Henk's journey thru life

Where are you and where are you going?
DutchGirl
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Re: Henk's journey thru life

Post by DutchGirl »

You still have a few months left to get used to the idea. And yes, it's scary. But really, it's your life, and you've got enough of a parachute to take that jump and see what life can be like outside of the golden cage.

I lost a colleague of mine a week ago now. He was 55 years old, and on Sunday morning his wife woke up and found him dead next to her. No previous signs of trouble that I know of. He was an amazing guy, he was a great colleague, he knew so much about our particular work, he was always ready to help me out if I needed help, he was somewhat like a mentor to me. The company is going to miss him, but my heart aches even more for his wife and his two adult sons, who are now suddenly having to make do without their husband and dad. I sincerely hope that he liked his life, and also that he liked working right until the last few weeks of his life (last time I met him at work was the day before Christmas). But for him I wish he also had enjoyed some retirement, some freedom from work, and some freedom to explore his other interests. Of course I would also have wished for a longer life for him, so that he could grow old with his wife and be a father to his children for much longer.

Life is short, Henk, and sometimes it's just unfair how terribly short it is. Go on and enjoy it for as long as it lasts, and maybe your future life includes some kind of work or work projects anyway, but maybe it doesn't and life is great without it.

Hankaroundtheworld
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Joined: Mon Feb 24, 2014 4:50 am

Re: Henk's journey thru life

Post by Hankaroundtheworld »

Thanks @DutchGirl and also sorry for your colleague. I also have seen many examples of nice people (including my parents) that have died early in life, and it is always a reminder how unfair life can be. I agree, this step of ERM will be good, and I checked reactions of people when I was in the Netherlands during my break. Most people were positive (perhaps a bit jealous sometimes), and many were very curious why I am able (financially speaking) to stop regular work at 49 this year :-) Some were warning that I should keep myself busy otherwise I will get "old" quickly, haha, they should read this ERE book (which I always recommend). But in general, almost to defend myself (but more to avoid too many questions), I told everyone that I will go on a sabbatical year to find new routes in life, and that I still might have to work in future again (at least part-time). Perhaps that might be true, but only if I really want, there is no need for a golden chain anymore (unless the world financial system collapses).

Hankaroundtheworld
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Re: Henk's journey thru life

Post by Hankaroundtheworld »

Started with renovation of our new farmhouse in Hungary, well remotely, we only see pictures getting thru of the Contractor about the progress, and it is great to see our new future to get into shape. The last months at work are okay, still making trips (usual mode of operation), and it feels kind of relaxed to meet Customers, talk about the business, while you know you will not be there anymore to see Projects getting delivered once sold :-)
Money-wise everything looks great for starting ER(M), let's hope the markets keep it cool this year, but what can you do, just have to accept life as it is, and be diversified in investments. More interestingly is what I will do with my free time, besides "working" in my small vineyard by next year, I have started "programming" again, that is my "technical" heart, just re-connecting to the fun I had with it when I was younger, and that is 25 years ago. I am thinking to take on some "home automation" projects (programming in Python and control those smart meters and systems nowadays for your home). Making trips will also remain, but it will be different, for instance, looking forward to "slow" travel for 4 Months thru Italy, etc... that feeling that you do not have to go back to work, and if you like where you are on your trip, you just stay a bit longer before you move to a new location, great!

Hankaroundtheworld
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Re: Henk's journey thru life

Post by Hankaroundtheworld »

Not sure how other people deal with the flow of information everyday, especially the "negative" news, like with ISIS, or what is happening in Russia, or the potential next crisis in Banking system, our climate impact by humans, you name it .... Of course, all of this news is somewhat colored by whoever is creating this, and you need to filter, balance or blur it a bit ... However, I am more and more thinking to cut myself of the "news", at least on daily basis, may be only see a summary per Month, and for the rest focus on what is important in your own small life around you (the zone that you can influence, outside your personal zone it is anyway impossible to influence and it will only frustrate you).

