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General Discussion => Welcome and General Discussion => Topic started by: markbike528CBX on January 23, 2016, 12:57:36 PM

Title: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on January 23, 2016, 12:57:36 PM
Didn't  see  a 2019 fire cohort here yet.  Thread started.

Goal Nov 2019 (we finish turning 55).   

Mortgage and late-life student loans will be paid off, a key gatekeeper.

We could be FIRED before, but 2019 seems a reasonable goal.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on January 26, 2016, 04:00:02 AM
Count me in.  I was starting to worry there was something wrong with 2019 as it didn't have a thread!
Our target is summer 2019.  I'll be turning 53 and my wife turning 55.  We are just about FI now (2015 spending matched forecast sustainable income if retiring now), but the kids won't finish high school until 2024 so we would be unable to go travelling until then even if we did retire.  On good days I consider staying on PT after 2019.  On bad days we think about going now, but 2019 is the sweet spot as my wife would be able to access pension funds at 55 and we also have an endowment maturing. That makes it the first date that it all works from a cashflow viewpoint - if we go earlier we have to use the mortgage facility for cashflow, unless I'm lucky enough to get made redundant.  We're running a 2/3rds saving rate, so each year makes quite a difference financially, but neither of us really enjoys the job any more so we think 2019 will be the point when laziness trumps greed!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on February 02, 2016, 01:04:03 PM
Me too! I expect to be debt free and living a happily frugal lifestyle by summer of 2017, but I love to travel so a couple more years of income will give me a good travel budget.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: madamwitty on February 02, 2016, 06:43:39 PM
I originally put myself in the 2020 thread but now am seriously thinking about 2019 as a possibility. We will most likely be "barebones FI" in 2019 (which I define as: able to support basic living expenses on a 4% WR but with discretionary spending constrained beyond my normal spending.)

I'm considering moving in summer of 2020 to be near family in Seattle. I'd like to quit a year ahead (2019) and have time to decompress and really understand what it would be like to raise our kids in SoCal vs. Seattle, not to mention simply enjoying being in California. I'd hate to move and then either regret we didn't do more "California" stuff while we were here, or worse yet, make an uneducated and regrettable decision about moving (or not). I am seriously excited about the prospect of wrapping up my primary career in the next 3.5 years and then only taking paid work if and when the mood strikes. So, call it a gap year leading into RE.

And if the market doesn't completely go to hell we may be "full FI" anyway...
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lowerbills on February 03, 2016, 01:10:06 PM
Originally I was thinking 2020 would be the year, but hoping to get there a year earlier.

Can anyone planning to FIRE in 2019 share some of their numbers?  Net worth, savings rate, annual spend, invested assets (stocks and bonds), rental property & income (if any), mortgage (rate and amount left), kids?, etc...

Just curious what the numbers look like for those of us aiming to FIRE in 2019, and what steps need to be taken in the next couple years.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on February 18, 2016, 11:05:46 AM
Happy to share my numbers / strategy.  Pretty much everything is in pensions to get the tax breaks. 
We were late starters on the FI game as we spent our twenties having fun (but never in debt), our thirties paying off a mortgage and then doubled the size of the house so had to pay that off.  In 2029 we should have £21k pa of final salary pensions kicking in between us and another £8k each of state pension each in 2031 (wife) and 2033 (me) which will give us more than we spent last year.  DC funds are therefore to bridge the gap from 2019, to provide added jam / travel budget and to help out the kids.  These funds currently stand at around £500k, mainly in my works pension scheme.  I'm currently putting in the max £40k pa to my pension and the whole of my wife's £20K part time salary goes into hers so the jam levels are going up rapidly, but there is a good chance that the upcoming budget here next month will throw a spanner in the works with changes to pension rules.
Post retirement the plan is for a high percentage of the bridging funds to be held in cash, with the long term funds probably in VLS80 selling 0.3% every month for an income as that seems like a relatively stress-free system to me.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on February 19, 2016, 07:56:16 PM
.....
Can anyone planning to FIRE in 2019 share some of their numbers?  Net worth, savings rate, annual spend, invested assets (stocks and bonds), rental property & income (if any), mortgage (rate and amount left), kids?, etc...

I was going to be snarky and ask if you wanted SS numbers also, but then I realized that requested info is already on this forum.

  $1.5M after the latest dip
    0.5M  401k -- mostly S&P 500. 50k cash -- waiting to time the dip :-) near max input
    0.4M   Trad IRA. VISAX small cap value
    0.4M.   Taxable  VTSAX TOTAL stock. some VISAX
    0.03M  taxable random small cap
    0.05M. Roth mirrors random small cap 15k cash, from cash mergers --waiting to time the dip :-)
    0.025M gold

80k mortgage left.  Scheduled payoff by 55.  4.125%
  Zillow claims 300K house value which has to be BS
26k student loan 4.88%

expenses~70K including taxes
Age 51 and 51
Youngest kid mostly out of the house.
8.5 grand kids

Not included in FIRE calculation
Pension 4k/yr. leave now, start it now,  if I wait till 60 to start it then 11k
@55 8K/yr. or if I wait till 60 to start it then 19k
SS assumed 1/2. So ~ 13k/yr@ 62
wifes pension pretty small
Wife's 403 pretty small.

Savings rate 25% of gross

edit:  forgot another reason to wait tll 55,  the no-penalty 401k withdrawal.
If I get laid off earlier, then that reason is lost, which may move FIRE either direction

I also want to take DW on company-business work (~1 month) trips to Europe.
1/2 price tourism is better than full price.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Chrissy on March 02, 2016, 01:03:37 PM
Can anyone planning to FIRE in 2019 share some of their numbers?  Net worth, savings rate, annual spend, invested assets (stocks and bonds), rental property & income (if any), mortgage (rate and amount left), kids?, etc...

We're hoping that ONE of us could retire in 2019, but that doesn't mean one of us will.  At that time, we might also choose to move to the LCOL area where we own a paid-off house, I retire, and he picks up part-time contracting work to meet our much reduced expenses until our investments hit terminal velocity.

Net worth is $600k.  Hope to be at $900k at the end of 2019.

Savings rate is 50%.

Annual spend is $46k of which $13k is rent in a big city and $6k is carrying costs on a paid-off, rural lake house in another state that might become our forever home.

Invested assets:  80k ROTHs (index fund), 75k cash, $70k taxable brokerage (individual stocks), 40k 401ks (index funds), 30k in pension (50/50 stocks & fixed assets), $15k in SEP (index fund)... and a little more, but that's the majority.

No rental property or other income.  Current income from jobs:  $115k DH, $50k me.  We're 41 & 38 respectively.

We just had a baby 3 weeks ago, and are planning on more children.  We don't yet know how kids might affect our FIRE plans.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Livingthedream55 on March 16, 2016, 01:29:30 PM
November of 2019 for me. Will be age 60 and have a state govt (I'm in the U.S.) pension of $30,600 annually and an IRA worth at least $300,000 which I shouldn't need to draw on for a while. The IRA will basically be "SHTF" money if something major on the house needs replacement, etc. I plan to keep it untouched/growing for as long as I can. Eventually I will draw down no more than 4% annually. I will get minimal social security due to having a govt pension so not even factoring that in.

I downsized my home last year and carry only a $25,000 mortgage which will be paid off before 2019. I am maxing out my IRA contribution, saving a small amount in deferred compensation and also cash flowing my younger daughter through a state university. Older daughter has graduated, so both of my daughters will have zero education debt.

I plan on a side gig of doing taxes from January - April for the first few years to (1) see if I like it and (2) keep mentally sharp. I do taxes for free for about 8 family members, just using the online software that's out there (think Taxact). Been doing that for about six years. Also plan to get involved in causes I believe in and try to make some small corner of the world a little better.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on March 17, 2016, 02:57:50 PM
Welcome all.

@madamwitty,  From what I hear the Seattle area real estate market is getting frothy. Maybe by the time you're ready it will have blown off some steam.     Tri-Cities is close, yet not too weird on prices.  It might depend on what your sweetspot for "close to relatives" is.   

@Livingthedream55  If I waited till 60 I'd have a similar pension, but I'm not sure I will want to (or will be able to) hang on that long.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: madamwitty on March 17, 2016, 04:39:29 PM
@madamwitty,  From what I hear the Seattle area real estate market is getting frothy. Maybe by the time you're ready it will have blown off some steam.     Tri-Cities is close, yet not too weird on prices.  It might depend on what your sweetspot for "close to relatives" is.   

Haha, my sweet spot for "close to relatives" is "down the street" :-) But since DH gets to weigh it I might have to settle for "same city." I certainly wouldn't mind if the Seattle real estate market cools off by the time I get there, as long as the L.A. market (where I'll be selling) doesn't do it too!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Livingthedream55 on March 22, 2016, 01:32:56 PM
Welcome all.

@madamwitty,  From what I hear the Seattle area real estate market is getting frothy. Maybe by the time you're ready it will have blown off some steam.     Tri-Cities is close, yet not too weird on prices.  It might depend on what your sweetspot for "close to relatives" is.   

@Livingthedream55  If I waited till 60 I'd have a similar pension, but I'm not sure I will want to (or will be able to) hang on that long.

Yes, I'm already having a hard time staying motivated, but I try to keep my eye on the prize! I am switching jobs (same salary) in about a month which should dramatically increase my overall work-life balance.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Gerard on April 10, 2016, 04:04:51 PM
November of 2019 for me. Will be age 60 and have a state govt (I'm in the U.S.) pension of $30,600 annually and an IRA worth at least $300,000 which I shouldn't need to draw on for a while. [...] I downsized my home last year and carry only a $25,000 mortgage which will be paid off before 2019. [...] Also plan to get involved in causes I believe in and try to make some small corner of the world a little better.

This is very similar to my situation. I can draw my pension (both from work and from the govt) at 60, which will provide more than I need. I'm tempted by OMY syndrome, but because most of my friends and family live in a different city than I work in, I just wanna go. I'll have about $120K extra in savings by then, and that'll roughly double if/when I sell my work-city house.

People who need to be self-reliant for their retirement income may look at my savings goals and blanch, but my pensions will provide about twice my bare-bones requirements.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: getoutsoon on April 28, 2016, 10:21:18 AM
Count me in.  Im officially eligible with 30 years of service in 2020 but I have over a year of accumulated sick and vacation that will work toward service credit.  So IM looking at April of 2019.  Already FI just need to hang in there for 3 more years so I can begin collecting my max pension.  If I leave now I will have to wait until 2026 to collect the same amount.  Dealing with politics, whining, laziness in the workplace is really wearing me down...would so like to leave now, but keep telling myself only 3 more years.  Anyhows..I will be 52 in 2019.  Im a late starting new dad (49) with twin babies (6 months), really looking forward to hanging out with them daily and teaching them to fly fish.  Wifey will still have to work for 15 more years..I sympathize with her ;)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on April 28, 2016, 11:38:50 AM
getoutsoon:   Welcome aboard.     I keep thinking I'm young enough to have babykin, but I'm 51 and have stepgrandkids of 10yr old.  My wife is 5 weeks older than I am, so I'm now stuck at realizing I AM that old.  :-)    Sounds like it will be fun to hang out with lots of time for the kids.   Never mastered fly fishing since I have no patience.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: ysette9 on April 29, 2016, 02:05:49 PM
@ getoutsoon:
Quote
Already FI just need to hang in there for 3 more years so I can begin collecting my max pension.  If I leave now I will have to wait until 2026 to collect the same amount.  Dealing with politics, whining, laziness in the workplace is really wearing me down...would so like to leave now, but keep telling myself only 3 more years.  Anyhows..I will be 52 in 2019.  Im a late starting new dad (49) with twin babies (6 months), really looking forward to hanging out with them daily and teaching them to fly fish.  Wifey will still have to work for 15 more years..I sympathize with her ;

I'm a little confused. If you are FI now, why are you working another 3 years and why is your wife staring at 15 long, hard years of labor?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: getoutsoon on May 02, 2016, 08:02:04 AM
So yes.  I could retire today with my savings and be fairly comfortable.  I have decided to stay 3 more years to receive my max pension with thirty years of service.  If I don't stay the three years I wont have 30 and will in turn have to wait 10 years to collect my pension benefit at the same rate.  Wife has chosen to continue to work..she knows she has the option to walk away if chooses at anytime.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: cerat0n1a on May 31, 2016, 02:46:46 AM
I'm going to count myself in for a May/June 2019 finish too, as that's when youngest son will have finished school. Probably have enough to retire now, if we downsized our house. Many of our post-work plans involve slow travel and kids' study & exams over the next few years take priority over that. Three more years of work will also cover university costs nicely and give a bigger safety margin. It's possible that I might quit earlier; only a financial disaster would make it later than this.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on June 03, 2016, 11:09:09 AM
Finally I have an actual date:
              December 29th 2019 , my marriage anniversary, so I better remember it  :-)

Reasons why (mostly for my memory)
   1) I will be 55
            the 401K will be open without penalty, I think this will be mostly for flexibility and tax (future RMD minimization), not need
            the pension "70 points" retirement eligibility opens up
            health insurance continuance via retiree plans is available --not for 70 points
   2) If we are not ready by then, then we will never be
   3) Gives me time to get a joint replaced on company time
   4) Other dates in December are not good for sad memory reasons
   5) SHTF/ TEOTWAWKI can happen between now and then without much effect if there is _any_ level of bounceback.
   6) I will have enough taxable alone to span the gap between 55 and 59.5, with some left over, even at my max spend
   7) I will have beat my dad to a earlier retirement, just for fun
   8) House paid off, as I don't want a mortgage in retirement, even though the rate isn't bad
   9) I'll have time to calmly work out my withdrawal strategy as a theory, not as I'm in the middle of it.
   x+1) Other reasons to be added later........

Of course, it could be sooner due to me or the company parting ways.

edits for ongoing thoughts
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: RetirementDreaming on June 05, 2016, 06:01:51 PM
We are in for Sept 2019 unless we decide to go for Q4 bonuses then it would be 1/2/20.    Kids will be 13 and 11 years old.  We plan to stay in the current house until they graduate from high school so we are planning on paying a mortgage for 7-8 years after FIRE.  After that we will sell the house and buy something for cash. 

Biggest risk is our jobs.  We have the same employer.  Last 2 years they laid off 4% & 12% of the workforce.  I’m beginning to think we both may not last 3 more years.    We are 62% of our goal.  Originally our plan was 2021 but I’m hoping with some luck and keeping spending in check we make 2019 happen. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: elaine amj on June 06, 2016, 09:56:22 AM
I wanted to FIRE this year. But DH has asked that we stay working for a few more years as he is worried about large unexpected expenses in the next couple of years. I'll give him until 2019 and then I'm OUT. He will likely do OMY or (my hope) switch to teaching online on a part-time basis so we can be mobile.

In 2019, my oldest child will be starting university. The latest budget says that families under a certain income level will qualify for FREE tuition. If we FIRE, she would qualify. Would save us about $6-7k/year (maybe more if they qualify for other needs-based aid). X2 when her brother joins her the following year. That's a good argument :)

Plus, I turn 40 - would be a fabulous way to celebrate my 40th birthday!

We have about $680k now, not including a house that will be paid off in 2 months. Once the mortgage is done, we'll have an extra $1200/mo to plow into savings. I'd like to say we spend about $40-45k/year. But now that I am tracking my spending, it's looking more like $50-$55k/yr. Working hard on getting the spending DOWN. We do have several different small pensions that will help. And living in Canada means no crazy healthcare worries (yes, we have to have some money set aside, but not as many unknowns as in the US. Free healthcare has its advantages).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on July 01, 2016, 11:22:56 AM
 MissNancyPryor, welcome, we're flattered to be called the cool kids, https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cool_Kids_(album), although this cohort thread doesn't seem as active as some others nearby in time.

If Mr-MissNancyPryor waits till 55 then his current 401k opens up penalty free.

I concur on the 600K 50-59.5 value.   My wife plans a precise age 96 demise.

Tapping the 401k early will minimize RMD later.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on September 22, 2016, 12:16:26 PM
Was originally in the 2020 cohort by virtue of wanting to hang in until the year of my 55th birthday for penalty-free access to my TSP, but then last year Congress passed the law allowing retiring LEOs to access the TSP in or after the year of their 50th birthday.  So now my retirement eligibility date, May 7, 2019, is my operative FIRE date -- though there are good reasons for me to stick around until December 2019.  Either way, I don't see myself working in this job in 2020.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on September 22, 2016, 01:57:36 PM
Yo dude, that is waaaay gnarly!    - sorry the '80's thing just hit to hard to ignore.

Welcome.

Like you I'm probably moving up the date ( still 2019), since I realized that I have access to my 401k as of 1/1/19, not just on my actual birthday(55 in 2019).

edit to fix spelling of waaay
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on September 23, 2016, 06:00:25 AM
Yo dude, that is waaaay gnarly!    - sorry the '80's thing just hit to hard to ignore.

Welcome.

Like you I'm probably moving up the date ( still 2019), since I realized that I have access to my 401k as of 1/1/19, not just on my actual birthday(55 in 2019).

edit to fix spelling

Yep, originally I was going to go in Jan 2020 for the same reason, then Congress gave us that gift!  Truth is, state and local LEOs were already entitled to access their accounts at 50, but the Feds got left out somehow, so the disparity was corrected after much lobbying by Fed LEO groups.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: oldtoyota on September 25, 2016, 12:01:33 PM
So glad to find this thread! I started one earlier this month because a search did not reveal this one. I was wondering where all of you were. =-)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Enigma on October 12, 2016, 09:56:27 AM
Okay well I have tracked a few different financial forums.  After a lot of reading I have decided that I will plan to RE in 2019.  I already feel that I am FI with residual income from investment properties.  Not to mention this has been a pretty good year for me with my investments.

RE is a new concept for me and I have only really been thinking about it the past 3 months.  If I can wait till 2019 then I should have no issue with RE and continuing to maintain wealth and increase net worth.

I expect to be debt free (or very close) and living a lavish lifestyle by independence day of 2019.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SamIAm38 on October 19, 2016, 06:22:26 AM
I'm hoping to semiretire in may 2019, so does that put me in this group?

27 now, NW 125k.
Trying to sell my house next year to bump be up to 275k.
Trying to make/save enough to get me to 500k in May 2019. May because I can front load my 401k and build up my emergency fund beginning of the year 2019 before I call it quits.
Even if I don't get to 500k I may call it quits anyways since I will likely do more work later on. The minimum goal is to transition out of corporate america and get into teaching, start ups and short term contracts on my schedule.

Putting a date on this goal has been super helpful in keeping me motivated and driven. Really exciting! I feel so lucky to be put in a situation where I can do this so quickly, it will be great to take advantage of that and leave the 9-5 grind and shift gears to self improvement and experiences.
Title: I'm in! FIRE on July 31, 2019
Post by: Thedividebyzero on October 22, 2016, 02:15:06 AM
First post.  So cool to have this forum. 

Age = 43 (I wish I had seen the light sooner)
Married with 3 children.  Oldest is 15. 
FIRE target -  July 31, 2019 (hope to collect one last bonus before bidding a fond farewell to corporate life)
Current NW =$ 890k
SR = 75%
FI number = $1.5MUSD

Good luck everyone. 

- Zero
If only I could divide by zero.


Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: oldtoyota on October 23, 2016, 07:31:39 AM
I'd love to get answers from other 2019ers.

I started a business a year ago and did well. I'm deciding whether I want to continue the business or take the route of finishing out my next three years in a job.

Each path has upsides and downsides and neither is more secure than the other, so I am not sure what to do next.

My overall goal is to retire in three years, and so I think it makes sense to decide based upon which will get me to the goal in an efficient way. That's why I'm considering a job instead of continuing the business.

Pros and cons of each.

JOB
good
*steady income
*benefits
*interesting work, chance to learn more

bad
*could be laid off anytime
*less time with family
*routine schedule
*commuting

BUSINESS
good
*flexible schedule
*income good in past
*creative--can make decisions without a committee
*more time with family yet business concerns loom

bad
*can be lonely working at home
*future income uncertainty
*learning curve: figuring out what to say yes/no to based on my goals
*learning curve 2: figuring out what I don't know


Any thoughts on how to decide?

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SamIAm38 on October 23, 2016, 10:40:01 AM
2019 isn't that far away. Can you do both? Do 40 hour weeks at the salary job and do the business on the side to get the benefits of both? I've always liked the idea work life balance and try to be reasonable with my workload but now that I have a set date I have been much more inclined o put in the extra hours and effort to ensure I reach my goals. I'm currently working a salary job, tutor on the side and am potentially going to do some part time consulting work. It sucks, but keeping in mind that I'm almost there and this will make me meet my goal makes it worth of for me.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on October 23, 2016, 10:46:08 AM
...
I started a business a year ago and did well. .......

Pros and cons of each.

JOB...
bad
*could be laid off anytime.   
??? this is bad with FU money AND side business already started?? says markbike528

BUSINESS
good
.......

bad....
*learning curve: figuring out what to say yes/no to based on my goals
--- putting down a yoke that you've picked up voluntarily might be difficult  ---says markbike528

Any thoughts on how to decide?
Sorry, no real help here.
Disclosure: I've been a corporate drone all my working career.



First post.  So cool to have this forum. 
.......

Good luck everyone.

- Zero
If only I could divide by zero.
Welcome! 
 Some people think if you divide by zero you get infinity (...and beyond!)



I'm hoping to semiretire in may 2019, so does that put me in this group?
Yup, you're welcome here!

<looks around ....sees no Internet Retirement Police>
<whispers ... we won't tell>
Title: Re: I'm in! FIRE on July 31, 2019
Post by: oldtoyota on October 23, 2016, 08:19:48 PM
First post.  So cool to have this forum. 

Age = 43 (I wish I had seen the light sooner)
Married with 3 children.  Oldest is 15. 
FIRE target -  July 31, 2019 (hope to collect one last bonus before bidding a fond farewell to corporate life)
Current NW =$ 890k
SR = 75%
FI number = $1.5MUSD

Good luck everyone. 

- Zero
If only I could divide by zero.

Welcome!

Ah, I think we all wish we'd learned sooner. I was frugal but not to the level I am today. Live and learn!

With your current NW, it sounds like you didn't mess up too horribly. ;-)

Title: Re: I'm in! FIRE on July 31, 2019
Post by: Thedividebyzero on October 24, 2016, 04:53:00 PM
First post.  So cool to have this forum. 

Age = 43 (I wish I had seen the light sooner)
Married with 3 children.  Oldest is 15. 
FIRE target -  July 31, 2019 (hope to collect one last bonus before bidding a fond farewell to corporate life)
Current NW =$ 890k
SR = 75%
FI number = $1.5MUSD

Good luck everyone. 

- Zero
If only I could divide by zero.

Welcome!

Ah, I think we all wish we'd learned sooner. I was frugal but not to the level I am today. Live and learn!

With your current NW, it sounds like you didn't mess up too horribly. ;-)

Thanks for the comment and the welcome.  I have always been frugal as well, except for the purchase of that brand new Toyota SR5 4X4 3 days after I graduated from college, I've mostly made good big purchase decisions.  My big mistake was not understanding in a definitive way how my savings rate would impact the years required to retire and totally underwhelming my 401K contributions for the first 10 years of my working life.  If I had done the math in my mid-20's, I think I would have put more of a priority on saving. 

Without the significant growth in my salary over the last 10 years, my networth would be much lower.  I got lucky. 

By the way, I drive a 1994 4 runner now.  It has 250k miles on it and it is beautiful!  :)
Title: Re: I'm in! FIRE on July 31, 2019
Post by: oldtoyota on October 27, 2016, 12:50:47 PM

My big mistake was not understanding in a definitive way how my savings rate would impact the years required to retire and totally underwhelming my 401K contributions for the first 10 years of my working life.  If I had done the math in my mid-20's, I think I would have put more of a priority on saving. 

Without the significant growth in my salary over the last 10 years, my networth would be much lower.  I got lucky. 


Almost the same here. If I'd understood more about the savings rate earlier in life, I'd already be done!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: oldtoyota on October 28, 2016, 01:17:35 PM


I expect to be debt free (or very close) and living a lavish lifestyle by independence day of 2019.

Best independence day ever. =-))
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: VoteCthulu on November 11, 2016, 12:47:21 PM
FIRE October 15, 2019 is the plan. I want 500k invested and a paid off house, and today I have 430k and owe 120k on my house, so I need to save about 190k in 3 years. Hopefully I can keep working for another 3 years without losing my mind.

Do others find that having a specific date concentrates the mind to forge ahead, or is it a constant distraction?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Thedividebyzero on November 11, 2016, 05:04:43 PM

Do others find that having a specific date concentrates the mind to forge ahead, or is it a constant distraction?

For me it is a little of both.  Having a date and goal is very motivating and dreaming about the future is a favorite past time.   Additionally, I have found that my work related stress is on a steady downward trend that is inversely proportional to my NW

The flip side is that sometimes my fixation on the goal comes at the expense of appreciating the here and now.  My DW, who is awesome beyond description and completely bought in to doing what it takes to achieve the goal, has told me to talk to her when we are six months out.  She's more interested in the now.  She is a zen goddesses.  :)

.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: oldtoyota on November 12, 2016, 08:00:01 PM
I like the idea of having a date. I'll with June 30, 2019 for now.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Iplawyer on November 13, 2016, 08:12:15 AM
Hello - 2019 for me too.  We have over $2M in 401k but my husband is over 60 so no issue there. We have $250K in Roth. We have a house with $1.6M in equity that we will sell by then.  We will be debt free and own a smaller second home in LCOL area where we will live. We plan on a 4% withdrawal rate.  So we will have a very nice standard of living.  The only thing that I question is health insurance for me for 10 years.  I was counting on the ACA - now I don't really know what we'll do.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: VoteCthulu on November 13, 2016, 10:59:05 AM
With 144k per year income (4% of 2m+1.6m) I doubt you would have qualified for an ACA subsidy anyway. At 20k per year, I'll qualify for my state's free health care if it gets too expensive for me to afford.

The real trouble will be for those people who recently retired depending on the ACA subsidies and might be in trouble if/when they go away.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Iplawyer on November 13, 2016, 11:22:13 AM
Well - there is also the issue of actually being able to get insurance.  I could only get it as an employee because of past health history before the ACA.  So I wasn't looking for a subsidy - I was looking for just being able to get it.  That is up in the air now.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: VoteCthulu on November 13, 2016, 10:28:13 PM
That's one of the two parts of the ACA that Trump wants to keep, so I wouldn't worry too much at this point. Next year we'll see what actually gets changed, and anything that survives is unlikely to find a more harsh opposition after Trump.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on December 08, 2016, 01:40:04 PM
I guess I'm back to my original date of Dec 29th 2019. Dang and other words :-)  I had been tempted to 1/1/2019 (~2 years vs ~3 years).

While by law I can withdraw from a 401K without penalty, my employer won't let me take partial withdrawals if I retire before my 55th birthday.  I need to be a "retired person" per the 70 points rule, which is:

 age 55 AND  (age+service) >= 70  retirement in order to have access to partial withdrawals.   

If I take the whole thing, I'd have to pay lots of taxes, unless I roll it over to a IRA, in which case it is locked down till 59.5.  I guess I could then take SEPP or something from the Rollover IRA, but that seems complicated and inflexible.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SamIAm38 on December 08, 2016, 01:41:51 PM
I guess I'm back to my original date of Dec 29th 2019. Dang and other words :-)  I had been tempted to 1/1/2019 (~2 years vs ~3 years).

While by law I can withdraw from a 401K without penalty, my employer won't let me take partial withdrawals if I retire before my 55th birthday.  I need to be a "retired person" per the 70 points rule, which is:

 age 55 AND  (age+service) >= 70  retirement in order to have access to partial withdrawals.   

If I take the whole thing, I'd have to pay lots of taxes, unless I roll it over to a IRA, in which case it is locked down till 59.5.  I guess I could then take SEPP or something from the Rollover IRA, but that seems complicated and inflexible.

Why not try a Roth IRA pipeline?


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Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on December 08, 2016, 03:21:46 PM
....If I take the whole thing, I'd have to pay lots of taxes, unless I roll it over to a IRA, in which case it is locked down till 59.5.  I guess I could then take SEPP or something from the Rollover IRA, but that seems complicated and inflexible.
Why not try a Roth IRA pipeline?

Also seems complicated, and isn't there a 5 year wait for the funds availability, or is that just for new Roths?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SamIAm38 on December 08, 2016, 03:24:57 PM
....If I take the whole thing, I'd have to pay lots of taxes, unless I roll it over to a IRA, in which case it is locked down till 59.5.  I guess I could then take SEPP or something from the Rollover IRA, but that seems complicated and inflexible.
Why not try a Roth IRA pipeline?

Also seems complicated, and isn't there a 5 year wait for the funds availability, or is that just for new Roths?
Yes 5 years, I'm planning on using taxable accounts while I do the pipeline when I pull the trigger for semi retirement


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Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on December 08, 2016, 07:30:40 PM
If I retire @55   + 5 years means the point  of the pipline is moot.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: cerat0n1a on December 09, 2016, 02:47:44 AM
I'm going to count myself in for a May/June 2019 finish too, as that's when youngest son will have finished school. Probably have enough to retire now, if we downsized our house. Many of our post-work plans involve slow travel and kids' study & exams over the next few years take priority over that. Three more years of work will also cover university costs nicely and give a bigger safety margin. It's possible that I might quit earlier; only a financial disaster would make it later than this.

Just providing an update - seems funny looking back on this from 6 months ago. Two unexpected events pushed my NW up past my original FIRE target within 3-4 months of posting. The post-Brexit referendum fall in the pound, bumped the part of my portfolio held outside Britain (most of it) up significantly in £ (but not US$) terms. The takeover of my employer caused a significant uplift to the value of my shares and also my options to vest immediately. Still expecting to keep working until 2019, but I'm about to change jobs within the same company to one with a little less responsibility (and less pay.)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Livingthedream55 on December 09, 2016, 06:21:21 AM
Although I originally was aiming for November of 2019 I think now I could easily do it when I turn 59 1/2 so May of 2019. The difference in my monthly pension amount if I waited those six months is really negligible and I'm thinking when I am that close I won't want to wait. I'm already obsessed and there's still 2 1/2 years to go!

:0 )
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Enigma on December 14, 2016, 05:22:26 AM
Can anyone planning to FIRE in 2019 share some of their numbers?  Net worth, savings rate, annual spend, invested assets (stocks and bonds), rental property & income (if any), mortgage (rate and amount left), kids?, etc...

I am sure I am an outlier...

Current Net Worth (Assets - Liabilities): $990k US
Current Retirement Accts (Stocks/Bonds): 130k (currently maxing IRA/401k)
Current Savings Rate: 60% (ish)
Avg Spend (3-4k/month)
Taxable Invested Assets (Stocks/Bonds): 1k growing slowly (Retirement growing rapidly)
Rental property: 1.1Mil (money not tied down goes)
Mortgage Left: 270k @ 5% (meaning 75% of rental properties paid off)
Rental Income: 15k/month, Insurance/Taxes/Repairs 6-7k/month, mortgage 3k/month
6-Fig IT Computer job in DC area (HCOL area)
 *Master's degree + 15 IT certifications + 8 yrs of experience

No kids or sig other
Aggressively paying off my rental property mortgage with every penny not glued down. eFund is nothing more than leveraging a 0% APR credit card (excellent credit) or not paying extra principal towards my mortgage
Title: 2016 YE update
Post by: Thedividebyzero on December 18, 2016, 02:10:49 AM
Thought I would drop an almost-year-end update on the Zero's progress towards a July 2019 FIRE.

Thanks to a continued rising tide of stock valuations, we are now projecting to achieve FI a few months ahead of our target.  If we can keep this going for another couple years, I might just hit the magic number before my 46th birthday!

I still feel uneasy with what appears to be an overvalued US market and fully expect the Trump effect that seems to be influencing the markets to vaporize once people realize just what a mistake we have made in electing this buffoon, but hey, may as well enjoy the optimism while we can. 

NW = $935K USD
Monthly Gain = $35K
FIRE Target = $1.5M USD
SR = ~75%
Projected FIRE = April 2019

As much as I hate watching the news these days, I will be paying close attention to just how many changes appear in the offing for the ACA.  Significant changes to the ACA will certainly be cause for a re-examination of our FIRE plans.

Happy Holidays and best wishes!

- Zero
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: oldtoyota on December 18, 2016, 06:06:53 AM
Although I originally was aiming for November of 2019 I think now I could easily do it when I turn 59 1/2 so May of 2019. The difference in my monthly pension amount if I waited those six months is really negligible and I'm thinking when I am that close I won't want to wait. I'm already obsessed and there's still 2 1/2 years to go!

:0 )

=-) It seems to happen to many of us that our time to RE grows shorter as we gain more experience doing what's needed to make it happen. A good market helps, too.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: oldtoyota on December 18, 2016, 06:08:26 AM
Can anyone planning to FIRE in 2019 share some of their numbers?  Net worth, savings rate, annual spend, invested assets (stocks and bonds), rental property & income (if any), mortgage (rate and amount left), kids?, etc...

I am sure I am an outlier...

Current Net Worth (Assets - Liabilities): $990k US
Current Retirement Accts (Stocks/Bonds): 130k (currently maxing IRA/401k)
Current Savings Rate: 60% (ish)
Avg Spend (3-4k/month)
Taxable Invested Assets (Stocks/Bonds): 1k growing slowly (Retirement growing rapidly)
Rental property: 1.1Mil (money not tied down goes)
Mortgage Left: 270k @ 5% (meaning 75% of rental properties paid off)
Rental Income: 15k/month, Insurance/Taxes/Repairs 6-7k/month, mortgage 3k/month
6-Fig IT Computer job in DC area (HCOL area)
 *Master's degree + 15 IT certifications + 8 yrs of experience

No kids or sig other
Aggressively paying off my rental property mortgage with every penny not glued down. eFund is nothing more than leveraging a 0% APR credit card (excellent credit) or not paying extra principal towards my mortgage

What is your target $ goal? Also, does your NW include money paid for houses?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Enigma on December 19, 2016, 05:49:36 AM
What is your target $ goal? Also, does your NW include money paid for houses?

My target $ goal is more of a "Pay off all mortgages & be debt free" which should be right around $1.4Mil US.  I have had $966k in loans to date with all but $270k paid off.  My NW does include money paid for properties.  I have a link to my financial journey below which I plan to update at the end of Dec.  Also my NW does NOT include where I am currently living (primary residence an apartment in the DC area).

http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/journals/enigma's-personal-financial-journey-and-goals/
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on December 19, 2016, 11:42:42 AM
I guess this my home for now, although maybe it'll be 2018 if good markets and good luck at work hold out.

Currently I am thinking June 2019.

We just ticked off 80% of FIRE target...... or we are at 100% if we commit to spending 20% less lol....... or we are at 96% if we take a 5% WR..... or we could live in a cheaper home.... etc etc

Whatever way we look at it not too much further to go and options aplenty!

If we continue through to 2019, I'll be 47 and my DW 41. Certainly more than enough years spent enduring office politics. Almost time to devote energy to something else.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: VoteCthulu on December 21, 2016, 09:32:07 AM
End of 2016 update.
Status: On Track

Investable Assets (all numbers in thousands of USD).
272 in 401k
118 in Roth IRA
7 in HSA
81 in taxable
Total is 478

Debt
122 remaining on mortgage.

Budget for 2016
42 Savings
20 Taxes
19 Mortgage
13 Living expenses
2 Non-annual expenses (a car this year, a roof a few years ago, probably a water heater soon, etc.)

So to make my retirement goal of $500k and a paid off mortgage in less than 3 years from now, I'll need another $144k. If I keep my savings rate the same and get any investment returns, I should hit it sometime in 2019.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Roboturner on December 21, 2016, 02:10:23 PM
Hoping in! 56% of the way there, hope to be FI oct 2018 and RE Mar 2019!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SamIAm38 on December 21, 2016, 02:26:59 PM
Hoping in! 56% of the way there, hope to be FI oct 2018 and RE Mar 2019!

That's crazy, I'm at 55-56% too.

Anybody else hoping for a stock market dip next year to help get to those 2019 goals?


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Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Roboturner on December 21, 2016, 02:33:30 PM
Hoping in! 56% of the way there, hope to be FI oct 2018 and RE Mar 2019!

That's crazy, I'm at 55-56% too.

Anybody else hoping for a stock market dip next year to help get to those 2019 goals?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I could go for 2016 over and over, Big dip in February before a huge run up? sign me up! Also good to see the percentages match up haha
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on January 03, 2017, 09:24:05 AM
55%-56% of desired stache already saved....

It's pretty impressive that you will save 44% of your retirement Stache in the last 2 years of working. I thought I was being optimistic aiming for to accumulate 20% in 2 years.

20% of 25x annual spending is 5x annual spending. I will be happy if I can save 5 years of spending in just 2 years. Maybe I am being too conservative on the growth I can expect on my exisiting stache.

Of the 44% remaining to be accumulated, what will come from new savings versus investment returns?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SamIAm38 on January 03, 2017, 10:27:42 AM
55%-56% of desired stache already saved....

It's pretty impressive that you will save 44% of your retirement Stache in the last 2 years of working. I thought I was being optimistic aiming for to accumulate 20% in 2 years.

20% of 25x annual spending is 5x annual spending. I will be happy if I can save 5 years of spending in just 2 years. Maybe I am being too conservative on the growth I can expect on my exisiting stache.

Of the 44% remaining to be accumulated, what will come from new savings versus investment returns?

How are you projecting your growth? I'm trying to be conservativish, what I have been doing is project 7% interest a year for my current stash plus whatever I invest. So I'm only planning for market growth for my current sum. Projected just short of the total sum I'm wanting, trying to do it that way on purpose to keep me focused and motivated.


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Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on January 03, 2017, 08:28:14 PM
I do have a spreadsheet, but Am on my phone....

Basically, I have 20x saved already. If that is invested for 2 years at 7%, it will increase by around 15% so that gets me to 23x. I have a saving rate of about 50%, so in 2 years I will save 2 years of spending. That Means I will go from 20x to 25x in 2 years.

To go from say 14x to 25x in 2 years most probably means your savings rate is far more than 50%.

One other thing I would caution on is that if 7% is the gross return then you will need to adjust your expenditure forward by CPI for the 2 years as well. If 7% is the real return, then fine.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 04, 2017, 04:03:50 AM
OK -- I'm in!  Target FIRE date = 8/1/19.  Possibly a few months earlier . . .

We are at 77% for our stash goal, which is $1.1M  ($750k investments plus $350k paid off house equity).  Stash is in 401k, Roth, 457, and taxable.  Should give us enough of a "mix" for good early withdrawal options. 

We are the travelin' kind.  As soon as we FIRE we are hitting the road for three months to celebrate.  If the dollar is still doing ok against the Euro we are going to Europe.   

Thanks for this thread!!   When I count the number of days or weeks it seems far away, but when I read all these posts it cheers me up to no end. 

 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on January 04, 2017, 11:15:12 AM
Welcome aboard Trifele. 2019 is gonna be one fine year!!! We will be traveling extensively too, but
Mostly in Central America.

Played with my spreadsheet today. Lol.

We will see what happens in the next 2 years. We will either finish up in Dec 18 or June 19. DW is a teacher so we'll finish at the end of a term.

We are targeting 25x, and if need be we will do some short term contract work Post Fire if the market doesn't deliver in the first few years.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Iplawyer on January 05, 2017, 08:35:19 AM
That's one of the two parts of the ACA that Trump wants to keep, so I wouldn't worry too much at this point. Next year we'll see what actually gets changed, and anything that survives is unlikely to find a more harsh opposition after Trump.

I cannot even parse these words in any way to understand what you are saying.  But the first actions of Congress are starting and they are dismantling ACA.  And if they keep things like pre-existing conditions  - insurance companies will go out of business without subsidies to account for taking people with pre-existing conditions.  I think health insurance is going to be the single biggest issue I face in looking at ER. And - probably a few others here. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Enigma on January 05, 2017, 11:37:48 AM
It was stupid of the Democrats to pass the ACA without a single republican vote.  They should have expected when the Republicans took control they would get rid of it.  The Dems should have had a more bi-partisan plan that both sides agreed on.  Get rid of it...  I want something that both sides of the table can agree on.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Iplawyer on January 05, 2017, 01:34:51 PM
It was stupid of the Democrats to pass the ACA without a single republican vote.  They should have expected when the Republicans took control they would get rid of it.  The Dems should have had a more bi-partisan plan that both sides agreed on.  Get rid of it...  I want something that both sides of the table can agree on.

It was "stupid" to get insurance for over 20 million people that did not have it?  I disagree.  At that point the two parties were not working together just like the republicans won't work with the democrats when they repeal the ACA without any replacement.  I've always been blessed to have very good insurance.  Many have not been so blessed.  And I don't want a handout - I just want the ability to buy good insurance.  I could not do that before the ACA if I had not been working. 

I hope you like what the republicans do now - and it is guaranteed not be a bi-partisan plan.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 06, 2017, 05:14:45 AM
Welcome aboard Trifele. 2019 is gonna be one fine year!!! We will be traveling extensively too, but
Mostly in Central America.

Played with my spreadsheet today. Lol.

We will see what happens in the next 2 years. We will either finish up in Dec 18 or June 19. DW is a teacher so we'll finish at the end of a term.

We are targeting 25x, and if need be we will do some short term contract work Post Fire if the market doesn't deliver in the first few years.

Thanks, Itchy!  I am very excited.  We are worried about what the ACA changes are going to do to our health insurance expenses, but we'll just have to wait and see . . .  I suppose a worst case scenario is working a bit longer . . .
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: HBFI on January 07, 2017, 02:06:48 PM
Hi everyone.  First time poster, long time MMM forum lurker who has decided to throw my lot in with the 2019 cohort.  I'm targeting 12/31/19 at this point, which would put me a 38 years old.  I've actually been on the FIRE path since I was 24, but had no idea this community even existed until a about 2 years ago.  The inspiration and knowledge gained from reading this forum, MMM and various other bloggers has reshaped my view of what I "need" to RE.  Before I found the FI community I thought I'd be plugging away for another decade from now.  But by focusing on the expense side of things and not just income/investing, I've stripped that down to three years (I reserve the right to make that two years :)

I'm technically "bare bones" FI today, meaning I could cover the basics of my current lifestyle.  I'm planning to pad the stache a little more over the next few years.  Targeting a 3-3.5% SWR (I prefer ranges for variance allowance). I know that's overly conservative, but it's my personal 'sleep at night' range.  I look forward to taking (continuing?) this journey with everyone.  Cheers!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 08, 2017, 09:18:57 AM
Welcome HBFI!!  Our 2019 group is gaining momentum! 

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: oldtoyota on January 09, 2017, 09:20:45 PM
55%-56% of desired stache already saved....

It's pretty impressive that you will save 44% of your retirement Stache in the last 2 years of working. I thought I was being optimistic aiming for to accumulate 20% in 2 years.

20% of 25x annual spending is 5x annual spending. I will be happy if I can save 5 years of spending in just 2 years. Maybe I am being too conservative on the growth I can expect on my exisiting stache.

Of the 44% remaining to be accumulated, what will come from new savings versus investment returns?

How are you projecting your growth? I'm trying to be conservativish, what I have been doing is project 7% interest a year for my current stash plus whatever I invest. So I'm only planning for market growth for my current sum. Projected just short of the total sum I'm wanting, trying to do it that way on purpose to keep me focused and motivated.


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Gosh, maybe I am too conservative. I've calculated 5% growth. From time to time, I'll run scenarios at 7-8%, which I think would be more likely.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: oldtoyota on January 09, 2017, 09:27:56 PM
Well, this is strange. I had dinner with a friend who told me he plans to retire the same year and month as me. I am decades younger. I wonder how he'll react.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: oldtoyota on January 09, 2017, 09:31:45 PM
What is your target $ goal? Also, does your NW include money paid for houses?

My target $ goal is more of a "Pay off all mortgages & be debt free" which should be right around $1.4Mil US.  I have had $966k in loans to date with all but $270k paid off.  My NW does include money paid for properties.  I have a link to my financial journey below which I plan to update at the end of Dec.  Also my NW does NOT include where I am currently living (primary residence an apartment in the DC area).

http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/journals/enigma's-personal-financial-journey-and-goals/

Thank you for the additional info. I'm so nosy/curious.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on January 10, 2017, 10:00:03 AM
Well, this is strange. I had dinner with a friend who told me he plans to retire the same year and month as me. I am decades younger. I wonder how he'll react.

I guess he will be happy to have a golf/ tennis/( any other fun activity of your choosing) partner.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: VoteCthulu on January 10, 2017, 11:52:36 AM
That's one of the two parts of the ACA that Trump wants to keep, so I wouldn't worry too much at this point. Next year we'll see what actually gets changed, and anything that survives is unlikely to find a more harsh opposition after Trump.

I cannot even parse these words in any way to understand what you are saying.  But the first actions of Congress are starting and they are dismantling ACA.  And if they keep things like pre-existing conditions  - insurance companies will go out of business without subsidies to account for taking people with pre-existing conditions.  I think health insurance is going to be the single biggest issue I face in looking at ER. And - probably a few others here.
Nothing has passed yet, but I do expect them to dismantle the ACA, it's just a question of what will be kept and what will be thrown away. Trump said he liked and wanted to keep some parts of the ACA, so we need to wait and see what actually happens rather than become alarmed at drafts still being made. Whatever parts of the ACA not repealed in the next year or two are unlikely to be repealed later, since the Republicans could easily lose the Senate.

Healthcare could certainly be our biggest hurdle, but we won't know until they actually pass the legislation.

Was that easier to parse?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Livingthedream55 on January 11, 2017, 01:54:43 PM
The market has done so well I now have 97% of my "stache!" saved!

I still need to wait two years to let my pension percentage creep up to where I want it to be and I want to continue working till 2019 to pay off DD's college tuition but I'm so close to FI now - woohoo!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: VoteCthulu on January 11, 2017, 04:38:57 PM
Awesome! It's exciting to cross that FI threshold and realize you don't have to work anymore if you don't want to!

When I put my numbers together this year I realized that I could fire right then if I sold my home and moved someplace cheaper, and that security changed my attitude at work: I'm only working for something specific I want instead of just another day of paying the bills.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: oldtoyota on January 11, 2017, 10:17:48 PM

We just ticked off 80% of FIRE target...... or we are at 100% if we commit to spending 20% less lol....... or we are at 96% if we take a 5% WR..... or we could live in a cheaper home.... etc etc


Haha. That sounds verrrry familiar.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: oldtoyota on January 11, 2017, 10:19:08 PM
Well, this is strange. I had dinner with a friend who told me he plans to retire the same year and month as me. I am decades younger. I wonder how he'll react.

I guess he will be happy to have a golf/ tennis/( any other fun activity of your choosing) partner.

Could be! I experienced some snark and grumpiness from him at dinner, so I have a feeling it won't be a rosy time when he finds out. Just seems to be becoming a grump.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: oldtoyota on January 11, 2017, 10:22:09 PM
Awesome! It's exciting to cross that FI threshold and realize you don't have to work anymore if you don't want to!

When I put my numbers together this year I realized that I could fire right then if I sold my home and moved someplace cheaper, and that security changed my attitude at work: I'm only working for something specific I want instead of just another day of paying the bills.

Yep! If we moved to another country, we could both stop working now. If we stay in the HCOLA, then one of us must keep working. I do not like it, but one must compromise in marriage.

My attitude has changed. When I get nervous, I remember the numbers and feel better.



Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: luckyme13 on January 16, 2017, 02:53:46 PM
I'm joining!  It's official and on the internet now so I can't back down.

12/31/2019 goal date but we might wait to ensure we get end of year bonuses as someone else pointed out.
My husband and I will be 45; son will be 6 years old
NW=$1.329MM currently.  Debt is $313k in two mortgages.  One primary and other is rental.   Trying to sell rental as it's out of state and a PITA. 
We plan to move to a lower cost of living area in the next year and reap some good gains on our home sale as we live in a very "hot" market.
I plan to stop working and spend more time with son.  Husband actually likes his job so he is thinking about working 20 hrs a week to cover our living expenses.  Once son goes to public school this will help tremendously as we spend an exorbitant amount on our mortgage and child care currently.
Goal is $2MM NW so we are in hyper-savings mode.  Kicking myself that I didn't start aggressively saving earlier and pre-child but we had a lot of fun and no regrets.  Retiring at 45 will still be pretty awesome.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on January 16, 2017, 09:04:31 PM
Sigh.....

This getting to FIRE is not easy.

I am having a bad week at work, so of course looked at my calculations to see whether I really need to continue to endure these bad weeks (thankfully not every week is so bad), but instead of reducing my number, I concluded it needed to be increased!!!!

I had not allowed for income taxes, which is a pretty big miss. My taxes will definitely  be far less post FIRE, but not zero. I wish!  I have decided I need to increase my number by 10% to create a pool of funds for taxes.

And with a firm FIRE date in mind I have adjusted my spending to be a bit more honest on inflation between today and FIRE. Costs will surely go up.

My FIRE number is getting massive! :(

I still hope to get there in 2019, but will need decent returns on my current stache to get there.

In my new calculations I have dropped from being at 20x to around 17x. Not what I wanted to read after getting a new hole torn in my rear by my boss.

I think I will need the full 3 years to get from 17x to 25x, so let's say my date is now 31 December 2019.

Three more years. Sh&t!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: trix76 on January 16, 2017, 09:08:34 PM
Sign me up! I'm aiming for late 2019 (October or November), when I'll be 43.5 years old. I *may* opt to do a little consulting work, but will primarily be focused on slow travel in South America and beyond for at least a few years, with my SO whose FIRE date is April 2019.

Current numbers (mine only, as we keep our money separate) are:
NW = $550K USD
FIRE Target = $900K USD
SR = ~80%
Annual spending= $30K
Projected FIRE = April 2019
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 17, 2017, 04:02:52 AM
Welcome aboard Trix!  2019 is going to be a mighty fine year!

Itchy -- hang in there man.  You can do it.  Party at my house if we all FIRE by the end of the year.  :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: oldtoyota on January 22, 2017, 10:37:22 AM
Sigh.....

This getting to FIRE is not easy.

I am having a bad week at work, so of course looked at my calculations to see whether I really need to continue to endure these bad weeks (thankfully not every week is so bad), but instead of reducing my number, I concluded it needed to be increased!!!!

I had not allowed for income taxes, which is a pretty big miss. My taxes will definitely  be far less post FIRE, but not zero. I wish!  I have decided I need to increase my number by 10% to create a pool of funds for taxes.

And with a firm FIRE date in mind I have adjusted my spending to be a bit more honest on inflation between today and FIRE. Costs will surely go up.

My FIRE number is getting massive! :(

I still hope to get there in 2019, but will need decent returns on my current stache to get there.

In my new calculations I have dropped from being at 20x to around 17x. Not what I wanted to read after getting a new hole torn in my rear by my boss.

I think I will need the full 3 years to get from 17x to 25x, so let's say my date is now 31 December 2019.

Three more years. Sh&t!!

Ugh. That stinks! Sorry.

On the bright side, better to know that now instead of later.

Any chance you can look for a new job?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on January 24, 2017, 03:31:52 AM

Ugh. That stinks! Sorry.

On the bright side, better to know that now instead of later.

Any chance you can look for a new job?


The bad week is behind me. Onwards and upwards. We will see how 2017 plays out.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Bateaux on January 24, 2017, 09:33:15 PM
For us 2017 was once in play.  Then the election happened, now with health care uncertainty we're in a holding pattern.   We're now over 100k past the minimal NW I'd set several years ago.   I've also lowered expected rate of return to 5% and rate of withdrawal to 3%.  That would yield anout 80k annually and allow 50k spending.   No current debt so we could survive well on that besides the health care wildcard.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on February 01, 2017, 10:50:29 AM
Ok, Feb has arrived. How far did the first month of 2017 take us towards a 2019 FIRE?

Well, I don't want to brag too much, but I had a great Jan financially achieving a NW increase of around double what I need/ hoped for to get to my target in 2019.

Feb looks like it will also be a good month as well (as long as markets stay steady), as I will get paid a pretty decent bonus from my employer.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on February 01, 2017, 01:27:25 PM
Ok, Feb has arrived. How far did the first month of 2017 take us towards a 2019 FIRE?

Well, I don't want to brag too much, but I had a great Jan financially achieving a NW increase of around double what I need/ hoped for to get to my target in 2019.

Feb looks like it will also be a good month as well (as long as markets stay steady), as I will get paid a pretty decent bonus from my employer.

Nice!   Way to go.   :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on February 01, 2017, 01:48:34 PM
For us January was a slightly "down" month in terms of NW increase.  We took a very-long-preplanned two week vacation . . . but that was figured into our FIRE date already, so we are still on track. . .   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on February 01, 2017, 08:43:26 PM
Yeah, we need to book some airfares this month, which might slow the progress slightly. All budgeted for of course ;-)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Roboturner on February 02, 2017, 11:29:47 AM
Quote
UN:Age at
FIRE
Target
Date
MissNancyPryor50Mar-19
Roboturner30Mar-19
Livingthedream5559May-19
cerat0n1aMay-19
dude54May-19
SamIAm3829May-19
oldtoyotaJun-19
Itchyfeet47Jun-19
Enigma39Jul-19
Thedividebyzero45Jul-19
TrifeleAug-19
RetirementDreamingSep-19
VoteCthuluOct-19
trix7643Oct-19
markbike528CBX55Dec-19
HBFI38Dec-19
luckyme1345Dec-19
PhilBTBD
ParizadeTBD
madamwitty36TBD
LowerbillsTBD
ChrissyTBD
GerardTBD
getoutsoon52TBD
ysette9TBD
elaine amj40TBD
IplawyerTBD
BateauxTBD

Let's go 2019! feel free to add/update when necessary!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Chrissy on February 02, 2017, 01:21:10 PM
Quote
UN:Age at
FIRE
Target
Date
MissNancyPryor50Mar-19
Roboturner30Mar-19
Livingthedream5559May-19
cerat0n1aMay-19
dude54May-19
SamIAm3829May-19
oldtoyotaJun-19
Itchyfeet47Jun-19
Enigma39Jul-19
Thedividebyzero45Jul-19
TrifeleAug-19
RetirementDreamingSep-19
VoteCthuluOct-19
trix7643Oct-19
markbike528CBX55Dec-19
HBFI38Dec-19
luckyme1345Dec-19
PhilBTBD
ParizadeTBD
madamwitty36TBD
LowerbillsTBD
Chrissy42Dec 2019
GerardTBD
getoutsoon52TBD
ysette9TBD
elaine amj40TBD
IplawyerTBD
BateauxTBD
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: VoteCthulu on February 02, 2017, 02:21:15 PM
For completeness of the above list, I'll be 39 in 2019.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on February 02, 2017, 04:20:40 PM
Most Righteous Alias Age at
FIRE
Target
Date
MissNancyPryor50Mar-19
Roboturner30Mar-19
Livingthedream5559May-19
cerat0n1aMay-19
dude54May-19
SamIAm3829May-19
oldtoyotaJun-19
Itchyfeet47Jun-19
Enigma39Jul-19
Thedividebyzero45Jul-19
TrifeleAug-19
RetirementDreamingSep-19
VoteCthulu39Oct-19
trix7643Oct-19
markbike528CBX55Dec-19
HBFI38Dec-19
luckyme1345Dec-19
PhilBTBD
ParizadeTBD
madamwitty36TBD
LowerbillsTBD
Chrissy42TBD
GerardTBD
getoutsoon52TBD
ysette9TBD
elaine amj40TBD
IplawyerTBD
BateauxTBD

Updated, corrected formatting.

Thanks Roboturner for starting this.
I had goals of doing this,but I was going to wait till 2018.

I chose Most Righteous Alias instead of User Name, as I was temporarily channeling "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure".
Feel free to change it to something more serious.

I always think of UN # as  a hazardous transportation code, mmmm.... maybe that's an idea  for another column?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on February 02, 2017, 05:38:08 PM
I would love to play, but sadly the only way I could FIRE by 2019 would be winning the lotto ;)

I feel like I'm in 5 of these cohort threads, but it's honestly due to the unknowns between now and the goal.

Theoretically in a best case scenario, I could be very barebone FI by New Years Eve 2019. Which would cover rent, food, health, trans, and pretty much no discretionary spending.

Feel free to kick me out if I don't meet the criteria!

As of 2/1/2017 I am 11X current annual spend, 16.5X barebone FI spend.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on February 02, 2017, 08:59:44 PM
There it is, all formalised in a table. June 2019. Locked and loaded. No backing out now.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on February 02, 2017, 09:47:34 PM
Most Righteous Alias Age at
FIRE
Target
Date
MissNancyPryor50Mar-19
Roboturner30Mar-19
Livingthedream5559May-19
cerat0n1aMay-19
dude54May-19
SamIAm3829May-19
oldtoyotaJun-19
Itchyfeet47Jun-19
Enigma39Jul-19
Thedividebyzero45Jul-19
Trifele52Aug-19
RetirementDreamingSep-19
VoteCthulu39Oct-19
trix7643Oct-19
markbike528CBX55Dec-19
HBFI38Dec-19
luckyme1345Dec-19
PhilBTBD
ParizadeTBD
madamwitty36TBD
LowerbillsTBD
Chrissy42TBD
GerardTBD
getoutsoon52TBD
ysette9TBD
elaine amj40TBD
IplawyerTBD
BateauxTBD

Updated, corrected formatting.

Thanks Roboturner for starting this.
I had goals of doing this,but I was going to wait till 2018.


Added what my age will be at FIRE . . .
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on February 03, 2017, 10:20:43 AM
Most Righteous Alias Age at
FIRE
Target
Date
MissNancyPryor50Mar-19
Roboturner30Mar-19
Livingthedream5559May-19
cerat0n1aMay-19
dude54May-19
SamIAm3829May-19
oldtoyotaJun-19
Itchyfeet47Jun-19
Enigma39Jul-19
Thedividebyzero45Jul-19
Trifele52Aug-19
RetirementDreamingSep-19
VoteCthulu39Oct-19
trix7643Oct-19
markbike528CBX55Dec-19
HBFI38Dec-19
luckyme1345Dec-19
PhilB53Jun-19
ParizadeTBD
madamwitty36TBD
LowerbillsTBD
Chrissy42TBD
GerardTBD
getoutsoon52TBD
ysette9TBD
elaine amj40TBD
IplawyerTBD
BateauxTBD


Added mine in too.  The precise date moves about between 'maybe I'll stay on part time?' and 'exactly how long is my notice period?' depending on how my work day goes!

The maths says I should go now.  My knowledge of my own psychology says I'll sleep easier if I stick it out for a nice big financial comfort blanket.  My target, post-fire, monthly budget is best expressed as £1k for bills, £1k for living, £1k for having fun and £1k just in case.  The fact that the first three numbers already have loads of fat doesn't alter my irrational need for the fourth one.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: powersuitrecall on February 03, 2017, 12:32:50 PM
I'm in!

I chose July 1, but that might change.

Nice table we have going here :)


Most Righteous Alias Age at
FIRE
Target
Date
MissNancyPryor50Mar-19
Roboturner30Mar-19
Livingthedream5559May-19
cerat0n1aMay-19
dude54May-19
SamIAm3829May-19
oldtoyotaJun-19
Itchyfeet47Jun-19
powersuitrecall47Jul-19
Enigma39Jul-19
Thedividebyzero45Jul-19
Trifele52Aug-19
RetirementDreamingSep-19
VoteCthulu39Oct-19
trix7643Oct-19
markbike528CBX55Dec-19
HBFI38Dec-19
luckyme1345Dec-19
PhilB53Jun-19
ParizadeTBD
madamwitty36TBD
LowerbillsTBD
Chrissy42TBD
GerardTBD
getoutsoon52TBD
ysette9TBD
elaine amj40TBD
IplawyerTBD
BateauxTBD
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MoMan on February 09, 2017, 10:32:25 AM
I can’t believe I hadn’t seen this section before. So many nooks and crannies of the forum to poke around and discover, and they are all so awesome!!

About 2 years ago, I decided that the road to F.I.R.E. was looking feasible for me by age 55. I’m currently 32 months away, (October, 2019) which has really changed my outlook on work.

On the positive side, there is a visible, bright light at the end of the tunnel. The goal is well within reach. In fact, I’m pretty confident that I have enough money invested to retire right now, but I plan to work until sometime in 2019 for a few reasons.

And this growing pile of F.U. money has let me silently laugh off the office politics, and the constant grumbling of my co-workers (always discussed – along with the latest luxury sedan lust -- over their $15+ daily lunches).

But this situation has some torturous side effects as well. For one, 32 months feels SOO far away. Freedom is all I think about all day in my beige jail cell. Every project dropped on my desk makes me grumble with resentment. I also feel like I have no one to discuss this all with, which is why I’m posting here.

Anyway, to help inject a tiny dose of positivity into my work week, I have implemented a series of countdown mechanisms. I have a pad of Post-it notes on my desk, which I update weekly. There are 4 numbers: Years remaining (2.66), months remaining (32), weeks remaining (139) and days remaining (970) until F.I.R.E. I also keep a running countdown of the days remaining in my DayMinder desk calendar. I save the Post-it note update for Monday mornings. It feels good to tear that top note off, crumple it up and toss it in the trash, then write down some new, smaller numbers, which makes Monday morning just a teensy bit more tolerable. It’s also good to review the days on the calendar, and look back several weeks to reinforce the progress toward the goal.

So why not just call it quits right now if I seem so damned miserable and have enough money? Fair question. There are several reasons (excuses?).

One is, my wife was already a little freaked out 2 years ago when I first brought early retirement up. Since then, I’ve really reigned in my unnecessary spending, and have been open about how much my pile has grown (we generally keep our money separate outside of paying shared bills like the mortgage, groceries, utilities, insurance, etc.). So she has since come around and is pretty supportive of my decision, but not yet a mustachian. She’s a CPA making considerably more than me and currently loves the job she landed 2 years ago at a small, family owned company. And her commute is a whopping 6 minutes (2 miles). She is part of my backup plan, but I never want her to feel like she needs to subsidize my retirement. I need to be 100% self-sufficient, so I am being really conservative in my saving needs estimates. I have twice as much saved up as I think I will need. I guess this puts me squarely in the Scaredypants camp.

Another reason to gut it out is company benefits. If I have 10 years of continuous service and am 55 or older when I retire, I can keep my company sponsored insurance plan for as long as I pay the premiums (just started my 10th year; whew!). I can even add dependents later. This is not COBRA. I’m not yet sure if I have to wait for my 55th birthday, or if it applies beginning the calendar year I turn 55 like access to the 401(k). Either way, I have to wait at least until Jan. 2019. I will then be able to get an estimate of the premiums and see if it will be cheaper than getting added to my wife’s insurance. I’m guessing it will be less since I work for a huge company.

I also didn’t expect my retirement savings to grow as fast as it has. Holy crap, the last 12 months have been amazing! The majority of my money is invested aggressively in rollover IRAs and my current 401k. With the IRAs, I can’t touch the money without penalty until 59 ½ (yes, I’m aware of the back-door Roth conversion; I work in the retirement saving industry). But with the 401k, once you leave your job you can access the money without penalty starting the calendar year you turn 55.

And lastly, I want to be completely debt free when I do retire. We currently have 18 payments left on the mortgage. With that out of the way, I will have a dozen or so months to crank up a cash stockpile just before retirement. I did suggest raiding our combined savings account to pay off the mortgage now, but my wife wants to use that to make a couple of house repairs (foundation).

So that’s my situation right now.


Except for the equity/debt of the house, these numbers all exclude my wife's personal assets. Not sure what they add up to, but I know she is diligent about saving and investing, just not as aggressive as me.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on February 10, 2017, 03:22:41 AM
Hey Moman

Welcome to the cool kids of 2019!

I can totally relate to the difficulties of having the "right" attitude at work.

When you are not working for a pay rise, or a promotion, and don't care what will happen next if you get fired, then the way one looks at work is changed and it is really hard to trick the mind into giving a sh&t.

The past 3 or 4 years have been exceptional to my NW and with each year, my ambition for trying hard at work is diminished as quickly as my wealth has climbed.

I have to say that I find it pretty intriguing that you have openly shared full details of your personal finances with the world, but your wife doesn't share her financial situation with just you. Just goes to show how different we all are, even within a marriage.

28 months or 868 days remaining.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MoMan on February 10, 2017, 07:42:14 AM
Thanks Itchy! It's so refreshing to find a choir that is singing my songs.

Just to be clear (and I don't believe for a second that you meant to imply this), it's not that my wife isn't willing to share her info; it's more of a case of, "Meh, I'm too lazy to dig that information out." And since my retirement is not dependent on her, I'm fine with that. I do know that she has a well funded retirement account (she oversees her company plan) and contributes monthly to a taxable account.

We have a shared account that we use for emergencies and big repairs which we both contribute to. I set up an automatic twice-a-month contribution. I have no idea what the current balance is, and really don't care that much. I know it's more than enough to cover the cost of a new roof, or a new A/C ... probably both. But I have the same attitude toward it: "Meh, I don't need the money right now, so who cares? Let it grow."

... but your wife doesn't share her financial situation with just you.

Cheers!

--Mike
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lowerbills on February 10, 2017, 08:15:55 AM
To update the list I'm currently 37, will be 40 in 2019.

2019 FIRE is looking a little ambitious at this point.  2016 was not a great year (other than market returns and some timely buys early in the year), but a lot can happen in almost 3 years.

Not to gripe but, health insurance costs alone for my family this year increased by $519 per MONTH.  Would much rather be buying stocks, bonds or real estate with those funds!

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Luck12 on February 10, 2017, 08:34:25 AM
Currently at 27 X annual expenses and looking to FIRE myself in April-May of 2019.  Should be up to at least 30 X by then assuming at least a flat market between now and then.  I have no health issues at all, but of course you never know... and with health care the way it is....  hoping worst case I could move to one of the liberal states like CA, MA. 

Probably going to go on at least a 2-3 month hiking/camping/backpacking trip in the Western US right after FIRE. 

Oh, I will be 41 in 2019. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Roboturner on February 10, 2017, 08:49:16 AM
Quote
Most Righteous
Alias
Age at
FIRE
Target
Date
MissNancyPryor50Mar-19
Roboturner30Mar-19
Luck1241Apr-19
Livingthedream5559May-19
cerat0n1aMay-19
dude54May-19
SamIAm3829May-19
oldtoyotaJun-19
Itchyfeet47Jun-19
PhilB53Jun-19
powersuitrecall47Jul-19
Enigma39Jul-19
Thedividebyzero45Jul-19
Trifele52Aug-19
RetirementDreamingSep-19
VoteCthulu39Oct-19
trix7643Oct-19
MoMan55Oct-19
markbike528CBX55Dec-19
HBFI38Dec-19
luckyme1345Dec-19
ParizadeTBD
madamwitty36TBD
Lowerbills40TBD
Chrissy42TBD
GerardTBD
getoutsoon52TBD
ysette9TBD
elaine amj40TBD
IplawyerTBD
BateauxTBD

Beautiful - keep churnin everyone, 2019 will be here soon enough!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on March 01, 2017, 09:40:28 AM
Feb update.

Another Awesome month, primarily due to the insane Sydney property market and some good savings. Did ok on the share market not great, particularly Oz shares were a non event. Lost a little on Bisbane property, but not much.

My 2016 bonus wasn't paid in Feb, so something to look forward to in March.

When I finally locked in my FIRE number and date last year, I thought I was being very ambitious. However, in the first 2 months of 2017 my NW has increased by double what I was shooting for. Is 2018 even remotely possible.....

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on March 01, 2017, 09:54:30 AM
Itchyfeet, One Less Year is an acceptable way to leave the cohort.   One MORE Year (OMY) is not acceptable.   ;-)

I think I may have shortened my time to fire(d) by implying to colleagues that I'm willing to roll over and play dead if someone makes it "a condition of employment" that I fill out a form that I promised myself I'd never do again.

We are FI and could RE by any stretch of the reasonable imagination, but I can't pull the plug myself.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on March 01, 2017, 10:22:34 AM
I hear you on not being able to pull the plug.

My FIRE number has risen quite a lot over the past 2 years. Hopefully it has stopped rising now. Lol.

I was just commenting on another thread that selling out of Sydney real estate now, and taking profits, would probably reduce some FIRE risk as Sydney residential property is scarily expensive now after unbelievable rises over the past 3 years.. But, if we do sell now it's making a firm committment that we don't intend returning to working in sydney ever again. It's a decision that makes FIRE very real. Yey or yikes, or a bit of both.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: zinnie on March 01, 2017, 01:36:38 PM
Can I join? I've wanted to be FI before I turn 36. Mint currently says February 2019, which has me five months ahead!

Added myself below. Nice to meet you, all :)

Most Righteous
Alias
Age at
FIRE
Target
Date
zinnie35Feb-19
MissNancyPryor50Mar-19
Roboturner30Mar-19
Luck1241Apr-19
Livingthedream5559May-19
cerat0n1aMay-19
dude54May-19
SamIAm3829May-19
oldtoyotaJun-19
Itchyfeet47Jun-19
PhilB53Jun-19
powersuitrecall47Jul-19
Enigma39Jul-19
Thedividebyzero45Jul-19
Trifele52Aug-19
RetirementDreamingSep-19
VoteCthulu39Oct-19
trix7643Oct-19
MoMan55Oct-19
markbike528CBX55Dec-19
HBFI38Dec-19
luckyme1345Dec-19
ParizadeTBD
madamwitty36TBD
Lowerbills40TBD
Chrissy42TBD
GerardTBD
getoutsoon52TBD
ysette9TBD
elaine amj40TBD
IplawyerTBD
BateauxTBD
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 02, 2017, 03:45:03 AM
Welcome Zinnie!!  2019 is going to be a lot of fun. 

Though if the current market conditions hold a while longer, I suspect some of you early-2019 folks may be joining the 2018 group!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Livingthedream55 on March 02, 2017, 06:33:33 AM
I would love to play, but sadly the only way I could FIRE by 2019 would be winning the lotto ;)

I feel like I'm in 5 of these cohort threads, but it's honestly due to the unknowns between now and the goal.

Theoretically in a best case scenario, I could be very barebone FI by New Years Eve 2019. Which would cover rent, food, health, trans, and pretty much no discretionary spending.

Feel free to kick me out if I don't meet the criteria!

As of 2/1/2017 I am 11X current annual spend, 16.5X barebone FI spend.

Hi 2Birds1Stone,

Welcome! Of course we won't kick you out! Sometimes being in the cohort and setting a time-related goal can be an additional motivating factor. Who knows what is possible for you in the next two years? Have you ever done a case study? Any chance you can increase income/reduce expenses?

We are here to cheer you on!

: 0 )
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on March 02, 2017, 06:46:00 AM
Hi 2Birds1Stone,

Welcome! Of course we won't kick you out! Sometimes being in the cohort and setting a time-related goal can be an additional motivating factor. Who knows what is possible for you in the next two years? Have you ever done a case study? Any chance you can increase income/reduce expenses?

We are here to cheer you on!

: 0 )

Hello there.

I don't think I've ever done a formal case study, BUT I lay out my income, expenses, and assets around the 1st of the month in my journal, super consistently over the past 26 months.

For 2015 my savings rate was 76.25%
For 2016 my savings rate was 80.65%
For 2017 my savings rate will be anywhere between 60-80%

My income is very unpredictable. I am in B2B sales and my base salary makes up a small portion of that income. I should *knock on wood* be in the 70-80% range for 2017. My expenses are fairly low, projected to be $24k all in for 2017.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: zinnie on March 02, 2017, 08:43:54 AM
Welcome Zinnie!!  2019 is going to be a lot of fun. 

Though if the current market conditions hold a while longer, I suspect some of you early-2019 folks may be joining the 2018 group!

Thank you! Hoping the market conditions hold, but also a little nervous about hitting my number just because we're in a bubble. Either way, i guess I'll take it :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: VoteCthulu on March 02, 2017, 12:09:03 PM
Welcome to the club, have a drink and then get back to work :)

We might be in a bubble (who knows), but at least we have a couple years before we have to pull the rip cord and find out whether our planning was good enough to see us through a correction.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Roboturner on March 03, 2017, 10:19:11 AM
Bubble..... I am a helium balloon!!!!

I feel all of my investments are floating way above where they should be, and coninuying to accelerate into another planet.

I feel like a big wave surfer. I have been having in the green room for a while, just gathering info. Now I need to point my puny board down a massive wave and just hope it doesn't break on my back.

Agreed! We're at the point where daily fluctuations in the market dwarf a full paycheck - nothing like putting a buy order in just to have the market drop a few points and *poof* that value is "gone" (not really, but still astounding!)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: zinnie on March 03, 2017, 03:46:39 PM
Welcome to the club, have a drink and then get back to work :)


Check.

Bubble..... I am a helium balloon!!!!

I feel all of my investments are floating way above where they should be, and coninuying to accelerate into another planet.

I feel like a big wave surfer. I have been having in the green room for a while, just gathering info. Now I need to point my puny board down a massive wave and just hope it doesn't break on my back.

Agreed! We're at the point where daily fluctuations in the market dwarf a full paycheck - nothing like putting a buy order in just to have the market drop a few points and *poof* that value is "gone" (not really, but still astounding!)

Helium balloon, yes! I don't think I was ready for 5-10k fluctuations on a daily basis. I guess I'll have to get used to it.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on March 04, 2017, 08:59:12 AM
Helium balloon, yes! I don't think I was ready for 5-10k fluctuations on a daily basis. I guess I'll have to get used to it.
^^-- A common Mustachian People Problem, but a good sign that you're well on the way to FIRE.

edit to change arrow direction for clarity
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 08, 2017, 04:26:09 AM
@ItchyFeet -- Did I see from your post in another thread that you are going to be leaving us next year?  Pulling the FIRE trigger a little early?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on March 08, 2017, 06:21:19 AM
Haha. One can only hope.

2017 has commenced well.

Almost certainly it will be 2019 though.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: zinnie on March 08, 2017, 09:44:08 PM
Helium balloon, yes! I don't think I was ready for 5-10k fluctuations on a daily basis. I guess I'll have to get used to it.
^^-- A common Mustachian People Problem, but a good sign that you're well on the way to FIRE.

edit to change arrow direction for clarity

This is true.

2019 group--how is your week going?

For me,
Pros: It's bonus week! Eagerly awaiting a deposit on Friday that should take at least a few days off my FI date. Also, talked to my boss about needing more free time and he is on board with me adjusting my schedule and working some shorter days, as long as I continue to get stuff done. Cut my own hair and it turned out really cute. Ate a lot of soups this week and got husband to base more lunches off of kamut and quinoa (instead of always including a meat), so we made a little dent in the grocery bill.

Cons: Have to pay credit card bill, and it's higher than planned. Bought flights overseas AND a couple of airbnbs for spring travel recently. That stuff adds up. Need to take my dog to the vet tomorrow and I rarely make it out of there with less than a $300 bill. And, our taxes are almost done and we are going to owe at least $5k. (Which happens every year, and I have no idea what I'm doing wrong.) I bought some clothing that was not mandatory, but my work wardrobe is feeling dated so I justified it.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: VoteCthulu on March 08, 2017, 10:35:46 PM
2019 group--how is your week going?

Same as usual, I alternate between thinking work isn't so bad and despairing at how unbearably long 950 days, 17 hours, 25 minutes and 3 seconds is before I can leave it.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: zinnie on March 08, 2017, 10:47:24 PM
2019 group--how is your week going?

Same as usual, I alternate between thinking work isn't so bad and despairing at how unbearably long 950 days, 17 hours, 25 minutes and 3 seconds is before I can leave it.

Oh no! Do you have shorter-term goals to focus on to take your mind off of it? I feel like that's objectively really close, but if you're counting every day it's still really freaking far away. Hoping you have more days where it doesn't seem so bad between now and then. That antsy feeling can be terrible...
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 09, 2017, 03:53:45 AM
I'm having a rough week, Zinnie.   Stuck in that phase where FIRE seems so.far.away.   Even though I tell myself I am doing great and 2019 is right around the corner.   Very hard to go into work each day. 

I think you are right.  I need something to look forward to.  We're doing a big camping trip this October that I'm looking forward to, but that's pretty far away.  I have to find something closer, otherwise the next 7 months are going to be really hard . . .

Some days the only thing that keeps me going to work is this forum .  Thank you all! 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: VoteCthulu on March 09, 2017, 07:49:07 AM
I've been thinking about starting a website as a hobby, but I can't decide what I want to do with it.

I know I'll make it a couple more years, I've made it through worse times without the giant carrot on a stick that's waiting for me just 950 days and 8 hours away.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on March 09, 2017, 11:41:57 AM
Eventful week.

I Lost my wallet at an airport in another country with all my credit cards, licenses etc inside.

I noticed it was missing from my bag after I boarded the plane so there was no going back to search for it.

By some miracle it found its way to lost property the next day,  and by exceptionally good luck I had a colleague passing through the airport the next day who picked the wallet up for me so I didn't have to fly back.

The $400 cash I had in my wallet was still there when I got it back.

I didn't even cancel my credit cards, because I was just hoping that people were honest at the airport.

Lucky on this occasion!!!!!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 09, 2017, 01:31:41 PM
Holy crap, Itchy!  Excellent luck.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: zinnie on March 13, 2017, 02:32:48 PM
Itchy--glad to hear your lost wallet story had a happy ending! I was expecting pickpocket when first reading. It's nice to know there are good people out there. The same thing happened to my uncle in Italy recently.

Trifele and VoteCthulu: lots of short-term goals are my saving grace! I don't want to be waiting for this magic date when my life will begin. What if I died tomorrow? "She almost had enough money to retire early" is a terrible life story :)

Speaking of: what does everyone want to do when they retire? Mine: read, write, research, cook, learn languages, take classes, garden, sew/knit, travel, and spend time with [currently far away] family and old friends.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on March 14, 2017, 11:15:32 AM

Speaking of: what does everyone want to do when they retire? Mine: read, write, research, cook, learn languages, take classes, garden, sew/knit, travel, and spend time with [currently far away] family and old friends.

This is becoming a concern of mine.....most of my motivation for FIRE has been that I am exhausted from working stupid hours, and I just want the freedom to do whatever whenever....

The problem is I don't really have a whatever planned.

I do have a big trip planned which might take a year- 18 months.

I have actually added up all my travel related Ambitions and it is about 5 years worth non stop and given that I reckon we will only travel around 3 months a year, and I think my current list is only half of what I'll end up wanting to do, I suppose I have a good 40 years of travel related adventures ahead of me at 3 months a year.

I know I want to get fit again and I don't think motivation will be a problem once I am not so exhausted from work.

I know I don't want to spend my days watching tv and have told DW if I find myself watching a lot
Of TV I'll just go back to work.

My friends will be at work so I won't be able to count of them for entertainment.

I could definitely seeing DW and I doing some charity volunteering.

DW is quite keen on having a hobby farm... not sure I am on board with that.

I was quite involved with a sports club before work swallowed my life. I might commit some time to that as long as I can stay mostly clear of the politics.

I will read and could see myself studying.

I definitely want to hike and camp a lot.

Maybe I'll even seeknout a little consulting work in my current field.... but on my terms.

I would like to give my parents a hand maintaining their place as they are getting old.

I'd be happy to coach my nephew's or niece's basketball team... if they'd have me.

Maybe I'll just go fishing....
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: VoteCthulu on March 14, 2017, 12:21:55 PM
I plan to decompress by doing some part time work for a bit, perhaps still in engineering, or it could be tutoring or at a local restaurant or an online software gig. Just something to do while I get used to my newfound freedom.

I may not need it, as I'm prone to focus on something completely when it catches my interest, but I'll firm up my plans in 2019 before I pull the rip cord and quit.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: ysette9 on March 14, 2017, 01:19:28 PM
Quote
ysette9      TBD

Sorry that it took me so long to check this thread again! There is so much goodness on the forums, I get overwhelmed sometimes.

Ysette9      Target FIRE date TBD late 2019/early 2020, age 38

It is all still fuzzy for us because our housing situation is not determined. We have been renting at an excellent price for the last 4+ years but think that eventually we will buy. What and when and for how much are all still up in the air. It is a tough decision because prices are high where we live (which is also where we want to live). Depending on what we decide there will be the biggest determinant of when we can retire. For now, I am guesstimating that we need a $2M stash, of which we are around $1.6 now and adding about $120K+ a year, not counting 401(k) matches and any extra bumps like bonuses or stock vesting. A down payment would be in addition to that amount.

I don't have my retirement budget estimate spreadsheet with me right now, but last year we spent around $80k, of which $17K was child expenses (mostly daycare). This is definitely not mustachian-levels of spending and it is hard for me to know what it might drop to if we weren't working and had more time. Part of my plan includes starting with a long sabbatical to test drive FIRE and then make adjustments as we go.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MoMan on March 15, 2017, 08:03:22 AM
Speaking of: what does everyone want to do when they retire? Mine: read, write, research, cook, learn languages, take classes, garden, sew/knit, travel, and spend time with [currently far away] family and old friends.

Here's what I posted on another thread yesterday:

Woodworking!

... and using my woodworking projects. A few years ago I built a wooden, cedar strip canoe, and last summer I launched the 17 foot sailboat I built. I plan to go on more camping/boating trips when I FIRE in 2.58 years.

Otherwise, I want to up my industrial arts game: I bought a decent lathe last December and intend to create some really nice bowls, toys, and numerous gifts for friends (just listen for the tree trimmers' chainsaws in the neighborhood and the material is free!!). I also want to learn to weld, sew, upholster and whatever other skills I can absorb for cheap.

I also want to beef up my bike riding.

... and to add to that posting, I plan to do a lot of house cleaning/home improvement projects. One of my goals is to make DW pleased that I am RE. The last time I changed jobs, I used my 5 weeks of accumulated vacation to do just that: organized closets, built some cabinets and a new gate. I plan to go through the house and pick one room at a time and completely scrub it down and organize everything. My home office is an absolute pit right now. But I hate the thought of using ANY of my precious, limited time off (while still working) to tackle this shit. So when I retire, that will become part of my routine. I want DW to brag to her co-workers/friends/family that she comes home to pleasant surprises on a routine basis.

Besides, if I didn't do this kind of stuff, I'd spend all my money and time just drinking beer and sitting on the deck.

For those of you lamenting the remaining 950 days, just think: In January, it was 1,000 days left! And in just a couple of months, it will be LESS THAN 900 days left. Yeah, that train is definitely moving this way.

--Mike
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: zinnie on March 15, 2017, 10:46:38 AM

Woodworking!

... and using my woodworking projects. A few years ago I built a wooden, cedar strip canoe, and last summer I launched the 17 foot sailboat I built. I plan to go on more camping/boating trips when I FIRE in 2.58 years.

Otherwise, I want to up my industrial arts game: I bought a decent lathe last December and intend to create some really nice bowls, toys, and numerous gifts for friends (just listen for the tree trimmers' chainsaws in the neighborhood and the material is free!!). I also want to learn to weld, sew, upholster and whatever other skills I can absorb for cheap.

I also want to beef up my bike riding.

... and to add to that posting, I plan to do a lot of house cleaning/home improvement projects. One of my goals is to make DW pleased that I am RE. The last time I changed jobs, I used my 5 weeks of accumulated vacation to do just that: organized closets, built some cabinets and a new gate. I plan to go through the house and pick one room at a time and completely scrub it down and organize everything. My home office is an absolute pit right now. But I hate the thought of using ANY of my precious, limited time off (while still working) to tackle this shit. So when I retire, that will become part of my routine. I want DW to brag to her co-workers/friends/family that she comes home to pleasant surprises on a routine basis.
 

How did you learn woodworking? My husband and I have been dabbling in this recently--did a dining room table and a coffee table, but they were all very simple plans. Making a canoe and sailboat sounds like you have quite the skillset! I've been watching this woodworking show on PBS recently and I'm amazed at everything he makes. It seems like sort of a lost art, and the guy on this show doesn't even use any power tools, but it looks really satisfying.

And for the cleaning/home improvement projects--I'm sure your wife would really appreciate that! I'd kill to have my husband home now taking care of things. Our list just grows and grows but with only weekend time it feels like we never make a dent in it.

I want to spend more time biking, too :)


This is becoming a concern of mine.....most of my motivation for FIRE has been that I am exhausted from working stupid hours, and I just want the freedom to do whatever whenever....

The problem is I don't really have a whatever planned.

I do have a big trip planned which might take a year- 18 months.

