Fed up with the fast life
Tired of life on Wall Street, millionaire bond trader Rob Goldenhill bought a Vermont country store. Would you give it all up for a slower pace?
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Diggthese companies are as we say in Jamaica “likkle but tallawah”
Rob, I like your style! I was Rob’s clerk nearly 20 years ago and it’s good to see that he’s made the right choices in life. My friend, it’s great to hear that all is well!
Aloha!
The report provides very valuable information that can form the basis of making investment decisions. Wish the report delved into a little more information pertaining to whether the company is publicly traded - in the main body of the report.
Forget that!
I would rather work 80 hours a week, drink coffee all day, take sleeping pills at night, stay tired and stressed out and make millions of dollars. People think spending time doing things you enjoy is the way to live. But most people find out that this is boring because they can’t share their experiences with their friends and family still stuck in the rat race. It’s better to be in the rat race with everyone else than it is to be on the outside all bored and lonely. Working people don’t want to hear the complaints of a rich retiree. They want to hear the mindless rants and problems and stress and confusion of other working class people. The purpose of life is to work until you die anyway.
Give it up for the slow life? Sure! Most (or many) people would, but most people don’t have the comfort of a few “units” in the bank to fall back on when the soup isn’t selling. Rob’s life is ideal, but he already has the luxury of not having to make a living at it.
Hi:
I live in Williamsville, and have been to the store many times [it's closed for renovations at the moment]. Rob’s done a great thing for this small town. True, the store is more upscale, but it has [or had pre-renovation] the basics. And he’s extremely generous. the problem is due to location it’s a near impossible place to really make money, but they couldn’t have done a better job with the place.
My wife and I let go of two decades of hard work on our Utah horse facility to
“retire” to Maui. Now we’re busy than ever with http://www.mauiventuresgreoup.com and http://www.huladogfashions.com. The big difference is the amount of time we spend on community service as well as our efforts to preserve our nest egg.
Life just feels more fulfilling now.
I enjoyed your story about Rob’s new life in Vermont and the Country Store he brought back to like in Williamsville. I also been reading the blogs and was amused by the guy who states…”Just another NY guy bringing his dopy ways to Vermont” — clearly a “native Vermonter” wrote that one…kind of a humorous statement but anything could be further from the truth.
We often stop by the store for the most delicious home-made natural foods you can buy — everything from fresh crab cakes, lasagna, salads, mac n’ cheese, great coffee and breakfast sandwiches. If I lived (full time) in Williamsville or near by I’d be really psyched that Rob moved into town. And when you walk into the store the people who work there are really proud and enjoying their work (craft), and it’s a really cool environment (also a beautiful, “natural Vermont” store. So I would say there really is no evidence of a New York guy’s “dopy ways” — just great food, awesome tunes, and nice people to help you out. So Rob, keep it going dude, without your team we wouldn’t eat nearly as well when we visit Vermont. You are offering the community a great resource on many levels. PS — we need a store this good in our CT. neighborhood. Why don’t you expand it out?? Cheers.
My husband I have been living in Grafton, another small Vermont town near Williamsville, for 13 years. It took some getting used to, but I don’t miss the traffic or the pretense. Yes, we’re surrounded by some of those “drop-outs” that were mentioned, but I’ve also found people who are well-traveled, well-educated, and incredibly fun to be around. I’d say we have more friends down here than we ever had in Toronto. That’s because we have the time to make and nurture those relationships. And can we talk about the summers? Divine.
What a crock - the article as well as most of the posts here. Let’s get real. First, most people do not have the assets to reitre at 50 and go to one of the most expensive places in the country and buy everything in sight - including a little store that loses more money than the avergae family of 4 earns in a year. So with his toes in the middle age wading pool, some Type AAA guy decides he’s had enough affairs, earned enough money, and let enough of his life pass him by. Big freakin’ deal. If you’d have had your head out of your ass in your 30’s you could have done it all, and been happy in the process. No balance in life is dangerous. How many millions did you/do you need? Being Type A isn’t all about the “Benjamins” - it’s about winning in life. If all you have to show for it is a broken marriage and a lot of money - you lost.
I find it very hard to empathize with this guy. So what if he sold his soul to Wall Street? He made a ton of money and now has the means to slow down and smell the flowers. And what does he do with the opportunity but try to reinvent a corner of southern Vermont as “Westchester County North.” Talk about your big-city know-it-alls; he turns a local institution into a store for the “carriage trade.” and then says there’s no room for froufrou. Who is he kidding? He turned his back on his VT neighbors in order to draw business from the wealthy New York and Connecticut crowd with whom he had always associated. In addition to all of the B&B’s for sales in Vermont, I won’t be surprised to see his store on the list in short order.
