Author Topic: 2019 fire cohort  (Read 793041 times)

meatgrinder

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #3000 on: November 25, 2019, 03:28:09 PM »
Did you wrap up yesterday @meatgrinder?

Yes - I'm out! It was a bit unorthodox (and perhaps greedy too) but I asked my boss for a severance. I thought it was worth a shot since severance is usually only for poor performers and is based on tenure (I've been around awhile) and base salary. What are they going to do - fire me? :). Got the severance and did not disappoint 10/10 + would do again and recommend. It really helped to offset all the restricted stock units that evaporated the day I quit.

Thanks to everyone for their stories and inspiration along the way and good luck to everyone else on their journey. Looking forward to soaring high above the clouds with the rest of the free folk!

RedefinedHappiness

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #3001 on: November 25, 2019, 03:40:58 PM »
I'm intrigued... You quit but asked for severance?  How did you phrase?  Did I catch all of these details?  Did you being up RSU losses as an excuse?

I might be in a similar situation so would love to learn from you!!

Linea_Norway

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #3002 on: November 26, 2019, 12:59:35 AM »
I am in the situation that they are now offering goodbye packages for the whole company, including my department. This was introduced earlier this year for the most of the company, excluding my department. So I had to quit before I could ask for a package. But now people in my department can also request a package.
It hurts me a bit mentally that some other people in the company actually got this package some years ago and now work for this employer again. And I am leaving without a package. The alternative would have been to wait until this package also became valid for my department. It turned out it was not that long waiting, but I just couldn't know.
On the other hand, I don't think they would have granted me a package anyway, as my boss is a bit desperate about me leaving.

Today I have 11 working days left (including today), calculated on a paper calendar where I have made a countdown. And 16 total calendar days, calculated by a phone app.

I have ordered all my access as days off at the end and around Christmas. Now I am starting to get in the plus with extra hours. But from now on I will use them regularly. Today I walked to work, which is time consuming, so I will work a short day.

Trifle

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #3003 on: November 26, 2019, 02:30:49 AM »
Yes - I'm out!

CONGRATULATIONS @meatgrinder!!!


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             CONFIRMED
09/27/19     snowdog (58)                 CONFIRMED
09/30/19     Ms. markbike528CBX      CONFIRMED
09/30/19     RetirementDreaming(47) CONFIRMED   
10/01/19     SnakesInTheGrass (55)   CONFIRMED
10/01/19     Trix76  (43)                    CONFIRMED
10/03/19     iluvzbeach (49)               CONFIRMED SEMI-FIRE
10/11/19     BigMoneyJim (49)           CONFIRMED
10/14/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)         CONFIRMED
10/15/19     toocold                          CONFIRMED
10/17/19     I'm Fred (51)                 CONFIRMED
10/22/19     Enigma                          CONFIRMED
11/21/19     Meatgrinder (39)            CONFIRMED
12/05/19     Flavius (56)
12/06/19     Sid Arthur (59)
12/06/19     NotJen (39)
12/06/19     6-Saturdays (44)
12/12/19     firebrand (59)
12/12/19     Linea_Norway (46)
12/23/19     Life In Balance (49)
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)


2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
MustacheAnxiety
forward
BlindSquirrel
Edgema
Pylortes  (42)
SHO (37)
Thedividebyzero  (45)
Mathieu
DireWolf
Thriftyc
macmoneysaver (59)
VoteCthulu  (39)


OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
CryingInThePool  (44)
Albireo13  (61)
Cookie78
exit2019  (40)
powersuitrecall  (47)
SamIAm38  (30)
Nifty (31) -- OMM to January of 20
Itchyfeet  (47)
JoJo (45)
JumboShrimp -- A few more months to February of 20
SugarMountain -- Trying for January of 20


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

Loren Ver

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #3004 on: November 26, 2019, 08:58:40 AM »
Congrats to our sole November FIREee @meatgrinder.  Way to go on a package!  I tried and failed.  Glad it worked for you. 

I am so glad we FIRED when we did.  DH just had a retinal detachment.  We are going in for surgery tomorrow.  If he worked it would be a month of FMLA (unpaid medical leave from work) and I would have to leave him alone after the first few days to go back to work, knowing he wont be able to move around nearly at all.  He will be VERY restricted in head/body position for several weeks, but since we are FIRED, I can be around taking care of him, instead of worrying about him while sitting at a desk.

Not happy it happened, but happy it happened when it did.

