Last week was the one year anniversary of leaving my job. It’s been an interesting and mostly good year, but it took me longer than I thought to find my groove. And who am I kidding? While I’m much better adjusted now than I was one year ago, I’m still finding my way…
If you love life, don’t waste time, for time is what life is made up of. -Bruce Lee
The Good
I’m in the best health of my life:
- Last month, I ran a half marathon. A year and a half ago, I couldn’t even run a mile.
- I can deadlift more than I weigh. A year ago, I didn’t even know how to do a deadlift.
- My resting heart rate is the lowest it’s ever been.
At 44, I have no aches. My knees are fine (except when I run a half-marathon). My back doesn’t hurt. My asthma and allergies are gone. I’m driving less and biking more. It feels good.
I’ve also discovered the joy of walking. On good days, I walk 20,000 steps. On vacation or when I happen to have a lot of alone time, I go for 40,000. This year, I’ll walk at least 6,000,000 steps.
Our life is sane: About a year before I left my job, Mrs. 1500 started working again (more on that later). It was not easy.
two kids + two jobs == chaos
I have an incredible level of respect for households with two working parents. How do you hold onto your sanity?
New friends: I’m in Colorado and there are a lot of FIREy people here. It’s fun going snowshoeing on a Tuesday morning or biking in the early afternoon on a Thursday. Before I left work, I worried a bit about the social aspect of FIRE life. Would the only daytime activity be playing pickleball with the seniors at the gym? The worries were unfounded. My social life is better now.
I don’t miss the work part of work: Writing code made me feel good. Before I left work, I was deeply worried that I’d miss this part of my job and I’d have a hole in my life. I’m a builder at heart and creating things gives me great satisfaction. I resolved it by:
- Continuing to write code: It doesn’t make any money (yet), but I still have fun playing with 1s and 0s.
- Continuing to build, just physical stuff: I have loads of plans. This summer, I’m going to build:
- a murphy bed for our guest bedroom
- planter boxes for the yard
- birdhouses with older daughter
The Bad
I miss my co-workers: I worked with a great group of people that I had known for years. While I worked mostly remote, I still had a chance to interact with them when solving issues and on calls. I still talk to them occasionally, but it’s not the same.
I don’t think about money as much as I used to, but I miss the paychecks. When I worked, every two weeks, I’d get a fat bunch of money to play with. I’d invest most of it and buy fancy beer/pay the mortgage with the rest. I like to earn money. I still earn some (more below), but it’s nothing like what it was before.
Every day is a beer day!: When I worked, I wouldn’t drink alcohol Sunday through Thursday. I wanted to be sharp for my job. Now that I’m free, I let that rule slip. Often, I’ll get an email like this:
Hey, we’re meeting up at <insert microbrewery here> in a bit. Come join us!
Me:
Ummm, OK.
Two hours later:
I’ve dialed it way back, but I still jump on these “opportunities” every once in a while.
I discovered that FIRE doesn’t make me happier: This is a big one. I thought that when I left work, I’d be happier. Nope. Instead:
I felt the exact same.
I’m not unhappy, but I’ve since learned that happiness mostly comes from you. I continue to work on this one.
The Surprises
My passive income from the real estate part of my portfolio will soon be greater than my active income ever was: Here are the juicy details of my life as a worker:
- Years worked: 19
- Money earned (before taxes): $1,598,472
- Average income (before taxes): $84,130
My portfolio is split between the stock market and passive real estate investments:
- Stock market: $796,455
- Real-estate: $723,433
In the next 5-10 years, my annual income from just real estate investments will probably surpass what I made at work. This part of my portfolio is invested in a trailer park, syndication deals, private loans and a debt fund. Not working has given me the time to study deals.
The income is low for now. The trailer park needs to be stabilized and most of the money from syndications come late in the deal. When these investments start paying, watch out!
Am I a FIRE cheater?
I am still earning money from active work: Yep, writing about money helps make even more money. This was unexpected. I started this blog for the love of writing. It makes a fraction of what I made at my job as a programmer, but when you’re frugal, you don’t need much either.
Mrs. 1500 earns money: Mrs. 1500 left her career to raise our children. However, just as our youngest child entered kindergarten, she was offered her dream job. Am I retired or just Mr. Mom?
We don’t have to worry about health insurance: This is the biggest fear for some. Not us because Mrs. 1500’s job gives her great, affordable insurance.
Am I Really Retired?
I have an answer to this question and I’ll tell you what it is in a moment.
I have a hard time wrapping my mind around my situation. Here’s why: Mrs. 1500 and I were both doing for free what we now get paid to do.
- In the first 3 years, this blog made $100.
- Mrs. 1500 wrote blog posts for her employer for free before they started paying her for it.
We were both doing what we were passionate about. But now, we make money. Funny how that works out.
Considering the above, do I really fit into this FIRE space?
