Reached FI and retired in 2019 at 57. At 58 we bought a motor-coach and at 59 sold homes and now we are touring the country full time. Diesel costs are insane but we are headed across the country for the next 8 months as we continue to follow our pre- retirement plans. We are well below ‘our’ SWR so the many world, economic and pandemic impacts are less worrisome. Living in close quarters with you significant other 24/7 is a lot easier if you are best friends. We continue to strive toward new horizons and nearing a year full time. Talk to us next year to see if we still like each other, lol. Great videos guys, really love the format and details. Glad you have your successes of helping others. See you on the road.
Thanks so much for sharing! A belated congratulations to you on achieving your FI goals a few years ago. It sounds like you are making a lot of great choices. What's been your favorite stops among your travels? Thanks so much for your support. Please keep us posted on how you are doing, and best wishes to you.
Great conversation...I'm in a similar boat, where I have reached my FI target, but I'm still working full-time, as I still have a fear of spending after I have been saving for so long...the mindset shift is much bigger than I expected it to be.
Congrats on hitting your target! The shift from saving to spending is indeed tricky. Have you considered trying mini-retirement or gradually decreasing work as a transition? It may help you get more comfortable with this shift.
Great talk. I enjoyed that! I worked as a pensions administrator for the local government here in the UK, I did it for about fifteen years and I can honestly say that all my clients had the same trepidations. From that experience I realised something invaluable which is: We are all trying to find OURSELVES, using the methods we have at hand. Cheers, Erik.
I completely relate to the irrational annoyance caused by even the slightest intrusion on my time, even when completely reasonable. Removing the constant state of other people's "hands on my time" was one of the primary reasons why I retired. And school pickup traffic stress - so true! I just remind myself that I absolutely do not have to rush to get anywhere, like back to work for a meeting, or to squeeze in an errand or exercise before another commitment. Worst case, I'll do it tomorrow. Not needing to carve out slivers of time from a never-ending stream of commitments is such a relief.
Another great video! I find your content to be so relatable. Finding purpose, living a nomadic lifestyle, (slow) travelling, and the general anxiety that comes with the impending transition from saving to spending are all aspects that resonate with me.
Bad news: sequence risk will *never* go away. See my SWR Series Part 38 ("When Can We Stop Worrying about Sequence Risk?") Otherwise, an enjoyable and informative video! Keep up the great work! Karsten (Big ERN)
Very true, Karsten. Thanks for clarifying that important point. And thank you so much for checking out our content! We are both huge fans of your work and often refer our audience to your SWR series, which is listed on our Resources page. Thanks for all the valuable information you've shared with the community!
Wow! I never thought about these predicaments in the RE stage (maybe because I'm still young). I'm 20 years old and currently in the grining stage of the Fire movement. I never realized how much of an impact working has on our lives. Thank you for the insight!
Thank you for the candor gentlemen. Three years away from our jumping off point at 55 and these questions are starting to be part of my routine. The "what ifs" will drive you crazy if you let them.
FYI, I asked a life coach one time to help me with my irritability (My first sentence to him). His reply was, "you must be creative". Creative people can be irritable. Therefore it is not shocking that as content creators you are consider each other cranky.
I'm well beyond my target, but as a fellow architect 'the work' is a part of my identity and not just a job. I can't imagine just walking away. I now have a new target that will allow me to build projects where I'm both the client and the architect. Hopefully, a less stressful version of being an architect.
So relatable, this conversation and the commenters. I am so used to having extra cash left each month (for additional savings) that the thought of breaking even at the end of month is kind of scary, even though I have a big cushion in retirement savings.
wow! this resonates with something i’ve discovered recently... meaning = congruence (things make sense) + purpose (direction and goal) + significance (value to others)!
Great formula! Here's the one I've come up with: Success = Purpose + Serving Others. There are a million equations for "success"; but that one is probably my favorite. Thoughts?
Have just stumbled across your videos and really enjoying them. I wonder if you could dedicate a video to more general principles of FIRE, for lower earners, this would really be appreciated. Love from the UK 👍
Eric, you nailed it. As a small business owner, flipping the switch and walking away feels bizarre. I liked your idea of it being a glide path, gradual draw down, but I'd honestly like to hear a follow up on how that path is going, what did you do or are you doing? I'm in the SAME path.
I've had the conversation many times about what it would be like the win the lottery and not have to work for the rest of your life from a younger age. I think the freedom alone (#1 on Eric's list) would be the most liberating thing about it and, without anything to base this off of, would be appealing enough for me to leave my career and retire early. But as discussed here, the argument against retiring young is often "but you won't have anything to fill your days" which definitely has some merit to it because a few decades is a long time and I have no idea how I would handle it, but I feel like the freedom you have allows you to explore so many other things that would make it worth it. I only use the lottery scenario as someone who isn't close to retiring early but the idea of being able to retire young is still there. It's such an interesting thing to consider how you would fill your time and what you would explore but it's so hard to know for sure without going through it I guess. Very interesting episode, thanks.
