Hello fellow Mustachians!
I've been reading the MMM blog and forum for a long time now, but my Mustachianism is older than this blog. Unfortunately, I'm a bit lost and deperate. I'd really appreciate your advice.
I am a civil servant, lawyer, working for the public administration in Spain. My job is a very stressful, high resposibility one. And also I don't like what I do. Paying is not bad (for the country standards) but not great either. Best thing: it's a job for life. They can't fire you (unless unexpected catastrophes). That's a great point for a country with a 25% unemployment rate!
I'm in my mid 30's, quite frugal, no kids, and I've been a decent saver (but a mediocre investor!).
Some more data:
- Income: aprox. € 30,000 p.a. (after taxes) (My eyes roll everytime I read about salaries in the USA, specially for lawyers, IT, etc...).
- Annual expenses: never calculated them properly, but around € 12,000 (including rent)
- I don't own a house.
- Savings (deposits, stocks, funds, etc.): around € 200,000
What I want:
- Quit my job a.s.a.p!!!
- A simple, relaxed life. Maybe in the countryside.
- Do some creative activities, and hopefully make some money out of them. I'm not bad at writing and I am a music composer (contemporary classical). Being a professional composer is my dream.
- Keep learning, mainly music composition. I'm already attending every course I can. I'd love to study a Master's in Music Composition in a good university (America or Europe).
- Learn more languages (still working on my English... Sorry for any mistakes!).
- Travel. I love it.
Fears and doubts:
- After making some calculations, trying different ER calculators, etc., I'm still not sure that I can get a decent return out of my savings. After some losses in the stock market, I'm not very self-confident about investing. I'm now mainly in index funds (unfortunately, not Vanguard in Spain) and some low interest deposits (now lower than ever). I feel lost here.
- I've worked very hard to get my job. I hate it, but I have to admit it's not a bad one when you consider the Spanish labor market right now. But every morning I think "what am I doing with my life?". I can't get fired from this job, but what's the point of living a life you hate?
- I am not confident that I would be able to make any money with my music (or writing), specially in this country. Very few composers live of their music. Very few writers. I could start a blog, but I know it's not easy to monetize it.
And that's about it. I hope you can help me. Any advice is welcome!
Thank you very much!