For reference, I achieved FI and became semi-retired in March, 2017. My unexpected results are listed below, in no particular order:
- I basically stopped frequenting the MMM forums
- I spent way less time monitoring and optimizing expenses and investments
- I found that most people are not openly curious about my semi-retired lifestyle, despite the fact that I am 32 years old. If they wonder, it seems that most people have inhibitions against asking about my finances.
- It is surprisingly hard to meet other people, who have a similar lifestyle.
1. I still hang around because I want to help others get to FIRE. I found the journey to FIRE to be damn lonesome,
because places like this didn't exist until I was almost to my goals. Also because DH still works and his mom and her
pal, Al Z. Heimer, live with us. It's great to be able to hang with like-minded people, any time of day or night.
2. Me too, which is so nice after all these years of optimizing every penny.
3. I have found the same to be true. People don't care that much. If you keep quiet about it, they tend not to ask, which is
fine by me.
4. This is totally to be expected, especially because you are so young. Some suggestions are to volunteer for things that
happen during the work day, because all the volunteers will have similar availability. It's a great way to get to know
people casually so you can decide it you want to befriend them. I volunteer at the library and the theater. They
have a hard time finding volunteers for the school shows on weekday mornings, so I'm part of a regular cadre who do
those and it's always fun.
ETA: Sorry about the wonky spacing. I just tried to fix it, but in Preveiw, it looks fine.