afterFI/RE Life after FI/RE
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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.

Age
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41–50 of 94 posts

He escaped the grind. Then learned to stop optimizing every day.

2023 · Year 4

“I was partiailly inspired by u/MrLlamaSC with this post and decided the following: Instead of finding reasons to say no, I would look for reasons to say yes”

u/hungn3Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Spent 243 nights away in 2022, including new travel and social experiences.
  • Tried skiing and Burning Man, while a cruise and a difficult companion revealed firm dislikes.

How it felt

  • Wanted to test experiences he would previously have rejected. “Say Yes to (Almost) Anything”
  • Was looking for reasons to participate, without assuming every experiment would be worth repeating. “Instead of finding reasons to say no, I would look for reasons to say yes”
TravelCuriosityChange
u/hungn3
Read original postreddit.com

Selective assignments leave room for outdoor volunteering

Dec 2022Interview snapshot · published 2022

“The need to work has abated, and it’s amazing how quickly your thoughts are occupied by other matters.”

Post-FI Interviewee 022Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • After retiring from his main role, the physician chose temporary assignments and mentoring, volunteered for an outdoor organization and traveled with his wife.

How it felt

  • He described a changed relationship with work when earning became optional. “The need to work has abated”
PurposeWorkTravel
Post-FI Interviewee 022
Read original postphysicianonfire.com

A health crisis changed the timetable for life on the road

Dec 2022

“We actually enjoy knuckling down and working for a few months here and there.”

Jed & KellyRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • The previous year combined five months working, one farm sitting and six travelling.
  • Kept two rental properties and continued reinvesting share dividends.

How it felt

  • Enjoyed working hard for a few months between trips. “We actually enjoy”
  • Wanted a lasting balance of paid work and exploration. “a balance that works for us”
TravelChangeFreedom
Jed & Kelly
Read original postmoneyflamingo.com

They left intense work for island time, then spent decades exploring.

Oct 2022 · Year 31

“We learned a lot, but that was sometimes difficult, confusing and unexpected to go through.”

Billy & Akaisha KaderliRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Their 2022 days in Chapala included markets, art and leisurely meals.
  • Travel and keeping in touch with far-flung friends remained central.

How it felt

  • They valued independence and a simpler daily life. “value our independence greatly”
  • They wished they had anticipated the original social pushback. “difficult, confusing and unexpected”
TravelSlowing downHome
Billy & Akaisha Kaderli
Read original postesimoney.com

Pickleball brought friends. Open time still made motivation harder.

Sep 2022Recalled in 2025

“I will continue to engage in the coaching for as long as it remains fulfilling.”

ESI Retiree 58Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Home projects and a pickleball class helped fill the transition.
  • A few coaching hours retained a useful part of her professional life.

How it felt

  • Adjustment was easier than she expected. “easier than I had anticipated”
  • Selective work remained fulfilling. “as long as it remains fulfilling”
FriendsRoutineTravel
ESI Retiree 58
Read original postesimoney.com

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

Sep 2022 · Year 2

“Well after all that, I have decided to give myself permission to slow down.”

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

Life at the time

  • Spent weeks in Thailand and Mexico, alongside visits to nine US states.
  • Began leaving recovery time between trips and revisiting familiar places.

How it felt

  • Her still-working partner helped put everyday inconveniences in perspective. “Tiny inconveniences are not real problems.”
  • Wanted permission to slow down even with more places available to visit. “I have decided to give myself permission to slow down.”
TravelSlowing downPartners
A Purple Life
Read original postapurplelife.com

It took a year to believe the vacation would not end.

Sep 2022 · Year 5

“I now understand that I lost valuable time “making sure” we were prepared.”

ESI Retiree 43Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Travel, exercise and a nearby circle of friends filled their weeks.
  • They made room for grandchildren and spontaneous RV trips.

How it felt

  • He valued being able to leave plans open. “we love retirement”
  • He regretted extra years spent making sure they were ready. “I lost valuable time”
RecoveryTravelFamily
ESI Retiree 43
Read original postesimoney.com

He left pharmacy. The ambition went into running and giving.

Jun 2022 · Year 5

“I got back into racing after swearing it off.”

u/jasonlong1212Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Returned to racing after previously giving it up.
  • Completed a four-week overseas trip and increased philanthropy.

How it felt

  • Was willing to revisit an interest he had thought he was finished with. “I got back into racing after swearing it off.”
  • Giving had become a larger part of his retirement. “Philanthropy has gone way up.”
OutdoorsTravelFulfillment
u/jasonlong1212
Read original postreddit.com

A second career creates predictable weeks together

May 2022Interview snapshot · published 2022-09

“It kind of seems like a semi retirement now with his schedule.”

ESI Millionaire 329Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • After her husband's military retirement, his seven-days-on, seven-days-off flying schedule allowed the couple more travel and shared activities.

How it felt

  • She described this stage as resembling semi-retirement; full retirement was still a future possibility. “Felt less of a concern to save.”
PartnersTravelMoney
ESI Millionaire 329
Read original postesimoney.com

National parks after the automotive career

Apr 2022Interview snapshot · published 2022-08

“It was only after I retired I realized how much more focus on life I should have paid attention to instead of worked a little harder.”

ESI Millionaire 319Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Retired since 2017, he pursued automotive interests and flexible travel with his wife, including visits to several national parks.

How it felt

  • Looking back, he wished he had given life outside work more attention before retirement. “how much more focus on life I should have paid attention to”
TravelOutdoorsChange
ESI Millionaire 319
Read original postesimoney.com

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