Author Topic: 2018 FIRE cohort  (Read 738138 times)

sui generis

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1900 on: August 15, 2018, 11:28:13 AM »
So, ahhhh....I feel really sick to my stomach and freaked out.  But, this happens to everyone, right [nervous laughter]?  I mean, I'm way too restless to read through all 39 pages of this thread to see if there are other people expressing the same thing (since I'm new to 2018 and haven't been following along for long), but maybe I will try to force myself to do it, and hope to find some similar expressions.

This is how bad it is:  This morning, after seeing some emails that had come in overnight indicating someone hadn't done their job properly about a month ago and I was going to have to do some clean up today, I tried to cheer myself up by reminding myself I'll not have to deal with that again in less than 72 hours!  And then I got really upset and scared, instead of happy!  I mean, what kind of Stockholm Syndrome BS is that?

I'm going with "This is completely normal and you will not spend all next week, month or year crying due to the disaster you've made of your life, or missing cleaning up other people's shit on stuff that doesn't matter to you and has no purpose or meaning in your life."  Because, what else can I do?  That and some deep breaths.  It's a small help.

sol

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1901 on: August 15, 2018, 11:40:38 AM »
I remember reading something by sol that said that he wanted to write a blog when he FIRE'd.

'Tis true!  Already working on it. 

Content is the easy part, I would happily write for an hour a day to no one in particular.  But I'm struggling a little bit with the business back end.  It's been a lot of years since I learned html and I bailed on web design about the time everyone started moving to guis like dreamweaver.  Search engine optimization pisses me off, so any blog I start is unlikely to ever be widely seen.  Maybe that's liberating, in a way, because I can write whatever the hell I feel like publishing?

I have a lot of retirement projects on my short list, and they are all competing for that extra 40 hours per week.  This weekend I'm tiling a kitchen backsplash, for example, so I'm unlikely to sit down at the computer long enough to open a blog until at least August 24th when I officially retire.

wordnerd

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1902 on: August 15, 2018, 11:43:40 AM »
@sui generis mine was different because I wasn't in the office when I quit, but yeah, I definitely had some freakouts. I keep a list of "back up plans" on my phone to remind myself that there are tons of ways to make money if I need to.

It's super scary, but you've got this. You're smart and resourceful and can weather any storms that come.

But many firees are the type of people who have always made conservative financial and professional decisions (that's how we got here). So doing the opposite of that is going to feel pretty damn unnatural and frightening.

CowboyAndIndian

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1903 on: August 16, 2018, 06:55:55 AM »
But I'm struggling a little bit with the business back end.  It's been a lot of years since I learned html and I bailed on web design about the time everyone started moving to guis like dreamweaver.  Search engine optimization pisses me off, so any blog I start is unlikely to ever be widely seen.  Maybe that's liberating, in a way, because I can write whatever the hell I feel like publishing?

@sol, this is the easy part. I can have a blog started within about 20 minutes if you have a web server and a domain name.

First of all, install WordPress. You have multiple free/paid skins to give you the look you want. You do not need any knowledge of HTML or any hardcore development experience.

Second, install plugins. The two critical ones are for SEO (Yost SEO) and to prevent spam (Akismet).

You are now ready to go. Start publishing. There are editors etc.. built into WordPress.

The best part of WordPress is that you can change skins midway to change the look of your blog. So, start with the free one till you feel the need to change. Also, there are thousands of plugins and you are guaranteed to find the one that you need.

Let me know if you need any help and I'll be glad to help.

 
« Last Edit: August 16, 2018, 07:08:50 AM by CowboyAndIndian »

sol

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1904 on: August 16, 2018, 10:05:43 AM »
@sol, this is the easy part.

Sorry, I wasn't clear.  I didn't mean that I'm struggling because it is technically too complex of a task, I meant I'm struggling because I just can't bring myself to care about it.  I gave up back-end support in favor of content production a loooong time ago, like right about the time I stopped being an hourly admin support employee and started being a real professional. 

I'll get around to it eventually, it's just not as interesting of a project as the motion-sensing under cabinet LED strip lights I'm putting in today.  And in the meantime, I can always continue to contribute a few thousand words a day to MMM's forum, instead of my own blog.

Rivertop

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1905 on: August 17, 2018, 11:59:24 AM »
I early retire in just 14 days now - wheeeee! I'm 85% excited and 15% scared, and that's okay with me. I leave Monday for my last trip, two days of vacation, and 4 final days in the office. 8/31/15 - Happy Retirement Day to me!

DS

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1906 on: August 17, 2018, 12:05:33 PM »
I early retire in just 14 days now - wheeeee! I'm 85% excited and 15% scared, and that's okay with me. I leave Monday for my last trip, two days of vacation, and 4 final days in the office. 8/31/15 - Happy Retirement Day to me!

Solid allocation.

sui generis

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1907 on: August 17, 2018, 05:28:33 PM »
I will be walking out the door on my last day of work in about an hour!  I didn't have much chance to post here along the way since I arrived here abruptly just recently, but I think I posted a lot in my journal and the 2019 thread about how unhappy I was at this job and could not connect with my coworkers no matter how hard I tried, etc.  Well, they held a little happy hour for me this afternoon and there were some small speeches and a few hugs and requests to stay in touch and even attempts to schedule lunch in a few months.  It was AWFUL!  I mean, it sounds really nice, but 1. I really hate being the center of attention and 2.  it was so uncomfortable to have them be that nice after being MIA for so long and one of my primary reasons for leaving being because there was no interaction with anyone ever.  Oh, the irony! 

While it was awful for those reasons, I really do appreciate being able to end on a high note, even if I was...bending the truth...whenever I said it was so great to work here, etc. etc.  I really hate feeling like I'm not being truthful.  But I'm going to try to rest comfortably with a pleasant goodbye to my coworkers who are, after all, good people even if I wasn't able to make the connections I had hoped for.

