You’ve probably already read that Jimmy Buffett passed away this weekend at the age of 76. A lot has been written about Buffett, but I thought I would add a few words on his music and philosophy on life and how it relates positively to our early retirement lifestyle.

I’ve mentioned Buffett quite a few times in my posts and feel like I’ve learned a lot from his life, music, and attitude. When people ask me what early retirement is like, I sometimes say, “I’m living my life like a song – a Jimmy Buffett song”.

Rebellion is at the heart of rock roll, but Buffett’s playful ‘island rock’ revolution was as relaxed as a cold, rum & Coke.  Still, he was a rebel. He promoted a carefree, casual, and chillaxed vibe that encouraged us to just be our simple selves – and rebel against the formality & regiment of the work-a-day world.  He stood in opposition to the ‘Type A’ idea that we live to work – and not work to live.  His philosophy in its simplest terms was that we could all benefit from taking time out for some good music and a cold drink by the water.  For early retirees, that’s the perfect symbol of breaking away to a life of freedom & independence.  

Admittedly, I came a bit late to the Parrot-head party.  Growing up in the Minnesota, it’s not natural to relate to Buffett’s beach party daydreams.  Our midwestern work ethic naturally fights with the idea of living in easy-going “3/4 time”.  We have a Margaritaville restaurant in Minneapolis at the Mall of America, but it honestly seems a bit out of place next to Eddie Bauer, LL Bean, and the North Face.  

It wasn’t until I stopped working that I really turned on to Buffett’s brand of ‘tropical escapism’.  That’s a little more than seven years ago now.  His songs of “growing older, but not growing up” fit well with my own thoughts of early retirement as a second childhood, ‘Kidulthood’.  We saw Buffett perform outside with the Eagles on a hot summer night about five years ago at the Minnesota Twins ballpark and I found him to be a rogue, kindred spirit.

Early retirees appreciate people who are good with their money and despite singing about “pissing it all away,” we all know Buffett had more than his fair share of sensible financial acumen. Starting with his original t-shirt shop in Key West, Buffett’s business prowess and deal-making planted the Margaritaville flag at breezy restaurants, resorts, and entire neighborhoods throughout the US and Caribbean islands.

We stay at a luxurious Margaritaville Resort in Florida each Winter and have been thinking of buying our own cottage in that sunny, Winter Summerland paradise. It’s the perfect escape from the snow & cold of Minnesota. I’m listening to the Margaritaville Sirius XM radio station that is broadcast from a colorful cottage at the resort as I write this.

While Buffett’s music celebrates a lazy state of mind, he was anything but lazy himself.  Buffett also mixed a good dose of tropical adventures & fearless fun into his recipe for life. That’s a good lesson for early retirement, too.  Don’t escape from being active and setting new goals. He was a seaplane pilot, conservation advocate, and experienced sailor.  He didn’t just “waste away in Margaritaville”, he was always on the move and continued to bring his party and music to stages all over the world. 

So, rest in peace, Jimmy Buffett.  You’ve lived a good life and crafted an optimistic lifestyle that stands as an example for all of us.  While he will be missed, I am going forward imagining he is “heading out to San Francisco for the Labor Day weekend show” at the end of a wonderfully relaxing summer.

Image: @JimmyBuffett Instagram