In this episode of The Long Game, we see A.V's journey who achieved Barista FIRE before turning 40.

Barista FIRE is a version of financial independence where your investments cover most of your expenses, while a smaller income stream or part-time work covers the rest.

In this conversation, A.V. shares his journey from starting his career in India to moving to the United States for an MBA, working in tech companies, and ultimately reaching financial independence.

We discuss how disciplined saving, investing in equities, and avoiding lifestyle inflation helped him build wealth over time. A.V. also talks about the role RSUs played in accelerating his journey and how aligning financial values with his partner made a huge difference.

He also shares one financial mistake that cost him what could have been hundreds of thousands of dollars—and the lessons he learned from it.

This episode is a great look at what the path to financial independence actually looks like in real life.

Topics discussed

• What Barista FIRE actually means

• Moving from India to the US for an MBA

• Working in tech and growing income through RSUs

• Paying off an education loan quickly

• The role of discipline and saving early

• Lifestyle inflation and spending choices

• A costly car purchase mistake

• How financial independence changes your outlook on work

• Advice for people in their 20s and 30s pursuing FIRE

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