Author: MrFireStation

Overall Philosophy, Uncategorized

The Foolish Route To Millionaire Status

I heard some interesting factoids about America’s millionaires recently on the Zig Ziglar Podcast.  This isn’t a podcast that I had listened to before (or are necessarily recommending), but I enjoyed the insight into where America’s millionaires come from and thought it might be instructional to many people who are thinking about financial independence. First, the podcasters said that there are actually a good number of … Continue reading The Foolish Route To Millionaire Status

Unknown's avatarMrFireStation9 Comments
Have A Plan

FIRE Milestones – Picking Your Early Retirement Date

Setting long term goals is one thing, but following through with them is another.  When you first start thinking about playing with FIRE – being Financially Independent & Retired Early – the key question is are you tracking to a nest egg number, or a specific date? Like many people, I always figured we would quit the day we hit “The Number”.  Achieving a nest … Continue reading FIRE Milestones – Picking Your Early Retirement Date

Unknown's avatarMrFireStation7 Comments
FIRE Countdown

Blue Days @ MegaCorp / Financial Independence


Yesterday my MegaCorp employer announced weak sales, record profits, and 1,500 job cuts. The rumors started about a week ago and proved true the old adage that 99% of organizational rumors are true. While no plans have been announced for how they are going to go about the layoffs, a couple things are understood: Continue reading “Blue Days @ MegaCorp / Financial Independence”

Unknown's avatarMrFireStation10 Comments
Have A Plan

Daily Routine versus Daydreaming

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I’m definitely going to need a bit of routine in early retirement.

I’ve always been too much of a born daydreamer to allow myself to live life completely unstructured.  I worry I will absentmindedly dawdle my time away if I don’t create create some regular plans.   Like Joe Walsh sang, “People say I’m lazy, but it takes all my time”.  In fact, while I treasure unstructured time and often balk at too much regiment, Continue reading “Daily Routine versus Daydreaming”

Unknown's avatarMrFireStation6 Comments
Have A Plan, Invest Effectively

Seven Ideas To Save Big Money In Your Twenties

Since we are now getting very close to the end of our early retirement journey (in less than six months), I thought I would reflect on some of the decisions we made in our twenties that set us up for early retirement success. I know a lot of people are talking about the stupid article “If You Are Saving Money In Your Twenties, You Are … Continue reading Seven Ideas To Save Big Money In Your Twenties

Unknown's avatarMrFireStation8 Comments
Celebrate Success

Jubilant Retirement In Any Language

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The Spanish word for “retiree” or “retired” is a lot more fun than the words we use in English. The word “jubilado” (or “jubilada” for women), based on the word “jubilee” is the term used by Spanish retirees.  Jubilee connotes a season or occasion of joyful celebration.  Spanish-speakers do seem more jubilant in the way they live their lives and the word is a lot more celebratory than the dreary connotations that come with “retirement” in English.

Its origins are deeply embedded in the Bible. Continue reading “Jubilant Retirement In Any Language”

Unknown's avatarMrFireStation3 Comments
Uncategorized

Part Time or Full Retirement?

A new thread on Early-Retirement.org caught my eye a couple of days ago. They original poster was asking early retirees if they regretted not working part-time (PT) to ease their transition into full retirement. Like a lot of early retirees, this person thought they might have an opportunity to carve out a PT role, before leaving the company. The complete thread is HERE. I was … Continue reading Part Time or Full Retirement?

Unknown's avatarMrFireStation6 Comments
Overall Philosophy

Goodbye Megacorp Vacation Policies – My Time Will Be Mine

I just noticed that my son’s spring break dates next March are just two weeks before I plan to start my early retirement. An awkward time to take a week off of work I guess, but that won’t stop me from taking my vacation time accrued and enjoying a sunny trip to a warm weather destination. Part of my motivation is to ‘protest’ the antiquated … Continue reading Goodbye Megacorp Vacation Policies – My Time Will Be Mine

Unknown's avatarMrFireStation12 Comments
FIRE Countdown

Early Retirement FIRE Escape – 6 Month Countdown

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My profound wife likes to say that often the “days go slow, but months go fast”.  That feels appropriate to my situation, as I am surprised that I have just 6 months left to my planned early retirement (on 4/1/16), despite the fact that I recently wrote that time seems to be moving slower than I thought it would.

Six months is still a long time – yet, at the same time, it seems like I am now very near the daunting precipice of the unknown.  My thoughts are increasingly “who does this?”, “who leaves their successful career 10 years early to enjoy a life of independence and leisure?” and “will I be wasting my god-given (and relatively highly paid) talents?”

While I wrestle with my fast & slow consternations, I am also watching our nest egg through the relative volatility of the financial markets, that started in August.  Continue reading “Early Retirement FIRE Escape – 6 Month Countdown”

Unknown's avatarMrFireStation5 Comments