Yesterday, I visited a blog I used to occasionally read called “Get Rich Slowly”. This was one of the more popular blogs for the FIRE crowd back in 2008-2010. The author, JD Roth, built the blog into a money making business then sold it and officially retired early. A few years ago, he repurchased it. His latest post indicates he’s backing away from it entirely. He is burnt out on FIRE blogging. Instead he’s doing a personal blog, focusing on art (cartooning) and other personal hobbies.
Although this wasn’t one of my regular blogs, I find it interesting that he’s stepping aside. I’ve seen a similar lack of interest happen with the authors of many of the FIRE blogs I used to follow – early retirement extreme, mr money mustache, jlcollinsnh, and others.
I believe there are a few reasons for this:
- FIRE is no longer the hot, trendy, and hip thing so audiences have likely fallen off.
- The bloggers likely made their best money blogging during the early 2010s, so there is less financial incentive.
- They wrote everything they to say. You can only write about frugality, paying off debt, avoiding consumerism traps, etc. so much.
- They don’t need the money.
- They are all a decade older. Priorities, interests and focus changes.
In other words, these blogs have run their course. Even though all of them are still operational in some way, they are all in stages of winding down.
I’ve worked at numerous business that slowly wound down until they no longer existed.
- Internet startups
- Pizza shops
- Carnival supplies
- Roofing
- Swimming Pools
- Consulting Companies
- Community Centers
At one time, all of them were thriving. But eventually, each slowly petered out over time. That’s just how business goes.
I’ve had friendships wind down like this. I’ve seen people’s marriages and relationships slowly fade away. I’ve been part of families that have had this happen.
Things seem to come to a natural end once they’ve run their course.
For me, the lesson is to enjoy the moments as they are happening.
Nothing is permanent. But right now is often pretty good.