What is "FU money"?

"FU money" refers to having enough savings to give you the freedom to make career and life decisions without stress about immediate financial consequences. It represents a significant amount of savings that allows you to maintain your lifestyle for an extended period, typically one to three years, without needing income from employment. This financial cushion provides the power to make choices in alignment with personal well-being rather than out of financial necessity. It's seen as different from typical emergency funds or the total savings required for complete financial independence (1 2).

This concept is celebrated within the financially independent community because it offers psychological empowerment and relief from being paycheck-dependent, thus enhancing one's negotiation leverage in professional settings and overall life satisfaction (3).