My goal was always to retire at around 55 or so. All my projections were showing us doing fine so that both my wife and I could retire then. Although, it would have been easier if one of us retired and not the other.
Then her work turned into hell, and I told her to retire, and finally she did, at age 54 or so. I am still working. Then again, my work is easy enough that it’s like being retired. Very little pressure.
Still, I’d like to feel more comfortable, financially. The kids have not yet gone to college. And we’re dependent on a long term investing strategy that could go all to hell again, as it has several times in our lives. Still, this last year, my wife tells me, stocks have gone up 13%. According to Quicken (which I don’t really trust, but can’t figure out why), we’ve averages 12% return each year since 1993. I think Quicken must count some things as returns that aren’t, though.
Anyway, even though she isn’t working, our net worth is increasing. But there’s still two college educations to pay for, as well as retirement. I think we can do it. It wouldn’t be a problem if we found a way to cut our expenses. But I’d like to travel. I think I’d like to do workshops and things, too.
So yes, I plan to retire and yes I think I can do it, depending on how the next 9 years go. But I know there will be unexpected bumps in the road before then and even after then, so I’m not counting on nothing.