Loren 

Linea_Norway

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #3005 on: November 26, 2019, 09:38:14 AM »
Congrats to our sole November FIREee @meatgrinder.  Way to go on a package!  I tried and failed.  Glad it worked for you. 

I am so glad we FIRED when we did.  DH just had a retinal detachment.  We are going in for surgery tomorrow.  If he worked it would be a month of FMLA (unpaid medical leave from work) and I would have to leave him alone after the first few days to go back to work, knowing he wont be able to move around nearly at all.  He will be VERY restricted in head/body position for several weeks, but since we are FIRED, I can be around taking care of him, instead of worrying about him while sitting at a desk.

Not happy it happened, but happy it happened when it did.

Loren

This is so true. I remember my DH having a bad case of the flu once and I had to go to work. Here in Norway, we have all sorts of extra sick leave for when your children are sick. But no sick leave rules for taking care of a sick husband.

Trifle

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #3006 on: November 26, 2019, 09:46:56 AM »
Congrats to our sole November FIREee @meatgrinder.  Way to go on a package!  I tried and failed.  Glad it worked for you. 

I am so glad we FIRED when we did.  DH just had a retinal detachment.  We are going in for surgery tomorrow.  If he worked it would be a month of FMLA (unpaid medical leave from work) and I would have to leave him alone after the first few days to go back to work, knowing he wont be able to move around nearly at all.  He will be VERY restricted in head/body position for several weeks, but since we are FIRED, I can be around taking care of him, instead of worrying about him while sitting at a desk.

Not happy it happened, but happy it happened when it did.

Loren

So sorry to hear about your DH @Loren Ver -- fingers crossed for a smooth recovery.  :)

meatgrinder

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #3007 on: November 26, 2019, 11:28:03 AM »
I'm intrigued... You quit but asked for severance?  How did you phrase?  Did I catch all of these details?  Did you being up RSU losses as an excuse?

I might be in a similar situation so would love to learn from you!!

@RedefinedHappiness - Yes, I asked for severance. My primary rationale for pursuing this path was coming to the realization of the upside down world of leaving work - If I left on good terms, I would get nothing vs. if I left on bad terms, I would get a fat check (and could never work there again. Tear - so sad).

My second rationale was that I knew how much money was on the table given my tenure. Unfortunately and sometimes fortunately, I've had to cull the bottom performers from my team to meet corporate quotas. This has made me very familiar with how the severance process works and how much $ it pays. If I didn't know this, I probably would have asked the HR Gestapo which could raise some eyebrows.

When notifying my boss, the key points I wanted to make were  A) I wasn't giving my notice B) I would leave if I got a severance and C) I had no time constraint of another job offer etc. I said something along the lines of "My time at this company has run its course after many years and I'm ready to start pursing other areas of my life outside of the corporate world. How can I transition out smoothly with a severance?" At that point, my boss said he would think about it and then a week later presented the package to me with HR closely monitoring.

I didn't mention RSUs since I timed the conversation to occur on my vest date with the next vest date being six months away. It was awkward asking but I just kept reminding myself that the worst thing they could do was say no and in that case I would leave or still work but more time would be dedicated to watching videos of cats playing the keyboard on YouTube and working "flexible" weeks.

Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any more questions and if you decide to give it a go.
« Last Edit: November 26, 2019, 11:31:58 AM by meatgrinder »

Loren Ver

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #3008 on: November 26, 2019, 12:28:12 PM »
@Linea_Norway it is true.  Taking care of other family members gets tossed on the way side, :(.

@Trifele Thank you.  Since he is young and in pretty good shape we are expecting a optimal recovery. It will be slow and sucky, but at least we live in a time and place with options to correct the issue.

RedefinedHappiness

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #3009 on: November 26, 2019, 02:45:15 PM »
Thanks meatgrinder.  Still debating my exit date but I like your logic and approach to that conversation.  Thanks for sharing.  Will let you know how it goes when I finally pull plug.

RWTL

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #3010 on: November 26, 2019, 04:35:28 PM »
This has made me very familiar with how the severance process works and how much $ it pays.

What should someone shoot for in terms of severance - months or years worth of salary?  I worked one place where the standard was 1 week for every year you worked.  That seemed pretty slim. 

MoMan

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #3011 on: November 27, 2019, 12:32:13 PM »
I’m at the 3-month mark since retirement so thought I would check in. So far it’s everything I fantasized about. I’m actually spending a little less than I expected.

