I am looking for some feedback on my new life-changing plan. After teaching high school economics/personal finance for seven years, I have decided it is time to call it quits and enjoy life. Do I have enough to retire early and live on the 4% rule? No! I have about half that, and my expenses aren't getting much lower any time soon. I'm 33, have a (mostly) low maintenance stay-at-home wife, an attention hogging three month old son, and a high-energy cattle dog. All three of them support the plan to quit my job.
Ok, so what is the plan? Well, part of the beauty is that I don't have much of one. Figuring out how to solve problems is the fun part. I do have a couple of rental houses that cover my own housing costs and a little bit more. I also have set aside enough money to cover a frugal lifestyle for the next two years. In those two years I will have time to enjoy my little family, explore some of my passions, and hopefully create more income sources so that I don't have to return to indentured servitude.
About the change, my wife and I have thought, discussed, prayed, and completed pro/con lists. We both are leaning towards this new path of freedom and creativity. What think y'all? Why am I an idiot/genius/naive doofus?
*Important to know about me is that I am a big fan of creativity, freedom, and walking by a different drum beat. I know it is safer to continue working until I have enough saved enough to live on 4%, but what if my kid(s) grow up, my dog gets fat, and my wife gets lonely while I am working? What good is a safe retirement if I missed so much of the journey?