How Much To Retire at 30?

[skull]

What's the point of surviving when you can't live. Especially if you don't have your own land, property and/or farm to live off, or to supplement your income. Even at that you will be living like a hermit, withdrawn; like an addict, trying to stretch out the pennies to the end of the week.
Yes, it is not called surviving; it is called being poor. Thus the question ought to be: "Is $50K enough to live as the poor do?", and you can all nod your head here.

[Cereal]

Here's my 2 cents. I moved to Laos in August 2006. I taught and made about $1200/month. I had had some savings and built a small (1000sq. ft.) 2 bedroom bungalow beside the Mekong with a 400 sq. m piece of property. It has a wall around it and a nice yard plus a little bamboo salla to swing in my hammock. Land, material and labour cost me 25K US. The house is Westernized, not Lao style.

My wife and I also have motorbikes for transportation, which are great there as the weather is about 30C and sunny all year - give or take a rain shower or two from June to September.

All of this is paid for.

With all of my neighbours in the $2/day range and me making what I was, I still looked forward to payday every month.

Why? because I simply can't live like a local. I need things like fresh milk, peanut butter, bread, cheese, wine, beer, orange juice etc etc.

So retiring with 50K in the bank and living off the interest would be extremely difficult.

Thailand is more expensive than Laos in almost every way, especially booze. I've been there dozens of times as that's where we do most of our big shopping; Laos is still catching up to the rest of the world but that is a great deal of its charm, it as yet, remains unspoiled.

Plus, you cannot retire in Thailand unless you have a retirement visa, and you must be at least 50 years old to get one, and have 50K in cash or liquid assets (a house mortgage free for example) I believe you also have to prove an income of about $1000/month from interest, investments, pension etc.

Barring this you must leave the country on a visa run every 30 days, perhaps every 90 with some visa types.

Also, as has been mentioned, you may very well end up with a Thai girlfriend. Be very careful, I know more than a couple of guys who had and are now very much have nots!

It's a great idea, but I fear not doable at the tender age of 30. Go, get a job 15 hours a week and with planning you could get by, but you wouldn't be living high on the hog.

[cornflakes]

Well studies show that you die shortly after you retire. 
Mainly because working is actually "healthy" for you.  Overworking is not.  No work at all, you lose the will to live and just die faster.

I don't think the goal in life is to "retire".  The goal in life is to find what you "love" or are passionate about doing.  That way, you never see it as work but something you love to do and get paid to do what you love doing in the first place.  Isn't that more ideal?

[DejaVu]

Well studies show that you die shortly after you retire. 
Mainly because working is actually "healthy" for you.  Overworking is not.  No work at all, you lose the will to live and just die faster.

Every minute of work breaks my soul more and more.  Most people have been too busy working their lives away to know how to really live.  Most people die shortly after retiring. Not everyone.

No work is my goal in life.

[Frozencat99]

Well studies show that you die shortly after you retire. 
Mainly because working is actually "healthy" for you.  Overworking is not.  No work at all, you lose the will to live and just die faster.

Every minute of work breaks my soul more and more.  Most people have been too busy working their lives away to know how to really live.  Most people die shortly after retiring. Not everyone.

No work is my goal in life.

Most people who retire early probably presume they won't die shortly after retiring, too.

[DWAEDGIMORIGUKBAP]

Well studies show that you die shortly after you retire. 
Mainly because working is actually "healthy" for you.  Overworking is not.  No work at all, you lose the will to live and just die faster.

I don't think the goal in life is to "retire".  The goal in life is to find what you "love" or are passionate about doing.  That way, you never see it as work but something you love to do and get paid to do what you love doing in the first place.  Isn't that more ideal?

If everyone follwed what they love etc, who would clean streets, build houses, work in factories and keep the world going?  Just curious.

[DejaVu]

Well studies show that you die shortly after you retire. 
Mainly because working is actually "healthy" for you.  Overworking is not.  No work at all, you lose the will to live and just die faster.

I don't think the goal in life is to "retire".  The goal in life is to find what you "love" or are passionate about doing.  That way, you never see it as work but something you love to do and get paid to do what you love doing in the first place.  Isn't that more ideal?

If everyone follwed what they love etc, who would clean streets, build houses, work in factories and keep the world going?  Just curious.

I will be in a forest or a cave.  I could care less about the development of the world...

