Author Topic: 2018 FIRE cohort  (Read 738366 times)

SwordGuy

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #950 on: December 28, 2017, 03:20:35 PM »
As we're almost to 2018(!), how about a get to know your fellow cohort question? If you're comfortable answering:

1) What do you do for employment currently?
Programmer.  Wife is a professor.

2) What will you miss most about quitting, aside from the $?

I work with some quick-witted people, which is fun.   

3) What are you most looking forward to about quitting your job?

Having our time to ourselves, instead of tied to the work-a-day clock.

SwordGuy

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #951 on: December 29, 2017, 01:52:16 PM »
Only 4 months to FIRE for me as of New Year's Day.  Woot!

4 months and a week for my lovely bride.  Double woot!

Wintergreen78

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #952 on: December 29, 2017, 08:18:00 PM »
End of January, 2018! Except, we had a delay with interviews for my replacement, so I may stay for a week or two of February if necessary to have a smooth hand-off.

Wintergreen78

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #953 on: December 29, 2017, 08:21:59 PM »
For those you planning to work less than a full calendar year, how are you handling your 401k contributions?

Are you contributing more than average for a partial year in order to hit the max before you retire? 

Are you contributing less than average each pay period because your reduced annual income for 2018 means you'll have less tax liability, reducing the value of sheltering income in a 401k?

We're still undecided, so we're letting it ride for now and will make adjustments later as our plans firm up.  I just feel like we should be doing something different since next year's tax return will be so different.

I’m planning to max out 457 and HSA before leaving. I figure I can use the tax space to shift some 457 funds to a Roth IRA at the end of 2018 once I have a better idea what my taxable income is for the year.

Agent Rosenflower

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #954 on: December 30, 2017, 09:23:10 AM »
Hi! I used to post here under a different handle, but life got busy. I’m re-joining because it looks like I can FIRE in the first half of 2018. It still doesn’t seem real to me, and I think some peer support will help me adjust to reality. I started posting more details in the Journals section.

SwordGuy

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #955 on: January 01, 2018, 09:55:22 AM »
Our FIRE year has started!


wordnerd

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #956 on: January 01, 2018, 10:20:59 AM »
Our FIRE year has started!

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

NICE!

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #957 on: January 01, 2018, 11:00:44 AM »
Well it looks like we will hit the FIRE # sometime this year. However, I'm probably going to work another 4-8 years. Things are going well and I don't have any major complaints. Additionally, the $600k figure is definitely on the low end, so another few years of FIRE insurance will be nice.

That would put me in my early 40s and thus not as badass as others, but still pretty cool and young enough.

SwordGuy

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #958 on: January 01, 2018, 04:39:36 PM »
Well it looks like we will hit the FIRE # sometime this year. However, I'm probably going to work another 4-8 years. Things are going well and I don't have any major complaints. Additionally, the $600k figure is definitely on the low end, so another few years of FIRE insurance will be nice.

That would put me in my early 40s and thus not as badass as others, but still pretty cool and young enough.

We did one more year and that was ok.  Then we did another one more year and that one got old really quick.    I hope yours pass much easier than a gall stone. :)

msilenus

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #959 on: January 01, 2018, 04:44:53 PM »
As we're almost to 2018(!), how about a get to know your fellow cohort question? If you're comfortable answering:

1) What do you do for employment currently?

Software developer.

2) What will you miss most about quitting, aside from the $?

Hacking on fun problems.  The fitness/life efficiency of commuting by bike.  Gaming the benefits package.

3) What are you most looking forward to about quitting your job?

Bullshit reduction.  Having the energy to learn Rust.  Sorting out what's next.

Gimesalot

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #960 on: January 01, 2018, 07:07:53 PM »
As we're almost to 2018(!), how about a get to know your fellow cohort question? If you're comfortable answering:

1) What do you do for employment currently?
2) What will you miss most about quitting, aside from the $?
3) What are you most looking forward to about quitting your job?

