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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 94 posts

He bought a one-way escape. A home base made it easier to stay.

2024

“It does get lonely at times, but I knew that was the price of admission when I embarked on this solo journey..”

u/OneLife-No-Do-OversRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Left work and began slow travel, with more room for rest and ordinary outings.
  • Was still building a life in a different country four months after departure.

How it felt

  • Sometimes found solo travel lonely. “It does get lonely at times”
  • Continued worrying about money and the future despite the financial cushion. “I still worry about money and my future.”
TravelFriendsMoney
u/OneLife-No-Do-Overs
Read original postreddit.com

Longer trips, with fewer rental-property headaches in mind

Nov 2023Interview snapshot · published 2024-04

“It will be even better after I sell a couple of my rental properties – the ones that have given me the most headaches.”

ESI Millionaire 391Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • He traveled for weeks at a time and played tennis and pickleball at home, while considering selling troublesome rentals.

How it felt

  • He enjoyed retirement and hoped that reducing property responsibilities would make it better still. “the ones that have given me the most headaches.”
TravelSimplicityHome
ESI Millionaire 391
Read original postesimoney.com

She escaped the office. Then burned out planning the next trip.

Oct 2023 · Year 3

“I planned less things to do and enjoyed a good book if that’s what I felt like doing instead.”

A Purple LifeRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Planned fewer outings, slept longer when needed and made room for reading. “I planned less things to do and enjoyed a good book”
  • Still spent more than three months abroad, including Singapore and Australia.

How it felt

  • Recognized that an overfull schedule could exhaust her even without a job. “And that just won’t do in retirement!”
  • Valued quiet time alongside travel, rather than treating every possibility as an obligation.
Slowing downTravelPartners
A Purple Life
Read original postapurplelife.com

He could go anywhere. Six years later, he wanted to stay home.

Sep 2023 · Year 5

“I'm not bored or stressed, but I am feeling like "what's next." I will always keep travelling and trying to experience new places and things, but I'm pondering connecting myself to more tasks and hobbies here at home.”

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

Life at the time

  • Traveled in China and spent a month near Big Bend.
  • Considered more hobbies and commitments near home, including disc golf.

How it felt

  • Felt some aimlessness about what should come next. “I think I'm running out of ideas for things to do.”
  • Explicitly distinguished that uncertainty from boredom or stress. “I'm not bored or stressed”
TravelPurposeHome
u/ihasanemail
Read original postreddit.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

A small contract bridge gave way to a lighter nomadic life

Jul 2023Recalled in 2023

“Total complete freedom to do whatever I want is pretty darn awesome!”

ESI Millionaire 187Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • The contract finished in March.
  • He spent four months traveling through Asia.

How it felt

  • Complete control of his days felt rewarding. “pretty darn awesome”
  • Having no main earned income felt unusual. “feels odd”
TravelSimplicityWork
ESI Millionaire 187
Read original postesimoney.com

Slow travel felt right. A return to paid writing helped her value freedom again.

May 2023 · Year 4.75

“Choosing freedom over money, my time back as my own.”

Michelle · Fire and WideRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • In 2022 she tried a contract writing investment articles.
  • Revisions and performance expectations made the computer feel like work again.

How it felt

  • She was glad to reclaim control of her time. “Choosing freedom over money”
  • The experiment clarified that paid writing did not fit her interests well enough. “I’m just not that into it”
TravelFreedomWork
Michelle · Fire and Wide
Read original postfireandwide.com

An open-ended road trip was only the beginning.

May 2023 · Year 2

“still sleep well at night”

ESI Retiree 47Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Volunteer trips included multiweek stays and new friendships.
  • They also helped coordinate parents’ care and watched their grandson.

How it felt

  • Spontaneous outings remained a pleasure. “enjoy the spontaneity”
  • Reduced investment distributions tested the income plan without undoing their sense of security. “still sleep well at night”
TravelPurposeFamily
ESI Retiree 47
Read original postesimoney.com

Travel and sport held their appeal as family needs continued

Apr 2023Recalled in 2023

“Better — glad to be retired, healthy and living in a beautiful and friendly area.”

ESI Millionaire 175Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • He kept playing sport in the Bay Area.
  • The household helped pay his father’s assisted-living costs.

How it felt

  • He appreciated being healthy and retired. “glad to be retired”
  • His wife enjoyed performing music locally. “beautiful and friendly area”
TravelFamilyOutdoors
ESI Millionaire 175
Read original postesimoney.com

Retirement began with travel restrictions. The motorhome years still delivered.

Jan 2023 · Year 3

“Now though, no regrets on either side!”

Mark GreeneRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • They were traveling mainly in their motorhome.
  • Their former home was rented out.

How it felt

  • He enjoyed their stop in southern France. “it is very pleasant”
  • They both felt glad about retirement. “no regrets on either side”
TravelContentment
Mark Greene
Read original postmonevator.com

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