Hello

[claire]

Just registered, this site is great. I am in full time employment, looking to ER in about 5 years time. I am 32. My personal view out of wage slavery has been to save up and live hopefully off the interest. I dont need much to live on at all really. It is reassuring to listen to people who share the same goal. I first realised something was very wrong about five years ago and started to suffer from depression etc. Know i know what that nagging feeling was, that the world had gone made, society, civilisation, capitilism the whole employment ethos was what was bothering me. Anyway I am rambling on, not sure anyone is interested, got a lot more to say. has anyone thought about living on a boat, or ER on a boat, im looking into it, i dont have megabucks to ER so i am looking at alternative living spaces, i dont need keep up with the jones' or impress, i dont need a 5 bedroom house with 3000 sq feet.. i know i am rambliing, but you are all such great listners. Lots of love, Claire xx

 

[Cool Dood]

Hey, don't blame society, civilization, capitalism -- they're what's going to save you!

Welcome aboard, and I think a few people here will have handy answers for your boat question....

 

[claire]

Thanks Cool Dude.

 

[brewer12345]

Welcome, Claire.

I think there are lots of potential alternatives for living space.  You could look into a condo in an inexpensive area.  You could live on a boat (check out http://www.tendervittles.net/ ).  You could live in an RV (check out http://www.andybaird.com/travels/fulltime/index.html ).  You could also just rent a modest apartment.  There arre also "perpetual traveller" ERs (check out http://www.retireearlylifestyle.com/ ).  Lots of options...

 

[claire]

Thanks Brewer, will take a look at the links you've kindly supplied.

 

[Coach]

Welcome, Claire! You're among friends here.

 

[Sam]

For RV living on a budget, yet making decent money at the same time. Check this gentleman by the name of George out.

http://vagabonders-supreme.net

Sam

 

[laurence]

Welcome, I'm interested in hearing more details, how much do you anticipate having in 5 years and how much do you plan on withdrawing per year once you ER? From one rambler to another, please, speak and ramble as much as you please!

 

[wildcat]

Hey, another ER babe joins the forum. I am all for a little diversity Welcome Claire.

 

[brewer12345]

Welcome, I'm interested in hearing more details, how much do you anticipate having in 5 years and how much do you plan on withdrawing per year once you ER?  From one rambler to another, please, speak and ramble as much as you please! 

Hey, get back here Laurence! If I am stuck on the "daddy track" playing breadwinner, no way you are getting out!

Just kidding. Nothing wrong with indulging escapist fantasies.

 

[Martha]

Daddy track is just as scary as mommy track. All responsibility for income on one person's shoulders. No end in sight. Brewer and Laurence, you are good daddys.

 

[brewer12345]

All responsibility for income on one person's shoulders.  No end in sight. 

Thanks for rubbing it in, Martha. I'll have to think up some obligatory lawyer jokes now.

 

[Martha]

Thanks for rubbing it in, Martha. I'll have to think up some obligatory lawyer jokes now.

I guess that wasn't a very sympathetic post. Sooorrry.

But you guys are good daddies.

 

[brewer12345]

But you guys are good daddies.   

I knew you were being complimentary, even without a smiley.

(way OT rant warning)

Dunno about the other fathers my age, but I have found a significant, lets say, cultural bias against fathers who are actively involved in their kids' lives. People are quick to criticize me for a perceived lack of involvement with my kids (like the total stranger who said "bad daddy" when I raced home to pick my daughter up at a library where my wife was giving a seminar and the sitter didn't show up). Then again, when I am with my kids many people act as if I am intruding on a private world where mothers and kids seem to be the only acceptable presence. I don't get this kind of flack from people my own age, so I suspect that it is a holdover from the days of father = breadwinner and mother = housewife.

It came as quite a shock in Puerto Rico to see how different things were. You saw more men pushing carriages than women, and when I was standing in line at a supermarket checkout, there was a magazine called "Padres y Hijos".

(rant mode off)

 

[Nords]

Then again, when I am with my kids many people act as if I am intruding on a private world where mothers and kids seem to be the only acceptable presence.

Maybe they think you're just using your kid as bait to pick up chicks!

I learned very quickly to have my wedding ring on prominent display when the kid & I were out without spouse. Unless, of course, ... eh, never mind.

 

[brewer12345]

Maybe they think you're just using your kid as bait to pick up chicks!

Considering that I only shave when forced to and DW hounds me for abut a month before I will let go of a pair of ratty jeans, I doubt it.