So how do I spend my time?  If I’m doing anything remotely productive it probably involves puttering around in my garage wood shop. I’m currently into creating whirligigs. You’ve seen them before: a wooden propeller spins a metal shaft to drive a whimsical figure, like a man endlessly chopping a log. Google it for a visual explanation. I recently completed a mermaid version for my father in law, and have been experimenting with the welder he gave me. I’ve also patched the cracks in the drywall in our dining room and repainted it. Otherwise I’m becoming an expert at doing nothing. Some people really can’t handle it.

So do I miss anything from the work world?  The knee jerk reaction is, not a goddamned thing. But there is one thing: Anticipation. I used to count down the days until Friday or payday or the next holiday, and ultimately retirement. Now it doesn’t matter if it’s Monday, Friday or Columbus Day. But that’s ok with me.

I’ve failed a bit on my plan to bike extensively. I put 60 miles on my bike the first free week and developed some tendinitis in my elbow. So I spent $300 to have my bike reconfigured with a higher gooseneck and swept back handle bars (plus some other overdue maintenance). It makes a huge difference.

One other thing is my mom’s worsening aging. One week into my retirement she suffered a minor stroke and needed hospitalization. It’s taken a toll on her short term memory. It’s part of life. It sucks but now it’s no big deal to run to her place at a moment’s notice. Fortunately my late father had the foresight to sock some money away for their future. Fingers crossed that it will last long enough.

And then there’s travel. I don’t need anyone’s permission or approval anymore to leave town whenever I want. It’s totally subject to my wife’s work schedule. Consequently I am writing this from an air b-n-b in Scandinavia. Yeah retirement! 

meatgrinder

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #3012 on: November 27, 2019, 02:43:22 PM »
This has made me very familiar with how the severance process works and how much $ it pays.

What should someone shoot for in terms of severance - months or years worth of salary?  I worked one place where the standard was 1 week for every year you worked.  That seemed pretty slim.

Mine was 3 weeks of base pay for every year worked.

TempusFugit

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #3013 on: November 27, 2019, 03:38:31 PM »
This has made me very familiar with how the severance process works and how much $ it pays.

What should someone shoot for in terms of severance - months or years worth of salary?  I worked one place where the standard was 1 week for every year you worked.  That seemed pretty slim.

Mine was 3 weeks of base pay for every year worked.

That seems overly generous.  I would think that such a policy might have unintended consequences.  3-4 weeks per year of service is more of a 'buyout' kind of ratio most places. 

Maybe you would have to cap it somehow to be more realistic.  If you have long term employees and you find your company in troubled times and you have to trim staff, that would be a very expensive severance program.  The unintended consequence might be that you don't let yourself get into the situation where you have long term employees or that you pull the trigger on layoffs much faster to avoid being past the point of being able to pay those severances. 

It kind of matters how long term someone has been in a company.  Once you get to a point where the severance is 1 full year's salary or more, that's kind of asking for trouble, IMO.

It's generally 1 wk/yr at my MegaCorp gig. 


Trifle

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #3014 on: November 28, 2019, 04:10:40 AM »
This has made me very familiar with how the severance process works and how much $ it pays.

What should someone shoot for in terms of severance - months or years worth of salary?  I worked one place where the standard was 1 week for every year you worked.  That seemed pretty slim.

At my Megacorp job the severance depended on your rank, and there was a written policy laying it out.  Rank and file got one week per year of service, management got two weeks per year, upper management got four weeks per year. 

Linea_Norway

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #3015 on: November 28, 2019, 05:52:18 AM »
About 6 weeks after I gave notice, my company offered voluntary goodbye packages which are very attractive. You also don't get the 3 months notice period.

40-49 years old: 9 months salary
>50 years old: 12 months salary
> 50 years old and > 10 years employment: 15 months salary

When I quit, this was not valid for my department, but now it is. I asked my manager if she thought I would have gotten such a package, as I thought it was unlikely. But she said I have a job that will be replaced and therefore they would not have given me the package to go. It is typically meant for people close to normal pension age. Or for jobs that won't be replaced.

RWTL

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #3016 on: November 28, 2019, 05:59:58 AM »
I've asked twice over the last few years to be let go with a severance.  Both times I was told that the position was too valuable to part with.

Trifle

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #3017 on: December 01, 2019, 02:24:04 AM »
And HELLOOOO December!!!  After a quiet November, with @meatgrinder as our lone FIRE-ee, we enter the final stretch of our 12-month FIRE-a-thon celebration.  Large group on deck for the next few weeks, and last chance for you "TBD" Cohort members to pull the plug in 2019!

First up this week we have @Flavius, @Sid Arthur, @NotJen, and @6-Saturdays.  How are you all doing?

