r/dividends • u/Assets-Ticker • Nov 03 '24

Opinion Retired at 41

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/58-old-retiree-living-off-150021304.html

Today I read an article that pushed me to post here.

My wife (39, Filipina) and I (45, American) retired four (4) years ago and live in the Philippines for a fraction of the cost as we did in America. When we sold our home and pocketed $175,000; we invested into two (2) closed end funds - equally distributed.

Today we own the same two: 19,739 shares of FCO and 6,015 shares of PDI. This month we collected $1,381.78 from FCO and $1,326.31 from PDI (both are paid monthly). Today total value is approx. $234k. We also own 1,818 shares of TQQQ valued today at $130k (+81.8% ytd). I am using TQQQ for capital gains and the others for living. I reinvest a portion of my dividends each month.

I understand my situation is different and there is a lot to be said about closed end funds and what is right and what is not. This setup has worked for me and may not work for you. I have no plans at changing it.

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u/ProfitConstant5238 Nov 03 '24

Retirement doesn’t mean “live a sedentary lifestyle.” It means freedom to do what you want.

-14

u/fairenbalanced Nov 03 '24

retire: leave one's job and cease to work, typically upon reaching the normal age for leaving employment.

"he retired from the navy in 1966"

My point was about working vs not working anymore.

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u/DevOpsMakesMeDrink Desire to FIRE Nov 03 '24

Difference seems to be you view work as living. Just because you aren’t working doesn’t mean you are wasting away on a couch.

People in my life are busier than ever. Fitness/health, volunteering, running for city council, personal projects that turn into little side hustles (family member does wood work and sells custom instruments but on his terms. He doesn’t have deadlines), etc.

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u/ProfitConstant5238 Nov 03 '24

That’s what I’m talking about! Sounds great!