Anyway, I just took on a online course in Astronomy (via Coursera), and that takes me beyond Earth, very relaxing to see all these Humble space pictures of far-away Galaxies :-) Perhaps a good escape, and also a good course, by the way

leeholsen
Posts: 325
Joined: Tue Apr 16, 2013 6:38 pm

Re: Henk's journey thru life

Post by leeholsen »

Hankaroundtheworld wrote:Not sure how other people deal with the flow of information everyday, especially the "negative" news, like with ISIS, or what is happening in Russia, or the potential next crisis in Banking system, our climate impact by humans, you name it .... Of course, all of this news is somewhat colored by whoever is creating this, and you need to filter, balance or blur it a bit ... However, I am more and more thinking to cut myself of the "news", at least on daily basis, may be only see a summary per Month, and for the rest focus on what is important in your own small life around you (the zone that you can influence, outside your personal zone it is anyway impossible to influence and it will only frustrate you).

Anyway, I just took on a online course in Astronomy (via Coursera), and that takes me beyond Earth, very relaxing to see all these Humble space pictures of far-away Galaxies :-) Perhaps a good escape, and also a good course, by the way

I second your 1st paragraph. After spending many years following 2008 financial crisis getting news that the world's going to fall to pieces, I finally had enough starting last year; it just gets too depressing on a regular basis. my only concern(because its about the only thing that will affect me or I can affect) is my financial situation; which is why I've departed from going ere and decided to just be a minimalist. I figure there's a good chance the world will have to resolve its debt issues in my lifetime and if that means they start seizing assets, i'll be okay considering I live below the poverty line now and have a stem degree.

That astronomy course is a good escape and you can literally get lost in science news sites like science daily which is a lot more interesting than the do nothings in elected offices, I have chosen books(reading better than a book a week this year) and local travel as mine.

BTW, did you know the earth has a force field ? http://www.colorado.edu/news/releases/2 ... bove-earth

mxlr650
Posts: 165
Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2011 9:33 pm

Re: Henk's journey thru life

Post by mxlr650 »

Not sure how other people deal with the flow of information everyday, especially the "negative" news, like with ISIS, or what is happening in Russia, or the potential next crisis in Banking system, our climate impact by humans, you name it .... Of course, all of this news is somewhat colored by whoever is creating this, and you need to filter, balance or blur it a bit ... However, I am more and more thinking to cut myself of the "news", at least on daily basis, may be only see a summary per Month
The Economist is nice since it gives a summary of week's news. Its pretty cheap - like an year subscription for 3k miles. AFAIAC, is no news that is worth following every day.

Hankaroundtheworld
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Joined: Mon Feb 24, 2014 4:50 am

Re: Henk's journey thru life

Post by Hankaroundtheworld »

I figure there's a good chance the world will have to resolve its debt issues in my lifetime and if that means they start seizing assets, i'll be okay considering I live below the poverty line now and have a stem degree.
Interesting viewpoint, and I tend to agree, it might still take 10 years or so, but someday somebody needs to pay the bill of all this debt, and I bet that it is the "common people", not the rich. Currently the world is busy expanding "easy cash" (debt via QE or lower interest rates) even further in every region, it is a like a big race of who can create more cash/debt and inject it in the assets (although mostly not adding value, like in stock market). Nobody knows for sure how this will explode and how long it will take, it is far too complex to predict. Just for fun, I talked with a Russian colleague/friend (in Moscow) how are things perceived from Russia. First of all, he changed his mind abt Putin, half-year ago he was not happy with Putin, but now he thinks, it is better to have a Putin with balls than other leaders....and on financial front, they believe in Russia that USA is about to collapse, he mentioned 700 trillion in Credit Swaps (like with Citi bank) that are about to explode, etc... so he felt safe in Russia with oil/gas reserve, etc.. Funny, everyone creates their own reality from the news, culture and background you come from.
I hope that it is "only" seizing assets when debt situation unfolds, not war....but I do not believe it will be peaceful. There is only a thin layer of false perception of safety, it can easily turn into chaos ... (several cases have proven this, imagine if this happens on global scale when people have no money anymore for food, we were close in 2008 to reach this level of chaos, nobody realizes). So, concluding for now, quickly go to my small haven in Hungary, and hope chaos will be limited over there. In the meantime, you have to live a normal life, haha, good luck to all of us.

leeholsen
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Joined: Tue Apr 16, 2013 6:38 pm

Re: Henk's journey thru life

Post by leeholsen »

Hankaroundtheworld wrote:
I figure there's a good chance the world will have to resolve its debt issues in my lifetime and if that means they start seizing assets, i'll be okay considering I live below the poverty line now and have a stem degree.