Now on to the big, wide, scary, exciting, beautiful world!  I'll be working my butt off for the elections in the near-term, so not sure how retired I will feel, but I will report back (and keep up with my journal).  I do have other exciting plans to squeeze in, even in that timeframe, like fostering cats!, so there will be plenty of opportunity for it to start to hit me that I'm really retired.  On to the next adventure!


happy

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1908 on: August 17, 2018, 05:35:30 PM »
9 weeks to go for me, but my co-worker is still not recruited. I'm currently doing 2 peoples jobs and if I go without this recruitment there will be no-one covering this section. I know its not my problem, but I'm not  prepared to leave my other colleagues in the lurch. If its not sorted I think I will negotiate a months leave, with the remainder (5 months) as soon as it is.

This leave may not be my final retirement date as I may return to work past Jun 30 2019, so as to minimise tax on my remaining leave entitlements. However it does mark the beginning of the end.

This may explain my lack of nervousness...I haven't finally pulled the plug yet.

Congrats to all the other FIREes, its been great reading your experiences.

cap396

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1909 on: August 17, 2018, 07:34:22 PM »
I will be walking out the door on my last day of work in about an hour!  I didn't have much chance to post here along the way since I arrived here abruptly just recently, but I think I posted a lot in my journal and the 2019 thread about how unhappy I was at this job and could not connect with my coworkers no matter how hard I tried, etc.  Well, they held a little happy hour for me this afternoon and there were some small speeches and a few hugs and requests to stay in touch and even attempts to schedule lunch in a few months.  It was AWFUL!  I mean, it sounds really nice, but 1. I really hate being the center of attention and 2.  it was so uncomfortable to have them be that nice after being MIA for so long and one of my primary reasons for leaving being because there was no interaction with anyone ever.  Oh, the irony! 

While it was awful for those reasons, I really do appreciate being able to end on a high note, even if I was...bending the truth...whenever I said it was so great to work here, etc. etc.  I really hate feeling like I'm not being truthful.  But I'm going to try to rest comfortably with a pleasant goodbye to my coworkers who are, after all, good people even if I wasn't able to make the connections I had hoped for.

Now on to the big, wide, scary, exciting, beautiful world!  I'll be working my butt off for the elections in the near-term, so not sure how retired I will feel, but I will report back (and keep up with my journal).  I do have other exciting plans to squeeze in, even in that timeframe, like fostering cats!, so there will be plenty of opportunity for it to start to hit me that I'm really retired.  On to the next adventure!

Congratulations on reaching your last day!

Retire-Canada

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1910 on: August 17, 2018, 08:59:32 PM »


Another round of congrats to everyone who has recently FIREd and is about to FIRE. You guys rock. I love it and appreciate the inspiration. :)

chasesfish

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1911 on: August 18, 2018, 04:52:22 AM »
@sol If you want any advice from 10 months of having a hobby blog....just take the default theme and start learning your writing style.  It takes months to build a digital footprint before you'll see people show up to the site.

I have similar frustrations and need to tackle formatting/appearance now that its getting a nice number of views every time another site picks up something I write.

I also can't write the juicy stuff until I quit my job, too much career related in case "the man" finds it

CowboyAndIndian

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1912 on: August 18, 2018, 06:46:37 AM »
Congratulations RiverTop

01/01/18  CowboyAndIndian (at 59) CONFIRMED
01/04/18  Gimesalot (at 33) CONFIRMED
01/06/18  Monkey Uncle (at 49) CONFIRMED
01/26/18  PizzaSteve (at 53) CONFIRMED
01/31/18  patches (at 33) CONFIRMED
01/31/18  Wintergreen78 CONFIRMED
01/31/18  MomCPA  CONFIRMED
02/01/18  DTaggart (at 40) CONFIRMED
02/05/18  Mrbeardedbigbucks CONFIRMED
02/09/18  JLTinVA (at 42) CONFIRMED
02/14/18  Gimesalot DH (at 40) CONFIRMED
02/28/18  Caoineag (at 36) CONFIRMED
03/01/18  Clean Shaven (at 45) CONFIRMED Part Time
03/02/18  brooklynguy (at 37) CONFIRMED
03/07/18  Aegishjalmur (at 35) CONFIRMED
03/16/18  Cherry Lane (at 43) CONFIRMED
03/27/18  Mrs. Honeyfill CONFIRMED
03/28/18  Target2018 CONFIRMED
03/28/18  homestead neohio (at 39) CONFIRMED
03/30/18  Moxie (at 58) CONFIRMED
03/31/18  msilenus (at 38) CONFIRMED
04/01/18  Mother Fussbudget (at 56) CONFIRMED
04/03/18  lostformars (at 38) CONFIRMED
04/04/18  OzBeach (at 54) CONFIRMED
04/20/18  moneytaichi CONFIRMED
04/25/18  Modernaimend DH (at 39) CONFIRMED
04/25/18  ZiziPB (at 50) CONFIRMED
04/26/18  NinetyFour (at 56) CONFIRMED
04/26/18  SwordGuy (at 60) CONFIRMED
04/27/18  poppydog and DW CONFIRMED
04/27/18  andkar (at 41) CONFIRMED
05/01/18  wordnerd and DH (at 30 and 36) CONFIRMED
05/03/18  Modernaimend (at 35) CONFIRMED
05/08/18  SwordGuy DW (SwordGuy isn't saying.   He wants to live.) CONFIRMED
05/11/18  Desert (at 52) CONFIRMED
05/25/18  CheapskateWife (at 42) and CheapskateHubs (at 49) CONFIRMED
05/25/18  Gyosho (at 55) CONFIRMED
06/01/18  CodeZed (at 40) CONFIRMED
06/01/18  Markbike528CBX (at 53.5) CONFIRMED
06/08/18  SwissMister CONFIRMED (at 50)
06/13/18  Mr Mark (at 54) CONFIRMED
06/15/18  DavisGang90 (at 49) CONFIRMED
06/25/18  MaybeBabyMustache (at 42) TBD, working thru options
06/29/18  Acastus (at 56) CONFIRMED
06/29/18  aperture (at 56) CONFIRMED
06/30/18  HenryDavid CONFIRMED
07/06/18  Honeyfill  (at 60)  CONFIRMED
07/09/18  CHF (at 51) CONFIRMED
08/01/18  SugarMountain In a holding pattern, debating between OMM/OMY.
08/03/18  mjr (at 52) CONFIRMED
08/03/18  Mogadishu (at 40) CONFIRMED
08/09/18  cap396 (at 46) CONFIRMED
08/10/18  FernFree (at 49) CONFIRMED
08/17/18  sui generis (at 41) CONFIRMED
08/24/18  sol (at 41) CONFIRMED
08/31/18  RiverTop (at 55) CONFIRMED
08/31/18  JerseyGrrrl
08/??/18  NorCalistache
09/01/18  Vegasgirl (at 49)
09/21/18  Ottawa
09/30/18  SwissMiss (at 50)
10/05/18  JumboShrimp
10/25/18  PhilB (at 52)
10/??/18  Fire1018
10/??/18  Happy
10/??/18  Irishtache
11/??/18  DeSteeg
11/??/18  Kris
12/21/18  LateStarter
12/31/18  DavidAnnArbor (at 53) (Won't renew my office lease)
12/??/18  EnjoyIt  Parttime.
12/??/18  yoda34
12/??/18  RunningWithScissors

