do you hate your job?  Legal troubles?  Medical issues?  Creditors?  There are very few situations in life where having enough money wouldn't remedy your problems and make you not have to kiss anyone's ass.

You need this, because the most important thing money can buy is freedom.  Freedom from a toxic work environment, a crappy neighborhood, crushing debt.  Freedom to do what you want (within reason) and pursue your passions.

Those who live paycheck to paycheck are slaves.  Those who carry debt are slaves.  You need to get out of debt, and work on having enough money to not have to work if you find yourself unwilling or unable to.

What would happen if you lost your job and couldn't find another one?  What if for some reason you didn't qualify for welfare, unemployment, or any other kind of assistance?  I've been in both situations and it's terrifying.  Too many people spend their entire paycheck on frivolous bullshit because they think they'll always have one, or if they lose their job, they'll be able to find another one.

The concept of "screw you" money is very appealing, but most people think they'll never be able to have it, unless they win the lottery or something.  I'm here to tell you that's not true.  As I've mentioned before, all you really need to do is save up enough money so that when properly invested, it's producing enough income to last you for the rest of your life, a self-sustaining "fuck you" fusion reactor, if you will.

Like this, but like, throwing off money instead of heat and radiation

You may also think you need an amount greater than you'll ever be able to save, but that's also not true.  All you really need to last you forever is 25 times your annual desired expenses.  So say you wanted to retire today with an $80,000 annual salary for the rest of your life (which would increase with inflation, so you can buy the same amount of stuff today as in 50 years), you'd multiply that $80k by 25, and it gives you $2 million.  All you'd need is $2 million dollars.

Alright, so maybe that's a lot. But say you lower your expenses a bit, to $30k a year (which is very doable, depending on where you live).  You would only need $750,000 invested in the stock market to throw off $30k in today's dollars for the rest of your life.  You could walk out of your office proudly baring the one finger salute, and never have to work again, as long as you maintain your standard of living.

Here's John Goodman explaining the concept.  In case this gets removed from Youtube or something, it's from "The Gambler."  The position of fuck you:

To place yourself in the position of "fuck you" it's important to start early, save as much as possible, and invest it.  There are many people who have retired super early.  You do not have to work until you're 65.  I'm currently working on my "screw you" money, and as long as things go according to plan, I'll be financially independent by 45 or so.  Maybe earlier, though I doubt I'll stop working.  It'll just be nice to be able to finally relax and free myself of the worry that comes with poverty,  I've encountered some setbacks in life that have left me cynical but realistic, and have shown me how truly necessary financial independence is.

I hope you get it too.