Hey folks! I’ve got a fantastic piece of news to share with you today. My primary care physician is gearing up for an early retirement next year. That’s another person stepping away from the hustle and bustle of work—truly inspiring. Back in 2012, I decided to retire from my engineering job and found myself needing a new doctor closer to home. To my surprise, Dr. C recognized me from my blog, Retire by 40, which was quite popular during those times. We ended up chatting about early retirement for a bit before diving into healthcare discussions. Dr. C has been an outstanding doctor, but recent changes in the healthcare system have made life tougher for family doctors.
These days, primary care doctors face overwhelming patient loads and earn less than their specialist counterparts. On top of that, they drown in paperwork and bureaucracy, which discourages many medical students from pursuing careers in primary care. For them, with student loans looming large, specializing seems a more lucrative path. That’s unfortunate because having a dedicated primary care doctor like Dr. C has been invaluable to me over the years. I’m hopeful about finding a good replacement next year, though word is that it’s tougher than ever to do so, given the shortage of primary care physicians in the U.S.
With Dr. C about to embark on this new journey, I want to offer some advice for a fulfilling early retirement. Dr. C is thrifty, doesn’t have kids, and has a spouse who works, so it’s safe to say their finances should be in good shape. The bigger challenge, however, might be adjusting to the new lifestyle. Retiring always requires an adjustment period, no matter your age.
### Stay Busy
My best piece of advice for Dr. C is to find ways to stay engaged after retirement. Many people envision a laid-back lifestyle when they retire, but that’s often not how it turns out. Sure, indulging in Netflix marathons and gaming sessions is fun on weekends, but doing so every day can quickly lead to boredom and feelings of purposelessness, especially for those who retire young. It’s crucial to find productive ways to spend your time.
Starting with a stretch of relaxation is perfectly fine and necessary after a demanding career, but planning for the future is equally important. Take up hobbies or projects that ignite your passion. Staying active is vital for a happy retirement. Here’s how I’ve spent my own years post-retirement.
### Being a SAHD, Blogging, and Side Hustles
When I retired in 2012, life was quite busy since my son was just a toddler at 18 months. Taking care of him was exhausting but delightful as well. We enjoyed exploring Portland together—it’s changed a lot since then. During this time, blogging was a bit on the backburner until my son’s school years began.
Once he started school, I gained more free time and ramped up my blogging efforts. It’s been rewarding and has inspired many readers. Achieving early retirement is doable if you’re disciplined with your finances.
I also picked up various side hustles during my downtime. Charging scooters and delivering food were among them. These activities not only kept me occupied but also helped ease the transition by supplementing my income. Over time, I became more selective with my side gigs, refusing to step out for anything less than $30 an hour.
### Moving Towards Full Retirement
These engagements have kept me occupied since stepping away from engineering. However, they are gradually winding down now.
My son, RB40Jr, is becoming more independent as a teenager and needs me less. I spend a lot of time chauffeuring him around to different activities, but he’s quickly taking charge of his own transport. With high school around the corner, he’ll be biking more often, and in a few years, he’ll head to college, marking the end of my stay-at-home dad days.
Blogging remains a passion project but has slowed considerably. My obsession with FIRE has dimmed as we’ve reached our financial goals and have less money-related stress. Nowadays, I prefer to enjoy life more broadly without the frugality of before.
Side gigs have also become less enticing. Initially, app-based jobs like Uber and DoorDash paid well, but earnings diminished over time as they strove for profitability. Now, I focus on catering orders which pay decently but are less frequent. Cutting back suits me fine, and I suspect my selective accepting of gigs has tweaked the algorithm against me.
### Keeping Active in Retirement
So, what do I plan to do when all these activities draw to a close? Am I going to kick back and relax by the pool? Not quite! Staying busy brings me joy, plus, we don’t own a pool.
Lately, I’ve been exploring pottery and playing the ukulele at the community center—both incredibly entertaining. While our house lacks space for a ceramic studio, perhaps one day that will change.
I’m also diving into the world of bonsai. Making bonsai pots in ceramics class was fascinating, and I’m eager to nurture seedlings next spring. Life teems with opportunities if you’re willing to seek them out. A fulfilling retirement is one with plenty of activities to keep you engaged.
That’s what I’ll suggest to Dr. C: enjoy a few months of relaxation, then venture into new pursuits. Growing and learning new skills are key to a satisfying retirement. Next time I see Dr. C, I’ll bring along the community center’s course catalog—there’s an array of classes to try, including weaving and metalworking. Volunteering is another fantastic avenue to explore.
Do you have any advice for Dr. C? What do you believe is essential for a happy retirement?
