Author Topic: Target FIRE: 2017  (Read 449858 times)

Freedom17

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 84
  • Location: Travelling
Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #1350 on: December 20, 2017, 02:01:11 AM »

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
Rosarugosa       (at 59) November 30, 2017  Confirmed
concealed stache (at 35) December 1, 2017   Confirmed
RedmondStash             December 1, 2017   Confirmed
Zephyr911        (at 39) Dec 15, 2017       Confirmed
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


Congrats everyone. What an awesome cohort to share the journey with. Have a great New Year!

zephyr911

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3619
  • Age: 45
  • Location: Northern Alabama
  • I'm just happy to be here. \m/ ^_^ \m/
    • Pinhook Development LLC
Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #1351 on: December 20, 2017, 04:54:58 AM »
Hi guys. Been traveling for a couple days. Funemployed never felt so good xD

MarciaB

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 544
  • Age: 62
  • Location: Oregon
Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #1352 on: December 26, 2017, 04:59:53 PM »
Well done cohort of 2017!!

I'm in Myanmar at the moment (on a 3-month trip) and loving this country. If it's not on your radar you should totally consider it.

Anyway, I was on a leisurely and scenic boat ride on Inle Lake yesterday (in a long dugout type canoe with an outboard motor on it), enjoying the scenery...and sort of dozed into a daydreamy state. Totally happy to be where I was at the moment, and so grateful for my current life. 

And then snapped back and realized that it was a Tuesday and that was the godawful department staff meeting day at work...and that I didn't have to sit through one of those ever again in life. Such joy! Such relief!

zephyr911

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3619
  • Age: 45
  • Location: Northern Alabama
  • I'm just happy to be here. \m/ ^_^ \m/
    • Pinhook Development LLC
Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #1353 on: December 26, 2017, 05:09:39 PM »
Dude, fuck staff meetings!
The first week of our farewell tour was nice but frenetic, lots of movement and logistical support for the family members we brought along. They headed home today and I see the next week as my first real stretch of decompression.

Suzanne

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 32
Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #1354 on: December 27, 2017, 01:26:33 AM »
Hi there!

I was surprised not to find topics (maybe there are some that I did not find) for target FIRE years: eg. 2017, 2018, 2019, etc. Anyone aware of such threads or interested in creating some? I think it would be interesting to share the last miles with people having the same target date.

Jack

I haven't looked for any target date threads, but I am also working towards my 2017 FIRE.

zephyr911

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3619
  • Age: 45
  • Location: Northern Alabama
  • I'm just happy to be here. \m/ ^_^ \m/
    • Pinhook Development LLC
Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #1355 on: December 28, 2017, 08:13:58 PM »
Well, uhh... I hope you make it soon?

zephyr911

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3619
  • Age: 45
  • Location: Northern Alabama
  • I'm just happy to be here. \m/ ^_^ \m/
    • Pinhook Development LLC
Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #1356 on: December 28, 2017, 08:15:29 PM »
Hey guys, whatcha been up to?
I spent about half the day removing loose bricks from a fireplace for my mother in law and cleaning them. Tomorrow morning I'll mix up the refractory mortar and reface everything.
« Last Edit: December 28, 2017, 08:21:14 PM by zephyr911 »

dragoncar

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 9922
  • Registered member
Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #1357 on: December 28, 2017, 11:38:09 PM »
Worrying about my 2018 cash buffer.  Considering a different AA (nothing crazy, been contemplating the golden butterfly for a while). Are any of you changing your AA post retirement or want to share your AA?

RedmondStash

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1114
Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #1358 on: December 29, 2017, 09:50:02 AM »
Worrying about my 2018 cash buffer.  Considering a different AA (nothing crazy, been contemplating the golden butterfly for a while). Are any of you changing your AA post retirement or want to share your AA?

I've been waffling on this. I'm considering going slightly more conservative, but I'm not that impressed with how bonds have been performing. I'm also considering looking into CDs, although since interest rates seem to be gradually rising, that might be a loser's game right now.

Keeping a 1-year cash buffer, plus a little extra, helps ease our worries. It seems like a lot of $$ just to be sitting there stagnant while the market keeps rising, but when the market eventually starts dropping, it'll help us sleep at night.

I've heard of the golden butterfly but don't know its specifics. If it helps you sleep at night, why not?

Mostly what I'm trying to do is just forget that I have investments at all and stop frickin' tinkering with them all the time. I'm trying to figure out what AA would let me do that: stick with it through thick and thin.

Daisy

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2263
Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #1359 on: December 29, 2017, 10:27:03 AM »
I have enjoyed my post FIRE life so far.

The first month was spent on vacation. Then after that, some decompression (including a binge watch of Game of Thrones), and fixing a nasty plumbing issue. Good thing I have money on hand to fix the plumbing issue.

I am looking forward to the end of market trading today to update my financial spreadsheet with the final 2017 numbers. I will probably adapt my spreadsheet in 2018 to include my withdrawal amounts. I like to have my spreadsheet calculate ROI every year so I may need to adjust the calculations a bit to account for the withdrawals. I also need to rollover my pre and post tax 401k. I don't currently have an account with Vanguard, but am thinking of moving it there. I have a couple of accounts elsewhere, but I think I want to spread my money around. I think I can buy other non-Vanguard funds/stocks through the Vanguard website, but I am not sure. I don't even know if I want to do that, but I want to know how flexible it is.

Since I FIREd so late in the year I am treating my net worth at the end of 2017 as my stash number to calculate the 4% from. Although I am not going to spend exactly 4%, it gives me an idea of how high my spending can go. I think I will spend a little less, but the 4% has extra room in the budget to do fun things if I can, and if other plumbing/costs don't arise.

I started the more exercising thing, but haven't been that good about it over the last few weeks with the stress of the house maintenance emergency.

I'm feeling good about 2018.

