Target FIRE: 2017

[Metta]

It is done!

I felt pretty weird the last week, second guessing and all of that. But as I said before, I know the future work they had for me wasn't what I wanted, so I am at peace with my decision. I had a mix of excitement and dread all week. The last day was different, kind of melancholy and anti-climactic. I liken it to high school or college graduation. It was bittersweet, but time to move on to other things in my life. A successful chapter has now ended, but the book is only halfway through.

I found out someone who could have probably FIRE'd a while ago and loves to hike and bike and had been dreaming of moving to California to do all this was recently diagnosed with a fatal cancer and probably won't make it. He's in his 50s. A fellow coworker told me this story as my last conversation out the door, and it really cemented it all. This other guy will probably never get to enjoy the fruits of his labor because he kept hesitating with his decision.

Congratulations! I'm so sorry about your friend. It was similar stories from people I knew that motivated me to leave while I still could enjoy the time had left in life (and we never know how much we have left).

[Metta]

One thing that is clear to us, and that is that we are spending too much time together. Part of that is because we're traveling around, part is because we are in small-ish rentals, and part is because we haven't been diligent enough about managing time/activities to avoid it. Way too much togetherness doesn't make for a happy romance (in my experience). We are changing this up as we go forward.

I was worried about this happening to us, but so far it has not been the case. However, we did not move and we still live in the same house. I spend several hours upstairs writing and he spends several hours writing downstairs so we have plenty of alone time. Also we have always had our own bedrooms, which also gives us some alone time. So it may be that we are better fixed to deal with lots of time in the same dwelling. It was agony when I was working long hours because not only did I not see my husband during the day, I didn't see him at night either because we were in our own rooms. Our relationship really suffered from that period. Now it all works out.

Another thing that was bothering me was that I felt too "floaty" around time and task management. Because many days don't have appointments or set activities, I was just kind of wandering through time (I have stoner friends who love this, but it just isn't for me). Part of that was a decompression period of course, and was necessary. But my natural inclination is to manage time and feel on top of it. So I now start each day with a planner and a calendar and can "see" the next weeks and months more clearly. This has made a big difference to my peace of mind.

This was a problem for me as well, alone with needing to schedule my own time since I was so used to reacting to other people's schedules. It took several interactions of scheduling techniques until I finally settled on a Bullet Journal (which I love!) and small notebooks that are always at hand to record notes.

Oh, and a third thing - I am soooooo glad I made the decision to step off the work treadmill. The other day I was on Facebook and saw some pictures of my former workplace. There were my co-workers (many of whom I loved) and my boss, and they were hosting a chamber of commerce meet-and-greet event. After shuddering and throwing up a little in my mouth, I scrolled on by so I didn't have to see it anymore. It really confirmed my decision that I needed to be done with that career.

Oh, yes! The same for me. I have stepped away from my co-workers for a while because I cannot deal with how they are being treated. However, the person who was given half my job left soon after saying that it was too much for anyone to do in normal hours. I feel a certain amount of pleasure at this. When I left, my director said, "Our impression is that you don't really do much here. Other people can absorb your work easily." (At the time I was working 80-100 hour weeks and still falling behind).  As I recall, I said something like, "OK, that's your problem to deal with then. Good luck." Apparently I am capable of a little bit of schaudenfreude.

[Cookie78]

$2.60/hr!! Sweet deal!!!

[MarciaB]

$2.60/hr!! Sweet deal!!!

Yeah, that would be so cool to "have" a boat for so little money per use, and then just return it when done. IMHO that's just about the only way to own a boat...

[RedmondStash]

I'm getting close to my third month of retirement so figured now is a good time for a quick update....

Hope you're all having as much fun as me!

Freedom17, your post made me smile. Great pics, and an appealing sense of freedom. I'm still in OMY limbo, having gone back to work after taking an unpaid personal leave this summer. I'm still not quite ready to quit my job -- and my health insurance -- so I probably will end up Class of 2018 instead. But I swear if anyone at work even looks at me funny, I'll kick that gig to the curb, so it could still happen this year.

I work part-time at a job I mostly enjoy, so I guess I'm basically in transition -- though I have been for years. I'm just finding it hard to make that final leap.