I have actually added up all my travel related Ambitions and it is about 5 years worth non stop and given that I reckon we will only travel around 3 months a year, and I think my current list is only half of what I'll end up wanting to do, I suppose I have a good 40 years of travel related adventures ahead of me at 3 months a year.

I know I want to get fit again and I don't think motivation will be a problem once I am not so exhausted from work.

I know I don't want to spend my days watching tv and have told DW if I find myself watching a lot
Of TV I'll just go back to work.

My friends will be at work so I won't be able to count of them for entertainment.

I could definitely seeing DW and I doing some charity volunteering.

DW is quite keen on having a hobby farm... not sure I am on board with that.

I was quite involved with a sports club before work swallowed my life. I might commit some time to that as long as I can stay mostly clear of the politics.

I will read and could see myself studying.

I definitely want to hike and camp a lot.

Maybe I'll even seeknout a little consulting work in my current field.... but on my terms.

I would like to give my parents a hand maintaining their place as they are getting old.

I'd be happy to coach my nephew's or niece's basketball team... if they'd have me.

Maybe I'll just go fishing....


Seems like a good enough plan, to me! :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MoMan on March 15, 2017, 11:49:30 AM
How did you learn woodworking? My husband and I have been dabbling in this recently--did a dining room table and a coffee table, but they were all very simple plans. Making a canoe and sailboat sounds like you have quite the skillset! I've been watching this woodworking show on PBS recently and I'm amazed at everything he makes. It seems like sort of a lost art, and the guy on this show doesn't even use any power tools, but it looks really satisfying.

Sounds like Roy Underhill on The Woodwright Shop! He does some really cool stuff, all with hand/human powered tools; super impressive. I like that they don't do much editing, so you get to see his failures and mistakes too.

I took my first woodworking class in junior high, and continued on through high school. It's sad that so many schools have phased out industrial arts classes. I also worked for a home remodeling crew during college. From there I progressed to making some of my own furniture and such using plans from The New Yankee Workshop (a PBS show that ended about 10 years ago).

Building boats is actually fairly easy, but they are long term projects. You need patience and perseverance for the most part, and a good design/plans that match your skill set. I ended up using hand tools at least, if not more than, power tools.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: zinnie on March 16, 2017, 08:36:45 PM
How did you learn woodworking? My husband and I have been dabbling in this recently--did a dining room table and a coffee table, but they were all very simple plans. Making a canoe and sailboat sounds like you have quite the skillset! I've been watching this woodworking show on PBS recently and I'm amazed at everything he makes. It seems like sort of a lost art, and the guy on this show doesn't even use any power tools, but it looks really satisfying.

Sounds like Roy Underhill on The Woodwright Shop! He does some really cool stuff, all with hand/human powered tools; super impressive. I like that they don't do much editing, so you get to see his failures and mistakes too.

I took my first woodworking class in junior high, and continued on through high school. It's sad that so many schools have phased out industrial arts classes. I also worked for a home remodeling crew during college. From there I progressed to making some of my own furniture and such using plans from The New Yankee Workshop (a PBS show that ended about 10 years ago).

Building boats is actually fairly easy, but they are long term projects. You need patience and perseverance for the most part, and a good design/plans that match your skill set. I ended up using hand tools at least, if not more than, power tools.

Yes that's him! This is such an interesting show. It makes me want a wood shop full of traditional tools.

I wish I had a chance to learn more of these things in high school in college. But it's fun to start now, anyway. I get such enjoyment out of making things. Much better than spending too much time in your head or staring at screens :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: CryingInThePool on March 23, 2017, 08:32:34 AM
Drawing my line in the sand (cement?mud?).     

June 2019 at 44.

I was in the class of 2016 but I've been OMYing, for a few reasons, since mid 2015.  Still not sure when I'll pull the plug (could be this year or next) but I'm going on record that June 2019 will bring an end to my case of OMY syndrome once and for all. 

Even if the Reality TV Bully guts ACA;  I need to move on.



Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on March 23, 2017, 09:11:47 AM
Welcome aboard!

June 2019 is my outter marker too.

Hopefully December 2018.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: VoteCthulu on March 23, 2017, 02:01:56 PM
Yeah, if the market keeps going 2018 isn't out of the question, but I wouldn't want to retire into a bubble. Well see how it goes, maybe I'll ge laid off and coast into retirement.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: zinnie on March 23, 2017, 02:56:14 PM
Welcome CryingInThePool! If you've already OMYed, I vote for drawing your line in the cement.

And the Reality TV Bully isn't having much luck today, at least! :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MoMan on March 23, 2017, 03:05:01 PM
I'm secretly hoping for a layoff, but they don't appear to be on the horizon for my company ... although we did just turn in some shitty numbers for the most recent earnings period. And there have already been consequences, but not in my area.

I've hit my FI number but I'm holding out for lifetime (I still gotta pay the premiums) company health care which kicks in when I turn 55. Considering the agitation surrounding the ACA, I am forcing myself to gut it out.

Only 928 more days!

BTW VoteCthulu, I am about 3/4 of the way thru LivingaFI's blog; just finished the Work Experience postings. Holy Hell. I have absolutely NOTHING worth complaining about at my cushy job (and yet, I still do, but only privately).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Roboturner on March 23, 2017, 03:28:16 PM
BTW VoteCthulu, I am about 3/4 of the way thru LivingaFI's blog; just finished the Work Experience postings. Holy Hell. I have absolutely NOTHING worth complaining about at my cushy job (and yet, I still do, but only privately).

That work series is one of the best blogs I've ever read. So good!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: VoteCthulu on March 23, 2017, 04:27:34 PM
Funny, I've seen several links to that blog, but never cared for it.

I'm currently in the position where I don't hate my job, but every day it get's a bit worse and it's a bit harder to remind myself of the good things about it. I often ask myself what else I might do instead for the next 2 years until I retire, but nothing seems like a better option yet.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Livingthedream55 on March 24, 2017, 01:56:05 PM
I have a countdown app on my phone - 797 days.

I am taking vacation time - one or two days a month - to make for some nice long weekends.

I am planning fun mini 2-3 day vacations (I have one for May and one for June planned)- need to create something for April.

Hoping for an early retirement incentive at my job (I've seen them offered every couple of years or so - last one was this fall but the numbers were not yet right for me - and financially not really generous - - but I hope I can land a little bonus next round if it's offered anywhere near my projected FIRE date)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: HBFI on March 25, 2017, 11:49:14 AM
BTW VoteCthulu, I am about 3/4 of the way thru LivingaFI's blog; just finished the Work Experience postings. Holy Hell. I have absolutely NOTHING worth complaining about at my cushy job (and yet, I still do, but only privately).

That work series is one of the best blogs I've ever read. So good!

+1.  Dr. Doom is hands down my favorite writer.  Partially because my experience resonates with his, but mostly because I think his style and humor make for easy reading.  I understand why doesn't write as much anymore, but selfishly wish he would.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: VoteCthulu on March 26, 2017, 12:31:49 AM
Hoping for an early retirement incentive at my job (I've seen them offered every couple of years or so - last one was this fall but the numbers were not yet right for me - and financially not really generous - - but I hope I can land a little bonus next round if it's offered anywhere near my projected FIRE date)
I wish our company didn't require age 55+ for their early retirement packages, but I'm not going to stick around that long.

I also have a countdown app for my phone, but I have 933 days left.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MoMan on March 27, 2017, 08:15:11 AM
... but I have 933 days left.

Sounds like we'll be raising a toast just a few days apart: My plan is to exit Oct. 7.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: zinnie on March 28, 2017, 09:21:38 PM
Some days I feel like I'm just coasting and 2019 will be here before I know it. Others, I feel like I can't stand to spend one more day sitting in my office staring at my computer. Every morning I get immersed in something I really want to finish, only to have to drop it to get to work on time. I wish I could find a way to extract more hours from a day, somehow. My problem isn't so much that I have to go to work, it's just that there isn't enough time for both work AND life. Right now my life just feels like it is always in various stages of incomplete. All of my good ideas and projects are just waiting for some later date when I'll actually have the time to finish them. Because no matter how engaged I am in something, when the clock hits a certain time I have to stop and head to work.

I've been vacillating between quitting now to take a year off, and sticking it out. When I do the math and look at how much taking a year off would set me back, the obvious choice is to stay. But when I have a long, exhausting day at work like I did today, where even once I'm free I can't do much except relax and fall asleep early, it just feels like too much wasted life.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Bateaux on March 28, 2017, 10:20:54 PM
Time is racing by.  Sorry I  haven't provided dates and age.  Make it June 2019 at age 50.  Stash is growing quick.  Pretty much up to what goes on with health-care now.  I've saved plenty enough (1.5M) to cover voluntary spending.  For the next two years I'm building an additional health care stash of (500k).  We have about 300k to go and we are building at a rate of $500 daily now.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Livingthedream55 on March 29, 2017, 08:15:28 AM
Some days I feel like I'm just coasting and 2019 will be here before I know it. Others, I feel like I can't stand to spend one more day sitting in my office staring at my computer. Every morning I get immersed in something I really want to finish, only to have to drop it to get to work on time. I wish I could find a way to extract more hours from a day, somehow. My problem isn't so much that I have to go to work, it's just that there isn't enough time for both work AND life. Right now my life just feels like it is always in various stages of incomplete. All of my good ideas and projects are just waiting for some later date when I'll actually have the time to finish them. Because no matter how engaged I am in something, when the clock hits a certain time I have to stop and head to work.

I've been vacillating between quitting now to take a year off, and sticking it out. When I do the math and look at how much taking a year off would set me back, the obvious choice is to stay. But when I have a long, exhausting day at work like I did today, where even once I'm free I can't do much except relax and fall asleep early, it just feels like too much wasted life.

Zinnie,

How about taking some time off now (soon)?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: VoteCthulu on March 29, 2017, 04:45:19 PM
I feel much the same, zinnie, but I'm pretty sure that if I took a year off there's no way I'd ever go back to an office job, so I'm going to stick it out. Others might take a year off and be energized and refreshed by it, so you'll have to do what's right for you.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: zinnie on March 29, 2017, 06:41:03 PM

Some days I feel like I'm just coasting and 2019 will be here before I know it. Others, I feel like I can't stand to spend one more day sitting in my office staring at my computer. Every morning I get immersed in something I really want to finish, only to have to drop it to get to work on time. I wish I could find a way to extract more hours from a day, somehow. My problem isn't so much that I have to go to work, it's just that there isn't enough time for both work AND life. Right now my life just feels like it is always in various stages of incomplete. All of my good ideas and projects are just waiting for some later date when I'll actually have the time to finish them. Because no matter how engaged I am in something, when the clock hits a certain time I have to stop and head to work.

I've been vacillating between quitting now to take a year off, and sticking it out. When I do the math and look at how much taking a year off would set me back, the obvious choice is to stay. But when I have a long, exhausting day at work like I did today, where even once I'm free I can't do much except relax and fall asleep early, it just feels like too much wasted life.

Zinnie,

How about taking some time off now (soon)?

A year or just vacation? I've been taking time off when I can, lots of long weekends, and we have a big trip coming up in April. I actually quit a few months ago and then panicked and changed my mind, which only confirmed that I have an awesome boss. (He was understanding about everything when I told him, kept it between us until it was two weeks out, and then when I changed my mind before that he became extra accommodating to try to keep me. Now he's actually told me to try working seven hour days, and take lots of vacation. So it just makes me feel like a whiney a-hole to still consider leaving.)

I feel much the same, zinnie, but I'm pretty sure that if I took a year off there's no way I'd ever go back to an office job, so I'm going to stick it out. Others might take a year off and be energized and refreshed by it, so you'll have to do what's right for you.

That's what I'm worried about too! Better to get it over with. And also just that I don't know how hard it will be to find something comparable, especially salary-wise. It could take at least a couple years to get back to where I am, and by then I could have been done! But then I worry I'm focused too much on money. If having all of this money buys me anything, it should be the right to take a year off when I really want to. But that's still just a scary prospect, because we will probably have to move when I need to find new work, and the timing works better for my husband, and being able to travel without worrying about dog care, if I wait a couple of years.

Thanks for letting me talk this out! Anyone else taken a year off, or have any thoughts on the pros/ cons?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: zinnie on March 29, 2017, 06:43:17 PM
Time is racing by.  Sorry I  haven't provided dates and age.  Make it June 2019 at age 50.  Stash is growing quick.  Pretty much up to what goes on with health-care now.  I've saved plenty enough (1.5M) to cover voluntary spending.  For the next two years I'm building an additional health care stash of (500k).  We have about 300k to go and we are building at a rate of $500 daily now.

Congrats that you're already covering your spending! 50 is a nice round number, as is $500/day, wow! :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 30, 2017, 03:54:29 AM
I feel much the same, zinnie, but I'm pretty sure that if I took a year off there's no way I'd ever go back to an office job, so I'm going to stick it out. Others might take a year off and be energized and refreshed by it, so you'll have to do what's right for you.

+2.  I feel the same as Zinnie.  I too have a fantastic job, great boss, great co-workers. And yet I am really struggling. 2019 feels soooo far away when you feel like this.  But I am with you VoteCthulu -- I feel like if I stopped now I would never go back.  So like Dory in Finding Nemo, I repeat to myself "Just keep swimming.  Just keep swimming."
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: zinnie on March 30, 2017, 10:31:56 AM
I feel much the same, zinnie, but I'm pretty sure that if I took a year off there's no way I'd ever go back to an office job, so I'm going to stick it out. Others might take a year off and be energized and refreshed by it, so you'll have to do what's right for you.

+2.  I feel the same as Zinnie.  I too have a fantastic job, great job, great co-workers. And yet I am really struggling. 2019 feels soooo far away when you feel like this.  But I am with you VoteCthulu -- I feel like if I stopped now I would never go back.  So like Dory in Finding Nemo, I repeat to myself "Just keep swimming.  Just keep swimming,"

Glad I'm not the only one. And I love your motto--thanks! I'll use it today :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: RetirementDreaming on March 30, 2017, 10:39:03 AM
I feel much the same, zinnie, but I'm pretty sure that if I took a year off there's no way I'd ever go back to an office job, so I'm going to stick it out. Others might take a year off and be energized and refreshed by it, so you'll have to do what's right for you.

+2.  I feel the same as Zinnie.  I too have a fantastic job, great job, great co-workers. And yet I am really struggling. 2019 feels soooo far away when you feel like this.  But I am with you VoteCthulu -- I feel like if I stopped now I would never go back.  So like Dory in Finding Nemo, I repeat to myself "Just keep swimming.  Just keep swimming,"

Glad I'm not the only one. And I love your motto--thanks! I'll use it today :)

I'm using it today too. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on March 31, 2017, 04:29:29 PM
I also keep having the internal debate on whether I could take a year off and then get back to saving whatever else I still need to save, but like others the thought of taking a big pay cut is keeping me trucking on for now.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Chairman on April 03, 2017, 08:31:12 AM
Not sure if I belong in this cohort, but anyway, here's the plan:


My thinking is to not literally retire in 2019, but rather to have enough money that we won't have to work in order to live frugally (for our family — me, DW and small children — that's about $2k/month). So from that point on, it's all gravy.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: zinnie on April 03, 2017, 08:35:48 PM
Welcome, Chairman! I like your approach to semi-FIRE--I've been tossing around trying that myself.

Can you explain more about your plan with the mortgage and "safe investments"? I'm not sure I follow--is the idea just to have enough that you could pay off the mortgage if you wanted to, but you won't actually pay it off?

Here's to 2019!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Chairman on April 04, 2017, 12:44:37 AM
Can you explain more about your plan with the mortgage and "safe investments"? I'm not sure I follow--is the idea just to have enough that you could pay off the mortgage if you wanted to, but you won't actually pay it off?
Yes, that's exactly the idea. For peace of mind, have it earning modest returns but not 100% stock market where half of it could disappear from one month to the next.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on April 06, 2017, 01:07:21 PM
Just checking in from the Seychelles. Good times, but back to work next week.

March was yet another bumper month for us, despite our travels. 2017 has started off incredibly well.

We are now at 21x our spending target. At 25x we press the eject button and parachute into a new life.

Looking very good for late 2018 or early 2019.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: VoteCthulu on April 11, 2017, 11:03:35 AM
I'd never heard of Seychelles before, but it looks like a tropical paradise! I wish my work brought me there instead of the polluted industrial cities I normally spend most of my trips in.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on April 11, 2017, 11:42:55 AM
I'd never heard of Seychelles before, but it looks like a tropical paradise! I wish my work brought me there instead of the poluted industrial cities I normally spend most of my trips in.

Indeed it was a tropical paradise, but don't feel alone as I also spend more than enough time in polluted industrial cities in KSA and the like. I can't imagine my employer ever funding a trip to the Seychelles.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MoMan on April 20, 2017, 08:14:10 PM
Today marks a mini milestone for me: 900 days to FIRE! (early Oct. 2019 for those who don't want to do math).

Yes, it feels like a long ways to go right now, but acknowledging these milestones helps me visualize progress. In January, I still had 1,000 days to go. In July, it will be 800 days. PLUS: that 900 figure represents CALENDAR days. Actual work days (subtracting weekends, holidays, paid time off) drops it in the neighborhood of 600.

My job is usually pretty easy: I'm a creative copy writer. I'm well respected and very appreciated; well compensated for what I do. Never work overtime/weekends. The people I work with, including my bosses, are nice. And yet, I hate it. Can't help it. Which makes me feel a little guilty.

I actually have enough saved/invested to support myself now but I'm holding out for another 30 months because of what I believe will be a lucrative benefit: Lifetime company health care. I still have to pay the premiums, but since it's a ginormous international company, I'm guessing it will be more affordable than either COBRA or getting added to my wife's plan (and who knows what the hell to expect from the ACA). I can also add beneficiaries later. Once I turn 65, it resorts to secondary insurance to supplement Medicare.

I checked today and I do indeed need to be 55 or older (as opposed to retiring earlier in the calendar year when I turn 55). I can't get an estimate of premiums until I'm 180 days from retirement. Oh well. The best part is, if the shit hits the fan and I decide I can't stand it, I can pull the plug tomorrow and be fine.

Man, the waiting is hard.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on April 21, 2017, 04:22:21 AM
That health insurance benefit is really great, MoMan.  That is my biggest uncertainty about FIRE,, and you will have it taken care of.  Awesome!

Just did my counts and I am at 833 days total, 535 work days until August 1, 2019.  I have a great job too, but this run-up period is hard.  I may pull the plug early.   I definitely have to work until January 1, 2019 to become fully vested in the 401k employer contributions, but after that I would probably be ok to FIRE . . .   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: albireo13 on April 21, 2017, 02:07:27 PM
OK, am 61 and I am planning on May 1, 2019.    This gives me time to pay off debt, dial down the lifestyle and get my things in order.
That plus, I wouldn't mind growing the stash a bit more.


If things get too nutty at work, I may pull the plug earlier.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Bateaux on April 21, 2017, 04:24:53 PM
Looks to be about 770 days till June 1, 2019.  Going to take plenty of vacation time early in the year as well.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on April 22, 2017, 11:28:59 AM
799 days to go!
It feels like 2 years is going to be the big milestone, then at 1 year I open negotiations with the boss to see if they are interested in me doing a couple of days a week working from home, school terms only.  If they say no, I just give them 12 months notice then retire completely.  If they say yes then I'll try it for a few years while the kids are still in high school.  I hope this won't get me thrown out by the internet retirement police!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: albireo13 on April 26, 2017, 04:54:38 AM
799 days to go!
It feels like 2 years is going to be the big milestone, then at 1 year I open negotiations with the boss to see if they are interested in me doing a couple of days a week working from home, school terms only.  If they say no, I just give them 12 months notice then retire completely.  If they say yes then I'll try it for a few years while the kids are still in high school.  I hope this won't get me thrown out by the internet retirement police!

Good point.   My current plan is to next year ask for partial work at home hours.   Even one day from home would help.  I commute 1 hr each way 5 days a week and these old bones just don't handle it as well as they used to.   If I am refused, I may just accelerate my retirement schedule.    : )
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on April 26, 2017, 12:02:32 PM
With FIRE so close, I find the anticipation escalating higher and higher as each month end approaches to see what progress I have made in the past month.

How much did we save? How much did our investments return?

The last 3 months have been incredibly good to us. Our net worth increased by nearly 10% in only 3 months. The power of leverage, when returns are in your favour!!!!

 I rolled the dice by taking on a lot of debt and it has worked out great. However, I am certainly not blind to the risks, and now want to de-leverage ASAP.

Unfortunately, I fear April will see a bit of a correction to our real estate assets, which may mean our net worth will decrease over April despite good savings for the month, and some ok share market gains.

I won't know until around 3 May the property indexes for the cities I have places in, but I am eagerly waiting the info.

I am not sure how I will feel if our NW decreases at this point.

In some way I am finding comfort that if the heat comes out of our assets a little, even though I lose money on paper, maybe my FIRE will have a marginally higher chance of success as I will work a few extra months to offset any shortfall, and get to my number.

Bring on month end!! Show me what ya got!!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MoMan on April 26, 2017, 08:01:30 PM
Yes, I feel your anxiety. My investable assets are on the brink of the $1M mark after the incredible run up this past year. And I know that the markets are due for a correction of some sorts. I have to remind (convince?) myself that when it inevitably happens, regardless, my portfolio will eventually recover. But for the time being, I'm feeling a little smug ... especially because I ignored a financial advisor who told me my portfolio is pretty aggressive for my retirement goal.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: EscapeVelocity2020 on April 26, 2017, 08:42:14 PM
Yes, I feel your anxiety. My investable assets are on the brink of the $1M mark after the incredible run up this past year. And I know that the markets are due for a correction of some sorts. I have to remind (convince?) myself that when it inevitably happens, regardless, my portfolio will eventually recover. But for the time being, I'm feeling a little smug ... especially because I ignored a financial advisor who told me my portfolio is pretty aggressive for my retirement goal.

I first crossed the million mark mid-2008.  I thought it was too good to be true and really just wanted everything to slow down, so I sold off heavily in my most risky assets.  Not long after, the markets began to plummet.  I ultimately lost 250k when the S&P hit 667, mostly because I bought back in after a 20% decline, then 30%, and then as much as I could although I was all-in.  I also continued to dollar cost average in since my job was secure and I was an expat with a little extra income.  That whole strategy, ultimately, worked out very nicely and I could've confidently retired with 80k/yr, 4% SWR at 37 (2011).  Maybe I should've started a blog :)  But international business travel and carefree FI isn't such a bad alternative.

I also wouldn't mind one more good downturn that I can buy into to while I'm still working, as opposed to going out only to find out shortly thereafter that I was buying high for the last several years...
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on April 26, 2017, 09:19:59 PM
I am an expat too, but jaded with work travel.

Looking forward to slow travel as opposed to flying into a country in the morning and flying back home on the red eye that same day/ night. Urgh!

Well done on the timing in 2008-9. I certainly wasn't a millionaire back then, so my losses and gains were small.

I am also working towards a fairly spendy retirement. I'll sleep better at night.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on April 29, 2017, 12:18:57 AM
Updated table


Most Righteous
Alias
Age at
FIRE
Target
Date
Date Confirmed


2Birds1StoneJan-19
zinnie35Feb-19
MissNancyPryor50Mar-19
Roboturner30Mar-19
Luck1241Apr-19
albireo1361May-1-19
Livingthedream5559May-19
cerat0n1aMay-19
dude54May-19
SamIAm3829May-19
oldtoyotaJun-19
Itchyfeet47Jun-19
PhilB53Jun-19
Bateaux50Jun-19
CryingInThePool44Jun-19
powersuitrecall47Jul-19
Enigma39Jul-19
Thedividebyzero45Jul-19
Trifele52Aug-19
RetirementDreamingSep-19
VoteCthulu39Oct-19
trix7643Oct-19
MoMan55Oct-19
markbike528CBX55Dec-19
HBFI38Dec-19
luckyme1345Dec-19
ParizadeTBD
madamwitty36TBD
Lowerbills40TBD
Chrissy42TBD
GerardTBD
getoutsoon52TBD
ysette938late-19TBD
elaine amj40TBD
IplawyerTBD
ChairmanTBD-SemiFire

Edit to add confirm date in case someone graduates early.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Bateaux on April 29, 2017, 08:41:50 AM
Thank you for the update.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: HBFI on April 29, 2017, 08:47:06 AM
I'm not sure if I'm the only one feeling this way, but I feel like I'm more in cruise control of a marathon heading into the last couple miles.  Yes, I'm pretty over work and looking forward to the race being over, but there is also this calming recognition that it's almost complete.  In past years I've struggled more with the immense amount of time I felt like I had to go and how much more $$ I still needed.  Now I feel like I've shifted into the early part of a phase where I'm beginning to think about how to wrap things up.  My official date is Dec-19, but I'm strongly considering March or April 2019.  When I think that way, less than 2 years, it feels so close now.  I don't know why two years feels different to me, it just does.  I mean the stache is so padded at this point that very little could change that trajectory. 

Even if a huge crash happens soon I would see it more as a benefit as I could pour that final 2 years of income straight into equities.  But if the market keeps rising, I'm in the position now of allocating a substantial proportion of new cash flows to short-term bonds (VBIRX) as I've been 100% equities my entire investing life and want to have a few years income in liquid, lower volatility securities (I also plan to keep 1 year expenses in a money market).

At work yesterday one of the guys I work for was screaming at someone on the phone (totally unnecessary btw) and I could see the younger associates visibly uncomfortable.  I, on the other hand, was relaxed to the point of a zen-like state even after he walked into my office angrily ranting about the phone person and pounding on the wall.  In the past I probably would have felt uncomfortable as well.  One of the young associates remarked about how relaxed I looked through the whole thing and said that I was smiling.  I responded to him "eh, whatever man" and put my headphones back in.  It's an awesome feeling wearing this protective coating that comes from FI.  Fear of unemployment, company bankruptcy, unreasonable personalities, etc. is kind of removed from my equation at this point.  This mental shift has really just happened for me in the last couple months.  I'm rather enjoying it :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Bateaux on April 29, 2017, 07:12:34 PM
^^^Ditto HBFI.  It's kinda done already.  I'm trying to put away another 15%.  It's not required however and most of that will be done by investments.  So we could beat 2019 most likely.   That's really to keep our grown kids under our health care.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on April 29, 2017, 09:41:55 PM
^^^ 15% to go for us too. But I really want that 15% for the choices it will give us, so we will push hard until the end .

...... a further 5-10% Above that would be great too, but I am going to do my best to resist OMY in the expectation that we will pick up a little extra at some future point (social security, inheritance, casual work etc).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: albireo13 on April 30, 2017, 05:24:09 AM
Hey, I just notice I'm the oldest guy on the list!
I'm working on FI but, won't make the RE part.   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on April 30, 2017, 06:04:09 AM
Hey, I just notice I'm the oldest guy on the list!
I'm working on FI but, won't make the RE part.

I think you'll be RE Albireo.  Under 65 = earlier than 'normal'.  Plus you will be in a great place financially, which definitely cannot be said of all 'normal age' retirees. 

Keep on trucking, everyone!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on May 01, 2017, 07:01:34 AM
So April financial results are in.

Better than I feared.

 - Sydney property flat lined, but did not decline (yet).
 - Small increase on Brisbane property, getting it back in the black for the year.
 - Very decent return from share market investments.
 - Good savings again from salary and rental income.

This has all resulted in our stash now being 21.3x desired annual retirement budget, or a withdrawal rate of 4.7% if I stopped work today.

85.3% of the way to the finish line!!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on May 01, 2017, 07:22:12 AM
Updated table


Most Righteous
Alias
Age at
FIRE
Target
Date
Date Confirmed


2Birds1StoneJan-19
zinnie35Feb-19
MissNancyPryor50Mar-19
Roboturner30Mar-19
Luck1241Apr-19
albireo1361May-1-19
Livingthedream5559May-19
cerat0n1aMay-19
dude54May-19
SamIAm3829May-19
oldtoyotaJun-19
Itchyfeet47Jun-19
PhilB53Jun-19
Bateaux50Jun-19
CryingInThePool44Jun-19
powersuitrecall47Jul-19
Enigma39Jul-19
Thedividebyzero45Jul-19
Trifele52Aug-19
RetirementDreamingSep-19
VoteCthulu39Oct-19
trix7643Oct-19
MoMan55Oct-19
markbike528CBX55Dec-19
HBFI38Dec-19
luckyme1345Dec-19
ParizadeTBD
madamwitty36TBD
Lowerbills40TBD
Chrissy42TBD
GerardTBD
getoutsoon52TBD
ysette938late-19TBD
elaine amj40TBD
IplawyerTBD
ChairmanTBD-SemiFire

Edit to add confirm date in case someone graduates early.

Oh man, yep, there I am.  This coming Sunday, May 7, I will go under the 2-year mark and thus will be able to say I've got "one and change" to go. As I've stated in other parts of this forum, my FIRE plans are a little complicated by the fact that I'll retire 5-7 years before my wife as there's a 7-year difference in age between us, and she was very slow to get on the ball (back before we were married) and start saving. Currently, we've got $966k saved/invested, with a NW @ $1.5M. May 7, 2019 is the date I become eligible to start collecting my pension, and is the date I will officially go. I'll be able to cover my share of household expenses with pension + 401k withdrawals (@1.5% burn rate), but plan to work part-time at a hobby/passion job to supplement savings (probably into a Roth IRA). When the wife calls it quits, I'll have to bump up withdrawals to 3-4% until SS kicks in at 70, at which point we'll likely have more money than we'll know what to do with.

Each work day is becoming more and more of a grind. It's not hard or unpleasant or stressful, it's just that I have to be HERE and not somewhere else of my choosing every damn week day. I feel a bit like a prisoner, but with only two years to go to shed those golden handcuffs, I'll do my bid with all the grace I can muster. The last few years flew by so fast, I can't imagine these next two won't go by even faster.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MoMan on May 01, 2017, 11:59:14 AM
Each work day is becoming more and more of a grind. It's not hard or unpleasant or stressful, it's just that I have to be HERE and not somewhere else of my choosing every damn week day. I feel a bit like a prisoner ...

Exactly how I feel. I'm kind of grateful that I didn't realize until a couple of years ago how attainable RE would be for me. Having more than 4 or 5 years to slog thru would just about do me in. Right now, it's 29 months and 1 week.

Not sure if I feel more like a prisoner or more like The Corporation is stealing beautiful days from my limited life. Either way, I resent it.

Well, time to get back to kicking that anvil through the swamp.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: CryingInThePool on May 01, 2017, 12:22:21 PM
I share the excitement about getting under the 2 year mark which for me is coming up in June.  I've heard there is relief in hitting/saying this is the last time I'll do X but maybe because it's closer I'm also fairly stoked to be hitting the 'I only have to do that once more stage'.  There's something about REing at the half year mark that gives me a little thrill around the idea that 2018 is the last full calendar year of employment. 

So from June on when I complete a seasonal deliverable I'll get to say I only have to do X or be around for Y once more! Because H2 2018 will be the last time since I won't be around for H2 2019.  A small victory that mentally feels bigger :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: powersuitrecall on May 02, 2017, 08:55:38 AM
A brief history of us and our FIRE journey
==========================

Mr. PowerSuitRecall - 40s
Ms. Awesome - 30s
Kid 1 - 5yo
Kid 2 - 3yo

We started our FIRE journey in earnest in early 2014.  Our kids were 6 months and 2.5 years - our lives were busy!  We were about to renew our mortgage and had been throwing everything extra we had at it.  Our modest investment portfolio grew with the market but remained somewhat neglected.  Retirement seemed a distant thought. I assumed that we both would work another 15 years.  I hadn't worked out the numbers though, and in doing so I happened across MMM's site.  I quickly discovered that we could retire sooner.  Much sooner!  But it required action!

We moved our investments from our active commission-based FA to DIY/diverse/passive, started tracking expenses, stopped extra mortgage payments, and started piling money into our neglected investment accounts.  We started being more conscious of spending and held off on big expenses like cars and renovations.

Three years later our resolve towards FIRE has only strengthened.  We are on track for retirement in 2019 for myself, while Ms. Awesome follows in 1 or 2 years (she loves her job and is great at it).  As we hit the upcoming 2-years-to-go mark in July, we will make the final payments to both our mortgage and our youngest's daycare.  Our savings rate will then be in the 70% range.

I echo the sentiments of the last couple of posts regarding work.  I'm fortunate enough to have a pretty fun and low stress job that pays well.  Unfortunately at times it can be unbearably boring.  I Recently made a lateral move into a more exciting project, and it's given me a bit of a second wind.  Even still, while I don't dread work, I feel uncomfortable with the idea of being forced to sit here while I could be at home with the kids, or working my to-do list.

I'm looking forward to following everyone here through the next couple of years.  Thanks for your posts and inspiration.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on May 04, 2017, 07:05:14 PM
Most Righteous
Alias
Age at
FIRE
Target
Date
Date Confirmed


2Birds1StoneJan-19
zinnie35Feb-19
MissNancyPryor50Mar-19
Roboturner30Mar-19
Luck1241Apr-19
albireo1361May-1-19
Livingthedream5559May-19
cerat0n1aMay-19
dude54May-19
SamIAm3829May-19
oldtoyotaJun-19
Itchyfeet47Jun-19
PhilB53Jun-19
Bateaux50Jun-19
CryingInThePool44Jun-19
powersuitrecall47Jul-19
Enigma39Jul-19
Thedividebyzero45Jul-19
Trifele52Aug-19
RetirementDreamingSep-19
VoteCthulu39Oct-19
trix7643Oct-19
MoMan55Oct-19
markbike528CBX55Dec-19
HBFI38Dec-19
luckyme1345Dec-19
ParizadeTBD
madamwitty36TBD
Lowerbills40TBD
Chrissy42TBD
GerardTBD
getoutsoon52TBD
ysette938late-19TBD
elaine amj40TBD
IplawyerTBD
ChairmanTBD-SemiFire

Edit to add confirm date in case someone graduates early.
Looks like my kind of crowd!  I'm joining in!  Here's my info:  Cornbread OMalley/42/August 2019
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: zinnie on May 05, 2017, 05:29:54 PM
Welcome, Cornbread!

This morning I was finally allowed to sell some stock options after a long blackout period, and bumped myself up into January 2019. It was also the first day back after a three-week vacation, and I had 381 unread emails, which just reinforced how ready I am to be on vacation full-time.

Just over 20 months left.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on May 05, 2017, 08:21:47 PM
Welcome, Cornbread!

This morning I was finally allowed to sell some stock options after a long blackout period, and bumped myself up into January 2019. It was also the first day back after a three-week vacation, and I had 381 unread emails, which just reinforced how ready I am to be on vacation full-time.

Just over 20 months left.
Thanks!  I hear you on that full-time vacation!  The last 24 months have seen me go through a transformation from learning about this FI stuff.  The education combined with a declining office environment has got my mindset similar to yours in regards to working.  The good news is the next two years will go by fast.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: zinnie on May 08, 2017, 10:24:53 AM
Welcome, Cornbread!

This morning I was finally allowed to sell some stock options after a long blackout period, and bumped myself up into January 2019. It was also the first day back after a three-week vacation, and I had 381 unread emails, which just reinforced how ready I am to be on vacation full-time.

Just over 20 months left.
Thanks!  I hear you on that full-time vacation!  The last 24 months have seen me go through a transformation from learning about this FI stuff.  The education combined with a declining office environment has got my mindset similar to yours in regards to working.  The good news is the next two years will go by fast.

I sure hope it goes by fast :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: VoteCthulu on May 08, 2017, 11:50:10 AM
890 days... It feels very slow to me right now, but I know looking back it will seem fast.

On the plus side, I'm ahead of schedule for hitting my number. Unfortunately the high p/e and medical insurance changes may warrant raising my number a bit. We'll see how it goes.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on May 09, 2017, 05:05:28 AM
814 days/520 work days

116 weeks/~104 work weeks

Feels like it is going so slowly . . . I have a challenging summer project that hopefully will take my mind off the FIRE clock.  At our house (just moved in last year) there is an old human-made pond with a rock streambed/waterfall combo above it.  It must have been very beautiful once, but it hasn't been used in years.   The kids and I are going to try to rehab it on the cheap.   Curious to see what we find living in the pond.  I know the tree frogs are using it to lay their eggs in the spring.  Hopefully once we rehab it and get the water flowing again the frogs will still be able to do that.   I'll have to dive deep (ha!) into the world of garden ponds and learn about it.  It will be quite a project.   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: celticblue on May 09, 2017, 09:09:29 AM
Mainly posting to follow.

But hoping that I am RE  by 5 November 2019. Am now just FI based on current lifestyle but have ambitions to change that lifestyle significantly and am planning the funding accordingly. Regardless of whether I achieve the lifestyle change I still want to have Nov 2019  as my cut off date.

Has anyone else noticed how quickly the stash grows towards the end? I can now grow it more in a year than I did in my first 10 years. That is very sobering and now I more completely understand OMY syndrome. I feel like I owe it my very hard working younger self. I look back at how much I sacrificed in the beginning. It kind of makes me sad. And endlessly grateful to my former self. Wish I could go back and give a hug.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on May 09, 2017, 12:17:22 PM
Yes, my NW chart looks exponential as well.

Contrary to the thinking in the Early Retirement blogosphere I am glad I didn't spend my 20s worrying about money when I had so little. I was being paid chicken feed compared to my 30s. In my 30s I started to have real money to worry about.

The backpacking, partying, study etc that I did in my early 20s was a far better use of my meagre funds for me, than it being invested somewhere given it was not much anyways..... but yes, it's true I am still working at 45 when others have already FIRED.  Good for them. I enjoyed my 20s.

Of course, I am equally glad I did not accumulate any consumer debt in my 20s, otherwise the outcome would have been very different.

I also have to thank my luck in my 20s, because I did make one investment early in my working career that was a big winner.

At 24 I got a job that came with a car, so I took the opportunity to sell my car and used the cash from the sale as a down payment on a cheap apartment as a rental investment.

I bought the apartment for $95K and sold it 3 years later for $180K. A great kick start to my savings.

(Note: not all luck given the fact that I had paid cash for my car originally and not borrowed, so obviously had saved a little money at some point early in my career between bar nights.)

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on May 09, 2017, 04:08:20 PM
Has anyone else noticed how quickly the stash grows towards the end? I can now grow it more in a year than I did in my first 10 years. That is very sobering and now I more completely understand OMY syndrome. I feel like I owe it my very hard working younger self. I look back at how much I sacrificed in the beginning. It kind of makes me sad. And endlessly grateful to my former self. Wish I could go back and give a hug.

Yes, my NW chart looks exponential as well.

Contrary to the thinking in the Early Retirement blogosphere I am glad I didn't spend my 20s worrying about money when I had so little. I was being paid chicken feed compared to my 30s. In my 30s I started to have real money to worry about.
Same here.  The rate at which the stash now grows is astounding.  The amount that I invested while I was in my 20s was a pittance compared to how much I invest now.  But money I invested during my 20s is now doing all the work.  I definitely had the mindset of traditional retirement and had my fun up to age 36 when the idea of FIRE crept into my mind, became full blown at age 38, and changed how I thought about retirement.  Changed my life.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MoMan on May 10, 2017, 10:04:05 AM
Yes, the growth rate recently has been astounding. Combine a good-sized 'stache with some big market days and it can grow $10k overnight!!

I too feel grateful about how I spent my time and money in my 20s and 30s. I graduated college with a small student loan balance (felt enormous at the time) and found a low-paying job at a nonprofit. That forced me to live cheap, but I was still having fun going camping and backpacking with friends. Fortunately, I maintained much of that frugal lifestyle so I could ramp up my savings to buy a house. I also took a job in the financial industry to get an education in personal finance. The whole thing has really paid off and I'm now pretty set for FIRE.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on May 11, 2017, 09:41:51 AM
My situation is a wee different.  I guess I should be cohort 2017, but I'm in the military and have a service obligation until 2019, which means I cannot truly add the 'RE' part to the 'FI' part until 2019.  Basically I just have to suck it up in the office environs for another two years before I'm done and free.  But it's not all bad as I have the advantage of taking my steady paycheck and over the next two years aggressively padding my stash.  And the big prize at 20 years of service is the annual pension of roughly $40K paid out for the rest of my life.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: zinnie on May 11, 2017, 01:26:29 PM
Yes, the growth rate recently has been astounding. Combine a good-sized 'stache with some big market days and it can grow $10k overnight!!

I too feel grateful about how I spent my time and money in my 20s and 30s. I graduated college with a small student loan balance (felt enormous at the time) and found a low-paying job at a nonprofit. That forced me to live cheap, but I was still having fun going camping and backpacking with friends. Fortunately, I maintained much of that frugal lifestyle so I could ramp up my savings to buy a house. I also took a job in the financial industry to get an education in personal finance. The whole thing has really paid off and I'm now pretty set for FIRE.

To your point, I don't even understand how I got so much in so little time. I've never tried to go through my records to try to figure it out but in 2010 I bought a house with a down payment that depleted the majority of my savings, and now I am somehow 20 months from my FI number.

I have a similar story to you. Always lived way below my means and always saved. At some point in my early working life I realized that I was really, really happy when I was in college and living off $13k-18k a year—so why should I need to increase my spending close to my income the way others did? At my first job I lived in the SF Bay area and made $14/hour. Some months I only saved $50 or $100, and I was only contributing the minimum to my 401K, but I was always able to save something.

My situation is a wee different.  I guess I should be cohort 2017, but I'm in the military and have a service obligation until 2019, which means I cannot truly add the 'RE' part to the 'FI' part until 2019.  Basically I just have to suck it up in the office environs for another two years before I'm done and free.  But it's not all bad as I have the advantage of taking my steady paycheck and over the next two years aggressively padding my stash.  And the big prize at 20 years of service is the annual pension of roughly $40K paid out for the rest of my life.

That's an amazing deal to wait for, though. And health benefits too, right? Congrats on being FI, anyway. And it’s not the worst thing that you’re forced into adding to the stash!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MoMan on May 11, 2017, 03:26:28 PM
Always lived way below my means and always saved.

Well, I wish I could say "always"! The truth is, about a dozen years ago I started telling myself, "I deserve this"; "I'm making $XX so I can afford it" etc. for my car, ski trips, tools, etc.  Then I had an epiphany while sitting in traffic in my Infinity SUV:

"Wait a minute. I'm really hating my job, and instead of making me happier, this $38,000 SUV is making me more miserable because now I have to stay at the job I hate to pay for this SUV. And even worse, the SUV doesn't solve one of the worst aspects of my job: sitting in 2 mph bumper-to-bumper traffic." Within the year I sold the SUV and bought a new (facepunch) Subaru Outback for about $23k (still driving it). Paid it off in3 years. In the meantime, I took a 25% paycut for a job that made me much happier (thanks FU money!!). And that, ironically, is when the 'stache really started to grow. That was around 2005-2008. I work in the financial industry, so fortunately I knew enough not to panic in 2009 but instead, keep on keeping on.

Discovering MMM was like discovering my own species! It has really helped me fine tune what I was already doing and adjust my perspective on spending and happiness.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on May 12, 2017, 03:41:21 AM
Always lived way below my means and always saved.

Discovering MMM was like discovering my own species! It has really helped me fine tune what I was already doing and adjust my perspective on spending and happiness.

+1.  I only discovered MMM three years ago, but am now very close to FIRE.  These folks are my tribe.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: zinnie on May 12, 2017, 04:48:31 AM
Always lived way below my means and always saved.

Well, I wish I could say "always"! The truth is, about a dozen years ago I started telling myself, "I deserve this"; "I'm making $XX so I can afford it" etc. for my car, ski trips, tools, etc.  Then I had an epiphany while sitting in traffic in my Infinity SUV:

"Wait a minute. I'm really hating my job, and instead of making me happier, this $38,000 SUV is making me more miserable because now I have to stay at the job I hate to pay for this SUV. And even worse, the SUV doesn't solve one of the worst aspects of my job: sitting in 2 mph bumper-to-bumper traffic." Within the year I sold the SUV and bought a new (facepunch) Subaru Outback for about $23k (still driving it). Paid it off in3 years. In the meantime, I took a 25% paycut for a job that made me much happier (thanks FU money!!). And that, ironically, is when the 'stache really started to grow. That was around 2005-2008. I work in the financial industry, so fortunately I knew enough not to panic in 2009 but instead, keep on keeping on.

Discovering MMM was like discovering my own species! It has really helped me fine tune what I was already doing and adjust my perspective on spending and happiness.

That's an awesome story! As we all know, most people don't have that realization, ever. Or at least not until it's way way too late. And good for you for NOT panicking during the downturn. I'm still trying to prep myself, since the majority of my investing has been post-2008.

Always lived way below my means and always saved.

Discovering MMM was like discovering my own species! It has really helped me fine tune what I was already doing and adjust my perspective on spending and happiness.

+1.  I only discovered MMM three years ago, but am now very close to FIRE.  These folks are my tribe.

Agreed! The first few MMM articles I read blew my mind, and also were a perfect fit for optimizing my own life.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on May 12, 2017, 07:11:59 AM
... health benefits too, right?
I have to research more into the health benefits.  It's not totally free, but I don't have the numbers on annual costs for us military retirees.  I'll be doing another financial evaluation on myself in the coming months after I do my homework into the healthcare side of things.  I was of the mindset of traditional retirement at age 65 until I read MMM two years ago.  It was introduced to me by a friend and was probably one of the most pivotal moments in my life.  My friend also hit the seven-digit milestone a few weeks ago!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on May 12, 2017, 08:20:01 AM
There's something about REing at the half year mark that gives me a little thrill around the idea that 2018 is the last full calendar year of employment.

That thought absolutely made my day, thanks CITP.  Somehow the last half of this year, one final full year and then the first half of 2019 seems a lot shorter than '2 years to go'!

+1 on enjoying your twenties then saving hard when you have a bigger salary.  I don't begrudge a penny of what I spent travelling and having fun then.

+1 also on the insane rate of stash growth recently.  I ticked off another milestone today going through the £700k mark in my own pension accounts.  That's a £150k increase in 12 months!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on May 12, 2017, 01:00:29 PM
There's something about REing at the half year mark that gives me a little thrill around the idea that 2018 is the last full calendar year of employment.

That thought absolutely made my day, thanks CITP.  Somehow the last half of this year, one final full year and then the first half of 2019 seems a lot shorter than '2 years to go'!


Whoa!  Wow.  Thank you for that thought CITP.  You just made my day too!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on May 12, 2017, 04:24:25 PM
Despite having a date out here on the internet, it now seems more official, now that I've informed my boss.

The warnings about informing my boss of my plans on one of the Post-FIRE threads didn't worry me to much.

    a) getting passed over for promotions ---meh
    b) not getting raises - meh--  no one here is getting raises in the foreseeable future anyway
    c) getting laid off early - Whoohoo! Bring it ON!
    d) bad blood with boss - I got nothing but a wistful jealousy.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on May 12, 2017, 06:01:32 PM
Despite having a date out here on the internet, it now seems more official, now that I've informed my boss.

The warnings about informing my boss of my plans on one of the Post-FIRE threads didn't worry me to much.

    a) getting passed over for promotions ---meh
    b) not getting raises - meh--  no one here is getting raises in the foreseeable future anyway
    c) getting laid off early - Whoohoo! Bring it ON!
    d) bad blood with boss - I got nothing but a wistful jealousy.

Wow, Mark -- you did that early! I can't remember your situation . . .  why did you give notice so early?   [It sounds great, BTW, and I can't wait for that day myself]
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on May 12, 2017, 09:14:24 PM
Trifele:


It's not really a "notice", just a heads up to a nice boss.

Mostly is meh---    I just wanted to have a situation where I DON'T need to "create drama"  ie. not fire-escape epic as above in this thread.

We are pretty much at a FIRE number.  See line c)

I didn't surprise my boss much, as I had previously had a talk that didn't have a exact date in it.
 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on May 13, 2017, 04:51:55 AM
Trifele:


It's not really a "notice", just a heads up to a nice boss.

Mostly is meh---    I just wanted to have a situation where I DON'T need to "create drama"  ie. not fire-escape epic as above in this thread.

We are pretty much at a FIRE number.  See line c)

I didn't surprise my boss much, as I had previously had a talk that didn't have a exact date in it.

Ah!  Got it.  I have a great boss too, so I may go this route and give a super long heads up.  Glad it went well!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: twell1 on May 15, 2017, 01:50:43 PM
I'll throw in.  Target July 2019.  I'll still be 50 at that date.  Nice round number.  Could possibly retire sooner, but guilt/obligation keeps me.  My company brought me back from working at a big four firm.  I was glad to be out.  With most of my direct reports retiring over the next 24 months, they are expecting me to manage the transition.  I feel obligated to work out the succession plan before I drop the bombshell on our CFO & VP.  This will come as quite a surprise. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on May 16, 2017, 04:45:56 AM
Welcome Twell1!  I am right behind you, at August 1.  Man that is going to be a great summer. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: VoteCthulu on May 16, 2017, 03:25:15 PM
Trifele:


It's not really a "notice", just a heads up to a nice boss.

Mostly is meh---    I just wanted to have a situation where I DON'T need to "create drama"  ie. not fire-escape epic as above in this thread.

We are pretty much at a FIRE number.  See line c)

I didn't surprise my boss much, as I had previously had a talk that didn't have a exact date in it.

Ah!  Got it.  I have a great boss too, so I may go this route and give a super long heads up.  Glad it went well!
My boss it pretty reasonable, but the senior leadership is not. They recently screwed over a couple of great people who gave extended notice, so in my opinion they deserve no notice from me at all. I'll still probably give 2 weeks, though, but only for my own peace of mind.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on May 16, 2017, 09:12:08 PM
I am contractually obligated to give 3 months notice :-/
It will be a long 3 months!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MoMan on May 17, 2017, 09:15:08 AM
They recently screwed over a couple of great people who gave extended notice, so in my opinion they deserve no notice from me at all.

Yeah, I like my immediate bosses pretty well and would like to give them a month's notice, but it is critical to my plan that I be employed on my 55th birthday to qualify for the healthcare benefit. I can just see HR escorting me out the door when I'm 54 years, 11 1/2 months old to save MegaCorp a nickel.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on May 17, 2017, 10:37:55 AM
Yeah, I like my immediate bosses pretty well and would like to give them a month's notice, but it is critical to my plan that I be employed on my 55th birthday to qualify for the healthcare benefit. I can just see HR escorting me out the door when I'm 54 years, 11 1/2 months old to save MegaCorp a nickel.

I also have to be 55.01 yrs to be "retired".  I'm not sure how that translates to the "retiree health insurance rates".  There is seemingly contradictory info in the policies (how it stretches to Medicare).   If 55 doesn't really mean I would get insurance rates, we might be looking at TLY (Two Less Years), as the retiree rates are the thin thread that has my date pinned at 12/01/19.

MoMan, give a months notice the day after your 55th B-day, that way you are covered.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Livingthedream55 on May 19, 2017, 12:27:19 PM
Yeah, I like my immediate bosses pretty well and would like to give them a month's notice, but it is critical to my plan that I be employed on my 55th birthday to qualify for the healthcare benefit. I can just see HR escorting me out the door when I'm 54 years, 11 1/2 months old to save MegaCorp a nickel.

I also have to be 55.01 yrs to be "retired".  I'm not sure how that translates to the "retiree health insurance rates".  There is seemingly contradictory info in the policies (how it stretches to Medicare).   If 55 doesn't really mean I would get insurance rates, we might be looking at TLY (Two Less Years), as the retiree rates are the thin thread that has my date pinned at 12/01/19.

MoMan, give a months notice the day after your 55th B-day, that way you are covered.

+1
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on May 22, 2017, 07:27:00 AM
Carefully taking a look into this thread. When running our own numbers, it seems to be possible to semi-FIRE in 2019. DH agreed with me on this.
And it would only require working 50% for a year or 2 before we could full time FIRE. Working 50% would also feel like a good step into the right direction.

For the record, I'm born in 73 and my DH in 70 so we would be under 50 at semi-FIRE.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on May 22, 2017, 09:21:41 AM
Carefully taking a look into this thread. When running our own numbers, it seems to be possible to semi-FIRE in 2019. DH agreed with me on this.
And it would only require working 50% for a year or 2 before we could full time FIRE. Working 50% would also feel like a good step into the right direction.

For the record, I'm born in 73 and my DH in 70 so we would be under 50 at semi-FIRE.

Welcome to the thread Linda! I have seen many of your posts and admire your discipline.  Norway sounds like an expensive place to live, and it probably takes that kind of discipline to grow the 'stache.   It is great that you are both in a position to semi-FIRE first.   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on May 22, 2017, 10:21:57 AM
Norway sounds like an expensive place to live...
Very expensive place indeed.  I plan to revisit in the future to hike more of the fjords.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on May 22, 2017, 11:17:00 AM

Welcome to the thread Linda! I have seen many of your posts and admire your discipline.  Norway sounds like an expensive place to live, and it probably takes that kind of discipline to grow the 'stache.   It is great that you are both in a position to semi-FIRE first.

Thank you. Discipline is quite easy as long as you are burning for something. I am the kind of person who can get really interested in a subject and throw all my attention at it, until it fades away a bit. This MMM thing is still at it's height in my mind. And as I now have a big hairy GOAL that is so close, with the reward of freedom, is easy to keep motivated. For the rest, we have been living frugally like this since we moved to Norway in 1998.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: TartanTallulah on May 24, 2017, 09:25:56 AM
Hiya! I'm a long time lurker and a new registrant, and aiming for a "career break" starting at or around the end of March 2019, at which time I'll be 55. This site, and one or two other PF resources, have convinced me to think differently about money and retirement.

I've already got the means to fund a very cheeseparing sort of retirement, but I like my job more than I'd like having to count every farthing, and it's possible that I may discover that I like my job even if I'm not relying on it to put bread on the table, or decide to plunge into a new career since I will only be 55, which isn't old nowadays. I've worked hard all my life (and spent big, mainly due to having had many children, not all of them launched yet, and having opted for the luxury of a stay-at-home spouse until the children had all finished high school, but also due to a couple of stupid financial decisions that seemed the right thing to do at the time) and would like to take some time out to see whether I really want to do the things I always say I'd do if I wasn't at work.

My plan isn't very complicated. Save like Ebenezer into an interest-paying cash account between now and then (22 paychecks to go) while maintaining my pension payments, aiming to be able to live off the cash savings alone for at least a year, and leave my job with my bridges unburned. And cut back on regular expenses. We're not frivolous spenders, though we do have one expensive hobby (biking, not in the Mustachian sense) that gives us a lot of pleasure, but I've been spurred on to shop around for insurance quotes (I knew I might not be getting the most advantageous rates, but I didn't realise how much my "valued loyalty" was costing me), set up a pension fund for my spouse who will be a non-taxpayer in retirement, and warn my adult offspring that I have neither the means nor the inclination to fund more than one household so if they want to go away to study they will have to have their own income.

The tough part might be making myself make the break. I foresee discussions along the lines of, "Couldn't you just cut your hours?" or, "Could we ask you to cover if we have an emergency?" and that won't work. Leaving the thin end of the wedge in the crack with the hammer in someone else's hands won't work at all.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: wannabe-stache on May 24, 2017, 12:11:02 PM
Didn't  see  a 2019 fire cohort here yet.  Thread started.

Goal Nov 2019 (we finish turning 55).   

Mortgage and late-life student loans will be paid off, a key gatekeeper.

We could be FIRED before, but 2019 seems a reasonable goal.

Question for those that, upon reading MMM, decided when to FIRE:  did you change the way you spend? or did you simply decide that the 4% SWR was a "law" and based your FIRE date on that?

I am curious whether or not most folks on this site truly changed the way they lived (spending $2/person/meal, biking everywhere, etc.) or if they simply feel more comfortable knowing when they are "safe" to retire.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on May 24, 2017, 02:01:31 PM
Didn't  see  a 2019 fire cohort here yet.  Thread started.

Goal Nov 2019 (we finish turning 55).   

Mortgage and late-life student loans will be paid off, a key gatekeeper.

We could be FIRED before, but 2019 seems a reasonable goal.

Question for those that, upon reading MMM, decided when to FIRE:  did you change the way you spend? or did you simply decide that the 4% SWR was a "law" and based your FIRE date on that?

I am curious whether or not most folks on this site truly changed the way they lived (spending $2/person/meal, biking everywhere, etc.) or if they simply feel more comfortable knowing when they are "safe" to retire.

We have been saving A LOT each year by doing nothing special. So no, we won't be changing our lifestyle. Although I am motivated to save some extra now, knowing that the goal is near. Early retirement is something my DH suggested before, as we saved about 1 net spending amount a year. We discussed that each year working would lead to one year earlier retirement. But I had no idea of when to really be able to retire, until I read about the 4% rule and read about people like us doing this for real.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on May 24, 2017, 03:09:36 PM
Question for those that, upon reading MMM, decided when to FIRE:  did you change the way you spend? or did you simply decide that the 4% SWR was a "law" and based your FIRE date on that?

I am curious whether or not most folks on this site truly changed the way they lived (spending $2/person/meal, biking everywhere, etc.) or if they simply feel more comfortable knowing when they are "safe" to retire.

OP here:
I was already planning on 55-59 "Retire Early".
The clues I found (tax benefits, SEPP for spending flexibility) here certainly pulled the date toward 50-55 (52 now).   

My wife had been planning on 65+ before we were married.
As soon as we can have some non-denial on spending we can FIRE with ease and comfort on both our parts.   
She doesn't even want to _look_ at her, relatively small,  spending.

I've never been super frugal, just very selective on spending I wanted.
I put off buying a house until after we married, even with a lot of family pressure to do so "you have the money, spend it".
On the non-frugal side, I used to race motorcycles, which gets spendy and exponentially increases spending when you crash (often), even with no major health issues for 10 years.  Spend estimate $40K
 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: HBFI on May 24, 2017, 05:14:51 PM
TartanTallulah: Welcome!  The part time option is something I suspect we all think about in advance.  Based on your own questions, it sounds like you need to enter that conversation with a firm 'no'.  Otherwise you'll probably let them talk you into it, even if you don't want it.

wannabe-stache:  I always was always fairly frugal, but discovering the FIRE community led me to make some meaningful changes on the spending side.  I've become much more mindful and have literally cut out the eat out work lunches in favor of bringing $2 healthier, tastier food to work.  Have also gotten much better about taking advantage of tax opportunities (IRA vs. Roth due to conversion ladder, HSA).  I've always been on the FIRE path, pre-hearing that acronym, but the change in mind after discovering this community has led me to cutting back my FIRE date by ~6-7 years.  Less tangible speaking, I've changed my view on many aspects of life.  Before I still worried about presenting some degree of 'Joneses' image of success.  Exploring the philosophy and mindset of this community has helped me focus on being true to myself and not being concerned about others views, whether co-workers, friends or family.  It's much more liberating to not feel like I need to do anything other that what I deem the right path for myself.  So yeah the financial part changed, but the non-financial part changed more.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on May 24, 2017, 05:31:29 PM
@Wannabe Stache -- we were always fairly frugal, but yes discovering MMM did inspire us to spend differently.  I became more aware of how habits affected spending, and how little things add up.  And I definitely had my eyes opened that we could literally retire early.  I never seriously thought about it before.  There is a saying that "When the student is ready, the teacher appears."  And that was definitely true for me. 

Three years ago I told my younger brother about MMM -- and he really went wild.  He got even more frugal (he was already super thrifty) and he FIRE'd a year ago at age 45!!  Seeing him actually jump out of the plane and pull the ripcord really made it real for me.   He is a lurker on this forum -- has never posted once -- but he is the real deal.  Very proud of him.     
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on May 24, 2017, 05:46:38 PM
Question for those that, upon reading MMM, decided when to FIRE:  did you change the way you spend? or did you simply decide that the 4% SWR was a "law" and based your FIRE date on that?

It's a good place to start.  A lot depends on how flexible your spending is, how much fat is in your budget, whether you're willing to earn more if needed, etc.  The "good" part is usually you have multiple years to decide on your comfort level, to research, to debate, and generally decide if it works for you as is, is too conservative, or too risky.  Or maybe you decide that you'd prefer a non-static spending model all together, going with a variable spend model.  It takes a little while to get used to the function, but www.cFIREsim.com is an awesome simulator that has many available methodologies, so you can test portfolio withdrawal methods and amounts just like the Trinity Study did to come up with 4% and various other options.


I am curious whether or not most folks on this site truly changed the way they lived (spending $2/person/meal, biking everywhere, etc.) or if they simply feel more comfortable knowing when they are "safe" to retire.

I changed a lot.  I went from a 25 mile, 1 hour each way driving commute to getting a new job with a 7 mile each way bike commute.  I've been bike commuting full time for 4+ years now.  I cut my grocery bill in half, moved to a cheaper apartment, massively curtailed the restaurant spending and made a number of other changes including things as simple as adjusting my perspective on money in general.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on May 24, 2017, 05:48:09 PM
I'm going to join y'all's cohort group.  Barring a major economic meltdown, I think it's a near certainty that I'm going to pull the plug in 2019.  Hopefully earlier than later.  :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on May 24, 2017, 06:34:47 PM
I'm going to join y'all's cohort group.  Barring a major economic meltdown, I think it's a near certainty that I'm going to pull the plug in 2019.  Hopefully earlier than later.  :)

Welcome Eric!  :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on May 24, 2017, 09:23:35 PM
I'd say that our day to day spending hasn't changed. In fact, we are currently spending a lot as we work as expats and are wanting to explore the region as much as we can while we are here, so are spending a small fortune on flights etc.

I was already planning on FIRE (without knowing the term) when I found ERE and then MMM and bogleheads etc. MMM in particular has helped me clarify a plan, as before I was unaware of safe withdrawal rates etc.

I don't see 4% as a rule, but given nobody knows the future at some point you need to take a leap of faith. I am willing to role the dice at 4% knowing I may have to spend less (unlikely) or be able to spend more (highly likely) in retirement. DW is a teacher and could easily pick up some temp work if need be also.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: elaine amj on May 24, 2017, 09:41:22 PM
I'm hesitant about jumping into this cohort with both feet - but I'd like to aim towards a 2019 FIRE date. We already have enough according to my (optimistic calculations) so now we are working on buffer savings and OMY syndrome. Plus DH has health issues which makes it more nerve-wracking to cut the cord. Especially since our spending has gone up this year due to said health issues.

As for whether our day to day spending has changed - I would say we are more mindful and purposeful. I have no issues spending on things I value. The being mindful part has been great to push us to reduce spending on things we don't value. We ditched life insurance, home phone, cable, etc. I also bike commute now, which is cool. Most important change is that I am much more hands-on with our finances now. Before I left most of it to DH. It's nice that we both work together on it now. I handle the planning, reconciling, and budgeting and he handles the day to day bills.

Before I was rather depressed whenever I looked at the numbers for retirement. Our financial planner would tell us our 20% savings rate was awesome - but the numbers he churned out showed that even that savings rate wouldn't be enough to retire at a normal age.

MMM showed me that I didn't need that much plus I could save more than I thought. For that, I will be forever grateful.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on May 25, 2017, 10:25:20 AM
Question for those that, upon reading MMM, decided when to FIRE:  did you change the way you spend? or did you simply decide that the 4% SWR was a "law" and based your FIRE date on that?

I am curious whether or not most folks on this site truly changed the way they lived (spending $2/person/meal, biking everywhere, etc.) or if they simply feel more comfortable knowing when they are "safe" to retire.
Not much changed in what we spent as we were always reasonably frugal and very much 'second marshmallow' people.  What changed was my understanding of the relationship between money, spending and happiness and MMM got me to really look at the question 'Will x% more money make me y% happier?'.  Being comfortable with the answer to that is what's making early retirement feasible.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on May 25, 2017, 11:48:14 AM
I ask myself daily whether x% more will make me y% happier and I can't find the answer.

Maybe it's because I am already a pretty happy camper so there isn't the critical impetus to make a clear life altering decision.

How much is enough???? What do I want the next 40 or more years to look like???

Should I stop work in 2019, or even today, just because I can? Or should I pile my stash even higher so I can surpass the Joneses?

I know the right answer, or otherwise I wouldn't spend so much time here.

But I feel like I am a regular churchgoer, and a complete believer, who is patiently waiting to receive the word of god. So far he won't speak to me (I am atheist. Maybe that's the problem hahaha).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: wannabe-stache on May 25, 2017, 02:34:01 PM
Question for those that, upon reading MMM, decided when to FIRE:  did you change the way you spend? or did you simply decide that the 4% SWR was a "law" and based your FIRE date on that?

I am curious whether or not most folks on this site truly changed the way they lived (spending $2/person/meal, biking everywhere, etc.) or if they simply feel more comfortable knowing when they are "safe" to retire.
Not much changed in what we spent as we were always reasonably frugal and very much 'second marshmallow' people.  What changed was my understanding of the relationship between money, spending and happiness and MMM got me to really look at the question 'Will x% more money make me y% happier?'.  Being comfortable with the answer to that is what's making early retirement feasible.

I appreciate everyone's responses.  I am not too worried about our situation, but it's due to luck as much as anything.  I read graham and lynch when i was a kid so maxed out 401K every year since college, saved a lot of $ elsewhere, and have a good job.  so does DW.  At 37/33 yrs of age, we already have $1.5M net worth, excluding probably $500k of home equity.  A lot of folks might FIRE at that amount i suppose.  Our spend is just too high.

The first kid is coming soon so i am being overly cautious.  i am also learning that my wife can accept reducing our costs but will probably cut my throat before letting me push mustachianism on our newborn.

Someone introduced me to this forum 3 weeks ago and since then i have started taking public transit so i can let my gas guzzling BMW sit in the driveway until i sell it...insisted we shop at costco more often for non-perishables...wondered if i could cut my own hair...etc etc.  Today i spent time researching "cord cutting".  i can't wait to tell comcast to f off.

It feels pretty life changing to be honest.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: elaine amj on May 25, 2017, 02:49:07 PM
The first kid is coming soon so i am being overly cautious.  i am also learning that my wife can accept reducing our costs but will probably cut my throat before letting me push mustachianism on our newborn.

For me, it's as much about hating waste as anything else. I have no interest in deprivation. Or a Jacob ERE-type lifestyle (although I remember thinking it was rather cool). MMM showed me I could live a comfy middle-class life on much, much less money than I thought. My thought processes just changed to "how little do I need to live on" and that has been pretty empowering vs feeling deprived. I'm not lacking anything, I'm just making my life more efficient and not spending for the sake of spending. It was interesting when we started questioning all our sacred cows.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on May 25, 2017, 03:33:15 PM
The first kid is coming soon...

Quote
Today i spent time researching "cord cutting".
Am I the only one who put these two together reading wannabe-stache's post and got entirely the wrong idea?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on May 25, 2017, 04:00:04 PM
The first kid is coming soon...

Quote
Today i spent time researching "cord cutting".
Am I the only one who put these two together reading wannabe-stache's post and got entirely the wrong idea?

DIY is the MMM way!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on May 25, 2017, 11:44:39 PM
The first kid is coming soon...

Quote
Today i spent time researching "cord cutting".
Am I the only one who put these two together reading wannabe-stache's post and got entirely the wrong idea?

DIY is the MMM way!

Haha 😂🔪
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on May 26, 2017, 06:49:55 AM
Question for those that, upon reading MMM, decided when to FIRE:  did you change the way you spend? or did you simply decide that the 4% SWR was a "law" and based your FIRE date on that?

I am curious whether or not most folks on this site truly changed the way they lived (spending $2/person/meal, biking everywhere, etc.) or if they simply feel more comfortable knowing when they are "safe" to retire.
I totally changed my spending when I read MMM.  I stopped buying little knick-knacks, started biking and walking more, reduced drinking, reduced eating out, etc.  I trimmed off excess spending and got a baseline of what I needed to FIRE, compared that to my streams of income, and found I was in an excellent position.  Totally changed my perspective on things because before MMM I was on the path to traditional retirement at age 65.  I was introduced to MMM by a friend, and I later called to personally thank her.  I use the 4% SWR as a guide and am building in flexibility in my finances before I pull the plug. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: TartanTallulah on May 26, 2017, 11:04:07 AM
Didn't  see  a 2019 fire cohort here yet.  Thread started.

Goal Nov 2019 (we finish turning 55).   

Mortgage and late-life student loans will be paid off, a key gatekeeper.

We could be FIRED before, but 2019 seems a reasonable goal.

Question for those that, upon reading MMM, decided when to FIRE:  did you change the way you spend? or did you simply decide that the 4% SWR was a "law" and based your FIRE date on that?

I am curious whether or not most folks on this site truly changed the way they lived (spending $2/person/meal, biking everywhere, etc.) or if they simply feel more comfortable knowing when they are "safe" to retire.

We have been saving A LOT each year by doing nothing special. So no, we won't be changing our lifestyle. Although I am motivated to save some extra now, knowing that the goal is near. Early retirement is something my DH suggested before, as we saved about 1 net spending amount a year. We discussed that each year working would lead to one year earlier retirement. But I had no idea of when to really be able to retire, until I read about the 4% rule and read about people like us doing this for real.

Yes! Reading this site made me stop and add up the assets we have now instead of dwelling on lost investments of bygone days and wondering, "What if ...?" I've made some unwise decisions over the years, but I've never spent money I didn't have and we are in a reasonable position now.

And made me think, "How little could we live on? How much more than that do we want enough to work and save for it now? How quickly can we have that much without me doing my current job? What strategies are available to us?"

And I dared to make an actual plan, and disclose it to my husband in detail, and tell my ancestors and descendants the bare facts - I am going to take some time off work at 55, it may or may not become permanent, and yes, we will be able to afford it.

Instead of a vague, blurred picture I now have several sharp outline drawings of our financial future, each factoring in different variables.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: powersuitrecall on May 26, 2017, 11:21:14 AM
Question for those that, upon reading MMM, decided when to FIRE:  did you change the way you spend? or did you simply decide that the 4% SWR was a "law" and based your FIRE date on that?

I am curious whether or not most folks on this site truly changed the way they lived (spending $2/person/meal, biking everywhere, etc.) or if they simply feel more comfortable knowing when they are "safe" to retire.

Pre MMM we were on track for early retirement, but hadn't realized it.  We have always been frugal and fiscally responsible.  For instance we strived to maintain a lifestyle that one of us could sustain, even though we both had full time employment (instant 50% savings rate).  We didn't track spending, and were inexperienced with investing.  We had a Financial Advisor who had us in GICs, a bucketful of individual stocks, and mutual funds.

Reading MMM and other FI blogs pushed us to be more conscious about our finances.  We started to track our spending, cut out some waste, didn't upgrade our paid-off 4 year old car (the horror!), and put a home renovation on hold.  We also became informed about investing, promptly dumping our FA for a DIY brokerage.  In the last 3 years we've increased our savings rate from 50% to 65%, and more than doubled our retirement stash.  It's never felt like a struggle.  We've been very lucky.

I'd say the biggest change post-MMM has been how confident I feel about our household finances - zero stress.  Now I lose more sleep being excited about what the future holds.  Speaking of which, I'm extremely excited to be a part of this thread and follow along with everyone here :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: RunningWithScissors on May 26, 2017, 11:35:16 AM
I was in the 2020 FIRE cohort but I'll lurk here as I might be FIREing early.  As a couple,  our net worth is now $1.5M and my husband has realized that he only needs to work 40 hours per month to cover our expenses.  He doesn't want to retire but is starting to acknowledge that it's getting more difficult to keep up his customary 35 hours/week 'table time' (he's a massage therapist).  I, on the other hand, am ready to 'run for the hills' right now.

I did a cFIREsim calculation last week, and the probability of success starts to dip slightly below 100% once our annual expenses reach $70K/yr.  Since our actual expenses are around $55K right now, with an oversize expensive house, that was very encouraging. My biggest concern is the bridging financing to get us from where we are now (I'm 49, he's 56) to when our pensions kick in (federal and very small government pension for me). 

It's still seems unreal that FIRE is on the horizon.  I don't have any real life role models so finding the MMM community has been inspiring and reassuring. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on May 26, 2017, 04:57:48 PM
I check in now and again on the 2017 FIRE thread.  It is super inspiring, watching them actually pull the trigger one by one and mark themselves as "confirmed FIREd" on the member list.  Love it!





 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on May 26, 2017, 11:42:47 PM
I check in now and again on the 2017 FIRE thread.  It is super inspiring, watching them actually pull the trigger one by one and mark themselves as "confirmed FIREd" on the member list.  Love it!

Agreed! Makes me what to leave this cohort and move to the 2017 crowd.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on May 27, 2017, 04:52:31 AM
I check in now and again on the 2017 FIRE thread.  It is super inspiring, watching them actually pull the trigger one by one and mark themselves as "confirmed FIREd" on the member list.  Love it!

Agreed! Makes me what to leave this cohort and move to the 2017 crowd.

You should do it Itchy!  But then you have to let us come visit you in the Seychelles, or Istanbul, or wherever you happen to be. :)

When I read the 2017 thread I always think, "That will be us in less than two years.  Mark will be updating the list monthly with 'Confirmed', 'Confirmed', 'Confirmed."
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on May 27, 2017, 11:53:31 AM
I don't think we'll be heading back to the Seychelles anytime soon, as beautiful as it is, but we do have big plans for our first year post FIRE.

We definitely won't be joining the 2017 mob though, mores the pity. I am too chicken shit. Lol. Maybe 2018 (DW is pushing for this).....most probably 2019.

If we had quit At 30 April this year, our stash was around 21.5x desired annual expenses, which is in the range of what's likely to be needed for a variable withdrawal model. We are def getting close.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on May 27, 2017, 04:50:02 PM

Most Righteous Alias Age at
FIRE
Target
Date
Date Confirmed


2Birds1StoneJan-19
zinnie35Feb-19
MissNancyPryor50Mar-19
Roboturner30Mar-19
TartanTallulah55Mar-19
Luck1241Apr-19
albireo1361May-1-19
Livingthedream5559May-19
cerat0n1aMay-19
dude54May-19
SamIAm3829May-19
oldtoyotaJun-19
Itchyfeet47Jun-19
PhilB53Jun-19
Bateaux50Jun-19
CryingInThePool44Jun-19
powersuitrecall47Jul-19
Enigma39Jul-19
Thedividebyzero45Jul-19
Trifele52Aug-19
Cornbread OMalley42Aug-19
RetirementDreamingSep-19
VoteCthulu39Oct-19
trix7643Oct-19
MoMan55Oct-19
markbike528CBX55Dec-19
HBFI38Dec-19
luckyme1345Dec-19
ParizadeTBD
madamwitty36TBD
Lowerbills40TBD
Chrissy42TBD
GerardTBD
getoutsoon52TBD
ysette938late-19TBD
elaine amj40TBD
IplawyerTBD
ChairmanTBD-SemiFire

I figured we should update the list at least once per page.  If I missed anyone, add yourself in
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on May 29, 2017, 01:36:52 AM

And made me think, "How little could we live on? How much more than that do we want enough to work and save for it now? How quickly can we have that much without me doing my current job? What strategies are available to us?"


For our FIRE plans, we haven't really asked the question: how little could we live on. Although I asked it a little bit, we have counted on using in FIRE as much as we are using today. My DH says we need to calculate that we might want to travel more, so we shouldn't budget too tightly. But we will need to watch that we don't develop expensive habits after FIRE that make us use more money than we do today.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on May 31, 2017, 11:38:18 AM
So, another month done.... and I will report in as is my "tradition".

Well May was a bit of a bummer. Our stash dropped by about $20K AUD. The Oz stockmarket dropped a little over the month (3-4%) and so did Sydney property (~1.3%). Not exactly huge drops but more than enough to counter my savings efforts.

Adding to my negative investing returns, we also had an expensive month and our savings rate was only 25% and not the targeted >50%. There were many reasons for this, but we will definitely need to exercise a little more restraint in coming months to get us back on track.

The good news was that my international shares did pretty well. In particular UK shares climbed nearly 4% in the month.

Hoping for a better outcome in June, particularly on the saving front.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on June 01, 2017, 07:13:42 PM
2017 is going by fast.  In about three weeks I get my next dividend payout.  I've been keeping a close eye on these quarterly payouts to see how much I can amass and eventually use as a paycheck when I RE.  It's been a steady climb upwards; 2016 was my most ever at $11K USD.  For the next two years I will reinvest the dividends (and long-term capital gains), but eventually I will stop reinvesting and use the returns as income.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: TartanTallulah on June 02, 2017, 01:50:40 PM

And made me think, "How little could we live on? How much more than that do we want enough to work and save for it now? How quickly can we have that much without me doing my current job? What strategies are available to us?"


For our FIRE plans, we haven't really asked the question: how little could we live on. Although I asked it a little bit, we have counted on using in FIRE as much as we are using today. My DH says we need to calculate that we might want to travel more, so we shouldn't budget too tightly. But we will need to watch that we don't develop expensive habits after FIRE that make us use more money than we do today.

That's definitely a consideration for us too. I like knowing that if work threatened to break me I could give notice or drop my hours and we wouldn't have to starve or freeze, hence the minimum figure. But I also know that although some of our expenses will go down on retirement, others may rise because we'll have time to travel, and won't be too tired to go out to concerts or social events at night or do competitive sporting events, and will go on more of the sort of bike rides that include stopping for a mid-ride meal in a restaurant fifty miles from home. And when the young adults leave home we'll have smaller household bills because they tear through electricity, water and food at an unbelievable rate, but we'll be visiting them and helping them financially for the first few years.

If I continue my current work commitment till 55, and my husband continues to work for at least as long as I do, and we save with enthusiasm and allocate our savings according to our future needs (I have a plan for how I would like to use each pot, with dates and numbers) we will be quite comfortable. Not affluent, but we've never been affluent-living sort of people. Just comfortable.



Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Day Before Kindergarten on June 06, 2017, 03:03:57 PM
I have been a longtime MMM reader. Got here through Jacob (ERE). Have not been engaged with the forums. But have started, and wanted to toss my name into the 2019 crowd.

I am 52. Turn 55 years in 2019 in November which means I am eligible to pull monies out of my 401k if I separate from service from my company. That means, Jan 1, 2019 I can end mandatory work.  Perhaps earlier, depending upon my youngest urchin's ability to get a scholarship.

There are extenuating circumstances as to when I will exactly stop work. I am my own company and can work 2-20 days per month at my discretion. I have cut back to 160 days of work per year for the next 12 months, and may step down further before fully stopping in 2019.

All of the FI bloggers have influenced me regarding frugality, conscious spending, optimizing tax strategies, and lifestyle choices. It has also impacted how I have addressed these issues with my kids.

I have grown my stache through savings, individual stock investing, and recently, moved much of my focus into real estate.

More than anything, I have been a strong evangelical for financial freedom and have been very proud to have influenced numerous other friends and family members to learn about FI and initiating their own path to financial freedom.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MoMan on June 06, 2017, 05:58:43 PM
Awesome DBK-- Welcome to the party!

Looks like I am one month older than you. I'm sticking around thru my 55th B-day so I can grab the company health care plan. Otherwise I'd be out January 2nd.

--M
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: TartanTallulah on June 11, 2017, 03:47:53 PM
I've been exercising my old brain today. I'm in a defined benefits pension scheme (one of the few that remain) through my employer, and the terms of the scheme have been changed recently. My current terms have a retirement age of 60, and I can take a reduced pension from 50. In March 2018, when I'm 54, I get switched from the "old" version to the "new" version. If I retire soon after I turn 55 as I'm planning to do, this will mean that I'll have only one year, or, if I continue to work an extra few months, two years, on the new scheme, resulting in a small amount of pension that I won't be able to touch without penalty till I'm 67, or even later if my state retirement pension age rises again. I've been doing the sums and weighing up the pros and cons of opting out of the scheme from March 2018 (I could rejoin later if I decided to continue working) and putting the money that won't be going into my occupational pension into my private pension that I can access from 55.

I've concluded that although it means having an additional FI jam jar (more like an egg cup, for the actual sum involved will be tiny), which feels untidier than putting more pennies into an existing jam jar, if I'm going to live to 120 it's in my best interest not to opt out. I'm relieved that I've come to a decision and can go back to not thinking about my occupational pension.

My next step is to persuade my husband to find out the value of the occupational pension he had for a few years before and just after we met. It won't be much, but it won't be zero, and I'm keen to have as many numbers as possible to work with. I do love a good logistical problem, and I'm enjoying the process of projecting which sources of funding we'll draw on at the different stages of retirement.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: wannabe-stache on June 11, 2017, 07:12:32 PM
I was in the 2020 FIRE cohort but I'll lurk here as I might be FIREing early.  As a couple,  our net worth is now $1.5M and my husband has realized that he only needs to work 40 hours per month to cover our expenses.  He doesn't want to retire but is starting to acknowledge that it's getting more difficult to keep up his customary 35 hours/week 'table time' (he's a massage therapist).  I, on the other hand, am ready to 'run for the hills' right now.

I did a cFIREsim calculation last week, and the probability of success starts to dip slightly below 100% once our annual expenses reach $70K/yr.  Since our actual expenses are around $55K right now, with an oversize expensive house, that was very encouraging. My biggest concern is the bridging financing to get us from where we are now (I'm 49, he's 56) to when our pensions kick in (federal and very small government pension for me). 

It's still seems unreal that FIRE is on the horizon.  I don't have any real life role models so finding the MMM community has been inspiring and reassuring.

I want to say thanks to you and everyone else on this thread.  My wife and I are lucky enough too  be in a position to continue to save and i think, with a few smart changes, we can really super charge our savings.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: TartanTallulah on June 12, 2017, 09:14:03 AM
I did a cFIREsim calculation last week, and the probability of success starts to dip slightly below 100% once our annual expenses reach $70K/yr.  Since our actual expenses are around $55K right now, with an oversize expensive house, that was very encouraging. My biggest concern is the bridging financing to get us from where we are now (I'm 49, he's 56) to when our pensions kick in (federal and very small government pension for me). 

It's still seems unreal that FIRE is on the horizon.  I don't have any real life role models so finding the MMM community has been inspiring and reassuring.

The bridging financing (in my case, from 55 until I take my occupational pension at 60, and then making up the difference until I can claim my state pension at 67) is the bit I'm finding most challenging too. Finding the best sequence to get the right amount of income each year while minimising the total amount lost to taxation is a satisfying mathematical puzzle, and one I can influence even this late on by the investment choices I make. I'm tempted to put up a case study because I think I'll come up with the definitive "right" answer but there are some fearsome financial brains on this website and I'm open to different solutions.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on June 12, 2017, 10:09:35 AM
...... My biggest concern is the bridging financing to get us from where we are now (I'm 49, he's 56) to when our pensions kick in (federal and very small government pension for me). 

.........  I don't have any real life role models so finding the MMM community has been inspiring and reassuring.


The bridging financing (in my case, from 55 until I take my occupational pension at 60, and then making up the difference until I can claim my state pension at 67) is the bit I'm finding most challenging too. Finding the best sequence to get the right amount of income each year while minimising the total amount lost to taxation is a satisfying mathematical puzzle, and one I can influence even this late on by the investment choices I make. I'm tempted to put up a case study because I think I'll come up with the definitive "right" answer but there are some fearsome financial brains on this website and I'm open to different solutions.

I'm sure you have seen this , but I got a lot of confidence in the 72(t) SEPP as a way to fill my taxable-but-deductible space and minimize my taxable withddrawals.   Note that at <$75K  dividends and capital gains are taxed but at 0%.  There is a big sticky thread on that on the TAXES subforum.
   
https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/investor-alley/how-to-withdraw-funds-from-your-ira-and-401k-without-penalty-before-age-59-5/

Tl:Dr   ---  if you've "over filled" your IRA etc, you can take it out early at the same (retirement) tax rate that you would if you were over 59.5.

+1 "I don't have any real life role models so finding the MMM community has been inspiring and reassuring"   Me too!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: cerat0n1a on June 12, 2017, 11:52:20 AM
The bridging financing (in my case, from 55 until I take my occupational pension at 60, and then making up the difference until I can claim my state pension at 67) is the bit I'm finding most challenging too. Finding the best sequence to get the right amount of income each year while minimising the total amount lost to taxation is a satisfying mathematical puzzle, and one I can influence even this late on by the investment choices I make. I'm tempted to put up a case study because I think I'll come up with the definitive "right" answer but there are some fearsome financial brains on this website and I'm open to different solutions.

I'm assuming that this in the UK and so talk of IRAs and 401ks is not going to help?

