ASU2003

After I buy a new laptop next week, I will be living the life I imagined that I would have 10 years ago (minus 1 loving girlfriend). Yet I don't know where to go from here. I could take some risks and be innovative or creative and try to make more money, and retire in 5 years (and have enough money to migrate to South America/Australia from Halloween to May). Or, I could continue to play it safe at my current job, saving my money, paying down the mortgage, and live a comfortable yet semi-uninteresting life.

Then again, the only reason I want to make money now if for the social safety net, and to be able to choose what I do in life, not to show off.

I want to be the type of person who can go backpacking around Europe with hardly any money, yet with lots of friends. I would have been too afraid of 'something' to have done that if I was given the chance when I was unemployed and had very little. I would have rather sat in my apartment than go to different hostels, meet new people, and actually work day jobs when I could. Yet, 'society' wouldn't see that as 'successful' would they?

The question I am asking myself if what number do I need to reach before I can say, "I have enough money". I'm no where close to this number yet, and it usually goes down every year. I don't need $100 million or even $10 million.

Have you ever thought about retiring early, or trying to reach a set number (and then being happy and quitting) instead of "getting rich"? Did you get your job because that is what people are supposed to do? Is your life going in the right direction, or do you not have any direction? Would you be ok if your partner quit by the time they were 45 because your lifestyle together doesn't cost very much?