General Discussion > Post-FIRE
Anyone FIRE with kids? Interested in lifestyle for inspiration and ideas
planner10:
I originally asked this question in the Mini Mustaches forum because I thought it would focus on FIRE focused families. Someone suggested I post here to capture all the wisdom of those who have done it!
We are all looking for financial independence. I'm interested in hearing from those who have kids.
If you've already retired or semi retired - what is your lifestyle? How old are/were your kids? Regrets/wishes? What can we learn??
What lifestyles did you consider? How old are your kids? Looking for ideas and inspiration!
I am not retired. I'm saving and working and have a 3 and a 5 year old and probably have 10 years to go. Have been thinking about ways I could blend in what I want to do now, semi retire, and I need inspiration!!
Here are some dreams I've thrown around.
For example, what about doing the crazy international thing, where you can really stretch a dollar and experience natural wonders? How do people handle it with kids, how do they work in time to see family?
Or what about moving walking distance to family? Would be an awesome way to foster strong family connections and always have loved ones near. Maybe start a sports team, build small gas engines or kites or raise chickens. All those things somehow sound more fun with family.
Country life? Would love to be by horses where I could muck neighbors stalls and care for horses in exchange for a daily ride. Grow all my own food and raise small game. Maybe we could have a stream nearby where the kids could look for crayfish and we could all go hiking.
ocean life? I love the idea of watching Dolphins or whales on my walks. Also love the idea of surfing and snorkeling daily. Would love to hear the waves. Seems like affordability might be an issue. Plus I'm stuck MidEastcoast because I want to be by family.
Lake life? I think I'd want a boat so I could go waterskiing and probably a jet ski too. A canoe for fishing.
Regular suburban life? Swimming in the summer, parks and libraries, museums and community centers. This is where I am now. (Heavy hoa area so I can't do most of the projects I want (chickens, building stuff, tree house, any mechanical work, heavy gardening, heck our neighbors would probably report us for pitching a tent!). What else could I be doing that is either dreamy or mustachian or both? What are different flavors of suburban life you enjoy or look forward to enjoying?
Mountain life? Hiking skiing snowboarding, maybe find a stream.
City life? No car, museums, activities. Don't think I would be a fan of the lack of nature and concentration of people, but I don't want to knock it out. Probably lots of stuff for kids.
Nomadic - rv or renting. Get to see many different environments, but would want to hear from folks on how kids handle it and what ages it makes sense. I always read how kids do better with stability and its a real issue for military kids and seems to be less than ideal)
Find a job that allows summers off, or working part-time to blend the best of both worlds - anyone do a semi- retirement like this?
fartface:
Love it -- you've got some grand dreams and ideas.
I especially like "moving w/in walking distance of family". I yearn to be close to my siblings/parents/nieces and nephews. My closest sibling is an hour away. My dad is an hour+ away. My mom lives four states away. I see my sisters 3-4 times per year if I'm lucky. I wish we lived close to someone...anyone!
My children are ages 11, 12, & 13...they are deeply embedded in school teams/friendships and it would be VERY hard to uproot them at this point/age...especially my soon to be 14 year old who starts high school next year.
As a result, we're likely going to stay put for the next six years until the youngest graduates high school. At that point, I hope to be FIRE'd.
I'll be watching this topic closely to read about any experiences people have had w/FIRE and kids (especially teenagers!). Thanks for posting.
Jon_Snow:
Not gonna lie...I wouldn't have been able to acheive FIRE had we chosen to have kids. To those who pull it off WITH KIDS...major props from me.
Carrie:
Following. We have three kids, ages 8, 3 and 8 months. Projections have us at 7-9 years until FIRE.
We're currently suburban, good schools, but am interested in alternatives.
I'm considering keeping our LCOL home in a good school district and doing slow travel during summers (national parks). After kids are through school, I want to build a small retirement home in a tiny town. (Location TBD.)
Gin1984:
--- Quote from: Jon_Snow on March 20, 2015, 10:22:39 AM ---Not gonna lie...I wouldn't have been able to acheive FIRE had we chosen to have kids. To those who pull it off WITH KIDS...major props from me.
--- End quote ---
LOL, it is harder but for me, I am choosing to FIRE later because I want kids now. I plan to retire when my youngest finishes college (plan to cash flow college), given we plan to have another, my retirement date is 23 years from now, minimum. So, 53. But since we know we plan another kid we are saving as much now as we can and other than daycare kids can be pretty cheap. Also, it is an expense I won't have in retirement so my goal is less than I am spending now.
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