Kindof. Yes. No. Maybe. Dunno.
Both of us could close up shop and walk away. Neither of us wants to though, at least not right now. Writing is my therapy and it’s a lot cheaper than a psychiatrist. I also enjoy interacting with all of you crazy people.
So, what do I think about my situation? Am I really retired? My answer is:
I don’t know and I don’t care. What I do with my life now is done with no regard for the potential to earn money.
To put it another way:
Why?
I’m doing exactly what I want to be doing.
But:
Does the blog feel like work sometimes?
Yes, but most of the time, I truly enjoy it.
Do I work 40 hours a week on the blog?
Nope. Not even close.
Does the income help?
I save it, but a safety net is a safety net. I’m insecure about money, so having more helps me sleep better at night. Our lifestyle isn’t any different.
Do you do other work?
I sure do. I work on my home. I still code. I help friends fix stuff around their homes. None of these activities pay me anything (the code might someday though), but good work is the fountain from which spews a meaningful existence.
Mr. 1500 note: “…the fountain fron which spews a meaningful existence?” That sentence is horrible. Spew? I almost spewed in my mouth reading it. Calling Ernest Hemingwrong! That choice of words is just one of the reasons you’re writing here and not on nytimes.com.
Mr. 1500 note: Wait, I’m writing notes to myself in my own post. What the…
Mr. 1500 note: Dude, you’re like carrying on a conversation with yourself here. Pull it together! Right the ship! Get back on track!
Where was I? Oh yeah, I was talking about work. I enjoy the balance that work gives me. It’s not the same kind of work that most people picture in their mind’s eye. I work for personal satisfaction, not money. It’s nice to write on the blog for a couple hours in the morning or fix a bike or build a planter box. In the afternoon, I exercise or read a book or go down to the stream to watch the Canadian geese pollute the landscape with their crap.
I need work. A life of perpetual leisure would be torture to me. The balance that work gives puts my psyche in a sweet spot.
And one more thought about FIRE:
The FI (financial independence) part is way more important than the RE (retire early) part.
You can do anything you want when you’re financially independent including staying at your job. Although, if you do this, I hope it’s because you love your job deep down (don’t come down with a case of One More Year Syndrome). I also hope that if you do decide to stay at work, you negotiate a sabbatical just to see what life is like on the other side.
Where Do I Go Now?
I’ll never go back to full-time work. I’ll also never stop working. However, I’m doing my work. I’m doing the work that makes me feel good at the end of the day.
Living this way is incredible and far more interesting than when I had a full-time job.
I’m thankful for the opportunities that this life grants me. I get to travel. I get time to take care of my body. I get time to work on relationships. I get to play with plastic dinosaurs.
I have no idea of what I want to be when I grow up, but now I have the time to figure it out. Every day is a little different and this is how I like it. A life of stasis is incredibly boring. It’s so much better this way.
The journey is different for all of us, but if you’re here right now reading these lines, I hope that you too set FIRE to your life one day. Life is pretty good here on the other side.
But now, I’ve rambled on long enough. It’s 63 degrees outside and the sun is shining. I’m heading out to wander aimlessly around the neighborhood for a bit.
See you around.
-Carl
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.
Jared says
Congratulations on your one year….uh…FIRE-verssary! The one thing I feel confused about is that you say FIRE has not made your happier but you also would probably never go back to a full time job. Maybe I’m missing something but if that were true then would you just go back to work since you’d make more money and be equally happy? You’ve got feel a (little bit) happier, or happier in some type of way, is that not so?
Mr. 1500 Days says
“The one thing I feel confused about is that you say FIRE has not made your happier but you also would probably never go back to a full time job.”
I think all of us have a certain baseline happiness that doesn’t change much. We all have our ups and downs during the day; short spurts of joy or sadness, but the baseline doesn’t move much.
I thought that this baseline would move up a couple of notches after I left my job. It didn’t. This made me realize that I need to work on myself.
However, it’s clear that leaving work was a great decision. I’m in better health. Our household runs smoother. Time has slowed down a little.
Richard says
Your comments about happiness made me put a little more consideration into my goal of quitting my job in about four years. One of the things contributing to my current level of happiness is looking forward to freedom. What will I be looking forward to when I get there? I know I’ll come up with plenty to do from home improvement to content creation, but will that be enough? I think my solution to this is my plan to work seasonally to remind myself what is so great about having the freedom to do what I want, when I want. It’s akin to sickness reminding me of how good I feel when I’m not sick. I don’t want to take my freedom for granted.
Ambertreeleaves says
Hey Carl,
Thx for the honest, open and straight forward feedback on one year FIRE.
It helps me to realise that I need to optimise now and not wait for the happiness to come at FIRE. Like you, I need work and challenges in one way or another. And right now, I like it and get paid for it.
