early retirement chat

 Uncle had a chat with an old friend (same age) recently. He is married without kids and lives in a HDB flat that has been fully paid for many years ago. His wife has stopped working due to health issues (non-life threatening), while he continues to be gainfully employed. 

During our chat, he mentioned about planning to retire in 2025, and I was sincerely very happy to hear that. Of course I was curious about how he did it. And I am glad to say, he seems to have things sorted out. Housing is paid for, and they both have decent amounts accumulated in their CPF accounts which should provide a good safety net as they reach 55 and beyond. He has also active investments and trading which he said provides sufficient coverage for his household living expenses. 

To be, he lives a comfortable and humble lifestyle. He doesn't own a car though he could comfortable afford one. He eat simple meals and enjoys short trips to nearby countries very often. All these expense are well within his budget. What is more admirable to me is his resolve in keep himself very fit and healthy, such that he actually looked 10 years younger than he is, I am really happy for him and I looked up to him as an inspiration for myself as I approach my retirement years. 

We both agreed that early retirement is a privilege that is only opened to a small percentage of people here. But we also agree it can be within reach for more people if people are willing to be realistic on what is considered "enough". There are tons of high earning people who continue to slog non-stop even when they could had stopped and retire and do whatever they want and live their lives. Why? What is it that they are chasing, we ask between us. I think the allure of material comfort is too high for many of us in this age and time. Such that we are so blinded and so discontented with the goodness we already have. Such that we don't know when to say "this is enough for me now! time to smell roses!". Its tragic to read news of people dying/falling very sick at their peak, or losing all their monies as they take on more risks to chase more. These folks are the envy of many working class people like ourselves, and we cannot understand why they don't feel contented to start living a good life with their resources, which some of us will never have in our lifetime. 

But who are we to judge? Maybe when we have our own millions, we will be like them too, chasing non-stop some imaginary good life that could come if we slog just a little more. I am determined not to fall into this thinking. And my good friend agreed.

I hope he and I will be successful in our pursue of happiness and early retirement and contentment. We are lucky ones.