To answer the OP's question, I'm 36 right now and in about 6 months time I'm about to have the biggest change in my life.
But the story started after I graduated with a Masters degree in Economics and Finance I got a job as an economist for a property company. I really enjoyed it as a first job, a smaller company you get to know everyone, it had a real 'family' feel to it. To me it was an ideal first job straight out of Uni/College.
However the job was too repetitive for me, and the company too small, and I wanted to try something else, so a couple of years later I applied and was accepted into International tax consulting role at one of the Big 4 accounting firms. I thought this is the kind of job where you can really grow into it and with potential for future International transfers and movement, it was by far a really nice upgrade. I rose through the corporate ladder and quickly became an assistant manager in about 2.5 years and was in line for a managerial promotion. But something wasn't right. I didn't like that I had to sit in an office all day, plus paying rent in the CBD where I worked and all the expenses I wasn't able to save much money even though I was earning a lot.
So at 28 I'd decided to start a plants nursery/shop with my family. It may sounded like a huge downgrade, but I was confident it would pay off in time. I could see that by being my own boss and having a better work/life balance was gonna be good for me health wise. On top of that I felt like if I work really hard for about 10 years I would be able to save enough (not paying expensive rents in the CBD) and maybe retire and a real chance at getting out of the rat race. I'd read 'Rich Dad, Poor Dad' as a teenager and that may have impacted the decision somewhat.
Fast forward 8 years to present day and I'm in a position to retire (albeit in Thailand where the cost of living will be cheaper than NZ). As a family we have saved enough to purchase a building in NZ we're leasing out for passive income. I have a couple of condos in Bangkok, one I'm renting out, one I'll be living in, so there's extra income there too. Cost of living is pretty cheap so it's doable.
What will I be doing with my time? Not sure yet. But hopefully it'll come. I've always wanted to become an artist (painting, sculpture). Maybe I'll do a Bachelor in Fine Arts. Maybe I'll join an indie film crew and have an adventure. If there's an opportunity I'd also like to work with the NBA to do some things in Thailand with basketball. We'll see.
But yeah like many have said before, a change can be good. And a calculated change is even better.
But the story started after I graduated with a Masters degree in Economics and Finance I got a job as an economist for a property company. I really enjoyed it as a first job, a smaller company you get to know everyone, it had a real 'family' feel to it. To me it was an ideal first job straight out of Uni/College.
However the job was too repetitive for me, and the company too small, and I wanted to try something else, so a couple of years later I applied and was accepted into International tax consulting role at one of the Big 4 accounting firms. I thought this is the kind of job where you can really grow into it and with potential for future International transfers and movement, it was by far a really nice upgrade. I rose through the corporate ladder and quickly became an assistant manager in about 2.5 years and was in line for a managerial promotion. But something wasn't right. I didn't like that I had to sit in an office all day, plus paying rent in the CBD where I worked and all the expenses I wasn't able to save much money even though I was earning a lot.
So at 28 I'd decided to start a plants nursery/shop with my family. It may sounded like a huge downgrade, but I was confident it would pay off in time. I could see that by being my own boss and having a better work/life balance was gonna be good for me health wise. On top of that I felt like if I work really hard for about 10 years I would be able to save enough (not paying expensive rents in the CBD) and maybe retire and a real chance at getting out of the rat race. I'd read 'Rich Dad, Poor Dad' as a teenager and that may have impacted the decision somewhat.
Fast forward 8 years to present day and I'm in a position to retire (albeit in Thailand where the cost of living will be cheaper than NZ). As a family we have saved enough to purchase a building in NZ we're leasing out for passive income. I have a couple of condos in Bangkok, one I'm renting out, one I'll be living in, so there's extra income there too. Cost of living is pretty cheap so it's doable.
What will I be doing with my time? Not sure yet. But hopefully it'll come. I've always wanted to become an artist (painting, sculpture). Maybe I'll do a Bachelor in Fine Arts. Maybe I'll join an indie film crew and have an adventure. If there's an opportunity I'd also like to work with the NBA to do some things in Thailand with basketball. We'll see.
But yeah like many have said before, a change can be good. And a calculated change is even better.
