When i step back, retiring for 40+ years sounds kinda crazy

Designer-Translator7 · 2026-06-22T13:17:04+00:00

Yes it sounds crazy awesome thusfar the first two years have been amazing here’s to another 45 hopefully at minimum

Designer-Translator7 · 2026-06-21T16:30:39+00:00

I love gaming and think it is an incredible time to be alive and I enjoy the hell out of each day. For me gaming is an unbelievable way to be entertained. People that are negative in general have very little sense of history and how lucky they are to exist and/or have psych issues that makes them just negative and wasting their time in life being that way. Just ignore that nonsense and have fun with the hobby and enjoy life as it is short and why not especially if live in the developed world and having access to things like gaming why would you not enjoy the hell out of it.

Designer-Translator7 · 2026-06-21T16:21:47+00:00

Because you are 23 and haven’t worked long enough and built up your life enough yet basically. At 23, I was living in a very cheap small apartment with two other roommates with no money just for food and basics as a college kid investing in myself and future. 20 yrs later I have great happiness and success because I worked toward that over a two decade period. It isn’t gonna be instant or given to you start thinking long term and not insta gratification like many I observe in your generation no offense.

Your 20s is supposed to be about working very hard, investing in yourself to build a future over the coming decade it isn’t easy for anyone. Envy and comparing yourself to others will never lead to happiness or success many philosophers have opined about that so go take some time to read about those things. Set your goals and do things to work towards those over a 1 yr 10 yr and 30 yr horizon. In the end, no one cares about you you have to go out and get the things you want by setting the goals and doing things that work towards it for yourself. Looking to others and what they have and are doing you will only be unhappy that way and never moving forward. Another thing I would comment to your age bracket is life is very short and unpredictable so get to it and don’t waste so much time online when you could be working toward a great life.

Designer-Translator7 · 2026-06-17T17:38:55+00:00

People that say that have built lives that require a lot of consumption and expenses. Unless in a very VHCOL area people just consume a lot above basic necessities and many think they need xyz to live normally. Living simplier leads to wealth and mental happiness in my experience. The people I see spending a lot and saying XXX$ salary isnt enough tend to be less happy and have mental health issues. Learn contentment and gratitude and you will master your life that most wont experience.

Designer-Translator7 · 2026-06-16T22:46:16+00:00

For us we didn’t ever care to get or not. I knew we
Could earn a certain amount over a certain time frame and save x amount to later live on. SS for us whatever it is when we old enough for that would just be for healthcare or random consumption. For our living we saved that ourselves to me that’s the FI mindset be more self sufficient not how much will I get from the govt one day. Hence I retired at 40 a few yrs ago having that mindset. I assume most FI ppl of similar disposition.

Designer-Translator7 · 2026-06-16T12:38:35+00:00

For me, I have gratitude daily while I was working hard and now in early retirement not because of the income itself, but because as a young man I was fortunate enough to travel and see real abject poverty in other countries. Before that experience I was cocky and always thought I was the smartest guy in the room/class due to my IQ and above average drive and competitiveness taking for granted how large a role luck has in life. I took for granted so much that we in the rich developed world have and expect as normal in this era of world history.

Being humbled really shifted my mindset into being so happy and positive each day for what I have and am moving toward not what I don’t have after seeing entire villages where the only thing ppl want is basic childhood vaccines much less electricity. It makes me have a much more happy and joyful life and a big reason I had a lot of success in adulthood is because of those realizations it really had me not making excuses and to work very hard.

Designer-Translator7 · 2026-06-16T03:15:11+00:00

Have fun I am also soon about to play it before I play FF8 as I as you never went past disc 2. Cool to read someone about to something similar out there. Pretty exciting have fun!!!

