Offically ending sabbatical as jump start to FIRE

[earlyFI]

One year ago I took a sabbatical, or a year of unpaid leave. My company permitted an employee to take up to a year off for personal reasons, and they would still provide health insurance, and some pension accrual. I "officially" gave my notice this month, and Wed will be my last day.

This past year has been amazing, it has been worth any small sacrifice I made getting to this point.  While working towards FIRE I had several side gigs, saved as much as I could (my main salary), lived off the money the side gig money and met a preset goal I made for myself to retire Aug 2015, 20 years before traditional retirement.

The sabbatical was a sort of safety net transition/way of writing my own leave package. While it did feel like a had a little leash still attached (I told people I was on sabbatical, instead of retired) I think it was worth it. (Insurance benefit continued, pension accrual, I could go back if anything major happened)

For me, the biggest change is being able to control my own time. In my career I was at the mercy of my boss in terms of when I was at the office, no flexibility. I have been able to spend time with my family when I would have otherwise been at work, be able to travel to several foreign countries, climb Kilimanjaro, and bike tour the coast of Oregon. It has been a great year already.

So for those working toward FIRE, don't give up. It is worth it!

[Financial.Velociraptor]

w00t!

[dougules]

!

[katesilvergirl]

These kind of stories are so encouraging to hear about. Congrats!

[Bicycle_B]

Good deal, and thanks for sharing your story!

[steveo]

Thanks for this. I plan to do the exact same thing. I will have 6 months paid leave available to me. It's close to that now. I intend to take a career break for 3 years. I should get paid for 12 months part time but even 6 months full time will be fine because I intend to do this at the end of the financial year (not this financial year).

I then can also go back within the 3 year period if we have bad investment returns or something doesn't work out.

[arebelspy]

This past year has been amazing
...
I have been able to spend time with my family when I would have otherwise been at work, be able to travel to several foreign countries, climb Kilimanjaro, and bike tour the coast of Oregon. It has been a great year already.

Wow, that's an incredible year!  Congrats on making it permanent! :)

[flyingaway]

Thanks for this. I plan to do the exact same thing. I will have 6 months paid leave available to me. It's close to that now. I intend to take a career break for 3 years. I should get paid for 12 months part time but even 6 months full time will be fine because I intend to do this at the end of the financial year (not this financial year).

I then can also go back within the 3 year period if we have bad investment returns or something doesn't work out.

I guess you work at a university. We have to come back to work at least a year after a paid sabbatical leave, otherwise we have to refund the university for the six month salary. I will have one after next year and I am sure it will be very difficult for me to come back to work.

[steveo]

Thanks for this. I plan to do the exact same thing. I will have 6 months paid leave available to me. It's close to that now. I intend to take a career break for 3 years. I should get paid for 12 months part time but even 6 months full time will be fine because I intend to do this at the end of the financial year (not this financial year).

I then can also go back within the 3 year period if we have bad investment returns or something doesn't work out.

I guess you work at a university. We have to come back to work at least a year after a paid sabbatical leave, otherwise we have to refund the university for the six month salary. I will have one after next year and I am sure it will be very difficult for me to come back to work.

I work at a big bank. I won't have to go back to work. The company owes me the 6 months leave. It's long service leave that you recieve after 10 years service. We recieve 12 weeks leave evey 10 years.

I am already counting down the days and I have about 4 years to go.