Andre1969
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
I've been trying to keep my FIRE goals somewhat secret from my family, mainly because I don't want to jinx it. Well, yesterday, my mother got it out of me. We were talking about the future, financial situations, and such. Talked about Grandmom (her mother), as Grandmom's 86 now and isn't the healthiest thing in the world. Grandmom's convinced she's out of money, even though she's not. Then there's my uncle (Mom's brother), who's okay for the time being.
But then, we came to me. Mom worries, because I took out an HELOC and owe $160K on it. I told her that I'm fine, and could pay it off if I really wanted to. She asked me if I'm doing okay and I said that, as of the other day, I'd actually hit an all-time high. She then asked how much. I said I'd rather not say. Why not? Well...umm...it's a little obscene. Then she said c'mon, if you can't trust your mother, who CAN you trust? And before I knew it, I blurted it out. I should've made up a low figure, but I told her the real thing.
All she said was "wow, that's really good. I'm proud of you". But, I guess, I just don't want other family members making stupid financial decisions, thinking they can fall back on me. I did tell my Mom that it's all tied up in retirement, mutual funds, stocks, etc, could drop like a rock at a moment's notice, and I'd pay through the nose in taxes whenever I cashed anything out.
Then, we started talking about retirement, and the house I live in, which is only 3.5 miles from work. I mentioned that, while I fantasize about moving away, the reality is that I'll probably still be here at least until I retire. She said so, probably at least another 20 years. Without even thinking, I blurted out "HELL NO! As God as my witness, I won't be working when I'm 60!" Maybe I've watched the scene in "Gone with the Wind" with Scarlett in the radish patch a few too many times.
So, there, I've done it...spilled the beans that I want to retire early, and that I'm actually on track for it. I just really, REALLY hope I haven't cursed myself!
But then, we came to me. Mom worries, because I took out an HELOC and owe $160K on it. I told her that I'm fine, and could pay it off if I really wanted to. She asked me if I'm doing okay and I said that, as of the other day, I'd actually hit an all-time high. She then asked how much. I said I'd rather not say. Why not? Well...umm...it's a little obscene. Then she said c'mon, if you can't trust your mother, who CAN you trust? And before I knew it, I blurted it out. I should've made up a low figure, but I told her the real thing.
All she said was "wow, that's really good. I'm proud of you". But, I guess, I just don't want other family members making stupid financial decisions, thinking they can fall back on me. I did tell my Mom that it's all tied up in retirement, mutual funds, stocks, etc, could drop like a rock at a moment's notice, and I'd pay through the nose in taxes whenever I cashed anything out.
Then, we started talking about retirement, and the house I live in, which is only 3.5 miles from work. I mentioned that, while I fantasize about moving away, the reality is that I'll probably still be here at least until I retire. She said so, probably at least another 20 years. Without even thinking, I blurted out "HELL NO! As God as my witness, I won't be working when I'm 60!" Maybe I've watched the scene in "Gone with the Wind" with Scarlett in the radish patch a few too many times.
So, there, I've done it...spilled the beans that I want to retire early, and that I'm actually on track for it. I just really, REALLY hope I haven't cursed myself!