I stopped working for money a few months ago in my late 20s. I still do occasional light consulting (0 - 2h/week) for old clients though, but I can live off my savings indefinitely.
Before quitting (and before COVID), I was working remotely and living out of my backpack in places all around the world. I lived in Central America for a few months and learned Spanish to a conversational level. I experienced what it's like to live in a conflict zone in the Middle East. I couchsurfed in strangers houses in lots of countries and places off the beaten path and got a glimpse into many very different lives. I took time off to do multi-week hiking trips in high mountains and wilderness areas, often solo. I did some workaways housesitting, petsitting, helping out with construction and/or gardening.
Now that I no longer have to work, I'm doing more of that plus spending more time learning things (languages, dancing, etc.), getting more fit, volunteering with youth, and so on. I'm hoping find a more impactful way to help people suffering from things I've suffered with in the past, we'll see what I end up doing on that front beyond volunteering.
I initially wanted to quit ASAP and was going for lean-FI at $20k/year, but ended up negotiating a sweet deal and working a 2 years longer to get to $60k/year from investments with the 4% rule. I still only spend between $20k - $30k/year so I have plenty of room to increase my budget.
I just quit a few months ago so we'll see how not working for money turns out long term. So far it's been great. I've been pursuing my hobbies, volunteering, and doing some very light consulting (0 - 2h/week). In other words, I still do plenty of things, it's just that I don't get paid for them and can do them fully on my terms.
I understand how you're feeling, I used to feel like you — in fact, I fantasized about being somebody else.
Remember that we all tread our own path and struggle in our own ways. Someone further along with their savings won't have your parents, your friends, your memories, your special places, your favorite hobbies, music, books, and so on. They might also have demons and skeletons that you wouldn't want to touch with a ten foot pole. And even they will find others who are even further along.
I hope you learn to love yourself and stop comparing yourself to others. Perhaps you might get more mileage about comparing yourself to where you were an year ago. Good luck on your journey!
I got super lucky on many fronts to make that happen (perfect alignment of my niche skills with company needs, tax optimization possibilities from working remotely, etc.), but yes, it's really crazy!
I wanted out of the rat race ASAP so I have lived frugally and am set to quit tech for good in a few months. I would have already quit were it not for covid – figured I might as well make some more $ given the restrictions on life.
I have usually saved 80% - 90% of my income for the past few years. This translates to monthly index fund investments of $15k - $20k.
How? I lucked out big time and have managed to work remotely as an engineer for a Bay Area company with Bay Area pay while living in cheaper places. I also have stock in said company that will likely be worth >$2m (of course I value startup stock at 0, but things are looking very good for this particular company).
I haven't had to live under a rock to save all of this money, either. I spent years traveling and adventuring around the world pre-covid. Travel does not have to be expensive – I'd go as far as to argue that spending a lot of money for travel means you're getting a prepackaged mass-manufactured experience optimized for comfort. I like adventures and challenges, not being comfortable :)
I used to be cheap like my refugee parents, but I've since found a nice balance. I happily use money to eat healthily and solve problems like missing a flight. I enjoy spending money on making other people happy. But fuck the newest iPhone – who needs that shit when your old phone works just fine?
I abhor consumerism and live as minimally as possible out of my small backpack (excluding adventure gear). That doesn't mean I hate stuff – I just hate the kind of stuff you tend accumulate without thinking and the stuff that costs more in freedom than the value it offers. For example, I just spent $3k recently on top-of-the-line winter gear because I want to expand my adventures into arctic climates this winter. But the idea of buying a mattress or a costume for halloween gives me anxiety. I'd rather completely avoid or outsource owning things like that.
For me, the freedom of being able to put my clothes and laptop into a backpack and walk into a flight is priceless. A lot of the annoying things about travel (having to drag your suitcase around, standing in line for a spot in the overhead compartment, having to go to your accomadation right away to drop off your stuff) are completely solved when your backpack fits under the seat in front of you in flights and on your lap even in the most crowded bus. (My adventure gear is usually parked somewhere, but I can carry around my larger backpack, too.)
I feel most alive when I'm doing something in the great outdoors. I have taken month or two chunks of unpaid time off every year for my adventures, but I'm really looking forward to being completely free from work obligations next year.
My life has not been easy – my childhood was really fucked up so I became an introvert full of shame, anxiety, and trauma. I did learn to program and escape into the virtual world of computers, but otherwise I have had to fight many battles against my demons to grow into someone I actually like being. The encounters with so many kind strangers during my travels and my experiences with psychedelics have helped me shed who I thought I had to be and embrace who I am with my flaws and all. I'd choose that over my money every single time, but I'm glad to have both.
I now find myself at a place where I am comfortable being vulnerable and creating space for others to share the darkest parts of themselves. To make use of that skill, I recently started doing volunteer work with youth – I can no longer help the poor, lost little boy that I once was, but I can help kids who are as fucked up as I once was. Last time, a young girl opened up about her suicidal thoughts, depression, and eating disorder for the first time. She has a ways to go, but it's a huge step for her.
I think there is a severe lack of authenticity in our world and I want to do my small part to change that post-tech. Other than more adventures of course :)
I'm 27. I know, I can't believe it either. I'm extremely grateful and extremely lucky for where I am today. Things could have turned out very differently.
Before quitting (and before COVID), I was working remotely and living out of my backpack in places all around the world. I lived in Central America for a few months and learned Spanish to a conversational level. I experienced what it's like to live in a conflict zone in the Middle East. I couchsurfed in strangers houses in lots of countries and places off the beaten path and got a glimpse into many very different lives. I took time off to do multi-week hiking trips in high mountains and wilderness areas, often solo. I did some workaways housesitting, petsitting, helping out with construction and/or gardening.
Now that I no longer have to work, I'm doing more of that plus spending more time learning things (languages, dancing, etc.), getting more fit, volunteering with youth, and so on. I'm hoping find a more impactful way to help people suffering from things I've suffered with in the past, we'll see what I end up doing on that front beyond volunteering.