Risk/Reward of ER

[setab]

I love that poem! *I keep coming back to it over and over. *In part, it is the philosophy that caused me to chuck it all and ER.

setab

[AFloat]

Thanks to everyone who posted their thoughts on this thread. Now in my 50’s, I look back on my 20’s and wonder what would have happened if only… Now I wonder what I will think when in my 70’s I look back at my 50’s. I can’t imagine that I will regret ER no matter what the outcome.

[Nords]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AFloat Now in my 50’s, I look back on my 20’s and wonder what would have happened if only… Now I wonder what I will think when in my 70’s I look back at my 50’s.

If I was 20 again and knowing what I know now, I'm not sure that my body would have endured to my 30s...

[cute fuzzy bunny]

I'd have the same concerns. As it was, nobody was more surprised than me to wake up on my 30th birthday.

Whenever I go back east and randomly run into someone I havent seen for 10-20 years, I always get one of the same two lines:

"I heard you were dead"

"I'm surprised your not dead"

[kaudrey]

Hi Afloat,

Very well put. I saw my parents save their whole lives, and the FIRE'd 12 years ago at age 57. I want to be like them, but FIRE at 52. My dad (who takes care of the finances) is very risk averse, and although I didn't at the time know how much they retired with, I knew they wouldn't do it unless they were SURE they'd be OK.

We have longevity on both sides of my family - late 80s to mid-90s for my grandparents, so the risk of running out of money feels high.

Although I have been saving since I started working, several things in the last few years have solidified my desire to enjoy my life as much as possible, and convinced me to FIRE as soon as I can - a friend of mine died of leukemia at 42, and I wrecked my car but walked away unscathed. Both events made me think hard about choices in life.

That, plus I see how much fun my parents are having in retirement! They are two of the most active and busy people I know, and they love it.

Karen
(whose parents are on their way from FL to their home in NH now that winter is winding down)

[lazygood4nothinbum]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AFloat what if you get a major medical problem or you or your family has a financial tragedy that’s going to eat up a big portion of your savings.

i gave medical maybe too quick a thought. i figured anything that could wipe me out financially now could have wipe me out while i was working too. fortunately, having given it such little thought, it was by default a no brainer.