Hi all
FIREd two years ago to look after my six year old. Full disclosure; arguably don't qualify as FIRE because altho stash is there and house bought etc, wife is still working. However, I jacked in the corporate life, grew a beard, moved to rural BC and started developing my lumberjacking and construction skills and really, really never wanted to see the inside of a cubicle again.
About six months in I got asked to do a small project for someone I used to work with ten years ago, and that has now grown to the point where two years later I am working approx. 24 hours a week and turning work away. For someone my age (turned 48 yesterday) with a younger (aged six) kid, that feels about right. Wife works officially 5 days a week, but two are from home so not too bad.
I will not lie -- and I say this to everyone I know who is turning to Mustachianism and downshifting, etc -- although we had lived by Mustachian principles and were banking around $100,000+ a year from combined salaries of around $300,000 (tax rate at that level in Ontario is around 51%) -- I still found the drop in income a shock, and we have had a number of other unwelcome shocks, including my father-in-law's death last July. One mistake I made when I look back was to max out my pension contributions for 23 years when working, rather than putting cash in open-ended investments. Yes, I can withdraw from my pensions, but would have preferred to have a lot more invested cash, rather than pensions. As it stands, invested cash is at approx C$160,000 and growing by c. $15-20,000 pa, so enough.
All in all, whereas I cursed my life when working, I now consider myself a fortunate person. And I think that single thing means more than anything else. On the best days, I almost have to pinch myself as I can't believe my luck. Even on the worst days, I have confidence that we can get through almost anything. And I have been able to follow my passion for writing to the point where I've sold 24 pieces of my work this year.
The only other frank admission I will make is that I realise the extent to which I was floating on a sea of money and meaningless work before. Now I don't have the money to pay for whatever I want whenever I want it, but the payoff is that my every interaction with every person I meet seems somehow to be more real. And we are part of a wonderful community, and get to see our son growing up.
Hope that all sounds honest and not too happy clappy. It has by no means been easy, and I have a friend thinking of downshifting whom I've suggested can expect a different life - but by no means nirvana, or a life without challenges.
Will check back in a year from now, if we're all spared - as they say where I come from.
Cheers
BA