Many have noted that Atle Pettersen wishes to “start early” on his retirement when he turns 45.
The original plan was to retire already at 40, but now the artist has somewhat moderated his stance.
– Do you mean this seriously? Why?
Saving Trend Among Youth Takes Off in Norway
– Yes… how should I put it? It’s perhaps mostly about feeling that one needs to stop chasing, says Atle Pettersen to TV 2.
The artist has previously discussed his plans for the future with, among others, VG.
Lonely Industry
The man from Skien justifies his wish by stating that he is in an industry that can often be both ambitious and lonely.
<img class="image__img lazyload" itemprop="image" title="Photo: Petter M. Klepelv" alt="– LONELY INDUSTRY: Atle Pettersen during last year's Christmas tour. A likely much-needed energy drink can be spotted. Photo: Petter M. Klepelv" width="675" height="453" src="https://www.cdn.tv2.no/images/17178274.webp?imageId=17178274&x=0.00&y=23.52&cropw=94.25&croph=53.34
– One feels like one must say yes to everything and always be very offering. Always “putting oneself out there.” I enjoy that a lot, but at some point, it becomes nice to be able to relax a bit. Do what you most want to do, says the 35-year-old, who is about to embark on a Christmas tour.
Facts: This is the “FIRE” saving movement
“FIRE” stands for “Financial independence, retire early.”
The movement is said to have originated in the USA in the 1990s.
More Norwegians have become aware of “FIRE.” The Facebook group “FIRE Norway” has over 8,500 members.
Saving economist at Nordnet, Bjørn Erik Sættem, has previously stated to TV 2 that many “FIRE” supporters save up to 50 percent of their salary each month.
– To reach the challenging goal of financial independence, you either need to have a sky-high income and save a portion of it, or you can earn normally, live on a low consumption, and save a lot, says Sættem.
Saving in stocks or funds is one way to save. Purchasing your own home is a “no-brainer,” says Bjørn Erik Sættem.
The saving economist also suggests renting out parts of your home or renting out the entire place during vacations. Renting or selling assets and investing in rental apartments are other options.
Source: Bjørn Erik Sættem, saving economist at the savings and investment platform Nordnet.
– Those I know don’t believe me. I definitely feel that now that the tour is approaching, I have an itch to perform. I love being on stage, so I think it will be difficult to let that go completely.
he wants to do
Many – most – would think Pettersen has to work every waking hour to reach his goal. And the artist admits that he has to “work hard.”
LOOKING INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL: In ten years, you will likely see Atle Pettersen in such surroundings rather than bare-chested at a company party, if you believe the artist himself. Photo: Petter M. Klepelv
– And one must have some kind of strategy, and try to be frugal where one can. And place one’s savings well. I have realized that there are people who are much smarter than I am in that area, so I have asked for help, explains Pettersen.
– Various things. I think it will involve a lot of music. Or projects that I don’t necessarily have to earn money from.
Something he will also have more time for is nurturing relationships. Like guy trips, for example. He has missed those for many years because his gig jobs are often scheduled for the weekends.
The solution? Touring in an RV with musician friends.
<img class="image__img lazyload" itemprop="image" title="Photo: Petter M. Klepelv" alt="WHITE CHRISTMAS: Forget queues, ketchup stains on jackets, and poor visibility – it can also be this idyllic when driving from tour stop to tour stop. Photo: Petter M. Klepelv" width="978" height="551" src="https://www.cdn.tv2.no/images/17178225.webp?imageId=17178225&width=978&height=551" fetchpriority="auto" srcset="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhEAAJAIAAAP///wAAACH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAAQAAkAAAIKhI+py+0Po5yUFQA7" data-srcset="https://www.cdn.tv2.no/images/17178225.webp?imageId=17178225&width=2934
– They are some of my best friends, so you get many of those needs met after three weeks on the road together.
– Yes, we really should have a camera crew with us, but I’m unsure whether I could ever show myself in public again. There are definitely “guy vibes” and just silliness.
Christmas with Daughter
The 35-year-old has, besides planning for the tour, created film music for the first time for the children’s film “Christmas with Astrid Lindgren”. He watched it with his three-year-old daughter Demi, who was born just before Christmas in 2021.
It was on New Year’s Eve in 2018 that Atle Pettersen got down on one knee to propose to his girlfriend Cathrine Eide, who had worked as a journalist at TV 2 for several years.
In 2019, Pettersen and Eide exchanged “I do” in Greece. Two years later, their first child, Demi, was born.
– It’s a choice we’ve made because it’s not our right to make her known to anyone in any way, Pettersen said to Se og Hør in 2023.
A proud father tells TV 2 that Demi, at her modest three years, has already begun to expand her Christmas song repertoire, and that he hopes she will learn “Light the Candles” one day.
It’s a song he believes has become highly relevant due to the world becoming increasingly difficult and polarized.
– Using Christmas to try to bring us together a bit more, and finding the good values, I think is important to focus on, says Atle Pettersen.
It will be enjoyable to spend time together while working. Touring in an RV allows for a mix of work and leisure, creating memorable experiences with friends. The idyllic scenes of driving from tour stop to tour stop, without the stress of queues and other inconveniences, can make for a pleasant holiday experience.
Atle Pettersen expresses a desire to balance hard work in his career with personal enjoyment and relaxation. As he prepares for his Christmas tour, he reflects on the importance of maintaining connections with friends and pursuing projects that may not necessarily be financially driven but bring him joy. This approach aligns with the principles of the “FIRE” movement he references, which emphasizes financial independence and a lifestyle that values experiences over material goods.