pb4uski
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Nicely said, jstriding.
Nicely said, jstriding.
However, I do think that is some resentment/backlash toward early retirees---even on this board I notice some resentment at times toward public employees (I was a public employee). However, full disclosure requires me to admit that I stopped lurking for a while because of a number of can I retire on X amount with lots of folks pilling on to say no way X amount is too little. Well, X amount was more that I made while working and saving a fair amount of my paycheck. So yeah, the envy can go both ways.
Really flying under the radar and living well is the best strategy. Life is good.
"Here is an attempt: retirement, old age, then a release to a place where the celestial Muzak plays a never-ending loop of the Doobie Brothers."
I fear no envy from my families or close friends. And among acquaintances or neighbors, no one ever wondered how we survive, but if they see me changing my own oil on the driveway, they would be satisfied and not ask.The backlash against the haves has just started IMO. Flying under the radar is and has always been my first line of defense. I know that, even within our own families, some people would resent our financial accomplishments or at least feel entitled to some of our loot. So it's best to keep everyone in the dark. Outside of this board, I do not call myself retired. "I was laid off from my job in July and it is very hard to land another job right now. I might do some consulting down the road, if I can find nothing else, but we'll see how things shape up"...
Speaking of Boomers....
Just remember, the youngest "boomer" (born in 1964) is just 46, today.
I would think that a lot of pre-50 folks think that they are not responsible for the "boomer's mistakes", even being part of the era. However, I doubt that few of them were at Woodstock (maybe they were, in a way ) or realize that they are lumped in with us "losers".
I think you retired folks are being a bit paranoid.............most folks out there are too busy buying SUVs and taking overpriced vacations to worry about the guy down the street that seems to be home all the time........
I would just tell everyone you are unemployed, because, well, you are!!!
I've never really felt envy from others. A couple of people have said..'You're so lucky'. I say, 'yeah, I'm the lucky one alright'.
I never say more than that because they don't want to hear what it really takes to be FI.
This is also an unspoken secret of the LBYM club. Hanging around here is an extremely cheap form of entertainment. One cannot beat the price.Too much time on our hands- otherwise why would be on this site?
Hey, someone's gotta claim ownership of the disco era...Yeah - I'm considered a boomer as I was born in 64. I do relate to some of their tendencies, but not to others - I call myself a tweener - between boomer and Gen X. I don't think I'll get much SS if any, I didn't go to Woodstock, Vietnam was where my Dad flew, etc. All of those definers occurred when I was quite young, so therefore, their influence was minimal.
Hey, someone's gotta claim ownership of the disco era...
The backlash against the haves has just started IMO. Flying under the radar is and has always been my first line of defense. I know that, even within our own families, some people would resent our financial accomplishments or at least feel entitled to some of our loot. So it's best to keep everyone in the dark. Outside of this board, I do not call myself retired. "I was laid off from my job in July and it is very hard to land another job right now. I might do some consulting down the road, if I can find nothing else, but we'll see how things shape up"...
The optimist in me says that economic conditions in the US and Europe will improve and the risk of a backlash driven by politics, envy and desperation will subside long before it gets to the stage where either society starts to break down or taxes are raised to confiscatory levels.
The activist in me says we should hold ourselves up as examples of the benefits of LBYM, financial prudence and personal responsibility. Maybe we can either educate a few people about the economic realities of life or at least shame them into being more responsible.
The economist in me says that we should encourage the irresponsible to keep on spending until the credit cards melt from the friction. It's better for the rest of us that they stimulate the economy and generate the taxes.
The realist in me will continue to hide behind the sofa and scrutinise my expenses each month. I'm still working on my cover story, but am currently considering one of the following:
1. I've decided to take a year or two off to write the novel I've always wanted to but never had the time;
2. DW wants to go back to work but one of us needs to be home to help the children with their homework;
3. I've been reading Rich Dad Poor Dad and realise that jobs are for suckers.
The old hippie in me says we should buy a Harley and chill out. Oh, and foster some rescue cats and dogs in our spare time or other "do gooder" stuff
Although I don't see a Harley in my future, we do foster kittens for the local SPCA until they are old enough to be adopted. Unfortunately, our own cat (also adopted) does not take kindly to the intruders.
The realist in me will continue to hide behind the sofa and scrutinise my expenses each month. I'm still working on my cover story, but am currently considering one of the following:
1. I've decided to take a year or two off to write the novel I've always wanted to but never had the time;
2. DW wants to go back to work but one of us needs to be home to help the children with their homework;
3. I've been reading Rich Dad Poor Dad and realise that jobs are for suckers.