New Delhi, May 26 -- In recent years, the idea of FIRE - financial independence, retire early - has grown into a global movement. At its heart lies a simple yet powerful promise: save and invest wisely and escape the 9-to-5 grind decades before the traditional retirement age. For a generation grappling with burnout, rising living costs, and a craving for autonomy, the movement struck a deep chord.

But behind the glossy promise of early retirement lies a deeper question: What comes after? This is where the less-talked-about acronym WATER steps in: What after the early retirement? This is because while the numbers might work out on paper, life isn't lived on spreadsheets.

Let's take a step back and dissect the very foundation of the FIRE ...