I also like the picture of kids… Same feeling here. Maybe my wife needs to go half time to reduce the chaos at home…
Keep writing
Mr. 1500 Days says
“It helps me to realise that I need to optimise now and not wait for the happiness to come at FIRE.”
YES! Enjoy the journey! Every day has value. This is so damn important. I certainly did the wrong thing: https://www.1500days.com/death-march-financial-independence/
Accidental Fire says
Sounds like all roses to me. Do you fit into this space you ask? Of course you do. The main takeaway is even though you aren’t any happier by your own admission, I guarantee you are less stressed out! And you are way more healthy.
So let’s review, you are less stressed and more physically healthy. I’m not the smartest guy in the world, but I’m pretty confident those two things are going to build the foundation for you to succeed at whatever you choose to do for the rest of your life. And oh by the way, you’ll also live way longer too!
Mr. 1500 Days says
Thanks AF!
Yeah, way less stress and way healthier. It’s worth it for either one of those alone!
The Poor Swiss says
Congratulations on your first year of retirement! It seems you are doing great! As you said, the most important part of FIRE is the FI! Good luck on continuing on the same way!
The Poor Swiss recently posted…First six months of blogging – Lessons learned
Mr. 1500 Days says
Thank you TPS!
Bob says
There’s nothing better than being able to do what you want to do any whenever you want. Good job! on the 1/2 marathon by the way.. Also if you need a help with the Murphy Bed, just let me know, I have designed cabinets for a few of these and actually installed one years back. It’s pretty straightforward if you are not in a big hurry. Be careful though because the tension of the springs on the lift arms is enough to take fingers off if you put them in the wrong spot. Great Post!
Mr. 1500 Days says
Thanks Bob!
I’m thinking about going with this idea for the murphy bed: https://www.loriwallbeds.com/ This design avoids the lifting mechanism (and it’s cost), but putting the bed up becomes a two-person job and is a little more dangerous. I like its simplicity and the bed won’t be going up/down more than 6 times a year, so I’m OK with the tradeoff. Any thoughts?
Bob says
I like it. I bet “most” people will only use a wall bed about 6 times a year, so this very simple idea should work great. I like any time you can simplify things. The actual Murphy Bed hardware is a little tricky to install and does need adjustment over time, bolts can loosen because of pressure and springs may need to be replaced.
Looks like you could almost build the bed without plans, just get some strapping and a few latches to hold it in place. Great Idea. You’ll just need to put on your Tim the Tool Man hat and get to it.
Whymances says
If you’re happy with what you’re doing most days, I don’t think it really matters what label you slap on it, or what form it takes. Glad you’re filling your time with projects you enjoy.
Mr. 1500 Days says
Thanks for your thoughts. I worry too much about how other people label me. I need to just let it go.
Mrs. LSF says
I think its really interesting how a lot of FIRE bloggers will tell you that reaching FIRE doesn’t make you happier. Logically, I can acknowledge that this is true. I can understand that you need to cultivate happiness in yourself, and that reaching some certain arbitrary number or quitting your job isn’t going to do that for you. But sometimes it is hard to remember that. Being at the beginning of the journey toward FI, most days the prospect of working 15-20 more years is unthinkable. I’ll be honest, it gets me down, more than I wish it would. When I think about leaving my job, I can feel a weight being lifted off my shoulders. One day I’ll get there.
Mr. 1500 Days says
Hey Mrs. LSF. Your comment makes me a little sad. Do you think it really has to be 15 or 20 more years? That sounds like a long time. Do you want to chat sometime? I may have some ideas. I’ll be in Minnesota in August and I’ll buy the beer so that your date doesn’t get pushed back even a second longer than it needs to be.
Brian says
Congrats on year one! I believe this is the key for anyone that leaves traditional work for whatever reason, FIRE, regular retirement, etc. we have to be moving to something, have a purpose. I’m surprised to hear that your level of happiness is higher, Your not less stressed? Having more time to work on things you like too, having overall better health sounds like happy things to me.
Brian recently posted…Financial Literacy Interview: The Mastermind Within
Mr. 1500 Days says
“….we have to be moving to something, have a purpose.”
Yep. That’s exactly why a life of leisure would be torture!
My life is better, but that seems to be disconnected from happiness. I’m still trying to figure it out…
Angela @ Tread Lightly Retire Early says
It’s ALL about financial independence versus early retirement. The only real purpose I see in all the “early retirement” talk is to push people to leave careers that make them unhappy/unfulfilled because they’re uncertain about making the leap. But it really boils down to the freedom that financial independence brings, and that exists outside of whether or not you work.
Mr. 1500 Days says
Exactly. Being able to make decisions without the consideration of money is the key principle.
Budget On a Stick says
I’m glad to hear it is everything you dreamed and more! My plan is more or less the same since I want to keep “working” after “retiring.” Just the thought of someday being FI is liberating and drives me to want it more. I got some time before getting there but I’m going to enjoy the journey getting there :D.
