patrick.net

NuttBoxer says

I'd rather live in different places for a few months at a time.

Me too. I'd like to get my business to a point where I can operate/oversee it from anywhere. Once I can do that, I won't own anything. I'll be a nomad.

clambo says

$500/month invested since 1993 would be a million at least.

Still not enough to retire in Caligulan splendor. With Bidenflation even $1M isn't going to amount to much for long.

SunnyvaleCA says

I retired in 2021 at age 52. Since we Apple workers were still all cowering in place, I wasn't feeling any of that joyous camaraderie with colleagues during lunch. I have also been getting less and less excited about keeping up with all the new technology My mother keeps asking if I miss work .... Nope! I've been playing a bit more golf and finally got my act together for some serious (and costly) sailing in San Francisco bay.

Kudos for you. It was similar for me except I was a few years older and at a different tech employer.

Retired in my 50's I am so busy I don't know how I had time for a job. My SF Bay recreation is more modest, Open Water Swimming. Please don't run over me in your boat.

Booger says

Still not enough to retire in Caligulan splendor.

Foreigners from the US, Australia, Europe can live in Caliguan Splendor in an expat community in the Philippines on about $2000 per month. I know some of them.

clambo says

I envy Sunnyvale sailing; I think it's a lot of fun.
I've only done it 3 times in San Francisco Bay.

@Sunnyvale @Onvacation

Maybe there should be a patrick.net group sail.

@clambo ^

mell says

Patrick says

A cruise sounds painful to me, trapped on a boat, potentially seasick, and with all your food options quite limited.

Did a transatlantic cruise roughly 10 years ago and loved it. Not for those who easily get seasick, but the food was terrific, gym, sports courts, nice pools etc. It was super cheap as well as it was right at the start of the season in April, like $400 per person, all-inclusive food (which was really good). Think it was Norwegian.

Cruises aren't for everyone. While it's usually 8 hours max per port, which really isn't that long, you can get introduced to new areas.

First time we went to St. Thomas we're like WTF is this place. Yes it looks like shit driving through. Get to the beach and we have dudes selling us weed and BBQ and we're snorkeling in the clearest/bluest water looking at a fuck ton of fish. Curacao was another gem. Hard to fly to with 3 kids at this point. Aruba is overrated though you can have fun. Dutch and a lot of Americans live there.

Covid can eat shit on a stick. Family of four, $4,452. This was cancelled...


Cancelled one fucking week before. Because of the cold.

Seasickness is manageable. I never got it and did the last two times this year. Only time I recommend popping pills. Once I'm lubricated with beer I mellow out as well. Sea sickness is an equilibrium type thing. I have no data to back it up but the depressant nature of alcohol slows your acknowledgement of the moving boat. You just have to be constantly buzzed (not drunk). Any depressant usually works. There's a reason pirates are portrayed as drunks. It works on ships.

WookieMan says

Once I'm lubricated with beer I mellow out as well. Sea sickness is an equilibrium type thing.

in the 1980's I went on a backpacking trip wandering around Britain for a couple of weeks in January. This was before the Channel Tunnel opened.

Locals around my age whom I met all over the island, from the Scottish Highlands to suburbs south of London and places in between highly recommended a Booze Cruise. They explained the concept: the huge ferries that mainly transported lorries (freight hauling trucks) across the channel sold tax-exempt alcohol in the international waters between Britain and Europe. The standard limits of so many bottles you could carry home applied. But there was no limit to what you could drink on the ship. They had a pub and a duty free shop. We got our pitchers at the pub and poured our shots from our purchases in the duty free shop.

The ferry operators sold a special excursion ticket for this purpose, with a super-cheap fare. It would not take much drinking to cancel the cost of the fare. It was required not to "enter" the country on the other side. Just hang out in the ferry terminal to catch the ride back to Britain.

Since these massive ferries mainly served the trucking industry, they operated in all sorts of weather. There was a violent storm going on in the region at the time. Super strong wind, torrential rain. We got to the ferry Dover terminal by rail late at night when the lorries were boarding the ferry.

