"You're too young to retire!"

[omni550]

I always say, "No. He HAD money. Now he has a car."

Perhaps not.

He may just have a huge note on his yacht/car/other expensive toy, sort of like like the "Big hat, no cattle" person that was mentioned in Millionaire Next Door.


omni

 

[studbucket]

I love this thread. I took a vacation recently, and that coupled with these forums and the planning I've been doing have me longing for FIRE

Even now, when I tell people I'm going to retire at 45, most people just make some sarcastic "good luck with that" comment (I'm 25), or tell me that I hurt myself by having a kid/getting married.

It all just makes me want to retire even more.

I love the 3 kinds of people too, and I just frankly DO NOT UNDERSTAND person #3. I've got so many things I can do, that if you feel like you need a 9-5 job to stay busy, then you should expand your horizons.

 

[arebelspy]

"You're too young to retire!"

Pfffttttttttttt...

.....in that case tell 'em...."You're too old to work!"

I'll be stealing that one day.

 

[LightningDawg]

I dream of the day I can turn in my resignation to my partners.....hopefully within the next 5 years.

 

[Midpack]

You have to hand it to Madison Avenue, they've been incredibly effective over the past many decades. How many people do you know who have bought into modern American/Western culture that tells us 'you should buy the most expensive house you can afford, the newest/flashiest car you can afford and the most opulent vacations you can afford - and work 40-50 years to pay for it.' That describes most people I know, they constantly compare themselves with each other based on possessions, position, income (as opposed to wealth). They think they are buying happiness, and never see the trap. That kind of happiness is fleeting at best...

People are telling me I am too young to retire, but it doesn't bother me in the least, and I wouldn't think of debating the topic with them. If I did (and I won't), I'd probably say something unkind like "who would you rather be right now, yourself or me (I'm gone on 6/30 at age 57)..."

 

[zaqxsw]

Great thread! Just what I needed as I face these kinds of comments over the next few months.

We've LBOM our whole life. When asked why, I've always said I was saving up for the best purchase a person could make. I was buying my freedom from having to work to live. What could be worth more than that? Certainly nothing material.

Some people think that all they have to do is live as their income level dictates, work until a certain age. and kazam, they can retire and that lump sum settlement and SS will take care of them. That type of retirement is long gone, yet those are the folks who make these comments to younger people choosing to retire after decades of saving and planning.

 

[scrabbler1]

Great thread, especially the snappy comebacks.

When people learn I retired (or was going to retire) in 2008 at age 45, the responses I got fell into two categories, depending on whom I was telling.

The first was the younger, working crowd such as coworkers and others in the working world. It was usually of disbelief or envy and included the questions posted by the OP and others.

The second was the older, already-retired crowd such as those in some of my leisure activities and my neighbors in my co-op including some of the Board members I am friendly with. I typically get an "Attaboy!" response from them.

My ER plan began in 1998 when I paid off my mortgage and picked up a lot of steam in 2001 when I switched to working part-time. By 2007-2008 other big pieces fell into place so by the end of 2008 I was able to pull the trigger and get out. The stock market crash was actually a huge benefit to my ER budget, go figure.

 

[freedom42]

zaqsxw: that's a great one too! saving up for freedom, I'll remember that.

 

[Aviator]

This Should Be a Sticky. I especially love the quotes from Gone4Good.

 

[kcowan]

That's what people are telling me. I really don't get it.. too young to be free? I stuck out an o.k.

Ironically, my brother retired at 42. We were all shocked. He had very low financial demands and truly lived a simple life.

I retired for the first time at age 49 but was willing to work as a consultant for 5 years. Then I had a marriage breakup that made another 5 years essential to handle the alimony.

Since then, no regrets.

 

[Ken11]

I get these responses regularly. ( I checked out last year at 56)
These people need to read Bob Clyatts book-and probably also need to watch less television.
These reactions can make you wonder for a second.
Then I just feel sorry for some of these trapped souls.

 

[Nemo2]

I quit working at age 46, (thank you Saudi Arabia), never regretted it for a second......in fact the only reason I worked in the first place was so that I could quit.

Now, 22 1/2 years later, I'm worth 3 times what I had when I stopped working; my lady & I live below our means and yet we want for nothing.......mainly because we don't 'want' all the junk that lifestyle marketers try and tell you you should want.

 

[chinaco]

Retirement... is just a label.

I find it amusing when someone says too young to retire.

Too young to retire - That is their projection on to you about their situation... It translates to: I never gave ER a thought over the last 30 years.... now it is too late to ER?? Hey you are threatening to me and my past decisions!

 

[Onward]

in fact the only reason I worked in the first place was so that I could quit.

"I thought I wanted a career; turns out I just wanted paychecks."

Hey, me too.

 

[frayne]

Retired at 54 six years ago, only regret is I didn't do it sooner. Don't think LBYM was as much of a factor as living within our means and not being hoodwinked by our consumer society that we needed the latest and greatest of everything. When people comment about being too young to be retired, I just chuckle. If they ask what do you do all day, I simply tell them, anything I want.

 

[HawkeyeNFO]

If they ask what do you do all day, I simply tell them, anything I want.

The underlying theme of ER.

 

[SandsofTime]

Well, I am hoping to "semi-retire" in June 2011. I am fortunate to be in profession where as a self-employed person I can work at little as 5 hrs a week, or as much as 70 hrs a week. So, here's to being semi-retired at the end of next month.

