Comments on: And so it begins … http://earlyretirementextreme.com/and-so-it-begins.html Becoming debt-free is the first step to building a better world. Financial independence is the second. Doing what YOU want is the third. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:07:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: linklings, too old for the factory edition | brip blap http://earlyretirementextreme.com/and-so-it-begins.html/comment-page-1#comment-21378 linklings, too old for the factory edition | brip blap Sun, 06 Mar 2011 15:17:07 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/?p=1367#comment-21378 [...] And so it begins …:  Jacob is doing what a lot of us aspire to and “retiring” early.  Extremely early, hence the name of his blog.  Jacob’s blog is thoughtful and doesn’t focus solely on any one aspect of his life.  Although he takes a different approach than I would in many areas, I’ve found his blog thought-provoking, which is the best reason to read any blog. [...] [...] And so it begins …:  Jacob is doing what a lot of us aspire to and “retiring” early.  Extremely early, hence the name of his blog.  Jacob’s blog is thoughtful and doesn’t focus solely on any one aspect of his life.  Although he takes a different approach than I would in many areas, I’ve found his blog thought-provoking, which is the best reason to read any blog. [...]

]]> By: bigato http://earlyretirementextreme.com/and-so-it-begins.html/comment-page-1#comment-20546 bigato Thu, 20 Jan 2011 22:32:48 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/?p=1367#comment-20546 About resilience and self sufficiency: I agree that producing our own food is the way to go! About resilience and self sufficiency: I agree that producing our own food is the way to go!

]]> By: bigato http://earlyretirementextreme.com/and-so-it-begins.html/comment-page-1#comment-20545 bigato Thu, 20 Jan 2011 22:31:40 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/?p=1367#comment-20545 About the agriculture, take a look at http://urbanhomestead.org/. It's a working successful example of feeding a family in the city producing all food in the backyard. You may also love Masanobu Fukuoka books, that talk so much about philosophy as talk about sustainable agriculture. He lived is live from the produces of his plot of land. Died at 2008. Wrote "One-Straw Revolution" and other books. Now I'm gonna suggest you wanna way to readily double your money: come to Brazil! Things are cheaper here, including land (much cheaper). There is more undeveloped land. Climate is great, you'll never need to spend on heating. Soil is fertile. You can count with me if you think about that. About the agriculture, take a look at http://urbanhomestead.org/. It’s a working successful example of feeding a family in the city producing all food in the backyard.

You may also love Masanobu Fukuoka books, that talk so much about philosophy as talk about sustainable agriculture. He lived is live from the produces of his plot of land. Died at 2008. Wrote “One-Straw Revolution” and other books.

Now I’m gonna suggest you wanna way to readily double your money: come to Brazil! Things are cheaper here, including land (much cheaper). There is more undeveloped land. Climate is great, you’ll never need to spend on heating. Soil is fertile. You can count with me if you think about that.

]]> By: Strick http://earlyretirementextreme.com/and-so-it-begins.html/comment-page-1#comment-4481 Strick Wed, 08 Apr 2009 14:19:55 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/?p=1367#comment-4481 I'd ignore whether you're currently at a 3% or 4% withdraw rate. These types of worries are for people that need retirement funds - People that saved their whole lives to accumulate $1.5million, and now hope they can withdraw $70K/year to cover their expenses with no earned income (or an income that now pales in comparison with the $70K required). A hope that is based on historical averages and mostly out of one's control. From what I've read, you don't have a retirement account at all, you have a huge emergency fund. Retirement accounts aren't necessary for those that have reduced their expenses to an amount so small that they can easily replace it with a few hours work. Expenses so manageable that, even if the current source of income dissapears, it can be easily replaced to the extent that covers all expected needs (even if that means you might have to work a whole hour a day ;-)to replace it). The long-lasting success of saving $60K of a $70K income in a hopeful extreme early retiree's early working career is NOT in accumulating a huge pile of money that will support you because, using the 4% withdraw rule, $60K/year is not much and would still require a lot of working to replace that $70K income. The success is in learning and proving to yourself you can live off of just the $10K/year, an amount that you realize you can easily cover with work you enjoy and that doesn't consume your days. If you decide you want something extra, you can easily work a little more to pay for it, that will be a well-defined Choice you can make. I’d ignore whether you’re currently at a 3% or 4% withdraw rate. These types of worries are for people that need retirement funds – People that saved their whole lives to accumulate $1.5million, and now hope they can withdraw $70K/year to cover their expenses with no earned income (or an income that now pales in comparison with the $70K required). A hope that is based on historical averages and mostly out of one’s control.

