Numbers

We are both accountants. Main advantage of this is not the salary (we are just on slightly above average wages currently employed in the public sector), but in the familiarity with numbers. We understand that it might not suit everybody but we like numbers (to certain degree). Currently our big break is coming as we have decided that we will take a plunge and try to survive on our own without work for a while. We have enough plans B, so we have decided why not.

When, if not now, as we are mid forties. Whatever is hard now, will only get harder as we get older. We have done our research, decided that we have enough for modest living (the only luxury we like to have is travel but on budget anyway) and gave ourselves generous 2 years of freedom to live and to try to figure out what we want and like without standard 9 to 5 disruption.

Now and then

So we decided that we will lock in few dates and we will start counting time remaining. Android app called “Now and Then” is great for it as it counts time (seconds, minutes, … up to years) between now and the locked future date. So first of our dates is day on which my long service leave after 10 years with the same employer becomes available. Soon after there is another date when we will go for 2 months long holiday (using this long service leave) to Europe and Korea. Soon after being back we have date in our minds, when we would like to give notice at work, that we need serious time off.

Some people buy themselves sport car when they get mid age crisis, we have saved up for 2 years off. More or less same thing. I believe that 2 years will be much cheaper than most of the new red convertibles (usually on loan with high maintenance costs), and unlike with the sport car, we intend to learn a lot. Time of not being at work is just a bonus. Since 3 years old we have been either at school or work or both with total out of work or out of school time about 3-5 month in 40 years.

Couple years break

So in my view we do deserve 2 years off when we can afford it. I know that many of my friends and colleagues cannot understand our point of view, but all I can do is to explain it to them, and advise some of them on related things. Many of them think we are crazy, lazy, different, extreme… We are just trying to live our lives without negatively impacting anyone. Unlike friends and colleagues we have never bought new car or even second hand upper range car. Only second hand good condition cars which retails new under $25k. We still have plenty of second hand furniture we used as students long time ago. No expensive brands in our wardrobe, just clothes mostly no brand or basic sports brand shoes. All is just fine and serves perfectly well.

No expensive lunches or dinners. We can count how many times we spent in restaurant over $100 on one hand and over $150 night in hotel on one hand too. Did I miss anything. I don’t think so. Our 5 months travel 3 years ago though on budget was awesome and we did not feel short-changed at all. We realised we love doing things and not having things. You can exercise reasonably cheaply, you can have free hike or delicious low cost meal with friends at home. Saved money will allow you to buy back your time which you are selling to your employer.

So we are counting days but at the same time we always try to enjoy our time and be positive.