Ok, I'm back from my 28-hour break! Thanks to so many for encouraging me to continue. Boy did it feel amazing to unwind after publishing my post on shutting this site down. Just the act of not responding to a single comment allowed me to recharge my empty battery by a couple percent. I'm feeling like a billion bucks now!
Oh, and around 888 of you told me I published my post on April Fools' Day. What a coincidence! Well, not really. I would be a real fool to shut this site down when I already pre-paid for a discounted full year of hosting because I'm frugal like that. I also have financial obligations to a sponsor as you'll see in the very next post.
Besides, ~74% of my traffic passively comes from search engines like Google. Therefore, I could theoretically not publish another word for at least a year before I notice a greater than ~26% decline in traffic. Go internet! You so amazing.
Make Sure You're Having Fun
Speaking of business, I was reminded of something very important on April Fools' Day. Hobbies are no longer as fun once they feel like work. For seven years, like a juggernaut, I've been methodically writing, publishing, editing, reading, and responding to folks. FS started as a hobby, and I lost my way once I lost my job! Ironically, the larger this site got, the less free I became because I felt my obligation to help others growing. When you are in a position to help, help you must.
To be quite frank, as soon as I published my post on quitting I felt a HUGE sense of relief. The feeling was exactly the same feeling I had when I walked out of my employer's door for the last time. No more pressure to prove my worth. No more dealing with unreasonable people. No more kowtowing to the man. No more faking joy during times of misery. I also felt a great sense of excitement about what was coming next even though I also feared the unknown. I truly hope all of you can one day experience this fearful yet exhilarating sensation.
Everything I wrote in my goodbye post was true, except for the quitting part. I don't plan to quit until I reach the 10-year mark in 2019. Then who knows. I firmly believe a huge part of success in everything is sticking around long enough to see what pops out of the ground. Many of you smartly suggested I just cut down my posting schedule to just once or twice a week. That's a no brainer solution.
We all better have some fun doing what we're doing or else what's the damn point? It would be a travesty to look back on our lives with regret because we did only what we were supposed to do and not what we really wanted to do. Whether you make mega millions or get paid peanuts doing something you love, so long as you are having fun, you're hedged against any sort of financial disappointment!
What Did I Do During My Time Off?
After responding to about 70 e-mails (e-mail subscription for posts and e-mail subscription for newsletters), I decided to go play tennis at 8:30am with a buddy. He also read my post on shutting down, and I'm not sure if he realized I wasn't being serious about quitting. Between each point, I kept experiencing this deja vu moment where I was reliving the first days of early retirement in 2012. It felt exciting to be free of responsibility again!
After tennis I took a shower and went to my club's dining room to eat some brunch. There I was, sitting with a bunch of 65+ year old folks eating a Manhattan clam chowder and reading the Money section of USA TODAY. I took a picture to commemorate retirement from my retirement job.
After I was done with brunch I drove home to do my taxes of all things. I had already spent three hours filling in all my information the day before and was ready to e-file but the software said I had a bug. I spent another three hours trying to fix the bug to no avail until I talked to my father who experienced the exact same thing! He told me he was able to get someone live to resolve his issue. Inspired, I got on an e-chat with a tax preparer and she helped me out in a jiffy.
You see, part of solving impossible problems or reaching goals is realizing other people have solved them too. It wasn't until Roger Bannister broke the 4-minute mile in 1954 did a wave of others start also breaking the 4-minute mark. I plan to continue showing what's financially possible on FS.
By the time I got done with my taxes, it was 3:15pm. I drove all the way back downtown to the Bay Club at Golden Gateway to play another couple hours of doubles with some friends. It's free guest day every first Friday of the month where they also serve alcohol and food! As an early retiree, you get to know about all the good deals around town.
A bunch of us sat in the hot tub until about 8pm with our beverages until it was time to go. After all, I had to get home to write this post before I passed out from a marathon day of booze and exercise.
Having a lot of freedom feels amazing, but everything gets old after a while. I long to have a purpose every day. The purpose can be as simple as applying touch up paint to my window sashes or helping out a personal finance consulting client with their financial plan. So long as there's something to do, I'm happy. Don't you feel the same?
Don't Forget To Look Up Sometimes
It's really hard to not get caught up in whatever we're doing and miss all the other amazing things that are happening around us. I remember sitting on my balcony in Hawaii typing away not even realizing there was an amazing double rainbow gracing the sky until I was tapped on the shoulder to look up. Double rainbows don't last long, but I was able to get this shot.
