Author Topic: Target FIRE: 2017  (Read 449830 times)

FIRE me

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Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #100 on: February 25, 2016, 10:00:19 AM »
My CDO got the better of me and I put these in chronological order. *twitch* ;)

Name      |       FIRE Date

FIRE me          January 3, 2017
Myhotrs           March 31, 2017
Fairviewite       June 1, 2017
SwordGuy        June 6, 2017
Freedom17      August 1, 2017
Cookie78         August 3, 2017

Those early June FIRE dates are extra cool. Like a perpetual Summer vacation!

zephyr911

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Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #101 on: February 25, 2016, 11:53:28 AM »
Those early June FIRE dates are extra cool. Like a perpetual Summer vacation!
I finally ran my projections through mid-2017.
I'm tentatively adding myself in June. It gives me most of the fiscal year to use my 15 days of paid military leave for ANG stuff (double-dip value ~$3K pretax) and still gets me out before my 39th b-day. Planned savings should be enough for all the required investments, debt reduction, and a small cash cushion.
This is a conservative date based on tying up all the loose ends, and I could move it up as much as 6mos if I start hating my job again.
*****************************************************


Name      |       FIRE Date

FIRE me          January 3, 2017
Myhotrs           March 31, 2017
Fairviewite       June 1, 2017
SwordGuy        June 6, 2017
Zephyr911       June 15, 2017
Freedom17      August 1, 2017
Cookie78         August 3, 2017

zephyr911

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Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #102 on: February 25, 2016, 02:29:56 PM »
debt which presumably is costing you more in interest payments than your investments are returning post tax
Careful with that word.

Most debt is at 0%, none over 4%. All my taxable investments are crushing that. Only as I approach the exit does it make sense to deleverage for cash flow purposes. I keep my eye on the numbers, don't worry. ;)

MandyM

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Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #103 on: February 25, 2016, 02:57:04 PM »
I'm adding my name and date here as a way to make it concrete for myself. It gets difficult for me to nail it down as I am actually planning to pull the plug prior to full FI. I've always leaned toward working PT here and there to bolster my stache. Right now my projected WR is about 5%, but some days I don't feel I should be so bold and so I start pushing the date out and the WR lower.

Name      |       FIRE Date

FIRE me          January 3, 2017
Myhotrs           March 31, 2017
Fairviewite       June 1, 2017
MandyM           June 1, 2017
SwordGuy        June 6, 2017
Zephyr911       June 15, 2017
Freedom17      August 1, 2017
Cookie78         August 3, 2017

jack06

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Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #104 on: February 26, 2016, 04:04:00 AM »
Targeting June.

Name      |       FIRE Date

FIRE me          January 3, 2017
Myhotrs           March 31, 2017
Jack06             June 1, 2017
Fairviewite       June 1, 2017
MandyM           June 1, 2017
SwordGuy        June 6, 2017
Zephyr911       June 15, 2017
Freedom17      August 1, 2017
Cookie78         August 3, 2017

Fairviewite

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Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #105 on: February 26, 2016, 06:52:33 AM »
FIRE Me looks like your comment "Those early June FIRE dates are extra cool. Like a perpetual Summer vacation!" is all it took for everyone to jump on the June bandwagon.

MandyM & Jack06 glad to see you guys are June 1st as well.

I'm interested to see how it plays out for myself and everyone else. If the majority of us pull the plug or will we suffer from One More Year syndrome.

 

Cookie78

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Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #106 on: February 26, 2016, 07:46:15 AM »
FIRE Me looks like your comment "Those early June FIRE dates are extra cool. Like a perpetual Summer vacation!" is all it took for everyone to jump on the June bandwagon.

MandyM & Jack06 glad to see you guys are June 1st as well.

I'm interested to see how it plays out for myself and everyone else. If the majority of us pull the plug or will we suffer from One More Year syndrome.

I'm curious and excited to see how it plays out also!

For myself, Lately I can't decide whether I should just go now, or wait until my target date, or OMY. So many factors to consider. :)

zephyr911

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Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #107 on: February 26, 2016, 09:33:01 AM »
FIRE Me looks like your comment "Those early June FIRE dates are extra cool. Like a perpetual Summer vacation!" is all it took for everyone to jump on the June bandwagon.