[MonkeyJenga]

I gave notice. Two more weeks and I'm out! I'm celebrating with 70 of my closest friends at Camp Mustache Canada. (She says as she sits alone in the cafeteria at 2AM, eating Doritos. Alone.)

[Freedom17]

Congrats MonkeyJenga!


Romag                    September 1, 2016  Confirmed
Threshkin                October 31, 2016   Confirmed
Metta            (at 55) January 1, 2017    Confirmed
MrsWhipple       (at 32) January 1, 2017    Confirmed
FIRE me                  January 3, 2017    Confirmed
Mf3333           (at 56) Jan 15,2017        Confirmed
Zineth           (at 49) January 27, 2017   Confirmed
MarciaB          (at 55) January 31, 2017   Confirmed
MsGreenStash     (at 51) February 1, 2017   Confirmed
dabears847               February 17, 2017  Confirmed
Cottonswab       (at 30) March 1, 2017      Confirmed
Goldielocks              March 10, 2017     Confirmed
Dragoncar                March 15, 2017     Confirmed
Oblivo           (at 35) March 24, 2017     Confirmed
DollarDominatrix         March 24, 2017     Confirmed
John Doe         (at 50) March 31, 2017     Part time
Fairviewite      (at 27) April 24, 2017     Confirmed
oneyearfromnow   (at 51) April 28, 2017     Confirmed
freedom47        (at 48) April 28, 2017     Confirmed
Remote_Landlord  (at 39) May 8, 2017        Confirmed
FrugalAussie             May 11, 2017       Confirmed
Penguin159               May 12, 2017       Part time
Myhotrs          (at 38) May 12, 2017       Confirmed
BNgarden         (at 58) May 24, 2017       Confirmed
Stasher          (at 43) May 19, 2017       Confirmed
Rachael Talcott  (at 42) May 21, 2017       Confirmed
Financial Asc.   (at 39) June 1, 2017       Confirmed
MandalayVA       (at 50) June 1, 2017       Confirmed
Meadow Lark              June 3, 2017       Confirmed
Rahby1us                 June 16, 2017      Confirmed
Seattle Carter           June 23, 2017      Confirmed
Bruizer          (at 56) June 30, 2017      Confirmed
WannaGoOutside   (at 45) June 30, 2017      Confirmed
Easypeasy        (at 35) July 1, 2017       Part time
Mrs. Pomodoro    (at 43) July 7, 2017       Confirmed
MadBikePoet      (at 44) July 11, 2017      Confirmed
SachaFiscal      (at 41) July 21, 2017      Confirmed
MandyM           (at 38) July 25, 2017      Confirmed
Freedom17        (at 38) July 28, 2017      Confirmed
Jack06           (at 42) August 1, 2017     Confirmed
Cookie78         (at 39) August 3, 2017     Confirmed
ks135ks          (at 34) August 18, 2017    Confirmed
dividendman      (at 35) August 18, 2017    Confirmed
Cache Stash      (at 54) August 24, 2017    Confirmed
sw1tch           (at 33) September 8, 2017  Confirmed
Daisy            (at 48) September 29, 2017 Confirmed
Bigchrisb        (at 35) October 1, 2017    Confirmed
Kay-Ell                  October 20, 2017   Confirmed
FIREy            (at 46) November 1, 2017   Confirmed
MonkeyJenga      (at 31) November 30, 2017  Confirmed
concealed stache (at 35) December 1, 2017   Confirmed
Zephyr911        (at 39) Dec 15, 2017
SwordGuy         (at 59)                    OMY
Mrs. SwordGuy                               OMY
Noble_goal                                  OMY
JoJo             (at 43)                    OMY
homestead neohio (at 39)                    OMY
UnleashHell      (at 49)                    OMY
RedmondStash                                OMY
Jim2001                                     OMY

[MarciaB]

I gave notice. Two more weeks and I'm out! I'm celebrating with 70 of my closest friends at Camp Mustache Canada. (She says as she sits alone in the cafeteria at 2AM, eating Doritos. Alone.)

Hooray! So what's the official last day then (we have you listed at Nov 30th, but I don't think that's right anymore).

[concealed stache]

The completion rate among the group really is quite amazing to me - given all the surprises the world can and does throw at you, to see this much adherence to the plan is quite surprising. 10 more weeks to finish us off!

