Plumb_Bob
Confused about dryer sheets
- Joined
- Aug 28, 2007
- Messages
- 7
Hi everyone. I’ve gained a wealth of knowledge by reading this forum and have developed a tremendous respect for the quality of people that contribute here. I’ve been lurking for over two years now, and since I’ll be leaving the company to pursue other opportunities (retired) in about three weeks, I should have more time to fiddle around with forums and such. The reason for the title “Fi-fire” is that I feel that I’m not only financially independent, but also functionally independent. I’ll explain.
I’ve got a sufficient amount of money invested mostly in fixed funds (CD’s) with some (ca. 15%) in stocks (mutual funds). I have no debt and own an 81 acre farm in rural Appalachia. I’ll be receiving a severance package that will pay me full salary for the next year, while also receiving a lifetime pension. I can live on the pension and SS (2 years from now) without touching my savings. I’ve always lived below my means.
My farm is very secluded and secure. I raise beef cattle and hay, but not for profit. The cattle pay their way and keep the farm looking nice, but that’s about it. I also have a fair amount of timber and a sawmill. Other equipment includes a jeep, a tractor with end loader and backhoe, a dump truck, a large diesel generator and a lot of misc. farm and gardening tools. The farm is “on the grid”, but I can easily function without it. My water supply is a spring fed cistern that gravity feeds the house and barn. I heat the house by burning wood of which I have an endless supply. Needless to say, retire just doesn’t seem like the right word to use. Anyway, that’s why I say, at least to some degree, “functionally independent”.
So here’s my question. How important do you feel that it is to, not only be financially secure, but also to be able to live and function independent of the fragile societal and technological infrastructure on which we have become so dependent?
I’ve got a sufficient amount of money invested mostly in fixed funds (CD’s) with some (ca. 15%) in stocks (mutual funds). I have no debt and own an 81 acre farm in rural Appalachia. I’ll be receiving a severance package that will pay me full salary for the next year, while also receiving a lifetime pension. I can live on the pension and SS (2 years from now) without touching my savings. I’ve always lived below my means.
My farm is very secluded and secure. I raise beef cattle and hay, but not for profit. The cattle pay their way and keep the farm looking nice, but that’s about it. I also have a fair amount of timber and a sawmill. Other equipment includes a jeep, a tractor with end loader and backhoe, a dump truck, a large diesel generator and a lot of misc. farm and gardening tools. The farm is “on the grid”, but I can easily function without it. My water supply is a spring fed cistern that gravity feeds the house and barn. I heat the house by burning wood of which I have an endless supply. Needless to say, retire just doesn’t seem like the right word to use. Anyway, that’s why I say, at least to some degree, “functionally independent”.
So here’s my question. How important do you feel that it is to, not only be financially secure, but also to be able to live and function independent of the fragile societal and technological infrastructure on which we have become so dependent?
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