If so, presumably a SIPP is your best bet? You can access it at 55 (plans to up that to 57, but it hasn't happened yet and even if the plan goes ahead, it won't affect you.) Whatever contribution you make gets grossed up by the government. So if you're a nil rate or 20% income tax payer and you contribute £1000, your pension is credited with £1250. If you're a higher rate tax payer, your pension still ends up with £1250, but you reclaim the rest on your tax return. You can take a 25% lump sum at 55, free of tax and then withdraw the rest between 55 & 60 - although that would potentially involve paying income tax.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: TartanTallulah on June 12, 2017, 03:35:11 PM
The bridging financing (in my case, from 55 until I take my occupational pension at 60, and then making up the difference until I can claim my state pension at 67) is the bit I'm finding most challenging too. Finding the best sequence to get the right amount of income each year while minimising the total amount lost to taxation is a satisfying mathematical puzzle, and one I can influence even this late on by the investment choices I make. I'm tempted to put up a case study because I think I'll come up with the definitive "right" answer but there are some fearsome financial brains on this website and I'm open to different solutions.

I'm assuming that this in the UK and so talk of IRAs and 401ks is not going to help?

If so, presumably a SIPP is your best bet? You can access it at 55 (plans to up that to 57, but it hasn't happened yet and even if the plan goes ahead, it won't affect you.) Whatever contribution you make gets grossed up by the government. So if you're a nil rate or 20% income tax payer and you contribute £1000, your pension is credited with £1250. If you're a higher rate tax payer, your pension still ends up with £1250, but you reclaim the rest on your tax return. You can take a 25% lump sum at 55, free of tax and then withdraw the rest between 55 & 60 - although that would potentially involve paying income tax.

Yes, I believe a SIPP is a very good choice in my situation. I do have a SIPP (started back in prehistoric times as a Stakeholder Pension and left to grow in the dark for around a decade before I could afford to start contributing again), and it forms a major part of my bridging plan and would be where I'd put any income I wasn't contributing to the occupational scheme if I pulled out so that I'd have the flexibility to draw on it from 55. I expect to pay some tax in retirement, and the interesting part will be getting the balance of pension drawdown, cash, and income from ISA investments and other sources about right each year as well as over the full period.

I've also opened a SIPP for my spouse, who doesn't take much interest in financial matters and doesn't earn enough to pay income tax, because the tax treatment is advantageous for non-taxpayers and because it will also be advantageous for us after retirement for him to hold some of our assets since we have separate annual and lifetime allowances and tax liabilities. And because I think giving him a sense of ownership of our financial planning is worthwhile in its own right.

I have a cash ISA that's been mouldering away at a low interest rate for years. This is in addition to having the oft-recommended three months' salary to hand in case the sky falls in. I intend to transfer this to a low-risk fund within a stocks and shares ISA now, because I don't need to be sitting on a wodge of dormant cash. Unless my SIPP suffers a huge drop in value I'll be able to take a tax free lump sum of almost the same amount two years hence. It's something I should have had the courage to do ages ago, but I don't think it's too late.

(I should add that these are all small numbers in comparison to many of the net worth figures I see being thrown around on the forum.)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: cerat0n1a on June 13, 2017, 02:42:15 AM
I've also opened a SIPP for my spouse, who doesn't take much interest in financial matters and doesn't earn enough to pay income tax, because the tax treatment is advantageous for non-taxpayers

This is a good idea - it's free money and I am surprised the government wrote the rules this way. I really ought to get round to doing the same.

On the three months salary in cash thing, I think for the UK, this really depends on the size of your salary. Here, we are never going to have an unexpected medical bill, or be sued by someone, and losing a job will mostly be accompanied by a redundancy payoff. So an emergency fund in my mind needs to be enough to take care of replacing an appliance that breaks, or dealing with gaps between jobs, or a car accident or things like that.

Going back on topic for this thread, my current plan is to hand in my notice at work in April 2019, but there's a good chance that I will bring things forward to summer 2018. Financially, I feel confident I could RE now, but my job is reasonably pleasant most of the time and waiting for our nest to empty feels like the right thing to do.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: TartanTallulah on June 13, 2017, 06:08:42 AM

There is a big sticky thread on that on the TAXES subforum.
   
https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/investor-alley/how-to-withdraw-funds-from-your-ira-and-401k-without-penalty-before-age-59-5/

Tl:Dr   ---  if you've "over filled" your IRA etc, you can take it out early at the same (retirement) tax rate that you would if you were over 59.5.

The existence of the Taxes subforum hadn't even registered with me. Thanks for highlighting it. I'm in the UK so the numbers and terminology are different, but a lot of the basic principles are similar.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on June 13, 2017, 08:12:00 AM
TartanTallulah, sorry I didn't pick up your location.    "middle of scenic nowhere" could be anywhere :-)

I'm sure someone in the UK has thought about this topic and posted on this forum
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: powersuitrecall on June 14, 2017, 08:11:02 AM
I'm in a kinda funny situation at work.  A while ago I applied for a promotion pool and have been going through the process (Resume --> Exam --> Interview).  It's all competency based and very procedural. i.e. long and painful.  Given that I'm 2 years away from RE, being promoted at this point wouldn't hasten my departure by much. On paper I'll get there a couple of weeks ahead, a month at most.

I've had many inner conversations between career-man: "You need this! It's important!" and RE-man: "Why are you going through this terrible process!  RE is in the bag! Work sucks! Let someone else have this! You don't need more money!".

At this point career-man seems to be winning.  I want it.  Maybe it's desire for external validation, or wanting to achieve something in my last 2 years.  Regardless, I know it's not for the money, and that is a nice feeling.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on June 14, 2017, 12:43:31 PM
I'm in a kinda funny situation at work.  A while ago I applied for a promotion pool and have been going through the process (Resume --> Exam --> Interview).  It's all competency based and very procedural. i.e. long and painful.  Given that I'm 2 years away from RE, being promoted at this point wouldn't hasten my departure by much. On paper I'll get there a couple of weeks ahead, a month at most.

I've had many inner conversations between career-man: "You need this! It's important!" and RE-man: "Why are you going through this terrible process!  RE is in the bag! Work sucks! Let someone else have this! You don't need more money!".

At this point career-man seems to be winning.  I want it.  Maybe it's desire for external validation, or wanting to achieve something in my last 2 years.  Regardless, I know it's not for the money, and that is a nice feeling.

I understand it. It's a way of feeling appreciated when you get promoted. And something for you to achieve.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: TartanTallulah on June 14, 2017, 03:15:26 PM
I'm in a kinda funny situation at work.  A while ago I applied for a promotion pool and have been going through the process (Resume --> Exam --> Interview).  It's all competency based and very procedural. i.e. long and painful.  Given that I'm 2 years away from RE, being promoted at this point wouldn't hasten my departure by much. On paper I'll get there a couple of weeks ahead, a month at most.

I've had many inner conversations between career-man: "You need this! It's important!" and RE-man: "Why are you going through this terrible process!  RE is in the bag! Work sucks! Let someone else have this! You don't need more money!".

At this point career-man seems to be winning.  I want it.  Maybe it's desire for external validation, or wanting to achieve something in my last 2 years.  Regardless, I know it's not for the money, and that is a nice feeling.

How very liberating, to be able to choose to jump through hoops to win promotion at work instead of feeling as if you need to because of the money or the career progression. When all is said and done, you'll only get it if you are the best person.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Miss Piggy on June 14, 2017, 03:47:27 PM
I'm in a kinda funny situation at work.  A while ago I applied for a promotion pool and have been going through the process (Resume --> Exam --> Interview).  It's all competency based and very procedural. i.e. long and painful.  Given that I'm 2 years away from RE, being promoted at this point wouldn't hasten my departure by much. On paper I'll get there a couple of weeks ahead, a month at most.

I've had many inner conversations between career-man: "You need this! It's important!" and RE-man: "Why are you going through this terrible process!  RE is in the bag! Work sucks! Let someone else have this! You don't need more money!".

At this point career-man seems to be winning.  I want it.  Maybe it's desire for external validation, or wanting to achieve something in my last 2 years.  Regardless, I know it's not for the money, and that is a nice feeling.

How very liberating, to be able to choose to jump through hoops to win promotion at work instead of feeling as if you need to because of the money or the career progression. When all is said and done, you'll only get it if you are the best person.

I can kinda relate. On a whim, I recently applied for a job and was interviewed. Very liberating to not care whether I get an offer.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: powersuitrecall on June 14, 2017, 06:11:38 PM
Maybe this is what post-RE work will feel like, but a level up.  As in, we will only do things resembling work if something substantial but non-monetary can be gained from it ... i.e. fun!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: TartanTallulah on June 15, 2017, 08:24:50 AM
Maybe this is what post-RE work will feel like, but a level up.  As in, we will only do things resembling work if something substantial but non-monetary can be gained from it ... i.e. fun!

Hanging out in this internet space has given me more understanding of what's going on with a former colleague of mine. A few years ago he was working so slowly he was almost going backwards, my other colleagues were very frustrated with him (I was less so, as I was quite new to the firm and didn't have the same history with him that they had), he had a close call with his health, and then the accountant told him that he had reached the lifetime limit on his pension fund. He decided to take his pension. "He's ready to retire," we said, and took the opportunity to insist that he cut his ties with the firm completely rather than dangling around in a part time capacity taking money for doing nothing.

If he'd put half as much enthusiasm into his job here as he's now putting into developing other business interests in another, more lucrative and high profile, branch of the same line of work, we'd have fought to get him to stay.

For a while, I couldn't get my head round it. He's got more than enough money for anyone to live well on, why work so hard? He does have a high-cost, keeping-up-appearances lifestyle. Is he living beyond his means? Maybe he is, but he doesn't have the stressed appearance of someone who's underwater financially, he seems to find genuine joy in working about 200 hours a week. And I think that's it. He doesn't need to earn a living and he's driven by other things - personal satisfaction, his new colleagues, the prospect of public recognition.

And maybe a bit of, "I'll show them, I'll succeed and throw it in their faces," aimed at us.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: cerat0n1a on June 15, 2017, 09:22:18 AM
I've taken the opposite approach - took a less senior role at the start of the year, in preparation for ending my days of sitting in an office. Haven't mentioned my plans to retire and nobody would expect someone my age to do so, but fortunately it's not unheard of round here for people to decide that they want to trade less responsibility for less pay.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Vegasgirl on June 15, 2017, 09:23:42 AM
I'd like to put my name into this group.  I was going back and forth between April 1, 2020 and Sept 1, 2019.  I think Sept 1, 2019 has won in my mind so I'll commit to that. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on June 15, 2017, 09:25:27 AM
Maybe this is what post-RE work will feel like, but a level up.  As in, we will only do things resembling work if something substantial but non-monetary can be gained from it ... i.e. fun!

Hanging out in this internet space has given me more understanding of what's going on with a former colleague of mine. A few years ago he was working so slowly he was almost going backwards, my other colleagues were very frustrated with him (I was less so, as I was quite new to the firm and didn't have the same history with him that they had), he had a close call with his health, and then the accountant told him that he had reached the lifetime limit on his pension fund. He decided to take his pension. "He's ready to retire," we said, and took the opportunity to insist that he cut his ties with the firm completely rather than dangling around in a part time capacity taking money for doing nothing.

If he'd put half as much enthusiasm into his job here as he's now putting into developing other business interests in another, more lucrative and high profile, branch of the same line of work, we'd have fought to get him to stay.

For a while, I couldn't get my head round it. He's got more than enough money for anyone to live well on, why work so hard? He does have a high-cost, keeping-up-appearances lifestyle. Is he living beyond his means? Maybe he is, but he doesn't have the stressed appearance of someone who's underwater financially, he seems to find genuine joy in working about 200 hours a week. And I think that's it. He doesn't need to earn a living and he's driven by other things - personal satisfaction, his new colleagues, the prospect of public recognition.

And maybe a bit of, "I'll show them, I'll succeed and throw it in their faces," aimed at us.

Or... this guy used his working hours at your employer on (preparing) his side-gig.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: VoteCthulu on June 15, 2017, 11:06:43 AM
I'd like to put my name into this group.  I was going back and forth between April 1, 2020 and Sept 1, 2019.  I think Sept 1, 2019 has won in my mind so I'll commit to that.
Welcome to the club! Was the earlier choice because of hitting your number faster than expected? I know I'm ahead of expectations this year.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Vegasgirl on June 15, 2017, 12:23:22 PM
The earlier choice is when I will meet both my goals of money in deferred comp and 30 years of service.  I was considering April 1, 2020 because it would allow me to put one more "years worth" of cash into deferred comp - just accelerated during the first three months of the year.  But really I don't need to.  I don't plan on touching it for 10-12 years anyway and work is really frustrating me.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: TartanTallulah on June 15, 2017, 02:40:22 PM
Maybe this is what post-RE work will feel like, but a level up.  As in, we will only do things resembling work if something substantial but non-monetary can be gained from it ... i.e. fun!

Hanging out in this internet space has given me more understanding of what's going on with a former colleague of mine. A few years ago he was working so slowly he was almost going backwards, my other colleagues were very frustrated with him (I was less so, as I was quite new to the firm and didn't have the same history with him that they had), he had a close call with his health, and then the accountant told him that he had reached the lifetime limit on his pension fund. He decided to take his pension. "He's ready to retire," we said, and took the opportunity to insist that he cut his ties with the firm completely rather than dangling around in a part time capacity taking money for doing nothing.

If he'd put half as much enthusiasm into his job here as he's now putting into developing other business interests in another, more lucrative and high profile, branch of the same line of work, we'd have fought to get him to stay.

For a while, I couldn't get my head round it. He's got more than enough money for anyone to live well on, why work so hard? He does have a high-cost, keeping-up-appearances lifestyle. Is he living beyond his means? Maybe he is, but he doesn't have the stressed appearance of someone who's underwater financially, he seems to find genuine joy in working about 200 hours a week. And I think that's it. He doesn't need to earn a living and he's driven by other things - personal satisfaction, his new colleagues, the prospect of public recognition.

And maybe a bit of, "I'll show them, I'll succeed and throw it in their faces," aimed at us.

Or... this guy used his working hours at your employer on (preparing) his side-gig.

It's quite possible that he was spending time setting up his side-gig behind closed doors in his office and that was part of the reason for his inefficiency. He already had another side-gig at the time.

He got his spark back and we got a new colleague who pulled their weight. Everyone came out on top.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on June 15, 2017, 02:40:56 PM
The earlier choice is when I will meet both my goals of money in deferred comp and 30 years of service.  I was considering April 1, 2020 because it would allow me to put one more "years worth" of cash into deferred comp - just accelerated during the first three months of the year.  But really I don't need to.  I don't plan on touching it for 10-12 years anyway and work is really frustrating me.

Good choice!  You can't retire on April 1, 2020.  No one would believe you.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on June 15, 2017, 04:40:20 PM
Good choice!  You can't retire on April 1, 2020.  No one would believe you.

If the company's fiscal year starts on April 1 (mine does), then one might consider it.

In most peoples eyes, "fiscal year start" and FIRE are both fantasies. 
I've seen about a month after the "fiscal year start" go by before charge codes are known/distributed.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: TartanTallulah on June 15, 2017, 11:29:57 PM
I'd like to put my name into this group.  I was going back and forth between April 1, 2020 and Sept 1, 2019.  I think Sept 1, 2019 has won in my mind so I'll commit to that.

Welcome! From the thread you started a few days ago it looks as if your journey might be interesting and I hope you find the support and encouragement you might need on here.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Vegasgirl on June 24, 2017, 11:11:36 AM
So just a little update - DH is coming around slowly but surely little bits at a time.   Goal now is RE for me @ 50 in 2019.  FI when DH is eligible to retire by my estimates @ 50 2024/25. 

Currently I'm 48 DH is 43.

I realize in this group age 50 is not necessarily early retirement but I think by today's "normal" standards it is so I'm sticking with it as "early" retirement.   From what I can project by the time DH is 50 it will be solely his choice of whether or not to retire, but my decision is made, I'm out in 2019 !!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on June 24, 2017, 03:31:05 PM
I realize in this group age 50 is not necessarily early retirement...
I learned that early retirement is any retirement before the traditional retirement at age of 65.  I think you're doing just fine.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on June 24, 2017, 11:34:18 PM
Retirement at 50 is 20 years early!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: VoteCthulu on June 25, 2017, 12:05:18 AM
I don't know about 70 being the normal retirement age, but certainly anytime before you qualify for social security (or whatever your country provides) should be considered early.

Thankfully it's not a competition, or we'd all be losing to those ERE folk retiring in their early 20s!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on June 25, 2017, 03:36:52 AM
I am 45 and while I hope to FIRE in the next 2 years I fully expect a significant portion of my peers to be retiring at 70.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on June 25, 2017, 07:21:48 AM
I'll be 52 in 2019 when I FIRE, and I am choosing to think of myself as young. :)

Update:  Although I am still on track for 8/1/19, they have started some layoffs at work, and I may end up being a "WIGLO", i.e. FIRE "when I get laid off."  :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on June 25, 2017, 09:13:47 AM
Yes, I believe a SIPP is a very good choice in my situation. I do have a SIPP (started back in prehistoric times as a Stakeholder Pension and left to grow in the dark for around a decade before I could afford to start contributing again), and it forms a major part of my bridging plan and would be where I'd put any income I wasn't contributing to the occupational scheme if I pulled out so that I'd have the flexibility to draw on it from 55. I expect to pay some tax in retirement, and the interesting part will be getting the balance of pension drawdown, cash, and income from ISA investments and other sources about right each year as well as over the full period.

I've also opened a SIPP for my spouse, who doesn't take much interest in financial matters and doesn't earn enough to pay income tax, because the tax treatment is advantageous for non-taxpayers and because it will also be advantageous for us after retirement for him to hold some of our assets since we have separate annual and lifetime allowances and tax liabilities. And because I think giving him a sense of ownership of our financial planning is worthwhile in its own right.

I have a cash ISA that's been mouldering away at a low interest rate for years. This is in addition to having the oft-recommended three months' salary to hand in case the sky falls in. I intend to transfer this to a low-risk fund within a stocks and shares ISA now, because I don't need to be sitting on a wodge of dormant cash. Unless my SIPP suffers a huge drop in value I'll be able to take a tax free lump sum of almost the same amount two years hence. It's something I should have had the courage to do ages ago, but I don't think it's too late.

(I should add that these are all small numbers in comparison to many of the net worth figures I see being thrown around on the forum.)
Depending on where you stand with the Lifetime Allowance I'd be sticking everything possible into the SIPP / PP at this stage.  My OH works part time and we put 100% of her salary into a PP, getting more tax relief than she actually pays.  What I wouldn't be doing in your shoes though is shifting that cash ISA into a S&S ISA.  I'm presuming that your SIPP is in some mix of bond and equity funds and so that 'cash' you are getting in 2 years' time will really be from selling S&S and therefore vulnerable to a market correction.  With both bonds and equities at historically high valuations I would see much more downside than upside in investing now the money that you will effectively be using to live on in only 2 years.  Better to keep it in cash (inside a SIPP if you have the AA/ LTA /Earnings) and plan to reinvest the TFLS from the pension to S&S ISAs.
And I couldn't agree more about the bridging period being the difficult bit!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: zinnie on June 25, 2017, 09:36:11 AM
Happy summer, 2019 cohort! Checking in. I seem to be pretty solidly in Jan 2019 at this point.

I've been front-loading my 401k, which is an interesting experiment. Our take-home pay now is basically what we would have for spending in a FIRE model, and it feels...weird. I'm not used to having to plan out when to pay the CC bill, and when to pay the mortgage. We just had a $2000 sewage line leaking incident, and had to transfer cash to cover it. Even though we've been living on our FIRE income number annually, it feels uncomfortable to be so limited each month. Will have to think about how to manage this post-FIRE--pull out a few months of expenses at once? Homework is to look into how others do this.

I realized last week that if I sold my house now, I'd be done. Housing prices are insane here right now. We have 357k equity and I am only 267k from my number. So, I'd have my number plus enough for a nice downpayment somewhere else [that is lower COL]. Or, my mortgage plus insurance/taxes are $1500/month, and I could find a rental at that price. So what is the 357k getting me? I like my house and where I live, but I'm really questioning how much it is worth to me. We have lived here for seven years and haven't made any major repairs yet, so the house hasn't cost us much beyond the mortgage and taxes, but the list of needed updates is starting to catch up.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: powersuitrecall on June 25, 2017, 11:33:41 AM
I am 45 and while I hope to FIRE in the next 2 years I fully expect a significant portion of my peers to be retiring at 70.

Ditto (45), but since I'm in the gov't most people are chained to their desks until 60 or 65.  Most co-workers merrily spend their paycheques knowing that they will have a juicy pension to fall into.  I was a late arrival in the gov't world.  If I were to hold out for a full pension, I'd have to work till 72.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: TartanTallulah on June 25, 2017, 04:29:59 PM
Yes, I believe a SIPP is a very good choice in my situation. I do have a SIPP (started back in prehistoric times as a Stakeholder Pension and left to grow in the dark for around a decade before I could afford to start contributing again), and it forms a major part of my bridging plan and would be where I'd put any income I wasn't contributing to the occupational scheme if I pulled out so that I'd have the flexibility to draw on it from 55. I expect to pay some tax in retirement, and the interesting part will be getting the balance of pension drawdown, cash, and income from ISA investments and other sources about right each year as well as over the full period.

I've also opened a SIPP for my spouse, who doesn't take much interest in financial matters and doesn't earn enough to pay income tax, because the tax treatment is advantageous for non-taxpayers and because it will also be advantageous for us after retirement for him to hold some of our assets since we have separate annual and lifetime allowances and tax liabilities. And because I think giving him a sense of ownership of our financial planning is worthwhile in its own right.

I have a cash ISA that's been mouldering away at a low interest rate for years. This is in addition to having the oft-recommended three months' salary to hand in case the sky falls in. I intend to transfer this to a low-risk fund within a stocks and shares ISA now, because I don't need to be sitting on a wodge of dormant cash. Unless my SIPP suffers a huge drop in value I'll be able to take a tax free lump sum of almost the same amount two years hence. It's something I should have had the courage to do ages ago, but I don't think it's too late.

(I should add that these are all small numbers in comparison to many of the net worth figures I see being thrown around on the forum.)
Depending on where you stand with the Lifetime Allowance I'd be sticking everything possible into the SIPP / PP at this stage.  My OH works part time and we put 100% of her salary into a PP, getting more tax relief than she actually pays.  What I wouldn't be doing in your shoes though is shifting that cash ISA into a S&S ISA.  I'm presuming that your SIPP is in some mix of bond and equity funds and so that 'cash' you are getting in 2 years' time will really be from selling S&S and therefore vulnerable to a market correction.  With both bonds and equities at historically high valuations I would see much more downside than upside in investing now the money that you will effectively be using to live on in only 2 years.  Better to keep it in cash (inside a SIPP if you have the AA/ LTA /Earnings) and plan to reinvest the TFLS from the pension to S&S ISAs.
And I couldn't agree more about the bridging period being the difficult bit!

Yes, I'm still sitting on that cash ISA - it doesn't feature in my calculations at all (this may be because I spent several years pretending that it didn't exist) and would only form part of my short term plans if something happened that meant I had to stop working at very short notice, but I've dithered back and forth between "it could be ten years or more before I need to touch it" and "it's been sitting there for years earning hardly any interest, and it would be stupid to transfer it to equities less than two years before I want to be able to retire irrespective of what condition the market appears to be in".

Having discovered only very recently that we can put my husband's entire income into a SIPP even though he doesn't earn enough to pay tax, I'm on to that. I'm likely to be flirting with the annual allowance this year due to my income having jumped (the silver lining to an unwelcome increase in workload) and am wary of contributing to my own SIPP.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on June 28, 2017, 08:48:07 AM
Great doubt has entered my brain... I think I might have to find myself another FIRE cohort.

When running the numbers in my spreadsheet, I still think we would in theory make it (part time FIRE) and start working 50% in 2019, but it does require downsizing immediately and selling our mountain cabin. Just to gather enough cash to be able to start using the 4% rule. As long as the money is invested in property, that is not a particular price rising area, it won't generate any money. When talking to my DH about this, I don't think he is willing to do this yet. He would like to keep the cabin for years, even though it has a substantial cost per year. And as long as he would work part time at his current company we need to keep living in a HCOL area on commuting distance from the main city, in the vicinity of a train station. On the other hand, when working 50%, would we not need to start using the 4% and a part of the stash.

One other thing, is that I am not sure I would want to work 50% for another couple of years. I would rather just quite completely. And I don't think my DH would really appreciate being the only one earning money in our household. I cannot be a SAHM, as we don't have kids. That would have been a more legitimate situation.

Ideally we should have 1 million NOK (100K USD) more before FIRE. That is more than a years savings.
I am also from time to time freaking out on pension money. Our stately pension fund has not yet defined how the rules are for people of my age. So I cannot get an answer from them of how much I will receive from the age of 67. I only know what I will get from the general government (not special pension fund).

All in all, I doubt whether we are going to do something in 2019 at all. But I'll make sure to run the numbers again in December 2019.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Roboturner on June 28, 2017, 08:55:55 AM
Just to gather enough cash to be able to start using the 4% rule.

Keep in mind that the 4% rule assumes 1% fees so its more like the 5% rule (or 4.9% if you keep your expense ratios in the 0.1% or less range on average) - so you have a little built in buffer
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on June 28, 2017, 09:08:02 AM
Great doubt has entered my brain... I think I might have to find myself another FIRE cohort.

When running the numbers in my spreadsheet, I still think we would in theory make it (part time FIRE) and start working 50% in 2019, but it does require downsizing immediately and selling our mountain cabin. Just to gather enough cash to be able to start using the 4% rule. As long as the money is invested in property, that is not a particular price rising area, it won't generate any money. When talking to my DH about this, I don't think he is willing to do this yet. He would like to keep the cabin for years, even though it has a substantial cost per year. And as long as he would work part time at his current company we need to keep living in a HCOL area on commuting distance from the main city, in the vicinity of a train station. On the other hand, when working 50%, would we not need to start using the 4% and a part of the stash.

One other thing, is that I am not sure I would want to work 50% for another couple of years. I would rather just quite completely. And I don't think my DH would really appreciate being the only one earning money in our household. I cannot be a SAHM, as we don't have kids. That would have been a more legitimate situation.

Ideally we should have 1 million NOK (100K USD) more before FIRE. That is more than a years savings.
I am also from time to time freaking out on pension money. Our stately pension fund has not yet defined how the rules are for people of my age. So I cannot get an answer from them of how much I will receive from the age of 67. I only know what I will get from the general government (not special pension fund).

All in all, I doubt whether we are going to do something in 2019 at all. But I'll make sure to run the numbers again in December 2019.

If you are anything like me you will change your mind 5 more times in the next 2 years.

Regarding the cabin, there may not be a need to sell immediately. If you can assume it's value goes up with inflation, you can sell it later and benefit then. Sure you are not getting 5-7% above inflation in the next few years, but maybe you don't need that. Maybe assume that for the cabin you only get 2.5%- 3% SWR, as opposed to 4% or more on the rest of your portfolio.

I completely relate to the guilt you say you would feel sending your
Partner to work while staying home. I am faced with the same dillema.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on June 28, 2017, 09:28:19 AM

Most Righteous Alias Age at
FIRE
Target
Date
Date Confirmed


zinnie35Feb-19
MissNancyPryor50Mar-19
Roboturner30Mar-19
TartanTallulah55Mar-19
Luck1241Apr-19
albireo1361May-1-19
Livingthedream5559May-19
cerat0n1aMay-19
dude54May-19
SamIAm3829May-19
oldtoyotaJun-19
Itchyfeet47Jun-19
PhilB53Jun-19
Bateaux50Jun-19
CryingInThePool44Jun-19
powersuitrecall47Jul-19
Enigma39Jul-19
Thedividebyzero45Jul-19
Trifele52Aug-19
Cornbread OMalley42Aug-19
RetirementDreamingSep-19
VoteCthulu39Oct-19
trix7643Oct-19
MoMan55Oct-19
markbike528CBX55Dec-19
HBFI38Dec-19
luckyme1345Dec-19
ParizadeTBD
madamwitty36TBD
Lowerbills40TBD
Chrissy42TBD
GerardTBD
getoutsoon52TBD
ysette938late-19TBD
elaine amj40TBD
IplawyerTBD
ChairmanTBD-SemiFire
2Birds1StoneTBD

I figured we should update the list at least once per page.  If I missed anyone, add yourself in

Correct myself to "TBD" on date, as I am still sceptical that I will be FI in 2019
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on June 28, 2017, 09:34:20 AM
Great doubt has entered my brain... I think I might have to find myself another FIRE cohort.

When running the numbers in my spreadsheet, I still think we would in theory make it (part time FIRE) and start working 50% in 2019, but it does require downsizing immediately and selling our mountain cabin. Just to gather enough cash to be able to start using the 4% rule
Sorry to hear that things are looking tricky.  It's quite difficult to work out the numbers in your position as the 18 to 21 years between your 2019 date and when your state pensions come on line mean that whilst you don't need the full 25x outgoings of someone retiring purely on their stash, you might need something close to it depending on what percentage of those outgoings you expect the pensions to cover.  I have a slightly similar situation (various pensions coming on line between 10 and 14 years post RE date) and pretty well the only way to model it is to spreadsheet out year-by-year and then shuffle your stash between long term income and 'bridging' pots.
Have you talked to your OH about how he would feel about being the only one working PT?  You may be pleasantly surprised.  My OH is definitely retiring completely in 2019, but I may stay on PT for a few years if offered a good enough deal and I'm perfectly happy with that (although I may expect her to do more than 50% of the housework in that situation!).
Is there any way to get income from the cabin such as renting it out?  Alternatively, would an option during the PT years be to keep the cabin, but sell your main house and buy a small flat (with rental potential?) near work, then spend half your time at the cabin having fun and the other half in the flat whilst working.  When DH has had enough of the PT work you could then either self both cabin and flat to buy your retirement property, or maybe keep the flat on for rental income.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on June 28, 2017, 11:13:48 AM
Great doubt has entered my brain... I think I might have to find myself another FIRE cohort.

When running the numbers in my spreadsheet, I still think we would in theory make it (part time FIRE) and start working 50% in 2019, but it does require downsizing immediately and selling our mountain cabin. Just to gather enough cash to be able to start using the 4% rule
Sorry to hear that things are looking tricky.  It's quite difficult to work out the numbers in your position as the 18 to 21 years between your 2019 date and when your state pensions come on line mean that whilst you don't need the full 25x outgoings of someone retiring purely on their stash, you might need something close to it depending on what percentage of those outgoings you expect the pensions to cover.  I have a slightly similar situation (various pensions coming on line between 10 and 14 years post RE date) and pretty well the only way to model it is to spreadsheet out year-by-year and then shuffle your stash between long term income and 'bridging' pots.
Have you talked to your OH about how he would feel about being the only one working PT?  You may be pleasantly surprised.  My OH is definitely retiring completely in 2019, but I may stay on PT for a few years if offered a good enough deal and I'm perfectly happy with that (although I may expect her to do more than 50% of the housework in that situation!).
Is there any way to get income from the cabin such as renting it out?  Alternatively, would an option during the PT years be to keep the cabin, but sell your main house and buy a small flat (with rental potential?) near work, then spend half your time at the cabin having fun and the other half in the flat whilst working.  When DH has had enough of the PT work you could then either self both cabin and flat to buy your retirement property, or maybe keep the flat on for rental income.

I am already counting for a sum much less than 25x yearly spending, as our pension funds will take over from 67. We also plan to eat up our stash, in addition to using the 4%. I will do the numbers again, counting that some of the stash comes in years later.

Yes, I have been thinking about renting out the cabin. Unfortunately it is quite far away, so we cannot drive there before and after every rental. And renting prices in that area are not high enough to let someone else do it. But normally the week before easter and the winter school holiday are popular for cross country skiing. I would like to rent out those two weeks. Maybe that could pay for the whole year, or for a large part. We can start the winter school holiday next winter, and prepare before that and after that.

During dinner, I asked Dh about his opinion on being the sole bread winner. He thinks that as long as we are not FI, I should contribute with earning money. Preferably also 50% of my present income, either by doing a similar job 50% or doing a less stessfull job fulltime. I think my current job would be less stessfull when working part time. After FI he will probably continue to work in periods, but then I can FIRE. But he says he can well work part time from another city. So we could downsize when we start working part time. We just need to keep living near a reasonably large city (for Norwegian standards) and near an airport with some regular traffic.

I think a flat is not really our thing at the moment. But we'll look into it later.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: CryingInThePool on June 28, 2017, 02:56:55 PM
Anybody starting to feel a little cash crunched now that we are 2 years out?  I've been researching 'glide path' and cd ladders to fund first few years of FIRE and wishing I'd started the CD ladder last year.

I finally sat down and projected out cash needs for Y1 and some expenses (electric bike, lasik, family trips) I was planning to knock off before the pay checks dried up and the total was bracing.   I don't think it will delay my 2019 target but it is forcing me to reallocate more of may savings rate to cash and less to Vanguard.

To that  end https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/investor-alley/cd-ladder-advice-newbie-questions/ (https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/investor-alley/cd-ladder-advice-newbie-questions/)  I asked over on the Investor thread but figured I'd repeat here in case I could crowd source some additional strategies from people in the same time frame out.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: VoteCthulu on June 28, 2017, 03:12:16 PM
I'm not a fan of CDs at today's rates, and I especially question the practice of putting 1/5 of your assets into a 5 year ladder instead of investing them in the market.

If you're over saved and really dislike volitility I suppose it makes sense, but whenever I think about how much money my parents lost just to inflation these last 10 years investing in 1-2% CDs I can't help but feel bad for them.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on June 29, 2017, 03:06:13 AM
I'll just stop investing 6 months prior to FIRE and that will give me 6 months spending in cash (we save 50% of income) which is all I plan to hold in cash. We could make that cash last a year if there was a crash.... well that assumes 0 dividends which in unrealistic. The cash would probably give us 2 years without drawing down on our stash I suppose.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: TartanTallulah on June 29, 2017, 03:57:57 AM
Anybody starting to feel a little cash crunched now that we are 2 years out? 


If anything, I'm skewed too much towards cash for someone who is nearly two whole years (21 paychecks!) out. But unless anything doesn't go according to plan, that's "too much" only in the context of being able to continue building a cash deposit andto take a cash-free lump sum from my SIPP any time from 55. And it's purely the result of being idle and leaving money in a cash ISA that could easily have been transferred to a stocks and shares ISA several years ago. #toobusyearningmoneytomakemoney

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on June 29, 2017, 08:19:59 AM
I'll just stop investing 6 months prior to FIRE and that will give me 6 months spending in cash (we save 50% of income) which is all I plan to hold in cash. We could make that cash last a year if there was a crash.... well that assumes 0 dividends which in unrealistic. The cash would probably give us 2 years without drawing down on our stash I suppose.
That's a tactic I've thought about and may implement when I get closer to my FIRE date.  Right now I put $400 cash a month into the cash reserves and $4200 a month into my other stuff like taxable accounts, TSP, and Roth.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on June 29, 2017, 09:25:26 AM
+1.  Now that I am two years away I am starting to make changes.  Just last month I ratcheted back on my 403b and 457 contributions to start building the cash and readily-accessible reserves.  I am doing something similar to Cornbread -- a modest amount straight into cash, and then a bigger chunk into the after-tax account.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MoMan on June 29, 2017, 11:40:25 AM
Since I will retire at 55, I can access my 401(k) without penalty. BUT they only offer a lump sum payout; you can't take it piecemeal. I also have a tiny pension: Current lump sum value is about $30k (versus annuitizing for $350/mo starting at 65). So my plan is to convert the entire 401(k) along with the lump sum pension into a 10 year income annuity. This should provide me a $30k/yr income until I reach 65. The remainder of my assets (Roth IRA, 2 traditional IRAs and a taxable account) will remain invested and hopefully grow significantly over that 10 year span. Then start tapping those assets to live on; claim SS at 70. I think I'll be set. Plus, DW doesn't plan on retiring anytime soon and she makes 50% more than I currently do.

I have been moving some of my investments to cash, just because the market has skyrocketed over the past year. Glad I did: as I type, the Dow is down over 1%. If it really dives, I might move that cash back in.

In other news, I'm super grateful for my mustachian ways. Today I went to the dentist and discovered I need not 1 buy 2 dental implants to replace a couple of root canals gone bad. I've been told to expect $10k each. They quoted me $12k for the pair, so not as bad (and they think my insurance will shave another $2k off that). Because I haven't touched it since the account was opened years ago, I have enough in my HSA to cover the whole thing, although not excited about liquidating that tax haven. Oh well, it doesn't truly affect my plans long term, and being prepared for shit like this is what the 'stache is all about.
Title: Two years to go!
Post by: PhilB on June 30, 2017, 01:22:34 AM
Only 2 more years to go to RE and I am now most definitely FI.  The last 2 years are just adding to my (already more than adequate) contingency fund to help me sleep better.  So it occurs to me, If my existing retirement funds can already support my lifestyle then all my post tax earnings are effectively just being added to savings - a 100% savings rate ! :-)
Title: Re: Two years to go!
Post by: Linea_Norway on June 30, 2017, 02:03:43 AM
Only 2 more years to go to RE and I am now most definitely FI.  The last 2 years are just adding to my (already more than adequate) contingency fund to help me sleep better.  So it occurs to me, If my existing retirement funds can already support my lifestyle then all my post tax earnings are effectively just being added to savings - a 100% savings rate ! :-)

Congrats on being FI!
Title: Re: Two years to go!
Post by: itchyfeet on June 30, 2017, 03:26:27 AM
Only 2 more years to go to RE and I am now most definitely FI.  The last 2 years are just adding to my (already more than adequate) contingency fund to help me sleep better.  So it occurs to me, If my existing retirement funds can already support my lifestyle then all my post tax earnings are effectively just being added to savings - a 100% savings rate ! :-)

Totally awesome that you are set financially.... but I can't agree with the maths 😜

I do get the sentiment, but if you are not spending your salary you are drawing on the returns from your stash. So yes a 100% savings rate of salary, but a negative saving rate elsewhere.

I have seen others here include investment returns + salary in calculating their savings rate e.g.: salary 100k + investment returns 100k = 200k. Expenditure = 50k. Therefore savings rate =75%.

Others just look at their salary and spending, not including investment gains. I think this is more common.

I guess both are valid, but your method hmmmm 😬.

 I suspect 2017 won't be the first year that investment returns were greater than spending. It will be our 3 year. This certainly adds confidence to FIREing.
Title: Re: Two years to go!
Post by: PhilB on June 30, 2017, 04:15:54 AM
Totally awesome that you are set financially.... but I can't agree with the maths 😜

I do get the sentiment, but if you are not spending your salary you are drawing on the returns from your stash. So yes a 100% savings rate of salary, but a negative saving rate elsewhere.

I have seen others here include investment returns + salary in calculating their savings rate e.g.: salary 100k + investment returns 100k = 200k. Expenditure = 50k. Therefore savings rate =75%.

Others just look at their salary and spending, not including investment gains. I think this is more common.

I guess both are valid, but your method hmmmm 😬.
My '100% savings rate' comment was very tongue-in-cheek and isn't a methodology I'd recommend generally - and certainly not before FI - but I think it does have some validity in my case.  As I am FI, when analysing my decision to keep working probably the most relevant question is 'what percentage of those earnings will be translated to an increase in my contingency fund?' and the rather delightful answer is 100%. 
My Excel model is telling me that if I retire today I should be able to support a spending level roughly 10% higher than my actuals for the last couple of years.  I don't expect much lifestyle inflation so anything extra just fattens the contingencies and increases inheritance. 
Quote
I suspect 2017 won't be the first year that investment returns were greater than spending. It will be our 3 year. This certainly adds confidence to FIREing.
Congratulations, that definitely helps.  I'm not very trusting of recent investment returns so that isn't a number I've particularly looked at against spending - in fact my retirement model has been using a 4% real return for the last 3 years rather than marking to market.  Actuals are currently about 8% above the number in my model and I wouldn't feel comfortable 'banking' that to the model as valuations are looking rather high.
Title: Re: Two years to go!
Post by: cerat0n1a on June 30, 2017, 05:00:28 AM
Only 2 more years to go to RE and I am now most definitely FI.  The last 2 years are just adding to my (already more than adequate) contingency fund to help me sleep better.  So it occurs to me, If my existing retirement funds can already support my lifestyle then all my post tax earnings are effectively just being added to savings - a 100% savings rate ! :-)

I'm effectively in the same situation. On the one hand, it's nice to see the total fund size growing so rapidly compared to when starting out. The first 10k (or 100k) truly is the hardest. On the other hand, when the size of your 'stache can easily vary by a month or two's salary during any given day, it's good to keep the discipline of not checking too often.
Title: Re: Two years to go!
Post by: PhilB on June 30, 2017, 06:05:36 AM
I'm effectively in the same situation. On the one hand, it's nice to see the total fund size growing so rapidly compared to when starting out. The first 10k (or 100k) truly is the hardest. On the other hand, when the size of your 'stache can easily vary by a month or two's salary during any given day, it's good to keep the discipline of not checking too often.
Yep.  It's a tricky thing to get your head around when the numbers get to be both big and bouncy.  What's worked for me is checking on the same day every week and plotting actuals against budget on a graph (geeky or what?).  After watching that for a few years I can now maintain my equanimity whilst watching the numbers go up and down and concentrate on the trends rather than the noise.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: VoteCthulu on June 30, 2017, 01:06:20 PM
I track my savings once a month, mostly for personal motivation. I'm waiting for healthcare to become a bit more certain before I review my number to make sure I won't need OMY. Or if the Obamacare subsidies stick around, perhaps even OLY.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on June 30, 2017, 01:12:49 PM
I tracked my stock investments day. It. Is all invested in foreign indexfunds for speading risk, as I live in a country with a small valuta. Earlier all my stock was at 7% or more profit. Currently my European index fund and the fastgrowing markets funds are in the negative! I guess it has something to do with the value of the Norwegian crown.bmy Asian index fund is still doing very well, as is my world index fund.  On all funds I am currently 10% in the positive after 1,5 year with investing. Still on schedule for the future 4% rule. And I presume those negative funds will climb again at some time in the future.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on July 01, 2017, 12:26:08 AM
I tracked my stock investments day. It. Is all invested in foreign indexfunds for speading risk, as I live in a country with a small valuta. Earlier all my stock was at 7% or more profit. Currently my European index fund and the fastgrowing markets funds are in the negative! I guess it has something to do with the value of the Norwegian crown.bmy Asian index fund is still doing very well, as is my world index fund.  On all funds I am currently 10% in the positive after 1,5 year with investing. Still on schedule for the future 4% rule. And I presume those negative funds will climb again at some time in the future.

Yeah, the weaker USD impacted me a little this month too.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Bateaux on July 01, 2017, 10:28:29 PM
If my investments return 5% annually for the next two years then I will meet my goal.  Sure would appreciate having some idea what health care costs will be then.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on July 02, 2017, 02:53:06 AM
June proved to be a great month on the road to FIRE, more than offsetting my stash shrinkage from May by adding a handy sum more.

I am now at 22x my post FIRE planned spending, or a withdrawal rate of 4.5% if I FIRED today.

So far this year my stash has generated very impressive annualized returns of 12.9%, primarily due to leveraged property investments.

My equity investments have only given me an annualized return of around 5% due to a flat Australian stock market and the weaker US dollar diminishing otherwise great returns on my international investments.

The annualized returns from property for the 6 months were 10%, but with leverage I gained 18% annualized. These numbers includes both rent and cap gains, and all costs including finance.

I really can't imagine any further gains on property this year beyond rent, so will be hoping for Australian equities to do some of the heavy lifting, like they did in H2 2016. Fingers crossed. At least dividends should be higher in H2.

My savings rate in June was not great. Clearly DW and I have work to do on tightening spending ahead of FIRE. The hole in June was spending on our summer vacation in July, which is not every month I suppose. However, after 6 months my spending this year is a couple of grand above the target, so we will want to reel that in over the coming months.

FIRE 2019 is certainly on track!!!

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: VoteCthulu on July 03, 2017, 01:21:00 PM
Yeah, the US index funds have done great this year. I find myself hoping for a little recession before I retire, so I can start off with the recovery. I'm pretty sure the market will tank 3- 6 months after whatever date I retire at, though.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on July 03, 2017, 01:35:48 PM
Yes, I will certainly never t be starting FIRE with 100% equities. Some cash and some bonds for at least the first few years will help me sleep better. I also have rental property that I'll prob keep post FIRE to provide a steady income.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on July 04, 2017, 02:09:26 AM
Yes, I will certainly never t be starting FIRE with 100% equities. Some cash and some bonds for at least the first few years will help me sleep better. I also have rental property that I'll prob keep post FIRE to provide a steady income.

I haven't really been realizing this. Although for the last to weeks I have been thinking about buying bonds in the future. But we have such a large portion of our money put into property (our current house and hut) that the risk is already spread. We are investing in funds now to spread in into something else than property.
I haven seen a Norwegian bond fund (Rentefond) that has generated 4,5% in the past years. That doesn't sound too bad. Although most stock funds are between 8 and 18%. I think I'll wait before doing that until either the rent goes up or we really start working part time.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Vegasgirl on July 07, 2017, 07:20:24 AM
Just looking at my pay stub this morning and seeing that I got an award of 40 hours annual leave.   Makes my day since I decided back at the beginning of the year I had no problem using most, if not all of my AL prior to leaving in 2019 !! What fun !!  I think I'll just be off for the remainder of the Fridays this year !!! 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Livingthedream55 on July 07, 2017, 07:42:22 AM
Just looking at my pay stub this morning and seeing that I got an award of 40 hours annual leave.   Makes my day since I decided back at the beginning of the year I had no problem using most, if not all of my AL prior to leaving in 2019 !! What fun !!  I think I'll just be off for the remainder of the Fridays this year !!!

Sweet!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: TartanTallulah on July 07, 2017, 09:09:22 AM
Just looking at my pay stub this morning and seeing that I got an award of 40 hours annual leave.   Makes my day since I decided back at the beginning of the year I had no problem using most, if not all of my AL prior to leaving in 2019 !! What fun !!  I think I'll just be off for the remainder of the Fridays this year !!!

Result! Congratulations :-)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on July 09, 2017, 09:36:37 AM
Just looking at my pay stub this morning and seeing that I got an award of 40 hours annual leave.   Makes my day since I decided back at the beginning of the year I had no problem using most, if not all of my AL prior to leaving in 2019 !! What fun !!  I think I'll just be off for the remainder of the Fridays this year !!!
That is awesome!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on July 09, 2017, 09:42:36 AM
Yes, I will certainly never t be starting FIRE with 100% equities. Some cash and some bonds for at least the first few years will help me sleep better. I also have rental property that I'll prob keep post FIRE to provide a steady income.
I will hit FIRE with 100% equities and stay that way indefinitely.  At least that's my thinking for now.  Upon FIRE I get a pension worth $40K annually that fits the role as bond income.  This gives me the flexibility to keep the allocation in equities very high.  So my thinking is if there is a downturn in the markets I rely on the monies from that pension and my cash reserves to ride out the downturn and give my equities the time needed to recover.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on July 09, 2017, 10:05:15 AM
A $40k pension would certainly be enough to allow me to sleep soundly every night.

I would value that at $800K in my stash. That's pretty nice to have.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on July 09, 2017, 07:14:54 PM
A $40k pension would certainly be enough to allow me to sleep soundly every night.

I would value that at $800K in my stash. That's pretty nice to have.
Can you explain to me the math you used to equate a $40K pension to $800K stash?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on July 10, 2017, 01:19:37 AM
A $40k pension would certainly be enough to allow me to sleep soundly every night.

I would value that at $800K in my stash. That's pretty nice to have.
Can you explain to me the math you used to equate a $40K pension to $800K stash?

I am just saying that in the absence of the pension you would need at least 20x the pension saved in your stash to fund life post retirement ie: 20 x 40K = $800K.

Arguably, you could also say that having $40K of certain income is better than having an $800K stash that is subject to sequence of returns risk. In this case you might argue that the pension is worth say 30x its annual value ie: $1.2M. Whatever!!

Ultimately, it really doesn't matter, as I would presume for post FIRE calculations you would take your annual expenditure requirement and then deduct the $40K pension to arrive at the expenses than need to be funded from your stash and then multiply that number by 20-30 to arrive at how big a stash you need outside the pension.

I also will receive a small pension and I like to put a value on it as I consider it part of my net worth. In my case I wont get the pension for 10 more years, so discount the value.


Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on July 15, 2017, 11:17:30 AM
I am just saying that in the absence of the pension you would need at least 20x the pension saved in your stash to fund life post retirement ie: 20 x 40K = $800K...I also will receive a small pension and I like to put a value on it as I consider it part of my net worth.
Ah, yes.  Some of the other forum members and I have posed the question of how much a pension translates to a number for net worth considerations.  At the end of the discussion we decided the technique you mention is oversimplifying things too much.  There are certain pension plans that don't translate to a set amount to be counted in the net worth stash.  It was better and more accurate to keep the pension amount separate from the net worth stash.

Arguably, you could also say that having $40K of certain income is better than having an $800K stash that is subject to sequence of returns risk. In this case you might argue that the pension is worth say 30x its annual value ie: $1.2M. Whatever!!
I think of my pension as an annuity.

...I would presume for post FIRE calculations you would take your annual expenditure requirement and then deduct the $40K pension to arrive at the expenses than need to be funded from your stash and then multiply that number by 20-30 to arrive at how big a stash you need outside the pension.
That is correct.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: powersuitrecall on July 17, 2017, 11:25:42 AM
I'm in a kinda funny situation at work.  A while ago I applied for a promotion pool and have been going through the process (Resume --> Exam --> Interview).  It's all competency based and very procedural. i.e. long and painful.  Given that I'm 2 years away from RE, being promoted at this point wouldn't hasten my departure by much. On paper I'll get there a couple of weeks ahead, a month at most.

I've had many inner conversations between career-man: "You need this! It's important!" and RE-man: "Why are you going through this terrible process!  RE is in the bag! Work sucks! Let someone else have this! You don't need more money!".

At this point career-man seems to be winning.  I want it.  Maybe it's desire for external validation, or wanting to achieve something in my last 2 years.  Regardless, I know it's not for the money, and that is a nice feeling.

Update - I didn't pass the interview.  It's disappointing on a variety of levels but ultimately doesn't impact the FIRE goals.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on July 18, 2017, 05:35:44 AM
Commiserations on failing the interview, but bigger congratulations on being in a position where you can afford to great the news with: 'Whatever.'
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on July 26, 2017, 03:52:15 PM
My timeline for the next few years looks like this:

1)  Get stabilized with assignment in the United States
2)  Report to new assignment in September 2017
3)  Work in assignment until September 2018; submit retirement paperwork
4)  Full retirement, August 2019

Once I settle into my new duty assignment, I have to inform my new boss of my intent to retire.  I will have to play my cards close hold and assess the atmosphere of my new environment and time my announcement well.  I will continue to track my expenses to see how the finances will look in a LCOL area.  Two years of doing this along with continuing to build my stash and I'll be more than solid.  Overall, I don't think I could've asked for better circumstances for the short term, and things are going as I envisioned.  I locked in item #1 on the timeline.  I wrote a short email with my biography attached and sent to my new boss.  He seems happy to have me coming on board.  So this begins the closing out of my current job and begins the transition to the new one.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: VoteCthulu on July 26, 2017, 04:17:28 PM
11 months retirement notice seems excessive, is there some exit benefit you get from it, or is that required in the military (I assume).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on July 26, 2017, 04:37:13 PM
11 months retirement notice seems excessive, is there some exit benefit you get from it, or is that required in the military (I assume).
Processing a retirement request and the associated paperwork takes one year.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MoMan on July 26, 2017, 05:41:37 PM
You forgot to gloat that you are 24 months from total freedom!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on July 26, 2017, 08:57:13 PM
You forgot to gloat that you are 24 months from total freedom!
Haha!  Nah, considering this is a 2019 cohort and most here will be done around the same time I will!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on July 31, 2017, 04:24:41 AM
Crossing a milestone today.  Two years from today will be my last day of work!!  24 months to freedom.  Yeah!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MoMan on July 31, 2017, 06:57:54 AM
Exciting!! I just dropped below the 800 day mark, so I'm about 3 months behind you.

Tick ... tock ...
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: TartanTallulah on July 31, 2017, 10:46:54 AM
I've resolved to stop counting days. Counting days doesn't help, because at the moment it still looks like a lot of days, and because it distracts me from the present need to do my job as well as I can.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: zinnie on July 31, 2017, 04:16:11 PM
I've resolved to stop counting days. Counting days doesn't help, because at the moment it still looks like a lot of days, and because it distracts me from the present need to do my job as well as I can.

me too, counting makes it worse and go much slower. as does focusing on it too much by visiting this thread! trying really hard to focus on other things while the time passes anyway, so i don't make myself miserable all this time. will be easier once it gets closer, i assume...
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Bateaux on July 31, 2017, 06:35:55 PM
My old date was March 1, 2018.  I'd set that date back in 2014.  I'd set a goal of 2M net worth and no debt by that date.  The net worth goal has been surpassed.  The date however had been extended by 15 months.  The new goal is 2M liquid and no debt.  This is a hard date now.

669 days
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on August 02, 2017, 11:55:36 PM
July Report Card

The Good...

  - After 7 months of the year (58% of the year) our net worth has grown by 81% of the target I set for the year at the beginning of 2017. We are having a good year.
  - Investment returns so far this year are more than our salaries and double our expenditure
  - Our stash is now at 22.5x our forecast post FIRE annual spending. So close now!!!. If we stopped working today we would be looking at a 4.4% withdrawal rate, which is most likely going to be successful with a little flexibility

The Bad

  - Spending in the first 7 months was a little higher than it should have been. We have a rough objective of not spending more than 50% of what we earn (we don't keep a detailed budget), and after 7 months we have spent 54% of income. We will try to recover this minor overspend in the remaining 5 months of the year. The overspend is purely due to hedonistic vacations.

Discussions are ongoing about whether to bring FIRE forward to 2018, as we will hit our number probably mid 2018. However, in light of the heady investment returns we have enjoyed of late we might stick with the original date (June 2019) and take a little extra cash buffer into FIRE with us. Decision will be made at Christmas this year.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: zinnie on August 03, 2017, 08:37:39 AM
July Report Card

The Good...

  - After 7 months of the year (58% of the year) our net worth has grown by 81% of the target I set for the year at the beginning of 2017. We are having a good year.
  - Investment returns so far this year are more than our salaries and double our expenditure
  - Our stash is now at 22.5x our forecast post FIRE annual spending. So close now!!!. If we stopped working today we would be looking at a 4.4% withdrawal rate, which is most likely going to be successful with a little flexibility

The Bad

  - Spending in the first 7 months was a little higher than it should have been. We have a rough objective of not spending more than 50% of what we earn (we don't keep a detailed budget), and after 7 months we have spent 54% of income. We will try to recover this minor overspend in the remaining 5 months of the year. The overspend is purely due to hedonistic vacations.

Discussions are ongoing about whether to bring FIRE forward to 2018, as we will hit our number probably mid 2018. However, in light of the heady investment returns we have enjoyed of late we might stick with the original date (June 2019) and take a little extra cash buffer into FIRE with us. Decision will be made at Christmas this year.

Great update! Congrats on possibly moving up to 2018. Either way, that's pretty close :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: zinnie on August 03, 2017, 09:20:15 AM
So, I quit my job. I have been spectacularly unmotivated, we are planning for layoffs, and seeing my boss sketch out new team organizations with me in them and others not just didn't feel right. People on my team really like their jobs and really want to stay, and I don't. So after September 1, I will be unemployed.

The good news is that it looks like as long as we can figure out how to invest $1500/month, I will just move from early to late 2019! That MMM article about your investments becoming a snowball that just picks up speed is so true. I can do freelance and contract work in my field, and my husband is going to teach in the evenings to bring in a little extra cash. Budgets will be really tight, but it will be good practice for FIRE.

I also need to figure out what I want to do with the rest of my life, and now I’m forced into it. We haven’t really focused much on where we want to live (we are here because of jobs), what we want to do, and kids or no kids, as we’ve mostly focused on trying to balance two full-time jobs with small amounts of fun. I’ve had a hard time feeling like I have enough time for a life outside of work, and now that will be gone.

I’m a little scared. My coworkers are pretty much like family, and are my sole source of friendships right now. Though everyone is promising to keep in touch, I know that’s all going to change. That said, I don’t know very many people who live close to me and I need to. I want to spend more time in my own neighborhood. Now it feels like I just come here to sleep.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on August 03, 2017, 10:08:53 AM
So, I quit my job...I also need to figure out what I want to do with the rest of my life, and now I’m forced into it...I don’t know very many people who live close to me and I need to. I want to spend more time in my own neighborhood...
That's really awesome in a MMM kind of way.  This is a fresh start, and now you can really explore what is immediately around you and what interests you.  I'm jealous since I don't have the option to call it quits.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: zinnie on August 07, 2017, 08:15:30 AM
So, I quit my job...I also need to figure out what I want to do with the rest of my life, and now I’m forced into it...I don’t know very many people who live close to me and I need to. I want to spend more time in my own neighborhood...
That's really awesome in a MMM kind of way.  This is a fresh start, and now you can really explore what is immediately around you and what interests you.  I'm jealous since I don't have the option to call it quits.

Thanks! This is FU money, I guess? Even though I'm not exactly saying it that way...

Sounds like you have a good plan going on. Sorry it can't come sooner, though!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on August 07, 2017, 08:30:32 AM
I made a command decision this summer. No more working summers. So I'll bail out of the job before Memorial Day 2018. 

"I would say it is your first command decision".
http://www.voyager.cz/tng/epizody/034matterofhonortrans.html


Oddly, one of the things that made me reluctant to bail early was the fact that I'm the OP of this thread.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Livingthedream55 on August 07, 2017, 08:55:14 AM
I made a command decision this summer. No more working summers. So I'll bail out of the job before Memorial Day 2018. 

"I would say it is your first command decision".
http://www.voyager.cz/tng/epizody/034matterofhonortrans.html


Oddly, one of the things that made me reluctant to bail early was the fact that I'm the OP of this thread.

Congrats!  So one less year then? :0 )
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on August 07, 2017, 09:06:24 AM
I made a command decision this summer. No more working summers. So I'll bail out of the job before Memorial Day 2018. 

"I would say it is your first command decision".
http://www.voyager.cz/tng/epizody/034matterofhonortrans.html


Oddly, one of the things that made me reluctant to bail early was the fact that I'm the OP of this thread.

Congrats!  So one less year then? :0 )

OLY, seems pretty scary now that it is on the Internet, where everything is true :-)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: TartanTallulah on August 07, 2017, 10:18:42 AM
I made a command decision this summer. No more working summers. So I'll bail out of the job before Memorial Day 2018. 

"I would say it is your first command decision".
http://www.voyager.cz/tng/epizody/034matterofhonortrans.html


Oddly, one of the things that made me reluctant to bail early was the fact that I'm the OP of this thread.

Well, isn't that fabulous :-) Congratulations on a wise decision; I'm assuming the math allows it.

This is the third consecutive summer that I've "lost" due to exceptional circumstances at work, and it sucks. I'm not all that young and I don't have many summers left. I haven't written off the possibility of handing in my notice in time to be able to call the shots regarding how much work I do next summer. I could earn enough, on a flexible freelance basis, to keep me ticking over to my planned retirement date.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on August 07, 2017, 11:39:47 AM
Nice work Mark.

I am on an emotional roller coaster considering everything between OLY (finishing up June next year) and 5MYs 😬.

It's taken me more than 20 years hard work to get my way into a fairly high paying job. Seems a bit ludicrous to just walk away and not take the opportunity to pad the stash and also to create the opportunity to financially help out some family members.. (I have only been earning the big bucks for the past 3 years, and ill still only be 50 if I work 5 more years. Health is good for now - 50 seems young to me).

..... on the other hand it seems equally ludicrous to work longer than necessary when I have such a long list of things I'd like to be doing....... in the next 5 years 😁

Decision to be made at XMas.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on August 07, 2017, 04:59:25 PM

Well, isn't that fabulous :-) Congratulations on a wise decision; I'm assuming the math allows it.

This is the third consecutive summer that I've "lost" due to exceptional circumstances at work, and it sucks.

40x comfortable, 30x basic expenses ( with extra taxes and slack)

I didnt want to become TartanTallulah. :-) three years!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Pylortes on August 07, 2017, 10:44:47 PM
I made a command decision this summer. No more working summers. So I'll bail out of the job before Memorial Day 2018. 

"I would say it is your first command decision".
http://www.voyager.cz/tng/epizody/034matterofhonortrans.html


Oddly, one of the things that made me reluctant to bail early was the fact that I'm the OP of this thread.

Wait, the OP of the 2019 thread is bailing for the 2018 thread?  This is a major coup for the 2018 group and must leave a bitter taste in the mouths of the 19ers!  It's sort of like that time Brett Favre left Green Bay and played for the Vikings.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on August 08, 2017, 02:57:12 AM
I made a command decision this summer. No more working summers. So I'll bail out of the job before Memorial Day 2018. 

"I would say it is your first command decision".
http://www.voyager.cz/tng/epizody/034matterofhonortrans.html


Oddly, one of the things that made me reluctant to bail early was the fact that I'm the OP of this thread.

Well, isn't that fabulous :-) Congratulations on a wise decision; I'm assuming the math allows it.

This is the third consecutive summer that I've "lost" due to exceptional circumstances at work, and it sucks. I'm not all that young and I don't have many summers left. I haven't written off the possibility of handing in my notice in time to be able to call the shots regarding how much work I do next summer. I could earn enough, on a flexible freelance basis, to keep me ticking over to my planned retirement date.

Yes, we lose too much through work. Last year I lost my autumn vacation because of an extremely stressful situation at work. And my approved conference visit was cancelled because of a delayed software release.

I have also at times wanted to stay at my vacation address a few days longer, for example when the snow and the weather are great. But there is always work to go back to.

My DH recently talked to an old colleague of his, who is an old age pensioner, but still works part time. This man told my DH that he never worked during summer anymore. I think this could be our first step into part time FIRE. Just taking the summers off. I hope my work will also allow for it, although I think they might be sceptical. I hope I can do some contracting work for them, as they are so conveniently close to where I live.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: TartanTallulah on August 08, 2017, 04:07:58 AM

I didnt want to become TartanTallulah. :-) three years!

It's not as bad as it sounds. I have no great desire to go away in the summer now that my children have all finished school. In previous summers I've worked civilised hours - no more than three days most weeks - and been able to squeeze a lot of outdoor activities into my days off. The last couple of years I've worked four or five long days every week during the summer and have been too tired to get much done on my days off. Still, I get paid for what I do, last year's overtime bonus covered the cost of a new car for DH, and if I save this year's overtime bonus I'll have the option of bringing my retirement date forward by several months.

It suits me to save my vacation entitlement for the winter months and fly off to sunny places. But I'd like to have the summers to spend exploring my own country, visiting friends and family, going to sporting and cultural events and making last minute travel decisions based on the weather and invitations.


Yes, we lose too much through work. Last year I lost my autumn vacation because of an extremely stressful situation at work. And my approved conference visit was cancelled because of a delayed software release.

I have also at times wanted to stay at my vacation address a few days longer, for example when the snow and the weather are great. But there is always work to go back to.

My DH recently talked to an old colleague of his, who is an old age pensioner, but still works part time. This man told my DH that he never worked during summer anymore. I think this could be our first step into part time FIRE. Just taking the summers off. I hope my work will also allow for it, although I think they might be sceptical. I hope I can do some contracting work for them, as they are so conveniently close to where I live.

I like the idea of choosing which part of the year to work. Part of me thinks, "I could augment my FIRE income by offering to work two or three days a week when needed to provide vacation cover, just in my current workplace." But I know what would happen, because I've been implanted with a deep subconscious belief system that massively overvalues work. Within a very short time, I'd be agreeing to do a day extra here and there for this reason and that reason because I find it difficult to turn work down, and other local businesses would approach me with sob stories and generous offers (this isn't because I'm especially gifted at what I do, but I'm reliable, cheerful, and competent enough, and there's a skill shortage where I live), and in no time at all I'd be working more as a retired person than I am now.

It would be safer for me to give my career a hug and thank it for the joy it has brought me, then send it off to landfill and never think about it again.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: cerat0n1a on August 08, 2017, 05:49:50 AM
I made a command decision this summer. No more working summers. So I'll bail out of the job before Memorial Day 2018. 

"I would say it is your first command decision".
http://www.voyager.cz/tng/epizody/034matterofhonortrans.html


Oddly, one of the things that made me reluctant to bail early was the fact that I'm the OP of this thread.

Wait, the OP of the 2019 thread is bailing for the 2018 thread?  This is a major coup for the 2018 group and must leave a bitter taste in the mouths of the 19ers!  It's sort of like that time Brett Favre left Green Bay and played for the Vikings.

I think I'm also going to bail for the 2018 thread. Original 2019 date was based on waiting for youngest son going to university rather than financial reasons. Having had a semi-empty nest for a while, I now think that there's no need to wait for a fully empty nest and summer 2018 should be my target (exact finish date unknown because I don't know whether or not the 3 months notice specified in my employment contract would actually be enforced.)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on August 08, 2017, 06:27:32 AM
What the heck is going on here?  :)  Will there be any of us left in 2019?   

TartanTallulah -- Love your quote about giving your career a hug and sending it to the landfill.  Those are my plans as well. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on August 08, 2017, 06:40:10 AM
What the heck is going on here?  :)  Will there be any of us left in 2019?   

TartanTallulah -- Love your quote about giving your career a hug and sending it to the landfill.  Those are my plans as well.

Don't worry, I'll be here to the bitter end of 2019. I'm sure of it. :-(
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MoMan on August 08, 2017, 07:55:13 AM
Yes, we lose too much through work. ... I have also at times wanted to stay at my vacation address a few days longer, for example when the snow and the weather are great. But there is always work to go back to.

Yes. I feel just a little bitter during every beautiful, sunny day when I'm staring out of a plate glass window at the park just across from my building, thinking of all the places I'd rather be and all the things (including absolutely nothing) that I could be doing.

Barring a global nuclear war, or the current administration converting our country to universal health care, I will be here through most of 2019, eyeing my last corporate perk: company health care for life.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: TartanTallulah on August 08, 2017, 09:45:48 AM
I'm just fantasising about bringing my retirement date forward. Although at a squeeze we could survive from April 2018 to April 2019 on cash savings plus my husband's income, I'd rather stick with my original plan and know that once I've retired I can be confident of being able to stay retired.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Vegasgirl on August 09, 2017, 10:58:56 AM
Just registered for my first in a series of retirement classes at work !! This one is set for mid-November and is an overview of everything.   So they want us go through a whole bunch of classes before signing anything.  I'm okay with it - the more info the better.  I'll be taking 4 classes in 2018 and then final signing in 2019. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on August 10, 2017, 06:56:47 AM
I think I might need to retreat from this group. My plan was to go work 50% from the end of 2019, but I think now that that is too optimistic.

My DH always presumes that we will still own our cabin after FIRE. Therefore I have taken the value of it (700K NOK (=norwegian crowns), roughly 70K$) out of my FIRE calculations. But damn, then we have a whole bunch more to save.

The sum that I need to FIRE fulltime in 2020 is 7,5 mil NOK (roughly $750K). But without the cabin, we only have 5,2 mil NOK (roughly $520K) at this moment if we downsize the house. Last year we saved 750K NOK ($75K). So if we keep that saving level in the coming years, there is no chance we can FIRE 50% in 2019 and full time in 2020. The value of the hut is about 1 year of our savings, and more than a year of our spendings (500K NOK / roughly $50K). We live in a HCOL country.

I realize I am looking at and least then end of 2020 for FIRE. Or I should be able to convince my DH to sell the cabin and travel back to that area from time to time to stay in our tent for free. DH likes the trout fishing there. There is a lot of wilderness there where you could camp for free, legally. I think this is the best way to go.

I guess that FIRE before my 50th is really a bit bare bones, in the sense that we need to sell house and cabin. But I would gladly do that. Although I love to be at that cabin, I still think if we would go live somewhere in an area where you can do a lot of fun things, you perhaps don't need a cabin somewhere else. The cabin costs us approx. 18K NOK (roughly $1.8K per year) for currently 30 days of use, spread through the year.

We could also imagine living in our cabin for some time after selling the house, even though it is small. One option is to sell the house at the start of FIRE, do a year of cheap type travelling (like cycling through Europe and sleep in the tent or something like that) and then keep the cabin as a base station between trips. And than later rent or buy a small house at some location that we like.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Chairman on August 13, 2017, 05:48:48 PM
I might end up not being in the 2019 cohort after all, not because I'm hitting my number early (I won't) but because next year I'll be forced to quit my job due to some complicated circumstances (tax-related, immigration-status-related, family-related, health-related etc). My plan was to "semi-FIRE" in 2019 but now I'll be doing it in 2018. "Semi" in the sense of not really needing to work but doing it anyway from time to time; now the need will be a little stronger, but the overall shape of the plan remains the same.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on August 14, 2017, 01:39:11 AM
I am unsure again. My DH is now willing to sell the cabin and try living in a mobile home during the summer and in a small apartment the rest of the year. Especially hiring places until we know where we want to live. So we might free up some assets after all. We have been discussing several scenarios:
- Start FIRE with some long, cheap, slow-travel journeys and use a small home base in between those travels.
- Spend a whole winter in the very far north. I suggested one of the bigger towns over there, but small apartments there are already surprisingly costly. The north of Norway has lower income tax, but that is only relevant if you have an income.
- Working part time, e.g. 2 days a week and not during the summer, to earn some extra cash to be able to do some outrageous travel.
- Hire a mobile home (caravan) and live in that during the summer months, maybe on an acceptable campsite. Renting a small apartment during the winter.

The whole challenge in these scenarios is that we own so much stuff, including a lot of hobby stuff and tools that living in a small apartment will be a challenge. We would seriously need to minimize our household and make some really hard priorities. On the other hand, we could very well ditch the guest beds, large dining table and many of the nice-to-keep books. But most of the hobby stuff is regularly used and we are planning on doing just those hobbies.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on August 20, 2017, 09:58:15 AM
I read and caught up on this thread, and some of you have interesting circumstances!  This FIRE goal is fraught with complex decisions and lifestyle changes.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on August 21, 2017, 04:04:55 AM
In yet another twist, changes to Australian tax law announced in this year's budget (but
Missed by me till now) have given a further prompt to FIRE (at least for a mini retirement) in 2018.

If we do not repatriate back to Australia, and move back into our old home before 30 June 2019 we will be faced with a tax bill of around ~$150,000 or potentially $300,000 (I need some clarification on the law) when we sell that house to move to somewhere cheaper. (For any Australian readers this relates to the end of the old 6 year CGT exemption rule).

The lease to our tenants will end Feb 2019 so we should probably plan to move back in then. As we had always planned to travel for 6 months before moving home the tax law is making us seriously consider a June 2018 FIRE, which we were seriously considering in any case LOL.

DW has a job option from Jan 2019 in Australia if she wants. I don't plan on working, but DW is far more off en to the idea.

DW's mother is also not well which is yet another driver for earlier repatriation and FIRE or mini FIRE.

I say mini FIRE because I remain a little concerned that some extra stash buffer would be good to avoid any future money worries whatsoever. We have put ourselves in a great position never to have to worry about money. I really don't want to turn the tap off too soon. Part time or contract work post FIRE will add that little bit of froth to our full glass. This work could happen any time I bet the next 25 years. It is still hard to get my head around the fact of retiring 20-25 years early. Awesome, but so different to my friends, family and peers.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on August 22, 2017, 08:43:04 AM
All this talk of 2018 is getting me twitchy too.  We'll try to stick to the original plan, but I'm going to stop making any more than minimum pension contributions for the rest of this tax year as this should get us to a position where we'd have the cashflow to go mid 2018.  If we are still holding on for 2019, I'll then use carry-forward rules to catch up the contributions, but at the moment my uncomfortable feelings from not having enough cash to see me through outweigh my fears that they might change the tax rules to limit tax relief to 20% instead of 40%.
2019 has an endowment policy maturing and DW reaching 55 (UK minimum for accessing pension savings) so we'll have plenty of liquidity then, but we've been pushing everything into pensions for the last few years and so have comparatively little in accessible funds now (about 7 months spending).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on August 22, 2017, 08:56:38 AM
The whole challenge in these scenarios is that we own so much stuff, including a lot of hobby stuff and tools that living in a small apartment will be a challenge. We would seriously need to minimize our household and make some really hard priorities. On the other hand, we could very well ditch the guest beds, large dining table and many of the nice-to-keep books. But most of the hobby stuff is regularly used and we are planning on doing just those hobbies.
We have similar issues with hobby stuff.  I've gradually come to the conclusion that what we really need is quite a small house, but with lots of large outbuildings!  I don't know if that would be a possibility for you somewhere rural in Norway?  Or alternatively would it be possible to take advantage of the dirt-cheap house prices in rural France to sell or rent out your current house then spend your summers at the Norwegian cabin and winters in France?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on August 23, 2017, 02:32:34 AM
The whole challenge in these scenarios is that we own so much stuff, including a lot of hobby stuff and tools that living in a small apartment will be a challenge. We would seriously need to minimize our household and make some really hard priorities. On the other hand, we could very well ditch the guest beds, large dining table and many of the nice-to-keep books. But most of the hobby stuff is regularly used and we are planning on doing just those hobbies.
We have similar issues with hobby stuff.  I've gradually come to the conclusion that what we really need is quite a small house, but with lots of large outbuildings!  I don't know if that would be a possibility for you somewhere rural in Norway?  Or alternatively would it be possible to take advantage of the dirt-cheap house prices in rural France to sell or rent out your current house then spend your summers at the Norwegian cabin and winters in France?

Of course a small house with a large outhouse is possible.

I have also been considering in living in some nice coastal place in the summer and in some nice winter resort in the winter (we like to go cross-country skiing). But all scenarios require owning multiple buildings. You would need to rent them out to make sure they generate some money. And if you are living in some other far away place, renting out is more challenging as you would need a (paid) caretaker. It is definitively an alternative to live in several places and rent out, but we'll need to think it through very well.
We could probably rent out our current house, but I am not sure if we could get a high enough rent for it to generate a nett 4% profit.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: TartanTallulah on August 23, 2017, 03:41:53 AM
All this talk of 2018 is getting me twitchy too.  We'll try to stick to the original plan, but I'm going to stop making any more than minimum pension contributions for the rest of this tax year as this should get us to a position where we'd have the cashflow to go mid 2018.  If we are still holding on for 2019, I'll then use carry-forward rules to catch up the contributions, but at the moment my uncomfortable feelings from not having enough cash to see me through outweigh my fears that they might change the tax rules to limit tax relief to 20% instead of 40%.
2019 has an endowment policy maturing and DW reaching 55 (UK minimum for accessing pension savings) so we'll have plenty of liquidity then, but we've been pushing everything into pensions for the last few years and so have comparatively little in accessible funds now (about 7 months spending).

I'm doing the same juggling act, trying to hit the right balance between tax-advantaged savings for the longer term and immediately-accessible savings to fill in the gap between the age I'll actually retire and the age at which I can take my pension. Watching cash collecting in a savings account on 1% interest while I have unused ISA allowance and my husband has unused SIPP capacity (and I possibly have too, but that's less certain because my occupational pension contributions are substantial and mysterious) is making my fingers twitch, but I'm sure it's only bothering me because I see it sitting there every time I check the online balance of our current account and know that with a couple of mouse clicks it could be in my ISA or one of our SIPPs.

Once I have six months' living costs plus the cost of our next-but-one holiday in cash, I'll start thinking about topping up the pensions again. I estimate that we'll be there by the beginning of 2018.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on August 23, 2017, 04:26:22 AM
I'm doing exactly the same thing right now.  Previously I was maxing out 403b/457, and now have throttled way back so I can top up our cash accounts instead.   It does feel weird to have all that tax-advantaged space sitting there unused . . . But like you Tartan Tallulah, if I can hit my cash goal early (maybe February of 2019?)  then I can start pouring money back into the tax advantaged space. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: oldtoyota on August 23, 2017, 03:51:39 PM
I read and caught up on this thread, and some of you have interesting circumstances!  This FIRE goal is fraught with complex decisions and lifestyle changes.

It really is! I'm having my own challenges with DH saying he doesn't think the numbers will work based on our spending.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on August 24, 2017, 02:31:47 AM
It really is! I'm having my own challenges with DH saying he doesn't think the numbers will work based on our spending.
The only real answer to that is to provide him with the hard data to prove that the numbers work and they have enough of a buffer to let you (him) sleep soundly.  I wouldn't consider FIRE myself without several current years of spending data, robustly analysed and adjusted for any fixed changes in spending - mortgage and school fees go away in your case, I believe, but is there anything that needs to be added on eg medical insurance if already covered by work?  Write a proper business case document for him setting it all out.  If a reasonable projection of passive income comfortably covers adjusted current spending then he should find that hard to argue with.  If your numbers include other lifestyle changes you haven't yet put in place of the 'I'm sure we could spend less than we do now' variety then I'd say your DH is right to be worried.  You have to make the changes and live with the changes to know for sure that you'll be happy with the changes.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on August 24, 2017, 02:36:59 AM
It really is! I'm having my own challenges with DH saying he doesn't think the numbers will work based on our spending.
The only real answer to that is to provide him with the hard data to prove that the numbers work and they have enough of a buffer to let you (him) sleep soundly.  I wouldn't consider FIRE myself without several current years of spending data, robustly analysed and adjusted for any fixed changes in spending - mortgage and school fees go away in your case, I believe, but is there anything that needs to be added on eg medical insurance if already covered by work?  Write a proper business case document for him setting it all out.  If a reasonable projection of passive income comfortably covers adjusted current spending then he should find that hard to argue with.  If your numbers include other lifestyle changes you haven't yet put in place of the 'I'm sure we could spend less than we do now' variety then I'd say your DH is right to be worried.  You have to make the changes and live with the changes to know for sure that you'll be happy with the changes.

+1. Have a look at your real spending and see who is right. Maybe the husband has a point? Make an overview with the real numbers.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on August 27, 2017, 09:43:03 AM
I'm moving from the 2020 cohort into 2019.  We should be at 25x expenses sometime in early 2018.  Even though we have plenty of buffer in that budget and are ignoring our pensions, social security, inheritance, and the possibility of consulting work, we're incredibly risk averse so OMY to 2019 is the new plan.  Once we're out of our industry it will be almost impossible to get back in.  There are some regular certification rules that mean that we both have a golden ticket right now for good salaries and little risk of unemployment, but once we lose the certs it's incredibly hard to get back in.  In early 2019 we should hit 3.5% WR with inflated expenses, so I don't see a need to stick around into 2020 unless the markets absolutely collapse between now and then. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on August 27, 2017, 10:42:41 AM
Make an overview with the real numbers.
Track your expenses.  I don't think there is any other technique that's effective.  I've tracked my spending for a little over two years now, and I manually track it using an Excel spreadsheet that I built, very simple tool.  But my FIRE calculations are based on the solid calculations using math (simple math at that) and the numbers in the expense tracker.  I'm single right now, but even when I make assumptions for costs to support a wife and kid and pay for a house, the numbers still work out for FIRE.  Knowing that is extremely comforting and allows me to worry about other things.  I would not have the level of understanding of what it takes to FIRE had I not started tracking my expenses.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: moxie on August 28, 2017, 12:57:04 PM
I'm adding myself to 2019.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: CryingInThePool on August 28, 2017, 01:10:52 PM
Welcome FIRE 20/20 and Moxie!   With all the recent OLY conversations and skip aheads to 2017/18 it's only fair that a few drop into join us in 2019 as well.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Bateaux on August 28, 2017, 08:19:39 PM
Everywhere I look I see danger.  I know there will always be uncertainty, but it just seems to be building.  I'm getting 2019 cold feet and thinking I need another million.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on August 29, 2017, 04:52:07 AM
Everywhere I look I see danger.  I know there will always be uncertainty, but it just seems to be building.  I'm getting 2019 cold feet and thinking I need another million.
So what dangers, apart from those surrounding the possible ending of affordable healthcare in your country, do you think 'another million' will shield you from?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on August 29, 2017, 08:49:04 AM
I am also toying with the idea of padding the stash further. Not through fear, but through greed.

I just don't know.

What is certain is that at this point the stash is growing very fast.

2 years extra of working (even on a lower salary) would make a significant difference to spending options post FIRE.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on August 29, 2017, 09:16:41 AM
I've been round and round those thoughts about padding the stash even more to give me more options and it can indeed be very alluring.  It all comes back to the question of what makes you happy.  For me, I'll already have a well padded stash and if I want to spend more one month then I can simply spend less another. 
Yesterday was a public holiday here and most people spent it sitting in traffic jams to and from crowded beaches.  I spent an absolutely idyllic day - working in the garden, playing with the kids, reading a book in the shade, cooking and eating a great stir fry and washing it down with a bottle of wine.  Total spend for the day about £10.  If you offer me the choice of spending 3 weeks like that, or an extra week working, in order to save much the same amount of money then I know which one I'm going for.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Bateaux on August 29, 2017, 10:07:05 AM
I like some non Mustacian things.  Like wanting to liven on a boat.  A really nice boat.  I'm not wanting to push out for five years.  Maybe 2020.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: VoteCthulu on August 29, 2017, 05:26:03 PM
Sometimes I think I should work longer, and other times I seriously consider quiting now and taking the risk of an over 4% WR. Once I hit my number I expect I'll coast along until the next BS moment at work pisses me off enough that I just quit.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on August 29, 2017, 05:38:48 PM
I'm waiting for someone to say "Do this (crap BS stuff), it is a condition of employment", as I'd be OK with that and be unemployed.

MPP- most everyone here at work is pretty cool and wouldn't say things like that.  Everyone suspects I'm FI.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: TartanTallulah on August 30, 2017, 02:30:54 AM
I'm waiting for someone to say "Do this (crap BS stuff), it is a condition of employment", as I'd be OK with that and be unemployed.

That is happening to me. All. The. Time.

Crap BS stuff will grind me down, but my workplace is also threatening to become toxic and dramatic in the near future and that could make me press the eject button early even if it means freelancing for a while.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on September 01, 2017, 03:00:58 AM
Another month done and it's time to tally up the numbers.

However, before getting to the numbers, I feel the need to express a small, silly rant.

I have become rather anal in tracking my progress towards FIRE, OCD even. I know I am not alone here in this obsession. Whilst it is easy to track my bank accounts and stocks, as their value is quoted second by second, for my property investments I have to use a proxy. I can't list my houses every day to see what a buyer would pay. So in "the rules" of my tracking spreadsheet I use the property indexes issued by corelogic.com.au. It's not perfect, but they publish a daily index for each Australian major city, so it's easy for me to use. I know that I won't really know what the houses are worth till I sell, but I like tracking the approximate value by index (even if the starting value I used for this year was based on my personal, "expert", conservative assessment of valuation based on comparable sales and not the indexed value from purchase date, which seemed to overstate the value. Yes this rant contains a few contradictions. lol).

Anyways, I have been happily tracking the property value indexes month by month (and sadly even more often), and then all of a sudden at 31 August Corelogic.com.au decides to change their index methodology. The result of this is that my property value, per the index, dropped by $40,000 compared to 1 day earlier. Yes, it's only an approximate index, but I am miffed by this sudden drop in my NW.

Ok that's the end of my silly, and meaningless rant.

In the end, at 31 August my spreadsheet shows a small decrease in NW for the month of August, and FIRE is a little further away... hypothetically at least.

Savings were good for August, and stock market returns ok. Just that damned adjustment to the property index. Haha.

So we are parked at 22x spending for another month, but am looking forward to September as I think our spending will be lower than normal this month.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on September 01, 2017, 07:45:31 AM
Just looking at my pay stub this morning and seeing that I got an award of 40 hours annual leave.   Makes my day since I decided back at the beginning of the year I had no problem using most, if not all of my AL prior to leaving in 2019 !! What fun !!  I think I'll just be off for the remainder of the Fridays this year !!!

Oh man, I was getting that same award for like 5 years straight because I was maxed out in my pay grade, but then they went and upgraded my position from a -14 to a -15, and I was eligible for QSI's again. I really, really miss having that extra week of annual leave, but the numbers told me I had to opt for the QSI the past two years -- and now I'm topped out at -15, so maybe I'll get a 40-hour award next year!.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on September 01, 2017, 07:48:39 AM
A $40k pension would certainly be enough to allow me to sleep soundly every night.

