Don’t Move Abroad for FIRE Until You Understand This | Sai | TLG 22

A lot of Indians think moving abroad is the fastest shortcut to financial freedom.

Earn in a stronger currency. Save in rupees. Come back to India. Retire early.

But is it really that simple?

In this episode, I speak with Sai, who has lived across India, the UK, and China, and is currently working toward his own FIRE goal.

We talk about whether moving abroad actually helps you reach FIRE faster, why the UK became expensive for him, how China changed his savings rate, why earning in a stronger currency does not automatically make you rich, and why lifestyle discipline matters more than location.

We also discuss the risks Indians often ignore before moving abroad — high rent, visa uncertainty, job struggle, student loans, returning to India without savings, and the pressure to repay education debt.

If you are planning to move abroad, already living abroad, or wondering whether returning to India changes your FIRE calculation, this conversation will help you think more clearly.

This is not financial advice. Please do your own research before making any major financial or career decision.

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