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| On my way through San Diego to visit my tax guy |
I'm not getting much riding in aside from running errands, making appointments, and heading out to the bar.
We have website projects to work on, social media accounts to manage, and articles we're being hired to write. We're even being paid to develop PowerPoint presentations for a local health care consultant. And kudos to Sash for putting in all the work to market our business and build relationships.
And I'm not really complaining either. This is the life we set out to create for ourselves, so that we wouldn't have to work for someone else, or make a long commute. I wanted this so that I could set my own hours and set my own price.
But this lifestyle of not having a permanent residence, and traveling across America on motorcycles, is not a vacation by any stretch. Sash and I work everyday, sometimes morning to midnight. If anything, I'm doing the kind of work where I can be myself and make good money at it. For Sash it's the same way, she gets to be social and earn business from it.
The other day, she and I talked about retirement.
For a man, retirement means being confined to a bed and having to push a button to get a Filipino lady to help us pass gas. For a woman, retirement means having a secure source of income.
"I used to think owning a house was my retirement plan", Sash said. "Now, I don't want to own anything."
It's funny how in 10 years time, your life is completely unexpected. It only goes to show that you can't predict the future. 10 years ago, I was in another marriage, believing I would be in that marriage forever. Never would I have thought that I'd go through a divorce, find another woman who wants to ride motorcycles together across the country, and live like vagabonds.
Which only makes me wonder what my life will look like 10 years from now.
As far as retirement income is concerned, it seems no use in trying to build a nest egg if I can't count on the future. I mean, putting money into an IRA or 401K seems like a pretty big risk to me. If I should die in the next few years, then all that money I saved will go to someone else, and what good does that do me?
So, I'm happy that we're getting a lot of work right now. With my 50s right around the corner, I can still tickle the keyboard, crank out some finished product, and feel like I'll always have an income right up to the day I "retire".
I suppose it's good that we don't have a permanent residence and just ride from place to place, because otherwise, I'd probably just keep working this keyboard all day long.
A vagabond who hauls a motorcycle around the country in a toy hauler, earning a living as a website developer. Can often be found where there's free Wi-Fi, craft beer, and/or public nudity. 
Retirement? What is that? I too am not a big fan of investments. I don't trust them to be there.
ReplyDeleteI have another 20 years of work then I have no idea. Looking 10 years ahead can be frightening. I've worked for my boss for 14 years and he is planning on retiring in about 7 or so. I'll be 50 and looking for work after having worked for the same attorney for over 20 years. Frightening indeed.
That's the biggest problem with working for yourself, or at least not out of an office, there is no quitting time! (I know - did it for many years.)
ReplyDeleteHmmm, I think I'm at your 10-years-from-now point.
ReplyDeleteHi Steve,
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed reading your blog off and on this past year. My partner and I were on a motorcycle camping trip for four and a half months in 2014 across the western US. From looking at your blog, we were in some of the same towns at the same times (Longmont, Pogosa Springs). I've enjoyed your philosophical take on subjects related to motorcycle riding or otherwise but am finding it hard to understand your take on retirement.
Not sure why you think putting money in a tax deferred instrument is a risk? You only mentioned the scenario of what if you die. How about the much more likely (and hoped for by all including yourself I am sure !) scenario of what if you live? Would you not want a cash cushion then for the unexpected and unpredictable times in the future? Besides a retirement plan would also reduce your current taxes and allow you overall to keep more of your hard earned money.
As you well know, one of the vagaries of working for yourself is that the ebb and flow of revenue is not constant and I would think it is only prudent to stash some away while the going is good, tax deferred IRAs/401ks etc are a good vehicle for that.
Perhaps you would care to share your thinking on that, or maybe I misunderstood your post.
Wish you the best in your writings and the next leg of your journey. Like you, we too took a break from our motorcycle trip in November and are in a monthly rental in the Bay Area. Looking to head out by mid March.
regards,
Michael
What I was trying to say is that for me, retirement is when I'm in a nursing home getting rolled over by a nurse (Filipino girlfriend). At that point, money does me no good. Otherwise, as long as I'm able to wipe my butt, I'll find a way to earn a living and not be a burden on my fellow man. Hence, I don't need to live on retirement.
DeleteSteve,
ReplyDeleteThank you for responding. I think I better understand where you are coming from on this topic.
I "retired" from my corporate job at 40 (still able to wipe my butt, thank goodness!) and for the past 2 years have been adventuring and doing what I want, including motorcycle touring. I came upon your blog when googling for motorcycle adventure blogs/sites. Haven't read all your posts but I will I am sure.
Cheers,
Michael