Pulling the list forward:


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
05/02/19     Edgema (42)                 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             CONFIRMED
09/27/19     snowdog (58)                 CONFIRMED
09/30/19     Ms. markbike528CBX      CONFIRMED
09/30/19     RetirementDreaming(47) CONFIRMED   
10/01/19     SnakesInTheGrass (55)   CONFIRMED
10/01/19     Trix76  (43)                    CONFIRMED
10/03/19     iluvzbeach (49)               CONFIRMED SEMI-FIRE
10/11/19     BigMoneyJim (49)           CONFIRMED
10/14/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)         CONFIRMED
10/15/19     toocold                          CONFIRMED
10/17/19     I'm Fred (51)                 CONFIRMED
10/22/19     Enigma                          CONFIRMED
11/21/19     Meatgrinder (39)            CONFIRMED
12/05/19     Flavius (56)
12/06/19     Sid Arthur (59)
12/06/19     NotJen (39)
12/06/19     6-Saturdays (44)
12/12/19     firebrand (59)
12/12/19     Linea_Norway (46)
12/23/19     Life In Balance (49)
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)


2019 Cohort with date TBD:
MustacheAnxiety
forward
BlindSquirrel
Edgema
SHO (37)
Thedividebyzero  (45)
Mathieu
DireWolf
Thriftyc
macmoneysaver (59)
VoteCthulu  (39)


OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
CryingInThePool  (44)
Albireo13  (61)
Cookie78
exit2019  (40)
powersuitrecall  (47)
SamIAm38  (30)
Nifty (31) -- OMM to January of 20
Itchyfeet  (47)
JoJo (45)
JumboShrimp -- A few more months to February of 20
SugarMountain -- Trying for January of 20
Pylortes  (42)


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
« Last Edit: December 02, 2019, 02:37:15 AM by Trifele »

Pylortes

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #3018 on: December 01, 2019, 12:44:11 PM »
I will need to be moved to the “OMY” column (was in TBD).    Reason(s) for the OMY:  1.  Replaced crappy manager with new manager who is much easier to get along with and less micro-managing.  2.  Income increase (including bonus) of roughly 30% from last year and 25% higher than the next best year of my career (More compensation is helping me to want to ride the wave a little longer).  3. Spouse may explore leaving position to relocate soon, and I may just work until close to whenever that arrives. 

I had set a goal of leaving by mid year 2019,  but a lot of that was driven by a manager I didn’t really like working for.  That situation suddenly improved when that manger left.  I’m not setting a hard date to pull the plug at this point since it caused me some disappointment previously when I decided to stay longer.  Good luck to everyone finishing up in Dec-  I hope to join you in the near future!


Linea_Norway

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #3019 on: December 01, 2019, 01:04:31 PM »
I will need to be moved to the “OMY” column (was in TBD).    Reason(s) for the OMY:  1.  Replaced crappy manager with new manager who is much easier to get along with and less micro-managing.  2.  Income increase (including bonus) of roughly 30% from last year and 25% higher than the next best year of my career (More compensation is helping me to want to ride the wave a little longer).  3. Spouse may explore leaving position to relocate soon, and I may just work until close to whenever that arrives. 

I had set a goal of leaving by mid year 2019,  but a lot of that was driven by a manager I didn’t really like working for.  That situation suddenly improved when that manger left.  I’m not setting a hard date to pull the plug at this point since it caused me some disappointment previously when I decided to stay longer.  Good luck to everyone finishing up in Dec-  I hope to join you in the near future!

Welcome to the 2020 cohort.

One year extra isn't unbearable if you have good working circumstances. A good boss and an extraincome boost helps a lot.

Trifle

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #3020 on: December 02, 2019, 02:33:12 AM »
Thanks for the check in @Pylortes!  Sounds like a lot happening, and most of it good!  Got you moved to OMY.

And thank you for the two FIREd updates you posted recently @snowdog and @MoMan.  I LOVE hearing what recent FIRE-ees are up to.


I'm happy to report that I'm 1 month into retirement and I'm loving it!!  Getting lot's done around the house (at my pace), Began swimming and cycling to get ready for a Tri, and eating a lot better than I did when I was on the road Mon-Fri each week.  I do miss my team at work from time to time, but I do not miss the travel, the pressure, the zillion daily emails, meetings, 2 flights per week, etc...  A huge net positive!!!  Freedom is good.

I’m at the 3-month mark since retirement so thought I would check in. So far it’s everything I fantasized about. I’m actually spending a little less than I expected.

