Story time:
So I have this buddy at work named John, who works in another department so we don't see each other very often. We shared a car ride to a meeting last year, and got to talking about retirement and how careful financial planning and controlling your expenses can potentially put you in a position to retire early, or take another job for reasons other than money. And he seemed to really get it, the whole idea of how overspending commits you to unnecessary years at a desk when you'd rather be doing something else more important. Like so many federal employees John has a military pension in the bag and a side gig with the reserves, so he's financially well situated to make the early retirement leap.
Every month or so when we cross paths in the break room or something, he asks me about it and tells me he's getting really close. He's clearly excited, and I'm excited for him. I'm spreading the gospel, so to speak.
So today I walk into the break room and there's John casually talking to one of our senior management types about this topic, and right as I appear he says "and it's all thanks to talking to this guy..." and starts grilling me about my retirement plan progress. This makes me very uncomfortable, since I've kept my RE plans under wraps at work, for professional reasons.
And then,
RIGHT as the big-boss-lady walks into the room
he says to me,
"So when are you finally quitting?"
Shit. Trying to suppress the deer-in-the-headlights look on my face, I laugh and turn to the boss and tell her we're talking about what we're all going to do when we finally leave federal service, and she launches into this big speech about pottery and cooking classes and joining a choir and all of the wonderful things she wants to do. At this point, I'm thinking maybe I've saved it? Maybe I didn't just get outed?
The other manager is smirking quietly to herself through all of this, very deliberately keeping her mouth shut and watching me squirm. She finishes her salad and sneaks out. John excuses himself. Now it's just me and the big boss, and she's still talking about retirement plans and how much happier her husband is now that he's retired and volunteering and running a side business coaching kids. She finally starts to slow down, and as she's walking out, she pauses for a moment and turns and says to me "If you're brave enough, you can do it. Other people have left jobs like ours to go pursue something else they love more..."
and then she disappears with her bowl of soup or whatever and leaves me standing there. Alone. Unsure of exactly what has just transpired.
Soooooo, I
think I just inadvertently announced to my boss my plans to retire early?
Hi John!