Confessions From a Failed FIRE

[Gumby]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ivinsfan ... The work space was so tight he had duct tape on his forearms so they didn't get scraped.

That is very clever. I have been in similar "scrapes" and have never thought to do that.

[Bigdawg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ivinsfan Maybe you'll be like my 73 YO DH who stills farms for "fun". Although after yesterday when they had to pull out two batteries and other assorted parts to swap out a leaking power steering hose on the big tractor he might have a different attitude.

^That sounds like fun to me.

DW wants to work a few more years. We are FI. I've been off since the end of June. I start a new gig next Monday. 6 figures. Work from home. Stuff I love. Actual work= a few hours per day. I seem to keep running into folks in their late 60's, 70's and 80's who tell me to stay busy and engage the brain. It's a work in progress. I sleep well at night being FI.

[ivinsfan]

Gumby and Big you guys are not helping my cause...

[Bigdawg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ivinsfan Gumby and Big you guys are not helping my cause...

Sorry. I've said it before; all about FI. RE? Not so much. FI gives me the freedom to do whatever I want. That want might include that horrible Jay OH BEE! The new gig starting next week will have aprox zero negative effect on my schedule/freedom. DW knows that as sson as there is something with the new gig that bothers me, I'm out.

[walkinwood]

I've always felt that the important part of our journey is reaching FI. That gives you the freedom to do whatever you want with your time.

[Sojourner]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tekward Today I accepted an offer for a j*b I don't need. I've been semi RE'd for the last 6 years and we are OK with health & wealth. The kids are launched, doing well and have their own lives (just spent 3 weeks visiting). Bottom line, I like the company, j*b & people. They have good benefits and the pay is very fair, especially compared to my volunteer activities. Worst case is I give it 6 months. Best case is that the work life balance is good and at some point I downshift to PT. I'm honestly excited about the future. I expect the most common comments will consider me crazy, but as Alan Watts might say true wealth not money, it is the opportunity to do what you please. Anyone else un-retire from w@rk by choice?

I certainly wouldn't call you "crazy", since it sounds like this j*b has lots of positive elements, but I do have a question. What about your semi-RE'd lifestyle did you find lacking or unfulfilling, such that you felt working for an employer was the only (or best) solution?

[jollystomper]

Hey, if you enjoy going back, and it causes you no stress, no worries! Retirement is about having flexibility, even choosing to un-retire for a period.

I smilingly tell those recruiters who contact me with job opportunities that if someone offered me a job that required no more than 10 hours a week, no travel, with my primary responsibility being to review something and offer my opinion/advice, and paid at least $100/hr, I would consider working. So far, no takers.

[pb4uski]

One of the beautiful things about retirement is that I can spend my time however I want to. If you want to spend some of your time working, then good for you.

It is fun to know that you can say "Take this job and shove it" anytime that you wish to.

[Dalmore]

Quote:

Originally Posted by njhowie Retirement and FIRE is about doing what you want, and having the flexibility to do what you want...and that's what you've got. Congrats!

+1

[Tekward]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sojourner I certainly wouldn't call you "crazy", since it sounds like this j*b has lots of positive elements, but I do have a question. What about your semi-RE'd lifestyle did you find lacking or unfulfilling, such that you felt working for an employer was the only (or best) solution?

Great question, thanks. As expected I've put a lot of thought into the decision. My "True North" priorities are health, family, learning & sharing. The last 6 years have been great for 3 of the 4, and I am most excited about the learning opportunities with this company.

I've been doing interesting self research and learning, but I really like to learn something new that has value to others, and that has been missing. I've been sharing great content for years (specifically I've taught the same no-cost class to veterans 46 times since 2013 plus lots of similar paid classes), most at an introductory level (many would not be ready for the advanced level).

One cool aspect of this position is they give me 3 months to learn & teach their advanced content in order to certify. That sounds like a scholarship to me (other positions just sounded like w@rk). They have already told me that I will probably be leading a workshop at a national convention (at a resort - on expenses). Yes, I can afford to go there and pay our way, but the stimulating challenge and purpose makes it even more enjoyable. Of course this is just me (YMMV) but my wife sees the fit for me as well (or she just wants me out of her hair).

