Financial Independence at 50 (Finally!)

[@jackdguida]

I don't want to make light of this, but I know you've always liked the theme of Eric in the dark and Jason in the light. Now that Eric has reached the other side of FI, it's time for you to both walk in the light. You know I mean background in the videos, right? Congrats, Eric and Laura on reaching your goal!

[@huy3967]

(From California) I just turned 50 this year and has been thinking about about early retirement. Thank you, guys, for your insightful conversations.

[@Joejoe-j5k]

At 50 its very much achievable I'm 59 and turning 60 soon. I got laid off with a bunch of other people at my firm. I was a little down (for about a day) because I was one of those people who did the right thing over the last 30 years. I'm now retired and love it. my assets being supervised for 8years plus has impacted a lot of exposure in nest egg (in excess of 2.8m), I say that because over those 30 years I was a personal finance junkie and listened to all my mentors (John Bogle, Warren Buffett, David Bach, sometimes Dave Ramsey) haven't spent any of my 401k, Roth IRA, or brokerage cash account. My SS and pension is so far adequate to meet my expenses. I don't want for anything, anyway. My kids will get my swag.

[@kenderdine7886]

Having a great savings and more streams to earn makes life goal’s easier but our way of life needs better alternative, at the same time, people also need to be more responsible. I know for a fact that there's a lot of people that simply don't make enough, I make roughly hundred plus a year and in California, rent inflation alone eat up almost all of what I make, with dependents and other obligations included, it's easy to end up with zero. however it’s a good time to add to existing asset holdings as follow -on opportunities how did you go about touching base with yours, kudos on your growth so far.

[@Joejoe-j5k]

you only have to put in the simplest terms to help you understanding tax, mortgage, emergency funds for cashflow interest. If you're looking for nest egg options or if you have any questions about financing your next property or assets building.

[@Joejoe-j5k]

Feel free to write Suzana markasevic i heed her advice. Tbh, I almost didn't buy the idea of letting someone handle growing my finance, but so glad I did.

[@Paulreal-s2w]

I like the reward tip My wife and I are working on paying off our mortgage fast, and I think that will help motivate us. I can't wait to be mortgage free! We have a plan, and should be able to get there in 5 years or so, with extra effort.

[@OriginalDemGunz]

Congratulations Eric I quit my job a week ago after 20 years. I'm FI at 49 and couldn't be more excited and nervous at the same time. Wish you and the wife much happiness and success on the next chapter of your lives together

[@TrishaRico]

GFY. Love watching your channel. Very relatable and encouraging. I put in my notice for Sept 20 2024. Hit my FI number a few months ago at 57. Currently in Spain celebrating with my mom. She and my dad are the reason I decided to go early. I am hoping I have 5 years of travel with them. God willing. Congratulations 🎉

[@jamieamendolagine205]

Congratulations! Almost two years ago I was laid off. This was a few years before I was planning to RE. I looked for work half hardheartedly for a while, but I've been a bit more aggressive with my investments, and things have grown to the point where I am within my number. So I am now strangely retired. It's been a bit anticlimactic for me since I didn't choose to retire, but found my self there. One thing that I learned is that since I have quite a bit of my money in the clear, my income is low and my taxes are very low. This means that my medical insurance is only around 1K / month. My taxes are also quite low, so this helps with my situation. I'm so happy for you in finding your way to the next stage of your life, and do thank you for sharing your journey.

[@StressLessFinancial]

Congratulations on reaching your financial goals and transitioning into retirement, even if it came earlier than planned! It's great to hear how your strategic investments and low taxes are benefiting you. What adjustments or strategies have you found most valuable in managing your finances and health insurance now that you're retired?

