Work Optional
Tanja Hester
Early retirement without extreme frugality, and with the practical chapters most FIRE books skip. One of the best for the last stretch.
By uFIRE ·
What the book is about
This book is about retiring early on a realistic budget rather than a bare-bones one. It frames the goal as making work optional, so you can choose what to do with your time, rather than vowing never to earn money again.
It covers the planning many early retirees underestimate: health insurance before Medicare age, how to reach retirement money before the usual age rules allow, building in margin for surprises, and the emotional side of leaving a career, including identity, purpose and how to spend your days.
Who it's for
People who are within sight of their number and want to plan the transition carefully, and anyone who likes the idea of FIRE but doesn't want to live on rice and beans.
Maybe skip it if: Total beginners. It assumes you've already got the saving and investing basics in hand.
What we liked
- The chapters on health insurance and getting to your money early are practical and calm.
- It treats purpose and identity as part of the plan, not an afterthought.
- It builds in margin. The author encourages readers to plan for things going wrong, which we think is wise.
What we'd push back on
- It's written for US readers, and rules on health insurance and retirement accounts change. Check current rules before acting.
- Some of the suggested safety margins mean working a bit longer. That's a fair trade, but it's a trade.
Takeaways
- Plan health insurance before you give notice, not after.
- Know how you'll reach your money in the years before traditional retirement age.
- Decide what you're retiring to, not just what you're leaving.
Want to read it?
Check your local library first. Many lend e-books and audiobooks you can borrow from home. If you'd like your own copy, it's easy to find.
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Education only. These are our opinions about a book, not advice. uFIRE is for education only. Nothing here is financial, investment, tax, legal or insurance advice. uFIRE does not sell insurance or investments. Please check any money, tax or insurance decision with a licensed professional.