[Walt34]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobbieB Yeah, long haul truck driver. Free travel and get paid too!

For a very short time I did seriously consider doing that, envisioning peacefully driving along, listening to some favorite tunes on a deserted desert highway somewhere in Nevada or Oklahoma.

Then I envisioned trying to drive an 18-wheeler in NYC traffic....

[athena53]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walt34 For a very short time I did seriously consider doing that, envisioning peacefully driving along, listening to some favorite tunes on a deserted desert highway somewhere in Nevada or Oklahoma. Then I envisioned trying to drive an 18-wheeler in NYC traffic....

DBIL was a long-haul trucker for a few years. Now imagine driving an 18-wheeler in NYC traffic in a snowstorm with a "swinging" load of meat (on hangers inside the container so they were de-stabilizing influence).

[aja8888]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ivinsfan View Post ... The work space was so tight he had duct tape on his forearms so they didn't get scraped.

I've got hairy arms and I can't see wrapping them in duct tape as the removal would be painful I would imagine.

[ivinsfan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aja8888 I've got hairy arms and I can't see wrapping them in duct tape as the removal would be painful I would imagine.

Good thing you aren't a woman .....

[EastWest Gal]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cobra9777 DW retired 3 years after me. That was 5 years ago. She never really found a rhythm in retirement, except for travel. With travel largely shutdown, she's been looking for a change. She finally decided to go back to work. Not in her old engineering field, but as a substitute teacher. There is a huge shortage of people willing to substitute in our area. The pay is pretty terrible. Lots of stories of classrooms run by administrative staff. So she decided to go for it. The pay is so bad... it's really more like volunteer work. But she's doing something that makes a difference and gives her a sense of purpose.

Substitute teaching is for those at the beginning and the ending of a career. DS restarts his substitute teaching tomorrow, in hopes of landing a FT music teaching job in the future. I hope she finds it fun. He did not, 5 years ago.

[Speculator]

"and the pay is very fair, especially compared to my volunteer activities."

If I am reading you correctly, I was in a similar situation when I first retired. After volunteering for several organizations, I realized I was doing the same thing as folks who were getting paid. So, why not get paid and get a little extra money which I can use to support other activities? The funny thing was this ended up setting me on another path in life, one which I least expected, but am so glad I took. As you (and several posters) have already mentioned, FIRE is about allowing a person to follow whatever path they choose, not having to follow a path. Good luck in your journey!

[prudent_one]

When you have the financial freedom to choose how to spend your time, there's nothing wrong with being paid for your choice.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ivinsfan Maybe you'll be like my 73 YO DH who stills farms for "fun". Although after yesterday when they had to pull out two batteries and other assorted parts to swap out a leaking power steering hose on the big tractor he might have a different attitude. The work space was so tight he had duct tape on his forearms so they didn't get scraped.

Heh, I have a cousin like that. 72yo, likes farming "for fun". Is it just to get out of the house for hours a day to have peace and quiet, while still having the ability to grab a coffee from the house within minutes? That's what i think, but we'll never know for sure.

[Koolau]

I wouldn't call it "failed" - I'd call it successful. Doing what you like AND getting paid sounds less like w*rk and more like fun! YMMV and do keep us posted.

[Midpack]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodi Congrats on flunking retirement. As long as you're happy - it's all good.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aerides You don't fail FIRE by opting into working. You fail FIRE by HAVING to work.

+1. To me that’s all that matters. Anyone who criticizes your choices is out of line. It’s too late for me to go back to work, but in retrospect I retired earlier than I should have, even though we have more than enough.

Way to go OP.

[bigriver]

Great post, i told myself I’d try it for a year. It’s been 3 months and I’m starting to get the itch. I’m thinking about just something at Lowe’s. But I don’t think qualify, I haven’t been in retail for over 35 years ��