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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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61–70 of 194 posts

Travel feels fulfilling once spending becomes easier

Jul 2024Interview snapshot · published 2024-11

“My retirement life is fulfilling with travel experiences and family time.”

ESI Millionaire 424Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • She filled retirement with RV travel, hiking, family events and daily walks, while still maintaining a home.

How it felt

  • She found the life fulfilling, but recalled needing more than a year to become comfortable spending savings. “switch my brain from saving mode to being able to spend.”
MoneyTravelFamily
ESI Millionaire 424
Read original postesimoney.com

Leaving police work meant learning to feel secure in a smaller life

Jun 2024Recalled in 2024

“better dad and husband”

ESI Millionaire 219Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Cooking and school transport anchored his days.
  • Occasional protection work restored enjoyable social contact.

How it felt

  • He felt less stressed and more present as a parent. “better dad and husband”
  • Experience made spending on valued activities easier. “right choice”
ParenthoodMoneyWork
ESI Millionaire 219
Read original postesimoney.com

The urge to build another career gave way to family life

Apr 2024

“The momentum of a 20+ year career and intense work ethic just drew me to "do something". 9 months in, I'm finally beginning to not feel the monetary tug.”

u/firechoice85Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Uses blocks of personal project time around the children’s routine.
  • Runs, swims, cooks and helps with household tasks.

How it felt

  • The urge to make money from new interests is finally easing. “not feel the monetary tug”
  • Feels grateful for family time and a stronger relationship with his spouse. “never been better”
FamilyIdentity
u/firechoice85
Read original postreddit.com

He retired with $2.7m. Three years later, he wanted back in.

Feb 2024 · Year 1

“Feeling of what's next lingers but giving myself time to enjoy slowing down has been a gift.”

u/outdoorfire38Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Made breakfast, walked children to school and fitted exercise and projects around family.
  • Spent more than expected while household net worth also increased.

How it felt

  • Felt busy but less rushed, with more room for the people and activities he valued. “It is nice to not be in a rush.”
  • Still wondered what the next challenge might be. “Feeling of what's next lingers”
RoutineFamilyOutdoors
u/outdoorfire38
Read original postreddit.com

Seven years without a job. A full life built around friends and bread.

Feb 2024 · Year 5

“Everything is going great, still totally happy, never bored.”

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

Life at the time

  • Kept regular time with friends five years after leaving work.
  • Considered living nearer friends and visiting aging parents more often.

How it felt

  • Reported sustained happiness without boredom. “Everything is going great, still totally happy, never bored.”
  • Ordinary contact with friends remained a reliable part of the week. “Still hanging out with friends on a weekly basis”
FriendsFamilyContentment
u/Oracle_of_FI/RE
Read original postreddit.com

Financial independence let useful work coexist with absorbing hobbies

Feb 2024

“We spend freely on these activities that bring us joy, but not excessively”

old_eyesRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • He mostly consulted for nonprofits, aiming for two days weekly.
  • His observatory and his wife’s garden received time and money.

How it felt

  • He still enjoyed work he considered useful. “enjoy it”
  • Their separate hobbies brought them pleasure. “bring us joy”
PurposeCreativityFamily
old_eyes
Read original postmonevator.com

A stay-at-home father finds a public voice

Jan 2024

“how can I serve other people”

Michael QuanRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Combined parenting with writing, podcasting, and financial coaching.
  • Expanded into public speaking and a book after starting the blog.

How it felt

  • Felt motivated to help others through what he had learned. “how can I serve other people”
  • Still questioned whether resources were sufficient as expenses rose. “do I have enough now”
ParenthoodPurposeIdentity
Michael Quan
Read original postcaptainfi.com

He left London for family. Freedom soon needed boundaries of its own.

Jan 2024

“In a way, I swapped time with colleagues for time with my friends and family.”

u/Burner_123_123_123Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Moved back to India after leaving a career in London.
  • Spent more time with parents, friends, dance and exercise.

How it felt

  • Wanted health and relationships to receive more attention. “I'm prioritising Health and Relationships a lot more now.”
  • Valued exchanging time with colleagues for time with friends and family. “I swapped time with colleagues for time with my friends and family.”
FamilyFriendsRoutine
u/Burner_123_123_123
Read original postreddit.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

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

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