I’m going to retire at 35.

You know the question “what would you do if you didn’t have to worry about money?” I want to find the answer to that while I’m young and able to act on it.

I’m not aiming for the traditional idea of an idle retirement. I’m envisioning more of retirement from mandatory work into elective work. It’s being financially independent and having the ability to choose what work I do without worrying about the financial drawbacks.

Why?

I’ve always been pretty independent, and one of my biggest fears is that I would be trapped in a job I dislike because quitting means being unable to support myself. Luckily, I have had great working experiences so far but I’ve realized there will never be enough time to pursue passion projects seriously while having a full-time job*.

How? On a teacher’s salary?

By being frugal, never owning a car, living in cheap cities, saving, investing, embracing challenges, and focusing on what happiness is really about.

How much do you need?

If I can live happily on $2,000 per month, I need about $600,000 according to the 4% rule. Less if I decide I’ve got enough to pursue my projects full-time and bring in income through those channels.

You really think you can do it?

Yes. What’s the worst if I only have $300,000 instead of $600,000? That’s still serious F-you Money and it allows me to buy time. Even in failing this goal I end up better off than if I didn’t have this goal.

What will you do after retirement?

I will probably still be in the teaching field, it’s interesting to me and I’ll be quite the experienced teacher by then. I can focus more on mentorship and teaching students life skills they may not have anyone else teach them. Travel more, take more photos, spend more time with family. Anything I find fulfilling.

I’m using this blog and this post in particular as a way of telling people my goals and keeping myself accountable. When I have committed to updating my net worth every month it really makes me re-think all my purchases.

What would you do if money was not a concern?

*A job, for me, is work whose parameters are dictated by someone else. I may not mind the parameters all that much, and can still find the job fulfilling. However, a big driver for happiness is autonomy, and being my own boss is my way of achieving full autonomy.