MandyM & Jack06 glad to see you guys are June 1st as well.

I'm interested to see how it plays out for myself and everyone else. If the majority of us pull the plug or will we suffer from One More Year syndrome.

Dammit, I don't wanna be on the bandwagon! I wanna be an edgy freethinker! ;)

It did make me think, and it gave me a kick in the ass to forecast another six months' worth of cash flow.
My birthday is toward the end of June and I like the idea of getting this over with before another one passes. But really, that's just the smartass in me.
OMY is a real thing, and I can't believe I'm already feeling a little bit of it - I hated hated hated this job, which is what put me on the FIRE track, and I almost wish I still did. Oh well though. For the money, it's the easiest gig I'll ever have, and I think I can trust myself to know when it's time to bail.

Cookie78

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Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #108 on: February 26, 2016, 09:41:26 AM »
FIRE Me looks like your comment "Those early June FIRE dates are extra cool. Like a perpetual Summer vacation!" is all it took for everyone to jump on the June bandwagon.

MandyM & Jack06 glad to see you guys are June 1st as well.

I'm interested to see how it plays out for myself and everyone else. If the majority of us pull the plug or will we suffer from One More Year syndrome.

Dammit, I don't wanna be on the bandwagon! I wanna be an edgy freethinker! ;)

It did make me think, and it gave me a kick in the ass to forecast another six months' worth of cash flow.
My birthday is toward the end of June and I like the idea of getting this over with before another one passes. But really, that's just the smartass in me.
OMY is a real thing, and I can't believe I'm already feeling a little bit of it - I hated hated hated this job, which is what put me on the FIRE track, and I almost wish I still did. Oh well though. For the money, it's the easiest gig I'll ever have, and I think I can trust myself to know when it's time to bail.

I feel the same way about my 40th birthday and OMY. If I FIRE the day after it's a failure, but if I FIRE the day before, that's success! Ridiculous! My OMY thoughts are actually 9 more months, not a full year, just to make it to FIRE before my 40th.

I don't LOATHE my job, but I don't want to be here. However, my OMY thoughts are created by the really shitty real estate market here. Right now is a shitty time to sell (or I'd start immediately) and I don't know what'll happen on that front within the next 17 months.

Cookie78

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Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #109 on: February 26, 2016, 10:38:01 AM »
FIRE Me looks like your comment "Those early June FIRE dates are extra cool. Like a perpetual Summer vacation!" is all it took for everyone to jump on the June bandwagon.

MandyM & Jack06 glad to see you guys are June 1st as well.

I'm interested to see how it plays out for myself and everyone else. If the majority of us pull the plug or will we suffer from One More Year syndrome.

Dammit, I don't wanna be on the bandwagon! I wanna be an edgy freethinker! ;)

It did make me think, and it gave me a kick in the ass to forecast another six months' worth of cash flow.
My birthday is toward the end of June and I like the idea of getting this over with before another one passes. But really, that's just the smartass in me.
OMY is a real thing, and I can't believe I'm already feeling a little bit of it - I hated hated hated this job, which is what put me on the FIRE track, and I almost wish I still did. Oh well though. For the money, it's the easiest gig I'll ever have, and I think I can trust myself to know when it's time to bail.

I feel the same way about my 40th birthday and OMY. If I FIRE the day after it's a failure, but if I FIRE the day before, that's success! Ridiculous! My OMY thoughts are actually 9 more months, not a full year, just to make it to FIRE before my 40th.

I don't LOATHE my job, but I don't want to be here. However, my OMY thoughts are created by the really shitty real estate market here. Right now is a shitty time to sell (or I'd start immediately) and I don't know what'll happen on that front within the next 17 months.

Have you considered renting it out? If property prices have dropped substantially it may actually be a good investment, in terms of rent to current market value ratio.