[cornflakes]

Well my point was basically that there's no shortcut in life.  We'd all love to retire yet still make money somehow and live comfortably and happily by the tender age of 30.  But the reality is if you do not work, you shall not eat.   But who says all work must be dreadful?   Today, we have the luxury afforded to us to do almost anything we dream of.  If your job (whatever it is) is killing you, then obviously you need to change jobs. 

I really believe "how" you live your life is more important than the result of your life.  Nobody's goal in life is to be the richest man in the grave.   I know plenty of people who would hate to 'retire' from their jobs.  Look at pro athletes.  They get paid millions to play a game they love playing anyways?  When it's time for them to retire, they all cry.  Why?  Because they'd love to play forever if they could.   Look at Ron Paul.  He's 73 years old and he's not retired.  He's running for PRESIDENT.  Most 73 year olds are laying in bed in despair, loneliness, hopelessness, just vegetating away.   But if you love what you do, you'll never want to retire.  You'll keep working til you die.   You'll have plenty of time to "retire" when you are dead.  I think most of us have a "negative" definition and perception of "work".  Have you ever thought of work being a blessing? Work being healthy and enjoyable, fulfilling and satisfying? 

[DWAEDGIMORIGUKBAP]

Well studies show that you die shortly after you retire. 
Mainly because working is actually "healthy" for you.  Overworking is not.  No work at all, you lose the will to live and just die faster.

I don't think the goal in life is to "retire".  The goal in life is to find what you "love" or are passionate about doing.  That way, you never see it as work but something you love to do and get paid to do what you love doing in the first place.  Isn't that more ideal?

If everyone follwed what they love etc, who would clean streets, build houses, work in factories and keep the world going?  Just curious.

Machines.

And who will design, programme, build and maintain the machines?

[Frozencat99]

Well studies show that you die shortly after you retire. 
Mainly because working is actually "healthy" for you.  Overworking is not.  No work at all, you lose the will to live and just die faster.

I don't think the goal in life is to "retire".  The goal in life is to find what you "love" or are passionate about doing.  That way, you never see it as work but something you love to do and get paid to do what you love doing in the first place.  Isn't that more ideal?

If everyone follwed what they love etc, who would clean streets, build houses, work in factories and keep the world going?  Just curious.

Machines.

And who will design, programme, build and maintain the machines?

People who love designing street cleaner robots, apparently.

[cornflakes]

Well studies show that you die shortly after you retire. 
Mainly because working is actually "healthy" for you.  Overworking is not.  No work at all, you lose the will to live and just die faster.

I don't think the goal in life is to "retire".  The goal in life is to find what you "love" or are passionate about doing.  That way, you never see it as work but something you love to do and get paid to do what you love doing in the first place.  Isn't that more ideal?

If everyone follwed what they love etc, who would clean streets, build houses, work in factories and keep the world going?  Just curious.

Machines.

And who will design, programme, build and maintain the machines?

People who love to design, programme, build, and maintain machines 

[hilarity ensues]

But who says all work must be dreadful?   Today, we have the luxury afforded to us to do almost anything we dream of.  If your job (whatever it is) is killing you, then obviously you need to change jobs.

I'm not sure what sort of fantasy world you live in, but I'm pretty sure that most people do NOT have the luxury of being able to do almost anything they dream of… in fact, the only reason that a handful of people have that luxury is because other people don't. That's just how employment works… out of 500 people equally qualified to do the job, only one person will be picked, and it's not always because they're the best candidate either-- it could be because they're the prettiest, or they know someone, or they're from a connected family. If everyone got what they worked towards, people wouldn't be graduating with degrees in biology only to end up driving trucks. And 'changing jobs' is really difficult-- and usually involves going back to school and getting into debt just to graduate into yet another highly competitive market… it's not like you can just drop your job and get another whenever you want…

I really believe "how" you live your life is more important than the result of your life.  Nobody's goal in life is to be the richest man in the grave.   I know plenty of people who would hate to 'retire' from their jobs.  Look at pro athletes.  They get paid millions to play a game they love playing anyways?  When it's time for them to retire, they all cry.  Why?  Because they'd love to play forever if they could.   Look at Ron Paul.  He's 73 years old and he's not retired.  He's running for PRESIDENT.  Most 73 year olds are laying in bed in despair, loneliness, hopelessness, just vegetating away.   But if you love what you do, you'll never want to retire.  You'll keep working til you die.   You'll have plenty of time to "retire" when you are dead.  I think most of us have a "negative" definition and perception of "work".  Have you ever thought of work being a blessing? Work being healthy and enjoyable, fulfilling and satisfying?

