I have always been searching for early retirement

Ever since I was in my 20s, I couldn’t stop thinking about early retirement. Unfortunately, I have made so many mistakes that today I am 53 years old and I am not there yet.

The journey to Canada

When I was in my 30s, I left my country to come to Canada. I started a new life with practically nothing. I have to thank my family for sponsoring my 1st year of life in Canada.

Now I have been in Canada for 20 years. In the first 5 years, I attended University, so that doesn’t count. Well yes, it counts. I invested time, energy, and money and I got very little in returns. A diploma which has helped me very little.

My failure as a commission-based financial advisor

I went into a dead-end career that didn’t satisfy me. I used to sell mutual funds and insurance products to people. I used to be that financial advisor who used to sell high fee, high commission financial products.  After one year, I quit.

My career as a dance teacher

While going to University, I used to dance as a hobby. Dancing became the profession that sustained me for 8 years. I didn’t make a lot of money, but I was happy. In spite of not earning much, I managed to save a little bit every month.

Airbnb and others side hustles

During that past 6 years, I made a lot of changes. I closed my school, Dance Conmigo, I started investing in real estate and I started an Airbnb business which I closed last month.

I live on less than $2,000/month

An easy way to achieve early retirement is to spend less than you earn.

My monthly expenses are a bit under $2,000. With my Airbnb business, some private dances classes, some photo gigs,  and some consulting from my blogging I was making about $2,500 per month.

I was able to put $500 in my savings account every month and I would spend the rest.

Now that my Airbnb business is closed, I earn a bit less than $1,500.

I work less, I earn less, I am happier

I work less, I earn less, but I am so much happier. I have fewer responsibilities, I have more leisure time and especially now, summertime, I spend many hours sitting outside, in the park, reading, drinking cafe au lait, and chatting with people.

Can I pay my bills?

I work about 20 hours per week. This seems to be enough, but I don’t know. I have such a big reserve, that until now I don’t know if my expenses are bigger than my revenues or vice-versa.

I am enjoying this increased freedom. I love not being responsible. I love no having responsibilities.

Today, I was having a cafe au lait with a friend, in the middle of the afternoon, dressed in shorts and sandals, just being thankful for the universe because that amount of leisure time is available.

I will work during the Fall if I have to

I don’t know if I can afford my layback lifestyle. At least during the summer, I will continue enjoying it. During the Fall or Winter, when the weather is not as nice, if I discover that I have to work more, then I will do what, I will have to work more. But for the moment, let me enjoy life.

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