PS… did you do the shot regiment for your allergies or do you attribute it to something else? (If you say it is living in Colorado that helped I will be moving immediately!!!!)
Mr. 1500 Days says
“PS… did you do the shot regiment for your allergies or do you attribute it to something else?”
I did, but stopped when I was 18. And, I lived in Colorado for 4 years before the asthma went away. I used to puff on the damn inhaler 4 times per day. Now, it’s maybe once every 2 months. Maybe moving to Colorado did solve it and it just took a little while to go away? I have no clue, but I’m sure as hell not complaining!
Steve says
You sound a lot like my wife (which isn’t a bad thing!). She certainly wouldn’t call herself retired, but she got bored being a SAHP after a few years, so now she substitute teaches a bit to maintain her edge (and get paid instead of volunteer ‘full time’).
All of this FIRE stuff is sounding more and more like ‘let’s return to what feels right’ which is probably quite funny because one parent working WAS normal just a generation or so ago! Cheers
Mr. 1500 Days says
“…one parent working WAS normal just a generation or so ago!” Yep. It’s a lot saner too.
Mrs. Picky Pincher says
Congrats on a year of FI! That’s a real achievement. 🙂 I love what you said about happiness level and FIRE. I mistakenly always thought FIRE brought a little more happiness. But I think it comes down to establishing happiness and minimizing stress. A lack of mandatory work does help to ease stress though. 😉
Mrs. Picky Pincher recently posted…What A Frugal Weekend! April 15
Mr. 1500 Days says
Thanks Mrs. PP!
Jim @ Route To Retire says
Congrats on year one, Carl! I like the attitude of “who cares” when it comes to “are you truly retired?”. In the end, why split hairs? You could sit on your butt all day if you wanted, but that would get old real fast.
Would it be a safe assumption to say that other than the freedom of not working, being able to focus more on your health is one of the biggest benefits of leaving the 9-5?
— Jim
Jim @ Route To Retire recently posted…Guest Appearance on the Retire Hoppy Podcast
Mr. 1500 Days says
“Would it be a safe assumption to say that other than the freedom of not working, being able to focus more on your health is one of the biggest benefits of leaving the 9-5?”
Absolutely! I once heard Warren Buffett say he’d trade all of his wealth to be young again. Health is EVERYTHING!
Erik @ The Mastermind Within says
I loved your interview with Gwen and J on the FIRE Drill Podcast and your story is what I hope to do someday.
You saved up a bunch of money, and now are free to do whatever you want with your time and money: coding, getting in to different investment deals, etc.
I’d be interested in hearing what sorts of coding projects you are looking at… I’ve been diving into React JS as of late, and am looking to build some universal javascript apps in the coming months
Erik @ The Mastermind Within recently posted…Become Debt Free Using the Debt Avalanche and Snowball Methods
Mr. 1500 Days says
I’ll talk about my project soon. We can also chat in Minnesota over the summer.
React is an AWESOME skill. I’d be curious to know what plan to do with it.
Mr. SSC says
Congrats on one year! Yeah, I’ll be in the same boat in a couple more months, where Mrs. SSC landed her dream job and so instead of grinding it out for a few more eyars, I’m hanging it up to be Mr. Mom. I’m sure I’ll find something to do with my time, I’ll actually have time to work on the blog, and not just work on it for an hr or so in the first part of my workday, lol. I may do consulting, I may just enjoy life, but like you, I won’t be motivated by money whatever it is I choose to do.
Congrats againa nd looking forward to reading about more adventures! Keep me in the loop for the next half marathon, I may be able to work that one out easier from a scheduling point of view. 🙂
Mr. SSC recently posted…Fully Funded Lifestyle Change (FFLC): Origin Story
Mr. 1500 Days says
Mr. SSC! The Mr. Mom lifestyle is pretty great! I hope you enjoy it as much as I am!
That would be great if you would join us for the next half-marathon. Mr. WoW and I will figure it out in July and get back to you.
Mr. Tako says
Congrats on One Year Carl! I never once thought you’d give up and go back to work! 🙂
Seriously though, it seems like your doing great.
Mr. Tako recently posted…Your Margin of Safety Has Gone Missing
Mr. 1500 Days says
Thank you!
Gwen @ Fiery Millennials says
Happy one year! I’m still working through all these topics, myself. Three weeks isn’t a lot of time to process things either. I can say that our old foe money insecurities is starting to flair up now that I’ve gotten my last paycheck from my job. Not so much panic attacks, more like worrying I made the wrong decision. I think having my side hustles bring in money would help that immensely. Want a dinosaur stained glass pattern? Ha!
Mr. 1500 Days says
I do want dinosaur stained glass! I’d also love to help you promote your new venture!