I would value that at $800K in my stash. That's pretty nice to have.

I've got one coming in 2019 that's considerably more than that, and I'm hoping to have $800k invested on top of it.  It's a LOT of money, I know, but I will be retiring with a mortgage, so there's that.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on September 01, 2017, 07:54:24 AM
What the heck is going on here?  :)  Will there be any of us left in 2019?   

TartanTallulah -- Love your quote about giving your career a hug and sending it to the landfill.  Those are my plans as well.

I'll be here until May 7, 2019, when I hit retirement eligibility in my job. Then I'm gooooooooone.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on September 01, 2017, 10:59:55 AM
...I will be retiring with a mortgage, so there's that.
I will most likely be in a situation similar to yours!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on September 01, 2017, 12:17:30 PM
Most Righteous Alias Age at
FIRE
Target
Date
Date Confirmed


zinnie35Feb-19
MissNancyPryor50Mar-19
Roboturner30Mar-19
TartanTallulah55Mar-19
Luck1241Apr-19
albireo1361May-1-19
Livingthedream5559May-19
cerat0n1aMay-19summer 2018 planned
dude54May-19
SamIAm3829May-19
oldtoyotaJun-19
Itchyfeet47Jun-19
PhilB53Jun-19
Bateaux50Jun-19
CryingInThePool44Jun-19
powersuitrecall47Jul-19
Enigma39Jul-19
Thedividebyzero45Jul-19
Trifele52Aug-19
Cornbread OMalley42Aug-19
RetirementDreamingSep-19
VoteCthulu39Oct-19
trix7643Oct-19
MoMan55Oct-19
markbike528CBX55Dec-19 OLY 5-2018 but checking in as OP
HBFI38Dec-19
luckyme1345Dec-19
moxieDec-27-19
ParizadeTBD
madamwitty36TBD
Lowerbills40TBD
Chrissy42TBD
GerardTBD
getoutsoon52TBD
ysette938late-19TBD
elaine amj40TBD
IplawyerTBD
ChairmanTBD-SemiFire 2018
2Birds1StoneTBD
FIRE 20/20TBD
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on September 01, 2017, 12:25:40 PM
I made a command decision this summer. No more working summers. So I'll bail out of the job before Memorial Day 2018. 

"I would say it is your first command decision".
http://www.voyager.cz/tng/epizody/034matterofhonortrans.html


Oddly, one of the things that made me reluctant to bail early was the fact that I'm the OP of this thread.

Wait, the OP of the 2019 thread is bailing for the 2018 thread?  This is a major coup for the 2018 group and must leave a bitter taste in the mouths of the 19ers!  It's sort of like that time Brett Favre left Green Bay and played for the Vikings.

That is hilarious.  NO one has ever mentioned me and Mr. Favre in the same paragraph before.   I was going to ask him for advice on how to handle the stress, but I figured he still has flacks to shield him from the proles.   I gave up football (American) after I realized that 139lb centers are not long for this world. The first string nose tackle I had to deal with was fully 100lbs heavier than I, and he was trying to cut weight for wrestling season.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on September 05, 2017, 07:47:21 AM
I found this article the other day on Rockstar Finance that I thought was interesting.  I'm currently halfway through a 30-day break as I am transitioning between jobs.  Thus far I'm not doing much of anything while at home during this break, and I am actually finding it very, very relaxing.

https://moneyqanda.com/retirement-rehearsal/
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on September 05, 2017, 08:34:08 AM
Most Righteous Alias Age at
FIRE
Target
Date
Date Confirmed


zinnie35Feb-19
MissNancyPryor50Mar-19
Roboturner30Mar-19
TartanTallulah55Mar-19
Luck1241Apr-19
albireo1361May-1-19
Livingthedream5559May-19
cerat0n1aMay-19summer 2018 planned
dude54May-19
SamIAm3829May-19
oldtoyotaJun-19
Itchyfeet47Jun-19
PhilB53Jun-19
Bateaux50Jun-19
CryingInThePool44Jun-19
powersuitrecall47Jul-19
Enigma39Jul-19
Thedividebyzero45Jul-19
Trifele52Aug-19
Cornbread OMalley42Aug-19
RetirementDreamingSep-19
VoteCthulu39Oct-19
trix7643Oct-19
MoMan55Oct-19
markbike528CBX55Dec-19 OLY 5-2018 but checking in as OP
HBFI38Dec-19
luckyme1345Dec-19
moxieDec-27-19
ParizadeTBD
madamwitty36TBD
Lowerbills40TBD
Chrissy42TBD
GerardTBD
getoutsoon52TBD
ysette938late-19TBD
elaine amj40TBD
IplawyerTBD
ChairmanTBD-SemiFire 2018
2Birds1StoneTBD
FIRE 20/20TBD

TECHNICALLY, I'll still be 53!  But I'll turn 54 three weeks after I retire, so you know, whatever.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: moxie on September 05, 2017, 03:39:43 PM
I'll be 59. :-)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Bateaux on September 05, 2017, 09:05:35 PM
Dude,  I turn 50 next year. I'll be 51 right after the target day of 6/1/19.   If I stay for company health insurance it's 2023 and 55.  That's why I'm a fan of the current ACA.  If it goes, I'm not sure what to do.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on September 05, 2017, 09:28:16 PM
dude, you can put me down for 42 and April 2019.  The date is a guess.  We could pull the plug in 2018 if we decide that the our safety margin is already more than sufficient or we'll plan on doing a little consulting, or we could delay back to 2020 if the markets collapse.  Zero growth between now and early 2019 should get us to a 3.5% withdrawal rate for our planned spending.  I'm guessing April because money earned in the beginning of the year is taxed at a lower marginal rate. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Vegasgirl on September 18, 2017, 11:30:51 AM
So after much calculating on my part I'm moving myself up from Sept 1, 2019 to April 1, 2019.   I'm 99.9% I'll be able to swing it a little earlier than I originally planned.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MoMan on September 18, 2017, 03:02:47 PM
An extra 5 months of freedom sounds good to me!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on September 30, 2017, 09:31:28 AM
September over and a month closer to freedom.

We Saved almost exactly 50% of our salaries, which is what we aim for. Unfortunately, we had a month of smallish returns on our investments, which followed on from negative returns last month but still we have clawed our way back to where we were at 31 July. 😕

After 75% of the year we have achieved 83% of the net worth growth I targeted for 2017 at the beginning of the year. In fact, the net worth growth we have had this year is pretty mind blowing so definitely no complainy pants moaning.

September saw us finally make the decision that we won't be FIREd at June next year. There is a small chance of a mini FIRE but if we take that route we will be back at work 6 months later.

To kill the indecisiveness we just  decided to push our "number" 10% higher to cater for the purchase of a home in a more expensive location, which could become an extra contingency to draw on down the line.

So, instead of being 90% of the way to FIRE we have slipped back to 82% of the way there and we are back to targeting to wind our working lives in June 2019.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Half Stached on September 30, 2017, 01:33:32 PM
Hello, class of 2019!

I've seen that you've been losing some members to the class of 2018, so I thought I might shore up your numbers - I'm coming over from the class of 2020.

Here's where we're at:

7/15: 41.6% FI
10/15: 40.1%
1/16: 45.6%
4/16: 50.4%
7/16: 53.7%
10/16: 60.7%* (due to reducing expenses and better modeling, we reduced our FI target from 1.8million to 1.7)
1/17: 63.5%
4/17: 75.3%
7/17: 44.4* (Condo purchase. FI target reduced from 1.7million to 1.3, not including condo.)
10/17: 50.6%

With the condo purchase, we've raised our annual savings rate to 75% (no rent or mortgage payments). On the other hand, work has become quite a bit more stressful. Even though we're tracking toward 2020 for our target, I've decided I'm going to be done on 4/1/2019 (after annual and long term bonuses payout). Worst case scenario I'll need to find a part time side gig at some point.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: TartanTallulah on September 30, 2017, 01:54:54 PM
Eighteen paychecks to go ... eighteen paychecks to go ... tra-la-la-la-la :-)

Or maybe nine. No fewer than nine. I've promised myself that I'll stick it out at least until June 2018 and anything after that is a bonus. If it looks like I'm at risk of losing next summer to work after losing the last three, I'm gone. But I'd quite like to have replaced myself in some form in my workplace before I go. I'm pushing that as hard as I can without letting my intentions slip out. It would be easy to grow the business enough to accommodate an additional part-timer, and one of my current colleagues and I would both be happy to drop to two days a week if we had someone who wanted full-time.

Our savings rate is ticking along nicely at just over 50% of our take-home pay plus whatever is lopped off my pay at source for my final salary pension. At some point in the near future I should get an additional payment. Last year it was enough to cover most of the cost of a new car (this wasn't frivolous, it was to replace a falling-apart car). This year most of it will go towards our savings and investments, the kids will get some, and if it's above a particular amount I have in mind we're having some jam today in the form of a skiing trip.

I still haven't got over the excitement of discovering that I don't have to work forever.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on October 01, 2017, 02:44:16 AM
Welcome aboard, Fire2020 and Half Stached!  2019 is going to be an excellent year. 

September was a great month ....  If the market stayed like this I could bump our FIRE date from 8/1/19 to something like 2/1/19, but I am going to play it safe and just plan on the extra six months.   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SpreadsheetMan on October 03, 2017, 12:31:00 PM
Joining up - The die is cast for me. My company sale completed yesterday and I am now FI, but I have an earn-out period to complete to finalise the stash and retire with honour.

I expect it will be 27th Sept 2019 or around there depending on remaining holiday. I will be 57, so 10 years before UK state pension.

Happy day :-)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on October 04, 2017, 02:30:29 AM
Eighteen paychecks to go ... eighteen paychecks to go ... tra-la-la-la-la :-)

That is impressive. I understand your happiness.

I think I still have 27 paychecks to go. Then we are talking December 2019 and I will be 46 at that time. Please let that be true...
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Zoot on October 04, 2017, 05:40:03 AM
Posting to follow and cheer on the Class of 2019 (and secretly hoping, just maybe, to join in).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on October 04, 2017, 06:44:26 AM
Dude or Mark -- Can you please add the three new folks to the spreadsheet?  Fire2020, HalfStached, and Spreadsheet Man -- thanks
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on October 05, 2017, 11:42:27 AM
I'm settling into a new job and FIRE timeline is still on track while my net worth recently passed $1.3 million.  $760K of that is accounts that I can use now.  The rest is locked in tax-advantaged accounts that I can't touch until age 59.5.  That market is cooking and has added the incredible surge on my bottom line in the past year.  However, I'm steeling myself for the inevitable market peak and downtrend.  The strategy I'm following to deal with this inevitable event is building up my cash reserves to around 24 months of living expenses to withstand the downturn.  Current cash reserves is $34K, and I think around $80K is enough to provide cushion and financial flexibility.  The second part of the strategy is to just keep contributing to my accounts for the next 12 months and reassessing.

If the downtrend occurs within the next two years I will be okay because the paycheck is still coming in.  And I hope I can ride the uptrend into FIRE.  If the downtrend occurs after I FIRE then I pull out the cash cushion.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: tipster350 on October 05, 2017, 12:01:02 PM
I'm settling into a new job and FIRE timeline is still on track while my net worth recently passed $1.3 million.  $760K of that is accounts that I can use now.  The rest is locked in tax-advantaged accounts that I can't touch until age 59.5.  That market is cooking and has added the incredible surge on my bottom line in the past year.  However, I'm steeling myself for the inevitable market peak and downtrend.  The strategy I'm following to deal with this inevitable event is building up my cash reserves to around 24 months of living expenses to withstand the downturn.  Current cash reserves is $34K, and I think around $80K is enough to provide cushion and financial flexibility.  The second part of the strategy is to just keep contributing to my accounts for the next 12 months and reassessing.

If the downtrend occurs within the next two years I will be okay because the paycheck is still coming in.  And I hope I can ride the uptrend into FIRE.  If the downtrend occurs after I FIRE then I pull out the cash cushion.

We are on a similar track. My NW is a little lower and my accounts are a little higher, but it washes out to be similar enough. I have the cash now and am funneling the rest to retirement accounts. I have enough to last me until 59.5 if need be.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on October 05, 2017, 12:29:02 PM
This market is nuts.  I've already passed my 2019 goal.  Don't worry though peeps, I'm still holding out until then to celebrate with you.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on October 06, 2017, 12:25:11 AM
Well, as soon as I post my comment the market surges more and overall fear of a market correction is at an all time low.  Nonetheless, I will stick with my aforementioned strategy.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: VoteCthulu on October 06, 2017, 07:40:29 AM
When the news stops calling the rising market a bubble, then you know we're in a bubble.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on October 06, 2017, 09:48:51 AM
When the news stops calling the rising market a bubble, then you know we're in a bubble.

I haven't gotten any stock tips from my shoeshine boy yet, so at the moment I think we're okay.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on October 06, 2017, 10:52:14 AM
Well, as soon as I post my comment the market surges more and overall fear of a market correction is at an all time low.  Nonetheless, I will stick with my aforementioned strategy.
I'm finding sticking to my strategy of hanging on to mid 2019 is getting harder and harder.  These stock valuations are not helping.  The variance between actual and budget when I did the numbers today is up to about 19 months worth of spending.  Add in the fact that my 2019 spending plan is based on a 3.6% withdrawal rate and also has about a 30% safety margin over what we are currently spending as a family of 4 and large parts of my brain are screaming JFDI!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on October 06, 2017, 02:40:16 PM
When the news stops calling the rising market a bubble, then you know we're in a bubble.

I haven't gotten any stock tips from my shoeshine boy yet, so at the moment I think we're okay.
You _have_ a shoeshine boy?   The Antimustachian shame :-)   But yes, when you start getting smart stocktips from unlikely sources (mom, dad, taxi drivers, etc) then we'll worry more.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on October 06, 2017, 09:12:58 PM
I'm finding sticking to my strategy of hanging on to mid 2019 is getting harder and harder.  These stock valuations are not helping.  The variance between actual and budget when I did the numbers today is up to about 19 months worth of spending.  Add in the fact that my 2019 spending plan is based on a 3.6% withdrawal rate and also has about a 30% safety margin over what we are currently spending as a family of 4 and large parts of my brain are screaming JFDI!
Do it!  :-D
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: LadyMaWhiskers on October 07, 2017, 10:34:04 AM
Posting to follow.

I expect to pay off my mortgage in. 2019, which will results in FI!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on October 09, 2017, 11:19:24 AM
Yesterday I realized that I was so focused on building cash reserves that I totally forgot about accounting for my pension.  In 2019 I'm eligible for a pension worth $40K annually after taxes.  That $40K will be divided into 12 equal monthly payments, and payments start immediately after separation from the military.  This takes a little pressure off of building the cash reserves to $80K and also gives me flexibility to use my cash reserves for other things.  I will need a new vehicle in the coming years as my current one is now at 228K miles.  It's still running, but I need to have a plan and cash in place when it sputters and dies.  The cash reserves can also be used for a home down payment.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Bateaux on October 09, 2017, 11:48:48 AM
Yesterday I realized that I was so focused on building cash reserves that I totally forgot about accounting for my pension.  In 2019 I'm eligible for a pension worth $40K annually after taxes.  That $40K will be divided into 12 equal monthly payments, and payments start immediately after separation from the military.  This takes a little pressure off of building the cash reserves to $80K and also gives me flexibility to use my cash reserves for other things.  I will need a new vehicle in the coming years as my current one is now at 228K miles.  It's still running, but I need to have a plan and cash in place when it sputters and dies.  The cash reserves can also be used for a home down payment.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on October 09, 2017, 11:19:16 PM
+1.

How can anybody who is seriously following their finances just forget that they have a $40K pension, which is most likely one’s main retirement asset!!

Facepunch!!!!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: TartanTallulah on October 10, 2017, 03:23:31 PM
Yesterday I realized that I was so focused on building cash reserves that I totally forgot about accounting for my pension.  In 2019 I'm eligible for a pension worth $40K annually after taxes.  That $40K will be divided into 12 equal monthly payments, and payments start immediately after separation from the military.  This takes a little pressure off of building the cash reserves to $80K and also gives me flexibility to use my cash reserves for other things.  I will need a new vehicle in the coming years as my current one is now at 228K miles.  It's still running, but I need to have a plan and cash in place when it sputters and dies.  The cash reserves can also be used for a home down payment.

You FORGOT the small matter of $40,000 a year? Indulgent eyeroll.

I'm now scratching around the corners of my brain in the hope that I've forgotten something like that too.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Half Stached on October 10, 2017, 08:13:38 PM
I'll admit that during the first few months of reading MMM I regularly found both hidden sources of funds and expenses. I never found anything as large as 40k/yr but I did find things in excess of 10k!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on October 11, 2017, 12:18:12 AM
I'll admit that during the first few months of reading MMM I regularly found both hidden sources of funds and expenses. I never found anything as large as 40k/yr but I did find things in excess of 10k!

Now that you name it... I have been working in the Netherlands for a year before we emigrated to Norway. Maybe I have built up some tiny financial fund there? Maybe worth investigating it, but it will never be much.

I am pretty sure that the pension from my first job in Norway doesn't generate anything. You had to contribute for minimum 3 years before you would gain any rights and I switched job before those three years had passed.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on October 11, 2017, 01:21:38 PM
How can anybody who is seriously following their finances just forget that they have a $40K pension, which is most likely one’s main retirement asset!!

You FORGOT the small matter of $40,000 a year?
Yup.  Tunnel vision.  :-)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MoMan on October 25, 2017, 01:09:20 PM
It’s been eight weeks since I set foot in my beige, corporate jail cell. On Friday, August 25, my colleagues and I left our building as usual, laptops in tow with perhaps a few extra office items that would allow us to work remotely from home for a couple of days the following week: Hurricane Harvey was expected to make landfall the following day, making its way north toward Houston by Saturday night, reducing to a slow moving tropical storm.

You likely saw consequences of the storm on TV. My own house, which is maybe 150 yards from one of the bayous that floods my neighborhood regularly, was spared. My wife and I walked over to the bayou during the height of the storm and watched a Coast Guard helicopter plucking people from an apartment complex a couple hundred yards away. By some stroke of luck, I bought a very reasonably priced house on the highest street in the neighborhood about 20 years ago. My only consequence has been survivor guilt as I watch neighbors repeatedly pile their ruined belongings on the curb.

As for my 14-story office building, it too is next to a different bayou, and the normally placid stream turned into a swollen river that day – and stayed that way for a couple of weeks. Water poured into the basements in multiple buildings across the corporate campus. Everything on the first floors was scrapped. Elevator equipment, generators, computer storage rooms and more trashed. The buildings have not had power in weeks and are sealed off to everyone but the army of contractors hired to rip out the ruined and start replacing. The current prediction is we will return to our building sometime next month (booo), but I have my doubts.

I have to hand it to my company for assigning virtually everyone a laptop with the requirement that we haul them home nightly. It’s part of our business continuity plan (BCP). And it’s working … so well that we are being held up as a BCP model for other parts of our global company.

Now I’m not one to revel in destruction, but I do admit to enjoying one side effect: working from home. It’s like a mini-sabbatical. No commute. No annoying co-workers. No dress code. I view it as a preview of my retirement (now officially less than 2 years away!!). I’m not usually that busy, so I’ve had ample time to channel my downtime into nonproductive pursuits. Like binge-watching Breaking Bad. Or prepping my sailboat for a weekend cruise. Or building my wife’s Halloween costume. And I’m loving it!! 

At any rate, the past 8 weeks have really flown by. As an additional bonus, the humid Houston weather has finally given way to fall. It’s dry and cool out, so I open the windows and let the breeze blow through. I rarely drive my car. Except for my sailing trip, I’ve only filled my car’s 13-gallon tank once since the hurricane. My wife is pleased with her stay-at-home hubby because I empty the dishwasher, am home to deal with the plumber, keep the trash and compost managed, etc. Yes, it will soon come to an end, but it’s a wonderful carrot to dangle in front of me and keep me motivated for the next 23 months.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on October 31, 2017, 02:53:39 AM
So that’s October done with and my net worth continues to surge upward.

Finally the Australian sharemarket provided some growth, which more than offset a small decline in my property values. International shares continued to perform strongly for me, helped along by a weakening of the AUD during the month (I follow my stash in AUD).

After 10 months of 2017, I have now achieved the targeted NW growth I had set as an objective at the beginning of the year, and there are still 2 months to go.

My stash has generated returns of 10.3% pa for 2017, and if this rate of return holds for the last 2 months of the year then it will be the third year running that my stash has generated double digit returns (average across all asset classes incl cash, shares and property). Not bad when inflation is running at 1.5%.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on November 01, 2017, 07:57:39 AM
After 10 months of 2017, I have now achieved the targeted NW growth I had set as an objective at the beginning of the year, and there are still 2 months to go.
Yep, market returns have been crazily good.  My stash now stands at where it was forecast to be at the start of Dec 2018.  I think it's even more impatient to reach the finish line than I am!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on November 02, 2017, 07:50:53 PM
I've developed a running list of tasks to do as I wind my way towards FIRE:

1.  Notify my boss around spring 2018 of my intent to submit my formal request to retire
2.  Conduct an analysis of locations to move to upon retirement
3.  Figure out health care costs
4.  Figure out if I want to go back to school
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on November 02, 2017, 10:19:46 PM
June 2019 still feels along way away to me.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on November 03, 2017, 09:41:32 AM
After 10 months of 2017, I have now achieved the targeted NW growth I had set as an objective at the beginning of the year, and there are still 2 months to go.
Yep, market returns have been crazily good.  My stash now stands at where it was forecast to be at the start of Dec 2018.  I think it's even more impatient to reach the finish line than I am!

Will you do anything with your stash when it reaches the finish line? Move it into bonds? Or just leave where it is and start making the yearly withdrawels.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Thedividebyzero on November 03, 2017, 05:54:42 PM
Same here.  My target is July 2019.  21 months to go.

(http://)
June 2019 still feels along way away to me.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on November 04, 2017, 01:38:32 AM
Yep, market returns have been crazily good.  My stash now stands at where it was forecast to be at the start of Dec 2018.  I think it's even more impatient to reach the finish line than I am!

Will you do anything with your stash when itvreaches the finish line? Move it into bonds? Or just leave where it is and start making the yearly withdrawels.
There's not much I can do with it as I want it to provide inflation proofed income in perpetuity - we need to plan for a 40+ year retirement and hope to pass it on to the kids after that.  Equities (and maybe property) are the only thing that have a hope of achieving that, so the great bulk will just stay in global equity trackers.  We will eventually have DB and State pensions that will more than cover our core spending so can afford a lot of short term volatility.  To take the place of those pensions in the years before they come on line I have a big chunk in a diversified assets fund that I accumulated as it was the default setting for my work pension scheme and, at the time,  I didn't know better!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on November 04, 2017, 01:40:37 AM
Same here.  My target is July 2019.  21 months to go.

(http://)
June 2019 still feels along way away to me.
+1  The only way I cope is by breaking it up into smaller chunks.  Only 7 weeks to Xmas!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on November 04, 2017, 04:23:51 AM
Same here.  My target is July 2019.  21 months to go.

(http://)
June 2019 still feels along way away to me.
+1  The only way I cope is by breaking it up into smaller chunks.  Only 7 weeks to Xmas!

Exactly!! And between now and then I will take a 1 week vacation.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on November 04, 2017, 06:09:53 AM
Hi 2Birds1Stone,

Welcome! Of course we won't kick you out! Sometimes being in the cohort and setting a time-related goal can be an additional motivating factor. Who knows what is possible for you in the next two years? Have you ever done a case study? Any chance you can increase income/reduce expenses?

We are here to cheer you on!

: 0 )

Hello there.

I don't think I've ever done a formal case study, BUT I lay out my income, expenses, and assets around the 1st of the month in my journal, super consistently over the past 26 months.

For 2015 my savings rate was 76.25%
For 2016 my savings rate was 80.65%
For 2017 my savings rate will be anywhere between 60-80%

My income is very unpredictable. I am in B2B sales and my base salary makes up a small portion of that income. I should *knock on wood* be in the 70-80% range for 2017. My expenses are fairly low, projected to be $24k all in for 2017.

Welp, 2017 is going to be a much lower income than 2016 was, and 2018 is not looking very bright as I just changed jobs into a role that is not working out, which means I'll likely be starting over with current employer or looking at the competitors.

I'm still reading everyone's progress here with the hopes that things will turn around and 2019 might even be possible in overly optimistic fantasy island.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Livingthedream55 on November 08, 2017, 02:09:34 PM
Hello peeps,

I posted this on the 2018 cohort thread also. Rumors abound of an early retirement incentive package may be in the works at my agency.  I mean, 18 months to go is nothing really but I want to FIRE so much right now!

Oh well, one day at a time!!  : 0 )
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: TartanTallulah on November 10, 2017, 12:04:26 AM
Having had external confirmation that my numbers work for June 2018, I'm moving to 2018. I may return if something happens to make my job tolerable enough for me to hold on till the end of that financial year, but 2019 is now OMY for me.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on November 10, 2017, 03:49:37 AM
Having had external confirmation that my numbers work for June 2018, I'm moving to 2018. I may return if something happens to make my job tolerable enough for me to hold on till the end of that financial year, but 2019 is now OMY OLY for me.

Corrected that for you -- Congratulations!!!!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: TartanTallulah on November 10, 2017, 07:24:27 AM
Having had external confirmation that my numbers work for June 2018, I'm moving to 2018. I may return if something happens to make my job tolerable enough for me to hold on till the end of that financial year, but 2019 is now OMY OLY for me.

Corrected that for you -- Congratulations!!!!!

No, 2019 would definitely be OMY now that I know I can go in 2018. Or nine more months because I wouldn't go beyond my original aspirational date of 31/3/19.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on November 10, 2017, 10:42:24 AM
Hello peeps,

I posted this on the 2018 cohort thread also. Rumors abound of an early retirement incentive package may be in the works at my agency.  I mean, 18 months to go is nothing really but I want to FIRE so much right now!

Oh well, one day at a time!!  : 0 )

I hope this package is true for you. And that your boss allows you to take such a package. I also hope it fits with your 18 month plan. Otherwise you could perhaps accept is earlier and do some other work until you reach your date/sum.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on November 10, 2017, 11:22:40 AM
Having had external confirmation that my numbers work for June 2018, I'm moving to 2018. I may return if something happens to make my job tolerable enough for me to hold on till the end of that financial year, but 2019 is now OMY OLY for me.

Corrected that for you -- Congratulations!!!!!

No, 2019 would definitely be OMY now that I know I can go in 2018. Or nine more months because I wouldn't go beyond my original aspirational date of 31/3/19.

I was thinking of it like -- you will work OLY.  Either way -- congrats!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Livingthedream55 on November 13, 2017, 07:02:31 AM
Hello peeps,

I posted this on the 2018 cohort thread also. Rumors abound of an early retirement incentive package may be in the works at my agency.  I mean, 18 months to go is nothing really but I want to FIRE so much right now!

Oh well, one day at a time!!  : 0 )

I hope this package is true for you. And that your boss allows you to take such a package. I also hope it fits with your 18 month plan. Otherwise you could perhaps accept is earlier and do some other work until you reach your date/sum.

Thanks Linda!  That's my hope (to lock in the pension at the higher percentage of salary -- would be the equivalent as if I worked 5 more years) and stay for one more year perhaps (part-time and as a consultant). Usually when these opportunities become available it's this time of year. We'll see!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on November 14, 2017, 11:07:56 PM
June 2019 still feels along way away to me.
Most of my career has been broken up into two or three year chunks at varying assignments in different geographical locations.  To me two or three years passes by very quickly.

Having had external confirmation that my numbers work for June 2018, I'm moving to 2018. I may return if something happens to make my job tolerable enough for me to hold on till the end of that financial year, but 2019 is now OMY for me.
That's great!  Congrats!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on November 20, 2017, 09:32:05 AM
19 months till FIRE.....my working career has lasted 334 months. This means I am 95% of the way to the finish line.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on November 20, 2017, 09:42:21 AM
19 months till FIRE.....my working career has lasted 334 months. This means I am 95% of the way to the finish line.
Now that's freaky.  I'm 334 and two thirds months into my career with 19 and a third to go.  You're just going to beat me!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on November 20, 2017, 10:35:25 AM
19 months till FIRE.....my working career has lasted 334 months. This means I am 95% of the way to the finish line.
Now that's freaky.  I'm 334 and two thirds months into my career with 19 and a third to go.  You're just going to beat me!

Haha, I've done a recount. Sorry 😳

I actually have worked a year less (started Feb 1991), so 322 months completed at the end of this month. 321 and 2/3 so far.

So actually only 94.5% done. Still sounds nearly done.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on November 21, 2017, 02:23:59 AM
19 months till FIRE.....my working career has lasted 334 months. This means I am 95% of the way to the finish line.
Now that's freaky.  I'm 334 and two thirds months into my career with 19 and a third to go.  You're just going to beat me!

Haha, I've done a recount. Sorry 😳

I actually have worked a year less (started Feb 1991), so 322 months completed at the end of this month. 321 and 2/3 so far.

So actually only 94.5% done. Still sounds nearly done.
Should you recount your stash as well just in case?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on November 21, 2017, 08:19:56 PM
Lol. Yes. Maybe when I get closer I should put a case study up to get others to count it for me.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: oldtoyota on December 04, 2017, 07:46:58 PM
Still on track for June 2019. Yippee!

I need to get serious about calculating the Roth backdoor / pipeline.

Right now, I'm running my business and make good enough money working part time. I enjoy this so much that I could see continuing into "retirement" as a side hustle. If I did that, the pipeline becomes less important.

It is really nice not to worry. I have back up plans to the back up plans.


Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on December 05, 2017, 02:40:26 AM
Still on track for June 2019. Yippee!
Me too.  19 paycheques to go until retirement in 2019. Now how do I get that Paul Hardcastle song out of my head?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRJFvtvTGEk
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on December 05, 2017, 07:47:27 PM
19 paychecks remaining for me too..... or maybe just 13.....

Absolutely no idea what I will fill my days with post FIRE.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on December 06, 2017, 06:16:27 AM
Absolutely no idea what I will fill my days with post FIRE.
Now that is worrying.  In my experience retired people tend to divide into those who get bored and those who can't imagine how they ever found time to go to work.  I fully expect to be in the latter camp as work really gets in the way of all the other things I want to be doing.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on December 06, 2017, 07:03:28 AM
When the news stops calling the rising market a bubble, then you know we're in a bubble.

I haven't gotten any stock tips from my shoeshine boy yet, so at the moment I think we're okay.

Nope, but Bitcoin just hit $12k . . .  something's gonna give.  Just hope it happens in early 2018, so I can assess the damage and figure out if 2019 still looks viable. Current 401k balance is just over $700k, split 60/40, so a 20% correction would drop me to @$616k (+ $31k more in contributions for 2018, so $646k). Would probably still retire if I were @$650k, though I'd really hoped to go with $800k.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on December 06, 2017, 07:09:43 AM
So is anyone else in this cohort really looking forward to Jan. 1, 2018, when you can say, "I'm retiring NEXT YEAR!!"  I sure as hell am. For now it's "I'm retiring in 17 months."  "Next year" just sounds so much better.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on December 06, 2017, 08:26:54 AM
I'm more looking forward to being able to say 'This is my last full year'!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on December 06, 2017, 11:58:58 AM
Absolutely no idea what I will fill my days with post FIRE.
Now that is worrying.  In my experience retired people tend to divide into those who get bored and those who can't imagine how they ever found time to go to work.  I fully expect to be in the latter camp as work really gets in the way of all the other things I want to be doing.

Yes I am a little worried.

If I don’t like being FIRE I’ll get another job. But, at least I’ll have a nice long break of at least 6 months first. If I like been FIRE then great, if not we’ll nobody is forcing me to be retired in my mid 40s.

I do have quite a few vague ideas of how I’ll spend my time, but with work being so all consuming I just need some time post FIRE to organise myself.

Awesome to have the option to experiment with a few things..... including experimenting with not working.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on December 06, 2017, 04:18:33 PM
Absolutely no idea what I will fill my days with post FIRE.
Now that is worrying.  In my experience retired people tend to divide into those who get bored and those who can't imagine how they ever found time to go to work.  I fully expect to be in the latter camp as work really gets in the way of all the other things I want to be doing.

Oh my god am I in Camp #2 . . . I dream all the time of having the time to do the things I love.  With that said, I do worry about two things with FIRE. I worry that I will struggle psychologically with not having money coming in -- with becoming a spender rather than a saver. And I worry (a little) that I will regret in some small way leaving my job.   This will maybe sound weird, but I am really, really good at what I do, and I wonder if I will feel sad to walk away from that chapter in my life? I get lots of recognition at work for the things I do well.  For the things I will do after FIRE -- no one will know or give a rat's ass.  :)  Not sure how much I depend on that recognition psychologically.   Probably the awesome feeling of FIRE freedom will totally overwhelm any regrets, but that's my small worry right now.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MoneyStacher on December 06, 2017, 05:19:28 PM
Put me down for Jan 2019 when my current contracting gig ends. 50, Single, no kids, no lady. 450 taxable, 465 401(k), 140 Roth = 1,055,000. Sure, I could FIRE now, but I'm scared of the market highs and losing the firehose of cash -- aaaaand I'm work from home so this gig is just too good to quit. But, what if they offer me FT? Ugh, could end up OMYing. Still put me down but may chicken out.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on December 07, 2017, 05:35:39 AM

Oh my god am I in Camp #2 . . . I dream all the time of having the time to do the things I love.  With that said, I do worry about two things with FIRE. I worry that I will struggle psychologically with not having money coming in -- with becoming a spender rather than a saver. <...>

DH thinks that we can retire when we have saved up enough for normal living with a bit of margin. One option if you want to travel and spend more money, is to work for it. There would be no problem putting some hours in a consulting gig to save for an expensive journey.

I can also assure you that when my MIL retired at 50, she became very much a big saver. For many years I didn't understand it. Why would a fairly rich person behave like it is the greatest achievement to find a good bargain in a market place? But now I understand it very well.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on December 13, 2017, 10:20:00 AM
I just found an error in one of my spreadsheets :0(
With the way markets have been going lately, I have cut back on my pension contributions and I've been accumulating cash - the logic being that if the recent gains are 'real' then I've already stuffed enough in my pension, if they are illusory and a big crash is coming then I'll buy stocks when they crash.  I know this reeks of 'market timing', but I feel it's more of a permissible insurance policy in my case.
As my cash reserves have been building, I've had fun tracking my 'cashflow gap' - I have endowment policies maturing in 2019 which will see us through until we can access the pensions, so I've been tracking how many months worth of cash we have vs the gap to when those mature and getting excited as I slowly approached the point when we could, if we wished, hand in our 3 months notice and have enough cashflow to see us through.  This morning I realised that one of the policies actually matures 66 days earlier than I thought it did.  That means that our 'we could hand in our notice day' was actually two weeks ago and we missed it.  Bummer.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on December 13, 2017, 11:08:52 AM
I just found an error in one of my spreadsheets :0(
With the way markets have been going lately, I have cut back on my pension contributions and I've been accumulating cash - the logic being that if the recent gains are 'real' then I've already stuffed enough in my pension, if they are illusory and a big crash is coming then I'll buy stocks when they crash.  I know this reeks of 'market timing', but I feel it's more of a permissible insurance policy in my case.
As my cash reserves have been building, I've had fun tracking my 'cashflow gap' - I have endowment policies maturing in 2019 which will see us through until we can access the pensions, so I've been tracking how many months worth of cash we have vs the gap to when those mature and getting excited as I slowly approached the point when we could, if we wished, hand in our 3 months notice and have enough cashflow to see us through.  This morning I realised that one of the policies actually matures 66 days earlier than I thought it did.  That means that our 'we could hand in our notice day' was actually two weeks ago and we missed it.  Bummer.

Hah. Not the worst problem to have.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: TartanTallulah on December 13, 2017, 01:31:40 PM
I just found an error in one of my spreadsheets :0(
With the way markets have been going lately, I have cut back on my pension contributions and I've been accumulating cash - the logic being that if the recent gains are 'real' then I've already stuffed enough in my pension, if they are illusory and a big crash is coming then I'll buy stocks when they crash.  I know this reeks of 'market timing', but I feel it's more of a permissible insurance policy in my case.
As my cash reserves have been building, I've had fun tracking my 'cashflow gap' - I have endowment policies maturing in 2019 which will see us through until we can access the pensions, so I've been tracking how many months worth of cash we have vs the gap to when those mature and getting excited as I slowly approached the point when we could, if we wished, hand in our 3 months notice and have enough cashflow to see us through.  This morning I realised that one of the policies actually matures 66 days earlier than I thought it did.  That means that our 'we could hand in our notice day' was actually two weeks ago and we missed it.  Bummer.

Humblebragger ;-)

Are you going to spend the pay for the extra days you didn't know you didn't need to work on something frivolous and fun?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on December 13, 2017, 02:49:21 PM

Are you going to spend the pay for the extra days you didn't know you didn't need to work on something frivolous and fun?
Do you have any idea how hard I find spending money on something frivolous nowadays?  I'm still good at having fun, but spending money on fun I now find a real challenge.  I'm still trying to stick to the June 2019 plan and all that extra cash will be a hedge against market disaster and probably end up paying off the kids mortgages in about 15 years time.  I'm just miffed at missing a meaningless milestone I'd been looking forward to.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on December 13, 2017, 08:38:37 PM
Absolutely no idea what I will fill my days with post FIRE.
I spent 30 days of vacation this past summer and found myself content with surfing the net and lounging around.  However, I knew that I needed something with more substance when I FIRE and found an article that talked about using vacation days to do a retirement rehearsal.  After reading the article I started experimenting with new activities around the community where I live.  A lot of the experiments are volunteering in different things.  I'm hoping that poking around for a new emergent strategy will land me something I really will enjoy doing in my retirement.

https://moneyqanda.com/retirement-rehearsal/
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on December 15, 2017, 01:01:22 PM
 
Most Righteous Alias Age at FIRE Target DateDate Confirmed

zinnie35Feb-19
MissNancyPryor50Mar-19
Roboturner30Mar-19
TartanTallulah55Mar-19moved to 2018
HalfStached41Apr-1-19
Luck1241Apr-19
albireo1361May-1-19
Livingthedream5559May-19
cerat0n1aMay-19summer 2018 planned
dude54May-19
SamIAm3829May-19
oldtoyotaJun-19
Itchyfeet47Jun-19
PhilB53Jun-19
Bateaux50Jun-19
CryingInThePool44Jun-19
powersuitrecall47Jul-19
Enigma39Jul-19
Thedividebyzero45Jul-19
Trifele52Aug-19
Cornbread OMalley42Aug-19
RetirementDreamingSep-19
Spreadsheet ManSep-27-19
VoteCthulu39Oct-19
trix7643Oct-19
MoMan55Oct-19
markbike528CBX55Dec-19 OLY 5-2018 but checking in as OP
HBFI38Dec-19
luckyme1345Dec-19
moxieDec-27-19
ParizadeTBD
madamwitty36TBD
Lowerbills40TBD
Chrissy42TBD
GerardTBD
getoutsoon52TBD
ysette938late-19TBD
elaine amj40TBD
IplawyerTBD
ChairmanTBD-SemiFire 2018
2Birds1StoneTBD
FIRE 20/20TBD
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on December 15, 2017, 01:03:58 PM
Thanks to Trifele for pointing out new people to add to the list!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Half Stached on December 31, 2017, 10:52:04 AM
Happy New Year! Time for a quarterly (and annual update):

7/15: 41.6% FI
10/15: 40.1%
1/16: 45.6%
4/16: 50.4%
7/16: 53.7%
10/16: 60.7%* (due to reducing expenses and better modeling, we reduced our FI target from 1.8million to 1.7)
1/17: 63.5%
4/17: 75.3%
7/17: 44.4* (Condo purchase. FI target reduced from 1.7million to 1.3, not including condo.)
10/17: 50.6%
1/18: 56.3%

Interesting things I noticed reviewing the year:

 * We hit a 76% annual savings rate! This was due to a larger than usual annual bonus as well as buying the condo which traded rent for HOA dues + property taxes (we paid cash, so no mortgage). Buying will save us about 13K/year (and eliminate the rent increases - they've been about 10%/year around here). Last year we were at a 71% savings rate; I estimate next year at 74%.
 * We lowered our food spend by about 9%. As this is one of our spendier categories, I was happy to see us be able to make a dent here.
 * Medical was high: about 63% more out of pocket than estimated. This was partially due to my DW's cracked tooth, but even without that we were over my estimate. This surprised me as I felt that we were generally healthy this year. It is something that I need to keep a closer eye on to understand better.
 * Our investments were strong this year. Including the condo purchase as an investment that yielded 0%, we 'only' made 13.3%. On the other hand, our largest investment outside of the condo made 28.75%! (This is my 401k. Given our options, I can't get a total market index.) Another way to look at it, our investments paid us almost 172K! Last year, our investments paid us 72K.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on December 31, 2017, 11:40:52 AM
markbike528CBX, you can put me down for an age of 42 and a planned date of May 2019. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MoMan on January 01, 2018, 12:14:11 AM
Next year, baby!!


It’s official: I (we) retire next year. Yeah, I still have 1.75 years to go but it’s still super exciting to say that.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 01, 2018, 03:58:48 AM
YEAH!!  This is our last full year of work!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: edgema on January 05, 2018, 05:13:30 AM
Hello. After personal reflection and family deliberation over our holiday, can I please plant my flag to FIRE in March 2019. Stupidly I have agonised over being in the 2018 cohort as on many metrics we are comfortably past FIRE and fear OMY syndrome extending year after year.

However, I am a conservative person with two young kids and work in a career which is high paying but likely a one way door when I leave (particularly if I tried to return after a few years of optically being 'unemployed'). All this points to a bigger buffer both arithmetically and emotionally.

Also, I have luckily built up restricted stock in the company I work for so have very clear visibility on what it means to stick around another 15 months and because this should increase the stash by 20-25%, it feels like the cost-benefit points to keeping my head down as I am 'only' 41.

Don't say it too loudly but I also have some potentially un-Mustachian and expensive post FIRE dreams, like taking the family sailing for 18 months......
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on January 05, 2018, 05:33:38 AM
Hello. After personal reflection and family deliberation over our holiday, can I please plant my flag to FIRE in March 2019. Stupidly I have agonised over being in the 2018 cohort as on many metrics we are comfortably past FIRE and fear OMY syndrome extending year after year.

However, I am a conservative person with two young kids and work in a career which is high paying but likely a one way door when I leave (particularly if I tried to return after a few years of optically being 'unemployed'). All this points to a bigger buffer both arithmetically and emotionally.

Also, I have luckily built up restricted stock in the company I work for so have very clear visibility on what it means to stick around another 15 months and because this should increase the stash by 20-25%, it feels like the cost-benefit points to keeping my head down as I am 'only' 41.

Don't say it too loudly but I also have some potentially un-Mustachian and expensive post FIRE dreams, like taking the family sailing for 18 months......

I am 100% with you on seeing out OMY when you are ‘only’ 41. So many years ahead of you to live out your dreams, and an extra 20% in the stash will give you more options and less stress down the road.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: edgema on January 05, 2018, 06:29:42 AM
Thanks itchyfeet. Although I have written a letter to my future self open this time next year to avoid OMY perpetuity!

I don't think I will need it though as I am feeling very confident in that date and for a number of career/pay reasons it is a good moment to step out of my job. Essentially my total pay falls by some 30% annually from then on.

Maybe it is the two weeks of holiday I have just had, but 15 months doesn't feel long and my job is not crazy hours or too stressful.

Splitting the time into manageable mental chunks (next holiday in 8 weeks) and putting a few goals in place (fitness/endurance events with friends) to make use of the time rather than watch the clock as 450 days can go very slowly if you do.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on January 05, 2018, 06:42:53 AM
I've decided to bring my 'official' date forward 5 months to end of Jan 19 as June 19 was feeling too far away.  I'm still struggling with the desire to go even earlier and may yet defect to the 2018 thread, but there aren't may of us left!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on January 05, 2018, 08:02:18 AM
I've decided to bring my 'official' date forward 5 months to end of Jan 19 as June 19 was feeling too far away.  I'm still struggling with the desire to go even earlier and may yet defect to the 2018 thread, but there aren't may of us left!

I also see June 2019 as an out marker. June 2018 seems a bit soon. So somewhere in between.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Livingthedream55 on January 08, 2018, 11:55:23 AM
YEAH!!  This is our last full year of work!

This is such a great way to look at this!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on January 09, 2018, 04:41:43 AM
YEAH!!  This is our last full year of work!

This is such a great way to look at this!

Even though I think we will first reach FIRE in 2020, I think we also have 2018 as our last year of fulltime work. I hope we will be able to afford to take many more weeks off than in normal years in 2019. Or work only 4 days a week or so.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 11, 2018, 04:24:24 AM
Most Righteous Alias Age at FIRE Target DateDate Confirmed

zinnie35Feb-19
MissNancyPryor50Mar-19
Roboturner30Mar-19
TartanTallulah55Mar-19moved to 2018
HalfStached41Apr-1-19
Luck1241Apr-19
albireo1361May-1-19
Livingthedream5559May-19
cerat0n1aMay-19summer 2018 planned
dude54May-19
SamIAm3829May-19
oldtoyotaJun-19
Itchyfeet47Jun-19
PhilB53Jun-19
Bateaux50Jun-19
CryingInThePool44Jun-19
powersuitrecall47Jul-19
Enigma39Jul-19
Thedividebyzero45Jul-19
Trifele52Aug-19
Cornbread OMalley42Aug-19
RetirementDreamingSep-19
Spreadsheet ManSep-27-19
VoteCthulu39Oct-19
trix7643Oct-19
MoMan55Oct-19
markbike528CBX55Dec-19 OLY 5-2018 but checking in as OP
HBFI38Dec-19
luckyme1345Dec-19
moxieDec-27-19
ParizadeTBD
madamwitty36TBD
Lowerbills40TBD
Chrissy42TBD
GerardTBD
getoutsoon52TBD
ysette938late-19TBD
elaine amj40TBD
IplawyerTBD
ChairmanTBD-SemiFire 2018
2Birds1StoneTBD
FIRE 20/20TBD

We have a couple new people and a couple of changes . . . Does anyone know how to update a table?  I just spent half an hour trying, and managed to totally scramble it.  The updates are:  PhilB moved to 1/19, MoneyStacher added to 1/19, Edgema added to 3/19, and Fire 20/20 moved to 5/19.  I think Cerat0nia and TartanTallulah have officially bailed for the 2018 class (congrats to them!) so we can remove them.  I think Mark wants to stay on as OP.  :)

Thanks to whoever can help! 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on January 11, 2018, 09:16:27 PM
Most Righteous Alias Age@fire Target DateOLY/OMY notes and eventually Date Confirmed
MoneyStacher51Jan-19
PhilB53Jan-19
zinnie35Feb-19
MissNancyPryor50Mar-19
Roboturner30Mar-19
TartanTallulah55Mar-19moved to 2018
EdgemaMar-19
HalfStached41Apr-1-19
Luck1241Apr-19
albireo1361May-1-19
Livingthedream5559May-19
cerat0n1aMay-19summer 2018 planned
dude54May-19
SamIAm3829May-19
FIRE 20/20May-19
oldtoyotaJun-19
Itchyfeet47Jun-19
Bateaux50Jun-19
CryingInThePool44Jun-19
powersuitrecall47Jul-19
Enigma39Jul-19
Thedividebyzero45Jul-19
Trifele52Aug-19
Cornbread OMalley42Aug-19
RetirementDreamingSep-19
Spreadsheet ManSep-27-19
VoteCthulu39Oct-19
trix7643Oct-19
MoMan55Oct-19
markbike528CBX55Dec-19 OLY 5-2018 at 53.5 but checking in as OP
HBFI38Dec-19
luckyme1345Dec-19
moxieDec-27-19
ParizadeTBD
madamwitty36TBD
Lowerbills40TBD
Chrissy42TBD
GerardTBD
getoutsoon52TBD
ysette938late-19TBD
elaine amj40TBD
IplawyerTBD
ChairmanTBD-SemiFire 2018
2Birds1StoneTBD
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 12, 2018, 03:41:15 AM
Thanks, Mark!  And thanks for the tips on tables you sent in your PM.  :)

Just noticed that the class of '18 is huge!  Probably quite a few folks have been able to FIRE this year because of the crazy market returns?  Big party going on on that thread, if you haven't checked it out.  Quite inspiring to see them FIREing one by one! 

https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/2018-fire-cohort/
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on January 12, 2018, 04:08:59 AM
Yes, we are by comparison a small but select group. Quality not quantity :-)

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on January 12, 2018, 04:20:51 AM
I'm fighting the temptation to defect to FY18 too.  I just did my weekly check on my pension investments and I'm now within £6k of my budgeted number for Jun 2019.  DW is still £20k under, but cash position is £15k over Jun 19 projections.  My thoughts are changing daily and it's frankly doing my head in.
My latest thought is that, as we have major change and upheaval at work planned for this autumn, I may just retire immediately before it happens, but offer to do a little part time consulting so as to help them with the process without having to deal with the stress and crazy hours.  I'd always pictured retiring in spring / summer to enjoy the good weather though.  More importantly, if I do that which cohort should I be in? Decisions, decisions...
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: edgema on January 12, 2018, 05:16:33 AM
Hi PhilB,

I understand the temptation and in me it has caused me to question whether I will be an always OMY person as I am not going to let the temptation bring me into 2018. Without necessarily thinking a crash is coming it is completely rational to believe that the out-sized returns equity markets have seen means that future returns, all else equal, will not be as good for the next 5 years. Just like the MMM 'theory' would be to look through downside in markets and trust the 4% rule (oversimplification I know) once you are FIREd, the same could be said of looking through 'super' returns which are well above historical averages before you are FIREd. It just isn't the same to have your FIRE number hit with a high P/E stock market than a low one. 

It is not overly pessimistic in my view, but rational, to say that with markets going up like a rocket and 'bringing forward' future year returns, means that you want a bigger buffer.

Stay on target.... Stay on target..... STAY ON TARGET.... ARGGGH. (Star Wars reference - No being aggressive
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on January 12, 2018, 05:38:12 AM
...snip.....  I'd always pictured retiring in spring / summer to enjoy the good weather though.  ...snip...

As I was sitting on my patio, looking at my pool and backyard, I suddenly had the epiphany "this is my last summer working" .    I really just wanted to have a summer sabbatical, but that morphed into FIRE.

It helped that I was reading "The Power of Now".   The book states that if you don't like your current situation, then either change it or accept it fully for now ( paraphrased).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on January 12, 2018, 08:16:50 AM
Hi PhilB,

I understand the temptation and in me it has caused me to question whether I will be an always OMY person as I am not going to let the temptation bring me into 2018. Without necessarily thinking a crash is coming it is completely rational to believe that the out-sized returns equity markets have seen means that future returns, all else equal, will not be as good for the next 5 years. Just like the MMM 'theory' would be to look through downside in markets and trust the 4% rule (oversimplification I know) once you are FIREd, the same could be said of looking through 'super' returns which are well above historical averages before you are FIREd. It just isn't the same to have your FIRE number hit with a high P/E stock market than a low one. 

It is not overly pessimistic in my view, but rational, to say that with markets going up like a rocket and 'bringing forward' future year returns, means that you want a bigger buffer.

Stay on target.... Stay on target..... STAY ON TARGET.... ARGGGH. (Star Wars reference - No being aggressive
Love it!
I'm very confident I won't get stuck in OMY - my problem is that I built 3 lots of OMY into my plan to begin with and now I'm halfway through those I'm really thinking 'These are not the extra months you are looking for...'
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 12, 2018, 08:27:47 AM

Stay on target.... Stay on target..... STAY ON TARGET.... ARGGGH. (Star Wars reference - No being aggressive

Yeah, but didn't that guy get blown up?  ;)   (Yes, I am a huge Star Wars nerd)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Bateaux on January 12, 2018, 08:32:28 AM
Hi PhilB,

I understand the temptation and in me it has caused me to question whether I will be an always OMY person as I am not going to let the temptation bring me into 2018. Without necessarily thinking a crash is coming it is completely rational to believe that the out-sized returns equity markets have seen means that future returns, all else equal, will not be as good for the next 5 years. Just like the MMM 'theory' would be to look through downside in markets and trust the 4% rule (oversimplification I know) once you are FIREd, the same could be said of looking through 'super' returns which are well above historical averages before you are FIREd. It just isn't the same to have your FIRE number hit with a high P/E stock market than a low one. 

It is not overly pessimistic in my view, but rational, to say that with markets going up like a rocket and 'bringing forward' future year returns, means that you want a bigger buffer.

Stay on target.... Stay on target..... STAY ON TARGET.... ARGGGH. (Star Wars reference - No being aggressive
Love it!
I'm very confident I won't get stuck in OMY - my problem is that I built 3 lots of OMY into my plan to begin with and now I'm halfway through those I'm really thinking 'These are not the extra months you are looking for...'

We're so close to our minimum FIRE number (2M invested, we're only 80k away) unless the crash comes soon we'll overshoot. OMY is so tempting when you're making this much money and have good benefits from working.  I'm not going to make any changes till at least my June 2019 projected date regardless of how much the stash grows from here.  August 2020 is a second possible date because a few benefits will be available at work if I last till then.  Really want to be finished at 50 and that's where 2019 takes me.  Good luck to you all.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: VoteCthulu on January 12, 2018, 12:08:06 PM
I've made my 401k number thanks to the market run-up, but I'm still short on my taxable accounts.  I could just pay the extra 10% penalty until my roth pipeline gets going, but I don't mind over shooting my target a bit.

I don't feel bad sticking to my original plan, or only shortening it 6-9 months. I think if I had planned to FIRE this year I wouldn't be waiting until next year, though.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Bateaux on January 12, 2018, 01:14:44 PM
My taxables are a little shy as well.  I want to have a few years expenses in taxable before FIRE.   I'm overweight into retirement accounts.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 12, 2018, 04:46:01 PM
+3.  I'm too light on the taxable accounts as well.  I'm hoping to top those up in the next year and a half. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on January 14, 2018, 11:49:01 AM
Hi Markbike, you can put me down as age 62 at FIREing on 6/21/2019
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on January 14, 2018, 06:04:51 PM
Most Righteous Alias Age at FIRE Target DateDate Confirmed

zinnie35Feb-19
MissNancyPryor50Mar-19
Roboturner30Mar-19
TartanTallulah55Mar-19moved to 2018
HalfStached41Apr-1-19
Luck1241Apr-19
albireo1361May-1-19
Livingthedream5559May-19
cerat0n1aMay-19summer 2018 planned
dude54May-19
SamIAm3829May-19
oldtoyotaJun-19
Itchyfeet47Jun-19
PhilB53Jun-19
Bateaux50Jun-19
CryingInThePool44Jun-19
powersuitrecall47Jul-19
Enigma39Jul-19
Thedividebyzero45Jul-19
Trifele52Aug-19
Cornbread OMalley42Aug-19
RetirementDreamingSep-19
Spreadsheet ManSep-27-19
VoteCthulu39Oct-19
trix7643Oct-19
MoMan55Oct-19
markbike528CBX55Dec-19 OLY 5-2018 but checking in as OP
HBFI38Dec-19
luckyme1345Dec-19
moxieDec-27-19
Parizade62Jun-21-19
madamwitty36TBD
Lowerbills40TBD
Chrissy42TBD
GerardTBD
getoutsoon52TBD
ysette938late-19TBD
elaine amj40TBD
IplawyerTBD
ChairmanTBD-SemiFire 2018
2Birds1StoneTBD
FIRE 20/20TBD
added my stats
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on January 14, 2018, 06:33:52 PM
Next year, baby!!


It’s official: I (we) retire next year. Yeah, I still have 1.75 years to go but it’s still super exciting to say that.

This really put the "happy" in my new year too
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Odiedog859 on January 14, 2018, 06:43:41 PM
No a big poster but read this forum everyday.

Current plan is retire in 5/31/19 at 62.  Could go now but like my work and we are discussing going to reduced hours for the last year.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on January 14, 2018, 08:36:41 PM
At a work function last night I quietly told one of my trusted colleagues that there was a good chance I would not be around this time next year. The cat is out of the bag.... Maybe he will keep it to himself, but offices need gossip to run.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: oldtoyota on January 15, 2018, 08:59:18 PM
At a work function last night I quietly told one of my trusted colleagues that there was a good chance I would not be around this time next year. The cat is out of the bag.... Maybe he will keep it to himself, but offices need gossip to run.

This gave me a chuckle.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: oldtoyota on January 15, 2018, 09:02:30 PM
My taxables are a little shy as well.  I want to have a few years expenses in taxable before FIRE.   I'm overweight into retirement accounts.

Yep. Our taxables are less than I would like, too. We have a good situation in that our income won't go straight to O, so it may not matter. I'll have to create some revised scenarios to take some changes into consideration.

It just hit me a few moments ago: 2019 is NEXT year. When I first joined this board, 2019 seemed so very far away.

So 18 more months if I stick to the original plan. And I like the work I'm doing through my business and can do it when and if I want, so maybe I'll keep on with it.



Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on January 17, 2018, 12:58:34 PM
My taxables are a little shy as well.  I want to have a few years expenses in taxable before FIRE.   I'm overweight into retirement accounts.

It just hit me a few moments ago: 2019 is NEXT year. When I first joined this board, 2019 seemed so very far away.


Yep, after the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve, I said it out loud to my spouse, "I'm retiring NEXT YEAR."  Crazy. I know in the blink of an eye it will be May 7th, and I'll be able to say, "I've got less than a year until retirement." It sounds so bizarre when I say it that way. Like, the imminence is kind of scary! I know I'll have a thousand things to do, it's just that I'm realizing the time I have to get some ducks in a row prior to that date is dwindling fast!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 17, 2018, 01:08:02 PM
My taxables are a little shy as well.  I want to have a few years expenses in taxable before FIRE.   I'm overweight into retirement accounts.

It just hit me a few moments ago: 2019 is NEXT year. When I first joined this board, 2019 seemed so very far away.


Yep, after the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve, I said it out loud to my spouse, "I'm retiring NEXT YEAR."  Crazy. I know in the blink of an eye it will be May 7th, and I'll be able to say, "I've got less than a year until retirement." It sounds so bizarre when I say it that way. Like, the imminence is kind of scary! I know I'll have a thousand things to do, it's just that I'm realizing the time I have to get some ducks in a row prior to that date is dwindling fast!

I'm in the same place mentally.  One day I figured out the number of paychecks I have left before I FIRE, and it's not all that many!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on January 17, 2018, 07:18:36 PM
My taxables are a little shy as well.  I want to have a few years expenses in taxable before FIRE.   I'm overweight into retirement accounts.

It just hit me a few moments ago: 2019 is NEXT year. When I first joined this board, 2019 seemed so very far away.


Yep, after the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve, I said it out loud to my spouse, "I'm retiring NEXT YEAR."  Crazy. I know in the blink of an eye it will be May 7th, and I'll be able to say, "I've got less than a year until retirement." It sounds so bizarre when I say it that way. Like, the imminence is kind of scary! I know I'll have a thousand things to do, it's just that I'm realizing the time I have to get some ducks in a row prior to that date is dwindling fast!

I'm in the same place mentally.  One day I figured out the number of paychecks I have left before I FIRE, and it's not all that many!

It’s going to be an uphill battle to the finish line on many fronts.

I believe I should feel unburdened because I should no longer give a rats about my job, but instead I am feeling the weight of making the biggest financial decision of my life. Turning off the raging torrent of cashflow from a career that is at its zenith is daunting.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 18, 2018, 04:59:31 AM
My taxables are a little shy as well.  I want to have a few years expenses in taxable before FIRE.   I'm overweight into retirement accounts.

It just hit me a few moments ago: 2019 is NEXT year. When I first joined this board, 2019 seemed so very far away.


Yep, after the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve, I said it out loud to my spouse, "I'm retiring NEXT YEAR."  Crazy. I know in the blink of an eye it will be May 7th, and I'll be able to say, "I've got less than a year until retirement." It sounds so bizarre when I say it that way. Like, the imminence is kind of scary! I know I'll have a thousand things to do, it's just that I'm realizing the time I have to get some ducks in a row prior to that date is dwindling fast!

I'm in the same place mentally.  One day I figured out the number of paychecks I have left before I FIRE, and it's not all that many!

It’s going to be an uphill battle to the finish line on many fronts.

I believe I should feel unburdened because I should no longer give a rats about my job, but instead I am feeling the weight of making the biggest financial decision of my life. Turning off the raging torrent of cashflow from a career that is at its zenith is daunting.

I agree.  I'm making more this year than ever, my job is non-stressful and rarely exceeds 45 hours per week, and some days I think I am crazy to pull the plug . . .  Like OldToyota, I'm in a good place because our income won't go immediately to zero, but it is still scary.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on January 18, 2018, 06:14:21 AM
Knowing when it's time to turn off the fire hose of cash has been a huge psychological issue for me too and one I've been wrestling with constantly for the past year or so.  I've finally come to a conclusion that makes me feel happy and so I'm afraid I need to drop out of the 2019 list.  I've spent too long thinking in terms of 'if I go at x time of year it will be most tax efficient because of y' and was losing sight of the fact that all those 'efficiency' drivers were immaterial compared to the actual salary for the extra / less months concerned and therefore not worth worrying about.
I have decided that, unless there is a complete market meltdown in the meantime, I will quit in Oct this year.  I have made several similar decisions about different dates over the past few months, but this one has done more than any of the others to make me feel happy so it's the one I'm going with.  I will have more than enough money, work is expected to get pretty horrid from about that date and the key driver is that if I stayed longer I would have to work through the half term holiday rather than go on holiday with the kids and I realised that was more important to me than more money was.
I may end up being asked to do a bit of consulting through into mid 2019 so the IRP may still class me as a 2019er, but I think it's time to go and apply for membership of the 2018 thread.  Best wishes to all of you and I will keep a eye on how you are all doing.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on January 18, 2018, 08:42:49 AM
Cheers Phil B. Fair chance I might end up 2018 too. Still throwing around ideas for 2019.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on January 18, 2018, 09:52:18 AM
Cheers Phil B. Fair chance I might end up 2018 too. Still throwing around ideas for 2019.
If there was any way I could swing it this year I would, I'll probably go back and take a look just to be sure but I don't think I can move my date up at all.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on January 18, 2018, 11:42:58 AM
I was *just* wondering if any of you were considering moving up your timeline due to the recent outsized market returns.

I've personally already hit my "number" (in 2017, no less), but the only reason is due to all of the heavy lifting by Mr. Market.  Looking at current valuations, I'm pretty sure I'll end up happier when I can take a ~20% portfolio haircut without worrying a bit.  And I won't even have to work any longer.  So I'm staying the course with the original plan.  I have really started slacking off at work though...
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on January 18, 2018, 12:11:07 PM
So you are going for a 3% SWR Eric?

(wanting to be able to take 20% haircut = 3%SWR)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Bateaux on January 18, 2018, 12:35:43 PM
It's difficult.   I woke up this morning, checked Mint.  I'm within 65k of the 2000k goal.  That first 65k was a slog.  The last 65k could be here in weeks.  Cray, Cray market these days.  Could hold out for 2020.  Won't know till I know.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on January 18, 2018, 12:44:33 PM
So you are going for a 3% SWR Eric?

(wanting to be able to take 20% haircut = 3%SWR)

Kind of?  I'm actually planning a variable withdrawal rate, not a static one.  My baseline looks like it'll be around 3.5%, but my spending "floor" is around 2% of my starting balance.  My spending "ceiling" is around 4.5%.  My spending amount will fluctuate based on market returns.  This is partially because I will have the ability to decrease my expenses without really taking a lifestyle hit just by moving locations, as I plan to do the perpetual travel thing.  It's also partially because I'll need my portfolio to grow if I want to settle back in the US at some point if the travel thing ever gets old, and cutting spending when the markets are down is one of the best ways to ensure growth over time.  But of course I want to spend time in Western Europe too, so the variable spending thing seems to strike the best balance.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on January 18, 2018, 12:48:11 PM
So you are going for a 3% SWR Eric?

(wanting to be able to take 20% haircut = 3%SWR)

Kind of?  I'm actually planning a variable withdrawal rate, not a static one.  My baseline looks like it'll be around 3.5%, but my spending "floor" is around 2% of my starting balance.  My spending "ceiling" is around 4.5%.  My spending amount will fluctuate based on market returns.  This is partially because I will have the ability to decrease my expenses without really taking a lifestyle hit just by moving locations, as I plan to do the perpetual travel thing.  It's also partially because I'll need my portfolio to grow if I want to settle back in the US at some point if the travel thing ever gets old, and cutting spending when the markets are down is one of the best ways to ensure growth over time.  But of course I want to spend time in Western Europe too, so the variable spending thing seems to strike the best balance.

It was just to point out that if you want to be able to take a haircut, it means you are planning for an extremely safe/never ever run out of money, even if you never make another $.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on January 18, 2018, 12:55:29 PM
So you are going for a 3% SWR Eric?

(wanting to be able to take 20% haircut = 3%SWR)

Kind of?  I'm actually planning a variable withdrawal rate, not a static one.  My baseline looks like it'll be around 3.5%, but my spending "floor" is around 2% of my starting balance.  My spending "ceiling" is around 4.5%.  My spending amount will fluctuate based on market returns.  This is partially because I will have the ability to decrease my expenses without really taking a lifestyle hit just by moving locations, as I plan to do the perpetual travel thing.  It's also partially because I'll need my portfolio to grow if I want to settle back in the US at some point if the travel thing ever gets old, and cutting spending when the markets are down is one of the best ways to ensure growth over time.  But of course I want to spend time in Western Europe too, so the variable spending thing seems to strike the best balance.

It was just to point out that if you want to be able to take a haircut, it means you are planning for an extremely safe/never ever run out of money, even if you never make another $.

I certainly expect to never run out of money, but I want the option to spend more in my later years, so it's not necessarily extremely safe.  A lower WR is only really safe if you plan to continue lower spending.  Right?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on January 18, 2018, 03:04:39 PM
I was *just* wondering if any of you were considering moving up your timeline due to the recent outsized market returns.

I've personally already hit my "number" (in 2017, no less), but the only reason is due to all of the heavy lifting by Mr. Market.  Looking at current valuations, I'm pretty sure I'll end up happier when I can take a ~20% portfolio haircut without worrying a bit.  And I won't even have to work any longer.  So I'm staying the course with the original plan.  I have really started slacking off at work though...
That's a very fair question. As it happens, I don't feed actual investment valuations into my retirement spending model.  That model is based on the 2014 values when I started modelling, plus contributions and a budgeted 4% real return on equities.  I do track those budget numbers against actuals in a separate spreadsheet (actuals are currently ahead of budget by about 2 years worth of spending), but I try to base my decisions on the budgeted numbers.  Although I am supposedly ignoring those 'excess' gains in all my assessments of how much I'll have in retirement, I'm not naïve enough to think that it doesn't have some influence on my thinking and I'm sure I wouldn't have the confidence to go if I was 2 years' money behind budget instead of 2 years ahead. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on January 18, 2018, 05:03:50 PM
I was *just* wondering if any of you were considering moving up your timeline due to the recent outsized market returns.

I've personally already hit my "number" (in 2017, no less), but the only reason is due to all of the heavy lifting by Mr. Market.  Looking at current valuations, I'm pretty sure I'll end up happier when I can take a ~20% portfolio haircut without worrying a bit.  And I won't even have to work any longer.  So I'm staying the course with the original plan.  I have really started slacking off at work though...
That's a very fair question. As it happens, I don't feed actual investment valuations into my retirement spending model.  That model is based on the 2014 values when I started modelling, plus contributions and a budgeted 4% real return on equities.  I do track those budget numbers against actuals in a separate spreadsheet (actuals are currently ahead of budget by about 2 years worth of spending), but I try to base my decisions on the budgeted numbers.  Although I am supposedly ignoring those 'excess' gains in all my assessments of how much I'll have in retirement, I'm not naïve enough to think that it doesn't have some influence on my thinking and I'm sure I wouldn't have the confidence to go if I was 2 years' money behind budget instead of 2 years ahead.

Are you even supposed to be posting in this thread anymore?  :)

That's a unique approach.  Although I guess it's just a fancy way of mentally preparing for the next downturn.  Giving yourself a haircut, so to speak.  I kind of make a mental adjustment of stuff too, so I look at my portfolio as $900k in retirement funds and $200k in "extra" money.  I know it's not 100% rational, but then again, who is?  Maybe Sol.  That's about it.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 19, 2018, 05:13:09 AM
Mini celebration time!  Checked our accounts yesterday, and we passed $750k, which is our "number."   :)  All contributions and gains from here until FIRE are "extra."  I feel really good about that, especially with the uncertainty around health insurance.  It'll be nice to have a bigger 'stache than I think we need.   

I have 3 things I have to do before I can pull the plug, and hitting our savings goal was #1.  Check!  #2 is pay off the mortgage (which should be gone in July), and #3 is finish cash-flowing our crazy major house renovation.   That third one is the fuzziest in terms of a completion date, but we are gunning for end of this year.   

I may be able to FIRE earlier than I had planned.  Doubt I would go this year, but maybe earlier in 2019.  Maybe spring? It'd be nice to enjoy the summer as a new FIREee.   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on January 19, 2018, 10:59:36 AM
I may be able to FIRE earlier than I had planned.  Doubt I would go this year, but maybe earlier in 2019.  Maybe spring? It'd be nice to enjoy the summer as a new FIREee.   

My thoughts exactly!  Then you can ask yourself questions like "Is the air sweeter because I just FIRE'd or because it's finally summer?"
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: madamwitty on January 19, 2018, 02:34:58 PM
DH and I have decided to reduce our working hours now (20 hours per week, each) with the tradeoff of delaying FIRE by a year or two. I am really excited about this decision and the fact that it's even an option for us. Before, afternoons at home with me and 3 kids felt like a drag, but now with DH home with us, it feels like every afternoon is a weekend!

2019 was a "one less year" target for me, now I am feeling so much better about work - excited, even - so I don't feel like that's needed. I'm going to stick with 2020 as a target and see how things go. I think 2019 is pretty unlikely for me now, so you can take me off the list (but I say that with a smile!)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on January 24, 2018, 06:14:01 AM
I am feeling so much better about work - excited, even

I wish I felt that way. This is how I thought I would feel about my last 16 months of work
https://youtu.be/4q0-k8_90UM (https://youtu.be/4q0-k8_90UM)

this is how I actually feel
https://youtu.be/BKIgv8AhffA (https://youtu.be/BKIgv8AhffA)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: edgema on January 24, 2018, 07:18:27 AM
Parizade - I really love the second link, it properly made me chuckle. It feels like such a slog no matter how much I rationalize how short a time 15 months is (well 14 months and 6 days to be precise)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: TartanTallulah on January 24, 2018, 07:51:18 AM
I may be signing back on here. The thing I knew was most likely to put a spoke in my wheel for retiring in 2018 has happened. There was nothing I could have done to prevent it.

I'm at the drawing board, though, scratching away as hard as I can.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on January 24, 2018, 08:32:33 AM
Parizade - I really love the second link, it properly made me chuckle.

Humor is the only thing that helps. Well, that and the thought of fresh strawberries with cream. I'll have to make that my victory treat.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on January 24, 2018, 09:46:41 AM
I may be signing back on here. The thing I knew was most likely to put a spoke in my wheel for retiring in 2018 has happened. There was nothing I could have done to prevent it.

I'm at the drawing board, though, scratching away as hard as I can.

What a bummer Tallulah! Welcome anyway :-(
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 24, 2018, 04:54:40 PM

This is how I thought I would feel about my last 16 months of work
https://youtu.be/4q0-k8_90UM (https://youtu.be/4q0-k8_90UM)

this is how I actually feel
https://youtu.be/BKIgv8AhffA (https://youtu.be/BKIgv8AhffA)

Loong work day today. Having a cocktail to unwind. Your videos made me laugh -- thanks!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: VoteCthulu on January 24, 2018, 09:28:52 PM
Originally I was thinking 2020 would be the year, but hoping to get there a year earlier.

Can anyone planning to FIRE in 2019 share some of their numbers?  Net worth, savings rate, annual spend, invested assets (stocks and bonds), rental property & income (if any), mortgage (rate and amount left), kids?
Sure, here's where I'm at:
Net worth $805k
savings rate 58%
annual spend 40k
invested assets (stocks and bonds) $525k / $52k
rental property & income (if any) None
mortgage (rate and amount left) 3% / $105k
kids? None that I'm aware of
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: edgema on January 25, 2018, 01:58:59 AM
I am going to run with the theme. This is how the last year feels to me.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTn1v5TGK_w

p.s. Whilst I am making a joke, I post this respectfully having first seen it about 8 years ago when I was doing a lot of triathlons myself. Says something of grit and determination (with a dose of complete lunacy!)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 25, 2018, 03:17:08 AM
I am going to run with the theme. This is how the last year feels to me.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTn1v5TGK_w

p.s. Whilst I am making a joke, I post this respectfully having first seen it about 8 years ago when I was doing a lot of triathlons myself. Says something of grit and determination (with a dose of complete lunacy!)

Holy shite.  Hope you don't REALLY feel that way Edgema.  We will get there.  We're all crawling beside you. 

@Pizza Steve -- thanks for dropping in to offer encouragement!  Huge congratulations!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on January 25, 2018, 05:32:19 AM

This is how I thought I would feel about my last 16 months of work
https://youtu.be/4q0-k8_90UM (https://youtu.be/4q0-k8_90UM)

this is how I actually feel
https://youtu.be/BKIgv8AhffA (https://youtu.be/BKIgv8AhffA)

Loong work day today. Having a cocktail to unwind. Your videos made me laugh -- thanks!
There is light at the end!  I get my finger bit off in 2 days (2018 cohort offering encouragement)....stay strong....loved the dog sledding.  My last 30 days went fast.

Cheers Trifele! I've only budgeted $25/mo for alcohol and bars - might need to bump those numbers up LOL

PizzaSteve, CONGRATULATIONS and thanks for the encouragement. The closer I get to FIRE the further off it seems.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on January 25, 2018, 05:55:44 AM
I am going to run with the theme. This is how the last year feels to me.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTn1v5TGK_w

p.s. Whilst I am making a joke, I post this respectfully having first seen it about 8 years ago when I was doing a lot of triathlons myself. Says something of grit and determination (with a dose of complete lunacy!)

Excellent choice of video edgema, I still have plenty of calories to burn but my motivation for work has evaporated and all my younger coworkers are zooming past me with their ambition and enthusiasm.

I've heard that my employer is offering older workers "buy outs" to encourage them to retire early in other areas of the company. Oh how I wish they would offer that to me, but no. I did too good of a job making my skill set valuable, now I'm stuck.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on January 25, 2018, 10:16:03 AM
Lol Awesome videos.

I had a good day at work today, and drove home dreaming that I might be able to achieve some big things this year at work and go out on a high......

But 90% of the time I feel like poor old Frodo, suffering on the slopes of an insurmountable mountain, just waiting for the end and the suffering to be over.

.....but Sometimes ......very rarely........ there is a small part of me that is subconsciously trying to give me justification to keep working. The inner gollem is today whispering “sneaky little MMM forum, wicked, trixie, false MMM forum. They will fool you, cheat you. False!!! Lies!!! Work is your friend....the top is in”

Deary me, obviously completely burnt out. Haha 🤣
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on January 25, 2018, 10:25:59 AM
The inner gollem is today whispering “sneaky little MMM forum, wicked, trixie, false MMM forum. They will fool you, cheat you. False!!! Lies!!! Work is your friend....the top is in”

Deary me, obviously completely burnt out. Haha 🤣

Literally laughed out loud at the wicked trixie false MMM comment. I have what most would consider a cushy job, WFH earning 6 figures at tasks I would do for fun if I wasn't getting paid with people I actually like. On a good day that gollum voice nags away inside my head too. My annual review is scheduled for tomorrow, if they give me another raise and bonus (which is likely) gollum will get even louder for a while.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on January 25, 2018, 11:40:58 AM
The inner gollem is today whispering “sneaky little MMM forum, wicked, trixie, false MMM forum. They will fool you, cheat you. False!!! Lies!!! Work is your friend....the top is in”

Deary me, obviously completely burnt out. Haha 🤣

Literally laughed out loud at the wicked trixie false MMM comment. I have what most would consider a cushy job, WFH earning 6 figures at tasks I would do for fun if I wasn't getting paid with people I actually like. On a good day that gollum voice nags away inside my head too. My annual review is scheduled for tomorrow, if they give me another raise and bonus (which is likely) gollum will get even louder for a while.

Don't forget about The Shire and second breakfast.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on January 25, 2018, 12:19:44 PM
Don't forget about The Shire and second breakfast.

Trying hard to remember the taste of strawberries, the touch of grass, and the lights of the party tree...but 16 months seems sooooooo long to wait
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: TartanTallulah on January 25, 2018, 01:35:46 PM
I may be signing back on here. The thing I knew was most likely to put a spoke in my wheel for retiring in 2018 has happened. There was nothing I could have done to prevent it.

I'm at the drawing board, though, scratching away as hard as I can.

What a bummer Tallulah! Welcome anyway :-(

Thanks, Parizade :-)

I'm being Zen and stoical about it. Back to 31st March 2019 for me. It's not so very far away, and I'm sure I'll be able to find a use for an extra nine paychecks.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on January 25, 2018, 01:38:54 PM
I'm sure I'll be able to find a use for an extra nine paychecks.

You've got a great attitude Tallulah, if it was me I think I'd need to spend those extra 9 paychecks on therapy
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on January 25, 2018, 03:15:06 PM
I found out today that I will be earning my 40th SS credit on March 31st 2019, so technically if I win the lottery between now and then, I can retire =P

A more likely scenario is getting fired/laid off from my current job.

Is anyone planning a leanfire? Basically retiring on an amount that requires a WR% greater than 4% with the assumption that you will return to some sort of work, whether it's part time for a longer period, or full time for another year or two?

SO and I are currently sitting ~$460k with an annual spend of ~$48k, FU$, but not FI$. We may be able to get to $550-600k by 2019 if the market cooperates, and with slow travel/geographical arbitrage should get our spending down to $36-40k/yr which would mean a 6-7.25% WR
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Bateaux on January 25, 2018, 04:53:46 PM
Less than 50k to minimum FIRE goal.  Unless the crash comes soon.  I'd wished more answers would have presented themselves by now, maybe they never will.  I doubt one more year/years will make much difference.  The easiest thing is to work till 2023 and age 55 for benefits.  Giving up 5 more years for security only guarantees I'll lose healthy time.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 26, 2018, 04:21:30 AM
Is anyone planning a leanfire? Basically retiring on an amount that requires a WR% greater than 4% with the assumption that you will return to some sort of work, whether it's part time for a longer period, or full time for another year or two?

Yes, sort of.  I'll be pulling the plug with a smaller 'stache than most on this thread ($750k and a paid off house).  The plan is not to touch the 'stache at all for a while, as I'll be keeping my part time side gig, which should cover expenses.   So 0% withdrawal rate.  :)   On a different thread I heard this strategy referred to as 'Coast Fire.'  Quit full time job, work a minimal amount to cover expenses, and let the 'stache work in the background.   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 26, 2018, 07:13:42 AM
Can anyone planning to FIRE in 2019 share some of their numbers?  Net worth, savings rate, annual spend, invested assets (stocks and bonds), rental property & income (if any), mortgage (rate and amount left), kids?

Here are our numbers, FWIW:
Net worth -- $1.2M
savings rate -- Much lower than usual because of unusual activities in the last two years, mostly cash flowing a house construction.  Would be ~60% if things were 'normal'. 
annual spend -- ~30k in a 'normal' year, not including mortgage payment which will be gone soon
invested assets (stocks and bonds) -- $750k not including kids' 529 accounts
rental property & income (if any) -- None
mortgage (rate and amount left) -- 3% / $30k
kids? -- 2.  College savings target has been met, and saved amt. is included in total NW.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on January 26, 2018, 11:25:07 AM
We will try and get our stash to a level that permits $70K a year spending, which will allow for 4-6 months travel per year plus a home base.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Bateaux on January 26, 2018, 01:26:18 PM
Reaching minimum investment FIRE stash soon of 2 million.   Shooting for 2.5 milion stash and potential 100k withdrawal if desired.  Living on less than that now. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on January 29, 2018, 06:39:30 AM
Happy Monday 2019 cohort. Got this one stuck in my head today:
https://youtu.be/SsmVgoXDq2w (https://youtu.be/SsmVgoXDq2w)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: honeyfill on January 29, 2018, 11:06:27 AM
 
Quote
Reaching minimum investment FIRE stash soon of 2 million.   Shooting for 2.5 milion stash and potential 100k withdrawal if desired.  Living on less than that now.

Keep going Bateaux.  It will come sooner than you think.  We have the exact same plan and we just hit 2.5M this month.  Retire date is now April 6th, 2018.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on January 30, 2018, 09:49:16 PM
Originally I was thinking 2020 would be the year, but hoping to get there a year earlier.

Can anyone planning to FIRE in 2019 share some of their numbers?  Net worth, savings rate, annual spend, invested assets (stocks and bonds), rental property & income (if any), mortgage (rate and amount left), kids?
I'm at $1,475K in net worth; savings rate about 47% of income; annual spend about $40K; invested assets: $812K in non-retirement accounts, $551K in retirement accounts, some cash, no bonds; no rental property income; no mortgage; no kids.  I will be in very good shape if I can get my non-retirement accounts to $1 million by 2019.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on January 31, 2018, 07:56:37 AM
So, first month of the last full year of work is done.

How did we all go financially? I am guessing for most of you, it was a bumper month.

Things are a little different down under.
 - My real estate dropped $15K
 - Australian stocks were marginally down for the month. (Upside down compared to the rest of the world :-/ )
 - The stronger AUD v USD also dampened the growth that I might otherwise had on international stock exposures, but still I got to enjoy that party a little bit.

At least DW and I saved well. Spending in January was lower than any single month in 2017!!

We also got a little kicker from a small termination payment from DW's last employer to help offset negative total investment returns for the month.

We'll need to keep up the reined in spending to offset the deflating property market if we want to hit our "number" before we FIRE.  I hope stocks don't follow Sydney real estate downwards, but whatevs!!  Nothing will stop us taking the leap by June 2019 at the latest :-)

Net worth growth for the month was a paltry 0.05%, but still in the right direction and we are now at 21.4x desired FIRE budget (this is all in, including a notional rent charge for housing we will buy post FIRE).

If I set aside housing then things look a little more daunting as we would be at only 19.8x (investable assets: FIRE budget ex housing). Still a bit of work to be done!

...and yes, I am perfectly comfortable with 25x as a target due to the large amount of discretionary spending in the budget, and the fact that DW will insist on working a small amount. Thanks for asking :-)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on January 31, 2018, 11:11:41 AM
I was *just* wondering if any of you were considering moving up your timeline due to the recent outsized market returns.

I'm actually worried about the opposite! With market valuations so high, I'm worried about it continuing through this year and tanking in 2019 when I retire!  That's the one thing that might cause me to inflict myself with OMY Syndrome. Biggest fear is negative returns early in retirement.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: edgema on February 01, 2018, 02:46:46 AM
Dude - Perhaps you should think about setting up your portfolio with an element of Rising Equity Glide Path. Obviously I don't know your position but if you are, sensibly IMO, worrying about the risk of big falls just after you retire then this helps reduce equity risk early on. As a minor version of this you could take out 2017 and 2018 bumper returns (if that is what happens in your example) and put that in cash/short duration bonds and plan to deploy this regularly over the next few years. That way you have the ability to deploy into cheaper equities if there is 2020 crash.   

Itchyfeet - I am a Brit so January wasn't great for me either. In theory my pound buys a more 'globally' more as it went up, but as my portfolio has lots of USD in it, my returns were not good.

Kognisjon - Numbers wise I am very conservative and looking to have £2.5m in investment assets. We are just not particularly mustachian on lifestyle so looking at a 3.5 - 4.0% payout (gasp! - how do you spend so much). I personally cannot take the uncertainty of equities (20- year career in finance / equities) so I like my rental properties (c50% stash) which churn out most of my cash flow needs, with equities (30%) providing the possible long term juice to grow wealth. The final 20% will be cash as of March next year with a view that we will regularly buy equities over the next few years to reduce the risk of a crash freaking us out, as it would if we were 90+% equities. I fear the certainty people some seem to on this forum heading into retirement on near 100% equities, confident they will be able to look past a big drawdown in years 1-3 and not getting stressed because the FIRE calculations told them it was fine. Good luck to them but that is not my personality.   

p.s. I understand the risks of property so please don't pull me up on the concentration risk / illiquidity risk / vacancy risk / understated price volatility etc. Fact is I make X every month and that works for me.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on February 01, 2018, 10:13:51 AM
Yeah, we won’t be 100% equities either.

