Wondering if there is anyone on here that has retired early (FIRE Movement)

[rayporter]

there are so many ways and opinions on this --choose wisely!

i saved hard but i never had to sit home while i worked.

i went somewhere every week end whether to a rodeo, horse show or a gun competition. usually showed horses all winter, too.

there were hunting trips and fishing trips every year, too. most years more than one hunting trip. i seriously don't know how i got it all done when i worked.

you all act like you have to sit at home of you save enough to skip out early.

i have been on mandatory withdrawals for five years and my nest egg is still grew this year. i took SS at 62 and do not have a pension.

well i have sit around enough after lunch, i think i will mow and acre and then shoot till dark. you all just sit around on that couch.

 

[TimberRunner]

Never planned to retire early. Built a small business with a partner, we killed ourselves for 5-6 years making it what it was. Sold it for more than we could of imagined after 10 years. Stayed on for a while to help out, but was building another company in background just to have something to do. Junior guy came to me a few years later and told me he wanted the 2nd business, I didn't need to sell it, but I knew I could always work for him as I wanted, so pulled the trigger.

At 52, I work periodically, enjoy it more than ever. Don't need the money, just enjoy it. I can take months off and occasionally do. If I want to work 10 hour days, I can. If I want a few hours of work, I can.

I've got 2 in college, a 3rd a few years away. They have done well with scholarships and their jobs, told them grad school is their responsibility, if they want to go that route.

Its nice to have the flexibility to travel to hunt when I want, go to visit family and friends out of state periodically. Bride's father is in poor health and we have the ability for her to leave and help her mom when she needs to. We are blessed and hope to enjoy the fruits of our labor for several more decades.

 

[go_deep]

Make sure you reject Medicare when the time comes. Wouldn't want those entitlements creeping in.

Medicare Part A is primarily funded by a dedicated 2.9% payroll tax (FICA) split equally between employers and employees, which is deposited into the ⁠Hospital Insurance Trust Fund.

You prepay for your Medicare part A. I'll have paid my share, I'll be good with using it, if it still exists when I get there.

 

[307]

Current workers primarily finance part A.