I had an amazing and disturbing thought the other day. First, I must give you some background.
Work, work and work
As long as I can remember, I’ve always worked and worked hard. Before I was 14, I mowed lawns, shoveled driveways, delivered papers and various other hustles. As soon as I turned 14, I started at my first real job. All through high-school, I kept various part-time jobs. Over breaks, I’d get work through temp agencies or find seasonal jobs.
Same thing at college. I worked in the computer lab during school. On breaks, it was back to the temp agency. Some of the jobs were horrible.
I started my first real job even before I even finished my computer classes. I was studying mainframe programming and it was right before the year 2000, so demand for my new skills was crazy. Back then, if HR thought that a raccoon could write a line of code to help with the Y2K issue, I’m sure they would have been hired with a fat sign-on bonus. Actual raccoon code:
if (TrashCanOpen == true)
{
invadeTrashCan();
}
No time off
I’m 41 now and looking back, the time I’ve spend working has been ridiculous. I’ve changed jobs a couple times, but I never took time off in between. I’ve never taken a sabbatical. In the past 27 years, it disturbs me to think that I’ve never had more than one week off from work at a time. Sometimes, I’d arrange my time off around a holiday like Labor Day to get an extra day, but really, that’s it. How sad and pathetic.
Perhaps this is why FI/quitting work is so appealing to me. I’ll finally be able to unwind. It’s hard to decompress after just a week. I could use a month. Or six. At the same time, FI scares me a bit because the idea of time off with no work obligation is such a foreign concept. How sad and pathetic.
Of course, the hard work was important. I am close to FI now because I worked my ass off and earned raises. When I thought I was worth more than I was getting paid, I demanded more money. I was never turned down. But still, an extra couple of weeks off here and there would not have impeded my progress.
At what sacrifice?
Many of us work way too hard. Some of my friends are directors and VPs making more than $250,000/year, but at what expense? They put in their dues that consisted of many, many 80+ hour workweeks. No thanks. I don’t need an Audi or a 5000 square foot home. I don’t need to vacation at exotic resorts with spas. I’d like to have a life outside of work so that my kids know who I am. But I want even more than that. I’d like to explore the world. I’d like to spend months in a place. Can’t do this with a job.
Of course, our new, demanding lifestyles are the direct result of The American Dream that has spun out of control. My grandparents’ American Dream was a 1200 square foot home, GM car and driving vacations to the next state over, Wisconsin. Fast forward 50 years and we’re more prosperous than ever. We make more money, but have expanded our lifestyles accordingly.
I propose something to you:
Make the money of a modern family, but live the American Dream of 50 years ago.
Be happy with a smaller home and a modest car that you keep for at least a decade. Surround yourself with people who don’t care about your stuff. Think long and hard about your life and priorities now. Once you’re 60 or 80, it will be too late.
Some random tips off the top of my head:
- House: Housing can be tricky. I find that avoiding newer cookie cutter subdivisions and sticking to older parts of town works best. Pay careful attention to what kind of cars are parked in the driveway. Now, there are good people everywhere including in those new homes, but I’ve lived in a lot of places and find it easier to live in an older ‘hood.
- Friends: This is by far, the hardest part for me. We’ve met some great people in our neighborhood, but none of them are similar to us when it comes to money. Money is a huge part of life, directly and indirectly. Some friends on our street have invited us to rent a $3,500/week ski condo with them right next to the lift. No thanks. Why don’t we get the cheap condo a little bit farther out and take the 5 minute bus ride? Nope, can’t have that. Check out this post I wrote for the Frugalwoods for some tips.
- Priorities: Think really, really hard about what matters to you. A nice car would be fun. So would a McMansion. However, those things bind you. They destroy your time by making you work for them. They leave you without options. Do you own them or do they own you? Hard to tell. After some careful introspection, I believe that most folks would come to the same conclusion as I have; being able to live life on your own terms trumps just about anything else, despite what the Lexus commercial tries to sell you. And if you still want that nice car, you can have it; just wait until you’ve taken care of everything else.
This was supposed to be a short, light-hearted post were I showed you some pretty pictures. I didn’t want to get all serious with a vacation coming up. Sometimes, the words just get away from me. Thanks for sticking around.
Vacation time!
