Early Retirees Pave the Way for Others to "Get Out Early"
If high stress and long hours on the job are something you could live without, then pick up the March 2004 issue of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine and read “Get Out Early” by Catherine Siskos. Featured in her article are Larry and Kris Ferstenou who exited the full-time workforce over a decade ago at ages 40 and 42. They retired young without being rich and without having earned a six-digit income. You can read more about their story and how you, too, can leave behind the high stress and long hours of your job in Kiplinger’s March issue.
St. George, UT (PRWEB) February 18, 2004
If high stress and long hours on the job are something you could live without, then pick up the March 2004 issue of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine and read “Get Out Early” by Associate Editor Catherine Siskos. Featured in her article are early retirees Larry and Kris Ferstenou who exited the full-time workforce over a decade ago at ages 40 and 42. Their story illustrates that it’s not only possible to retire young, but that it can be done without being rich and without having to earn a six-digit income.
The Ferstenous began their quest to retire early after Larry’s 52-year old father died suddenly of a heart attack. It was an incident that changed their lives in more ways than one. In their mid-twenties at the time, and determined not to work until the day they died, the couple set an ambitious goal of retiring with a million dollars when Larry turned 50. But sixteen years later the Ferstenous came to the conclusion that working six and often seven days a week in an effort to become “rich” would probably take its toll on their health and relationship long before they achieved their financial goal. Fortunately, they had come to realize something else: you don’t need a million dollars to retire early.
Having met only half their financial goal, the Ferstenous left their average 65-hour workweeks in 1993 to enjoy the freedom and control over their lives that early retirement allows. And eleven years later? According to Larry, “We retired in our early 40s without pensions, stock options, or an inheritance. Yet, more than a decade later (and even after the recent three-year bear market), our net worth is significantly higher than when we retired. With sufficient motivation and effective long-term strategies, others can do the same.” In addition to the Ferstenou’s story, Kiplinger’s article “Get Out Early” describes a major change taking place in retirement and suggests alternatives for leaving behind the high stress and long hours that many workers face today.
To inspire and empower others to achieve their early retirement dream, Larry Ferstenou has written “You CAN Retire Young: How to Retire in Your 40s or 50s Without Being Rich” (American Book Publishing, 2002). For more information, go to http://www. youcanretireyoung. com (http://www. youcanretireyoung. com)