Joe says
You’re doing awesome. One year flew by, didn’t it? Time really flies.
Thanks for sharing your perspective. It’s great that your area has so many independent minded people. Nice to have a lot of friends on your journey.
Interesting about FIRE not making you happier. I was miserable at my old job so FIRE made that factor go away. I’m a lot happier now. Life is at a good contentment level as it should be. 🙂
Mr. 1500 Days says
Thanks Joe! Yeah, it flew by. Amazing really.
Jason@WinningPersonalFinance says
It’s fascinating to me that you don’t feel happier after reaching FI. I’ve been wondering about this phenomenon a lot lately. If you’re not happier at FI, would you have been better off spending more, investing less and still working?
Jason@WinningPersonalFinance recently posted…How I Used Travel Rewards to Save $2,809 on My Dream Ski Vacation
Mr. 1500 Days says
“If you’re not happier at FI, would you have been better off spending more, investing less and still working?”
Nah, spending more would not have made me happier. Learning about mindfulness would have helped though. I’ll have a lot more to say about this soon.
Mr Crazy Kicks says
Woohoo! Sweet FIRE, sounds like you’re having a heck of a time 🙂
I’m coming up on 2 years, and things are still settling in for me too. I’ve definitely missed hanging out with friends form work, but have made up for it with more social time. We usually have friends over for pizza once a week, and I’ll also meet up with a different friend each week for lunch. Not the same as everyday camaraderie, but we also don’t talk about work and actually socialize 🙂
I definitely miss my paycheck too. It’s a lot easier to show a hard days work has been done when you have a paycheck to add onto the pile each week. Maybe I’ll have to get into some real estate investing…
I still drink beer regularly, but there is more moderation for sure. When everyday is a Friday, there isn’t as much of a need to make it count and party hard 🙂
Speaking of beer, are you gonna be making another east coast tour???
Cheers, and here’s to another great year!!
Mr Crazy Kicks recently posted…Travel Hacking Our Way to Grenada – The Spice Isle
Mr. 1500 Days says
It sounds like we’re leading similar lives.
And beer, yes:
We’re flying into Philadelphia for Podcast Movement. Before the conference starts, we’re taking the train up to NYC for the weekend. Want to pop open a few in a park again? 🙂
Olivia says
I wonder if it is just all the bloggers out there who feel a need to create even though retired! Or is it the same everywhere?
Have felt that I won’t actually RE when I’m FI. Writing a blog is cathartic and brings my spending way down. I think I will continue to do so even after I have fired. I’m probably a cheater then too :P. But I do think that staying at home in my pajamas and typing away will be more happy than I am currently!
Olivia recently posted…The Ultimate List of 18 Geoarbitrage Cities Worldwide
Mr. 1500 Days says
“I wonder if it is just all the bloggers out there who feel a need to create even though retired! Or is it the same everywhere?”
We’re a motivated bunch and I think the need to create and build is in our blood.
“But I do think that staying at home in my pajamas and typing away will be more happy than I am currently!”
Can’t argue with that!
freddy smidlap says
this smells similar to what i’ve been experiencing now that the ducks have been in a row for a year or two, although i’m still working. went from two job house to one job house: check. dog is all trained and good to go: check. house is paid: check. investments are in great shape: check. no longer working crappy schedule and work no longer sucks: check. i should be sitting around eating cheetos and feeling smug and accomplished but instead i’ve gotten soft.
i think a miss the hardship and challenge of accomplishing something difficult. i’m not sure yet what that will be but it surely will be something. excellent post!
freddy smidlap recently posted…Are You Working for “Needs” Money or “Wants” Money?
Mr. 1500 Days says
Yeah, hardship and challenge a necessary part of a well-lived life! Can’t agree more there.
And are you a regular Cheeto guy or the Flamin’ Hots. I love the hot ones!
freddy smidlap says
they used to have jalapeno ones in the vending machine at the salt mine and it’s good they took them away. i was getting to be a fat load from all that delicious lovin’.
freddy smidlap recently posted…Are You Working for “Needs” Money or “Wants” Money?
Danny the Pizza Guy says
Great post Carl, and congrats on your one year anniversary! While reading this I was constantly reminded of a quote I found early in my discovery of the FIRE community. “If you have enough assets plus passive income to cover your personal lifestyle expenses for the rest of your life, and that money allows you to work at something you love – without concern for the amount of compensation – then you are wealthy.” – Bankers Anonymous. I think you and 1500 crew fit this definition perfectly.
As for being a FIRE cheater and not really being retired, I disagree. Both of my parents are retired, and still continue to somewhat work, whether they are compensated for it or not. Heck, my mother found her professional calling in her 50’s after she retired Haha! Like yourself, she initially immersed herself into several things, and ultimately ended up focusing on the one that made her the most happy. So, I wouldn’t be too worried about finding yours.