MIA/Date not confirmed
??/??/18  Blindsquirrel
??/??/18  FLStache
??/??/18  Michread
??/??/18  Minnesota_mom
??/??/18  MiserlyMiser
??/??/18  pecunia
??/??/18  Badblackgirl
??/??/18  Sofa King
??/??/18  PKate and DH
??/??/18  Calvin
??/??/18  HappyMargo
??/??/18  Alim Nassor (Cannot find in members list)
??/??/18  step_away
??/??/18  Agent Rosenflower
??/??/18  dbtx
??/??/18  Omalley
??/??/18  randomgiraffe
??/??/18  AussieGirl
??/??/18  Mr Griz
??/??/18  BackAndForth
??/??/18  cerat0n1a
??/??/18  Fresh Bread
??/??/18  SnidelyWhiplashStache

OMY/2MY/3MY etc.
03/??/19  ChasesFish  OMY
??/??/19  RetireAbroadAt35  05/??/18, now OMY.
??/??/20  Gooki   2MY or 3MY

Mr Griz

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1913 on: August 18, 2018, 06:43:55 PM »
I just put in for 31 October with HR. My current (and last) project should wrap up late September or early October. I’ll probably “vacation out” until the 31st.

Vegasgirl

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1914 on: August 20, 2018, 03:13:37 PM »
Hey all just checking in and as always congrats to everyone who's FIRE'd this year so far.  Well I've been on vacation now for about six weeks - my last day in the office was July 11th and I've been out since then but technically on vacation.  I've got 11 days left now until official FIRE on Sept 1st.  (I go back in on the 31st to turn my stuff in).  It's been a crazy summer so far!! I've been having a blast - almost too much fun.   I now realize that at some point I'm going to have to get into some sort of routine at home.  A couple trips planned for the fall, then the holidays.   This is crazy.

CowboyAndIndian

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1915 on: August 21, 2018, 09:33:11 AM »
Congratulations VegasGirl!
Fixed the date for Mr. Griz.

01/01/18  CowboyAndIndian (at 59) CONFIRMED
01/04/18  Gimesalot (at 33) CONFIRMED
01/06/18  Monkey Uncle (at 49) CONFIRMED
01/26/18  PizzaSteve (at 53) CONFIRMED
01/31/18  patches (at 33) CONFIRMED
01/31/18  Wintergreen78 CONFIRMED
01/31/18  MomCPA  CONFIRMED
02/01/18  DTaggart (at 40) CONFIRMED
02/05/18  Mrbeardedbigbucks CONFIRMED
02/09/18  JLTinVA (at 42) CONFIRMED
02/14/18  Gimesalot DH (at 40) CONFIRMED
02/28/18  Caoineag (at 36) CONFIRMED
03/01/18  Clean Shaven (at 45) CONFIRMED Part Time
03/02/18  brooklynguy (at 37) CONFIRMED
03/07/18  Aegishjalmur (at 35) CONFIRMED
03/16/18  Cherry Lane (at 43) CONFIRMED
03/27/18  Mrs. Honeyfill CONFIRMED
03/28/18  Target2018 CONFIRMED
03/28/18  homestead neohio (at 39) CONFIRMED
03/30/18  Moxie (at 58) CONFIRMED
03/31/18  msilenus (at 38) CONFIRMED
04/01/18  Mother Fussbudget (at 56) CONFIRMED
04/03/18  lostformars (at 38) CONFIRMED
04/04/18  OzBeach (at 54) CONFIRMED
04/20/18  moneytaichi CONFIRMED
04/25/18  Modernaimend DH (at 39) CONFIRMED
04/25/18  ZiziPB (at 50) CONFIRMED
04/26/18  NinetyFour (at 56) CONFIRMED
04/26/18  SwordGuy (at 60) CONFIRMED
04/27/18  poppydog and DW CONFIRMED
04/27/18  andkar (at 41) CONFIRMED
05/01/18  wordnerd and DH (at 30 and 36) CONFIRMED
05/03/18  Modernaimend (at 35) CONFIRMED
05/08/18  SwordGuy DW (SwordGuy isn't saying.   He wants to live.) CONFIRMED
05/11/18  Desert (at 52) CONFIRMED
05/25/18  CheapskateWife (at 42) and CheapskateHubs (at 49) CONFIRMED
05/25/18  Gyosho (at 55) CONFIRMED
06/01/18  CodeZed (at 40) CONFIRMED
06/01/18  Markbike528CBX (at 53.5) CONFIRMED
06/08/18  SwissMister CONFIRMED (at 50)
06/13/18  Mr Mark (at 54) CONFIRMED
06/15/18  DavisGang90 (at 49) CONFIRMED
06/25/18  MaybeBabyMustache (at 42) TBD, working thru options
06/29/18  Acastus (at 56) CONFIRMED
06/29/18  aperture (at 56) CONFIRMED
06/30/18  HenryDavid CONFIRMED
07/06/18  Honeyfill  (at 60)  CONFIRMED
07/09/18  CHF (at 51) CONFIRMED
08/01/18  SugarMountain In a holding pattern, debating between OMM/OMY.
08/03/18  mjr (at 52) CONFIRMED
08/03/18  Mogadishu (at 40) CONFIRMED
08/09/18  cap396 (at 46) CONFIRMED
08/10/18  FernFree (at 49) CONFIRMED
08/17/18  sui generis (at 41) CONFIRMED
08/24/18  sol (at 41) CONFIRMED
08/31/18  RiverTop (at 55) CONFIRMED
08/31/18  JerseyGrrrl
08/??/18  NorCalistache
09/01/18  Vegasgirl (at 49) CONFIRMED
09/21/18  Ottawa
09/30/18  SwissMiss (at 50)
10/05/18  JumboShrimp
10/25/18  PhilB (at 52)
10/31/18  Mr Griz
10/31/18  TartanTallulah
10/??/18  Fire1018
10/??/18  Happy
10/??/18  Irishtache
11/??/18  DeSteeg
11/??/18  Kris
12/21/18  LateStarter
12/31/18  DavidAnnArbor (at 53) (Won't renew my office lease)
12/??/18  EnjoyIt  Parttime.
12/??/18  yoda34
12/??/18  RunningWithScissors