We will be targeting income from

Indexed pension                                             15%
Rental income.                                                22%
Fixed interest.                                                  8%
Sub total - base spending.                               45%
Equities - discretionary/ deferrable spending.     55%

We could manage a year or 2 drawing nothing from equities. We might even reduce equities a little further yet.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on February 01, 2018, 11:43:24 AM
I was *just* wondering if any of you were considering moving up your timeline due to the recent outsized market returns.

I'm actually worried about the opposite! With market valuations so high, I'm worried about it continuing through this year and tanking in 2019 when I retire!  That's the one thing that might cause me to inflict myself with OMY Syndrome. Biggest fear is negative returns early in retirement.

If the bull continues through 2018, then I'm sure it will give you enough cushion financially to absorb a crash.  I think the bigger challenge would be psychologically, could you quit if the market starts dropping at the end of 2018?  I'm not sure if I would be able to or not.  I guess it depends on how big the cushion is.  Now the waiting game begins!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: moxie on February 02, 2018, 03:24:32 PM
Well, I kind of just decided to not wait any longer. I'm planning to give my notice as soon as I get my bonus (for last year) in early March. Then I'll give about a month's notice. So I'm moving over to the 2018 group.

I'll be 58 this month, so this isn't super early, but I'm still excited!



Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on February 02, 2018, 03:34:20 PM
Well, I kind of just decided to not wait any longer. I'm planning to give my notice as soon as I get my bonus (for last year) in early March. Then I'll give about a month's notice. So I'm moving over to the 2018 group.

I'll be 58 this month, so this isn't super early, but I'm still excited!

Good riddance!

Just kidding of course.  Congrats!  That's exciting!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on February 03, 2018, 05:34:02 AM
Congrats Moxie!!   Good for you.!

Continuing with the video theme, here's how I imagine I'll feel next year:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nN7tVwiwGUc

Edited to add:  If you haven't watched The Shawshank Redemption lately, you should.  The whole movie is a great metaphor for FIREing.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on February 06, 2018, 11:22:28 AM
I was *just* wondering if any of you were considering moving up your timeline due to the recent outsized market returns.

I'm actually worried about the opposite! With market valuations so high, I'm worried about it continuing through this year and tanking in 2019 when I retire!  That's the one thing that might cause me to inflict myself with OMY Syndrome. Biggest fear is negative returns early in retirement.

Looks like you're getting your wish of the markets not tanking in 2019, but in 2018 instead.  Congrats!  lol
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on February 07, 2018, 08:04:04 AM
I was *just* wondering if any of you were considering moving up your timeline due to the recent outsized market returns.

I'm actually worried about the opposite! With market valuations so high, I'm worried about it continuing through this year and tanking in 2019 when I retire!  That's the one thing that might cause me to inflict myself with OMY Syndrome. Biggest fear is negative returns early in retirement.

If the bull continues through 2018, then I'm sure it will give you enough cushion financially to absorb a crash.  I think the bigger challenge would be psychologically, could you quit if the market starts dropping at the end of 2018?  I'm not sure if I would be able to or not.  I guess it depends on how big the cushion is.  Now the waiting game begins!

Exactly right, Eric. I mean, most here would probably call me a pussy, because I'll be walking out the door with a substantial pension, so even a big drop in my retirement account shouldn't be that big of a deal. But I want to avoid tightening the belt too much -- the whole point of me retiring is to be able to do the things I want to do without worry. And the thing I most like to do -- travel to places where I can climb, surf, snowboard, and scuba dive -- cost money, even though my travels are pretty low-budget. Still in all, with the time ahead of me now being considerably shorter than the time behind me, I'm hoping I get past any market-related fear and just pull the plug anyway. Life is damn short, and I don't want to spend any more of it working doing something my heart's just not in.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on February 07, 2018, 08:06:17 AM
I was *just* wondering if any of you were considering moving up your timeline due to the recent outsized market returns.

I'm actually worried about the opposite! With market valuations so high, I'm worried about it continuing through this year and tanking in 2019 when I retire!  That's the one thing that might cause me to inflict myself with OMY Syndrome. Biggest fear is negative returns early in retirement.

Looks like you're getting your wish of the markets not tanking in 2019, but in 2018 instead.  Congrats!  lol

Ha! Yeah, we'll see. Had hoped this drop would continue into the 10-20% range, but looks like the market's stabilizing.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Mika M on February 12, 2018, 11:38:16 AM
Hmm... The original plan was not till at least 2024 when DH finishes up his 20 years with Reserves... but I may leave that to him and join this group :P
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FrugalToque on February 15, 2018, 06:53:58 AM
Exactly right, Eric. I mean, most here would probably call me a pussy,  ...

I want to say something here about the relative durability of vaginas versus the fragility of male organs, some kind of Betty White paraphrasing, but maybe we'll just all acknowledge that vaginas are actually pretty tough and we shouldn't equate with weakness in our metaphors just because we think women are the weaker sex.

Toque.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: VoteCthulu on February 15, 2018, 08:06:32 AM
Exactly right, Eric. I mean, most here would probably call me a pussy,  ...

I want to say something here about the relative durability of vaginas versus the fragility of male organs, some kind of Betty White paraphrasing, but maybe we'll just all acknowledge that vaginas are actually pretty tough and we shouldn't equate with weakness in our metaphors just because we think women are the weaker sex.

Toque.
I assume they were using the word in its "timid/passive" definition instead of referring to a vagina.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on February 15, 2018, 11:13:02 AM
Exactly right, Eric. I mean, most here would probably call me a pussy,  ...

I want to say something here about the relative durability of vaginas versus the fragility of male organs, some kind of Betty White paraphrasing, but maybe we'll just all acknowledge that vaginas are actually pretty tough and we shouldn't equate with weakness in our metaphors just because we think women are the weaker sex.

Toque.

Yeah, I have to say I read that comment the same way as Mr. Frugal Toque. . .  I know you were talking about yourself, @dude, and not someone else, but 'pussy' sounds like equating women with weakness.   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Pylortes on February 15, 2018, 12:03:06 PM
I’m joining up with this group, reclassifying from 2018 after my spouses career plans changed.  I will be targeting late May of 2019, when I will be 42!  https://www.google.com/amp/www.independent.co.uk/life-style/history/42-the-answer-to-life-the-universe-and-everything-2205734.html%3famp
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Livingthedream55 on February 16, 2018, 07:45:12 AM
I’m joining up with this group, reclassifying from 2018 after my spouses career plans changed.  I will be targeting late May of 2019, when I will be 42!  https://www.google.com/amp/www.independent.co.uk/life-style/history/42-the-answer-to-life-the-universe-and-everything-2205734.html%3famp

Welcome Pylortes! I'm aiming for May also! FIREing at 42 is badass indeed! : 0 )
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on February 19, 2018, 01:50:32 PM
So, I had my annual performance interview today.

I hate annual performance interviews, even though over the course of my career I have never had a manager who was not mostly happy, or extremely happy, with my work. This year was much the same. “Good year itchy feet! Well done. What objectives are you setting yourself for the coming year?”

But, I have to say that knowing that was the final API of my career, is frigging awesome. They suck.

So, in terms of FIRE date it’s now decided that we won’t be hanging around till Feb next year, but will wrap things up in December, or possibly Jan if MegaCorp begs me to stay to close out the 2019 results. I’ll stay in this cohort regardless.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on February 20, 2018, 04:43:49 PM
So, I had my annual performance interview today.

I hate annual performance interviews, even though over the course of my career I have never had a manager who was not mostly happy, or extremely happy, with my work. This year was much the same. “Good year itchy feet! Well done. What objectives are you setting yourself for the coming year?”

But, I have to say that knowing that was the final API of my career, is frigging awesome. They suck.

So, in terms of FIRE date it’s now decided that we won’t be hanging around till Feb next year, but will wrap things up in December, or possibly Jan if MegaCorp begs me to stay to close out the 2019 results. I’ll stay in this cohort regardless.

Hahahaha.  I'm currently in the process of writing my self-review, which of course I loathe.  It's just so painful to come up with new things, year after year.  So instead of finishing it, I'm surfing the forums instead, hoping it will just go away.  Soon enough I guess, soon enough.

I'm not sure if this will be the last one or not, but it's likely the last one where I have to pretend that I'm not quitting soon.

"what are your 5 year goals?"

"trust me, you don't want to know"
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on February 21, 2018, 08:07:24 AM
I found out today that I will be earning my 40th SS credit on March 31st 2019, so technically if I win the lottery between now and then, I can retire =P

A more likely scenario is getting fired/laid off from my current job.

Is anyone planning a leanfire? Basically retiring on an amount that requires a WR% greater than 4% with the assumption that you will return to some sort of work, whether it's part time for a longer period, or full time for another year or two?

SO and I are currently sitting ~$460k with an annual spend of ~$48k, FU$, but not FI$. We may be able to get to $550-600k by 2019 if the market cooperates, and with slow travel/geographical arbitrage should get our spending down to $36-40k/yr which would mean a 6-7.25% WR

Spent a good amount of time over the past month considering this scenario more seriously. Have been drawing more inspiration from the "Semi Retirement VS. Serial Mini Retirements" thread. Right now a gap year is planned for April 1 2020, but could possibly do it sooner if the courage is there.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on February 21, 2018, 10:29:28 AM
I recommend the rarely seen "gap decade" for 2020.

I will attempt the gap bi-centennial. I'll promise the military I'll come back in 50 years.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on February 21, 2018, 11:11:40 AM
I recommend the rarely seen "gap decade" for 2020.

I will attempt the gap bi-centennial. I'll promise the military I'll come back in 50 years.

Gap decade sounds awesome, but going back to work in mid 40's does not =(
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on February 28, 2018, 02:52:06 AM
Woop woop, another month comes to a close. 10 more months remaining and I am done. 7 more months until I had in my notice. This time will go fast no doubt.

February was a little exciting with share markets more volatile than in recent times, but in the end a lot of noise and not much else.

My net worth growth continued to creep upwards, very slowly.

Growth is being hampered by declining property values in Sydney (another $12K AUD in Feb alone) and a flat Aussie share market.

During Feb the carrying value of international shares was helped by a softening AUD. The FX gain offset the underlying share value losses. Without this positive FX impact the results for Feb would have shown a small net worth decline rather than a small net worth increase.

My saving rate for Feb was also a little lower than Id like at 45% (We are targeting >50% for the year) due to some maintenance costs to one of our rental properties and agents fees I incurred to find a new tenant. Thankfully I was able to secure a new tenant with just a 1 week vacancy between tenants.

Our FIRE multiple is now 21.4x, compared to 21.3x last month. Not exactly making big moves haha.

We wont be at 25x when we FIRE in December (never hoped to be), maybe 23x-24x, but expect to earn some casual income post FIRE. We could also always reduce our planned spending easily enough if need be.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on February 28, 2018, 03:47:49 AM
So glad to see February end!  It's been a rough month at work, with office politics and other nonsense that will make it oh-so-easy to say goodbye.

Speaking of goodbye, I was originally down for August 1 of next year, but have decided to pull the plug earlier.  I'm now planning to hand in my notice beginning of January for an April 1 departure.  Very excited that this will be the last spring I have to spend indoors chained to a desk.     
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Livingthedream55 on February 28, 2018, 06:35:12 AM
So glad to see February end!  It's been a rough month at work, with office politics and other nonsense that will make it oh-so-easy to say goodbye.

Speaking of goodbye, I was originally down for August 1 of next year, but have decided to pull the plug earlier.  I'm now planning to hand in my notice beginning of January for an April 1 departure.  Very excited that this will be the last spring I have to spend indoors chained to a desk.   

Sweet! It's always great to hear when folks can get out sooner than planned! 

My motivation at work is really dropping! I am planning mini short getaways (inexpensive, mostly within driving distance) every few months just to keep myself going to the finish line.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on February 28, 2018, 06:45:46 AM
So glad to see February end!  It's been a rough month at work, with office politics and other nonsense that will make it oh-so-easy to say goodbye.

Speaking of goodbye, I was originally down for August 1 of next year, but have decided to pull the plug earlier.  I'm now planning to hand in my notice beginning of January for an April 1 departure.  Very excited that this will be the last spring I have to spend indoors chained to a desk.   

Sweet! It's always great to hear when folks can get out sooner than planned! 

My motivation at work is really dropping! I am planning mini short getaways (inexpensive, mostly within driving distance) every few months just to keep myself going to the finish line.

I hear you, LTD.  I am also going to have to do a mini-vacay every few months, just to keep going.  This last bit to the finish line is tough.  I would leave sooner (2018), but I have decided to hold on for my bonus, which is paid out in December.  My 401k employer contributions also vest in December, so another good reason to stay put til then. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on February 28, 2018, 07:40:42 AM
+1 for lots of holidays this year
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Bateaux on February 28, 2018, 09:06:52 PM
Don't take me off the 2019 list yet.  Looking more like 2020 though.  Time will tell.  Watching over 100k of value disappear in a few days spooked me.  Still a long way from where we were at the top.  Rising interest rates are killing my bond fund as well. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 01, 2018, 07:33:10 AM
Hello March!  10 months til I give notice. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on March 01, 2018, 08:20:42 AM
Don't take me off the 2019 list yet.  Looking more like 2020 though.  Time will tell.  Watching over 100k of value disappear in a few days spooked me.  Still a long way from where we were at the top.  Rising interest rates are killing my bond fund as well.

Yes, the S&P500 is not back at the top, but it is back to where it was at 1 January this year. With dividends included, returns are in the black this year. Already!

After a 21%+ total return last year from the S&P500 I am stoked to be in the black.

With the global economy looking strong I am far from spooked. Bring on 2019 baby!!!!

2020 is a long long long way away. You will see this and join your comrades in freedom in 2019. 🤣

((Disclaimer: my tough words may later not be matched by quite as tough actions 😬. It’s just lucky DW is determined to press eject at the end of this year, or my knees might wobble too).

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: TartanTallulah on March 01, 2018, 10:29:47 AM
Thirteen paychecks to go, tra la la :-) Although a lot can happen in thirteen months.

I'm mostly at peace with having had to scurry back here after my optimistic flirtation with the idea of 2019, to the extent that although I've discovered that I can quit this year after all, I don't expect to, and am even thinking that if I can resolve a few problems with my present job (in particular, the long working days, for which I'm far too old now) I may be able to hold out till 2021, when my professional licence would come up for renewal.

Knowing that I now have executive control over when I pull the plug means that I'm not scared of burning out and my inner workaholic is on the rampage. I'll enjoy it while it lasts.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on March 01, 2018, 01:09:42 PM
Exactly right, Eric. I mean, most here would probably call me a pussy,  ...

I want to say something here about the relative durability of vaginas versus the fragility of male organs, some kind of Betty White paraphrasing, but maybe we'll just all acknowledge that vaginas are actually pretty tough and we shouldn't equate with weakness in our metaphors just because we think women are the weaker sex.

Toque.

Yeah, I have to say I read that comment the same way as Mr. Frugal Toque. . .  I know you were talking about yourself, @dude, and not someone else, but 'pussy' sounds like equating women with weakness.   

Aw geez guys, c'mon!  Can we not make this a PC (and I generally hate that term) issue? Webster's defines "pussycat" as "2. one that is weak, compliant or amiable: SOFTY". This has been shortened in our everyday language (for as long as I've been alive) to "pussy."  That is the general term as everyone knows it and uses it, at least in the circles I've traveled in all my life.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on March 01, 2018, 01:14:06 PM
Don't take me off the 2019 list yet.  Looking more like 2020 though.  Time will tell.  Watching over 100k of value disappear in a few days spooked me.  Still a long way from where we were at the top.  Rising interest rates are killing my bond fund as well.

Yes, the S&P500 is not back at the top, but it is back to where it was at 1 January this year. With dividends included, returns are in the black this year. Already!

After a 21%+ total return last year from the S&P500 I am stoked to be in the black. 


Maybe not after today . . .
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Bateaux on March 01, 2018, 01:33:00 PM
Don't take me off the 2019 list yet.  Looking more like 2020 though.  Time will tell.  Watching over 100k of value disappear in a few days spooked me.  Still a long way from where we were at the top.  Rising interest rates are killing my bond fund as well.

Yes, the S&P500 is not back at the top, but it is back to where it was at 1 January this year. With dividends included, returns are in the black this year. Already!

After a 21%+ total return last year from the S&P500 I am stoked to be in the black. 


Maybe not after today . . .

Don't get me wrong guys.  One of my greatest desires is to quit, load up my bicycle and go on a 1000 mile tour.   It's just the money pump is going full stream and there are a few issues that just OMY could solve.  I mentally need to see 2 million in my Mint account.  We were within 31K at the top.  Glad to have you guys when I'm a nervous Nelly.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on March 01, 2018, 01:59:26 PM
Might be a long time before that happens in a bear market.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: VoteCthulu on March 01, 2018, 02:19:01 PM
It's another 18 months for me, which still seems like a long ways off. Maybe when it gets to 12 or 9 months it will feel a lot more imminent.

I have recently been considering reducing my 401k contributions in order to build up my taxable accounts faster, but mathematically it's the same as paying the early withdrawal penalty, so I haven't made any changes yet.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MoMan on March 02, 2018, 10:55:50 AM
For some reason, I stopped getting notifications about new posts to this thread.

At any rate, here is my own updated situation, posted because it's a slow Friday for me and I have another 6 unproductive hours to kill. So I will share my own good news to inspire you (or piss you off)!

My assets have been rocking it! Well, up until February. Last year my combined balances increased by about $200k. That includes contributions, which were probably around 25k. Damn! So when we hit the pothole in February, it didn't really bother me that much to see that my balance dropped by $70k in a week. Plus, much of that has already recovered.

One year ago, I got a very welcome change in my office reporting structure: My new boss is pretty cool and calm. I was really fed up with the incompetent corporate cheerleader I had been reporting to for the previous 9 years. Ugh. I can't believe he hasn't been fired, but he did get a bit of a demotion (not that he even realizes it!!). Plus, he and another perpetual victim colleague now have to deal with another person I can't stand. Bonus! So that aspect of life has improved.

Another work improvement has been compliments of Hurricane Harvey. The storm completely flooded the corporate campus. The basements of multiple buildings flooded with water, so we were all forced to work remotely from home for a few months. We And our group was held up as a model for business continuity. As a result, we proved that we can effectively work from home so management is allowing us to work from home up to 2 days a week.

And my wife is liking my FIRE preparations. I walk to the grocery store constantly. Last week, I pulled a child's wagon to pick up the ingredients for my breakfast burritos. And I ride bike to the hardware stores, etc. Love my staycations! My backyard/garage workshop is my favorite place in the whole world.

Still, I'm just over 19 months out. Gotta gut it out to qualify for the MegaCorp retiree health plan, which becomes available upon age 55. It seems to get tougher the closer I get, but as I look back, the time is really moving fast.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: VoteCthulu on March 02, 2018, 03:24:01 PM
Another work improvement has been compliments of Hurricane Harvey. The storm completely flooded the corporate campus. The basements of multiple buildings flooded with water, so we were all forced to work remotely from home for a few months. We And our group was held up as a model for business continuity. As a result, we proved that we can effectively work from home so management is allowing us to work from home up to 2 days a week.
You might just work for the Houston branch of the same MegaCorp I work for. I still have the memo from our group executive vice president extolling hard work of our 2,100 Houston colleagues who pulled together after the storm.

I remember hoping my building would close for a few months so I could work from home too, although without the widespread destruction and loss of life.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MoMan on March 03, 2018, 05:42:19 AM
I still have the memo from our group executive vice president extolling hard work of our 2,100 Houston colleagues who pulled together after the storm.

I may have written that memo. I'm not the exec but I write some communications for various execs and worked on some post-harvey emails.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: exit2019 on March 11, 2018, 07:23:20 PM
I'm joining the 2019 cohort.  Even though, to be honest, I am terrified by the current market and housing valuations.  World feels a lot like 1/1/2000 right now..
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on March 11, 2018, 08:56:08 PM
Weilcome aboard.

It’s certainly easy to fear the worst and get all doomsdayish, and it’s good to at least think through the what if’s. But I am sure that if the worst happens, and you have to implement your contingency plans, you will adapt and things will work out ok. Just by being here you are ahead of 80% this of your peers. Congratulations.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on March 12, 2018, 05:00:19 PM
I'm joining the 2019 cohort.  Even though, to be honest, I am terrified by the current market and housing valuations.  World feels a lot like 1/1/2000 right now..

Can't comment on housing, as I live in Silicon Valley and housing valuations have been cuckoo forever, but stock valuations would need to increase 33% without any corresponding earnings increase to equal 2000.  (CAPE of 44 vs 33 currently).  Plus interest rates are lower now and companies just received a large handout tax cut.  I think we have some ways to go before any 2000 type scenarios.  Granted, I wouldn't expect outsized returns in the near-ish future, but it's easy enough to deal with that.  Save more, add bonds, be willing to cut some spending, etc.  Whatever you do, don't join the 2020 group instead.  They're a bunch of losers.  :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: exit2019 on March 12, 2018, 11:13:38 PM
I am also in the Valley; house in the peninsula that I plan to sell this year as part of bailing from this place.  But being 30+% below the peak really isn't very reassuring given the current CAPE.  Good luck to all of us I guess.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on March 13, 2018, 02:25:45 AM
Whatever you do, don't join the 2020 group instead.  They're a bunch of losers.  :)
It was okay when Eric told me off for posting in this thread after I defected to 2018, but now I'm getting worried.  Next thing we know he'll be slapping a 25% duty on bacon memes imported from the 'Top is in' thread  ;o)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on March 13, 2018, 11:04:09 AM
Whatever you do, don't join the 2020 group instead.  They're a bunch of losers.  :)
It was okay when Eric told me off for posting in this thread after I defected to 2018, but now I'm getting worried.  Next thing we know he'll be slapping a 25% duty on bacon memes imported from the 'Top is in' thread  ;o)

Don't make me fire up the Twitter on you!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Bateaux on March 15, 2018, 05:26:23 AM
Don't take me off the 2019 list yet.  Looking more like 2020 though.  Time will tell.  Watching over 100k of value disappear in a few days spooked me.  Still a long way from where we were at the top.  Rising interest rates are killing my bond fund as well.

I guess it's time to leave the 2019 list.  I have no confidence that my savings will cover my future expenses at this point.   Moving to class of 2020 as of now.  Maybe as far out as 2023.  Good luck to you all.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on March 15, 2018, 07:08:47 AM
Don't take me off the 2019 list yet.  Looking more like 2020 though.  Time will tell.  Watching over 100k of value disappear in a few days spooked me.  Still a long way from where we were at the top.  Rising interest rates are killing my bond fund as well.

I guess it's time to leave the 2019 list.  I have no confidence that my savings will cover my future expenses at this point.   Moving to class of 2020 as of now.  Maybe as far out as 2023.  Good luck to you all.

I guess you will also leave the $2-3m race between now and FIRE. Leaving all your friends munching on your dust......
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Bateaux on March 15, 2018, 11:02:06 AM
Don't take me off the 2019 list yet.  Looking more like 2020 though.  Time will tell.  Watching over 100k of value disappear in a few days spooked me.  Still a long way from where we were at the top.  Rising interest rates are killing my bond fund as well.

I guess it's time to leave the 2019 list.  I have no confidence that my savings will cover my future expenses at this point.   Moving to class of 2020 as of now.  Maybe as far out as 2023.  Good luck to you all.

I guess you will also leave the $2-3m race between now and FIRE. Leaving all your friends munching on your dust......

Haven't quite crested 2 million yet.   Came within 31k one day and then the tumbles came.  We're about 1.95M right now.   A week of good runs maybe woukd push us over.  Getting to 3M or beyond will take some market cooperation.   It's mainly about health care costs inflation.   To lock in company benefits I'd have to work till 55 in 2023.  Don't worry I'll be around for a while yet.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: TartanTallulah on March 16, 2018, 06:10:42 AM
I've just had my last-ever annual review ... except it may not be my last ever, because it would make sense to do one more immediately before I retire at the end of March 2019. I'm planning to maintain my professional registration for 12 months after retiring rather than burning that bridge, just in case the job stops being shit as soon as I've left and I decide I want to go back in some sort of part time role. Because once upon a time it wasn't shit, and the fundamentals of the job aren't shit.

We also had a meeting about the future of the organisation last week. It was reassuringly positive, but I don't think there's any risk of either a payoff or an offer of golden handcuffs.

Next year is going to be challenging and I suspect I'll be glad when it's over and I can whisper the word "sabbatical", slip away without any hoohah, and never be seen again.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on March 17, 2018, 08:34:46 PM
I hadn't posted to this thread before, but I'm firmly in the 2019 camp for now.

June 1, 2019 is my estimated last day of full time work.

Single - no kids

Stache:

Based on my current expenses, for barebones, my stash is at 81X
Based on my expected barebones during FIRE, my stash is at 63X
Based on my desired fun & travel FIRE budget, my stash is at 25X

The big difference between pre-FIRE 81X and FIRE 63X is dental & ACA healthcare coverage costs
But the reduction to 25X after adding fun/travel gives me some serious room to scale back on expenses if needed and lower my WR from 4% to at low as 1.6%.

If ACA goes away, I'll have to re-think everything.  By my expected FIRE date, the mid-term elections will be in the past.

I don't know if it will be an option for me, and I wouldn't approach the topic with my company until the time comes, but I hope I can stay on part time for 1 year at 3 days per week, which will allow me to retain existing dental/healthcare benefits, vacation days, and retirement plan contributions.

I would also consider working 1 or 2 days per week, despite losing the benefits just mentioned.  The hourly pay rate is high enough that a single work day each week is enough to pay 75% of my FIRE barebones.

If either of those is an option, I might not do it for more than a year.  I'm also considering slow travel and relocating a year or so after I FIRE when I'm able to sell my house, so I wouldn't be able to work even part time at my current employer by that point.  Any relocation I might do should not make a significant impact on my budget.  I'm in a LCOL area, and I wouldn't move to a HCOL area.

Aside from the ACA concerns, the only other reason I consider OMY until 2020 is because I'm running in the 70% to 80% saving rate range, and it will amount to about $90,000 net more in stash value in June 2020 due to additional savings by FIREing in 2020 vs. spending from stash by FIREing in 2019.   I like my job.  No cubicle - I have my own office, it's stress free, it's interesting, lots of downtime.  So, OMY isn't bad from the job prospective, but the extra $90,000 isn't a necessity.  So for now, I'm setting up camp as a 2019 FIRE cohort.

Edit:  I'm not factoring any investment growth/gains/losses into the $90,000 figure.  It's just a difference in additional funds added by FIREing in 2020 vs. funds being withdrawn by FIREing in 2019.

Barebones for me includes paying all the current bills and includes expenses that may be unusually high some years like home maintenance costs, car maintenance, etc. by taking expected longer term expenses and dividing the cost out over many months.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on March 18, 2018, 09:04:15 AM
Sounds like a very good plan DreamFIRE.

What % of your current portfolio does $90k represent? If it will make a significant improvement to your quality of life/security then I would consider it given the "low stress" job.

For someone with $2M+ it might not make a huge difference, for me ~$375k it would be HUGE.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on March 18, 2018, 11:38:23 AM
Thanks.  I'm somewhere in between.  My stash is over $1.2M, so $90K is about 7% of my stash.  As long as decent ACA plans are available with the current law, I would say that the $90K would not provide a significant improvement in my quality of life or security, plus I'm a little older, so it's not as easy to give up an extra year of retirement now as it it would be if I was 30, even though it would still be earlier than about anyone else I work with.  If ACA doesn't stick around, then that will tighten things up quite a bit, although it may still work out by significantly cutting the fun/travel budget.  Even the $90K wouldn't bridge that gap.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on March 18, 2018, 07:04:24 PM
Thanks.  I'm somewhere in between.  My stash is over $1.2M, so $90K is about 7% of my stash.  As long as decent ACA plans are available with the current law, I would say that the $90K would not provide a significant improvement in my quality of life or security, plus I'm 20 years older, so it's not as easy to give up an extra year of retirement now as it it would be if I was 30, even though it would still be earlier than about anyone else I work with.  If ACA doesn't stick around, then that will tighten things up quite a bit, although it may still work out by significantly cutting the fun/travel budget.  Even the $90K wouldn't bridge that gap.

No doubt about it! My current threshold is 10%, meaning if I can't increase my portfolio by at least 10% by working an entire 12 months at full time, then the job isn't worth it.

Right now that's only ~$37k, and I can add ~$48k so I keep working, but once I cross that 10% threshold...... the choice becomes one of more substance.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on March 19, 2018, 05:18:45 AM
Thanks.  I'm somewhere in between.  My stash is over $1.2M, so $90K is about 7% of my stash.  As long as decent ACA plans are available with the current law, I would say that the $90K would not provide a significant improvement in my quality of life or security, plus I'm 20 years older, so it's not as easy to give up an extra year of retirement now as it it would be if I was 30, even though it would still be earlier than about anyone else I work with.  If ACA doesn't stick around, then that will tighten things up quite a bit, although it may still work out by significantly cutting the fun/travel budget.  Even the $90K wouldn't bridge that gap.

No doubt about it! My current threshold is 10%, meaning if I can't increase my portfolio by at least 10% by working an entire 12 months at full time, then the job isn't worth it.

Right now that's only ~$37k, and I can add ~$48k so I keep working, but once I cross that 10% threshold...... the choice becomes one of more substance.
This strikes a chord - the hours I've spent agonising over these decisions!  I planned to do 3 more years beyond the 10% threshold and thought, at the time, that was a reasonable compromise.  I've now cut that by 8 months (which is why I shouldn't be posting here any more!) and even so it's probably going to be longer than was really sensible.  At 51 I can see that the number of 'good years' I've got left is shrinking rapidly and the ability to inflate my lifestyle if I wanted to no longer seems like a reasonable trade for them.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on March 19, 2018, 11:05:57 AM
I hear you! I am just a couple of years younger than you and the balance between inflating the lifestyle further versus getting on with things I’d rather be doing is a delicate one.

I certainly don’t have a clear answer in my mind, but will take the plunge into FIRE, knowing that it’s quite possible I might get another job a year later. Who knows??

Part of my thinking is that if I can set aside a little greed, the payoff in freedom and the ability to do what is really want to be doing is a big payoff. It’s worth testing.

If ultimately (say 6 months to a year post FIRE) I am not happy buying a cheaper house, driving a cheap car, flying economy class and having a slightly limited budget for travel and entertainment, then I’ll go back to work.

I don’t know the answers to this today, but I do feel it’s easier to maintain the status quo.

Continuing to work is an easier choice than FIREing, and this makes it seem a better choice. But I suspect if I was FIREd today, then staying FIREd would be the easier option and would
Likely seem to be the better choice. I can imagine that deciding to go back to work once FIREd will be a difficult decision that one would prob try to avoid, even if it meant tightening the belt a little.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on March 19, 2018, 09:44:59 PM


I'm planning to keep my lifestyle pretty much the same when I FIRE as far as material items... keep driving my car, keep living in my paid-for house, and limit spending on unnecessary consumer goods. Even if I relocate, I'll will try to keep my total housing costs in the same ballpark that I'm paying now, although it may even be a step back in square footage to pull that off since I'm in a LCOL area with a fairly large house.  The difference with my FIRE plan is in my entertainment and travel budget, which has been very low in recent years, and I plan to really step it up for FIRE when I'll actually have the free time to take advantage of it.  That's also an easy area to back off spending if I feel the need to reduce my WR rate later on or need to re-allocate funds to something else which may be unforeseen.  I might be able to stay on part time for another year beginning in 2019, but once I fully stop working, I don't want to feel a financial need to ever work again.

I can't really put a % threshold on the additional earnings and whether it justifies working OMY.  There are just too many other factors, like how the job is going in another year, whether I'm emotionally ready to pull the FIRE trigger at the time, whether I'm confident next year that the ACA (or something as good) will be around for another decade, and the state of my investments and the economy in general after another year.  It's not about inflating my lifestyle any further over my current FIRE plans, but it's more about holding on to the current dream and also realizing that $90K would ease at least some of the pain of higher health care coverage costs if things were to fall apart with the ACA rather than robbing the additional healthcare costs from my vacation/entertainment budget.  I'm certainly hopeful, so June 1, 2019 is my date for now.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: sui generis on March 20, 2018, 07:57:37 PM
Hello my people!  I've been lurking for a while but my patience at work is wearing thin and there are so few people IRL that I can talk to about this.

I'm 40 and my last day of work is going to be around 2/15/19.  I need to have my 2018 bonus in my bank account before I give notice and then I'm out ASAP.  I've never...quite taken to the "job" thing. And it seems to get more and more unpleasant with each career and job I try.  So I decided I should stop trying to do it!

As of today I am very close to 28.57x standard expenses (for the 3.5% w/d rate) and if all goes smoothly I'll be at almost 33x/3% w/d of Fat FIRE (if I'm using that term correctly) by the time I leave, but I'm perfectly happy at 30x/3.33% or even a little less, maybe.  My expenses also still include a large category for charity, which I'd like to continue doing at the same levels, but is certainly part of my extra cushion if need-be.  So I don't think anything will stop me (numbers-wise) from my date, but I'd still appreciate it if the market would cooperate!

In the intervening time, my boyfriend and I are planning to get married.  He's the best and already FI himself but he loves his job (so weird!) and won't be leaving, even though every trip/trail I talk about doing after I RE, he wants to do too!  So, he's either gonna miss out on a lot or will end up retiring as well.  When we marry, we probably won't formally combine our finances, but I probably also won't actually do the Roth Conversion ladder for the last few years before 59.5 when I run out of taxable, as I would do if we didn't marry/if I was single.  But it's important to me that I do this "on my own" and am not retiring on his dime, so I'll be tracking it all the time.

I'm also going to use this time to get mentally ready to retire.  I had my first meeting with my "coach" last week and she and I are going to work on how I can think of myself/my identity without my career, how I can find the right balance between the continuing drive and societal pressure to be productive and accomplish lots of things and really slowing down life like I want to - because I am NOT FIRE-ing just to transplant expectations of a high-achieving career into a high-achieving retirement.  Also, given that I've never liked anything I've "done" as a job, I'm a little worried I won't like what I "do" when I'm retired either - you know just because I'm a dissatisfied person and I don't like doing anything (other than sleeping) more than like 5-10 hours per week.  I'm still really hoping I end up doing something (or several somethings) I actually really like, and just don't have to worry about getting paid for it.  So I'm hoping to get myself in a good place in that respect.

So the scary things for me in the next year: market (obvs) and being mentally prepared to go out and answer the question of whether or not I actually have a passion.

In the meantime, I have to go to coffee on Monday with my assigned "mentor" and he's wants to talk to me about my career path, so I'm going to have to lie through my teeth about how much I love it there and hopefully vaguely avoid making any commitments about the future.

P.S.  Somehow in my lurking I haven't yet found a list of acronyms - is there one somewhere?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on March 20, 2018, 08:26:57 PM
P.S.  Somehow in my lurking I haven't yet found a list of acronyms - is there one somewhere?
Welcome aboard!  To quickly answer your question, the FAQ thread links to this page for acronyms:

http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f47/acronyms-and-slang-frequently-used-on-the-forum-34884.html
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: sui generis on March 20, 2018, 08:47:55 PM
P.S.  Somehow in my lurking I haven't yet found a list of acronyms - is there one somewhere?
Welcome aboard!  To quickly answer your question, the FAQ thread links to this page for acronyms:

http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f47/acronyms-and-slang-frequently-used-on-the-forum-34884.html

TY!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 21, 2018, 05:30:59 AM
We've got some major shit going on at work.  Suffice it to say that my final 12 months are not going to be the tough, boring slog I thought they were going to be.  It's going to be a hell of a lot more interesting (and bumpy) than that.  I'll know more in the next day or two.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on March 21, 2018, 10:08:21 AM
Just got paid my 2017 bonus.

Another bunch of nails in the coffin that is my career. Looking forward to putting it 6 feet under in January.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on March 21, 2018, 10:24:35 AM
Just got paid my 2017 bonus.

Another bunch on nails in the coffin that is my career. Looking forward to putting it 6 feet under in January.

We had a major layoff (35 to 13 people left) and were scheduled a "retention bonus" spread over 3 years.  Final payoff last May provided a kick to the mortgage.   I mentioned that the retention only lasted as long as the bonus and in fact accelerated non-retention.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 22, 2018, 05:33:32 AM
Found out that my company is being bought by MegaCorp!  We don't have many details yet, but they are aiming to close the deal in early fall. 

In all these years I've worked, I've never been through an acquisition/merger . . . Odd that it would happen in my final 12 months of working.  So I'm trying to imagine how this might go with my planned FIRE time frame, which was to give notice January 1, work til April 1, 2019.  Hopefully it won't hurt me too much financially, and depending on the exact timing of a layoff I guess it could work to my advantage, with possible severance/healthcare?

One negative thing I thought of is that up to 20% of our annual pay is a bonus paid at the end of the year, and I predict we can kiss that goodbye, even if MegaCorp keeps us on. 

Anyone been through this?  Words of wisdom appreciated. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on March 22, 2018, 07:18:03 AM
Found out that my company is being bought by MegaCorp!  We don't have many details yet, but they are aiming to close the deal in early fall. 

In all these years I've worked, I've never been through an acquisition/merger . . . Odd that it would happen in my final 12 months of working.  So I'm trying to imagine how this might go with my planned FIRE time frame, which was to give notice January 1, work til April 1, 2019.  Hopefully it won't hurt me too much financially, and depending on the exact timing of a layoff I guess it could work to my advantage, with possible severance/healthcare?

One negative thing I thought of is that up to 20% of our annual pay is a bonus paid at the end of the year, and I predict we can kiss that goodbye, even if MegaCorp keeps us on. 

Anyone been through this?  Words of wisdom appreciated.

We just bought a competitor last year and the employees being acquired received a retention bonus for staying on 12 months post acquisition, it might be a very good thing for you!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 22, 2018, 07:59:03 AM
Found out that my company is being bought by MegaCorp!  We don't have many details yet, but they are aiming to close the deal in early fall. 

In all these years I've worked, I've never been through an acquisition/merger . . . Odd that it would happen in my final 12 months of working.  So I'm trying to imagine how this might go with my planned FIRE time frame, which was to give notice January 1, work til April 1, 2019.  Hopefully it won't hurt me too much financially, and depending on the exact timing of a layoff I guess it could work to my advantage, with possible severance/healthcare?

One negative thing I thought of is that up to 20% of our annual pay is a bonus paid at the end of the year, and I predict we can kiss that goodbye, even if MegaCorp keeps us on. 

Anyone been through this?  Words of wisdom appreciated.

We just bought a competitor last year and the employees being acquired received a retention bonus for staying on 12 months post acquisition, it might be a very good thing for you!

Wow -- 12 months!  That would indeed be great, and would not disrupt a thing.  And if they did that, then I suppose it is possible they might even keep our current pay/bonus structure for a while as well, which would be good.  It's going to be an interesting year.  Thanks!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on March 23, 2018, 11:57:16 AM
There's been a lot of turnover in my department lately.  As such, yesterday I was offered a promotion and more money.  This was done in an effort to "keep me".  Little do they know that more money only makes me leave sooner.  Bwahaahaha

Come on 2019!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Pylortes on March 23, 2018, 01:49:24 PM
Eric- I assume you are planning to take the position then?   Are there any negatives (hours wise or otherwise) with the promotion?  Honestly I think I'd pass on a promotion offered to me at this point, but circumstances differ.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on March 23, 2018, 02:01:59 PM
Eric- I assume you are planning to take the position then?   Are there any negatives (hours wise or otherwise) with the promotion?  Honestly I think I'd pass on a promotion offered to me at this point, but circumstances differ.

Oh whoops.  I guess I should've included that info.  The "promotion" is basically just a title change.  My new duties are exactly the same as my old duties, but with more pay.  So yes, as you can imagine, I accepted.  :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Pylortes on March 23, 2018, 02:12:48 PM
Sweet! Yes, that's a no-brainer then.  What's your anticipated FIRE date?  Should be able to pad that stache a little more, nicely done.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: sui generis on March 23, 2018, 02:16:23 PM
Eric- I assume you are planning to take the position then?   Are there any negatives (hours wise or otherwise) with the promotion?  Honestly I think I'd pass on a promotion offered to me at this point, but circumstances differ.

Oh whoops.  I guess I should've included that info.  The "promotion" is basically just a title change.  My new duties are exactly the same as my old duties, but with more pay.  So yes, as you can imagine, I accepted.  :)
Congrats!  How nice to have more a better title in the meantime and, of course, the money!  What an awesome gift.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on March 23, 2018, 02:47:06 PM
New table update.   It has been 3 pages so I thought I'd update.   If you have any updates/corrections just PM me.  I'll just edit this post instead of posting a new one.

Most Righteous Alias    Age@fire  Target DateOLY/OMY notes and eventually Date Confirmed
MoneyStacher51Jan-19
PhilB53Jan-19
sui generis41Feb-15-19
zinnie35Feb-19
MissNancyPryor50Mar-19
Roboturner30Mar-19
TartanTallulah55March-31-19moved to 2018 and is back again
EdgemaMar-19
Trifele52April-1-19 - WIGLO
HalfStached41Apr-1-19
Luck1241Apr-19
albireo1361May-1-19
Livingthedream5559May-19
cerat0n1aMay-19summer 2018 planned
dude53May-19
SamIAm3829May-19
FIRE 20/20May-19
Pylortes42May-31-19
Odiedog8590625/31/19
oldtoyotaJun-19
Itchyfeet47Jun-19
Bateaux50Jun-19
Parizade62Jun-21-19
CryingInThePool44Jun-19
powersuitrecall47Jul-19
Enigma39Jul-19
Thedividebyzero45Jul-19
Cornbread OMalley42Aug-19
RetirementDreamingSep-19
Spreadsheet ManSep-27-19
VoteCthulu39Oct-19
trix7643Oct-19
MoMan55Oct-19
2Birds1Stone32Nov-1-19
markbike528CBX55Dec-19 OLY 5-2018 at 53.5 but checking in as OP
HBFI38Dec-19
luckyme1345Dec-19
moxieDec-27-19
madamwitty36TBD
Lowerbills40TBD
Chrissy42TBD
GerardTBD
getoutsoon52TBD
ysette938late-19TBD
elaine amj40TBD
IplawyerTBD
ChairmanTBD-SemiFire 2018
exit2019TBD-2019

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on March 23, 2018, 03:18:53 PM
Sweet! Yes, that's a no-brainer then.  What's your anticipated FIRE date?  Should be able to pad that stache a little more, nicely done.

I'm not 100% sure on the date.  Hopefully not too long into 2019.  But I'll work at least a bit into 2019 no matter what as I want to max my 2019 IRA contribution and my 401k match is actually frontloaded, so it'd be silly to pass up that free money.  Plus, I need to coordinate with my wife, because there's no way that she'll let me quit before her.  :) 

I'll put a guess of giving my notice in March, but of course we'll see how the market does over the next year.

Eric- I assume you are planning to take the position then?   Are there any negatives (hours wise or otherwise) with the promotion?  Honestly I think I'd pass on a promotion offered to me at this point, but circumstances differ.

Oh whoops.  I guess I should've included that info.  The "promotion" is basically just a title change.  My new duties are exactly the same as my old duties, but with more pay.  So yes, as you can imagine, I accepted.  :)
Congrats!  How nice to have more a better title in the meantime and, of course, the money!  What an awesome gift.

Thanks!  The new title is nice, but I can think of a better one:  Retired ;)

And yeah, I will of course take their money!  It was definitely a nice surprise. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on March 23, 2018, 03:37:48 PM
It's another 18 months for me, which still seems like a long ways off. Maybe when it gets to 12 or 9 months it will feel a lot more imminent.

I have recently been considering reducing my 401k contributions in order to build up my taxable accounts faster, but mathematically it's the same as paying the early withdrawal penalty, so I haven't made any changes yet.

I was down to 13 months, then just I extended it to June when I realized I could shelter more income to keep my MAGI in check for ACA.  Still, just over 14 months now, and since I use a lot of benefit days in July through mid Sept., it will be close to October when I'll really be watching that countdown.  So June 1, 2019 remains my target for now.

I've actually been putting more into my 457 contributions through work recently because my taxable account and Roth have more than double my 457/work-plan, and this will allow me to work through the spring of 2019 while keeping my MAGI from exceeding any ACA cliffs.  I just wanted to be FIREd for the summer, so June 1 works for me.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on March 25, 2018, 07:47:03 AM
I've been working on a modeling tab in my FIRE spreadsheet that is charting my income at 4% WR vs. trailing 12 month expenses.

Assuming flat markets, no income/job loss, and no crazy unexpected expenses, the two lines are projected to cross on November 1st 2019, ~19 months from now.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: edgema on March 27, 2018, 02:10:10 AM
Tough week. I don't regret my decision to do OMY but this would have been my last week at work before handing in my notice. Blink and another year will be gone looking back on it, but it feels like a long time day-to-day.

The great news it that my wife seems much more excited about me FIREing and taking the kids travelling for a year. Before now she was definitely worried about the financials, in part due to my infrequent but significant freakouts that none of this will work! This fear may rise again when we are close to March 2019 but lets hope not.

So the 'big' countdown clock for a year starts in a few days which will be satisfying.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: mintleaf on March 27, 2018, 05:48:51 AM
I suppose it's time to put things in writing and officially join this thread. The plan is as follows: May 2019, we sell our HCOL clown house and move into our MCOL house with acreage. That should push our stash up to a point that finally "feels" FI. I'm going to quit my office job immediately, but DW will likely work a couple more years. At some point she wants to start a business. I want to find my bliss in living simply, growing food, and maybe selling homemade stuff on the side.

Whew, it's a little nerve-wracking to actually write that down. Feels like tempting fate.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on March 27, 2018, 06:30:58 AM
New table update.   It has been 3 pages so I thought I'd update.   If you have any updates/corrections just PM me.  I'll just edit this post instead of posting a new one.

table]
Most Righteous Alias    Age@fire  Target DateOLY/OMY notes and eventually Date Confirmed
MoneyStacher51Jan-19
PhilB53Jan-19
sui generis41?2/15/19
zinnie35Feb-19
MissNancyPryor50Mar-19
Roboturner30Mar-19
TartanTallulah553/31/19moved to 2018 and is back again
EdgemaMar-19
HalfStached41Apr-1-19
Luck1241Apr-19
albireo1361May-1-19
Livingthedream5559May-19
cerat0n1aMay-19summer 2018 planned
dude54May-19
SamIAm3829May-19
FIRE 20/20May-19
Pylortes425/31/19
Odiedog8590625/31/19
oldtoyotaJun-19
Itchyfeet47Jun-19
Bateaux50Jun-19
Parizade62Jun-21-19
CryingInThePool44Jun-19
powersuitrecall47Jul-19
Enigma39Jul-19
Thedividebyzero45Jul-19
Trifele52Aug-19
Cornbread OMalley42Aug-19
RetirementDreamingSep-19
Spreadsheet ManSep-27-19
VoteCthulu39Oct-19
trix7643Oct-19
MoMan55Oct-19
markbike528CBX55Dec-19 OLY 5-2018 at 53.5 but checking in as OP
HBFI38Dec-19
luckyme1345Dec-19
moxieDec-27-19
madamwitty36TBD
Lowerbills40TBD
Chrissy42TBD
GerardTBD
getoutsoon52TBD
ysette938late-19TBD
elaine amj40TBD
IplawyerTBD
ChairmanTBD-SemiFire 2018
2Birds1StoneTBD-2019
exit2019TBD-2019

I'll be retiring a few weeks shy of my 54th birthday, so technically, I'll be 53!  ;-)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on March 27, 2018, 07:59:57 AM
Updated list in my previous list post.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on March 27, 2018, 08:44:50 AM
Updated list in my previous list post.

I PM'd you
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on March 27, 2018, 08:55:05 AM
Updated 2Birdsonstone and modified the date format.   
If you update the table use my previous one, not the copy later in the thread.

Although my previous date method had a purpose.
 ie  May-19 is "sometime in May"  where 5/31/19 is a specific date that stands out (at least to me) vs May-31-19.

Anyone else who is more OCD than me?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 27, 2018, 09:09:25 AM
Updated 2Birdsonstone and modified the date format.   
If you update the table use my previous one, not the copy later in the thread.

Although my previous date method had a purpose.
 ie  May-19 is "sometime in May"  where 5/31/19 is a specific date that stands out (at least to me) vs May-31-19.

Anyone else who is more OCD than me?

Hey Mark -- I PM'd you too.  I am now 4/1/19 or WIGLO.  Thanks!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on March 27, 2018, 09:23:34 AM
Updated 2Birdsonstone and modified the date format.   
If you update the table use my previous one, not the copy later in the thread.

Although my previous date method had a purpose.
 ie  May-19 is "sometime in May"  where 5/31/19 is a specific date that stands out (at least to me) vs May-31-19.

Anyone else who is more OCD than me?

Thanks! You can also add age, will be 32 :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on March 27, 2018, 11:09:50 AM
Most Righteous Alias    Age@fire  Target DateOLY/OMY notes and eventually Date Confirmed
MoneyStacher51Jan-19
PhilB53Jan-19
sui generis41Feb-15-19
zinnie35Feb-19
MissNancyPryor50Mar-19
Roboturner30Mar-19
exit201940Mar-15-19
TartanTallulah55March-31-19moved to 2018 and is back again
EdgemaMar-19
Trifele52April-1-19 WIGLO
HalfStached41Apr-1-19
Luck1241Apr-19
albireo1361May-1-19
Livingthedream5559May-19
cerat0n1aMay-19summer 2018 planned
dude53May-19
SamIAm3829May-19
FIRE 20/20May-19
Pylortes42May-31-19
Odiedog859062May-31-19
DreamFIREJun-1-19
oldtoyotaJun-19
Itchyfeet47Jun-19
Bateaux50Jun-19
Parizade62Jun-21-19
CryingInThePool44Jun-19
powersuitrecall47Jul-19
Enigma39Jul-19
Thedividebyzero45Jul-19
Cornbread OMalley42Aug-19
RetirementDreamingSep-19
Spreadsheet ManSep-27-19
VoteCthulu39Oct-19
trix7643Oct-19
MoMan55Oct-19
2Birds1Stone32Nov-1-19
markbike528CBX55Dec-19 OLY 5-2018 at 53.5 but checking in as OP
HBFI38Dec-19
luckyme1345Dec-19
moxieDec-27-19
madamwitty36TBD
Lowerbills40TBD
Chrissy42TBD
GerardTBD
getoutsoon52TBD
ysette938late-19TBD
elaine amj40TBD
IplawyerTBD
ChairmanTBDSemiFire 2018
exit2019TBD-2019
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on March 27, 2018, 11:21:36 AM
Latest and greatest list rev above.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on March 27, 2018, 03:03:26 PM
Latest and greatest list rev above.
I don't see Eric, Mintleaf, or DreamFIRE on that list.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: sui generis on March 27, 2018, 04:06:43 PM
I don't know if I can make it, y'all.  I'm staring down 325 more days and it feels like each is more excruciating than the last.  I switched firms about 8 months ago to a place that was supposed to be much more satisfying...and it turns out it is not. It's more challenging (in a not-intellectually satisfying way) and unlike my last job, where the work was predictable and steady, it's chaos around here and I'm constantly worried about whether I will make my billable hours by the end of the year.  I am *almost* at 28.57x expenses (3.5% WR) and if I stick around only to NOT get a bonus in January, I'll be really upset.

Anyone else going through this?  Everyone here (not just on this thread) seems so patient and plugging away until they are at like 80x expenses or something!  Maybe I'm conflating the people that are patient and heavily stache-d with those who hate their jobs.  I mean, I'm new enough here to not know usernames and who hates their jobs vs. who loves them and what people's goals are...but I'm surprised at the relative paucity of posts by people as impatient as me. 

I've been desperately giving myself assignments to complete before RE so that I don't chuck it all out the window, but I'm very tempted!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on March 27, 2018, 04:40:30 PM
Latest and greatest list rev above.
I don't see Eric, Mintleaf, or DreamFIRE on that list.

Missed them.  Please add them yourself or PM me the relevant data.   I'm trying not to have too many copies of the list on one page, as it takes up a lot of space and causes confusion on what is the latest and greatest.

Note that "the greatest" is not used in the way that Muhammad Ali used it as can be seen by the use of lowercase lettering.  :-)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 27, 2018, 05:34:42 PM
I don't know if I can make it, y'all.  I'm staring down 325 more days and it feels like each is more excruciating than the last. 

Anyone else going through this?  Everyone here (not just on this thread) seems so patient and plugging away until they are at like 80x expenses or something! 


Ha!  I was feeling exactly like this until last week -- barely hanging on, like I was not going to make it through my last year.  Then Megacorp swooped in to buy my company, and it adjusted my attitude immediately.  Now I feel like I want to make it the next 12 months, to top my accounts off nicely.  It's hilarious.  Maybe you could do a serious thought experiment, like imagine how you would feel if they laid you off next month. Would you be disappointed because you could not make it to the finish line on your own terms, or would you be happy? If you would be happy, then maybe you really are ready to FIRE right now.

And as for the size of the stash, I think I may have one of the skinnier ones on this thread.  I am sitting at less than 25x right now with the market downturn.  I'm going to FIRE anyway, as I have a side gig and a spouse that wants to get back into the workforce. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on March 27, 2018, 05:55:00 PM
Anyone else going through this?  Everyone here (not just on this thread) seems so patient and plugging away until they are at like 80x expenses or something!  Maybe I'm conflating the people that are patient and heavily stache-d with those who hate their jobs.

Well, I don't hate my job, but you may have seen me mention that I was at 81X a page back, but that was based on my current barebones without accounting for higher healthcare costs or any extra for fun/travel.  Factoring in ACA based premiums/out-of-pocket, I'm more like 63X.  Throw in significant entertainment/travel, and I'm at 25X.  Those figures were in that same post, though.

I'm trying to be patient with 14 months to my target, but what makes it a little tough for me is knowing that I could call it quits now with pretty much no fear of running out of money. I could drop my WR to less than 2.5% of my current stash to protect against SORR if my investments dropped off early during FIRE since I have a large buffer with entertainment/travel that I could cut way back on if I felt the need.  So, I could pull the trigger today with relatively low risk.  16 years into FIRE, I could draw SS and live on the same entertainment/travel budget while only needing to draw <2% from my stash, so that adds another layer of protection.  Sometimes at work, I'll start dreaming of FIRE, thinking about what I'll do, where I'll go, where I could relocate to, etc.  But fortunately, it's only temporary daydreaming, and I'm always able to redirect my focus back to work when I need to accomplish something.

So, someone might ask why I am still working.  One reason is due to the uncertainty of the ACA.  Before my FIRE date, the mid-term elections will be history, so I hope the results will give me more optimism about the ACA's future, plus that will allow more time to see developments in the marketplace with insurers heading into 2019.

The other reason I continue to work is because I'm simply not ready to retire.  I would really miss my job if I suddenly pulled the plug today.  If I was working in a cubicle, pushing papers, another corporate drone, and running on the hamster wheel, I would be headed out the door today.  I've worked in office settings not long ago that I wouldn't tolerate today.  But, as of last summer, I have my own office, you know, with actual walls to the ceiling and a door that closes.  I can control the temperature, play music, take breaks whenever I want.  I have a huge amount of flexibility.  And the demands of the job have actually lessened, which gives me plenty of downtime.  To top it off, I'm able to focus more on interesting projects than I had been able to over most of my career.  My stress level is lower than ever.  For over 16 years at my current employer, I could only dream of having it as good as it is now.  This all still feels very fresh to me, and I don't want to give it up yet.  Ending up with another $90K in my stash is an added bonus.

Once summer gets here, I'm going to work very few full weeks through Sept. as I use up most of my benefit time for three and four-day weekends.  I'll probably be anticipating FIRE more by October with 8 months to go.  But even come June 1, 2019, I'm hoping to work 1 to 3 days per week for one year, if my employer is interested.  Due to the budgeting of my position as full time, I don't know if that will fly.  If that's not an option to stay on part time, the chances of OMY full time are pretty low, despite yet another $90K in the stash another year out.  In fact, I might be ready to shelf the part time idea by my FIRE date!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on March 28, 2018, 04:31:09 AM
I don’t hate my job, but it is exhausting and stressful, and I am not looking forward to the coming 9 months. I want to tap out. If I lost my job today I would be happy, but I am worried about my finances.

We are stuck around 21.5x of what we’d like to be able to spend each year, and going no where this year with Australian stocks and property both going backwards. 

With the extended bull run and high multiples I don’t have a huge amount of confidence that 21x is enough. I really wanted to be at 25x plus. We won’t get there this year.

Today the plan remains to push on to the end of the year and FIRE at XMas, repatriate to Australia after some extended travel, and then see how we feel after a year or so break from work. Today, I really don’t want to work again, but I also don’t want to get to 65 and find I am very short of cash. We could definitely trim  our spending, but equally, more money wouldn’t be terrible.

We have an expensive house in Sydney that we need to sell, and once we have the sale proceeds in our bank account that will provide greater clarity on where we stand. We won’t be selling until we get back to Australia and tidy up the place as it will have been a rental for the past 6 years and will no doubt need a little TLC before being put on the market. As we plan to travel most of next year we wouldn’t be selling until 2020, so a lot could happen between now and then.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on March 28, 2018, 06:54:11 AM
Every day at work is a grind, but I'm so close to that golden parachute that I don't get worked up over it. Everyone in my office knows how short I am, and expects that I'll be putting on the brakes in my waning months. I've been out of work now for going on three weeks (week of vacation + two weeks of convalescence for an injury I sustained on vacation (!)), and boy, despite my boredom as a result of my relative immobility, it's been SO NICE not having to go to the office!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: sui generis on March 28, 2018, 09:42:40 AM
Maybe you could do a serious thought experiment, like imagine how you would feel if they laid you off next month. Would you be disappointed because you could not make it to the finish line on your own terms, or would you be happy? If you would be happy, then maybe you really are ready to FIRE right now.


Yeah, I would be soooooo happy if they laid me off.  However, I still think I am going to wait to FIRE.  Maybe not until Feb 2019, if it becomes apparent I can't hit my hours for a bonus, but at least 6 months.  I think I need that time to be confident in myself about approaching retirement.  Not so much the finances part, but the everything else part. 

And at this point, it would feel too much like I was acting rashly.  While I have definitely been a saver for a long time, it's only in the last year that I started imagining retiring sometime in the next 3-5 years and then only in the last month or two that I decided it could (and should) be next year, because the job change didn't work out as hoped.  Pulling the plug too fast seems like asking for trouble. 

How I get through the day-to-day of it, though, is the outstanding question.  I'm not even going in to work today, which I think will be good for my mental health, but I'll probably only manage to bill 2-3 hours for the day, which is stressful.  I should work on changing my attitude not to care about how many hours I bill, but I still do really want to get a nice bonus next January to top off my savings.  Which means I may have to go around begging for work, reinforcing the idea that I'm an enthusiastic team player working toward partnership.  I'd really rather fly under the radar for the next 10 months.  Ugh.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Chrissy on March 28, 2018, 11:56:40 AM
sui generis, my husband wants to retire NOW.  I'm fine plugging along, but, for him, every day is agony.  We are only at 11x expenses, though gaining quickly.  I hope he can retire at the end of next year, but we just found out we're both taking pay cuts (unless he changes jobs (my job doesn't exist anywhere else)), and we added a kid at the same time, so we'll probably have to migrate to 2020 or 2021.

We're not patient and definitely not waiting to 80x expenses!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: sui generis on March 28, 2018, 12:08:54 PM
sui generis, my husband wants to retire NOW.  I'm fine plugging along, but, for him, every day is agony.  We are only at 11x expenses, though gaining quickly.  I hope he can retire at the end of next year, but we just found out we're both taking pay cuts (unless he changes jobs (my job doesn't exist anywhere else)), and we added a kid at the same time, so we'll probably have to migrate to 2020 or 2021.

We're not patient and definitely not waiting to 80x expenses!

Ugh, as much as I felt bad thinking so many others were so patient and liked their jobs so much better, I also feel bad knowing there are others as unhappy as me! 

And thanks for also prompting me to stop and consider that I don't have it *that* bad either.  In fact, studying stoicism during this time might be a good pursuit that helps pass the time - especially that technique where you spend a lot of time thinking about terrible things that could happen (like losing your eyesight) in order to step off the hedonic treadmill and newly appreciate the most basic of things you take for granted.  I did, for instance, take a moment yesterday to stop, turn around to look out my office window on a beautiful sunny day, with a not-bad view of a big local bridge, and take a nice deep breath.  It was helpful!  The effect lasted only a few seconds, but hey it's a start right? 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: TartanTallulah on March 28, 2018, 09:51:55 PM
I don't know if I can make it, y'all.  I'm staring down 325 more days and it feels like each is more excruciating than the last.  I switched firms about 8 months ago to a place that was supposed to be much more satisfying...and it turns out it is not. It's more challenging (in a not-intellectually satisfying way) and unlike my last job, where the work was predictable and steady, it's chaos around here and I'm constantly worried about whether I will make my billable hours by the end of the year.  I am *almost* at 28.57x expenses (3.5% WR) and if I stick around only to NOT get a bonus in January, I'll be really upset.

Anyone else going through this?  Everyone here (not just on this thread) seems so patient and plugging away until they are at like 80x expenses or something!  Maybe I'm conflating the people that are patient and heavily stache-d with those who hate their jobs.  I mean, I'm new enough here to not know usernames and who hates their jobs vs. who loves them and what people's goals are...but I'm surprised at the relative paucity of posts by people as impatient as me. 

I've been desperately giving myself assignments to complete before RE so that I don't chuck it all out the window, but I'm very tempted!

I have days when I wonder how I'm going to make it through another year, but then I remember almost a full year has passed since I first calculated that I could retire in 2019 and I've coped quite well.

My situation is about to improve. We've managed to recruit a contractor whose rates are reasonable and who is keen to join us part time (they're not FIRE, they just enjoy being freelance) and I put my hand up and volunteered to drop my hours to accommodate them. In May and June, at least, I'll be working no more than 36 hours a week spread over no more than four days, which is what I signed up for seven years ago.

I was surprised that some of my current colleagues wrinkled their noses at the suggestion, citing the cost of the contractor as the main reason for objecting. It shows how much I'm currently protecting their precious 36-hour weeks by picking up most of the extra work myself. I suspect they will also question the accounts showing that I'm owed a substantial balancing payment for doing so much extra work, but the stats don't lie - in the last year I worked over 30% more than the next person and didn't take a bigger monthly income.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: edgema on March 29, 2018, 03:27:05 AM
sui generis - I would hazard that many can relate and certainly I can. Personally about to hit the one year countdown clock and as this is a OMY, I am today staring at the date which was going to be the day of my resignation. Quite hard to blow through it with a smile on my face no matter how much I believe the OMY year makes sense.

I also have a situation with work as we were spun out and merged with a similar business a year ago. It is fairly obvious that around a third of people should be made redundant as the two businesses do exactly the same thing. Although it has taken a year, 'working groups' are now looking at this and consultants are hovering around advising on what the combined company should look like. Tempting fate in that I don't think I am for the chop, but as about half my pay is through bonus (and that is my 50% savings rate) there is some uncertainty about any bonus and therefore the value of doing the extra year. That doesn't help as you point out.

If you are like me the big picture stuff (obviously pretty great in that you less than a year from retiring early) gets swamped by the day-to-day grind of hauling yourself into the office and exhibiting the good corporate citizen persona who is a 'passionate member of the team and in it for the long run'. Perhaps it is obvious, but I do not like my job (perhaps even hate on a bad day) so you are not conflating me with those who are happy enough doing what they do with a great FIRE option on the side. I am jealous of those who can comment that they are already FI at 80x and will only RE when they stop being satisfied. Not me. This is a hard nosed financial exercise, grinding out the days for a better future.

Some coping mechanisms which I think have helped me; Writing an (entirely private) blog/journal. Subdividing the coming year into segments, like making it to your next holiday. Putting some events in the calendar (I like fitness stuff so have a 3 day bike ride in the diary for August). If you are not already, try to start ramping up whatever it is that you want to do with the time you will have after FIRE. For me that keeping up with my running/cycling along with, guitar, learning Spanish, and sailing.

I am not always successful but don't; stare at your countdown clock multiple times a day. re-tweak your financial model for the thousandth time. check your portfolio value again. view the next year as a (gilded) prison term to just clench your jaw against. 

Remember the next year is your life for only one more year. For almost everyone else, this is what they likely have in store for the next few decades. Perhaps I am a bad person and it is certainly not the most zen way of looking at it, but that fact produces a warm glow of satisfaction. Remember - 6 months in to RE you will have had as much 'time off' as you probably had in the previous 10 years!

Good luck and sending out as much empathy as I can!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 29, 2018, 03:47:00 AM
@sui generis -- Just saw your other thread about Lawyers on FIRE, and now I have even more sympathy for your situation.  Assume you are at a law firm?  I feel you, my friend -- been there in those hell holes.  If you were further from FIRE I'd urge you to get out and find something else, but if you only have a year to go you may be better off just sticking it out.

One coping mechanism I've been using at work is to use any spare minutes to think about my passions -- the things I am FIREing to.   I'm sort of embarrassed to admit how much time I spend at work researching travel and my hobbies.  And on this forum, lol.  But it keeps me sane.  And I have resolved in this, my final year, to take full advantage of all benefits the job offers -- every perk, every single day off, etc.  I'm going to suck it all dry, and I am not giving even a molecule of anything extra.

Strangely, my new mental detachment and low-output mode is having no ill effects whatsoever on my performance or reviews.  I've received numerous compliments in the last couple of weeks about how calm I am in the midst of our corporate merger chaos, and how I'm the "rock" of our department.   Hahahahahahaha!

I know it's different when you have to track time, but hopefully you can find some way to find some mental peace and detachment at work.  Good luck!  Hang in there. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: exit2019 on March 29, 2018, 11:10:05 PM
age 40mumble and target date: march 15 2019
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Half Stached on March 31, 2018, 08:33:28 AM
Another quarter down:

7/15: 41.6% FI
10/15: 40.1%
1/16: 45.6%
4/16: 50.4%
7/16: 53.7%
10/16: 60.7%* (due to reducing expenses and better modeling, we reduced our FI target from 1.8million to 1.7)
1/17: 63.5%
4/17: 75.3%
7/17: 44.4* (Condo purchase. FI target reduced from 1.7million to 1.3, not including condo.)
10/17: 50.6%
1/18: 56.3%
4/18: 62.3%

The quarter started off with a roar, but things have become quite a bit more uncertain at work recently. I wouldn't be surprised if I engineer a layoff this year. It makes the FI numbers a bit tighter, but since I would get about 5 months of severance, wouldn't be too bad.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on March 31, 2018, 10:46:31 AM
Relevant to another thread last evening, I figured my latest saving rate for 2018 based on my recent pay raise, increase in retirement withholding, and some home maintenance that I need to do outside of my barebones budget allotment.  It looks like I should be a little over 80% savings rate for 2018.  I'm at about 63X barebones right now.  So if the market just hangs on, that will get me to 65X.  If the market recovers recent losses and merely keeps up with inflation, but without any significant gains beyond that, it will get me to about 67X for FIRE barebones.  The difference between 25X and 65-67X is my entertainment/travel and possible re-location budget and gives me some room to cut back my WR if there's a big hit to my investments.  So adding it all up, I'm at 25X for what I'm planning.  It looks like I could reduce my WR to 1.6% to cover barebones if I had to.  Otherwise, I'm looking at a WR rate of around 4% as I begin FIRE in 2019 (assuming that I don't OMY it to get my stash up another $90K to FIRE in 2020 instead.)  This will give me plenty of "fun" money.

Edit:  One other note is that my stash only "needs" to last about 15 years, so even with conservative investing getting 0% real returns, I could use an elevated 6% WR for 15 years.  Beginning 15 years into FIRE, the SS calculator shows SS will cover barebones with $700 extra after taxes.  Of course, I'm not planning for a 6% WR, and I fully expect to still have a sweet stash  to keep my entertainment/travel budget going when I start drawing SS as I will regulate my WR through FIRE using the 4% rule as a guideline and making adjustments based on real returns rather than a fixed 4% + inflation WR with no regard for reality.  Just thinking about this makes OMY or sticking around part time into 2020 difficult to justify.  So I'll stay firmly in the 2019 camp for FIRE.

I'm not factoring in inheritance, home value (& reverse mortgages), or any mooch factors (staying with someone in their home) in to my calculations, but those would make the numbers work even more favorably for me.  I mentioned possible re-location, and I know that can increase the bare bones due to COL changes, but I'm only considering re-locations that are pretty much lateral financially, even if it means downsizing in sq. ft.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: exit2019 on April 02, 2018, 10:25:41 AM
I don't know if I can make it, y'all.  I'm staring down 325 more days and it feels like each is more excruciating than the last.

this.  I am struggling.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: VoteCthulu on April 02, 2018, 01:46:35 PM
I don't know if I can make it, y'all.  I'm staring down 325 more days and it feels like each is more excruciating than the last.

this.  I am struggling.
For me, it's mostly a matter of what I can make myself focus on. Some days I calculate the time I have left in calendar days, weeks, work days, work hours, work minutes, etc. and those days seem to grind sloooowly by.

When I can focus on something I want or need to do in the next few days or weeks, my day seems to go much faster.

I'm also taking a lot more out of state vacations this year, which breaks up work a bit.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: tooqk4u22 on April 02, 2018, 02:37:03 PM
Maybe you could do a serious thought experiment, like imagine how you would feel if they laid you off next month. Would you be disappointed because you could not make it to the finish line on your own terms, or would you be happy? If you would be happy, then maybe you really are ready to FIRE right now.


Yeah, I would be soooooo happy if they laid me off.  However, I still think I am going to wait to FIRE.  .....

I dream of this!  Sure I have FIRE fears like everyone else....running out of money, health care costs, children costs, etc....but I think my biggest fear is fucking it all up (all that we accomplished and setting the course) because I "Decided" FIRE'd.  Completely irrational but if they canceled me then it wouldn't be MY decision and I would have to just roll with it. 

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on April 02, 2018, 03:51:05 PM
Just a couple years back, I thought getting layed off would have been good because I wasn't happy with things at work, but things are a lot better now, so I'm just hoping to make it through the next year without any changes that spoil it.

Counting the days makes it seem even longer, so I just think in terms of months....  14 months.  This is the longest part of the year for me - beginning of March through the end of June, because I don't start using vacation days until July through Sept.  So those months will probably go by pretty quickly, and I'll be down to single digits.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: sui generis on April 02, 2018, 04:18:01 PM

For me, it's mostly a matter of what I can make myself focus on. Some days I calculate the time I have left in calendar days, weeks, work days, work hours, work minutes, etc. and those days seem to grind sloooowly by.

When I can focus on something I want or need to do in the next few days or weeks, my day seems to go much faster.

Yeah, that's definitely one of my problems right now - I have so little to focus on to make the time pass. Work is slow!  While I used to fill this kind of down time at other jobs with spending a lot more time on boards like this, or other interests, this job is really strict on the billable hours requirements so it's actually doubly awful and even harder to distract myself because I constantly need to be chasing work.  And that just reminds me how much I hate it here! 

I trust it will get busier eventually and then I'll be a sourpuss because I hate the actual work, as well.  But maybe the time will be going faster then, which will be a net positive.

Honestly, I don't know how I ended up as this person, but every job I just hate more than the last. Apparently I didn't know how good I had it at my first job out of college (where I spent most of my time surfing the internet and reading about how to stop being a "wage-slave" and "quarter-life crises" and I just keep getting myself into worse and worse (though, thankfully, higher paid) positions.  I honestly feel like something must be wrong with me that I keep thinking the next job sounds and will be better!  And then it's shittier, instead.  That's really why I decided I needed to stop doing JOBS. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on April 03, 2018, 07:09:24 AM
I've officially passed the one year mark!  One year from now (or less if laid off) I will be officially FIREd.  Man that feels good.  I'm already planning the celebratory travel and activities. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: edgema on April 03, 2018, 07:25:40 AM
Me too. My countdown clock in years now says 98.5%!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: tooqk4u22 on April 03, 2018, 08:02:34 AM
Honestly, I don't know how I ended up as this person, but every job I just hate more than the last. Apparently I didn't know how good I had it at my first job out of college (where I spent most of my time surfing the internet and reading about how to stop being a "wage-slave" and "quarter-life crises" and I just keep getting myself into worse and worse (though, thankfully, higher paid) positions.  I honestly feel like something must be wrong with me that I keep thinking the next job sounds and will be better!  And then it's shittier, instead.  That's really why I decided I needed to stop doing JOBS.

I feel the same way, but bold points are not mutually exclusive - with more money typically comes more demands, goals, stress and more BS work that is further away from the part of the job that you enjoy. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on April 03, 2018, 09:17:24 AM
I've officially passed the one year mark!  One year from now (or less if laid off) I will be officially FIREd.  Man that feels good.  I'm already planning the celebratory travel and activities.

I am down to 9 months, but I distinctly remember the day that I realised that I was within 12months and airline booking systems would let me book my first post FIRE flight. I looked at some prices that day but didn’t book. Still haven’t. 9 months is still a fair way off and I need to decide where I will take a vacation this summer before I start worrying about 2019.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on April 03, 2018, 09:25:29 AM
I've officially passed the one year mark!  One year from now (or less if laid off) I will be officially FIREd.  Man that feels good.  I'm already planning the celebratory travel and activities.

I am down to 9 months, but I distinctly remember the day that I realised that I was within 12months and airline booking systems would let me book my first post FIRE flight. I looked at some prices that day but didn’t book. Still haven’t. 9 months is still a fair way off and I need to decide where I will take a vacation this summer before I start worrying about 2019.

Huh.  That's something that never even crossed my mind.  There goes the rest of my day!  lol
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on April 03, 2018, 10:28:27 AM
I've officially passed the one year mark!  One year from now (or less if laid off) I will be officially FIREd.  Man that feels good.  I'm already planning the celebratory travel and activities.

I am down to 9 months, but I distinctly remember the day that I realised that I was within 12months and airline booking systems would let me book my first post FIRE flight. I looked at some prices that day but didn’t book. Still haven’t. 9 months is still a fair way off and I need to decide where I will take a vacation this summer before I start worrying about 2019.

Huh.  That's something that never even crossed my mind.  There goes the rest of my day!  lol

It doesn’t get any more real than booking a flight anywhere you could dream of without having to clear it with the boss first.

You can even just buy a 1 way ticket if you choose, and Worry about when you will return later. Because you will return when it suits you, not when your approved leave ends.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: sui generis on April 03, 2018, 10:35:11 AM

It doesn’t get any more real than booking a flight anywhere you could dream of without having to clear it with the boss first.

You can even just buy a 1 way ticket if you choose, and Worry about when you will return later. Because you will return when it suits you, not when your approved leave ends.

*swoon*
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Livingthedream55 on April 13, 2018, 09:25:11 AM
We're getting closer peeps!!!!

I am amusing myself planning some frugal vacations for 2018 (which I will really take) and (like others on this thread) daydreaming about where I might go in 2019 once FIREd.

Just discovered Skyscanner.com - it has a feature where you can search from your home city to "everywhere" and then search by "cheapest month" - super fun.  I've found domestic round trip flights for under $80 and international for $200. It's fun to plan itineraries.

Happy Friday!!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: mintleaf on April 13, 2018, 09:44:40 AM
Keep the hype alive!

I just landed what will hopefully be my last office job ever. It seems like a nice place, and the salary is quite good, but really it just needs to tide me over for one year until the big move.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: exit2019 on April 15, 2018, 05:19:26 PM
Class of 2019, what is your post-FIRE plan?

I am 10 months out.  I am nervous.  The math works assuming we get out of the insanely expensive bay area and liquidate the house; that will give us a solid base with which to build a post-ER life.

My job is very demanding - specifically has been extremely demanding for almost two decades.  Over the last 20 years the reality is my wife and I have done very little other than work.  Looking back that was quite a mistake and I have some serious regrets even though in the end it means we will free, really free, after two decades. 

But .. I don't actually know quite what to do once we pull the trigger.  We are going to try to do a thru hike (the timing works nicely and we'll have no ties to anything) and then .. what?  We won't have a home when we finish (or drop out).  We aren't even sure about where we'd like to try living other than some thoughts (somewhere we can have a larger piece of property but which is not overly exurb/rural) and constraints (not Bay Area ever again and honestly probably not CA or anywhere crowded). 

Right now I am so busy with work that about all I have time to do is start gearing up to sell the house and put what we really want to keep in storage.  Right now the plan is we are going to do the sale this summer and rent for the remaining 8-or-so months. 

Beyond that I am just spinning. A lot of people have started to say "have a plan before you get there" but honestly I don't have one or even the idea on how to get one together.  We are both burned out.  We have both been burned out for 5 to 10 years.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: sui generis on April 15, 2018, 05:51:10 PM
Hi @exit2019!  I'm also in the Bay Area and also have 10 more months!  I hope to do the John Muir Trail next summer and if I enjoy that long on the trail, I'll plan on longer through-hikes.  So maybe I'll see you on the trail, too!

But I'm very definitely preparing for post-FIRE, mostly because I'm terrified I'll fail at it.  I'm seeing a "coach" and have a set of 3 major questions (with sub-questions) I'm working through with her - mostly HOW to think about them to make the RE journey successful.  And I'm researching orgs I want to volunteer with, trying to get more closely connected with head honchos in orgs I already do volunteer with so that I can take on more responsibility, and then have a handful of other things I want to practice - Spanish, meditation and probably at least one new skill amongst plumbing/electricity or cars, just to be a more well-rounded person.  My plan will be very different than yours not only because they always are, but I'll be staying in the Bay Area and RE-ing alone while my partner continues to do work that he loves.

For your situation, it sounds like it really depends on how comfortable you guys are being nomads.  And how confident you are that you know yourself well enough to really give a solid answer to that question.  That seems like the biggest and most urgent question to answer after your through-hike, yeah?  I guess the only advice I would have (and is the advice I'm giving myself) is to give yourselves time to mess up, not like what you're doing, be uncomfortable for a while while you figure out how you want to change, and then take next steps.  The great thing with RE is that you have a lot more time than the "traditional retiree" to figure out what you like, or what you like for right now.  But you shouldn't have expectations that you will find the right pattern or the right lifestyle right away.  One post recently on Our Next Life talked about how you have to practice at being retired, that like learning a new job, you have to learn how to do that, and you probably won't be good at it right away.  Give yourselves permission to be a bit out of sorts for a while.  And maybe you won't be, maybe it'll all come naturally or some amazing opportunity will open up for you the minute you step off the trail, so you won't have to work hard to find your next steps.  But it's good to have realistic expectations at least.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on April 15, 2018, 06:35:07 PM
Exit2019, I'm looking at 13 1/2 months myself.  I would say that you don't need to have a plan.  Plenty of others have FIREd without specific plans.  My situation is a little similar as I'm not sure where I'll end up, although I already live in fairly LCOL area, so I don't necessarily need to leave my area.  I can afford to stay, but I would like to re-locate somewhere that I think I would be happier, even if it's only an hour or two away from where I live now.  I will surely do some traveling once I'm FIREd, but I don't know if I am going to do long term slow travel, get an RV, re-locate in-state, relocate to another state, or just what at this point.  Until I've had time to experience some of the FIRE life, I don't know what I'll do long term.  I might stay on my job part time 1 to 3 days per week, but I don't think I would do that for more than a year, but if so, that will postpone any lengthy travel or re-locating for a while.

Also see this thread, where some of this was discussed:
https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/post-fire/did-you-know-what-you-wanted-to-do-post-fire-when-you-started/
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Miss Piggy on April 15, 2018, 06:44:57 PM
Apologies if this has been brought up earlier in the thread.

Are any of the rest of you more than a bit nervous about the economy? I'm a little worried, but it doesn't keep me up at night (yet). I RRRREEEEAAAAALLLLLLYYYYYY want to FIRE next summer (2019), but we'll see what happens between now and then with the stock market. As a backup, I do have a good job right now, and I can stay there longer than planned.

(Part of me wants to also say: Oh, who am I kidding? I'm VERY worried about what could happen with the market.)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: sui generis on April 15, 2018, 06:56:55 PM
I'm for sure worried about the markets and very unhappy about the volatility 10 months out from my FIRE date.  At the same time, my stash should be big enough at that time to withstand the sequence of return risk that people in our cohorts are facing.  cFIREsim and those calculators show a 97-98% success rate with my range of expected stashes and that includes modeling a number of years where people retired right before big crashes...and modeling it like as if I would do  nothing (no change in w/d, etc) if that happened to me.  So my post-FIRE budget is also elastic enough to cut back a bit or a LOT depending on what happens in the market.  Flexibility is key and my plan has that flexibility built in, so there's almost no way (knock on wood, and I'd never say more than "ALMOST" no way, because this world is CRAZY!) that my plan will change because of money.  I at least feel confident saying that's it *more* likely that my plan to FIRE 10 months from today will change because of some factor other than money.

If anything, I still want to FIRE sooner.  I have that Sunday evening, lead-weight-in-the-pit-of-my-stomach feeling right now :(
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on April 15, 2018, 07:38:49 PM

I'm more concerned about the ACA and marketplace over the coming years than I am about the stock market, but if a major drop occurred before I FIRED on the order of 20% or more from the high, that might make me delay retirement another year.  If a drop happened after FIREing, I should be able to deal with it.  My stash is at a level I could cut back to 2% SWR if I felt the need and could still pay my barebones expenses, but I'm also starting to shift more out of stocks to reduce volatility of shaky markets and minimize the loss in a bear market.  When I get my AA right, I'll be more comfortable to FIRE.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on April 15, 2018, 09:59:15 PM
We were always going to be a little short of where I wanted to be come this December. And now DW and I have been looking at houses in potential post FIRE locations and we are tempted by slightly more expensive properties than I had factored into my FIRE number.

We still intend to FIRE come December, but I am a little apprehensive.

I am weighing up the options
 - OMY (meh 😕), or half OMY even.
 - Mini FIRE with a short encore workplace appearance in a year or 2 (DW is pushing for this)
 - committing to casual work post FIRE
 - trimming the Post FIRE budget...

All are possible, or a combination.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on April 16, 2018, 01:48:08 AM
We were always going to be a little short of where I wanted to be come this December. And now DW and I have been looking at houses in potential post FIRE locations and we are tempted by slightly more expensive properties than I had factored into my FIRE number.

We still intend to FIRE come December, but I am a little apprehensive.

I am weighing up the options
 - OMY (meh 😕), or half OMY even.
 - Mini FIRE with a short encore workplace appearance in a year or 2 (DW is pushing for this)
 - committing to casual work post FIRE
 - trimming the Post FIRE budget...

All are possible, or a combination.

Just make sure you don't commit to hire fixed costs. Higher price property may also have higher property taxes? A bigger house might have a higher electricity bill.

If DW wants to do some consultancy work for her former employer after FIRE, then just let her. I think I would personally choose the half a year extra work.

And what about looking around for properties a longer and more thoroughly and find that one bargain house for the right price?
Other option: rent out a part of your post-FIRE house.

Or rent a house and wait for the next housing crash, which is unpredictable.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on April 16, 2018, 03:54:39 AM
Thanks for the input. We will have to see how things play out.

We won’t buy a house for a couple of years yet, so today it’s just a matter of setting a budget based on what we can see in the market. Our FIRE is more fat than lean, so it’s not like we won’t have options.

I think most probably we will  both resign from our current jobs at the end of the year, travel for a year or so, and then repatriate to Australia and then potentially get some work if we think it’s necessary. Maybe our costs post FIRE will be less than we have budgeted.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on April 16, 2018, 05:27:13 AM
@exit2019 -- Have you read Dr. Doom's posts on FIREing at www.livingafi.com?  He's a great writer, and did an epic group of posts about his decision to FIRE, what he was FIREing to, and what the post-FIRE detox was like.   The other thing I find comforting and helpful is hanging out on the 2018 FIRE Cohort thread.  Those folks are right in the midst of it, and having all the thoughts and emotions that we are just starting to have here.   My conclusion -- our fears are totally normal.  Others have had them too and come through it fine.  So will we. 

