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Luvnlifelady
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 289,166
December 2006
Posts: 17,311
Layouts: 7
Loc: Southern California
 |  Posted: 2/5/2013 10:13:17 AM
I think DH is having a combination of looking towards middle age (he's 46) and hating his job of doing the 8-5 thing in a cubicle. He longs to get out and do something interesting/meaningful.
He's mentioned in passing wanting to walk across the country or be a missionary. I know it's just a fantasy, but have you known anyone that has done it? I've read/heard about people that sell everything or use storage and hit the road for a year with family.
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Deena714
Half of NSBR's favorite power couple
PeaNut 64,257
January 2003
Posts: 18,886
Layouts: 88
Loc: Your Mom's house
 | Posted: 2/5/2013 10:50:08 AM
I haven't gone that far, but we did make changes to our lifestyle so that I no longer had to work full time. We just cut a lot of extras, even though we live in the same house, drive the same cars. We made good decisions years ago so we can afford the basics on one salary.
I took about six months off to get my head figured out, and I do currently work part time.
The difference for me on a mental health level is remarkable. It was so worth it. I'm so thankful that my husband was (and is) so supportive. |
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shutterbugmom27
BucketHead
PeaNut 70,995
February 2003
Posts: 874
Layouts: 1
Loc: Fraggle Rock
| Posted: 2/5/2013 10:50:51 AM
I hope that is me and my husband one day. As soon as the kids are all gone, that is the plan. We shall see what real life says once we get there LOL |
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Runner5
Pea All You Can Pea!
PeaNut 36,843
April 2002
Posts: 16,616
Layouts: 25
 | Posted: 2/5/2013 10:53:36 AM
I did but that was a fairly easy change as we both planned, worked, and saved to make that goal happen.
A lot of people have done it though ... you read about people either retiring early or making it in their chosen endeavors all the time. |
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Darcy_Collins
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 514,615
July 2011
Posts: 2,110
Layouts: 0
 | Posted: 2/5/2013 10:55:26 AM
I've known a few families that have done it. They did variations of an around the globe trip and took 6-9 months. I can say that if there is one negative I've heard - is that make sure your kids are NOT in high school. My husband and I are considering it when our kids are in middle school.
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Luvnlifelady
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 289,166
December 2006
Posts: 17,311
Layouts: 7
Loc: Southern California
| Posted: 2/5/2013 10:57:17 AM
I like hearing these stories.
As for not being in high school, that seems like a good idea. Our DD is 15 and missed a week for an once in a lifetime extended family trip last fall (ILs paid for it). Trying to catch up proved to be very difficult.
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gar
Whoopea!
PeaNut 172,235
October 2004
Posts: 12,438
Layouts: 0
Loc: England UK
 | Posted: 2/5/2013 11:00:51 AM
A school friend swore he would never get caught up in the rat race. After leaving college he basically bummed around the world, following the sun, teaching surfing or English, picking grapes, working in bars etc etc. He did this until his 40s when the urge to settle down grabbed him, he happened to meet someone and they now live in the UK doing the 'normal' mortgage/2 kids/9-5 thing.
I often wonder if it sits easier for him, having had all those years of NOT being in the rat race.
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"I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours."
Stephen Roberts
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Dalai Mama
La Pea Boheme
PeaNut 49,641
September 2002
Posts: 24,124
Layouts: 85
Loc: Drunk on the lawn in a nuclear dawn
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Luvnlifelady
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 289,166
December 2006
Posts: 17,311
Layouts: 7
Loc: Southern California
| Posted: 2/5/2013 11:14:28 AM
That's interesting that your friend is now doing what he swore he wouldn't.
DH was talking about this very thing last night. He said "why do we do it?" I answered that we are doing it so we can raise the kids and he answered back "so they can then do it?" I said yes as our parents did.
I think he's just looking for something else that will excite him. He has wanderlust to travel and dreams of geoaching all day. I guess that's what retirement is for.