So how do I spend my time?  If I’m doing anything remotely productive it probably involves puttering around in my garage wood shop. I’m currently into creating whirligigs. You’ve seen them before: a wooden propeller spins a metal shaft to drive a whimsical figure, like a man endlessly chopping a log. Google it for a visual explanation. I recently completed a mermaid version for my father in law, and have been experimenting with the welder he gave me. I’ve also patched the cracks in the drywall in our dining room and repainted it. Otherwise I’m becoming an expert at doing nothing. Some people really can’t handle it.

So do I miss anything from the work world?  The knee jerk reaction is, not a goddamned thing. But there is one thing: Anticipation. I used to count down the days until Friday or payday or the next holiday, and ultimately retirement. Now it doesn’t matter if it’s Monday, Friday or Columbus Day. But that’s ok with me.

I’ve failed a bit on my plan to bike extensively. I put 60 miles on my bike the first free week and developed some tendinitis in my elbow. So I spent $300 to have my bike reconfigured with a higher gooseneck and swept back handle bars (plus some other overdue maintenance). It makes a huge difference.

One other thing is my mom’s worsening aging. One week into my retirement she suffered a minor stroke and needed hospitalization. It’s taken a toll on her short term memory. It’s part of life. It sucks but now it’s no big deal to run to her place at a moment’s notice. Fortunately my late father had the foresight to sock some money away for their future. Fingers crossed that it will last long enough.

And then there’s travel. I don’t need anyone’s permission or approval anymore to leave town whenever I want. It’s totally subject to my wife’s work schedule. Consequently I am writing this from an air b-n-b in Scandinavia. Yeah retirement!

PhilB

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #3021 on: December 02, 2019, 05:41:15 AM »
It's truly amazing to see that huge list of 'CONFIRMED' names.  Congratulations to each and every one.  As the end of 2019 approaches I thought it might be fun to go back to page 1 of the thread and see what became of the first ten people to post on it.  After a bit of searching about in the forum I can reveal that:
  • two of the ten seem to have left the site (Getoutsoon and Lowerbills).
  • ysette9 was a visitor from the 2020 cohort who was just hanging out with the cool kids in the 2019 thread. Still on track for 2020
  • Chrissy seems now to be talking about 2027 or 2030 having had a couple of kids.
  • madamwitty and her husband both went part time in 2018 and are coasting their way to full FIRE.
  • markbike528CBX and PhilB couldn't stand the pace and OLYed in 2018
  • Parizade, Livingthedream55 and Gerard all lasted the course and are proudly wearing their 'CONFIRMED' badges.

Once again congratulations to each and every one in the coolest, brightest, sexiest and, above all, most humble cohort.

firebrand

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  • *
  • Posts: 18
Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #3022 on: December 02, 2019, 07:03:41 AM »
Nothing could keep me from confirming next week. I couldn't change my mind now if I wanted to because that would put me in breach of contract. If I don't sign into this website and confirm that I'm out next Friday then you can assume I'm either in a coma or dead and if it's the first I'll update soon after I wake.

Only one more Monday!

NotJen

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #3023 on: December 02, 2019, 07:17:31 AM »
Just starting my last Monday!  Everything is on track for my last week.  It's going to be weird.

chasesfish

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #3024 on: December 02, 2019, 08:46:30 AM »
Just have to check in and say....it is incredible to NOT be working the Monday after Thanksgiving.

We always had to jam five weeks of work into about three due to everyone's vacation schedules.  Just insane

Chrissy

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #3025 on: December 02, 2019, 12:04:21 PM »
Hey @PhilB !  Thanks for the shout-out.  I'm happy to report that, had we kept everything the same, Husband could've RE-ed at the end of this month, but... kids... and lifestyle inflation (out-of-state Money Pit).

If anyone wants to follow along, I've a journal over at https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/journals/i-live-on-bananas/

It's fun watching everyone else break free.  Congratulations, all!

Sid Arthur

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  • *
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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #3026 on: December 02, 2019, 01:14:02 PM »
I am on track to leave at the end of this week. I spent a few moments trying to "lock in" the feeling of a Monday morning at work. It could be my last one ever!

Looking forward to having no work obligations next week :)

stoaX

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #3027 on: December 02, 2019, 03:15:14 PM »
I am on track to leave at the end of this week. I spent a few moments trying to "lock in" the feeling of a Monday morning at work. It could be my last one ever!

Looking forward to having no work obligations next week :)

I'm 5 months retired now...and when I have fond memories of being at work I know that it's just that I've forgotten what it was really like.   Wish I would've locked into my memory that Monday morning feeling.

