Working better than FIRE? (Poll)

Discussion in 'Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE)' started by Realist35, 6th Jun, 2022.

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If you were financially independent, would you continue working?

  1. Yes (part time work included)

    60.7%
  2. No (I would stop any type of paid work)

    39.3%
  1. Realist35

    Realist35 Well-Known Member

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    Evening guys!

    I had this funny realisation today! Over the last 9 years, I have been fixated on reaching FIRE. Now that FIRE is almost a certainty (although in several years), I realised that working is always better for people. Whether it is part time work, work that you enjoy more, blogging or similar, we need our brains engaged, otherwise we fall to bad habits. I think it is just healthier overall to work, mentally and physically.

    A lot of us may say "No way. I would rather retire and spend more time with the people I love, volunteering, enjoying my hobbies, travelling etc.". But I think we can only spend so much time with the people we love, playing hobbies etc., before our brains really need more. And work provides us with that, opportunity to engage our brains (hopefully in something we enjoy), and socialise as well.

    Please cast your vote. I have only given two options, retire or continue working, as part time work is still work. Excited to hear what you think

    Thanks
     
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  2. willair

    willair Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    That may change once you actually finish work as a whole different world opens up..
     
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  3. Gen-Y

    Gen-Y Well-Known Member

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    I can only speak for myself.
    It isn’t all that clear cut.
    I only take on projects I feel I want to do.
    I have turn away multiple projects over the last 12 months because I didn’t feel like working.
     
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  4. Ace in the Hole

    Ace in the Hole Well-Known Member

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    Everyone’s different.
    I stopped all work about 5 years ago just after 40 after selling our main business. Love every single day of being free and doing what I want.
    On the other hand, my wife who doesn’t have to work kept working practically full time.
    We all need different types of stimulation.
    I’m more introverted, she’s more extroverted.
     
  5. TAJ

    TAJ Well-Known Member

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    If you have the Means the only thing holding you back in retirement is your imagination!
     
  6. Kriv

    Kriv Well-Known Member

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    It's not as black and white as the poll makes it out to be. There's a whole big grey area between the extremes of working full time at one end, and doing nothing/sipping cocktails/chilling on the couch all year at the other.

    And in that grey area is 'volunteering' to take an example. But there's volunteering from time to time to lend a hand to the local soup kitchen, and there's volunteering in a meaningful role for an organisation you care about (or set up) with responsibilities but no income. And 'part time work', this might be seasonal, it might be completely independent as a sole trader taking on passion projects, or it might be 1-2 days a week of work to fill in time whilst still having all the time you need for the hobbies, travel etc.

    Overall I agree that there's a lack of maturity in the FIRE movement that makes it look like once you reach your number you simply won't draw an income or do anything productive. And sometimes it causes people to over-reach. For some people it might be better to just semi-retire/move to part time / FlamingoFIRE earlier to gain time back if their aspiration is not to actually fully stop work once the magical FIRE number is reached. To me it's about choices and independence and everyone will have a different view of what that looks like.
     
  7. Piston_Broke

    Piston_Broke Well-Known Member

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    Sometimes I think about getting a part time job or doing some work.
    If only I had the time, just too busy.
     
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  8. Terry_w

    Terry_w Lawyer, Tax Adviser and Mortgage broker in Sydney Business Member

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    what about mini retirements such as 2 months on 2 months off. That is what I plan to do
     
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  9. Piston_Broke

    Piston_Broke Well-Known Member

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    That sounds like trying to start a truck with no fuel in 1st gear by turning the keys...

    I can understand projects or tasks, but not time based.
     
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  10. Gen-Y

    Gen-Y Well-Known Member

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    That would be ideal..
    But in my line of work, most project goes for 6 months hardcore.
    Business in the construction industry. :rolleyes:
     
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  11. sash

    sash Well-Known Member

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    Retired over 3 years ago...... do my own thing.

    The freedom from work cannot be matched. ;)
     
  12. Ace in the Hole

    Ace in the Hole Well-Known Member

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    This is true.
    I sometimes wonder what it would be like to work a part time easy job just for some social interaction, but then think no way that would last, working under some management rules and sacrificing my own time and likely having to reschedule my own personal activities just to fit it in around work.
    There really is not enough time and freedom to do the things you want to be doing if you are giving your time to others, in regards to work related stuff.
     
  13. Terry_w

    Terry_w Lawyer, Tax Adviser and Mortgage broker in Sydney Business Member

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    I liken it to driving from sydney to perth. You can drive for a few hours and stop and check out the area, have a break, then down a few more hours and repeat.
     
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  14. MTR

    MTR Well-Known Member

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    Someone offered me a job as a BA. Took me 5 seconds to say …No

    Once you have some nice hobbie and meet up with friends, why would trade this lifestyle…… and
    Then I have my dogs, they are both very needy:)
     
  15. Firefly99

    Firefly99 Well-Known Member

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    I do bits and pieces of contact work when I feel like it. Works well for me. Just enough to keep my skills relevant and not have a huge gap in my CV should I go back to a ‘proper’ job.
     
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  16. HiEquity

    HiEquity Well-Known Member

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    If I had my way, I would be home schooling the kids from various campsites around Australia, or the world for that matter. But management put a stop ✋ to that plan.

    So if my kids are going to be stuck in school all day, then I figure I may as well keep working. I can’t think of anything better to be doing in this context as I am kinda helping to make the world a better place, so there’s that.

    Still very disappointed I didn’t get that time with the kids though. Have to wait for them to leave home now before doing similar stuff by ourselves but it won’t be the same - not by a long shot. For them as much as me…
     
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  17. PKFFW

    PKFFW Well-Known Member

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    I agree that most people will end up having a more contented and satisfied life if they are engaged in worthwhile activity, however they define that.

    I find it both interesting and a shame that "engaged in a worthwhile activity" has come to be almost solely defined as "work" in our society, with all its connotations of clocking on and off, being paid, being productive. achieving definable goals, etc, etc, etc.

    I engage in so many worthwhile activities that have nothing whatever to do with "work" and I can hardly wait until I have the time to engage in so many more that I want to do. No "work" for me once I reach FIR(not so)E.
     
  18. bbmick

    bbmick Well-Known Member

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    I've been retired since 46yo (now 60).

    I find it interesting sometimes, that I'm a person who wakes up in the morning & not motivated to "achieve" anything. So many people still need to do something "worthwhile" or they feel bad about themselves (my wife occasionally feels that).

    I'm quite content thanks, waking up whenever, having brunch whenever, doing bugger all.

    So, there's no way in hell I'll ever work for anyone again, or even set an alarm.
     
  19. Piston_Broke

    Piston_Broke Well-Known Member

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    Worthwhile only depends on who's doing it.
    Sometimes it's organizing lunch of coffee's and cannoli. Yep good cannoli def worthwhile.
     
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  20. Ace in the Hole

    Ace in the Hole Well-Known Member

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    Doing nothing is one of the best parts of being retired - not having to work for money.
    Most people simply can’t afford to do nothing.