I hope that it is "only" seizing assets when debt situation unfolds, not war....but I do not believe it will be peaceful. There is only a thin layer of false perception of safety, it can easily turn into chaos ... (several cases have proven this, imagine if this happens on global scale when people have no money anymore for food, we were close in 2008 to reach this level of chaos, nobody realizes). So, concluding for now, quickly go to my small haven in Hungary, and hope chaos will be limited over there. In the meantime, you have to live a normal life, haha, good luck to all of us.
yes, many hysterical sites and people are predicting worldwide chaos; I do not; when the countries that are financially irresponsible have to become responsible. I mean in the great depression, most people just went along with the tough times. i'm more worried as a relatively little guy that I do not have the assets to defend myself. the govt seized gold in the depression and its financial problems are much greater today.

Hankaroundtheworld
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Re: Henk's journey thru life

Post by Hankaroundtheworld »

@leeholsen I do hope so, but there are some differences with previous depression periods
* First of all, we now have more than 7 billion people, and still growing to 10 billion (+/- by 2050)
* Society is more mixed now because of globalization (already more tension worldwide between communities)
* Strong urbanization (going to 75%) --> this does not allow alternatives for people if money runs out, like farming ...
* News spread more quickly nowadays

Together this means, in my humble opinion, that it is more unstable than it was before (in other depressions). If debt expansion explodes, it will not be a few countries like Greece that needs to restructure, it will be a worldwide problem. You saw what happened in Middle East and North Africa when the price of food staples went up, it resulted in chaos, imagine that there is not enough money anymore to buy food ... Actually in 2008, the world was close to such a scenario, people in financial sector agree to that (anonymously)

I do try to avoid the fear-mongering hysterical sites, as this does not help, but there is some truth in the unstable situation that we are facing, not only from financial stability point of view, also other Earth-wide problems. I also read a lot about positive scenario's and many are focused on "innovate yourself out of troubles", or a belief that Technology will save us. For sure, there is a chance that Technology could further accelerate and solve some of the issues, but will it be quick enough?

There is a growing movement in the Netherlands that is focusing on restructuring society(bottom-up), which is positive, but I have traveled the world (just back from India), and what I see.... i do not think many countries have this luxury of "slowly changing from the inside", there are not enough incentives for people daily trying to survive on a few dollars....

Hankaroundtheworld
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Re: Henk's journey thru life

Post by Hankaroundtheworld »

Still around, but less frequently, which is to be expected if ER is around the corner. My wife and I are still very happy with our choice to create a homebase in south of Hungary, the first renovations are done, and we expect to move by end of year, which is also the end of my Corporate life (cubicle life). As many people have discussed on the forums, it does not really mean "no job anymore", but freedom to choose what I want to do, and I will explore, but first I will focus on renovating my vineyard in Hungary and feel free, think and read, enjoy life, make some trips in Europe, and who knows, I might discover a new journey (in creation of something new). We feel blessed (not religious), both healthy, relative young (49) and happy altogether.

I will keep a record of our spending patterns in Hungary and report it back here, because I believe than many people can find a good and affordable life-style over here in Hungary. So, happy to show this as proof, and may be it helps others.

reepicheep
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Re: Henk's journey thru life

Post by reepicheep »

Henk,

Perhaps you would consider joining us at the ERE meetup in the Netherlands in June? I think it would be inspirational to have someone who has succeeded present.

DutchGirl
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Re: Henk's journey thru life

Post by DutchGirl »

It sounds great, Henk. I really hope that you will enjoy it. Finding cheaper areas is a smart way to help a person have a good life with a bit less money :-)

steveo73
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Re: Henk's journey thru life

Post by steveo73 »

Hankaroundtheworld wrote:As many people have discussed on the forums, it does not really mean "no job anymore", but freedom to choose what I want to do, and I will explore, but first I will focus on renovating my vineyard in Hungary and feel free, think and read, enjoy life, make some trips in Europe, and who knows, I might discover a new journey (in creation of something new). We feel blessed (not religious), both healthy, relative young (49) and happy altogether.
Sounds freaken fantastic.