[Metta]

I gave notice. Two more weeks and I'm out! I'm celebrating with 70 of my closest friends at Camp Mustache Canada. (She says as she sits alone in the cafeteria at 2AM, eating Doritos. Alone.)

Yay! Congratulations!

The completion rate among the group really is quite amazing to me - given all the surprises the world can and does throw at you, to see this much adherence to the plan is quite surprising. 10 more weeks to finish us off!

Is that really the best phrasing? 

[markbike528CBX]

I gave notice. Two more weeks and I'm out! I'm celebrating with 70 of my closest friends at Camp Mustache Canada. (She says as she sits alone in the cafeteria at 2AM, eating Doritos. Alone.)

Yay! Congratulations!

The completion rate among the group really is quite amazing to me - given all the surprises the world can and does throw at you, to see this much adherence to the plan is quite surprising. 10 more weeks to finish us off!

Is that really the best phrasing?

yes, as it has similarities to porn flicks.  AKA happy endings :-)

[dragoncar]

I came

[zephyr911]

The completion rate among the group really is quite amazing to me - given all the surprises the world can and does throw at you, to see this much adherence to the plan is quite surprising. 10 more weeks to finish us off!

I'm dyin' here but I'm still on track, just barely.

[Metta]

I gave notice. Two more weeks and I'm out! I'm celebrating with 70 of my closest friends at Camp Mustache Canada. (She says as she sits alone in the cafeteria at 2AM, eating Doritos. Alone.)

Yay! Congratulations!

The completion rate among the group really is quite amazing to me - given all the surprises the world can and does throw at you, to see this much adherence to the plan is quite surprising. 10 more weeks to finish us off!

Is that really the best phrasing?

yes, as it has similarities to porn flicks.  AKA happy endings :-)

LOL! I had thought it sounded more like bang! bang! you're dead.

The completion rate among the group really is quite amazing to me - given all the surprises the world can and does throw at you, to see this much adherence to the plan is quite surprising. 10 more weeks to finish us off!

I'm dyin' here but I'm still on track, just barely.

We are rooting for you Zephyr!

[zephyr911]

I gave notice. Two more weeks and I'm out! I'm celebrating with 70 of my closest friends at Camp Mustache Canada. (She says as she sits alone in the cafeteria at 2AM, eating Doritos. Alone.)

Yay! Congratulations!

The completion rate among the group really is quite amazing to me - given all the surprises the world can and does throw at you, to see this much adherence to the plan is quite surprising. 10 more weeks to finish us off!

Is that really the best phrasing?

yes, as it has similarities to porn flicks.  AKA happy endings :-)

MONEY SHOT! xD

[Cookie78]

Is anyone else sleeping a lot post-FIRE? I've stopped running around doing all the things so much and have been sleeping at least 10 solid hours each night lately. I'm enjoying it, but feeling a little guilty and nervous that I'm going to make it a habit and spend my FIRE asleep, wasting all the time I have. Is it just catching up on sleep? Decompression? Or am I a lazy lethargic fucker who will waste the next 10 years in bed?!

[FI4good]

When i quit the first time in 2004 Cookie it took about 6 months for my body and mind to adjust .

i think it's entirely normal, you now own the time of your life and don't have to rent it out .

In my experience soon you'll wonder how you ever managed to fit work into your life . 

[zephyr911]

Is anyone else sleeping a lot post-FIRE? I've stopped running around doing all the things so much and have been sleeping at least 10 solid hours each night lately. I'm enjoying it, but feeling a little guilty and nervous that I'm going to make it a habit and spend my FIRE asleep, wasting all the time I have. Is it just catching up on sleep? Decompression? Or am I a lazy lethargic fucker who will waste the next 10 years in bed?!

I know I'm sure as fuck GONNA sleep a lot. I'm not sleeping for shit right now, with so much on my mind, and I'm building up a massive deficit. First day out of here I plan on making up for lost time.

[Metta]

Is anyone else sleeping a lot post-FIRE? I've stopped running around doing all the things so much and have been sleeping at least 10 solid hours each night lately. I'm enjoying it, but feeling a little guilty and nervous that I'm going to make it a habit and spend my FIRE asleep, wasting all the time I have. Is it just catching up on sleep? Decompression? Or am I a lazy lethargic fucker who will waste the next 10 years in bed?!

