I just recently crossed the 1M mile mark with American Airlines. The vast majority of my miles were accumulated through work travel, and almost none of it was "fun." And while I'm also very close to retirement, I've similarly struggled with the notion that I might not want to travel that much once I stop working. Of course, in certain higher income and well educated circles, not wanting to travel extensively is tantamount to enjoying the all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet at Denny's. Anyway, I like your definition of purpose driven pursuits. Plus, I think there is so much within the US I'd love to see and visit. It doesn't help that I'm a creature of habit and when I like something, I like to stick with it (New Hampshire, Santa Fe/Taos and Lexington, VA come to mind) I oftentimes think people check off travel like they do boy scout merit badges. I'm fine not making it to eagle.
I've already exceeded my "number" and I'll have a passive income flow in retirement that exceeds my burn rate. I have zero debt and don't really want to buy much, maybe a pair of new shoes, a new merino wool T shirt or an occasional biz upgrade on a flight > 5 hours. My great joys are eating in restaurants (some Michelin) and reading books. These things are what make me feel financially safe.
For me, "eff you" money is the whole reason I save. It's not to buy a show off house or car. It's not to buy expensive clothes. I do like riding in the front of airplanes and eating in "good" restaurants. Otherwise, JL and JG nail it.
One of the reasons I'm moving back to Philly is the exact same reason you highlight above. Philadelphia is the rare combination of big city with all the amenities you'd ever need while still being completely walkable. I've walked from South Philly to Art Museum and back all in one day, no problem. Throw in the airport and 30th street station nearby and we're talking one of the few cities in America where you could easily live car free without sacrificing anything.
We lived a very similar personal finance trajectory. After I read "the Millionaire Next Door" when it first came out, it was game on. I was frugal to a fault: counting pennies, driving junky cars and living in apartments well below what my income could have allowed. I saved until it hurt, then saved more. Now that I am approaching retirement, I find myself enjoying the fruits of my frugality: 89 vs 87 octane gas; overtipping; and a nice german watch. I have more than enough socked away for the rest of my life and a nice pension to match - to include minimal medical care worries. As long as my health stays with me, I should be in a very good place. My biggest dilemmas will be deciding business vs first and whether to remain a renter or spending the money on a condo or co-op.
I'm with you Ken. If you have the pension and SS to live on, let it ride. If the S&P goes south fast, we got bigger problems to worry about. I'm long on America and our stock market. Your way is just easier, too!
I've decided to retire in Philadelphia, for all the reasons you mention. Philly has everything you could possibly want and then some. And if you need more, DC or NYC are only a quick train ride away. I look forward to settling in a nice condo on Washington Square with no car, and frequent meals out at my favorite restaurants.
Yes, do the conference. In Person with option for folks to zoom in. Philadelphia is convenient to so much of the east coast, and the city is relatively affordable and walkable with great restaurants. All we have to do now is figure out how to affix "palooza" to whatever you decide to name the get together. let's do this!
Comments
I just recently crossed the 1M mile mark with American Airlines. The vast majority of my miles were accumulated through work travel, and almost none of it was "fun." And while I'm also very close to retirement, I've similarly struggled with the notion that I might not want to travel that much once I stop working. Of course, in certain higher income and well educated circles, not wanting to travel extensively is tantamount to enjoying the all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet at Denny's. Anyway, I like your definition of purpose driven pursuits. Plus, I think there is so much within the US I'd love to see and visit. It doesn't help that I'm a creature of habit and when I like something, I like to stick with it (New Hampshire, Santa Fe/Taos and Lexington, VA come to mind) I oftentimes think people check off travel like they do boy scout merit badges. I'm fine not making it to eagle.
Post: What If You Don’t Want to See the World?
Link to comment from August 28, 2025
One of my favorite books of all time is John Bogle's "Enough". Clearly you read it too.
Post: Wealth, Perspective, and the Company We Keep
Link to comment from July 20, 2025
Are there any reputable, outstanding CFPs in the Philly area who provide fee based, as needed advice?
Post: The Silent Compounding Cost of a 1% Fee
Link to comment from May 13, 2025
I've already exceeded my "number" and I'll have a passive income flow in retirement that exceeds my burn rate. I have zero debt and don't really want to buy much, maybe a pair of new shoes, a new merino wool T shirt or an occasional biz upgrade on a flight > 5 hours. My great joys are eating in restaurants (some Michelin) and reading books. These things are what make me feel financially safe.
Post: Feeling Secure
Link to comment from May 2, 2025
For me, "eff you" money is the whole reason I save. It's not to buy a show off house or car. It's not to buy expensive clothes. I do like riding in the front of airplanes and eating in "good" restaurants. Otherwise, JL and JG nail it.
Post: Forget You
Link to comment from December 19, 2024
One of the reasons I'm moving back to Philly is the exact same reason you highlight above. Philadelphia is the rare combination of big city with all the amenities you'd ever need while still being completely walkable. I've walked from South Philly to Art Museum and back all in one day, no problem. Throw in the airport and 30th street station nearby and we're talking one of the few cities in America where you could easily live car free without sacrificing anything.
Post: Life After Cars
Link to comment from June 22, 2024
We lived a very similar personal finance trajectory. After I read "the Millionaire Next Door" when it first came out, it was game on. I was frugal to a fault: counting pennies, driving junky cars and living in apartments well below what my income could have allowed. I saved until it hurt, then saved more. Now that I am approaching retirement, I find myself enjoying the fruits of my frugality: 89 vs 87 octane gas; overtipping; and a nice german watch. I have more than enough socked away for the rest of my life and a nice pension to match - to include minimal medical care worries. As long as my health stays with me, I should be in a very good place. My biggest dilemmas will be deciding business vs first and whether to remain a renter or spending the money on a condo or co-op.
Post: Where It Goes
Link to comment from April 14, 2024
I'm with you Ken. If you have the pension and SS to live on, let it ride. If the S&P goes south fast, we got bigger problems to worry about. I'm long on America and our stock market. Your way is just easier, too!
Post: Letting It Ride
Link to comment from February 10, 2024
I've decided to retire in Philadelphia, for all the reasons you mention. Philly has everything you could possibly want and then some. And if you need more, DC or NYC are only a quick train ride away. I look forward to settling in a nice condo on Washington Square with no car, and frequent meals out at my favorite restaurants.
Post: Got Change?
Link to comment from February 25, 2023
Yes, do the conference. In Person with option for folks to zoom in. Philadelphia is convenient to so much of the east coast, and the city is relatively affordable and walkable with great restaurants. All we have to do now is figure out how to affix "palooza" to whatever you decide to name the get together. let's do this!
Post: A Difficult Year
Link to comment from January 14, 2023