Yeah, if you have an amazing job, then you probably want to keep working-- but there just aren't enough amazing jobs to go around. Making these kinds of statements makes you sound really young and naive. Most people in life get some half-hearted retirement party and a lot of regret over not spending more time doing what they really wanted to do, which usually involves something other than the job.

[cornflakes]

But who says all work must be dreadful?   Today, we have the luxury afforded to us to do almost anything we dream of.  If your job (whatever it is) is killing you, then obviously you need to change jobs.

I'm not sure what sort of fantasy world you live in, but I'm pretty sure that most people do NOT have the luxury of being able to do almost anything they dream of… in fact, the only reason that a handful of people have that luxury is because other people don't. That's just how employment works… out of 500 people equally qualified to do the job, only one person will be picked, and it's not always because they're the best candidate either-- it could be because they're the prettiest, or they know someone, or they're from a connected family. If everyone got what they worked towards, people wouldn't be graduating with degrees in biology only to end up driving trucks. And 'changing jobs' is really difficult-- and usually involves going back to school and getting into debt just to graduate into yet another highly competitive market… it's not like you can just drop your job and get another whenever you want…

I really believe "how" you live your life is more important than the result of your life.  Nobody's goal in life is to be the richest man in the grave.   I know plenty of people who would hate to 'retire' from their jobs.  Look at pro athletes.  They get paid millions to play a game they love playing anyways?  When it's time for them to retire, they all cry.  Why?  Because they'd love to play forever if they could.   Look at Ron Paul.  He's 73 years old and he's not retired.  He's running for PRESIDENT.  Most 73 year olds are laying in bed in despair, loneliness, hopelessness, just vegetating away.   But if you love what you do, you'll never want to retire.  You'll keep working til you die.   You'll have plenty of time to "retire" when you are dead.  I think most of us have a "negative" definition and perception of "work".  Have you ever thought of work being a blessing? Work being healthy and enjoyable, fulfilling and satisfying?

Yeah, if you have an amazing job, then you probably want to keep working-- but there just aren't enough amazing jobs to go around. Making these kinds of statements makes you sound really young and naive. Most people in life get some half-hearted retirement party and a lot of regret over not spending more time doing what they really wanted to do, which usually involves something other than the job.

On the contrary, you sound like someone who is not exercising the power of choices and free will.  If you have a dream(s) and you want it bad enough and willing to make the sacrifices to attain it, who's stopping you?  Life isn't is so drab and cornered as you make it to be, friend.  It's that type of thinking and that type of perspective of life that gives you a narrow outlook on life and puts limitations on yourself.  You really should exercise the power of free will and choice because you can enjoy "work" and or find work that is "enjoyable" while also fulfilling.  Nobody forced you to be stuck in a 9 to 5 job behind the desk in misery.  In fact, if you simply changed your outlook, you find a way to make that 9 to 5 job enjoyable and fulfilling.....but like you, most people just don't know how, or have the motivation and encouragement to try.  You really need to open your mind and stop having such a narrow and limiting view on life.

[hilarity ensues]

On the contrary, you sound like someone who is not exercising the power of choices and free will.  If you have a dream(s) and you want it bad enough and willing to make the sacrifices to attain it, who's stopping you?  Life isn't is so drab and cornered as you make it to be, friend.  It's that type of thinking and that type of perspective of life that gives you a narrow outlook on life and puts limitations on yourself.  You really should exercise the power of free will and choice because you can enjoy "work" and or find work that is "enjoyable" while also fulfilling.  Nobody forced you to be stuck in a 9 to 5 job behind the desk in misery.  In fact, if you simply changed your outlook, you find a way to make that 9 to 5 job enjoyable and fulfilling.....but like you, most people just don't know how, or have the motivation and encouragement to try.  You really need to open your mind and stop having such a narrow and limiting view on life.

Okay, I gotta ask-- exactly how many stable, well-paying, wholly enjoyable careers (not jobs, careers) have you had in your life? If it's so easy to just move from one to the other, then please, by all means, tell me how you did it… I'm sure most people in the world would like to know.

