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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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31–40 of 67 posts

They retired to travel the world. Then family life rewrote the plan.

Dec 2023 · Year 11

“We spent HOW MUCH on Amazon.com?!?!”

Jeremy Jacobson · Go Curry CrackerRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Settled into school, sports, home routines and trips around school holidays.
  • Planned closer expense tracking after reviewing roughly $118,000 in annual spending.

How it felt

  • Was surprised by retail purchases even though spending remained within budget. “We spent HOW MUCH on Amazon.com?!?!”
  • Preferred devoting time to other things rather than endlessly optimizing expenses. “I would rather do other things with my time”
FamilyHomeMoney
Jeremy Jacobson · Go Curry Cracker
Read original postgocurrycracker.com

A market crash threatened the journey; a seaside home later felt enough

Sep 2023

“We live in a seaside town on the North Sea coast and like it immensely.”

Mark · Investing to goRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • They lived in a modest home bought in2019.
  • Investment research and postponed activities occupied his days.

How it felt

  • He liked their seaside town immensely. “like it immensely”
  • He no longer felt a need to pass through airports. “never go into an airport again”
TravelHomeEnough
Mark · Investing to go
Read original postmonevator.com

School runs anchored the first months while spending confidence grew

Sep 2023

“pinch myself”

JakeRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • He tracked the first salary-free year against their spending forecast.
  • He tried easing small self-imposed spending restrictions.

How it felt

  • He felt grateful, with uncertainty still returning at times. “pinch myself”
  • Distance from his former employer was softening negative feelings. “slowly fading”
ParenthoodMoneyRecovery
Jake
Read original postmonevator.com

Gardening replaces the paid day she could not let go

Sep 2023 · Year 5

“I love my everyday”

FIREthe9to5Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Gardens and an allotment supplied much of the household’s fresh food.
  • She created a hospice kitchen garden and took occasional nursery work.

How it felt

  • She felt more financially secure after several unpredictable years. “I love my everyday”
  • She loved ordinary days and valued being available for family. “I think that’s enough.”
FamilyOutdoorsEnough
FI/REthe9to5
Read original postfirethe9to5com.wordpress.com

A career break creates time for Europe and daily walks

Apr 2023Interview snapshot · published 2023-08

“My work life balance is very good right now since I am currently not working.”

ESI Millionaire 368Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • After leaving a general-manager role, she spent time with family in Europe and walked their dog each morning with her retired husband.

How it felt

  • She described improved balance and considered their financial goals achieved, while learning how to use their savings. “My work life balance is very good right now”
FamilyOutdoorsMoney
ESI Millionaire 368
Read original postesimoney.com

School runs anchored the first months while spending confidence grew

Feb 2023

“We feel we are in a good place and have enough.”

JakeRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • School drop-offs and children’s activities structured weekdays.
  • Gardening and regular walks created time outdoors.

How it felt

  • Calling himself retired still felt unusual. “strange”
  • He felt they had enough, despite occasional financial doubts. “good place”
ParenthoodMoneyRecovery
Jake
Read original postmonevator.com

An advertising side business softened the jump into retirement

2023Recalled in 2026

“I was a good saver so turning that around was difficult at first.”

ESI Millionaire 314Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • He ran a small advertising business after the late-2022 layoff.
  • A few hours of weekly work generated bridge income.

How it felt

  • The reduced schedule helped him ease into retirement. “ease into retirement”
  • He hesitated for a month over buying running shoes. “difficult at first”
OutdoorsMoneyFreedom
ESI Millionaire 314
Read original postesimoney.com

Leaving work was the easy part. The house kept sending bills.

2023 · Year 4

“I have been actively avoiding looking closely at my accounts”

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

Life at the time

  • Dealt with repairs, upgrades and spending above the usual budget.
  • Kept time for personal interests and regular family visits.

How it felt

  • Remained convinced that leaving work had improved his life. “FI/RE is still the best thing for my sanity”
  • Market declines still caused enough discomfort that he avoided inspecting accounts. “I have been actively avoiding looking closely at my accounts”
RecoveryMoneyFamily
u/hows_my_fi
Read original postreddit.com

Retired friends help, but spending still feels difficult

Jun 2022Interview snapshot · published 2022

“I don’t necessarily miss the work as much as I miss the camaraderie with co-workers and the opportunity to mentor colleagues and associates.”

Post-FI Interviewee 017Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • After leaving telecommunications in early 2022, he exercised outdoors and met retired friends. He was considering another job only if it fit his values.

How it felt

  • He missed colleagues and mentoring, and felt less secure spending savings than his already-retired wife. “Being at peace with what you cannot control is the greatest challenge.”
FriendsMoneyWork
Post-FI Interviewee 017
Read original postphysicianonfire.com

Retirement became a return to school and a new kind of work

Jun 2022Recalled in 2022

“Being FIRE’d and controlling my own time and who I work with”

ESI Millionaire 99Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • She graduated in May and continued education work.
  • Walking and hiking became daily possibilities.

How it felt

  • She valued choosing her clients and schedule. “controlling my own time”
  • Drawing from investments remained uncomfortable. “Shifting to drawing down”
CuriosityPurposeMoney
ESI Millionaire 99
Read original postesimoney.com

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