Poll: Why retire early?

[bclover]

I voted for my full time old gig, I'm a part timer at a hobby. Anyhoo, I think some one posted this explanation that fits me.

I had enough and I have enough. I had enough of the 1 hour each way commute, I had enough of not having enough time during the week to do things I wanted because of work. I had enough of filling out BS progress reports and filling out BS expectation reports. I had enough of the BS "discussion of contributions".

 

[bclover]

Getting close to FIRE .....

big corporate MegaCorp work environment basically sapped the joy out of what used to be an interesting job.

That plus, I find my overall health was being sacrificed staying on the job ....
* sedentary lifestyle due to sitting in an office and in meetings > 8 hrs/day
* spending the best parts of each day inside a big office building ... breathing the stale air as the commercial carpeting and furniture are outgassing all day.
* sitting in a car for 2hrs/day commuting. Not only unhealthy, and a waste of time but, sooner or later I could get into a bad accident dealing with aggressive rush-hour traffic
* my stress level is high, leading to poor lifestyle choices .... eating badly, drinking too much in the evening to help "decompress", lack of exercise,
* the best part of my work day is given to MegaCorp. My family gets the leftovers of my time .... when I'm tired and in a bad mood after work. This is significant being 5 days a week.

I find that after a 2 week vacation this summer I felt great, slept better, health problem symptoms reduced (back pain, headaches, poor energy level). and my drinking went way down. It was a teaser for retirement.

Of course the day I went back to work was a sh!t storm, with status meetings, faux crises, and being inundated with email demands. Sigh ....

lol,
I should of just copied and posted this.

 

[Bamaman]

At our MegaCorp, I don't recall anyone working to age 65.
At 30 years and/or 55 years old, they offered a package that was difficult to refuse.
But they'd just show up at your desk with security guards and escort you out the door with your personal belongings.
I was fortunate to be "on the road." and was given one day's notice.
Their methods sucked, but it was how they operated. I blame it on a company culture after two equal size companies merged, and one company's management dominated. But I was thankful for the 1 year severance, 50 weeks unemployment, 5 weeks vacation, insurance to age 65 and a pay supplement until age 62 when social security could kick in.

 

[wmc1000]

I want to retire early for many reasons.

1.) Been doing the same thing for 40 + years. Tired of it and I want something new.
2.) In recent years politics has invaded the work place and I don't want any part of this trend.
3.) I want that feeling again. I remember the feeling I had when I regained my Freedom for Uncle Sam's Canoe Club. I want that again.
4.) I planned when I started working this job, that I would retire at 55. Close but it's coming.
5.) "I Want to Do, What I Want Do" Having fulfilled my expected societal obligations to my family and society it is time.
6.) Because I Can!

#'s 5 & 6 are my reasons why.

 

[kcowan]

Because I loved my jobs, I had to turn it around and consider OLY. Did I want 30 years of leisure? OK next year, it is 29 and counting down. Worked for 30 years, retired for 30 years. Seemed like a good balance.

(Of course the first 30 years was a sure thing and the second highly speculative!)

 

[Tekward]

To provide some additional details, I have spent some time clarifying goals for this next life phase:
1. Health - striving to stay healthy and be around for a while. It's working (resting pulse now <50 BPM) and I'm healthier now then >10 years ago (in the old guy category). This goal is #1 because it supports the next goals.
2. Family - I have three launched daughters and time with them is everything. Of course grand-children will make it even more so.
3. Learn & share - I love learning and I value helping others. This translates into more time supporting youth development and veterans as a part of paying it forward.
The goals have provided a nice framework for evaluating how I spend time & money.