Yes, many wished to semi-retire/ retire by as early as possible. But what are the costs involved? Does it mean going on fewer dates with your spouse? Does it mean spending lesser time with your friends? Does it mean taking on a few jobs to ensure that money keeps rolling in constantly?
For the past few years, he had tried to scrimp and save as much as possible that meals with the wife-to-be are spent usually in hawker centres. Dinner and drinks with friends are reduced to once every month or bi-monthly. Even though there are visible savings, which are in turn plunged into the portfolio, or kept for weathering the market downturns.
However, sometimes he could feel that he may not be spending the quality time with the wife-to-be or with his best friends. At times, the wife-to-be may even grumble "huh, hawker centre again?!", though she would gladly go with me at the end of the day or his friends may moan "why you cannot come again?!".
In circumstances like these, it made 小胖 feel very disappointed discontented with himself... Yes, he his saving for his marriage. Yes, he is saving for his early retirement. But at what costs? Short-term pains, long term gains?
As much as possible, 小胖 has been increasing the frequency of bringing the wife-to-be for meals at restaurants (fast-food ones, at least), and has been meeting his friends for dinner and drinks more often...
The target of being semi-retired by 45 years old is still vivid in my mind. But he believes that he should not give up the opportunity of not experiencing his life.
Different conditions at different ages may change his way of thinking, but would you do if you were in his shoes now...?