1. I work as a process engineer focusing on process safety
2. solving some of the interesting problems that my clients face and improving safety at chemical plants & refineries
3. This past year has been a tough transition to a new management team/style at the company.  It has left all the managers anxious and pissed.  The shit definitely started to roll down hill.  I won't miss that.

A few minutes ago I had that sinking realization that I had to go back to work tomorrow.  Then I realized it's the last time!!  Happy 2018 everyone!

Agent Rosenflower

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #961 on: January 01, 2018, 09:56:22 PM »
Quote
1) What do you do for employment currently?
Manager. More and more like a hatchetman in the past year.
2) What will you miss most about quitting, aside from the $?
Good and cheap health insurance, my crazy good retirement benefits that got me here in the first place, and my almost-free transit pass. A few colleagues.
3) What are you most looking forward to about quitting your job?
Owning my time. Leisurely mornings. Going to the gym and grocery store whenever.

Monkey Uncle

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #962 on: January 02, 2018, 04:25:40 AM »
A few minutes ago I had that sinking realization that I had to go back to work tomorrow.  Then I realized it's the last time!!  Happy 2018 everyone!

+1!

Aegishjalmur

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #963 on: January 02, 2018, 07:34:09 AM »
When asked if I have made any New Years Resolutions by coworkers I am seriously going to have to fight the urge to say 'This year I have resolved to give  up work, and I am committed to seeing this goal through to the finish.'

Gimesalot

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #964 on: January 02, 2018, 08:08:59 AM »
When asked if I have made any New Years Resolutions by coworkers I am seriously going to have to fight the urge to say 'This year I have resolved to give  up work, and I am committed to seeing this goal through to the finish.'

I would be so tempted too!

This morning, at 8:15, the fire alarms at the building where I work, went off and we all had to stand outside on the coldest day of the year for 45 minutes.  I am beyond frozen since I hadn't dressed warm enough.  What a rough way to start my last week of work.

homestead neohio

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #965 on: January 02, 2018, 09:07:11 AM »
Well, I worked my last day at the physical plant and am down to working remotely until final layoff on 3/31/18.  It has not fully set in that I'm done since the transition took place just before Christmas and I often take off between Christmas and New Years.  So it just feels like a winter break, and I haven't set any new routines yet.  Today is the first day I would normally be doing the frigid commute, and I'm at home in flannel pants by a roaring fire with my cozy geriatric kitty.  The kids are still out of school, so I suspect it will start to feel like a real transition when they are back to school and I am not back to work.  Hoping to start some healthy new routines then.

Working remotely is pretty relaxed for me at this point.  Checking emails and responding plus two teleconferences per week.  One required in-person meeting per month, so 3 total before I'm done.   This doesn't resemble what my work used to look like, so it doesn't feel much like work.

Gimesalot

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #966 on: January 02, 2018, 09:56:00 AM »
Congratulations neohio!  Sounds like a great situation to ease you into ER.

JLTinVA

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #967 on: January 02, 2018, 11:13:26 AM »
Moving my date from March something to February 9!! I can't believe how close it is. Freaking out a bit, but mostly just incredibly excited. Hopefully I didn't mess this up:

01/01/18  CowboyAndIndian (at 59) CONFIRMED
01/05/18  Gimesalot
01/06/18  Monkey Uncle
01/15/18  PizzaSteve
01/31/18  MomCPA
01/??/18  FIBy30
01/??/18  PrePube
02/01/18  DTaggart
02/09/18  JLTinVA (at 42)
02/28/18  brooklynguy
03/16/18  Cherry Lane
03/30/18  sol
03/31/18  Caoineag (at 36)
03/31/18  homestead neohio
03/31/18  Mrbeardedbigbucks
03/31/18  ZiziPB (at 50)
03/31/18  DavidAnnArbor (at 52) (Won't renew my office lease)
03/??/18  Badblackgirl
03/??/18  Clean Shaven
03/??/18  Sofa King
03/??/18  MiserlyMiser
03/??/18  Acastus
04/01/18  Mrs. Honeyfill
04/01/18  patches
04/20/18  NinetyFour
04/27/18  poppydog and DW
04/??/18  Aegishjalmur (At 35)
04/??/18  Calvin
04/??/18  FernFree
04/??/18  Gooki
04/??/18  lostformars
~04/??/18 HappyMargo
~04/??/18 Mother Fussbudget
05/01/18  SwordGuy (at 60)
05/08/18  SwordGuy DW (SwordGuy isn't saying.   He wants to live.)
05/04/18  wordnerd and DH (at 30 and 36)
05/04/18  step_away
05/15/18  Markbike528CBX (at 53.5)
05/25/18  Gyosho
05/??/18  Alim Nassor
05/??/18  msilenus
06/01/18  Honeyfill  (at 60)
06/08/18  CheapskateWife
06/15/18  DavisGang90 (at 49)
06/25/18  MaybeBabyMustache (at 42)
06/29/18  aperture
06/30/18  TartanTallulah
06/??/18  Cheddar Stacker
06/??/18  dbtx
06/??/18  Omalley
06/??/18  randomgiraffe
06/??/18  SwissMiss
~06/??/18 Pylortes
07/??/18  AussieGirl
07/??/18  ChasesFish
07/??/18  Mr Griz
~07/??/18 BackAndForth
~07/??/18 cerat0n1a
~07/??/18 Fresh Bread
~07/??/18 SnidelyWhiplashStache
08/01/18  SugarMountain
08/??/18  Mr Mark
08/??/18  NorCalistache
08/??/18  RunningWithScissors
10/05/18  JumboShrimp
10/??/18  Fire1018
10/??/18  Happy
10/??/18  Irishtache
11/??/18  DeSteeg
11/??/18  Kris
12/01/18  Vegasgirl (at 49)
12/21/18  LateStarter
12/??/18  EnjoyIt
12/??/18  yoda34
??/??/18  Blindsquirrel
??/??/18  Michread
??/??/18  Minnesota_mom
??/??/18  OzBeach -- WIGLO (When I Get Laid Off)
??/??/18  thriftycanadian
??/??/18  pecunia
??/??/18  FLStache

1) What do you do for employment currently?  IT Project Manager/Scrum Master

2) What will you miss most about quitting, aside from the $? Some of the people. But honestly, mostly just the money and security that comes with it.

3) What are you most looking forward to about quitting your job? The ability and freedom to travel more, and spending more time with family.

Retire-Canada

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #968 on: January 02, 2018, 11:23:49 AM »


There is too much 2018 awesomeness to comment on each one individually....so for those about to FIRE or who have just FIREd I salute you. You did an amazing job saving up money for retirement now it's time for you to enjoy the fruits of your labours. My only suggestion having read a bunch of pre-FIRE posts is to not put pressure on yourself for FIRE to be any specific thing. Just decompress, spend time with people you love, be kind to your mind/body and give yourself lots of time to see where FIRE takes you. You spent decades working and you won't really understand what life after work is really about for months if not a few years. That discovery process is all part of the journey.

brooklynguy

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #969 on: January 02, 2018, 02:46:33 PM »
My 401(k)-frontloading strategy just got caught in a minor web of bureaucratic red tape that might end up revealing my departure plans to my firm a little earlier than I had intended.

Last month, I had set my per-paycheck contributions for 2018 to the full amount of my take-home pay.  My firm outsources both its payroll and its 401(k) plan administration functions to a third-party provider, so I assumed that my escalated contribution schedule would be executed more or less automatically behind the scenes and therefore escape the notice of anyone at my firm except perhaps one or two back-office support personnel.  Today, however, I received an email from HR notifying me that my contribution election exceeded a strict 75% per-paycheck limit, which, I objected in response (but to no avail), is described nowhere in the 401(k) plan's summary plan description and in fact directly contradicts the summary's assertion that employees can contribute "up to 100%" of their salary.

