FIRE flamingo advice, 55M 150k€ inheritance
Hi everyone,
I’m looking for some advice regarding my father’s financial situation and possible FIRE strategy.
My father is 55 years old, lives and works in Belgium, and is currently employed as a massage therapist. He enjoys his work but does not necessarily want to continue working full-time until the traditional retirement age.
He is about to receive an inheritance of approximately €150,000. He has no debt, no property and is generally financially responsible.
Initially, he considered buying a small apartment with cash, as he dislikes the idea of taking on a mortgage at his age. However, after reflecting on his priorities, he is now considering a completely different path:
- Buying a campervan/motorhome (a lifelong dream).
- Spending several years travelling through Southern Spain and other parts of Europe.
- Continuing to work occasionally as a self-employed massage therapist while travelling.
- Gradually transitioning into a semi-retired lifestyle rather than stopping work completely.
My initial thought was something along these lines:
- €30k–50k for the motorhome.
- Keep a cash emergency fund.
- Invest roughly €100k in a diversified portfolio (likely through Bolero).
Possible allocation:
• Global equity ETFs (VWCE, IWDA, etc.)
• Government bonds
• Belgian e-DEPO or other capital-preservation products
• Some cash reserves for flexibility
The goal would be:
- Enjoy life while still healthy and active.
- Avoid locking too much capital into real estate.
- Let investments compound over the next 10 years.
- Reach age 65/67 with a strong investment portfolio plus Belgian pension rights.
- Maintain flexibility to earn occasional income during the semi-retirement years.
My questions:
If you were in his position, would you choose property or financial assets?
How would you allocate €150k at age 55 with a 10-year horizon?
How much would you keep in equities versus bonds/cash?
Are there specific Belgian products (e-DEPO, government bonds, pension-related investments, etc.) that you would consider?
Has anyone here transitioned to a “Coast FIRE” or “Flamingo FIRE” lifestyle in their mid-50s?
Any thoughts, criticisms, or alternative approaches are welcome.
Thank you!