[@jamieamendolagine205]

Well -- with the shock of being laid off below my target number, I decided to make a gamble. My skills are still valuable, so I started studying to be prepared for the next job, but also tried to boost my investments into my target zone. Thinking that if I failed, I'd just be working for a bit longer, and if I succeeded, I'd be retired earlier than expected. I was aggressive with my investments. At the time the tech stocks were down and inflation was high I moved my tech investments into commodities, on the way down, but not at bottom, and this preserved their value and slightly increased it. Once it looked to me like inflation was on the mend, I put everything back into tech, and this ended up going much higher, and put my money where I want it to be for retirement. I'm at a transitioning point now were I am close to my number, so I have to decide what to do next. I will probably be transitioning some of my money into safer investments, so I don't have to think about getting a new job. As for tax strategies, I plan to do the math and start moving the tax advantaged IRA / 4014 money (roughtly half of my investments) into a Roth IRA to reduce my future taxes while keeping my taxable income low enough to keep the relatively low 1K / month ACA health insurance premiums. I am so happy that I am retired now. I have 3 kids that I spend much more time with now, and I do the things that I want to do instead of renting my brain out to tech companies to solve their problems! @@StressLessFinancial

[@johnwestfall5644]

Congrats Eric! I've really enjoyed watching your journey. I just reached FIRE last month myself, and so far am enjoying these first few weeks of retirement!

[@joan3740]

GFY. Please continue to make videos. This conversation is so valuable and very appreciated.

[@LoriLWorden]

The messy middle is a bit frustrating. Our daughter turns 14 this weekend and her time at home is clearly limited. I am focused on aggressively saving for her education & my husband is aggressively saving to his portfolio. The kid has a week off of school in October for "Fall Break". Eric has inspired me to plan a slow day on the river!!! :)

[@TwoSidesOfFI]

Join us in celebrating by dropping a "GFY" in the comments below!

[@jakinchapman9864]

Can you clarify what that acronym stands for 😅

[@era-FP]

@@jakinchapman9864good for you !?

[@30by40]

​@@jakinchapman9864 On Reddit, GFY is a popular way to congratulate someone on reaching FI, with a playful “Good For You” while leaving the other meaning implied. It's a genuine acknowledgment of a major achievement... all in good fun and part of the community culture!

[@robsgarage582]

I thought we should all say MBN (must be nice) with a sense of irony. GFY, congrats! Thank you for continuing to share with us all.

[@vulpixelful]

Congrats! I actually moved my goalpost _back_ by 500k (in today's dollars) after really going over the math and planning to have debt to a bare minimum. I also saw how psychologically being flexible in spending is better than having my calendar dominated by an employer for "one more year".

[@19Mrstormy]

Congrats Eric and Laura! Such a huge milestone!!!

[@BeardedCarBuddy]

As a 36 year old working 60 hours a week with a 4 year old, I feel this so much. Really makes me want to reassess and reflect. Thank you for the great content as always

[@DionThorpe]

Congratulations Eric. I have been a big fan of the channel for many years 🎉

[@VictorThompson]

Congrats, Eric! Maybe you guys should get a third co-host who is on the other side of Financial Independence to continue having both sides of the experience represented on the show.

[@chipper6729]

Congrats Eric and Laura! I just binged the entire channel and love that me catching up to present time at the same time as your FI!

[@DillonMcGlinn]

Top notch discussion. I have been through all these emotions and appreciate the great way you talked about it. Congrats to Eric & Laura.Be open to the universe of possibilities.

[@TwoSidesOfFI]

Thank you so much!

[@alexl266]

Congratulations, Eric and Laura! Been watching you guys for years, always felt "this close" to the finish line. Glad to hear you've made it and looking forward to continuing the journey with you gentlemen.

[@judyguccione1694]

I’m so happy for you and Laura. I watched you work so hard to get here. Congratulations! I wish you health, happiness and longevity.

[@andyd102]

Eric & Laura, it took a bit of time and some ups and downs, but my sincere congratulations…Thank you guys for sharing your journey! I want to congratulate you with this fantastic milestone Eric. Spend this extra time with your family! To tun great memories in the best return on investment that can’t be measured in dollars. Enjoy! Best of times, Andy

[@trautzz3234]

Congratulations! Thank you for walking through the difficult emotional stages with us, I can't overstate how much it helped us all.

