Comments on: The Early Retirement Path http://earlyretirementextreme.com/the-early-retirement-path.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: Caine http://earlyretirementextreme.com/the-early-retirement-path.html/comment-page-1#comment-21273 Caine Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:22:44 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/03/the-early-retirement-path.html#comment-21273 @Jacob wrote "The reason it didn’t happen as predicted is that increase efficiency has always translated into more stuff and more waste instead of more leisure time." I disagree to an extent. I can't really prove anything mathematically. I can only tell you my life experience. I grew up in the 60's, in the same house I'm living now. Both my wife and I would have to work full time today even to live a 60's lifestyle in this same house. In fact, in many ways life was better then. School busing,band, sports, and craft classes were free. They either cost or are non existent today. I have to pay for a parking permit to park in the local mountains to hike now, I now have to pay for my sewers, they were giving a boat load of money in college scholarships away then that they don't now. All of my taxes have increased even though there were numerous takeaways. So, even without an increase in stuff(personally or socially,and in many ways I lost some stuff along the way socially), I would have to work a lot harder and longer today to have the same lifestyle. @Jacob wrote “The reason it didn’t happen as predicted is that increase efficiency has always translated into more stuff and more waste instead of more leisure time.”
I disagree to an extent. I can’t really prove anything mathematically. I can only tell you my life experience.
I grew up in the 60′s, in the same house I’m living now. Both my wife and I would have to work full time today even to live a 60′s lifestyle in this same house. In fact, in many ways life was better then. School busing,band, sports, and craft classes were free. They either cost or are non existent today. I have to pay for a parking permit to park in the local mountains to hike now, I now have to pay for my sewers, they were giving a boat load of money in college scholarships away then that they don’t now. All of my taxes have increased even though there were numerous takeaways.
So, even without an increase in stuff(personally or socially,and in many ways I lost some stuff along the way socially), I would have to work a lot harder and longer today to have the same lifestyle.

]]> By: Black Coffee: Thin Mints, Early Retirement, Charlie Sheen (Pick Any 2) « Len Penzo dot Com http://earlyretirementextreme.com/the-early-retirement-path.html/comment-page-1#comment-21251 Black Coffee: Thin Mints, Early Retirement, Charlie Sheen (Pick Any 2) « Len Penzo dot Com Sat, 26 Feb 2011 20:02:14 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/03/the-early-retirement-path.html#comment-21251 [...] Retirement Extreme - The Early Retirement Path.  It used to be people were considered rebels when they retired at 60.  Then it was 55.  Then [...] [...] Retirement Extreme – The Early Retirement Path.  It used to be people were considered rebels when they retired at 60.  Then it was 55.  Then [...]

]]> By: Jacob http://earlyretirementextreme.com/the-early-retirement-path.html/comment-page-1#comment-21247 Jacob Sat, 26 Feb 2011 17:27:03 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/03/the-early-retirement-path.html#comment-21247 @Caine - The reason it didn't happen as predicted is that increase efficiency has always translated into more stuff and more waste instead of more leisure time. We could have a 20 hour workweek by now if we accepted a 1950s lifestyle. The workweek could be even shorter if optimized. Let's say I worked 3000 hours per year when I was working. I worked 7 years; that's 21000 hours. I expect those 21000 hours to pay for 80 years of my life. That's 80*52=4160 weeks. Roughly speaking that's a 5 hour work week if I distributed my effort rather than relying on financial methods to shift cash flows. I consider that entirely realistic for everybody to do. However, people would then have a consumption corresponding to my $6000-7000/year level; not my average "neighbor's" $24000/year level. @Caine – The reason it didn’t happen as predicted is that increase efficiency has always translated into more stuff and more waste instead of more leisure time. We could have a 20 hour workweek by now if we accepted a 1950s lifestyle. The workweek could be even shorter if optimized.

