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I have come across and read so many blogs and Youtube channels about financial freedom and early retirement.
For me, financial freedom is different from financial independent.
— Right now I consider myself to be financially independent since I have a full-time job and don’t depend on anyone for financial support.
— Financial freedom, however, is when I can choose whether to work to provide for myself financially since I have enough invested and saved for the future.
Mr. FAF and I have talked about our future goals. Mr. FAF wants us to have $5 million in cash and investment (at least $100,000 in cash) and three rental properties by the age of 50.
We will then travel the world to explore different countries in Asia and Europe, eat world famous cuisines, enjoy ourselves at the beach, and even try the RV life for a month or so.
Ms. FAF
For me, my short-term goal is to pay off the our mortgage and invest in retirement (which we have not done very well yet).
I have no plan to retire at age 40 or 50. I like the line of work that I do and want to explore my full potential in the workforce.
My parents and in-laws are in their late 50s and 60s, but they still work while enjoying themselves. I don’t see any reason why I can’t work as hard as our parents. They have helped us out in difficult times out of love and through the power of savings.
I want to do the same for my children. I don’t want them to do nothing and just wait for their parents to provide for them.
But I want to have the option of supporting financially when they’re in need (i.e. education, investment, tough times). I just can’t retire early happily knowing my children are still struggling to make ends meet.
I also want to pursue my interests (i.e. real estate investment, small business ideas) without stressing about our finances.
I have nothing against early retirees, but I like keeping myself busy and productive with work. Traveling and eating delicious food every day is great, but it won’t make me feel fulfilled about what I’ve accomplished in life.
Who wouldn’t love this?
Mr. FAF
Mr. FAF also has no plan to stop working any time soon. After he’s established in his job, Mr. FAF wants to improve himself by getting an online MBA at a prestigious school while working full-time to advance his career.
He also wants to take History classes as a hobby since he loves history but knows it’s not a profitable career track for him and our family. That’s what I love about Mr. FAF. He’s ambitious and always works hard to improve himself.
So do we have fun? How and when?
We do indeed. That’s what the weekends and holidays are for. Mr. FAF and I are hard-working, but we’re not workaholics. I have realized that when I work hard during the week, any free time I have seems more enjoyable and precious.
I think it might have to do with the abundant resources theory. If I know I have limited free time, I treasure it more and want to make the most of it. If I know I have years of free time ahead of me, I’m not sure I’ll be as productive and happy as I can be.
When I was super busy in grad school, I wanted to have all the time in the world to watch my favorite TV shows. But now that I have finished all of my favorite TV show seasons, I want to be back at work.
Conclusion
I think the most important thing is that both Mr. FAF and I like our career tracks. I don’t just wake up every day dreading to go to work or counting down the days until I can retire. I think when we’re fortunate to find something we love doing, it’s already enjoyment in itself.
We want to have financial freedom as early as we can. But we’re not planning to retire and quit the workforce even when we’re millionaires.
Related:
Retirement Investment for Newbies
How This Family Slashed Their Mortgage Payment By $700/month
A Landlord’s Worst Nightmare Comes True
Interview With Mr. FAF – Husband Of A Personal Finance Blogger
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I think the majority of people don’t love the work they do. This is why FIRE is so popular among personal finance bloggers and, unfortunately, too many Americans don’t even understand the concept of FIRE. I love my job but it’s contract work that ends this year after three years. I’ll have to find something else but it’s unlikely that I’ll find this same balance of enjoyment, reward, and pay. If you love the work you do, I’d definitely stay until it wasn’t so great anymore.
Enjoying the blog!
My wife and I also originally had the goal to pay off the mortgage as quick as possible.
But after doing some research, we learned that it is actually NOT in your best interest to do so (assuming that you have a low interest rate…)
For example, LONG term market returns of 7-10%/year should beat a mortgage of 3-5%. We recently stopped paying the extra monthly principal, and instead automatically put that money into low-fee index funds on the 1st of every month. Check out Wealthfront as an option:
https://wlth.fr/2quxj3c
We now have access to that cash instead if it being locked into our home. The saved cash can serve multiple purposes:
-Extra cushion/emergency fund
-Can be used for another down payment for a house down the road
-Extra money to spend in (early) retirement
This article does a good job explaining why it is financially smart to carry a long mortgage:
https://www.edelmanfinancial.com/education-center/articles/11-great-reasons-to-carry-a-big-long-mortgage
It goes against common belief. And most people just want to have the relief of no longer having a mortgage…but if you follow the advice above, your wealthy future self will thank you!
I know this is an old post. but my answer is yes! I want to retire early!
This was a refreshing post for me after being so heavily indoctrinated in the FIRE world about the glories of leaving the workforce, and traveling and eating gourmet food, as you mention. I like the idea of striving to work as hard as your parents and to improve the lives of your children; i like your mention of wanting to explore your career and your husband furthering his education. That is as much a valid passion as any FIRE notions. Money is a means to an end, and it’s up to the earner what that end is…
When I was super busy in grad school, I wanted to have all the time in the world to watch my favorite TV shows. <<yes!!