[@zman4444]

After getting there and reaching point of being independent wealthy I still keep business part time. I have realized if I do not do anything I will lose my identity, working for few hours for 2-3 days a week does not bother me and I enjoy interacting with other people. What is important that it’s on my own schedule and if I decide to go on vacation nothing happens if I decide to change my hours nothing happens, if I decide to move to different place nothing happens. Many people forget that it’s not about how much money you make but about how much money you keep.

[@newcreation19]

Congrats, Eric and Laura! Thank you for sharing the journey with us, I always look forward to your videos!

[@BILLY-O-1982]

I'm 42 and I have big plans for between now and 50. I hope you enjoy your new lives.

[@Schmouti]

GFY!! Thank you both for sharing. Your journeys, your perspectives, and your positivity have a meaningful impact.

[@FI-Beauce]

Congrats Eric, you guys have the best FI channel !!! Keep going

[@JKSNY24]

Congratulations! Thanks for all the hard work on the podcast!

[@rpguitar]

Should be fun hearing Eric's reflections on living a FIRE life fresh out of the gate. I found that a lot changed in my psychology and also in the mechanics of how I managed money over these past 3+ years (I am FI since 2021). There's plenty more to talk about on the channel! And of course, GFY bigly, Eric!

[@JeremyStLouis]

Congratulations Eric - been watching your journey the whole time. GFY and enjoy!

[@יובלבן-פזי]

תודה!

[@TwoSidesOfFI]

Thank you very much! 🙏

[@OnedayclosertoFI]

New watcher here, what a great channel. FI or FIRE has been on my mind and main focus the last few years. Glad I found this channel. I don’t have anyone in my family or friends group who gets this concert. Knowone to talk to ably it sucks sometimes. 40 here…. Sadly still probably 10 years to go…. But maybe it will be sooner as I am on it each month and quarter. Keep my expenses low and get investing. Lee up the great work! New sub 😊

[@TwoSidesOfFI]

Cheers, welcome to the channel!

[@alanyoung159]

Congrats on reaching your goal!!

[@dutchy25ttm]

Congrats Eric, working on it myself started at your age a year or so ago when I started to follow your channel, trying a 5-7 year window to reach FI, college kids starting to take some fund needs now ;)

[@jeske100]

Congrats, Eric! I remember our conversation in 2022 and how concerned you were about inflation and the stock market getting clobbered. The last two years worked out roughly the way I outlined toward the end of that 2022 episode: inflation subsides, which is good for stocks, so everything will be fine by 2024.

[@TwoSidesOfFI]

Thanks, Karsten! Your blog and SWR toolkit have been instrumental in giving us the confidence to take the next step. The perspective you shared back in 2022 really stuck with us, and it’s amazing to see how things have played out just as you suggested. We’re grateful for the guidance and insight you provide.

[@spatdsg]

Congratulations to the both of you!

[@mhoepfin]

That is awesome, congrats! One piece of advice is mentally tell yourself the first 2 years is your trial retirement period so go easy if you make mistakes, spend too much, etc.

[@MichaelAshmore000]

Congrats Eric! My wife and I are still pre-FI. Your story about the lake vacation reminded me of an epiphany I had a few years ago that my personal definition of luxury is no deadlines...not having any "thing" coming up that I have to do, to get ready for, leave early for, etc. of course being pre-FI that is truly still a rarity in my life.

[@ThomasGreuling]

Congrats! I enjoy the content from the beginning and look forward to future content.

[@TwoSidesOfFI]

🙏

[@rayanderson3164]

Awesome. I've garnered a lot of great information from your channel these last few years. Congratulations. I'm looking forward to stepping off into retirement this coming spring at 55. Working past achieving critical mass is indeed about choice. It's always been about having options.There was lots of planning and hard work to make it happen, but I wouldn't change a thing if I had to do over. Congratulations again, and I'll see you on the other side soon.

[@chetjackson5244]

36 years old and passed 220k! supper exciting! long ways to go tho.

[@TwoSidesOfFI]

You got this!