Let’s say I worked 3000 hours per year when I was working. I worked 7 years; that’s 21000 hours. I expect those 21000 hours to pay for 80 years of my life. That’s 80*52=4160 weeks. Roughly speaking that’s a 5 hour work week if I distributed my effort rather than relying on financial methods to shift cash flows. I consider that entirely realistic for everybody to do. However, people would then have a consumption corresponding to my $6000-7000/year level; not my average “neighbor’s” $24000/year level.

]]> By: Caine http://earlyretirementextreme.com/the-early-retirement-path.html/comment-page-1#comment-21246 Caine Sat, 26 Feb 2011 17:11:33 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/03/the-early-retirement-path.html#comment-21246 When I was very young there were promises of a long leisurely life of early retirement for all. New kitchen gadgets were going to free up time. Building on every piece of property was going to create so much tax revenue. Our businesses and influence around the world were so strong we would reap untold riches. The story was told everywhere...the World's Fair, Disneyland, TV... Didn't work out so well. Pollution, overpopulation, traffic, war, stress, overwork, etc., abound. The hopes of those of us who hope to retire early rest upon others who won't or can't...others who support a system addicted to cheap oil, debt, and plundering the environment. To generate the kind of incomes we need, we invest, and need people to burn gas, buy new cars, smoke cigarettes, and drink coke. I'm not complaining...I retired comfortably at 50...I bought leisure, not stuff. I'm just saying... When I was very young there were promises of a long leisurely life of early retirement for all. New kitchen gadgets were going to free up time. Building on every piece of property was going to create so much tax revenue. Our businesses and influence around the world were so strong we would reap untold riches. The story was told everywhere…the World’s Fair, Disneyland, TV…
Didn’t work out so well. Pollution, overpopulation, traffic, war, stress, overwork, etc., abound. The hopes of those of us who hope to retire early rest upon others who won’t or can’t…others who support a system addicted to cheap oil, debt, and plundering the environment. To generate the kind of incomes we need, we invest, and need people to burn gas, buy new cars, smoke cigarettes, and drink coke.
I’m not complaining…I retired comfortably at 50…I bought leisure, not stuff. I’m just saying…

]]> By: et http://earlyretirementextreme.com/the-early-retirement-path.html/comment-page-1#comment-21241 et Sat, 26 Feb 2011 02:48:18 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/03/the-early-retirement-path.html#comment-21241 "Early retirement can be achieved by anyone." Many people, yes. More people than think they can, yes. Anyone, no. “Early retirement can be achieved by anyone.”

Many people, yes. More people than think they can, yes.

Anyone, no.

]]> By: Emily http://earlyretirementextreme.com/the-early-retirement-path.html/comment-page-1#comment-21236 Emily Fri, 25 Feb 2011 18:02:31 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/03/the-early-retirement-path.html#comment-21236 DH and I could now, at about age 40, "retire." He is going to work 2 more yrs so we can have just a little more cushion in our investments. Early retirement is possible with early planning, frugality and consistent investing. DH and I could now, at about age 40, “retire.” He is going to work 2 more yrs so we can have just a little more cushion in our investments.

Early retirement is possible with early planning, frugality and consistent investing.

]]> By: retirebyforty http://earlyretirementextreme.com/the-early-retirement-path.html/comment-page-1#comment-21235 retirebyforty Fri, 25 Feb 2011 17:52:32 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/03/the-early-retirement-path.html#comment-21235 My magic number is about 60k/year. I'm pretty lucky though because the Mrs. likes working and that will carry us most of the way to 60k/year. My magic number is about 60k/year. I’m pretty lucky though because the Mrs. likes working and that will carry us most of the way to 60k/year.

]]> By: frugalscholar http://earlyretirementextreme.com/the-early-retirement-path.html/comment-page-1#comment-21234 frugalscholar Fri, 25 Feb 2011 17:10:34 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/03/the-early-retirement-path.html#comment-21234 This is not my goal (I'm already in my late 50s and I want to work at least till 65), but it's so nice to know that I could do this! It has been freeing to be able to say all these years: "I'm working because I want to, not because I have to." This is not my goal (I’m already in my late 50s and I want to work at least till 65), but it’s so nice to know that I could do this! It has been freeing to be able to say all these years: “I’m working because I want to, not because I have to.”