Sure, I rent 1.5 of 2 houses at the moment, but along with the economic situation the vacancy rate has skyrocketed in the city in the last few months. Right now I have 1 vacancy (since January) and another tenant (also friend) who has been out of work for 2 months, and to my complete shock has zero safety net, and may or may not be moving at the end of March. Thankfully my 3rd tenants are amazing and usually pay rent 10 days early.

Keeping them after FIRE and renting is a possibility, but not one I would prefer. I have dealt with horrible property management companies in the past and I do not want to stay in this city. My realtor (also friend and mother of my ex) said she could manage it for me if I were to leave, which is a great relief to me if it comes down to not being a good idea to sell before FIRE, due to real estate market.

Lnspilot

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Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #110 on: February 27, 2016, 03:15:22 AM »
I've hit my number, so I'm on track for January 1st 2017. It feels CRAZY AWKWARD to be able to just leave my job because I am FI and initiate the FIRE plan that each one of us has made.

I was listening to J Money's M.O.N.E.Y podcast yesterday and one of the episodes featured the Mad Fientist. Like many others, he mentions how important it was to him to retire to something rather than to nothing in particular.

This makes sense to me, and as I return to the states Monday after working abroad for the last eight years I'm going to focus on re-establishing what makes me happy, and determining how I like to spend my time. Either way, I look forward to figuring it out.

Fairviewite

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Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #111 on: February 27, 2016, 06:44:07 AM »
Congrats Lnspilot on hitting your number and good luck figuring out what your retiring to.

MandyM

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Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #112 on: February 27, 2016, 06:48:50 AM »
It feels CRAZY AWKWARD to be able to just leave my job...

+1. My boss was talking to me yesterday about how burnt out he is and I felt bad because I'm not (because I see a light at the end of the tunnel). I am still too far away from my date to let my boss know of my plans, especially since I don't think he will take it well. But it is getting more and more awkward for me in those conversations.

FIRE me

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Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #113 on: February 28, 2016, 07:16:55 PM »
FIRE Me looks like your comment "Those early June FIRE dates are extra cool. Like a perpetual Summer vacation!" is all it took for everyone to jump on the June bandwagon.

MandyM & Jack06 glad to see you guys are June 1st as well.

I'm interested to see how it plays out for myself and everyone else. If the majority of us pull the plug or will we suffer from One More Year syndrome.

2016 is pretty much OMY for me.

I'm sticking out 2016 because I want to build (or have built) a garage, and I want an even larger stash with more safety. Counting SS (when it starts), as of today I'm funded to 160% of my current spending.

Is 2016 OMY for anyone else?

Edit: I see Lnspilot has already hit his number, so it's OMY for him too.
« Last Edit: February 28, 2016, 07:26:46 PM by FIRE me »

jack06

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Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #114 on: February 29, 2016, 07:10:21 PM »

Is 2016 OMY for anyone else?


More in the opposite direction. Initially my plan was for Feb 2018, now June 2017 but I'm evaluating an opportunity to quit... in a few weeks. Startup project. The tricky part is that it could bring some money (or not), but then I will travel in 2018 (that is almost a sure thing) and if the startup project does not work I probably would need to work when I return from the travel, which sucks.  On the other hand, I precisely wanted to be FI so I could jump on such opportunities.

zinethstache

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Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #115 on: February 29, 2016, 08:41:01 PM »
I am technically starting OMY #2, but we did not have a plan when we initially calculated that our passive income hit our expected retirement expenses. Now we are much more prepared as we begin this last year of preparation for full time RV travel. We have to buy and sell some very large items as well as purge a bunch of unecessary belongings. Last year we did great at selling stuff, so I hope we can keep the pace up!

We are targeting Jan 2 2017 for me giving my 2 week notice. If this year, my pay structure changes back to the standard corporate bonus we might could move that up, but presently I am on a special compensation that in order to receive my full bonus I MUST work the entire year... Never thought that it would end up being a pain point. But at least it forces us to work toward one specific date and one date only:)

I do have a quick update. We are close to purchasing our RV full timing setup. We've decided to move in to it when we sell our home so that when we buy our last and likely final property, we can fix it up and rent it even though we will have purchased it with ourselves in mind to move into when we are done slow travelling.