I’m on the verge of five day straight days off. I know, I know, same old story. I’m really looking forward to those five days though. What has my life come to when you get really excited about five lousy days off including a holiday weekend when I would have had 3 days off anyway? Pathetic!
However I have some fun things lined up. This (Thursday) afternoon, I’m going to test drive an electric Zero motorcycle (more on my obsession with electric propulsion later). After that, I’m headed to Denver to meet up with my friend who goes by the name Denver E on this blog. We’ll cook out and drink some fine microbrews. On Friday and Saturday, I’ll be getting caught up on some personal projects and enjoying the 4th of July festivities with the neighbors. On Sunday, I head to Omaha for a small family reunion. Fun. But again, five lousy days.
500 days or 5000 days off sounds a lot better than 5 days
How awesome would it be to hike the backcountry of Yosemite for a couple weeks?
How great would it be to live by the ocean for a month, doing nothing but walking the beach in the morning and reading all afternoon?
How great would it be to explore Colorado for a month without a care in the world?
However, it’s the little day-to-day things that really matter most:
This is what I want.
Freedom is what FI means to me.
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.
I think it’s easier to be happy and to reach financial independence when you have modest expectations. I know people who earn six figures who find it difficult to make ends meet for no other reason than they like pricey stuff. (Buy whatever you want, but don’t except sympathy from me…)
I can ignore the media, but it’s friends and family who really put the pressure on — as if owning a home is the ultimate measure of success (our housing market is overpriced right now) and that you’re dull and ignorant if you don’t travel the world (because somehow all inclusive resorts and “it’s Tuesday, must be Belgium” tours make people better global citizens?) I’m not saying these things are bad, but they just aren’t for me right now and doing without lets me save more. It surprises me how people go into sales pitch mode for stuff they aren’t even profiting from.
Yeah, I have similar friends. One couple we know made $500,000/year for a while, but lived check to check. How does shit like that even happen?!?!? The guy’s favorite line was this: “I’m going to do whatever I want and figure out how to pay for it later.” Whatever you crazy-ass person!
“I’m not saying these things are bad, but they just aren’t for me right now and doing without lets me save more.”
Yeah, completely agree! You know, all of that stuff is cool, but I think it’s the little every day stuff that matters most too.
Thanks! Your post was inspiring – ER has been feeling very, very far away for us lately, and there has been lots of stress at both our jobs. I sometimes wish I could take a month sabbatical, just because I feel so worn down and burnt out. Sometimes when you get down like that it is easy to forget what you are working for…
Mrs SSC recently posted…Retiring “Big Sky”?
I’m sorry your job is rough. FI/ER is the light at the end of the tunnel though, right? The good news is that light probably isn’t 30 years off for you.
Keep your chin up and never stop focusing on that light. It will get brighter sooner than you think.
Awesome! From someone who starting delivering newspapers at age 14 I could agree more.
Brian @DebtDiscipline recently posted…Net Worth Update: June 2015
Right on! Work hard, especially when you’re young and save, especially when you’re young and the world will be yours some day.
Your raccoon code reminds me of my Ryan Gosling code.
if(GotSomeTime == True)
{
rideoffintosunset();
}
I’ve been having fun Gosling bombing friends at work, although your description of FI sounds awesome too 🙂
Nice one!
I’m looking at ways to find better balance, hopefully in the next year. I’d love to reach FI, but that’s still many, many years off for me. I don’t want to live for the weekends for the next 20 years!
Cindy recently posted…Spending – June 2015
It will be here before you know it. You’re smart for planning now. It will happen and probably sooner than you think.
People who don’t use their available vacation time is a pet peeve of mine, but at least you’re using it. We had a guy at my office who never used any vacation time for over a decade! Not that he loved his job so much, I think it was just a lack of imagination. He didn’t see any point to doing anything else. Now that’s sad.
Norm recently posted…Ridinkulous Quarterly Expenses: Q2 2015
Oh shit, I hate this!! I have people who do the same thing! It makes me look bad when I take every. single. stinkin’. minute I have.
I’m looking forward to my 4 day weekend as well. Too bad it’s 4 days and not 4 months. Great perspectives.
Fervent Finance recently posted…2015 Mid-Year Goals Review
Thanks FF!