From now until 2019 I promise to lead a more purposeful life that's much more balanced. I will work on not taking anything personally from those who lash out. Also, I plan to keep on going no matter what. Maybe I'll cut the posting frequency down to two times a week when I start getting burned out again. But I certainly won't just leave everybody high and dry!
Reflections:
- There's a great many of you who read, but never comment. Don't be shy! If there's a problem you have that I cannot address, I'm sure someone from the FS community can help.
- I love to hear your stories of progress. They motivate me to keep on writing. Your stories also help keep me grounded.
- It's easy to take people for granted. It's even easier to take free things for granted.
- Never quit until you're absolutely sure all avenues are exhausted. Burnout is inevitable if you do something long enough. Quitting cold turkey often isn't the best solution. Take a break. Reduce your output. But whatever you do, don't get rid of all the effort you've put in up to now.
- Having a community is wonderful. We should all find ways to support each other. At the same time, let's not forget to take care of ourselves once in a while.
- It's hard to stop doing what we've been doing for so long. If we're not careful, we'll wake up one day and wonder where all the time went. Let's enjoy the present down to the very minutes.
Related posts:
What Does Early Retirement Feel Like?
Overcoming The One More Year Syndrome To Do Something New
It's Impossible To Stay Retired Once You've Retired Early
Recommendation To Build Wealth
Manage Your Money In One Place: Sign up for Personal Capital, the web’s #1 free wealth management tool to get a better handle on your finances. In addition to better money oversight, run your investments through their award-winning Investment Checkup tool to see exactly how much you are paying in fees. I was paying $1,700 a year in fees I had no idea I was paying.
After you link all your accounts, use their Retirement Planning calculator that pulls your real data to give you as pure an estimation of your financial future as possible using Monte Carlo simulation algorithms. Definitely run your numbers to see how you’re doing. I’ve been using Personal Capital since 2012 and have seen my net worth skyrocket during this time thanks to better money management.
Updated for 2019 and beyond.
Pau hana Sam! Glad your back. If you haven’t been to Indian Wells to watch the ATP tour you are missing out. It’s a beautiful place to watch tennis. I was there a few weeks back. Anyhow keep up the great posts. Keep playing tennis. If you make it down to So Cal let’s hit. I’m still banging away at the young age of 56. Still surfing (longboard style). Oh yeah, took an early retirement a few months back. I am very fortunate in that I have a pension and a great 401k I just rolled over. Mahalo!
Wonderful!
Was just down in Palm Springs for the Indian wells tourney a couple weeks ago with friends. Rented a house and enjoyed the experience! Off to the French Open in May.
Thanks for your invite!
Hi Sam, now that your back in the saddle can you update your beginning of the year prediction for the market this year?. You were a true visionary when the markets started the year in a sustained (relatively) downward trend. Now that it’s recouped back to basically even / net positive do you still hold the same prediction?. I realize its only the end of the first quarter but I didn’t expect the chart to show complete recovery already (rather than a lower high, followed by a lower low, followed by….etc.)… did you?. Interested if you feel anything has changed or just wait.. its coming.
I make no changes to my -1.4% prediction on the S&P 500 and a significant softening of the property markets in places like NYC, SF, LA, Miami. I hope I’m wrong, but the good times of easy money are over for now.
I’m trying to get 50/50 stocks / bonds and save as much cash as possible.
What do you think about the markets?
I predict +5% S&P 500 with cautious optimism.
On the one hand there seem to be many more market dangers out there than normal(Fed, Trump, Bernie, ISIS, China bubbles) on the other hand the market has been incredibly resilient in spite of drama/fear in each. As we know, the market abhors drama/fear.
I have no strong conviction in my prediction (or yours) and when I don’t I tend to sit pat with my 60/40 allocation with the exception of dramatically increasing cash but for a different reason than you (pending retirement)
I love the bit about “retirement from retirement dinner.” Still has me laughing:) I don’t know why but that statement just made me really happy for you.
Thanks Clint. I thought it was a funny moment. My first retirement meal post retirement job. Snap a pic, and remember the feeling and memory forever!
Thank you for all you do.
It happens all the time to me too. I get so focused on my goals that I forget to stop and do something.
Now what I do is force myself to take vacations ever couple months and I take a half day a couple times a week to spend with the family. It helps keep me grounded.