From what I’ve read, you don’t have a retirement account at all, you have a huge emergency fund. Retirement accounts aren’t necessary for those that have reduced their expenses to an amount so small that they can easily replace it with a few hours work. Expenses so manageable that, even if the current source of income dissapears, it can be easily replaced to the extent that covers all expected needs (even if that means you might have to work a whole hour a day ;-) to replace it).

The long-lasting success of saving $60K of a $70K income in a hopeful extreme early retiree’s early working career is NOT in accumulating a huge pile of money that will support you because, using the 4% withdraw rule, $60K/year is not much and would still require a lot of working to replace that $70K income. The success is in learning and proving to yourself you can live off of just the $10K/year, an amount that you realize you can easily cover with work you enjoy and that doesn’t consume your days. If you decide you want something extra, you can easily work a little more to pay for it, that will be a well-defined Choice you can make.

]]> By: brauhster http://earlyretirementextreme.com/and-so-it-begins.html/comment-page-1#comment-4451 brauhster Sun, 05 Apr 2009 15:08:04 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/?p=1367#comment-4451 You are a rare bird. So rare, that our society can only view you as an outlier. All most nothing is know about your species. Fortunately you are an educated, articulate blogger who can describe the environment he/she needs to thrive. I am hooked on learning the ways of this rare bird. You are a rare bird. So rare, that our society can only view you as an outlier. All most nothing is know about your species. Fortunately you are an educated, articulate blogger who can describe the environment he/she needs to thrive. I am hooked on learning the ways of this rare bird.

]]> By: mjukr http://earlyretirementextreme.com/and-so-it-begins.html/comment-page-1#comment-4448 mjukr Sun, 05 Apr 2009 01:54:04 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/?p=1367#comment-4448 Portland, OR meets most of your listed requirements. Portland, OR meets most of your listed requirements.

]]> By: Seth Miller http://earlyretirementextreme.com/and-so-it-begins.html/comment-page-1#comment-4442 Seth Miller Sat, 04 Apr 2009 21:45:32 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/?p=1367#comment-4442 I think Walla Walla, the Tri-Cities, and Olympia would all be places in WA that you may want to consider because of their urban/rural mix. I have no idea about zoning laws in any of the areas but WA has a state sales tax with no income tax and OR has a state income tax with no sales tax. I think Walla Walla, the Tri-Cities, and Olympia would all be places in WA that you may want to consider because of their urban/rural mix. I have no idea about zoning laws in any of the areas but WA has a state sales tax with no income tax and OR has a state income tax with no sales tax.

]]> By: ElizabethG http://earlyretirementextreme.com/and-so-it-begins.html/comment-page-1#comment-4439 ElizabethG Sat, 04 Apr 2009 16:05:51 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/?p=1367#comment-4439 Congratulations. I would recommend that you take some time to try various things and allow yourself to explore ALL of the different areas that interest you. I found that when I stepped out of the career tunnel (2002), there were not enough hours in the day to contemplate all of the new opportunities that presented themselves. These were things I could not even begin to consider when I was in the tunnel because of tunnel vision. I've also observed friends who took a brief sabbatical only to quickly plunge back into another thing they ended up hating. I think they did not give themselves self-permission to really find there own niche, and pressure to conform to societal expectations. I look forward to reading about this journey. Congratulations. I would recommend that you take some time to try various things and allow yourself to explore ALL of the different areas that interest you. I found that when I stepped out of the career tunnel (2002), there were not enough hours in the day to contemplate all of the new opportunities that presented themselves. These were things I could not even begin to consider when I was in the tunnel because of tunnel vision. I’ve also observed friends who took a brief sabbatical only to quickly plunge back into another thing they ended up hating. I think they did not give themselves self-permission to really find there own niche, and pressure to conform to societal expectations.