My admiration is for those in the workforce who are cops or nurses or retail store clerks or hairdressers, etc., etc., who will never amass the funds to pursue their dream. Their jobs may be mindnumbing, but their souls are more than likely still intact.
i’m a fresh college graduate and got hired recently…i discovered i kind of hate the job but i need money for my own upkeep…if only i could i would really quit and do something i love. it’s wierd coz lately i’ve been coming accross articles tackling about quiting your present job for something you love. is this a sign?hmmmm
Happiness is best described as being content with what you have. Rob’s journey isn’t unique-just different. Realizing what is really important during one’s journey is the eye opener. For me, it was in my late 40’s in Dallas. Tired of managing others, driving the crowded toll roads and constantly raising the bar to reach our next financial goal - the family moved to the hill country and slowed our lives down multiple gears. These days I’m more concerned with the weather and diverting drainage on my property. Simple living, and if we decide we want to catch a show or eat Thai - Austin is a short 45 minute ride. Life is how we manage our journey and how much thought we put into it. Keyword: thought. Suggestion: don’t think too much.
It seems to me that a large, unfortunate number of people in life are just uncapable of being happy. The same qualities of hard work and sacrifice that built our country have somehow transformed into greed and self-involvement. Sadly, all these qualities help to advance our capitalist society; but the ideals on which our nation was based are now corrupted.
There are people that are happy no matter where they are in life, and then there are people that are unhappy no matter how many advantages they have.
In my experience, I’m beginning to think that happiness is a personality type, not a goal to be achieved. Every single person on this earth has something to be thankful for. Focus on those things, and you’ll be on your way to true happiness.
enjoy your cigerrettes!
I retired at 47, 7 years ago. Since then I sold my house and bought an RV and my wife and I have traveled primarily in the west. We have volunteered for the BLM from time to time protecting archeological sites. We have bicycled extensively. We have joined the Peace Corps and are about to volunteer in South America for twenty-seven month. If one has some money, health and imagination, retirement can be wonderful experience.
Like many fly fishermen in western Montana where the summer days are almost Arctic in length, I often do not start fishing until the cool of the evening. Then in the Arctic half-light of the canyon, all existence fades to a being with my soul and memories and the sounds of the Big Blackfoot River and a four-count rhythm and the hope that a fish will rise. Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. The river was cut by the world’s great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of those rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs. I am haunted by waters.
I find this ex-Bond trader’s story a bit revolting. Betty Ford or horses? That was his tough life choice?
Inspired by people that drive BMWs to a poetry reading? Could this person be more out of touch?
Retired two and a half years ago at 60. Went back to cycling when weather is good which in centeral Ohio is a problem a big part of the year.
Need to find some thing that I would enjoy to do with my time.
Before did not have any time for self and now to much.
Hard to find the middle of the road.
Nope, I’d get bored but I certainly don’t do 60 hours a week anymore. I worked very hard and a lot of hours for almost 20 years and now I’m enjoying the fruits of my labor - 30 hours a week, 6 figures, 2 houses, new car. However I still have to work and probably will until I’m in my 60’s. As for Goldenhill, he’s a self-obsessed A$$-type. Boo-hoo, another rich jerk can’t find contentment in the sub-suburbs. Cry me a river and fill it with some fish.
As a 53 yr. old self-employed attorney who is sitting at home awaiting a quadruple bypass, I can relate to Goldenhill’s need to reassess his hectic life. I have been forced to do so. On the other hand - it sounds like he needs an attitude adjustment as well. His self-absorbed commentary speaks volumes to his arrogance. And to think he still smokes ?! How incredible.
I admire Goldenhill for at least trying something different. I don’t see him lasting long in Vermont. Making bread & soup 7 days a week is going to get old. He will still keep a vested interest in Vermont, in some financial way, though he will be off to somewhere & something else in the near future. Goldenhill will be on an eternal pursuit for some gratification never to be found.
Been there, done that. I left Wall Street at 38 (Investment Banker). Twelve years later (and a lot of wandering) I write childrens’ novels. As I good friend of mine (former IB’er as well who left the Street before me) said, “I only miss it one day a year… bonus day.”
“The grass is greener on the other side,” is one thought that continually popped into my mind as I read this article. Then by then end of it, I thought his actions was and is in good harmony for Rob Goldenhill to think this way and to live this way.
Life seems to be all about balance. One must experience many and most experiences that this life does have to offer, if the opportunity comes by.
For example, my life has for the most part been what he strove for in the tranquility of rural life. However, from my perspective, the proverbial greener grass is in Wall Street. I would “Jump ship” and strive for being a millionaire in a highly active environment, in a heart beat.
He has made his luck or has found his luck or perhaps, found and made his luck in having been able to make his money first. This very well has allowed his imagination to roll freely enough to feel his security would not be in jeopardy to approach a wholly new life style and ways of thinking.
Whether humans know it or not, we all seek “tranquility of a cow” through balance in life. And this country bumpkin will be balanced once given a chance to set this world on fire for a while myself!
Rob has seen the extremes of both lifestyles and has succeeded in each! Well done Rob!
For a number of years I did the same thing….dropped out of the rat race to live in a small town in northern vermont. In reading this article, it reminded me of all the negative aspects of living in a small town. The idea seems wonderful…fresh air, no commute, a more relaxed lifestyle. But the reality is that you are surrounded by a group of marginal “drop outs” from society that for the most part are narrow minded intolerant people who are frozen in time from 50+ years ago. As for the person in your article the reality is that unfortunately the person cannot escape the real problem in his life ..which is him!!!. The fact that 5 years of his life passes by without him accomplishing anything speaks more to his values and attitudes than his environment.He probably won’t accomplish much in the next 5 years either.