Glad you are back. I am a long time lurker (many years) and was encouraged to both start commenting and start blogging. I am a big fan of sites that only post around once or twice a week as it means that I can really read ALL the articles (on an ongoing basis). When I go away for a week and come back to find 10 unread articles I cant justify the time to read them all. Reading the articles also leads to knowing the author better. It is interesting to read the comments from people who have never actually read other articles. I think your engagement ring post was one that really stood out for a lot of random comments.
Anyway – hope you do keep going (and would be happy for a lower frequency). I have learnt a lot and been encouraged often. Thanks!
Hi there! I just found your website and I have to say I’m enamored! I thoroughly enjoy your articles. They are informative, instructive and best of all, challenging. I just upped my 401k to max out my contributions after reading one of your articles. I love that you give actuals for goals as far as net worth and where you should be! Your strategies are challenging in the right ways. So much better than most of what I’ve found which is typically a rehash of obvious advice like “make your coffee at home” and “cut out your monthly manicure.” I already make my coffee at home and get exactly 0 manicures per year. Yours is the heavy hitting, long term advice I’ve been seeking. I am sorry to see that I am catching you on the tail end of things. I hope you’ll stick around, even at a reduced output! Regardless, I am having a good time digging through your archives. Best!
After reading this post, I am commenting on your article for the first time. I have been receiving your newsletters and reading them during my lunch break at work, but have never felt the urge to comment on any of them until now. I talk about everything you write with my friends and family but this post really hit home from me. The fact that it was about lifestyle and not a new investment or cashflow stream really made me think about how I am setting myself up to live my life. I am 25 and am engineer working for a company, but am constantly looking at what you have done and figuring out how I can take the next step, or prepare myself to take the next step. But you made me think about why I want that next step for the first time rather than what the next step may or may not be.
So I wanted to say thank you and welcome back!
Good grief, will I always be this gullible? I fell for it hook line and sinker. (I get that from my Dad, thank goodness I’ve learned some of Mom’s sharpness).
I am extremely relieved that this site is not going away. It is one of the few sites I follow religiously because there are so many like-minded people; people who are searching and trying to make a better life for themselves as well as helping the other guy up; people I don’t meet too often in my day to day life.
I think that fewer postings may help with the feeling of burnout. BTW i love the pics. I have only seen a double rainbow once in my life! One day, I too will have that luxurious life, to sit and just be in the moment!
What’s up Sam,
I was kinda bummed when you wrote Shutting down for now because I really enjoy reading all your insightful posts and it really helps me stay on track. I am one of those who reads but never comments. Love what you do man it motivates and inspires many more than you think.
I’m currently deployed in Afghanistan right now and I show all my buddies out here about your posts and they have nothing but great things to say about you and how you achieved everything you did. Glad you’ll be sticking around, I’m a big fan of your work.
Mac
Thanks for commenting after all this time. I respect the military very much. Be safe and thank you and your buddies for your service!
Sam, you’re back! It’s been so long!
Definitely slow down a bit if the blog is burning you out. Like you said, what’s the point in all of this if you don’t enjoy it?
Great shot of the rainbow! A picture opportunity like that comes along once in a never. It must be symbolic of something good. There’s good fortune (a “pot of gold”) at the end of that rainbow for you, perhaps?
Sincerely,
ARB–Angry Retail Banker
Glad to have you back Sam! You have every right to take a break as I can imagine the pressure to continuously churn out informative and thoughtful subject matter on an almost daily basis. First time poster, have been checking out this site for around 6 months or so. Am around your age (37) and interested in personal finance, investment strategies, lifestyle discussions etc. all of which you address here.
I’ve been wondering if you can post your thoughts concerning strategies for RE investing during the end of (or nearing the end of perhaps ???) an upward RE appreciation cycle. My gut is to not make any decisions (selling is tempting when the value of assets are at a peak). The post would be geared towards those who are already invested in RE and have a decent amount of experience (I’ve been buying commercial properties for 10+ years in the NYC metro area). You’ve undoubtedly covered the gamut of topics but this one is something I haven’t seen and would be interested on what your thoughts might be, especially since you’re invested in a global city that’s done very well in property values. I know your “never sell” mantra and I also believe that’s a solid long term strategy but It’s also difficult to even buy since things are so expensive. Thanks for the great info thus far and I’m really happy you decided not to hang up the gloves for now!