MIA/Date not confirmed
??/??/18  Blindsquirrel
??/??/18  FLStache
??/??/18  Michread
??/??/18  Minnesota_mom
??/??/18  MiserlyMiser
??/??/18  pecunia
??/??/18  Badblackgirl
??/??/18  Sofa King
??/??/18  PKate and DH
??/??/18  Calvin
??/??/18  HappyMargo
??/??/18  Alim Nassor (Cannot find in members list)
??/??/18  step_away
??/??/18  Agent Rosenflower
??/??/18  dbtx
??/??/18  Omalley
??/??/18  randomgiraffe
??/??/18  AussieGirl
??/??/18  BackAndForth
??/??/18  cerat0n1a
??/??/18  Fresh Bread
??/??/18  SnidelyWhiplashStache

OMY/2MY/3MY etc.
03/??/19  ChasesFish  OMY
??/??/19  RetireAbroadAt35  05/??/18, now OMY.
??/??/20  Gooki   2MY or 3MY
« Last Edit: August 22, 2018, 06:24:16 AM by CowboyAndIndian »

TartanTallulah

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1916 on: August 21, 2018, 03:03:13 PM »
Hey all just checking in and as always congrats to everyone who's FIRE'd this year so far.  Well I've been on vacation now for about six weeks - my last day in the office was July 11th and I've been out since then but technically on vacation.  I've got 11 days left now until official FIRE on Sept 1st.  (I go back in on the 31st to turn my stuff in).  It's been a crazy summer so far!! I've been having a blast - almost too much fun.   I now realize that at some point I'm going to have to get into some sort of routine at home.  A couple trips planned for the fall, then the holidays.   This is crazy.

Do I get the impression that you're quite enjoying this not-going-to-work lark? ;-)

I had a chat today with a sort-of-colleague who did more or less what I'm doing just over a year ago, for similar reasons, and hasn't regretted it, and is enjoying doing casual work for the same reasons I think I might enjoy doing casual work. That was encouraging. And I've had my first opportunity to return a demand for a laborious and pointless report to its originator saying I won't be doing it. Any backchat and they'll be getting, "What are you going to do? Sack me?"

Just under ten weeks to go, one week of which is leave. I'm owed another two weeks of leave, but will settle for cash in lieu.

PhilB

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1917 on: August 22, 2018, 01:30:45 AM »
Just under ten weeks to go, one week of which is leave. I'm owed another two weeks of leave, but will settle for cash in lieu.
9 weeks today for me!  That should mean we are neighbours in the cohort list, but you don't appear to be on there?

CowboyAndIndian

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1918 on: August 22, 2018, 06:26:19 AM »
Just under ten weeks to go, one week of which is leave. I'm owed another two weeks of leave, but will settle for cash in lieu.
9 weeks today for me!  That should mean we are neighbours in the cohort list, but you don't appear to be on there?

I went back and saw that she had mentioned the date when I was off the forum for a few weeks. I added her for 10/31

RunningWithScissors

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1919 on: August 22, 2018, 08:37:46 AM »
Cowboy and Indian - slot me in for December 21st,  2018.  That will be my last day in the office, although thanks to working for government, I'll get paid until the end of the month/year. 

Still waiting for my department to hire someone...

CowboyAndIndian

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1920 on: August 22, 2018, 03:00:57 PM »
Fixed the date for RunningWithScissors.

