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Explore turning points, everyday joys and unexpected challenges after financial independence or retirement, with the date and original source for each account.

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21–30 of 88 posts

The layoff ended the waiting. Retirement became an experiment.

Jan 2025 · Year 0.5

“Ironically, I spent less time on one of my other passions once I had more free time (lost interest).”

u/anonymous_1983Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Completed the kitchen renovation and traveled extensively in Asia and elsewhere.
  • Cooked, baked and hiked, with a college teaching experiment planned next. “I will try my hand at teaching a course”

How it felt

  • Found that one old passion attracted less attention despite having more free time. “I spent less time on one of my other passions”
  • Hoped that interest might return once travel slowed.
TravelHomeCuriosity
u/anonymous_1983
Read original postreddit.com

The long commute gives way to summers with the children

Jan 2025Interview snapshot · published 2025-04

“I spend most of my time with my young kids.”

ESI Millionaire 442Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • After leaving daily work in June 2023, he spent summers at a mountain home, played golf and coached his children's sports.

How it felt

  • He enjoyed the new balance while continuing to manage two industrial properties. “I spend most of my time with my young kids.”
FamilyHomeOutdoors
ESI Millionaire 442
Read original postesimoney.com

A frightening first year gave way to contented home days

2025 · At departureRecalled in 2026

“I was anxious about RE last year”

u/Widget248953Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Retired after losing a job rather than working the planned extra year.
  • Made home improvements while severance and other funds covered most expenses.

How it felt

  • Felt anxious about early retirement. “I was anxious about RE last year”
  • The year’s market decline frightened the author despite a workable financial margin. “shaking in my boots”
EnoughHome
u/Widget248953
Read original postreddit.com

A wish for roots does not mean a wish for office hours

Nov 2024

“I hated it.”

Thriftygal · The Power of ThriftRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • She supervised a Denver election center for long days.
  • Work, workouts and sleep displaced her usual interests.

How it felt

  • The brief return felt stressful and unpleasant. “I hated it.”
  • It reinforced her appreciation for having room for multiple priorities. “I have enough space for all my rocks”
Travel fatigueHomeWork
Thriftygal · The Power of Thrift
Read original postthepowerofthrift.com

A home built for family became the base for a surprisingly full calendar

Aug 2024Recalled in 2025

“I wouldn’t change a thing and hope everyone on this site each earns the chance to live their post-work lives any way they want to.”

ESI Millionaire 18Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • He played frequent golf and served on several boards.
  • Two knee replacements supported better mobility.

How it felt

  • He felt financially comfortable and fortunate. “busier than I ever thought”
  • The packed calendar surprised him. “wouldn’t change a thing”
HomeFamilyRoutine
ESI Millionaire 18
Read original postesimoney.com

The layoff ended the waiting. Retirement became an experiment.

Jul 2024 · At departure

“The work environment had become much more stressful and political, and I dreaded coming into work every day.”

u/anonymous_1983Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Received layoff notice and severance after considering leaving a stressful workplace.
  • Planned travel and a kitchen renovation; neither was a completed retirement routine yet.

How it felt

  • Had come to dread going to work. “I dreaded coming into work every day.”
  • Believed he might already have enough money to leave, although the next phase was unsettled. “I think I should already have enough to FI/RE.”
ChangeRecoveryHome
u/anonymous_1983
Read original postreddit.com

A second retirement, and a new home in Lisbon

Jun 2024Interview snapshot · published 2024-10

“I don’t want to have the biggest bank balance in the cemetery!”

ESI Millionaire 420Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • After retiring twice, she moved from the United States to Lisbon and worked on building community while maintaining ties back home.

How it felt

  • She loved being out of work and recognized that habitual underspending could limit what she enjoyed. “I don’t want to have the biggest bank balance in the cemetery!”
HomeFriendsMoney
ESI Millionaire 420
Read original postesimoney.com

They built a busy life in Nicaragua. Eighteen years later, another adventure beckoned.

May 2024 · Year 18

“We have no regrets”

Darrell & Amy BushnellRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Pickleball and golf had become regular activities.
  • They were considering Mexico or Italy, without having completed a move.

How it felt

  • They enjoyed their life and expressed no regrets. “We have no regrets”
  • Leaving established friendships would make a new beginning harder. “start over again”
HomeFriendsChange
Darrell & Amy Bushnell
Read original postafar.com

The quieter town offered freedom, but too little company.

Jan 2024Recalled in 2025

“I don’t miss the job, I miss the people.”

ESI Retiree 59Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • A house renovation occupied much of the first eight months.
  • The move replaced familiar places and work contacts with a new community.

How it felt

  • The adjustment was tough. “Tough.”
  • Losing everyday connections mattered more than losing the job. “I miss the people”
HomeFriendsMoney
ESI Retiree 59
Read original postesimoney.com

He won his freedom—and ran out of goals.

2024 · Year 8

“this is actually the first house that I’ve enjoyed owning.”

Mad FientistRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Returned to anniversary updates as a parent, with a home and music studio he enjoyed.
  • Spent more deliberately on everyday comforts while focusing on family, health and relationships.

How it felt

  • Found homeownership more enjoyable when the home fitted his current life. “this is actually the first house that I’ve enjoyed owning.”
  • Was practicing accepting a purchase as a worthwhile pleasure rather than automatically minimizing its cost. “It is a splurge and it’s a great splurge”
ParenthoodHomeFamily
Mad Fientist
Read original postmadfientist.com

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