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What is Your Post-FIRE Profession?
Old 04-02-2011, 11:50 AM   #1
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What is Your Post-FIRE Profession?

Now that you are FIRE'd what do you list as your profession on forms that ask? What do you tell people who ask? I imagine in some cases a simple"retired" is appropriate, and in others you can avoid twenty questions with a clever answer?
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Old 04-02-2011, 11:58 AM   #2
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Originally Posted by Arnie View Post
Now that you are FIRE'd what do you list as your profession on forms that ask? What do you tell people who ask? I imagine in some cases a simple"retired" is appropriate, and in others you can avoid twenty questions with a clever answer?
I simply use the word "retired". I earned it. Many seek it but don't achieve it (e.g. they think/will work till they die).

For me, it's a "badge of honor" and I am proud to use it.

There is no need for a "clever answer". The days of trying to impress folks with a title or j*b description are long past...
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Old 04-02-2011, 11:59 AM   #3
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Originally Posted by Arnie View Post
Now that you are FIRE'd what do you list as your profession on forms that ask? What do you tell people who ask? I imagine in some cases a simple"retired" is appropriate, and in others you can avoid twenty questions with a clever answer?
On my 1040 tax form, I list my occupation as "retired" because that is sufficient. On most forms that is what I list, unless I perceive some possible advantage to listing my occupation as "retired oceanographer".

In conversations, I say I am a retired oceanographer because people enjoy having a topic for conversation. Then they can ask me where I worked, or about oceanographic topics, or how I like retirement.

I never use a clever answer. Too much effort!

I am 62 with gray hair, but if I were younger to the point that "retired" might raise eyebrows, I'd say something different. I'd probably say I was financially independant but previously an oceanographer. Or, some people say "investment advisor" (with one client, not completely a fib).
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Old 04-02-2011, 12:05 PM   #4
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Or, some people say "investment advisor" (with one client, not completely a fib).
What's wrong with simply saying "private investor"?
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Old 04-02-2011, 12:23 PM   #5
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I am 62 with gray hair
Not that I don't admire your avatar but I can't quite figure this one out (not that I have any clue regarding the opposite sex). On another forum I frequent many of the older women seem to use avatars of much younger highly attractive women. Oh well, I'll remain forever clueless
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Old 04-02-2011, 12:35 PM   #6
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Sometimes I write, "retired" and sometimes I write "none." There is no pattern.
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Old 04-02-2011, 12:37 PM   #7
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On another forum I frequent many of the older women seem to use avatars of much younger highly attractive women. Oh well, I'll remain forever clueless
Nothing wrong with that. I saw W2R's "picture" in a local newspaper (Botox?) add.

For comparison, I'll just show you what I look like (really, it's me ):
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Old 04-02-2011, 12:41 PM   #8
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There is no need for a "clever answer". The days of trying to impress folks with a title or j*b description are long past...
+1
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Old 04-02-2011, 12:47 PM   #9
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Since my FIRE was to be fairly short-lived (since I'm only in my 20s), I expected to just get away with saying I'm on sabbatical. But now the things I'm interested in and have been doing since I've been sans job have potentially just turned into a job. So...amazing how things work out, I guess.
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Old 04-02-2011, 12:47 PM   #10
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I look young for my age and I plan to retire before 50 therefore I will just say i'm unemployed. It's the truth.

Or as someone stated on here some time ago, I could say i'm a private portfolio manager. Also true.
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Old 04-02-2011, 12:50 PM   #11
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Since my FIRE was to be fairly short-lived (since I'm only in my 20s), I expected to just get away with saying I'm on sabbatical. But now the things I'm interested in and have been doing since I've been sans job have potentially just turned into a job. So...amazing how things work out, I guess.
And as you turn older, the more life will be "amazing" to you (take it from an old phart )...
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Old 04-02-2011, 12:52 PM   #12
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Not that I don't admire your avatar but I can't quite figure this one out (not that I have any clue regarding the opposite sex). On another forum I frequent many of the older women seem to use avatars of much younger highly attractive women. Oh well, I'll remain forever clueless
Interesting observation, given that several men on this forum have avatars of younger men or celebrities too.

Remember when the forum used the other software, and we had default avatars? I used the Eva Habermann avatar, because I thought it conveyed sympathetic understanding and interest in a conversation. Unlike many here, I am very open about my avatar and even explain it on my profile.

I didn't choose it from the very limited selection of avatars simply because Eva Habermann was younger than I was. I am proud of my age. I am one of the very few women here who does NOT dye her hair and knock herself out trying to look younger than she is.

I have tried numerous times to change my avatar, but the pleas that result from male members of the forum touch my heart so I always return to Eva. But since you object, how about this avatar?
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Old 04-02-2011, 12:54 PM   #13
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Now that we're FIRE'd we try to never fill out forms
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Old 04-02-2011, 12:56 PM   #14
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The last form I actually had to fill out was for the dentist. I just put a dash through "Occupation".
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Old 04-02-2011, 12:58 PM   #15
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Now that we're FIRE'd we try to never fill out forms
Except for Burger King on-line questionnaires to get a discount for the next visit ...
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Old 04-02-2011, 01:06 PM   #16
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Except for Burger King on-line questionnaires to get a discount for the next visit ...
Well, sure, forgot about that one
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Old 04-02-2011, 01:16 PM   #17
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Old 04-02-2011, 02:01 PM   #18
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On forms I write retired but in conversation I frequently say that I sell on ebay .Which makes for a fun conversation .
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Old 04-02-2011, 02:26 PM   #19
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I am 62 with gray hair, but if I were younger to the point that "retired" might raise eyebrows, I'd say something different. I'd probably say I was financially independant but previously an oceanographer. Or, some people say "investment advisor" (with one client, not completely a fib).
I am 56 and incredibly good looking so I say "Playboy" (which my wife always mis-spells as "Prat" for some reason).

I always just say retired. I just completed the British Census form last week, and put Retired. I don't see any reason to say otherwise. I'm proud to be retired.
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Old 04-02-2011, 02:36 PM   #20
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I've only had one person ask so far. I said unemployed by choice. Which naturally led to me explaining I was retired. I also found that "I'm unemployed" works well with the guy that hits me up because he's out of gas about once a month in town.
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