My friends told me that we must eat before the journey to avoid seasickness. It didn't make sense to me. I reckoned riding that ferry in that rough weather after a large meal would make me even sicker. They told me that I was wrong. The key to avoiding sea sickness, they said, is to consume a large carbohydrate laden meal before the journey. Just look around, - see, - look at them all. Yup, the diner at the Dover terminal was like a huge truck stop on an interstate in the American West, British and European truck drivers all chowing down on huge meals before the journey. Even though trucks were already rolling onto the ferry, my friends told me we had plenty of time as the boarding process takes a very long time.

That was one heck of a boat ride. It was a huge ship, maybe like the size of an aircraft carrier, violently pitched this way and that on the trip across the North Sea to Ostend. I went in the men's restroom. The ship was moving so violently water was splashing up from the toilets and urinals and running across the floor. Some men were in there vomiting. It was a nasty, violent scene.

But my friends were right: we drank pitcher after pitcher, shot after shot, for the five hour violent ride and nobody, including me, got seasick.

Rinse and repeat: have another Big Carb meal at the Ostend terminal. The storm lessened for the ride back and I slept for most of it. We got back to Dover around dawn.

Years later I applied this approach before going on deep sea fishing boats from SF and Half Moon Bay. Find a Denny's or something like that and have a huge meal with lots of carbs. It worked each time.

Once, I got a late start for a Farallon trip and skipped the Big Carb meal. Sure enough I was miserable and seasick the whole time.

Agree completely 100%. My BIL said the moment he hit 50, he’s out the there with a pension collecting around $12-$13k/month.

For me, I’ll likely “work” until the day I die although I haven’t had a W2 since 36. I like what I do and put in a couple hours each day to be sure the biz runs smoothly. I can take off anytime I want.

Life without a W2 is plenty busy. So many things to do that 24 hours a day is not enough.

Whack yourself in shape if you’re not. It does so much good for our body and mental health. Your joints will thank you for every pound you lose. Don’t forget about stretching.

For Nuttboxer above:
One guy died of skin cancer, a girl breast cancer, her brother a brain tumor, another multiple sclerosis, a female from Santa Cruz a brain tumor (she's cured after surgery), another guy triple bypass, another guy artery stents.
The triple bypass guy may have had lifestyle causes.
My case was sudden symptoms of hip arthritis after scuba diving and climbing a sand dune with gear on.
Previously I walked about 8+ hours per week and went to the gym 4 days per week.
I agree with Booger $1 million doesn't seem like that much but the point is it's very achievable.

Patrick says

Maybe there should be a patrick.net group sail.

I went for a sail around Angel Island with a friend last Sunday. We sailed up the slot between the island and the mainland and then out towards Alcatraz before we turned for home. It was another one of those windy wavy SF Bay days. We were busy keeping the boat heading in the right direction.

About a half mile due east of Pt. Blunt my friend points excitedly. "Look!". Right off the upwind rail, almost close enough to touch, was an adult gray whale surfacing and blowing. we saw his arched back as it moved along in the water going slightly faster than we were sailing.

By the time I got my camera out all that was left was the bad smell of whale breath.

We also saw two seals, one sea lion, and a Harbor porpoise. Being close to nature is one of the joys of sailing.

Onvacation says

Patrick says

Maybe there should be a patrick.net group sail.

I went for a sail around Angel Island with a friend last Sunday. We sailed up the slot between the island and the mainland and then out towards Alcatraz before we turned for home. It was another one of those windy wavy SF Bay days. We were busy keeping the boat heading in the right direction.

About a half mile due east of Pt. Blunt my friend points excitedly. "Look!". Right off the upwind rail, almost close enough to touch, was an adult gray whale surfacing and blowing. we saw his arched back as it moved along in the water going slightly faster than we were sailing.

By the time I got my camera out all that was left was the bad smell of whale breath.

