2019 fire cohort

[Trifle]

CONGRATULATIONS @dayzero, who finished up strong on Friday!!!  Hopefully you had an epic weekend, and are enjoying sleeping in this week.

And up next we have @Classical_Liberal with four days to go.  Is it feeling surreal?
 

2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19     Bingeworker (52)          CONFIRMED
01/11/19     Avrex (53)                    CONFIRMED
01/31/19     Trifele (51)                   CONFIRMED
02/01/19     Socmonkey (37)           CONFIRMED
02/01/19     August (54)                  CONFIRMED
02/01/19     Keeks (42)                   CONFIRMED
02/01/19     TheShinyHorse             CONFIRMED   
02/13/19     SeanTash (48)              CONFIRMED
02/28/19     nowwhat? (56)             CONFIRMED
03/15/19     Half Stached  (47)        CONFIRMED
03/15/19     FireHazard                   CONFIRMED
03/15/19     Luck12  (41)                CONFIRMED       
03/18/19     chasesfish (36)             CONFIRMED
03/18/19     Cycling Stache (43)       CONFIRMED
03/29/19     Loren Ver (36)              CONFIRMED
03/29/19     Mr. Ver (39)                  CONFIRMED
04/01/19     Ryder (39)                    CONFIRMED
04/04/19     PowerStache (43)          CONFIRMED
04/06/19     Caroline PF                    CONFIRMED SEMI-FIRE
04/07/19     BTDRetire (64)              CONFIRMED
04/19/19     Eric (42)                       CONFIRMED
04/26/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)           CONFIRMED
05/02/19     couponvan (48)             CONFIRMED
05/14/19     anonprof                       CONFIRMED
05/16/19     dude (53)                      CONFIRMED
05/17/19     MaybeBabyMustache      CONFIRMED SABBATICAL
05/17/19     Mowine (58)                  CONFIRMED                   
05/24/19     Prairie Stash (38)           CONFIRMED
05/30/19     Livingthedream55 (59)   CONFIRMED
05/31/19     Odiedog859  (62)           CONFIRMED
06/10/19     tooqk4u22                     CONFIRMED             
06/14/19     Dibdab (56)                   CONFIRMED
06/18/19     RichMoose (29)              CONFIRMED
06/19/19     Waffles  (52)                  CONFIRMED
06/20/19     Parizade  (62)                CONFIRMED
06/21/19     Okonumiyaki (49)          CONFIRMED
06/21/19     Home Stretch (31)         CONFIRMED
07/02/19     DirtDiva                        CONFIRMED
07/03/19     Miss Piggy                     CONFIRMED         
07/05/19     StoaX (58)                    CONFIRMED
07/07/19     Batljunk   (57)               CONFIRMED
07/12/19     5OClocksomewhere        CONFIRMED
07/19/19     Polish_Hammer (51)       CONFIRMED
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)            CONFIRMED
08/02/19     xbdb                             CONFIRMED
08/08/19     seattlecyclone (34)         CONFIRMED       
08/09/19     Jfer_rose (41)                CONFIRMED
08/20/19     OMY                              CONFIRMED
08/26/19     MissNancyPryor (50)       CONFIRMED
08/30/19     MoMan  (54)                  CONFIRMED                 
08/31/19     Gerard                           CONFIRMED
08/31/19     Oldtoyota                       CONFIRMED SWAMI
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley (42)  CONFIRMED
09/06/19     dayzero                         CONFIRMED
09/12/19     Classical_Liberal
09/27/19     snowdog (58)
09/27/19     Thriftyc
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
10/01/19     SnakesInTheGrass (55)
10/01/19     Trix76  (43)
10/04/19     iluvzbeach (49)
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     JumboShrimp
11/21/19     Meatgrinder (39)
12/06/19     Sid Arthur (59)
12/19/19     Linea_Norway (46)
12/23/19     Life In Balance (49)
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/??/19     NotJen


2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer
MustacheAnxiety
forward
BlindSquirrel
I'm Fred (51)
JoJo (45)
Edgema
Gerardc  (35)
Pylortes  (42)
DreamFire
2Birds1Stone  (32)
SHO (37)
SugarMountain
Thedividebyzero  (45)
Mathieu
DireWolf


OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
CryingInThePool  (44)
Albireo13  (61)
Cookie78
Enigma
exit2019  (40)
powersuitrecall  (47)
SamIAm38  (30)
Nifty (31) -- OMM to January of 20
Itchyfeet  (47)

OLY
markbike528cbx  (53)      OLY -- CONFIRMED 6/1/18; checking in as OP
MoneyStacher  (50)         OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
PhilB  (52)                      OLY -- CONFIRMED 10/24/18
sui generis  (41)              OLY -- CONFIRMED 8/17/18
TartanTallulah  (55)          OLY -- CONFIRMED 10/2018
cerat0n1a                       OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
Chairman                        OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
Bognish (43)                   OLY -- CONFIRMED 11/16/18
Moxie (58)                      OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018

[Linea_Norway]

The list of "confirms" is getting impressive. 2019 was apparently a good year to retire.

[Loren Ver]

@Linea_Norway sounds like you are creeping the date forward, does this mean you will be selling the house sooner or retiring then selling later?

Loren

We will sell during our long notice period. The real estate broker recommended selling in autumn, before the snow makes the steep roads difficult. We suddenly realized that if someone indeed makes an offer in the beginning of November, they might want us to move out in Jaruary. As we don't want to work, while moving out, because of commuting distance, we decided to move the FIRE date foreward from Feb 2020 to Jan 2020. With the Christmas holiday before that and us not working on Fridays, the actual last day may be on thursday 19th of December 2019. But our last contract day 31rst of December. With last vacation money paid out in January, which is good for tax reasons.

That's wonderful news, I know the work stress has been affecting your health.  I hope you get a big fat offer on your house within a reasonable time :D.

LV

[Classical_Liberal]

And up next we have @Classical_Liberal with four days to go.  Is it feeling surreal?

A bit yes.  I move around quite a bit doing temp assignments within my company for 3-12 months, plus I've taken month long stretches off every year for the past three years and I'll still be on in a part time role starting in about 6 months.  So in a way, it just feels like I'm closing out one of my other assignments and about to take a break. But, every now and again, when I truly contemplate what's happening, I get giddy, like a kid who knows he's going to Disneyland. 

Interestingly, I have zero money concerns despite the fact I'm semi-REing two years earlier than originally planned at about a 5.5%WR.  I'm sure the fact my part time work will more than cover my expenses has something to do with it, yet I thought I'd feel more worry on that end.  I accumulated quickly at a 75% or more savings rate and that can be a bit addictive.  Over the past couple of months, I just haven't cared about accumulation anymore.  Strange that the concern just fades away after it's been my greatest priority for the last 4-5 years.

[Trifle]

An early Congratulations to you @Classical_Liberal, and the rest of the folks FIREing in the next few weeks!

I'm checking out to go nomadic for a few weeks and won't be here on your last day (thanks retirement!)  See you all in October.  :)

[Loren Ver]

Congrats a day late @Classical_Liberal!  I hope your last day went well.  Can I move you to CONFIRMED?

While @Trifele is out enjoying some nomadic ventures, I am going to try and upkeep the list.  Since I am not nearly as cool as she is, please keep your expectations low :).

We have a bit of a gap, but for the rest of the month we have
09/27/19     @snowdog   (58)
09/27/19     @thriftyc
09/??/19     @RetirementDreaming

How are the last few weeks treating you?  Are you on schedule?  Do you have a day RetirementDreaming?

Loren

 

[snowdog]

I am on schedule.  All is locked and loaded...no turning back now.  Looking forward to a glorious fall!!

[Loren Ver]

I am on schedule.  All is locked and loaded...no turning back now.  Looking forward to a glorious fall!!

That's great.  Snowdog will have more time to play in the snow :).

[macmoneysaver]

30 September 2019

I am FI now and I will retire "early: on 30 Sep.  For me, early is 1 month before I turn 59 1/2, so I made it by a month, or perhaps early by 5 1/2 years.  But I am here!!

My wife and I will move near our only grandchild and have a fully paid off house.  We will work with my son to build up his property management business, while taking lots of trips throughout the year to visit family.

Thanks to this whole community who convinced me I didn't need $5M to retire!!!

Here are our numbers:
House: $300K
TSP:    $500k
IRAs:   $120k
Cash:   $120k

Pensions: >$50k/yr
SS (if take at 62) $36k/yr

I see lots of great stories here.  Congrats to all of you who made it in 2019!!!

