The Joy of Not Working: A Book for the Retired, Unemployed and Overworked- 21st Century Edition
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Consumer Rating: 
By: Ernie J. Zelinski
Format: Paperback
From: Ten Speed Press
Pub. Date: September 2003
From: Ten Speed Press
Pub. Date: September 2003
Product Details:
Catalog: Book
Release Date: 2003-10
Media: Paperback
Number Of Pages: 224
Ean: 9781580085526
Isbn: 1580085520
Catalog: Book
Release Date: 2003-10
Media: Paperback
Number Of Pages: 224
Ean: 9781580085526
Isbn: 1580085520
ABOUT THE BOOK
EDITORIAL REVIEW
Ernie Zelinski has taught more than 150,000 people what THE JOY OF NOT WORKING is about: learning to live every part of your life—work and play, employment, and retirement alike—to the fullest. In this completely revised and expanded edition, you’ll learn how to create an excellent work/life balance by working less, producing more, and being more leisurely; how to gain the courage to leave a life-draining job; and, if you are recently retired or unemployed, how to bring purpose and community back to your life. Plus, new to this edition are 30 inspiring letters from readers detailing how the book helped them live a more exciting and rewarding life. Illustrated with eye-opening exercises, thought-provoking diagrams, and lively cartoons and quotations, THE JOY OF NOT WORKING will guide you to living a more exciting and rewarding life—at work and at play.
USER REVIEWS
"I am getting to within 5 years of retiring from my 1st career and I'm getting ready for my 2nd career. I ordered this book to get some more information about retirement.
The author recommends to keep looking for a job which is something you like doing. His rationale is that since Americans change jobs about every 4 or 5 years......you should keep looking for a job you enjoy. I have seen many people stay in jobs they hate...and it is not a pretty picture for them or their co-workers.
The author's advice to minimize your expenses so you can retire as early as possible is sound advice. I find the balance of the author's financial planning advice to be very weak. I don't know too many people who can get along on only $6,000 annual income in the US. Many studies (Bengen and the Trinity Study) have shown that for long periods of time (30 years), about the most you can withdraw from your portfolio is 4% annually with an annual inflation adjustment. If you are thinking about retiring before Social Security kicks in and you have no traditional pension....to have an income of $50,000 per year requires you to save an accumulate a portfolio of $1.25M (25X of your income). The other issue in this situation is paying for health care in early retirement.
Probably the most valuable part of this book is the section on identifying what activities/hobbies might interest you in retirement. I do agree with the author that people who retire and have no hobbies/interests except for work......usually die within 2 years of retirement. I also agree with his recommendation to plan your retirement several years before you retire and implement some of your new activities before you retire.
All in all, this is a good book for identifying what activities/hobbies might interest you in retirement.
As far as financial planning advice to accumulate enough assets for retirement, I would suggest reading some of the books noted below.
Index Mutual Funds: How to Simplify Your Financial Life and Beat the Pro's
The Richest Man in Babylon
Bogle on Mutual Funds: New Perspectives for the Intelligent Investor
The Millionaire Next Door
The Four Pillars of Investing: Lessons for Building a Winning Portfolio
A Random Walk Down Wall Street: The Time-Tested Strategy for Successful Investing, Ninth Edition
The Coffeehouse Investor: How to Build Wealth, Ignore Wall Street, and Get On With Your Life
The Bogleheads' Guide to Investing"
~ Written on 2008-09-18
The author recommends to keep looking for a job which is something you like doing. His rationale is that since Americans change jobs about every 4 or 5 years......you should keep looking for a job you enjoy. I have seen many people stay in jobs they hate...and it is not a pretty picture for them or their co-workers.
The author's advice to minimize your expenses so you can retire as early as possible is sound advice. I find the balance of the author's financial planning advice to be very weak. I don't know too many people who can get along on only $6,000 annual income in the US. Many studies (Bengen and the Trinity Study) have shown that for long periods of time (30 years), about the most you can withdraw from your portfolio is 4% annually with an annual inflation adjustment. If you are thinking about retiring before Social Security kicks in and you have no traditional pension....to have an income of $50,000 per year requires you to save an accumulate a portfolio of $1.25M (25X of your income). The other issue in this situation is paying for health care in early retirement.
Probably the most valuable part of this book is the section on identifying what activities/hobbies might interest you in retirement. I do agree with the author that people who retire and have no hobbies/interests except for work......usually die within 2 years of retirement. I also agree with his recommendation to plan your retirement several years before you retire and implement some of your new activities before you retire.
All in all, this is a good book for identifying what activities/hobbies might interest you in retirement.
As far as financial planning advice to accumulate enough assets for retirement, I would suggest reading some of the books noted below.
Index Mutual Funds: How to Simplify Your Financial Life and Beat the Pro's
The Richest Man in Babylon
Bogle on Mutual Funds: New Perspectives for the Intelligent Investor
The Millionaire Next Door
The Four Pillars of Investing: Lessons for Building a Winning Portfolio
A Random Walk Down Wall Street: The Time-Tested Strategy for Successful Investing, Ninth Edition
The Coffeehouse Investor: How to Build Wealth, Ignore Wall Street, and Get On With Your Life
The Bogleheads' Guide to Investing"
~ Written on 2008-09-18
"I have read both of Ernie Zelinski's books. The result of which is that I am now retired and living my dreams"
~ Written on 2008-08-29
~ Written on 2008-08-29
"This book gives a lot of encouragement to people who may be unhappy in their jobs or considering retirement. It's not enough to just get away from your job. You have to have something to go to. This book helps you think about what you will do with your time when you retire or stop working. People who have something to do handle not working better. Encouragement is the best feature of this book. It is not a how to book. "
~ Written on 2008-08-26
~ Written on 2008-08-26
"I bought the book because my husband and I are thinking of retirement soon.
I read the whole book and I like it. The aim of the book is to promote active
and purposeful retirement; to enjoy leisure and not to be too concerned about acquiring a lot of
money in order to enjoy the life "after work". Retirement is a mind set.
The book gives a lot of excellent ideas to enjoy retirement."
~ Written on 2008-07-14
I read the whole book and I like it. The aim of the book is to promote active
and purposeful retirement; to enjoy leisure and not to be too concerned about acquiring a lot of
money in order to enjoy the life "after work". Retirement is a mind set.
The book gives a lot of excellent ideas to enjoy retirement."
~ Written on 2008-07-14
"The book is filled with alot of experience and wisdom to ponder. An excellent read if you are considering a major career change but do not know what you want. The book does not suggest you keep a stiff upper lip and take it, so do not read it if you do not want change. You will not be able to look at work or your life the same way when you have finished. "
~ Written on 2007-05-16
~ Written on 2007-05-16