This hiccup has no material consequence on my frontloading plan (it will just take one extra paycheck to max out my annual contributions), but my protestations of inaccurate plan description have now simultaneously shined a spotlight my aggressive frontloading campaign and attracted the unwanted attention of the higher-ups in my HR department, who no doubt maintain open lines of communication with my direct superiors.  So the cat may be let out of the bag before I was ready to release it.

sol

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #970 on: January 02, 2018, 02:59:41 PM »
I think you can play dumb, BG.  Lots of people frontload every year, for reasons unrelated to retirement plans.  You can pretend to be one of them.

SwordGuy

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #971 on: January 02, 2018, 04:59:15 PM »
I think you can play dumb, BG.  Lots of people frontload every year, for reasons unrelated to retirement plans.  You can pretend to be one of them.

Yep.   The longer the money is in the market, the more it will earn you!   That's your story and you're sticking to it! :)

Cathy

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #972 on: January 02, 2018, 08:38:37 PM »
... Today, however, I received an email from HR notifying me that my contribution election exceeded a strict 75% per-paycheck limit, which, I objected in response (but to no avail), is described nowhere in the 401(k) plan's summary plan description and in fact directly contradicts the summary's assertion that employees can contribute "up to 100%" of their salary.

The summary plan description is not the legal description of the plan, although you do likely have the right to obtain a copy of the legal instruments governing the plan as I've described in some past posts (such as this one from October 20, 2015).

The law generally authorises a plan participant to bring a civil action "to enforce his rights under the terms of the plan". 29 USC § 1132(a)(1)(B). The court may award attorney's fees and costs for such action. 29 USC § 1132(g)(1).
« Last Edit: January 02, 2018, 08:40:49 PM by Cathy »

SwissMiss

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #973 on: January 03, 2018, 06:47:33 AM »
I have just had a foretaste of FIRE by spending 7 weeks in Florida. Sun, beach, 1.5 hours of exercise every day, healthy food and plenty of sleep. It was wonderful. Next week is back to Switzerland and back to work.
Real FIRE will start on 30 September 2018 (3 months later to match my husband's FIRE date). We will both be 50 by then and are really looking forward to it. Such an exciting year!!!

CowboyAndIndian

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #974 on: January 03, 2018, 07:23:53 AM »
Added SwissMiss to the cohort.

If I have missed someone, please quote this post (let the font tags remain) but remove the quote tags. Or PM me and I'll do it.

01/01/18  CowboyAndIndian (at 59) CONFIRMED
01/05/18  Gimesalot
01/06/18  Monkey Uncle
01/15/18  PizzaSteve
01/31/18  MomCPA
01/??/18  FIBy30
01/??/18  PrePube
02/01/18  DTaggart
02/09/18  JLTinVA (at 42)
02/28/18  brooklynguy
03/16/18  Cherry Lane
03/30/18  sol
03/31/18  Caoineag (at 36)
03/31/18  homestead neohio
03/31/18  Mrbeardedbigbucks
03/31/18  ZiziPB (at 50)
03/31/18  DavidAnnArbor (at 52) (Won't renew my office lease)
03/??/18  Badblackgirl
03/??/18  Clean Shaven
03/??/18  Sofa King
03/??/18  MiserlyMiser
03/??/18  Acastus
04/01/18  Mrs. Honeyfill
04/01/18  patches
04/20/18  NinetyFour
04/27/18  poppydog and DW
04/??/18  Aegishjalmur (At 35)
04/??/18  Calvin
04/??/18  FernFree
04/??/18  Gooki
04/??/18  lostformars
~04/??/18 HappyMargo
~04/??/18 Mother Fussbudget
05/01/18  SwordGuy (at 60)
05/08/18  SwordGuy DW (SwordGuy isn't saying.   He wants to live.)
05/04/18  wordnerd and DH (at 30 and 36)
05/04/18  step_away
05/15/18  Markbike528CBX (at 53.5)
05/25/18  Gyosho
05/??/18  Alim Nassor
05/??/18  msilenus
06/01/18  Honeyfill  (at 60)
06/08/18  CheapskateWife
06/15/18  DavisGang90 (at 49)
06/25/18  MaybeBabyMustache (at 42)
06/29/18  aperture
06/30/18  TartanTallulah
06/??/18  Cheddar Stacker
06/??/18  dbtx
06/??/18  Omalley
06/??/18  randomgiraffe
06/??/18  SwissMiss
~06/??/18 Pylortes
07/??/18  AussieGirl
07/??/18  ChasesFish
07/??/18  Mr Griz
~07/??/18 BackAndForth
~07/??/18 cerat0n1a
~07/??/18 Fresh Bread
~07/??/18 SnidelyWhiplashStache
08/01/18  SugarMountain
08/??/18  Mr Mark
08/??/18  NorCalistache
08/??/18  RunningWithScissors
09/30/18  SwissMiss
10/05/18  JumboShrimp
10/??/18  Fire1018
10/??/18  Happy
10/??/18  Irishtache
11/??/18  DeSteeg
11/??/18  Kris
12/01/18  Vegasgirl (at 49)
12/21/18  LateStarter
12/??/18  EnjoyIt
12/??/18  yoda34
??/??/18  Blindsquirrel
??/??/18  Michread
??/??/18  Minnesota_mom
??/??/18  OzBeach -- WIGLO (When I Get Laid Off)
??/??/18  thriftycanadian
??/??/18  pecunia
??/??/18  FLStache