I am less than 12 months out now (4/1/19 -- unless I get laid off sooner).  My only small fear about FIREing from a psychological perspective is that I will miss the status of my job.   I have one financial fear as well -- health insurance.   

What I tell myself to quiet those two fears is that I can consider it a work sabbatical.  I will take at least one year off, travel and do all the things I want to do.  Then if I am not happy, I can look for a job. 

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: TartanTallulah on April 16, 2018, 05:45:18 AM
Class of 2019, what is your post-FIRE plan?

I am 10 months out.  I am nervous.  The math works assuming we get out of the insanely expensive bay area and liquidate the house; that will give us a solid base with which to build a post-ER life.

My job is very demanding - specifically has been extremely demanding for almost two decades.  Over the last 20 years the reality is my wife and I have done very little other than work.  Looking back that was quite a mistake and I have some serious regrets even though in the end it means we will free, really free, after two decades. 

But .. I don't actually know quite what to do once we pull the trigger.  We are going to try to do a thru hike (the timing works nicely and we'll have no ties to anything) and then .. what?  We won't have a home when we finish (or drop out).  We aren't even sure about where we'd like to try living other than some thoughts (somewhere we can have a larger piece of property but which is not overly exurb/rural) and constraints (not Bay Area ever again and honestly probably not CA or anywhere crowded). 

Right now I am so busy with work that about all I have time to do is start gearing up to sell the house and put what we really want to keep in storage.  Right now the plan is we are going to do the sale this summer and rent for the remaining 8-or-so months. 

Beyond that I am just spinning. A lot of people have started to say "have a plan before you get there" but honestly I don't have one or even the idea on how to get one together.  We are both burned out.  We have both been burned out for 5 to 10 years.

God sees a plan and laughs ... ;-)

I don't intend to make any definite plans beyond, "Do no work at all for at least 6 months," and, "Keep my professional registration alive for the first 12 months," and, "Don't make any big decisions for at least 12 months." I have never had a proper chunk of time out of work and need to relax and become accustomed to it first. I don't know whether I'll love it or hate it or just contentedly settle into it.

I do have a list of things I'd like to do, one of which, due to a combination of luck, organisation and selfishness, I may be able to make happen this year while I'm still working. Mostly, though, I don't want to go through life never having the feeling of not being obliged to do anything at all.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: TartanTallulah on April 16, 2018, 05:49:09 AM
Are any of the rest of you more than a bit nervous about the economy? I'm a little worried, but it doesn't keep me up at night (yet). I RRRREEEEAAAAALLLLLLYYYYYY want to FIRE next summer (2019), but we'll see what happens between now and then with the stock market. As a backup, I do have a good job right now, and I can stay there longer than planned.

Slightly, yes. I'm effectively annuitized through a DB pension which I can access any time and intend to access next year, but I also have a chunk of money invested directly in the stock market which is subject to fluctuations and I'm making an effort to build up some cash savings to avoid having to sell at a loss. On the other hand, my husband is a little younger than I am and still accumulating with a 5-10 year timescale, and my son has just started investing in a tracker, so a dip needn't be a bad thing for our family as a whole.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on April 16, 2018, 06:44:34 AM
Class of 2019, what is your post-FIRE plan?

I am 10 months out.  I am nervous.  The math works assuming we get out of the insanely expensive bay area and liquidate the house; that will give us a solid base with which to build a post-ER life.

My job is very demanding - specifically has been extremely demanding for almost two decades.  Over the last 20 years the reality is my wife and I have done very little other than work.  Looking back that was quite a mistake and I have some serious regrets even though in the end it means we will free, really free, after two decades. 

But .. I don't actually know quite what to do once we pull the trigger.  We are going to try to do a thru hike (the timing works nicely and we'll have no ties to anything) and then .. what?  We won't have a home when we finish (or drop out).  We aren't even sure about where we'd like to try living other than some thoughts (somewhere we can have a larger piece of property but which is not overly exurb/rural) and constraints (not Bay Area ever again and honestly probably not CA or anywhere crowded). 

Right now I am so busy with work that about all I have time to do is start gearing up to sell the house and put what we really want to keep in storage.  Right now the plan is we are going to do the sale this summer and rent for the remaining 8-or-so months. 

Beyond that I am just spinning. A lot of people have started to say "have a plan before you get there" but honestly I don't have one or even the idea on how to get one together.  We are both burned out.  We have both been burned out for 5 to 10 years.

I would say in your situation, don't think about it too much. Your mind is obviously taxed with work, work, work. Retire and just do NOTHING for 6 months to let your mind and body recover, and once it has, I'm sure all kinds of ideas about what to do in Act 2 will appear.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on April 16, 2018, 12:15:56 PM
Apologies if this has been brought up earlier in the thread.

Are any of the rest of you more than a bit nervous about the economy? I'm a little worried, but it doesn't keep me up at night (yet). I RRRREEEEAAAAALLLLLLYYYYYY want to FIRE next summer (2019), but we'll see what happens between now and then with the stock market. As a backup, I do have a good job right now, and I can stay there longer than planned.

(Part of me wants to also say: Oh, who am I kidding? I'm VERY worried about what could happen with the market.)

Have you considered adding extra bonds to your portfolio?  I'm not sure I'd go as high as 70% as presented here, but I could see 40-50%.  Then simply spend down those bonds during your first 5-10 years of retirement until you're back at your desired AA.

https://www.kitces.com/blog/managing-portfolio-size-effect-with-bond-tent-in-retirement-red-zone/
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: exit2019 on April 16, 2018, 07:17:22 PM
Thanks for all of the replies.  I thought I would consolidate my responses into a single message.

sui generis, the JMT might be a better choice than what we're planning but we want a significant forced separation from work.  I have been a late-days-and-weekends guy since 1999 (the series of implosions in the valley really hit me hard and my response was to become indespensible; this is not without it's costs) and my wife, a contractor, has been very similar.  We are very very uncomfortable with being nomads but we kind of want to do it for that reason; you should spend some time being uncomfortable now and then.

DreamFire, thank you for the link, I will look through it.  As you I am concerned about the future of ACA; I have two pre-existing conditions which require no treatment or prescriptions but which under the previous regime might have been gotchas for insurance, especially in the ugly issue of recission. 

On nervousness, I am genuinely concerned mostly about imminent recession and healthcare costs.  Healthcare looks like it will be around $1000 to $1300 a month before subsidy in many of the places on our maybe list; healthcare has been growing above inflation for some time and that's quite a serious cost even though it will be lower with subsidy.  The other thing is, selling a house in the bay area will amount to a non-trivial part of our net worth.  Research shows that most of the time, on average, you are better off investing the lump sum right away, but no one lives averages and it's very very hard to consider investing all at once when a recession looks iminent.

Miss Piggy notes similar concerns about the economy.  What goes up irrationally tends to come down.  Once the chinese money stops flowing into bay area real estate, for example, or australia, vancouver, ..., things are sure to crash again. 

Trifele notes the Doctor Doom posts :-) yes I have read them.  I think he's a fine writer and got something out of his posts.  I wish he'd post something more recently.  An ongoing and nagging observation for me is that many many many of the FIRE bloggers are either not RE (monetized blogging), are pending RE, or are just recently RE and often in an unsustainable manner (kids living unsustainably and ungrounded, etc. - lifestyles that will become problematic for almost everyone in the long term), etc.  It would be very comforting to see stories from people who have done it long term without a pension on the side, for example, who really rode the market.

TartanTallulah - good points.

Eric mentioned bonds.  As it is now, we plan to go with a rising equity glidepath; though it is interesting to me that BigERN is not actually doing that with his portfolio despite being the reference for SRW and models for dealing with market downturns in the first few years of retirement (but that is, as like the examples above, because he is not really RE in the sense that he is becoming a full time options trader; I'm not retirement policing but it's interesting to note).  If anyone has not read his series on safe withdrawl rates, and in particular some of his critique of Kitces, it's worth a read ( https://earlyretirementnow.com/2017/12/13/the-ultimate-guide-to-safe-withdrawal-rates-part-22-endogenous-retirement-timing/comment-page-1/ and so on ). 

I will say reading ERN SWR blog postings is one of the areas that gave me peace of mind.  For one thing, his toolkit (part 7) is much better for doing concrete analysis than cFiresim; for another he is one of the few people making the point that target-portfolio-minimum based timing is extremely dangerous because it tends to concentrate people at market tops. We could have pulled the trigger two years ago but the same thought had occurred to me so we did not.

Anyway, thanks for the thoughts.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on April 17, 2018, 06:25:44 AM
On nervousness, I am genuinely concerned mostly about imminent recession and healthcare costs.  Healthcare looks like it will be around $1000 to $1300 a month before subsidy in many of the places on our maybe list; healthcare has been growing above inflation for some time and that's quite a serious cost even though it will be lower with subsidy.  The other thing is, selling a house in the bay area will amount to a non-trivial part of our net worth.  Research shows that most of the time, on average, you are better off investing the lump sum right away, but no one lives averages and it's very very hard to consider investing all at once when a recession looks imminent.

If you are so nervous about the stock market, then I would advise you not to invest the lump sum in the stock market. Put a part in it, if you are comfortable with that. And put another part in bonds or in a high interest account. Consider to buy new portions of stock at later times, to spread your investment.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: VoteCthulu on April 17, 2018, 11:06:59 AM
I'm moderately worried about healthcare. It doesn't look like either side will have the votes to even try to fix the ACA any time soon, so the cost increases will propably get much worse.

The market I'm actually not worried about. This break from last year's monster growth spurt seems like a good pause. Earnings should see a bump from the tax cuts, and without a major war breaking out (trade or bullet) the market looks ok for now.

What might happen 5 or 10 years down the road is anyone's guess, but that's why we need contingency plans. Mine include going back to work, getting a roommate, and then ultimately putting everything I have left on red.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: sui generis on April 18, 2018, 11:58:05 AM
Although I'm new here, probably about 90% of my posts have included something about how much I hate my job, so to the extent you've seen my username before, you probably already know that.  Well, by 9:30am this morning, I had two amazing experiences the combination of which, so close in time, is more validation than I've had in many, many years.  First, we closed a big deal this morning and one of my co-workers literally emailed me these words:

Quote from: coworker
I’m so glad you were on this deal.  It would not have closed without you.  :)

I mean, it feels like people so rarely go out of their way to say such nice things, I didn't believe this email.  I started to respond and then I had to keep checking the original email.  Was she sending this to someone else and just copied me?  Am I positive I'm interpreting this right?  How embarrassing if I responded for myself if I had just been the person copied!

And then shortly thereafter, I received an email from a client we do pro bono work for that I was selected as one of its Volunteers of the Month (and I have to write an article about myself for their newsletter by tomorrow COB.  Ha!)

It does feel nice, but I've been contemplating it all off an on for the last hour or so and it's not enough to change my attitude about this job or work more broadly.  So I guess that's good - it would be pretty bad if a tiny bit of positive feedback had me second guessing my FIRE plans, yeah?  I guess if anything it reinforced my FIRE plans because it has me thinking how confusing it is that my work on that deal was special to someone (what are people doing on other deals if my pretty-standard work on this one was so important?) and what a sort of poor experience my working with this volunteer org has been (there's no guidance/training and I haven't had much success assisting their clients). 

This sort of external validation used to really, really, really matter to me.  If it's a little less important to me, I hope that means I get my value more from within myself, which I think will be important in FIRE.  I hope that's at least part of it, and not just that I never cared in the first place if someone gave me positive feedback on the equivalent of being great at washing dishes (my most hated chore).

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: edgema on April 19, 2018, 02:50:12 AM
Answering an earlier question on post FIRE plans. I am at the tail end of 20+ years in a career which has been financially rewarding, but quite mentally tough, so I really want to reward myself for knuckling down, particularly over the hardest bit of the past 5 years. Family of 4 with a 7 and 6 year old and we are weighing up two options;

1) Buy a c.45 foot sailboat, take the kids out of school for a year, and sail the Med / Caribbean. If it works just carry on  to the Pacific (my secret plan but not signed off on yet). 
2) Pack in a decade's worth of bucket list trips into the first couple of years. Sailing, RVing, camping, adventure motorbiking, etc. Not sit around a pool stuff, but getting out into the world. 

I worry about the expense of 1) but like the idea of the personal challenge of doing it (we know the sailing life so not going in blind). There would be no 'what do I do today', if soon after RE we start the process of finding, buying, fitting out, planning and executing such a trip. A little (OK a lot!) scared of 24/7 with the kids and homeschooling, but life is also about challenges! Spending more time in 6 months with our kids than many parents will for their entire childhoods feel like an incredible privilege, even though there will clearly be many moments I contemplate the tragic 'accident' of tossing them over the side..... 

Regarding 2), I worry that a string of holidays, however adventurous, might leave me a bit empty as we have all probably read that overcoming challenges is a big part of life satisfaction. That said, think of the incredible trips! For example, I have always wanted to motorbike around South Africa / Namibia.   

There is also an environmental aspect of 1) being light consumption slow travel where we will see some great things but also some difficult sights (ocean plastic) which I dearly want my children to experience. Hack back at the hedonic adaptation and lead a simpler (albeit very fortunate) life. On 2) the nub of it is that they are just some spoilt urchins who go on more holidays than their friends!

Well as of Thursday 19th April it seems I have re-convinced myself of option 1)! Cue the inner accountant (for some reason mentally dressed as a butler) to enquire whether FIRE might just all be an illusion and 'Sir' might simply be having a mid-life crisis, giving up a very well paid job to simultaneously buy 'a hole in the water to throw money into'....

Anyhow, excited about either option but, as might be obvious, also 'struggling' to commit to either. 11 months to work it out. Anyone else have cruising in their post FIRE plans?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on April 19, 2018, 05:06:01 AM
Anyhow, excited about either option but, as might be obvious, also 'struggling' to commit to either. 11 months to work it out. Anyone else have cruising in their post FIRE plans?

I love the plan Edgema! Go for it.  We don't have cruising in our plans, but lots of slow travel and camping -- yes.  I wanted to do 6 months on the road immediately post-FIRE, but DH and our two kids are balking a bit.  Buncha travel wimp homebodies.  :)   We are currently negotiating on how long we will be gone.   I think we might start with a one month trip (Europe), and then see what they are willing to do after that.

We've been homeschooling for years, FWIW, so no transition to navigate there. 

If we travel a bit and then they are done, I could always continue on solo walkabout.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: edgema on April 19, 2018, 06:23:58 AM
Thanks Trifele. I am a bit of a travel wimp homebody which is part of the appeal of sailing as you take your 'home' with you. By day you are 'discovering the world' but by night you can be a homebody, cooking up a feast and watching a movie with the kids. Pretty certain we would struggle with extended travelling without a home base, although that can of course be achieved in other ways than a boat. Sat in my office right now looking at the sunshine so all I know is that I want to be outside a lot!

Good luck with your travel plans.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on April 21, 2018, 11:56:10 PM
Been awhile since I updated in this thread.

I've been biding my time and trying to figure out the proper moment to announce to the boss my intent to retire.  A few months ago I thought March 2018 was the window but changed my mind for some reason (can't remember what caused me to delay).  But now I think I have another window: last week of May 2018.  The boss received another assignment and will be leaving in June.  Plus I think I've worked hard enough for the boss, and he sees me in a good light.

I plan to do an office call with him sometime during the last week of May to tell him I'm requesting retirement.  I will need his signature on a few preliminary documents to start the retirement process.  Then in August 2018 I can start the year-long retirement process when I submit all the paperwork for my formal request to retire from the military.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on April 22, 2018, 06:32:21 AM
Outstanding, Cornbread!  Enjoy that pension (and health care) -- anyone who can stick it out 20+ in the military deserves every penny of it! I wish you all the best in your transition to civilian life/retirement!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on April 22, 2018, 09:06:30 AM
Class of 2019, what is your post-FIRE plan?

I am 10 months out.  I am nervous.  The math works assuming we get out of the insanely expensive bay area and liquidate the house; that will give us a solid base with which to build a post-ER life.

My job is very demanding - specifically has been extremely demanding for almost two decades.  Over the last 20 years the reality is my wife and I have done very little other than work.  Looking back that was quite a mistake and I have some serious regrets even though in the end it means we will free, really free, after two decades. 

But .. I don't actually know quite what to do once we pull the trigger.  We are going to try to do a thru hike (the timing works nicely and we'll have no ties to anything) and then .. what?  We won't have a home when we finish (or drop out).  We aren't even sure about where we'd like to try living other than some thoughts (somewhere we can have a larger piece of property but which is not overly exurb/rural) and constraints (not Bay Area ever again and honestly probably not CA or anywhere crowded). 

Right now I am so busy with work that about all I have time to do is start gearing up to sell the house and put what we really want to keep in storage.  Right now the plan is we are going to do the sale this summer and rent for the remaining 8-or-so months. 

Beyond that I am just spinning. A lot of people have started to say "have a plan before you get there" but honestly I don't have one or even the idea on how to get one together.  We are both burned out.  We have both been burned out for 5 to 10 years.

I would say in your situation, don't think about it too much. Your mind is obviously taxed with work, work, work. Retire and just do NOTHING for 6 months to let your mind and body recover, and once it has, I'm sure all kinds of ideas about what to do in Act 2 will appear.
I've read this advice also in the various RE blogs and articles I find on RockStarFinance.  The mind is much different when it is relaxed and the body fully recharged.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on April 22, 2018, 09:18:35 AM
Outstanding, Cornbread!  Enjoy that pension (and health care) -- anyone who can stick it out 20+ in the military deserves every penny of it! I wish you all the best in your transition to civilian life/retirement!
Thanks, dude!  I'm part of the last generation of the legacy pension program.  The Blended Retirement System (BRS) is in effect as of 2018.  I've read a little on the BRS but haven't committed the facts to memory.  I'm grandfathered in the old High-36 program.

I talked to my mom a week or so ago and brought up the idea of a cross-country trip.  It's the cross-country trip she never got because she spent her life working to set me up for success in life.  So I suggested a leisurely trip driving to the east coast and then north towards Maine.  All expenses paid by me.  Mom really loves the idea, and the tentative time frame for the trip is spring 2020.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on April 24, 2018, 12:48:38 PM
I'm joining you all from the 2020 Cohort!

I started with the 2025, then realized I could cut it down to 2020, and now due to a new program offered to military members in Canada that are leaving, I get to cut another year off!

My Fire date would be 1st of August, or a random date in the fall if I decide to push it forwards by taking a period of leave without pay. (Same amount of time working, I might just want to take the summer off, and then work in the fall instead)

I've made it faster by A)Increasing SR due to banking all increases since 2014, B)getting a roommate  C)learning that I have access to a program that will pay for 1/2 my FIRE expenses for 4 years if I leave after 12 years in the military (Aug 2019 :D )
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: VoteCthulu on April 24, 2018, 01:13:35 PM
Welcome to the 2019 club!

Do you have any big post FIRE plans? If I was retiring from the military I'd probably take some interesting college classes under the GI Bill.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on April 24, 2018, 02:07:42 PM
I'm going to take a carpentry course, possibly electrician too. And then some type of accountancy university class if I am still motivated. (On-line would be perfect)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: sui generis on April 24, 2018, 02:12:02 PM
I'm going to take a carpentry course, possibly electrician too. And then some type of accountancy university class if I am still motivated. (On-line would be perfect)

I want to do something similar!  I'm thinking I really want to develop some plumbing, electrician and/or car maintenance skills.  It would be nice to finally have some practical skills :)  And who knows, like MMM, it may lead to a small business!

I haven't looked for online courses for any of this yet, but presumably there are some.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on April 24, 2018, 03:15:39 PM
On-line would be for information purposes (accounting / university degree)

I'd personally perfer to learn carpentry and solid skills like that hands-on.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: sui generis on April 24, 2018, 03:24:04 PM
On-line would be for information purposes (accounting / university degree)

I'd personally perfer to learn carpentry and solid skills like that hands-on.

I had a lot of success with a (surprise!) plumbing project a few weekends ago using YouTube, but that was for a specific problem rather than a comprehensive start from scratch education.  Maybe will check out my local community college.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on April 25, 2018, 09:40:19 PM
Apologies if this has been brought up earlier in the thread.

Are any of the rest of you more than a bit nervous about the economy? I'm a little worried, but it doesn't keep me up at night (yet). I RRRREEEEAAAAALLLLLLYYYYYY want to FIRE next summer (2019), but we'll see what happens between now and then with the stock market. As a backup, I do have a good job right now, and I can stay there longer than planned.

(Part of me wants to also say: Oh, who am I kidding? I'm VERY worried about what could happen with the market.)

Yes and no.  My logical side says that I have so much flexibility and so many back-up plans that I should be fine unless things are significantly worse than they've been throughout history.  Essentially, I expect to hit 25x spending around September 2018 assuming the markets return around 0%.  I'm planning to work at least half a year beyond that and in that time I should be able to save more than 1 year's worth of spending while taking out nothing from my stache.  As far as the stache is concerned, that's like retiring with 25x and then adding 1.5x on top.  In addition, our spending level has quite a bit of slack so we should be able to cut significantly if needed.  I'm also working out the details of coming back to work part-time as a consultant, and I expect that I probably will do a bit of consulting so my first year or two so I might not require any stache withdrawals.  In addition we both have small pensions and the 25x ignores future Social Security and possible inheritances.  If things still look bad I think we both have great reputations at work and should be able to get another job in a few years if we really needed to.  With this plan, it shouldn't matter at all if the market collapses tomorrow; I'll still be ready to retire next year regardless of what happens in the markets. 

The illogical side reads that and realizes that if the markets do drop 20%, 30%, or more there's no way I'll feel like the paragraph above in any way justifies turning off the firehose of money that my employer keeps spraying in my direction.  I don't make as much as many people on this board, but it still feels like I'm vastly overpaid for what I do, and if I quit and need to come back I won't command anywhere near the salary that I make now.  I feel like I shouldn't shut off the firehose until I am well above the numbers that I'd need to hit to see 100% on cFireSim. 

And then the logical side kicks in and around I go...
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on April 26, 2018, 06:10:29 AM
Apologies if this has been brought up earlier in the thread.

Are any of the rest of you more than a bit nervous about the economy? I'm a little worried, but it doesn't keep me up at night (yet). I RRRREEEEAAAAALLLLLLYYYYYY want to FIRE next summer (2019), but we'll see what happens between now and then with the stock market. As a backup, I do have a good job right now, and I can stay there longer than planned.

(Part of me wants to also say: Oh, who am I kidding? I'm VERY worried about what could happen with the market.)

I'm in the same boat, though I will NOT be at 25X expenses when pulling the trigger.

If the market does continue to decline through out the rest of 2018 and into 2019 then we will accumulate quite a bit of shares at lower prices than current.

At that point you have to make the choice with the information and situation you personally face. I have a feeling that if the economy tanks but I'm still employed and making a relatively high income, it might be tempting to take advantage on suppressed prices on things like real estate investments, and sailboats ;)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on April 26, 2018, 07:19:58 AM
My thinking is that since I'm so close to FIRE, and even if I'm below 25x in 2019, it will take so little extra to cover the full year's expenses that I'd rather aim for rare/short part time work at something relaxed and easy-going, than continue to remain at my full time work.

Even if the market crashes 50%, then I only have to make even to cover the shortfall, which is surprisingly small when all the dividend payers are taken into account.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: sui generis on April 26, 2018, 11:21:18 AM
Work has been soooo slow lately.  The tax bill really did a number on my practice area.  Well, that and the uncertain economy overall.  So I've billed a total of just over 6 hours this week so far.

I've had boring jobs before, but not where I needed to track/bill my time so closely, particularly for bonus eligibility.  So I know how to use my time at a boring job (I'm here aren't I?!) but I have much more anxiety hanging over my head than usual about it.  But other than that, I'm actually enjoying it because I'm using the time to work on some projects I like better, including preparing (mentally) for my RE (inasmuch as that can be called a "project").  In fact, I feel busier than ever with all these things and am dreading the time that will inevitably come when I get more assignments.  I mean, the last 3-4 weeks, as I've wrapped up deal after deal and not gotten replacement assignments, actually feels like I'm getting ready to leave, and of course I am in fact mentally getting ready to leave, so I think this is contributing to this fantastic mood I've been in, especially in the last few days, where I feel like RE is so close and I can feel what it's like to start working on and enjoying things I am interested in, etc.  So it's gonna be a harsh, harsh reality when I get new assignments and especially if business really picks up again and I have to work like crazy.  And can't do any of the things I'm working on and planning to do right now.

Honestly a not insignificant part of me is saying, "Maybe we should just quit now, yeah?  Why even go through that?" and another part of me is like, "You are totally right, you smarty pants you!"  And then another part of me is like, "You guys, we promised!  We made a commitment!  No crazy moves.  We can do this!"  And then, everybody else in there is like conflicted and thinking about calling a referendum and, I don't know, there might be riots.  And that's totally normal that there are crowds in my brain threatening riots, right?  LOL. 

But seriously, I haven't been around long and pretty much only read this and the 2018 thread (as far as cohort threads go), but it feels a lot more like people end up adding on a little time or getting sucked back in through some interesting or lucrative opportunity, rather than cutting the cord several months early suddenly.  Maybe I've missed some, though.  It seems imprudent, but it's a live question for me.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: exit2019 on April 27, 2018, 07:22:34 PM
Severe, severe senioritis.  it's hard to even pretend to care.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: CryingInThePool on April 29, 2018, 01:22:35 PM
+1 on the Senioritis.

I'm struggling with a combo of low shits to give on the job and and a ramping up of spending as I try to fund a few more things while working in terms of both purchases and travel upgrades that is making me doubt my departure date.

It's challenging for me to find the middle ground between realities of funding certain purchases while working and lifestyle creep.  I feel like it's making it mentally harder to consider walking away as outside of tax advantage savings I'm mostly focused on building up or spending cash and not so much on savings to hit a number anymore. 

It was always in my plan to increase spending on a few strategic things/trips and build stronger cash buffer as I came into my last year or so work, so in that sense I feel on track for 2019.  However,  this saving to spending transition is making OMY seem like a totally acceptable step.  As work has got less stressful/I've stopped caring and I've started enjoying spending money again it definitely feels like a danger zone.

Anybody else feeling this conflict?  I already felt like I did my OMY and put to rest my 'what if I don't have enough/health care' fears and just wasn't expecting another round of doubts based more on indulgences.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on April 29, 2018, 07:09:34 PM
No conflicts here.  I've already hit my number and have nice cushion.  While I'm planning a 4% SWR, my current stash level at a 2% SWR would allow me to pay barebones expenses with a few hundred dollars extra per month.  So at 4% SWR, that provides more than double my actual needs so that I can engage in more entertainment and travel options.  Then there's the re-location possibility.

Barring any negative changes in the ACA or a plummeting stock market, I expect to FIRE in May/June 2019.  Those things are out of my control, although I'm moving to a more conservative AA as I near FIRE to reduce volatility of my investments and help protect against SORR.  OMY isn't completely off the table.  I don't know if I'll feel like working part time at all by that point, but it's a possibility.

In the meantime, I'm still saving as much as ever, possibly 80% this year.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: oldtoyota on April 29, 2018, 08:13:33 PM
Keep the hype alive!

I just landed what will hopefully be my last office job ever. It seems like a nice place, and the salary is quite good, but really it just needs to tide me over for one year until the big move.

That is so exciting! To know it's the last one must feel quite good. =-D
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: oldtoyota on April 29, 2018, 08:17:53 PM
Class of 2019, what is your post-FIRE plan?

I am 10 months out.  I am nervous.  The math works assuming we get out of the insanely expensive bay area and liquidate the house; that will give us a solid base with which to build a post-ER life.

Beyond that I am just spinning. A lot of people have started to say "have a plan before you get there" but honestly I don't have one or even the idea on how to get one together.  We are both burned out.  We have both been burned out for 5 to 10 years.

If you are busy at work now, what if you just don't make a plan? It sounds like you have *some* of a plan, which is to hike. Do that.

When you are free, you and your wife and can simply...relax. Sounds like your mind and body might need time to recover and recuperate. If it were me, I would take simple walks, focus on healthy eating, and see friends I'd not seen in a while.

Then, I would start trying things. Imagine you are conducting short tests as you see what you do and don't like.

--Volunteer at the airport, hospital, library
--Start a group of some kind (Meetup or something else)
--Test out different hobbies--cooking, painting, writing, gardening, biking, hiking. Keep testing until you find something you like a lot and then create a social life around it.

That's what I would do!

I think people think they need a big plan, but you don't. You can conduct tests, have conversations, focus on ensuring you have some social aspect, and figure it out as you go along.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on May 01, 2018, 06:34:43 AM
Another month down.  11 to go. 

I am struggling.  Weird combination of severe senioritis, and stress from the current environment at work (we are being acquired by Megacorp).  My current work stress is less than the people who don't have a stash and for whom a layoff would be catastrophic, but it's still stressful.  I've already had to pick up a bunch of work from someone who quit last week, and who won't be replaced.  [sigh]  It's probably only the beginning; people are starting to quit rather than stick around and wait for a layoff. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Livingthedream55 on May 01, 2018, 07:01:44 AM
Another month down.  11 to go. 

I am struggling.  Weird combination of severe senioritis, and stress from the current environment at work (we are being acquired by Megacorp).  My current work stress is less than the people who don't have a stash and for whom a layoff would be catastrophic, but it's still stressful.  I've already had to pick up a bunch of work from someone who quit last week, and who won't be replaced.  [sigh]  It's probably only the beginning; people are starting to quit rather than stick around and wait for a layoff.

I hear ya Trifele. It's a tough place to be in knowing that you are financially just fine while others around you are in real financial panic. Plus the additional work that gets handed off to the "lucky" survivors - not fun.

I too have senioritis; I can't imagine how much more it would be compounded if my workplace was going through an acquisition at the same time.

The next 11 months will give you an opportunity to learn to set limits around workload and project management. I had to practice this in a former workplace. Basically my script was:  "Hey boss, here are my current 10 projects with the amount of time I estimate it will take to complete them - which ones are the priority and in what order would you like me to work on them?"

You need to practice extreme self care. Take time off when you can, eat healthy, get some fresh air and exercise, practice some deep breathing or mediation. Make a gratitude list every day.

Maybe you'll get a layoff with a fat severance package???   : 0 )

 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on May 01, 2018, 12:06:11 PM
Thanks LivingtheDream -- good advice.  I got to start setting limits today.  A coworker in another division called me this morning and told me I was being named to head up a big new project group.  I just said "No, I can't do that.  I'm glad to help, but I do not have the bandwidth to lead it."  Man that felt good.

You hit the nail on the head with the need for self care too.  I've been having TMJ pain and migraines, and I am going to dial back on the work until I get that under control.  They will just have to be happy with what I am able to give . . .
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: sui generis on May 01, 2018, 12:18:06 PM
Thanks LivingtheDream -- good advice.  I got to start setting limits today.  A coworker in another division called me this morning and told me I was being named to head up a big new project group.  I just said "No, I can't do that.  I'm glad to help, but I do not have the bandwidth to lead it."  Man that felt good.

Good on you!  It's so easy to say that's what I *would* say if needed and so hard to actually do it.  You did it!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on May 02, 2018, 12:48:17 AM
April was a good month for me financially. The stash is still building nicely and we have now passed 22.5x our post FIRE budget.

Also, in April I snuck over to Sri Lanka for a few days with friends which was great for fueling the imagination of what post FIRE travel could be.

Sri Lanka is one of those places where you could really kick back and take it easy for a while on a modest budget. The food is so good, and the people so friendly. It was a crime that work commitments meant I could only stay a few short days. Thankfully I won’t be wage slave for much longer!!

....... that’s if I don’t get cold feet..... hahaha
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on May 02, 2018, 06:04:34 AM
On Monday (May 7), I'll go under one year to retirement. Only reservation I have is I sure wish the market would have tanked by now. If it stays at current levels, even if flat for the year, the odds of a negative sequence of returns are pretty high. Will have to adjust withdrawal plan accordingly.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on May 07, 2018, 08:41:39 AM
And May 7 is here. Today starts the one-year countdown to my retirement eligibility/FIRE date. Damn, one year!  Can't hardly believe it!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on May 07, 2018, 09:38:41 AM
And May 7 is here. Today starts the one-year countdown to my retirement eligibility/FIRE date. Damn, one year!  Can't hardly believe it!

I predict that it will be here before you know it while simultaneously taking forever.  The human mind is weird like that.

And I think my goal will be to quit on May 1, just so I can get the jump on you.  :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on May 07, 2018, 10:13:14 AM
And May 7 is here. Today starts the one-year countdown to my retirement eligibility/FIRE date. Damn, one year!  Can't hardly believe it!

I predict that it will be here before you know it while simultaneously taking forever.  The human mind is weird like that.

And I think my goal will be to quit on May 1, just so I can get the jump on you.  :)

Ha! I just need to keep busy so the time flies by!  Already have several vacations planned this year, so that helps!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: sui generis on May 07, 2018, 10:25:00 AM
I have a love-hate relationship with the time flying and simultaneously taking forever.  Because of course it takes forever in the work realm.  I swear I've been stuck between 9 and 10 months left for at least 3 months so far.  But it flies in my personal life. I have NO TIME to research all the things I want to have researched before the day comes.  I mean, hopefully I have 4 or more decades of FIRE, so I should have plenty of time *after* but I want to try to get organized for a smoother transition and I feel like I have no time to pay attention to doing that.

In the meantime, my "Sunday blues" is getting worse and worse.  I wake up most mornings - even Saturday and Sunday mornings!, with a hot lead ball in the pit of my stomach.  And way too early, too!  I thought I'd be free of this dread now that I now I'll be physically free of work in less than a year, but it's worse than ever as I feel like I am wasting each day right now.  I'm just too impatient. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on May 07, 2018, 10:38:54 AM
430 days for me...

Not counting at all.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: exit2019 on May 07, 2018, 09:25:34 PM
278 for me.  tick tock.

I have started alleviating my senioritis by adding different kinds of milestones.  Each month has a milestone.  I have a milestone per 50 days down to the last 100 days.  I have 100 day milestones (two left) and a t-2week milestone.  These are all in Countdown+ on my phone.  I count absolute days, not work days.

Weekends are nice because I don't check it on weekends.  So monday is a jump.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Bateaux on May 07, 2018, 09:29:54 PM
Still pondering 2019.  We're 96% of the way to the FI number and 77% of the way to the FIRE number.    I really want to hike the AT in 2019.  I had originally planned for this year but I decided to up the FIRE amount and to cover my youjg adult children with my employer health care.  Dire conditions would need to develop for me to extend beyond 2020.   Good luck with the countdown.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on May 08, 2018, 04:23:36 AM
Things are so incredibly crazy at work right now, I have a feeling I might end up losing my job long before my Nov 1st 2019 goal.

I'm paring down my spending dramatically over the coming months to get my trailing 12 month spending <4% of net worth asap, the projected intersection point is still in the fall of 2019, but work can vaporize at any time.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on May 08, 2018, 12:48:26 PM
I have been having evil thoughts.

Currently DW and I can almost save 2 years of post FIRE spending every year we work.... this got me thinking....

I we worked just 3 more years the funds earned in those 3 years would fund us 9 years (3 years working, then 6 spending the savings), well actually let’s say 10 years given the savings from the 3 working years work would earn some returns.

This means not touching our current stash for the next 10years.

If We didn’t touch the stash We have already saved for 10 more years it would most likely be worth double what it is today at the end of 10years. DOUBLE 🤑

3 years more work to double our already decent wealth and retirement income, and I’d still retire before I turn 50.... hmmm...

Doubling the stash by working 3 years would mean never even thinking about money again, and most likely dying very rich.

This compares to FIREing in December with a high probability that we should be able to afford to do the things most important to us in retirement, with some chance of having to wind back the spending later if stocks perform particularly badly over the next 20years.

Sigh, I don’t know how much more of this mental abuse I can dish out on myself.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Bateaux on May 08, 2018, 03:38:48 PM
I have been having evil thoughts.

Currently DW and I can almost save 2 years of post FIRE spending every year we work.... this got me thinking....

I we worked just 3 more years the funds earned in those 3 years would fund us 9 years (3 years working, then 6 spending the savings), well actually let’s say 10 years given the savings from the 3 working years work would earn some returns.

This means not touching our current stash for the next 10years.

If We didn’t touch the stash We have already saved for 10 more years it would most likely be worth double what it is today at the end of 10years. DOUBLE 🤑

3 years more work to double our already decent wealth and retirement income, and I’d still retire before I turn 50.... hmmm...

Doubling the stash by working 3 years would mean never even thinking about money again, and most likely dying very rich.

This compares to FIREing in December with a high probability that we should be able to afford to do the things most important to us in retirement, with some chance of having to wind back the spending later if stocks perform particularly badly over the next 20years.

Sigh, I don’t know how much more of this mental abuse I can dish out on myself.

I've suffered a bit from those same calculations.   Rounding that first million makes things very interesting.   The follow on millions come easier and easier.  The problem is every year worked past 50 puts you at greater risk of having some disease wipe out your future.  My employer has all the benefit packages set up based on retirement no earlier than 55.  I'll be 50 next month and would certainly be able to retire pretty nicely right now.    It's health care that will push me further and further down the OMY path.  The other 800 pound gorilla is there has to be a looming economic slowdown.  It would be nice to ride that out still employed and buy up those lower priced and portfolio multiplying goodies before pulling the plug.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dresden on May 08, 2018, 09:14:28 PM
I am looking at either March 2019 or October 2019 @ 52.   I would like to work longer, but just didn't recover from an auto accident 14 months ago and multiple fractured vertebrae and head injury.   I am hoping 12-18 months completely off with less sitting will help me and then I might work part-time some as I had really planned to slow down/reduce hours rather than just retire entirely.

The recent stock market performance made this possible a few years ahead of schedule, but I guess that can change in a hurry.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: TartanTallulah on May 09, 2018, 12:26:13 AM
327 days left for me. Not that I'm counting. Not that I have thoughts of giving notice now and leaving before the end of the summer.

I've booked a vacation for next April. I wondered if it was too early to book the time off from work, then realised that I wouldn't need to, though I will, as a token gesture and because I live in perpetual hope that something will happen to make my job satisfying and enjoyable again and I'll want to go on working.

Stumbling from one weekend to the next, or sometimes from one bedtime to the next. It could be worse. Twenty years ago I worked nights and weekends too. I don't know how I did it. I do know that if I had my time over again I'd spend those nights and weekends with my family, not at work.



Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on May 09, 2018, 01:15:42 AM
327 days left for me. Not that I'm counting. Not that I have thoughts of giving notice now and leaving before the end of the summer.

I've booked a vacation for next April. I wondered if it was too early to book the time off from work, then realised that I wouldn't need to, though I will, as a token gesture and because I live in perpetual hope that something will happen to make my job satisfying and enjoyable again and I'll want to go on working.

Stumbling from one weekend to the next, or sometimes from one bedtime to the next. It could be worse. Twenty years ago I worked nights and weekends too. I don't know how I did it. I do know that if I had my time over again I'd spend those nights and weekends with my family, not at work.

We are somehow financially on schedule to go part-time from 2019 and FIRE completely in 2020. The thought behind is that we would have gathered the sum to FIRE in 2020 already at the end of 2018. That would mean that we only have to work enough in 2019 to cover for the cost of 2019.

I am really looking forward to taking a mini sabbatical in 2019, like from May to half October. I hope my job will accept that. Another alternative would be to work 1 or 2 days a week less during that period. I think that they would have to allow that, by law.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: TartanTallulah on May 09, 2018, 03:02:13 AM
We are somehow financially on schedule to go part-time from 2019 and FIRE completely in 2020. The thought behind is that we would have gathered the sum to FIRE in 2020 already at the end of 2018. That would mean that we only have to work enough in 2019 to cover for the cost of 2019.

I am really looking forward to taking a mini sabbatical in 2019, like from May to half October. I hope my job will accept that. Another alternative would be to work 1 or 2 days a week less during that period. I think that they would have to allow that, by law.

I'm hoping to work one or two days a week less for as long as I can. My colleague who is retiring this summer plans to keep working for us two days a week on a freelance basis until January 2020. I think he'll be gone long before then, but even if he only holds out till the end of August it will make my summer a lot more bearable. We have another freelancer who's keen to work two days a week for us and has just started, and I'm hoping that one works out, and we're interviewing for an associate within the next few weeks. My remaining colleagues have quibbled about how much this will cost, which is ironic because their workload and income will be unaffected; while I've put my life on hold to keep providing a high standard of service, they've continued to drift along doing their three days a week apiece and I'll be the one reducing my workload and income so that we can afford extra pairs of hands. My aim is to bring about a situation in which I won't be missed much when I go.

If everything falls through and it looks as if we'll be short-handed again over the winter, I'll be pulling the plug early rather than waiting until the end of the financial year.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on May 10, 2018, 08:05:39 PM

My stash hit a new record today despite the fact that stocks are still down a ways from the high in January.  Looks like I'm at about 63X FIRE barebones as of today.  That will give me a nice cushion for fun/entertainment/travel/discretionary.  I'm still on-track for June 2019.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on May 11, 2018, 07:19:34 AM
I have been having evil thoughts.

Currently DW and I can almost save 2 years of post FIRE spending every year we work.... this got me thinking....

I we worked just 3 more years the funds earned in those 3 years would fund us 9 years (3 years working, then 6 spending the savings), well actually let’s say 10 years given the savings from the 3 working years work would earn some returns.

This means not touching our current stash for the next 10years.

If We didn’t touch the stash We have already saved for 10 more years it would most likely be worth double what it is today at the end of 10years. DOUBLE 🤑

3 years more work to double our already decent wealth and retirement income, and I’d still retire before I turn 50.... hmmm...

Doubling the stash by working 3 years would mean never even thinking about money again, and most likely dying very rich.

This compares to FIREing in December with a high probability that we should be able to afford to do the things most important to us in retirement, with some chance of having to wind back the spending later if stocks perform particularly badly over the next 20years.

Sigh, I don’t know how much more of this mental abuse I can dish out on myself.
That sounds very familiar.  I planned to do 3 years @ 2/3rds savings rate past my FI point to give a huge cushion and the possibility to significantly increase spending.  I'm just coming up to the 2 year point, but will be bailing 8 months early as the utility of extra money is diminishing at such a rate.  That's why I defected to the 2018 cohort (but still cheering you guys on).
The really eye-opening thing from having worked on so that I can increase my spending is the discovery that I really don't want to.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on May 11, 2018, 07:29:26 AM
There's also the tax optimization of working part-time. Since you will have a much lower income, your $/Hr rate might be closer than you expect to the amount you are making while full-time when you add in taxes.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on May 12, 2018, 12:09:38 PM
I have been having evil thoughts.

Currently DW and I can almost save 2 years of post FIRE spending every year we work.... this got me thinking....

I we worked just 3 more years the funds earned in those 3 years would fund us 9 years (3 years working, then 6 spending the savings), well actually let’s say 10 years given the savings from the 3 working years work would earn some returns.

This means not touching our current stash for the next 10years....
That sounds very familiar.  I planned to do 3 years @ 2/3rds savings rate past my FI point to give a huge cushion and the possibility to significantly increase spending.  I'm just coming up to the 2 year point, but will be bailing 8 months early as the utility of extra money is diminishing at such a rate.  That's why I defected to the 2018 cohort (but still cheering you guys on).
The really eye-opening thing from having worked on so that I can increase my spending is the discovery that I really don't want to.

Yeah, I really don’t want to stay in my current job either.

But we have worked so hard to get to this point it just seems a bit foolish to stop climbing when there is a small risk of sliding back down the hill.

We’ll get past this summer and then take it week by week.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on May 12, 2018, 01:49:52 PM
As of last week my net worth cracked 25X bare bones expenses ($15,300)......so my plan to pull the plug next year does not have any margin of safety built in, other than the fact that I know I will have to return to work for a few more years at some point in the future.

Still a cool milestone to hit =)

My ability to be at 25X actual expenses will from this point on be largely up to market returns/declines.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: sui generis on May 12, 2018, 03:49:28 PM
As of last week my net worth cracked 25X bare bones expenses ($15,300)......so my plan to pull the plug next year does not have any margin of safety built in, other than the fact that I know I will have to return to work for a few more years at some point in the future.

Still a cool milestone to hit =)

My ability to be at 25X actual expenses will from this point on be largely up to market returns/declines.

Congrats!  A great milestone to hit in the FI journey!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: edgema on May 14, 2018, 06:10:58 AM
PhilB - I wouldn't be so hard on yourself as I suspect many on this forum are constantly doing similar calculations and certainly I am. This is only natural given the magnitude of the decision to stop working and a non scientific 'review' of this forum would indicate that few are stopping at 25x bare-bones, so any discussion is really over what life you want to live and what cushion you want to have.

Obviously the decision depends on your own personality (conservative), risk tolerance (low) and what lifestyle you want (pretty high).

As evidenced by all the threads on OMY (and yours is essentially a 3xOMY argument), most people lean toward conservatism (such at DreamFires's 63x number). Greed is a powerful emotion though so I try very hard not to dress up greed as conservatism though!

Personally, you could argue that I am now 14 months into 2xOMY. Probably wouldn't have wanted to admit it at the time but as I approached the obvious dates for me to hit the button, I clearly knew my stash wasn't big enough for me for me to be comfortable doing it. I am now comfortable in knowing that I want my cushion to be large as I am in a high paying job that I certainly cannot return to in five years and have two young children. I haven't really calculated it but I will be probably 50x bare bones and comfortably 30x a very easy 'budget'. 

Good luck.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on May 14, 2018, 06:22:26 AM
Is anyone considering buying a second home this year to move to once you retire?

I'm debating doing that late this year.  Current plan is to move there for at least eighteen months and detox from the corporate world.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on May 14, 2018, 06:35:40 AM
PhilB - I wouldn't be so hard on yourself as I suspect many on this forum are constantly doing similar calculations and certainly I am. This is only natural given the magnitude of the decision to stop working and a non scientific 'review' of this forum would indicate that few are stopping at 25x bare-bones, so any discussion is really over what life you want to live and what cushion you want to have.

Obviously the decision depends on your own personality (conservative), risk tolerance (low) and what lifestyle you want (pretty high).

As evidenced by all the threads on OMY (and yours is essentially a 3xOMY argument), most people lean toward conservatism (such at DreamFires's 63x number). Greed is a powerful emotion though so I try very hard not to dress up greed as conservatism though!

Personally, you could argue that I am now 14 months into 2xOMY. Probably wouldn't have wanted to admit it at the time but as I approached the obvious dates for me to hit the button, I clearly knew my stash wasn't big enough for me for me to be comfortable doing it. I am now comfortable in knowing that I want my cushion to be large as I am in a high paying job that I certainly cannot return to in five years and have two young children. I haven't really calculated it but I will be probably 50x bare bones and comfortably 30x a very easy 'budget'. 

Good luck.
There's a significant additional factor in my case to make the calculations even more complicated.  DW and I have pensions coming into payment in 2029 and then state pensions in 2031 and 2033 that, between them, would more than cover our basic needs.  The stash therefore doesn't have to be 25x, it just needs to fill the gap and then any left over can be used to provide an income stream for 'extras'.  This is a great position to be in, but it means that whilst someone on a standard 25x plan would go into retirement expecting that their investment growth is most likely going to keep pace with withdrawals, I'm going in knowing I am going to actually SPEND a big chunk of the capital I've worked so hard to amass.
This means that doing OMY has a real double-whammy.  Not only have you taken out a year of capital burn, but that capital (and the OMY earnings) can be added to the permament drawdown pot which reduces the capital burnt in all the other years too.  As I have a strong desire to leave plenty of money to my kids when I kick the bucket, the idea of intentionally spending several hundred thousand pounds of my capital has been a very hard one to reconcile with!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on May 14, 2018, 12:47:56 PM
PhilB - I wouldn't be so hard on yourself as I suspect many on this forum are constantly doing similar calculations and certainly I am. This is only natural given the magnitude of the decision to stop working and a non scientific 'review' of this forum would indicate that few are stopping at 25x bare-bones, so any discussion is really over what life you want to live and what cushion you want to have.

Obviously the decision depends on your own personality (conservative), risk tolerance (low) and what lifestyle you want (pretty high).

As evidenced by all the threads on OMY (and yours is essentially a 3xOMY argument), most people lean toward conservatism (such at DreamFires's 63x number). Greed is a powerful emotion though so I try very hard not to dress up greed as conservatism though!

Personally, you could argue that I am now 14 months into 2xOMY. Probably wouldn't have wanted to admit it at the time but as I approached the obvious dates for me to hit the button, I clearly knew my stash wasn't big enough for me for me to be comfortable doing it. I am now comfortable in knowing that I want my cushion to be large as I am in a high paying job that I certainly cannot return to in five years and have two young children. I haven't really calculated it but I will be probably 50x bare bones and comfortably 30x a very easy 'budget'. 

Good luck.

Bare bones.
- is barebones the minimum you would be happy to live on; or
- is barebones the minimum you could live on... presumably whilst maintaining some semblance of your current life.

Like everyone, we could live on very little. But that is pretty irrelevant to me. I want a bit more than the absolute bare minimum no matter what.

Sure, we could just scrape by on government handouts, others do, but at this point I’d deem that outcome as a massive failure in my management of my finances. We are just not going there.

So, for me, bare bones is an amount I’d be ok with if things dont play out as I’d wish. My definition of bare bones would include a modest house I like, a modest used car I like, a little spending money for meals out and domestic travel, enough money to buy family gifts on their birthdays, and enough to eat what I want at home. I’d say we are about 50x that kind of bare bones today.

This is a good place to be, but unfortunately I have a good imagination and can dream of what I’d do with more money. Substantially more money. If my stash was 50% bigger, so 75x comfy barebones we could still spend it.... or at least have a big chunk tied up in non income producing real estate.

At some point one just has to call enough. I am finding this extraordinarily difficult.

I am really thinking I won’t hand my notice in during September as I had planned. DW is not happy with me.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on May 14, 2018, 07:10:01 PM
For me, 'barebones' is the bare minimum to live on -- eat, pay taxes, buy health insurance and gas for the car -- but not extras like travel.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on May 14, 2018, 09:11:50 PM
Bare bones.
- is barebones the minimum you would be happy to live on; or
- is barebones the minimum you could live on... presumably whilst maintaining some semblance of your current life.

Like everyone, we could live on very little. But that is pretty irrelevant to me. I want a bit more than the absolute bare minimum no matter what.

Sure, we could just scrape by on government handouts, others do, but at this point I’d deem that outcome as a massive failure in my management of my finances. We are just not going there.

So, for me, bare bones is an amount I’d be ok with if things dont play out as I’d wish. My definition of bare bones would include a modest house I like, a modest used car I like, a little spending money for meals out and domestic travel, enough money to buy family gifts on their birthdays, and enough to eat what I want at home. I’d say we are about 50x that kind of bare bones today.

This is a good place to be, but unfortunately I have a good imagination and can dream of what I’d do with more money. Substantially more money. If my stash was 50% bigger, so 75x comfy barebones we could still spend it.... or at least have a big chunk tied up in non income producing real estate.

Barebones is for necessities.  That excludes vacations and eating out.   Those are luxuries.  Reasonable gifts are still included in my barebones.

Some people only include shorter term expenses for barebones to get them by on a temporary basis, but I include both short term and long term expenses in my barebones - the things that I must account for if I was living on barebones for years.  I don't plan to get by on just barebones, but I like to track my barebones for a couple reasons.  One, it lets me calculate how much my stash can deliver for discretionary spending beyond my basic expenses, so I'll know how much extra money I'll have just for having fun during FIRE.  (Stash * 4% - (BB+taxes) = FUN).  And two, it lets me know what I could cut my drawdown back to if needed and still get by as I currently do minus the extras/luxuries.  I would hope to never be in a position to have to deal with that second reason, but at least I know all the numbers.

While I'm at 63X "FIRE" barebones (closer to 80X my current barebones), I don't plan on a <2% WR.  I still plan to have a flexible 4% WR barring a crash of my investments.  The amount beyond barebones is for entertainment/travel/discretionary and to cut back if I feel the need.    So sitting at 63X BB is just more gravy - close to $30K/yr extra beyond necessary expenses - not bad for a single person.  My FIRE date is set a year off for a few other reasons, not because I'm trying to increase my stash at this point.  If I OMY it beyond 2019, it may be more stash/spending related at that point.  I'm not used to spending a lot of dough on luxuries, so I'm not sure if I'll really spend 4%, but who knows what all I'll feel like doing when I FIRE when I finally have the freedom for it.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on May 15, 2018, 04:24:58 AM
The way I define my barebones ($15,300/yr) spending is covering the bare necessities, plus some luxuries like a gym membership, a beater car, adequate insurance, and some misc spending.

In my case it breaks down like this

$550 Rent + Utilities (my half)
$150 Food
$150 Health + Hygiene
$150 Transportation
$100 Entertainment
$50 Cell Phone
$50 Gym/Sport
$75 Misc
$1,275/month

If my landlord sold the house we rent this basement apartment in, we would likely not find such a good deal again.

Healthcare could be much higher than $150/month, given that I am not confident in the ACA subsidies being around forever (though Medicaid is an option I suppose).

I could live a modest lifestyle, and if I were to supplement with even a minimum wage job 2-3 days a week, pretty darn comfortably. So while I'm not at the spending level I intend to live on the rest of my life, I consider myself barebones FI at this point.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: edgema on May 15, 2018, 04:50:40 AM
Hi itchyfeet.

That is why I haven't calculated a true bare bones multiple (however one defines it) as it is quite irrelevant to how we want to live our lives unless it was forced on us. My focus has been much more on solving for the life we want to live and having a good financial buffer on that.

That said, our approach is pretty mustachian-lite, if it is even that, solving for big things like house and car but quite relaxed on the rest. Our version of setting up for FIRE has been essentially structural in that we moved from HCOL area (near London) to a L/MCOL (Devon) and this has led to a change in the people we spend time with and what they do with their time/money. From high earning, high spending Londoners, to people with good but lower earnings and spending. Conversations with friends is now generically of going camping in Cornwall versus the colour of Range Rovers (a little harsh but true!).

I am far more comfortable with this 'natural' lowering of the lifestyle bar through the place you live and the people you hang out with, versus having to constantly exclude ourselves from activities things your friends are doing. Threads lamenting that 'I couldn't believe my sister forced us to go to a fancy restaurant and spend $300 on dinner for our parents anniversary' I can get intellectually but feel like a hard way to live, and not what I want to FIRE to.

Specific to you (if I can presume to provide an opinion) but if your imagination has a load of plans for what you would do with a larger stash then I would evaluate those plans with a realistic view of what you would get out of them (appreciating that gold Rolex's tend to only provide fleeting joy) and if that is more than what you would have to put in with extra work - then keep going.

My original RE date was Mar 17 but realised powerfully that this risked missing out on lots of things I genuinely believe will enhance our lives so I pushed this to Mar 19.  We want to go sailing for a year+. Mustachian? Clearly not. Would I regret not doing it? Definitely. Will it be an incredible experience for the family? I certainly hope so!

It is obviously hard as there is no magic number which deals with all the uncertainties inherent in financial planning over long periods. That said, you say you are at 50x a pretty comfortable life by your own definition so without understanding all the complexities, it would seem like that is a pretty big buffer... we could all spend more. What also sounds great for your situation is that DW sound supportive of the plan ("DW is not happy"). Hopefully I am reading that right. I suspect it is more common the other way round with a spouse fearful of some crazy plan to RE ("I think they might be having a mid-life crisis..."). 

I would also encourage you to step back and maintain perspective (I also sometimes lose this - definitely not trying to shame you). You are contemplating how 'luxurious' your imminent retirement might be. We all can wrap ourselves in knots, but "extraordinarily difficult" is something entirely different even if it can feel that way.

We are all grappling with these issues so you are not alone. Good luck!


 


Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on May 15, 2018, 06:43:54 AM
I too don't find the term 'bare bones' very useful in the context of choosing when to FIRE, primarily because it just doesn't sound like a lot of fun!
I like to turn things round the other way.  I have a 'default' lifestyle in mind that costs very little, but sholud be very enjoyable indeed.  Pottering around the garden, curling up with a book, cooking delicious food, cycling, walking, etc, etc.  I also have a lot of things I'd like to do that are more expensive - domestic and foreign travel, kayaking trips, home improvements, etc.  Given that my stash more than covers my default lifestyle, I have two potential ways to save up money for the more expensive things - I could work for longer, or I could spend a higher proportion of my days in 'default' mode.
When you're only just above 'default' level, it takes a lot of days in default to save as much as one extra day working.  It probably then makes sense to think 'I'd rather work an extra day for x than have to save up for it for a month'.  The more you stash away though, the more you can 'save' per default day and the equation changes.  I've worked on longer than I probably should have and so for me the equation is now that the money I'd earn from an extra work day I could instead save in 3 or 4 default days.  Thought about like that it becomes very clear indeed which I'd rather do.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: sui generis on May 15, 2018, 12:02:24 PM
9 months from today for me! 

I don't find the barebones concept useful to me in terms of FIRE, either - because I would never RE on barebones.  But, still can be useful in terms of just FI.  I think it's a serious milestone on the FI journey and can be really meaningful depending on one's current situation/employment vs. desired and risk tolerance if they are considering a move.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on May 15, 2018, 01:23:26 PM
Hi Edgema

Thanks for your input.

No gold Rolex for me. I have never had a taste for fancy stuff thankfully.

The reason why I am maybe 50x what I’d accept as a barebones life and not yet 25x my desired post Fire Budget really comes down to a few big elements

1. Housing - I could find something acceptable at a bare bones level, but if we have the money (and we will) then we will live in a more expensive location in a nicer place (not bigger, we don’t like big houses). I am budgeting double for housing compared to barebones, so we have plenty of choice over the next 50 years. We have never lived anywhere for more than 5 years so expect we will continue to move around a bit,

2. Travel - We have travelled a lot. We have travelled cheap and we have travelled expensively. I don’t disagree with anyone who says you can backpack for a year on $20K, but sometimes travel is even better if you spend more. I could give many examples from my experiences. Not always mind you. Some times spending more is just a waste of money. But for retirement, because we have the option, we want to be able to afford to continue to do some expensive travel for any adventures that take our interest. I will budget 10x barebones travel for desired post fire travel.

3, Eating out - The extra we put in our budget here is just so we can eat out whenever the mood takes us and not have to worry about it. These days we normally have breakfast out once on the weekend, and will eat out prob 2 nights a week. Far from moustachian, but we like to get out with friends, or even just by ourselves.

4. Barebones allows for 1 car. We’ll probably have one car, but I am budgeting for 2. So again doubling the cost.

5. Home remodelling, I assume we will replace kitchen and bathroom every 15 years, and also continue to refit the house periodically. Barebones would allow for older kitchens and bathrooms, being replaced maybe after 30 years.

Our budget will also allow for other luxuries such as gym memberships, theatre/ sports/ concert tickets, sporting equipment, electronic gadgets, pets etc.

Suddenly my FIRE number is big.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on May 15, 2018, 08:01:43 PM
I too don't find the term 'bare bones' very useful in the context of choosing when to FIRE, primarily because it just doesn't sound like a lot of fun!

Fun was actually part of my formula in my previous post that used barebones to help determine the fun amount.
Stash * 4% - (BB+taxes) = FUN  :)
Keeping track of your BB multiple doesn't mean limiting yourself to BB spending, but it's an important variable (that is somewhat constant) in the equation.  I don't know how much I'm really going to end up spending in FIRE, so I don't have a specific dollar amount goal for spending, but at least I know what my BB is, so it's an important piece of the formula.  That makes 63X BB very useful as a single metric.  The extra is for discretionary/fun/vacations.  BB itself is my minimum for FI to get by comfortably with no thrills.  I have a spreadsheet that breaks everything down in various time ranges for more specifics by year and month for all the key amounts, which is where it calculates the $30K/yr discretionary spending for vacations and such.  That's where the truly important figures are when it comes to my FIRE planning and considerations.  But it's a lot easier to just say I'm at 63X BB on here for consistency, and BB is what my 25X original yardstick was based on for FI.  As the stash grows, the multiple grows.

Quote
I have a 'default' lifestyle in mind that costs very little, but sholud be very enjoyable indeed.  Pottering around the garden, curling up with a book, cooking delicious food, cycling, walking, etc, etc.

That "default" sounds a lot like barebones to me, assuming the food isn't too outrageously expensive.  I would just call it barebones to keep things simple.

Quote
I have two potential ways to save up money for the more expensive things - I could work for longer, or I could spend a higher proportion of my days in 'default' mode.  When you're only just above 'default' level, it takes a lot of days in default to save as much as one extra day working.  It probably then makes sense to think 'I'd rather work an extra day for x than have to save up for it for a month'.

I've reread that a few times, but I must be misunderstanding.  For me,  I'm living just a little above barebones (aka default), but I still save 80% by working today with that budget, and I save 80% at the most if I work one day more.  If I don't keep my spending close to barebones, the one more day of work would allow me to save less, not more, than when I'm sticking to barebones.  I don't save any faster by working tomorrow vs. working today.  So it doesn't take me a lot of days with a BB budget to equal one extra day of work.  Each day is the same.  That's where I'm having trouble comparing my situation to your "lot of days in default saving" or "3 or 4 days of saving" vs "one extra day of saving."  I don't see how these days differ for saving if you're still earning the same income and spending about the same.  And "default"/BB spending with the same income should allow you to save more, not less, than ramping up spending and working another day, if that's the alternative to "default" spending.  I'm assuming by one extra day, that you wouldn't reduce spending to LESS than default.  Hmmm

Quote
The more you stash away though, the more you can 'save' per default day and the equation changes.

Regardless of the size of my stash, I still save in the 70% to 80% range of my take home pay.  The equation does change, I might have dropped to 62X BB today with the drop in stocks, plus my homeowners insurance and property tax just went up.  I guess I could always change my living situation to cut on housing costs.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on May 16, 2018, 01:45:30 AM
I too don't find the term 'bare bones' very useful in the context of choosing when to FIRE, primarily because it just doesn't sound like a lot of fun!

Fun was actually part of my formula in my previous post that used barebones to help determine the fun amount.
Stash * 4% - (BB+taxes) = FUN  :)
Keeping track of your BB multiple doesn't mean limiting yourself to BB spending, but it's an important variable (that is somewhat constant) in the equation.  I don't know how much I'm really going to end up spending in FIRE, so I don't have a specific dollar amount goal for spending, but at least I know what my BB is, so it's an important piece of the formula.  That makes 63X BB very useful as a single metric.  The extra is for discretionary/fun/vacations.  BB itself is my minimum for FI to get by comfortably with no thrills.  I have a spreadsheet that breaks everything down in various time ranges for more specifics by year and month for all the key amounts, which is where it calculates the $30K/yr discretionary spending for vacations and such.  That's where the truly important figures are when it comes to my FIRE planning and considerations.  But it's a lot easier to just say I'm at 63X BB on here for consistency, and BB is what my 25X original yardstick was based on for FI.  As the stash grows, the multiple grows.

Quote
I have a 'default' lifestyle in mind that costs very little, but sholud be very enjoyable indeed.  Pottering around the garden, curling up with a book, cooking delicious food, cycling, walking, etc, etc.

That "default" sounds a lot like barebones to me, assuming the food isn't too outrageously expensive.  I would just call it barebones to keep things simple.
I think that depends a lot on how you define 'barebones' - which doesn't seem to be consistent.  Some people would deem it as the minimum they would be happy with, others the minimum they could survive on.  That latter interpretation is what gives it the negative connotations for me and why I avoid it.

Quote
Quote
I have two potential ways to save up money for the more expensive things - I could work for longer, or I could spend a higher proportion of my days in 'default' mode.  When you're only just above 'default' level, it takes a lot of days in default to save as much as one extra day working.  It probably then makes sense to think 'I'd rather work an extra day for x than have to save up for it for a month'.

I've reread that a few times, but I must be misunderstanding.  For me,  I'm living just a little above barebones (aka default), but I still save 80% by working today with that budget, and I save 80% at the most if I work one day more.  If I don't keep my spending close to barebones, the one more day of work would allow me to save less, not more, than when I'm sticking to barebones.  I don't save any faster by working tomorrow vs. working today.  So it doesn't take me a lot of days with a BB budget to equal one extra day of work.  Each day is the same.  That's where I'm having trouble comparing my situation to your "lot of days in default saving" or "3 or 4 days of saving" vs "one extra day of saving."  I don't see how these days differ for saving if you're still earning the same income and spending about the same.  And "default"/BB spending with the same income should allow you to save more, not less, than ramping up spending and working another day, if that's the alternative to "default" spending.  I'm assuming by one extra day, that you wouldn't reduce spending to LESS than default.  Hmmm

Quote
The more you stash away though, the more you can 'save' per default day and the equation changes.

Regardless of the size of my stash, I still save in the 70% to 80% range of my take home pay.  The equation does change, I might have dropped to 62X BB today with the drop in stocks, plus my homeowners insurance and property tax just went up.  I guess I could always change my living situation to cut on housing costs.
I think I understand your confusion.  I'm not talking about spending more or less whilst working to alter my savings rate, I'm talking about the choice between accruing an extra £x to spend on something specific by a) retiring 1 day later, or b) spending a few post-retirement days very cheaply. 
If your full FIRE budget was only $5 a day more than your default / bare bones, then you would have to spend 40 cheap days post retirement to save up $200.  If retiring 1 day later would earn you that $200, then I would lean strongly towards working the extra day.  OTOH, if your full budget was $50 a day more than your default, then it would only take 4 days to save that $200.  To me, four minimal spend days sounds like a holiday and much preferable to an extra day working.  40 sounds like a bit of a penance.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on May 16, 2018, 08:03:12 PM
I think I understand your confusion.  I'm not talking about spending more or less whilst working to alter my savings rate, I'm talking about the choice between accruing an extra £x to spend on something specific by a) retiring 1 day later, or b) spending a few post-retirement days very cheaply. 
If your full FIRE budget was only $5 a day more than your default / bare bones, then you would have to spend 40 cheap days post retirement to save up $200.  If retiring 1 day later would earn you that $200, then I would lean strongly towards working the extra day.  OTOH, if your full budget was $50 a day more than your default, then it would only take 4 days to save that $200.  To me, four minimal spend days sounds like a holiday and much preferable to an extra day working.  40 sounds like a bit of a penance.

Yes, that's it.  I was one word away from realizing you were talking about "FIRE" saving / spending.

That actually is similar to some calculations I've done on the OMY (working to 2020 vs 2019) scenario.  I have a OMY document where I figured out how much I'm likely to add to my investments during the OMY on the job plus the amount of money I won't have to drawdown from stash since I'll being paying bills from my job for OMY.  Combining those, I estimate there's a range of my stash differential of $90K to $115K vs. not working OMY.  $115K would be the differential vs. FIREing in 2019 with a 4% FIRE drawdown while $90K would the differential vs. FIREing in 2019 with a drawdown just $350/mo more than my barebones.   The actual number is probably somewhere in between.  I discount investment performance for this comparison since it's an unknown and would benefit or hurt the bulk of my stash in the same way whether I OMY or not.  That differential is approaching 10% of my current stash by working OMY, which will make it difficult to walk away from if I have any increased concerns or if there are any signs of trouble over the next year, and maybe even if there aren't.  I'm trying to take comfort in the fact that my goal is to FIRE sooner (2019) rather than later (2020).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on May 17, 2018, 10:38:03 AM
@markbike528CBX, when you repost an updated list I am moving up to June 1, 2019.

If I'm going to pull the plug in 2019, may as well enjoy the damn summer :)

By June 1, I will have maxed out 401k, Roth IRA, and gotten my remaining 4 SS credits (40 total).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SpareChange on May 20, 2018, 06:39:46 PM
Hello all!! I've enjoyed perusing this thread. I'd like to squeeze in here, though I must admit, I'm a poser :). I don't currently plan to FIRE completely, just downshift to PT and keep work simmering on the back burner.   

My workplace and career are very flexible on the number of shifts worked. There's an app we can use to add/trade shifts. Employer doesn't care who works as long as there's coverage, and it's not overtime. I currently plan to continue working FT (at 5-6 days/wk) until my net worth hits at least 300k, and then drop down to a scheduled 16hrs/wk...the minimum needed for health insurance and other bennies. I estimate I'll hit the mark sometime in the spring of 2019. I should be earning 6 wks paid time off a year by then, with 50-60 days sitting in my pto bank. I can easily live on that with room to spare without touching the stash. I can then add shifts occassionally if/when needed for fun stuff. I'll still contribute enough to the 403b to get the match.

No particular desire (yet) to leave career or employer, so I don't perceive working another 10-15 years as a problem. Both are very stable. Also, I don't think I'll be able to do the slow travel thing so much with aging parents. It would take a minimum 5 more years FT to get FIREd, and I don't think that would be the optimal way to go. Just very tired of working FT, and I'm not getting any younger. :).

Anyway, the point of all that is to say that next year is going to be a huge milestone. Probably bigger for me than going from PT to FIREd honestly.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on May 20, 2018, 08:15:58 PM
@SpareChange , what do you do?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SpareChange on May 20, 2018, 10:32:08 PM
@SpareChange , what do you do?

I'm an xray tech in a medium-sized hospital.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on May 21, 2018, 08:03:51 AM
Most Righteous Alias    Age@fire  Target DateOLY/OMY notes and eventually Date Confirmed
MoneyStacher51Jan-19
PhilB53Jan-19moved to Oct 2018, with possible PT through 2019
sui generis41Feb-15-19
zinnie35Feb-19
MissNancyPryor50Mar-19
Roboturner30Mar-19
exit201940Mar-15-19
TartanTallulah55Mar-31-19moved to 2018 and is back again
EdgemaMar-19
Trifele52April-1-19 WIGLO
HalfStached41Apr-1-19
Luck1241Apr-19
albireo1361May-1-19
Livingthedream5559May-19
cerat0n1aMay-19summer 2018 planned
dude53May-19
SamIAm3829May-19
FIRE 20/2042May-19
Pylortes42May-31-19
Odiedog859062May-31-19
DreamFIREJun-7-19
oldtoyotaJun-19
Itchyfeet47Jun-19
Bateaux50Jun-19
Parizade62Jun-21-19
CryingInThePool44Jun-19
powersuitrecall47Jul-19
Enigma39Jul-19
Thedividebyzero45Jul-19
Canadian Ben29Aug-12-19
Cornbread OMalley42Aug-19
RetirementDreamingSep-19
Spreadsheet ManSep-27-19
VoteCthulu39Oct-19
trix7643Oct-19
MoMan55Oct-19
2Birds1Stone32Jun-1-19
markbike528CBX55Dec-19 OLY 6-1-2018 at 53.5 but checking in as OP
HBFI38Dec-19
luckyme1345Dec-19
moxieDec-27-19
madamwitty36TBD
Lowerbills40TBD
Chrissy42TBD
GerardTBD
getoutsoon52TBD
ysette938late-19TBD
elaine amj40TBD
IplawyerTBD
ChairmanTBDSemiFire 2018
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on May 21, 2018, 08:13:22 AM
@markbike528CBX, when you repost an updated list I am moving up to June 1, 2019.

If I'm going to pull the plug in 2019, may as well enjoy the damn summer :)

By June 1, I will have maxed out 401k, Roth IRA, and gotten my remaining 4 SS credits (40 total).

@2Birds1Stone, the mention method got my attention.
You might also note that my date is June 1 for the exactly that reason.    I've also taken my vacation (no payout), so I've been off since May 14th, with a two office days left.   

If anyone would like changes or have seen other changes buried in the thread text,  please mention (@) or PM me.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on May 21, 2018, 10:22:44 AM
@markbike528CBX I've just noticed that I'm still on the list for Jan 2019.  I pulled my date forward to Oct 2018 a few months ago - but I may end up doing some consulting or 1 day a week part time through most of 2019 if they make me a good enough offer!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on May 21, 2018, 08:33:29 PM
June 1 is a Saturday and won't work for me - I'll need to work part of the month so that my employer will subsidize the full month of healthcare.  So, I'll probably work through June 7 unless I can cut out a full month earlier.

New record today - 65X barebones!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: exit2019 on May 21, 2018, 11:55:23 PM
I appear to be on the list twice.

exit2019   40   Mar-15-19   
 
is the correct one, assuming I give 32-35 days notice (which is expected at my level of seniority; also I want to hang around for the ESPP to release.. )
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on May 23, 2018, 05:32:40 AM
Double FIRE exit? Impressive.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on May 23, 2018, 05:01:57 PM
March 8th, 2019
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on May 23, 2018, 06:38:25 PM
March 8th, 2019

No take backs ;)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on May 24, 2018, 05:17:00 AM
March 8th, 2019

No take backs ;)

Early 2020's payout is even bigger...then it trails off.   I'm done though
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on May 24, 2018, 07:33:06 AM
So using that table, I calculated that the average age of the 2019 cohort FIREee (for those whose ages are listed) is 45.57.

17 years earlier than the average retiree age (63) in the U.S. - bravo 2019 cohort!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on May 24, 2018, 12:13:50 PM
So using that table, I calculated that the average age of the 2019 cohort FIREee (for those whose ages are listed) is 45.57.

17 years earlier than the average retiree age (63) in the U.S. - bravo 2019 cohort!

I'll be 29 at FIRE @markbike528CBX , but my number is not in the chart yet. Hopefully that'll pull the average down a bit.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on May 24, 2018, 01:34:02 PM
36 here, will still be 36 at retirement date
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on May 24, 2018, 04:34:12 PM
June 1 is a Saturday and won't work for me - I'll need to work part of the month so that my employer will subsidize the full month of healthcare.  So, I'll probably work through June 7 unless I can cut out a full month earlier.

New record today - 65X barebones!

@DreamFIRE -- June 1 is a Friday -- might be perfect?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on May 24, 2018, 05:59:51 PM
Not in 2019 =D
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on May 24, 2018, 06:43:04 PM
Yep, I'm a 2019 cohort.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on May 25, 2018, 05:17:25 AM
Not in 2019 =D

Doh!  I was flipping back and forth late last night between the 2018 and 19 cohorts.  Thought I was in '18.  :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: edgema on May 25, 2018, 08:29:24 AM
For the purpose of the age averages, I am on the list as Edgema and will be 42 at my FIRE date next march.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on May 25, 2018, 10:16:28 AM
For the purpose of the age averages, I am on the list as Edgema and will be 42 at my FIRE date next march.
If I still got included in the average age calc, despite my OLY, I should really be 52 not 53 - 53 was from my original July 19 date.  More to the point, you guys are making me feel ancient!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on May 25, 2018, 12:55:15 PM
So using that table, I calculated that the average age of the 2019 cohort FIREee (for those whose ages are listed) is 45.57.

17 years earlier than the average retiree age (63) in the U.S. - bravo 2019 cohort!

That's awesome.

Mine will be a Semi-Fire, but I'm still pumped to be ~13.5 years younger than the cohort average, and 31 years younger than the US average.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on May 25, 2018, 01:57:16 PM
For the purpose of the age averages, I am on the list as Edgema and will be 42 at my FIRE date next march.
If I still got included in the average age calc, despite my OLY, I should really be 52 not 53 - 53 was from my original July 19 date.  More to the point, you guys are making me feel ancient!

Yeah, I'm feeling old too PhilB . . . I'll be either 51 or 52 depending on the exact date I pull the plug.  :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Bateaux on May 25, 2018, 03:05:54 PM
I'm buying another house.   Looks like 2020 or later for me.  I'm of the pay the mortgage off camp.   Hoped to be done at 50.  Will likely be 51or 52.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: exit2019 on May 30, 2018, 09:50:34 PM
New way of avoiding a focus on the clock: reading the 2018 cohort thread.  it's actually pretty interesting how many people are confirmed at this point in the year. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on May 30, 2018, 10:13:57 PM
So that is May done and dusted. Not a good month financially. It’s the first month in more than 2 years that DW and I have spent every cent we earned. Whoops. The money slipped through our hands in a myriad of ways but mostly was spent booking flights etc for our summer vacation extravaganza. Topping off the May madness spending was barely positive investment returns for the month.

May was a big fat financial doughnut! Zero progress.

I am now 5 months into what was meant to be my last year of working and my resolve is cracking. DW and I have been looking online at houses to FIRE to and the ones we like are a more than our current financial position would allow. We are also thinking a slightly larger travel budget would be nice, and DW is pushing for more contingency (classic OMY syndrome).

So what are we going to do???? F@ck knows.

D-Day is fast approaching. If I will resign in December I will need to tell my employer early September. 3 months to decide my fate. Eek.

We have many options
 - The lowest risk and least fun: keep working for a couple more years. 2 would do it.
 - We could just FIRE and live within our means. Hardly radical, but maybe we will regret not having made the effort to earn that little extra cream
 - We could quit, travel for as long as we wanted to, repatriate to Australia and find new jobs. I would be paid far less in Oz compared to my nice expat package, assuming I could find a decent job. My CV is atypical (not in a good way) which concerns me. But being back in Oz near family is one of our motivations to FIRE.
 - We could FIRE on a tight budget for 5-10 years and let our stash grow, and then buy the place we want. DW would do some casual work in the mean time to top up the savings, or give us a little extra fun money. I think that this is rather risky. Will we really spend 30% less than what we’d like to. Certainly feasible but....

3 months to make up my mind. D-day (decision day) is rapidly approaching.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on May 31, 2018, 12:50:25 AM
I would appreciate it if you would contribute to my thread here, since it is a major part of our FIRE moment:

https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/real-estate-and-landlording/when-is-a-smart-time-for-us-to-sell-our-house/

(I will also post it in the 2020 thread.)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on May 31, 2018, 02:52:18 AM
So that is May done and dusted. Not a good month financially. It’s the first month in more than 2 years that DW and I have spent every cent we earned. Whoops. The money slipped through our hands in a myriad of ways but mostly was spent booking flights etc for our summer vacation extravaganza. Topping off the May madness spending was barely positive investment returns for the month.

May was a big fat financial doughnut! Zero progress.

I am now 5 months into what was meant to be my last year of working and my resolve is cracking. DW and I have been looking online at houses to FIRE to and the ones we like are a more than our current financial position would allow. We are also thinking a slightly larger travel budget would be nice, and DW is pushing for more contingency (classic OMY syndrome).

So what are we going to do???? F@ck knows.

D-Day is fast approaching. If I will resign in December I will need to tell my employer early September. 3 months to decide my fate. Eek.

We have many options
 - The lowest risk and least fun: keep working for a couple more years. 2 would do it.
 - We could just FIRE and live within our means. Hardly radical, but maybe we will regret not having made the effort to earn that little extra cream
 - We could quit, travel for as long as we wanted to, repatriate to Australia and find new jobs. I would be paid far less in Oz compared to my nice expat package, assuming I could find a decent job. My CV is atypical (not in a good way) which concerns me. But being back in Oz near family is one of our motivations to FIRE.
 - We could FIRE on a tight budget for 5-10 years and let our stash grow, and then buy the place we want. DW would do some casual work in the mean time to top up the savings, or give us a little extra fun money. I think that this is rather risky. Will we really spend day 30% than what we’d like to. Certainly feasible but....

3 months to make up my mind. D-day (decision day) is rapidly approaching.
Hate to be the one to break it to you, but May has 31 days!

I feel for your dilemma, even if I did approach it from the other side - baked loads of excess into the plan then ended up deciding to OLY.  All I can share is that what really helps me know we have enough is the thought of taking a vacation to Mustache land - If I want to spend x amount of money on something then I'd need to save up for it by being 'properly' mustachian for y weeks.  Does that sound like a fun and relaxing staycation or hard work?  If the former then you definitely have enough.  If the latter then maybe not.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on May 31, 2018, 04:56:59 AM
So that is May done and dusted.

Hate to be the one to break it to you, but May has 31 days!


I believe Itchy is many hours ahead of the time showing on his post, since that is US mountain time I believe.  Not sure exactly where Itchy is at the moment (maybe SE Asia?)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on May 31, 2018, 05:08:54 AM
Actually, I am living in the Middle East, and i was taking a punt nothing dramatic would happen to my finances today. It was already mid afternoon in Australia, where most of my asset exposure is, and I wast going to spend any money sitting at my desk today.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on May 31, 2018, 05:48:11 AM
Actually, I am living in the Middle East, and i was taking a punt nothing dramatic would happen to my finances today. It was already mid afternoon in Australia, where most of my asset exposure is, and I wast going to spend any money sitting at my desk today.

Credit cards, internet bank and paypal give you great opportunity to spend money at your desk. I pay most of my bills automatically or from my desk.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on May 31, 2018, 06:23:33 AM
Haha. I can see you are all telling me not to count my financial chickens before they hatch.

I didn’t plan on paying any bills today and So far so good.

I have made it to 4.20pm without damaging my financial position.

I’ll stay out of the pub tonight just to be sure I am not fined by the Calendar Police for fraudulently pushing any small cash outs into my June numbers..... so much for that pint.... maybe I can find some coins down the back of the sofa.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: edgema on May 31, 2018, 07:01:34 AM
Itchyfeet.

The only thing I would say is that I find it easier to find reasons why now is not the right time, especially as you get close to the FIRE date where real action is necessary (like resigning!). Not FIREing might be day-to-day wrong, but will feel year-to-year right (more stash and only a year older!), yet still wrong looking back over life from old age.   

At least when I was nearing my original FIRE date early this year, I found ways to convince myself that I didn't have enough, when actually my financial position was objectively better than forecast. Was the number too low, or is it just 'easier' not to make the decision and keep going? Hard to say. My brain moved the goalposts to give me a 'rational' reason why I needed to do OMY which is easier than admitting that you are just scared. I don't regret the OMY and feel much safer doing it, but sincerely hope I do not do the same in 6 months time. Cannot guarantee that though!

Another thing I did, and perhaps you are, is that you start to price up some of the things you want to buy on retirement (like houses if you are moving), and I think it is natural that you start to look a things just a bit too expensive compared to what you have budgeted. All of a sudden you don't have enough. My amateur psychology is that this is another way your brain tries to convince itself not to make this major life decision. It may not be the case for you, but are you secretly looking at houses which are more expensive than you really need/want?

Finally, we all probably look at our stashes too often, but my observation would also be that if you even care/know what your stash did on any given month then it is probably not big enough as if there was sufficient buffer then you wouldn't. Thought experiment; you retire and see your stash go down 10% the next month, how do you feel? If the feeling would be panic then you are not ready / stash isn't large enough IMO.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on May 31, 2018, 01:19:48 PM
Thanks Edgema for your thoughts.

The thought of my stash going up or down 10 or even 20% doesn’t bother me so much. I believe deep inside me that in the long term the markets will go up, so don’t fear fluctuations, and in any case I have rental income, dividends and a pension as part of my post FIRE income, so take comfort from that too. I currently follow my stash very closely because I enjoy doing so. Also, I don’t want to have unrealistic expectations of how much spending my stash can support post FIRE, so I am testing sensitivities very carefully and over analysing the numbers. I enjoy passing milestones, seeing trends and dreaming of how I will spend the money once I stop working my life away. It’s an addiction.

As to the rest of your email. I agree 100% that I am putting barriers between myself and FIRE. I have a fairly high NW by MMM standards, and most on this forum would happily FIRE with my stash. I will never go hungry and will afford a comfortable life even if I cut spending by 25%. My indecisiveness is motivated by healthy doses of both fear and greed.

On the other hand, as all of us at the finale of our FIRE marathon know, a little extra work at the very end can go very far.

There are three factors driving this - a career in full flight, a big pile of money feeding feverishly off itself, and with all basic expenses covered every extra dollar goes straight to funding guilty pleasures. A little can go a long way.

The battle is to recognise that this greed is actually stealing from my life. I understand this......but.....

Look, August will soon be here, and a decision will be made, and that’ll be that.

Many times in my life I have struggled with big decisions. But to date, I have never regretted taking the time to come to the right decision. I feel generally I make good decisions. I am sure I will here too.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on May 31, 2018, 07:14:52 PM
Finally, we all probably look at our stashes too often, but my observation would also be that if you even care/know what your stash did on any given month then it is probably not big enough as if there was sufficient buffer then you wouldn't.

