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Old 07-21-2015, 09:48 PM   #21
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Join Date: Jul 2015
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Thanks everyone for such a warm and encouraging welcome. It's great to see savers and LBYM folks, an endangered species in our culture. Even more amazing is that most of you have a plan or at least are seeking a plan to enjoy the fruits of hard w*rk and LBYM. Too many strong savers become ensnared by money hoarding and w*rkaholism. Finding someone who can save for decades then spend some/all of these savings to enjoy life and follow dreams is like finding the proverbial Unicorn.

It's great to hear from all those who retired in their 40's. Within 5 yrs of entering the corporate rat race, I realized I wanted to exist as soon as possible. I enjoyed the work (engineering), but I didn't care for the rest of the mess. Early participation in the company 401K encouraged me to see investing as a means of escape, the start of my long journey pursuing "passive income", although I didn't know of the term back then. I despaired of ER upon hearing of the generic "80% of current income" targets touted by brokerages. Fear doubled my savings rate and I prayed for an exit in my 50's, based on my primitive estimates. I got lucky, then beat the "plan" by at least 6 yrs. You guys have been a huge help!

Early in my career, I also realized that employment at-will works both ways. It was the only thing I remembered when I read the employee handbook two decades ago!
I didn't want to drift into an entitlement mindset. It was not "MY job"; it was just "a j*b". So, in the words of Stephen Covey, I "began with the end in mind". An Effective Habit indeed!
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Old 07-22-2015, 11:54 AM   #22
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Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Ohio Suburb and WV Farm
Posts: 519
Finding someone who can save for decades then spend some/all of these savings to enjoy life and follow dreams is like finding the proverbial Unicorn.


+1 I was also happy to find this forum, with so many folks of similar mindsets. (I kind of "fell into" ER.org the week I retired, in June 2012). Though I couldn't retire until 59 (most of my career was part-time, and CA teachers generally find it too costly to retire before 60), most of my earnings the last 12 years fueled my "plot to escape." Even for part-time English teachers, the work can become grueling.

So, despite the usual joys of teaching, burnout was on the horizon. LBYM was a source of great hope......and facilitated an early departure.

There seem to be many others here who deliberately planned for early departures. And it is a nice pastime to hear their stories.
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Old 07-22-2015, 07:48 PM   #23
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Another mid 40s retiree here. Married young, have 2 kids and dear wife had been mostly SAHM ... but we hit the goal too in April @45 !

Just a matter of priorities and keeping the goal front and center !

Well done to you and your spouse and congratulations !!!! I will Look forward to more of your post retirement life updates.
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Old 07-22-2015, 09:19 PM   #24
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Congratulations and welcome!

Great story, great sentiments. I like the idea of dedicating ER to your parents.


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Old 07-24-2015, 09:19 PM   #25
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I read an article today based off a Stanford study. Made it sound like you were destined to be stuck in the same socio-economic group as your patents. I shared it with my wife today, how we both broke the spell. Congrats on your ER, can't wait to join the club next year!


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Old 07-25-2015, 07:52 PM   #26
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Great post. The dedication that you and your wife have is admirable, and inspiring. You beat me to early retirement by about 9 years (I RE'd at 54 1/2), so I'm envious. I know your journey involved a lot of hard work and discipline. Enjoy your free time now, you have definitely earned it. I think you will love retirement....I know I do. The only advice I have is to stay active and make your health a priority from this point forward (as well as having fun, of course). I know that my health improved after retirement, after I started really taking the time to cook healthy meals and eat really well. Also, a daily exercise routine is now part of my life (it was not during my working years), and I don't anticipate ever changing that.
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