Moving into our slow travel setup will save gobs of money each month while I finish my last year of work. We may decide to park at my mom's place. Or, if the commute doesn't make sense, we will rent a monthly spot at a local RV Park. We are still fine tuning that part of the plan. We absolutely will NOT eat up rental income squatting in one of our own rental units (that was another option). I want the MOST income possible realized during this phase.

noble_goal

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Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #116 on: March 03, 2016, 01:13:33 PM »
Hi All,

Looking forward to getting to know all of you over the course of the year.  It's a breath of fresh air reading this.  Adding my name to the list, and I'll share some status updates soon.

Name      |       FIRE Date

FIRE me          January 3, 2017
noble_goal       March 3, 2017
Myhotrs           March 31, 2017
Jack06             June 1, 2017
Fairviewite       June 1, 2017
MandyM           June 1, 2017
SwordGuy        June 6, 2017
Zephyr911       June 15, 2017
Freedom17      August 1, 2017
Cookie78         August 3, 2017

zinethstache

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Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #117 on: March 04, 2016, 12:29:49 PM »
Name      |       FIRE Date

FIRE me          January 3, 2017
Zineth             January 17, 2017
Myhotrs           March 31, 2017
Jack06             June 1, 2017
Fairviewite       June 1, 2017
MandyM           June 1, 2017
SwordGuy        June 6, 2017
Zephyr911       June 15, 2017
Freedom17      August 1, 2017
Cookie78         August 3, 2017

Lnspilot

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Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #118 on: March 04, 2016, 12:46:22 PM »
I see Lnspilot has already hit his number, so it's OMY for him too.

This is seriously the case.

I just returned to the US after living abroad for the last eight years, and I'm going to use the rest of this year to see what my actual expenses are, relative to my FIRE plans.

Meanwhile, a non-deployable position just opened up yesterday, so that's in the back of my mind... Maybe

*Sigh*

FIRE me

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Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #119 on: March 04, 2016, 11:04:29 PM »
Hi All,

Looking forward to getting to know all of you over the course of the year.  It's a breath of fresh air reading this.  Adding my name to the list, and I'll share some status updates soon.

Welcome, noble_goal. It's looking like 2017 is going to be a great year.

Also adding MrsWhipple to the list.

Name           |       FIRE Date

MrsWhipple     January 1, 2017
FIRE me          January 3, 2017
noble_goal       March 3, 2017
Myhotrs           March 31, 2017
Jack06             June 1, 2017
Fairviewite       June 1, 2017
MandyM           June 1, 2017
SwordGuy        June 6, 2017
Zephyr911       June 15, 2017
Freedom17      August 1, 2017
Cookie78         August 3, 2017

Freedom17

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Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #120 on: March 05, 2016, 01:00:20 AM »
You guys and gals have inspired me. Moving up to June 1st!

Name           |       FIRE Date

MrsWhipple     January 1, 2017
FIRE me          January 3, 2017
noble_goal       March 3, 2017
Myhotrs           March 31, 2017
Jack06             June 1, 2017
Fairviewite       June 1, 2017
MandyM           June 1, 2017
Freedom17      June 1, 2017
SwordGuy        June 6, 2017
Zephyr911       June 15, 2017
Cookie78         August 3, 2017

SwordGuy

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Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #121 on: March 11, 2016, 04:59:02 PM »
I was originally planning to pull the plug on June 6th, 2017.   Unless bad stuff happens between now and then, I may move to the end of 2016 or the beginning of 2017.

Jim2001

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Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #122 on: March 12, 2016, 03:53:59 PM »
Name           |       FIRE Date

MrsWhipple     January 1, 2017
FIRE me          January 3, 2017
noble_goal       March 3, 2017
Myhotrs           March 31, 2017
Jack06             June 1, 2017
Fairviewite       June 1, 2017
MandyM           June 1, 2017
Freedom17      June 1, 2017
SwordGuy        June 6, 2017
Zephyr911       June 15, 2017
Cookie78         August 3, 2017
Jim2001          December 31, 2017

noble_goal

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Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #123 on: March 13, 2016, 08:08:06 AM »
Name           |       FIRE Date

