Fire

Wenlock

coyrls wrote: »

A different view here: https://www.ft.com/content/982dc8b2-9a7e-11e5-a5c1-ca5db4add713
Obviously taking early retirement in order to sit on the sofa and watch daytime TV all day would not be a good idea. I doubt that is the plan for many who take early retirement other than for some of those that retire early because of ill health.

We are all different, obviously. My health was definitely suffering prior to retirement at age 50. This was due to:

Sitting at a desk all day - not moving regularly is one of the most detrimental things you can do and even exercising hard after work doesn’t help much.

Extreme stress - no job exists that I wouldn’t have found stressful!

Poor diet - so easy to eat empty calories and high carb foods when you are stressed or bored.

I am now 54. 3 stone lighter, running 5 - 10 miles most days, carnivore diet. No joint pains, stress, anxiety etc.

I don’t understand why anyone would choose to work if they had any other viable option.

BLB53

I think its far better to find work that you enjoy. Most of the FIRE people seem to be working in stressful jobs which they hate and can't wait to get away from. They burn themselves out for 20 years saving every penny aiming to retire at 50 and the few who manage to save enough to make it happen find they are so conditioned to work, they can't switch off so carry on.

Also, if you have kids...forget it!

GDB2222

Wenlock wrote: »

I don’t understand why anyone would choose to work if they had any other viable option.

I can answer that anecdotally. My late father was a GP, and he chose to work until a few months short of 80. He enjoyed his work. He enjoyed meeting the patients. Above all, he got satisfaction out of helping them.

He said that he could tell it was a worthwhile and valued pursuit (as opposed to playing golf, say) because he was being paid to do it.

So, I think it depends whether you like your job or not. There's a lot to be said for working part time at something that's fairly interesting and not too stressful, even if it's not well paid.

Wenlock

GDB2222 wrote: »

I can answer that anecdotally. My late father was a GP, and he chose to work until a few months short of 80. He enjoyed his work. He enjoyed meeting the patients. Above all, he got satisfaction out of helping them.

He said that he could tell it was a worthwhile and valued pursuit (as opposed to playing golf, say) because he was being paid to do it.

So, I think it depends whether you like your job or not. There's a lot to be said for working part time at something that's fairly interesting and not too stressful, even if it's not well paid.

Fair enough.

Personally I cannot think of any job that I would find either interesting or not too stressful. But good luck to anyone who does.

DT2001

Agreeing with marine_life again. Sensible thoughts.
Being on the road to FI I think gives you more freedom and less stress. It puts you in a position to cope with life’s ups and downs. When you achieve FI you can then choose what is right for you. My OH is self employed and takes on work where she feels valued as there is no ‘need’ to earn x per month. Balancing stress and income is important.

I believe there are jobs that each of us would choose to do, if only PT, even when being FI.
The only problems being lack of qualification/opportunity (just thinking of sports commentator after The Open and with the Ashes coming up or ski guide on sunny days......)

Thrugelmir

Wenlock wrote: »

Sitting at a desk all day - not moving regularly is one of the most detrimental things you can do and even exercising hard after work doesn’t help much.

Extreme stress - no job exists that I wouldn’t have found stressful!

Poor diet - so easy to eat empty calories and high carb foods when you are stressed or bored.

I am now 54. 3 stone lighter, running 5 - 10 miles most days, carnivore diet. No joint pains, stress, anxiety etc.

I don’t understand why anyone would choose to work if they had any other viable option.

I'm older than you. Walk to and from work, and schedule my day to walk an hour at lunch time. As a consequence I walk around 10 miles a day minimum. The impact on ones mental well being is enormous. I've been desk bound for decades. Still manage to maintain a high level of motivation. Ultimately it's all in the mind.

Have recently dropped to a four day week. Which has resulted in a nice work/leisure balance. No need to count the pennies. Enjoy every day while you can.

jamesd

Andyed201 wrote: »

What are peoples thoughts on the FIRE movement? It seems to be really going in popularity at the moment and is appearing in blogs, podcasts and the news a lot.

It's old news. I did it without calling it that. I'm not the only one here.

Even if you're not ready to retire it's good to reach the point where work isn't essential.

Andyed201 wrote: »

I like the principal of things like saving rates and low cost, tax efficient savings, although I am not so much of a fan of the massive spending cuts a lot of people in FIRE advocate - I like a little money for living!

The less you spend, the sooner you can retire. But that typically means spending at that level for life so it needs to be a level that you're comfortable with. You get to pick that level and the compromise of spending more so retiring later.

Andyed201 wrote: »

Is it a realistic ambition for most people?

For anyone who wants to do it but it takes substantially longer at low incomes because the margin between pay and critical spending is lower.

chucknorris

Wenlock wrote: »

We are all different, obviously. My health was definitely suffering prior to retirement at age 50. This was due to:

Sitting at a desk all day - not moving regularly is one of the most detrimental things you can do and even exercising hard after work doesn’t help much.

Extreme stress - no job exists that I wouldn’t have found stressful!

Poor diet - so easy to eat empty calories and high carb foods when you are stressed or bored.

I am now 54. 3 stone lighter, running 5 - 10 miles most days, carnivore diet. No joint pains, stress, anxiety etc.

I don’t understand why anyone would choose to work if they had any other viable option.

I'm 61, and work 2 days per week, I only run 2-3 times a week, a park run, sprint training and a longer run 6 to 10 miles (depending on whether it's a hill run or mostly flat). I know from experience that if I run more than that, I will end up injured, so I cross train with hiking, cycling and weight training, it is much better to diversify than run everyday.

Sea_Shell

We've just achieved FIRE, although we've been aiming for it long before it was a thing.

My last day was last Thursday... I'm 47.

True, we haven't got kids, which makes a massive difference.

We're hoping to be more active/fitter now we have the time.

I have a whole thread on it....if you're bored.

If you don't want to do it, don't. Each to their own.

cfw1994

Andyed201 wrote: »

What are peoples thoughts on the FIRE movement? It seems to be really going in popularity at the moment and is appearing in blogs, podcasts and the news a lot.

I like the principal of things like saving rates and low cost, tax efficient savings, although I am not so much of a fan of the massive spending cuts a lot of people in FIRE advocate - I like a little money for living!

Is it a realistic ambition for most people?

Some good comments so far.

I think the real key is the FI part: once you have that, the world is your lobster!

Even work can be more fun (you have the “f*** you” money if it isn’t, as the Americans sometimes call it!). I’m kind of at that phase (which could be disrupted by any impending stock market crash!), & in itself, it is liberating

What you then chose to do with your time is up to you. Which is tricky for many, given how it is often 30+ years since we had an element of real freedom in our lives:rotfl:

I know most would say no to daytime TV, but the occasional afternoon quiz show (Pointless, Chase, heck, even Tipping Point!) can help keep the brain active....just mix it up with some physical activity where you are able. Volunteering, walking, gardening can all help as much as going to a gym.
Maybe even find hobbies that can generate an optional income....

& I strongly agree with those who say or imply “don’t forget to have a decent life when you are young” - strikes me as being fairly pointless being the richest in retirement (& the graveyard) with no memories to enjoy!