Hi! I'm new to the forum. I’m 47 and I was pushed into possible retirement in November 2011 when I was laid off from a corporate job I had grown to hate. About 8 years ago, I was inspired by "Your Money or Your Life" to really focus on saving enough money to escape. My original plan was to quit once I had saved 17 years of expenses. I reached that goal, but I didn’t quit then because of the bad economy and probably a lack of courage. At that point, I felt I had "extra" money, so I really gave thought to what I wanted to do with that money. My house was already paid off, but I upgraded the kitchen, replaced my car and bought a few "luxuries" like a nicer TV. I also realized that there was literally nothing else I wanted.
Being laid off was probably a blessing---it was scary, but it was probably the push I needed. My current withdrawal rate is around 2%. FireCalc tells me I have enough to retire, but I’m just not convinced. I'm reading like crazy. I’m working on a novel now and I have an interest in Teaching. Years ago I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Africa and I have considered retiring abroad (or maybe teaching abroad). Speaking of travel, I’ve visited 36 states and 25 countries.
I've always craved time and it is so wonderful to have that now. If I could just stop worrying about finances, I think I would love retirement. Because of my worries, I am instead searching out meaningful work. I was convinced that we all "deserve" to find the right job by listening to "The Ultimate Anti-career Guide"
Being laid off was probably a blessing---it was scary, but it was probably the push I needed. My current withdrawal rate is around 2%. FireCalc tells me I have enough to retire, but I’m just not convinced. I'm reading like crazy. I’m working on a novel now and I have an interest in Teaching. Years ago I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Africa and I have considered retiring abroad (or maybe teaching abroad). Speaking of travel, I’ve visited 36 states and 25 countries.
I've always craved time and it is so wonderful to have that now. If I could just stop worrying about finances, I think I would love retirement. Because of my worries, I am instead searching out meaningful work. I was convinced that we all "deserve" to find the right job by listening to "The Ultimate Anti-career Guide"