MrsWhipple     January 1, 2017
FIRE me          January 3, 2017
noble_goal       March 3, 2017
Myhotrs           March 31, 2017
Jack06             June 1, 2017
Fairviewite       June 1, 2017
MandyM           June 1, 2017
Freedom17      June 1, 2017
SwordGuy        June 6, 2017
Zephyr911       June 15, 2017
Cookie78         August 3, 2017
Jim2001          December 31, 2017

Jim,

Nice! Welcome.  Glad to see you squeezing in there :)

-noble

noble_goal

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Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #124 on: March 13, 2016, 08:14:54 AM »
Taking a few early steps even though we have plenty of time.  Specifically, researching health plans.

I used ehealthinsurance.com and found a plan that's only ~120/month.  It has high deductibles which is fine, HOWEVER it is only for people under 30.  I'm 29 but by the time of my RE date will be 30.  Then the cheapest plan is ~350!  It is by Oscar.  I live in NY, and may be looking to move, so perhaps there are better plans available in other states.

Anyway, I'm only starting to research, so if anyone has any helpful resources or advice from your personal experience, or can point to other useful threads in this forum, please let me know.

-noble


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Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #125 on: March 13, 2016, 08:34:26 AM »
At this point, I'm pretty much assuming that my health insurance will be the equivalent of a house payment, which is one reason I'm leaning towards paying off our actual house payment before I retire.

RedmondStash

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Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #126 on: March 15, 2016, 10:14:21 AM »
Nice to see our likely cohort here. Spouse & I are aiming for mid-June 2017. Ish.

We don't have so much a FIRE date as a potential FIRE range, from an optimistic January 2017 through a more cautious August 2019. It depends on how all the ifs line up: if investment returns are at least x, if inflation is no more than y, if we can keep our spending under z, if we count home equity, if major unexpected expenses hit, if we want to travel, etc.

At January 2017, we're not FI by the 4% rule (more like an average of 6% annual spending), but our money won't run out until we're both 100. At August 2019, we're well within the 4% rule.

By the beginning of next year, spouse will likely have finished a final freelance contract. My job is currently great, but it's in an industry with a lot of uncertainty and upheaval. If it stays great, I will likely stay there until mid-June 2017, when spouse starts collecting SS. At our ages, we'll be more FIR than FIRE. :)

August 2019 is when our mortgage will be paid off if we don't kill it early. After that point, we'd definitely be FI. We're just not sure we want to wait that long. And we both foresee some modest future income streams: spouse from maybe working part-time somewhere fun, me from writing fiction and consulting for indie videogame companies.

Kind of exciting. It's not that far away. But it's also hard not to be impatient when you can actually see the gold ring in the distance.

noble_goal

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Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #127 on: March 15, 2016, 09:32:11 PM »
Hey Redmond. 
Welcome, and nice intro.  I know what you mean about getting impatient.  It's so easy to forget how far we have come as compared with targets set earlier.  I started putting some milestones in my calendar, (not that I'm consciously doing anything differently to cause them - other than saving like crazy), just as a marker to say "At some point in the past I expected to be at point x."  At the same time, not getting discouraged if it comes up short or overly exuberant if exceeds expectation.  That's sort of why I wanted to put a date down on this thread.  My plan has flexibility built in; sounds like yours does too.  Oh, and, part time work somewhere fun has a good ring to it!  (Writing from family vacation in Costa Rica!)
-Noble

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Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #128 on: March 15, 2016, 11:06:25 PM »
Hi Noble, and thanks.

Even though I spend a lot of time poring over spreadsheets to make sure we're on track, I don't really think in terms of milestones, just because it would drive me nuts. I'm trying hard to keep my head down, keep enjoying work and life, and ignore that itch to just declare victory and damn the torpedoes.

At least we know we're getting there. And who knows? Maybe I'm strengthening those patience muscles. :)

Enjoy Costa Rica. Now you've got me thinking about planning a vacation too....

RedmondStash

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Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #129 on: March 16, 2016, 08:55:36 AM »
Does anyone else find this final year extra tough? It's like time drags on more slowly now or something.