01/01/18  CowboyAndIndian (at 59) CONFIRMED
01/04/18  Gimesalot (at 33) CONFIRMED
01/06/18  Monkey Uncle (at 49) CONFIRMED
01/26/18  PizzaSteve (at 53) CONFIRMED
01/31/18  patches (at 33) CONFIRMED
01/31/18  Wintergreen78 CONFIRMED
01/31/18  MomCPA  CONFIRMED
02/01/18  DTaggart (at 40) CONFIRMED
02/05/18  Mrbeardedbigbucks CONFIRMED
02/09/18  JLTinVA (at 42) CONFIRMED
02/14/18  Gimesalot DH (at 40) CONFIRMED
02/28/18  Caoineag (at 36) CONFIRMED
03/01/18  Clean Shaven (at 45) CONFIRMED Part Time
03/02/18  brooklynguy (at 37) CONFIRMED
03/07/18  Aegishjalmur (at 35) CONFIRMED
03/16/18  Cherry Lane (at 43) CONFIRMED
03/27/18  Mrs. Honeyfill CONFIRMED
03/28/18  Target2018 CONFIRMED
03/28/18  homestead neohio (at 39) CONFIRMED
03/30/18  Moxie (at 58) CONFIRMED
03/31/18  msilenus (at 38) CONFIRMED
04/01/18  Mother Fussbudget (at 56) CONFIRMED
04/03/18  lostformars (at 38) CONFIRMED
04/04/18  OzBeach (at 54) CONFIRMED
04/20/18  moneytaichi CONFIRMED
04/25/18  Modernaimend DH (at 39) CONFIRMED
04/25/18  ZiziPB (at 50) CONFIRMED
04/26/18  NinetyFour (at 56) CONFIRMED
04/26/18  SwordGuy (at 60) CONFIRMED
04/27/18  poppydog and DW CONFIRMED
04/27/18  andkar (at 41) CONFIRMED
05/01/18  wordnerd and DH (at 30 and 36) CONFIRMED
05/03/18  Modernaimend (at 35) CONFIRMED
05/08/18  SwordGuy DW (SwordGuy isn't saying.   He wants to live.) CONFIRMED
05/11/18  Desert (at 52) CONFIRMED
05/25/18  CheapskateWife (at 42) and CheapskateHubs (at 49) CONFIRMED
05/25/18  Gyosho (at 55) CONFIRMED
06/01/18  CodeZed (at 40) CONFIRMED
06/01/18  Markbike528CBX (at 53.5) CONFIRMED
06/08/18  SwissMister CONFIRMED (at 50)
06/13/18  Mr Mark (at 54) CONFIRMED
06/15/18  DavisGang90 (at 49) CONFIRMED
06/25/18  MaybeBabyMustache (at 42) TBD, working thru options
06/29/18  Acastus (at 56) CONFIRMED
06/29/18  aperture (at 56) CONFIRMED
06/30/18  HenryDavid CONFIRMED
07/06/18  Honeyfill  (at 60)  CONFIRMED
07/09/18  CHF (at 51) CONFIRMED
08/01/18  SugarMountain In a holding pattern, debating between OMM/OMY.
08/03/18  mjr (at 52) CONFIRMED
08/03/18  Mogadishu (at 40) CONFIRMED
08/09/18  cap396 (at 46) CONFIRMED
08/10/18  FernFree (at 49) CONFIRMED
08/17/18  sui generis (at 41) CONFIRMED
08/24/18  sol (at 41) CONFIRMED
08/31/18  RiverTop (at 55) CONFIRMED
08/31/18  JerseyGrrrl
09/01/18  Vegasgirl (at 49) CONFIRMED
09/21/18  Ottawa
09/30/18  SwissMiss (at 50)
10/05/18  JumboShrimp
10/25/18  PhilB (at 52)
10/31/18  Mr Griz
10/31/18  TartanTallulah
10/??/18  Fire1018
10/??/18  Happy
10/??/18  Irishtache
11/??/18  DeSteeg
11/??/18  Kris
12/21/18  LateStarter
12/21/18  RunningWithScissors
12/31/18  DavidAnnArbor (at 53) (Won't renew my office lease)
12/??/18  EnjoyIt  Parttime.
12/??/18  yoda34

Date not confirmed
??/??/18  Blindsquirrel
??/??/18  FLStache
??/??/18  MiserlyMiser
??/??/18  pecunia
??/??/18  Badblackgirl
??/??/18  PKate and DH
??/??/18  Calvin
??/??/18  step_away
??/??/18  Agent Rosenflower
??/??/18  dbtx
??/??/18  Omalley
??/??/18  AussieGirl
??/??/18  BackAndForth
??/??/18  cerat0n1a
??/??/18  Fresh Bread

MIA
??/??/18  randomgiraffe (Inactive since 2/2017)
??/??/18  Minnesota_mom (Inactive since 2/2017)
??/??/18  HappyMargo (Inactive since 6/2017)
??/??/18  NorCalistache (Inactive since 8/2017)
??/??/18  Alim Nassor (Cannot find in members list)
??/??/18  SnidelyWhiplashStache (Cannot find in members list)
??/??/18  Sofa King (Cannot find in members list)
??/??/18  Michread (Cannot find in members list)

OMY/2MY/3MY etc.
03/??/19  ChasesFish  OMY
??/??/19  RetireAbroadAt35  05/??/18, now OMY.
??/??/20  Gooki   2MY or 3MY
« Last Edit: August 24, 2018, 06:11:54 PM by CowboyAndIndian »

Daisy

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1921 on: August 22, 2018, 03:14:47 PM »
Those of you who've retired feel free to post pictures.

Retired life is pretty good.  Did have a quick morning meeting to discuss the days events.

It truly is a dog eat dog world.

Daisy

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1922 on: August 22, 2018, 03:15:47 PM »
Interesting work update from the traitor who decided to wait until early 2019...

The consultants are coming!!

I can't tell you how exciting it is to be FI and know the consultants are coming.   I give it a less than 1% chance I can pull off a severance/layoff package out of this, but I am going to sit back and watch a lot of people who need to get their cheese moved be disrupted, all with the comfort of being FI and not caring what happens to me.  My direct reports are revenue producers, they always end up fine to better off in these moves.

Hoping for some fun for my last six months

How did your meeting with the Bobs go?

Be careful you don't get promoted instead of laid off!

(Office Space reference)

frugalecon

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1923 on: August 24, 2018, 12:42:27 PM »
You can go ahead and move me to CONFIRMED too.  I've officially given notice and my paperwork is filed.  I'm on approved leave for the duration of my career, and am only going to the office to wrap up a few IT things and empty out workspace.

