And if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Put an asterisk next to that last one. Leaving one job with both a measure of retirement security and the opportunity to take chances in a new and exciting field, as I am, may sound too good to be true, but it is true. I have been working toward this for years, with the strong tail winds of a bull market and a generous employee stock plan at my back. It's a rush when you finally get there.
Planning is an exercise that is easy to shrug off.
And flying by the seat of your pants feels like more fun, too, until the day rolls around that you realize you're tired of looking at the same scenery, and you don't have many options. Planning is something I have consistently endorsed here, along with the recommendation that you consult professionals on the more highly technical aspects of finance. The other watchword that I have embraced is frugality. Your attitude toward money can ultimately make more difference than your knowledge of all its arcane rules. Cliches galore leap to mind, but I will spare you the tedium.