brooklynguy

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #975 on: January 03, 2018, 07:35:43 AM »
The law generally authorises a plan participant to bring a civil action "to enforce his rights under the terms of the plan".

Good to see you make an appearance in the forum, Cathy.  I'm not interested in bringing a lawsuit over this issue, although it would do wonders for my "how I quit my job" story if I were to conjoin handing in my resignation with service of process.

NinetyFour

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #976 on: January 03, 2018, 07:41:18 AM »
Changing my date (very slightly), and adding my age.  (I am using the date of my last class, even though final exams will occur the following week.  Also, I will be paid through the end of our fiscal year (6/30/18), well after I have stopped doing any actual work.  That'll be LOTS of icing on the already delicious cake!)

Happy year of our retirement, everyone!  :)


01/01/18  CowboyAndIndian (at 59) CONFIRMED
01/05/18  Gimesalot
01/06/18  Monkey Uncle
01/15/18  PizzaSteve
01/31/18  MomCPA
01/??/18  FIBy30
01/??/18  PrePube
02/01/18  DTaggart
02/09/18  JLTinVA (at 42)
02/28/18  brooklynguy
03/16/18  Cherry Lane
03/30/18  sol
03/31/18  Caoineag (at 36)
03/31/18  homestead neohio
03/31/18  Mrbeardedbigbucks
03/31/18  ZiziPB (at 50)
03/31/18  DavidAnnArbor (at 52) (Won't renew my office lease)
03/??/18  Badblackgirl
03/??/18  Clean Shaven
03/??/18  Sofa King
03/??/18  MiserlyMiser
03/??/18  Acastus
04/01/18  Mrs. Honeyfill
04/01/18  patches
04/19/18  NinetyFour (at 56)
04/27/18  poppydog and DW
04/??/18  Aegishjalmur (at 35)
04/??/18  Calvin
04/??/18  FernFree
04/??/18  Gooki
04/??/18  lostformars
~04/??/18 HappyMargo
~04/??/18 Mother Fussbudget
05/01/18  SwordGuy (at 60)
05/08/18  SwordGuy DW (SwordGuy isn't saying.   He wants to live.)
05/04/18  wordnerd and DH (at 30 and 36)
05/04/18  step_away
05/15/18  Markbike528CBX (at 53.5)
05/25/18  Gyosho
05/??/18  Alim Nassor
05/??/18  msilenus
06/01/18  Honeyfill  (at 60)
06/08/18  CheapskateWife
06/15/18  DavisGang90 (at 49)
06/25/18  MaybeBabyMustache (at 42)
06/29/18  aperture
06/30/18  TartanTallulah
06/??/18  Cheddar Stacker
06/??/18  dbtx
06/??/18  Omalley
06/??/18  randomgiraffe
06/??/18  SwissMiss
~06/??/18 Pylortes
07/??/18  AussieGirl
07/??/18  ChasesFish
07/??/18  Mr Griz
~07/??/18 BackAndForth
~07/??/18 cerat0n1a
~07/??/18 Fresh Bread
~07/??/18 SnidelyWhiplashStache
08/01/18  SugarMountain
08/??/18  Mr Mark
08/??/18  NorCalistache
08/??/18  RunningWithScissors
09/30/18  SwissMiss
10/05/18  JumboShrimp
10/??/18  Fire1018
10/??/18  Happy
10/??/18  Irishtache
11/??/18  DeSteeg
11/??/18  Kris
12/01/18  Vegasgirl (at 49)
12/21/18  LateStarter
12/??/18  EnjoyIt
12/??/18  yoda34
??/??/18  Blindsquirrel
??/??/18  Michread
??/??/18  Minnesota_mom
??/??/18  OzBeach -- WIGLO (When I Get Laid Off)
??/??/18  thriftycanadian
??/??/18  pecunia
??/??/18  FLStache

