Three Years Of Early Semi-Retirement, Is It What’s It’s Cracked Up To Be?
If you’re a new reader and not familiar with my backstory, I became financially independent “accidentally” in my mid-40’s from smart living and smarter spending. It wasn’t something I deliberately pursued, it just came as a byproduct of the lifestyle that made the most sense to me.
Then, in October of 2017 after months of contemplation and analysis paralysis, I gave up a big wig management position at my agency and went part time. I didn’t go to 32 hours a week, I went half-time, down to 20. I now spend the newly freed 20 hours a week living a more fulfilled life doing the things I want, whether they pay money or not.
It’s hard to believe I’ve been living this early semi-retirement experience for three years! In some ways it seems longer than that, and in others it seems like it’s gone by in a flash. Kind of similar to how time has gotten all wacky during the pandemic.
Please Review Your Early Semi-Retirement Purchase
Sunrise from my home office on yet another day of not having to go to work
I’ll cut to the chase. If semi-retiring and going down to 20 hours a week at my W2 were a purchase on Amazon, it would be 5 stars, unequivocally. Not just 5 stars, but so good that I would take the time to pen a glowing review, which I guess is what I’m doing here.
First, just the practical and immediate benefits. Every week I look at the calendar, and I have 5 days off and two days of work – the exact opposite of the dread that most people face.
I have more time to write, exercise, create, adventure, nap, or insert anything else here. If you’re still working 40 hours a week or more I can tell you it really is as amazing and blissful as you would think it is.
I shop and do unpleasant things at low volume times, because I can. I avoid crowded trails on weekends, because I can do that ride on Monday. Choices and flexibility are my new reality.
Little things that used to get me stressed like a deadline to have my car inspected don’t register on the radar now. There’s ample time to get them done. I’m rarely ever time-crunched.
These very immediate and practical benefits that started as soon as I made the switch would seem enough to sell anyone on the lifestyle.
But there’s more, there’s another level.
Changes To My OS
Kayaking is just another hobby I have plenty of time to enjoy.
I feel like I’m beginning to change deep down inside. I’m talking about changes at my very core. What I call changes to my operating system, to use a technology analogy.
Slowly but quite noticeably I can feel certain traits that have always been a part of my identity transforming. It’s kind of profound to be honest, but happening slowly enough that’s it’s not jarring or alarming either.
What changes? I’m becoming more patient. I have less of a temper. I’m more contemplative, and a better listener.
Those three changes are surely happening because I don’t always feel rushed and hurried. My time outside of work is not nearly as jam-packed, frantic, and stressed. Because I have way more of it.
Another change to my operating system is that I’m beginning to consider more long term planning. I’ve never been a planner – ever. When people would ask me “where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?” I would just look at them like they had a third eye.
“I’m just gettin’ by day to day dude, chill…”
“The Fog Of Work“, as Doug Nordman put it, made me too tired to plan. I was basically just surviving the best I could and looking forward to the next vacation. Even planning vacations was a tiring chore. I very often just took a week off at the last minute and flew by the seat of my pants, no planning. Who has time to plan?
Well, I do now.
And I’m slowly starting to think about what I want my life to be like down the road. I’m still nowhere near what anyone would legitimately call a planner, but I’m way closer than I was before.
I’ve even spent some time on real estate sites looking at mountain properties. Who knows what the future holds for me. But at least I now have the time and energy to be a little more deliberate about it.
Future Versions Of Me
No more traffic jams, but on my bike I sometimes run into goose jams. (click for video)
The changes to my operating system are exciting. Deep down I can sense these transformations are moving me more towards the person I really am, not the one that became good at treading W2 water all those years like George Jetson on the treadmill.
I don’t know what the future holds. But I am starting to actively shape it more. And I know the present, despite this stupid pandemic, is pretty awesome.
For now I want to continue working part time at my W2 job. I’m not ready to hang it up yet. I still enjoy the mental challenge of the work for the most part, and of course there’s the healthcare plan. That’s a huge factor.
But if they levy any egregious demands on me or try to force me back full time, all bets are off. I have bucketfuls of FU Money, I hold the high ground. I’m the author of this story and will call the shots, thank you.
It’s good to be king, and financial independence crowned me.