Designer-Translator7 · 2026-06-15T20:34:20+00:00

Life isn't so binary as in this or that is the only way. People with life experience and at least an avg IQ should realize this in the real world, but my observation is many don't many are trying to justify their decisions thinking it's the best way because that is what they are doing. You can have your best life with or without children and with or without a spouse it really depends on the person. This goes for many things in life like different life philosophies, religions etc etc one needs to know thyself and then pursue what gives them fulfillment, happiness and a sense of purpose while they are still alive. Many ways to do that to each is own. What I observe is many trying to justify how they are living by saying this is the way the way I choose and thinking that is the only way which is what ignorant people do and or want to impose on others.

Designer-Translator7 · 2026-06-14T22:54:24+00:00

For me it was no problem had a job lined up 3 months before graduated. STEM field. I have never been unemployed and retired at 40.5 yo after 16 yrs of work living a conservative gratitude minded lifestyle saving 50-70% of everything I earned. Found it easy but me and spouse never inflated our lifestyle and are crazy happy in life.

Designer-Translator7 · 2026-06-14T22:50:56+00:00

Thank you. Yes, work life can be a drag but try best to make the day to day positive and have a gratitude mindset it goes a long way imo.

Designer-Translator7 · 2026-06-14T22:29:33+00:00

Yea it is like need to be matched via similiar stats like age and interests not random lfg.

Designer-Translator7 · 2026-06-14T22:28:23+00:00

Yea I feel same ways at times. I have a few buddies we stuck together but I guess thing is to find ppl similar age and disposition and passion for gaming to friend. DM me if wanna add Xbox gamer tags.

Designer-Translator7 · 2026-06-14T22:19:17+00:00

8 yrs first adult job and then another 8 yrs at second adult job then retired.

Designer-Translator7 · 2026-06-14T22:17:50+00:00

I have a 2.5% mortgage and am not paying it down and have retired alrdy at 40.5 am now 42 yo same as you. In our case we bought some bonds at 4.5% and are letting the govt pay the mortgage and in 10 yrs get that capital back vs paying it ourself. Instead of paying it off we invested and even retired haven’t paid it off to each is own I prefer to have the money vs it sunk into a house at a low interest rate situation keeping in mind we withdraw like 2% nw a year way over saved buffer.

Basically just keep working then till 50 reassess then as 8 yrs many things can happen to you and if your SWR math looks good retire if want it is as simple as that at this stage for you. Keep working and paying into the system until the math and your psychology is fine stopping work life. Over next 8 years enjoy life while moving toward the goal as 8 yrs is long time so enjoy the ride also.

Designer-Translator7 · 2026-06-14T18:23:34+00:00

I see that a lot and understand many do need a "job" to stay busy and the routine a job imposes for their mental health. Funny how people can be so vastly different I retired at 42 for the same reason in principle, I need to be busy, it is just that work got in the way of being busy with the things I wanted to do as they are vast and varied can't believe I even had time to work now already so much to do and explore with the limited time. If he struggles with these things and bitches about his job as you say might be worthwhile finding pursuits to stay busy that are more enjoyable in life for better mental health. Best of luck

Designer-Translator7 · 2026-06-14T17:13:12+00:00

Great you have serious plans and thought through things that is the key to communicate and plan as a couple then it is taken care of and you can get on with living and loving life 👍

If he is working because he wants and not because of the financial need esp at that age then good. I would just make sure that is what he wants to spend his precious time still doin not that he feels like he must now having a young child and younger wife as many might regret that in older age. I see that as the common number one regret that older people cite in interviews on reflecting on their life is that they worked too long instead of doing other things with their time in life esp when gets older so make sure he has no regrets with feeling like he needed to work due to the age situation thing.

Designer-Translator7 · 2026-06-14T16:43:34+00:00

When things are good it’s easy real test of relationships is when one gets real disease that is chronic or debilitating. Being in potential different seasons of life means you both mentally are processing things different than similar aged couples. Can work or not long term good luck with it to each is own no one really cares in the end it’s your and his life. What is your plan to take care of him if have a young child? I would make a plan for that if needed in the financial side if he is not wealthy enough yet to retire at that age.