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Mallie
BucketHead
PeaNut 574,604
December 2012
Posts: 684
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 2/5/2013 11:24:23 AM
After leaving college he basically bummed around the world, following the sun, teaching surfing or English, picking grapes, working in bars etc etc. He did this until his 40s when the urge to settle down grabbed him, he happened to meet someone and they now live in the UK doing the 'normal' mortgage/2 kids/9-5 thing.
I often wonder if it sits easier for him, having had all those years of NOT being in the rat race
If I could go back in time, that would be the choice I would make as well. It would have been much smarter to travel when I was younger, in perfect health and could handle sleeping in sleeping bags/cots, was more willing to take cheapo seats/accomodations... | |
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606slz
AncestralPea
PeaNut 59,460
December 2002
Posts: 4,807
Layouts: 35
Loc: Central WI
| Posted: 2/5/2013 11:29:25 AM
No I don't know of anyone....I wish we could though. Dh and I both grew up in this town and we are talking more and more each day how we'd love to move or do something big (open our own business...etc). I am so sick of the rat race too. | |
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WorkingClassDog
Rick Springfield Junkie
PeaNut 78,429
March 2003
Posts: 13,968
Layouts: 5
Loc: Mountain High Pea
| Posted: 2/5/2013 11:42:31 AM
What I would love is to have a simple job, like running a little grocery store or 5 and dime type place, live close by, just work enough hours to pay bills and live simple but could still afford little extras like vacations, in a small cute quaint town. yeah right.. cute quaint towns are expensive!! LOL... I think I read to many romance novels. |
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knit.pea
. cheeky cousin .
PeaNut 158,945
July 2004
Posts: 7,101
Layouts: 112
| Posted: 2/5/2013 11:42:46 AM
Live simplier? ... no.
But a former co-worker (who initially was married,
had a daughter, then divorced) met a new woman
who was VERY well-off.
So he quit work, they travel extensively, meet celebrities,
and he grew his hair past his shoulders.
The pictures he posts are fun, and he looks very happy.
I doubt he will ever need to have a mid-life crisis
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SharlaG
Kingpin of something undisclosed, but important
PeaNut 88,246
May 2003
Posts: 36,335
Layouts: 0
Loc: Under a pile of dogs
 | Posted: 2/5/2013 11:59:56 AM
What I would love is to have a simple job, like running a little grocery store or 5 and dime type place, live close by, just work enough hours to pay bills and live simple but could still afford little extras like vacations, in a small cute quaint town. yeah right.. cute quaint towns are expensive!! LOL... I think I read to many romance novels.
I can't imagine that running a little grocery store would be quaint and relaxing, while allowing the lifestyle that you are describing.
Maybe in Mayberry!  I'm just thinking-- inventory, food regulations, employees... |
--If you see someone crying, ask if it's because of their haircut.
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auntkelly
BOOMER SOONER!
PeaNut 142,266
April 2004
Posts: 8,198
Layouts: 0
Loc: Texas
| Posted: 2/5/2013 11:59:58 AM
I haven't dropped out of the rat race, but my husband and I are planning on exiting a little early. My husband works as a corporate attorney and he loves his job but it is very stressful and requires a lot of travel. I teach business law at a community college, which is not a particularly stressful job, but I don't want to do it forever.
We plan on retiring in two years' when our oldest graduates from college. My husband will be 59 and I'll be 54. I'm trying to talk him into flying to France the day after he retires so that we can walk the El Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James) together. It's a pilgrimage that people have been walking for hundreds of years. It should take us about 35 days or so to walk the portion of the trail we want to take. We'd be staying in hostels along the road-no luxury accomodations. I think it would be a great way to ease into our new life.
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Kelli/Mom
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 21,316
September 2001
Posts: 2,626
Layouts: 29
| Posted: 2/5/2013 12:05:12 PM
One of the history teacher's at my son's school got out of corporate law to teach. He's Harvard-educated and was making big bucks in class-action suits, but his real passion was sitting around with his teenage kids and their friends on a Friday night and discussing history, politics, life, the Universe, and everything, so he gave up his law practice to be one of the best teachers my kid has ever had.
