I'm free

[I Shrugged]

Is there a way for me to subscribe to your blog? I couldn't find it.

I retired very early as a result of selling a business. One thing that bothered me a lot, well two things really, were 1) telling people I was retired, and 2) my kids not seeing me go to work. Now I am in my late 50s, so the first one doesn't bother me. Looking back, it was not a big deal, but I didn't enjoy the conversations about it. As to the kids, I do think that is a bigger deal.

[Pointedstick]

Is there a way for me to subscribe to your blog? I couldn't find it.

I just added some subscription widgets to the right side. Thanks for bringing this up!

I retired very early as a result of selling a business. One thing that bothered me a lot, well two things really, were 1) telling people I was retired, and 2) my kids not seeing me go to work. Now I am in my late 50s, so the first one doesn't bother me. Looking back, it was not a big deal, but I didn't enjoy the conversations about it. As to the kids, I do think that is a bigger deal.

Thankfully, my son is already used to me working from home, and knows that when I'm using my computer at the desk, I'm "at work." But yeah, it's an interesting set of challenges to be sure. It could just be the "puritan work ethic" talking but I really don't feel like I'm dong building things yet.

[Cortopassi]

Good luck, PS

[MachineGhost]

Congratulations, Pointedstick. I admit I'm slightly envious, as ridiculous as that probably sounds!

I don't think you'll be hanging in plaid pants playing shuffleboard for long though. I can't wait to see what you jump into next.

Hopefully once he runs out of materialistic self-centered projects to fritter time away on, he'll move onto inspirational projects where he does good to society at large and makes an actual difference. That's what I can't wait to see. No pressure, right?

[Pointedstick]

Congratulations, Pointedstick. I admit I'm slightly envious, as ridiculous as that probably sounds!

I don't think you'll be hanging in plaid pants playing shuffleboard for long though. I can't wait to see what you jump into next.

Hopefully once he runs out of materialistic self-centered projects to fritter time away on, he'll move onto inspirational projects where he does good to society at large and makes an actual difference. That's what I can't wait to see. No pressure, right?

Not that I necessarily disagree with the sentiment behind what you wrote, but were you sick on the day they explained in Libertarian class that "materialistic self-centered projects to fritter time away on" are capable of creating value for society and advancing the public good? I am currently working on one such project, in fact.

[MachineGhost]

Not that I necessarily disagree with the sentiment behind what you wrote, but were you sick on the day they explained in Libertarian class that "materialistic self-centered projects to fritter time away on" are capable of creating value for society and advancing the public good? I am currently working on one such project, in fact.

I don't believe much of what Libertarian dogmatists believe in anymore. Too much of it was black and white groupthink ideology and not reflective of human-based behavior biases or operational reality. That being said, I just don't care about the components that go into making a bloody pencil*. Like Slick Hilly, a pencil isn't gonna change the world. Wake me up when it's over.

* http://www.econlib.org/library/Essays/rdPncl1.html

[Pointedstick]

MG: avoid dualistic thinking, and don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. Just because some of what they say is wrong, that doesn't mean that all of it is. And just because some of them are pedantic, unrealistic jerks, that doesn't mean the rest of them should be dismissed. Libertarianism has many flaws, but it also offers many genuine insights into human societies--particularly modern, technical ones.

[curlew]

MG: avoid dualistic thinking, and don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. Just because some of what they say is wrong, that doesn't mean that all of it is. And just because some of them are pedantic, unrealistic jerks, that doesn't mean the rest of them should be dismissed. Libertarianism has many flaws, but it also offers many genuine insights into human societies--particularly modern, technical ones.

Libertarians lose me, just like Christians do, when all they have left is to cling is to their dogmatic propositions including apocalyptic predictions for not heeding their warnings.

[dualstow]

Wow, that was a doozy of a post! It's almost like you said, "I just found out two things. A) Someone tried to poison me. B) Turns out I successfully built up an immunity to poison!"

That is, you weren't totally sure you were financially independent until those jerks fired you.
It sounds like everything is going to be just fine, though, so....congratulations?

Most people getting laid off did not prepare for something like this. You've been doing the right thing all along, and even though saving is neither fun or easy, you finally get to enjoy the payoff. I like it.

[Kbg]

Many good comments. I find myself ready to go back to work after retiring last spring at 52. The first six months were a blast, the next six were "what am I going to do for the rest of my life" and the last three have been...okay, you need to work again. I ended up missing the social aspect of work. Something I never really considered while working. A bit more for travel would be nice as well. Perhaps if I would have resolved the phase 2 question I'd be heading in a different direction.

I should hear back this week from the only company I've targeted for a position and if hired, back to the groove. So, I guess my point is sometimes the freedom gained gets directed back to working! If I do get hired, before I quit/retire x2 I will definitely resolve the phase 2 question in more concrete terms.

[Tyler]

Hopefully once he runs out of materialistic self-centered projects to fritter time away on, he'll move onto inspirational projects where he does good to society at large and makes an actual difference.