Mr. 1500 Days says
I love that quote. Helluva way to put it in perspective!
That’s awesome about your mother. It’s never too late to figure out what you were meant to do.
Kate says
Happy FIRE-versary!
In comparison to what you’ve mentioned on if you’re the RE part or not, I wonder how my own situation fits into the FIRE methodology. I work as a school librarian, which I enjoy doing, and work about 35 hours per week. I’ll never make heaps of money but hope to find FI in the next 10-15 years at this pace. I read everyone’s FI-RE stories and feel envious, as I would love that feeling of ‘freedom’, yet I get off of work daily by 2:30pm (go in for 7am start) and have every afternoon, holiday, weekends, and breaks off to enjoy as I wish. I don’t take work home and rarely think about it outside of the workday (outside of professional development goals).
I always wonder though if I should consider myself partially retired every summer when I don’t work for money 2 months of every single year. At the end of my, say, 25-year career, that’ll equal about 4 years (50 months) worth of RE time… Does that count as retirement? Should I pursue FIRE so hard like I am, or enjoy the ride and just seek FI, but keep up the regular work despite good and bad days?
You’ve given me food for thought related to my own situation and one that is not as dire as it feels sometimes in comparison to others with 1.5 mil in investments. The fact that most financial gains beyond a certain point don’t increase happiness is something interesting to consider.
Anyway, thanks for sharing. It’s always enjoyable to read your experience on this journey!
Kate recently posted…Toilets and the Ever Important $1,000 Emergency Fund
Mr. 1500 Days says
Kate! Thanks for sharing your story! Jobs in education are wonderful because of the time off. The lack of stress with your particular job is also very appealing. Just enjoy the journey and don’t overthink it (look who’s talking!).
Rohan says
Well done. This is what a lot of us are working for! And by no means are you cheating FIRE! In my opinion you are doing it exactly right. The passive income that you have worked so hard for has given you the freedom to do what you want. If you want to work, go on you!
Mr. 1500 Days says
Thanks Rohan!
Young FIRE Knight says
“Am I retired early? Who cares..”
Love that response! I mean you’ve pretty clearly detailed out exactly what you’ve been doing and you’re enjoying it, that’s all that matters! Everyone has these rigid definitions of what is and isn’t early retirement so let them figure it out for themselves! Makes no difference to you I’m guessing 🙂
Mr. 1500 Days says
Thanks YFK!
I have to stop caring so much what the haters and trolls think…
Brian @ The Graying Saver says
Carl – Congratulations and thank you for this thought-provoking post.
I’m not terribly surprised that your perception is that there’s been no change to your happiness level. We all have a baseline happiness level that we tend to return to once we’ve become accustomed to whatever good or bad fortune befalls us.
Alain de Botton has a line that captures this idea in his video called “The Art of Travel”. He goes on a cruise to enjoy leisure and luxury. The ship’s crew is there to provide for his and the other passengers’ every need. But by the middle of day one he has a troubling realization that there is something not quite right and there is nothing anyone on the ship can do to help him. The realization is that he has inadvertently brought himself along on his holiday.
The point is that all of our doubts, fears, insecurities, and questions such as “is this it? ” or “what comes next?” come along with us wherever we go. Given more leisure time we have even greater opportunity to contemplate these questions and uncertainties.
Similarly, the person who reaches FIRE with you will be the same person who was along for the journey with you. Was that person happy then? Is that person happy now?
Brian @ The Graying Saver recently posted…March 2018 Expense Report
Mr. 1500 Days says
Lots to chew on here. I feel a bit ridiculous for not realizing some of it sooner, but now that I know, it’s fun to work on.
“Similarly, the person who reaches FIRE with you will be the same person who was along for the journey with you.”
Yep. And in some ways, things get magnified. Two busy people may not have a ton of time to interact. However, when the work gets dialed down, the together time gets dialed up. In our case, this has been a good thing and I’m thankful for that.
Any book recommendations?
Brian @ The Graying Saver says
The Blue Zones of Happiness by Dan Buettner is a good one, The biggest takeaway for me was not to rely on your own will power to “do” the things that are supposed to bring lasting happiness. Instead, change your environment so that you are “nudged” into doing those things without having to think about them.
We need to work on creating more nudges. The best way for us to do that would be to move to a different neighborhood but we’re not sure we’re ready for that. Change is easy, transformation takes time.
Two other books I haven’t yet read but plan to are:
Stumbling on Happiness by Dan Gilbert
The How of Happiness by Sonja Lyubomirsky
Brian @ The Graying Saver recently posted…Am I Walking the Talk?
Mr. 1500 Days says
Thanks for your book recommendations (added to m book list) and thoughts. Changing the environment is a good one. I’ve discovered that just putting my phone on airplane mode causes me to behave differently (better). I’m sure there are a million other environmental tweaks.