[@lizamorning5356]

I want to be so clear to you guys that I truly appreciate your conversation, |each time, over time. This post conversation is fantastic! I love how you’re laying it out.

[@RamaDrama]

So happy for both of you…GFY! We have two more years to reach our number but your quote on spending time we don’t have for money we don’t need is really making us think :)

[@AurelioPita]

Congratulations!

[@gahippie2017]

Congrats!!! I love your content and the fact that it is beyond the numbers.

[@maxpayne7419]

You have climbed the mountain! Now enjoy the view! Congratulations Eric and Laura! 👍💰

[@Mammons]

Congrats and GFY Eric and Laura!! :)

[@Austinrkr]

Congratulations! My husband is retiring at the end of the month and we’re heading on a month-long trip. So, I know what you’re talking about when you say the “hedonistic” period. Wheeeee! Hope you all continue to have a blast.

[@EBsDenStudio]

Welcome to the other side, and congratulations Eric & Laura! You Got It! 🤘🏻👍🏻👏🏻

[@jinsiudu440]

Many congratulations to you and Laura. Thank you for sharing your journey and asking all the questions I have been pondering on. Super impressed by how you and Laura helped each other develop your thoughts and achieve. Excited to hear about what you get up to with this new free time. More travel with Eric. Congrats again.

[@damansarajaya88]

Wow, congrats. Looking forward to hearing about your experiences as you shift into early retirement. Lessons you have learned from Jason and how that may have helped. All the best.

[@diannad8905]

Awesome! Love listening to you both banter/share/discuss these topics. Your content is excellent! Congrats to both of you! Hubby retires next year, we have a 14 year old, and I plan to keep my business indefinitely, as I can choose when to work, or not. Feeling blessed. You are so right… when you start to travel (we are doing that, too) the contrast creates so much clarity - as you said about your trip with your family. Unplugging and resetting is critical! I appreciate the effort you put into your content, thank you! Also, be sure you shift the mindset of “hobby” to business mindset when you start trading the market with actual money. Get your hands on all of the trading psychology books you can once you put real money in the market. Trading is such a fun journey….. enjoy it, but remember it’s not a hobby - it’s a business. Good luck!

[@steveladner7306]

I love this PODCAST! congratulations to both of you guys.

[@zekeboz5533]

Woah… never thought I would get choked up listening to a FIRE journey.. 😂 but Eric talking about the boys swinging on the rope swing on vacation hit a nerve thinking about my own kids (similar age) launching into their next phase. Great episode and congrats on hitting FI!

[@Hawking1969]

1) Congratulations! I'm only a couple years older than you and long time viewer, somewhat long time subscriber. 2) Sad to think of how many musicians we've lost because they constantly felt they had to pull a rabbit out of a hat. 3) Love the metal references (Metallica and Ronnie James Dio). Makes me feel like we're friends from back in the day.

[@TwoSidesOfFI]

One big metal family...love it... \m/

[@Darknight00744]

Excellent content guys! Love your view on FI from an behavioral perspective, keep up the great work. As I am 34 years old, i learn from you so much stuff as you are the wise guys for me ;) currently looking with my family into FI, just ramping up money in Index funds.. Goal is 50-55ish. So lets meet here in the comments in 2040 and see 😅 Greetings from Munich

[@AKim-uu4hg]

GFY!!! Yay for Eric and Laura!! Congratulations! I always wondered what the show will be called once Jason and Eric is on the same side of FI!

[@sandrarobinson4448]

Congrats!!!

[@rocinante6530]

Well done and congratulations! And thank you for sharing your journey.

[@a012345]

GFY and good job at finally hitting the milestone. I was waiting for this episode for years!!!

[@amandascharf3870]

Congrats, Eric and Laura!!!

[@PowerfulMoneyHabits]

Congratulations! U did it! Now onto the next chapter. I am on the countdown for my own FI in 2029!

[@glenn2878]

Congratulations, Eric! As always, your content inspires me.

[@Opdeweegh73]

Well done! Thank you for sharing the journey.