[Classical_Liberal]

Can I move you to CONFIRMED?

Yep

[couponvan]

Can I move you to CONFIRMED?

Yep

Congratulations confirmed!!

[Loren Ver]

Welcome @macmoneysaver.  I've got you added to the list.  It will post once we move to the next page.

@Classical_Liberal you will be CONFIRMED next time I post the list.  YEAH!!

[RetirementDreaming]

Congrats a day late @Classical_Liberal!  I hope your last day went well.  Can I move you to CONFIRMED?

While @Trifele is out enjoying some nomadic ventures, I am going to try and upkeep the list.  Since I am not nearly as cool as she is, please keep your expectations low :).

We have a bit of a gap, but for the rest of the month we have
09/27/19     @snowdog   (58)
09/27/19     @thriftyc
09/??/19     @RetirementDreaming

How are the last few weeks treating you?  Are you on schedule?  Do you have a day RetirementDreaming?

Loren

I'm on track.  Last day 9/30/19! 

[Loren Ver]

Congrats a day late @Classical_Liberal!  I hope your last day went well.  Can I move you to CONFIRMED?

While @Trifele is out enjoying some nomadic ventures, I am going to try and upkeep the list.  Since I am not nearly as cool as she is, please keep your expectations low :).

We have a bit of a gap, but for the rest of the month we have

snip

How are the last few weeks treating you?  Are you on schedule?  Do you have a day RetirementDreaming?

Loren

I'm on track.  Last day 9/30/19!

That's wonderful.  You will  be updated for the next list.

[iluvzbeach]

Submitted my retirement notice last week, a week earlier than I had originally planned. Last day has been changed slightly to 10/03.

[Loren Ver]

Submitted my retirement notice last week, a week earlier than I had originally planned. Last day has been changed slightly to 10/03.

That's great news!  I'll have you updated in the next posting!

[Linea_Norway]

I have given notice today and my last official working will be 31rst of December 2019, in practice the last Thursday the 19th before Christmas.

My job did not want to give me an official sabbatical, but said I could come back at any time later if I wanted to.

[markbike528CBX]

Ms Markbeck528CBX has issued her 2 week notice!   

She got to talk with one of our previously retired neighbors who was working as a substitute today.

We have applied for health insurance (dang it,  it is NOT healthcare), monthly premiums for which are about what Ms Markbeck528CBX was taking home.
We will be using a 72(t) SEPP withdrawal from a t-IRA to 1)replace her salary, 2) pay for health insurance 3)fill up our taxable MFJ deduction.

New withdrawal rate will be 3.6%  egads!!!!

Ms Markbeck528CBX is near enough to 55 to make that the age.

No Epic FU story, but just tired of going to work.  Changes to worktime structure put the needle in the balloon.

I'm shameless in recruiting for this cohort, even roping in family.   Maybe I have a future in Multi-Level-Marketing :-(

[2Birds1Stone]

Ugh, you guys.

I thought I was squarely in the 2020 cohort, while keeping one toe in here, but work is really getting under my skin.

-Redacted

[Loren Ver]

Ugh, you guys.

I thought I was squarely in the 2020 cohort, while keeping one toe in here, but work is really getting under my skin.

...snip...

When my company was laying off I totally asked them to really really consider me.  They didn't, maybe I was good at my job.  I really would have like my 2 weeks for each year (10 years), but oh well.  Maybe someone has better advice.  Either way, you should join us, we are the coolest, nicest, most welcoming cohort, not to mention most current :).

Loren

[Loren Ver]

@markbike528CBX - I have added Ms. markbike528CBX as 30/Sept/2019 as that is in two weeks.  Good for her! I have manged to recruit one person, so you are still rocking it!

@Linea_Norway Woo hoo!! That is so exciting.  The current list has you at 19 Dec, do you want that or 31 Dec?  I am glad they are giving you flexibility to come back if you want to (smart of them!), but I really hope you don't need to!

As soon as we get to page 60, I'll pop up the new list for double checks and visual enjoyment :).  It is such a long pretty list!

Loren

[2Birds1Stone]

Redacted. Thanks for the tips.

[sui generis]

I have given notice today and my last official working will be 31rst of December 2019, in practice the last Thursday the 19th before Christmas.

