Don’t Move Abroad for FIRE Until ...

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

The Long Game by Mihir Shah
E22
Aug 23, 2026
20:09

Episode notes

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.

If you'd like to share your story with us, please fill out the form: https://forms.gle/Ha9nEbXyJWm3ow4x7 If you would like to connect with us and share your feedback, please drop an email at financewithmihir@gmail.com

Keywords

financial independence
FIRE
investing
money mindset
financial freedom
long term investing
fire movement
fire india
mutual fund investing
how to retire early