[@seanlynch2393]

How exciting! Very happy for you. Let the eternal summer vacation begin!

[@lizamorning5356]

Yeah! Fabulous! I’ve been watching your journey for a few years

[@tammyflashy9328]

Congratulations! Looks like you’re having the time of your life.

[@mikedougherty1117]

Congrats Eric, GFY!!🎉

[@dcrall]

Congratulations, Eric & Laura. Have loved following both 30x40 and Two Sides of Fi.

[@TwoSidesOfFI]

Cheers, appreciate the support!

[@jeremyeckhause1747]

Great video. Appreciate you going through the "60 percent" piece at the end. Specific enough to be useful while hopefully keeping your privacy on the specifics. Relatable to me, even if a few years away from thinking about retiring

[@jeremyeckhause1747]

And congratulations, of course!

[@prakb]

Congratulations on getting there!

[@michaelreynolds316]

Congrats and GFY!

[@garyl5843]

Yes! GFY!!

[@shawnpmartin77]

Congrats brother...I've loved all this content over the years!

[@TwoSidesOfFI]

Appreciate the support, my friend...cheers...

[@Shiotflinger]

Congratulations!! So happy for you both

[@HS-oz8im]

Huge congrats! Such an exciting milestone!!!

[@danielstusnick6011]

Congrats Eric and Laura!

[@andylee8772]

Congratulations! My wife and I crossed over about a month ago and would love to travel with you guys sometime!

[@TwoSidesOfFI]

Nice...congrats to you as well...perhaps we'll cross paths!

[@DonBurke1]

GFY, Eric!

[@sebstream8440]

GFY. again happy to hear your two experiences.

[@lookingglassra4946]

Congrats! My last day is the same day as Laura’s. Exciting times ahead.

[@TwoSidesOfFI]

Amazing...congrats to you!

[@jameslawrence2553]

Great accomplishment and congratulations 🎉

[@NewGuy2024]

14:48. I really felt this...

[@ihormadych5185]

Woow, congrats!!

[@Otimofication]

Thanks for the vids, and congrats. Where can we see more details on your annual budget (by category), pre or post tax, and any details that drive your projections using ERN spreadsheet? I wouldn't mind seeing some details to be able to triangulate my own.

[@TwoSidesOfFI]

Retiring With $2M: Here's How We'd Spend It kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6u1amt5oKyNpc0

[@ExplainedByCats]

Cheers!

[@ginaanchante3423]

Congrats🎉

[@StressLessFinancial]

Congratulations, Eric and Laura, on reaching your FI number! It’s impressive how you’ve navigated the FIRE movement and managed your portfolio. What strategies did you find most effective in maintaining your 80/15/5 split, and how are you planning to adapt your withdrawal strategy as you transition into retirement?

[@1shaggy123]

Congrats!

[@Edith-s2o]

🎉 Congrats! Love you enthusiasm! We are still working on the enough is enough part 😂

[@petew1]

Damn, nothing hits harder than your comment about witnessing the "sunset of your children's childhood..."

[@kellymerrellfilms]

"GFY" and those who have made it to that side, and "LFG" for those of us working up to it 🤘

[@bjornlilja2692]

Congratulations Eric!

[@rx911S]

WooHoo Eric/Laura. Hope you enjoy post FI life🤘🎸

[@michaelcartoccio156]

Congrats! 🎉

[@michaelcartoccio156]

Also, nice AOT shirt.

[@loganpaulgage9665]

Where's the love button when you need it? Congrats!!!

[@dagobaker]

im 50 also 2 biggest question marks for me health care via obamacare or health savings account how many months of liquid income to have and where to keep it once retiring and how to adjust if you retire with the market at all time highs and as a single guy with no ex wives or kids how to keep sanity without a job

[@AllanKirk76]

Congrats

[@Bracebarian]

Congrats Eric and Laura

[@Jfhelwig]

Welcome to a fantastic club

[@GruncleJohn]

Congrats and GFY

[@AnhNguyen-bi6vg]

GFY❤❤❤