I agree, different strokes for different folks though. Some people cherish the independence and not working for "the man." I don't have a problem working either, but I think people have different definitions of "retirement." Retirement to this guy I think means simply working less or that he doesn't HAVE to work to cover bills/etc. I don't have a problem working till I'm old, and I used to think I never wanted to retire.. but I admit I have countless interests that if I retired tomorrow, I could spend the rest of my life on hobbies and interests to keep me occupied. If I didn't have to work another day in my life I have plenty of things to do to keep me from boredom. Of course I couldn't afford many of those hobbies without a job.

 

Meh it sounds like a rehash of the depression era generation. What good is doing all that from the standpoint that you will be too old to enjoy it I'm certainly not suggesting that credit card debt etc is the way to go but I also don't see how going to Europe for 3 weeks in my jazzy chair when I'm 80 is any better I know those are extreme examples but still. No Aaron I don't want to work forever. I hate my job, it's not fun it's not a career it's a job. It takes away from my soul easy more than it pays, but as a species we are bound to the time clock or we are cast out. If I don't go to work I don't have a bed to sleep in, food to eat, a roof over my head etc. yes, for me, it's so I can stand behind my right to exist... By paying for it with money

 

only debt Erin and I have is the civic loan and mortgage.

I'm pretty proud of the nest egg we have saved up besides that.
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That's impressive considering her education.
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Well... She actually gets paid to go to school due to grants. It pays her tuition and a decent stipend for a student.

 

See, I'd rather have fun while I am young. I am already mad I didn't do some things "when I could have." I always wanted sport bike. No way I will do that now that I have a son. I could have gone to Europe with some friends and driven the Nürburgring, but I didn't want to spent the money at the time. When I was really young and in Boy Scouts, my troop did a week long sailing trip in the Florida Keys. I didn't even tell my parents about it because it was expensive and I didn't want to be a burden. Now, spending a week on a sail boat with my friends sounds like the best thing ever at 15-16 years old. Not so much at 65.

 

 

I think the guy who writes that website/blog is "retired" in his 30's with a couple kids if I recall correctly. He still does work, just not full time I believe. I've read a few posts, but don't follow it. I certainly agree with many aspects of it. Here in the US we have a serious problem with materialism and people believing stuff = happiness. I know people live paycheck to paycheck (who are well paid) because they simply spend too much money, yet they're always bitching about how they don't make enough money, work too much, etc..

This guy is kinda the exact opposite.

 

I get that there are jobs where somebody's got to do it. But, it breaks my heart to hear friends say that they are unhappy in what they do for a living. If you take away sleeping you spend the overwhelming majority of your life working. It should be something that you find some pleasure in.

 

 

After working for about 40 years I'm beginning to think retirement sounds pretty good

 

It's all a balance.. everyone has to do whatever lets them sleep at night for sure. I wake up everyday (well not everyday, but many days ) thinking I'm one of the luckiest mofo's in the world. I coulda been born as some kid in Africa scraping by eating mud cookies (ya they do exist, crazy I know). Sure there are plenty of things I'd like to have owned, done, or do, but for most people I know, things could be a whole helluva lot worse and I look at the bright side. I personally don't have any regrets, because hindsight is 20/20, and you could've never known then what you know now. Live and learn. That's my Kumbaya/yin and yang response.

I hate when people tell me they regret XYZ and constantly harp on it. Move on and learn from it and stop beating yourself up about it.