May have onboarded a new Mustachian!

[G-dog]

As I tell more and more people at work that I am retiring, I get lots of good wishes and a few jokes about people being jealous or never being able to retire. I take that as an invitation to say - no, you can., probably sooner than you think!

Most shake their heads, shrug and deny it is possible. But, last week, finally a taker! Emailed back and forth on Friday, sent links to some info (MMM, jlcollinsnh, mad fientist, FIREcalc/sim..) Friday night via personal emails, and had lunch today.

He's been saving, staying out of debt, and keeping expenses down. He's got to check some numbers, but I think he may pull the trigger soon, or at least sooner than he was planning! I hope it all works out for him. I know I had to get past the 'it seems to good to be true' feeling until I was comfortable.

It feels so great to maybe have helped someone! I was only able to do that thanks to MMM, jlcollins, mad fientist, this community, and all those that made the support tools.

[HappierAtHome]

That's awesome! Sounds like he was already FI or close to it, and just didn't know? I bet you've made his YEAR!

[G-dog]

That's awesome! Sounds like he was already FI or close to it, and just didn't know? I bet you've made his YEAR!

I didn't see his numbers, but I really think he could retire at any time and be fine based on his practices. And, no matter what I think, he Ian's his wife are the ones that need to be comfortable with this decision! Even if he does not retire immediately, I think he will feel more secure when they do decide 'it's time'!

[ender]

I expect there is a ton of social pressure to keep working if one is not familiar with MMM/ER/FIRE/etc.

As you are discovering, the idea of retiring early is crazy to most - without some context it's crazy to think about. But you might be the context for that person :)

[Sam E]

I expect there is a ton of social pressure to keep working if one is not familiar with MMM/ER/FIRE/etc.

As you are discovering, the idea of retiring early is crazy to most - without some context it's crazy to think about. But you might be the context for that person :)

Even suggesting "regular" retirement is crazy to some people. People often tell me they plan to never retire. It's actually really sad, because these people seem to derive most of their identity and self-worth from the career they hold. They can't even imagine a life without scheduled work days being fulfilling in any way. Wage slavery being held as a virtue is something I'll never understand.

[Friar]

Wage slavery being held as a virtue is something I'll never understand.

I find that the most common line is that retiring from a full time job before the state pension age means that you no longer meaningly contribute to society. What people who champion this view fail to understand is that just because you don't have to work, doesn't mean that you can't. Not being financially tied to a job also means you are able to contribute in other ways. Off the top of my head:

- Volunteering for charities
- Improving the local community
- Teaching skills for free to the less advantaged
- Teaching in general.
- Starting new ventures that may not be highly profitable but would provide a valuable service.
- Beekeeping

Of course, I don't need to press the point on a forum such as this :)

[G-dog]

I expect there is a ton of social pressure to keep working if one is not familiar with MMM/ER/FIRE/etc.

As you are discovering, the idea of retiring early is crazy to most - without some context it's crazy to think about. But you might be the context for that person :)

It is SO crazy - it just might work!

[okits]

Congrats on the convert!  Reassure your coworker that taking the plunge is worth the scary feelings (if the numbers work.) I (and the people around me) am realizing how precious time is, and how a long life or good health aren't guaranteed. Even in our 30s we're getting/seeing people in our lives get sick.  Support him in chasing his freedom if that's what he desires.