Another one of my son's other teachers gave up being an aerospace engineer to teach high-school math and coach the football team. He's never been happier. | |
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worker-pea
PeaFixture
PeaNut 51,871
October 2002
Posts: 3,569
Layouts: 8
Loc: in the heart of the Emerald City
| Posted: 2/5/2013 1:27:30 PM
I have a close friend that walked away from her career and took up residence in an agricultural part of our state with plans to start a winery. She tends her acreage and horses by day, studies viniculture (and pop culture  -she has to stay connected somehow ) by night. She is fortunate to have a supportive (emotionally, physically and financially) SO who shares her dream. |
MissyH
~~~Tact is for People who aren't Witty Enough to be Sarcastic~~~ | |
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Sister BDSQ
Fatty McWeirdboob
PeaNut 319,914
June 2007
Posts: 11,506
Layouts: 0
Loc: Chicago-ish
 | Posted: 2/5/2013 1:45:53 PM
I knew a couple who checked out, sold their house and are now living on their boat. At some point, they will dock in CA and get a new place to live, but for now, they are just sailing. I told SO that'd be my dream and if we could do it now and let DSD get a wordly education, that'd be perfect. Our boat, however, is a catamaran, so it won't work. HAHA
We've often discussed my dream of owning a roadside drive up motel with a huge shop in the back where he can create glass lamps (which he does now) and other glasss art to sell roadside. | |
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ksuheather
low-information individual
PeaNut 190,373
February 2005
Posts: 7,935
Layouts: 0
Loc: wherever the army sends us
| Posted: 2/5/2013 1:56:18 PM
What I would love is to have a simple job, like running a little grocery store or 5 and dime type place, live close by,
You just described my mom. She works 60+ hours a week at her cute little store in her quaint little town. It may not be the stereotypical "rat race" but it is hard work. |
A veteran is someone who, at one
point in his life, wrote a blank check
made payable to 'The United States of
America ' for an amount of 'up to and including my life.'
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Peal
Hello, is this thing on?
PeaNut 60,761
January 2003
Posts: 8,483
Layouts: 28
Loc: Who's asking?
| Posted: 2/5/2013 2:10:42 PM
A few years ago my cousin and his wife divorced. They have five kids who would have been between 8 and 16 at the time I think. They had always home-schooled them. When they divorced, my cousin moved into a tiny little apartment and his x-wife couldn't keep the house. So she let it go back to the bank, they kept only what would fit inside the van and she and the kids hit the road. Driving all over the country doing some sort of cross between homeschooling and unschooling. Somehow they ended up in Italy for about 4 months, then back to California where she would check in at her job. She was able to mostly telecommute so she was pretty free about where she could go. I've lost track of them so I don't know how that worked out for them. My sister would know, I should ask her.
I'm not sure if that's classified as escaping the rat race. |
Christina
You can't argue with popularity. Well, you could, but you'd be wrong.
My Blog
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pennyring
Thrift Ninja
PeaNut 226,011
October 2005
Posts: 22,406
Layouts: 40
Loc: Rite Aid
 | Posted: 2/5/2013 2:16:02 PM
My sister in law swears she's going to move to a Mexcian resort town and be a bartender.
DH and I work hard, but we also budget really, really nice vacations. So... we always have something to look forward to. I don't really "need" to take six months to see the world because I am seeing it... over my lifetime.
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SDeven
Love Letters Pea
PeaNut 65,852
January 2003
Posts: 28,193
Layouts: 380
Loc: Nashville, TN!
| Posted: 2/5/2013 3:12:56 PM
We call it the "sell everything, move to key west and write the next great american novel" dream. It's a fantasy...which are never as good as you think they will be when they become reality. |
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Swordscrapping
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 98,544
July 2003
Posts: 2,497
Layouts: 40
Loc: FL
| Posted: 2/5/2013 3:25:15 PM
My cousin (single no kids) who had been a repo man just disappeared. None of us heard from him for a couple years...my brother and I sort of thought he was in prison and our uncle just wouldn't tell us!
Turned up years later in a Nat. Geo. documentary about the Appalachian Trail. He's hiked the trail from end to end numerous times and works as a guide. Lives with very little and does what he loves.
