[ChrisMarshallNY]

I agree with this.

I have been basically, retired, for the last four years.

I’ve worked harder than I have in many years; all self-directed projects. I’ve been crafting a single iOS app, for the last ten months, and there’s months more to go.

It’s been wonderful.

[stnguyenvn]

May I ask how do you pay for yourself for many years to do so?

[ChrisMarshallNY]

I spent my entire working life, living frugally, and carefully investing. I avoided personal debt, as well as frivolous expenses, drove old cars, lived in small apartments and houses, and practiced good fiscal hygiene. I saved and invested 25% - 40% of my income. Basically, the old-fashioned stuff that everyone laughs at, these days.

I'm not rich, but I'm OK.

I didn’t actually want to retire; I was forced into it, by the ageism in SV. I would not have taken the leap, left to my own devices, so I guess I should be grateful to the bigots.

It was totally worth it. I am done with having my work destroyed by others. I write the code I want to write, in the way that I want, and -quelle surprise- it works!

Huh. Turns out I knew what I was doing, all along. I just had to remove myself from situations where someone else was the gatekeeper on my methodology. My dream has been to be in the position where I can chart my own course[0], and experiment with the methodologies that I have been developing (but never allowed to implement), for years.

[0] https://littlegreenviper.com/miscellany/thats-not-what-ships...