The first three months after leaving my job I slept non-stop. I slept at night and I napped in the afternoon. Eventually I stopped napping. It took a few more months before my body settled into a routine that seems to work for me. I now sleep about 6-7 hours a night and then nap in the afternoon if I need it (once or twice a week). I think I was just running a huge sleep debt in those first few months. That may be the same for you. And if not, enjoy sleeping! You earned it.

[Cookie78]

When i quit the first time in 2004 Cookie it took about 6 months for my body and mind to adjust .

i think it's entirely normal, you now own the time of your life and don't have to rent it out .

In my experience soon you'll wonder how you ever managed to fit work into your life .

Thanks for the response! I am hoping the extra sleep thing is temporary because as much as I am enjoying it, there are still so many hobbies to get to!

I already wonder how I used to fit work into life. There are so many things I still don't feel like I have time to do, but that's largely because I'm sleeping so much this week AND because I am spending a lot of time with my family, at nieces and nephews sports games, slumber parties, or just hanging out with them. Went to a concert with my mom this weekend, a walk with my brother and his gf yesterday evening, helped my other brothers gf move on Friday. Before I just wouldn't have had the time. I'm even discovering I am starting to get enough energy back to be interested in dating again! That's exciting.

I know I'm sure as fuck GONNA sleep a lot. I'm not sleeping for shit right now, with so much on my mind, and I'm building up a massive deficit. First day out of here I plan on making up for lost time.

The first three months after leaving my job I slept non-stop. I slept at night and I napped in the afternoon. Eventually I stopped napping. It took a few more months before my body settled into a routine that seems to work for me. I now sleep about 6-7 hours a night and then nap in the afternoon if I need it (once or twice a week). I think I was just running a huge sleep debt in those first few months. That may be the same for you. And if not, enjoy sleeping! You earned it.

Oh good, not just me! Metta I hope that's the case for me too. 6-7 hours plus a nap on occasion sounds ideal. :)

[Metta]

Oh good, not just me! Metta I hope that's the case for me too. 6-7 hours plus a nap on occasion sounds ideal. :)

I hope so too! Two months into FIRE I was using my awake time to look up "Symptom Excessive Sleeping", I was so worried about it. But it all settled down. It just took longer than I thought it should.

One thing I didn't mention is that I do quieter things the two hours before I sleep (reading, writing, yin yoga, etc.). My body doesn't seem to like being pushed hard in those last hours of my wakefulness and since my time is my own now, I allow for that. I exercise and do serious cleaning in the morning and early afternoons rather than at night. I schedule stressful things (being tech support for my mother, for example) for the afternoon.

[MarciaB]

Is anyone else sleeping a lot post-FIRE? I've stopped running around doing all the things so much and have been sleeping at least 10 solid hours each night lately. I'm enjoying it, but feeling a little guilty and nervous that I'm going to make it a habit and spend my FIRE asleep, wasting all the time I have. Is it just catching up on sleep? Decompression? Or am I a lazy lethargic fucker who will waste the next 10 years in bed?!

I logged 10 hours last night, but that only happens now every few weeks or less. Clearly you need those hours (for now).

[Freedom17]

Is anyone else sleeping a lot post-FIRE? I've stopped running around doing all the things so much and have been sleeping at least 10 solid hours each night lately. I'm enjoying it, but feeling a little guilty and nervous that I'm going to make it a habit and spend my FIRE asleep, wasting all the time I have. Is it just catching up on sleep? Decompression? Or am I a lazy lethargic fucker who will waste the next 10 years in bed?!

I've always slept 9 hours a night. Isn't that the normal healthy requirement?

One thing I will say, so far retirement has been exhausting! I think I've been doing way too much. I'm going to dial things back a notch once the current round of sailing courses wraps up.

[Kay-Ell]

Friday was my last day, guys!  And today was my first Monday post-FIRE.  It felt more like vacation than retirement because it was also my birthday and my whole family and I were in an Airbnb on staycation with my best friend from out of town.  I really can't wait for tomorrow!  Maybe it will start to sink in soon.

