ERE under fire!!!

MarylandX · Post by **MarylandX** » Tue Oct 25, 2011 2:06 am

Despite this article, I'd love to be retired!
http://www.financialsamurai.com/2010/04 ... s-dangers/

m741 · Post by **m741** » Tue Oct 25, 2011 3:21 am

Yawn. The author suggests that quitting your job is the equivalent of giving up on life, because what is life without work? Personally, I think that continuing to work for someone else is giving up on life's possibilities.
If he's happy working, good for him. But if you're happy working, why would you consider early retirement. The only 'risk' that I would consider valid is the 'employment gap' one. Even then, I don't think it's so bad. In at least some professions it's possible to stay very sharp even without working.

Skinnyneo · Post by **Skinnyneo** » Tue Oct 25, 2011 3:38 am

This writer really goes out of his way to make ERE sound like a sin! It's socially irresponsible he says? What having time to raise your children, not be avid consumer, and not run the earth into the ground is irresponsible? Maybe ERE isn't for him but that doesn't mean it can't work for others.

C40 · Post by **C40** » Tue Oct 25, 2011 3:50 am

If you read some of the other posts there it becomes clear very quickly that the author is just writing in an attempt to gain as many viewers as possible to generate blog revenue. The posts take a one-sided view on nearly every post in an attempt to generate a lot of comments. Not much use reading that blog unless you want advice on stuff like why hiring a very expensive personal trainer is worth it because she looks hot and motivates you to work out.
http://www.financialsamurai.com/2011/01 ... l-trainer/
http://www.financialsamurai.com/2010/11 ... orts-club/
That said, when I looked through the blog for these posts to link, I did see some interesting looking titles on the first page. Maybe the blog is better now (?).. though the post about ER was from his "definitely bad" period..

Surio · Post by **Surio** » Tue Oct 25, 2011 3:51 am

Sam's "funny"! I had a run-in with him in the comments when that article came out in 2010. I find it very hard to take him seriously. Not even sure if he is deliberately traffic trolling or if he genuinely likes writing articles like that (Anyone read his take on the Wall St. Protests, BTW?). FWIW, this was the response I wrote in reply:
http://sawbonessurio.wordpress.com/2010 ... etirement/
And Ryan Martin linked to what I wrote and wrote a rebuttal of his own:

http://www.lifestyleshock.com/2010/06/0 ... -your-way/
Sam's article is full of recieved PWE bunk.
In praise of idleness: http://sawbonessurio.wordpress.com/2011 ... -idleness/

PWE and jungle book: http://sawbonessurio.wordpress.com/2011 ... m-and-pwe/

mikenotspam · Post by **mikenotspam** » Tue Oct 25, 2011 4:52 am

I haven't read anything else, so can't comment on his typical writing style, but found some good points in there. I might not believe in them myself, but not totally worth dismissing.
One thing he mentions, though, as a reason NOT to retire, is one of the reasons I can't wait to do it. When he speaks of artists or musicians just stopping their work, and thus giving up their potential, I find that hilarious. I dream of the days I'll be unfettered by administrative aspects of my various jobs, and I can devote a good block of time to practicing for the love of it, not for the deadline/necessity of it.
As a musician, retirement to me doesn't mean withdrawal, just the time to focus on only the best, fulfilling "jobs" available to me. I can't imagine a better situation for artistic development.

rcamp · Post by **rcamp** » Tue Oct 25, 2011 11:05 am

I took the bait. Can I have that 25 seconds of my life back ?
Even though the article seemed more to troll for eyeballs, the redeeming factor was the comments, summarily saying "Nope, your wrong".
Breakfast time.

Post by **jacob** » Tue Oct 25, 2011 9:49 pm

I share Surio's impression. I can't tell if Sam is serious about he says (he seems to be smart enough to know better) or simply bsing/trolling for comments. Nonetheless, he's very good at it

chilly · Post by **chilly** » Wed Oct 26, 2011 1:28 am

I agree on the troll bait...

He's not ridiculous... there are rational points as well as some that make me want to cut him short. A perfect mix for a smart guy trying to drum up some traffic.