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8:58 am July 23, 2011
| Brave New Life
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| Member | posts 41 |
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Howdy Yakezie!
I've just signed up for the challenge and thought I would introduce myself (and offer a gift). I've been blogging for a little while off and on, but until recently hadn't really had any great intention with it. As I've reached a new point in my life, I finally have a clear perspective on the theme of my blog (http://www.bravenewlife.com) and writing has become easier and more fun.
I'm currently 33 years old, a husband and father of 2. My plan is to retire in 2 years, at 35 years old. Everything is in motion, and barring any extreme changes in my life, I should be successful in my retirement. I've done it through pretty extreme budget cutting, lots of early savings, and some gratifying simplification to my life. I'm blogging about it because it helps me solidify my thoughts and philosophies – something that is extremely important when you go against the cultural grain as I have.
I don't get a ton of traffic on my blog, which is mostly OK since it's primarily an outlet for me. On the other hand, it would be nice to share my thoughts and maybe lead others to a similar route since I find it emotionally quite healthy. I'm not trying to sell anything or make money off it.
Anyways, hopefully a few of you will come and visit and like what you see. As a gift for joining me, I'd like to offer links to the first 5 people who reply to this post with an article you think I'd like. If you're right and I like it, I will post it tonight. I'm especially interested in extremely early retirement, investing for income, and going against the grain.
Thanks, and looking forward to some good conversations on this forum!
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9:24 am July 23, 2011
| Melissa (Mom's Plans)
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| Member | posts 908 |
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Welcome, Brave New Life. What do you plan to do after you are retired?
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9:35 am July 23, 2011
| LaTisha @YoungFinances
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9:40 am July 23, 2011
| Derek@LifeAndMyFinances
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Welcome Brave New Life! Your plan sounds quite similar to mine, although I'm only 26 years old and would like to retire a bit later down the road. Actually, I wouldn't so much call it retirement as just plain doing what I want to do. Good luck with your plan, and I can't wait to read about it!
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10:10 am July 23, 2011
| My Personal Finance Journey
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Welcome! I just followed you on twitter and subscribed to your email feed.
Below is a post you might like -
http://www.mypersonalfinancejo…..s-are.html
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12:09 pm July 23, 2011
| OneCentAtatime
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| posts 1778 |
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Welcome, free links we all love, even if no one comes through the link, it will increase some Google points defintiely here's my link http://onecentatatime.com/do-y…..on-i-dont/
I am really impressed with your avatar. I am 35 but still working, can't even think of retirement…you are great to think of retirement at 35
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12:22 pm July 23, 2011
| Brave New Life
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| Member | posts 41 |
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@Melissa -
I've been so focused on my plan for early retirement, I guess I haven't written it down yet. That'll be my next blog post.
Here's a short summary:
First I'm going to rest and unravel. I've busted my ass for the last 15 years. From the day I began college until now, I have pursued this goal with passion. I don't know how long it will take to unwind, but I'm guessing between 3 and 6 months. This time will mostly be filled with exercise and reading.
Next, I want to have a more active role in my kids life. They are 1 and 3. I don't think I'll homeschool, but I at least want to supplement their public education with my own teachings. I also want to play with them more and instill good values.
I will get more physically fit. Before kids, I was an ultramarathoner. I don't think I'll return to that sport, but I may. I may set a goal like a 15 minute 5K race, something I can train for without taking up hours a day.
I want to become an expert investor.
I will volunteer in the pediatric ward of my local hospital. A few months ago my daughter was in the PICU there and they saved her life. I paid a lot of money for that, but I still feel like I owe them so much more. I think this will be very fulfilling – more than my current job. I could even see getting a part time job there if I really get into it.
I want to write more. On my blog and in other places.
I want to continue my pursuit of self-sustenance. Maybe grow some of my own food, build and install solar panels, learn more motorcycle maintenance for my bike, etc.
There's a lot more I want to do, but that will keep me busy for awhile. Thanks for asking!
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8:08 pm July 23, 2011
| Budgeting in the Fun Stuff
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Hi and welcome! Your early retirement goal is inspiring! Good luck and I hope you enjoy it as much as it seems you will!
I personally was aiming to retire at the age of 52 with my husband (I'm 28). But I just quit my day job last week to work from home full time. Unless I am very wrong, I don't think I'll want to retire completely from this ever, but we will see. 24 more years is a long time to decide, lol.
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10:13 pm July 23, 2011
| retireby40
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Welcome to the challenge!
My goal is to retire at 40.
http://retireby40.org/2010/11/…..at-u-love/
http://retireby40.org/2011/07/…..pay-check/
As you can tell, I'm interested in early retirement as well and will go see your site now.
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6:15 am July 24, 2011
| Frugal Confessions
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Welcome, and thanks for the offer!