Highly Recommend
So what can I say about three years of early semi-retirement? I couldn’t recommend it more. Even after three years I sometimes have to pinch myself and remind myself it’s real.
I’m actually surprised more people in the FI community don’t do it. But I also realize many employers probably aren’t as accommodating as mine, which is a shame.
But if you’re inching closer to financial independence and feel the end goal is still too far away, I’d strongly suggest you consider scaling down and semi-retiring.
And maybe I’ll see you on the trails one Monday morning down the road.
Absolutely love this Dave! Congrats on tailoring what seems to be an ideal life with an amazing work balance.
Honestly if I can get to 2 days a week of work I could continue my medical career indefinitely. We are in the process of interviewing for another radiologist to join the practice and I hope that brings the workload down considerably to add another full time person. The monetary hit which would have been painful years ago is now completely fine for my colleague and I who are in similar situations.
Glad to see that semi retirement is treating you well and it is something I likely will transition to before I completely pull the plug
That’s great news Doc, sounds like you have a good plan to get into a slower gear. Being a reader of your blog and knowing your situation, I know you can afford to do it. I think you’ll find the waters here are nice 🙂
Hi Dave, great piece. I’m starting my semi-retirement next month already hitting the road with wife, kid and two dogs. Life on hard mode.
Please, keep posting your thoughts about life as it is because it does help me a lot to forsee some of my next steps.
Regards from Brazil
Wow, so cool! Congrats to you! I will keep writing about it and have another post related to this one already done that will come out a few weeks from now. Good luck and thanks for reading!
Goose jam!
Don’t worry, their baseline stats are pretty weak. Just maintain your resolve when they try to intimidate with their signature move “fowl play” and remember their DPS is basically non-existent.
Now if you run into a Swan jam…
Ha, hilarious. I’ve definitely had swans hiss and nip at me, they’re aggressive bastards! But I’ve also had a goose or two pump it’s chest and charge when I got too close.
Great article Dave, its amazing what happens when you live life on your own schedule, aligned to your own direction, vs the demands of others.
Thanks, it is amazing indeed and I’m grateful!
Been retired 3 + years. Regarding changes to OS. Agree. //It is not enough to be busy. So are the ants. The question is: What are we busy about?// Henry David Thoreau
//The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.// Marcus Aurelius
Love those quotes – thanks. And congrats on your retirement!
I followed a similar path. 3 years ago I left the comfort of my full time job as an IT Director as a Fortune 50. I started an independent consulting biz and generally worked 20 hours per week and made the same as I did when I was full time without the hassle of managing people. One year ago, I couldn’t find part time work and I didn’t want to take full time contracts, so now I am a SAHD. 20 hours per week is the ideal situation if you can keep it going.
Wow that’s even better than my situation since you made the same at 20 hrs a week than you did at 40 in your W2 job. I took a 50% pay cut to go to 20 hrs a week, but it gave me the time to start my graphic arts business which is now starting to replace a substantial part of the lost income. And the bonus is that I love it.
I agree, it is an ideal situation
i don’t know where the patience came from but i would consider myself like you were until about 15 years ago. i would get mad about things i thought were wrong or didn’t go my way. somewhere it turned and it probably had to do with a more relaxed home life. now things just roll off without much emotion. do i still love a good rant? yes. but it really comes from memory without the rise in blood pressure. i’m glad it’s working out so well for you. i feel like i’m part-time the past 3 years just working normal hours with plenty of time for my limited hobbies.
thanks awesome that you became patient on your own. I wasn’t so disciplined, I needed a less stressful life I guess. And we love your rants, don’t stop 🙂
Nice post Dave. Your statement about being more patient and a better listener struck me. While only free from the 9-5 for the past year and a half, I too have noticed a change in my ability to deal with things. Slower drivers in front of me on the road don’t bother me – I’ve got the time to get to my destination. I find myself engaged more in my volunteer work because I’m taking the time to listen to the clients more. If I need to be more present for the client, I can be, because I’ve got the time. It’s a huge benefit to have have purchased time with the years of intentional savings.
Awesome to hear your experience has been the same. Last week I let this older lady go in front of me in line at Aldi because she didn’t have much and why not? I was in no hurry. I would have never done that in a million years when I was working full time.