Architect here, this hit close to home, you are right, your identity is so wrapped up with being an Architect. Your language, your outlook and philosophy, everything...
@@SuperFS11 Ah, "the big one". You are certainly in good company on that fear as it is the one we hear most often. Let us know if we missed any of your questions on that topic when we did the two-part series on our FI numbers.
Great conversation gentlemen. I wonder... Would recommend a compromise / a glide path between full retirement and full time work? For someone who can retire if they choose to, but is hesitant to give up the security of the full time paycheck, do you think going to work on a part time basis, lets say --- 20 hours a week is a good middle ground ? That way I can still feel productive, still contribute to society, but have a lot more free time. Instead of jumping in the pool all at once, you start by getting your feet wet... I think they call that Barista FIRE
Thanks for the comment. Yes, this is a common approach for a variety of reasons. Sometimes people ramp down hours at their existing jobs, and other times they do something entirely new; potentially lower stress, more "fun", or perhaps just an area of interest they want to explore. We all find out motivation and fulfillment in different ways. Irrespective of what we choose, it's most important to ensure that it works for you. Best wishes to you
Jason here - It's easy to get inside your head. This is huge change and the emotions are real! But remember - if you have a good plan, you can trust in it. And if you're truly second guessing things? Try to work out why that's happening. We've all got to find ways to process change, and part of that is understanding why we feel what we do. Best wishes to you.
My biggest fear from retiring early is going from a workaholic that I’ve been my whole life being in a family business to the opposite of turning my motor off. I read about The late Great Bear Bryant who coached Alabama Football and was 100% dedicated to that job for 24 years. He retired and died 4 weeks later. Now nobody knows if retirement contributed to that as he did have health problems, but I’ve seen countless examples of this.
Thanks for the comment, Chris. The underpinnings of your concern are certainly valid: retiring to "nothing" certainly sounds like a big negative to us. We all need to find out passion, motivation, and fulfillment, whether we are pulling in income from a traditional job or not. When it comes to how to do that in retirement, that answer differs quite a bit by person, and of course can change over time.
Thanks for the great conversation, which I really enjoyed as all of your UA-cam content. It’s a person living in Europe, I am a buyer that there are certain differences between the United States and Europe in terms of retiring early. What do you think about my following plan: Putting all my savings, I mean almost all, into my own company, which is not active anymore. Receiving monthly salary and paying all Social Security deductibles through that salary monthly. Spending all the money until the age of 65, which would be my official retirement age. Receiving my retirement salary -For which I am already entitled by that time- from the state. It will be probably only half of my monthly salary, but it would be until the end of my life. Additionally I hope to have some other savings which I could use after my official retirement age. Thanks for your comments Sebastian
Wow, interesting perspectives! If you guys need something to do, you can help me get the word out about my music/book/apps. I’m grinding on my journey a little late in life, and I’ve created some really cool stuff. I need help sharing it with the world because I’m socially awkward, lol. You guys seem cool. Thanks for the great content!!!
2013 to 2017 I tried. I first went to Jeffersonvill Indiana, Shepardvill Kentucky. Tech is now main stream Louisville Kentucky and Jeffersonvill Indiana has Amazon I was pulled over 24/7 by police and called n- word. Mishawaka Indiana and Elkhart Indiana and Michigan. Totally different Amish Italian, Irish and Latino. Beautiful. Downey California
For show notes and resources, please check out our website at twosidesoffi.com/
Reached FI and retired in 2019 at 57. At 58 we bought a motor-coach and at 59 sold homes and now we are touring the country full time. Diesel costs are insane but we are headed across the country for the next 8 months as we continue to follow our pre- retirement plans. We are well below ‘our’ SWR so the many world, economic and pandemic impacts are less worrisome.
Living in close quarters with you significant other 24/7 is a lot easier if you are best friends. We continue to strive toward new horizons and nearing a year full time. Talk to us next year to see if we still like each other, lol.
Great videos guys, really love the format and details. Glad you have your successes of helping others. See you on the road.
Thanks so much for sharing! A belated congratulations to you on achieving your FI goals a few years ago. It sounds like you are making a lot of great choices. What's been your favorite stops among your travels?
Thanks so much for your support. Please keep us posted on how you are doing, and best wishes to you.
Great conversation...I'm in a similar boat, where I have reached my FI target, but I'm still working full-time, as I still have a fear of spending after I have been saving for so long...the mindset shift is much bigger than I expected it to be.