My stash is at 80X barebones, and about 65X FIRE bare bones (includes additional dollars for expected health care coverage cost during FIRE.)  And it only needs to last me 15 years.  With a 4% SWR, my buffer should be sufficient - almost $30K/yr for discretionary spending OVER regular expenses.  But I still look at my accounts and add up my total stache accounts frequently, although I was doing that most frequently when stock indexes were hitting record highs.  It's just fun and positive reinforcement, not due to any worries or concerns.  It sometimes seems surreal to have gotten to this point, and I like the feeling I get adding it up.  A 10% drop is pretty meaningless.  I already suffered that earlier this year in most of my stock funds and have since set a new record stash level.  I'm slowly moving to a more conservative AA as I approach a 2019 FIRE date making such a drop in stocks even less of a factor after I FIRE.  I might relocate when I FIRE, but I'm not looking to upgrade to more expensive housing.  I want to keep those extra dollars in the discretionary bucket for entertainment, travel, and other discretionary spending, and always being able to cut back on that spending if I see fit.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Bateaux on May 31, 2018, 09:19:48 PM
When I first joined MMM years ago 2018 was my proposed Fire year.  I'd hope to be hiking the Appalachian Trail right now.   I've OMY'd to 2019 and since we're buying another house we're probably going to 2020.  Currently in Cabo San Lucas enjoying luxury in a 5 star resort beside the ocean.  I want to live day to day Mustacian but a few weeks a year I'd like to do this. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on May 31, 2018, 09:25:38 PM
I think all of you are posting in the wrong thread now ;)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on June 01, 2018, 04:31:09 AM
Ok -- I'll give a "skinny FIRE" update to balance out the upthread comments:  :)

I'm currently at 21X bare bones, and hell yes I am going to pull the plug anyway.   I have a small side gig I am keeping, and a spouse who can work if need be, so FIRE here I come.  We live pretty simply, and I think we will figure it out.

It all comes down to Bateaux's comment about work stealing your life.  Yes, exactly.  Out of the blue I was diagnosed with a serious cancer two years ago, and let me tell you -- that shit will change your outlook instantly.  All's well for now health-wise, and I want this time.  Not ten-years-in-the-future time. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Bateaux on June 01, 2018, 07:22:13 AM
I think all of you are posting in the wrong thread now ;)

Could still be 2019 for us.  We'll see what life sends.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Bateaux on June 01, 2018, 07:24:38 AM
Ok -- I'll give a "skinny FIRE" update to balance out the upthread comments:  :)

I'm currently at 21X bare bones, and hell yes I am going to pull the plug anyway.   I have a small side gig I am keeping, and a spouse who can work if need be, so FIRE here I come.  We live pretty simply, and I think we will figure it out.

It all comes down to Bateaux's comment about work stealing your life.  Yes, exactly.  Out of the blue I was diagnosed with a serious cancer two years ago, and let me tell you -- that shit will change your outlook instantly.  All's well for now health-wise, and I want this time.  Not ten-years-in-the-future time.

Good luck with the cancer.  We've faced that monster as well with our son.  Keeping him with health insurance is part of why we have to OMY.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: edgema on June 01, 2018, 07:41:36 AM
Don't take me off 2019! I am very committed to my March date as this is my OMY (perhaps even the second of them.... ish). Maybe it is the luxury of still being 9 month from actually resigning but for some reason I feel much more relaxed that I will not have the same fears going into this date.

I really like the 'work stealing life comment' and is a much better way of putting what I was trying to get across with the 'wrong looking back over life' comment. The difficult thing is that it is hard to feel that viscerally as it is like a mouse nibbling at your time which each day doesn't feel too bad when compared with the massive decision to retire at an age when most think you are mad.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on June 01, 2018, 07:49:43 AM
I often think I am mad.

Beyond DW, I haven’t hinted at my plans to anyone.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on June 01, 2018, 09:47:00 AM
I think all of you are posting in the wrong thread now ;)

Could still be 2019 for us.  We'll see what life sends.
It's going to be interesting to see what proportion of the 'actual' 2019 cohort turn out to be OMYers from 2018 and OLYers from 2020!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on June 01, 2018, 09:49:07 AM
I think all of you are posting in the wrong thread now ;)

Could still be 2019 for us.  We'll see what life sends.
It's going to be interesting to see what proportion of the 'actual' 2019 cohort turn out to be OMYers from 2018 and OLYers from 2020!

None! We'll tell them to get out of our collective yards.

Correction - OLY Are welcome. OMY... Just FIRE already! :D
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on June 01, 2018, 10:31:01 AM
🤣
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on June 01, 2018, 04:56:21 PM
Ok -- I'll give a "skinny FIRE" update to balance out the upthread comments:  :)

I'm currently at 21X bare bones, and hell yes I am going to pull the plug anyway.   I have a small side gig I am keeping, and a spouse who can work if need be, so FIRE here I come.  We live pretty simply, and I think we will figure it out.

It all comes down to Bateaux's comment about work stealing your life.  Yes, exactly.  Out of the blue I was diagnosed with a serious cancer two years ago, and let me tell you -- that shit will change your outlook instantly.  All's well for now health-wise, and I want this time.  Not ten-years-in-the-future time.

Good luck with the cancer.  We've faced that monster as well with our son.  Keeping him with health insurance is part of why we have to OMY.

Thanks Bateaux -- appreciate that.  All good right now, knock on wood.  Hope your son is doing ok as well.  And I hear you about insurance.  I can't go without, and we don't know what the future is going to hold.  It is very worrisome.  If the ACA were to totally go away, either I would have to keep working, or my spouse (currently a SAHP) would need to find a job with insurance.  Not the relaxing FIRE we are hoping for.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on June 02, 2018, 02:29:57 PM

The uncertainty over ACA is one reason I never planned on being a 2018 FIRE cohort.   Stash is not a problem at all for me, hitting a new record of 66X FIRE BB as of yesterday, which gives me plenty for discretionary spending when using a 4% SWR, but that's dependent on ACA PTC.  Without ACA and PTC, healthcare insurance would really bite into what I'm wanting to keep in the discretionary budget.  I'm hoping this final year towards FIRE will provide some confidence on this matter.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on June 02, 2018, 03:22:25 PM
We hit a milestone today, crossing over 25x anticipated expenses in retirement in the stache.  That doesn't include the back-up plans we have in place including 2 small pensions, 2 social security checks, an ability to cut expenses if necessary, tentative arrangements for consulting with the company I work for, and doesn't count a likely modest inheritance.  We'd like to fund a donor advised fund this year and that will reduce the funds we have accessible while we wait for the first rung of the Roth ladder to show up in 5+ years, and I'm worried about the current market valuations and the ACA.  Nevertheless, for the first time it is starting to really feel like we will never *need* to work again.  I think I'm feeling about 5% of what I'm going to feel on my last day at work.  OMY has a firm grip on me so I am still planning to FIRE in about a year at age 42, but this feels like a significant milestone. 

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on June 02, 2018, 09:13:35 PM
Awesome work. Sounds like you are ready for launch. Let the final countdown begin.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SpareChange on June 03, 2018, 09:23:41 AM
We hit a milestone today, crossing over 25x anticipated expenses in retirement in the stache.  That doesn't include the back-up plans we have in place including 2 small pensions, 2 social security checks, an ability to cut expenses if necessary, tentative arrangements for consulting with the company I work for, and doesn't count a likely modest inheritance.  We'd like to fund a donor advised fund this year and that will reduce the funds we have accessible while we wait for the first rung of the Roth ladder to show up in 5+ years, and I'm worried about the current market valuations and the ACA.  Nevertheless, for the first time it is starting to really feel like we will never *need* to work again.  I think I'm feeling about 5% of what I'm going to feel on my last day at work.  OMY has a firm grip on me so I am still planning to FIRE in about a year at age 42, but this feels like a significant milestone.

Amazing. Almost there! Looks like you've thought everything through pretty well.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on June 03, 2018, 12:19:55 PM
DH and I talked a bit more about our FIRE date. He likes to have a little more financial security so that a 10-20% crash in the stock market isn't a problem for FIRE.
We also discussed what working PT would cost. We think that working 20% less hours (4 days a week working) would only lead to 15% less income, as we pay high taxes on high income bracket. DH thinks we only need to work 5 weeks longer if we work only 4 days a week from now on. We have decided that I will ask my job to work 4 days a week from half of august. I hope they will accept that. Then DH will ask for the same. I will use DHs heart issues as an argument and say that we need to travel away during the weekends more often.

This plan made my day. As I think we could FIRE somewhere during the first half of 2019, I would mind working only 5 weeks longer, especially 4 days a week.

DH also thinks he wants to continue to work as long as he has his current heart issues. We have normal health insurance by paying our taxes, but the extra health insurance that our companies offer give you a prioritized place for operations. On the other hand, this costs about 700-800 US dollars a year to buy privately, so we could consider to buy it anyway.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on June 05, 2018, 01:37:56 AM
I just discovered an error in my Excel sheet. I had a formula calculating how much I would have left in 2019. Somehow I had taken our salaries before taxes, minus all the taxes = savings. I just totally forgot to register the yearly expenses. I corrected the formula and it added 50.000 USD more to our FIRE amount. Therefore I think we cannot quit early 2019 and probably need to work through most of 2019.
DH and I have been discussing asking to work 80% after the summer. I think we will still consider this. We are both tired of working 100%, so this would be good for our sanity anyway. But it will probably move FIRE to 2020. I am already in that 2020 FIRE cohort thread, as I wasn't sure about the date.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on June 06, 2018, 12:19:50 PM
Most Righteous Alias    Age@fire  Target DateOLY/OMY notes and eventually Date Confirmed
MoneyStacher51Jan-19
PhilB53Jan-19moved to Oct 2018, with possible PT through 2019
sui generis41Feb-15-19
zinnie35Feb-19
MissNancyPryor50Mar-19
Roboturner30Mar-19
exit201940Mar-15-19
TartanTallulah55Mar-31-19moved to 2018 and is back again
EdgemaMar-19
Trifele52April-1-19 WIGLO
HalfStached41Apr-1-19
Luck1241Apr-19
albireo1361May-1-19
Livingthedream5559May-19
cerat0n1aMay-19summer 2018 planned
dude53May-19
SamIAm3829May-19
FIRE 20/2042May-19
Pylortes42May-31-19
Odiedog859062May-31-19
DreamFIREJun-7-19
oldtoyotaJun-19
Itchyfeet47Jun-19
Bateaux50Jun-19
Parizade62Jun-21-19
CryingInThePool44Jun-19
powersuitrecall47Jul-19
Enigma39Jul-19
Thedividebyzero45Jul-19
Canadian Ben29Aug-12-19
Cornbread OMalley42Aug-19
RetirementDreamingSep-19
Spreadsheet ManSep-27-19
VoteCthulu39Oct-19
trix7643Oct-19
MoMan55Oct-19
2Birds1Stone32Jun-1-19
markbike528CBX55Dec-19 OLY 6-1-2018 at 53.5 but checking in as OP
HBFI38Dec-19
luckyme1345Dec-19
moxieDec-27-19
madamwitty36TBD
Lowerbills40TBD
Chrissy42TBD
GerardTBD
getoutsoon52TBD
ysette938late-19TBD
elaine amj40TBD
IplawyerTBD
ChairmanTBDSemiFire 2018

After my minor crisis of confidence at the end of May, I have managed to come to a final decision.

No more doubts. no more hesitation. No more hedging.

We will stick to what was the original plan. June 2019. Could have done that all along and saved months of restless sleeping as I agonised over a December 2018 curtain on my career.

December 2018 just felt uncomfortable. June 2019 feels far better. Just 12 months till the end now.

The little bit extra that we’ll save in 6 months seems to have some meaning. So we’ll run with that.

Phew!!! Great to close that subject.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Livingthedream55 on June 06, 2018, 01:12:48 PM
@itchyfeet    good for you!

I am already at "my number" but am saving right now to further add cushion and safety and piece of mind! A year will be here before we know it!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on June 06, 2018, 05:04:08 PM
It looks like I will most likely be joining the 2019 FIRE cohort. I was originally scheduled for 6/25/18 (so close!), but a few work things have come up that I would like to see finish. My very tentative date is now 3/25/18.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on June 06, 2018, 07:27:17 PM
Fuck, this is the most melodramatic cohort I've witnessed. Makes me want to pull the plug in 2018 with all the cool cats ;)

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on June 06, 2018, 08:55:25 PM
I just discovered an error in my Excel sheet. I had a formula calculating how much I would have left in 2019. Somehow I had taken our salaries before taxes, minus all the taxes = savings. I just totally forgot to register the yearly expenses. I corrected the formula and it added 50.000 USD more to our FIRE amount. Therefore I think we cannot quit early 2019 and probably need to work through most of 2019.

Oh bummer!  I had an error in my spreadsheet a while back.  I noticed the tax numbers didn't look quite right 16 years into the future, and I determined a formula was factoring in the tax on part of those future SS benefits, but another formula added those taxable SS benefits to my AGI and was adding the tax on that figure, so my total tax was incorrectly elevated.  I fixed it, and the change was in my favor, albeit not one that would have changed my FIRE plans.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on June 06, 2018, 09:07:07 PM
Fuck, this is the most melodramatic cohort I've witnessed. Makes me want to pull the plug in 2018 with all the cool cats ;)

A few more market days like today might kick some more people back to '18.  I just blew through some of my June 2018 projections
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on June 06, 2018, 09:12:42 PM
@itchyfeet    good for you!

I am already at "my number" but am saving right now to further add cushion and safety and piece of mind! A year will be here before we know it!

I just hit 67X FIRE barebones today, another new record for me.  While I like counting up the numbers and am saving over 80% this year so far, my wait until 2019 is more about ACA/healthcare.  The uncertainty with that is why 2018 was never a consideration for me.  The extra stash is a nice plus, of course.  I won't discount the possibility of OMY to 2020, but my focus is 2019 at this point.... almost exactly one year to my FIRE date.  It doesn't seem so far off now.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on June 06, 2018, 09:34:23 PM
Fuck, this is the most melodramatic cohort I've witnessed. Makes me want to pull the plug in 2018 with all the cool cats ;)


Haha. It’s just the storm before the calm. The RE version of pre-wedding jitters. Next year we’ll be cooler than cool.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: waffles on June 07, 2018, 06:05:09 PM
I am joining this group for a 2019 retirement!

I've been spending lots of time considering my retirement date (hence the username waffles...too much time spent waffling!). Itchyfeet, everything you posted in May sounded just like my thoughts lol. But I am settling on a date of June 22, 2019. I'll be 52.

I have a high stress job that I am ready to be done with. Part time is not an option. (There is a small chance of retiring September 2018 if the federal government changes retirement rules for 2019 but I think that is unlikely right now.) I was considering Dec.31 2018, but it just didn't feel right even though not going into work anymore sounds so good! Once I came up with the plan of maxing out my TSP contributions in the first half of 2019 and leaving in June, it just felt right. I'm appeasing my financial trepidation by getting my 2019 retirement contributions in, without working a full year...win! All the overtime I am likely to have to work will help pay for those contributions.

Also, DH will retire the end of June 2019...I'll beat him by about a week. Perfect!

I'm so excited I even got a countdown ticker lol.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on June 08, 2018, 04:59:54 AM
Welcome Waffles!  2019 is going to be a fine year.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on June 08, 2018, 07:34:24 AM
It's looking increasingly like they are going to offer me a one-day-a-week from home deal for a few months.  On the downside, that means less of a clean break.  On the upside, I get to retire in the autumn with the 2018 cohort and then do it again in the spring with you lot!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on June 08, 2018, 11:22:32 AM
It's looking increasingly like they are going to offer me a one-day-a-week from home deal for a few months.  On the downside, that means less of a clean break.  On the upside, I get to retire in the autumn with the 2018 cohort and then do it again in the spring with you lot!

This still sounds like a good deal.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on June 11, 2018, 09:05:00 PM

I never posted my FI or $1M milestones, so I'll post this one.  I hit $1.3M today.  One year to FIRE target date.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on June 11, 2018, 09:53:02 PM
Having made a firm decision, my mind has now shifted to post FIRE. We have big travel plans, and the mind is wandering there.

Between now and then though is a pesky year of work.

I will have quite a few changes to my team over this summer with 2 new direct reports coming on, and some other changes in the team. Hopefully the fresh blood in the team will give me some additional motivation/ inspiration for my last year. I really need to lift my game. Yes, I know it doesn’t really matter, but i guess there is some pride at stake..... and you never know what the future might have in store.

Next week we are off to Italy for a wedding. This whole destination wedding fad is really pretty selfish, even though I recognize it is the bride and grooms special day and they have dreamt of this for a long time. I will be part of the bridal party and flights, car rental, my new tailored suit, DWs new frock and shoes etc are costing a bomb. Despite all that, it’ll be awesome to see 2 of our best friends tie the knot..... and really who can ever complain about a few days in Italy. I am sure it will be a memorable trip.


Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on June 12, 2018, 07:53:41 AM

I never posted my FI or $1M milestones, so I'll post this one.  I hit $1.3M today.  One year to FIRE target date.

Awesome!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on June 12, 2018, 04:42:18 PM
I announced on June 1st to the head shed my intent to retire from the military.  The big boss and second-in-charge seemed very supportive.  Today I scheduled two 3-hour briefings on June 21st.  Those briefings will lay out the tasks and requirements I will need to do over the next year to retire from the military.  It's going to be a busy year ahead!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SpareChange on June 13, 2018, 10:56:39 AM
I announced on June 1st to the head shed my intent to retire from the military.  The big boss and second-in-charge seemed very supportive.  Today I scheduled two 3-hour briefings on June 21st.  Those briefings will lay out the tasks and requirements I will need to do over the next year to retire from the military.  It's going to be a busy year ahead!

Congrats!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: gerardc on June 13, 2018, 07:01:28 PM
I'm currently looking at April 1, 2019. I should be around $1.1M then, market cooperating. Not sure what I'll do exactly. I'm looking into remote, PT consulting. Or maybe just a 2-3 year break then I might work again in my 40s or something.

The timing is kind of awkward, because I'll probably want to work again in the future, but I do want to have some time for myself sooner rather than later. I would probably have done this break sooner if it weren't for the high comp that I'm getting now (software), that I kind of had to "take it while it's there".

I'm looking forward to traveling, getting into great shape, having fun, etc. We'll see how long that lasts.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on June 13, 2018, 09:38:51 PM
I'm currently looking at April 1, 2019. I should be around $1.1M then, market cooperating. Not sure what I'll do exactly. I'm looking into remote, PT consulting. Or maybe just a 2-3 year break then I might work again in my 40s or something.

The timing is kind of awkward, because I'll probably want to work again in the future, but I do want to have some time for myself sooner rather than later. I would probably have done this break sooner if it weren't for the high comp that I'm getting now (software), that I kind of had to "take it while it's there".

I'm looking forward to traveling, getting into great shape, having fun, etc. We'll see how long that lasts.

I am also in the boat of “never saying never” to the prospect of working again in the future. At a minimum I’ll take a year off and then reassess. DW and I will have enough stash to never work again, but if I find a good job that inspires me, then why not. DW plans on working casual, part time as a teacher post FIRE. Like, maybe 50-100 days work a year.
Title: Zero progress update
Post by: Thedividebyzero on June 16, 2018, 03:47:46 AM
Life has been quite hectic since first posting in the 2019 FIRE cohort thread.  Thought I would check in and give a quick update on our progress.

  The Zeroes are still on track for July 2019.  Only changes to our plans are:
-  Stache projection has grown.  Expect to be at 28X expected FIRE spending and more than 50X barebones by next July.
-  although work is grinding me to the bone, I am keeping the idea open that I may work until Dec 2019 if my employer is willing to accept me working from the location of my choosing.  Plan is to inform my employer in Jan 2019 of my intention to move to our retirement location in Jul 2019.  Whether that means resigning or continuing to work will be up to them and the overall level of sucktitude I am enduring at that moment.

I have serious short timers disease.  But I have to admit that having a sizable FU stache makes dealing with difficult moments at work much easier. 

Good luck to all of you.  2019 or bust!

- Zero


Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on June 16, 2018, 05:50:14 AM
Using trailing 12 month expenses ($21,760), I am sitting at 18.5x, which equates to a 5.4% withdrawal rate.

Last July was very spendy, so those 12 month expenses will look look much better next month and if market co-operates I should hit 20X+ expenses by end of July.

50 more weeks!
Title: Re: Zero progress update
Post by: tooqk4u22 on June 18, 2018, 09:00:22 AM
I have serious short timers disease.  But I have to admit that having a sizable FU stache makes dealing with difficult moments at work much easier. 

Mine is at all time highs, there is no cure.  I thought I would feel more like you but having the FU stash makes it that more difficult for me. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: sisto on June 18, 2018, 09:53:31 AM
I'm going to lurk here for a bit. My original date is June 7, 2021, but I've recently been thinking about pulling the plug early and moving to Mexico. So this would pull me by 2 years, I'll stick a pin in it for now.
Title: Re: Zero progress update
Post by: DreamFIRE on June 18, 2018, 04:03:17 PM
I have serious short timers disease.  But I have to admit that having a sizable FU stache makes dealing with difficult moments at work much easier. 

Mine is at all time highs, there is no cure.  I thought I would feel more like you but having the FU stash makes it that more difficult for me.

Having FU stash and now being FI hasn't really changed my feelings much about my job.  If anything, I'm more likely to daydream of FIRE than I used to.  I have it pretty good at work with my own office now, so that helps keep me going.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on June 18, 2018, 09:34:20 PM
Had a good day at "work" today, chaired a big fundraising golf tournament.  I had that moment of nostalgia sitting around with the staff and volunteers afterwards, nice to be part of something and use my position at work to raise $87,000 net for a good cause.

I know I can do that stuff in retirement too, but it's not as easy in a new area and I can't use my position for influence.

Random thoughts, I know I won't be there next year but they're setup for success
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on June 19, 2018, 02:58:45 AM
I'm going to lurk here for a bit. My original date is June 7, 2021, but I've recently been thinking about pulling the plug early and moving to Mexico. So this would pull me by 2 years, I'll stick a pin in it for now.

Welcome Sisto -- lurk all you like.  Many of us lurk on the 2018 thread.  :)

 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: sisto on June 19, 2018, 10:14:48 AM
I'm going to lurk here for a bit. My original date is June 7, 2021, but I've recently been thinking about pulling the plug early and moving to Mexico. So this would pull me by 2 years, I'll stick a pin in it for now.

Welcome Sisto -- lurk all you like.  Many of us lurk on the 2018 thread.  :)

 

Thank you! I have a couple of golden handcuff items sort of holding me to 2021, but things could change. :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on June 20, 2018, 04:29:54 PM
I announced on June 1st to the head shed my intent to retire from the military.  The big boss and second-in-charge seemed very supportive.  Today I scheduled two 3-hour briefings on June 21st.  Those briefings will lay out the tasks and requirements I will need to do over the next year to retire from the military.  It's going to be a busy year ahead!

Congrats!
Thanks much! Tomorrow the retirement process starts!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on June 23, 2018, 04:44:04 AM
Hello 2019 Cohort. 

After doing much math and deciding 2020 was just too far away, DH and I have moved our FIRE date from May 2020 to May 2019.  We are apparently having inverse OMY syndrome. 

This is so exciting. 

Loren
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on June 23, 2018, 04:46:04 AM
Hello 2019 Cohort. 

After doing much math and deciding 2020 was just too far away, DH and I have moved our FIRE date from May 2020 to May 2019.  We are apparently having inverse OMY syndrome. 

This is so exciting. 

Loren

Good for you!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on June 23, 2018, 06:43:59 AM
OLY syndrome. One less year.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on June 23, 2018, 08:30:34 AM
I've had OLY syndrome ever since I discovered FIRE in 2012 and put together a 15 year plan to retire by 40 =P
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on June 23, 2018, 08:32:48 AM
After spending the mornings of the past two days sitting through presentations and briefings I have a lot to digest.  I have a tentative timeline that will take me to my retirement date in 2019.  First, some terminology that needs to be defined so you know what the heck I'm talking about:

1. Terminal leave:  the amount of vacation days that I must completely use before exiting the service.  I'm projected to have 87 days of vacation I have to use in 2019.
2. Permissive temporary duty:  the 20-day time period allotted for each person retiring to find a job.
3. Clearing:  the process of signing and filing all paperwork to transition out.
4. Medical evaluation:  the process of diagnosing and documenting all my ailments.
5. Transition classes:  classes designed to help me ease back into civilian life.

The tentative timeline looks like this:

Date         Event
1 August 2018         Begin my transition classes
15 August 2018         Submit my retirement paperwork
3 November 2018         Begin my medical evaluation
1 May 2019          LAST DAY OF WORK
2 May 2019          Begin clearing
16 May 2019          Begin permissive temporary duty
6 June 2019          Begin terminal leave
2 September 2019          RETIREMENT DAY
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on June 23, 2018, 08:36:33 AM
That's awesome Cornbread.

eta:your username makes me hungry
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on June 23, 2018, 11:01:28 AM
That's awesome Cornbread.

eta:your username makes me hungry
lol.  I have to make a batch of cornbread for a coworker on Monday.  Thanks for the reminder!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on June 23, 2018, 06:13:13 PM
OLY syndrome. One less year.

Indeed!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SwordGuy on June 23, 2018, 11:05:17 PM
The 2018 cohort is rocking along.  2019 is almost here!   So close!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: TartanTallulah on June 24, 2018, 04:27:18 PM
I was back at work today after a vacation. I had hundreds of emails to wade through. By the time I'd finished, I was ready to run away and never go back. Colleagues squabbling, officialdom dreaming up new ways of wasting our time, and a serious HR situation that's ticking over waiting for my return.

Nine months and some days to go. Six weeks of that will be vacation time. The math works out; I've checked it time and again.

And yet I caught myself working out the logistics of going on a bunch of training courses in October.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on June 24, 2018, 05:18:46 PM
I was back at work today after a vacation. I had hundreds of emails to wade through. By the time I'd finished, I was ready to run away and never go back. Colleagues squabbling, officialdom dreaming up new ways of wasting our time, and a serious HR situation that's ticking over waiting for my return.

Nine months and some days to go. Six weeks of that will be vacation time. The math works out; I've checked it time and again.

And yet I caught myself working out the logistics of going on a bunch of training courses in October.

Going back after vacation can be so hard.  Training courses would break up the monotony :). 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: TartanTallulah on June 24, 2018, 10:55:21 PM
I was back at work today after a vacation. I had hundreds of emails to wade through. By the time I'd finished, I was ready to run away and never go back. Colleagues squabbling, officialdom dreaming up new ways of wasting our time, and a serious HR situation that's ticking over waiting for my return.

Nine months and some days to go. Six weeks of that will be vacation time. The math works out; I've checked it time and again.

And yet I caught myself working out the logistics of going on a bunch of training courses in October.

Going back after vacation can be so hard.  Training courses would break up the monotony :).

I'll have had another two short vacations by the time the training courses I'm considering doing take place. And it would be a significant financial outlay and several days away from home for training that will be of no use to me after I leave my job less than six months later. But the bones of my job are intrinsically interesting so it may still be worthwhile.




Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on June 25, 2018, 12:51:34 AM
@TartanTallulah Do you have the option of paid sick leave? Maybe you could claim a period of sick leave because of stress or something else during the last period?

Anyway, 9 months really isn't that long. You have several vacations planned and training courses. You'll survive it. Just don't get too engaged.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: TartanTallulah on June 25, 2018, 02:00:14 AM
@TartanTallulah Do you have the option of paid sick leave? Maybe you could claim a period of sick leave because of stress or something else during the last period?

Anyway, 9 months really isn't that long. You have several vacations planned and training courses. You'll survive it. Just don't get too engaged.

Thanks! I do have the option of fully funded sick leave for a month and partial funding for up to 12 months, but I'm nowhere near that point. I know this because three years ago my job (the same one) did break me and I had four months off sick followed by a phased return. I always feel the need to add that I wasn't swinging the lead, I was totally off my rocker, though my colleagues at work claimed not to have noticed a thing.

I'm planning to remain fully engaged with the nuts and bolts of the job right up until I slip away "for a few months off", but the wearisome box-ticking and administration, maybe not so much.

I've taken the initiative in bringing in two contractors for a couple of days a week, ostensibly to reduce my own workload because I've been carrying the biggest load but in the hope that at least one will want to commit long term. We're privileged to have been able to secure this help when other local organisations are struggling as much as we are. I've undertaken to ensure nobody else loses work sessions or income. In theory, this should lead to me having some pleasant two-day working weeks.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: sisto on June 25, 2018, 09:01:49 AM
OLY, I love that. I might be TLY, really trying to figure out how to pull it off.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: JoJo on June 26, 2018, 11:33:24 AM
I've been OMY'ing for the last 2 years, but think I'm really going to pull the plug around April 1, 2019.  Will be 45. 

I told myself if I worked this last year, I would treat the money as fun money.  First up... a $12,000 Antarctica cruise I just booked for November 2019.   I have my eye on a trip to the North Pole but it's embarrassing how expensive that is!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on June 26, 2018, 07:35:19 PM
I told myself if I worked this last year, I would treat the money as fun money.  First up... a $12,000 Antarctica cruise I just booked for November 2019.
A trip to Antarctica will be quite the bomb.  Be sure to book a company that will give you the opportunity to actually walk on the continent.  I claimed my 7th continent back in 2010 and would love to return to visit Ernest Shackleton's grave at Grytviken on South Georgia Island.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: JoJo on June 27, 2018, 11:07:04 AM
I told myself if I worked this last year, I would treat the money as fun money.  First up... a $12,000 Antarctica cruise I just booked for November 2019.
A trip to Antarctica will be quite the bomb.  Be sure to book a company that will give you the opportunity to actually walk on the continent.  I claimed my 7th continent back in 2010 and would love to return to visit Ernest Shackleton's grave at Grytviken on South Georgia Island.

Yep, this is a 19 day with quark - 2 days falklands, 4 days South Georgia, and 4 days in Antarctica with landings all around.

I've been to Antarctica before but on a big ship that we couldn't get off :(    This time I'm doing it right. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on June 27, 2018, 07:00:46 PM
Yep, this is a 19 day with quark - 2 days falklands, 4 days South Georgia, and 4 days in Antarctica with landings all around.

I've been to Antarctica before but on a big ship that we couldn't get off :(    This time I'm doing it right.
I suggest bringing ginger chewing gum to battle queasiness while crossing the Drake Passage!
Title: Re: Zero progress update
Post by: Thedividebyzero on June 28, 2018, 04:29:20 PM
I have serious short timers disease.  But I have to admit that having a sizable FU stache makes dealing with difficult moments at work much easier. 

Mine is at all time highs, there is no cure.  I thought I would feel more like you but having the FU stash makes it that more difficult for me.

Having FU stash and now being FI hasn't really changed my feelings much about my job.  If anything, I'm more likely to daydream of FIRE than I used to.  I have it pretty good at work with my own office now, so that helps keep me going.

Oh, daydreaming is what makes unwinding from those those tough days easier.  What’s hit me recently is that the days of daydreaming will soon be replaced with actually doing this FIRE thing!
Title: Re: Zero progress update
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on June 28, 2018, 05:29:59 PM
Oh, daydreaming is what makes unwinding from those those tough days easier.  What’s hit me recently is that the days of daydreaming will soon be replaced with actually doing this FIRE thing!
I've been doing the same especially right now because my heart is not in the current big project.  I struggle through the work and tell myself I just need to get through another nine months.  May 1st 2019 is my final day of work!!
Title: Re: Zero progress update
Post by: Thedividebyzero on June 28, 2018, 10:47:26 PM
Oh, daydreaming is what makes unwinding from those those tough days easier.  What’s hit me recently is that the days of daydreaming will soon be replaced with actually doing this FIRE thing!
I've been doing the same especially right now because my heart is not in the current big project.  I struggle through the work and tell myself I just need to get through another nine months.  May 1st 2019 is my final day of work!!

I have the same thoughts...  “I just need to get through the next 12 months.”  It’s really not the healthiest of mindsets, but I am afraid the thought pattern is going to be hard to escape.   I’m hoping as RE day gets closer, it will evolve to more feelings of giddiness.  Best of luck Cornbread.
Title: Re: Zero progress update
Post by: Loren Ver on June 29, 2018, 05:13:28 AM


I probably mentioned it before, but DH and I are planning to ask for working PT after the summer, 80%. This will cost us 15-20% income and increase our working life with some months. But having a long weekend every single week should increase our happiness by a lot. We often use long weekends to go camping (in the wild) or visit our cabin. These are the most positive things in our life. Waiting for another year and in my case probably year and a half while working full time in the hamster wheel is not so very tempting. Our jobs are both stressful at times and damaging our health. We need to take measures.
[/quote]

I think that is a great idea.  I hope your work is willing to work with you.  Having three day weekends would be awesome!

LV

 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on June 29, 2018, 05:19:39 AM
Doing my best not to call June finished a day early... but I was bored 😐

June was a very good month and our NW climbed handily despite our property values still falling. The Australian sharemarket had a bumper month which easily compensated everything else.

CFiresim says if DW and I FIRED today we would have more than a 75% chance of our stash lasting 40 years, and if I trimmed our spending by a mere 5% that probability climbs to 88%.

With a little flexibility, and the prospect of earning something, somehow over the next 40 years I take comfort that we are getting very close to a safe place financially.

The sobering thought is that the probability of me living 40 more years is only 32%. Gulp. At least DW has a 70% chance of still being around to see whether our withdrawal strategy is successful.

I’ll try and see out 12 more months working to get a bit closer to, or maybe even reach 25x.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on June 30, 2018, 07:53:15 AM
I'm putting June into the books just a few hours early. 

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That was a primal scream of:  ONLY SIX MONTHS LEFT IN 2018!  We are getting there folks, and it's feeling pretty damn real! 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on June 30, 2018, 12:17:11 PM
It won’t feel truly real until I write my resignation letter. That won’t be until Feb or even Mar next year.

I have to fly to Sydney in early March, so might hand in my notice on my return, or maybe just before I leave for Aust. It’ll be fun being back home in Sydney able to tell everyone that I have resigned and am coming home.

The plan is to finish up at end of June. Just looking at the calendar now I guess it’ll be 27 June.

So 362 days remaining..... less 104 weekend days.... 30 days leave.... 9 public holidays... makes it around 219 work days to go.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on June 30, 2018, 12:29:28 PM

I'm looking at early June of next year at this point, so it's too far off to get too excited.  Over 11 months.  I don't want time to go by quickly, even if it means FIRE will come sooner.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on June 30, 2018, 12:35:10 PM
Yeah, I have plenty of things to look forward to even before I get to FIRE, starting with a trip to Tanzania next month. Yeow!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Half Stached on June 30, 2018, 01:18:46 PM
One more quarter down, just 3 more to go!

7/15: 41.6% FI
10/15: 40.1%
1/16: 45.6%
4/16: 50.4%
7/16: 53.7%
10/16: 60.7%* (due to reducing expenses and better modeling, we reduced our FI target from 1.8million to 1.7)
1/17: 63.5%
4/17: 75.3%
7/17: 44.4* (Condo purchase. FI target reduced from 1.7million to 1.3, not including condo.)
10/17: 50.6%
1/18: 56.3%
4/18: 62.3%
7/18: 64.6%

Our net worth didn't increase as much as I had hoped this quarter. This was mostly due to having to pay a bunch of taxes in April: I didn't calculate correctly the tax hit of selling some investments to pay for the condo we bought last year. At least there wasn't a big penalty!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on June 30, 2018, 07:54:20 PM
One more quarter down, just 3 more to go!

7/15: 41.6% FI
10/15: 40.1%
1/16: 45.6%
4/16: 50.4%
7/16: 53.7%
10/16: 60.7%* (due to reducing expenses and better modeling, we reduced our FI target from 1.8million to 1.7)
1/17: 63.5%
4/17: 75.3%
7/17: 44.4* (Condo purchase. FI target reduced from 1.7million to 1.3, not including condo.)
10/17: 50.6%
1/18: 56.3%
4/18: 62.3%
7/18: 64.6%

Our net worth didn't increase as much as I had hoped this quarter. This was mostly due to having to pay a bunch of taxes in April: I didn't calculate correctly the tax hit of selling some investments to pay for the condo we bought last year. At least there wasn't a big penalty!

Do you think you can get from 64% to 100% this coming 12-18 months?

We are pretty much at 90% and for us I doubt we’ll quite reach the target before we FIRE. We do however anticipate spending a little less first year post fire as we will be travelling and won’t have a house yet. Hopefully over 3-5 years post FIRE we can edge our NW a smidge higher.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Half Stached on June 30, 2018, 09:51:02 PM
At our current savings rate, I'm projecting that in 12 months we'll be a little over 80%. I've been negotiating a layoff for Q2 next year and severance will pay out until the end of the year. That gets us to 90% at the end of 2019. My wife wants to work through 2020 and between that and selling a bunch of collectables I've been carting around since the '90s should get us across the finish line late 2020.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on July 01, 2018, 04:14:39 AM
Found out Friday at work that I will (sadly) most likely not be laid off as part of the current Megacorp takeover.  The last couple of months have been a weird rollercoaster.  First we thought our whole department might bite the dust, and now Megacorp is saying they will keep us around and not consider layoffs until at least the end of next year.  Too long for me.  I'll be gone. (hee hee hee)

A layoff with some severance close to my FIRE date would have been sweet. But all's good -- I'll just grind it out to the end like I was going to anyway.  I've got about 140 working days to go.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on July 01, 2018, 05:29:57 AM
Found out Friday at work that I will (sadly) most likely not be laid off as part of the current Megacorp takeover.  The last couple of months have been a weird rollercoaster.  First we thought our whole department might bite the dust, and now Megacorp is saying they will keep us around and not consider layoffs until at least the end of next year.  Too long for me.  I'll be gone. (hee hee hee)

A layoff with some severance close to my FIRE date would have been sweet. But all's good -- I'll just grind it out to the end like I was going to anyway.  I've got about 140 working days to go.

I'm really sorry to hear that...I had my fingers crossed for the entire past eighteen months hoping I could be in a round of expense cuts.  Sadly, I run a team that produces a lot of revenue.  Now the wait is on for some stock that's due in February (when it all would have come immediately due in a layoff)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: TartanTallulah on July 03, 2018, 07:15:52 AM
Whispers.

I've written my letter of resignation from my current job, with a planned finishing date of 31st October 2018.

I'm not leaving this cohort yet because I don't know what the implications for my future working life will be. I'm only 54, I don't feel as if I'm done with work forever, but I need to cut loose from THIS job at the earliest opportunity. Every time I think it can't get worse, it does. The tipping point was dragging myself away from my desk, leaving about four hours of paperwork to be done on one of my days off, at half past midnight one night last week. I promised myself I would never become that person, and I owe it to myself to keep that promise.

In a way it's a FU Money scenario because I'm being treated as if I don't have options when in fact I do.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on July 03, 2018, 07:38:29 AM
I've started mentionning my 2019 departure to some people.

I expect the rumor mill will go crazy with it. (Gasp he hasn't done 20 years, he's not even 30 years old)

Followed by the people asking me whats wrong with me.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on July 03, 2018, 07:39:49 AM
Whispers.

I've written my letter of resignation from my current job, with a planned finishing date of 31st October 2018.

I'm not leaving this cohort yet because I don't know what the implications for my future working life will be. I'm only 54, I don't feel as if I'm done with work forever, but I need to cut loose from THIS job at the earliest opportunity. Every time I think it can't get worse, it does. The tipping point was dragging myself away from my desk, leaving about four hours of paperwork to be done on one of my days off, at half past midnight one night last week. I promised myself I would never become that person, and I owe it to myself to keep that promise.

In a way it's a FU Money scenario because I'm being treated as if I don't have options when in fact I do.

Congrats on making the step to leave.

I have a colleague like you, answering work emails at Sunday midnight after leaving on holiday. This cannot be good for a person.

You can always consider taking a less stressful or part time job, even though that might delay your FIRE a bit.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: TartanTallulah on July 03, 2018, 07:53:12 AM
Whispers.

I've written my letter of resignation from my current job, with a planned finishing date of 31st October 2018.

I'm not leaving this cohort yet because I don't know what the implications for my future working life will be. I'm only 54, I don't feel as if I'm done with work forever, but I need to cut loose from THIS job at the earliest opportunity. Every time I think it can't get worse, it does. The tipping point was dragging myself away from my desk, leaving about four hours of paperwork to be done on one of my days off, at half past midnight one night last week. I promised myself I would never become that person, and I owe it to myself to keep that promise.

In a way it's a FU Money scenario because I'm being treated as if I don't have options when in fact I do.

Congrats on making the step to leave.

I have a colleague like you, answering work emails at Sunday midnight after leaving on holiday. This cannot be good for a person.

You can always consider taking a less stressful or part time job, even though that might delay your FIRE a bit.

Thanks! I shall be both RE and a cheeseparing sort of FI, but the only reason for me not to do some sort of work in the future would be that I discover I don't want to. At the moment, I think I will. Just not something with open-ended and increasing demand and limited and diminishing rewards.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: oldtoyota on July 03, 2018, 01:21:17 PM
I've had OLY syndrome ever since I discovered FIRE in 2012 and put together a 15 year plan to retire by 40 =P

Ha. Me, too. I forget my original date, but I know I shaved years off of the original plan.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on July 04, 2018, 07:40:01 AM
I am unfortunately definitively out of this cohort. I did some recalculations in my excel sheet and deleted 2019 from it, as it was only confusing. We still have some stash to save up.
In addition I have just been granted to work 80%, because I hope to get some more enjoyable life out of our weekends. That should influence our savings rate in a negative way, but I hope it is worth it. Otherwise I can always go back to 100%. But anyway, I think that 2019 is out of the question.

I will get an estate broker to look at our house next week. I hope he will say the house is worth a lot more than my conservative estimate that I am counting with.
On the other hand, my stash isn't growing as I hoped for this year. It is growing the amount of money I put into it every month, but I get very little help from the market this year. I have a mixture of 5 index funds, and not only the world wide one.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on July 04, 2018, 08:41:56 AM
I've had OLY syndrome ever since I discovered FIRE in 2012 and put together a 15 year plan to retire by 40 =P

Ha. Me, too. I forget my original date, but I know I shaved years off of the original plan.

In two years I went from 2042 (non MMM date)
to 2025
2020
2019.

Gotta love reducing expenses.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on July 04, 2018, 08:59:46 AM
I am unfortunately definitively out of this cohort. I did some recalculations in my excel sheet and deleted 2019 from it, as it was only confusing. We still have some stash to save up.
In addition I have just been granted to work 80%, because I hope to get some more enjoyable life out of our weekends. That should influence our savings rate in a negative way, but I hope it is worth it. Otherwise I can always go back to 100%. But anyway, I think that 2019 is out of the question.

I will get an estate broker to look at our house next week. I hope he will say the house is worth a lot more than my conservative estimate that I am counting with.
On the other hand, my stash isn't growing as I hoped for this year. It is growing the amount of money I put into it every month, but I get very little help from the market this year. I have a mixture of 5 index funds, and not only the world wide one.

Although I'm sorry to hear you're out Linda, it sounds like you are making some great steps to maximize happiness!  And that's what this is really all about.  Congrats!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on July 04, 2018, 11:25:08 AM
I am unfortunately definitively out of this cohort. I did some recalculations in my excel sheet and deleted 2019 from it, as it was only confusing. We still have some stash to save up.
In addition I have just been granted to work 80%, because I hope to get some more enjoyable life out of our weekends. That should influence our savings rate in a negative way, but I hope it is worth it. Otherwise I can always go back to 100%. But anyway, I think that 2019 is out of the question.

I will get an estate broker to look at our house next week. I hope he will say the house is worth a lot more than my conservative estimate that I am counting with.
On the other hand, my stash isn't growing as I hoped for this year. It is growing the amount of money I put into it every month, but I get very little help from the market this year. I have a mixture of 5 index funds, and not only the world wide one.

Although I'm sorry to hear you're out Linda, it sounds like you are making some great steps to maximize happiness!  And that's what this is really all about.  Congrats!
Sorry to hear the numbers aren't lining up yet, but 3 day weekends sounds like a great opportunity to have fun and get fit.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on July 04, 2018, 11:43:56 AM
Au Revoir Linda. 2020 will be lucky to have you on board.

Enjoy working part time. A nice compromise to keep the stash growth ticking over.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on July 04, 2018, 01:12:02 PM
Au Revoir Linda. 2020 will be lucky to have you on board.

Enjoy working part time. A nice compromise to keep the stash growth ticking over.

Thanks, all. I was already in the 2020 cohort as well, as I wasn't sure about the exact year.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on July 04, 2018, 04:21:27 PM
Au Revoir Linda. 2020 will be lucky to have you on board.

Enjoy working part time. A nice compromise to keep the stash growth ticking over.

Thanks, all. I was already in the 2020 cohort as well, as I wasn't sure about the exact year.


I'm sorry Linda.  I hope your home come in worth more than what you were expected!  Going to three days weekends should take out much of the sting.  Enjoy the time!

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: TartanTallulah on July 04, 2018, 11:13:13 PM
I am unfortunately definitively out of this cohort. I did some recalculations in my excel sheet and deleted 2019 from it, as it was only confusing. We still have some stash to save up.
In addition I have just been granted to work 80%, because I hope to get some more enjoyable life out of our weekends. That should influence our savings rate in a negative way, but I hope it is worth it. Otherwise I can always go back to 100%. But anyway, I think that 2019 is out of the question.

I will get an estate broker to look at our house next week. I hope he will say the house is worth a lot more than my conservative estimate that I am counting with.
On the other hand, my stash isn't growing as I hoped for this year. It is growing the amount of money I put into it every month, but I get very little help from the market this year. I have a mixture of 5 index funds, and not only the world wide one.

I hope your plan works out well for you, Linda.

Working less than the nominal full time hours has allowed me a degree of career longevity that I couldn't have had otherwise, and I'd still consider options that allowed me to work no more than 24 hours a week.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on July 05, 2018, 10:19:20 AM
Counting toward my earliest possible FIRE date, I now have 127 working days to go.  16 paychecks left.  Woooo!!   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on July 06, 2018, 05:10:22 AM
Counting toward my earliest possible FIRE date, I now have 127 working days to go.  16 paychecks left.  Woooo!!

Sooo exciting!!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on July 06, 2018, 11:10:07 AM
Counting toward my earliest possible FIRE date, I now have 127 working days to go.  16 paychecks left.  Woooo!!

Congrats, Trifele!  I wouldn't feel much counting down from 127, but counting down from 16 to 15 to 14... seems like a good way to do it to me.  When you get to 8 paychecks left post here again - you'll just need to do that same amount again and you could be done!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on July 06, 2018, 09:38:16 PM
I get paid monthly, so only 12 to go incl my final pay. 😬

.... and August will barely count as I will take a 3 week vacation.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: gerardc on July 07, 2018, 05:21:03 PM
Congrats on making the step to leave.

I have a colleague like you, answering work emails at Sunday midnight after leaving on holiday. This cannot be good for a person.

You can always consider taking a less stressful or part time job, even though that might delay your FIRE a bit.

I do this sometimes, it's mostly self-imposed, compulsive working, workaholism, perfectionism, etc. It's actually counter productive for your career, but when there's a problem left unsolved sometimes I can't let it go, it just keeps annoying me until I fix it, even if it's not urgent. It's really an obsession in my case, there's no external stress or pressure from a manager, only regular emails that are not urgent at all.

I'm reading that thread and trying to take up some tips:
https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/the-art-of-not-working-at-work/50/
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on July 07, 2018, 09:24:04 PM
I think that the expectation that you’re available 24x7 to your employer is pretty common.

In my current job I can not take a vacation without working an hour or 2 most days.

On one vacation I was getting up at 5am and working for 3hours before having breakfast with DW and then again squeezing a few more hours in during the evening. This was exceptional because we were trying to close a deal and the vacation was just at the worst possible time. DW was understandably not happy.

Also, I work in the Middle East and our weekends are Friday-Sat, But HQs weekends are Sat-Sun so it seems to mean that Fridays are fair game. It’s a constant battle to keep Friday’s free of calendar appointments.

None of this is particularly healthy and so I try and keep a few personal  rules
1, I never check my emails before bed, but instead wait until I wake up. Basically after 9pm is a work free zone,
2. On weekends I am ok to work on one day if really necessary, but on the other day I don’t look at emails
3. I try to avoid sending emails to my employees on weekends, as they need a break.
4. On vacations, I am quite ruthless in appraising what is critical and must be dealt with and what can wait. I will also sometimes turn my emails off for a couple of days so I can relax.

I can’t wait to FIRE!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: texxan1 on July 07, 2018, 09:35:23 PM
I think ive decided to up the game a little and join in.... was thinking 2021 but I think dec 31st 2019 is my Day.

46 YO single
1.5m liquid
500k paid for house
target to save 250k more and call it a day...

Tex
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: TartanTallulah on July 08, 2018, 01:02:40 AM
I think that the expectation that you’re available 24x7 to your employer is pretty common.

In my current job I can not take a vacation without working an hour or 2 most days.

On one vacation I was getting up at 5am and working for 3hours before having breakfast with DW and then again squeezing a few more hours in during the evening. This was exceptional because we were trying to close a deal and the vacation was just at the worst possible time. DW was understandably not happy.

Also, I work in the Middle East and our weekends are Friday-Sat, But HQs weekends are Sat-Sun so it seems to mean that Fridays are fair game. It’s a constant battle to keep Friday’s free of calendar appointments.

None of this is particularly healthy and so I try and keep a few personal  rules
1, I never check my emails before bed, but instead wait until I wake up. Basically after 9pm is a work free zone,
2. On weekends I am ok to work on one day if really necessary, but on the other day I don’t look at emails
3. I try to avoid sending emails to my employees on weekends, as they need a break.
4. On vacations, I am quite ruthless in appraising what is critical and must be dealt with and what can wait. I will also sometimes turn my emails off for a couple of days so I can relax.

I can’t wait to FIRE!

That sounds like a cruel work set-up and I'm not surprised you're desperate to get out.

I'm fortunate in that once I'm on vacation I can usually switch off provided I go away. If I don't, I'll find myself offering to go into work for part of a day for this or for that because it feels easier than not going in. And the day or two before a vacation is brutal because everything has to be cleared. I look forward to not having to do that any more and to be able to pack at leisure, shop for odds and ends I might need, eat properly, exercise and sleep before a journey.

When I am going outwith travelling distance of work, though, I can say, "I won't be there," and that is respected. Apart from the time when the manager discovered that my colleagues and I should have evidence of having done a gazillion assessed online learning modules prior to a regulatory body visiting our premises the week after I returned from vacation, told me if it wasn't done we could be closed down, and I spent every evening remaining of my vacation in my hotel room ploughing through information of dubious relevance to my actual job instead of ambling along the beach. Every time I'm about to go away, something is happening that makes it feel like a very bad time to be absent, but they always cope fine without me. The fact that there's always an "urgent" matter of some sort cropping up is evidence in itself that it's not a health-promoting environment.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on July 08, 2018, 04:33:26 AM
Welcome @texxan1!  Paging @markbike528CBX to get you added to the spreadsheet next time he updates it.  (Our fearless OP actually FIREd with the 2018 cohort this year -- we're all very jealous.  :) )

@itchyfeet  and @TartanTallulah -- I too have a job where I am expected to be checking email and doing other tasks on the weekends and on vacation.  I have gotten much firmer recently about pushing back on the expectation -- especially on vacation.  I recently took 5 days off and told everyone beforehand that I would not be answering my phone or checking email because of no access (partially true -- we were traveling and camping part of the time in areas with no reception).  I gave everyone a name and a number they could call if they had an emergency, and told them that otherwise I'd respond to their emails when I got back.  It was a glorious, fully unplugged getaway.

Besides, what are they going to do -- fire us?   ;)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: exit2019 on July 08, 2018, 02:35:33 PM
A lot of press lately about how returns for the next decade are likely to be poor.  Somewhat concerning

I did most of my modeling first using my own spreadsheets and then the ERN toolboxes (the original and the side hustle one) and it comes out OK, but everything rests on what happens in the decade post. 

Interesting times for those of us who are close.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on July 08, 2018, 08:17:42 PM
A lot of press lately about how returns for the next decade are likely to be poor.  Somewhat concerning

I did most of my modeling first using my own spreadsheets and then the ERN toolboxes (the original and the side hustle one) and it comes out OK, but everything rests on what happens in the decade post. 

Interesting times for those of us who are close.

It is possible returns are lower, remember that ERN’s stuff involves absolutely zero income post retirement.  It also can’t really backtrack using REITs as an asset class to help with cash flow management.  A low leveraged REIT and/or pipeline added to your mix that can  throws off 6% a year with increases matching inflation helps.

Ask yourself what can go right as well as what can go wrong
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on July 10, 2018, 10:20:49 AM
325 days!

We just ticked back over $500k NW this morning.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on July 10, 2018, 10:28:16 AM
2019 Cohort Roster updated with age at FIRE if known and notes.   Let me know if you have any corrections.
 

01/xx/19     MoneyStacher  (51)
01/xx/19     PhilB  (53)                         Moved to October 2018; Possible PT into 2019
02/15/19     sui generis  (41)
02/xx/19     zinnie  (35)
03/08/19     ChasesFish
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/xx/19     MissNancyPryor  (50)     
03/xx/19     Roboturner  (30)
03/xx/19     Edgema
03/25/19     MaybeBabyMustache
03/31/19     TartanTallulah  (55)           Moved to 2018 and is back again
04/01/19     Trifele  (52)
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/xx/19     Luck12  (41)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)
05/xx/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/xx/19     cerat0n1a                          Now planning summer 2018 FIRE
05/xx/19     dude                               
05/xx/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/xx/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/14/19     Mr. Ver (40)
05/17/19     Loren Ver (37)
05/31/19     Pylortes  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
06/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/xx/19     Oldtoyota
06/xx/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/xx/19     Bateaux  (50)
06/xx/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/xx/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/xx/19     Enigma  (39)
07/xx/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
08/12/19     Canadian Ben  (29)
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)
09/xx/19     RetirementDreaming
09/27/19     Spreadsheet Man
10/xx/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/xx/19     Trix76  (43)
10/xx/19     MoMan  (55)
12/xx/19     markbike528cbx  (55)        OLY -- CONFIRMED 6-1-18; checking in as OP
12/xx/19     HBFI  (38)
12/xx/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:

madamwitty (36)
Lowerbills (40)
Chrissy (42)
Gerard
getoutsoon (52)
ysette9 (38)
Elaine amj (40)
IPlawyer
Chairman                           SemiFIRE 2018
     


Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on July 11, 2018, 07:33:12 AM
This morning I had a startling thought.  I'm getting my hair cut next week  (which I do every six weeks).  After that I only have three more haircuts until I hand in my notice.  [smile] 

I am taking great pleasure in discovering new countdown methods.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on July 11, 2018, 08:43:24 AM
I'm two weeks away from my "Victory lap" (Final year) And I have yet to take vacation this year.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SpareChange on July 11, 2018, 09:54:44 AM
This morning I had a startling thought.  I'm getting my hair cut next week  (which I do every six weeks).  After that I only have three more haircuts until I hand in my notice.  [smile] 

I am taking great pleasure in discovering new countdown methods.

Lol! Now there's someone that's ready to set themselves on FIRE.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on July 12, 2018, 05:26:54 AM
325 days!

We just ticked back over $500k NW this morning.

The market giveth and and the market taketh away just as quickly.

Is this one of those milestones we will cross over and over again lol?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on July 13, 2018, 08:28:20 AM
2019 Cohort Roster updated with age at FIRE if known and notes.   Let me know if you have any corrections.
 
...snip...
     

Thank you for updating!

So Right now the plan is for MR Ver to be out May 14th 2019, on his 40th Bday.  That is a Tuesday.  I'll probably go out that Friday, May 17th.  I'll be 37. 

As of right now, I really don't think either of us are going to be able to wait that long.  We are itching really bad.  But we did decide we don't want to retire to our messy house so we are spending the next 44ish weeks decluttering, cleaning, repairing, etc. That way we will have a nice home to retire to. 

The 2018 thread is amazing to read.  I've been popping in and it is so good to see people catching FIRE almost daily.  :D.

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on July 13, 2018, 08:46:03 AM
2019 Cohort Roster updated with age at FIRE if known and notes.   Let me know if you have any corrections.
 
...snip...
     

Thank you for updating!

So Right now the plan is for MR Ver to be out May 14th 2019, on his 40th Bday.  That is a Tuesday.  I'll probably go out that Friday, May 17th.  I'll be 37. 

As of right now, I really don't think either of us are going to be able to wait that long.  We are itching really bad.  But we did decide we don't want to retire to our messy house so we are spending the next 44ish weeks decluttering, cleaning, repairing, etc. That way we will have a nice home to retire to. 

The 2018 thread is amazing to read.  I've been popping in and it is so good to see people catching FIRE almost daily.  :D.

LV

Additional info added!  How exciting -- a FIRE couple.  And I hear you Loren Ver -- I don't know if I'll make it to April 1.  I am on fire with itching as well. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on July 13, 2018, 09:05:07 AM
I just had the most intense week of work ever.

I have been involved in some intense negotiations on a very big project that will be a big deal to my company if we can secure it.

I have been working 14 hour days all week, and I have actually been enjoying it.

I have done some of my best work, cleverest manoeuvring and clearest thinking. Basically kicking ass.

In my exhausted state it has given me pause about FIRE. What am I FIREing to? Actually I do know the answer to this and it’s also exciting. There are so many things I have been putting off due to work commitments.

There are just too many things I want to do and not enough time. I need two of me.

One who doesnt work and can do all things I wished I could do if I had time and one of me who can keep surprising myself with skills I didn’t know I had.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: tooqk4u22 on July 13, 2018, 10:27:11 AM

There are just too many things I want to do and not enough time. I need two of me.

One who doesnt work and can do all things I wished I could do if I had time and one of me who can keep surprising myself with skills I didn’t know I had.

That didn't work out too well in Multiplicity....

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on July 13, 2018, 11:11:52 AM
2019 Cohort Roster updated with age at FIRE if known and notes.   Let me know if you have any corrections.
 
...snip...
     

Thank you for updating!

So Right now the plan is for MR Ver to be out May 14th 2019, on his 40th Bday.  That is a Tuesday.  I'll probably go out that Friday, May 17th.  I'll be 37. 

As of right now, I really don't think either of us are going to be able to wait that long.  We are itching really bad.  But we did decide we don't want to retire to our messy house so we are spending the next 44ish weeks decluttering, cleaning, repairing, etc. That way we will have a nice home to retire to. 

The 2018 thread is amazing to read.  I've been popping in and it is so good to see people catching FIRE almost daily.  :D.

LV

Additional info added!  How exciting -- a FIRE couple.  And I hear you Loren Ver -- I don't know if I'll make it to April 1.  I am on fire with itching as well.

*scratch scratch scratch*

Love April 1st by the way. Good choice on date.  :D
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on July 13, 2018, 11:49:26 AM

That didn't work out too well in Multiplicity....

I’ll have to check that movie out I guess.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on July 13, 2018, 04:35:46 PM
My stash is at a level I could cut back to 2% SWR if I felt the need and could still pay my barebones expenses, but I'm also starting to shift more out of stocks to reduce volatility of shaky markets and minimize the loss in a bear market.  When I get my AA right, I'll be more comfortable to FIRE.

Barring any negative changes in the ACA or a plummeting stock market, I expect to FIRE in May/June 2019.  Those things are out of my control, although I'm moving to a more conservative AA as I near FIRE to reduce volatility of my investments and help protect against SORR.

In the meantime, I'm still saving as much as ever, possibly 80% this year.

I finally got my asset allocation closer to where I had planned it.  If I include my total stash of savings/investments/retirement accounts, I was recently 80% invested in stock funds.  As of today, I have gotten that down to a much more conservative 62%.  While the S&P is still down from the record high, the funds in my retirement account had performed significantly better than the S&P YTD, so I decided to complete the transfer as planned.  With less than 1 year to FIRE and considering current stock valuations as well as other factors, I think this is a better AA for my situation while cFireSim gives 100% success for a 4% SWR when factoring in pension/fixed income after 15 years of FIRE.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on July 13, 2018, 04:38:42 PM
I just had the most intense week of work ever.

I have been involved in some intense negotiations on a very big project that will be a big deal to my company if we can secure it.

I have been working 14 hour days all week, and I have actually been enjoying it.

I have done some of my best work, cleverest manoeuvring and clearest thinking. Basically kicking ass.
Glad you had a great week!  Mine was intense too but for opposite reasons!!  hahaha!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on July 13, 2018, 04:56:24 PM

It's the reverse for me.  This is my favorite time of year.  Through the end of June, I had worked over 4 straight months without using a single benefit day, although I usually get weekends off.  Then I began my string of short weeks for most of the summer to start July, and I am continuing to take most Thursdays and Fridays off to get three-day 24-hour work weeks until Sept, then a few four-day work weeks in Sept, then I'll finally return to the regular five-day 40+ hour work weeks one after an other starting the last week of Sept.  It's great to feel like a part time worker for a good chunk of the summer.  When I'm back to the regular work groove, I'll be down to 8 months to my FIRE target date.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on July 13, 2018, 09:52:22 PM
I have 3 weeks vacation in August.

Basically, I get through the next 2 weeks and then I’m down to 10 months till FIRE.

I am then taking a week off in October, a week in December and a week next April.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on July 14, 2018, 07:56:28 PM
I have 3 weeks vacation in August.

Basically, I get through the next 2 weeks and then I’m down to 10 months till FIRE.

I am then taking a week off in October, a week in December and a week next April.

Very similar to mine, spending part of the weekend trying to plan out vacation for the rest of the year.  I was doing some research and they moved around our restricted stock, pushing my notice period back for three weeks.  Looks like a February 19th resignation date with 30 days notice.  Stock comes due as long as I'm "employed" on March 15th.  Recent people who've left told me to wait until March 18th to resign just to make sure, but its killing me pushing the date further and further back, especially since this week marks two weeks worked past my original date
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SpareChange on July 15, 2018, 02:12:41 PM
Ugh. This year so far has been a grind. I'm putting in 6 days a week at work on average. Had a stretch a few months ago where I worked 30+ days straight. The OT is great though, and never guaranteed to come around....

2019, where art thou???
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: gerardc on July 15, 2018, 09:05:29 PM
I have 3 weeks vacation in August.

Basically, I get through the next 2 weeks and then I’m down to 10 months till FIRE.

I am then taking a week off in October, a week in December and a week next April.

Very similar to mine, spending part of the weekend trying to plan out vacation for the rest of the year.  I was doing some research and they moved around our restricted stock, pushing my notice period back for three weeks.  Looks like a February 19th resignation date with 30 days notice.  Stock comes due as long as I'm "employed" on March 15th.  Recent people who've left told me to wait until March 18th to resign just to make sure, but its killing me pushing the date further and further back, especially since this week marks two weeks worked past my original date

Similar issue with vesting here. It depends on your company. I trust my (large) company to do the right thing as they've always done. I'd be extremely surprised if they fired me right after giving my notice.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on July 16, 2018, 03:54:09 AM
I have 3 weeks vacation in August.

Basically, I get through the next 2 weeks and then I’m down to 10 months till FIRE.

I am then taking a week off in October, a week in December and a week next April.

Very similar to mine, spending part of the weekend trying to plan out vacation for the rest of the year.  I was doing some research and they moved around our restricted stock, pushing my notice period back for three weeks.  Looks like a February 19th resignation date with 30 days notice.  Stock comes due as long as I'm "employed" on March 15th.  Recent people who've left told me to wait until March 18th to resign just to make sure, but its killing me pushing the date further and further back, especially since this week marks two weeks worked past my original date

Similar issue with vesting here. It depends on your company. I trust my (large) company to do the right thing as they've always done. I'd be extremely surprised if they fired me right after giving my notice.

Yes, similar vesting issue here.  One reason I decided not to FIRE in 2018 is that I vest in my employer's 401k contributions at the end of the year.  I decided to wait until after that to give notice -- to ensure no monkey business.  I would trust my employer not to do that, but we're in the middle of being purchased by MegaCorp, and who knows what they might do if they are calling the shots by then.   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on July 16, 2018, 05:12:17 AM
So as we are coming down the home stretch I was wondering what items you all have on your "to do" lists before you pull the rip cord (or if you are going out early 2019, what did you want to make sure you do before hand)?

Since DH and I moved the date up recently, we are figuring these out at a bit for a scramble.

A few of the items were are working through:
Figure out house repairs and changes we want to do before retirement.  We want to retire into a nicer clean home so much of this is decluttering.  We are also looking at some big projects, replacing porch, replacing basement stairs, replacing carpet. 

Making a draw down and conversion plan.  DH 401k, that doesn't have much in it, has big fees and other costs. We need to get that money out as soon as we can, but not get our "income" up to high doing so.  We also want to get as much money into 401ks before we leave as possible.  This could be up to 100% for DH if his company will let him do it. 

We want to pay off the house to reduce our spending to reduce our SoR risks.

We need to make sure our vacation time is used as neither company pays it out.  My company gives me all my days on Jan 1st, but if you use too many, you have to pay them back. 

I want to get some work projects nicely tied up or packaged for the next person. 

How about you?
Loren


   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on July 16, 2018, 05:42:00 AM
I have 3 weeks vacation in August.

Basically, I get through the next 2 weeks and then I’m down to 10 months till FIRE.

I am then taking a week off in October, a week in December and a week next April.

Very similar to mine, spending part of the weekend trying to plan out vacation for the rest of the year.  I was doing some research and they moved around our restricted stock, pushing my notice period back for three weeks.  Looks like a February 19th resignation date with 30 days notice.  Stock comes due as long as I'm "employed" on March 15th.  Recent people who've left told me to wait until March 18th to resign just to make sure, but its killing me pushing the date further and further back, especially since this week marks two weeks worked past my original date

Similar issue with vesting here. It depends on your company. I trust my (large) company to do the right thing as they've always done. I'd be extremely surprised if they fired me right after giving my notice.

Yes, similar vesting issue here.  One reason I decided not to FIRE in 2018 is that I vest in my employer's 401k contributions at the end of the year.  I decided to wait until after that to give notice -- to ensure no monkey business.  I would trust my employer not to do that, but we're in the middle of being purchased by MegaCorp, and who knows what they might do if they are calling the shots by then.

I'd give my right arm for my mega-corp to be bought, but its not going to happen.   A buyout would result in almost half a million dollars for me, but unfortunately the regulators aren't going to approve a consolidation of two already pretty large banks.

I am probably going to have to trust them to do the right thing and I'll resign on February 19th right after the Monday holiday.  Handbook says 30 days notice for officers and I'll specifically define it as a retirement, sabbatical, and spending more time with my family.   It might have to move a few days depending on how the bonus pool shakes out.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on July 16, 2018, 07:28:58 AM
So as we are coming down the home stretch I was wondering what items you all have on your "to do" lists before you pull the rip cord (or if you are going out early 2019, what did you want to make sure you do before hand)?

Since DH and I moved the date up recently, we are figuring these out at a bit for a scramble.

A few of the items were are working through:
Figure out house repairs and changes we want to do before retirement.  We want to retire into a nicer clean home so much of this is decluttering.  We are also looking at some big projects, replacing porch, replacing basement stairs, replacing carpet. 
...
Lots of people seem to have this attitude and I have to admit I find it hard to understand.  I plan to do all those kind of jobs AFTER I retire - when I will have so much more time and attention to devote to them rather than scramble to try and fit them in around my job.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: TartanTallulah on July 16, 2018, 07:58:22 AM
So as we are coming down the home stretch I was wondering what items you all have on your "to do" lists before you pull the rip cord (or if you are going out early 2019, what did you want to make sure you do before hand)?

Since DH and I moved the date up recently, we are figuring these out at a bit for a scramble.

A few of the items were are working through:
Figure out house repairs and changes we want to do before retirement.  We want to retire into a nicer clean home so much of this is decluttering.  We are also looking at some big projects, replacing porch, replacing basement stairs, replacing carpet. 

Making a draw down and conversion plan.  DH 401k, that doesn't have much in it, has big fees and other costs. We need to get that money out as soon as we can, but not get our "income" up to high doing so.  We also want to get as much money into 401ks before we leave as possible.  This could be up to 100% for DH if his company will let him do it. 

We want to pay off the house to reduce our spending to reduce our SoR risks.

We need to make sure our vacation time is used as neither company pays it out.  My company gives me all my days on Jan 1st, but if you use too many, you have to pay them back. 

I want to get some work projects nicely tied up or packaged for the next person. 

How about you?
Loren


 

I'm now 15 weeks out from retirement and suspect my nose will be to the grindstone for the entire time and I'll get nothing done.

But ...

Ensure I have enough liquid cash/sessional work to bridge the gap between R-day and taking my pension.

Apply for my pension. It takes at least four months to organise.

Get all my details to the accountant and be proactive about getting the money I'm owed from two years of being massively underpaid (around 18 months' projected retirement living expenses, or several years of bolstering my pension) out of the business account and into my own account.

Survive, and burn no bridges.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on July 16, 2018, 12:28:24 PM
RE will be a great leap into the unknown for us.

We will repatriate to Australia but have no idea where in Australia.

But, that’s still almost 2 years away.

We will FIRE in 11.5 months and then the plan is to travel for 9 months or so while our life is stored in a shipping container. We will just put the container on a ship to Australia andleace the shipping company to store our stuff for 9 months. Not quite sure what we will do with more personal/ valuable items.

For now everything is still quite a ways off so business as usual for us until early next year.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on July 16, 2018, 04:44:21 PM
So as we are coming down the home stretch I was wondering what items you all have on your "to do" lists before you pull the rip cord (or if you are going out early 2019, what did you want to make sure you do before hand)?

Since DH and I moved the date up recently, we are figuring these out at a bit for a scramble.

A few of the items were are working through:
Figure out house repairs and changes we want to do before retirement.  We want to retire into a nicer clean home so much of this is decluttering.  We are also looking at some big projects, replacing porch, replacing basement stairs, replacing carpet. 
...
Lots of people seem to have this attitude and I have to admit I find it hard to understand.  I plan to do all those kind of jobs AFTER I retire - when I will have so much more time and attention to devote to them rather than scramble to try and fit them in around my job.

I thought the same when I read that post this morning.  I have a whole list of projects to do around the house, and I've been putting them off since I have less than 11 months to my FIRE date.  I can see the advantage of being able to FIRE and having all (or most) of it already completed, but I don't have a lot of free time as it is without trying to squeeze all of that in as well.  Maybe I can make some progress and pick off some of the low hanging fruit, but a lot of this stuff is likely going to be postponed until I FIRE (or at least go part time, if that happens).

Prior to FIRE, I'll be following any developments in the ACA.  I might start selling off some extra stuff in preparation for possibly relocating, but an actual move wouldn't likely be in my first year of FIRE, so there's no rush to sell off.  I'll probably try to line up some travel plans in advance to enjoy some of my early FIRE time doing something special by getting away before working on the home projects.  Also need to get the "all clear" exam before I FIRE.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on July 17, 2018, 04:50:05 AM
So as we are coming down the home stretch I was wondering what items you all have on your "to do" lists before you pull the rip cord (or if you are going out early 2019, what did you want to make sure you do before hand)?


We have a big to-do list, most of it house related.  We are more than halfway through a DIY gut renovation of our house.  That has to be finished (or at least the end has to be in sight) before I can FIRE.  Although we could save up the cash for expenses and have it waiting, this type of renovation -- bringing an old neglected house back to life -- has a way of taking sharp unexpected turns.  Things that cost a lot of effort and money.  Like the time we discovered the cut floor joists and had to jack one end of the house and do major foundational repairs.  Or the day we found that the roof's ridge pole (a 60 foot poplar tree with the bark still on) could not be salvaged and had to come down.  I just need to see the finish line and know there won't be any more major surprises coming.  That should happen this winter I think. 

I'm also trying to figure out health insurance, but that should hopefully be ok IF the ACA does not undergo major changes this year.  I'll have to find some travel insurance, because we're planning on a couple trips.

Last but not least I'm doing some income planning -- trying to optimize it for next year for both tax and ACA purposes.  I'll be front-loading my HSA and 401k, and maybe FIREing a little earlier.

But for the most part, yeah -- it is a leap into the unknown.  :)   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on July 17, 2018, 05:04:13 AM
So as we are coming down the home stretch I was wondering what items you all have on your "to do" lists before you pull the rip cord (or if you are going out early 2019, what did you want to make sure you do before hand)?

Since DH and I moved the date up recently, we are figuring these out at a bit for a scramble.

A few of the items were are working through:
Figure out house repairs and changes we want to do before retirement.  We want to retire into a nicer clean home so much of this is decluttering.  We are also looking at some big projects, replacing porch, replacing basement stairs, replacing carpet. 
...
Lots of people seem to have this attitude and I have to admit I find it hard to understand.  I plan to do all those kind of jobs AFTER I retire - when I will have so much more time and attention to devote to them rather than scramble to try and fit them in around my job.

That is a good point.  Mostly we are evaluating, like the carpeting probably wont happen until a few years after FIRE (we have been putting it off for 11 years, whats a few more).  It kinda falls into two buckets: mental and financial.

Mental - having these project means we are working toward our FIRE date with things we want to do instead of just waiting to get things started.  Having project goals in mind and completing them is a great feeling.  Why put off today if I can get it done and start enjoying it.  I'm one of those people that likes to clean the house during the work week before leaving on vacation.  Sure I can clean it up when I get back during my re-balancing day, but I would much rather come back to a clean house. 

Financial - I'd rather make big purchases while the fire hose of cash is still coming in and when that spending isn't going to be used to determine my taxes and subsidies after I retire.  Or at least have the cash on hand once the year closes.  In 2018, we are already paying lots of taxes even with all our pretax investments.  In 2019, the goal is to get our taxable income low.  That way we have some wiggle room to start getting DH 401k out of his terrible options and converted to something better and cheaper. 

Loren
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: edgema on July 17, 2018, 05:31:47 AM
I am with those that wonder why people would want to pack in renovation style work prior to leaving work. After FIRE you can tackle (and probably enjoy) some jobs yourself and those you cannot would be better supervised closely anyway. I believe it is a cognitive bias (we all have) to find it easier to spend the money now, while you are still accumulating, even if it doesn't make analytical sense in my view. 

Over the past three years we have made the big changes to prepare for FIRE, most notably 1) Moved area and house to reduce housing cost 2) bought investment properties to provide a core income 3) fixed our home mortgage at 2.39% for 10 years to take out interest rate risk, and 3) continued to save. One of my 'problems' is that there isn't much I feel the need to do now and it is more a case of waiting for the dates to come around and not waste life 'living in the future' in the meantime.

I spend more time imagining what to do immediately after FIRE. Travel will be a big part of whatever we choose and most likely we will take our kids (8,6) out of school for up to a year. Either living on a boat for that time or breaking the time into shorter trips on boats and roaming around in our camper van.

I do sometimes consider all the jobs I would like to do on the house but that stuff can wait. I will do it, and will enjoy it, but not for me to quit my career to immediately work on our bathroom. I've ground out 20 years in a career that has paid well but I have never loved, so stage one is to reward myself and family with some hopefully amazing experiences. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on July 17, 2018, 10:21:47 AM
Oh, I forgot an item on my to-do list:  Investigate starting a Roth conversion pipeline next year.  If our income is as low as I think it might be next year, could be a very good move to get that going. 

I really have to dig in and learn more about taxes this year too, as I come down the home stretch. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: sui generis on July 17, 2018, 12:02:09 PM
Count me among those that consider it a win to just put a project/idea on my to-do list for after FIRE, much less the thought of actually digging into any of them.  My to-do list is so disorganized (and is actually in about 3-4 random parts depending on where I am when I think of something to add) that I hope I can figure out what I meant when I RE!  I unfortunately assigned myself a project that cannot be delayed until after RE when I popped the question to my BF on our recent vacation.  I mean, we could delay it, but it seems silly, especially at our ages, to not get married for up to 2 years after our engagement because we waited almost a year to even start planning!  It'll be small - 10-30 people probably.  But it's already stressful!

On the RE front, I updated my NW calculations yesterday and found I had hit 3.5% WR on a fairly fat FI budget.  So that feels *great*.  I should quit now, given how much I hate my job.  But, I made a plan to quit 2/19, so it feels irrational or unsafe or something to change my plans.  "Good girls" stick to the plan and don't pull the rip cord abruptly before the agreed moment!  Also, although our wedding will be pretty inexpensive, might as well save up some extra money for that right?  I don't know, though, if I will last 7 more months.  I can pretty much guarantee I'm not going to give notice today, but beyond that, who knows? :)

OTOH, I worry about *not* pulling the rip cord sooner.  I never had a firm number that I had to hit, just a range, and I am within it.  And waiting is just more time of my life I'm missing out on.  As anyone does, I want the safety of more money "just in case".  Part of it is that a significant amount of the money I am counting on continuing in perpetuity is not just traditional investments.  What if it disappeared?  But this is perhaps as likely as taking a 75% loss in the market.  Yes it can happen, and it would be a disaster, but it's tail risk, and you can't live your life based on tail risk.  Well, I guess some people can, but I'm not willing to, though it does nag at me.  Which I think is normal.  Saving up more money to hit a good benchmark like 3.5% and seeing a Life Coach to prepare psychologically for RE were two things that were going to keep me busy until I could actually RE and not get too itchy in the meantime.  Well, I made great progress with the Coach, we've already hit all the topics I wanted to address, so now I have very little to help me bide my time.  So I'm getting itchy.  Which brings me in a nice circle back to the previous paragraph, where good girls don't FIRE just because they are itchy. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on July 17, 2018, 06:49:34 PM
Count me among those that consider it a win to just put a project/idea on my to-do list for after FIRE, much less the thought of actually digging into any of them.  My to-do list is so disorganized (and is actually in about 3-4 random parts depending on where I am when I think of something to add) that I hope I can figure out what I meant when I RE!  I unfortunately assigned myself a project that cannot be delayed until after RE when I popped the question to my BF on our recent vacation.  I mean, we could delay it, but it seems silly, especially at our ages, to not get married for up to 2 years after our engagement because we waited almost a year to even start planning!  It'll be small - 10-30 people probably.  But it's already stressful!

On the RE front, I updated my NW calculations yesterday and found I had hit 3.5% WR on a fairly fat FI budget.  So that feels *great*.  I should quit now, given how much I hate my job.  But, I made a plan to quit 2/19, so it feels irrational or unsafe or something to change my plans.  "Good girls" stick to the plan and don't pull the rip cord abruptly before the agreed moment!  Also, although our wedding will be pretty inexpensive, might as well save up some extra money for that right?  I don't know, though, if I will last 7 more months.  I can pretty much guarantee I'm not going to give notice today, but beyond that, who knows? :)

OTOH, I worry about *not* pulling the rip cord sooner.  I never had a firm number that I had to hit, just a range, and I am within it.  And waiting is just more time of my life I'm missing out on.  As anyone does, I want the safety of more money "just in case".  Part of it is that a significant amount of the money I am counting on continuing in perpetuity is not just traditional investments.  What if it disappeared?  But this is perhaps as likely as taking a 75% loss in the market.  Yes it can happen, and it would be a disaster, but it's tail risk, and you can't live your life based on tail risk.  Well, I guess some people can, but I'm not willing to, though it does nag at me.  Which I think is normal.  Saving up more money to hit a good benchmark like 3.5% and seeing a Life Coach to prepare psychologically for RE were two things that were going to keep me busy until I could actually RE and not get too itchy in the meantime.  Well, I made great progress with the Coach, we've already hit all the topics I wanted to address, so now I have very little to help me bide my time.  So I'm getting itchy.  Which brings me in a nice circle back to the previous paragraph, where good girls don't FIRE just because they are itchy.

3.5% has never failed
F will continue to work
You will get SS at some point (even reduced or changed system)
You can always get a job in the future if you need money or get bored and can't figure out how to occupy your time.

As much as it sucks losing a member of this cohort, I firmly nudge you to the 2018 one ;)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on July 17, 2018, 07:56:30 PM
Count me among those that consider it a win to just put a project/idea on my to-do list for after FIRE, much less the thought of actually digging into any of them.  My to-do list is so disorganized (and is actually in about 3-4 random parts depending on where I am when I think of something to add) that I hope I can figure out what I meant when I RE!  I unfortunately assigned myself a project that cannot be delayed until after RE when I popped the question to my BF on our recent vacation.  I mean, we could delay it, but it seems silly, especially at our ages, to not get married for up to 2 years after our engagement because we waited almost a year to even start planning!  It'll be small - 10-30 people probably.  But it's already stressful!

On the RE front, I updated my NW calculations yesterday and found I had hit 3.5% WR on a fairly fat FI budget. So that feels *great*.  I should quit now, given how much I hate my job.  But, I made a plan to quit 2/19, so it feels irrational or unsafe or something to change my plans.  "Good girls" stick to the plan and don't pull the rip cord abruptly before the agreed moment!  Also, although our wedding will be pretty inexpensive, might as well save up some extra money for that right?  I don't know, though, if I will last 7 more months.  I can pretty much guarantee I'm not going to give notice today, but beyond that, who knows? :)

OTOH, I worry about *not* pulling the rip cord sooner.  I never had a firm number that I had to hit, just a range, and I am within it.  And waiting is just more time of my life I'm missing out on.  As anyone does, I want the safety of more money "just in case".  Part of it is that a significant amount of the money I am counting on continuing in perpetuity is not just traditional investments.  What if it disappeared?  But this is perhaps as likely as taking a 75% loss in the market.  Yes it can happen, and it would be a disaster, but it's tail risk, and you can't live your life based on tail risk.  Well, I guess some people can, but I'm not willing to, though it does nag at me.  Which I think is normal.  Saving up more money to hit a good benchmark like 3.5% and seeing a Life Coach to prepare psychologically for RE were two things that were going to keep me busy until I could actually RE and not get too itchy in the meantime.  Well, I made great progress with the Coach, we've already hit all the topics I wanted to address, so now I have very little to help me bide my time.  So I'm getting itchy.  Which brings me in a nice circle back to the previous paragraph, where good girls don't FIRE just because they are itchy.

3.5% has never failed
F will continue to work
You will get SS at some point (even reduced or changed system)
You can always get a job in the future if you need money or get bored and can't figure out how to occupy your time.

As much as it sucks losing a member of this cohort, I firmly nudge you to the 2018 one ;)

As OP of this thread, AND a defector to the 2018 thread, I concur with 2Birds1Stone, and invite you to FIRE in 2018.     There is no shame or problem moving forward a year ( in your case, a few months).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: sui generis on July 17, 2018, 10:26:23 PM
Count me among those that consider it a win to just put a project/idea on my to-do list for after FIRE, much less the thought of actually digging into any of them.  My to-do list is so disorganized (and is actually in about 3-4 random parts depending on where I am when I think of something to add) that I hope I can figure out what I meant when I RE!  I unfortunately assigned myself a project that cannot be delayed until after RE when I popped the question to my BF on our recent vacation.  I mean, we could delay it, but it seems silly, especially at our ages, to not get married for up to 2 years after our engagement because we waited almost a year to even start planning!  It'll be small - 10-30 people probably.  But it's already stressful!

On the RE front, I updated my NW calculations yesterday and found I had hit 3.5% WR on a fairly fat FI budget. So that feels *great*.  I should quit now, given how much I hate my job.  But, I made a plan to quit 2/19, so it feels irrational or unsafe or something to change my plans.  "Good girls" stick to the plan and don't pull the rip cord abruptly before the agreed moment!  Also, although our wedding will be pretty inexpensive, might as well save up some extra money for that right?  I don't know, though, if I will last 7 more months.  I can pretty much guarantee I'm not going to give notice today, but beyond that, who knows? :)

OTOH, I worry about *not* pulling the rip cord sooner.  I never had a firm number that I had to hit, just a range, and I am within it.  And waiting is just more time of my life I'm missing out on.  As anyone does, I want the safety of more money "just in case".  Part of it is that a significant amount of the money I am counting on continuing in perpetuity is not just traditional investments.  What if it disappeared?  But this is perhaps as likely as taking a 75% loss in the market.  Yes it can happen, and it would be a disaster, but it's tail risk, and you can't live your life based on tail risk.  Well, I guess some people can, but I'm not willing to, though it does nag at me.  Which I think is normal.  Saving up more money to hit a good benchmark like 3.5% and seeing a Life Coach to prepare psychologically for RE were two things that were going to keep me busy until I could actually RE and not get too itchy in the meantime.  Well, I made great progress with the Coach, we've already hit all the topics I wanted to address, so now I have very little to help me bide my time.  So I'm getting itchy.  Which brings me in a nice circle back to the previous paragraph, where good girls don't FIRE just because they are itchy.