[Freedom17]

Friday was my last day, guys!  And today was my first Monday post-FIRE.  It felt more like vacation than retirement because it was also my birthday and my whole family and I were in an Airbnb on staycation with my best friend from out of town.  I really can't wait for tomorrow!  Maybe it will start to sink in soon.

Congrats Kay-Ell!

[SachaFiscal]

Congratulations MonkeyJenga and Kay-ell!!! Makes me feel good to read about people getting freed from their indentured servitude.

I’ve been sleeping a normal amount but have been watching way to much streaming tv and movies. I think that is my method of decompression. I’m finding it difficult to be consistently motivated to do productive things. I’m trying to get myself into a routine where everyday I do some cooking, some chores, play music, exercise a bit, meditate, and learn something new or work on a project. I’ve managed to cook consistently but that is about it. Some days I exercise and some days I don’t. Same with the rest of the goals. I worry that I’m wasting my retirement on Netflix. I’m hoping I’ll be able to get it together and start making progress on some of these other retirement goals.

[homestead neohio]

I’ve been sleeping a normal amount but have been watching way to much streaming tv and movies. I think that is my method of decompression. I’m finding it difficult to be consistently motivated to do productive things. I’m trying to get myself into a routine where everyday I do some cooking, some chores, play music, exercise a bit, meditate, and learn something new or work on a project. I’ve managed to cook consistently but that is about it. Some days I exercise and some days I don’t. Same with the rest of the goals. I worry that I’m wasting my retirement on Netflix. I’m hoping I’ll be able to get it together and start making progress on some of these other retirement goals.

Thanks for this post, SF.  This is something I'm contemplating as my downshifting time approaches.  I know I need time to decompress, and that deep down I'm a driven person who will get involved with things that are good for me, my family, and my community.  I want to develop routines that include all the good things I never have time for while working full-time, and I want to start out "right" so that I can develop and maintain good habits that encourage health and happiness.  But I'm worried I'll just get lazy, lose motivation, and not accomplish things that are important to me.  That I might develop bad FIRE habits early and then not reach life goals. 

From what I've read from others, there is not much to worry about.  Decompression is a phase, and one that ends in a relatively short time given the span of a normal human life.  You just can't see how short it is when you are in it.

I'd be interested to hear thoughts from other recent grads on decompression and good habits/routines right out of the gate.

[Cookie78]

Is anyone else sleeping a lot post-FIRE? I've stopped running around doing all the things so much and have been sleeping at least 10 solid hours each night lately. I'm enjoying it, but feeling a little guilty and nervous that I'm going to make it a habit and spend my FIRE asleep, wasting all the time I have. Is it just catching up on sleep? Decompression? Or am I a lazy lethargic fucker who will waste the next 10 years in bed?!

I've always slept 9 hours a night. Isn't that the normal healthy requirement?

One thing I will say, so far retirement has been exhausting! I think I've been doing way too much. I'm going to dial things back a notch once the current round of sailing courses wraps up.

9 hours sounds fine, especially since you are so active while not sleeping!

I had said 10 hours minimum, but it's usually more. I slept 14 hours last night. A friend brought up a good point. Winter is approaching again and I'm far enough north that daylight hours are getting quite short. Luckily the weather has been quite warm and until last night it hadn't snowed yet(after last night there are about 5-6 inches of sopping wet inches of heavy snow), but the lack of daylight alone can make one sink a little deeper into hibernation mode.

[MonkeyJenga]

Thanks for the congrats, y'all! Nov 2 is my last day.

At CMC, I raised this laziness worry in the post fire session. I'm going to travel for a few months before looking for a paid gig in politics. I worried that I would be too addicted to my afternoon naps to get back into a job. The group helped me realize my time off isn't going to be lazy, it's going to be full of all the things I want to get a job doing. Plus, I have the power to shape my job schedule to my needs.

[Daisy]

I started my FIRE a week before I left for a 3 week trip including CMC which I am still on.

I have not had time to decompress! Too much hiking, walking around fun cities, canoeing, etc. I really want this decompression time but it has not arrived yet. I have only taken one "off" day during my first week of vacation. I thought I'd rest today too after accidentally hiking around 7 miles yesterday, but no such luck. I ended up on a strenuous hike instead. Oh well, I will be going home soon.

