Anyone retire early early?

45 has always been my financial independence target but not necessarily retirement.

I’m Looking at retirement at 40. Plan is to part time teach/consult in my field

I’ve known a couple of professional athletes. They seemed to spend a tremendous amount of time coaching youth sports (even after their kids were done).

I think I would have to do something. Real estate or something. You can only exercise and play golf so much.

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What did you do instead of working?

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I guess I could have “retired” in my late 20s. And by retired, I just mean having a corporate job. I would have still stayed involved in my real estate and other ventures.

I guess from my father and grandfather, I have a real need to be doing something. I have to be involved in something, even if money isn’t the prime motivator. So since retiring from the corporate world, I still run my options trading business, dabble in private equity ventures, but mostly I work with several nonprofits. My wife and I also travel a fair amount - and I can trade from anywhere in the world as long as I have cell service or the internet. For hobbies, I take my car to the track a few times a year and pretend that I’m Mario Andretti or Ayrton Senna.

All that to say, if you’ve been used to a fast paced, action oriented work lifestyle, you’ll probably hate just sitting around. A friend of mine is a retired attorney. Yeah, he plays a lot of golf, but he also works part time driving a tractor trailer (of all things!) - says that it makes him feel more productive, and more like a real person than when he was practicing law. He also volunteers at one of the nonprofits that I’m in and is into the car culture (how we became friends).

TL/DR: Find something that you enjoy doing that makes you feel alive. And do it for as long as you can.

What are your hobbies now? Are you married? Have kids?

If you’re not passionate about multiple hobbies now, you probably won’t find fulfillment trying to do them full time in retirement.

I know I wouldn’t have a problem retiring that early, but I can see why others do.

My parents retired in their mid 40s. They traveled around the country and volunteered at state parks. They didn't regret it.

I am now in my mid 40s and I have enough to retire now, but I will probably work another 5-10 years until my youngest kid finishes college. We want to do some extended traveling and my wife wants the kids completely independent before we spend extended time away. I would get extremely bored just hanging around the house.

I retired from doing what I had to do at 50. Got out of the CPA world. Started working at what I wanted to do. I am now a full-time trader and hay farmer.

Also am a partner in a fiber-optic construction company. Backed it primarily to help a couple of guys start the company.

Once you achieve financial independence, what you consider most important completely change.

I retired at 40.
Sold my insurance agency, paid off all debt.
Own majority of small but rapidly growing hvac company where I work doing office stuff 10 hrs/wk, opening a remodeling franchise where I plan on working 7 hours/wk, publishing children’s book, opening up Cajun cafe franchises with buddy from lsu in the UK (he’s relocating). Wife gives swim lessons at our pool. We have one child (4) and planning on another.

We spend a ton of time with our child, our aging parents, and we enjoy life. We would be better off financially if I kept working 70 hours/wk at the agency, but it was killing my health and crushing my soul. Other businesses may flop and I’ll have to return to work, but they should be bringing in enough income so we can coast in life. We don’t keep up with the Jones by any means though, so that should help.

I’m planning on working part-time once the house is paid off. I’m
on pace to retire at 57 or so for full time employment. As long as I have health I do plan to work as long as I’m able.

Hoping to semi retire at 45. Wife is a work-a-holic though so it'll be a battle.

Definitely won't have a problem finding something to do. Give me a computer and Internet and I can keep myself entertained forever. Plus I can get into a nice workout routine and other routines (I'm a routine guy).

Will continue to work 2-3 days a week just to cover basic expenses, hopefully cover health care, and keep my mind stimulated.

If you find yourself bored on days off and thinking you should just be working instead.. maybe retiring early isn't for you lol