All Forum Posts by: Roger S.

How many people do you know that just make you shake your head at their financial predicament?   I mean, hey, I came late in life to financial sanity and the decision to invest and retire early, and made lots of stupid decisions early, but I'm in my mid 50's now and have people my age that are just pitiful.

A friend of ours posted on Facebook that her husbands wallet was stolen and they don't know how they are going to survive till payday because it had almost a hundred dollars in it and now they can't buy gas to get to work.

100 bucks is a disaster?   I've got more than that in my change jar, not to mention the thousand bucks or so in rolled up change in the gun safe from getting bored a few times a year and counting that jar.

I feel sorry for people like this.   A few of my renters are in such positions that a flat tire is a crisis.  So sad.

Yeah, lots of dogs bite, but I can drop kick most of them into next week.  Pit bulls that bite are much more dangerous and I refuse to allow any pit or pit cross in any of our homes.   Our pet policy states, "no dogs over 25 lbs, no pit bulls or pit crosses".   At first we just had the size limit and thought that would stop the pit bull owners, but we had to add the pit disclaimer because they still ask about their damn pit bulls.  And even now we get people trying to slip past it, "oh, he's just a puppy, oh he's the sweetest thing".  I DON'T CARE.  No pits.

I agree with that.  I don't enjoy my job.  I kinda like most of the people I work with, but the day I walk out will probably be the last time I see any of them, other than social media.  We have decided we want to see and do the tings we couldn't while we were raising our kids, and we aren't going to wait until I'm 65 to do it.    My rentals will give me the occasional chore to do,  I like to hunt and fish, and twice a year we will take extended trips to visit places we've been before and loved, and new places we want to discover.

@Janelle Groenhout,  LOL, I could have just copied and pasted your reply as my own.

Repose grey by Sherwin Williams, we use it in all our houses, and even in our own home.  With a bright white trim and gray flooring, it looks great.

I've read all the replies concerning all the things that could happen in retirement to bust your budget.  Honestly,  these are all the same things that could happen during your working life.  At some point you just have to decide if you're willing to give it a go.   Like I've mentioned,  our income will be about 44k a year,  tax free.   That's the same as a 60k a year job.   We have no debt besides our rentals and a small house payment.

   Our only extravagance will be travelling and our airline miles will get us there,  we can rent a place for a month for less than a week in a hotel.   

My wifes insurance is through her disability.   I can get Obamacare for almost nothing due to our income,  or I'll buy a catastrophic plan.   I'm on no meds and in very good health.   Sure,  I could have something major happen tomorrow,  but that's not going to keep me from my goal. 

Lots of people are raising families on a lot less than we will have.  Our kids are all grown and doing well.   My parents are financially secure.   Our expenses are well in line with our income and we will still be putting something in savings.   We have a good sized reserve fund and put away every month for maintenance, capex and vacancies. 

We've been planning this for several years and think we are well positioned for our goals. 

That's about right.   I'm looking at 28k or so from rentals and our total income will be about 44k. That's almost all tax free.  That the equivalent of a 60k a year job.     We'll be just fine.  

Well,  I'm sure not everyone agrees with your idea of what being retired is.  When I leave my job,  I'll consider myself retired.   By your criteria,  my 85 year old dad,  whose been retired for 25 years isnt really retired because he does a lot of work at the church.   I'm sure he disagrees with you. 

 Lol.   I guess I'm retiring on a lower budget than you.   We have 10 SFRs and am working on buying 1 more.  So far this month I haven't hit a lick of work. 

I've seen several people day it's not really retirement if you are going to manage and do the work on your rentals.   I disagree.   Many a month goes by when all I do is deposit rent and pay the mortgages.   30 minutes max.   When we are placing a tenant,  we may spend several hours doing that.   And I don't mind the occasional repairs,  it will give me something to do.   I won't ever look at it as another job,  even if and when I may spend weeks or months on a major remodel.    Why would I?   I'm working for myself,  doing things for my immediate benefit.  What's not to like?