Comments on: Retirement Is A False Idol

By: Brian Armstrong

Brian Armstrong — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 00:58:49 +0000

Good points everyone and thanks for the comments.

Personally, I get pretty stir crazy after a few days of vacation and usually have to get back to work. I’m not very good at relaxing so I probably wouldn’t be very good at retirement :)

It’s amazing how people think they’ll “pay their dues” with lots of hard work up front so that they can relax later. Relaxing is actually really boring after a fairly short period of time! Better start doing what you love now, that’s about all there is in life…

By: Matt Thomas

Matt Thomas — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 19:36:25 +0000

“Retirement” also suggests that we have to wait until we are 65 or older to actually pursue what we want. If I want to go traveling, start a more risky venture or spend time with my loved ones, why wait until my golden years when I am not nearly as physically able as I am presently?

I agree with what Bcarter said in that it is a concept that is forced on us at a very early age, where entering into “lifetime employment” is the ideal, while in reality, being financially independent is truly ideal. Like Andy said, financial independence is the real definition of retirement and it shouldn’t be a function of age.

By: Andy @ Retire at 40

Andy @ Retire at 40 — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 11:29:20 +0000

I wholeheartedly agree. Even though my blog has 'retire' in the title, it is essentially a plan to become financially independent. That way, you can choose what you want to do instead of being forced to do something (whether you like it or not)!

By: Bcarter

Bcarter — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 10:42:42 +0000

The whole retirement idea comes from the crap that is loaded into our heads from kindergarten on: go to college, find a job, and then retire after 50 years of doing the same thing. Then we end up making money for the people that are willing to take risks and buck the system. Why not make that money for yourself instead?

By: Caroline

Caroline — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 15:57:56 +0000

I don’t think any of us will be retiring any time soon:(

By: Chris - Manager's Sandbox

Chris - Manager's Sandbox — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:01:51 +0000

GREAT post Brian!!!

- Chris

By: Creer un site

Creer un site — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 12:48:52 +0000

Retirement is not doin ‘nothing’, but stop working for doing these :-)

And we would like that happen sooner than those who work 40h/week :-D