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This is a spin-off from an earlier thread. How much space do you need in your home to feel comfortable on a long term basis? Yes, I know family size varies but that's OK here, fire away...

We recently moved to to TN, following my decision to semi-ER. For now we're renting, but the house hunting process has quickly uncovered a small dilemma...it seems that for us, the difference between a "nice" house and one that is just sort of OK amounts to about $50k. This isn't a show stopper...

I haven't posted here for a while but now I'm on the eve of semi-ER so it's time...I'm about 60 days out from quitting, just before my 50th birthday.  My DW is willing (actually wants to) continue working for another five years or so. Her job will pay most of our expenses (after downsizing)...

Here's the deal...It's taken me months to obsessively crunch all the numbers and probe the psychological aspects of Semi-ER.  No sooner had I decided that yes, this all actually makes sense, then a potentially juicy (and totally unsolicited) job offer falls in my lap! I admit that even before...

I thought it might be interesting to see how heavily people are relying on Social Security for their retirement income. This percentage is also meant to reflect your assumptions about future changes in benefits. :o The intent is a rough estimate, hence the small number of choices. Percentages...

I thought this might be amusing...I have lived in both New York and Texas...  Talk about contrast   :o  I have definite opinions about each, and I thought others must have some interesting opinions about their place of residence? Oh yeah, this might also be instructive to anyone seeking a good...

The recent "What do you do all day?" thread shows that many ER's seem to lead very unstructured, simple lives.  This causes me to question the popular chant that one should not retire "from something" (as in fleeing an unpleasant job), but "to something", as in pursuing strong outside...

Everyone who undertakes ER thinks it will work out fine, but what if it doesn't?  I'm talking about finances here...if your assumed SWR proves way too high ten years down the road, what is your preferred way of coping?  It seems to me that having a plan "B" is just as important as all the...

I have known or worked with a number people who are very well off financially...Most have stressful jobs and sometimes both partners are big earners. Most are approaching 50 years of age. I know that given those conditions most members of this board would ER in a flash (my self included). Why...

Brazil sounds like a fascinating country but the reality of living there as as an American is unclear. One hears some negative stories about crime in certain areas, though the cost of living is said to be low. It doesn't seem to be a popular retirement destination... Just wondering if anyone...

This is a composite version of some prior topics but here goes anyway... Generic situation: A couple, 50 years of age. "Average" house and cars paid for. No debt. A million bucks in cash (50/50 pre and post tax). Average health. No pensions other than SS. Would you ER?

This one is for ER's who have a working spouse. I know there are more than a few. Does this situation generate any guilt or resentment? We may be headed for the same arrangement and I confess to some apprehension. My wife is fine with it but I'm somewhat conditioned to feel otherwise. Maybe...

There is one negative aspect of most full time professional employment that overshadows all others in my view: Sameness. Many objectionable things at work tend to be transitory. Sameness however, generates a daily sense of robotic repetition. After 25 years, even when a task is...

Most Americans have got little or nothing... relative to the actual costs of living in the U.S.A.  It's true that most of us have a fair standard of living, but it's often hand to mouth, with debt being the facilitating factor. When you look at the actual savings of a typical household it's a...

I have a pretty good handle on the financial requirements of ER (thanks to the many posters here) but the mental aspects of the transition are less clear. I suspect one doesn't go straight from 25+ years of continuous employment to ER without any issues what so ever? Even with a number of...

I have read a number of posts by those who are retired on modest budgets, say around 45K per year or less (after income taxes). Obviously this is very doable, but I admit to having trouble demonstrating such a lifestyle...We don't live lavishly at all yet we spend more than this every year. I...

Mr. Market has been acting rather generous of late. He seems to be offering fair prices for many different stocks right now. One wonders about the reason behind this personality change...will he move on to giddy, or regress back to humbug and put things on sale again?

Based on a partial review of past postings, I detect what seem to be roughly three common categories of ER budgets: Frugal: Plus or minus $24K per year Modest: + or - $40K per year Loaded: + or - $80K/year These categories are approximate, but do seem to capture the most commonly quoted...

For those of us still in the accumulation phase...I have seen occasional caveats about having "too many pre-tax assets". So far the arguments presented have not impressed me. Most seem to be directed at those who may have large retirement incomes. For those of us shooting for ER incomes in the...

This post is inspired by Wabmester's "Obsessed with value" thread. Over the last few years I've experienced a big change in how I view possessions. I spent years enjoying a passion for collecting various objects, but the goal of ER has changed my thinking entirely. Now they have come to...

I would welcome any comments on the Nashville area as a possible retirement destination. The lack of a state income tax, moderate climate, and nice country side seems appealing. I don't know about real estate values or property taxes but it is on my list.

Does anyone know of a good "stable value" fund which has C.D. like yields with a somewhat fixed share price?My former 401k plan offered such a beast. It was a nice place to park cash.  My IRA is with Vanguard but they do not seem to have an equivalent product available other than low yielding...

Financial considerations aside, here is a radical thought: Maybe younger isn't always better. Clearly this will differ from person to person, but I wonder if incredibly young ER's fully appreciate the achievement. I suspect that ER may be sweeter for those that have had to plan and struggle a...

It seems to me that come what may, everybody... 1) Gotta eat 2) Needs shelter The only asset I know of that is capable of providing for these needs when all else fails is real-estate. Not to be a doom and gloomer but corporations may fail, markets can bust, and even Gold has poor nutritional...

We expect to ER within about five years. This will involve downsizing into a lower cost home located in another city. An interesting option would be to purchase a house now that we would eventually like to live in, but rent it out untill we actually make the move. It seems to me this could be a...