RedmondStash

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1114
Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #1360 on: December 29, 2017, 01:12:03 PM »
I think I can buy other non-Vanguard funds/stocks through the Vanguard website, but I am not sure. I don't even know if I want to do that, but I want to know how flexible it is.

I believe you can. I have Vanguard accounts, and although I have only bought Vanguard products so far, I believe I've seen other companies' products for sale there. The caveat is that the trades are only free if they're Vanguard products. Not sure what they charge for trading other products.

Good luck.

CanuckExpat

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 2994
  • Age: 41
  • Location: North Carolina
    • Freedom35
Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #1361 on: December 30, 2017, 03:12:08 PM »
Hi there!

I was surprised not to find topics (maybe there are some that I did not find) for target FIRE years: eg. 2017, 2018, 2019, etc. Anyone aware of such threads or interested in creating some? I think it would be interesting to share the last miles with people having the same target date.

Jack

There is a stickied thread titled Class of"/Cohort -- What year will you FIRE? which contains a list.

dragoncar

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 9922
  • Registered member
Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #1362 on: January 01, 2018, 11:38:54 AM »
Hi there!

I was surprised not to find topics (maybe there are some that I did not find) for target FIRE years: eg. 2017, 2018, 2019, etc. Anyone aware of such threads or interested in creating some? I think it would be interesting to share the last miles with people having the same target date.

Jack

There is a stickied thread titled Class of"/Cohort -- What year will you FIRE? which contains a list.

Yo we are in that thread right now.  I guess this was the first of such threads

dividendman

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1899
Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #1363 on: January 02, 2018, 11:40:08 AM »
Worrying about my 2018 cash buffer.  Considering a different AA (nothing crazy, been contemplating the golden butterfly for a while). Are any of you changing your AA post retirement or want to share your AA?

I upped my bond allocation from 20% pre-FIRE to 25% at FIRE. I'll be using the rising equity glide-path to lower my bond allocation for the first 10 years of FIRE from 25% to 5% (so, bonds down 2% per year - which will happen when I re-balance). So far though, since I FIREd in August of 2017, stocks have been on a tear and bonds about even or down a bit, so it looks like I'll be re-balancing INTO bonds despite the lower allocation if the current trend holds until my re-balance date.

In summary, I'm starting FIRE at 47.5% VTI / 27.5% VEU / 25% BND. BND will go down in allocation 2% per year and that will be split evenly between VTI and VEU so in 10 years I'll be at 57.5% VTI / 37.5 % VEU / 5% BND.

So far I haven't liquidated any investments and my dividends, interest, and hobbies (poker) have been enough to cover all expenses.

Everything is going great so far and those first four months just flew by! I'm very happy with my decision to pull my FIRE date in from March 2018 to August 2017. Let's see how 2018 goes!


dragoncar

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 9922
  • Registered member
Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #1364 on: January 02, 2018, 11:58:21 AM »
Worrying about my 2018 cash buffer.  Considering a different AA (nothing crazy, been contemplating the golden butterfly for a while). Are any of you changing your AA post retirement or want to share your AA?

I upped my bond allocation from 20% pre-FIRE to 25% at FIRE. I'll be using the rising equity glide-path to lower my bond allocation for the first 10 years of FIRE from 25% to 5% (so, bonds down 2% per year - which will happen when I re-balance). So far though, since I FIREd in August of 2017, stocks have been on a tear and bonds about even or down a bit, so it looks like I'll be re-balancing INTO bonds despite the lower allocation if the current trend holds until my re-balance date.

In summary, I'm starting FIRE at 47.5% VTI / 27.5% VEU / 25% BND. BND will go down in allocation 2% per year and that will be split evenly between VTI and VEU so in 10 years I'll be at 57.5% VTI / 37.5 % VEU / 5% BND.

So far I haven't liquidated any investments and my dividends, interest, and hobbies (poker) have been enough to cover all expenses.

Everything is going great so far and those first four months just flew by! I'm very happy with my decision to pull my FIRE date in from March 2018 to August 2017. Let's see how 2018 goes!

Now thinking of spending down bonds to mimic a rising equity glidepath.  Probably not the optimal approach from a market timing perspective, but I'm also loathe to make a big equity purchase all at once.  Need to go back and read the lump sum investing threads for courage.  I needed a conservative portfolio when accumulating for piece of mind, but I'd rather have more equities in the end.  Will probably discuss in the Golden Butterfly thread

After looking at my trading costs, they are relatively low so it almost makes sense to sell assets monthly or every other month, even with these low bond yields.

Now that 2017 is over, congrats to the class.  We didn't have a ceremony or anything :-(
« Last Edit: January 02, 2018, 12:02:19 PM by dragoncar »

dividendman

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1899
Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #1365 on: January 02, 2018, 12:17:34 PM »
I upped my bond allocation from 20% pre-FIRE to 25% at FIRE. I'll be using the rising equity glide-path to lower my bond allocation for the first 10 years of FIRE from 25% to 5% (so, bonds down 2% per year - which will happen when I re-balance). So far though, since I FIREd in August of 2017, stocks have been on a tear and bonds about even or down a bit, so it looks like I'll be re-balancing INTO bonds despite the lower allocation if the current trend holds until my re-balance date.

In summary, I'm starting FIRE at 47.5% VTI / 27.5% VEU / 25% BND. BND will go down in allocation 2% per year and that will be split evenly between VTI and VEU so in 10 years I'll be at 57.5% VTI / 37.5 % VEU / 5% BND.

So far I haven't liquidated any investments and my dividends, interest, and hobbies (poker) have been enough to cover all expenses.

Everything is going great so far and those first four months just flew by! I'm very happy with my decision to pull my FIRE date in from March 2018 to August 2017. Let's see how 2018 goes!

