I put forward what I believe to be the good path in life (have a family) and you interpret that as
"being blinded so much by your own values that you think other's should live just like you"
and then you proceed to tell us all about how you think people should live.
You didn't want to be "emotionally tied down" by kids. What a weird way of saying caring about someone else. You want to talk about an anti-social person, you should take a look in the mirror.
I'm sure all your extra time has made you a true talent at those skills and hobbies you enjoy. I got to watch my son say his first words last week but yes, I think you have it all figured out.
"and then you proceed to tell us all about how you think people should live."
Your son is probably already better at reading than you. Where did I say how I think people should live? Quote my exact wordage. Oh wait you can't, because I didn't. I never said you shouldn't have kids. You are the one saying people that don't procreate are bitter, resentful and were probably abused as children. Those are your words.
"To have a family is the meaning of "life", certainly that of sexually reproducing life, which is the category we fall into."
You used 'we', not 'I'. You are putting your meaning of life on everyone else. Sounds like you are the one trying to "tell us all about how you think people should live."
Kind of hard to argue against your own words now is it?
I've got $250K in home equity, $250K in stocks/401 K/mutual funds, and the remaining in cash. I have no debts except for a mortgage, which I can pay off anytime I like but am keeping it since the interest rate is only 3%.
If I sell everything and move to the rural south or any other low-cost-of-living area, would I be able to retire now if I gave up all entertainment and luxuries? I guess I have Social Security as a fall-back plan, but that's not kicking in until 2050 and might only be worth $1500ish a month. I'm not willing to move outside the U.S, though.
If it's feasible, I'm seriously considering pulling the trigger, working part-time at a Dollar General, and using that money solely for hobbies, vacations, and toys like a snowboard or a PS5.
You won't like dollar general. Most people I know / my family knew who retired cut back on work but did something similar - think consulting for 10-15 hours per week and volunteering for a few instead of your job for 50-60.
Most people also prefer 3-4% spend of savings per year - if you spend $30000 per year, 750k to 1M
"and then you proceed to tell us all about how you think people should live."
Your son is probably already better at reading than you. Where did I say how I think people should live? Quote my exact wordage. Oh wait you can't, because I didn't. I never said you shouldn't have kids. You are the one saying people that don't procreate are bitter, resentful and were probably abused as children. Those are your words.
"To have a family is the meaning of "life", certainly that of sexually reproducing life, which is the category we fall into."
You used 'we', not 'I'. You are putting your meaning of life on everyone else. Sounds like you are the one trying to "tell us all about how you think people should live."
Kind of hard to argue against your own words now is it?
When you offered up your sad little life as a testimonial as to how great it is to be single is putting forward your vision of how the world should be.
I use the term "we" because I assume you are a human which would mean you fall into the category of sexually reproducing life. Just because you have failed in that regard does not mean that humans are not a sexually reproducing form of life.
When you offered up your sad little life as a testimonial as to how great it is to be single is putting forward your vision of how the world should be.
I use the term "we" because I assume you are a human which would mean you fall into the category of sexually reproducing life. Just because you have failed in that regard does not mean that humans are not a sexually reproducing form of life.
Did you let your son reply? LMAO. My first post said I have a wife. I'm not single. You are intentionally making things up at this point to create a strawman or you actually have a mental disability. I hope your son didn't inherit your genes.
Did you let your son reply? LMAO. My first post said I have a wife. I'm not single. You are intentionally making things up at this point to create a strawman or you actually have a mental disability. I hope your son didn't inherit your genes.
Your wife must have very little faith in you to not want to start a family with you.
I've got $250K in home equity, $250K in stocks/401 K/mutual funds, and the remaining in cash. I have no debts except for a mortgage, which I can pay off anytime I like but am keeping it since the interest rate is only 3%.
If I sell everything and move to the rural south or any other low-cost-of-living area, would I be able to retire now if I gave up all entertainment and luxuries? I guess I have Social Security as a fall-back plan, but that's not kicking in until 2050 and might only be worth $1500ish a month. I'm not willing to move outside the U.S, though.
If it's feasible, I'm seriously considering pulling the trigger, working part-time at a Dollar General, and using that money solely for hobbies, vacations, and toys like a snowboard or a PS5.
So, based on your age (38?), it is probably not feasible. Let’s say you buy a $150,000 house. That leaves you with $400,000 to invest. Assuming 4% above inflation (under Trump, it was 10%, under Biden it has been 2%). That would give you about $16k a year to live off. I guess if you went without healthcare, you might be able to make it work if you ate Ramen, sold your car and rode a bike. As an alternative, you could find an easy, low paying job that you might enjoy (PE teacher / track coach, work at a gym, etc.) and maintain a moderate standard of living in a low COLA area and coast for the rest of your life. I know a lot of people who retired young from teaching that work at golf courses that do just that.
Yeah, I'm 38. I wouldn't mind being a PE teacher / track coach, but the major drawback is that I can't leave whenever I want with almost zero consequences, and I like having the peace of mind and freedom to do so even if I never take advantage of it.
If I'm a WalMart greeter or burger flipper, for example, nothing notable would really happen if I decide to quit in the middle of my shift because I'm not in the mood. But if I were to do that as a track coach the day before a meet, a lot of kids would be impacted, and I'd feel terrible even if I didn't need the money.
C’mon man, teachers get 20 weeks out of 52 off per year. That is more than ample time to do whatever you want.
I've got $250K in home equity, $250K in stocks/401 K/mutual funds, and the remaining in cash. I have no debts except for a mortgage, which I can pay off anytime I like but am keeping it since the interest rate is only 3%.
If I sell everything and move to the rural south or any other low-cost-of-living area, would I be able to retire now if I gave up all entertainment and luxuries? I guess I have Social Security as a fall-back plan, but that's not kicking in until 2050 and might only be worth $1500ish a month. I'm not willing to move outside the U.S, though.
If it's feasible, I'm seriously considering pulling the trigger, working part-time at a Dollar General, and using that money solely for hobbies, vacations, and toys like a snowboard or a PS5.
What will you do about health insurance?
As long as you keep your income under 4X the poverty level ( I think it's about 60k for 2024 an it goes up every year) you qualify for subsidies and can get an ACA plan for pretty cheap, depending on where you're at it might even be completely covered by the subsidies, ie, free.
Move overseas. Your dollar will go much more elsewhere. Why live at a Dollar Store?
The countries I may be willing to consider like Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Singapore are just as expensive as the US. And most overseas places have significant language and cultural barriers to deal with, and that's before we get into the visa/immigration issues.
Sure, my dollar may go further in a country like Bangladesh, but if that's my option, I'd rather live in a dollar store.
Move overseas. Your dollar will go much more elsewhere. Why live at a Dollar Store?
The countries I may be willing to consider like Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Singapore are just as expensive as the US. And most overseas places have significant language and cultural barriers to deal with, and that's before we get into the visa/immigration issues.
Sure, my dollar may go further in a country like Bangladesh, but if that's my option, I'd rather live in a dollar store.
Spain, Portugal & Chile. Not dirt cheap but life is better than at third world countries.
As long as you keep your income under 4X the poverty level ( I think it's about 60k for 2024 an it goes up every year) you qualify for subsidies and can get an ACA plan for pretty cheap, depending on where you're at it might even be completely covered by the subsidies, ie, free.
Thank you for your response. I have to say that is remarkable. Four times the poverty level and Uncle Sucker gives you free stuff.