I too worry I will end up sleeping in a lot, as I have done this in the past when I had time off. I am hoping that after an initial sleepfest, I will enter into a more normal routine.

I think starting my FIRE with an active vacation was a good choice. Let's see what happens when I return home.

[Acastus]

I decided to go for One-More-Year. I like to think it will be early 2018, at any rate. I want a little more padding in the nest, since I will still have a mortgage for a handful of years, and my kid starts college in 2 years. I want to give him the gift of no or low student loans, as I had plenty when I graduated over 30 years ago.

[Daisy]

Thanks for the congrats, y'all! Nov 2 is my last day.

At CMC, I raised this laziness worry in the post fire session. I'm going to travel for a few months before looking for a paid gig in politics. I worried that I would be too addicted to my afternoon naps to get back into a job. The group helped me realize my time off isn't going to be lazy, it's going to be full of all the things I want to get a job doing. Plus, I have the power to shape my job schedule to my needs.

T minus 3  days, if my math is correct.

I am not reading your journal (yet), but plan to when I get back from my FIREcation. You are probably pretty psyched!

How is this last week going?

[MonkeyJenga]

Thanks for the congrats, y'all! Nov 2 is my last day.

At CMC, I raised this laziness worry in the post fire session. I'm going to travel for a few months before looking for a paid gig in politics. I worried that I would be too addicted to my afternoon naps to get back into a job. The group helped me realize my time off isn't going to be lazy, it's going to be full of all the things I want to get a job doing. Plus, I have the power to shape my job schedule to my needs.

T minus 3  days, if my math is correct.

I am not reading your journal (yet), but plan to when I get back from my FIREcation. You are probably pretty psyched!

How is this last week going?

Yes! Three more days including today. Maybe only two more days, as my boss doesn't see a point to me coming in on Thursday. I have no work left to do, so it's been pretty nice. I still am excited to be completely done with it!

I'll be starting a new journal soon, so you can get in on the ground floor.

How has post CMC FIRE been?

[Kay-Ell]

I have no work left to do, so it's been pretty nice. I still am excited to be completely done with it!

I can totally relate to this feeling.  I had a 6 week transition period, and by the last half I had a MAXIMUM of 1-2 hours of work a day.  I started pre-FIRING and going to the gym or on hikes or whatever during the day.  And while I didn't feel any real guilt over it, there was still something hanging over my head.  Working without having any real work or responsibilities is really quite different actually being totally off work!

[Daisy]

Thanks for the congrats, y'all! Nov 2 is my last day.

At CMC, I raised this laziness worry in the post fire session. I'm going to travel for a few months before looking for a paid gig in politics. I worried that I would be too addicted to my afternoon naps to get back into a job. The group helped me realize my time off isn't going to be lazy, it's going to be full of all the things I want to get a job doing. Plus, I have the power to shape my job schedule to my needs.

T minus 3  days, if my math is correct.

I am not reading your journal (yet), but plan to when I get back from my FIREcation. You are probably pretty psyched!

How is this last week going?

Yes! Three more days including today. Maybe only two more days, as my boss doesn't see a point to me coming in on Thursday. I have no work left to do, so it's been pretty nice. I still am excited to be completely done with it!

I'll be starting a new journal soon, so you can get in on the ground floor.

How has post CMC FIRE been?

Great! You are almost done.

Post FIRE has been busy, fun, and now that I just made it home...tiring. I think my decompression time has arrived.

[Metta]

Thanks for the congrats, y'all! Nov 2 is my last day.

At CMC, I raised this laziness worry in the post fire session. I'm going to travel for a few months before looking for a paid gig in politics. I worried that I would be too addicted to my afternoon naps to get back into a job. The group helped me realize my time off isn't going to be lazy, it's going to be full of all the things I want to get a job doing. Plus, I have the power to shape my job schedule to my needs.

T minus 3  days, if my math is correct.

I am not reading your journal (yet), but plan to when I get back from my FIREcation. You are probably pretty psyched!

How is this last week going?

Yes! Three more days including today. Maybe only two more days, as my boss doesn't see a point to me coming in on Thursday. I have no work left to do, so it's been pretty nice. I still am excited to be completely done with it!

I'll be starting a new journal soon, so you can get in on the ground floor.

How has post CMC FIRE been?