Now thinking of spending down bonds to mimic a rising equity glidepath.  Probably not the optimal approach from a market timing perspective, but I'm also loathe to make a big equity purchase all at once.  Need to go back and read the lump sum investing threads for courage.  I needed a conservative portfolio when accumulating for piece of mind, but I'd rather have more equities in the end.  Will probably discuss in the Golden Butterfly thread

After looking at my trading costs, they are relatively low so it almost makes sense to sell assets monthly or every other month, even with these low bond yields.

Now that 2017 is over, congrats to the class.  We didn't have a ceremony or anything :-(

Yes, that was my first thought as well. But then I considered the case that we're kind of experiencing now where stock markets just go on a tear. Do I really want to spend down my bonds even if the market doubles in 2018? Probably not. I still want the bond allocation to be lower, but I don't want it to be drastically lower in the first year or two of fire in case shit hits the fan in year 5 or something. This probably won't get me the best (market average) returns - but I don't care about that at this point. I want my portfolio to survive indefinitely AND not cause unnecessary stress.

I read a lot of the data and basically if your portfolio is healthy after 10 years of FIRE you're going to make it. Hence my glide-path (and not just liquidating bonds for expenses regardless of allocation).

dividendman

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1899
Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #1366 on: January 02, 2018, 12:21:19 PM »
Here is my entire FIRE IPS:

Investment Objectives
   - To "retire" at 35 based on the 4% rule with ~$1M in invested assets (DONE)
   - To have simple, low cost funds in my portfolio (VTI/VOO, VEU/VXUS, BND)
   - To implement a rising equity glidepath of investments
      - this means starting with VTI/VEU/BND of 47.5%/27.5%/25%
      - reducing the bond allocation by 2% (1% to each domestic and interational) a year for the first 10 years
      - the final breakdown after 10 years will be 57.5/37.5/5

Risk Tolerance
   - I've considered my risk tolerance in the above

Holding Limits
   - As perscribed in the objectives

Target Allocation
   - As perscribed in the objectives

Selection Criteria
   - As perscribed in the objectives (low cost, broad index, ETFs, including domestic, international and bond)

Review process
   - Investments will be reviewed monthy (as well as liquidated for expenses as need be), liquidation will bring as much balance as it can
        - Most (all) expenses should be covered by bond liquidation and dividends/interest assuming no massive swings in the markets

Rebalancing
   - Rebalancing will occur twice a year on August 20th and February 20th
   - The August 20th rebalancing will implement the rising equity glidepath (if needed, i.e. if liquidation isn't enough)

Other considerations
   - If a house (or other large investment) is being purchased, the funds will be taken in a manner that keeps the target allocation intact
   - Similarly if new funds are acquired they will be invested per the target allocations


RedmondStash

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1114
Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #1367 on: January 03, 2018, 10:46:00 AM »
Now that 2017 is over, congrats to the class.  We didn't have a ceremony or anything :-(

We must rectify this immediately.

Go, Team 2017! Well done!



Image would be smaller if I could figure out how to scale in forum posts.
« Last Edit: January 03, 2018, 06:13:26 PM by RedmondStash »

Cherry Lane

  • CM*MW 2023 Attendees
  • Handlebar Stache
  • *
  • Posts: 1998
  • Age: 6
  • Location: Virginia
Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #1368 on: January 03, 2018, 01:06:59 PM »
Hooray Class of 2017!  This member of 2018 looks forward to joining you.

Image would be smaller if I could figure out how to scale in forum posts.

Go back and edit your post.  In front of your image link are square brackets containing the text "img".  Change the contents of those square brackets to be "img width=500" (without the quote marks, of course).  You'll get this:



If you want it even smaller, use a number smaller than 500.  (Quote this post to see the code if you need more help.)

RedmondStash

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1114
Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #1369 on: January 03, 2018, 06:13:57 PM »
Hooray Class of 2017!  This member of 2018 looks forward to joining you.

Image would be smaller if I could figure out how to scale in forum posts.

Go back and edit your post.  In front of your image link are square brackets containing the text "img".  Change the contents of those square brackets to be "img width=500" (without the quote marks, of course).  You'll get this:



If you want it even smaller, use a number smaller than 500.  (Quote this post to see the code if you need more help.)

Excellent, thanks. I knew it was something like that but couldn't recall the specific syntax.

Trifle

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 5902
  • Age: 57
  • Location: Outside, NC, US
    • In The Garden
Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #1370 on: January 05, 2018, 04:48:41 AM »
Congratulations Class of '17!!

Thank you for all the inspiration you gave me this year as I lurked on your thread.  :)  Seeing you all bravely jump out of the plane and pull your rip cords was incredible.   

I am class of '19, and it's starting to feel real.  [chill along spine]

RedmondStash

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1114
Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #1371 on: January 06, 2018, 11:52:00 AM »
So here I am, a month into FIRE, and I just last night had the epiphany that I might *not* have doomed spouse & me to financial ruin by leaving my job. I say this not to be a downer, but in case anyone else has been struggling with the transition while watching other people post about their delirious post-FIRE happiness and hoping to get some of that soon.

Brains are funny things.

RedmondStash

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1114
Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #1372 on: January 06, 2018, 08:50:23 PM »
Does anybody know if there is a version of xanax that you can feed to your Inner Bag Lady to make her chill the fuck down?

Pretty much Xanax will do that. Or possibly THC/CBD, if they are legal where you live.

Sometimes meditation can help too, but for me it's kind of hit or miss.

FiveSigmas

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 597
Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #1373 on: January 06, 2018, 10:30:55 PM »
Does anybody know if there is a version of xanax that you can feed to your Inner Bag Lady to make her chill the fuck down? We

I've heard group therapy (aka attending meetups) helps :-).