We also saw two seals, one sea lion, and a Harbor porpoise. Being close to nature is one of the joys of sailing.

Hmm... That sounds like a good idea!

Patrick says

Maybe clambo worked and invested well enough.

That's what I did. I'm not living in Caligulan Splendor, but I don't have to work anymore.

But don't you have a high-income earning wife?

Sht is coming down and we all know it. Retire ASAP!!!

At 70 yrs, already 15 yrs retard from UH Manoa. Move to Fl from the SHTHLE some call Hawaii. 12 X-Atlantics to EU from here + dozens of cruises/trips satisfied my lack of surfing. Cannot "pop-up" anymore anyway{>.

Best damn 2.5 hrs I have spent recently and 1.5x made it more interesting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Dc4JP4OloU

clambo says

One guy died of skin cancer, a girl breast cancer, her brother a brain tumor, another multiple sclerosis, a female from Santa Cruz a brain tumor (she's cured after surgery), another guy triple bypass, another guy artery stents.
The triple bypass guy may have had lifestyle causes.
My case was sudden symptoms of hip arthritis after scuba diving and climbing a sand dune with gear on.
Previously I walked about 8+ hours per week and went to the gym 4 days per week.

I remember attending a seminar when I worked at Illumina, sometime around 2010 where the guy said in 20 years, half of all males, and 1/3 of all females would develop cancer. I thought "This is fucked, not way that should be normal." No one intends to get cancer, none of the people you know including yourself intended to be in bad health, but there's been so many lies put out about what makes people healthy. I don't know a single person in my family or my wife's who has passed away how I want to. Most of them lived to be 70 or 80, but none of them where in very good health.

My parents have a decent shot, due to exercise, and my dietary advise. They both have arthritis. I've told them it's usually inflamatory(diet related), but people tend to just accept certain things that they shouldn't as normal.

None of us should know as many sick people as we do, as many people who died before their time...

clambo says

retire as soon as you can

Instead of saying RETIRE, i would say "stop doing shit that you don't like to do" as soon as you can. No reason to stop working if you enjoy it.

Booger says

Still not enough to retire in Caligulan splendor.

Is it enough to dine a few times a week at applebees and the olive garden in the "earlybird" timeslot? Maybe even have a glass of their house wine?

mell says

Did a transatlantic cruise roughly 10 years ago and loved it.

They had tranny cruises in the Atlantic 10 yrs ago?

Retirement is just withdrawing yourself from society and abandoning any control of it.

richwicks says

Retirement is just withdrawing yourself from society and abandoning any control of it

Yeah, could live just better than being homeless such as on a sailboat or an RV.

Reminds me of the movie Nomadland

Bob Wells is a master of RV cheap living and nomad life : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAj7O3LCDbkIR54hAn6Zz7A/videos

.

komputodo says

Instead of saying RETIRE, i would say "stop doing shit that you don't like to do" as soon as you can. No reason to stop working if you enjoy it.

For me work is too easy, too lucrative, and stress free, so why stop? I like the idea of not having to pay $1000/month (or something close to that) is after tax dollars just for health and dental insurance. Plus padding my 401K and potentially upping my SS payout (to offset the potential reductions coming) appeals to me. My idea of "retirement" anytime soon is more like a WFH gig (I have to go to work in the office now).

richwicks says

Retirement is just withdrawing yourself from society and abandoning any control of it.

Not for me. Busier than ever in social activity now that I am not working.

Spending some time volunteering which while not controlling, is impactful in its own little way.

My definition of retirement is not having to do anything or be anywhere at any particular time.

Unfortunately, I have found that medical appointments began to intrude on this concept for me.

Ever see youtubes of people in NYC or other cities waiting in line to buy some food that is supposed to be great?
I won't wait in line for anything.

Edit: I would add doing what I want to do at any particular time, within limits.

clambo says

My definition of retirement is not having to do anything or be anywhere at any particular time.

Unfortunately, I have found that medical appointments began to intrude on this concept for me.