Congrats on hitting your target! The shift from saving to spending is indeed tricky. Have you considered trying mini-retirement or gradually decreasing work as a transition? It may help you get more comfortable with this shift.
I am feeling this too
Great talk. I enjoyed that! I worked as a pensions administrator for the local government here in the UK, I did it for about fifteen years and I can honestly say that all my clients had the same trepidations. From that experience I realised something invaluable which is: We are all trying to find OURSELVES, using the methods we have at hand. Cheers, Erik.
Thanks, Miguel! Those are some very wise words.
I completely relate to the irrational annoyance caused by even the slightest intrusion on my time, even when completely reasonable. Removing the constant state of other people's "hands on my time" was one of the primary reasons why I retired. And school pickup traffic stress - so true! I just remind myself that I absolutely do not have to rush to get anywhere, like back to work for a meeting, or to squeeze in an errand or exercise before another commitment. Worst case, I'll do it tomorrow. Not needing to carve out slivers of time from a never-ending stream of commitments is such a relief.
Jason here - thanks for your comment! You’ve articulated my feels really well here. I appreciate you sharing this.
You guys are really filling a gap in terms of post fire topics, psychology etc. Very helpful, well done.
Thanks!
Another great video! I find your content to be so relatable. Finding purpose, living a nomadic lifestyle, (slow) travelling, and the general anxiety that comes with the impending transition from saving to spending are all aspects that resonate with me.
Thanks so much, PT! We appreciate your support.
Bad news: sequence risk will *never* go away. See my SWR Series Part 38 ("When Can We Stop Worrying about Sequence Risk?")
Otherwise, an enjoyable and informative video! Keep up the great work!
Karsten (Big ERN)
Very true, Karsten. Thanks for clarifying that important point. And thank you so much for checking out our content! We are both huge fans of your work and often refer our audience to your SWR series, which is listed on our Resources page. Thanks for all the valuable information you've shared with the community!
Wow! I never thought about these predicaments in the RE stage (maybe because I'm still young). I'm 20 years old and currently in the grining stage of the Fire movement. I never realized how much of an impact working has on our lives. Thank you for the insight!
Thank you for the candor gentlemen. Three years away from our jumping off point at 55 and these questions are starting to be part of my routine. The "what ifs" will drive you crazy if you let them.
Thanks, Ray. We're so glad to learn you're enjoying the show. With three years to go, the finish line is in sight! Best wishes to you
FYI, I asked a life coach one time to help me with my irritability (My first sentence to him). His reply was, "you must be creative". Creative people can be irritable. Therefore it is not shocking that as content creators you are consider each other cranky.
I'm well beyond my target, but as a fellow architect 'the work' is a part of my identity and not just a job. I can't imagine just walking away. I now have a new target that will allow me to build projects where I'm both the client and the architect. Hopefully, a less stressful version of being an architect.
So relatable, this conversation and the commenters. I am so used to having extra cash left each month (for additional savings) that the thought of breaking even at the end of month is kind of scary, even though I have a big cushion in retirement savings.
Thanks, Jen. You are right that it is a big adjustment! It’s not even been 1.5 years for me and I’m still getting used to it. -Jason
wow! this resonates with something i’ve discovered recently... meaning = congruence (things make sense) + purpose (direction and goal) + significance (value to others)!
Thanks, Nelson. You are definitely onto something!
Great formula! Here's the one I've come up with: Success = Purpose + Serving Others. There are a million equations for "success"; but that one is probably my favorite. Thoughts?
@@CraftyDad i like it 😊 success can’t be accumulating for self… it should uplift others!
@@CraftyDad That's another great one, thanks!
I really, really enjoy listening to your conversations. It is therapeutic since I am in the process of retiring semi-early by the end of this week.
Thanks very much. Congrats on your impending retirement!
Have just stumbled across your videos and really enjoying them. I wonder if you could dedicate a video to more general principles of FIRE, for lower earners, this would really be appreciated. Love from the UK 👍
Eric, you nailed it. As a small business owner, flipping the switch and walking away feels bizarre. I liked your idea of it being a glide path, gradual draw down, but I'd honestly like to hear a follow up on how that path is going, what did you do or are you doing? I'm in the SAME path.
Eric brings up the fears I haven't thought to put into words.
I've had the conversation many times about what it would be like the win the lottery and not have to work for the rest of your life from a younger age. I think the freedom alone (#1 on Eric's list) would be the most liberating thing about it and, without anything to base this off of, would be appealing enough for me to leave my career and retire early. But as discussed here, the argument against retiring young is often "but you won't have anything to fill your days" which definitely has some merit to it because a few decades is a long time and I have no idea how I would handle it, but I feel like the freedom you have allows you to explore so many other things that would make it worth it.
