Comments on: What people ought to know about the different kinds of personal finance blogs http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/02/what-people-ought-to-know-about-the-different-kinds-of-personal-finance-blogs.html Financial independence, frugality, self-sufficiency, ecology, capitalism, and voluntary simplicity Fri, 21 Nov 2008 22:27:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Dividend Growth Investor http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/02/what-people-ought-to-know-about-the-different-kinds-of-personal-finance-blogs.html#comment-1773 Dividend Growth Investor Sun, 17 Aug 2008 01:42:24 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/02/what-people-ought-to-know-about-the-different-kinds-of-personal-finance-blogs.html#comment-1773 Nice post - I am definitely a niche investing blog that focuses on retirement planning or living off your income producing assets. I do have a several decades before I retire however ( I'm still in my 20's( Nice post - I am definitely a niche investing blog that focuses on retirement planning or living off your income producing assets.
I do have a several decades before I retire however ( I’m still in my 20’s(

]]> By: 2million http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/02/what-people-ought-to-know-about-the-different-kinds-of-personal-finance-blogs.html#comment-678 2million Sat, 08 Mar 2008 01:11:30 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/02/what-people-ought-to-know-about-the-different-kinds-of-personal-finance-blogs.html#comment-678 Nice post -- I am falling somewhere around early retirement on the border with extreme. If it was just me I would definitely fall into the extreme category, however my wife rounds me out. Nice post — I am falling somewhere around early retirement on the border with extreme. If it was just me I would definitely fall into the extreme category, however my wife rounds me out.

]]> By: Hannah http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/02/what-people-ought-to-know-about-the-different-kinds-of-personal-finance-blogs.html#comment-676 Hannah Fri, 07 Mar 2008 23:43:57 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/02/what-people-ought-to-know-about-the-different-kinds-of-personal-finance-blogs.html#comment-676 @Steve - Thank you for the encouragement :) I too would like to hear your story about how you achieved FI. Real life examples always make the dream seem that much more tangible! It's funny, reading over my post I come off as obnoxiously idealistic! Haha. But my life has been anything but.. I grew up in the foster care system and went through a period of homelessness in my late teens after "aging out" with no financial or familial safety net. This was a period when I had a bit of a "wake up call" regarding the nature of money, employment, society, consumerism, financial literacy, financial independence, mortality, self-perception and how it all ties into determining the quality of our lives. In short, my unusual circumstances forced me into a position of taking a good hard look at my priorities and circumstance, and figure out what I truly valued in life. I think the defining aspect of my personality is that I am simultaneously a romantic and a realist. I have a bit of an "English major temperament" ;) which explains my fanatic worship of Time as a means to simply contemplate and appreciate life. I am also an INTJ and have strong tendencies toward questioning herd mentality and being skeptical. This, coupled with a penchant for planning ahead, and facing up to economic reality, also makes me a realist. I know that only time will tell if I indeed "stuck to my guns" but I truly believe that, on many levels, FI is not simply a means to an end but a worthy challenge... a lifestyle, in fact. It's sort of like an exclusive game, where entry is admitted to those who exhibit unusual levels of endurance, self-control, and patience. Part of the fun is testing out one's own willpower! Anyway, I'm glad I found my "niche" in the PF world :D @Steve - Thank you for the encouragement :) I too would like to hear your story about how you achieved FI. Real life examples always make the dream seem that much more tangible!

It’s funny, reading over my post I come off as obnoxiously idealistic! Haha. But my life has been anything but.. I grew up in the foster care system and went through a period of homelessness in my late teens after “aging out” with no financial or familial safety net. This was a period when I had a bit of a “wake up call” regarding the nature of money, employment, society, consumerism, financial literacy, financial independence, mortality, self-perception and how it all ties into determining the quality of our lives. In short, my unusual circumstances forced me into a position of taking a good hard look at my priorities and circumstance, and figure out what I truly valued in life.

I think the defining aspect of my personality is that I am simultaneously a romantic and a realist. I have a bit of an “English major temperament” ;) which explains my fanatic worship of Time as a means to simply contemplate and appreciate life. I am also an INTJ and have strong tendencies toward questioning herd mentality and being skeptical. This, coupled with a penchant for planning ahead, and facing up to economic reality, also makes me a realist.

I know that only time will tell if I indeed “stuck to my guns” but I truly believe that, on many levels, FI is not simply a means to an end but a worthy challenge… a lifestyle, in fact. It’s sort of like an exclusive game, where entry is admitted to those who exhibit unusual levels of endurance, self-control, and patience. Part of the fun is testing out one’s own willpower!

