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Retire Early
Lifestyle
Retirement; like your parents, but way cooler
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In 1991 Billy and Akaisha Kaderli retired at the age
of 38. Now, into their 4th decade of this
financially independent lifestyle, they invite you
to take advantage of their wisdom and experience. |
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Why
Addiction Will Tear through Your Early Retirement Plans if You
Don't Stop It Now
Terrance Gilbert
We
all daydream about it—walking away from work while we’re still full of energy,
living on our own time, not someone else’s schedule. Retiring early sounds like
freedom, doesn’t it? But here’s the truth most people don’t talk about: if
addiction sneaks into your life, all those early retirement dreams can vanish
before you even notice what’s happening. It doesn’t matter if it’s alcohol,
drugs, gambling, or even shopping—it can slowly steal your time, your money, and
your peace.
But
don’t panic. This isn’t just about what can go wrong. This is also about how to
make it right again.
Addiction Eats at Your Savings Quietly
You
probably have a number in your head—that
target retirement amount you’ve been
building toward for years. But addiction doesn’t care about your spreadsheet.
It’s sneaky. It starts small, almost like a reward after a hard day. Then it
grows. At first, it’s just a few dollars here and there. Then, suddenly, your
“fun money” becomes part of the budget you can’t skip.
The
worst part? It’s not always obvious. You can still look like you’re doing fine
to the outside world while your savings are being drained quietly. Maybe you
stop contributing to your IRA for a month or two. Maybe you dip into your
emergency fund, just once. But that “just once” turns into every other week. And
slowly, the plan to retire early becomes something you’ll get to “someday.” That
someday never comes if you’re always playing catch-up.
Time Doesn’t Wait, Even If You’re Tired
Retiring early isn’t just about the money. It’s about your energy, your time,
and the dreams you keep putting off. When addiction is part of your life, it
takes more than just dollars. It steals your focus. It chips away at your
mornings. You say you’ll work on your retirement side hustle next weekend, but
next weekend you’re recovering from another bender, or another shopping spree,
or a long, expensive night trying to win back what you lost.
The
hours you waste can’t be bought back. And even when you do have time, your mind
isn’t clear. You’re distracted. You’re short-tempered. That business idea you
wanted to launch? It feels impossible. That rental property you meant to
research? You can’t focus long enough to run the numbers.
The
thing is, time has no pause button. And every year you spend stuck in old
patterns is a year you could’ve been building something better.
The Hardest Conversations Are the Most Important
There’s nothing easy about admitting there’s a problem. Especially if you’ve
built a reputation as someone strong, someone in control. People who plan early
retirement usually pride themselves on being ahead of the game. That’s what
makes it so hard to say, “I’m struggling.”
But
here’s the truth: staying silent doesn’t protect your future. It just delays it.
One of the best things you can do is talk. Maybe it’s your spouse, your adult
child, a friend you trust, or even a therapist. You don’t need to have all the
answers. You just need to say the words out loud.
You
might be
coping with separation, loss, or burnout from work, and addiction fills
that space for now. But it’s not a real solution—it just puts your dreams on
hold. Opening up, even when it feels uncomfortable, is what gets the wheels
turning again. It's how you take the next step toward being free—not just from
work, but from everything holding you down.
Get Help That Works With Your Budget and Your Life
Let’s get something straight. Addiction doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It just
means something has gotten bigger than you—and you need backup. The good news?
There’s help that doesn’t drain your wallet. If you’re near or over 65, you
probably qualify for medical support that includes rehab services.
Don’t overthink it. Just search online for "Medicare rehab near me" to find
centers that can work with you. Many of them are built to support people exactly
like you—people who’ve lived full lives, made smart decisions, and just hit a
rough patch. You don’t have to explain your life story. You just have to show
up.
These centers can help you get back to the version of yourself that had big
goals and the energy to chase them. It’s not just about getting clean. It’s
about getting clear. Getting back in charge of your time and your money. Getting
back on track for the retirement you’ve worked so hard for.
Rebuilding Doesn’t Take Forever
Let’s say you’ve hit pause on your early retirement dream. You’re in recovery
now, or starting to heal. You might be worried it’s too late. It’s not. That’s
just your brain playing tricks on you.
If
anything, healing gives you something better than money—it gives you presence.
You start paying attention again. You start making smarter moves. You stop
wasting energy on hiding and start using it to rebuild.
The
truth is, even one solid year of clarity can do more for your retirement plan
than five years of working in a fog. You’ll be shocked by how much you can get
done when your focus comes back. You’ll find new energy to start that side
business, sell off junk that’s been sitting in your garage, maybe even pick up a
part-time gig that feels meaningful. You're no longer just drifting—you’re
building again.
And
when you build with clear eyes and a steady hand, things come together faster
than you think.
Addiction wants to make your world small. It wants you to think you’ve already
missed your chance. But that’s a lie. You can still have the life you
pictured—that peaceful morning coffee on the porch, the trips you promised
yourself, the sense of peace you were counting on. You can still retire early,
or at least earlier than you think, if you start now.
And
starting doesn’t mean doing everything at once. It means doing one thing.
Reaching out. Asking for help. Looking for treatment that fits. Letting yourself
believe that change is possible. Because it is.
Nobody gets everything perfect. But that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve the
reward at the end. You’ve worked hard. You’ve saved, sacrificed, and dreamed.
Don’t let addiction take that from you. Stand up for your future.
Even if it’s messy. Even if it’s late. It’s still yours.
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About the Authors
Retire
Early Lifestyle appeals to a different
kind of person – the person who prizes their
independence, values their time, and who doesn’t
want to mindlessly follow the crowd.
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