Have you ever heard of this one: https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Art_of_Happiness.html?id=LwDEYUP6X-YC&printsec=frontcover&source=kp_read_button#v=onepage&q&f=false A non-BS, sciency person recommended it to me recently, so I’m reading it next.
Brian @ The Graying Saver says
I will be adding this one to my book list. The table of contents looks very promising. I meditate regularly so I’m already open to this type of stuff.
Brian @ The Graying Saver recently posted…Eating Food for Money
Team CF says
Congrats on a good year Carl, honest write up indeed!
But eh, who the F*ck cares if you are retired or not? You are FI, that is all the matters, what you do with the rest of the time is your decision. You might not be more happy, but at least you are happy and feel good!
Drink a beer to that! 🙂
Team CF recently posted…Who Can FIRE?
Mr. 1500 Days says
Good point! I need to care less. To hell with the naysayers!
I will drink a beer to that, but even more, I’d like to share some beer with you one of these years. I hope our paths cross sooner than later.
Stephen Desmond says
Great post.
I’m a few months into retirement, similar age to yourself and many of the feelings you’ve so eloquently projected here resonate strongly with my own experiences so far. Most of all, I too expected an instant hit of euphoria from the first day I stopped traditional paid employment and it just never came. That was quite spooky and it has taken / is taking me a while to figure it all out, but I think I’m getting there. (First world problems and all that…)
The clincher for me is that you need to redesign your life. Having spent 20+ years obsessed with a corporate existence you come out of and flop into a mass vacuum that needs filling. I first hurtled into all manner of energetic things I tried to do in my ‘free time’ while working – writing, jogging, music, travelling, DIY etc. Then, still feeling exhausted and like I was operating at breakneck speed, I had a phase of doing sod all, just bumming about and watching TV and drinking beer really. I’m finally settling into a more productive and enjoyable halfway house. But it’s still a work in progress.
In hindsight I would have spent more time considering all this before retiring, mulling over what I might want to do. But one thing’s for sure, paid employment is off the table. I may not have experienced a huge happiness kick from retiring but all the negatives – the early starts, the late nights, the politics, the commute, the bullshit – have instantly gone from my life.
Mr. 1500 Days says
Yeah, you have to have something to retire to. However, I’ve heard some say that they valued the experience of figuring this out, even when it’s taken a couple years.
I had this blog and other stuff to move to, but I overcompensated. I should have sat around and eaten Cheetos on the couch for a month. I still haven’t slowed down, but will do so this summer.
I’d be curious to know how your journey evolves!
MrWow says
Congrats. Well deserved!!! I am so looking forward to this happening! I have too much in my days already. And there’s this big clog in the middle. Blah.
So ever use digital ocean? I’m transitioning my project because I outgrew the shared server I was using. On with the projects!!!
Mr. 1500 Days says
Big clog! That’s one name for it!
Never heard of Digital Ocean, but BigScoots has been awesome.
Mr Free says
Well done sir! I have a client who did the FIRE deal. His girlfriend knew he would become a couch spud if he did not have a plan. So here goes: Book List – Dedicate one hour a day to reading. Exercise – Yoga, Running, Swimming, Biking and when summer comes around Kayaking. She had him sign up for classes at the Y and really follows a good schedule. No TV till after five. He also started piano lessons. So it all comes down to structure.
Your doing great we all envy you. At least I do.
John
Mr. 1500 Days says
Can you coach me in the opposite direction? Tell me how to settle my ass down? 🙂
Mr Free says
Mrs Free is a lot like you. She jams 75 minutes of activity into a 60 minute hour. My daughters have a saying “Do Less”. She struggles with it. It really comes down to just draw up a list of the important things and let the rest drop off. I have realized I must have a list or I will drift off to doing things that are not productive and then I get pissed at the lost time.
So draw up the list and then say no to all the rest. I have found that my triathlon training has really helped, as I have to get my training in and then work around it with everything else.
Gonzalo says
Love this Carl.
Graduated from college last year and started working as a software engineer. I can relate with a lot of this. I’ve always been more of a saver than a spender and I’m hoping to follow a path similar to yours!
The not being happier now comment you made really hit home. Sometimes it feels like I’m justifying putting off happiness or trying to blame it on some external party. It’s really up to us to choose to be happy.
Colorado seems like the place to be for FIRE! (I guess I only “know” of you and Mr. MM living there, but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯)
Does the step chart come from a Fitbit?
Anyway, thanks for this!
Mr. 1500 Days says
Gonzalo! How awesome is it to be armed with all of this knowledge at your young age? You’re going to dominate life!
“It’s really up to us to choose to be happy.”
Damn, this is sooooooo true. I wish that I would have realized it years ago instead of waiting for some external thing I thought would make me happy.
And yeah, the step chart is FitBit.