Trifle

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #3028 on: December 02, 2019, 03:29:02 PM »
Just have to check in and say....it is incredible to NOT be working the Monday after Thanksgiving.

Haha -- I thought that too @chasesfish!  10 months after FIREing I hardly think about work at all anymore, but this morning I did.  It was snowing, and it was super delicious not having to get dressed and drive to work on this particular Monday. 

chasesfish

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #3029 on: December 02, 2019, 03:52:38 PM »
Just have to check in and say....it is incredible to NOT be working the Monday after Thanksgiving.

Haha -- I thought that too @chasesfish!  10 months after FIREing I hardly think about work at all anymore, but this morning I did.  It was snowing, and it was super delicious not having to get dressed and drive to work on this particular Monday.

This time of year was so bad at work I actually had an old work nightmare, the wake up at 2am type worried I didn't get three tasks done simultaneously.  Glad to be free

Trifle

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #3030 on: December 05, 2019, 02:47:07 AM »
FIREing today we have @Flavius in the UK.  Let us know how your last day goes!

                                                               

Livingthedream55

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #3031 on: December 05, 2019, 09:14:09 AM »
Thanks@PhilB for the mention.

I haven't posted on these boards since I FIREd so I thought I would check in.

On a positive note, since June I have taken trips to Canada, Los Angeles, Ireland and Florida. I actually had a couple of other trips planned which I had to cancel (you'll understand when you read below).

I have lost 30 pounds (I'm still overweight so have more to go), I am eating much more healthily and I have great "numbers" at the doctor's. I'm 60 and just take a multivitamin every day.

I volunteer as a tutor to someone who wants to improve her English and pass the US citizenship test. We meet once a week at the local library.

That's the good stuff.

Sadly, three family members became very ill within a month of my retirement.

First was my mom who died in September after many years with Altzeimers. It was a priviledge to be fully present and to have unlimited time to be with her and to take care of a myraid of details before and after her passing.

Also my brother was diagnosed with a Stage 3 inoperable lung cancer so I have spent 1-3 days a week taking him to treatment or hanging out with him at his home so his wife can continue to work (and preserve their health insurance). I have become his financial mentor and helped him manage filling out a myriad of applications and documents he needed help with and he has asked me to help his family manage the financial arrangements when the time comes. He doesn't have much financially so I have also gifted him some money to help pay the bills (he's been unable to work since July). No life insurance, little savings, underwater on his car loan.

My young adult daughter (who lives at home) has been in and out of psychiatric and eating disorder treatment facilities since July. It came as a real shock to me that she was so ill. She lost her job and is really struggling. I go to several support groups to help me better support her and understand what my role should be. She has been actively suicidal at times. It's terrifying.

So, life has thrown me some pretty devastating curveballs. I did not envision this for my first six months of FIRE. I don't miss work AT ALL and the money aspect has been just fine and I am grateful that I can focus my emotional energy on taking care of myself and supporting those I love. I am frequently sad and overwhelmed. Meditation helps. Family support groups help. I saw a therapist briefly but she was well meaning but not terribly helpful. I didn't feel like I got much out of the sessions. I may try to find someone else in the New Year.

The past six months have been really, really hard.

The "glass half full" part of me recognizes that being freed from having to go out and earn money is a real, real blessing. I have the time and the energy to be able to say "Yes, I can drive you to the doctors", etc.

Maybe the lesson I want to impart on these boards is don't delay FIRE. Appreciate your health and the health of those you love. Take care of yourself. Don't sweat the small stuff.




Trifle

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #3032 on: December 05, 2019, 10:55:08 AM »
My deepest condolences on your mom's passing @Livingthedream55 .  I'm so sorry about the sad and scary situations with your brother and daughter, but glad you are there and able to support them.  I'm glad to hear you are taking care of yourself at this tough time.  Your words are wise -- Time is all we have.  Sending positive thoughts your way.

Loren Ver

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #3033 on: December 05, 2019, 05:17:05 PM »
@Livingthedream55 Thank you for coming back with an update.  I wish everyone's update was all roses and rainbows, but that isn't how life works.  FIRE doesn't fix these problems, but I am glad it gave you the flexibly to be there for your loved ones.  Thank you for being there for them, you are the only you they have.

*internet hugs*

Miss Piggy

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #3034 on: December 05, 2019, 08:57:29 PM »
Maybe the lesson I want to impart on these boards is don't delay FIRE. Appreciate your health and the health of those you love. Take care of yourself. Don't sweat the small stuff.