For some reason I am getting a vicarious thrill out of knowing that today is Sol's last day. (ETA: At a W-2 job, in any event.)

TartanTallulah

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1924 on: August 24, 2018, 01:34:08 PM »
Just under ten weeks to go, one week of which is leave. I'm owed another two weeks of leave, but will settle for cash in lieu.
9 weeks today for me!  That should mean we are neighbours in the cohort list, but you don't appear to be on there?

I went back and saw that she had mentioned the date when I was off the forum for a few weeks. I added her for 10/31

Thanks! It's definitely happening!

Today someone who accepted a job with us starting in September came for a look round. It would appear that management told them only that I was considering retiring, not that I had actually handed in my notice. Sneaky!

Nine weeks to go. It's been a long week.

sol

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1925 on: August 24, 2018, 05:50:14 PM »
For some reason I am getting a vicarious thrill out of knowing that today is Sol's last day.

I had to resist the urge to wander around the office shouting "SO LONG, SUCKERS" at everyone today.

I was super excited to get up and go to work this morning, more so than any other day in my entire career.  I actually caught myself speeding on the drive in, and had to remind myself not to rush it.  Savor the moment, and all.

You know how Fridays are always better than Mondays at work?  Today was kind of like that, except a million times more intense.  Like the best Friday ever, the ultimate Friday.  The last Friday before the long weekend that is the rest of your life.

It was kind of like the way I remember the last day of high school, like "Hooray we finally made it out!" but also slightly nostalgic about never walking the same hallways again, and slightly apprehensive about leaving behind the familiar to start a new chapter of your life, but also kind of looking forward to what comes next because you've already been admitted to a great college and you know it will be awesome.  Success achieved!  Onward and upward!  Want to sign my yearbook?

Then the day itself kind of sucked.  I had work to do!  And not the fun kind, the tedious kind like recycling half of the shit in my workspace, meetings to discuss how someone else is going to do my job poorly after I'm gone, and lots of carrying things out to the car.  I did get some lovely emails from distant colleagues at other agencies, so that was nice.  I also really enjoyed turning in my ID and keycard and credit card; good riddance, symbols of my oppression, I hope to never see you again.

As I wandered down the block for an afternoon beer, I was struck by the feeling of emancipation.  I had never realized how much a cubicle is like a cage, a prison cell so perfectly effective that they can leave the door wide open.  They don't have to physically confine you, when they've captured your mind.  I spent a decade voluntarily sitting in a little box every day, fighting and scraping and stressing for someone else's goals, and considered myself lucky to have the opportunity, and now that it's all gone I'm kind of shocked at how heavy the burden now seems, in its absence.

So I am free.  Wish me luck, and reliable market returns.


Monkey Uncle

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1926 on: August 24, 2018, 05:54:49 PM »
Godspeed, Sol!  Congratulations, and welcome to the other side.

EnjoyIt

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1927 on: August 24, 2018, 05:57:22 PM »
So I am free.  Wish me luck, and reliable market returns.

Good luck Sol, although we disagree politically I truly wish you nothing but the best and hope to hear how a high income earner such as yourself transitions from putting money into the account vs withdrawing it. Please come back and share.

Enjoy your new freedom :)

frugalecon

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1928 on: August 24, 2018, 08:01:40 PM »
For some reason I am getting a vicarious thrill out of knowing that today is Sol's last day.

I had to resist the urge to wander around the office shouting "SO LONG, SUCKERS" at everyone today.

I was super excited to get up and go to work this morning, more so than any other day in my entire career.  I actually caught myself speeding on the drive in, and had to remind myself not to rush it.  Savor the moment, and all.

You know how Fridays are always better than Mondays at work?  Today was kind of like that, except a million times more intense.  Like the best Friday ever, the ultimate Friday.  The last Friday before the long weekend that is the rest of your life.

It was kind of like the way I remember the last day of high school, like "Hooray we finally made it out!" but also slightly nostalgic about never walking the same hallways again, and slightly apprehensive about leaving behind the familiar to start a new chapter of your life, but also kind of looking forward to what comes next because you've already been admitted to a great college and you know it will be awesome.  Success achieved!  Onward and upward!  Want to sign my yearbook?

Then the day itself kind of sucked.  I had work to do!  And not the fun kind, the tedious kind like recycling half of the shit in my workspace, meetings to discuss how someone else is going to do my job poorly after I'm gone, and lots of carrying things out to the car.  I did get some lovely emails from distant colleagues at other agencies, so that was nice.  I also really enjoyed turning in my ID and keycard and credit card; good riddance, symbols of my oppression, I hope to never see you again.

As I wandered down the block for an afternoon beer, I was struck by the feeling of emancipation.  I had never realized how much a cubicle is like a cage, a prison cell so perfectly effective that they can leave the door wide open.  They don't have to physically confine you, when they've captured your mind.  I spent a decade voluntarily sitting in a little box every day, fighting and scraping and stressing for someone else's goals, and considered myself lucky to have the opportunity, and now that it's all gone I'm kind of shocked at how heavy the burden now seems, in its absence.

So I am free.  Wish me luck, and reliable market returns.

Heaven knows it wasn't you who set me free
So often times it happens that we live our lives in chains
And we never even know we have the key
But me, I'm already gone

PizzaSteve

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1929 on: August 24, 2018, 10:26:01 PM »
Good luck Sol and congrads.  Stay mindful and enjoy the freedom.

Mr Mark

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1930 on: August 24, 2018, 10:43:34 PM »
Beautiful post Sol. Congratulations.

Dicey

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1931 on: August 24, 2018, 11:41:39 PM »
Congratulations, Sol. Don't be a stranger now that you're free.

PhilB

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1932 on: August 24, 2018, 11:45:08 PM »
Congratulations Sol.  May the markets rise up to meet you.

