A financial influencer called the FIRE movement a 'sham.' People who have made it work say she's missing the point.

Financial influencer Haley Sacks called the FIRE movement a "sham" and compared it to "financial anorexia," sparking debate about whether FIRE is too extreme.
Supporters say most followers practice a flexible, less-depriving version—more "choose your own adventure" and work-optional than total early retirement.
FIRE now includes many offshoots (Coast, Fat/Lean, Barista FIRE), and proponents argue its core—saving, investing, and buying time—helps people even if they never fully retire early.