Ready to Retire

Why do we work so hard? I've been asking myself that question all week. Then I ask the following: what is the earliest age at which I can retire?

I'm ready to retire right now. I was trying to do math in my head, failing miserably, and trying to figure out what is the minimum amount of money I need to make in order to survive while still having a little left over for some travel. If I can figure out at what age I can retire and still make that amount, that will be my retirement age. I may need an accountant for this - or at least someone good with numbers.

See, I think people get greedy, working till they're old and gray so they can get the most during retirement (at least that's how it is in the government). However, I think that if you spend your life working, by the time you retire you are too old to enjoy what you've earned. I have no intention of making that mistake.

I already know that I am minimally eligible for retirement after 25 years of government service - that puts me at a minimum retirement age of 50, but screw that! I need a faster plan...rambling ideas anyone?

1. Lottery
2. Start my own business
3. Make money off this blog. Haha - not likely
4. Buy as many batman comics as I can and hope I can sell them for a lot more $ later.
5. Do the same but with basketball cards, football cards, baseball cards? lol
6. Invest. Now why is this one of the last things that occur to me?

Maybe a combination of 4, 5 and 6. JK, I'm probably doomed to work till I'm 50!