Thanks for a brilliant article and congrats on 3 years of semi-retirement, my dude! I’m at 2 myself and would echo each & every sentiment here.
Agree on the Core OS changes. I am high-strung by nature and with the career, I became the least patient, most hyper-stressed person I knew. There were frequent occasions where I was insanely unpleasant to be around. For all intents & purposes, that’s pretty much gone in FI-Ville. Except, perhaps, when I hit a “turkey jam” on my country road.
Glad you’re now more actively engaged in planning your future as well. Awesome stuff!
Congrats again and 5 stars for freedom. It’s definitely good to be the king.
Same here man, sometimes my stressful work life made me an ass to be around. Quick trigger, negative outlook, just lots of bad traits. And you might wanna take out one of those turkeys for the upcoming feast, just sayin’ 😉
So happy for you! This, indeed sounds amazing! Looking forward!!!! 🙂
Thanks very much Kimberly!
Great update. Interesting about the core changes. I think a big part of it is that you’re single. You have more time for yourself. Most people are just treading water. Work, life, kids, school, and parents take up a lot of time.
Also, I think many people in the FIRE community are really going for semi-retirement. Working a bit is very fulfilling if you can do it on your own term. Congrats!
Yep, being single and not having kids obviously frees up time. But there are others out there like MMM who have kids and still don’t feel rushed or hurried in life. I don’t think kids necessarily make a frantic lifestyle from what I’ve seen of other parents, but with covid and home schooling I think it’s worse for sure. That’s been the experience of my friends with kids.
Like you, I enjoyed seven years of semi-retirement until 2008 hit. I have been on the 70 hour treadmill ever since, and enjoyed what life has afforded me. Depending on the election, it maybe time to semi-retire again. See you on the slopes.
Holy smokes sounds like some stories there. I hope you can get off that treadmill, or at least take it down from 70 to something more healthy. Good luck!
Very inspiring post Dave, especially about the change to your OS!
I think most people pursuing early retirement are excited about their time freeing up, but the psychological benefits are clearly just as important if not more.
I’m still 5-10 years away from RE, but reading posts like this help me to stay on track!
It’s all in the mind, to me that’s where the most impactful changes happen. Keep on the path, you CAN make it happen!
Great read. Interesting to see how your operating system starts to change. I’m not ready to quit completely so part time is appealing to me. The only problem is that I’m in a senior management position. Don’t see it becoming a part time gig anytime soon.
Oh well, still hoping to catch you in the trails on Monday 😉
I was a senior manager too! But I get it, like I said in the post, not all employers are gonna be as flexible and understanding as mine. Part of my advantage is that I work at a very large government agency, so there are tons of positions and tons of things that need to be done. That makes it easier to place someone in a role that meets their needs, be it part time or whatever. And not managing anymore was like a massive weight being lifted off my back. I just didn’t like it at all, especially in government culture. Good luck!
Brilliantly written Dave!
I really like your mention of how your “OS” has changed. About a year and a half ago, my wife “retired” from a toxic work environment. In all fairness, it took her about a year to “decompress” and regain her equilibrium. All those stresses and pressures which eroded both her physical and mental health. Just the other evening we discussed how getting out of that environment was the best thing possible.
That story of the decompress time is very common and even though I still work 20 hrs a week I think I still went through it. It’s real. Congrats to your wife and glad she got out. Life’s too short to have a job damage your physical and mental health.
Very happy for you that you have found semi-retirement such a positive experience. As a teacher, I can’t imagine giving up my summers because they recharge me so well. I’m trying to be stable enough to have a sabbatical but I’m not sue it will happen this next year. I don’t want to be irresponsible. I hope to be in your position someday where I still work, but can find myself on the trails throughout unexpected days!
I always thought the schedule of a teacher was awesome with summers off. But then over the years I saw more and more of the teachers I know working longer into summer, and their schools demanding more of them. Now many only have a few weeks off for “summer” in July then they have stuff to do. Sad.
Good luck getting a sabbatical!
Oo “Fog of Work”, I like that concept! Stealing it for later.
Glad to have joined you in semiretirement, Dave! It’s great so far, though I’m hoping my expectations are low since we kicked things off in this pandemic–which means once the world returns, it’ll be …10 stars! 😉
Keep us updated on those service packs.
