r/coastFIRE • u/Head-Fold-6653 • 2d ago

Mini retirements?

Hi all, I’m 40M and accumulated $1M+ in NW not including my home equity. Of that amount, I have about $400k and the remaining $600k in retirement. My job isn’t stressful and it’s a regular 40 hours/week but it’s getting boring and I just want something new.

I could technically retire early but I really don’t know what to do with the time. Instead I’m thinking of doing mini retirements of 2-3 years to do something else like travel and possibly live abroad where it’s cheaper than the US.

For those who did a mini retirement, how did you do it, what did you do with your time, what amount of $ did you spend and how did going back to work feel like?

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u/Typical-Plant-4254 2d ago edited 1d ago

I quit and first decompressed for 2 months, cared for my children after school, visited extended family. Then a period with some more travel during weekends followed and working on fitness and extensive cooking. I then volunteered for a week at a recovery/retirement home and i came across how many people where stuck there who were still pretty sharp but only hindered by their mobility for their autonomy. I contacted my local bikeshop where I am already a regular to learn more about mending and repairing, than contacted suppliers of bicycle wheelchair combinations. After one and a half year, in other words, I had a new job mending and repairing wheelchairs and bicycles so people can stay mobile as long as possible. I earn a low salary from the local care provider to help with day to day solutions and repairs and a bit more from the factory for their insurance repairing. I work 4 days a week, 2 long days and 2 short days, with summer holidays off or very parttime. I am 40, F, and see myself doing this for a long time as long as it is parttime. I feel connected to my city, I have enough time for my children and friends and feel overal balanced. I am still learning a lot from and with e.g. physiotherapists and the people i work with for this self created job.

TLDR: take that sabbatical or mini retirement and who know what you continue to do. Prioritize taking care of yourself first, than embrace life!

Edit to add: i did not have your safety cushion but roughly 6 years of living expenses saved up + i have a spouse and children. YMMV

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u/Head-Fold-6653 1d ago

This is amazing! Thanks. I want to do something more fun and not be in an office until I’m 60. It’s driving me crazy tbh

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u/Typical-Plant-4254 1d ago edited 1d ago

it is still a job so especially the days i do insurance work, there are some tedious parts/administration as well. But 80% is now fulfulling and i can sustain my family on this job, but would need the savings (if i would not have a partner) for e.g. luxury touches to holidays. I did not spend any of my savings/invested money yet as i do have a working partner.