Great! You are almost done.

Post FIRE has been busy, fun, and now that I just made it home...tiring. I think my decompression time has arrived.

Excellent, Daisy! Welcome to decompression and sleep.

[FIREy]

Officially FIRE today!  I was self-employed, so no dramatic exit. Spent the last few days closing down my office. Now more time and space for rest, working out, stepping up creative projects...  Feels so freeing.

[Kay-Ell]

Officially FIRE today!  I was self-employed, so no dramatic exit. Spent the last few days closing down my office. Now more time and space for rest, working out, stepping up creative projects...  Feels so freeing.

Congrats! 

[Daisy]

Officially FIRE today!  I was self-employed, so no dramatic exit. Spent the last few days closing down my office. Now more time and space for rest, working out, stepping up creative projects...  Feels so freeing.

Congratulations!

Your first creative project is to come up with a fictional dramatic exit FIRE story. Feed the FIRE masses with a juicy story.

[GuitarBrian]

I have a date set! Last day is Nov. 28, 2017. So I am officially in the '17 group :D

The next day I am flying to Costa Rica/Panama for 2 months. After that... It is nice to not know!! 14 years of scheduling out every day...

No crazy exit story, sorry. I am self employed. So far I'm telling my family it is a year off... I'll still have rentals I need to manage, but I don't consider that a "job".

I am looking forward to not traveling all the time and getting some roots set down. I am going to start a journal one of these days. Lots of thoughts swirling away...

[RedmondStash]

Due to some unexpected crap at work, I am back in the 2017 fold. My last day at work is 12/1/17. And, srsly, thank the FSM for FU money.

Please tell me FIRE is awesome. Right now I'm just really stressed.

[RedmondStash]

Romag                    September 1, 2016  Confirmed
Threshkin                October 31, 2016   Confirmed
Metta            (at 55) January 1, 2017    Confirmed
MrsWhipple       (at 32) January 1, 2017    Confirmed
FIRE me                  January 3, 2017    Confirmed
Mf3333           (at 56) Jan 15,2017        Confirmed
Zineth           (at 49) January 27, 2017   Confirmed
MarciaB          (at 55) January 31, 2017   Confirmed
MsGreenStash     (at 51) February 1, 2017   Confirmed
dabears847               February 17, 2017  Confirmed
Cottonswab       (at 30) March 1, 2017      Confirmed
Goldielocks              March 10, 2017     Confirmed
Dragoncar                March 15, 2017     Confirmed
Oblivo           (at 35) March 24, 2017     Confirmed
DollarDominatrix         March 24, 2017     Confirmed
John Doe         (at 50) March 31, 2017     Part time
Fairviewite      (at 27) April 24, 2017     Confirmed
oneyearfromnow   (at 51) April 28, 2017     Confirmed
freedom47        (at 48) April 28, 2017     Confirmed
Remote_Landlord  (at 39) May 8, 2017        Confirmed
FrugalAussie             May 11, 2017       Confirmed
Penguin159               May 12, 2017       Part time
Myhotrs          (at 38) May 12, 2017       Confirmed
BNgarden         (at 58) May 24, 2017       Confirmed
Stasher          (at 43) May 19, 2017       Confirmed
Rachael Talcott  (at 42) May 21, 2017       Confirmed
Financial Asc.   (at 39) June 1, 2017       Confirmed
MandalayVA       (at 50) June 1, 2017       Confirmed
Meadow Lark              June 3, 2017       Confirmed
Rahby1us                 June 16, 2017      Confirmed
Seattle Carter           June 23, 2017      Confirmed
Bruizer          (at 56) June 30, 2017      Confirmed
WannaGoOutside   (at 45) June 30, 2017      Confirmed
Easypeasy        (at 35) July 1, 2017       Part time
Mrs. Pomodoro    (at 43) July 7, 2017       Confirmed
MadBikePoet      (at 44) July 11, 2017      Confirmed
SachaFiscal      (at 41) July 21, 2017      Confirmed
MandyM           (at 38) July 25, 2017      Confirmed
Freedom17        (at 38) July 28, 2017      Confirmed
Jack06           (at 42) August 1, 2017     Confirmed
Cookie78         (at 39) August 3, 2017     Confirmed
ks135ks          (at 34) August 18, 2017    Confirmed
dividendman      (at 35) August 18, 2017    Confirmed
Cache Stash      (at 54) August 24, 2017    Confirmed
sw1tch           (at 33) September 8, 2017  Confirmed
Daisy            (at 48) September 29, 2017 Confirmed
Bigchrisb        (at 35) October 1, 2017    Confirmed
Kay-Ell                  October 20, 2017   Confirmed
FIREy            (at 46) November 1, 2017   Confirmed
MonkeyJenga      (at 31) November 30, 2017  Confirmed
concealed stache (at 35) December 1, 2017   Confirmed
RedmondStash             December 1, 2017
Zephyr911        (at 39) Dec 15, 2017
SwordGuy         (at 59)                    OMY
Mrs. SwordGuy                               OMY
Noble_goal                                  OMY
JoJo             (at 43)                    OMY
homestead neohio (at 39)                    OMY
UnleashHell      (at 49)                    OMY
Jim2001                                     OMY