SwordGuy

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 8955
  • Location: Fayetteville, NC
Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #1374 on: January 15, 2018, 07:43:28 AM »
So here I am, a month into FIRE, and I just last night had the epiphany that I might *not* have doomed spouse & me to financial ruin by leaving my job. I say this not to be a downer, but in case anyone else has been struggling with the transition while watching other people post about their delirious post-FIRE happiness and hoping to get some of that soon.

Brains are funny things.

They are, indeed!

We've made our piece with it and will FIRE in May 2018.

Basenji

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1031
  • Location: D.C.-ish
Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #1375 on: January 24, 2018, 07:58:50 AM »
Whelp, I quit my job back in December and forgot to report in! But I'm really a SWAMI, working adjunct when I want to for my old employer. Still figuring out things like routines for my day! I'm experimenting. About to go on a two week trip for fun. Anyway, sorry for the late check-in, just wanted to say hi and congrats to everyone.

CanuckExpat

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 2994
  • Age: 41
  • Location: North Carolina
    • Freedom35
Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #1376 on: January 26, 2018, 11:29:33 AM »
Hi there!

I was surprised not to find topics (maybe there are some that I did not find) for target FIRE years: eg. 2017, 2018, 2019, etc. Anyone aware of such threads or interested in creating some? I think it would be interesting to share the last miles with people having the same target date.

Jack

There is a stickied thread titled Class of"/Cohort -- What year will you FIRE? which contains a list.

Yo we are in that thread right now.  I guess this was the first of such threads

It looks like the third of such threads, at least in chronological retirement order, don't know when the threads were started.
That master list is updated to reflect your final list. Is it up to date?

dividendman

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1899
Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #1377 on: February 03, 2018, 10:53:50 PM »
Lose 60 more lbs (already lost 40 since fire!)

Freedom17

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 84
  • Location: Travelling
Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #1378 on: February 03, 2018, 11:32:05 PM »
Lose 60 more lbs (already lost 40 since fire!)

That's awesome. Congrats!!!

dragoncar

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 9922
  • Registered member
Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #1379 on: February 03, 2018, 11:38:31 PM »
Has anyone thought about personal goals for 2018? Maybe we can post them here to help keep each other accountable.

Now that we have all this free time let's make them audacious!

Here are mine:

Spend half an hour of focused time with each of my children daily
Get to 13% body fat
Guitar: Gold star everything up to level 8 and silver star everything up to level 10 in yousician (a guitar teaching app)
Be able to carry out a basic conversation in Cantonese
Learn to tack and gybe on a windsurfer

Interested in yousician!  Highly reccomend?

MarciaB

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 544
  • Age: 62
  • Location: Oregon
Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #1380 on: February 04, 2018, 12:17:31 AM »
Has anyone thought about personal goals for 2018? Maybe we can post them here to help keep each other accountable.

Now that we have all this free time let's make them audacious!

Here are mine:

Spend half an hour of focused time with each of my children daily
Get to 13% body fat
Guitar: Gold star everything up to level 8 and silver star everything up to level 10 in yousician (a guitar teaching app)
Be able to carry out a basic conversation in Cantonese
Learn to tack and gybe on a windsurfer

Great idea! My current focus is to lose the 8 pounds I've put on in the last couple of years (and not find them again).



woopwoop

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 346
Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #1381 on: March 01, 2018, 12:37:18 PM »
Looks amazing! Love the light in that last photo.

We just took half a week and drove down to visit the inlaws. Going to visit the elephant seals tomorrow morning for a half day hike. Considering doing a trip down to Mexico or South America sometime before the baby turns two so her flight will still be free.


jack06

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 33
  • Age: 49
Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #1382 on: March 02, 2018, 11:15:18 AM »
Hi everyone. How's your 2018 going so far?

Currently traveling (Portugal right now). We plan to get back home soon, then travel again in April/May, then again in June. After that, we'll see!

SachaFiscal

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 275
Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #1383 on: March 13, 2018, 03:46:37 PM »
I retired about 8 months ago. Yesterday as I was driving in the mid afternoon and looking out on the open road with a blue sky in the horizon I realized I'm the happiest I've ever been (except maybe as a kid).  I think I'm almost through the decompression phase.  I've started taking some music classes which I absolutely love.  Music is something I've wanted to study since I was a kid but I never seemed to be motivated to do it once I started working after college. Now I finally have the motivation to do it.

At first I tried learning some new software modalities (I used to be a software engineer) thinking that I could possibly go back to work at some point doing something I liked a little bit better than what I was doing before.  I think that was not helping me with decompression. Rather I still felt similar to how I did when I was at work.  When I finally said a final goodbye to software and decided to just pursue music, I really felt free. I feel like a different person.

I've finally gotten into somewhat of a routine with my diet and exercise and have nearly lost 10 lbs!  I'd like to lose about 5-10 more which I think is doable over the next several months. Also I'm just happier being able to spend time in the sun everyday. Happier to spend time moving my body everyday.

I still have some unpleasant feelings when I tell people I'm not working anymore.  Everyone is very supportive but I still feel uncomfortable telling people for some reason. Especially if those people aren't very happy with their current jobs. I think I feel a bit guilty because I can live this life but they can't. Anyone else feeling FIRE-guilt (kind of like rich-guilt)?

FrugalAussie

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 126
  • Location: Western Australia
Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #1384 on: March 14, 2018, 06:00:27 PM »

I've finally gotten into somewhat of a routine with my diet and exercise and have nearly lost 10 lbs!  I'd like to lose about 5-10 more which I think is doable over the next several months. Also I'm just happier being able to spend time in the sun everyday. Happier to spend time moving my body everyday.

I still have some unpleasant feelings when I tell people I'm not working anymore.  Everyone is very supportive but I still feel uncomfortable telling people for some reason. Especially if those people aren't very happy with their current jobs. I think I feel a bit guilty because I can live this life but they can't. Anyone else feeling FIRE-guilt (kind of like rich-guilt)?

