Reactions of "friends" to early retirement plans?

[acroy]

Generally positive, actually!
it seems to be a bit generational
I am Gen X. The more thoughtful X, Y, Millenials have been exposed to this and are open to it

the boomers have a hard time comprehending it. I've managed to influence a few; though others look at me like I'm the Devil ;) That's OK though, they need a little shaking up :)

[Philociraptor]

I've told a few close friends, they love the idea. Wife is 50/50, "I've grown accustomed to a certain lifestyle!" said half-jokingly. Also told a coworker or two, and they're all for it. I do find myself not discussing it with certain people though, the ones who seem very attached to the conventional retirement.

[Jon_Snow]

What kind of chokes me about the reactions of friends and colleagues is that over the years I never showed any envy or bitterness (though I may have felt it at times) when they bought nicer and bigger homes and newer and fancier cars. Now that I have retired at 42, largely because I didn't buy these very things - well, it just doesn't seem to compute at all to them - to be honest I'm not sure why I am letting it frustrate me.... Perhaps because I am a person not blessed with a ton of friends and I can see myself losing the few I do have over this.

[S D]

i've found that the younger they are, the more encouraging their response tends to be

[frugalecon]

I've told a few friends:

-[Friend C]-

Friend C is maybe 10 or so years from a traditional retirement age

Me: True...when will you be able to retire?
C: Not for a while. If we wanted to retire soon, we'd have to significantly reduce our quality of life [At this point I just left it, as C is obviously satisfied with their current life, if somewhat frustrated at work some days (C mostly enjoys the work)]

I think it is interesting that some people don't think that having to go to work every day reduces their quality of life!

[RetiredAt63]

Horrible as it may sound, you have to realize that friends show up in your life and then drift out again, for many reasons.  Your new life will bring you new friends.

I speak from experience - now that I am retired and developing interests that lay dormant for years. I have made a whole new circle of good acquaintances, some of whom are becoming friends.

Re the not understanding - that is common.  Years ago we had friends being all envious about our first trip to the Caribbean - they could not afford to go.  It wasn't until we asked them how much their smoking cost a year, and that they ended up they were burning (literally) the same amount of money each year as we had spent traveling, that they had a glimmer of understanding.  But - they continued to smoke and not take tropical vacations.  So the lead the horse to water bit applies to early retirement enlightenment as well.

C'est la vie.

PS  DD is talking about moving to Alberta once she graduates (Canmore is where she would like to be, for the snowboarding, Calgary is where she will probably end up if she goes).  So you may have to repel boarders (me) on your island once there is incentive to travel.  I don't envy you your retirement, just your location.  ;-)

What kind of chokes me about the reactions of friends and colleagues is that over the years I never showed any envy or bitterness (though I may have felt it at times) when they bought nicer and bigger homes and newer and fancier cars. Now that I have retired at 42, largely because I didn't buy these very things - well, it just doesn't seem to compute at all to them - to be honest I'm not sure why I am letting it frustrate me.... Perhaps because I am a person not blessed with a ton of friends and I can see myself losing the few I do have over this.

[soccerluvof4]

I have found that the reaction of others usually tells me the situation they are in.

[Calvawt]

I have actually had a different experience than most.  Of my friends and family the reactions have been more like 90% positive.  A few have asked more questions and I have had some in depth discussions with them.

Maybe my background in finance makes it seem more believable that its possible for me (but they may still think its not possible for them).

[xenon5]

It depends on the person, how well I know them, and how receptive they seem to the idea.  I don't talk about money or savings unless people ask me for some form of financial advice.  For example, when a coworker recently out of college asked if I signed up for the 401k program, I told her I only put in enough for the match for now and will start doing the full $17.5k federal limit after I pay off my loans.  She was like "wow, that's a lot!" I just said I want the flexibility to go on super long round the world trips when I get older, and the sooner you start saving the more valuable it becomes over time.  Enough to spark interest if it sounds appealing to her but no need to disclose FI plans.  In the cases where I do disclose it, I'll usually say I'm aiming for age 45-50 instead of early 30s, and usually only with good friends.  I don't tell family, I'd rather tell them I work online after FI (and I probably will to some extent) so I don't plant ideas about being a free source of loans when it comes.

[EarlyRetirementGuy]

I've found the response from friends to be much more positive than that of family.

My parents retired in their late 40s/50s respectivly (10 year age gap). Both were prime examples of leading a relativly frugal lifestyle and retiring early.. yet whenever I've hinted at it in the past; they are convinced I would be unable to replicate their success due to changes in house prices, taxes, expenses etc etc. Very strange.

Friends however have fallen into 2 groups:

1 - Oh, thats cool. Umm.. Wanna go get a beer?

2- That sounds awesome, I've never thought of that! Please tell me more so I may join you on this amazing journey.

[jprince7827]

As a 24-year old, when I've opened up to people about my plan to retire in my early 30's (particularly to those older than me) they just don't take me seriously, seemingly laughing it off to the optimism of youth.

When I tell people that I'm biking everywhere, that I live in a studio apartment, making my own food, etc. it should be obvious how I can expect to achieve this goal. But people say that my expenses will definitely increase when I get older (why should they, if I'm happy as I am?).

God, this. So much this. My father checks his bank account once a year and as long as it's got roughly the same as last year he considers it a "good year." He has no plans to retire whatsoever, and doesn't have the means to maintain his high lifestyle when he's inevitably forced to by old age. When I tell him my plans, he looks at me like I'm a kid again.

[GardenFun]

So far I have only shared it with my dad.  He made discussing finances non-taboo as long as it was kept constructive.  He retired at 66 and got cancer 4 months later.  Fortunately he beat it, but it took an emotional toll on him so he's all supportive of FIRE.  I'm sure he's shared some of it with mom.  Humorously, she has more consumeristic goals, which makes frugal-living discussions morph into grilling Q&A's "but don't you want a huge house with a BMW like so and so from high school?"  Umm, not anymore.

DH's family is a mix bag.  They know we are frugal and give us good-natured jabs about it, but my husband isn't ready to share more information with them.  His family really doesn't talk finances, more about purchases.  As another posted stated, sometimes it's hard to discuss FIRE without sounding like you are bragging.