Yes. You are not alone. Every time I wake up a little tired (like from freakin' Daylight Saving Time), I wish my FI moment were here NOW. As much as I love my job, it's hard to wait. I itch to be done.

So maybe I'll try telling myself my FI year is actually 2019, and wake up pleasantly surprised this coming January 1. :)

Cookie78

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Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #130 on: March 16, 2016, 10:31:03 AM »
Does anyone else find this final year extra tough? It's like time drags on more slowly now or something.

I'm impatient often, and every morning that I have to get up for work and say goodbye to my dog I wish I was FIREd already, but so far this year is flying by FAR faster for me than last year. Last year was phenomenally brutal for slow speed in a way that feels like anything prior was a whole different lifetime. Now that I have recovered from 2015 and can see the end of the FIRE tunnel things seem to be picking up speed. I'm trying to turn my impatient energy into excitement energy that can be used productively instead of letting it stress me out.

I am trying to focus on the present and do the things that need to be done before FIRE, like fixing up houses to sell, learning Spanish, getting in better shape, figuring out tax planning and simplifying and downsizing my life, but I am really looking forward to August when I can start saying 'This is my very last 'xyz day/event/holiday/month' while working!

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Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #131 on: March 16, 2016, 07:16:32 PM »
The more I do some calculations, the more likely I can FIRE in January instead of June...  :)

zephyr911

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Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #132 on: March 17, 2016, 01:45:33 PM »
Does anyone else find this final year extra tough? It's like time drags on more slowly now or something.

Yes. You are not alone. Every time I wake up a little tired (like from freakin' Daylight Saving Time), I wish my FI moment were here NOW. As much as I love my job, it's hard to wait. I itch to be done.

So maybe I'll try telling myself my FI year is actually 2019, and wake up pleasantly surprised this coming January 1. :)
Honestly? No... if the current buying opportunities persist, I might work a little longer just to invest more. So much to do though... I won't delay long.
I'm not even ready for it today.

Jim2001

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Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #133 on: March 17, 2016, 08:14:44 PM »
Does anyone else find this final year extra tough? It's like time drags on more slowly now or something.

Yes, but I'm counting the paychecks.  47 to go. 

RedmondStash

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Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #134 on: March 18, 2016, 09:03:13 AM »
Does anyone else find this final year extra tough? It's like time drags on more slowly now or something.

Yes, but I'm counting the paychecks.  47 to go.

Hm. That's an intriguing idea. I may try it too.

noble_goal

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Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #135 on: March 18, 2016, 05:31:19 PM »
Does anyone else find this final year extra tough? It's like time drags on more slowly now or something.

Yes, but I'm counting the paychecks.  47 to go.

Hm. That's an intriguing idea. I may try it too.

Love it!  22!

SwordGuy

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Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #136 on: March 18, 2016, 05:50:59 PM »
Does anyone else find this final year extra tough? It's like time drags on more slowly now or something.

Yes, but I'm counting the paychecks.  47 to go.

I like that idea!!!   21 if I quit at the start of 2017.   32 if by my 6-Jun-2017 target date.

zephyr911

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Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #137 on: March 19, 2016, 02:57:34 PM »
Does anyone else find this final year extra tough? It's like time drags on more slowly now or something.

Yes, but I'm counting the paychecks.  47 to go.

I like that idea!!!   21 if I quit at the start of 2017.   32 if by my 6-Jun-2017 target date.
Same for me.

myhotrs

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Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #138 on: March 19, 2016, 03:16:32 PM »
Uhh, I'm really dragging at work. So hard to pretend I give a shit when all I can think about is how completely useless and unimportant what I do is (sell financial data). Really hoping for a layoff/severance, but don't see one coming. Counting down the days now, 361 left.

SwordGuy

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Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #139 on: March 19, 2016, 03:42:06 PM »
Uhh, I'm really dragging at work. So hard to pretend I give a shit when all I can think about is how completely useless and unimportant what I do is (sell financial data). Really hoping for a layoff/severance, but don't see one coming. Counting down the days now, 361 left.