Anyway, I’m glad I found my “niche” in the PF world :D

]]> By: Jacob http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/02/what-people-ought-to-know-about-the-different-kinds-of-personal-finance-blogs.html#comment-615 Jacob Tue, 04 Mar 2008 06:36:22 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/02/what-people-ought-to-know-about-the-different-kinds-of-personal-finance-blogs.html#comment-615 @Steve - I'm also interested. I find this anything but easy. I've probably been too institutionalized. DW actually seems to be more accepting of my ER than I am. @Steve - I’m also interested. I find this anything but easy. I’ve probably been too institutionalized. DW actually seems to be more accepting of my ER than I am.

]]> By: Steve Austin http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/02/what-people-ought-to-know-about-the-different-kinds-of-personal-finance-blogs.html#comment-614 Steve Austin Tue, 04 Mar 2008 06:32:33 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/02/what-people-ought-to-know-about-the-different-kinds-of-personal-finance-blogs.html#comment-614 Canada, it was an easy gradual change from about age 31-36. Probably nothing that rates a guest post. Canada, it was an easy gradual change from about age 31-36. Probably nothing that rates a guest post.

]]> By: Thrifty Canadian http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/02/what-people-ought-to-know-about-the-different-kinds-of-personal-finance-blogs.html#comment-612 Thrifty Canadian Mon, 03 Mar 2008 16:31:00 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/02/what-people-ought-to-know-about-the-different-kinds-of-personal-finance-blogs.html#comment-612 @Steve Very interested in how you changed and how hard you think the change was. Stuff like convincing spouse is more difficult than changing life style I suppose. You want to share with us in a guest post, since you now “Sitting around with nothing to do "? @Steve
Very interested in how you changed and how hard you think the change was. Stuff like convincing spouse is more difficult than changing life style I suppose. You want to share with us in a guest post, since you now “Sitting around with nothing to do “?

]]> By: Steve Austin http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/02/what-people-ought-to-know-about-the-different-kinds-of-personal-finance-blogs.html#comment-610 Steve Austin Mon, 03 Mar 2008 16:04:28 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/02/what-people-ought-to-know-about-the-different-kinds-of-personal-finance-blogs.html#comment-610 I have to chuckle (at myself). I started out (around 23 or 24) with the same opinion as Adfecto. I distinctly recall saying to myself and others: "I'm the type of person who doesn't mind working, and can see myself working past 70." But now (38) I have done what Hannah says she will do by her late 30s. I think we have to imagine that a person (e.g. Adfecto) can and may *change* her/his mind. I hope to see Hannah stick to her guns though, because what she proposes is both doable and admirable. I have to chuckle (at myself). I started out (around 23 or 24) with the same opinion as Adfecto. I distinctly recall saying to myself and others: “I’m the type of person who doesn’t mind working, and can see myself working past 70.” But now (38) I have done what Hannah says she will do by her late 30s. I think we have to imagine that a person (e.g. Adfecto) can and may *change* her/his mind. I hope to see Hannah stick to her guns though, because what she proposes is both doable and admirable.

]]> By: Hannah http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/02/what-people-ought-to-know-about-the-different-kinds-of-personal-finance-blogs.html#comment-607 Hannah Mon, 03 Mar 2008 07:52:28 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/02/what-people-ought-to-know-about-the-different-kinds-of-personal-finance-blogs.html#comment-607 @Adfecto "Sitting around with nothing to do is not for me." This assumes that there is "nothing to do" when one is not at work performing their job. Which is a rather dire way of looking at leisure time! If anything, wouldn't you want to retire earlier on less, since even half of the projected 12-15 million should be sufficient to provide a very comfortable lifestyle? It would mean more years to enjoy "doing your own thing." As for me, I am currently 21 and starting out with nothing (zero inheritance, saved wealth, or financial/familial safety net). I plan on aggressively investing the bulk of my income, and retiring in my late 30s on approximately 500,000 in investments to support a very simple, frugal, minimalist lifestyle. I know, sacrilege! But what can I say: I'm an extremist when it comes to my worship of my leisure time. I only have approximately 40-50 more years on earth after that, if I'm lucky, and you know how life is... it's short. And I've made my peace with that. The point is, my FI style is more about aggressively maximizing my Time rather than my Investment Income. There is a distinct point (early on, as you can see) when I want to "cross over." I want to use that free time to explore ideas and philosophies, learn about human history and different cultures, create art, appreciate other people's art, go to museums, read the canon of literature's Great Books (a big one for me, because I love to read), enjoy films, take bike rides, hang out at the beach, spend an idle evening cooking and entertaining guests, volunteer for causes I believe in, etc. etc. Goodness, talk about nothing to do, there's too much to do! What pains me is that there isn't more time to do it all, and that I don't have FI now. Sitting around spending the majority of my life working, accumulating more money than I really need, that's not for me. @Adfecto
“Sitting around with nothing to do is not for me.”