 

[laurence]

Hey, get back here Laurence!  If I am stuck on the "daddy track" playing breadwinner, no way you are getting out! 

Just kidding.  Nothing wrong with indulging escapist fantasies.

LOL! Escapist fantasy is right! Plus, any tips on how to survive on that small of a portfolio will be very germane to our current, reduced income stream.

I guess that wasn't a very sympathetic post. Sooorrry.

But you guys are good daddies.

We try! But many Dad's don't have the opportunity to be the sole breadwinner, the Mom's income is essential, I know I had to put up with a lot of holier than thou crap when we at first decided to stay two income after Tori was born, I don't want to be guilty of the same offense. Those of you who couldn't, I feel your pain and I know you are good Daddies, too!

I am nervous about being the only income stream, especially in light of recent announcements at work. But DW will still be consulting from home, and while that will only be a small income stream (but very useful), it will keep her skills current, in case I get canned experience some employment shortfalls...

Brewer, I hear you on the rant. I get such positive feedback on our decision, yet when I say, "hey, maybe DW's consulting business will take off and I can be a stay at home Dad!" I get either laughed off or even scolded! Weird.

 

[brewer12345]

I am nervous about being the only income stream, especially in light of recent announcements at work.  But DW will still be consulting from home, and while that will only be a small income stream (but very useful), it will keep her skills current, in case I get canned experience some employment shortfalls...

No question that there is substantial pressure in playing breadwinner, but for folks like us I think its really not that bad. We are generally well-credentialled professionals whose skills are in demand and we have substantial financial resources at our disposal if we get canned. We also tend to LBYM and are pretty resourceful in adversity. Got a lot of advantages, really.

Once you see how it goes, youll get comfy with it, Laurence.

 

[laurence]

True, this site has been a big help for me, too. I haven't given enough credit, really. In the year since I've been here, we've begun to truly understand and live LBYM, and we've stockpiled enough assets that we could both be out of work for six months without seriously harming our financial picture. I can't even imagine living paycheck to paycheck.

Does DW greet you at the door with a Martini? I could get comfy with that real quick!

 

[brewer12345]

Does DW greet you at the door with a Martini? 

Keep dreaming. Most of the time I am greeted by an exhausted pregnant lady (DW), two howling beagles, and an excited toddler saying "stars! moon!" because she wants to be taken outside to look at the night sky.

Much better than a martini, IMO.

 

[claire]

thanks all for making me feel so welcome.

well Lawrence, myself and my husband (he is 40 this year) have been saving hard. Both eager to get out of wage slavery. I think the short answer is that we spend significantly less than we earn, its the only way to do it. Dont have any debts except mortgage. I save over 50 % of my salary and my husband saves a large proportion of his. we have at the moment 100 k (GBP) cash and approx 120k equity in property, at present we are saving about 25k per year, with continuing to save and hopefully the equity in our property will go up another 100k that would mean we would have about 400k in 5 years time, if we could live off the intrest @ 5% (hence the 10 - 15 k living costs) i think it would be achievable.


Also we dont have any kids and dont want any either.

I should say that at the moment (mortgage payments and bills excluded) we probably live off about £12,000 at present, im not into fancy stuff, expensive gadgets etc or keeping up with the jonses. We are quite happy as long as we have the basics, food shelter and clothing, oh and gin and tonic money!

Clearly £400,000 is not megabucks and if we had to buy a property out of it we would have to continue working. Hence the alternative accomodation considerations.

oh and my husband has a pension of 70 k no longer paying into - i dont have any pensions.

What does everyone think?

 

[laurence]

ooooh, You're in England - or at least Great Britian (if you are in Whales or Scotland I don't want to offend), so you are using pounds, that's a lot more wealth that I thought (what, $1.50 per pound now?).

If you are English, let me just say, as a proud Irish American on St. Patty's day Give us back our land! Welcome!

 

[claire]

hi lawrence - yes we live in manchester, england, happy st patricks day! i see you live in southern CA, lucky you, lovely weather, ive been to SD its lovely there.

well the exchange rate at the moment is about £1.70, 180 ish. so sometimes i suppose its almost possible to doule your money in dollars.

what do you think, is it enough?

 

[Cool Dood]

(if you are in Whales or Scotland I don't want to offend)

It's Claire, not Jonah (or plankton.. )

 

[wildcat]

FIREcalc meet Claire, Claire meet FIREcalc....