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I think the OP is just asking how you did it? He/she isn't necessarily asking for an answer to every question, but wants something more than generalities.
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I think my post and questions are being misinterpreted.
Thank you, Saralvr and petch, for managing to provide a response.
Thanks, dmills. You get it.
It’s a personal finance question – nothing more. I asked the question here and NOT in the personal finance board because – as someone who is obsessing about retirement – I wanted to specifically ask people who HAVE RETIRED early how they did it.
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I was looking for answers such as:
-- “I was a police officer and the most I ever made was 60K a year but I never took vacations and my wife and I shopped at thrift shops to save money. She was a teacher and made 50K, so we lived off of one salary and since they were both government jobs were able to retire after 20 years.”
OR
-- “I’m single never had any kids, but being a doctor had a high salary so was able to make good money and retire early. Made so much that budget was not really an issue. Guess I was lucky. But then again I worked hard. And now I can play hard“
OR
-- “I’m single, and never made more than 50K but had good benefits and knew I wanted to retire and so I had roommates all my life until I did retire early at 48. Now I have a house in a low costs city. No mortgage.”
OR
-- “I was a construction worker got hurt on the job so retirement wasn’t my choice. But I’ve never been a big spender.
And so when I got hurt the disability package was sweet enough for me to retire.”
OR
-- “I’m married 30 years. but never thought of early retirement. Most either of us made was 45K. Then one of my wife’s parents died. And my dad died...so we each got small inheritances (less than 20K each) which helped us retire about 5 years earlier than planned. We sold out house and downsized and made it work.”
OR
-- “I was in the military, went in at 18 got out at 48. Saved all my money and never looked back.”
OR
How much did you make?
Most ever was 90K
What was your career?
accountant
Married or single? Dual income or one?
Married, spouse was a nurse, 2 kids (who got college scholarships)
What was your budget?
We always saved, our mortgage was only 1.200 a month
How much did you save...and how did you do that?
We lived off one salary
Where did you live? did you buy a house, rent with roommates?
Alabama
Did you live off rice and beans, spaghetti and ramen noodles?
No we are out from time to time, but we were never big in to travel so that helped
Did you buy everything used?
Nope. As a matter of fact I like a new car every few years.
Did an inheritance help?
No....parents all living Thank God.
No more than you’d find in a Money magazine profile or that someone would discuss on a financial call-in radio show...where people are ALSO ANONYMOUS. Is that really "divulging" some "hardcore info?" Really?
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I'm not sure I'm getting the point of the OP. S/he is either writing a freelance article for a publication and is gathering more hardcore info from retirees, or s/he is asking a question to compare self with others for whatever reason. I doubt any responses will divulge the kind of info asked though.
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As the OP:
1) I said why I was asking...(which others did understand)
2) but IF that was not something you could comprehend or you had doubts about, I would have preferred you ASK ME why, than insinuate some ulterior motive and turn others off from take part in the conversation. I was taught to ask for clarification -- before making accusations or speculating. It's good advice that can keep one from being embarrassed or having egg on one's face. Isn't it better to get clarity before spouting off? So you know what your talking about before making a comment?
So hopefully we can get back on track..... if anyone can help us all by sharing how you managed to retire early, many of us could learn for your success. Thanks.
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