Monkey Uncle

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1933 on: August 25, 2018, 05:13:29 AM »
So I am free.  Wish me luck, and reliable market returns.

New all-time high for the S&P 500 yesterday.  Has to be a good omen, right?

chasesfish

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1934 on: August 25, 2018, 06:33:41 AM »
Outstanding post Sol

One great piece of advice to others in that...go slowly dispose of your stuff instead of having to deal with all of it the last day.  I've been taking small things out of my office weekly

pdxvandal

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1935 on: August 25, 2018, 11:17:05 AM »
Congrats Sol, from a fellow, yet-to-be-FIRE'd Oregonian. I might be two years behind you in FIREdom, but will live vicariously through you until then in my cubicle world. Good luck!

happy

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1936 on: August 25, 2018, 05:21:46 PM »
Congrats Sol.
Only 8 weeks til LSL for me. The time is flying by.

okits

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1937 on: August 25, 2018, 09:56:07 PM »
Congratulations, sol!  Wishing you and your family much happiness in this next phase of life.

sol

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1938 on: August 25, 2018, 10:43:08 PM »
Thank you, friends.  I'm taking a few days away from it all to decompress.  Seeing some family, hiking some trails, letting it all sink in while I prepare to make a new plan.  I have approximately 40 years to occupy with something other than time cards and cubicle dwelling, and I don't want to just wing it from here on out.

My attitude towards my former co-workers has already shifted pretty dramatically.  They are no longer part of the problem, even the annoying ones who made my life unnecessarily difficult.  Now they seem more like victims just like I was, trapped in a prison of the mind, unable to see how ridiculous their predicament is.  It's like the inmates are also the jailers.  Maybe it's different in other workplaces, but my office is full of people who should have retired long ago but are too afraid to leap.  They don't believe in themselves enough, and rely on the job to provide not only steady income, but also purpose and direction and meaning.  When in reality, the job is the one thing keeping them from finding those things.  It's sadly ironic, in a way.

Dicey

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1939 on: August 25, 2018, 11:26:37 PM »
Glad you escaped. Enjoy it all!

SugarMountain

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1940 on: August 27, 2018, 09:50:49 AM »
Added sui generis to the list.

Let me know if I've missed anything. I have been a little lax in keeping it up to date...



08/01/18  SugarMountain



Has not happened.  Currently in a holding pattern debating OMY.  Will be at least OMM.

So I pulled the trigger and told my boss last Wednesday I was leaving.  His boss met with me on Friday.  They've convinced me to stay at least for the moment.  I'll be changing roles and moving out of management.  It's possible I get to November/December and decide it's not what I want and I pull the trigger again, but I think this is going to end up being a OMY situation.  We'll see.

Vegasgirl

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1941 on: August 27, 2018, 11:56:23 AM »
Congrats Sol !!

JoJo

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1942 on: August 27, 2018, 04:53:33 PM »
Congrats Sol!  An inspiration!

CowboyAndIndian

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1943 on: August 27, 2018, 08:14:14 PM »
Ok, SugarMountain, I'll put your date as undecided. Let me know if you want it moved to OMY...

01/01/18  CowboyAndIndian (at 59) CONFIRMED
01/04/18  Gimesalot (at 33) CONFIRMED
01/06/18  Monkey Uncle (at 49) CONFIRMED
01/26/18  PizzaSteve (at 53) CONFIRMED
01/31/18  patches (at 33) CONFIRMED
01/31/18  Wintergreen78 CONFIRMED
01/31/18  MomCPA  CONFIRMED
02/01/18  DTaggart (at 40) CONFIRMED
02/05/18  Mrbeardedbigbucks CONFIRMED
02/09/18  JLTinVA (at 42) CONFIRMED
02/14/18  Gimesalot DH (at 40) CONFIRMED
02/28/18  Caoineag (at 36) CONFIRMED
03/01/18  Clean Shaven (at 45) CONFIRMED Part Time
03/02/18  brooklynguy (at 37) CONFIRMED
03/07/18  Aegishjalmur (at 35) CONFIRMED
03/16/18  Cherry Lane (at 43) CONFIRMED
03/27/18  Mrs. Honeyfill CONFIRMED
03/28/18  Target2018 CONFIRMED
03/28/18  homestead neohio (at 39) CONFIRMED
03/30/18  Moxie (at 58) CONFIRMED
03/31/18  msilenus (at 38) CONFIRMED
04/01/18  Mother Fussbudget (at 56) CONFIRMED
04/03/18  lostformars (at 38) CONFIRMED
04/04/18  OzBeach (at 54) CONFIRMED
04/20/18  moneytaichi CONFIRMED
04/25/18  Modernaimend DH (at 39) CONFIRMED
04/25/18  ZiziPB (at 50) CONFIRMED
04/26/18  NinetyFour (at 56) CONFIRMED
04/26/18  SwordGuy (at 60) CONFIRMED
04/27/18  poppydog and DW CONFIRMED
04/27/18  andkar (at 41) CONFIRMED
05/01/18  wordnerd and DH (at 30 and 36) CONFIRMED
05/03/18  Modernaimend (at 35) CONFIRMED
05/08/18  SwordGuy DW (SwordGuy isn't saying.   He wants to live.) CONFIRMED
05/11/18  Desert (at 52) CONFIRMED
05/25/18  CheapskateWife (at 42) and CheapskateHubs (at 49) CONFIRMED
05/25/18  Gyosho (at 55) CONFIRMED
06/01/18  CodeZed (at 40) CONFIRMED
06/01/18  Markbike528CBX (at 53.5) CONFIRMED
06/08/18  SwissMister CONFIRMED (at 50)
06/13/18  Mr Mark (at 54) CONFIRMED
06/15/18  DavisGang90 (at 49) CONFIRMED
06/25/18  MaybeBabyMustache (at 42) TBD, working thru options
06/29/18  Acastus (at 56) CONFIRMED
06/29/18  aperture (at 56) CONFIRMED
06/30/18  HenryDavid CONFIRMED
07/06/18  Honeyfill  (at 60)  CONFIRMED
07/09/18  CHF (at 51) CONFIRMED
08/03/18  mjr (at 52) CONFIRMED
08/03/18  Mogadishu (at 40) CONFIRMED
08/09/18  cap396 (at 46) CONFIRMED
08/10/18  FernFree (at 49) CONFIRMED
08/17/18  sui generis (at 41) CONFIRMED
08/24/18  sol (at 41) CONFIRMED
08/31/18  RiverTop (at 55) CONFIRMED
08/31/18  JerseyGrrrl
09/01/18  Vegasgirl (at 49) CONFIRMED
09/21/18  Ottawa
09/30/18  SwissMiss (at 50)
10/05/18  JumboShrimp
10/25/18  PhilB (at 52)
10/31/18  Mr Griz
10/31/18  TartanTallulah
10/??/18  Fire1018
10/??/18  Happy
10/??/18  Irishtache
11/??/18  DeSteeg
11/??/18  Kris
12/21/18  LateStarter
12/21/18  RunningWithScissors
12/31/18  DavidAnnArbor (at 53) (Won't renew my office lease)
12/??/18  EnjoyIt  Parttime.
12/??/18  yoda34

