RE goals- early retirement. Part 1

[Rich Weese]

I've received some PMs and e-mails asking about setting goals and what do I do in retirement. I've ressurrected an old blog from nearly a year ago that was done in 2 parts. We have SO many new members, I decided to post a thread here. Hope it generates some thoughts and plans for BP members. We get a lot of negative info these days. I just want to give you some ideas of how retirement can come quicker than you think with proper planning.

As one who has actually retired and seen LOTS of other retirees, lets' dispell some BS first. You read a lot of mags that talk about how much you need to retire or % of last income needed. I find those articles just plain silly. They must be written by east coast idiots that have never been out of Manhattan. Not all retirees want the same thing out of life. People think it takes millions of dollars.Baloney.

If I told you that you could retire on social security, play golf every day of the week as much as you wanted, eat out often and travel when you wanted , would that dispell the misnomer that it would take millions? What if I told you I've seen it? By LOTS of people. Oh, and play tennis,swim, volleyball, and attend any cragt class you wanted and do it with hundreds of others of like minds, would you be interested?

There are 2 costs involved here. One to get your lifestyle set up and another to pay for it monthly.

Cost # 1- You need a place or multiple places to live. Here is an example of some friends. They have 2 SMALL homes. One is a home on a lake in MN(go figure) and the other is in Casa Grande AZ. The one in MN is a small manufactured home that cost them about 45K when they retired. It is on its' own lot. The other is located in Palm Creek Golf and RV. It is a Park Model home with 1 BR, bath, lr, and kitchen---on the 10th hole of THe Creek golf course. This is on a rented lot and they pay $500 per month. That includes gated community, all the swimming, tnnis, bike riding etc at no charge- the golf is an additional fee. They spend winters in AZ and summers in MN. Surprised?? It cost them less than 100K to acquire both homes. Doug, the husband is a retired Pastor and they live on social security. Not a bad life

Cost # 2- Monthly expenses. AZ is approx $650 per month including utilities for residence. MN is less than that. Add the additional living expenses and they thoroughly enjoy life.

I know Palm Creek Golf and RV resort in AZ well. I own a little get-away there on the 18th green of The Creek course. I rent it out forJan-Mar or so and it pays the expenses for the year. If I want to spend time in it during winter or srping/fall, my time is free. Look up Palm Creek if you want a nice place to visit or live. You'll meet folks from all over the western states and western provinces of Can. A wonderful way to live and VERY cheap. You want even cheaper? Work a few hours in the park in exchange for free golf etc.

I need to mention one other way to retire cheap. Check out WORKKAMPERS. Google it. This is an organization that lists places you can spend 3-9 months in with your motorhome or 5th wheel and work for the rent, live for no out of pocket cost. We have friends that work in the gift shop or oversee the computers in Yellowstone for free motorhome space. There are thousands of places to go. It is a cheap way to see the country.

This previous info was for RVers. My wife and I did it for about 6 years and absolutely loved it. First in a 36' motorhome and then pulling a 40 foot 5th wheel with 4 dlide outs. This baby was nicer than many homes! It had french doors to the den. Den had fireplace, desk area and surround sound! The kitchen had skylights, his and her refrigerators, and central vaccuum! If we didn't like our neighbors, we just MOVED the rig!! This allowed us to see many places in U.S. and Canada and meet great new friends.

In my next installment, some personal experiences in what I like to call, "Live life to the fullest for under $2000 per month. " This cost includes TWO people. Retirement could be closer than you think.

Until next time, Rich.

[Tod R.]

Thanks Rich. Mrs. Tod and I are working for a modest home on substantial acreage in the Hill Country of Texas. Not the cheapest, so location could change. We have one child going into college and one a junior in high school. After they are on their own, then it will be time for us to decide how soon we want to go. Once there, we both will live modestly.

However, the thought of two modest homes would sound interesting to my wife. That way we could see each other twice a year as we pass each other on the highway when switching locations...