Dana
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WorkingClassDog
Rick Springfield Junkie
PeaNut 78,429
March 2003
Posts: 13,968
Layouts: 5
Loc: Mountain High Pea
| Posted: 2/5/2013 4:57:03 PM
I can't imagine that running a little grocery store would be quaint and relaxing, while allowing the lifestyle that you are describing.
Maybe in Mayberry! I'm just thinking-- inventory, food regulations, employees...
Okay kill my dream... LOL... Let's say a quaint little ocean side town and sell tee shirts (and really good ones so I don't have to work 60 hours +)... how about that?? |
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sunny 5
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 472,024
June 2010
Posts: 2,062
Layouts: 0
 | Posted: 2/5/2013 5:20:57 PM
we have several friends who were able to retire early...like at 35. one is supporting tornado chasers..and buys cars for himself...another became a paraglider instructor...
I did this sort of stuff before i was married..worked fire crew, sat in a lookout, built trails, was a ski instructor...fun to do when young.
dh would like to sail away on our boat..and the boat is capable..but I think I would kill him after 6 months.. | |
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msbee
Mommy Peas-alot
PeaNut 100,930
August 2003
Posts: 14,198
Layouts: 118
Loc: nc
| Posted: 2/5/2013 8:34:41 PM
I would like a smallish house in the colo mtns, a big garden, some chickens etc, high speed internet (so I can telecommute)and only go to town a couple of times a month. |
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CADoodlebug
Happy Happy Joy Joy Happy Happy Joy
PeaNut 178,445
November 2004
Posts: 17,064
Layouts: 0
Loc: Northern California
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SMayer
PeaAddict
PeaNut 432,055
July 2009
Posts: 1,503
Layouts: 0
 | Posted: 2/5/2013 9:01:53 PM
I love reading all these stories. Thanks everyone for sharing.
Once upon a time I kind of escaped the rat race. In 2005 I got laid off from a company I thought/hoped I would retire from. I had been there 17 years. My job was stressful especially the last couple of years. I didn't want to get sucked in to that type of all consuming job again, so I really looked at what my interests were and what I wanted to do. I ended up going to culinary school and worked part-time doing food prep. I did that for three years. Then I was offered a temporary three month job in my old field - that's now turned into 4.5 years. I do have plan of escape though. DH is retired and I'll work five more years and then I'll "retire." We plan on selling our house and buying something smaller to use as a "home base", then travel around the US/Canada. | |
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Laura.Jane
PeaNut
PeaNut 554,303
May 2012
Posts: 42
Layouts: 0
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
| Posted: 2/5/2013 9:47:09 PM
I just quit my job as an engineer to stay at home, do a lot of volunteer things, and work part time on a fun for me tiny online business. However, my husband does have a job.
You should read manvsdebt.com. They are traveling the country in an RV with their young daughter.
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Leone
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 27,235
January 2002
Posts: 5,807
Layouts: 0
Loc: Margaritaville at The Islands (Gilbert, AZ)
| Posted: 2/5/2013 9:54:57 PM
Yes...we were able to stop working at 52...the first thing is to not have a mortgage. Secondly, we've always been good about savings. The only thing that has been expensive and difficult is having to get your own health insurance. | |
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SweetiePie Pea
a Wild Strawberry
PeaNut 98,374
July 2003
Posts: 16,520
Layouts: 189
Loc: Western Washington
| Posted: 2/6/2013 2:23:56 AM
Lol my husband has been in the Navy 20 years. He longs for that 8-5 ANYWHERE that allows him to be home every night.
The grass is always greener isn't it? |
Heidi
If I'm not peaing, I'm pinning!
My Blog:
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handle
PeaNut
PeaNut 532,844
December 2011
Posts: 442
Layouts: 0
Loc: Australia
| Posted: 2/6/2013 2:49:42 AM
My plan is to never get into the rat race to begin with. I have 2 years of uni left (actually, maybe 3 since I'm pretty sure I'll do a masters once I finish this degree), which includes another 6-7 months overseas studying. I'm building a lot of travel into my budget for that time so I can see a lot of the parts of Europe I've missed so far.
Then, the plan is to buy a bus and turn it into a home and drive around in that for a few years. | |
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