Early retirement?

[Archangel]

When I started contracting at 28 I put shedloads of my income into a pension with the aim of retiring at 50.

Now at 45 I have diddly squat in the pension and with a sprog on the way I'll probably have to work until 65.

[ChimpMaster]

Good plan. Am there or thereabouts already. Kids would completely screw it though ...

Kids COMPLETELY and utterly destroy any financial plans you put in place before their arrival. It's not even the minor costs of baby clothes, nappies, pushchairs, food etc... it's the major costs when they get a bit older, such as schooling, designer clothes, cars etc. And then you're forced to think about their inheritance!

Having said that, they make life worth living.

[rootsnall]

a) Its my home.

b) Because its in the middle of nowhere on a island that no one give a tulipe about! I like being a long long way from Muslim extremists, Iraq wars, tube bombings and Asylum seekers.

Bet you end up doing a bit of IT once you get bored, 'just to keep your hand in' !

Being from NZ helps a lot but it really is the back of beyond. I'm good at doing sod all but there are limits. I have spent a fair bit of time in middle of nowhere NZ on a mates farm.

[SueEllen]

Having said that, they make life worth living.

[rootsnall]

Kids COMPLETELY and utterly destroy any financial plans you put in place before their arrival. It's not even the minor costs of baby clothes, nappies, pushchairs, food etc... it's the major costs when they get a bit older, such as schooling, designer clothes, cars etc. And then you're forced to think about their inheritance!

Having said that, they make life worth living.

I reckon the costs are overstated, schooling = free, designer clothes = Primark or do a paper round, cars = walk, etc etc

[ChimpMaster]

nerdlaugh

[tay]

Being from NZ helps a lot but it really is the back of beyond. I'm good at doing sod all but there are limits. I have spent a fair bit of time in middle of nowhere NZ on a mates farm.

Not an issue. If I was British with this plan to move to NZ I could see your point, but I am moving back to my home town, all my friends and family, old sports clubs etc etc. I know exactly what the area lacks and what it has, I spent 23 years living there.

I wont get bored.

[sasguru]

Are you not having kids SAS? Does MrsG not fancy any? (Or does she like the Prada bags and Manolo's better? )

Not sure yet ...at that age where she might suddenly get moody. And no she's very good with money.
Still as another poster has said, if you live in the right area schools-wise, kids just "might" not be that expensive.

[sasguru]

nerdlaugh

A good point well made.

[sasguru]

I dont think SAS's combat missions use live rounds......

I'm in good company - just like the All Blacks then...

SG in <<duck and hide>> mode