What I prefer to say, and think most folks do do, is not that they are "retired" but are "semi-retired." What is the difference? I postulate being retired means you are deciding to do nothing but what you find fun. That is indeed an option but it comes at a cost. That cost is usually a fun activity that isn't as fun when it is all you are now focusing on. When you are semi-retired, what you are is mostly what you have always been, except you take on work or projects (paid or little paid) because it is something you want to do rather than what you have to do in an employment situation. I like the old adage, "I owe, I owe, it's off to work I go..." Once you don't "owe", you can be choosy.
I semi-retired at 40. Still have plenty of bills, but no more debt. Paidinfull baby! I technically still work, but I work on my schedule and hope my wife will be joining me before we're 50. 9-5 grind is gone for good. I'll have more work when I'm at actual retirement age than I do now, but will still be able to work when I feel like it, and should be able to pay someone to do anything I don't want to do at that point. Hoping one of my brothers kids take interest and I can hand everything off to them. They'll be getting all of it at some point anyway, might as well know what to do with it.
Im hooing i can just work less. Ill never be able to retire and we are the first generation that doesnt have blanket retirement for working a regular job. My grandmother retired from Sears. That just sounds weird doesn't it.