Kicking things off in a pandemic isn’t ideal, but still better than working full time I guess. And I will always issue security updates and service packs as needed!
“Changes to my operating system” Damn this hit me. I felt calmer just reading this article ha. I’m working 7 days a week to hit my coast FI number within the next year. I look forward to slowing down and getting back to a calmer life. I’m pretty good with prioritizing my health, but I do find myself having lots of negative thoughts while I’m grinding. I recently took a week vacation, I felt and noticed this calmer, more level-headed and patient version of myself during that time.
Glad life’s working out for you! All the best,
Colby @ That Charles Life
Yikes, working every day sucks, but I’ve been there many times in my career. Just keep moving, there is a light at the end. Glad you connected with the post!
Way back in February, I had lunch with some old co-workers to catch up. I left the company April 2019 to self-manage my RE properties, which is WAY less stressful than my corporate job, and I almost feel guilty calling it semi-retirement.
They all echoed how calm and centered I seemed. As well as healthier (exposure to sun and regular exercise helps).
I feel it too – and also noticed how stressed and time-crunched they all seemed. Checking phones every 2 minutes, tired, stressed about their current projects. Truly wish everyone was more open to pursuing a degree of FI and setting themselves up for more freedom down the road. I keep trying to convert them… maybe one day 😉
That’s awesome, glad to hear another semi-retirement and de-stress success story! I found that converting people is fruitless – they have to WANT to come to the good side!
I also avoid trails on weekends due to crowds unless if I’m meeting up with friends. The silver lining with COVID is the taste of early retirement. No rush to get to trailheads after work. Can time workouts on better weather. Who wants to mountain bike after work in August when it is 90+ degrees? Nope, I can leisurely have breakfast on a weekday and get start exercise at 10am when weather is perfect! And, there’s plenty of parking spaces weekdays and no traffic.
Off-peak living is good living innit? And your point bout using the best weather windows is something I’ve been considering posting about, I do that all the time. Although I don’t want to become a softie so sometimes I purposely do things in less than desirable weather to keep it real 🙂
Really great post. Your observation that you’ve become a better listener, more contemplative, patient, really resonated with me – I’ve experienced the same thing over the last few years since semi-retiring in 2018. I feel like I’ve become a slightly better human being with this “OS upgrade” – a better husband, father, son, neighbor, and friend. I predicted that I would be happier after FI; I didn’t appreciate the collateral positivity.
If our experiences are typical, there are loads of people who could be financially independent earlier than they think. So many people I know are waiting until they have enough money in the bank to live comfortably through eighty-six back to back market crashes without actively earning another penny. They could change their lives far sooner if they realized that part of what will make them happy is likely also something that will make some money. Even a little bit of income changes one’s “safe withdrawal rate” drastically and adds a huge amount of resilience.
Alas, like so many things, I read about concepts like this a hundred times, but didn’t really get it until I lived it.
I agree, so many more people could be doing this. As the FIRE movement gains more press and exposure I hope they join us – we need more patience and peace in society and this lifestyle will give them that.
Methinks everyone is different. Some people go nuts when they retire. Some people thrive. Not sure why.
True, but I’ve never met or even read about a single person who has hobbies an interests outside of their career choice who went nuts in retirement. I think it comes down to being interested in things in the world – more than just what you did to make money for a living.
Nice! We went on a one to two year sabbatical in Bali and a few months in realized that if I just worked 10 hours a week that we could continue this lifestyle indefinitely. I found remote work that I love. We were stranded back in the US because of Covid last March, but now we are waiting for a Visa to move to Portugal. I agree my OS has changed. I am a more patient parent, and we laugh more, stress less. Highly recommended life!
“Sbbatical in Bali” – there’s three words that 99% of the population would love to say about their life 🙂 Congrats and good luck on the move to Portugal!
Congrats Dave! I just hit the 5 year mark of FI myself!
You know, I like that you do things a little differently (semi retired instead of full-on retired). It gives you a different perspective, and one of the reasons why I really like reading your blog.
Unfortunately, in many industries there is no such thing as “part-time”. You’re either full time or your out, so I can kind of understand why many people don’t take the ‘semi’ retired route. It’s a shame. I think the world could use a little less work and a lot more perspective.