It is less about the pace, than the path. It’s like the poem where two roads diverge in a wood. I suspect Mr. Goldenhill could go back to his old life, very easily at first. However, I suspect he wouldn’t want to stay in it (having tasted a truer and sweeter life nectar).
I always imagine that I could live any sort of life, as long as I was free, and self-determined (not driven by the need to make a living - which doesn’t mean not desiring to make money). I’ll turn the wheel as fast as I like, and not out of habit or necessity. And sometime I wouldn’t turn the wheel at all…
I too have given up the fast life of climbing on airplanes week after week. When you walk away, what you wanted to believe was so critical that you slave over it, was really in the global scheme of things mere corporate dogma and striving to push forward inch by inch. Having made enough money for me and my family to live on the rest of our lives, I decided to leave the fast life and enjoy myself and my family. Hopefully, since I am 47 I will have several years to do that. You know, planting a garden, tending the shrubs and flowers can be very enjoyable when you take the time. Going fishing on Monday afternoon or playing a leisurely round of golf on Wednesday morning is far better than making additional millions. Who would they have been for anyway? Future generations that I will never know? Let them make their own way and learn from their own work ethic.
People are such a trip! All that talent and money and still smoking, who would have thought? Once I worked for a fellow who said he’d never hire a smoker because such a person lacked self-respect or was stupid or slovenly or something not quite right. As a reformed smoker I am of the zealot class, if I can do it why can’t you? Unique as we are, you can make scads of ticks and I with little cash can quit smoking. I met a woman and told her about my friend an alcoholic on the wagon and she said he couldn’t handle his drinking, like being an alcoholic was something he had failed at. We indulge ourselves today and enjoy life, not caring to extend our time on earth and forgo the pleasures we appreciate.
I read with interest about Rob, I too am one of those ex-corporate/entrepreneurs who spent far to many hours growing 3 high tech businesses. One of them, a software company focused on video on demand software for the cable industry, was a great hit with the industry. But I missed my son’s high school years and my doctor told me that I was a prime candidate for a heart attack. I sat back and decided that I needed a radical change in my life, I sold all 3 companies and bought a sail boat, no one expected I would be gone long, afterall I was a very focused type double A personality. Well it has been 5 years now (I’m 51) and I hope to never see the inside of a pair of wing tips or have to ever wear a tie again (except maybe for my funeral, which according to my doctor should be sometime in the very far future)
Just another NY jerk bringing his dopy ways to Vermont
Would I “give it all up” for a slower pace? What did these people give up? The guy lost $70,000 of his own money in his first year of operation? Clearly he didn’t “give up” anything. He’s just a filthy rich retiree running a small business because it’s “fun.” Let him give all him money away to charity and then have to actually WORRY about whether he turns a profit…THEN he would have “given it all up.”
Why is this kind of self-indulgent crap in the business section of the website? Why should anybody looking for the latest business headlines want to read about the early retirements of bond traders and investment bankers? Get this article into the “entertainment” section where it belongs.
Nice article — I often think about how much money one needs to be truly happy. I have come to the conclusion, for myself at least, that working from home and having a comfortable lifestyle where I can support my family and sometimes take some nice trips is all I need. My trick to being happy is work only as much as you have to in order to support a comfortable lifestyle. Staying in shape and spending time w/ your wife/kids is far more valuable than making $250K/year, as this level of salary always comes with strings which will take away from your personal time. I also try to stay away from expensive cars and any asset over $2K that does not appreciate in value.
I’ve been close to jumping away from corporate america and this may be just what I need to do it. Life is too short not to enjoy every minute.
I did. I wasn’t making nearly as much as a bond trader but I knew I never would and living in the big city was consuming every cent I made. Real estate prices went nuts and the chances I would ever have a decent home and time to enjoy life were draining away by the hour on Southern California’s 405.
I moved to a small town in another state where my money stretches much further. It’s quiet and I can afford a modest home with a nice yard. I’m an information worker and what Forbes calls a “Geographic Arbitrageur” so I work from home.
When I need a break I can play with my dogs for a while or walk downtown. I can work from my back yard instead of an office with a view of other offices. I’m never stuck on a freeway. I have time to take art classes and pursue artistic interests. I can be at the nearest fishing spot in 10 minutes.
I work fewer hours and at any time of day so I have time for myself, and still have more left to increase my savings. I could never go back to the ridiculous carrot-and-stick grind. A slightly larger paycheck is worth nothing if all you do is work and sleep and there’s still nothing left over at the end of the month and no time for things you really enjoy.
Of course I would give it all up– if I had that kind of money. Money is the only thing that keeps me working. Working is dumb. It’s a waste of living.
I’ve done just about what Rob did except leave a wonderful paying job like that one since I’m so young. But I know a lot of people in that field and they burn out pretty easily so It makes me think about what I would really LOVE to do instead of loving the money and hating my job.
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In a heart beat!!
Lost a great little restaurant 6 years ago today. Working like a dog and will turn 50 in two months. But I have my health!!!