Cherry Lane

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #977 on: January 03, 2018, 08:02:12 AM »
I've had my date picked for a long time, but I may have to push it out a few days :(  First I need to find out if I can take my accumulated vacation rather than having it paid out.  If I work a few more days and then take all my vacation, I'll be employed into May, for an extra two months of cheap healthcare.  Then three months of Cobra before I can start on the university health system (I'll be a full-time student starting in September).  Otherwise I'm paying for 6 months of Cobra (but only needing 4 or 5).  Hate to have to move my date, but I think it will be worth it. (and FMD is a lot better than OMY!)


I won't know for sure until at least next week, as the people I need to talk to at work are out this week.

wordnerd

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #978 on: January 03, 2018, 08:07:24 AM »
Is anyone else struggling with senioritis? Since coming back yesterday after some time off at the holidays, I just can't seem to get back into work. I also only have 85ish work days left, which seems...small. I hadn't realized I was under 100.

Cherry Lane

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #979 on: January 03, 2018, 08:24:02 AM »
Is anyone else struggling with senioritis? Since coming back yesterday after some time off at the holidays, I just can't seem to get back into work. I also only have 85ish work days left, which seems...small. I hadn't realized I was under 100.

Oh, absolutely!  I have no desire to be here.  I really just need to get through this month, since most of Feb through my departure date is travel of one sort or another, not the daily office grind.


CheapskateWife

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #980 on: January 03, 2018, 09:10:33 AM »
Is anyone else struggling with senioritis? Since coming back yesterday after some time off at the holidays, I just can't seem to get back into work. I also only have 85ish work days left, which seems...small. I hadn't realized I was under 100.

Oh, absolutely!  I have no desire to be here.  I really just need to get through this month, since most of Feb through my departure date is travel of one sort or another, not the daily office grind.
I'm there too...I no longer have f***s to give. 

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #981 on: January 03, 2018, 09:33:18 AM »
Is anyone else struggling with senioritis? Since coming back yesterday after some time off at the holidays, I just can't seem to get back into work. I also only have 85ish work days left, which seems...small. I hadn't realized I was under 100.

Oh, absolutely!  I have no desire to be here.  I really just need to get through this month, since most of Feb through my departure date is travel of one sort or another, not the daily office grind.
I'm there too...I no longer have f***s to give.

This, exactly. :-) 173 days to go!

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #982 on: January 03, 2018, 09:40:10 AM »
Is anyone else struggling with senioritis? Since coming back yesterday after some time off at the holidays, I just can't seem to get back into work. I also only have 85ish work days left, which seems...small. I hadn't realized I was under 100.

