So far I had four conversations with insurance agents. The experience varies from “I’m clueless (but wouldn’t let it show)” to “I prefer to separate my investment from term insurance.”
I can hardly recall some of the conversation but there was this one question that I answered with conviction.
“At what age do you want to retire?”
“40.” Fourty. Four with zero.
The insurance agent looked more surprised than I was seeing her reaction.
If I’m being honest at that time I would say, “Can I retire now.”
Then again I don’t want people to have a notion that I’m arrogant, fool, and unrealistic; these are all qualities that I, myself, hate so much but can’t help to fall into … unintentionally.
Related Post: Term Insurance in the Philippines
Allow me to explain the magic number 40.
It is the age that I want to DO things because I’m passionate about it. I don’t want to think about hourly rate and tag price anymore.
NO. I don’t want to spend my day sitting on the couch. (But I wouldn’t say no to a couch in a veranda overseeing the blue wave and white sand.)
What Would I Do at 40
Although I wish to become like Derek Foster, the author of The Lazy Investor, it’s impossible to retire like him at age 34 without an inheritance or lottery win.
(I had to literally read his bio on his book Money for Nothing which I grabbed on the bookshelf. He will always be my favourite retiree.)
I’m inspired by his story that I want to “live life.”
Thinking of must-do list for my future self at 40 is easier than making it happen. Let’s stick to the list for now:
- Harvest organic vegetables and perhaps fruits. At 40, I want to live in my fully paid dream house where I’ll experiment growing plants through permaculture, hydroponics, or whatever gardening technology is invented. By that time I hope I can grow cacti that would live longer than a month.
- Read anytime of the day. Newspaper in the morning while having pandesal and hot cocoa. (I used to drink coffee and dipped the bread in it like an Oreo in a milk. Good old days. At night, classic novel is a treat while having sweet treats.
- Write about any topic. I have to discard any future blog ideas because I wouldn’t have time to manage all of my blogs. But I do hope to continue writing on Pwede Padala whether I’m still in Canada, Philippines, or somewhere else.
- Bike. Walk. Hike. I want to spend my time in the outdoor. Although I grew up in the city, I always yearn to be around nature. The closest resemblance to nature I experience when I was young was seeing white and pink bougainvilleas blooming in pots. Then there were also Santan I picked whenever my aunt (the gardener in our family) wasn’t looking.
- Keep on learning. I used to learn through borrowed books then here comes smartphone, tablet, and free access to online courses. I have no excuse not to learn something new everyday and share it to others even online.
From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded. – Luke 12:48, NRSV
The most important of all: Have an unwavering FAITH.
Yes, I do went to a catholic school but the way my parents (especially my mother) practice their faith has inspired me to do the same.
As an OFW and a frail human being, faith is my greatest asset that I want to nourish everyday by the grace of our creator.
I’m not religious but I do believe in divine intervention; all of us have purpose and we are designed for that purpose we are yet to discover.
How Will I Achieve My Goal?
Honestly, I don’t know if I can retire at 40. What if I can retire earlier or a bit later. Numbers are well …. numbers.
What is important is to focus on learning and applying what I have learned.
As part of my journey to financial freedom, I’ll share my experiences (remember Luke 12:48). What works and not.
Every day I will remind myself of the goals and enjoy the trials and success with a bucket of ice cream and binge-watching on Netflix.
Celebration doesn’t have to come with a high price tag. Remember every loonie or peso save today is a safety net for your future self retiring in a beach.
So it’s my turn to ask the dreaded question. Don’t worry; I’m not going to sell any insurance to you.
“When do you want to retire?”
And don’t say now. How about a realistic age in the future.
What do want to do when you retire? What form of investment or business you are considering to achieve financial freedom?
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