Agreed. Losing two young and healthy good friends this year really cemented my FIRE decision. One was sudden (aneurysm), and one was over the course of about 4 months (brain cancer). These women took fantastic care of themselves and died young. It was truly heartbreaking.

I'm sorry you're dealing with all of this, Living..., but I'm happy you are able to be there for these people you care about.

Trifle

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #3035 on: December 06, 2019, 03:10:44 AM »
Heading in to their LAST DAY OF WORK today we have @Sid Arthur, @NotJen, and @6-Saturdays.  Congrats ladies and gents!  Let us know how it goes and when it's official!

NotJen

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #3036 on: December 06, 2019, 07:41:42 AM »
It’s going to be a rough day.  Even though I’ve never been very social, it’s hard saying goodbye to the people, and I’m also oddly anxious about losing my digital work history.

firebrand

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  • *
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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #3037 on: December 06, 2019, 09:47:13 AM »
It’s going to be a rough day.  Even though I’ve never been very social, it’s hard saying goodbye to the people, and I’m also oddly anxious about losing my digital work history.
I'm excited for you NotJen! I think I can relate to your comment about digital history. I feel like Hilary Clinton today, deleting tons of Emails from our platform*. Many of my employee Emails are confidential in nature and I owe it those who have confided in me to protect their confidentiality.

*meant as humor, definitely not political commentary

Loren Ver

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #3038 on: December 06, 2019, 03:22:01 PM »
Heading in to their LAST DAY OF WORK today we have @Sid Arthur, @NotJen, and @6-Saturdays.  Congrats ladies and gents!  Let us know how it goes and when it's official!

Woohoo exciting times. Gogogogogogo!!!!

NotJen

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #3039 on: December 06, 2019, 03:39:11 PM »
Heading in to their LAST DAY OF WORK today we have @Sid Arthur, @NotJen, and @6-Saturdays.  Congrats ladies and gents!  Let us know how it goes and when it's official!
Confirmed! I’m out!

Hope it went well for everyone else leaving today!

Trifle

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #3040 on: December 07, 2019, 02:41:10 AM »
Confirmed! I’m out!
Hope it went well for everyone else leaving today!

CONGRATS @NotJen, and happy birthday!!!


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
05/02/19     Edgema (42)                 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
06/30/19     SHO (37)                      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             CONFIRMED
09/27/19     snowdog (58)                 CONFIRMED
09/30/19     Ms. markbike528CBX      CONFIRMED
09/30/19     RetirementDreaming(47) CONFIRMED
09/30/19     macmoneysaver (59)      CONFIRMED   
10/01/19     SnakesInTheGrass (55)   CONFIRMED
10/01/19     Trix76  (43)                    CONFIRMED
10/03/19     iluvzbeach (49)               CONFIRMED SEMI-FIRE
10/11/19     BigMoneyJim (49)           CONFIRMED
10/14/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)         CONFIRMED
10/15/19     toocold                          CONFIRMED
10/17/19     I'm Fred (51)                 CONFIRMED
10/22/19     Enigma                          CONFIRMED
11/21/19     Meatgrinder (39)            CONFIRMED
12/03/19     Dresden (52)                 CONFIRMED
12/05/19     Flavius (56)
12/06/19     Sid Arthur (59)              CONFIRMED
12/06/19     NotJen (39)                   CONFIRMED
12/06/19     6-Saturdays (44)
12/12/19     firebrand (59)
12/12/19     Linea_Norway (46)
12/23/19     Life In Balance (49)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)


2019 Cohort with date TBD:
MustacheAnxiety
forward
BlindSquirrel
Mathieu
DireWolf
Thriftyc


OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
CryingInThePool  (44)
Albireo13  (61)
Cookie78
exit2019  (40)
powersuitrecall  (47)
SamIAm38  (30)
Nifty (31) -- OMM to January of 20
Itchyfeet  (47)
JoJo (45)
JumboShrimp -- A few more months to February of 20
SugarMountain -- Trying for January of 20
Pylortes  (42)
texxan1  (47) -- A few more months to March of 20


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

« Last Edit: December 10, 2019, 05:45:05 AM by Trifele »

Livingthedream55

  • Pencil Stache
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  • Posts: 525
  • Location: Massachusetts, USA
Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #3041 on: December 07, 2019, 11:52:59 AM »
Thanks for your comments @Trifele @Loren Ver and @Miss Piggy




dresden

  • Stubble
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  • Posts: 126
Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #3042 on: December 07, 2019, 10:05:33 PM »
My last day was 12/3 - kind of tough to leave the team with a very difficult project due in June, but am super excited to focus more on things we enjoy. 