Camel case, boo… underscores for the win.
I knew someone would call me out!!! 🙂
Stupid work coding standards!!
Those are fighting words!
RunDebtFree Pete recently posted…$5 Coffee or $700 Ironman?
It’s crazy how much the American dream has changed over the past 50 years or so. It’s easy to feel like you’re being crushed by the pressure of the current American dream. I’m definitely of the mindset that I’ll sacrifice certain luxuries to have the opportunity to retire earlier and live my life freely. I love what I do but if I had to ask myself if I’d do it for free, the answer would be no.
Dane Hinson recently posted…Top 5 Financial Mistakes I Made in My 20âs
Yeah! The American Dream is out of control. My grandparents would shake their heads if they saw the state of things now.
I am still dumbfounded with the amount of people I see who just start working at a “real” job and the first thing they buy is a luxury vehicle. Living paycheck to paycheck seems like a horrible life to me. I was just discussing with Mr. Budgets how we never worry about money and it is such a great feeling. This is due to the fact that our income has grown quite a bit and we never inflated our lifestyle. Although this does make it harder to relate to some of our friends as we have much different priorities in life.
Mrs. Budgets recently posted…June’s Monthly Expenses – Disaster Averted
“Living paycheck to paycheck seems like a horrible life to me. I was just discussing with Mr. Budgets how we never worry about money and it is such a great feeling.”
Yeah! I would go nuts if I was sitting on edge waiting to get paid. Sadly, living check to check seems to be the norm rather than the exception.
The point for me buddy, is that you get it now. You know what makes you tick….and what you want out of life. Many people go to the grave never knowing themselves that well. Bravo!
Also, I finally found a Buffett/Munger book that I wouldn’t recommend. Following our conversation in late May, I thought of you. Have a great weekend!
-Bryan
Income Surfer recently posted…Don’t Bother To Read This Buffett Book
Can’t wait to check that book out! Stay tuned…
You really seem to be enthusiastic about your passion of making it to retirement in 1500 days and I can sense that in your writing. Buying a huge home an filling with stuff doesn’t buy happiness because it is being there with the ones you love. Great post.
Thanks FFM!
The more I think about it, the more I don’t care about work as much as I do my family. It’s crazy that I spend more time with my co-workers (and not even really with them, it’s actually just around them) than I do with my family. It’s also tough because my wife just got her PhD so she’s not even really into the workforce. We’re both at different places career-wise. But the important thing is for us to talk and discuss so we can be on the same page. If there’s a baby #3, it’ll be a lot harder to justify daycare and all that.
Chris @ Flipping A Dollar recently posted…Beeminder Review – Kicked in the Butt
Congrats to the wife on the PhD!
Great point about spending more time with co-workers than family. I never thought of it that way.
We’ve read a few great posts this week, including this one, that have made us think that we really need to map out exactly what’s important to us. We’re well on our way to FI, and know generally that we want the freedom of time, and much more time to get outdoors and to travel. But it still seems like it will be a helpful exercise to do some prioritization, to help our vision of what we want our ER to be. We’re still 2.5 years (900+ days) from the end of work, and doing a little visioning exercise could help give us some motivation to get there. Definitely feeling like a slog right now… Enjoy your 4th!
Our Next Life recently posted…On Potential, and Not Reaching Ours // Is Disappointment Inherent in Early Retirement?
Sounds like you are getting closer to FI, strike that early retirement. Rant away if it means taking a break for 5,000 days.
Even Steven recently posted…Long Days Happen and So Do Short Posts
Mr. 1500 – Have you ever considered taking longer vacation before you transition to full-time FI?
I think I remember that you work for yourself and from home right?
Just wondering.
Dominic @ Gen Y Finance Guy recently posted…Freedom Fighter Interview #7 – Sarah Peterson from Unsettle.Org
I’m with Dominic. I recommend that you take a 3 week vacation before you transition. A 1 week vacation is completely different than a 2-3 week vacation. There is a whole world between 1 week vacations and quitting your job.
Kate@GoodnightDebt recently posted…Drowning in Email
For me, this line says it all, “being able to live life on your own terms trumps just about anything else”.