I look forward to reading about this journey.

]]> By: George http://earlyretirementextreme.com/and-so-it-begins.html/comment-page-1#comment-4438 George Sat, 04 Apr 2009 03:20:32 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/?p=1367#comment-4438 Great clarification, Jacob! Portland is well-known for allowing chickens in the backyard in regular residential zoning; home business can be more difficult, but possible. Rural residential zoning in Oregon & Washington allows both home businesses and chickens with impunity, though you are likely restricted in the kinds of home business (e.g. don't operate a junkyard or lumbermill from your residence unless you've been zoned as industrial). Great clarification, Jacob! Portland is well-known for allowing chickens in the backyard in regular residential zoning; home business can be more difficult, but possible. Rural residential zoning in Oregon & Washington allows both home businesses and chickens with impunity, though you are likely restricted in the kinds of home business (e.g. don’t operate a junkyard or lumbermill from your residence unless you’ve been zoned as industrial).

]]> By: Jacob http://earlyretirementextreme.com/and-so-it-begins.html/comment-page-1#comment-4437 Jacob Sat, 04 Apr 2009 03:14:24 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/?p=1367#comment-4437 @George - I meant Amtrak. Waterways are good too. In terms of cold, I just want a growing season (or three). WRT zoning laws, I would like to be able to run a small home business and maybe have some chickens in the backyard without running into problems. @Marie - Well, I did write 4 blog posts just today, whereas I usually write 1-2 a week. @George – I meant Amtrak. Waterways are good too. In terms of cold, I just want a growing season (or three). WRT zoning laws, I would like to be able to run a small home business and maybe have some chickens in the backyard without running into problems.

@Marie – Well, I did write 4 blog posts just today, whereas I usually write 1-2 a week.

]]> By: Marie http://earlyretirementextreme.com/and-so-it-begins.html/comment-page-1#comment-4436 Marie Sat, 04 Apr 2009 03:01:18 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/?p=1367#comment-4436 Let me think... Jacob with even more energy to burn! Brain hopping, words flying, dreams catching. Yeah! How am I every going to keep up? Best wishes! Let me think… Jacob with even more energy to burn! Brain hopping, words flying, dreams catching. Yeah!

How am I every going to keep up?

Best wishes!

]]> By: George http://earlyretirementextreme.com/and-so-it-begins.html/comment-page-1#comment-4435 George Sat, 04 Apr 2009 00:55:52 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/?p=1367#comment-4435 Oh, man, Jacob, I think you won't find all of those qualities in one location in the US. Spokane is cold in the winter, so toss it out :-) Rail system means, at least on the west coast, that you're stuck to the largest cities on the I-5 corridor. Further north of you, Portland has a decent rail system and the trees/farms are rapidly being pushed from the core. Seattle doesn't have much rail and the trees/farms are even further from the core. Or, with the phrase "rail system", do you merely mean an Amtrak stop? Both Oregon & Washington have nice small towns that are walkable/integrated and rural, but the price you pay is that they don't have rail systems. "Business friendly" is usually an antonym of "stupid zoning laws" because business friendly usually leads to urban sprawl unless the growth is regulated, which is why there are zoning laws. Oregon is full of zoning regulation that maintains agricultural reserves. Washington is similar, but less so. Oh, man, Jacob, I think you won’t find all of those qualities in one location in the US. Spokane is cold in the winter, so toss it out :-)

Rail system means, at least on the west coast, that you’re stuck to the largest cities on the I-5 corridor. Further north of you, Portland has a decent rail system and the trees/farms are rapidly being pushed from the core. Seattle doesn’t have much rail and the trees/farms are even further from the core. Or, with the phrase “rail system”, do you merely mean an Amtrak stop?