My job did not want to give me an official sabbatical, but said I could come back at any time later if I wanted to.

Congrats!!

[sui generis]

@2Birds1Stone - wait, you haven't *already* signed an NDA??  That's super weird and a very bad oversight on their part but...yeah...may be the perfect window for you if you are willing to play a little hardball.

[2Birds1Stone]

Thank you sui! 

I hope you don't mind if I PM you with a follow up question.

[Linea_Norway]

@markbike528CBX - I have added Ms. markbike528CBX as 30/Sept/2019 as that is in two weeks.  Good for her! I have manged to recruit one person, so you are still rocking it!

@Linea_Norway Woo hoo!! That is so exciting.  The current list has you at 19 Dec, do you want that or 31 Dec?  I am glad they are giving you flexibility to come back if you want to (smart of them!), but I really hope you don't need to!

As soon as we get to page 60, I'll pop up the new list for double checks and visual enjoyment :).  It is such a long pretty list!

Loren

@Loren Ver , I am still in 2 cohorts. I can be in this one with the 20th as my first actual day off. Then I'll be in the 2020 cohort with 1rst of Jan as official FIRE day. ;-)

[trix76]

I officially gave my notice today. Last day of work will be Oct. 1, as planned. My apartment lease is ending Sept. 30, I’m finishing work Oct. 1, and my partner and I are hitting the road Oct. 2 to roam the earth for a little while.

It feels surreal that this milestone is finally thisclose. I hope I don’t get hit by a bus :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Miss Piggy]

I officially gave my notice today. Last day of work will be Oct. 1, as planned. My apartment lease is ending Sept. 30, I’m finishing work Oct. 1, and my partner and I are hitting the road Oct. 2 to roam the earth for a little while.

It feels surreal that this milestone is finally thisclose. I hope I don’t get hit by a bus :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hearty congrats!

New personal rule: Avoid walking near or in front of or near any buses.

[chasesfish]

Just checking in on the thread.  If anyone is still on the fence, do it!

Officially six months since I gave my retirement notice and five months since I walked out.  The fear is real and its going to feel weird for the first 3-6 months.  I realize just how toxic of a work environment I was in and it took a while for the animosity towards work to slowly fade away.

FI is about freedom to do what you want, the RE part may be temporary or permanent.  Its amazing the opportunities that show up once you aren't wed to a full time job.

[Loren Ver]

@Linea_Norway - two families is better than one :).

@trix76 Congrats!!  You are so close!  I actually started to get a little paranoid about safety as the time got close, it was so weird as I am pretty easy going.  I'm glad it passed.  Look both ways, and always check your blind spots!

[2Birds1Stone]

#soon
#birdsofashitfeatherflocktogether


Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[toocold]

Hello all!  I had been planning to FIRE in 2020, but due to a reorg at MegaCorp I've been officially downsized.  My last date is October 15th.  I have been FI so several years now, so I can say with confidence that I am officially FIRE!

[sui generis]

Hello all!  I had been planning to FIRE in 2020, but due to a reorg at MegaCorp I've been officially downsized.  My last date is October 15th.  I have been FI so several years now, so I can say with confidence that I am officially FIRE!

Jackpot! Congrats!

[chasesfish]

Hello all!  I had been planning to FIRE in 2020, but due to a reorg at MegaCorp I've been officially downsized.  My last date is October 15th.  I have been FI so several years now, so I can say with confidence that I am officially FIRE!

Congratulations!  Has it been weird being happy about this while other people are scrambling?

[toocold]

Has it been weird being happy about this while other people are scrambling?

During the actual announcement, I was more worried about the impact to my team.  When I left the building, it felt like a giant weight was off my shoulder.

[Loren Ver]

@toocold Woohoo, that is fantastic!  I have added you to the list, which I will post on the next page.  Are you making any plans since you are out early?

Loren

[toocold]

Woohoo, that is fantastic!  I have added you to the list, which I will post on the next page.  Are you making any plans since you are out early?

Thank you!  Nope, no changes.   I've always had a tab on my excel spreadsheet that said, what would I do if I quit now and projections of cashflow going forward.  I'll likely take it easy for the next 6 months and feel my way through it.

[oldtoyota]

Just checking in on the thread.  If anyone is still on the fence, do it!