I made the choice to jump before FI (and maybe a little bit too early) but being able to live life on my own terms became more important than anything else. So, I gave up the world of IT and converted a side hustle into my main job. Two and a half years later, there are a couple of things I might have done differently if I could do them again (like wait until my daughter finished university) but overall, no regrets.
My friends have good jobs and excellent pay cheques but not a single one of them is content with their work or their life. And, life is too short for that!
diane @smartmoneysimplelife recently posted…Planning a Debt Free Christmas
I think there is a lot of wonderful observations. Yes, it is quite tempting to spend less and put money aside. This is particularly true when you came from a humble background.
However it is difficult to stay away, as you could appreciate a bigger house, nice car and clothes, food. This quite challenging to be absent when you have kids.
Financial Independence recently posted…Asset Diversification
Well said sir. Well said.
Looking forward to those long trips as well.
Adam @ AdamChudy.com recently posted…Building a Pantry
Y2K was a blast. I remember everyone running around doing crazy things just to be extra sure the world would not fall apart. A lot of us went into work on New Years day to deal with the 00 apocalypse and well nothing happened. Anyway – I just noticed how close you are to your goal! Only 150K to go. Wow.
May recently posted…Net Worth Update July 2015
I’m shocked you’ve never had more than a week off! Hopefully you can still manage the transition to FI well from such a grueling work history, but from what you’ve been writing it sounds like you’ll have no issues at all.
I feel fortunate that I’ve had a few longer breaks during my career so far, and definitely no regrets. A couple of amazing 3-4 week trips away, but the best have been a couple of breaks where I spend a month at home just doing things with my family, as if I was already retired – including the month break I’m taking now (although a new baby is making the days a little blurry without much sleep!). But after all your hard work you’re going to be there whenever you want shortly!
Jason recently posted…Personal financial tracking tool – new to the Treasure Chest!
Y2k meant, to me, waking up from a nasty virus, to the sound of fireworks, long enough to realize that the world had not ended, give my kitty a kiss on the forehead and fall back into a sleep that almost made me forget about my horrible internship. Thank you to all of the coders!
But… Better salary post internship? Trying to find the courage to leave current job. .
Yeah. Y2K was way overblown. I knew people who had food and water stored up in the basement. Ridiculous I told them, but they didn’t believe me.
“Trying to find the courage to leave current job.”
Leaving a job is one of the hardest changes in life. You can do it though!
As others hinted above, it is very possible to hack vacation time in various ways: Capitalize and extend holiday weeks like this one, work for the government or ntional non-profit that mimics government holidays, negotiate vacation time as avidly as pay, negotiate a work day at home agreement if you dislike your office environment or have a child, take advantage of comp time when you travel or work late, take vacations when your boss does so he/she doesn’t notice your absence as much… I work for a DC-based nonprofit and, when I took the job at age 47 and after I’d gotten comfortable with the salary negotiation, I said, “I won’t ask you for more salary but at this point in my career, I don’t want to wait to grow my vacation accrual year by year. Give me the maximum package now”. They did, so I get 22 vacation days, 3 personal days, all federal holidays, the occasional snow day when there’s bad weather in DC. I am productive and have made it to VP, so my un-American, more sane European approach to quietly taking advantage of legitimate time off certainly hasn’t hurt me. Sanity is one reason I gravitated to nonprofits versus corporations. I notice that my boss disappears for a few days anytime his schedule takes him near California wine country. Maximizing the scarce and valuable commodity of time off takes much the same skill set as my 50+ savings rate. I think we should be aiming for productive engagement and stimulation, not Puritan workaholism. Enjoy your vacation!
This is AWESOME!
I’ve never worked for a non-profit, but I always negotiated vacation time over salary as well. Perhaps my post was a bit misleading in that I do get lots of time off, just never more than one week at a time.
I love days off. Right now I’m sitting on the couch, realizing, reading, and maybe even going to take a nap. I don’t understand when people say they won’t enjoy their time off.
Savvy Financial Latina recently posted…My Relationship with Money
Vacation is a tricky subject. I wrote a couple weeks ago about the monetary value of vacation and that people should be aware of it. I don’t propose to ignore taking any days off, just be realistic and know it can be an asset if needed. I am making sure to take at least 2 weeks off this year (I may end up using 3). I would still be cashing out 40 hours at year end!
