Comments on: Sacrificing the Little Things for Early Retirement?

By: Andy @ Retire at 40

Andy @ Retire at 40 — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 01:23:52 +0000

@Roger: thanks for the wishes of luck. Yeah, it’s definitely a small percentage of the population who choose something different to the normal.

@RicherAndSlimmer: I still do enjoy my job and I’m lucky in that respect, however I love my own time more :)

@Steven: I like that phrase too, it is similar. That quote I initially wrote I only heard the other day but you’re right, it will have a big influence on my life.

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By: Steven@HundredGoals

Steven@HundredGoals — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 03:05:21 +0000

Great post! Your way of thinking is very inspiring. I have heard the phrase “live like no one else so that you can live like no one else” and have been trying to align my lifestyle with that train of thought. Your quote is very similar to that one and I can see how it is very influential for you and your life.

By: richerandslimmer.com

richerandslimmer.com — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 03:49:58 +0000

This is a great post, with lots of fodder for thought. I, however, like my job enough that I do not want 3 days at home. But that may change with time, and having that option when things are different would be great.

By: Roger

Roger — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 22:24:39 +0000

An excellent guess post, Andy. Too many people seem unable to see the advantages in postponing short-term pleasures. But the ability to take more time off each week, or to retire, rests on being able to make such a ’sacrifice’.

Good luck on retiring at 40; it sounds like a laudable goal, and one I hope you achieve.

By: Andy @ Retire at 40

Andy @ Retire at 40 — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 22:45:06 +0000

@My Life ROI: how true. I certainly don’t want to be in that position at 70 (or even 40) :)

@Su Prieta: I have lots of downtime but the good thing is, most of them are cost-free. I go cycling, rollerblading and play football (ok, ok, soccer, football where I come from). I only watch minimal TV but I also socialise a lot, usually with friends at someone’s house. Reading a book from the library is also cheap but classic downtime. Not all relaxation costs money.

@Slinky: I have also come to see that over the past year or so, you’re right, it is key. I have been more happier with less stuff than ever. Minimising those things that don’t help and maximising the things you love makes for a happier day.

By: Slinky

Slinky — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 22:33:39 +0000

“One thing I realized when I first started being more careful with my money was that the things I was giving up, weren’t really sacrifices at all.”

And this is the key to living the life you really want to. Give up all that stuff that doesn’t matter so you can have/do the things that do matter.

By: Su Prieta

Su Prieta — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 21:01:04 +0000

I just have one question: if you’re giving up all the little entertainment things (i.e. internet, movies, cable, etc.), what exactly are you doing on your down time? LOL.

All jokes aside, I do understand your message here. I am currently working toward the flex work schedule and the passive income schedule. I haven’t yet cut out all of the little impulsive pulls – my downtime depends on them. Downtime = relaxation = peace of mind = healthier. But, I agree, everything doesn’t have to be had now, somethings should wait until later. Part of the thrill is working toward ‘later.’

By: My Life ROI

My Life ROI — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 20:33:58 +0000

I think:
“They want to live life as fast as possible, yet ultimately they’ll be the ones who end up with the least time to enjoy life because they’ll have to work years longer due to the fact that they’re not careful with their money.”

is an amazing example of how powerful compounding is. People always use the “I want to enjoy my life now, not when I am 60!”

Yeah… well when they are 70 and working they will regret it.

By: Andy @ Retire at 40

Andy @ Retire at 40 — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 19:49:48 +0000

Firstly, thanks to Lazy for letting me guest post, the pleasure is all mine.

@Kosmo You’re right about the phone and in fact I have plans to get rid of the POTS phone and switch to a funky VoIP one. And don’t worry, my internet plan is still more than capable of serving me enough web goodness quick enough :)

By: kosmo @ The Casual Observer

kosmo @ The Casual Observer — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 18:24:48 +0000

In my area, landline phone + dialup = the cost of high speed internet. If you can get rid of your landline, you can save as much money as getting rid of high speed internet (and with fewer withdrawl symptoms).

Alas, my wife has some strange attraction to the telemarketer-infested landline phone.

My employer allows me to work 4 days one week and 5 the next (slightly longer days). I get a 3 day weekend half the time, and save on gas (70 mile round trip commute).

The car I use to commute is a 1998 Contour … I’m hoping to squeeze a couple more years out of it :)