Thread by @SteveOnSpeed

Early retirement was the best decision I've ever made.

And, I've broken EVERY MYTH of early retirement that there is.

These 10 myths of early retirement need to die.

++ THREAD ++

Background:

My wife and I retired early at 33 and 35, respectively. We're happier and healthier than we've ever been.

The top 10 B.S. myths I've heard about early retirement over the years.

1: You will be bored.

TRUTH: Only boring people are bored.

Find a damn hobby.

▫ Start a small business
▫ Train for a marathon
▫ Build furniture
▫ Volunteer

Hobbies keep us busy, productive and feeling useful.

Try it.

2: You'll never be able to work again.

TRUTH: People will marketable skills will always be in demand.

I turn down more job opportunities now than I did when I worked full-time, and it's not even close.

3: It's impossible to build wealth working a 9 to 5 job.

TRUTH: Not only is it possible, but people do it *all the time*.

I did it. About 90% of early retirees I know did it.

Your 9 to 5 can make you wealthy.

4: Everything will be better after I retire.

TRUTH: Early retirement isn't a magic pill. If you're an unhappy person working full-time, you'll be an unhappy person after you quit.

ER doesn't change the type of person you are.

5: I would rather be productive than retire early.

TRUTH: Early retirees are endlessly productive because their time is no longer monopolized by their jobs.

Your job should not be your only source of feeling "productive".

6: Early retirement isn't possible with kids.

TRUTH: I know MANY people who retired with kids.

For instance, @RouteToRetire and @RootofGoodBlog immediately come to mind, but there are so many others.

Your kids should be the reason you save, not an excuse for why you don't.

7: Retiring early requires extreme frugality.

TRUTH: We don't live in the extremes.

▫ a home gym
▫ MacBook Pro
▫ top-shelf liquor
▫ prime-cut steak
▫ weekly restaurants

If this is "extreme frugality", I'm not sure I want to know your definition of "excess".

8: It's selfish.

TRUTH: Choosing to nix your commute, sitting in pointless meetings, and listening to bosses drone on about mission statements isn't my definition of selfish.

Early retirees have more time to give back, get involved, and volunteer.

Opposite of selfish.

9: Early retirement is only available for the "privileged".

Those who deny the power of personal responsibility are full of shit.

Yes, it's easier for some. That's always been the case.

But, "privilege" is a cop-out that's keeping people from pursuing their dreams.

10. You're not retired if you're earning money.

If a 70-year-old grandpa makes a little cash on the side by selling his woodworking, nobody accuses gramps of not being retired.

Earning money doesn't define retirement.

Join thousands of people in my 5-week Bootcamp that will teach you everything school *should have taught* about money and success.

steveadcock.us/relearn/