Officially six months since I gave my retirement notice and five months since I walked out.  The fear is real and its going to feel weird for the first 3-6 months.  I realize just how toxic of a work environment I was in and it took a while for the animosity towards work to slowly fade away.

FI is about freedom to do what you want, the RE part may be temporary or permanent.  Its amazing the opportunities that show up once you aren't wed to a full time job.

I love that last sentence. I logged in here to come see what 2019 people are doing and saw your post. =-D

Five or so years ago, I left a toxic work environment. My body was breaking down from the stress. Since I left that and started my own thing, my stress decreased.

Working more felt more do-able if I was not dealing with toxicity on a constant basis.

Don't get me wrong. Starting a business is not stress free. Haha.

Yet once I removed myself from the toxic place, the idea of work didn't seem so bad. I love the intellectual stimulation of working with my clients.

To be able to build and shift as I see fit on my own is pretty cool.

Maybe I need to start a journal. I took us a bit off topic...lol.

[JoJo]

I've made it this far in the year, so I really need to stay until next March to get the bonus.  I am part-time (60%) and at this point, I have half of the rest of the year off, so don't feel bad for me :)

So put me in the OMY category, hoping to get the guts to end by April or so.

[Loren Ver]

I've made it this far in the year, so I really need to stay until next March to get the bonus.  I am part-time (60%) and at this point, I have half of the rest of the year off, so don't feel bad for me :)

So put me in the OMY category, hoping to get the guts to end by April or so.

Thank you for the update JoJo. I have moved you from TBD to OMY.  I'll try not to feel too bad for you.  I can totally understand the desire for bonus :).

[Loren Ver]

Coming up on Friday the 27th we have snowdog and Thriftyc. I haven't gotten an update since sending the bat signal up previously so hopefully they are both doing well and are ready to say "tata!"  If you are reading this, let us know.  I'd love to move you to CONFIRMED :).

Loren

[thriftyc]

One more month syndrome for me. LOL!  Will confirm new date.

[SugarMountain]

One more month syndrome for me. LOL!  Will confirm new date.

Me too!  I may be sliding into OMY.  We'll see.  Probably re-assess at the end of October.

[Loren Ver]

Thank you for the updates @thriftyc and @SugarMountain.  I'll (or Trifele) will update the list once you have a more detailed date.

Anything in particular stalling the pull (that you would like to share of course)?  Hopefully it is all good things!

Loren

[SugarMountain]

Thank you for the updates @thriftyc and @SugarMountain.  I'll (or Trifele) will update the list once you have a more detailed date.

Anything in particular stalling the pull (that you would like to share of course)?  Hopefully it is all good things!

Loren

I cover most of it over in my journal.https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/journals/you-can't-be-20-on-sugar-mountain

The primary reason right now is I am getting paid a lot but my job is not terrible at the moment.  Also the future of the ACA and healthcare is a concern where I suspect the more money in reserve the better.  I suspect a big part of it is just inertia.  I actually tried to quit last year, but got talked into staying.

[2Birds1Stone]

FUCKIN' Eh!

Confirmed, October 14th, 2019.

[thriftyc]

Thank you for the updates @thriftyc and @SugarMountain.  I'll (or Trifele) will update the list once you have a more detailed date.

Anything in particular stalling the pull (that you would like to share of course)?  Hopefully it is all good things!

Loren

I am looking to buy a new gravel bike, and realized working a tad longer to pay for it was worth it. :)

[BigMoneyJim]

Hi. First time in this thread. So this just happened, capping off 2-3 years of overanalysis and fretting. Can click on the quote to see my journal thread about it.

TL;DR: I'm semi-(?) retiring at the age of 49 with a stash, forthcoming pension, and forthcoming SS. After 28 years of 401k contribution, 20 years of aiming to retire early, and 2-3 years of actualization triggered by a layoff.

I just resigned! Last day October 11.

So surprising how emotionally difficult it is. I've been building toward this for 20-30 years.

But it's so hard to actually do it. So scary.

On the other hand, for all this fretting I haven't come up with one bit of self FUD to latch onto for why I shouldn't do it or should delay. Just the break-up-like feels and general anxiety. ×100

(edit: content -> contribution)

[SwordGuy]

Pop on over and celebrate your FI % status with everyone...

https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/throw-down-the-gauntlet/race-to-100-fi!

[RWTL]

Posting to join the celebrations.