Today is the anniversary of a big day. Two years ago, I left work and my career at the age of 46. It’s the day I embraced my freedom.
Goodbye to 2 or 3 weeks of vacation time a year. Going to work when I was sick as a dog or a jet-lagged zombie. The demands of a lifetime of being available to check email, submit reports or speak with a client at any hour. I also left behind dear work friends and my income.
Back then, Tim and I wondered (often) if we were crazy to get off the path. 2014 and 2015 were our highest-earning years as a couple. In November of 2015, Tim dropped down to part-time consulting with his employer. His weekly Tuesday through Friday business trips stopped along with his benefits. These days, he works roughly 15 hours a week when we’re not traveling.
My new life includes meeting a lot of new people. Often I’m asked what I do. I’ll admit it…I love some of the reactions I get.
“You’re too young to be retired!”
“Wow, what did you do that allowed you to retire so early?”
There are a few I hear ALL the time that astound me.
“I can’t imagine retiring, I’d get too bored.”
“What on earth are you doing with so much free time?”
So, I thought my first post as we launch our blog would address what I’ve been doing for 2 years.
1. We’ve figured out how to do nearly EVERYTHING cheaper. Our income dropped but that didn’t mean our quality of life needed to decrease. We still want to eat great food, be entertained by interesting things and travel the world.
- Food – We used to spend a LOT of money dining out. Tim and I also weighed about 40 pounds more than we should. Because I now have time to cook most of our meals, we’ve greatly reduced both our food and our dining spending. Our most expensive meal out in 2016 was $84. And that was for 4 people. With a Groupon. (I’m not including dining on trips.) Not only did we save a ton of money, we are healthier. And, I’ve made some killer stuff that’s also good-for-you. We’ve each lost (and maintained) 30+ pounds. Those last 10 are a doozy!
- Entertainment – In the past, we didn’t think twice about season tickets for the theater and attending lots of concerts. Those were pretty expensive activities. Our new life has us volunteering at our favorite group of 5 theaters and with our film society. And, I enjoy it even more than when we purchased a ticket. We get to know others who also think these are worthwhile groups to support and we get to participate in fun ways. Last year, we worked as ushers for 9 months, working every concert I wanted to see.
- Travel – I was raised in a family that did stuff vs. bought stuff. We traveled enough that I have many fantastic vacation memories. Experiencing other cuisines, people, weather and history still drives me to break out of my routine and see the world. With limited vacation time in our former jobs, we took a trip or two each year and spent big since it was a treat. We still have a 16-year-old at home with us 3 days a week so our travels can’t be too far away but they are frequent. And, we are ready for far-flung destinations and slow travel soon.
2. We have more time for friends. I’ve cooked dinner for more people in the past 2 years than I have during my first 46. No more meeting out for dinner…I’ll cook! We also reach out to new friends in the “tribe” we’re seeking to grow. The tribe that’s obsessed with frugal living, early retirement or house sitting as an alternative accommodation. We can go to Breckenridge or Longmont to meet new blogger friends face to face. We found a church that emphasizes participation in the social causes that are most important to us. We’re volunteering in local politics so we can meet our neighbors.
3. Personal growth doesn’t have to wait. Last year, I took an undergraduate class at the university on the history of jazz. Because we want to travel to many Spanish-speaking countries, I’m taking Spanish lessons with a tutor in Argentina via Skype. We’ve helped others save money on their bills and travel. I’ve just become a regular contributor to a house sitting magazine. And, of course, we launched a blog!
4. My doctor of more than a decade urged me (for years) to leave my high-stress career. In the end, the decision I made to get out was driven by wanting to live a healthier life. When I’m sick, I can stay in bed and recover. When Tim needed back surgery, I joined him on every appointment and nursed him back to health for a month. Most days, I don’t need to wake up with an alarm and I take a nap when I’m tired. If it’s a beautiful day, we walk to get our groceries or just because we can. No longer am I at work when my favorite gym classes are held. We all know our health should be a (or THE) top priority. With our life change, we made it so.