]]> By: LifeAndMyFinances http://earlyretirementextreme.com/the-early-retirement-path.html/comment-page-1#comment-21232 LifeAndMyFinances Fri, 25 Feb 2011 12:05:20 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/03/the-early-retirement-path.html#comment-21232 It really is liberating to live off a small budget isn't it? Especially when you have an extra couple thousand at the end of the month to sock away for retirement. I would love to retire in a few years, and I think my wife and I are headed in the right direction with our home-based businesses. To retire from our day jobs and travel would be a dream come true. It really is liberating to live off a small budget isn’t it? Especially when you have an extra couple thousand at the end of the month to sock away for retirement.

I would love to retire in a few years, and I think my wife and I are headed in the right direction with our home-based businesses. To retire from our day jobs and travel would be a dream come true.

]]> By: Mr. B2B http://earlyretirementextreme.com/the-early-retirement-path.html/comment-page-1#comment-1798 Mr. B2B Wed, 20 Aug 2008 10:20:26 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/03/the-early-retirement-path.html#comment-1798 really nice post i must add, and i was not going to comment, but the plans are amazingly easy to share.. how about your wife's take... or the mother of your 3 children?? Will be back most definitely! really nice post i must add, and i was not going to comment, but the plans are amazingly easy to share..

how about your wife’s take…

or the mother of your 3 children??

Will be back most definitely!

]]> By: move to portugal http://earlyretirementextreme.com/the-early-retirement-path.html/comment-page-1#comment-821 move to portugal Fri, 21 Mar 2008 12:52:13 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/03/the-early-retirement-path.html#comment-821 Great post Tim! Great post Tim!

]]> By: Four Pillars http://earlyretirementextreme.com/the-early-retirement-path.html/comment-page-1#comment-634 Four Pillars Wed, 05 Mar 2008 05:23:36 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/03/the-early-retirement-path.html#comment-634 Hi Tim, great guest post! I found it through Stumble. Mike Hi Tim, great guest post! I found it through Stumble.

Mike

]]> By: claire http://earlyretirementextreme.com/the-early-retirement-path.html/comment-page-1#comment-622 claire Tue, 04 Mar 2008 17:32:58 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/03/the-early-retirement-path.html#comment-622 Hi Canadian Dream What about inflation - it can eat you alive, do you have an index linked pension or something that might kick in later on? Claire Hi Canadian Dream

What about inflation – it can eat you alive, do you have an index linked pension or something that might kick in later on?

Claire

]]> By: Canadian Dream http://earlyretirementextreme.com/the-early-retirement-path.html/comment-page-1#comment-616 Canadian Dream Tue, 04 Mar 2008 12:43:32 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/03/the-early-retirement-path.html#comment-616 Alex, I'm in Regina, SK. It used to have very affordable housing until about 20 months ago when the boom hit (I managed to buy before the boom). You have to remember that $24,000/year assumes I've paid off my house. Right now I'm living off of $34,500, but that includes paying down my mortgage at an accelerated rate. Tim Alex,

I’m in Regina, SK. It used to have very affordable housing until about 20 months ago when the boom hit (I managed to buy before the boom). You have to remember that $24,000/year assumes I’ve paid off my house. Right now I’m living off of $34,500, but that includes paying down my mortgage at an accelerated rate.

Tim

]]> By: Alex http://earlyretirementextreme.com/the-early-retirement-path.html/comment-page-1#comment-613 Alex Tue, 04 Mar 2008 03:43:32 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/03/the-early-retirement-path.html#comment-613 what part of the country do you live in? I live fairly frugally, but there is no way on earth I could live on $24K a year; even moderate housing in someplace moderate would still cost like $15K. what part of the country do you live in? I live fairly frugally, but there is no way on earth I could live on $24K a year; even moderate housing in someplace moderate would still cost like $15K.

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