Several weeks ago I wrote about being back on campus and auditing a Sociology class at our local university, where my son is a freshman this year. The school has a ‘Parents on Campus’ program that allows parents to take up to two classes each semester for free. Before starting the class, I realized that it probably would be awkward to be a fifty year … Continue reading Old Guy On Campus – Early Reflections
The shower head in our bathroom is starting to drip. Our house is about seven years old and I’m sure there is some rubber washer that probably needs to be worn out. Now that I early retired, I guess I am going to have to figure out how to fix it. It’s not the only drip that happens at our house that probably needs tending … Continue reading Drip-Drip-Drip: Reoccurring Payment Schemes
I have friend who has been talking about retirement as an opportunity for ‘rewirement‘ – that is to rewire, “our minds, our bodies, and our plans for years of continued growth ahead.” I agree, and as I’ve said before, it is a big, wonderful world and my goal in early retirement is to soak in all of its wonderfulness. To that end, and on a … Continue reading Back To Campus in Early Retirement
For today’s Mr.FireStation post, I decided to turn the space over to my 18 year old son who starts his freshman year of college on Wednesday. Just as MRS FireStation posted her perspective on our early retirement a few weeks ago, I thought it would be interesting to hear from the other member of our nuclear family. “What does your Dad do for a living?” … Continue reading “What Does Your Dad Do For A Living?”
Today is the day that our only child leaves for his freshman year of college. It’s a big day that we’ve been looking toward since we brought him home as a newborn baby more than eighteen years ago. It is with deeply mixed feelings that we send him off – happy to see him growing and getting to do amazing things, but also sorry to … Continue reading FIRE Station Fun – Learning Independence
When I was in college, my girlfriend and I stopped into the bank one day on our way downtown. I explained to the future Mrs. FireStation that I needed to check my balance. She was puzzled by the fact that I often zipped into the bank every week or two. The bank teller was puzzled too. I had my checkbook in my hand, but didn’t … Continue reading Bank Registers & Budgets – I Don’t Waste My Time
This is the post that I haven’t had much interest in writing, but one that quite a few people have asked about. If you look at early retirement forums and financial planning sites, everyone seems to love to talk about portfolio tracking, asset allocation, and withdrawal rates. More than anything, people are concerned about running out of money in retirement and so they are searching … Continue reading Financial Tracking, Asset Allocation & Withdrawal Rate(s)
I guess we are not retired anymore. Just when my wife and I were adjusting to our new life of leisure, our bliss has suddenly been interrupted by the clarion call of the workplace! No, I’m not working. I have quite a few friends and former colleagues that continue to be suspicious about my FIRE escape – and maintain their POV that I will be … Continue reading Going Back To Work?!
While I keep up with a lot of my former colleagues, I haven’t actually been on the MegaCorp campus and in the buildings since I left on April Fool’s Day. That changed this week as I went to lunch with a friend on Wednesday (thanks, DC!) and had a chance to come into the office as a “VISITOR” and say “Hi!” to my friends during … Continue reading FIRE Station Fun – Visiting MegaCorp
Before I early retired, I used to tell people that it is a great big interesting world and I am looking forward to soaking up a lot of it. Since I am quite an Olympic fan boy, it has been great to be home during the day and watch the Olympic sports you don’t typically see in prime time. Even though I was traveling a … Continue reading Gold Medal Olympic Watching in Early Retirement
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