Oh absolutely. I ran out of fucks awhile ago, and with only 21 work days left (counting today) and having just had 10.5 consecutive days off, there is not a lot getting accomplished :) Mostly starting to slowly clean up my crap.

This is all very surreal. I'm super anxious about making the leap - very nervous about money. Our spending last year was higher than I would like, largely due to 10k+ in vet bills, but still well within what cFIREsim says we can comfortably spend. We have 2 older dogs with manageable but expensive health conditions so I foresee this going on for a couple more years. We're not looking at getting new pets for awhile (we have a lot of travel plans once they're gone) so I know this is a temporary thing, and once they pass we will be probably be rolling in free cash since they are easily our biggest expense. Plus hubby will be teaching two classes at the community college this semester (up from his previous 1), and my hobby-blog is pulling in a little bit. My rational math brain knows we'll have enough money, but it's definitely going to be an adjustment to be withdrawing funds instead of investing them!

My winter break was pretty nice, we were supposed to have some houseguests but they had to cancel due to illness, so I actually had 10 days pretty much free of any obligations and I consider it a glimpse of what retirement life will be. I got SO MUCH SLEEP, it was amazing. We got up early to go hiking a few days, but otherwise I got to sleep until I was no longer tired. I stopped waking up in the middle of the night and being unable to fall back asleep. I exercised every day except the one day I deliberately designated as a rest day. I did some much-needed house cleaning, took care of several errands/tasks that have been haunting me for a long while, cooked some new foods, was able to read for FUN.... Getting up at 5am yesterday and today to go back to work has sucked ass, I am ready to go :)

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #983 on: January 03, 2018, 11:28:00 AM »
Is anyone else struggling with senioritis? Since coming back yesterday after some time off at the holidays, I just can't seem to get back into work. I also only have 85ish work days left, which seems...small. I hadn't realized I was under 100.

Oh, absolutely!  I have no desire to be here.  I really just need to get through this month, since most of Feb through my departure date is travel of one sort or another, not the daily office grind.
I'm there too...I no longer have f***s to give.

Ha! Glad to hear I'm in good company. And, yes my number of f*cks to give is definitely less than or equal to my number of work days remaining.

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #984 on: January 03, 2018, 05:35:29 PM »
It's getting real folks.  Tomorrow is my last day!  I have spent this week getting my things together and taking care of some paperwork issues. 

The most important thing I worked on was our budget for this year.  We already had one that was pretty detailed, but still had a lot of amounts that were estimates.  I went through and sharpened the pencil, and found that our expenses are low enough, that our work in the first months of the year, plus the sale of one of our vehicles will cover all of our projected spending.  Not only will we not be touching the stache, due to rental income, we will be adding to it.  Our savings rate for our first year of FIRE is going to be around 20%!

I had posted several times about my nervousness to go from saving rate to spending rate.  It looks like I will get at least one year as a transition.

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #985 on: January 03, 2018, 05:45:34 PM »
Congratulations, Gimesalot!!!!!  Enjoy your last day at work, and more important, all the days after it!!  :)

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #986 on: January 03, 2018, 06:38:40 PM »
Congrats Gimesalot!! Can't wait to join you :)

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #987 on: January 03, 2018, 06:55:55 PM »
Congrats @Gimesalot !

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #988 on: January 03, 2018, 09:29:35 PM »
Ugh, I should have given notice today, but the timing was bad with someone else announcing they were leaving today already. Then it’s like my boss can read my mind, and when we were talking he started dangling all these shiny future toys in front of me, like a title upgrade (which I don’t care about at all) and new office space for my team, which I would love to get for them. He already talked me out of quitting once. I need to step up my game.

P.S. Congrats Gimesalot!

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #989 on: January 03, 2018, 10:30:53 PM »
Congratulations Gimesalot!

Agent Rosenflower - be strong. Resist the call to the dark side. ;-)

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #990 on: January 04, 2018, 01:04:53 AM »
Congratulations, Gimesalot.

