Moving abroad and investing consistently helped Miguel Marquez reach “Lean FI,” a variation of financial independence in which your investments can cover your basic necessities, but not much else.

Sometimes described as “the minimalist’s way to retire early,” Lean FI is often a stepping stone to traditional financial independence, when a portfolio can support both essential expenses and more discretionary spending.

Marquez, a 47-year-old university professor from Spain, struggled to build meaningful savings while completing his PhD and teaching in Bloomington, Indiana. His financial outlook changed completely after relocating first to Brazil in 2016 and later to China in 2022.

“I managed to save 10…