We are mad. That is what they think, through and through. No second thoughts, no “Hey, is that even possible?”, it’s a straight and clear-cut – You are mad! *speaking of Mad, anyone remember the Mad magazine? The cover pic for our post today is a bit of a tribute to a classic piece of word
“Are you too young to retire?”
“Are you sure you have enough money?”
“It is a BAD idea”
“You have kids, you know. You better think properly” (the very Asian way of speaking!)
This was back when we started floating the idea of FIRE and our grand plans. Of course at this point, we are not exactly at a point of total FI to be able to have the option to RE. We’re pursuing our grand adventure (after the initial failed attempt due to unexpected developments!) instead and perhaps is more aptly called, as Tim Ferriss created and defined it in his book “The 4-Hour Workweek.”, a Mini Retirement.
The opinion of our family has not changed though. Tomayyyto, tomahhhto!
Can you blame them? We certainly don’t, hell I think we’re mad as well. Good mad though, very good mad.
Both our families come from different backgrounds and philosophies about life and money but fundamentally very Asian and very prudent and perhaps very correct! Our chosen path is not without risks but it’s a very calculated risk and it sits within our risk appetite.
Everything we have said and done to assuage their fears have not helped. I asked Mr.C a couple of days back, “Hey what else do you think would help with putting our folks at ease with our plans?”
Mr.C “If I could show them that we’re sitting on $10m”.
Well we’re not. All we are, are a bunch of young adults with boisterous kids with a fire in our belly that spells adventure and a unquenchable thirst to live and learn continuously through classrooms outside walls. We’re also young adults with a solid financial plan that caters for Plan A: The Dream and Plan B:The Bare Minimum numbers.
Are our folks convinced? Nah, worry is in the nature of parenting and a sign of care (best way to look at it) and again I don’t blame them. I love them for it 😉 Are they right? Perhaps. Are we going ahead? You bet 😉