Here's a post about taking a machete to your finances instead of a scalpel:
http://www.frugalconfessions.c…..achete.php
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9:47 am July 24, 2011
| Brave New Life
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| Member | posts 41 |
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Thanks everyone. Amanda, RB40, and MPF – I just wrote a short article with links to the articles you gave me. It's set to publish tomorrow.
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1:56 pm July 24, 2011
| MyJourneytoMillions
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Good Luck with your goals
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3:22 pm July 24, 2011
| Buy Like Buffett
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Welcome Brave New Life! Those are some loft goals.
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3:47 pm July 24, 2011
| Brave New Life
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| Member | posts 41 |
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Thanks guys -
My goals aren't too lofty since I'm mostly there. Honestly, I think I could retire now (at 33) but I still enjoy the work a little and I'd have to pay $45K pack to a relocation company if I were to leave now.
Just added you guys to my reader and looking forward to following.
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6:25 pm July 24, 2011
| OneCentAtatime
| | Florida, USA | |
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45K for relocation? Two years back I relocated from Austin to Ft Lauderdale with just $750, am I reading your post correct?
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6:42 pm July 24, 2011
| Suba @ Wealth Informatics
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Post edited 6:43 pm – July 24, 2011 by Suba @ Wealth Informatics
OneCentAtatime said:
45K for relocation? Two years back I relocated from Austin to Ft Lauderdale with just $750, am I reading your post correct?
May be his company paid for his relocation and it included everything. My husband's company paid for his relocation a few years back, cross country – packing, moving, storage of his things, moving his car, 1 month corporate fully furnished apartment, a realtor to help with buying a house (they were going to pay the closing cost), delivering the things, rental car, flight tickets for visiting the place once to look around and final moving flight tickets, as he didn't have his possessions they also offered to pay for his food bill for a month. All of that cost upward of 20k. And he was moving from a dorm type room (they just had a package deal with a moving consultant and the minimum was a 1bedroom package). If it was a two or more bedrooms I can easily imagine the moving contractor quoting 45k. He also had a clause in his employment agreement that if he quit the job within 1 year of joining, we had to pay that money back. Just a possibility…
Welcome Brave New Life!! Great job accumulating almost a million dollars! I have added you to my reader. Looking forward to learning from you and your journey.
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6:48 pm July 24, 2011
| OneCentAtatime
| | Florida, USA | |
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hmm, started drafting a new post on how did I cut on relocation expense..thanks BNL and Suba for the idea
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6:50 pm July 24, 2011
| Suba @ Wealth Informatics
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Yeah the companies pay a very high price. I did the exact same move as my husband 2 years later (and with a lot more stuff. I shipped 38 boxes of books!), I spent <$400. The only difference was this one I had to pay from my pocket :)
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10:36 pm July 24, 2011
| Super Frugalette
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| Member | posts 484 |
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Brave New Life said:
@Melissa -
I've been so focused on my plan for early retirement, I guess I haven't written it down yet. That'll be my next blog post.
Here's a short summary:
First I'm going to rest and unravel. I've busted my ass for the last 15 years. From the day I began college until now, I have pursued this goal with passion. I don't know how long it will take to unwind, but I'm guessing between 3 and 6 months. This time will mostly be filled with exercise and reading.
Next, I want to have a more active role in my kids life. They are 1 and 3. I don't think I'll homeschool, but I at least want to supplement their public education with my own teachings. I also want to play with them more and instill good values.
I will get more physically fit. Before kids, I was an ultramarathoner. I don't think I'll return to that sport, but I may. I may set a goal like a 15 minute 5K race, something I can train for without taking up hours a day.
I want to become an expert investor.
I will volunteer in the pediatric ward of my local hospital. A few months ago my daughter was in the PICU there and they saved her life. I paid a lot of money for that, but I still feel like I owe them so much more. I think this will be very fulfilling – more than my current job. I could even see getting a part time job there if I really get into it.
I want to write more. On my blog and in other places.
I want to continue my pursuit of self-sustenance. Maybe grow some of my own food, build and install solar panels, learn more motorcycle maintenance for my bike, etc.
There's a lot more I want to do, but that will keep me busy for awhile. Thanks for asking!
Thanks for considering to volunteer in the picu. My 4 year old has probably spent over 3 months in the hospital since his birth. With two other kids it is impossible for me to be there 24/7 and I am so grateful for volunteers who are able to keep him company.
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3:47 am July 25, 2011
| Harri @ TotallyMoney
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| Member | posts 99 |
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Welcome Brave New Life! (I was about to write Brave New World- got to love a bit of Huxley). Looking forward to reading about reaching your retirement goals.
It's always great to hear about people who plan on volunteering during retirement. I can't think of a better use of time, skills and experience. I hope to follow in your footsteps in the future.
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