I am a 53-year-old woman who is looking to retire within the next 18 months. I currently have a home that is paid for, which I plan to use as a home base. Outside of that home, my assets are $150,000 in cash savings and $1.4 million in my 401(k). I plan to travel most of the year outside of the U.S. for the first three years of my retirement.
I hope to have a blog documenting travel/living in various places as a single mature woman. Whenever I am in the U.S., I plan to work jobs that provide a small income with insurance to offset my expenses until reaching Social Security eligibility. I am setting a budget of $30,000 annually for the first five years of my retirement, which should leave me roughly one year to work if I don’t wish to pay a penalty for early withdrawal.
Do I have enough to retire and live the life I’m dreaming of?
Best,
S.D.
Dear S.D.,
As soon as I read your question, I knew I’d want to answer it, as there’s a raging debate…