Both Oregon & Washington have nice small towns that are walkable/integrated and rural, but the price you pay is that they don’t have rail systems.

“Business friendly” is usually an antonym of “stupid zoning laws” because business friendly usually leads to urban sprawl unless the growth is regulated, which is why there are zoning laws. Oregon is full of zoning regulation that maintains agricultural reserves. Washington is similar, but less so.

]]> By: Jacob http://earlyretirementextreme.com/and-so-it-begins.html/comment-page-1#comment-4434 Jacob Sat, 04 Apr 2009 00:21:22 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/?p=1367#comment-4434 @James - DW is still somewhat tied to her job here, lest she find a new one. I think we'll hang around here for a few more years. @Seth - DW would certainly like that one (family up there). I'm pretty sure I would never want to adjunct though (being a TA for three years was enough). Suggestions for relocations are very welcome. It would preferably be North of here, wet/fertile, not too cold, trees/farms, rail system, integrated community/walkable everything, old-world down-town, business friendly, no stupid zoning laws or tangled bureaucracy, ... conversely, bad places (for us) would be desert, urban sprawl, strip malls, car dependency, big city, ... @James – DW is still somewhat tied to her job here, lest she find a new one. I think we’ll hang around here for a few more years.

@Seth – DW would certainly like that one (family up there). I’m pretty sure I would never want to adjunct though (being a TA for three years was enough). Suggestions for relocations are very welcome. It would preferably be North of here, wet/fertile, not too cold, trees/farms, rail system, integrated community/walkable everything, old-world down-town, business friendly, no stupid zoning laws or tangled bureaucracy, … conversely, bad places (for us) would be desert, urban sprawl, strip malls, car dependency, big city, …

]]> By: Seth Miller http://earlyretirementextreme.com/and-so-it-begins.html/comment-page-1#comment-4432 Seth Miller Sat, 04 Apr 2009 00:02:32 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/?p=1367#comment-4432 can I suggest that you look at Spokane, WA as a possible place to relocate to? Multiple universities and community colleges if you ever get the desire to teach (or just need some money and want to be an adjunct), quality city park system, and good public transportation. can I suggest that you look at Spokane, WA as a possible place to relocate to? Multiple universities and community colleges if you ever get the desire to teach (or just need some money and want to be an adjunct), quality city park system, and good public transportation.

]]> By: George http://earlyretirementextreme.com/and-so-it-begins.html/comment-page-1#comment-4430 George Fri, 03 Apr 2009 21:21:35 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/?p=1367#comment-4430 For a mild counterpoint to Jeavons' book, also read Steve Solomon: http://www.soilandhealth.org/03sov/0302hsted/030201/03020100frame.html For a mild counterpoint to Jeavons’ book, also read Steve Solomon: http://www.soilandhealth.org/03sov/0302hsted/030201/03020100frame.html

]]> By: Jacob http://earlyretirementextreme.com/and-so-it-begins.html/comment-page-1#comment-4429 Jacob Fri, 03 Apr 2009 20:56:07 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/?p=1367#comment-4429 @Bruno - *shrugs* :-D @Bruno – *shrugs* :-D

]]> By: Bruno http://earlyretirementextreme.com/and-so-it-begins.html/comment-page-1#comment-4428 Bruno Fri, 03 Apr 2009 20:50:10 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/?p=1367#comment-4428 "...and then spend the rest of my time building up a non-profit think tank with a dozen other idealists." Who is John Galt? “…and then spend the rest of my time building up a non-profit think tank with a dozen other idealists.”