“Retired” is a tricky word. Its definition is changing pretty drastically from the days of pension plans and sticking with one company. Where I am now may change. I plan to work if I want to, doing something I want to do. So far, so good. I hope that doesn’t change.
For the moment, I wake up each day loving the life I’ve created and celebrating the best two years of my life.
How about you? Do you look at your retirement with excitement or terror?
Comments now working w/o login required!
When I grow up, I’ll retire, too!
I love the way you’re created the life you’ve always wanted.
Bavo!
Looking forward to reading more!
Thanks for your constant encouragement!!!
So inspiring! I adore you both for your commitment to creating this fabulous life of yours! I look forward to following many more adventures and gaining new savings and travel tips!
Going with less too,
Jenn
Jenn…less is more. 🙂 I appreciate your comment. <3
Hey, welcome to the blogosphere! Happy that you’re here! Onward and upward!
Thanks Mr. 1500! We’ve enjoyed going through the past few years with you. I can’t wait to see what your new life looks like!!
This is awesome information you guys are sharing. I am trying to figure my own plans and admire your ability to accomplish your goals so young. Especially being so far from retirement age. I would call myself semi-retired but I still have my youngest in college. Even though you can do this, accumulating a nest egg beyond Social Security had to be accomplished first I assume. Social Security doesn’t provide enough for most to retire on. As I joked with you before with all my questions and inquiry this blog will become your full time jobs. Lol. Congrats and keep it coming!
Thanks, Bill! Yes, we worked on accumulating a nest egg. Tim is getting ready to post about that whole shebang soon. Stay tuned. 🙂 (I’m afraid you may be right…I was busy before launching a blog. Will have to find a balance somehow.)
Congrats on getting the blog set up as well as two years of freedom! You are doing it right!
Thank you! We are inspired by your journey!!
As a college student trying to learn the ropes of finance while blogging my journey, this is incredibly motivating! I already dream of being able to travel and live my own life as you have gotten to do for the last 2 years.
Thanks Sean! I think it’s INCREDIBLE that you’re looking ahead at a young age. Had Tim and I been smarter about money from the beginning of our adult life, we may have “retired” much earlier. I’ll check out your blog!
Reading this article has been so inspiring! I really admire you both for the beautiful path you have chosen to take. And you are also doing a lot of community work which is helping society at large. I will continue to read this great Blog. I’m not in the US, but I see that all the things you’re sharing are also useful for people all over the world. Go ahead and many many blessings!!!
Thank you, Martin! We love hearing that this may be helpful no matter where you may live. 🙂
Congrats on finding what sounds like a much more balanced life. Recently, I have just found the perks in volunteering. It’s fun way to help & meet people, I save money otherwise spent as a spectator, and free is definitely in the budget. But like running races, they usually will give you a free entry for a future race.
We agree with you about volunteering. There are so many worthy places that could use help…find your interest and I’d think there would be an opportunity to lend a hand. That’s a great tip about race entry fees! Thank you!
I am so inspired by reading about your plan and accomplishments. Putting your health first is wonderful. I look at my parents (both sets), some of whom aren’t officially retired yet, and they are all falling apart. It is so sad to see people with the time not be able to afford or have good enough health to enjoy the freedom of retirement. I don’t want to let that happen to me! Thanks so much for the inspiration! I am enjoying living vicariously through you and Tim…for now 🙂
It touches my heart to learn that how we live is inspiring to another. I’ve said I want to walk the world while I can still walk the world so your comment really hit home. Thank you for sharing what you see. It inspires me.
Just stumbled upon your blog and thought I’d say hi. So great to hear about your life after FI, we’re not quite there yet, but working tirelessly to get there. Can’t wait to read more!
Thank you for your comment! With FI in mind, I hope there’s no stopping you.