Flexibility to accommodate mid-week movies is one of my favorite perks of the FIRE lifestyle.
Photo provided by Nielsen
This past Tuesday, I took my youngest daughter to an advance screening of “Crazy Rich Asians”, including an Asian-American business pre-show talk, by Nielsen, and an Asian food-themed after-party.
A few years earlier, I took my oldest daughter to an advance screening of “Today’s Special” including a talkback with the movie’s star and creator, Aasif Mandvi. This was a mid-week adventure during a school night, but it was a unique opportunity (we were huge Daily Show fans at the time) and educational in a different way (a behind-the-scenes look at making a movie!).
Now that Tamarindo opened a new movie theater, we can continue the movie-going during our FIRE time in Costa Rica!
Spending the 9-to-5 outside
Now that Scott has jumped on a flexible, reduced work schedule as well, we have discovered that a nearby movie theater offers deeply discounted movies and popcorn on a Tuesday.
We also have added a Friday nature walk date to our schedule (the video of the deer seemingly jumping off a cliff still makes me laugh).
On another Excursion Friday walk in Central Park, we encountered a turtle facing down a family of raccoons:
It is fun to spend 9-to-5 outside in natural light instead of fluorescent office lighting. There are work productivity and health benefits to natural light as well, according to a study by View and Future Workplace.
Late night comfort food runs
While we intend to move to Jacksonville soon and spend our mid-weeks at the beach, we’re in New York City now, and my favorite New York City pastime is theater. I’m a member of the TDF discount tickets program and frequently attend a show middle of the week, with my musical theater-loving daughter along.
Broadway shows often let out after 10pm, but this is the city that never sleeps, so even past 10pm, we can find a place to eat. The Counter in the heart of Times Square is a favorite, with its customizable burgers and milkshakes.
Empty salons
Another perk of the FIRE lifestyle is to be able to run errands during less busy times. I took my youngest for her first pedicure and was able to pick a time when the salons are empty. Since it is summertime, my daughter’s schedule is currently flexible too!
I get facials at a place that gives discounts on weekdays before 4pm. Also, I never have to visit the bank or post office during the busy lunch hour.
Impromptu road trips
I’m writing this post in Philadelphia. We are in the middle of a bathroom renovation that is taking longer than expected, (watch this site soon for more on why I still think it was a good idea financially) and so Scott and I escaped at a moment’s notice to get a break from the renovation dust and discord.
Now that our work is more virtual and flexible, we can book these impromptu road trips. We found a Philadelphia hotel for a bargain number of Starwood points, so Philadelphia here we are!
Trailing spouse dates
Sam Houston among the flowers
Last week, we were in Houston. I was talking negotiation at the AAJA National Convention and so we had the hotel at a very nice Marriott resort already covered. Scott tagged along and got to see Houston for the first time — took in an Astros / Mariner game, ran a 5k, and explored the downtown on mass transit. We even got in a nature walk at the Japanese garden in Hermann Park.
A few months ago, we had a trailing spouse trip to Charlotte, NC, and in October, we have Philadelphia and Orlando. (If you’re in the legal research profession, the IPMA Conference in Orlando might be of interest. I’m giving the closing keynote on The Surprising First Step To Breakthrough Career Success, as well as teaching a Masala Bhangra Indian dance exercise class.)
Available for unexpected family needs
Last year our youngest daughter decided at the last minute that she wanted to tour a few of the colleges in upstate New York during one of her school breaks. Since Scott’s time is flexible now, he was able to adjust his schedule so they could travel together.
In addition to looking at 4 schools, they also had a great time seeing Niagara Falls!
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You don’t need to have reached financial independence or be in early retirement to take advantage of any of the above. For us, however, the crazy pace of New York City corporate careers would have made it difficult, if not impossible, to break away mid-week or at a moment’s notice.
If you can negotiate for flexibility in your current job, you might enjoy some perks of the FIRE lifestyle now. The newfound flexibility may give you more incentive to ask for even more flexibility.
I transitioned from corporate slowly – trying out part-time and remote work arrangements before launching my own business. It’s been 11 years now and counting!
We are Scott and Caroline, 50-somethings who spent the first 20+ years of our adult lives in New York City, working traditional careers and raising 2 kids. We left full-time work in our mid-40’s for location-independent, part-time consulting projects and real estate investing, in order to create a more flexible and travel-centric lifestyle. 
Financial independence and early retirement is not something we originally focused on, but over time realized it was possible. Our free report, 
You’re inspiring, Caroline!
Thanks for the kind words, Patricia! Scott and I plan to make travel to the Philippines a regular part of our FIRE lifestyle, so let’s connect when we’re next there!