Who is John Galt?

]]> By: James NomadRip http://earlyretirementextreme.com/and-so-it-begins.html/comment-page-1#comment-4427 James NomadRip Fri, 03 Apr 2009 20:31:22 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/?p=1367#comment-4427 Congratulations! I found your blog when looking at alternative ways of living, such as an RV or other smaller option. Someone mentioned your blog right after you'd bought the RV, and I ended up reading every post. I follow several other blogs less related so much to finances, but more along the lines of the small-house movement, and there are tons of options for you. Whether it's moving around wherever you want, whenever you want, living as off the grid as you like, or picking a city to live in, you can do anything you (two) like. If you can get internet and have access to food, you're good to go. There are more and more freelance everything workers every day. Essentially, all that has happened for you now is that your world of options just opened up as wide as you desire, since you are no longer tied to a time and point on a map 5 out of 7 days a week. You seem disciplined enough to continue writing and growing, so you'll be just fine. Let me know if you need any ideas. -James Congratulations! I found your blog when looking at alternative ways of living, such as an RV or other smaller option. Someone mentioned your blog right after you’d bought the RV, and I ended up reading every post.

I follow several other blogs less related so much to finances, but more along the lines of the small-house movement, and there are tons of options for you. Whether it’s moving around wherever you want, whenever you want, living as off the grid as you like, or picking a city to live in, you can do anything you (two) like. If you can get internet and have access to food, you’re good to go. There are more and more freelance everything workers every day.

Essentially, all that has happened for you now is that your world of options just opened up as wide as you desire, since you are no longer tied to a time and point on a map 5 out of 7 days a week.

You seem disciplined enough to continue writing and growing, so you’ll be just fine.

Let me know if you need any ideas.

-James

]]> By: Jacob http://earlyretirementextreme.com/and-so-it-begins.html/comment-page-1#comment-4426 Jacob Fri, 03 Apr 2009 19:46:45 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/?p=1367#comment-4426 @thrifty - I concur about the rise in living standards, but I think the law of diminishing returns have been reached and that relatively speaking living standards are declining. Now, anecdotally speaking, it seems that the 1960s was the peak of living standards. At that time a single income bought a house, a car, and a nice life. Today, most need two incomes and some have problems with that even. Either we must be spending money on stuff that the previous generation didn't or we are not as productive as we think anymore (money is worth less, people are not as productive as they think). I should also like to think that technological advances should have made a difference, but it seems to have translated into maximum quantity rather than maximum quality. @shawn - I'm probably not as serious yet as I should be, but I will look into it. Is that one of the permaculture books? @thrifty – I concur about the rise in living standards, but I think the law of diminishing returns have been reached and that relatively speaking living standards are declining. Now, anecdotally speaking, it seems that the 1960s was the peak of living standards. At that time a single income bought a house, a car, and a nice life. Today, most need two incomes and some have problems with that even. Either we must be spending money on stuff that the previous generation didn’t or we are not as productive as we think anymore (money is worth less, people are not as productive as they think). I should also like to think that technological advances should have made a difference, but it seems to have translated into maximum quantity rather than maximum quality.

@shawn – I’m probably not as serious yet as I should be, but I will look into it. Is that one of the permaculture books?

]]> By: shawn http://earlyretirementextreme.com/and-so-it-begins.html/comment-page-1#comment-4425 shawn Fri, 03 Apr 2009 19:42:18 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/?p=1367#comment-4425 Hey Jacob, If you are serious about the garden. I suggest reading John Jeavons book "How to grow more vegetables than you ever thought possible on less land than you can imagine." It focus on sustainable gardening while maximizing production in small areas. Hey Jacob, If you are serious about the garden. I suggest reading John Jeavons book “How to grow more vegetables than you ever thought possible on less land than you can imagine.” It focus on sustainable gardening while maximizing production in small areas.

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