Maybe you'll get lucky and get laid off with severance the day before you turn in your notice... :)

woopwoop

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Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #140 on: March 19, 2016, 11:25:26 PM »
I'm struggling right now with the layoff question due to some recent stability issues with my project at work. There might be an opportunity for a package in October this year but it's earlier than I planned. If only this had happened 6 months later. I might just have to find another project instead.
Do it and work on bringing in some side income, or ask if your company wants you as a consultant after you've been laid off. If you're that close, the worst that can happen is you have to grab a part time job for a little while to tide you over.

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Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #141 on: March 20, 2016, 11:15:36 PM »
Does anyone else find this final year extra tough? It's like time drags on more slowly now or something.

We've had a week or two of nice weather in my area and it is killing me! I work alone in a big room out on a dusty production factory environment, about 7 stories up. I have the rare luxury of a window. Looking out on the bright sunshine, the greening landscape and mild weather I want to walk out and not ever come back.

I'm FI now, and it is going to take all of my self control to hang in there for the next nine months.

Cookie78

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Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #142 on: March 21, 2016, 09:05:32 AM »
500 days to go!
36 paychecks!

Does anyone else find this final year extra tough? It's like time drags on more slowly now or something.

We've had a week or two of nice weather in my area and it is killing me! I work alone in a big room out on a dusty production factory environment, about 7 stories up. I have the rare luxury of a window. Looking out on the bright sunshine, the greening landscape and mild weather I want to walk out and not ever come back.

I'm FI now, and it is going to take all of my self control to hang in there for the next nine months.

Agreed. I'm not sure I have the self control to last. I keep trying to figure out ways to get out sooner. It may happen depending on housing market here. Things are looking up economically (in my uneducated and mostly uniformed and often overly optimistic opinion) and I think it'll be better within a year.

MandyM

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Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #143 on: March 21, 2016, 09:18:49 AM »
500 days to go!
36 paychecks!

Does anyone else find this final year extra tough? It's like time drags on more slowly now or something.

We've had a week or two of nice weather in my area and it is killing me! I work alone in a big room out on a dusty production factory environment, about 7 stories up. I have the rare luxury of a window. Looking out on the bright sunshine, the greening landscape and mild weather I want to walk out and not ever come back.

I'm FI now, and it is going to take all of my self control to hang in there for the next nine months.

Agreed. I'm not sure I have the self control to last. I keep trying to figure out ways to get out sooner. It may happen depending on housing market here. Things are looking up economically (in my uneducated and mostly uniformed and often overly optimistic opinion) and I think it'll be better within a year.

437 days, ~29 paychecks. Depending on how much notice I decide to give...actually hoping to stay on at about 20 hrs/week, but prepared to leave.

I always struggle with my motivation this time of year. Its even started a little earlier than normal. I just hope it doesn't last for the next 437 days. My date is set based on picking up income at some point and not on a WR of 4% (probably more like 5%), so I don't think I should pull the plug any sooner. But it is tempting...

JoJo

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Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #144 on: March 21, 2016, 06:53:30 PM »
There is some work stress that is making me rethink 2017.  Might need to move up to 2016.  I have a big vacation planned for May that involves a combined work trip so need to stay on til mid-year.


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Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #145 on: March 23, 2016, 10:04:24 AM »
500 days to go!
36 paychecks!

Does anyone else find this final year extra tough? It's like time drags on more slowly now or something.

We've had a week or two of nice weather in my area and it is killing me! I work alone in a big room out on a dusty production factory environment, about 7 stories up. I have the rare luxury of a window. Looking out on the bright sunshine, the greening landscape and mild weather I want to walk out and not ever come back.

I'm FI now, and it is going to take all of my self control to hang in there for the next nine months.

Agreed. I'm not sure I have the self control to last. I keep trying to figure out ways to get out sooner. It may happen depending on housing market here. Things are looking up economically (in my uneducated and mostly uniformed and often overly optimistic opinion) and I think it'll be better within a year.

The two reasons for my OMY are extra contingency money and I really want to have a garage built when I FIRE. I expect it will be about $22,000 including extending the existing driveway.

Last Sunday I spent an hour or so crunching numbers and considering the strategy of a July 2016 retirement.

Pros:
Three months left instead of nine.

