The Graduate

The concept of retirement needs to be redefined. I don’t know whether I’m really lazy or I just think differently. You be the judge….

Average Retirement Plan

1. Work for about 40 years and then stop working.
2. Save a percentage of every check you earn so that when you stop working, a lump sum will be available for you.
3. Buy a house in Florida and start enjoying the money you saved
4. Die

Problems With the Retirement Plan

1. You spend more than half your of life being told what to do and when to do it (and a quarter of it being taught how to do so).
2. The money saved will not bring you the same amount of joy as it would’ve if you spent it during your able-bodied days.
3. I only know of two parts in Florida. The first is where all the old dying people are living and the second is where all the young vibrant people are being happy. When you’re old you don’t want to be around young people because they’re loud and obnoxious. But you also don’t want to be around old people because they’re depressing.
4. Theoretically speaking your start dying as soon as you’re born so your retirement plan isn’t the blame.

The Solution

I found the best solution for this problem in a book I recently read, The 4-Hour work Week: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich. It basically says we need to get out of the “slave, save, retire” paradigm and take mini retirements during the best times of our lives (NOW). Mini retirements should be no less than two months and could go as long as a year. The only caveat is that although you are saving up for your mini retirement you should also save money for extreme emergencies, but you already knew that…. Heaven forbid you’re injured in a freak accident and have to eat through a straw for the rest of your life.

So, is it laziness that allows me think this is a good idea?

Oh, before I forget, please comment. I'd like to know your thoughts.

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