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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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71–80 of 194 posts

Comfort came easily. Companionship took longer.

Oct 2023 · Year 11

“However, as much as I still love my old hobbies, I have found increased meaning and purpose in new activities in which I am relatively new and inexperienced.”

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

Life at the time

  • Moved to a quieter life in another city with a partner.
  • Supported her goals and added new learning alongside established hobbies.

How it felt

  • Valued the progress that came from being a beginner again. “The feeling of progress/self improvement is priceless.”
  • Continued to appreciate the reassurance of financial independence. “the peace of mind that FI brings never gets old”
HomeCuriosityFamily
u/graspinforthenextcan
Read original postreddit.com

When the plan worked, the spreadsheet became less interesting

Oct 2023

“a level of optionality that feels liberating”

Mrs. FlamingoRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Reduced publishing and stopped trying to grow the blog.
  • Kept working while saving for family experiences rather than adding to the FI portfolio.

How it felt

  • Felt she had achieved the autonomy she wanted. “We Have Arrived”
  • Found beginner FI discussions less relevant to a satisfying everyday life. “a level of optionality that feels liberating”
FamilyFreedomBoundaries
Mrs. Flamingo
Read original postmoneyflamingo.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

He expected a new life. The reward was being an available father.

Sep 2023 · Year 2

“I expect it'll be a lifelong quest to get this balance just right.”

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

Life at the time

  • Tried museums, travel with a child, audio courses, games and community gardening.
  • Continued adjusting the mix of learning, leisure, service and family.

How it felt

  • Did not regard a satisfying balance as something solved once and for all. “I expect it'll be a lifelong quest to get this balance just right.”
  • Appreciated having time to continue experimenting. “Luckily for me, I have all the time I need.”
ParenthoodCuriosityPurpose
u/TheOrchardFI
Read original postreddit.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

Community service continues after corporate work

Aug 2023Interview snapshot · published 2024-01

“I’d highly encourage readers to get involved in their local community on some level, while they’re still working and raising a family, don’t wait until you’re retired.”

ESI Millionaire 376Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • After retiring from corporate sales at 61, he continued serving on the local town council for a modest payment.

How it felt

  • He valued community involvement and wished he had adjusted his work-centered habits earlier. “get involved in their local community on some level”
PurposeFamilyIdentity
ESI Millionaire 376
Read original postesimoney.com

Family freedom stayed precious as the work itch returned

Jul 2023

“It may be hard to articulate, but I do miss the professional identity and the responsibility of being someone people can rely on.”

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

Life at the time

  • Has cruised in Alaska and moved closer to his spouse’s relatives.
  • Avoids crowded weekend errands and uses flexible travel timing to find better value.

How it felt

  • Cherishes family memories but misses professional identity and challenge. “I do miss the professional identity”
  • Feels grateful for the trial while considering returning to work. “I'm grateful for the opportunity to sample retirement”
FamilyIdentity
u/vpokedad
Read original postreddit.com

Family freedom stayed precious as the work itch returned

May 2023

“I was worried I'd be bored, but I'm not.”

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

Life at the time

  • Learns sports with a coach, gardens and tackles home improvements.
  • Collects his child from school, plays nightly chess and makes afternoon coffee for his spouse.

How it felt

  • Boredom fears have not materialized after four to five weeks. “I was worried I'd be bored, but I'm not”
  • Feels more patient and finds everyday pleasures brighter. “my patience has improved”
FamilyIdentity
u/vpokedad
Read original postreddit.com

He caught up on sleep. Decades later, he was still learning to leave blank days.

May 2023 · Year 21

“We love the slower pace, and we try to avoid obligating too much of our time.”

Doug NordmanRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Surfing, writing, repairs and slow travel filled a flexible life.
  • Grandparenting was changing the couple’s priorities again.

How it felt

  • He valued having time and attention for surprises. “We love the slower pace”
  • Overcommitting could still turn chosen activities into exhausting days. “leave blank days on the calendar”
Slowing downFamilyBoundaries
Doug Nordman
Read original postesimoney.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

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