Get enrolled in Obamacare while I have an income that may not trip troublesome flags.


Cons:
Would pay $130 monthly (2015 rates, I checked them in December 2014) for Obamacare silver plan health insurance.

Won't top out 401k for 2016 (but would come close).

Stash will be reduced (compared to working until January 3) by about $18,000.

Last year profit sharing came at end of July (for the previous calendar year). It was about $900, into my 401k. So I'd miss that this year by a month. Previous 12 years we got profit sharing in March (in years when there was any to be had), so that's just one more annoying thing about my work.

If I worked until January 3rd, I'd get 18 more paid days (15 days vacation, two personal days, and New Year's Day paid holiday. Plus the day I worked, making it 19 days pay, just for working one day in 2017. To explain, on my job, the vacation is a contractual right, guaranteed to be paid in the case of job separation, even if discharged. Plus I got zero vacation the first 365 days of employment, so the vacation is earned, not granted.

The garage. I'd have to DIY it or else use stash money that had been earmarked for other contingencies (such as increased medical cost as I reach old age). Or just continue to do without a garage.

Conclusion:
I am eager to retire and eager to be rid of my employer. But there are good reasons to grind away another nine months.

That said, If I were to get completely fed up before January 3, I think I could end up making a post in the “epic FU money stories” thread.

Jim2001

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Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #146 on: March 25, 2016, 08:14:59 PM »
FIRE me,

  You don't need to post it, but consider what percentage of your stash that 18K represents.  If it's small, it's easier to FIRE early. If it's significant, then it probably warrant's staying longer.

BTW, as of today, I've got to earn 46 more paychecks, then I'm out!

RedmondStash

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Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #147 on: March 25, 2016, 10:01:15 PM »
20 more paychecks until a potential FIRE date of 1/1/17. That date may change; in some ways, mid-June 2017 would be better.

Nice round number. Pretty sure I can do at least that.

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Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #148 on: March 26, 2016, 10:27:22 AM »
FIRE me,

  You don't need to post it, but consider what percentage of your stash that 18K represents.  If it's small, it's easier to FIRE early. If it's significant, then it probably warrant's staying longer.

BTW, as of today, I've got to earn 46 more paychecks, then I'm out!

I wish I still got weekly pay.

My stash will not be 25x my annual spending. So the 18k is a relatively large 10.6% of my contingency (and garage construction) money.

The reason I'm comfortable with that is that I'll be age 59.5 in November 2016. Rather old, compared to most of my fellow Mustachians. As of January 2017, I'll be just 31 months away from my 1st SS check (age 62 plus two months). No pension for me.

After 31 months of living off the stash, SS will be slightly more than enough to cover all my spending. My current spend is about $900 per month. SS will be about $1,280 per month.

I'll have about $200k in January. Should be about $170k left when SS starts.

My plan is to have $110k in VTSAX / VBTLX (probably split about 80 / 20) at age 62, and have that provide a $360 monthly supplement (4%) to SS. Most months I won't need the supplement at all, so after SS starts, I'll be living on on much less than 4%.

Since my income will be low, I am expecting health insurance to cost $100 per month, or less. Hopefully, ACA and its subsidies won't be repealed. After I'm 65, Medicare will be more than that, but there is a local real estate tax break for seniors that cancels out the extra expense.

rachael talcott

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Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #149 on: April 07, 2016, 06:20:22 AM »
Hi everyone.  I recently decided that I'm going to quit after one more year, so that puts me in this cohort (late spring/early summer 2017 -- I will be 42).  I have been buying one rental property a year for four years now, and current income from the rentals after all expenses (including deferred maintenance) is about $24K/yr, while my expenses now that I've paid off my mortgage are about $12K/yr.  The thing that has enticed me to take the plunge is that I will soon sell a former home that will bring in enough money to fund the purchase of my next three rentals.  So in three years after retirement I should have 7 rentals total bringing in $42K/yr, which is really overkill for me. 

I'm not sure if I should call myself retired if I'm still working on fixing up rentals, but I really do enjoy it and I've been doing it on top of my regular job for years. 

RT

 

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