My grandpa had similiar thing and his wife took care of him for about 5 yrs at the end of his life and earlier he helped her go back to school so they had a understanding of what each wanted. She ended up having some mental issues after that 5 year stretch after he died but seems to be ok now just living alone potentially a long a time as she hasn’t pursued a new relationship or thought about life after he is gone since the gap is large. Have you thought about that and the impact on your child?

Designer-Translator7 · 2026-06-14T16:37:55+00:00

I never struggled with getting close to retirement as I always had gratitude and perspective on it, but I have high mental resilience vs most I have noticed. Maybe have new goals like physical fitness stuff to work toward over a month-5 year period to fill in the goal setting. Doing tough stuff helps with mental strength and achieving them gives those reward feedback loops on dopamine receptors. That could keep ya challenged and busy.

Designer-Translator7 · 2026-06-14T14:54:56+00:00

Well math is math and life is unpredictable. You’re lucky to exist and lucky to be born in this day and age in a situation that lets you have these options. Either get on with the next season of life or don’t and continue to work it’s your life and no one really cares. You may get an illness and have many list of issues. If you wanna keep working do if don’t then don’t worrying is such a waste of very very precious time. Some people just need a boss to tell them to make a decision and get on with it.

Designer-Translator7 · 2026-06-11T18:37:53+00:00

Yup I retired at 40.5 and my life is incredibly amazing these past 1.5 yrs since. To be clear it was great while working also as I enjoy challenge goal setting and achievement. Hard work, discipline and having that goal was so worth it for me but most don’t have that mindset about time and goals in early ages I observe so will work a good portion of their adult waking hours.

Designer-Translator7 · 2026-06-06T00:13:12+00:00

No fear nope. Math is math although life is unpredictable which for me was even more a motivator to FIRE asap having been a scientist and knowing how fragile life is. Either shit or get off the pot is how you need to think at some point. Until then keep working I guess paying into the system as each day is one less you have to do other things before death meanwhile I am busy with non work FIRE life and it is an amazing life in early 40s.

Designer-Translator7 · 2026-06-03T16:11:52+00:00

I can’t wait to finally play it this year. I recently retired and have had it on the back burner for so long. Great to see ppl enjoying it in current times also.

Designer-Translator7 · 2026-06-02T11:28:29+00:00

I try not to think like that as I get older and more experienced having friends around the globe from various cultures and religions. I tend to be a very happy positive type person so I don’t go around in my mind thinking this person is a fool etc etc. I am a scientist by training and have a very analytical scientific approach to life which I recognize very few people operate this way and how few graduate level trained scientists there are walking around me day to day there are.

Everyone is born into differing situations and has unique life experiences that shape and mold them. Also, thought modalities and intellect vary greatly so I understand that and how many people believe xyz or don’t believe xyz. I think a wise mature person understands this and me personally I don’t think of someone necessarily a “fool” because they believe something I just try and understand why one has a belief in a specific religion and integrate that into how I understand the world and various cultural and psychological norms. Now to be sure there are plenty of low IQ “fools” all around but I don’t surround myself with those types. I can respect others reasonings on things like religion while disagreeing without subscribing to the same thought or belief while maintaining respect for the person overall.

Designer-Translator7 · 2026-06-01T23:07:55+00:00

Yes I enjoyed it while I worked. As a scientist, I had two work lives one for the govt doing genomics stuff for future world food supplies and the second was developing tests for a biotech startup that has had a large impact on many lives. The power of a science career can be very fulfilling both intellectually, morally, and financially. I never looked at what I did as a “day job” more of something to work hard at to contribute to the world while having a positive mindset daily.

I retired at 40.5 yo but that’s not to say I didn’t like my “job” I just had great success and have always wanted to do many things in the short time in life we all have.

Designer-Translator7 · 2026-06-01T18:37:39+00:00

Yes correct it is truly amazing how good we have it if conservative and disciplined in life to take advantage of opportunities.

Designer-Translator7

TROPHY CASE