Tanja Hester and her husband, Mark Bunge, retired in December 2017 at the ripe old ages of 38 and 41. Hester, author of the award winning blog Our Next Life, is releasing a new book, “Work Optional: Retire Early the Non-Penny-Pinching Way,” to help others create their own early retirements.
As a long time reader of Our Next Life, I was excited to read the book. Hester provides unique insights, in depth analysis and takes strong stances on controversial topics. All of this stands out and creates an environment embracing diverse viewpoints among FIRE blogs that can serve as echo chambers.
Tanja and Mark also have a personal story that resonates with me, as it likely will with many of you. They rejected high earning, but high stress, careers to move to the mountains of Lake Tahoe to pursue a simpler life.
Read on for my full review of “Work Optional: Retire Early the Non-Penny Pinching Way.” I’ll share where this book shines and can add value to planning your early retirement, as well as where it falls short, to help you decide if you want to build a work optional life of your own.