Ever see youtubes of people in NYC or other cities waiting in line to buy some food that is supposed to be great?
I won't wait in line for anything.

My only "volunteer" activity was cleaning up the trash near where I was living in La Paz Mexico; Mexicans are filthy slobs for some reason.

One of my goals is not taking any medication outside of supplements, with the exception of addressing acute issues rarely, and even then OTC stuff should be fine. I'm convinced that 80% of modern medicine pushed medications make things worse, not better. Nobody should have to take any medication until advanced old age, and even then sparsely, with few exceptions proving the rule.

Mell,

Years ago, my father, suffering from dementia, ended up at an assistant living facility. I was responsible for 'filling' his meds weekly and began to question what all of these medications were doing to him. Not being a big believer of modern medications myself, I decided to take him off of everything, replacing them with vitamin supplements, along with a couple of homeopathic supplements for his known ailments. Within a couple of days, he had a dramatic improvement, so much so, that staff members were making comments to me. One was an RN. We got into a conversation about side effects and overlapping medications, etc. I told her what I did. She had been an RN for almost 40 years, and I have never forgotten her response. She said that she became convinced that modern medications are doing far more harm than good!

Modern medicine almost never addresses the root of the cause. Over 15 years ago, I developed a heart problem that was 'incurable.' I was given only 1-3 years to live. To make a long story short, I changed my diet to a nutrition based diet that eliminated fish, dairy, meat and poultry, and, I began to exercise. My condition improved dramatically within only a couple of weeks ... and after 15 years, I'm healthier than most people half my age.

My father at age 95 only took a blood pressure medicine.
It's likely difficult to lower our blood pressure with diet and exercise.
Blood vessels get more rigid and raise blood pressure.
Lisinopril evidently is okay.

clambo says

My father at age 95 only took a blood pressure medicine.
It's likely difficult to lower our blood pressure with diet and exercise.
Blood vessels get more rigid and raise blood pressure.
Lisinopril evidently is okay.

Probably better than statins. You can always try a good dose of magnesium 2-3 times a day, should lower BP as well.

RayAmerica says

Mell,

Years ago, my father, suffering from dementia, ended up at an assistant living facility. I was responsible for 'filling' his meds weekly and began to question what all of these medications were doing to him. Not being a big believer of modern medications myself, I decided to take him off of everything, replacing them with vitamin supplements, along with a couple of homeopathic supplements for his known ailments. Within a couple of days, he had a dramatic improvement, so much so, that staff members were making comments to me. One was an RN. We got into a conversation about side effects and overlapping medications, etc. I told her what I did. She had been an RN for almost 40 years, and I have never forgotten her response. She said that she became convinced that modern medications are doing far more harm than good!

Modern medicine almost never addresses the root of the cause. Over 15 years ago, I developed a heart problem that was 'incurable.' I was g...

Why fish?

Sorta retired 40y/o here. Have a small biz that is hands off that is enough to support our family, and have a full time corporate remote gig that requires about 1-2 hrs. work a day - it's the most laid back I've ever had it. I like to work, and don't see myself "retiring" 100% ever. I'd be afraid of getting bored. My CD's (5+%) and 401k's are doing pretty good, so for my age, I'm comfortable and could pull the plug if need be.

Since we bought a farm (paid off), we grow most of our food. With all the MRNA shit coming down the pipeline in meat, we have a herd of 10 cattle and sheep. Life is good. One goal remains, and I still want to buy a sailboat and circumvent the world. But that remains to be seen, until all this global retardedness stops.

Regarding diet, I switched to a strict carnivore diet: meat, butter, eggs, bacon. I used to have high blood pressure, now it's normal without meds. No more anxiety/depression, and I have the libido of a 16 y/o now. Amazing how diet changes really impact overall health.

komputodo says

mell says

Did a transatlantic cruise roughly 10 years ago and loved it.

They had tranny cruises in the Atlantic 10 yrs ago?

Yep, back then they had to get past the 12-mile limit to do the conversion surgeries.

joshuatrio says

I still want to buy a sailboat and circumvent the world.

