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1500 Days to Freedom

Think different and escape the rat race.

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Friday Gratitude: Bring It

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Action may not always bring happiness, but there can is no happiness without action. -Benjamin Disraeli

I had always heard that early retirees lead busy lives, but I didn’t believe it. However, it’s totally true. I left my job on April 13th and I’ve never been busier. It’s only been 2 months, but if feels like 2 years. The job is a tiny dot in the rearview mirror.

I’ve regretted nothing. I thought that I’d miss the big checks and maybe I do, but just a little tiny bit. My freedom feels so much better than those paychecks.

Lake Monona

And now that I don’t have a normal job, it seems that the forces of nature technical recruiters are conspiring harder than ever to get me back into the workforce. About the same time I quit, an old colleague let me know of an opening with his company:

And lately, recruiters are throwing out big dollar amounts in emails. Software developers are in demand. I received this last week:

Information Technology was a wonderful career. I love to code and I still do it, but I have no interest in a 40 hour workweek ever again.

But this post isn’t about working to live, it’s about living to work.

 

Traveling Fool

I visited Jim Collins/ Wealthy Accountant, and the PoPs.  Then, I saw Jim Collins again when I  bought a car in his neck of the Wisconsin woods:

Wealthy Account and Jim, PoPland, NSX

As soon as the kids were out of school, we went up to Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin.

Physician on FIRE’s beer lair, Charlevoix lighthouse, Wisconsin capitol building

Next month, we head out on a mega-trip to Maine, Vermont, New York City and Scotland. I hope to see some of you in NYC and elsewhere.

 

Blogging Fool

While I don’t want another formal, 40 hour per/week job, I’m about to start something new and it’s an incredible opportunity. While I do freelance work, my style of writing isn’t a good fit for most. Marketwatch.com doesn’t want dinosaurs and fart jokes. And they really don’t want dinosaurs telling fart jokes:

However, there is one site where I’ve always thought that I would be a good fit. A couple of readers have even mentioned that this other blog and mine are their favorites.

Anyway, the owner of Other Blog recently asked me if I’d be interested in collaborating with him. My first thought was:

Why yes, I would.

No, that’s not me. This is better:

Really!? Shit, am I dreaming? Shut-up fool!

Yes. I mean, HELL YEAH!

When do we start?

***Continued with shouts of joy sprinkled with more happy expletives.***

So next month, this new thing starts. Sorry to be all secretive, but I don’t want to let the blog out the bag.

 

Busy Fool

At the busiest time in my life, I’ve just signed on for something that will make me even busier. And it feels great. Watching TV is mindless. Downtime is for the infirm. Sitting still is boring.

When I’m 90, I want to feel like I pushed myself hard all the way through. Before that:

I want to see the world.

I want to help folks with my writing and time.

I want to help the world with my money.

Normal isn’t for fun and isn’t me.

Busy is good and busy is me.

What is the point of holding back in life?

Bring it.

Join the 10s who have signed up already!

Subscribing will improve your life in incredible ways*.

*Only if your life is pretty bad to begin with.

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Comments

  1. Hmmm, otherblog.com doesn’t seem to be live yet so I’ll check back later. lol

    “There is no happiness without action.” That really speaks to me. And when I think back to my happiest times, it wasn’t when I was marathoning Game of Thrones.

    Also, you’re going to be in the UK? Does that mean that you might be around for Chautauqua in August?

  2. Oooh, exciting news! Can’t wait to see your future collaboration with this “other blogger”.

    Does this mean you’ll be posting here on 1500days less?

    It seems like your newfound freedom has really energized you. That’s fantastic! I knew you’d love it!
    Mr. Tako recently posted…Reader Questions: Precious MetalsMy Profile

  3. New blogging endeavors, cool! Bring it on 🙂
    “Marketwatch.com doesn’t want dinosaurs and fart jokes”, really? They will be missing out for sure, it’s the main reason I keep coming back here!
    Team CF recently posted…€100.000 Rental IncomeMy Profile

  4. You’re absolutely right that retirees lead busy lives. My parents are both retirees, and they are busier now than any other point in their lives. From hobbies to volunteering to side hustles, they are never sitting still. Even my father recently told me, “When the time comes you have to retire to something. You can’t do nothing all day, everyday.” When I read your blog and what other early retirees are doing it only further validates those points for me. I’m really glad to read that FIRE is treating you great. But at the same time it wasn’t an accident…your family did a great job of planning for the lifestyle you all wanted. Looking forward to meeting you all soon in NYC 🙂

  5. Perfect Friday post! Reading through this, I got excited for you as you pursue these amazing adventures and motivated to get myself and my family to FI!

    The Benjamin Disraeli quote is spot on!

    And isn’t northern MI the best?!? We live in the TC area where the lakes are plenty, the sunsets are gorgeous and the craft-beer is always flowing

  7. Normal sucks indeed. I am glad you are about to start a new chapter in your blogging career and I am excited to see/read this collaboration.

    P.S.
    Hey folks, who want to bet, please contact me 😀

  8. All riiiiight! I can’t wait to see what your next writing adventure is going to be. 🙂 I do admit you have to tone it down if you want to do freelance writing, but there are plenty of people out there who want the fart jokes. 😉 Congrats!

    Also, holy shit, I clearly went into the wrong career field. I shoulda been in IT!
    Mrs. Picky Pincher recently posted…How to Treat Yo’self To A Home Spa DayMy Profile

  9. I just had a nightmare about being back on a shitty project at work. Then I woke up to the chickens making a ruckus outside – what a relief! I’m not sure I could handle another 40 hour a week office job.

    Congrats on the new gig! Sounds like something you’ll enjoy. And what’s with MarketWatch not digging fart jokes?

    Let me know when your coming through CT, I’ll have some nice local brews to taste 🙂

  11. Looking forward to your new project. You’ve got a great voice and this is one of my favorite blogs too. Your early retirement sounds like it’s going really well. Great!

  12. I’d rather read dinosaur fart jokes than some of the stuff Marketwatch posts…their loss!

    Exciting news with the new collaboration! Can’t wait until you can tell us more!

  14. You, sir, are such a tease.

    I’m glad to hear that you’re planning to keep going at a good clip and thus preventing any atrophy from setting in in the grey cell area. That is one more thing for me to be grateful for this fine Friday. I’m _not_ grateful for the fact that today I have 6 hours worth of meetings scheduled. Bleh.
    Mrs. BITA recently posted…Are Your RSUs Messing With Your Taxes?My Profile

  15. I am halfway out the door on my 9 to 5 job (working half weeks now). So, my spirit is lifted when I hear from other early retirees fresh out the door and not regretting it, living the good life, seeking new horizons, etc. I keep thinking, Am I making a terrible mistake quitting the job at the end of this year? In my heart I know the answer is,no. And you are another bit evidence that I must be doing the right thing.

    Do you suppose they’ll ever find a dinofart in an amber bubble? Some interesting potential science to be done there. Perhaps I will explore it in retirement…

    • Hi Karl! It took me a long time (years!) to get comfortable with the idea of leaving a good job. I’m only 2 months in, but I’ve never regretted it, even for a minute.

      A dinofart in amber! Now that would be good! Actually, isn’t the melting permafrost releasing methane? The dinosaurs are getting revenge!

  16. Just want to say thanks for posting pics of Madison lately. I’ve been missing home a bit and it’ll be awhile before I can visit due to living overseas.