[Metta]

Due to some unexpected crap at work, I am back in the 2017 fold. My last day at work is 12/1/17. And, srsly, thank the FSM for FU money.

Please tell me FIRE is awesome. Right now I'm just really stressed.

FIRE is awesome beyond your dreams, beyond what you can plan. FIRE is freedom. Freedom cannot be described, it can only be experienced. It is like love.

We are cheering you on and look forward to welcoming you into the pool of FIRE happiness. Good luck, RedmondStash!

[Daisy]

Due to some unexpected crap at work, I am back in the 2017 fold. My last day at work is 12/1/17. And, srsly, thank the FSM for FU money.

Please tell me FIRE is awesome. Right now I'm just really stressed.

Congratulations...I think???

FIRE is only as awesome as you make it. Make it awesome.

What is FSM? I googled it and found a Rastafarian reference.

[Cookie78]

Due to some unexpected crap at work, I am back in the 2017 fold. My last day at work is 12/1/17. And, srsly, thank the FSM for FU money.

Please tell me FIRE is awesome. Right now I'm just really stressed.

C'mon in! It'll be great!

[Freedom17]

What is FSM? I googled it and found a Rastafarian reference.

Pastafarian ;)

[RedmondStash]

Thanks, everyone. Sounds like I should come on in, the water's fine. :)

And I'm so glad everyone seems to be having such a great time!

What is FSM? I googled it and found a Rastafarian reference.

Flying Spaghetti Monster. See Freedom17's image. It's a sort of tongue-in-cheek God alternative. So, yeah, "Pastafarian."

[Financial Ascensionist]

Please tell me FIRE is awesome. Right now I'm just really stressed.

I'm typing this while eating some freshly cooked red lentils in a perfectly unremarkable hotel room in Southern California.  Tomorrow, I will be heading to Joshua Tree National Park for several weeks of rock climbing there.  FIRE is amazing.  There are a few challenges, but then you have so much time to figure out a solution that it all seems all too easy after a while.  It's actually kind of hard to refrain for having a soft laughter and a rather smug looking smile on your face when you reach the above realization. 

No need to agonize.  Your burn rate is elastic and you can scale your expenses up or down really easily, especially when you have a lot of time to do things yourself, such as cooking.  Take a moment to update your spreadsheets with your most recent numbers, this should help you calm down.  Then start a list of all the cool things you will be able to do now that you have time to dedicate to your deepest aspirations.   FIRE is awesome!

[Goldielocks]

Due to some unexpected crap at work, I am back in the 2017 fold. My last day at work is 12/1/17. And, srsly, thank the FSM for FU money.

Please tell me FIRE is awesome. Right now I'm just really stressed.

So Awesome.
No alarm clocks.
Ability to connect with friends and family in a real way, without rushing or being too tired.
Cooking much better food for dinner, too.

[RedmondStash]

Thanks again, folks. Your stories really do reassure me.

Part of my stress is work stress, and part is "OMG now I have to actually put all that theory into practice. How do you turn on the dividend faucet again?" It's just a big change.

But I'll get it all figured out. Two and a half weeks and counting.

And congrats to everyone who has taken the leap and is now soaring over the countryside. (Okay, maybe not the best metaphor. Hey, it's early. :) )