I only use the lottery scenario as someone who isn't close to retiring early but the idea of being able to retire young is still there. It's such an interesting thing to consider how you would fill your time and what you would explore but it's so hard to know for sure without going through it I guess. Very interesting episode, thanks.
Thanks for the feedback, Michael! Soon we'll have an episode up where Jason talks about what his first year in early retirement was really like.
Architect here, this hit close to home, you are right, your identity is so wrapped up with being an Architect. Your language, your outlook and philosophy, everything...
Wow! You guys really touched on all my current fears. At 59 1/2 I’m contemplating retiring early.
Is there one fear looming larger than the others? Thanks so much for watching. Best wishes to you.
@@TwoSidesOfFI fear I don’t have enough $ to retire!
@@SuperFS11 Ah, "the big one". You are certainly in good company on that fear as it is the one we hear most often. Let us know if we missed any of your questions on that topic when we did the two-part series on our FI numbers.
@@TwoSidesOfFI lol those videos actually discourage me that, at 59 1/2 I’m quite behind! If I retire now I’d have to go “nomadland” 😜
Great conversation gentlemen. I wonder... Would recommend a compromise / a glide path between full retirement and full time work? For someone who can retire if they choose to, but is hesitant to give up the security of the full time paycheck, do you think going to work on a part time basis, lets say --- 20 hours a week is a good middle ground ? That way I can still feel productive, still contribute to society, but have a lot more free time. Instead of jumping in the pool all at once, you start by getting your feet wet... I think they call that Barista FIRE
Thanks for the comment. Yes, this is a common approach for a variety of reasons. Sometimes people ramp down hours at their existing jobs, and other times they do something entirely new; potentially lower stress, more "fun", or perhaps just an area of interest they want to explore. We all find out motivation and fulfillment in different ways. Irrespective of what we choose, it's most important to ensure that it works for you. Best wishes to you
@@TwoSidesOfFI Thank you so much, best wishes to both of you as well.
I was more stressed for the 1st 6 months that i would never have a high paying job again. Loss of purpose and identity for me. Still struggling
Jason here - It's easy to get inside your head. This is huge change and the emotions are real! But remember - if you have a good plan, you can trust in it. And if you're truly second guessing things? Try to work out why that's happening. We've all got to find ways to process change, and part of that is understanding why we feel what we do. Best wishes to you.
Another great video guys.
Thank you!
My biggest fear from retiring early is going from a workaholic that I’ve been my whole life being in a family business to the opposite of turning my motor off. I read about The late Great Bear Bryant who coached Alabama Football and was 100% dedicated to that job for 24 years. He retired and died 4 weeks later. Now nobody knows if retirement contributed to that as he did have health problems, but I’ve seen countless examples of this.
Thanks for the comment, Chris. The underpinnings of your concern are certainly valid: retiring to "nothing" certainly sounds like a big negative to us. We all need to find out passion, motivation, and fulfillment, whether we are pulling in income from a traditional job or not. When it comes to how to do that in retirement, that answer differs quite a bit by person, and of course can change over time.
I enjoy the content. Have you ever discussed implications of not leaving any estate for kids? Is that part of thr plan or is plan to end with zero?
We've not talked about it explicitly on the show but we will, thanks!
Oh man. These are amazing!
Thank you!
What car is that in the background Eric?
Jeep Wrangler…the most fun vehicle I’ve ever owned…
Thanks for the great conversation, which I really enjoyed as all of your UA-cam content.
It’s a person living in Europe, I am a buyer that there are certain differences between the United States and Europe in terms of retiring early.
What do you think about my following plan:
Putting all my savings, I mean almost all, into my own company, which is not active anymore. Receiving monthly salary and paying all Social Security deductibles through that salary monthly. Spending all the money until the age of 65, which would be my official retirement age. Receiving my retirement salary -For which I am already entitled by that time- from the state. It will be probably only half of my monthly salary, but it would be until the end of my life. Additionally I hope to have some other savings which I could use after my official retirement age.
Thanks for your comments
Sebastian
Wow, interesting perspectives! If you guys need something to do, you can help me get the word out about my music/book/apps. I’m grinding on my journey a little late in life, and I’ve created some really cool stuff. I need help sharing it with the world because I’m socially awkward, lol. You guys seem cool. Thanks for the great content!!!
White shirt??!
2013 to 2017 I tried. I first went to Jeffersonvill Indiana, Shepardvill Kentucky. Tech is now main stream Louisville Kentucky and Jeffersonvill Indiana has Amazon I was pulled over 24/7 by police and called n- word. Mishawaka Indiana and Elkhart Indiana and Michigan. Totally different Amish Italian, Irish and Latino. Beautiful. Downey California