I am 52 my wife is 50 - she hasn't worked since early 2000 right before our son was born.   We opted to keep a larger cash account rather than paying off the house - but once we wait for some gains to become long term (less than a week) we will be paying off the house.

I took an early pension which allows us to take only a 1.6% draw rate on our savings.  Hopefully the early pension ends up being the right choice over lump sum, but since we wanted to use a 3% draw rate instead of 4% the pension seemed like the right answer as it is worth nearly double the lump sum.  This also allows us to draw mostly post-tax savings until medicare which helps with the healthcare.gov #s.

I was offered some part-time consulting next year with my former company - but I am leaning against it.

Trifle

  • Walrus Stache
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  • Posts: 5902
  • Age: 57
  • Location: Outside, NC, US
    • In The Garden
Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #3043 on: December 08, 2019, 12:59:50 AM »
Welcome @dresden!  Got you CONFIRMED above.  Sounds like you are in a great position!

Loren Ver

  • CM*MW 2023 Attendees
  • Handlebar Stache
  • *
  • Posts: 1223
  • Location: Midwest USA
  • I Retired. Yah!
Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #3044 on: December 08, 2019, 12:22:27 PM »
Welcome dresden!  Yah for pension, sounds like you have some good numbers.  It is good to have options for work open, but it is extra good not to need to take them unless you want to :D.

oldtoyota

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3179
Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #3045 on: December 08, 2019, 03:17:13 PM »
I confirmed my date with Trifele today!

I was working for myself so I did not have a job to leave. Haha. My business is enjoyable for me, and I've been successfully working on ways to make my working time function better with family life and non-business goals of mine. The good news is I have done that with a revised business model.

In the late spring and early summer, I created some tests to see if a service would sell or not. The test went well, and I want to see if I can grow it.

At this stage, I'll continue to develop the business. As I keep going, I think I can leverage my time enough to reduce the time I spend on it while increasing the profits enough for my purposes.

I'd love to have this service mean my expenses are covered. If so, that would mean my money could continue to grow. I like that idea.

In short, I am continuing with my side hustle / business. When Trifele messaged me, I said I was good with being counted as retired or not and she/he said a side hustle doesn't mean I am NOT retired...

So that is my story, everyone! After all this time, I realized I'm no longer attached to the "retired" label. =-D

Edited to add: "NOT" before retired. Oops!

Life is good here. I am proud of launching a service this summer and bringing in $12k. I know that will seem small to some and large to others. Haha. I am pleased because I created that with my own marketing and sales efforts.

My creativity will continue here because I realized I prefer to offer a different service. In taking those earlier steps, I learned what I do and do not like about that business model. I am fairly sure I will not continue with it and will modify my offering based on what I learned.

That is where I am now!

My aim is still to cover my expenses while letting the investments grow. Btw, what a growth year this was!!

Loren Ver

  • CM*MW 2023 Attendees
  • Handlebar Stache
  • *
  • Posts: 1223
  • Location: Midwest USA
  • I Retired. Yah!
Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #3046 on: December 08, 2019, 06:58:06 PM »
Nice update @oldtoyota.  It sounds like you are making good headway in determining what you want to do with your retired self :D. 

Sid Arthur

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 13
Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #3047 on: December 09, 2019, 12:15:11 PM »
I can confirm that I am officially retired and have joined this wonderful cohort in the next phase. This is my first Monday of being retired.

 I'm 59 so not a super RE. My wife is 51 and will be continuing to work for a few years.

Now I'm thinking about how asset allocation should change now I no longer have a paycheck coming in etc. And trying to relax!


Trifle

  • Walrus Stache
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  • Posts: 5902
  • Age: 57
  • Location: Outside, NC, US
    • In The Garden
Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #3048 on: December 09, 2019, 01:06:52 PM »
I can confirm that I am officially retired and have joined this wonderful cohort in the next phase. This is my first Monday of being retired.

YEAH @Sid Arthur!  Congratulations!  You are CONFIRMED above.^  Enjoy those Mondays. ;)

Loren Ver

  • CM*MW 2023 Attendees
  • Handlebar Stache
  • *
  • Posts: 1223
  • Location: Midwest USA
  • I Retired. Yah!
Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #3049 on: December 09, 2019, 06:18:52 PM »
Yeah @Sid Arthur

WOO HOO!!  Early is still early!!

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!