Sacha, I'm retired about 10 months.  I'm also enjoying getting fit after many years of sitting behind a desk in a high stress job.  I think I'm decompressed but I'm still not totally into retirement.  As a social worker I'm finding it hard to let go of meaningful work.  I do volunteer, have been on the Board of our local domestic violence service for several years, I'm a community rep on another committee that I value and I donate generously to a couple of NGOs. 

I also had some guilt about our fortunate financial situation.  Yes, we have worked hard, "sacrificed" consumer wants and overcome set backs such as divorce and sole parenting however I still had the feeling that somehow I didn't deserve our success, especially as we have just had built an amazing house on the coast so people can see our success, we can't continue to understate it. It helped me to reframe my thinking.  I think everyone deserves to have a house by the sea like us, if that's what they want, but there are structures and systems in place that are barriers to that happening. While I do what I can to address those barriers eg. homelessness for families experiencing domestic violence, honestly I know I can't change the capitalist system so I can chose to opt out (which I tried when my kids were young) or utilise it to my advantage. Currently I utilise it to my advantage.

Truthfully, I'll probably go back to work at some point.  The money I earn can be put to good use.  However, as I'm now financially independent the number of hours I work and the level of stress I need to endure is reduced so I can get a much better work/life balance and by working contract I know that the work has a finite time frame.

Good luck with your music. My partner retired last year also and has embraced his long time love of Traditional Irish Music (he's originally from N Ireland) so is learning the Bodhran and the tin whistle. In November last year we went to a couple of music festivals over in Ireland.  They were fantastic, we had the best time. 

Kay-Ell

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 155
  • Semi-retired in 2017
Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #1385 on: March 15, 2018, 04:53:34 PM »
I'm approaching 5 months retired, and I do not think I've completed the decompression stage yet.  My family was in turmoil for the first 2.5 months of my retirement, which took all of my emotional and mental energy, every single day (and often the unproductive night time anxiety took up my nights as well).  But the the last 2.5 month, life has been getting steadily better and better.  I really do love my life, and find so much joy in the people who are most important to me.  And I'm definitely starting to find moments where I take a big deep breath and say "wow... retirement is really amazing."

I have a few struggles right now.  One is finding motivation to be productive.  I still consult, on average about 8-10 hours per week for my old company.  And even though it's easy money, that does really help (I'm at a marginal FI level, and as long as I consult I can cover my expenses 100% without touching my stash) I'm having difficulty breaking out of the old mindset of feeling trapped behind my monitor even though I know I can get up and walk outside literally anytime I want to.  I'm experimenting with different rutines like working a little bit every morning, working a little bit every day, working longer periods every other day, etc.  I think I'll find a rythm soon.  And I think I'll probably drop the consulting all together at the end of the year.

I have other areas I'd like to be more productive in.  Currently have multiple projects on two separate renovations (my primary and one of my rentals).  I've always DIY'd a lot, and expected to do that even more once retired, but am finding it harder than expected.  I am really hoping that it's a matter of simply needing more time to decompress before I find my over-achieving, self motivated personality again. 

I still have some unpleasant feelings when I tell people I'm not working anymore.  Everyone is very supportive but I still feel uncomfortable telling people for some reason. Especially if those people aren't very happy with their current jobs. I think I feel a bit guilty because I can live this life but they can't. Anyone else feeling FIRE-guilt (kind of like rich-guilt)?

I definitely feel this.  My boyfriend, who is older than I am, and looks more age appropriate for traditional "early retirement" gleefully goes around telling everyone we are retired.  And every time, I kind of cringe, and try to downplay my own retirement as only "semi retirement, taking some time off with our daughter."  I feel bad for the person hearing about my amazing fortune, even if they seem happy to hear it.  Strange isn't it, that we can spend the better part of our lives working toward this goal, and then when we achieve it, feel kind of guilty when other people hear about it?


homestead neohio

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 854
    • Journal - Seeds Sprout
Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #1386 on: March 16, 2018, 07:55:07 AM »
Thanks @Kay-Ell and @FrugalAussie for sharing those thoughts and feelings on decompression and sharing your retirement status with others. 

I'm in the 2018 cohort and have 7 more work days remaining.  It is getting real and I'm already starting decompression because I've been working remotely with fewer responsibilities.  I, too, am lacking motivation and hoping it will return after a likely months long decompression phase.  In the meantime it is a bit concerning, though overall I trust I will be productive again and this time in areas I choose instead of my employer.

I know zero people IRL who can relate to what I'm doing.  I know an octogenarian who up and quit a job on principle when he was young and broke and had to find work right away, which turned into another career.  Interesting guy and I'm hoping to talk with him more about that experience, but very different since I have a big stache and don't need another career.   I know a ex-mechanical engineer turned farmer who made the leap from maxing income in a soul-sucking cube job to being a low earning farmer, a job he loves.  Another interesting guy I hope to visit with about his experience, but he was changing from one career/identity to another.  I know a guy who owns and manages 50 rental properties.  He is so wrapped up in this identity, he can't pull himself away from that work even though he wants to do other things, and his health is suffering from running himself ragged.  I know no one who, in the prime of their career, walked away from work to stare into the void to find out just who they are and what they would do if all of the identity that used to come from a career is stripped away.  I look forward to this process, even if it is at times uncomfortable, but I wish I knew someone who has gone before me that I could chat with in person.

