My Husband Left the Rat Race r

self | 9/15/2010 | Cowgirl

[Cowgirl]

Last October my husband quit his State of Alaska job, withdrew all his retirement and left the workforce. He is 55 and in perfect health. He has since spent the time catching up with projects at home such as building and fixing, doing our mining claims (2000 acres of claims right here in the middle of gold country, put in a half-acre garden and went moose hunting and fishing.

[Cowgirl]

He has lost about twenty pounds, has a grin on his face all the time and has probably added years to his life. Fortunately, I have a good part-time job which definitely helped with the decision. While this option isn't for everyone, I wanted to throw it out for the benefit of those willing to consider a change. We own our home and have no debt. He and I will maybe have social security in a few years.

I just thought some of you might need a little encouragement to take a chance and do what you've always wanted. Go for it.

[higgmeister]

While this option isn't for everyone, I wanted to throw it out for the benefit of those willing to consider a change.

So you're really "Midas" Mulligan inviting us all to come to Galt's Gulch?

[highlander_UW]

Great for you two (I mean it, not sarcasm).

[TruthConquers]

Good going!!

I would love to do something similar, but with a daughter in high school and all, it is not in the cards as of yet. Our only debt is our home. Old cars, no vacations, and I have been learning to can, dehydrate and garden.

Lowering ones lifestyle and living simply really does reduce that stress.

[Cowgirl]

I had to read up on “Galt’s Gulch”. Actually, it is
something like that. There are no property taxes and
no state tax where we live. We are in the hills and
it is gorgeous. I’m concerned that people who have
all kinds of retirement money are just going to sit on
it instead of enjoying their life. We didn’t want the
Feds getting ours.

[MattinNJ]

You know, I think your post might be one of the best I have ever read. Yours is the nearly forgotten American dream. That is what we fight for. To know, really know, that somewhere in this great land of ours, one of us was able to put up the “gone fishing” sign makes the fight worthwhile.

[Hildy]

My husband is 20 years older than me. So 10 years ago, when I was 40 and he was 60 we decided to do retirement together while he was still active and healthy enough for us to enjoy life. Best thing we ever did. What a decade, and during that time I found my calling by volunteering in Republican Politics. Sometimes people forget that the reason you save money is to enjoy it. I’m not saying people should frivolously spend, but sometimes you just have to go for it!

[Tea Party Reveler]

I'm basically retired now too at 55 but my wife works part time over at the hospital. We live on about 5K a month. We put one son through school and he's doing very well as an auditor and is pursuing CPA certification. My other son just entered high school and has decided upon a military career and commissioning. He's entered AF Jr. ROTC and loves it. He's very good at math (they both were) and is interested in a degree in Mathematics. I won't tell you what school he wants to go to because you will snicker and laugh but it does have ROTC there.

[Cowgirl]

We have five sons between us and one is still in high school. I’ve
homeschooled my two since kindergarten and
his three during high school. Homeschooling is the
greatest. I love it that I spent so much time with my
boys and we are very close.

[Cowgirl]

I’m very happy you enjoyed my post. Thanks.

[Busta Rhymes]

That’s impressive and I’m jealous.

I would love my husband to start slowing down some but just turning 50 he pretends he’s still got it. HA !

I too want to enjoy our time together and have some fun. We’ve raised our kids and worked hard. We should enjoy life.

Thanks for posting your little story. It was nice.

[pandoraou812]

How wonderful you can enjoy life, best of luck to you!

[screaminsunshine]

Good. My greatest fear is to die without owing the IRS as much as possible.

[Errant]

I did the same last September... :)

I don't know what makes me happier, being in control of my own life or NOT contributing (tax dollars) to our own demise!

[Revelation 911]

congrats - were 48/50 - have done similar - living austerely, enjoying chickens, friends, camp property and our parents as they grow older...i even started a small BBQ catering business...doing maybe 10-15 jobs a year & I have my own bbq sauce brand here in town - loving life

[Cowgirl]

I told my husband about the article. He had just gotten
back from a week and a half of moose hunting. He said,
“Tell them how I charged a huge bull moose.” Needless to
say, he has a one track mind when it comes to hunting
season. lol

[pbmaltzman]

Good for you and best of luck...

[goseminoles]

” I won’t tell you what school he wants to go to because you will snicker and laugh”

He’s going to the University of Florida?

[Thombo2]

I’ll bet he’s happy!Congrads-your hubby’s living my dream.I’d love to be able to retire when i’m 55.Would like to know how the prospecting turns out.There’s a lot of gold still out there-just harder to find.A co-worker vacations out west every year-uses a metal detector.Amateur prospector/rock hound.Hasn’t hit the “mother lode” yet-but always finds something.

[GreenLanternCorps]

"doing our mining claims "

This is your husband?