Making money post retirement

I wrote in my book that if you’re the type of person who guns for early retirement, you’re probably the type of person who can make money after they retire if they want to.

I was wrong.

Turns out, making money after retirement is way harder than I thought it would be.

So, eleven years after quitting my job, I’ve made a ton of money from my investments. Those are, for now, still going strong and supporting me fully in my retirement. So, phew!

But my non-investment endeavors have been faring rather crappily. Crappedly?

First, I wrote and published a book. Eight years ago. I’m super proud of it and I love the fact that I did it, pouring my heart and everything I know into it. It’s bought me immense satisfaction, but it hasn’t brought me any dollars. I still haven’t made back the money I spent to create it.

I’ve done surveys in person and online, telling people what I like about this yogurt and what I dislike about this jelly label. I’ve earned perhaps $1,000 worth of gift cards over two years.

I opened an ebay store. I’ve made ~$1,100 on old jewelry and watches my family gave me.

I spent entire days as an election judge. I made less than $5,000 over two years.

Six years ago, I interviewed for a civil rights law firm. They offered $40 an hour.

It’s hardly the $300,000+ I made my last year at my law firm. It’s way harder to jump back into the workplace after a hiatus than it is to slide from one job to the next when you’re already working.

Just a thought. The opportunity cost is enormous.

Worth it. Absolutely, 100% worth it. Just enormous.

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And, on the flip side, I did receive job offers that I’ve turned down. The civil rights firm, offers from friends who own their own businesses, requests from friends to manage their business.

I don’t want to work. I love not working. I’m beginning to think that’s rare.