Hankaroundtheworld
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Re: Henk's journey thru life

Post by Hankaroundtheworld »

reepicheep wrote:Henk,

Perhaps you would consider joining us at the ERE meetup in the Netherlands in June? I think it would be inspirational to have someone who has succeeded present.
I would love to, but I am not based in the Netherlands, and I only visit it once per year. But good initiative, by the way, where is this communicated, I did not see this announced somewhere?

I also feel that I am not a "pure" ERE evangelist. I am just lucky that my wife and I were reasonable frugal, and that I was able to work abroad, and that has forced us to build up our own Pension strategy and budget (no Company pension and no AOW - Social Security for us). Working abroad also helped not to get into a habit of buying bigger houses or bigger/fancy cars, etc... in other words, we became free of debt quite quickly. If we would have stayed in the Netherlands, I wonder if I would have reached ER by now.

However, would love to share my story and the pro's can con's of my path to freedom along the way, but I am just honest that I have not fulfilled the full promise of an ERE strategy. I am basically still learning. This move to Hungary is part of the plan, and I still have to expand my skill-set to do more myself, create multiple income streams (instead of a job), etc...

Quadalupe
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Re: Henk's journey thru life

Post by Quadalupe »

Hi Henk,

I've just read to your journal from the beginning and it was a very interesting and inspiring read! It sounds as if you are in a good place right now, both location-wise and mentally.

The meeting was discussed at viewtopic.php?f=5&t=6213. If you change your mind, I don't think it would be a problem if you'd tag along after all.

And don't worry to much about it, I think everyone implements the ERE strategy in a different way. It's very instructive (for me at least) to learn about different implementations.

reepicheep
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Joined: Mon Dec 29, 2014 7:45 am

Re: Henk's journey thru life

Post by reepicheep »

@Henk,

Meetup is here: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=6213

There wasn't an official announcement, per se. We'd love to have you, but I understand that the logistics may be too much. :-)

Hankaroundtheworld
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Re: Henk's journey thru life

Post by Hankaroundtheworld »

Quadalupe wrote: And don't worry to much about it, I think everyone implements the ERE strategy in a different way. It's very instructive (for me at least) to learn about different implementations.
Agreed, and that made me think again about what ERE means for me: I also looked at the different forum discussions, and what I like is (close to my feeling):
* The mental part of ERE = "Being free to live the life that you want", which goes together with being "permanently independent". It sounds simple, but it is actually not easy (at least not to me, and I guess, the same for many). Typically, an engineering approach is to split a complex goal into sub-goals that can be reached more easily, like (a) being free "money-wise" by solving the spending and income part balance, and save enough for FU-Money (b) enhance your skill set - permanent learning, etc... but still in the end, it all comes down to "to feel free and live the life that you want".

Looking at my journal, it seems I have focused more on becoming FI than focusing on this ERE goal as described above, and this is not without reason. It is easier to achieve FI than to reach "living the life that you want". Also, "reaching FI" is something you can easily share with others (as a strategy how to reach it), while "living the life that you want" is very personal.

I always have struggled with the goal of "the life that you want". In the end, I think like myself, many people just do their best and follow a life path that is kind of acceptable in the society that they were born, and how they were raised. "Being free" seems more a "born" feature, like how your mind is structured, than that you can learn to feel that way (of course, you can take many courses, mindfulness, yoga, you name it, but that is also not an easy route and with guarantees). Besides the "free mind", you can also have a strong passion, and that gives purpose in life, which itself makes you feel "you are living the life that you want". However, looking around me, I do not see many people with a strong passion (and how they get into the "flow" that it brings you infinite energy when you follow your passion).

So, in the end, I made the decision to ensure I can reach FI, and then stop doing things that I do not like (anymore), so I can create more time/space to try out new routes in life. So, from that angle, I have not reached the full ERE potential yet, but being FI helps me to free myself from the "clutter" in life, and work more towards that goal of "being free to live the life that you want"

A Life of FI
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Re: Henk's journey thru life

Post by A Life of FI »

Good observation Hank - I think a lot people probably take the same path as you, first reach FI and then after this try to reach the full potential of ERE/their full potential. For most/many people maybe its just necessary to first secure some type of ongoing self sustaining financial security before they feel they can turn their attention to focusing on deeper things.

