Retirement -- it's tough to REALLY consider how it will be in today's time, IMO. After years & years of a "paycheck" it's a little intimidating to say "no more". I believe the timeline for FEM is being able to collect on her retirement income from this job? SS is my biggest retirement income check & supplementing all is nice but, I could live without working -- albeit carefully & frugally.
I am practicing now. Cash only (ok 98% of the time LOL), consider my purchases, control impulses....that's hard! You have to be able to rethink your wants/needs. I have not ever put myself in this more centered position. While I know I can be fine, I feel some concerns with "ending work". If I can farm provide
my food and my animals provide
their own extras, I am ok mentally.

It truly is a mental fight as much as financial.
That's why Bay can feel good with expending to buy meat birds, hogs, knowing they get "free" food, sell enough to pay for the expenses of it. The work to do becomes a lot more "fun" at that point. It is SS at it's best. A little more prep here and I will feel it to be "OK". It's exciting and scary at the same time. My time frame is only one year off.

OK, THAT IS scary . Can hardly wait. I am at the point that I don't WANT to go to work. I'm on a teeter-totter. Right now, any breakdown becomes a "what if" for 2 years out. Just my way of thinking through it all. Yet, I know it will work out!!!
Mud will be less of a problem for you when you don't have to leave it to "go to work"

I'm convinced. Because we would actually address some things earlier if we had the time to do so -- when your TIME become your own to schedule your activities. Garden time, barn time, milking time, canning time...what could be better ? ! ? (keep that thought!)