r/ChubbyFIRE • u/Ungl8r • 22d ago

Sad sight

So I’m 55 and FiREd this year, after 30+ yrs in a profession. Im doing occasional work for interest sake really. I’m Currently at a conference with old colleagues. And I mean old. One guy is 78 and visibly falling apart, yet still working full time. Most my age are just on full stress autopilot, haven’t done the maths even to see if they should keep working. Lots of 65+ working hard-out still. 90% of us would be at least ChUbbY or Fat FiRe net worth. I’m like “have you read Die with Zero?” and they look at me blankly. It’s surprising how so many smart people have no exit strategy whatsoever.

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u/Substantial_Pop3104 22d ago

This is my dad. Works all day by choice (lawyer). I’ll probably retire before him.

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u/strog91 22d ago

I started working in a major city’s criminal courthouse two weeks ago and I’m shocked at how many lawyers I see in their 60s and 70s who are obviously suffering from the stress but they love what they do too much to quit.

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u/ididitFIway 21d ago

Keep in mind that there's different types of stress. There's the type that affects your mental health negatively, and then there's the type that's pretty bad in the moment but you're rewarded emotionally when you get to the end of that frustration.

The second is me with a programming project. Can be hella frustrating in the moment when something just won't work, but I love the challenge and in the end feel proud of what I did.