While still in the process of digesting the two excellent past threads by Pixy and Rayvt, I've realized a couple of things.

1) I had mentioned not worrying about leaving any money to my heirs after I die. Of course my thinking there was that I would be able to draw down on the original amount... therefore being able to withdraw more than usual and therefore retire earlier. But... now I can't see that working in that manner. First and foremost, if one plans to draw down on one's nest egg and leave as little as possible behind, one would have to know when one was going to die!

2) It appears if one is willing to settle for a spartan lifestyle for the first few years of retirement, then one could retire a few years earlier.

Example: Mr. and Mrs. Fool decide $50,000 would be a very comfortable yearly sum for retirement. However, their nest egg needs another 5-6 years of growth before they feel comfortable taking that yearly sum. But rather than work for that much longer, they decide to retire early and try to live three years on $50,000 (instead of one) and then re-evaluate the situation. If they need to go another three years or so just reading on the porch and playing cards, they will be prepared to do so.

I know, I know.... statement #2 seems painfully obvious. And yet some may overlook it as they continue to work whilst waiting for their nest egg to reach critical mass.

Have any of you retirees out there attempted an early retirement along the lines of #2? If so, I would love to hear how it worked out.

Regards,

orangeblood