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Ask HN: People who cashed out early and stopped working: What is your life like?

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Re: Ask HN: People who cashed out early and stopped working: What is your life like?

#81

Post by h0p3 »

dsr_ wrote: post #32

Dad retired in his mid 30s. It went really well for him for about 30 years, and then he started to decline into depression. I don't think it was directly related to being retired. He built a barbecue out of cinder blocks, then rebuilt it out of bricks. He learned to knot in order to make hammocks. He took up painting with acrylics -- I wouldn't say he ever became good at it, but he liked it and that's the point. The…

I'd like to speak with him. We have some things in common, and I'd like to hear his perspective.

Re: Ask HN: People who cashed out early and stopped working: What is your life like?

#82

Post by burntoutfire »

alexanderthe- wrote: post #35

I'm not retired, but I am shift worker in Healthcare, which means I have 3-4 days off per week. A question I often get from people when they hear that is "Wow! What do you do with all your time off?" The answer is always, "I live my life." On my days off I catch up on chores. I take care of my body by going to the gym, yoga studio, boxing gym, or ride my bike. I spend time with friends if they are available, which is…

> Don’t you see the plants, the birds, the ants and spiders and bees going about their individual tasks, putting the world in order

Sorry to nitpick, but spiders build the web and then cowardly hide and wait till a victim gets caught and is completely helpless. Not really a model of moral virtue.

Re: Ask HN: People who cashed out early and stopped working: What is your life like?

#83

Post by JoeAltmaier »

My buddy cashed out big 15 years ago. Immediately had to pick up something in another field - he chose construction. Bought lots, hired contractors to build on the condition he could be in the crew. Studied and apprenticed and became a competent carpenter.

So to each his own!

Re: Ask HN: People who cashed out early and stopped working: What is your life like?

#84

Post by BurningFrog »

themdonuts wrote: post #18

I'm far from retiring, but I always take a break between jobs. It used to be only 2 months, then last time it was 6 months. I'm very happy to be in tech because it allows us for that. I don't decide beforehand how much time I'm taking, instead I just reassess myself "am I still productive? Am I still enjoying doing nothing?" When the answer is no that's when I get back to work. I love DIY so I've used that time to re…

When I quit a job, I'm full of projects to do with all that time, and I am quite productive.

But I also get 1% lazier every day, and after 6 months it seems like I eat breakfast, and then the day is over.

Re: Ask HN: People who cashed out early and stopped working: What is your life like?

#85

Post by polynomial »

themdonuts wrote: post #18

I'm far from retiring, but I always take a break between jobs. It used to be only 2 months, then last time it was 6 months. I'm very happy to be in tech because it allows us for that. I don't decide beforehand how much time I'm taking, instead I just reassess myself "am I still productive? Am I still enjoying doing nothing?" When the answer is no that's when I get back to work. I love DIY so I've used that time to re…

And HR depts are just fine with that? (taking 2-6 months off) I get the impression They prefer those who stay on the wheel, as they don't have to worry you will just decide you need to take a break from working again.

Re: Ask HN: People who cashed out early and stopped working: What is your life like?

#86

Post by tapan_jk »

Crossed 50, not retired, nor planning to any soon. The good thing about this industry (tech, if that is not obvious) is that it [still] pays well, and there are no set rules about what happens when you are x years old. Don't let the occasional story about bias make you think it applies to you. Every time I take a break between jobs, I am hopeful that there is someone out there who is willing to pay for my skills and I will be able to get back to work if I want to, provided I keep myself up to date.

Re: Ask HN: People who cashed out early and stopped working: What is your life like?

#87

Post by Pention »

eric4smith wrote: post #51

30 years programming and got sick of it. Started to travel around the world 2 years before Covid. Was kind of semi retired but still CTO and directed the team on projects and issues. Then Covid hit. Now went back to work full time rebuilding systems but looking forward to jump into semi-retirement next year again. The most important thing I learned? Time. I’ll do anything to preserve time freedom. Housekeeper, transp…

I'm struggling with this thought because to me it feels that I want to become full self sustainable.

Which contradicts hiring someone to do my tasks.

My retirement plan (I wanna be independent by 50) is to have time to do all my chores proper and in my time.

Would you say you got used to that lifestyle? Do you earn so much that it doesn't matter from an expenses standpoint?

I'd I would hire someone that would be 5k and more per year which I can't save. 15 y * 5k 75k

Re: Ask HN: People who cashed out early and stopped working: What is your life like?

#88

Post by dr_dshiv »

NineStarPoint wrote: post #61
themdonuts wrote: post #18

I'm far from retiring, but I always take a break between jobs. It used to be only 2 months, then last time it was 6 months. I'm very happy to be in tech because it allows us for that. I don't decide beforehand how much time I'm taking, instead I just reassess myself "am I still productive? Am I still enjoying doing nothing?" When the answer is no that's when I get back to work. I love DIY so I've used that time to re…

As a counterpoint to your edit, personally work exhausts me to a level where weekends are mostly spent recuperating/doing chores and not being productive. It’s a week or two into the breaks I’ve taken from work where I start being productive in ways I rarely manage during my working periods.

Weekends exhaust me because kids and wife vs work and colleagues.

Re: Ask HN: People who cashed out early and stopped working: What is your life like?

#89

Post by krallja »

gibbonsrcool wrote: post #27
CapmCrackaWaka wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do you know this person? Because I actually love my job, and I feel like if I retired right now it would suck. I would definitely be bored.

This is mind boggling. Bored? You have all your free time to literally do anything you want. You can explore the outdoors. You can learn ANYTHING you want. You could get to know more of the worlds 6 billion people and their cultures. Volunteer, start a new hobby, spend more time with family and friends, work on personal growth, exercise... you have Stockholm syndrome, snap out of it.

> the worlds 6 billion people

You should update your world facts database, we’ve been on the 7 billion revision for over a decade, and are about to tick over again. Currently at 7.898B humans alive.

Re: Ask HN: People who cashed out early and stopped working: What is your life like?

#90

Post by AlwaysRock »

burntoutfire wrote: post #82
alexanderthe- wrote: post #35

I'm not retired, but I am shift worker in Healthcare, which means I have 3-4 days off per week. A question I often get from people when they hear that is "Wow! What do you do with all your time off?" The answer is always, "I live my life." On my days off I catch up on chores. I take care of my body by going to the gym, yoga studio, boxing gym, or ride my bike. I spend time with friends if they are available, which is…

> Don’t you see the plants, the birds, the ants and spiders and bees going about their individual tasks, putting the world in order Sorry to nitpick, but spiders build the web and then cowardly hide and wait till a victim gets caught and is completely helpless. Not really a model of moral virtue.

Right... And software developers write the code and cowardly hide while sales people actually sell it. Do you just dislike spiders? Any insect could be a pest if you look at it in a certain light.
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