Hello from one who did it

[52andout]

Found this site after my ER at 52.
Great info here, was able to get out due to no debt and good luck with the savings. We started very young saving and did basic rebalancing and dollar cost averaging and put the max in 401 and IRA accounts for many years. I read every book and magazine I could get my hands on about money and retirement for years as I knew I wanted out. Emphasized with kids four years at state Uni was what they could expect if they kept their grades up. Both are established married professionals and haven't asked for a dime since college graduation. Weddings were a shared deal, we all chipped in and they had fairly simple weddings.

My time is spent gardening, reading, volunteering at local soup kitchen and zoo, doing artwork and pottery, walking, birdwatching and enjoying the spouse and dog. Due to spousal health problems we don't travel much but we have managed several European trips during the good times.

I don't have any questions, but I probably will as time progresses. Health bennies from an old job of spouse he was able to keep. They may eventually boot me but I will do a major medical plan and have the funds set aside. We live on way less than what our investments make so we have a cushion that continues to grow.

 

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

Welcome. You sound like "millionaire next door" types!

Were you fortunate enough to retire with pensions, or did you miss that gravy train?

Glad to have you on board.

 

[52andout]

One cash balance pension. It would not have been enough for us to live on without savings as well.

Yes, we are like the millionaire next door. We drive modest but nice cars, have some beautiful furniture and a nice middle class house but don't waste money. We are both low maintenance and take care of ourselves, ie no smoking, little drinking and exercise. Both could stand to lose some weight but we are working on that. My weight has dropped since leaving work with little effort.

I think for us the biggest key was paying off our house and not going into credit card or auto debt. We occasionally took a short term car loan but through the years paid little in interest, allowing us to build up savings. I know paying off the house is one of the hot topics around here but I had no regrets the day we made the last payment.