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Billy & Akaisha |
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R E T I R E E A R
L Y L I F E S T Y L E |
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20 QUESTIONS WE ARE FREQUENTLY ASKED
BILLY AND AKAISHA KADERLI
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January, 1991: At the age of 38, Billy and Akaisha packed it up, sold everything, retired, and moved to Nevis, a 36 sq. mile island in the Caribbean. From there they started traveling and haven't looked back.
"Life is an adventure, follow your dreams."
Updated March 2008
WHY DID YOU RETIRE EARLY?
We were on a fast track, hamster wheel of life, and made the decision to retire early to pursue traveling and other interests. Many older retired folks told us "do it now, while you're young". We heard them and took their advice. Life isn't a game where whoever has the most money or stuff, biggest house, or newest car wins. We assessed ourselves, created this opportunity, and went for it.
AREN'T YOU TOO YOUNG TO RETIRE?
No one told us there was an age qualification on it.
AREN'T YOU WASTING YOUR LIVES?
Chances for volunteering, continuing education, and activities present themselves constantly, now that we are not tied to a job. We have taken full advantage of these opportunities, including teaching English to children, coaching basketball teams, building tennis courts, and writing. Possibilities are everywhere, and now we have the energy and time to explore them.
WHAT DID YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY THINK OF YOUR EARLY RETIREMENT?
Our retiring early challenged the belief system of everyone we knew.
I CAN'T SIT AROUND AND DO NOTHING, AREN'T YOU BORED?
We have many interests, and traveling always keeps things new. "We wake-up in the morning with nothing to do, but by the end of the day, we only have half of it done". Boredom has never been a problem for us.
HOW DO YOU MANAGE YOUR FINANCES AND MAIL WHILE TRAVELING SO MUCH?
We have very little "snail mail" coming to us now, and 99% of our communication and bill paying is done electronically. It wasn't this way when we started 18 years ago, but the internet has made dealing with these obligations much easier. Also, at that time we spoke with full-time RV'ers, who told us how they handled their mail, and were a great source of information.
HOW DO YOU FIGURE THE DOLLAR AMOUNT TO SPEND EACH YEAR?
We don't. We only track spending using Microsoft MONEY. This gives us plenty of data to know what percentage of our net worth we are spending.
DO YOU OWN A HOUSE?
We have a low maintenance, high amenity humble abode. This comfortable place in an adult resort community satisfies our needs completely when we are in the States. Otherwise, we are traveling.
GUYS VERSUS GALS - HOW DID YOU GIVE UP THE IDEA OF HAVING A TRADITIONAL HOME "WITH THE WHITE PICKET FENCE"?
Usually it's the guy that asks this, and it's a very good question. I'd be lying if I said it came easily. However, just as Billy realized he's not his job, I realized I am not my house. These nesting desires must be taken into consideration to find your own balance. It became clear to me that my personal craving for travel and adventure overcame my requirement for a traditional home.
HOW MUCH CAPITAL IS ENOUGH? HOW/ WHEN DID YOU KNOW YOU WERE READY TO RETIRE?
When our days filled up with more "have to's" than "want to's", we realized we were going in the wrong direction. The amount of capital is a personal decision, and one that needs to be thought about carefully. The better you know yourself and your lifestyle needs, the easier it is to decide that amount. Do not let Fear make that decision for you. Risk has a price, and so does Security.
WITH YOUR INVESTMENTS IN THE STOCK MARKET, WERE YOU HURT IN THE RECENT BEAR MARKET, AND DID IT EFFECT YOUR LIFESTYLE?
Did we get hurt? Sure we got hurt, but did it alter our lifestyle? Not much if any. In fact, we traveled more during the last fours years than ever. We survived the second worst bear market in history, lived well to tell about it, and have a higher net worth now, after expenses, than when we began in '91.
HEALTHCARE - WHAT DO YOU DO ABOUT HEALTH INSURANCE?
This is a very common question. Yes, we have health insurance, or as Akaisha likes to call it "asset insurance". A high deductible, catastrophic coverage plan works well for us.
WHAT DO YOU DO ABOUT TRANSPORTATION?
Transportation is easy in foreign countries. Mass transit, tuk tuks, taxis and a variety of other sorts are plentiful and can be hired for a low expense.
DO YOU OWN A CAR?
In the States, we do have a truck. We would like to get by without one, but it's not realistic where we are based. That said, we do prefer walking to and from stores if at all possible.
DO YOU HAVE CHILDREN?
We do not have children. However, that does not mean that those who do cannot retire early. We know people who have adult children, and plenty of money, but feel they cannot afford to retire. It's not the kids. It's the mental fear surrounding this issue.
DO YOU HAVE ANY REGRETS? WOULD YOU DO IT DIFFERENTLY?
We have no regrets, and are not sure how we could be doing it differently. However, you have to modify your plan to fit your needs. Oh, we suppose we could have worked another ten years, and "really" had a pile of cash, but then, we would not have had the experiences that we've had in the last ten. And neither one of us would have traded the time for the money.
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED BY BEING RETIRED FOR 14 YEARS?
It’s a lifestyle, not a vacation.
The stress doesn’t stop, it just changes form. Utilizing the K.I.S.S. system; Keeping it simple pays dividends in time and
enjoyment. Retirement is a work in progress, and we're in charge. Don't take life so seriously, have fun with it!
I ADMIRE WHAT YOU ARE DOING, BUT IT SOUNDS RISKY. AREN'T YOU BEING NAIVE?
Life is a risk. There are no guarantees for anything; health, marriage, bear markets, the unexpected, weather, tragedy. Since we have been retired, we have "survived" SARS, the Asian Bird Flu, the bear market of 2000, the first Gulf War, and some funny traveling debacles just to name a few. If you want a guarantee, buy a Sears battery.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE CONSIDERING EARLY RETIREMENT?
Be flexible, there is no one way to do this, have your plan and be willing to adapt to changes. There are many ways to live a life.
WHERE ARE YOU GOING NEXT?
We will be visiting family, then ???? We never know, do you know of any airfare deals?
Billy and Akaisha continue to journal and photograph their world travels.
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