When people ask what I'm going to do next, or if I am looking for work, I just say I'm taking time off to reconsider what I want to do, and that it likely will not be more of the same career I'm leaving.  Most stare back at me uncomprehending.  "Time off?  What is that?"  At first it was entertaining, but it is also kind of isolating.  It is not a discomfort that makes me want to return to work just to avoid it, no way, but I did not expect to feel this way.

ks135ks

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 30
Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #1387 on: May 29, 2018, 09:19:31 PM »
A couple days ago, I realized that I hit the 9 month mark since being in my primary career.  I want to say since FIRE'd but that isn't quite true as
  • DH still is working to cover health insurance, pad his side of the stash (we have most things joint, but there's still a bit of individual tracking too) and consequently also covers the majority of our household expenses meaning we haven't had to withdraw anything from the stash and
  • I started a part time seasonal position during Jan - Apr that I'll likely continue to do each year that covers the rest of our expenses plus

Even still, in my head/heart, I consider myself FIRE'd and hubby semi-FIRE'd.  I'm still working through decompression and being nervous about can this really be true? will the savings really last a lifetime?  But it's been 9 months and aside from the rocky start in the market this year, our net worth is climbing and expenses are falling.  Hooray for more time to do things off hours!

As a concession to nerves though a couple weeks ago, I applied for a position with a local company in my main career.  Within the hour of applying, I had an email from the HR recruiter setting up a phone interview; an hour later, the phone interview and the following Monday, a scheduled in office interview.  Come interview Monday, sitting in the lobby waiting, my heart is beating anxiously (it's been a decade since I've sat on this side of an interview) and my mind is racing (eeeeekk... who am I going to talk to?, how do I explain 9 months [YIKES! 9 MONTHS!] not working in this field?, what if this is a deal breaker?, has it really been 9 months already?).  Then I see a contact I have in the company.  After the general pleasantries, he offhandedly remarked that "I just don't want to be here today."  In that instant, I realized two things: I don't really care if I get this job and I really don't want to be here either.  A few minutes later, he left for lunch and the HR lady met me to escort me back to the office in the cube farm where I'd be meeting with the manager of the department.  During the walk, she asked how the weather was outside since "we can't tell from back here, though it looks really nice from the lobby."  My brain: Oh my god, what am I doing here?  that wasn't nerves in the lobby, that was your body revolting at the idea of returning to a cube farm!  I bombed that interview.  The nice HR lady sent me the official we're going with other candidates email at the end of last week.  What a relief!  Without a shadow of a doubt, I do NOT want to go back to what I was doing.

Since that interview, I've had two instances of saying I'm not working:

First, my hubby and I went with my mom to our family cabin in the woods over Memorial Day weekend.  We saw a couple who are longtime friends of ours from there who asked where I was working.  I just said at home doing home things and my mom quickly interjected and said "oh, she's retired."  Friend's response was "you stinker, congratulations."  I just smiled, and conversation continued normally about other things.  My mom gets it!  This is kind of a big deal as my parents' opinions matter perhaps more than they should.  My dad is a tougher nut to crack, but he's coming around - he retired himself at 55, 15 years ago.

Second, I met my mom and dad this morning to volunteer for a work party on the local rails-to-trails space; something I wouldn't have been able to do if I was working.  I met one of the other volunteers for the first time.  She's a retired school teacher from my hometown (I wasn't one of her students) who asked where I was working.  I just answered that I am not right now.  Her response: "good for you!" and again conversation continued normally.

I know these both sound like others opinions matter too much, but while that may be true to an extent, for me it was a major breakthrough as I've been awkwardly handling the "what do you do" question trying to explain that I'm keeping my options open when really I just want to say, I work for me and hubby doing what I want and what we determine needs to get done. 

Decompression is still something that is an ongoing process for me.  When we executed our version of FIRE, DH and I moved from FL to PA to be closer to family.  Our PA home has many projects that need completing.  We're slowly working on those.  There are some days when I really don't want to work on anything but they are getting further and further apart so more things are getting accomplished each day.  I still don't know what kind of routine I'll end up falling into, but whatever it is, it will be fabulous.

I hope everyone from the 2017 cohort is having a marvelous FIRE-ment and those watching from subsequent years have great success getting there.  Thanks for reading my ramblings.

markbike528CBX

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1899
  • Location: the Everbrown part of the Evergreen State (WA)
Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #1388 on: May 29, 2018, 10:06:03 PM »
ks135ks.  Thanks for the update.   I might have ended up in your situation in about 9 months, if not for your story,

MonkeyJenga

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 8894
  • Location: the woods
Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #1389 on: May 30, 2018, 08:38:44 AM »
Congrats on avoiding the cubicles!

I am actually about to un-FIRE. Made it 7 months. But no cubes at this place! They've got bean bag chairs and an ice cream freezer, and I have official permission to come in late every day.

Still not thrilled about needing a morning alarm, but I care about the mission. Ugh.

Kay-Ell

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 155
  • Semi-retired in 2017
Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #1390 on: May 30, 2018, 01:02:05 PM »
Thanks for the update!  I just hit the 7 month mark, and it's rather reassuring to know others are grappling with some of the same experiences while making the transition.  I'm starting to become emensely more productive, with an abundance of enthusiasm when I tackle a project. Yesterday I bought and laid a literal ton of rocks, nearly completing an outdoor project.  Today I'm going to pick up another 1/2 ton!  I was worried for a while there, while deep in the throws of decompression, that I'd broken my ambitious, over achieving personality with retirement. 

FrugalAussie

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 126
  • Location: Western Australia
Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #1391 on: May 30, 2018, 06:02:57 PM »
Keep the updates coming, I like to know how other people are managing their FIRE transition. It's also a gift for people thinking about or getting close to their own retirement.  While everyone's situation is different there are certainly some common themes.

I've now been retired 12 months. My greatest achievement has been my health.  I lost a little weight (8kg) and become a regular at the gym.  The achievement I'm most pleased about is that I stopped drinking alcohol entirely. It's been 173 days! I'm very proud of myself as my partner still drinks and I've attended various social functions including a 'wine and cheese' night and was not tempted. I drank to cope with stress when working and it became a habit so I'm well pleased to have those days behind me. I'd estimate that I've saved about $750. My fitness is starting to plateau so I'm now going to train for a women's fun triathlon. It's a special event geared towards getting women to try the event, it's not at all competitive.