Agent Rosenflower, decide wisely.

I've asked for a meeting at work to discuss the future of the organisation, including unthinkables like a merger. My colleagues may not like it, but we haven't been able to recruit a replacement for me, I can't sustain my current workload, and they won't be able to pick up the slack, especially as another of us is FI and due to retire in two years. If they decide against, at least they won't be able to say they weren't warned.

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #991 on: January 04, 2018, 06:48:59 AM »
Arms up in the air flailing: WOOP WOOP - WAY TO GO GIMESALOT!!!!  I am thrilled to witness others leaving work and I look forward to celebrating with each of my 2018 cohort. 

From the cheap seats of years past, I always felt a little burn of jealousy when someone left (I think the redit expression of GFYS captures this well).  Now, within 6 months of my own departure, I know how much guts and creativity it takes to leave the safety of work and venture into the unknown of the post-employment world.  I salute you all for your courage, fortitude and willingness to go into the unknown. 

-aperture

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #992 on: January 04, 2018, 06:53:16 AM »
Congrats Gimesalot on your last day pre-FIRE - today !!!!

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #993 on: January 04, 2018, 07:37:02 AM »
Congrats, Gimesalot!

I may shift my date out by one month (7/25 vs 6/25). I ran the math, and rather than leaving with 3 weeks of vacation & getting paid out for that, I can work two more weeks & get paid out for another month of salary + stock options. It's around a $13K difference for that two weeks, & would help pay for a couple of house projects that are currently on the "maybe" list.

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #994 on: January 04, 2018, 01:12:26 PM »
Notice given, last day is 02/28/18. So happy it went well. Now to work like a madwoman for the next two months.

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #995 on: January 04, 2018, 01:24:19 PM »
Notice given, last day is 02/28/18. So happy it went well. Now to work like a madwoman for the next two months.

Hooray!  How was your news received?  Was it a surprise?

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #996 on: January 04, 2018, 03:04:45 PM »
I'm updating our numbers for 2018, and manically re-running all of our totals constantly to ensure we're on track. Do any of you track your HSAs as part of your net worth, or ignore them? Ours aren't very big in comparison to our other assets, but I think it would be helpful to start tracking them, ensuring they are appropriately invested, and generally including them on the ledger of accounts. We've previously been ignoring them.

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #997 on: January 04, 2018, 03:52:54 PM »
Notice given, last day is 02/28/18. So happy it went well. Now to work like a madwoman for the next two months.

Hooray!  How was your news received?  Was it a surprise?

Since I gave notice to go traveling, not really a surprise. Only the office manager knows at the moment (she already knew I was going for extremely early retirement, just not this early). She will come up with a succession plan before breaking the news in the next couple of weeks to others (we both think this should reduce the outcry of terror and panic). There was a moment where she checked whether she should look into unpaid leave but I said we were planning much longer than that so that ended that.

I do expect some outcry though when she breaks the news to the rest of the firm. I am just thrilled to have it over. I hate confrontation and the unknown and waiting to tell her was horrible. I am much calmer now.

NinetyFour

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #998 on: January 04, 2018, 06:37:58 PM »
That's excellent news, @Caoineag !!  Glad that first conversation went so well!

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #999 on: January 04, 2018, 06:41:33 PM »
It's getting real folks.  Tomorrow is my last day!  I have spent this week getting my things together and taking care of some paperwork issues. 

The most important thing I worked on was our budget for this year.  We already had one that was pretty detailed, but still had a lot of amounts that were estimates.  I went through and sharpened the pencil, and found that our expenses are low enough, that our work in the first months of the year, plus the sale of one of our vehicles will cover all of our projected spending.  Not only will we not be touching the stache, due to rental income, we will be adding to it.  Our savings rate for our first year of FIRE is going to be around 20%!

I had posted several times about my nervousness to go from saving rate to spending rate.  It looks like I will get at least one year as a transition.

Congratulations, Gimesalot!  I hope your last day was glorious.

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!