My husband quit his job at the age of 47.
My husband was a lead chemist for a research team for one of the world's largest chemical firms. He holds 6 patents (profits go to the company), wrote many articles in the leading journals of his field, lectured world wide, and was honored as a distinguished scientist at the early age of 40 by the scientists in his company.
I am a health professional in one of the most competitive and lucrative health professions. I have been a member of two professional boards ( one was a state level professional board and the other an international professional organization). I sold my practice at the age of 59.
Why did we quit?
1) The last straw that broke my husband's back came when he was given a bonus for one of his inventions. Half the check was taken in various local, state, and federal taxes.
2) I finally gave up too because what was left after the taxes simply wasn't enough to compensate for the aggravation and responsibility for looking after my patients and paying off my employees and vendors. I call it “trickle-up” economics. Enough did not trickle up to me.
In our early years we saved like crazy, worked our way out of all debt with the intensity of laser surgery, and lived as simply as possible.
We are doing everything possible to see that the government ( local, state, and federal) gets as little out of us as possible. Our entire lives are structured around that principle.
God bless you both!