Hankaroundtheworld
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Joined: Mon Feb 24, 2014 4:50 am

Re: Henk's journey thru life

Post by Hankaroundtheworld »

Long time, I am a bit in anticipation of starting my ER part of life, which is planned for end of year. I will visit in Hungary in coming Months to verify the 2nd phase of renovations, so that we are ready to move our stuff over there in 1Q of 2016. I feel at ease with the whole situation of ending my job, both financially as mentally. I made so many plans already for ER life, that I have enough to do for the first 5 years :-), and I expect a lot more ideas will come when I am really free. Time has slowed down at the moment, probably because I want to move, and then you start counting the days.

Following the Greek situation, I just read a story of a group of 30ers of which more than half has no real income (job), and they were sitting on a terrace in Athens, having a coffee, nice view, and were discussing their lives before and after the crisis. Many came to the conclusion that having friendships and enjoying a coffee & talks together on a nice terrace, was all to make them feel happy and appreciating life. Some were describing their pre-crisis of life in which they would not even blink their eyes for buying new shoes of 250 USD, or borrowing money to go on a far-away trip, but bottom-line, they did not really need that.

I liked the story, as it shows how people can get lost in consumption-lifestyle, but without realizing that most of it, did not really add value to their lives, and somehow the Greek crisis was needed to open up their eyes. This is typical of human beings, we always need a strong external impulse or stimuli to change our perceptions, regardless what triggered it (could be illness, crisis, death of friend/family, lost job, divorce, accident .... so yes, most of the time, it is a negative impulse that creates the biggest impact). Once eyes are opened, People see better and appreciate better what they really value.

I cannot help to think about the balance of this for our current Economical system. If people would be happy with less, it means the Economy will be impacted (more than 50% is related to consumption, and more and more is based on creating Debt). So, less consumption, is less or no growth, is less jobs, less spending, etc... and you get into a negative spiral. Somehow we need to define a better Economical system that is tuned to this situation (I cannot remember if Jacob has described this in his book). There are also other reasons for this, well known, like scarcity of resources (our planet basically) and the impact we create as humans (our destructive footprint on this earth). But, I like the focus on "value", what makes you happy and how to avoid artificial pitfalls.

Nothing new to the community on this forum, I know, it is more that I like to think about it and see the beauty. Similar for instance to the beauty of Evolution, if you see how it works, then you like to see the beauty of it in more examples (i can never stop reading about it, or see more documentaries about it).

Anyway, as promised, I will write more once I made the step to ER life, and report back how that would unfold in Hungary and all the planned adventures.

Hankaroundtheworld
Posts: 470
Joined: Mon Feb 24, 2014 4:50 am

Re: Henk's journey thru life

Post by Hankaroundtheworld »

Some dream-time at work (final last Months), checking my expected "ER Income" from 2016 onwards:

Expected situation January 2016:
(A) Mixed Funds : 50% of total assets : withdraw 2000 / Month
(B) Real-Estate : 25% of total assets : delivers 2100 / Month (net rental income)
(C) Cash assets : 25% of total assets : delivers 400 / Month
TOTAL BUDGET / MONTH 4500 / Month (for couple)

This budget includes everything for a couple: normal living costs, insurances, transport, slow-travel vacations, etc.. The expected rental income is really "net", all maintenance is taken off, including a buffer for loss during vacancies and potential renovations. The "income withdrawal" from Mixed-funds is relative low compared to Rental income, but I expect no miracles in Stock-market in coming 20 years (the world is still adapting to lower Growth). Of course, if Technology breakthroughs deliver unexpected Growth the coming 20 years, this could be a nice buffer, but I see no clear signs yet (unless you believe that the singularity dream comes true).

Do we need 4500 / Month for a couple? Not in Hungary itself, the Rental Income of 2100 / Month would probably be more than enough, at least for the basics in life. As I need a good car over there (living remotely), I am planning a max budget of 2800 / Month for Hungary (all-in), so the rest can be used for "slow travel" around the world (expect 3-4 Months per year as long as we are healthy). Of course, if the Stock Market goes wrong the coming years, then we step back from our planned budget of 4500, and live on 2800 only.

I am curious what reality will be from 2016 onward, and in the end, more related to quality of life than financially.

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