We've just moved into a new house that has taken about 2 years to get built so we've been focused on that challenge. Now we're moved in and our old house is on the market I'm starting to think about "the rest of my life". I'm really please with how the house has turned out and happy to spend a lot of time in it, getting settled in and getting the garden established but I'm restless for some external stimulation. I've increased my commitment to my volunteer work which has been satisfying. Soon I'll be picking up a little bit of paid work teaching in my professional area. My plan is to use that pay to fund some giving for ongoing projects/passions which my partner doesn't agree to financially support so I can't use "our" money. 

My partner has also retired, he loves it.  Basically he potters around at home all day with the occasional social activity that I organise. He's had a couple of health issues that we're getting on top off but otherwise he's very happy.

Financially, we're feeling a bit stretched as we've had so many one off expenses for the new house but did expect that so really is an emotional response rather than financial. Our discretionary spending has been at the expected level, no sudden splurging we didn't budget for. 

Daisy

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2263
Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #1392 on: May 30, 2018, 08:42:30 PM »
It's 8 months of being FIREd for me.

I've used the line "on a sabbatical, or possibly early retirement if I can pull it off", and it has worked well for me.

I have no desire to enter the cubicle farm scene ever again.

I went paddling with some friends and they asked what I was up to. I mentioned the desire to never work for a big corporation again and that my dream job was to be a kayaking guide. Then one of them told me a local kayaking place was looking to hire. I sent an email and actually saw the owner at an event. So far I have not heard back but it does sound interesting. They are looking for kayaking guides for trips, some multi-day trips. That would be really cool to do.

I also applied to help at the science museum's summer camps. They have volunteer and paid positions. I did the phone interview and am waiting to hear back.

Other than that, I started FIRE with one long trip, and then another couple of smaller trips. Then I had two big ski trips but I had to cancel one due to a family emergency. I was able to go to the other one, then a new family emergency arose. Since that time, I've barely been home since I have been helping out the family. It has kind of changed my FIRE focus for now, but it is much easier to deal with these emergencies without having the full time job in the way. One of my reasons for FIRE was to be able to help out my elderly parents, and that happened sooner than I thought. Oh well, I am trying to do my best to have fun and balance that with my responsibilities. Being able to spend quality time with my parents at this stage is pretty great.

Cookie78

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1888
  • Location: Canada
Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #1393 on: May 30, 2018, 11:03:48 PM »
As a concession to nerves though a couple weeks ago, I applied for a position with a local company in my main career.  Within the hour of applying, I had an email from the HR recruiter setting up a phone interview; an hour later, the phone interview and the following Monday, a scheduled in office interview.  Come interview Monday, sitting in the lobby waiting, my heart is beating anxiously (it's been a decade since I've sat on this side of an interview) and my mind is racing (eeeeekk... who am I going to talk to?, how do I explain 9 months [YIKES! 9 MONTHS!] not working in this field?, what if this is a deal breaker?, has it really been 9 months already?).  Then I see a contact I have in the company.  After the general pleasantries, he offhandedly remarked that "I just don't want to be here today."  In that instant, I realized two things: I don't really care if I get this job and I really don't want to be here either.  A few minutes later, he left for lunch and the HR lady met me to escort me back to the office in the cube farm where I'd be meeting with the manager of the department.  During the walk, she asked how the weather was outside since "we can't tell from back here, though it looks really nice from the lobby."  My brain: Oh my god, what am I doing here?  that wasn't nerves in the lobby, that was your body revolting at the idea of returning to a cube farm!  I bombed that interview.  The nice HR lady sent me the official we're going with other candidates email at the end of last week.  What a relief!  Without a shadow of a doubt, I do NOT want to go back to what I was doing.

I love this!!



I'm coming up on 10 months FIRE (or FIRE imposter). It's been great so far with a 2 week canoe trip, 3 weeks in the South Pacific,  week in Maine, 2 weeks volunteering in Dominica, copious amounts of time spent with family, friends, and dogs, working on hobbies, building my boat, helping out family members, learning Spanish, leather working, fixing my houses and vehicle, and the next 2 week canoe trip is starting this weekend.

The only crappy parts involve dealing with my houses while I've been away. It's a crappy time to sell in my area so I haven't tried yet, but I really need to soon for the sake of my sanity. Tenants are interested in buying it, so hopefully that works out this summer. Technically I'm only on a leave of absence from work and I am due back Aug 13 (hence my FIRE imposter status). I definitely need to sell the rental house before I feel comfortable quitting permanently.

But lately I'm a little stressy financially. I had put aside 'enough' in a HISA for the year, but ended up spending more than I thought I would fixing up the houses. I'm getting on the low end of comfortable and I still have 3 months to go before I'll see another paycheck! I'd rather avoid needing to take anything out of investment accounts already. Also I don't think the stress is just financial. I have been listening to a bunch of podcasts and reading a bunch of books related to long term adventure travel (sailing, motorcycle around the world, month long treks, etc) and I'm sure it's causing stress due to my LACK OF FREEDOM compared to the people in these stories. Still more free than 95% of people, but my brain wants more! Can someone please tell me this is a normal part of decompression??

Anyway, back to work in August, hopefully sell the house shortly after, fire for good in the spring, sell the other house maybe that summer, then find another reason I'm not quite free (probably dogs).

MandyM

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 543
  • Location: Lexington, KY
Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #1394 on: May 31, 2018, 07:54:56 AM »
I'm 10 months in and definitely not looking for a return to office life. I did inquire with my previous boss about picking up contract work on a very specific project, but he more or less shot that down, at least for now. It would be ideal if I could shake that loose - its easy work that I liked doing while I was there and it would only be about 40 hours worth of work concentrated at the end of each quarter. Oh well, I don't absolutely need the money, but it would be nice to grab some off easy, fun work.

