My Unexpected FIRE JOURNEY to JAPAN (I lost my job!)

At the start of 2026, I got the unexpected news: I was laid off. For most, that’s a disaster. But for me, it was the final, surprising push I needed to test-drive my early retirement. In this video, I’m breaking down my decade-long journey that led to this moment. I cover my decision to study CS for the salary, how I prioritized debt repayment (living with parents, no drinking, no vacations!), and the exact strategy I used to build an $850k FIRE fund. I discuss geographical arbitrage and how living in Japan suddenly became a part of the plan. Join me as I explore how I turned a layoff into the start of my FIRE life. This is no guide, it is my journey to finding happiness. #FIRE #japantravel #retireearly #personalfinance #debtfreejourney Want to chat with other like minded people that enjoy Japan and financial independence? Feel free to join the channel's discord!   / discord   AFFILIATE LINKS & CODES If you are planning your own move or extended stay in Japan, using these codes helps support the channel directly at no extra cost to you! Hmlet Monthly Mansions Tokyo: Mention code AMB007 when booking your stay, and we will both receive a 15,000 yen Visa gift card as a bonus! NordVPN: If you need a reliable VPN while traveling or living abroad, check out my link here: https://go.nordvpn.net/aff_c?offer_id... Were you planning on opening a Sofi account? I have some referral codes if you want to grab a little bonus! I also get some money but it doesn't cost you anything :) Checking / Savings Account : https://www.sofi.com/invite/money?gcp... Investment Account : https://www.sofi.com/invite/invest?gc... Credit Score Monitoring : https://www.sofi.com/invite/relay?gcp... I opened a buy me a coffee account but no worries if you just want to enjoy the videos for free! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hoshijapan