EL says
Yeah meaningful work is the right way to live. ITs slow at work and Ive stalled a bit on the website, so I am consuming myself with projects on the house. It never ends but at least its productive and you feel better when a project is complete. Congrats on retiring and wandering.
EL recently posted…Scale Back These Four Areas of Your Life to Cut Expenses
RocDoc says
I think many of us that are hard working, goal oriented, highly educated individuals sometime forget to just sit back, relax and “enjoy the journey” and are too focused on a distant delayed path that will be reached sometime in the future. I think it may be part of a first world problem. When I visit third world countries, the people seem happier, despite their poverty.
Mr. 1500 Days says
“When I visit third world countries, the people seem happier, despite their poverty.”
Yep. I worked with Chinese guy who had recently moved here. He and his wife made big money and had a good life. One day, he said something to me I’ll never forget:
“In America, my wife and daughter live in a huge house. In China, I lived in a tiny home with my parents and grandparents. But I was happier there.”
It’s easy to lose your way.
Fritz @ The Retirement Manifesto says
Insightful post, Carl. I’m 50 days away from FIRE, and find it fascinating to look back over your first year vicariously through your words. The freedom to do what we want, without regard to money, is the best gift we can give ourselves. Thanks for sharing the lessons you’ve learned over your first year. I’m watching, and learning.
Chris@CanIRetireYet? says
I’m only 4 months in, but to everything you wrote, I relate completely and appreciate the candor. Especially agree that I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up yet. Sometimes having a lot more time to think about all the possibilities is extremely exciting. Sometimes all the time I have to think about it makes me feel anxious. It’s weird and hard to explain what we’re doing as we carve this unusual path in life. I appreciate the supportive community of FIRE bloggers to help figure it out together.
Cheers!
Chris
Susan @ FI Ideas says
“Good work is the fountain from which spews a meaningful existence”. How can I be the first to comment on this amazing line?!!
I’ve been “retired” 7 years. I totally agree about have good work, but for me I don’t want it to be a J-O-B. My husband and I both enjoy doing a lot of projects, mostly free labor for others in areas we have a passion for. But we do these things on our own timeline and if we don’t want to do another, we don’t. That has been a key to our FI happiness.
Oh, and P.S. I used to code. I do miss it a little. Only a little. I don’t miss that cubicle!
Susan @ FI Ideas recently posted…Saved by the Bubble — Nearly Running Out of Money at 88
Mr. 1500 Days says
“I don’t miss that cubicle!”
Understatement of the century! 🙂
I’m glad you liked my sentence, I look forward to spewing more wisdom in the posts to come! 🙂
I’m slowly letting go of coding. I still like it, but it’s a lot of work to keep up with the technology.
Michael CPO, From the Far Side of the Planet says
Great reflection post … it seems you are pretty happy …. writing is like therapy? … I find hobby blogging and nature walks relaxing too… if you ever decide to retool by going back to school … you may try becoming a certified teacher … then teach ICT … computers to kids overseas around the world …… gives you health care, teach kids and play with computers all day, free tuition for the kids, 3 months paid vacation etc etc …. my friends are teaching all over the place from Cairo to Tokyo, from Switzerland to Kenya etc etc – by the way Japanese beer is pretty good 🙂 Michael CPO -Christian Professionals Overseas
Michael CPO, From the Far Side of the Planet recently posted…Live the dream – Live and work internationally as a teacher – Retire early, become financially independent and/or buy a holiday house – All Over the World
Mr. 1500 Days says
Whoah, I had never heard of ICT. Thanks for the recommendation!
Ms ZiYou says
Sounds like you’ve got it all worked out, maybe you are a househusband at the moment, but do labels really matter? As long as you are both enjoying life, all is good.
Keep it up with the dinosaurs, they rock!
Ms ZiYou recently posted…Why do the financially challenged pay for our free banking?
Mr. 1500 Days says
Thanks Ms ZiYou!
I like taking pictures of the dinosaurs, but they’re getting arrogant. They keep raising their modeling fees. Somehow, they think that they can work their job here on the blog into a movie role. Good luck with that dinosaurs.
Troy @ Bull Markets says
It’s been one hell of a year. Keep up the good work! As a side note, be careful with the stock market. There are boom and busts every decade or soon, and it’s been a boom for the past decade.
Troy @ Bull Markets recently posted…Why I’m medium-long term bullish on the stock market
Myers & Myers Real Estate says
Congratulations Mr and Mrs 1500. I left corporate America in 2009 and started investing in real estate. Built up a nice portfolio, then started a real estate company. I still work but it do not seem like work.
Sounds like you are enjoying what you do. I am able to relate to much of what you state in this article.
Best of luck to you.
swapnali says
nice place to be here, i see nice comments and nice people as well, i will make it a point to come here more often to read and post comments so people and myself benefit.