Since I've quit, I built a small retaining wall, paver patio, and integrated fire pit in my back yard. It turned out better than I expected:) Currently, I'm gearing up to gut my kitchen with a full re-do. I'm nervous and excited all at once. I've not attempted anything of this size or complexity before. I have some friends that are basically renovation experts and they will help immensely.

Like others, I've also become a regular at the gym. I'm not monitoring my weight, but I'm down one pant size so far. I love being able to take my time there, I rarely have somewhere I need to be right after.

When I first quit, I would temper how I presented that depending on my audience...sometimes I would use the word sabbatical, sometimes retirement, sometimes I would be more vague. Nowadays, I generally just say "I don't work" and leave it at that unless someone inquires further.

I would say my biggest surprise after I quit is how normal my life feels - from the very first Monday that I didn't head to work, nothing felt strange. There was never a nagging in the back of my mind about setting an alarm, missing a deadline, prepping for a meeting or all the million things that I used to have spinning in my head. I was so pleasantly surprised when those thoughts never came.


SachaFiscal

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 275
Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #1395 on: June 03, 2018, 09:23:08 AM »
My greatest achievement has been my health.  I lost a little weight (8kg) and become a regular at the gym.  The achievement I'm most pleased about is that I stopped drinking alcohol entirely. It's been 173 days! 

Congratulations on the health improvements.  I reduced my drinking significantly but am still drinking socially. How do you navigate social events without drinking? Any tips?

The past couple of days I had a small panic as I'm approaching 1 year not working and am scared about losing the opportunity to go back to the same career I had.  I started thinking..."maybe I should just try and get a job and work for a while so I can keep up my skills".  It doesn't help that the market has been pretty flat.  I crave that old feeling of dumping a bunch of money into my Vanguard account every couple of weeks.  I started looking at jobs online and it made me nausious just doing that.  I really don't want to do that type of work anymore even if it is so lucrative.  Also I thought about how much better my life is now...no stress, cooking and eating healthy, exercising more regularly, finally playing music again, improved relationships.  It all adds up to a way better quality of life and that is priceless.  I just have to have confidence that my investments will ultimately grow.

MonkeyJenga

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 8894
  • Location: the woods
Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #1396 on: June 03, 2018, 10:39:54 AM »
My greatest achievement has been my health.  I lost a little weight (8kg) and become a regular at the gym.  The achievement I'm most pleased about is that I stopped drinking alcohol entirely. It's been 173 days! 

Congratulations on the health improvements.  I reduced my drinking significantly but am still drinking socially. How do you navigate social events without drinking? Any tips?

I stopped drinking about four years ago. Social events are easy, assuming no issues with alcoholism - just don't drink. Get water or soda and talk to people. Are you worried about how you will be able to resist drinking, how you will explain it to other people, or something else?

I have found I have a better time when I don't drink. In the month before I quit my job and went traveling, I was at brunch with friends who kept pushing their unlimited mimosas at me. Decided to abandon my prohibition for my last month in the city. Party it up! That day ended with a lame date and an expensive cab, after all my friends went home early to pass out and/or vomit. The other few times I drank weren't worth it either.

SwordGuy

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 8955
  • Location: Fayetteville, NC
Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #1397 on: June 03, 2018, 10:22:26 PM »
I reduced my drinking significantly but am still drinking socially. How do you navigate social events without drinking? Any tips?

How about just saying, "No, thank you."

I rarely have an alcoholic drink.  I don't apologize for it.  I don't explain it.   I drink what I damn well please, and thats all that matters to me.

It **really** can be that simple.

If you have "friends" who feel the need to cajole you into drinking lots of alcohol, just let them know you aren't interested in doing that anymore.

If that doesn't work, let them know more strongly.  And if that doesn't work, tell them to fuck off and mind their own damn business.  Or get better friends.  Real ones who care about you instead of how drunk you are.


DavidAnnArbor

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2266
  • Age: 58
  • Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #1398 on: June 04, 2018, 08:23:38 PM »
My greatest achievement has been my health.  I lost a little weight (8kg) and become a regular at the gym.  The achievement I'm most pleased about is that I stopped drinking alcohol entirely. It's been 173 days! 

Congratulations on the health improvements.  I reduced my drinking significantly but am still drinking socially. How do you navigate social events without drinking? Any tips?

The past couple of days I had a small panic as I'm approaching 1 year not working and am scared about losing the opportunity to go back to the same career I had.  I started thinking..."maybe I should just try and get a job and work for a while so I can keep up my skills".  It doesn't help that the market has been pretty flat.  I crave that old feeling of dumping a bunch of money into my Vanguard account every couple of weeks.  I started looking at jobs online and it made me nausious just doing that.  I really don't want to do that type of work anymore even if it is so lucrative.  Also I thought about how much better my life is now...no stress, cooking and eating healthy, exercising more regularly, finally playing music again, improved relationships.  It all adds up to a way better quality of life and that is priceless.  I just have to have confidence that my investments will ultimately grow.

Maybe just get a part time fun job so that you make a little money, but not work too much, and that way you won't need your investments as much. It might give you some peace of mind

SachaFiscal

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 275
Re: Target FIRE: 2017
« Reply #1399 on: June 05, 2018, 09:28:48 AM »
@SwordGuy and @MonkeyJenga I think I have a bit of social anxiety and I use drinking to alleviate that when I go out. It's not so much that friends are trying to get me to drink.  But I usually get a stomach ache later and feel a little down the next day. I end up eating more junk food when I drink. Plus it affects my ability to keep a consistent workout schedule.  I notice I feel better after not drinking for a few weeks, but then I forget and do it again.

@DavidAnnArbor I might try and look for something fun and flexible I could do (like Amazon delivery or walking dogs) to earn a little bit of money just to put into my Vanguard funds.

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!