Vawt @ Early Retirement Ahead recently posted…Solar Power Update
Why not just retire now? Life is short!
Yeah, money security issues. While I won’t fully retire this year, changes are coming. I hope…
We’ll have to compare our long list of diverse jobs some day.
I bought into a 1950s neighborhood and have some of the best laid back non materialistic super nice neighbors a guy could ask for. Small cheap house, low taxes and an acre of land with beautiful trees. Typing this from downtown Chicago, I frequently get pulled away from my little slice of heavan by work and the fiance.
I also havent taken a real vacation in 10 years. Just take days off to try and get chores done.
Brewing beer seems to be my mini vacations. Can smell the mash tun now.
I’ve also wanted to build an electric motorcycle for the past ten years, even had a frame at one point but the parts get expensive. I can afford it now but I’m choosing to invest rather then play with another expensive time consuming hobby. You’ll have to give us a quick review on the zero.
Kyle recently posted…Hypermile with Road Etiquette
Hey Kyle-
Sounds like we have a lot in common and I hope you make it out to my neck of the woods.
I’ve always wanted to brew, but haven’t had the chance yet. My Zero adventure was postponed by some ridiculousness at the job, but it may happen this week.
I just have to find some time to sit down and start planning the trip. I’d bring my brewing equipment but fermenting takes at least a week depending on the beer style plus time to carbonate. I’m sure we can find a group out there to brew with if you’re interested.
You got me looking into building my electric reverse trike again lol. Even looked into laws to get a custom built vehicle street legal. Some day… some day…
Kyle recently posted…Hypermile with Road Etiquette
I take parts of my American dream from the 50’s and parts from later. My house was literally built in the 1950’s, but now has central heat and air conditioning. I dry my clothes on drying racks and grate my cheese and carrots on a cheese grater, but I also use a toaster oven and silicone spatulas. I buy my cars only 10 years old, but keep them ten years, but we do have 2 cars for 2 adults. I read a lot of books from the library, but also love my internet.
I find ways to watch TV and movies without watching commercials (I love DVDs), so I’m not as exposed to ads as some people. I’m also lucky in that my friends are mostly at least a little frugal and admire that I can be happy on my average salary (they mostly all got much better paying jobs).
Hey Debbie-
The cars and homes are the two big things, so I’d say that you’re doing very very well. Better than I in fact who made the mistake of buying two new cars. I’ll keep them for decades, but still…
Nice work on living a great life!
I really like the thought of the 1950’s American dream, honestly I think it would benefit society as a whole to go back to those times and the underlying morals that we had as a collective nation. But that’s a very different conversation. Either way fantastic job of busting your butt to make your future self free.
Duncan’s Dividend’s recently posted…June 2015 Dividend Wrap Up
I would love to see the inner workings of the invadeTrashCan function.
Also looking forward to reading about your experience on that motorcycle. Electric vechiles have always sparked my interest. Cheap puns, too.
Hilarious!
I work disaster postponed my Zero ride, but it may happen this week. I’ve ridden an electric bike and driven a Tesla and love electric propulsion. It is the future. Still a decade out at least for mass adoption, but it is going to happen.
I’ve been saying for years the key to mass adoption will be super capacitors. We’re getting closer, once you have cheaper mass produced super capacitors with that will last decades, it will take over. Even if at first they only get 50 to 100 mile range, who cares you can charge them in seconds like filling your car today. There was also a university that was reseaching a battery that could charge as quick as a capacitor.
Kyle recently posted…Hypermile with Road Etiquette
Im all about vacation. It really eats away at my plan to retiring early so I dont do it so much now but in my early twenties I really went all out. I have been to 22 different countries and have really experienced a lot from travelling the world.
Yes it gave me a late start at securing my financial independence, but now that Im putting that portion on fast forward I have no regrets about it at all.
My plan is to travel to at least 10 more countries but I just need more passive income!!
Alexader @ Cash Flow Diaries recently posted…10 Must Have Traits Needed to Achieve Success
Americans watch WAY too much t.v. So we feel like we have to live like the people in the boob tube. I love the Chautauqua picture went hiking there on Sunday!
Michelle recently posted…The Things You Want In Life Will Happen At Their Own Pace