[mrchristeacher]

- Have fun getting a job when your 50k inevitably dwindles down to $0 and the last line of your resume says "2012-2015: Just chillin'."

I didn't have any issues in getting a job after taking close to 3 years off and just relaxing in Figi.  Got a teaching job in Thailand, then came to Korea.  Take the time off!  When you are on your deathbed, you are not going to wish that you spent more time at work.

You got lucky.  I think it's OK to change careers for a bit or work on personal development.  But totally dropping out for 3 years is going to look very bad.  No company in America would hire you (especially in this economy).

In a past life, I worked in sales in the US for almost 10 years.  I stayed in contact with a few co-workers, from fellow salespeople to a former manager, to people who are now sales managers themselves.  I know that I can go back and get a sales job within 3 months max.  When I go back to visit the US, I get together with a few of my old colleagues for dinner, I know that they would love to have me back.  Business in my old field have started to pick up since early last year.  One of the benefits of being a salesperson is that you can always get a job.  Somedays, I miss sales.  It's still in my blood.

After leaving Figi, I moved to Thailand, got a teachig job with no issues.  In fact, the hiring manager at the language school in BKK wanted to know more about my lifestyle in Figi than what my teaching methods were.  Good thing too, I didn't have any ideas on teaching methods.  Just a white face, degree, and an American passport.

[cornflakes]

On the contrary, you sound like someone who is not exercising the power of choices and free will.  If you have a dream(s) and you want it bad enough and willing to make the sacrifices to attain it, who's stopping you?  Life isn't is so drab and cornered as you make it to be, friend.  It's that type of thinking and that type of perspective of life that gives you a narrow outlook on life and puts limitations on yourself.  You really should exercise the power of free will and choice because you can enjoy "work" and or find work that is "enjoyable" while also fulfilling.  Nobody forced you to be stuck in a 9 to 5 job behind the desk in misery.  In fact, if you simply changed your outlook, you find a way to make that 9 to 5 job enjoyable and fulfilling.....but like you, most people just don't know how, or have the motivation and encouragement to try.  You really need to open your mind and stop having such a narrow and limiting view on life.

Okay, I gotta ask-- exactly how many stable, well-paying, wholly enjoyable careers (not jobs, careers) have you had in your life? If it's so easy to just move from one to the other, then please, by all means, tell me how you did it… I'm sure most people in the world would like to know.

As I said, it's 'how' you live your life and not the outcome/result of it.  If your inner beliefs are, "I must make 6 figures or more a year to be happy, I must be a doctor/lawyer/scientist to be successful", then you've cornered yourself into believing that is the only way to either be happy or successful.   There is no secret really.  As I said earlier, there is no shortcut in life to riches and retire at 30 (unless you win the lotto).  We all must work.  It's great thing to be able to work.  The key is how you decide to paint the world with your attitude and beliefs.   Why work 40 years of your life with a miserable attitude and decide that once I'm 65 and I retire, then I can be happy and fulfilled, when you can be happy and fulfilled right now?  It doesn't make sense to labor for 5 days of the week just so that you can look forward to 2, and then get back on the grind.  Right now, everyday for me is like a holiday...even though I work hard and have my difficulties, I'm loving everyday of work because I chose to do this and chose to make it enjoyable, fun, and rewarding.  And I wish the same for you and everyone else.  Cheers.

"When life hands you a lemon, make lemonade."

[DWAEDGIMORIGUKBAP]

Well studies show that you die shortly after you retire. 
Mainly because working is actually "healthy" for you.  Overworking is not.  No work at all, you lose the will to live and just die faster.

I don't think the goal in life is to "retire".  The goal in life is to find what you "love" or are passionate about doing.  That way, you never see it as work but something you love to do and get paid to do what you love doing in the first place.  Isn't that more ideal?

If everyone follwed what they love etc, who would clean streets, build houses, work in factories and keep the world going?  Just curious.

Machines.

And who will design, programme, build and maintain the machines?

I thought we were only worried about street cleaners and factory workers? Programming is generally pretty well paid.

But are there many programmers for whom it's their 'passion.'  And what about the people who look after and maintain the machines and the facilities they are housed in?

[bobrocket]

Building is also a perfectly fine career, lots of people enjoy it and make good money.