This assumes that there is “nothing to do” when one is not at work performing their job. Which is a rather dire way of looking at leisure time! If anything, wouldn’t you want to retire earlier on less, since even half of the projected 12-15 million should be sufficient to provide a very comfortable lifestyle? It would mean more years to enjoy “doing your own thing.”

As for me, I am currently 21 and starting out with nothing (zero inheritance, saved wealth, or financial/familial safety net). I plan on aggressively investing the bulk of my income, and retiring in my late 30s on approximately 500,000 in investments to support a very simple, frugal, minimalist lifestyle. I know, sacrilege! But what can I say: I’m an extremist when it comes to my worship of my leisure time. I only have approximately 40-50 more years on earth after that, if I’m lucky, and you know how life is… it’s short. And I’ve made my peace with that. The point is, my FI style is more about aggressively maximizing my Time rather than my Investment Income. There is a distinct point (early on, as you can see) when I want to “cross over.” I want to use that free time to explore ideas and philosophies, learn about human history and different cultures, create art, appreciate other people’s art, go to museums, read the canon of literature’s Great Books (a big one for me, because I love to read), enjoy films, take bike rides, hang out at the beach, spend an idle evening cooking and entertaining guests, volunteer for causes I believe in, etc. etc. Goodness, talk about nothing to do, there’s too much to do! What pains me is that there isn’t more time to do it all, and that I don’t have FI now.

Sitting around spending the majority of my life working, accumulating more money than I really need, that’s not for me.

]]> By: Jacob http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/02/what-people-ought-to-know-about-the-different-kinds-of-personal-finance-blogs.html#comment-596 Jacob Sat, 01 Mar 2008 00:54:02 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/02/what-people-ought-to-know-about-the-different-kinds-of-personal-finance-blogs.html#comment-596 @simplicity in kansas - I think one factor that keeps net worth from going down during downturns is that people keep adding savings. Personally I am breaking just about even e.g. portfolio drop for 2007 equals my savings resulting in no change in net worth. Those how have a higher net relative to earnings have seen a drop wheres those with high earnings relative to net will usually see their net increase at all time thus appearing very successful. Of course then there's the fact that not every blogger reports earnings and spendings (or net). Also not every person blogs. @adfecto - heh, I bet that's because you don't disagree as much as usual in this case ;-) It's interesting that you approach it as an optimization problem. This lead my to consider what I have been optimizing. I think the answer is independence or self-sufficiency. @simplicity in kansas - I think one factor that keeps net worth from going down during downturns is that people keep adding savings. Personally I am breaking just about even e.g. portfolio drop for 2007 equals my savings resulting in no change in net worth. Those how have a higher net relative to earnings have seen a drop wheres those with high earnings relative to net will usually see their net increase at all time thus appearing very successful. Of course then there’s the fact that not every blogger reports earnings and spendings (or net). Also not every person blogs.

@adfecto - heh, I bet that’s because you don’t disagree as much as usual in this case ;-) It’s interesting that you approach it as an optimization problem. This lead my to consider what I have been optimizing. I think the answer is independence or self-sufficiency.

]]> By: Adfecto http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/02/what-people-ought-to-know-about-the-different-kinds-of-personal-finance-blogs.html#comment-595 Adfecto Fri, 29 Feb 2008 22:01:44 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/02/what-people-ought-to-know-about-the-different-kinds-of-personal-finance-blogs.html#comment-595 jacob, imho this is your best post yet. I think I fall into the "late retirement" category because I do plan to work until I'm at LEAST 57 (my 100% income replacement crossover) but most likely until 62. The catch is that I have started saving young enough and in large enough amounts that I will have amassed a huge amount of wealth ($12-15 million). I will be free to spend significantly more at age 57+ then I do during my career. My goal is to maximize my lifetime financial potential. Literally I will spend as much as I can (and have as much fun as I can) between now and when I die. That of course requires investing now for maximum spending later. I think I've picked a plan that is the best route to achieve my goals (at least for me). Sitting around with nothing to do is not for me. :-) jacob,

imho this is your best post yet. I think I fall into the “late retirement” category because I do plan to work until I’m at LEAST 57 (my 100% income replacement crossover) but most likely until 62. The catch is that I have started saving young enough and in large enough amounts that I will have amassed a huge amount of wealth ($12-15 million). I will be free to spend significantly more at age 57+ then I do during my career.

My goal is to maximize my lifetime financial potential. Literally I will spend as much as I can (and have as much fun as I can) between now and when I die. That of course requires investing now for maximum spending later. I think I’ve picked a plan that is the best route to achieve my goals (at least for me). Sitting around with nothing to do is not for me. :-)

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