[ryandrake]

Probably unpopular opinion here, but I hope OP feels blessed that he can retire to take care of himself and dial up his life after such a terrible event. Not all of us have that option. For most people, if someone in our family god forbid suddenly died, we would not be able to just take a month here to grieve, then another month there, then 3 more months, then just decide to retire. That is a rare privilege. The rest of us have to get right back to the grind while doing the terrible job of picking up the pieces during the evenings and weekends.

I really envy people who lucked out in tech and can simply decide to retire like this. I guess I would say to the author (and others here in the comment section who somehow have $5M liquid saved up): "Turn your work/life dial over to life and move on as you are planning, but please be grateful and thankful that you ended up with such outlier financial results that allow you to do so." I think it's good for people who have these kinds of options to take a step back, reflect, and recognize how lucky they are.

Like most, I know I will probably be having to work until something disables me and prevents me from working, regardless of what tragedies life decides to throw at me.

[markvdb]

Rare is the western world tech worker without kids or debilitating illness who can not easily retire early.

[throwaway2037]

Tell that to all of the HNers from Europe who are constantly complaining here about how low their salaries are, compared to the US. I doubt this rule applies to most tech workers in Europe. In fact, I would say it only applies to US workers in the top 25% of companies. The rest are just grinding it out in a slightly-above middle class job: 75K-100K USD.

[sokoloff]

The Shockingly Simple Math Behind Early Retirement:

https://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/01/13/the-shockingly-si...

[ryandrake]

As long as you are just expecting math and not a generalizable strategy for retirement. The "simple math" behind Mr. Money Mustache is: Have no mortgage, multiple properties providing income, a blog providing income (including making recommendations of financial services that provide him affiliate income), and have nothing go wrong with your life financially or health-wise... and then you can retire with no[1] income! OK I'll get right on that...

Similar formula behind other get-wealthy motivational writers: Sell lots of books to people who gobble up get-wealthy motivational books, and collect royalties for life.

MMM is Personal Finance Porn: A story of one guy's very lucky and privileged life path, not generalizable to everyone else's situation even though it's sold as that.

[1] using a very flexible definition of "no"

[sokoloff]

That’s Pete’s personal situation, but the simple math works for anyone (especially most western tech workers).

You have to be willing to curtail your consumption, which gives a double effect (lets you save and invest more and you need less from those investments).

Not everyone wants to do that, but that means they won’t retire early.

[ryandrake]

...and don't get seriously sick, and don't have elderly parents that need expensive care, and don't have family overseas who need financial support, and make sure your kids don't get accepted to an expensive university, and and and... then you can apply MMM's very generalizable advice.

[sokoloff]

I always like to learn; I'll be happy to read your better/alternative advice; just post it here or provide a link.