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I was talking to a few friends the other day, one isn't working, one works very hard and spends very hard, and the other is just an average joe putting a little away in a 401k each month and that's it. They were all talking about retiring and how it's a "myth" and they'll all have to end up working until they die.
In the very next breath they start ripping on me for owning investment property. That I create too much stress for myself and that I'm crazy. I said "I think it's crazy that you're willing to work for someone else into your 70s when I'm currently in line to retire by 45, who's really going to have to deal with more stress in their life?". Again they make fun of me, saying I'm not realistic.
I just don't understand how the "Normal" thing to do is work your life away, spending all your money on the weekend and most of your life in an office making money for someone else... Why isn't it everyone's goal to get out of that mess?
I was talking to a few friends the other day, one isn't working, one works very hard and spends very hard, and the other is just an average joe putting a little away in a 401k each month and that's it. They were all talking about retiring and how it's a "myth" and they'll all have to end up working until they die.
In the very next breath they start ripping on me for owning investment property. That I create too much stress for myself and that I'm crazy. I said "I think it's crazy that you're willing to work for someone else into your 70s when I'm currently in line to retire by 45, who's really going to have to deal with more stress in their life?". Again they make fun of me, saying I'm not realistic.
I just don't understand how the "Normal" thing to do is work your life away, spending all your money on the weekend and most of your life in an office making money for someone else... Why isn't it everyone's goal to get out of that mess?
A goal is one thing. Our economic system isn't set up for everyone doing the same thing. Also, everyone doesn't the mental capacity or risk tolerance to take on certain opportunities. Some folks are just lazy.
Don't think you know something that other people don't know.
Most people don't have the income to get to FI within a reasonable time period either, so they would rather spend it now. Reaching FI at 55 or 60 while scrimping is no way I'd live my life either personally. Way too much can happen health wise etc.
Was this a group complaint session? I mean friends usually try to help each other and when they hear someone complain or talk about something bothersome in their lives most friends will try to help, either by giving suggestions or trying to feel empathy. If they actually used the word "crazy" to describe what you are doing, and not in a good way, then they are jealous and not being friend-like. It sounds like you got defensive, as I would too, if someone told me that my well-considered plan that took years to implement was essentially nuts. It's happened to me... and in here before. You put your energy into deciding what's important for you, you create a plan and goals, you start seeing results and then there is always someone around the corner to diss you or whatnot.
I wouldn't turn this thread into what other people think about their finances, and instead would focus on the interaction that happened as I think that's more to the point and what's frustrating you. You probably already know how little Americans save, how little they've got for retirement or emergencies. Statistically, your friends aren't going to make it to early retirement and possibly not too comfortable in normal retirement. You know this already. This is about how you were treated by your friends and how they completely disregarded your big plans.
Uhh, then they’re idiots. It’s fine to not have “the same goals” when it comes to someone being a lawyer and someone being a software engineer. When one person sets themselves up for financial independence and the other doesn’t, one of them is just a moron. Next question? Lol
There's nothing"passive" about passive income... People don't gain a pot of money passively. The reason people dont have it as a goal is because they don't want to "actively" save for it
Because not everyone has the same goals in life as you.
Next question?
Quote:
Originally Posted by JonathanLB
Uhh, then they’re idiots. It’s fine to not have “the same goals” when it comes to someone being a lawyer and someone being a software engineer. When one person sets themselves up for financial independence and the other doesn’t, one of them is just a moron. Next question?
The inability of some here to perceive value in any lifestyle, choices or life goal other than their own, most of which seem to be based on greed and hammered in by an inflated sense of self-importance, certainly leads to some further questions about moronicity.
Some people just aren't stupid enough to spend their every waking minute fretting over their net worth and how to continually increase it. Most of them aren't called morons.
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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Life throws curve balls. Be ready for yours.
BTW, bought my first investment property at age 19.
One of many baby steps towards FI, but not a sure bet.
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