“you do things a little differently”
haha, I’ve been described that way many time. And let’s face it – ANYONE spending less than they earn in America is doing things differently. But you are sadly correct about so many employers not allowing part time work. It’s sad.
I am in the same boat. I made the jump from overtime to part-time (20 hours or less) mid pandemic. Although, we had planned on this for 9 months, I wasn’t expecting to be stuck at home once I was free. However, I am using this time to my advantage. I am getting a hang of this new schedule and figuring out what to do with all this time. And your right, now is the time to make plans and build good habits. Our goals are to be healthy and see the world so as soon as we can, we will be off on our adventure.
I am not sure if you changed your role, but for me, I went from manager, to fill-in pharmacist. So my responsibilities and stress load went from too much to handle to hardly any at all. Working in the healthcare field right now, every day is a little scary, but I am glad to be doing my part but then being able to come home and leave it all at work.
I went from a senior manager in charge of a lot of people and money to no management and waaaaaay less responsibility as well. It’s awesome. Glad things are working out for you too, I think more people should pursue part time, they don’t know what they’re missing.
Great article, thanks for sharing! The “Changes To My OS” section really spoke to me. I noticed the EXACT same thing when I took control of my calendar a few years ago. It took about 24 months to do things like actually slow down in the grocery store. I was still shopping like I was constantly out of time. But, now I’ve retrained myself, and I can actually browse.
Glad you liked it Jay and stoked for your success too. I don’t think your experience of 2 yrs is unusual, the hurried lifestyle gets so ingrained in our psyche that a long withdrawal is obviously needed.
Cannot wait to get to a stage where I can go part time. Until then reading posts such as these for motivation 😁
Happy to motivate you. Stay on the path, it’s worth it!
I got to see that I liked your story. Working for large companies can be thankless. It sounds like the time you gained is worth it.
Totally worth it!
Semi retirement is very good indeed! I have a commission sales job and over the years have reduced my client list down to only my key accounts. It’s allowed me to keep the bulk of my pay while dramatically reducing my hours in meetings and prospecting. If it all went south, so be it, we are FI, but the funny thing is that freedom and mindset actually makes me a more productive employee. I just only work 20 hours a week! Highly recommend carving out a space like that if you can.
Awesome Dave, sounds like you’ve got a great setup going. Spread the word!
How nice – that retiring early makes one a better person. It gets easier, right? To have more patience, and listen and do the right things when money is no longer in the equation. Congrats on your wonderful accomplishment.
It does get easier – thanks for the kudos!
Hi,
As mentioned by many others in the earlier comments, the majority of the employers do not favor semi-work schedule. It makes sense for one to charter his/her paths. Earn and invest enough to achieve the FI figure and plan for the exit accordingly. It is fine for one to take on some the part-time or continue with the full time employment. The feeling is totally different as per my perspective.
WTK
Let’s hope the pandemic might change the ind of some companies about part time work…
My boss might allow me to scale down to 20 hours per week with the caveat that I get all my work done. Problem is – all that work takes 40 hours or more. Employers love it when they get to pay you less to do the same amount of work. That’s why nearly everyone in a white-collar corporate job is “salaried”. Free overtime for the company! So where did half of your work go? If you could do it in half the time maybe you weren’t all that essential after all. Must be nice…
I have no doubt that many employers use that tactic. As for me, ALL of my work went to someone else, I basically resigned from my management position and someone took the whole thing over. I started working on entirely different projects in a part time 20 hour a week capacity.
And yes, it is nice indeed.
Agree. Part time in pay only. Reason i never considered it.
If a company behaved that way I wouldn’t agree to it either, heck I couldn’t possibly have done what I used to do in 20 hours, it’s impossible. My situation is a true 20 hours of work for 20 hours of pay. It’s ideal.
It really is a shame more companies won’t go for this. I have a friend who is interviewing right now for jobs that pay $200k for full time but don’t offer part time at all. They could probably get her or a number of other people of her caliber at half time for less than half the base pay – because people want flexibility and good people are confident they can make their commission goals.
It is a shame, and it’s stupid practices on their part. I think it’ll start changing, I’m hopeful