I’m lazy. Everyone knows it. Nothing pleases me more than the knowledge that I don’t have to work. I also like money, which is why I have detailed retirement plans to make myself secure for old age. Alas, these two urges – love for money and laziness – contradict each other. If I wasn’t lazy, I would work hard for a few years and enjoy the rest of my life. If I didn’t love money, I wouldn’t work so hard (comparatively) to secure my future. Aaaaah!
My retirement age is set for 55. By that time my savings would be around 6-7 Cr. which would equate to 1 Cr. in today’s value. Meaning I can peacefully live off the interest forever and ever. But…I’m only 30 right now! I have 25 years of work left. Good god! How am I going to stand it? I can’t…I can’t. I have to!
As of now this is my biggest problem in life. A world consuming, day blackening, sitting heavily on my shoulders kind of problem. The only reprieve is the two days I get off every week and then back to the grindstone again. 2 hours every day :( . It’s enough to make me throw my hands up in despair and wonder whether any of this is worth it.
How do others keep silent? Many work far harder than me for longer hours, in more stressful jobs and don’t complain about the years stretching away ahead of them. Am I just lazier than them? Do they not like to think of the future and prefer to just take each day as it comes? Maybe their work is interesting! But few people truly enjoy their work – most do it out of compulsion. So why is it me that complains the loudest?
And these are the best years of my life I’m spending working. No body ache, or joint pain, or weakness. It should be the other way around! These should be carefree happy years with no worries about getting up in the morning, and no pressure. Reality is all screwed up. Is there any wonder I turn to the virtual world for some sanity?
I know what you’re thinking. “Life’s tough bub!” Yeah, don’t I know it. But that doesn’t mean I can’t bitch and groan all the way right? I mean unless people like me take the effort of trying to find a way out and making our lives work free, how will we ever reach that oh-so-highly-desirable state? Maybe one day…one far distant silvery day in the future…we’ll have advanced sufficiently in AI and robotics to have machines grow our food, build houses, and cater to every whim and fancy. Maybe even wipe my butt. Everything will be available in abundance and free since money itself will have no value. But I won’t live to see that shining dawn. Oh woe is me!
Why not simply work less and buy less stuff? I see people that straight up don’t own furniture, they go to the library for entertainment (all free), all their food is purchased at the 99 cents only stores, live with mom and dad, etc etc.
Minimalist living basically keeps you from the grind and enjoying the little things in life. I mean my entertainment is sitting outside for a good 2 hours, that is it. Its free.
In reply to Western Point of View
Yes the minimalist living is good. However I noticed that the harder i work, the more urge to spend more money on entertainment. The lesser i work the less urge to spend money. Maybe i am hopelessly trying to find enjoyment by throwing money when working hard.
In reply to rajendra
See, most entertainment already is forbidden for me here in the West (I’m Muslim) so that in itself is a cost saver–no drinking, dancing, dating and all of that other stupid stuff that is useless and gets people nowhere.
How can you entertain yourself? Go to the library–free books, movies, etc. Spend time with the family at the local park. Work out (don’t need weights). Make household chores a fun activity. Gardening. Cook. Religious activities with the fam.
I work about 9 hours a day and I commute to and from my work about 1 hour each way, yet I have no need to “spend more.”
I think I have finally found a brother in you in terms of how I feel about working. Honestly, I work less than a lot of people and still complain about having to work at all. :D Not working is not an option because even though I am not a big spender, I need a sense of future security at all times. I am 29, and want to retire at 45, which may be too soon. My husband and I dont want kids so may be that’s one less financial worry. But I must really create a retirement plan like yours asap.
Is this your solo financial plan or joint? If it’s solo, man you have already earned a LOT. Any tips to get started on a retirement plan? I don’t know where and how to begin. :(
In reply to madetomisfit
Lazy people unite!
Currently my financial plan is solo. My wife has her own savings and we keep them separate. I presume you’ve already seen my latest progress? This post we’re commenting on is 2 years old. Here’s the update for 2015: http://www.bhagwad.com/blog/2015/personal/financial-matters/my-net-worth-hits-50-lakhs-retire-in-3-years.html/
As for tips…not sure where to start. For me, it doesn’t get simpler. Save as much as possible and shovel money into mutual funds and the stock market. You can see from the screenshots which funds I use…
In reply to bhagwad
Yep yep. Read your latest post (and am super-impressed) and came here from there. So far I have been just saving money in my savings account, which is pretty much useless in terms of benefits. I really need to learn a bit about mutual funds. Should be a better starting point than shares for me I guess, given that I know nothing about the stock market (or mutual funds for that matter).
In reply to madetomisfit
Mutual funds are a nice safe way to invest. The fund manager deals with all the hassles of actual investing. If you want a nice safe plan, start with the Franklin Templeton Bluechip Fund. You can see from my screenshots that I’ve used it a lot myself.
In reply to bhagwad
Awesome! Thank you!