Now, here is the interesting part, I have actually not told anyone other than DW (we have been planning for this for 9 years), that I will be drastically cutting down on work effective June 2011. DW is a school teacher who has been working at 80% schedule (school teacher) for last 4 years already. She plans on continuing that same 80% (or go down to 60%) schedule for the time being.

Having put in 60-70 hr per week for the last nine years at my own small business, I am very excited to see what new things await the next phase of our life.

This is my first post and I look forward to participating and learning in this wonderful forum.

Greetings to All.

 

[DallasGuy]

I've run into three kinds of people:

1) "How is it possible?" people. It doesn't matter how much they earn. Folks 10 years my senior, making high six and low seven figure salaries for a couple of decades, have asked me how I could possibly afford to leave work. Another told me, very sternly, that I should keep working so I can 'retire for real' someday - presumably to a rocking chair. These people tend to be the most openly hostile. While they think they'd like to do the same thing they ultimately aren't willing to make any sacrifices. They often wrongly assume that I haven't sacrificed either.

2) Puritanical work ethic people. Some have told me that work is a virtue. When I ask how working in finance, which produces no visible good to society - in pursuit of ever large piles of cash and things, is virtuous I'm always met with blank stares. I think there is an intuitive feeling among some people that suffering is good for your character. When I promise them I'll self flagellate instead of returning to work it doesn't seem to satisfy them, though.

3) "What will you do all day?" people. Some people can't imagine life without an overlord telling them how to spend their hours. They're not caught in the Matrix, they want to be there. They can't understand why anyone would ever leave.

One of the things I learned in college is that most of the great 'Romantic' poets, those who advanced the idea of breaking with societal norms, died early and miserably. Going your own way is hard, and standing out from the crowd often makes you a target. Your mere existence calls into question what everyone else takes as a matter of faith. It's not a path for everyone. And those who walk it should expect to be especially thick-skinned.

I've been retired for 2 years now and currently 55 years old. In the last week I've had at least 2 people ask me "What do you do all day?". I don't know if these people are asking me because they're envious and can't afford to do the same, worried about me or simply can't fathom the idea of retiring early. I'm getting to the point where I feel like I have to defend my decision to retire early. I'm starting to get tired of that question and dread having to deal with it. What comebacks does anyone else use that ends this stupid conversation quickly? Are there any other threads here that deal with this subject that you know of?

 

[LOL!]

I'm starting to get tired of that question and dread having to deal with it. What comebacks does anyone else use that ends this stupid conversation quickly? Are there any other threads here that deal with this subject that you know of?

Do you have a problem with telling them what you do all day? Why not simply tell the truth?

"I walk the dog in the morning, contemplate my navel, then walk the dog in the evening. Oh, I also eat and sleep."

 

[haha]

I'm getting to the point where I feel like I have to defend my decision to retire early. I'm starting to get tired of that question and dread having to deal with it. What comebacks does anyone else use that ends this stupid conversation quickly?

When I retired early I lived just outside a small town. I actually had people confront me with this selfish decision, in the supermarket or feed store. It got less frequent as I got older, and as more early retirees from California and elsewhere moved into this very scenic place. The overal cure for it is age, but today even at 70 people's default assumption is that I am working. To me this is not hard to explain. People feel more kinship to those with whom they share more experience. If 10 guys start their day with acid stomachs, and the 11th sleeps till he wakes up and goes out to sit on the deck, he is kind of an odd man out and will not be as likely to be accepted as one of the guys. This causes no resentment of struggle in me, as I realize that I would likely feel the same way

Ha

 

[DallasGuy]

Do you have a problem with telling them what you do all day? Why not simply tell the truth?

"I walk the dog in the morning, contemplate my navel, then walk the dog in the evening. Oh, I also eat and sleep."

Yeah, I guess you're right....I'll just tell them that on many days I do a workout in the morning and then little or nothing after that and then let them respond. Sometimes I actually tell them that everyday is Saturday for me...I think they can relate to that.

 

[Major Tom]

I'm starting to get tired of that question and dread having to deal with it. What comebacks does anyone else use that ends this stupid conversation quickly? Are there any other threads here that deal with this subject that you know of?

Don't worry DallasGuy - another year or so of retirement and you'll be so relaxed and happy that you won't be bothered by this kind of stuff. Agree with LOL! - when they ask, just tell 'em what you do.

 

[Danmar]

Do you have a problem with telling them what you do all day? Why not simply tell the truth?

"I walk the dog in the morning, contemplate my navel, then walk the dog in the evening. Oh, I also eat and sleep."

I tried this a few times but it started to irritate me. After all, every day is different and I don't feel inclined to have to account for my time. Did this for 35 years when working. I rather like the response " only what I want" instead.

 

[Major Tom]

I've been retired for 2 years now and currently 55 years old. In the last week I've had at least 2 people ask me "What do you do all day?". I don't know if these people are asking me because they're envious and can't afford to do the same, worried about me or simply can't fathom the idea of retiring early. I'm getting to the point where I feel like I have to defend my decision to retire early. I'm starting to get tired of that question and dread having to deal with it. What comebacks does anyone else use that ends this stupid conversation quickly? Are there any other threads here that deal with this subject that you know of?

The space titled "Occupation" on my new Google+ profile reads "I build radios with my kitty". If and when the main thrust of my life changes, I will change the description to match.

 

[Sarah in SC]

The space titled "Occupation" on my new Google+ profile reads "I build radios with my kitty".

I can't speak for anyone else, but that might possibly make you sound like someone I would avoid, and I don't know why, exactly.