Living Frugally to Retire By 40? Mental Illness or Smart ?

Ditch · Mar 28, 2015

Last week I heard this story from a relative. A normal guy in Florida, 53 years old, is making $75000 a year as a nurse, but still can't get past the first date with women. As soon they learn he's not a doctor or a physician they lose interest. This doesn't bode too well for the changes on the meat market of the frugal retiree. Something to consider as well.

luisHK · Mar 28, 2015

Ditch said:
Last week I heard this story from a relative. A normal guy in Florida, 53 years old, is making $75000 a year as a nurse, but still can't get past the first date with women. As soon they learn he's not a doctor or a physician they lose interest. This doesn't bode too well for the changes on the meat market of the frugal retiree. Something to consider as well.

seekingarrangement.com
Discovered that website on this forum a couple of years ago. Awesome source of ladies - mostly in the industrialized world - but especially if a 53 y o is into younger ladies, he'd better come up with more than a nurse position and income.
But if he's into 40 y o ladies, I suspect many of them can't be too picky.

Ditch · Mar 28, 2015

luisHK said:
seekingarrangement.com
Discovered that website on this forum a couple of years ago. Awesome source of ladies - in some countries at least- but especially if a 53 y o is into younger ladies, he'd better come up with more than a nurse position and income.
But if he's into 40 y o ladies, I suspect many of them can't be too picky.

Yeah, you would expect that from 40+ ladies, but that's not how it works, with increasing age they become exponentially critical, even if they have nothing to show for themselves. The importance of having a loving partner might seem trivial when you're 25, but at higher age it has a significant effect on one's health and life expectation. If $75k isn't enough to get some interest, how is the retiree going to fare with his peanutbuttersandwich-lifestyle? Kinda winner take all situation. The 1mil+ guys get to choose from the whole pool starting at age 18.

luisHK · Mar 28, 2015

He'd better settle early with a peanut butter loving wife I guess and not expect too many extras.
But I agree with most (possibly all, don't remember everything that was written) of the points you made in this thread, and apparently have read the same studies you have read.

Ditch · Mar 28, 2015

luisHK said:
He'd better settle early with a peanut butter loving wife I guess and not expect too many extras.
But I agree with most (possibly all, don't remember everything that was written) of the points you made in this thread, and apparently have read the same studies you have read.

A partner for life is becoming a rare thing, but you never know, he could find a soulmate early on. She sure won't leave him for lack of money.

SimpleTrades · Mar 28, 2015

Ditch said:
I recall a study that was conducted on professional violin players. They found that what separated the absolute top from the "midfield"was not sheer talent, but the number of hours they put in for practice and study. The top players put in twice as much time as their less succesful colleagues. It obviously pays to do what you love. Those looking for early retirement are the least likely to achieve it. My take on this story is that the guy is unhappy in his present career or doesn't like to work at all.

You're right, but given that my wife and I both play violin, I can tell you that time spent isn't enough. Her talent allows her to accomplish in an hour what takes me 5 hours. Or is it talent? Was it a training that she acquired at a young age that taught her how to benefit more for a unit of practice time? Was it that she started playing at 5, and I didn't get started until 13?

It's more complicated than just time, however time is indeed a relevant issue.

Ditch · Mar 28, 2015

SimpleTrades said:
You're right, but given that my wife and I both play violin, I can tell you that time spent isn't enough. Her talent allows her to accomplish in an hour what takes me 5 hours. Or is it talent? Was it a training that she acquired at a young age that taught her how to benefit more for a unit of practice time? Was it that she started playing at 5, and I didn't get started until 13?

It's more complicated than just time, however time is indeed a relevant issue.

Hopefully you can resist the temptation to smack her over the head when she does that. Seriously, the saying goes practice makes perfect but I concur that it's a complex function of practice time and talent, ie. Mats Wilander started playing tennis at age 13. Fours years later he won Roland Garros. A typical case of sheer godgiven talent.

marketsurfer · Mar 28, 2015

Visaria said:
He also might drop dead before he becomes 'free'...

I have a relative who built a small fortune in real estate rental (slum lord) and 1980 style mutual funds -- He lived to work and make money but lived like a pauper. Wanted nothing but to accumulate wealth.

He died. Now his family is fighting over the willl. Its a terrible situation and that's what can happen with hoarded money--- its just stupid. All it takes is one desperate and or greedy relative to misappropriate the funds anyway-- or st the least lawyer fees. What a waste!

marketsurfer · Mar 28, 2015

Ditch said:
Yeah, you would expect that from 40+ ladies, but that's not how it works, with increasing age they become exponentially critical, even if they have nothing to show for themselves. The importance of having a loving partner might seem trivial when you're 25, but at higher age it has a significant effect on one's health and life expectation. If $75k isn't enough to get some interest, how is the retiree going to fare with his peanutbuttersandwich-lifestyle? Kinda winner take all situation. The 1mil+ guys get to choose from the whole pool starting at age 18.

It takes more than money. I know a guy who made $5 million very quickly but lives frugally-- the same as without the windfall. He never gets past a few dates either.

SimpleTrades · Mar 28, 2015

Ditch said:
Hopefully you can resist the temptation to smack her over the head when she does that. Seriously, the saying goes practice makes perfect but I concur that it's a complex function of practice time and talent, ie. Mats Wilander started playing tennis at age 13. Fours years later he won Roland Garros. A typical case of sheer godgiven talent.

She also has a very strong martial arts background. Smacking her over the head isn't going to get me very far.

It's ok. I'm good with money. Ha ha!