Date not confirmed
??/??/18  Blindsquirrel
??/??/18  FLStache
??/??/18  MiserlyMiser
??/??/18  pecunia
??/??/18  Badblackgirl
??/??/18  PKate and DH
??/??/18  Calvin
??/??/18  step_away
??/??/18  Agent Rosenflower
??/??/18  dbtx
??/??/18  Omalley
??/??/18  AussieGirl
??/??/18  BackAndForth
??/??/18  cerat0n1a
??/??/18  Fresh Bread
??/??/18  SugarMountain In a holding pattern, debating between OMM/OMY.

MIA
??/??/18  randomgiraffe (Inactive since 2/2017)
??/??/18  Minnesota_mom (Inactive since 2/2017)
??/??/18  HappyMargo (Inactive since 6/2017)
??/??/18  NorCalistache (Inactive since 8/2017)
??/??/18  Alim Nassor (Cannot find in members list)
??/??/18  SnidelyWhiplashStache (Cannot find in members list)
??/??/18  Sofa King (Cannot find in members list)
??/??/18  Michread (Cannot find in members list)

OMY/2MY/3MY etc.
03/??/19  ChasesFish  OMY
??/??/19  RetireAbroadAt35  05/??/18, now OMY.
??/??/20  Gooki   2MY or 3MY

Rivertop

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1944 on: August 31, 2018, 08:51:20 AM »
Today's my day! It's weird, not gonna lie. I work from home, so I'm just sitting here as normal, listening to CNBC, finishing up my last few tasks. And hoping someone emails or calls, needing something. I really should be glad they are confident and can move forward without me. Every so often, I'm going to get up and do the happy dance today!

Greenback Reproduction Specialist

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1945 on: August 31, 2018, 09:08:57 AM »
Wow!!! I cant believe how many are in the 2018 class!!

Our 2021 class is like... 10 people : )

Everyone can throw their caps in the air and cheer,

Congrats to everyone!!! (que the song "forever young")

sol

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1946 on: August 31, 2018, 09:32:12 AM »
Wow!!! I cant believe how many are in the 2018 class!!

It's been one of the best decades for market returns in US history.  It's never been easier to retire early than it is right now, and this website and forum have been in operation for almost all of that period.  Frankly I'm kind of shocked this thread doesn't have like 30% of the forum members retiring this year, because anyone who got on board when MMM launched is probably ready to go by now.

Trifle

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1947 on: August 31, 2018, 09:39:05 AM »
Wow!!! I cant believe how many are in the 2018 class!!

It's been one of the best decades for market returns in US history.  It's never been easier to retire early than it is right now, and this website and forum have been in operation for almost all of that period.  Frankly I'm kind of shocked this thread doesn't have like 30% of the forum members retiring this year, because anyone who got on board when MMM launched is probably ready to go by now.

2019 Cohort member here.  We have lost 6 people to the 2018 group so far, and there will probably be more.  Here's to OLY!

PhilB

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1948 on: August 31, 2018, 09:56:16 AM »
Today's my day! It's weird, not gonna lie. I work from home, so I'm just sitting here as normal, listening to CNBC, finishing up my last few tasks. And hoping someone emails or calls, needing something. I really should be glad they are confident and can move forward without me. Every so often, I'm going to get up and do the happy dance today!
The RiverTOP IS IN!

Congratulations!

EscapeVelocity2020

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1949 on: August 31, 2018, 10:13:43 AM »
Wow!!! I cant believe how many are in the 2018 class!!

It's been one of the best decades for market returns in US history.  It's never been easier to retire early than it is right now, and this website and forum have been in operation for almost all of that period.  Frankly I'm kind of shocked this thread doesn't have like 30% of the forum members retiring this year, because anyone who got on board when MMM launched is probably ready to go by now.

I was thinking the same thing.  If you've been on this path for 2 years or more, you've seen nothing but steady phenomenal returns and a growing 'stache (including home values).  Especially if you are in the early growth period, you've probably doubled your NW and then some.  Very few seem to question the 4% rule, other than it being too conservative when returns are so good, the good life is cheap, and side hustles are easy to come by.

Other than healthcare, ER seems like a lay-up.  I would venture that at least 30% of active forum members are some level of FI or close.  The only thing keeping me from setting an ER date is OMY on a project overseas.  I would prefer to be doing this than being ER and doing my own thing (like, I'm getting paid to learn French and fly business class, how cool is that?), but even I have to admit that, nearing 45, I'm beginning to worry that I'm giving away too much to Big Oil Corp.  I'd really like to have a decade of self-directed world travel before I get too much older.

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!