Do you know anyone who retired before 30?

not a monk wrote:

Besides the obvious cases of lottery winners, famous athletes or entertainers, and trust fund kids, does anyone here know someone who retired before age 30?

At a recent high school reunion (class of 2007), one classmate claims that he's already retired. He worked as an engineer for 6 years, lived like a monk, and spends around $4400 a year. He says he lives in a small house that he's already paid off, grows some of his food, and has the minimal amount of health insurance, but even then, I find it hard to believe.

Anyone know of anyone else who did something similar?

That doesn't sound remotely fun, but to each their own, To answer your question, no. Plenty of public service (police, firefighter) friends who like me "retired" around age 41, but all went in to second careers because half of your highest 3 yrs average isn't enough to live on and send kids to college.

Growing your own food is more expensive than buying it.

A guy (programmer) who worked for the NSA. Supposedly he worked his ass off 80+ hours a week, kept getting big raises and bonuses, went to Afghanistan a couple times.

no mo po po wrote:

That doesn't sound remotely fun, but to each their own, To answer your question, no. Plenty of public service (police, firefighter) friends who like me "retired" around age 41, but all went in to second careers because half of your highest 3 yrs average isn't enough to live on and send kids to college.

Sending your kids to college is not your responsibility. Your kids can get loans, scholarships, or choose an inexpensive college.

Hi HardLoper!

Alan Webb

Hi, TAA!

Like half the 30 years old I know aren't even working and live at home with their parents. They are already retired before they got an actual job!

not a monk wrote:

Besides the obvious cases of lottery winners, famous athletes or entertainers,

Bbew Nala wrote:

Alan Webb

Read the friggin' post.

On another note, Google "early retirement extreme". Retiring by 30 has been done before.

Oh yeah, a 28 yr old dude that used to live at the corner of my neighborhood. Got an all expense paid vacation for the next 20 years for major drug trafficking, money laundering, racketeering, extortion. Very nice chum.

Sounds like a real jagoff who couldn't afford to buy anyone a beer at this reunion.

Early employee at eBay. But got really bored and went back to work after a few years.

I am retired at 34 but have a few businesses. Nothing intense but not passive. Not by choice but the best option I had. Not sure what the future holds.

I think the Mr. Money Mustache dude claims to have retired before age 30.

mrmoneymustache.com

crappy economy wrote:

Like half the 30 years old I know aren't even working and live at home with their parents. They are already retired before they got an actual job!

Yeah, my stepson is 34 and hasn't worked since he was 20. Lives in our guest room, and occasionally sponges off other friends. Government gives him $1000 a month for being "anxious," but he spends it all on new car payments, auto insurance and a smart phone plan. Refuses to lift a finger to help us out with any household chores, and lives a never ending holiday. Runs and bikes every day, though, and his mom says, "isn't that great," while I sneak runs a lunchtime because it's a waste of time for me! I love my wife, though, so that's what I put up with!

Hi Flagpole!

Stay at home moms with 1 or 2 kids who get knocked up before they are 30 are essentially retired , if the household budget is high enough, even more so.

It's going to be tough even if you're not paying for a mortgage or insurance.

England's cost of living isn't that much different than that of some places in the US, so I'll use this as a rough guide:

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-22065978

Food: 18 pounds/week (that's pounds as in currency, not pounds as in weight)

Heating and electricity: 14 pounds/week

Water: 5 pounds/week

Furniture and household appliances: 10 pounds/week

Utensils, toiletries, etc.: 10 pounds/week

Clothes and shoes: 5 pounds/week

Total: 62 pounds/week = $80/week = $4160/year

Adding $240 in property tax (not possible in most areas) brings you to the $4400/year limit. If anything goes wrong - a busted leg, a leaking roof, or even a flat bike tire - you're friggin' screwed.

Hunter gatherers could survive on 0 dollars, but that was back when there were no property taxes and the buffalos roamed free.