Your father made a very good suggestion. In the country where I live the word is well know and has no negative connotations. It just means: I have enough assets that provide me with a living.

Thanks for posting on this topic. My situation is not exactly the same as yours since I’m not really retired, but I’m not working and I’m not looking for work either. . . (a long story)

I’m getting sick of being asked by people what I do all day and being kind of looked on with suspicion by acquaintances and family. And I’m tired of people thinking DH and I are poor or miserable.

I like your idea of rentier. I’m from California and I don’t think it has any negative connotations–and perhaps you don’t care if people know what it means. Tell them to ‘google it.’

You could also say you’re an investor OR you could tell people you have a PhD in ______ and that you’re now self-employed and working on number of projects “all highly technical and uninteresting,” and then ask them a question about themselves to get them off topic. This really works, people like to talk about themselves.

I’m personally feeling feisty and frustrated about this topic and am thinking of telling people one of the following when they ask me what I do:

1. “I could tell you but I’d have to kill you.”
2. “I’m a writer” (Technically I’m a published on too–even though my writing is not currently earning me money.)
3. “I don’t work because we don’t need the money.” (DH’s idea–rather snooty for my taste)
4. “Exotic dancer” (A lie, but it will shut people up and amuse me. Imagine, Jacob, what people would say if YOU said this.)
5. “I play World of Warcraft all day.” (again, more lies that amuse me while taking the piss out of people who actually do this for hours a day).
6. “I have a rare genetic disease [sniff or clear throat]. I don’t work [shake head and look downtrodden] I’d rather not discuss it.” All 3 statements are true, yet unrelated and will make people sorry they asked about something that’s none of their business.

Anyway enough joking,

Thanks for posting while you’re ‘home’ visiting family. I know that kind of time is precious. I really enjoy your blog.

All 3 challenges have to do with your status in society. I think the solution to all 3 is to find some new ‘occupation’, an activity that you’re already spending a lot of time on (paid or not), for instance advising people on their finances, fixing watches, whatever.

Questions about what you do for a living are meant to be easy ways to get a conversation going. Try to think of an answer that leads to a conversation you want to have.

(I have no experience with the other two concerns. When people hear that I have what sounds like a dull, low-paying job, their eyes glaze over and they back away slowly, never getting to the perceived standard of living issue because of the perceived boring-idiot issue. I think I need to learn to call it my “day job” and then switch to a more interesting topic. Like, “My day job is a cube farmer at the local U, which leaves me lots of free time for ballroom dancing, visiting my new baby niece, and fantasizing about early retirement.”)

Jacob, you’re still toeing a non-existent company line. So many people still insist on titles and achievements based on ideals important to them pre-programmed by American society. You still have to leave that behind. I struggle in the same way, so you’re not unique in that respect! 🙂 But, nevertheless, it must be done.

Of your options, my favorite is capitalist. If you fire that one off as a quick, confident knee-jerk reaction– with no “it’s hard to explain exactly” undertones, then many people will think they know what that means, even though I suspect most won’t (well, at least I wouldn’t really know if someone said that to me). At the same time, they won’t want to ask because “Capitalist” has a ring to it that suggests to the listener that he/she should know what it is. ‘I know what capitalism is, therefore I should know what a capitalist is.’ I think people in the US would be more likely to ask what a rentier is, and I wouldn’t find you too friendly if you told me to google it. Not everyone is sizing you up with the job question, some are just trying to lead into a mutually enjoyable conversation.

The perceived standard of living aspect is something I have thought about… I don’t know if I would find RV life as comfortable as you seem to be. I’ve spent some time in RVs, and couldn’t wait to get back to my condo. I do like a bathtub, and a bathroom big enough to move around in. I’ll pay dearly for this, I know. I’ll be interested to see how your New England considerations play out– whether you’ll buy a fixed house or not.

As for being criticized for not contributing to society– I don’t think I would dignify that with a response.

Tell them you are a professional hockey player, a professional swordsman or a ronin. Technically, you are all 3. Or, do as I would, at least with people I don’t care to have a relationship with, lie for fun. I would just make something new up every time and have fun with it. Baby seal hunter, Nicaraguan sweat shop owner, pimp, Goldman Sachs top bonus earner, etc. Basically, whatever would get under that person’s skin, as small talk is life sucking.

The whole contributing to society thing is hilarious. Most of the people that espouse this belief are also the ones who espouse individualism. Funny how they can’t see how being coerced to “make” stuff for society isn’t individualism.

Why can’t you say, “I’m unemployed and loving it.”

My husband faced the same questions when he retired early due to a severe injury. After a couple of years the injury wasn’t immediately apparent and he faced the same questions although he was 62 at the time. He is also a physicist. After a while he settled on “Jack of all Trades and Master of Many”. He could discuss a couple of his interests in the conversation and gain knowledge from others. It is interesting that this happens to all and I agree with others that it is an attempt to start conversation.

You can say you do some job where you talk to your bosses via internet, like designing websites, programming or book editing.

I imagine some people admire what you are doing, however others feel that you may have given up. I felt some of this when I retired at 38 years old! It feels as though people resent your success or accomplishment.

I’d suggest using the term “independently wealthy”. I think it sufficiently conveys the idea that you have enough assets that you’re free from needing any wages while alluding to a sort of old-money aristocratic nostalgia.

I describe myself as a Self-employed Investment Fund Manager.
I manage my investments and live off the profits/dividends, therefore It is true, but not as high powered as it sounds.

How about: “I write about how to become financially independant.” ?

When I retire I will have the following solutions:
Title: Gentleman on Leisure
Contribution to Society: Taxes, working at a charity a few days a week pro bono.
Standard of Living: I’ve purchased unlimited free time. People should be jealous of ME.

I’d suggest just saying, “I’m a writer.” That said, I am a writer, and saying “I’m a writer” is its own can of worms. People who I suspect might appreciate my books, they get a more detailed answer, in answer to their inevitable question, “What have you published?” As for people who know how crappy the pay is for literary work, and who probably wouldn’t read it, in answer to their inevitable question, “So what’s your day job?” I just say, “a freelancer.” To Silicon Valley types whom I suspect may have a sense of humor, I say, “I’m CEO of a startup.” Well, yes I am! My own imprint. I’m the CEO because I say so. I suppose I could also call myself Chief Pug Slave. (Yes, I too have a pug, one more reason I like your blog.)

Suggestion 2: Early Retirement Specialist.

Suggestion 3: Neo-Krishnamurtian blogger?