Well, by setting a tremendous public example of how to set yourself up for financial independence at a young age so that even a surprise layoff is a good thing rather than a disaster, I think he's off to a tremendous start!

[Pointedstick]

Yesterday I had a pretty surreal experience. I got a big bonus and the best performance review of my life--glowing, all positive, no negatives at all... And then I was fired. It was quite a shock.

I tallied up the finances and realized that with only a little bit of belt-tightening, I've already achieved financial independence for my whole family. So we've decided to do that and I'm going to take an extended sabbatical while I figure out what I'm going to do next. I think it's probably time to get out of tech. Wish me luck!

Congratulations.

And... wow, that's weird. Were the two events back-to-back in the same room (and was it the same person delivering the good and bad news)? Or was there a time gap?

Same room, same person. 5 second time gap; one topic immediately preceded the other. He was not happy to be delivering the news. I found out a bit more: apparently everyone in my direct management chain is bewildered, so it sounds like this decision came from much higher up.

[Mountaineer]

Yesterday I had a pretty surreal experience. I got a big bonus and the best performance review of my life--glowing, all positive, no negatives at all... And then I was fired. It was quite a shock.

I tallied up the finances and realized that with only a little bit of belt-tightening, I've already achieved financial independence for my whole family. So we've decided to do that and I'm going to take an extended sabbatical while I figure out what I'm going to do next. I think it's probably time to get out of tech. Wish me luck!

Congratulations.

And... wow, that's weird. Were the two events back-to-back in the same room (and was it the same person delivering the good and bad news)? Or was there a time gap?

Same room, same person. 5 second time gap; one topic immediately preceded the other. He was not happy to be delivering the news. I found out a bit more: apparently everyone in my direct management chain is bewildered, so it sounds like this decision came from much higher up.

PS, I can sympathize with the person who gave you the news. The worst day of my business life was when I had to fire a person who worked for me - an outstanding performer ... she just happened to be the newest person in the group during a period of "right sizing" - that word from above to get rid of people is usually very distasteful. She ended up on her feet and did well afterwards ... competent people do that - this was a case of our loss, their gain. I expect that will be the case for you. Best wishes.

[Jake]

Yesterday I had a pretty surreal experience. I got a big bonus and the best performance review of my life--glowing, all positive, no negatives at all... And then I was fired. It was quite a shock.

I tallied up the finances and realized that with only a little bit of belt-tightening, I've already achieved financial independence for my whole family. So we've decided to do that and I'm going to take an extended sabbatical while I figure out what I'm going to do next. I think it's probably time to get out of tech. Wish me luck!

Congratulations Pointedstick! Enjoy your decompression period.

I believe that in time, your employers will come to regret that decision and you won't.

[Reub]

Best of luck.

[Reub]

Isn't that what we're all trying to get away from, having to get a job just to get low-cost health insurance? That isn't productive.

Oh, no, I meant to give you something else to do. :-)

Don't worry, I'll have something else to do after the PP is fully invested!

MG, you do plenty right here. As a matter of fact someone should be paying you for the service you provide here.

[Kriegsspiel]

"Someone."

Else.

Reub, you sneaky liberal.

[dualstow]

"Someone."

Else.

Reub, you sneaky liberal.

Thank you for making me laugh in the morning!

[MachineGhost]

Seems like New Hampshire has a massive opioid and heroin addiction problem. That doesn't make it an attactive place to want to live. If they're virtually all depressed, no wonder they're all addicts!

[Pointedstick]

Yes, I've been keeping busy. I'm finishing up a bathroom renovation and getting ready to build a fence. But to be honest, I miss paid work. I miss the affirmation by peers from being good at something that matters, and I miss a constant money stream. Even though I have enough money to live on, I don't really have enough to finance any expensive but fun or rewarding projects, like replacing my fossil burner with an electric car and a ton of solar panels.

Ironically, being financially independent makes me want a job more than ever; I feel like now I'm finally able to let go of my money neuroses and penny-pinching ways. I've just recently started applying for jobs as well as exploring another entrepreneurship opportunity, and I expect that once I have an income again, I'm going to feel far more comfortable spending the money on things that make me happy instead of just hoarding as much of it as possible.

[frugal]

Hi ps.

what type of new business is doing well on US?

Online preferably...

Hug

[dualstow]

You're in an enviable place, PS.

[Kriegsspiel]

PS I'm in the same situation WRT being able to live, but not do everything I want to do. So I went and got another job that I think is going to be rewarding and interesting. It's a lot more fun when you don't require the money.

[Pointedstick]

PS I'm in the same situation WRT being able to live, but not do everything I want to do. So I went and got another job that I think is going to be rewarding and interesting. It's a lot more fun when you don't require the money.

Awesome! So what are you up to now?

[dualstow]

krieg, then why are you in investor class (Vanguard long treasury fund, I think) and not Admiral class?
Or, do I have you confused with someone else?