Maybe these posts will help:
https://www.financialsamurai.com/should-i-buy-a-home-in-a-rising-interest-rate-environment/
https://www.financialsamurai.com/real-estate-is-the-next-asset-class-to-fall-and-why-im-not-worried/
Have you ever thought of volunteering for one of the big tennis tournaments (US Open, Indian Wells or Miami Open?). I just finished watching the weekend games at the Miami Open with 1 of their vacation packages where you get VIP car transportation to and from your hotel. The drivers of these SUVs (Lexus sponsors them) are volunteers. I really enjoyed meeting these volunteers (some of who have done this for years) and hearing about their experiences. Most of them are tennis fans like myself and yourself. They say it’s the best way to meet tennis players, coaches, umpires etc….After finding this out, I felt bad for the drivers who had to pick up the lowly tennis fans like myself. :) They don’t know who they’re going to pick up until they get a call for the next assignment.
Since you’ve already done the Uber thing, I think you’d be the perfect volunteer driver!
I am for sure going to try to volunteer for one of these tennis tournaments once I become financial independent like you!
Special K
I thought about it as a youngin, but now I’m kinda too lazy to do so and should wait until I’m like 65+ to try again! It’s a funny lifecycle, money.
Hahaha it’s like you instagram’d your food.
I think you hit on a very important point there, if you’re ‘retired’ from a job where you’re not in control, why would you then steer your life/work towards something that you don’t enjoy either? I enjoy reading your posts not because they’re well written, but because it’s clear you care and are passionate in them. It’s quite easy to tell when someone is just doing something for the sake of doing it (or doing it for money), not for the enjoyment of it.
Any of us with a blog / website need to personally enjoy what we’re doing otherwise we replace no-fun at the office with no-fun at home!
Although it takes a lot of time and energy, I’m really enjoying running a website, even if it’s only 4 months old. There’s something very therapeutic and releasing about it, it’s fun just to share your thoughts with the world.
I can only echo what others have said, if a once-a-week schedule would work for you, then I’d encourage you to do that. A great many people take inspiration from your words, particularly your new words as you (& everyone) grow and change with experience, therefore what you say now is built on even more life-experience than your posts 2 years ago.
Tristan
Man, and I thought my post were well written!
Oh you sneaky bastard! I read the article today and didn’t even notice its April 1st date. But I’m glad you’ll be sticking around :)
Sometimes it’s good to stop and smell the roses
Sam,
I was relieved to see confirmation that this was mostly an April Fool’s joke. I was equally glad to see that some of the undertones in the 4/1 post were truth-driven.
With this particular post, you were able to articulate something that I have had difficulty explaining for a while – I, too, am happy, as long as I have something productive to do. That is largely the reason why I launched my blog. I have also realized how much I missed writing.
Thanks for all you do!
Sam, Thanks for latest post. I was surprised to see it after your shutting down note. I have to speak to a graduation class at my college and Alum and I think I will share some of your sentiments. Hard work pays off by you have to enjoy the ride. Keep up your inspiring work and thanks for sharing it with us.
Pretty impressive you are speaking to a graduation class at your college. How did you get the opportunity? I think that’s great.
I’m also a first-time commenter and glad to see you are back. I’ve been a fan of your site for about 1.5 years and I’m making progress toward FI because of your insightful posts. I love how you challenge your readers to step outside the “comfort zone” that is the “rat race” and strive for something more meaningful. It has been a wake up call for me, even before this post. My only complaint is that I didn’t find your site sooner! Thank you Sam!
Great to have you for these past 1.5 years. You won’t regret trying something new and scaring yourself once in a while!
Wonderful 4/2 post sir
Haha good to have you back man, long break there ;)..
Really great effort there & nice reflections as well
Maybe next time you can take a longer break :P ha
Sam,
You inspire me.
Thanks,Bill
wow, that was a long vacation! LOL. We were going somewhere so to take my mind off my husbands driving I checked my emails (hey, it’s better than me telling him to slow down, don’t drive so close to the backend of that car, … stop sign, geez I must get on his nerves lol). I started reading your new entry started laughing at the first sentence. NEXT TIME don’t take so long to get back to us lol.
Thanks for your blog, I enjoy reading it.
I love side seat drivers! They scare the crap out of me :)
Glad youre back Sam
Dave in San Jose
I was quite relieved to see this e-mail in my Inbox as your blog is the only one I read. I always appreciate how thoughtful and logical your posts are, and that you write about some of the more nuanced aspects of personal finance and topics that are relevant for working professionals. Keep up the great work!