Interesting choice of words - "circumvent."

joshuatrio says

I still want to buy a sailboat and circumvent the world.

don't wait to buy one....rent one and leave tomorrow. Have fun

HeadSet says

joshuatrio says

I still want to buy a sailboat and circumvent the world.

Interesting choice of words - "circumvent."

he wanted to throw a $10 word into his comment.

joshuatrio says

One goal remains, and I still want to buy a sailboat and circumvent the world. But that remains to be seen, until all this global retardedness stops.

Do local. Great loop. https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/great-loop.html

Don't know your sea going experience but that's a great starter trip. Transatlantic or Pacific you gotta know your shit. You get 300 miles off shore in a sail boat you ain't going back likely. Or tool around the Caribbean first. I'm different though I have to interest to go east besides the Med, mainly Greece in Europe, Australia, NZ and I'd check out anything in this hemisphere. Southeast Asia seems like it could be fun. Or South Pacific.

clambo says

My definition of retirement is not having to do anything or be anywhere at any particular time.

If this is your definition, then I’ve been retired for more than a decade. 😅

Well, I have to go on vacations whenever my wife tells me to. I’m so content with myself that I don’t care to travel. I have plenty of things to do where we live, and I enjoy good food and hang out with friends.

mell says

One of my goals is not taking any medication outside of supplements, with the exception of addressing acute issues rarely, and even then OTC stuff should be fine. I'm convinced that 80% of modern medicine pushed medications make things worse, not better. Nobody should have to take any medication until advanced old age, and even then sparsely, with few exceptions provi...

Same here. The only supplement that I take occasionally is Vitamin D. Congrats @mell. Stay active. Stay healthy. Live happy

komputodo says

joshuatrio says

I still want to buy a sailboat and circumvent the world.

don't wait to buy one....rent one and leave tomorrow. Have fun

Where can you rent one for a year or two? Already completed ASA 101-104.

komputodo says

HeadSet says

joshuatrio says

I still want to buy a sailboat and circumvent the world.

Interesting choice of words - "circumvent."

he wanted to throw a $10 word into his comment.

Lol, yeah. I watch too many sailing channels.

Eman says

mell says

One of my goals is not taking any medication outside of supplements, with the exception of addressing acute issues rarely, and even then OTC stuff should be fine. I'm convinced that 80% of modern medicine pushed medications make things worse, not better. Nobody should have to take any medication until advanced old age, and even then sparsely, with few exceptions provi...

Same here. The only supplement that I take occasionally is Vitamin D. Congrats mell. Stay active. Stay healthy. Live happy

That's an awesome goal and achievable for most people via diet. It took me years to get off blood pressure meds, but once I found what worked, I never went back.

Being on a med, makes you feel like a lifetime slave to big pharma/doc complex. It was liberating to be able to throw my old script in the trash.

RWSGFY says

Why fish?

Here are just some of the MEDICAL reasons, as explained by Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn: Eating Fish Gives You Highest Rate Of TMAO. Highest Rates Of TMAO Had Most Severe Cardiovascular
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDJhFn-pRwM&t=296s

Here's my own take on eating fish. First, much of what we are consuming are fish that have been 'farmed.' Chemicals, growth hormones, antibiotics, etc. are all used in farmed fish. Obviously, when eating these fish, you are also consuming those artificial chemicals. Wild fish also are found to have high levels of mercury, along with PCBs. If the above is prepared with oil (as in baked or deep fried) the negatives for your heart only increases.

komputodo says

HeadSet says

joshuatrio says

I still want to buy a sailboat and circumvent the world.

Interesting choice of words - "circumvent."

he wanted to throw a $10 word into his comment.

No, not a "$10 word," but possibly an accidental pun. Joshuatrio may have meant "I still want to buy a sailboat and circumnavigate the world. The word "circumvent" means to prevent or overcome an obstacle or difficulty, as in "The Dems circumvented Trump's re-election using vote fraud."