Retired Happy Wild & Free how about you!

[Live Large]

So I thought I’d finally start a thread since I’ve been an avid reader of others post since 2012. Novice post myself, as you can see >15. So here's a go...in Cali

I dreamed of working until one day I would Not have to work so for 30yrs I toiled in the soil until I could become Happy Wild & Free again - anyone else read Ernie Zelinski? There really is Joy in Not Working. My first semi-detachment from work came at age 42, I was off for 4mos - long time for Me. Healed from injury returned to toiling which continued until 49 when this time I was on the bench for about 8mos.
As many here have, long ago read Millionare ND and as a long time early saver, diverse portfolio with rental property etc. The old AA was looking good to supplement my pension (vantage point) so I ended up closing out my time officially retired at age 51.
Also might add DW & I have no children so no full funding of college although supplements to nieces &
nephews but of course not same as parents-limited.

I’ve read about the ultra early retiree at 39 or 40’s and often wonder did you consult? Pick up “play” jobs along the way? Work while traveling? The purist here set guidance on if one is “truly” retired if you work beyond a certain capacity. I’ve seen caps on hours.
Maybe a few comments on how you would describe it - I have what I consider a “play” job cause it pays
but it amounts on average 150hrs a year...lol Also signed up for self scheduled work use money buy airline tickets dozen flights so far in 2019 got 3 more
DW is not retired yet, her choice, we still have extensive travels up to 20days but once she’s done World Cruise here we come! She’s younger than Me but it won’t be too long - really likes her gig but loves Me more.

Happy Wild & Free?

 

[HI Bill]

Retired Happy Wild & Free how about you!

Good luck on upping your travels!!! I’ve read the book, and got a few good ideas from it...including the activity tree. I think Zelensky’s ideas are a bit too risky for many in this forum. I’m not Wild and Free yet, but am planning to go look for our first retirement home next week! Just did a two week trip to Japan this month, a three week trip to New Zealand in March, and are going on a 2.5 week trip to CA and Texas in November, so we are definitely getting ready!!!

 

[Live Large]

Good luck on upping your travels!!! I’ve read the book, and got a few good ideas from it...including the activity tree. I think Zelensky’s ideas are a bit too risky for many in this forum. I’m not Wild and Free yet, but am planning to go look for our first retirement home next week! Just did a two week trip to Japan this month, a three week trip to New Zealand in March, and are going on a 2.5 week trip to CA and Texas in November, so we are definitely getting ready!!!

Yes Yes plan to amp up travels enjoyed South East Asia trips to Vietnam Thailand Singapore Taiwan & China -Japan on list! Stateside got AZ,FL, & Hi before year ends.

Thanks for your insight- Get a Life Tree would help some ER’s here get out more -imo
I’m planning to spend more than 4% ROI

 

[Live Large]

Yes Yes plan to amp up travels enjoyed South East Asia trips to Vietnam Thailand Singapore Taiwan & China -Japan on list! Stateside got AZ,FL, & Hi before year ends.

Thanks for your insight- Get a Life Tree would help some ER’s here get out more -imo
I’m planning to spend more than 4% ROI

I meant to add the AA combination of Roth IRA / 457b / & CS Broker acct.
Household total rounded to 1.1mil counting cash holdings in checking/savings ($75-80k). No plans to start withdrawing until age 55 two years.
Used a 25yr payout plan at 4.5% and 2.5% inflation as cola to pension.
Mortgage 195k on $400k valued Hm
$1007mo@4% see no reason to payoff.
2nd home 202k $1050mo. Will sell in the future once DW retires. Our Debt to Income ration is >30% more like 22%.

I know many advocate Debt free but I’ve not thought it necessary if no money pressures - medical insurance is company shared as retiree $160mo.
Hope it lasts cause I know major saving

Perhaps I’m not as conservative as most but I figured one point to ER is letting some additional spending begin!

Happy Wild & Free....oh Retired[emoji38]

 

[HI Bill]

Household total rounded to 1.1mil.... No plans to start withdrawing until age 55 two years.
Used a 25yr payout plan at 4.5% and 2.5% inflation as cola to pension.
Mortgage 195k on $400k valued Hm
$1007mo@4% see no reason to payoff.
2nd home 202k $1050mo. Will sell in the future once DW retires. Our Debt to Income ration is >30% more like 22%.

I know many advocate Debt free but I’ve not thought it necessary if no money pressures - medical insurance is company shared as retiree $160mo.
Hope it lasts cause I know major saving[emoji38]

Wow, not sure how you're doing all that in SF, with those assets! I certainly wouldn't count on the $160/month insurance lasting until Medicare age....hope it does, for you, though!

 

[Red Badger]

Been happy and free for a little over 2 years. But not too wild. Just a little - here's our version....

About 7 years to pay off the mortgage (3 3/8 APR) so we harvest a little extra from our egg until then. My larger pension just about doubles in 11 years (long story), so we're goring that ox a tad as well. This spending is a all extra-discretionary, such as premium (for us) travel, or other indulgences that we want before the Good Lord dictates otherwise. Anyhoo we're "wildly" withdrawing above our desired rate, knowing we have two date certain events where we'll drop well below our SWR. Yep - really living on the edge!

 

[Live Large]

Been happy and free for a little over 2 years. But not too wild. Just a little - here's our version....

About 7 years to pay off the mortgage (3 3/8 APR) so we harvest a little extra from our egg until then. My larger pension just about doubles in 11 years (long story), so we're goring that ox a tad as well. This spending is a all extra-discretionary, such as premium (for us) travel, or other indulgences that we want before the Good Lord dictates otherwise. Anyhoo we're "wildly" withdrawing above our desired rate, knowing we have two date certain events where we'll drop well below our SWR. Yep - really living on the edge!

That’s Great! Think I mentioned I benefit from a fairly handsome pension also (pension vantage) So although assets/savings are not multi-million just what we have offers a great supplement- plus DW still full-time RN at nice income $100k
We started early first home purchase before age 25 living in SF Bay Area some of the highest costs nationwide but we were pretty conservative keeping our overall expenses lower than most I’d say - that’s how we make it work. Do consider ‘cashing’ out but DW a Cali gal not sure she wants to leave. We live in middle of 3 airports San Jose- took China flight - SFO Asia trips- Oakland - USA

Tomorrow is Not promised- enjoy fruits of your Labor! Just a little Wild is Fun

 

[Live Large]

Yes, the medical is keen but the actuary is capped at 3% yr over a 30yr period so unless something drastic happens think it will hold 12yrs till age 65...I think i combined response of how we manage in other response- thank you for your insight.
I will sock away a little more for medical just in case!