3.5% has never failed
F will continue to work
You will get SS at some point (even reduced or changed system)
You can always get a job in the future if you need money or get bored and can't figure out how to occupy your time.

As much as it sucks losing a member of this cohort, I firmly nudge you to the 2018 one ;)

As OP of this thread, AND a defector to the 2018 thread, I concur with 2Birds1Stone, and invite you to FIRE in 2018.     There is no shame or problem moving forward a year ( in your case, a few months).

hahaha, well, thanks @2Birds1Stone and @markbike528CBX! I appreciate the push.  I'm not gonna waste anyone's time quibbling back and forth over a list of "buts"....BUT... I do feel like I either need to pull the cord soon or just wait those few months because....it's suddenly looking like I have a chance of making my bonus this year after all (which I was skeptical about for the last few months, due to a couple slow months earlier in the year).  It's been so intense lately, that suddenly I only need to bill about 42.5 hours per week till November (the end of my bonus year) to get the bonus.  So, I either need to cut my losses ASAP, or stick around.  There's no use working all the way through November and then not staying an employee in good standing long enough for them to hand me about $35k (post tax) on 2/1/19. 

Ugh.  Decisions are hard.

Also?  Ugh. I said "only need to bill about 42.5 hours per week."  I kind of hate myself for that.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on July 18, 2018, 03:28:40 AM
It's been so intense lately, that suddenly I only need to bill about 42.5 hours per week till November (the end of my bonus year) to get the bonus.

<snip>

Also?  Ugh. I said "only need to bill about 42.5 hours per week." 

Yeah, lawyer here, and I noticed that. ;)   Look, @sui generis, financially you're there.  You don't need the bonus.  You can walk right now and get away from the billable hours.  You can FIRE, sleep for a month, and then pursue the life of your dreams.

I understand the 'good girl' thing.  The good news is that wears off naturally as you get older, especially when you exercise your "No" muscles.  But fuck that billable hours shit.  That slimy shit does not go away, so fuck that.  My two cents.

More good news!  The 2018 Cohort is great and will welcome you, or we'll be happy if you stay with us and FIRE in early 2019.  If you choose to stick around with us to get your bonus, your last few months at work may be easier knowing you're in a position of great power.  (And you won't be caring about billable hours between November and February 1.)  Either way -- you win. 


Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on July 18, 2018, 09:53:38 AM
I think there's something to be said for sticking to the plan.  It provides structure and an exact finish line.  Or maybe I'm just trying to talk myself into it because I'm facing nearly the exact same dilemma.  I also just hit 3.5%^ and my plan was always to work into 2019 enough to get a bonus (although much smaller than yours) and earn enough to contribute one last year to my IRA.  But I'm mentally checked out.  I have zero desire or motivation to work anymore.  That said, I really don't want to have to join a different cohort thread since I'm already invested in this one, so I guess I'll just stick it out.


^ Assuming that my proposed budget is realistic and/or desirable, which I really don't know for sure since I'm planning to do the full time traveler thing and it's really hard to budget blind only using others' experiences/spending.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: sui generis on July 18, 2018, 04:34:54 PM
I think there's something to be said for sticking to the plan.  It provides structure and an exact finish line.  Or maybe I'm just trying to talk myself into it because I'm facing nearly the exact same dilemma.  I also just hit 3.5%^ and my plan was always to work into 2019 enough to get a bonus (although much smaller than yours) and earn enough to contribute one last year to my IRA.  But I'm mentally checked out.  I have zero desire or motivation to work anymore.  That said, I really don't want to have to join a different cohort thread since I'm already invested in this one, so I guess I'll just stick it out.


^ Assuming that my proposed budget is realistic and/or desirable, which I really don't know for sure since I'm planning to do the full time traveler thing and it's really hard to budget blind only using others' experiences/spending.

@Eric, if joining the other thread is the only real thing holding you back, you need to RE, dude! 

On proposed budgets, I feel you.  And I'm not even planning to change my life significantly.  I mean, I'm sure this is discussed in a million different threads, but we're all budgeting pretty blind when we are budgeting 40 or 50 years out.  Maybe I'll want to do the full-time traveller thing in 17 years!  Maybe I'll live in a country with decent health systems and my budget will be too high, or I'll stay here and things will go further to shit and it'll be far too low.  Also, if I don't continue to live in the most expensive rental market in America, I'll have a lot of extra money and I do feel truly blind as to where I'll live even in 5 years.  I want to both go somewhere else AND stay here.  Mostly, I feel like I've budgeted conservatively, so safety feels good, but the uncertainty (regardless in which direction) feels...well, both completely natural (TBH) and disconcerting.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: gerardc on July 18, 2018, 05:32:45 PM
I think there's something to be said for sticking to the plan.  It provides structure and an exact finish line.  Or maybe I'm just trying to talk myself into it because I'm facing nearly the exact same dilemma.  I also just hit 3.5%^ and my plan was always to work into 2019 enough to get a bonus (although much smaller than yours) and earn enough to contribute one last year to my IRA.  But I'm mentally checked out.  I have zero desire or motivation to work anymore.  That said, I really don't want to have to join a different cohort thread since I'm already invested in this one, so I guess I'll just stick it out.

Basing retirement decisions on not wanting to change cohort thread! That's new :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on July 18, 2018, 05:34:16 PM
It's important to have standards.  This thread is obviously populated by the creme de la creme of the MMM forum.  Those people retiring this year?  Not so much.  lol
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on July 18, 2018, 05:36:16 PM
...
On the RE front, I updated my NW calculations yesterday and found I had hit 3.5% WR on a fairly fat FI budget.  So that feels *great*.  I should quit now, given how much I hate my job.  But, I made a plan to quit 2/19, so it feels irrational or unsafe or something to change my plans.  "Good girls" stick to the plan and don't pull the rip cord abruptly before the agreed moment!  Also, although our wedding will be pretty inexpensive, might as well save up some extra money for that right?  I don't know, though, if I will last 7 more months.  I can pretty much guarantee I'm not going to give notice today, but beyond that, who knows? :)

---

I think there's something to be said for sticking to the plan.  It provides structure and an exact finish line.  Or maybe I'm just trying to talk myself into it because I'm facing nearly the exact same dilemma.  I also just hit 3.5%^ and my plan was always to work into 2019 enough to get a bonus (although much smaller than yours) and earn enough to contribute one last year to my IRA.  But I'm mentally checked out.  I have zero desire or motivation to work anymore.  That said, I really don't want to have to join a different cohort thread since I'm already invested in this one, so I guess I'll just stick it out.
...

This is fantastic.  No matter what either of you decide to do, you won.
~~~~ Congratulations!  ~~~~~~

Oh, I forgot an item on my to-do list:  Investigate starting a Roth conversion pipeline next year.  If our income is as low as I think it might be next year, could be a very good move to get that going. 

I really have to dig in and learn more about taxes this year too, as I come down the home stretch.

We have quite a few of these things to figure out too.  Timing is so important. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on July 19, 2018, 03:45:48 AM
I think there's something to be said for sticking to the plan.  It provides structure and an exact finish line.  Or maybe I'm just trying to talk myself into it because I'm facing nearly the exact same dilemma.  I also just hit 3.5%^ and my plan was always to work into 2019 enough to get a bonus (although much smaller than yours) and earn enough to contribute one last year to my IRA.  But I'm mentally checked out.  I have zero desire or motivation to work anymore.  That said, I really don't want to have to join a different cohort thread since I'm already invested in this one, so I guess I'll just stick it out.

Basing retirement decisions on not wanting to change cohort thread! That's new :)
This is, of course, the principal reason I am staying on as a consultant 1 day a week for a few months after I 'retire' this October.  Otherwise I'd have to leave this thread entirely and only associate with the 2018 boys and girls.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on July 19, 2018, 06:30:30 AM
The cohort love is amazing :). 

A someone that just switched to the 2019 cohort, I'm not sure what to say....

:p.

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on July 19, 2018, 06:51:12 AM
9 1/2 months away now. And I know it's going to fly by, as the second half of every year seems to do (and the first half of this one has been a blur). Have lots of travel coming up (leave for FL today) in August (Costa Rica, CA) and September (KY, MN), and once the holidays approach, time really accelerates. Still have concerns re: going out at the tippy top of an historic bull market, but wtf am I going to do, wait it out several more years? F no. I'm one of the lucky ones with a pension, so even if the market goes to shit, I can wait it out and live decently on the pension alone, and in any event, I'm only planning to take <2% withdrawals for the first 8 years, so I should be fine either way. May 7, 2019, I'm coming fo' yo ass!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on July 19, 2018, 07:24:40 AM
I have to stay in 2019... it's 20% of my FIRE stash to remain in for a extra year.

or the difference between 5% SWR and 4%.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on July 19, 2018, 11:59:14 AM
I have to stay in 2019... it's 20% of my FIRE stash to remain in for a extra year.

or the difference between 5% SWR and 4%.
Wow, that is some savings rate!  Can you elaborate?  Having trouble working out the numbers as moving 5% to 4% would be 20 years spending to 25 years so a 25% increase rather than 20%?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on July 19, 2018, 12:06:05 PM
Depends on which number you are looking at. It's 25% my current stash, or 20% the FIRE stash (final number)
Current 400k to 500k (FIRE). + Access to a bonus program worth 40; but I'm only using that program as a fallback since I don't know if I'll even use it.
My NW will go up by 100k due to pension payout increase , and very high savings. (I'm somewhere in the 75-85% SR in this final year)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on July 19, 2018, 02:22:17 PM

I have every intention of sticking it out in the 2019 cohort also, despite 68X barebones for stash.  I like my job pretty well - have my own office and little supervision - and I am looking at increasing my spending during FIRE to 25X stash due to travel, additional entertainment, and potentially re-locating.  I'm working short weeks through this summer due to benefit days, mostly getting four-day weekends, which I really like.  If my employer would allow me move to that 24hr/wk schedule permanently in 10 to 11 months instead of FIREing, I would consider it.  I wouldn't have to touch the stash, could still save more, and would keep my excellent healthcare benefits.  I would be off more days than I would work even before factoring in vacation days.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: sui generis on July 19, 2018, 02:35:06 PM
If my employer would allow me move to that 24hr/wk schedule permanently in 10 to 11 months instead of FIREing, I would consider it.  I wouldn't have to touch the stash, could still save more, and would keep my excellent healthcare benefits.  I would be off more days than I would work even before factoring in vacation days.

Are you considering asking?  It sounds like there's a real possibility this could happen, given you are going to have a record of doing it successfully for several months at a time before you would request it permanently.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on July 19, 2018, 04:18:56 PM
If my employer would allow me move to that 24hr/wk schedule permanently in 10 to 11 months instead of FIREing, I would consider it.  I wouldn't have to touch the stash, could still save more, and would keep my excellent healthcare benefits.  I would be off more days than I would work even before factoring in vacation days.

Are you considering asking?  It sounds like there's a real possibility this could happen, given you are going to have a record of doing it successfully for several months at a time before you would request it permanently.


Yes, if I still feel this way in about 10 months, I'll probably express that desire.  I'm keeping my FIRE plans to myself until then, but I've thought about this from time to time and have done the math.  I have a lot of unique responsibilities and skills within my company, so I'm certain it would be to their benefit to keep me on 24hr/week rather than letting me FIRE completely.  But since my position is on the books as a full time position in the labor budget, they may immediately try to get a full time replacement instead of letting me move to 24 hours, even though I would be more productive at 24 hr than a new employee at full time for the foreseeable future.  If I suggest the part time 24hr/week schedule vs. FIREing, they may counter-offer with a 1 or 2 day schedule while having me work closely with a replacement employee in more of a training role, which means I would would earn even less income and receive less benefits than I would get with 24 hr (healthcare, dental, vision, sicktime/personal days require 24hr/wk minimum, also less vacation with less hours).

I've done the math on 16 hr/wk and could still go with that since that income (after taxes) would pay for the same healthcare benefits (except at a higher cost via COBRA) and would cover all of my other barebones expenses.  So, I would only need to touch the stash for discretionary spending while getting 5 out of 7 days off.  Not bad.  At 8 hr/wk, the income would cover healthcare and part of my barebones expenses while being off 6 out of 7 days.  Still probably worth it.  I would think they would want me available to work in some capacity if I'm willing, but If they simply want me to move to a on-call / as-needed status with no guarantee of 8+ hr/week, the decision becomes less clear as to whether it's worth it.

No matter what, I suspect I would be ready to FIRE completely within another year of working part time, spring of 2020, especially if I lean towards re-locating, but who knows. The drastically reduced schedule would be a great way to wind down.  I'm getting a taste of what it feels like right now.

It's not something I want to approach my CIO with in the meantime because I would rather these next 10+ months of full time work allow me to work peacefully undisturbed in my office without putting the fear of me leaving into the CIO resulting in him moving someone else in with me for cross-training purposes for nearly a year.  That would suck.  Holding off until I'm about a month from FIRE will also give me more leverage for a part time position when the time comes.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: waffles on July 19, 2018, 06:18:56 PM
Last week, I was looking at my most recent paycheck (with 2 overtime days and holiday pay...so it was a big one!) wondering if I was stupid to retire and give up my paycheck next year. After all, I am still short of my mandatory retirement age (which is 56, early compared to many!). Part of my brain still thinks being a "responsible adult" would be continuing to earn money as long as I can, and I can never have too much money in case of some unforeseen need. Hey, I only found out about this FIRE thing a little over a year ago and am still reprogramming here.

So my very next workday was a reminder of why I am retiring! It was extremely busy and stressful. The universe decided to kick me hard and remind me why I want to retire, and I am lucky to have the resources to do so.

Still on track for June 2019!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on July 19, 2018, 08:38:09 PM
Great stuff @waffles.

@DreamFIRE, I hope your choice to stay on PT has 0 to do with money. With 68X expenses you are already working for fun ;)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on July 19, 2018, 11:10:41 PM
@DreamFIRE, I hope your choice to stay on PT has 0 to do with money. With 68X expenses you are already working for fun ;)

Yeah, but 68X only covers barebones expenses, though, no discretionary, and assumes ACA PCT, and no re-location related spending increases.  I certainly wouldn't want to FIRE just to scrape by, but I like to use the bare minimum FI metric.

When adding discretionary spending including anticipated travel and entertainment, I expect to be closer to 25X spend.  I'm in a somewhat LCOL area, so re-locating is more likely to increase my expenses even when trying to keep those costs down, but it could work in my favor also.

Edited for correction:  A 24 hour week would likely result in my stash being 4 to 5% higher vs. having not worked those 10-11 months.  A 16 hour week would drop that close to 2%, 8 hours close to 1%.  I get about 100% success rates in cFireSim as it is, so I don't need the extra for that, and it's not a significant amount of extra to spend, either.

I do like my job, and I like it a lot better working reduced hours, although I wouldn't do it without pay.  It would be more like a temporary side gig in that respect but working with the same co-workers as I ease into retirement.  I'm really not sure if I'll want to do PT when the time comes.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: gerardc on July 19, 2018, 11:41:10 PM
Yeah, but 68X only covers barebones expenses, though, no discretionary, and assumes ACA PCT, and no re-location related spending increases.  I certainly wouldn't want to FIRE just to scrape by, but I like to use the bare minimum FI metric.

When adding discretionary spending including anticipated travel and entertainment, I expect to be closer to 25X spend.  I'm in a somewhat LCOL area, so re-locating is more likely to increase my expenses even when trying to keep those costs down, but it could work in my favor also.

As far as the money, even the 24 hour part time work over a single year would be pretty insignificant at about 2% stash, the 8 and 16 hr possibilities even less so. There's really not much of a financial incentive.  I do like my job, and I like it a lot better working reduced hours, although I wouldn't do it without pay.  It would be more like a temporary side gig in that respect but working with the same co-workers as I ease into retirement.

If PT allows you not to draw down from your stash, shouldn't you add 4-5% return to that figure?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on July 20, 2018, 04:17:48 AM

Yeah, but 68X only covers barebones expenses, though, no discretionary, and assumes ACA PCT, and no re-location related spending increases.  I certainly wouldn't want to FIRE just to scrape by, but I like to use the bare minimum FI metric.

When adding discretionary spending including anticipated travel and entertainment, I expect to be closer to 25X spend. 

I just started to type you a question @DreamFIRE, but I think I just figured it out (slow morning brain) -- when you say 68X and 25X above, you're talking about your post-FIRE spend, right?  Not the total stash amount.

So 68X above stands for spending 1/68 of your stash annually on barebones level?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: tooqk4u22 on July 20, 2018, 09:22:43 AM
Yeah, but 68X only covers barebones expenses, though, no discretionary, and assumes ACA PCT, and no re-location related spending increases.  I certainly wouldn't want to FIRE just to scrape by, but I like to use the bare minimum FI metric.

When adding discretionary spending including anticipated travel and entertainment, I expect to be closer to 25X spend.  I'm in a somewhat LCOL area, so re-locating is more likely to increase my expenses even when trying to keep those costs down, but it could work in my favor also.

As far as the money, even the 24 hour part time work over a single year would be pretty insignificant at about 2% stash, the 8 and 16 hr possibilities even less so. There's really not much of a financial incentive.  I do like my job, and I like it a lot better working reduced hours, although I wouldn't do it without pay.  It would be more like a temporary side gig in that respect but working with the same co-workers as I ease into retirement.

If PT allows you not to draw down from your stash, shouldn't you add 4-5% return to that figure?

If I could either get, or just cover it, health care for the family and a little for the extras in life working just 1-2 days I think that would make sense plus it keeps you engaged. 

I don't think that's an option for me though...I'd have to make $25-35hr and while my effective hourly is much greater than that now all I can say is....

"But what I do have are a very particular set of useless skills, skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare worthless for people like you (and everyone else)."

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on July 20, 2018, 12:30:50 PM
If PT allows you not to draw down from your stash, shouldn't you add 4-5% return to that figure?

Correction. I double-checked, and in my haste, the 2% figure  that I posted was based on my income for 16 hours and the higher healthcare cost via COBRA, not 24 hours.  My mistake.  I'll edit my previous post.  I'm planning for a 4% SWR in FIRE, so if I went 24 hours and reduced discretionary spending only 15% from my FIRE plan, I wouldn't have to touch the stash, so I would save the full 4% SWR.  I would probably cut discretinary spending by more than 15% since I would still be working 3 days per week, although that would be offset some by the fact I would most likely work PT a maximum of 10 to 11 months instead of a full year (from early June 2019 FIRE date until early April or May 2020).  All considered, a 24hr work schedule would probably result in 4-5% more in the stash over 10-11 months vs. having been fully FIREd during the same time span.  The stash increase would be much less with the 8 and 16 hour PT possibilities, partly due to a much higher healtcare premium via COBRA for working <24 hours.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on July 20, 2018, 12:35:38 PM

Yeah, but 68X only covers barebones expenses, though, no discretionary, and assumes ACA PCT, and no re-location related spending increases.  I certainly wouldn't want to FIRE just to scrape by, but I like to use the bare minimum FI metric.

When adding discretionary spending including anticipated travel and entertainment, I expect to be closer to 25X spend. 

I just started to type you a question @DreamFIRE, but I think I just figured it out (slow morning brain) -- when you say 68X and 25X above, your talking about your post-FIRE spend, right?  Not the total stash amount.

So 68X above stands for spending 1/68 of your stash annually on barebones level?

Exactly, and the 25X figure is based on the 1/25th stash standard 4% SWR figure that I'm planning for.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: JoJo on July 20, 2018, 04:24:08 PM
I'm having one of those days where 2019 seems so far away.

Also, I talked to a realtor last night and it seems the market is softening pretty quick right here.  Such a shame I didn't put on the market 2 months ago, but I'm really scared what it might look like if I wait 8 months.

So I'm scrambling trying to get some repairs and cosmetic stuff done but seems everyone is busy.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on July 20, 2018, 04:58:35 PM
Updated Cohort Roster with age at FIRE if known and notes.  Rock on everyone!!
 

01/xx/19     MoneyStacher  (51)
01/xx/19     PhilB  (53)                       Moved to October 2018; Possible PT into 2019
02/15/19     sui generis  (41)
02/xx/19     zinnie  (35)
03/08/19     ChasesFish
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/xx/19     MissNancyPryor  (50)     
03/xx/19     Roboturner  (30)
03/xx/19     Edgema
03/25/19     MaybeBabyMustache
03/31/19     TartanTallulah  (55)          OLY -- Moved to 10/31/2018. Congrats @TartanTallulah
04/01/19     Trifele  (52)
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/xx/19     Luck12  (41)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)
05/xx/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/xx/19     cerat0n1a                          Now planning summer 2018 FIRE
05/xx/19     dude                               
05/xx/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/xx/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/14/19     Mr. Ver (40)
05/17/19     Loren Ver (37)
05/31/19     Pylortes  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
06/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/xx/19     Oldtoyota
06/xx/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/xx/19     Bateaux  (50)
06/xx/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/xx/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/xx/19     Enigma  (39)
07/xx/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
08/12/19     Canadian Ben  (29)
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)
09/xx/19     RetirementDreaming
09/27/19     Spreadsheet Man
10/xx/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/xx/19     Trix76  (43)
10/xx/19     MoMan  (55)
12/xx/19     markbike528cbx  (55)        OLY -- CONFIRMED 6-1-18; checking in as OP
12/xx/19     HBFI  (38)
12/xx/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:

madamwitty (36)
Lowerbills (40)
Chrissy (42)
Gerard
getoutsoon (52)
ysette9 (38)
Elaine amj (40)
IPlawyer
Chairman                           SemiFIRE 2018
     
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on July 21, 2018, 08:08:09 PM
The stash increase would be much less with the 8 and 16 hour PT possibilities, partly due to a much higher healtcare premium via COBRA for working <24 hours.

I was doing some more calculations on this.  For the 8 and 16 hr PT work, I could get enough 457B front-loaded contributions and 401a contributions that I could still get my MAGI down low enough (including passive investment income) for a decent ACA subsidy and get a low cost Bronze plan vs. using COBRA for the final 6 months of the year.  COBRA only comes out ahead vs. ACA in my case if I was to end up having several thousand dollars out of pocket by the end of the year by going with ACA since I still couldn't qualify for CSR subsidies, only a PCT, and my COBRA option has much lower out-of-pocket costs.  I haven't had those type of healthcare needs to point in my career, so ACA would come out about $3000 ahead over 6 months if that holds true.  On the other hand, in addition to the lower out-of-pocket, my COBRA plan through work also has out-of-network coverage while the ACA plan says uncovered except for emergency care.  I would switch to ACA no later than the beginning of 2020 at any rate because canceling COBRA mid-year is not a qualifying event for ACA, and I probably wouldn't want to continue working those PT hours until COBRA would expire, which is a qualifying event.  So, best to get on ACA during the regular sign-up period if I don't get on it when I go to a 8-16 hr work week.

For the 24 hr PT work, there's no question, I could keep my existing work healthcare plan at the same low premium that I currently pay, and when I stop working that schedule and lose the coverage, that is a qualifying event for ACA.

If I had my druthers, I'm not sure which of the three options I would  choose today, let alone what I might choose next year.  24 hr looks the best on paper, especially when factoring in dental, vision, sick/personal days, and vacation/holidays.   But I prefer the 8 and 16 hour work hours in the sense of free time / freedom.  I might not have a choice between the three schedules but expect my company would want me to stay on at least 8 hr/wk (a past employee left his full time position for another full time job a couple years ago yet has stayed on at about 2hr/wk, so there is some precedence.  That's very few hours, but he didn't have unique skills or the productivity that I do and wasn't even replaced, so 8 hr/wk minimum for me certainly seems reasonable).  Without some reasonable guaranteed hours, I can't see wanting to be available on an as-needed basis.  It seems like that would result in only being called for my most in-demand skills when they need me, with a minimal payout required, until they could phase me out, and I would rather terminate employment than do that.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: TartanTallulah on July 22, 2018, 03:25:08 AM
Thanks, Trifele! Having dithered back and forward between 2018 and 2019, I'm not entirely overjoyed at the circumstances that have made me pull the plug now, but I'm sure I'll get over it.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on July 22, 2018, 09:58:57 AM
Thanks, Trifele! Having dithered back and forward between 2018 and 2019, I'm not entirely overjoyed at the circumstances that have made me pull the plug now, but I'm sure I'll get over it.

Your ticker hasn't caught up with you yet.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: TartanTallulah on July 23, 2018, 07:30:29 AM
Thanks, Trifele! Having dithered back and forward between 2018 and 2019, I'm not entirely overjoyed at the circumstances that have made me pull the plug now, but I'm sure I'll get over it.

Your ticker hasn't caught up with you yet.

I know! I need to fix it.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Richmond 2020 on July 24, 2018, 01:57:53 PM
Hi all,

Moving my Fire date forward from 2020 to 2019.

Not sure if I will meet the criteria for being classified as Fired as the other half will still be working for another 5 or so years. I will however no longer be a slave chained to my cubicle.

Between the wife and I we currently have $925k in Super which we can start accessing in 17 years time. Outside super we have $185k invested, a house worth $1.1m with $102k owing it. And a half share in 2 small investment property that are currently paying for themselves and earning a small return.

Currently on a combined income of $270k and saving approximately 55%.

The goal for us is to pay off the house in the next 12 months and invest heavily in stocks outside Superannuation to fund the gap between fire and being able acces some of our superannuation.

The DW is 5 years younger so the plan is for me to fire and look after the home front (kids will be 4 and 6) while she works another 5 years approx (she actually likes work).

I’m looking forward to spending time with the kids as well as buying investment properties, fixing them up and renting them out. Can’t wait!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on July 24, 2018, 02:51:54 PM
Hi all,

Moving my Fire date forward from 2020 to 2019.
....


Welcome to the Cohort!! 

I think a family can split a FIRE, why not.  Just because you are a team doesn't mean you have to play the same positions.

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: sui generis on July 24, 2018, 03:02:40 PM
Hi all,

Moving my Fire date forward from 2020 to 2019.
....


Welcome to the Cohort!! 

I think a family can split a FIRE, why not.  Just because you are a team doesn't mean you have to play the same positions.

LV
Agreed!  There's no way I'm waiting for my other half.  I can hardly wait as it is!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on July 24, 2018, 05:53:14 PM
Welcome aboard @Richmond 2020!  Do you have a target date picked yet?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: gerardc on July 24, 2018, 06:49:53 PM
I'm not even sure I want to FIRE anymore...

Anytime I get a break of a few days without work, I see more clearly. I don't dislike work, I just dislike too much of it / not on my terms. I would prefer a very part-time arrangement. Or remote, because then I can make the arrangement myself.


I think a family can split a FIRE, why not.  Just because you are a team doesn't mean you have to play the same positions.
Would you say a couple can split a FIRE even for a long time, like 20 years? or only as a 1-2 year temporary measure
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on July 25, 2018, 12:25:38 AM
I'm not even sure I want to FIRE anymore...

Anytime I get a break of a few days without work, I see more clearly. I don't dislike work, I just dislike too much of it / not on my terms. I would prefer a very part-time arrangement. Or remote, because then I can make the arrangement myself.
The beauty of FI is it really gives you those options.  No-one says you have to retire if you don't want to (although expect some facepunches if you use your PT earnings to fund lifestyle inflation).  It's a more difficult decision to go PT before FI as then you are locked in to needing the work which is a completely different dynamic.

Quote
I think a family can split a FIRE, why not.  Just because you are a team doesn't mean you have to play the same positions.
Would you say a couple can split a FIRE even for a long time, like 20 years? or only as a 1-2 year temporary measure
At the risk of sounding like the IRP, if the couple still needs the wages of the one still working, then pretty much by definition they are not FI so neither of them can FIRE.  They can definitely opt for one of them to be a SAHP - indeed this was the standard family model until fairly recently.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Richmond 2020 on July 25, 2018, 12:46:15 AM

At the risk of sounding like the IRP, if the couple still needs the wages of the one still working, then pretty much by definition they are not FI so neither of them can FIRE.  They can definitely opt for one of them to be a SAHP - indeed this was the standard family model until fairly recently.
[/quote]

Point taken. Technically we could both fire  if we chose to move to a rural/country area.

I’ll leave it to the IRP to decide if I can come a long for the ride with this cohort. If so, planning to finish up at work in January 2019.

Thanks for the welcomes Trifele and Loren Ver (even if i’m Not allowed to stay lol).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Richmond 2020 on July 25, 2018, 03:02:49 AM
Thanks also Sui G.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on July 25, 2018, 03:23:55 AM

At the risk of sounding like the IRP, if the couple still needs the wages of the one still working, then pretty much by definition they are not FI so neither of them can FIRE.  They can definitely opt for one of them to be a SAHP - indeed this was the standard family model until fairly recently.

Point taken. Technically we could both fire  if we chose to move to a rural/country area.

I’ll leave it to the IRP to decide if I can come a long for the ride with this cohort. If so, planning to finish up at work in January 2019.

Thanks for the welcomes Trifele and Loren Ver (even if i’m Not allowed to stay lol).
[/quote]
Sorry, I didn't mean to sound unwelcoming and I'm sure everyone is more than happy to have you on board.  If anyone argues you can always play the 'blame the wife' card as in - 'Personally, I'd move to a LCOL area and use the released equity to live on until Super, so I'm FI and retiring.  Wife wants to stay in HCOL area so she isn't and won't be'.  Simples!  Just don't let her find out you said it ;@)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on July 25, 2018, 04:15:48 AM
Updated Cohort Roster with age at FIRE if known and notes.  Welcome @Richmond 2020!
 

01/xx/19     MoneyStacher  (51)
01/xx/19     PhilB  (53)                       Moved to October 2018; Possible PT into 2019
01/xx/19     Richmond 2020
02/15/19     sui generis  (41)
02/xx/19     zinnie  (35)
03/08/19     ChasesFish
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/xx/19     MissNancyPryor  (50)     
03/xx/19     Roboturner  (30)
03/xx/19     Edgema
03/25/19     MaybeBabyMustache
03/31/19     TartanTallulah  (55)          OLY -- Moved to 10/31/2018.
04/01/19     Trifele  (52)
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/xx/19     Luck12  (41)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)
05/xx/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/xx/19     cerat0n1a                          Now planning summer 2018 FIRE
05/xx/19     dude                               
05/xx/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/xx/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/14/19     Mr. Ver (40)
05/17/19     Loren Ver (37)
05/31/19     Pylortes  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
06/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/xx/19     Oldtoyota
06/xx/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/xx/19     Bateaux  (50)
06/xx/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/xx/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/xx/19     Enigma  (39)
07/xx/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
08/12/19     Canadian Ben  (29)
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)
09/xx/19     RetirementDreaming
09/27/19     Spreadsheet Man
10/xx/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/xx/19     Trix76  (43)
10/xx/19     MoMan  (55)
12/xx/19     markbike528cbx  (55)        OLY -- CONFIRMED 6-1-18; checking in as OP
12/xx/19     HBFI  (38)
12/xx/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:

madamwitty (36)
Lowerbills (40)
Chrissy (42)
Gerard
getoutsoon (52)
ysette9 (38)
Elaine amj (40)
IPlawyer
Chairman                           SemiFIRE 2018
   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on July 25, 2018, 04:35:46 AM
No worries @Richmond 2020 -- we've got all sorts here in this cohort.  Everything from singles and married couples who plan to never work a day again, over to people who already know they'll probably be working again, to married people whose spouses are going to keep working.     

I'm a professional in an all-consuming, gut-churning Big Job.  But I also have an unrelated 5-hour-per-week side gig that I have had for 10 years, and I will keep it as long as it lasts.  I like it, and it's good money.  When I quit Big Job, I sure as hell will consider myself FIREd and will celebrate accordingly, whatever the IRP may say about my side gig.  Oh -- I also have a spouse who's currently a SAHP who says he wants to return to work someday when the kids are older.  He can do whatever he wants.  When the day comes I'm calling myself 'FIREd' baby!!   :)

I think it's all about the freedom and the options.

 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on July 25, 2018, 06:15:12 AM

I think it's all about the freedom and the options.

^^^^ 
This. 

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on July 25, 2018, 06:36:03 AM
IRP can say what it will say.

This is about your own journey, so you make the rules ;)

I will undoubtedly have/want to return to paid work at some point. After being a frugal vagabond for a few years, I'm not sure I want to live on $20-24k/yr forever. Time will tell though......

So for now, 310 more days it is! 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on July 25, 2018, 08:58:07 AM
Hi all,

Moving my Fire date forward from 2020 to 2019.

Not sure if I will meet the criteria for being classified as Fired as the other half will still be working for another 5 or so years. I will however no longer be a slave chained to my cubicle.

Between the wife and I we currently have $925k in Super which we can start accessing in 17 years time. Outside super we have $185k invested, a house worth $1.1m with $102k owing it. And a half share in 2 small investment property that are currently paying for themselves and earning a small return.

Currently on a combined income of $270k and saving approximately 55%.

The goal for us is to pay off the house in the next 12 months and invest heavily in stocks outside Superannuation to fund the gap between fire and being able acces some of our superannuation.

The DW is 5 years younger so the plan is for me to fire and look after the home front (kids will be 4 and 6) while she works another 5 years approx (she actually likes work).

I’m looking forward to spending time with the kids as well as buying investment properties, fixing them up and renting them out. Can’t wait!

Wow, congrats!  Same situation here re: younger wife who will work 5-7 years longer (but no kids for me to look after!!)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on July 25, 2018, 10:28:54 AM
yeah, each to ones own.

DW has decided she’s not ready to never work again, but will take the opportunity of us being FI to decide how many days a year she works, and where she works.

I am undecided about my longer term future, but one step at a time.
1. FIRE
2. Travel
3. Repatriate
4. Take stock, and decide what’s next.

I’d say 50/50 I’ll be back working within 12 months of FIRE.... I really have no idea today. But it will 100% be by choice either way. What a luxury.

DW was telling me the other day of her friend that can’t make a dent in her $30K credit card debt. She is 40 and stuck barely servicing interest. So happy it’s not us. Hopefully DW’s friend will pick up some extra income to kill the debt soon.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on July 25, 2018, 01:39:30 PM
Hi all,

Moving my Fire date forward from 2020 to 2019.

Not sure if I will meet the criteria for being classified as Fired as the other half will still be working for another 5 or so years. I will however no longer be a slave chained to my cubicle.

Between the wife and I we currently have $925k in Super which we can start accessing in 17 years time. Outside super we have $185k invested, a house worth $1.1m with $102k owing it. And a half share in 2 small investment property that are currently paying for themselves and earning a small return.

Currently on a combined income of $270k and saving approximately 55%.

The goal for us is to pay off the house in the next 12 months and invest heavily in stocks outside Superannuation to fund the gap between fire and being able acces some of our superannuation.

The DW is 5 years younger so the plan is for me to fire and look after the home front (kids will be 4 and 6) while she works another 5 years approx (she actually likes work).

I’m looking forward to spending time with the kids as well as buying investment properties, fixing them up and renting them out. Can’t wait!

@Richmond 2020 -- I also meant to add that your plan is similar to what we've been doing.  For the past three years DH has been a SAHD, and is simultaneously doing a major re-build on our house.  It has worked out great for all of us.  I'm so glad he has had this time with the kids, and he has saved us tons of money on construction costs by using his amazing skills. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: sui generis on July 25, 2018, 02:18:06 PM
As an update to my prior posts, I'm really almost to the point where I say goodbye here and join the 2018 cohort.  I am thinking about giving notice in a couple of weeks, but will almost certainly in any case not make it to Jan 1 2019.  I'll confirm when/if I should be taken off the list - I don't want to jinx it somehow by saying so yet.

I reworked my budget to live off 3.25% withdrawal rate - whether I do that or in practice end up using 3.5%, the exercise was calming to my nerves and made me feel less interested in the salary and bonus that would come if I stayed through 2/1/19.  I also am feeling a bit more open to doing some paid work, should it come my way, at some points over the next 2.5 decades.  I estimate that I need 15-20 more quarters (4-5 more years) to get some bit of Social Security, which wouldn't be a bad thing. [Aside - I know I should know how many quarters I have, but don't get me started on the ssa.gov website.  I'm trying to ignore the issues I had with it.  I'll have to actually go into an SSA office someday, I think.] Given that 2.5 decades ago, I'd never had a job at all, I remind myself I really have no idea how the next 25 years will go and working 1 year out of every 4-5 of those years to end up with 40 quarters...doesn't seem impossible.  Not gonna make getting Social Security a priority or anything, but glad for the reminder that I need to still be open-minded about my future.

Leaving in a couple days for a trip to Vancouver/remote work in Seattle for 9 days, and I'll decide then whether to give notice the very day I am back in my office or not.  But that's where my mind is right now.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on July 25, 2018, 04:34:18 PM
I'm not even sure I want to FIRE anymore...

Anytime I get a break of a few days without work, I see more clearly. I don't dislike work, I just dislike too much of it / not on my terms. I would prefer a very part-time arrangement. Or remote, because then I can make the arrangement myself.


I think a family can split a FIRE, why not.  Just because you are a team doesn't mean you have to play the same positions.
Would you say a couple can split a FIRE even for a long time, like 20 years? or only as a 1-2 year temporary measure

This goes to both of your sections.  No one says you need to retire.  Once you reach for FI date, so have the freedom to  do what you want.  If you don't need the money you have all the options!

My dad retired when he was about 40.  My mom loved to teach, but didn't like the politics, so she subbed at a small Lutheran school for last chance kids (works random days when they need her).  She just turned 70 and is still doing it (dad passed away about 10 years ago).  She doesn't do it for the money but the love of teaching (the pay is really low).   Does this mean my dad wasn't retired for 16 years before passing?  No, it just means they had different ideas about what was fun and how to spend their time. 

LV


Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on July 25, 2018, 06:25:38 PM
As an update to my prior posts, I'm really almost to the point where I say goodbye here and join the 2018 cohort.  I am thinking about giving notice in a couple of weeks, but will almost certainly in any case not make it to Jan 1 2019.  I'll confirm when/if I should be taken off the list - I don't want to jinx it somehow by saying so yet.

Wow @sui generis!  Go you!  :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on July 25, 2018, 06:45:51 PM
As an update to my prior posts, I'm really almost to the point where I say goodbye here and join the 2018 cohort.  I am thinking about giving notice in a couple of weeks, but will almost certainly in any case not make it to Jan 1 2019.  I'll confirm when/if I should be taken off the list - I don't want to jinx it somehow by saying so yet.

Wow @sui generis!  Go you!  :)

Get it! I'm pulling for you, that you pull the chord asap.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SpareChange on July 25, 2018, 11:38:09 PM
Leaving in a couple days for a trip to Vancouver/remote work in Seattle for 9 days, and I'll decide then whether to give notice the very day I am back in my office or not.  But that's where my mind is right now.

Good luck in your decision!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on July 26, 2018, 12:36:23 PM

@Richmond 2020 -- I also meant to add that your plan is similar to what we've been doing.  For the past three years DH has been a SAHD, and is simultaneously doing a major re-build on our house.  It has worked out great for all of us.  I'm so glad he has had this time with the kids, and he has saved us tons of money on construction costs by using his amazing skills.

I forgot to mention, this is most impressive!

LV

edited to fix my quote messing up
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Richmond 2020 on July 26, 2018, 03:21:27 PM
Congratulations on your decision Sui and thanks everyone for the continued warm welcomes and support.

About to head into work to finalise my next 12 month work plan/performance and development plan with my boss. Little does he know I will only be completing 6 months of the period before pulling the plug.  Hate doing these time wasting, government, bureaucratic exercises that in my case aren’t even linked to my remuneration.

Happy that this will be my last. Sad that I have partake in this rubber stamping bullshit process.

Oh just remembered, I also have to put these in place for the 3 guys that report to me, and no doubt like last year, my boss will copy and paste my plan into his so he can get away with not actually doing one for himself.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on July 27, 2018, 12:44:56 AM
Congratulations on your decision Sui and thanks everyone for the continued warm welcomes and support.

About to head into work to finalise my next 12 month work plan/performance and development plan with my boss. Little does he know I will only be completing 6 months of the period before pulling the plug.  Hate doing these time wasting, government, bureaucratic exercises that in my case aren’t even linked to my remuneration.

Happy that this will be my last. Sad that I have partake in this rubber stamping bullshit process.

Oh just remembered, I also have to put these in place for the 3 guys that report to me, and no doubt like last year, my boss will copy and paste my plan into his so he can get away with not actually doing one for himself.
One of the great benefits I have had from having been completely open with my employers about my departure is their agreement that I can simply opt out of all this corporate bullshit.  Bliss!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on July 27, 2018, 04:44:24 AM
Congratulations on your decision Sui and thanks everyone for the continued warm welcomes and support.

About to head into work to finalise my next 12 month work plan/performance and development plan with my boss. Little does he know I will only be completing 6 months of the period before pulling the plug.  Hate doing these time wasting, government, bureaucratic exercises that in my case aren’t even linked to my remuneration.

Happy that this will be my last. Sad that I have partake in this rubber stamping bullshit process.

Oh just remembered, I also have to put these in place for the 3 guys that report to me, and no doubt like last year, my boss will copy and paste my plan into his so he can get away with not actually doing one for himself.
One of the great benefits I have had from having been completely open with my employers about my departure is their agreement that I can simply opt out of all this corporate bullshit.  Bliss!

Nice!  I know I will have to go through it for the end of the year and starting next year.  I still don't know why to announce or how.  I don't think they would lay me off, but if I tell too soon, it could effect my rating and therefore bonus.    My boss works out of the country, so I  would like to tell him in person when he comes to the states to visit....

LV 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Livingthedream55 on July 27, 2018, 12:01:32 PM
Congratulations on your decision Sui and thanks everyone for the continued warm welcomes and support.

About to head into work to finalise my next 12 month work plan/performance and development plan with my boss. Little does he know I will only be completing 6 months of the period before pulling the plug.  Hate doing these time wasting, government, bureaucratic exercises that in my case aren’t even linked to my remuneration.

Happy that this will be my last. Sad that I have partake in this rubber stamping bullshit process.

Oh just remembered, I also have to put these in place for the 3 guys that report to me, and no doubt like last year, my boss will copy and paste my plan into his so he can get away with not actually doing one for himself.

With 10 months to go I am now enjoying the knowledge that "I won't be doing this next year!" with every mind numbingly boring task I do.   Seven months till I file my pension paperwork!!  Even after I file I get to decide when I tell my boss. I'm thinking two months notice is plenty. Woohooo!!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on July 27, 2018, 12:25:15 PM
Congratulations on your decision Sui and thanks everyone for the continued warm welcomes and support.

About to head into work to finalise my next 12 month work plan/performance and development plan with my boss. Little does he know I will only be completing 6 months of the period before pulling the plug.  Hate doing these time wasting, government, bureaucratic exercises that in my case aren’t even linked to my remuneration.

Happy that this will be my last. Sad that I have partake in this rubber stamping bullshit process.

Oh just remembered, I also have to put these in place for the 3 guys that report to me, and no doubt like last year, my boss will copy and paste my plan into his so he can get away with not actually doing one for himself.

With 10 months to go I am now enjoying the knowledge that "I won't be doing this next year!" with every mind numbingly boring task I do.   Seven months till I file my pension paperwork!!  Even after I file I get to decide when I tell my boss. I'm thinking two months notice is plenty. Woohooo!!!

I'm feelin' ya, LTD55! I just finished annual evaluations for my folks and realized it's the last time I'll ever do those! (9 months and a few days to go for me)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on July 28, 2018, 02:08:32 AM
It’s the 28th.... close enough to call it another month done ✅ 

And as I’ll finish on 27 June next year, it now less than 11 months to go... unless I finish sooner.

It’s been a bit of a terrible month spending wise as we had to replace the transmission on our car. It was a real toss up as to whether bother repairing the car of just take it to the wreckers, but in the end I spent almost what the car is worth in repairs. Sigh.

On top of the car we also managed to spend a crazy fortune in many other ways too embarrassing to write about here. Don’t worry, I am suitably bruised from self face punches.

The Sydney property market continues to correct downwards. I picked the top of the market in Q2 last year but we decided not to sell, after many discussions. It’s a bit frustrating seeing the value in my spreadsheet going down so significantly, but as we won’t be selling for prob 5 more years, there’s nothing to be done. I feel the correction still has a ways to run as property prices are still crazy high. I expect another 10% drop before it levels out. Hopefully by the time we sell it will be into the next upward cycle.

Despite all the above gloom, my stock market investment returns for July were pretty incredible (at least they have been with 2 trading days to come). We got a bit lucky with foreign exchange rate movements, and managed a 2% return in AUD in just one month. awesome!!

In the end, our stash has climbed to new heights this month despite the hurdles, and I’ll spend most of August on vacation , which is mostly already paid for. Can’t complain!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: nazar on July 28, 2018, 08:13:07 AM
Hello 2019. I'm currently in the 2021 cohort, but your siren song is calling me. I am seriously considering TLY.  2021 was because of a particular carrot offered for sticking things out that long.  I can probably walk away in 2019 with minimal regret because time > money, but 2020 it would be harder to justify walking away without the carrot.  So for now I am a lurker, but am doing what I can to make it happen.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on July 28, 2018, 08:45:14 AM

My stash hit a new high on Thursday but pulled back on Friday.  Almost down to 10 months to FIRE, maybe PT.   I still have about 2 months of shortened work weeks to go (using benefit days).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on July 28, 2018, 10:14:28 AM
Hello 2019. I'm currently in the 2021 cohort, but your siren song is calling me. I am seriously considering TLY.  2021 was because of a particular carrot offered for sticking things out that long.  I can probably walk away in 2019 with minimal regret because time > money, but 2020 it would be harder to justify walking away without the carrot.  So for now I am a lurker, but am doing what I can to make it happen.

Hello @nazar!  Lurk all you like and I hope you can join us.  I understand the 'siren song' -- I visit the 2018 thread frequently.  Fantastic that you might be able to do 2LY.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on July 28, 2018, 11:05:43 AM
I never thought I would say this, but I'm potentially switching out of this cohort due to an impending career change.

If I accept the offer, it would be a 1-3 year commitment.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on July 28, 2018, 11:46:54 AM
I never thought I would say this, but I'm potentially switching out of this cohort due to an impending career change.

If I accept the offer, it would be a 1-3 year commitment.

Man down! 

Must be a very tempting offer!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on July 28, 2018, 12:53:45 PM
I never thought I would say this, but I'm potentially switching out of this cohort due to an impending career change.

If I accept the offer, it would be a 1-3 year commitment.

:(  what would Peter Gibbons do?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on July 28, 2018, 02:53:49 PM
If things worked out well, there is the opportunity to double our net worth over 36 months. From $500k to $1M, so I would say that it would be very significant. I would still be able to retire well before my 35th birthday.

Edited to add - and if it sucks, I can always pull the plug at any time, there are some golden handcuffs though =)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PizzaSteve on July 28, 2018, 04:00:23 PM
I never thought I would say this, but I'm potentially switching out of this cohort due to an impending career change.

If I accept the offer, it would be a 1-3 year commitment.
Happy for your opportunity!  It is not a race or a competition to FIRE first.  Live your life for the best challenges and opportunties.  If you are hitting FI and choose to work for your own reasons, I totally respect that.  Have fun!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Ajb147 on July 29, 2018, 01:56:36 PM
Hi! Original plan in my 20s was to retire my 40.  But I'm now 31 and have been taking a closer look at my savings, improve frugality, increase passive income, and side gig opportunities (especially in the stock market) and found I can actually retire sooner.  Much, much sooner.  Plan is to give a 6month notice to my employer this week if I can build up the courage to pull the trigger.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on July 29, 2018, 02:56:16 PM
Hello to those joining the cohort, as recently discussed we are the most awesome of the cohorts!

I really love hearing about people that really look at things and then cut years off the work plan.  That is soo heartening!

Thank you for sharing!

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on July 29, 2018, 03:28:08 PM
Hi! Original plan in my 20s was to retire my 40.  But I'm now 31 and have been taking a closer look at my savings, improve frugality, increase passive income, and side gig opportunities (especially in the stock market) and found I can actually retire sooner.  Much, much sooner.  Plan is to give a 6month notice to my employer this week if I can build up the courage to pull the trigger.

Welcome @Ajb147!  Sounds like it's an exciting time for you.  Let us know when things get firmed up and we'll get you added to the roster! 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: sui generis on July 31, 2018, 03:11:31 PM
Goodbye, 2019 Cohort!  I am all-in for 2018, and will be giving notice next week.  It's a little scary, trying to figure out all the things I thought I had 6 months to do and now may need to do in the next 2-3 weeks.  But I'm excited to be gone from this job and to have more time to commit to working on the mid-term elections, which it was turning out I would have almost no time for with how crazy work has been. 

Interestingly, we had a "check-in" meeting with a lot of our practice group at work yesterday (something about how BCG had implemented monthly check-ins and it increased happiness or something like that there).  And when we were talking about sustainability of our jobs, I piped in a lot about how I'm not sure it's super sustainable and I'm not terribly fond of the recent raises they gave (which was really just a way to show that our firm is a top law firm, nothing about paying people what they're worth).  That I'd rather get paid less and feel like some of my time actually belonged to me and that I didn't have to feel guilty going to sleep, like I should still be working, because they pay me so much.  So whether or not that statement makes an impression on anyone (and it wasn't any of the head honchos there anyway, but some more junior honchos), who knows.  But it did do a little work in the laying the foundation for my departure next week.  So that's good.  I do feel a little guilty about leaving, since a number of my co-workers were expressing extreme distress at the amount of work we have right now (and how hypocritical it is for the head honchos to say we can say no when we don't have capacity, but then when push comes to shove, they say "we have no one else to do this, you can't say no to this").  They are going to be hit hard when I leave, unfortunately.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on July 31, 2018, 03:39:29 PM
Congratulations Sui!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on July 31, 2018, 04:00:47 PM
Huge congratulations @sui generis !!!   Wooooo Hooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!

May your quitting process go smoothly, may your FIRE adjustment period be quick, and may you live happily ever after.   :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on July 31, 2018, 08:50:21 PM
Congrats Sui
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: edgema on August 01, 2018, 03:42:14 AM
Pinch punch.... Another month closer. April 1st is just 8 months away and I cannot wait!

As some have noted, I am enjoying the realisation that certain tasks I have been doing over the past 4 months will simply not be part of my life next year.

Sui Generis. Congratulations!

Perhaps I am not a good person but I struggle to relate when people feel guilty about leaving. I don't work in a particularly 'worthy' field (investment management - don't shoot me) so maybe this is part of it, but with only partial information I suggest that your highly paid 'lawyering' likely falls in the same category. The 'company' certainly does not care, and my belief is that immediately after your leaving drinks are over (maybe sooner) everyone will mostly just be eyeing up your billable hours regardless of any personal cost to themselves. We might not like to hear it, but some will be happy you are leaving as it provides them opportunity.   

People have choice and are (like you until now) choosing to be in the highly paid, highly stressful situation you have been in, even if you now believe it is a bad life trade-off. They would be enraged if they were given a pay cut in exchange for better conditions. That you have planned and executed your departure is not something you should feel guilty about and, call me cynical, but I unfortunately put zero percent on the chance that your 'Jerry Maguire' moment to some junior honchos will change a thing. It is not what people think they want so don't worry about it. Certainly don't worry about the company being hit hard as while this is a momentous time for you, it is just another departure for them (presumably turnover exists in your firm) and they will be just fine.

Admittedly a few presumptions in the above so apologies if I am way off mark.

The important thing is that you are free!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on August 01, 2018, 04:09:39 AM
Hello August!  Another month is in the books -- One step closer. 

I am enjoying the realisation that certain tasks I have been doing over the past 4 months will simply not be part of my life next year.

This.^  I have an odious annual meeting this morning, one that I normally dread. But this time all I can think about is -- this is the last time I ever have to do this.  The knowledge is like a secret glowing medallion of power and happiness.     

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: sui generis on August 01, 2018, 07:52:07 AM
Pinch punch.... Another month closer. April 1st is just 8 months away and I cannot wait!

As some have noted, I am enjoying the realisation that certain tasks I have been doing over the past 4 months will simply not be part of my life next year.

Sui Generis. Congratulations!

Perhaps I am not a good person but I struggle to relate when people feel guilty about leaving. I don't work in a particularly 'worthy' field (investment management - don't shoot me) so maybe this is part of it, but with only partial information I suggest that your highly paid 'lawyering' likely falls in the same category. The 'company' certainly does not care, and my belief is that immediately after your leaving drinks are over (maybe sooner) everyone will mostly just be eyeing up your billable hours regardless of any personal cost to themselves. We might not like to hear it, but some will be happy you are leaving as it provides them opportunity.   

People have choice and are (like you until now) choosing to be in the highly paid, highly stressful situation you have been in, even if you now believe it is a bad life trade-off. They would be enraged if they were given a pay cut in exchange for better conditions. That you have planned and executed your departure is not something you should feel guilty about and, call me cynical, but I unfortunately put zero percent on the chance that your 'Jerry Maguire' moment to some junior honchos will change a thing. It is not what people think they want so don't worry about it. Certainly don't worry about the company being hit hard as while this is a momentous time for you, it is just another departure for them (presumably turnover exists in your firm) and they will be just fine.

Admittedly a few presumptions in the above so apologies if I am way off mark.

The important thing is that you are free!

No, you're mostly right, and I don't feel guilty to the firm at all. But several of my colleagues have expressed how stressed out they are after two other recent departures, working hours they feel are unsustainable. So my departure will terrify them, as it will be at least 4-5 months before they can bring on one new person, much less 3. no one's looking for more hours right now! However, the lack of support and team work at this particular firm from those same colleagues is part of why I'm leaving, so I only feel so bad. And no matter what, it's not as if I created the system that is ultimately causing that problem. I may be the proximate cause, but more like just the straw the broke the camels back. So I'm not gong to spend too much time feeling bad!

Thanks for the congrats all! I'm working like crazy and hardly sleeping from stress for the few hours I have to sleep, so I'm really, really looking forward to my departure!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on August 01, 2018, 08:53:30 AM
Congrats Sui!  Soon you can have all the sleep you want, and no one can tell you other wise :).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on August 01, 2018, 11:20:37 AM
Pinch punch.... Another month closer. April 1st is just 8 months away and I cannot wait!

As some have noted, I am enjoying the realisation that certain tasks I have been doing over the past 4 months will simply not be part of my life next year.

Sui Generis. Congratulations!

Perhaps I am not a good person but I struggle to relate when people feel guilty about leaving. I don't work in a particularly 'worthy' field (investment management - don't shoot me) so maybe this is part of it, but with only partial information I suggest that your highly paid 'lawyering' likely falls in the same category. The 'company' certainly does not care, and my belief is that immediately after your leaving drinks are over (maybe sooner) everyone will mostly just be eyeing up your billable hours regardless of any personal cost to themselves. We might not like to hear it, but some will be happy you are leaving as it provides them opportunity.   

People have choice and are (like you until now) choosing to be in the highly paid, highly stressful situation you have been in, even if you now believe it is a bad life trade-off. They would be enraged if they were given a pay cut in exchange for better conditions. That you have planned and executed your departure is not something you should feel guilty about and, call me cynical, but I unfortunately put zero percent on the chance that your 'Jerry Maguire' moment to some junior honchos will change a thing. It is not what people think they want so don't worry about it. Certainly don't worry about the company being hit hard as while this is a momentous time for you, it is just another departure for them (presumably turnover exists in your firm) and they will be just fine.

Admittedly a few presumptions in the above so apologies if I am way off mark.

The important thing is that you are free!

I am 100% with you here.

No guilt and very happy for whomever follows me in my job and I hope they too can use the good salary to save their way to freedom.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: TartanTallulah on August 01, 2018, 11:51:35 AM
Hello August!  Another month is in the books -- One step closer. 

I am enjoying the realisation that certain tasks I have been doing over the past 4 months will simply not be part of my life next year.

This.^  I have an odious annual meeting this morning, one that I normally dread. But this time all I can think about is -- this is the last time I ever have to do this.  The knowledge is like a secret glowing medallion of power and happiness.   

I am also enjoying the thought that I am doing certain things for the last time. Such as, most recently, being at work on the day before travelling on vacation and having to stay very late to make sure everything was cleared up before I went.

On the other hand, my job is so intrinsically repetitive that there are many tasks I'll have to do far too many times before I leave.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on August 01, 2018, 12:38:13 PM
May your quitting process go smoothly, may your FIRE adjustment period be quick, and may you live happily ever after.   :)

I love this FIRE version of the Irish blessing!  Excellent work!

I bet they don't have stuff like this in the 2018 cohort thread.  ;)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on August 01, 2018, 06:13:43 PM
snip.....     The knowledge is like a secret glowing medallion of power and happiness.   

Quite the turn of phrase Trifele! 

Minor objection... It is not a SECRET to us, and I bet not secret to others in real life either.   
Some people in real life can tell when you are happy and relaxed, but they might not understand why.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on August 02, 2018, 04:19:50 AM
snip.....     The knowledge is like a secret glowing medallion of power and happiness.   

Quite the turn of phrase Trifele! 

Minor objection... It is not a SECRET to us, and I bet not secret to others in real life either.   
Some people in real life can tell when you are happy and relaxed, but they might not understand why.

Haha --  You've got it right Mark -- the secret part is why we're smiling . . . :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on August 02, 2018, 05:05:15 AM
May your quitting process go smoothly, may your FIRE adjustment period be quick, and may you live happily ever after.   :)

I love this FIRE version of the Irish blessing!  Excellent work!

I bet they don't have stuff like this in the 2018 cohort thread.  ;)

^^^^^
I didn't catch the Irish Blessing part when I saw this earlier.  Now I am double impressed.  :D.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on August 02, 2018, 04:31:24 PM
Goodbye, 2019 Cohort!  I am all-in for 2018, and will be giving notice next week.  It's a little scary, trying to figure out all the things I thought I had 6 months to do and now may need to do in the next 2-3 weeks.  But I'm excited to be gone from this job and to have more time to commit to working on the mid-term elections, which it was turning out I would have almost no time for with how crazy work has been.
Congrats!  Go get 'em, sui generis!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on August 02, 2018, 08:05:39 PM
Congrats to those who are retiring earlier than originally planned or are planning to delay their FIRE dates for new opportunities.

With it being August already and quite a few vacation days coming up, along with having a pretty good working environment, there's almost no chance I will FIRE this year, but I'm still hopeful for FIRE or going PT in Spring 2019.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MoMan on August 03, 2018, 09:30:36 AM
About to head into work to finalise my next 12 month work plan/performance and development plan with my boss. ...  Hate doing these time wasting, government, bureaucratic exercises that in my case aren’t even linked to my remuneration.

Happy that this will be my last. Sad that I have partake in this rubber stamping bullshit process. ... and no doubt like last year, my boss will copy and paste my plan into his so he can get away with not actually doing one for himself.

Ha Ha! This is exactly what I assume happens when I turn in my self-evaluations. To test my theory, one year I submitted this on my performance evaluation (my company has a serious erection for metrics, data, statistics and numbers.):

Quote
... After submitting to the volunteer coordinator, I received the following email June 26, 2012 from (Corporate Communications Intern):
“Thanks MoMan!  This looks great!  It is great when people go above and beyond.  I’ll let you know if we need anything else! “
 … which effectively netted a gratitude ratio of 3-to-1 exclamation points to periods. (emphasis mine)

No one said a word, which suggests no one read a word of it. But it gave me a smile.

In other news, I am dropping in for some gloating and self-congratulations: On Wednesday we made our final mortgage payment, which makes me 100% debt free for the 3rd time in my life.  It feels fucking great!! We are throwing a party tomorrow to celebrate. 14 months and 4 days to go.

--M
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: exit2019 on August 05, 2018, 03:54:44 PM
I am still on track for February.  What kinds of things are people doing to plan?

I want to freeload on the plans of others since I am working insane hours right up to the end and have really not done much more than get my finances right.

The pre-fire checklist is interesting but I'd like to know what's fresh.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on August 05, 2018, 04:34:46 PM
I am still on track for February.  What kinds of things are people doing to plan?

I want to freeload on the plans of others since I am working insane hours right up to the end and have really not done much more than get my finances right.

The pre-fire checklist is interesting but I'd like to know what's fresh.

A similar discussion came up a few pages back:

https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/2019-fire-cohort/msg2071876/#msg2071876

Since I'm 11 months out from FIRE, there's not too much I'm doing now except continuing to save 80% of my take home pay.  Near the end of the year, I'll decide what changes to make to my 457B and see if I can front load the deductions to minimize my MAGI for ACA PCT/CSR purposes, while also closely watching developments / changes relevant to the ACA.  I'll make sure I get a medical exam next spring before I pull the plug.  I'll try to schedule some personal days in the Spring before I FIRE since I don't get a payout for those.  Another key thing is to determine whether I can schedule things so that I can FIRE a month earlier as I would prefer to FIRE in early May.  I don't know if that will be authorized, so I'm assuming June for now.  One thing I wanted to do was shift to a more conservative AA over this last year, but I recently accomplished that.  I might try to get some home projects out of the way if I'm in the mood, but I figure that I'll have a lot more time for that after I FIRE.  I'm considering relocating down the road, so I'm spending some time researching into other areas including housing just to keep my pulse on things.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on August 05, 2018, 08:29:20 PM
I am still on track for February.  What kinds of things are people doing to plan?

I want to freeload on the plans of others since I am working insane hours right up to the end and have really not done much more than get my finances right.

The pre-fire checklist is interesting but I'd like to know what's fresh.

I just looked at my company's vacation and retirement policies.  I found out that vacation explicitly cannot be used to push out a retirement date.  I thought that was the case, but I hoped I would be able to finish up with 6-8 weeks of vacation time saved up and use that to push out the date so I could keep my benefits.  I'm looking at other options now.  I am fortunately in a really good job at the moment and it's one I could do part-time.  I am going to propose a part-time arrangement early in 2019 where I'll continue as full-time in the payroll system but I'll only work 4 days a week and will charge about 8-12 hours per week of vacation until I reduce the balance.  Once I'm down to 40-60 hours of vacation (down from ~300) then I'll formally transition to part-time.  I'm going to look into the sabbatical process next.  There are a lot of reasons I'd like to still technically be affiliated with my employer in December 2019 (related to hard to get and very expensive certifications).  Because I plan to continue to consult for them or at least have that as a back-up plan, they should be willing to renew my certs if I'm on sabbatical and still technically an employee.

I'm also working on brushing up the skills and renewing contacts I have related to consulting work that forms another layer of my back-up plan.  I scheduled lunch with a friend and former co-worker who owns a company that I might be able to consult for.  We haven't talked in 6 months and I want to keep all of those connections active.  While I hope to get down to ~3.5-3.7% withdrawal rate, there's still a chance that could fail or that my actual or desired spending will exceed a SWR if we have a bad recession.  Consulting income is one part of my series of back-up plans so I'm doing the work now to increase the odds that I'll actually be able to generate that income if needed.

The only other thing I'm doing right now is taking advantage of having FIRE money to make work less irritating.  I moved from a senior engineering job late in 2017 to a job that I'm technically overqualified for.  It's an easy 8-hour a day and low stress job, but even though I'm not working very hard I'm getting recognition for doing a great job.  When I'm asked to do more, if I want to do whatever "more" is I'll do it and if I don't want to I decline.  I've been mentoring the other more junior engineers in this position and I've gotten involved in some interesting new technical work but I've been able to let some good opportunities that I have no interest in go to people on my team.  On of my SW developers is going to present a paper at a conference soon, and it's an opportunity that she's never had before.  I had *zero* interest in doing that for the millionth time, and she's really excited about it.  Win/win!  When senior leadership has come to our site for program reviews, I've been able to have my team give most of the presentations.  They get face time and recognition while I can take the easy way out.  They get experience and good stuff to put on their performance appraisals while I don't have to prepare for a pointless presentation to someone who won't understand or remember any of what was presented. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Half Stached on August 05, 2018, 10:31:55 PM
At the recommendation of @spartana , I've started writing out a retirement plan with some specificity. Here is an early draft - comments welcome!

All numbers are in 2018 dollars.

I expect to be laid off next year (2019). With this, severance pay will take me through the end of the year. My wife plans to work at least through the end of 2019.

By the end of 2019, we estimate having $1,250,000 invested, plus a fully paid off condo worth $750,000.

Our investments are 95% total market (VTSAX), and 5% cash. We plan on living off of $68,000/year. Note that $68,000 is 5.44% of $1,250,000.

In 2022, we plan to update our home. While the extent of this is currently undefined, we are planning for $20,000 for this update.

My wife turns 62 in 2025. If our investments have fallen more than 20% (so, below $1,000,000) we’ll elect to take her social security (worth approximately $11,000/year). Otherwise, we’ll continue to defer taking this annually until she turns 70, or our investments fall below $1,000,000.

In 2030, if our investments are below $1,000,000 we will sell our condo with the intent to reduce our cost of living to no more than a 5% withdrawal rate. This may mean renting elsewhere in Seattle, or moving somewhere with a lower cost of living. Otherwise, we plan on staying in the condo as long as our investments exceed $1,000,000.

In 2033, I turn 62. If we sold the condo and our withdrawal rate exceeds 5.5%, I’ll elect to take my social security (worth approximately $17,000/year). Otherwise, we’ll continue to defer taking this annually until turning 70, or we have sold the condo and our withdrawal rate exceed 5.5%.

Plan buffers not included above:
 * My wife will probably work longer than end of 2019. Following this job, she is interested in part time work.
 * I may do some consulting after retiring. If so, this could provide up to $100,000/year.
 * I have collectibles worth approximately $50,000. I plan on selling these in the first calendar year following both of our retirements from work.
 * We irregularly receive gifts in excess of $10,000. I would estimate that we’ll receive $50,000 - $100,000 in gifts between 2020 and 2030.

Plan risks include:
 *While I have high expectations of being laid off next year, I may need to quit instead. This would eliminate the 6 months of severance (and so I might need to work those additional 6 months).
 * Social Security payouts could change. While I am reasonably confident in my wife’s social security, mine is far enough out that there is more risk.
 * I am estimating our investments at the end of 2019. With a market downturn, they could be lower than that.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on August 06, 2018, 02:29:53 AM
Here's my rough draft FIRE plan -- comments welcome!

I will quit my full time job somewhere between 2/1/19 and 4/1/19. Exact date depends on a couple of 'carrots' I am waiting for and whose dates are somewhat up in the air -- a large bonus, and the vesting of employer contributions into my 401k.

Assets at the time I quit will consist of ~$800k in pre-tax and taxable accounts; $180k in 529 plans for our 2 kids; about $50k cash; and a paid off house worth $450k.  By the time I quit we will have finished a very major renovation of the house, and have no other known big expenses on the horizon.  Spouse is a SAHD who says he wants to go back to work.  Both of us are 51.

Liabilities -- none.

All 2019 income will be used to front load HSA, then 401k plan. This will reduce MAGI to 0 from my full time job for 2019; I will be left with my side gig earnings, which have averaged $40,000 over the past 10 years.  If nothing changes with the ACA, then we will go on the Exchange for health insurance.  At those earnings we would qualify for a Silver plan for under $100 per month.  (I've played with the Exchange calculator quite a bit, and if it looks like my side gig earnings will be so low as to push us into Medicaid territory, I think I can do some IRA-Roth conversions to bump the income up just a bit).

Our typical yearly expenses are around $30,000, but we can decrease that if need be.  That is a little less than 4% of our stash, but hopefully we will not have to touch the stash at all for a while.  We would like to do some traveling in 2019 -- one month long trip to Europe (travel hacked with points) and several camping road trips around the US and Canada.  Our kids are 12 and 15.  I want to spend some time with them before they are gone.   

I intend to enjoy the hell out of life for 1-2 years, then re-evaluate.

Plan buffers not included in the above:   
*Spouse has been brilliant as SAHD/homeschool teacher/house renovator extraordinaire, but says he wants to return to work relatively soon.  Any income or health insurance he would bring in are gravy. 
*I'm a lawyer and intend to maintain my license after FIRE . . . With that, I could pick up part time/contract legal work if need be.
*I also maintain a professional certification in a field that has lots of opportunity.  If I wanted/needed to go back to work full time/turn on the cash firehose I am confident I could do that fairly easily.

Plan risks:
*Health insurance.  If the ACA goes away our healthcare costs will shoot way up.  Either DH or I would likely have to go back to work full time, or part time if we were lucky enough to find a PT job with benefits.
*If my side gig ended, we would have to tap the stash for living expenses, which I am loath to do.   

 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on August 06, 2018, 04:57:52 AM
Those are some good plans.  I don't have a formal one yet, but I should look into it.

I just scheduled a long vacation with MIL that eats up all my 2019 vacation days.  They cannot be cashed out, so now they are spoken for.  That way if the company decides to lay me off before I tell them I am leaving I don't lose the days. 

I do have a question:  the ACA uses previous early income to determine benefits.  So if DH and I stop working in May, are they going to use 2018 income, or a different estimator since it isn't open enrollment?  I was going to start that info digging at the end of this year (in case it changes) but thought I'd ask you smart folks. 

LV

edited to add - so I just did some poking, looks like you just need to estimate your income.... interesting.  So is there a settling up at some point if you are wrong...?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on August 06, 2018, 05:39:28 AM
Those are some good plans.  I don't have a formal one yet, but I should look into it.

I just scheduled a long vacation with MIL that eats up all my 2019 vacation days.  They cannot be cashed out, so now they are spoken for.  That way if the company decides to lay me off before I tell them I am leaving I don't lose the days. 

I do have a question:  the ACA uses previous early income to determine benefits.  So if DH and I stop working in May, are they going to use 2018 income, or a different estimator since it isn't open enrollment?  I was going to start that info digging at the end of this year (in case it changes) but thought I'd ask you smart folks. 

LV

edited to add - so I just did some poking, looks like you just need to estimate your income.... interesting.  So is there a settling up at some point if you are wrong...?

I don't know from first hand experience, but...

I've read that if you underestimate your income, you will later have to pay back the PCT (premium tax credit).

I've read that underestimating your income does not require you to pay back any CSR (cost sharing reduction) subsidies.

I've read that overestimating your income, when you end up not reaching the minimum income level to qualify for an ACA plan, does not require you to pay back the PCT or CSR.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: edgema on August 06, 2018, 06:51:13 AM
FIRE date April 1st, 2019.

Based in the UK so unless I am missing something there aren't quite so many complications regarding tax planning and health insurance, so my pre-FIRE checklist is thin. Mostly just waiting (whilst desperately trying to keep my corporate game-face on!)

FIRE retirement plan is something I have spent a lot of time thinking about but in a nutshell; Stage 1 is to go sailing for at least a year with the family; Stage 2 I have tried hard not to set in stone. I am too much of a planner, so I would quite like to at least try and just see where life takes us and what opportunities open up. We have two children so there are obviously certain constraints to this, but I want to be open minded.

"I intend to enjoy the hell out of life for 1-2 years, then re-evaluate." from Trifele puts it well. It might not seem like a complicated plan, but it has been a complicated mental path to get to this point.

Financially we are about 50% in property and 50% in equities for our investment portfolio with no immediate plans to change this. Perhaps in a couple of years we may look to renovate and sell the properties so that we become properly passive. At this stage I like the fact that we should be able to convert some sweat (management and renovations) into increased cash flow / value if needs be.

Fears? The same ones as others although, as a Brit, I worry that Brexit presently will occur on exactly the same date my stock vests (US company and USD at least) and presently everyone seems to be running around like headless chickens with no deal in sight. Hopefully they hammer something out in the meantime.

Good luck all!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on August 06, 2018, 08:22:56 AM
Trifele, your plan is so well thought out that it made me realize I don't have shit figured out at all.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on August 06, 2018, 07:15:00 PM
Ha -- Thank you for the vote of confidence 2Birds!  I am trying to figure it out as I go ... Shit scared half the time and exhilarated the other half. Honestly, without the support of this community and the things I learn here, I'm sure I would not be FIREing. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Half Stached on August 06, 2018, 08:58:10 PM
Thanks for sharing your plan, Trifele! It makes me realize that I should do more ACA research and update my plan with similar information. I also love your "... enjoy the hell out of the next 1-2 years and then re-evaluate." That's fantastic!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on August 07, 2018, 07:02:35 AM
Those are some good plans.  I don't have a formal one yet, but I should look into it.

I just scheduled a long vacation with MIL that eats up all my 2019 vacation days.  They cannot be cashed out, so now they are spoken for.  That way if the company decides to lay me off before I tell them I am leaving I don't lose the days. 

I do have a question:  the ACA uses previous early income to determine benefits.  So if DH and I stop working in May, are they going to use 2018 income, or a different estimator since it isn't open enrollment?  I was going to start that info digging at the end of this year (in case it changes) but thought I'd ask you smart folks. 

LV

edited to add - so I just did some poking, looks like you just need to estimate your income.... interesting.  So is there a settling up at some point if you are wrong...?

I don't know from first hand experience, but...

I've read that if you underestimate your income, you will later have to pay back the PCT (premium tax credit).

I've read that underestimating your income does not require you to pay back any CSR (cost sharing reduction) subsidies.

I've read that overestimating your income, when you end up not reaching the minimum income level to qualify for an ACA plan, does not require you to pay back the PCT or CSR.

Thank you!  It will be hard to judge my income as my dividends and other gains can be rather random.

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on August 07, 2018, 07:13:12 AM
How is it going @sui generis?  Is this the week you take the plunge? 

We're all rooting for you, whatever you decide!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: sui generis on August 07, 2018, 09:24:59 AM
How is it going @sui generis?  Is this the week you take the plunge? 

We're all rooting for you, whatever you decide!

Oh, thank you!  Yes, I gave notice yesterday!  It's a little anti-climactic in that I don't have a "last day" confirmed yet - one of the partners I'm working with is on vacation and I don't want to ruin her last days of relaxation by telling her what she's facing when she comes back.  So I may stick around an extra day or two as a courtesy to her, although it will be two weeks and change at max.  Still, not having that target day makes it feel slightly less concrete.  So I think I'll have that date on Thursday and will feel more excited!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on August 07, 2018, 09:28:31 AM
How is it going @sui generis?  Is this the week you take the plunge? 

We're all rooting for you, whatever you decide!

Oh, thank you!  Yes, I gave notice yesterday!  It's a little anti-climactic in that I don't have a "last day" confirmed yet - one of the partners I'm working with is on vacation and I don't want to ruin her last days of relaxation by telling her what she's facing when she comes back.  So I may stick around an extra day or two as a courtesy to her, although it will be two weeks and change at max.  Still, not having that target day makes it feel slightly less concrete.  So I think I'll have that date on Thursday and will feel more excited!

Absolutely fantastic.  Congratulations!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on August 07, 2018, 12:19:20 PM
How is it going @sui generis?  Is this the week you take the plunge? 

We're all rooting for you, whatever you decide!

Oh, thank you!  Yes, I gave notice yesterday!  It's a little anti-climactic in that I don't have a "last day" confirmed yet - one of the partners I'm working with is on vacation and I don't want to ruin her last days of relaxation by telling her what she's facing when she comes back.  So I may stick around an extra day or two as a courtesy to her, although it will be two weeks and change at max.  Still, not having that target day makes it feel slightly less concrete.  So I think I'll have that date on Thursday and will feel more excited!

Absolutely fantastic.  Congratulations!

^^^^^
Indeed!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Richmond 2020 on August 07, 2018, 02:23:16 PM
How is it going @sui generis?  Is this the week you take the plunge? 

We're all rooting for you, whatever you decide!

Oh, thank you!  Yes, I gave notice yesterday!  It's a little anti-climactic in that I don't have a "last day" confirmed yet - one of the partners I'm working with is on vacation and I don't want to ruin her last days of relaxation by telling her what she's facing when she comes back.  So I may stick around an extra day or two as a courtesy to her, although it will be two weeks and change at max.  Still, not having that target day makes it feel slightly less concrete.  So I think I'll have that date on Thursday and will feel more excited!

Absolutely fantastic.  Congratulations!

^^^^^
Indeed!!

Ditto.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on August 08, 2018, 09:20:49 PM
I never thought I would say this, but I'm potentially switching out of this cohort due to an impending career change.

If I accept the offer, it would be a 1-3 year commitment.

If things worked out well, there is the opportunity to double our net worth over 36 months. From $500k to $1M, so I would say that it would be very significant. I would still be able to retire well before my 35th birthday.

Edited to add - and if it sucks, I can always pull the plug at any time, there are some golden handcuffs though =)
Kind of similar to my situation, three-year commitment.  In my case I was mandated to stick around until February 2019.  If it wasn't for that requirement I would've been gone when I hit FI back in December 2016.  For the past 2.5 years as I was working through the commitment I added about $400K in financial padding to the FI numbers.

If your situation presents an opportunity to seriously up the financials I say go for it.  1-3 years really isn't that long.  Unless you're totally miserable doing what you're doing!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on August 11, 2018, 06:14:56 AM
How's everyone doing?  I've just had my head down at work, putting one foot in front of the other.  August tends to be pretty quiet with lots of people on vacation, meetings getting canceled, etc.  I'm hoping to slide on in to the end of the month without too much stress and then -- it's September!

I did hear something super funny this week.  If you remember, we're being bought by Megacorp and "integration" is underway.   Turns out Megacorp has a dress code which is way stricter than anything we currently have.  It includes no bare legs (pantyhose required with skirts and dresses) for women, and no bare shoulders.

Don't get me wrong, I 'clean up' and dress nicely for work.  But pantyhose and sleeves are hot, and the building I work in is stuffy.  I'm not sweating against my will at work -- they can bite me.  Plus I'm in the 'Absolutely No Clothes Shopping All Year" challenge in the MMM Throw Down the Gauntlet thread.  I don't have any pantyhose and no way I'm going to buy them (and fail the challenge) because of some stupid work rule.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!  :)   

 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on August 11, 2018, 07:51:37 AM
I am travelling around Uganda at the moment. The trip is a bit rushed. From next year adventures will never be rushed again.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on August 11, 2018, 08:25:37 AM
I am still on track for February.  What kinds of things are people doing to plan?

I want to freeload on the plans of others since I am working insane hours right up to the end and have really not done much more than get my finances right.

The pre-fire checklist is interesting but I'd like to know what's fresh.
My biggest effort right now is saving up enough cash to last two years of living expenses.  Based on my expenses tracker that amount is $80K.  I also want to take my mom on an all-expenses-paid road trip to celebrate her retirement.  I figure $10K for that trip should be enough.  So a total of $90K in cash when I retire is what I'm aiming for.  My thinking is having the financial flexibility to weather a market downturn and/or having the funds to do something else like start a business or buy a house.  I have saved $60K in cash so far, and with about a year to go I have to save another $30K.

I plan to reassess my financial situation in two or three years.  $80K may be overkill, and I may employ some of that money in something else.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on August 11, 2018, 10:10:28 AM
big snip...........
Turns out Megacorp has a dress code which is way stricter than anything we currently have.  It includes no bare legs (pantyhose required with skirts and dresses) for women, and no bare shoulders.

snip........I don't have any pantyhose and no way I'm going to buy them (and fail the challenge) because of some stupid work rule.

For the first time in my internet use I'm going OMG!
Strict dress code in 2018?  Aren't pantyhose a fire hazard (and maybe a FIRE hazard too)?

Anyway I like your priorities, ... forum over work...:-)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on August 11, 2018, 10:47:57 AM
big snip...........
Turns out Megacorp has a dress code which is way stricter than anything we currently have.  It includes no bare legs (pantyhose required with skirts and dresses) for women, and no bare shoulders.

snip........I don't have any pantyhose and no way I'm going to buy them (and fail the challenge) because of some stupid work rule.

For the first time in my internet use I'm going OMG!
Strict dress code in 2018? 

I know, right?  It feels like a throwback to the 60s or something.  Like we're going to wake up in a Mad Men episode.  And yes -- full suit-and-tie requirement for men.

"FIRE hazard" -- haha Mark! 

I may have some fun with this dress code thing on my way out ...
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on August 11, 2018, 01:17:03 PM
I know, right?  It feels like a throwback to the 60s or something.  Like we're going to wake up in a Mad Men episode.  And yes -- full suit-and-tie requirement for men.

"FIRE hazard" -- haha Mark! 

I may have some fun with this dress code thing on my way out ...

full suit-and-tie requirement for men.  eeeek...   the only time I've worn a suit I'd for interviews.
I only own one and it doesn't have a vest. Please tell us that a vest is not required.

Have you seen pantyhose near a fire? it melts clings and burns.

Yep, you can have fun with it, just remember you've got FU money and FIRE potential, but some doofus might accelerate  your plans.


Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: gerardc on August 11, 2018, 01:24:06 PM
I'm starting to think about what I'll be doing come April 1st, work-wise, if at all. This is because I'm not at my absolute top FIRE number yet, and I want to explore down shifting opportunities and see how bearable they'd be.

There are a couple options:
1- 6 months sabbatical straight off the bat, then upon return:
2- Intermittent 3-6 week unpaid leaves 2-4 times a year. Great because I'd maintain benefits, but apparently getting back is hard. Great for travel.
3- Buying ~8 weeks vacation (in addition to my current 4) per year. Similar to #2 but shorter breaks.
4- Part-time (60-80% of every week). Not really interested in that because I need my time to decompress and context switch, but included for completeness.
5- Push for working remote 100% or close to 100%
6- Get a different job that would allow this. An option if negotiation fails with current company.
7- Consulting/freelance, which would be mostly remote and allow for breaks between projects.
8- Nothing and/or career overhaul.

Basically if I do the Fourier transform of my on/off work time, which frequency would dominate?

Probably #7 is the most appealing long-term, so I could do #1 on April 1st, then try my hand at #2-3-5-6 for a while (more lucrative), then eventually move to #7.

A potential issue is that I'm not sure how to ask/negotiate with my employer, and which option is my best shot. I also don't have solid excuse like family to require those things.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: texxan1 on August 12, 2018, 01:08:00 AM
Hmmmmmmm it looks like i may need to bow out and get into the 2018 FIRE group lol.

So let me tell yall a story.... So the company has a new blueprint that just got announce, and as i know i was on a contract basis for my work overseas. I expect that they will tell me i wont be extended blah blah blah and then the day comes for my discussion with my boss... Turns out, that i will not make end of 2019, i will actually be lucky to make the end of 2018.. So  am to be repatriated back to the US by EOY 2018.    This throws some kinks into my plan, or non plan,

So come january 1, i will be back in the US on garden leave (paid leave, while i search for a job in the company). So no more huge fire hose of cash infusion to my accounts.. When abroad, i made tripple of what my US salary was and the company paid my taxes... Gonna be crazy to see my checks reduced 2/3rds lol

So maybe its time to fire early... Thing is, that garden leave could last a long while (up to a year)  If the company offers me a job, and i decline i get nothing... If the company doesnt offer me something etc, they will have to severance me out to the tune of 16 months salary---- So im hopeful for either something abroad working month on month off and starting back to getting my things in order in the states, or garden leave and ride out for hopes on a severance package

What do you guys think...

The stats
46 YO
$500 k  paid for house (HCOL)
698k Vanguard after tax
675 401k
side business in US that makes me about 25k a year right now... (55k but split with partner and paid help)

So i have about 1.35m liquid and a two pensions.. .one of 250k if i take at end of year and put into own future account, and one for 199k i get at 65.

Just talking outload

I think, its time to go FISHING lol
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on August 12, 2018, 04:22:42 AM
Wow @gerardc and @texxan1 . . . Big, deep things to ponder.

Gerard, you have some great options; sounds like you have a nice path planned out come April 1.  What will you do with that 6 month sabbatical right off the bat?  Sounds like you are a traveler, so I'm guessing you won't have any trouble coming up with something great and memorable.

Texxan1, dude as long as your annual spending is under $90k or so, based on my quick math you have made it.  Feel free to go over to the 2018 cohort and pull the plug this fall.  You will join our illustrious OP Mark and lawyer-on-FIRE @sui generis as proud defectors.  Only reason I can see for you to hang around into 2019 is the possibility of getting another overseas posting, which it seems you enjoy?

Hope you two gentlemen/ladies are feeling like the royalty that you are!  You're both in a really good place. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on August 12, 2018, 12:35:44 PM
What do you guys think...

The stats
46 YO
$500 k  paid for house (HCOL)
698k Vanguard after tax
675 401k
side business in US that makes me about 25k a year right now... (55k but split with partner and paid help)

So i have about 1.35m liquid and a two pensions.. .one of 250k if i take at end of year and put into own future account, and one for 199k i get at 65.

That's about the same as me, except I don't have $450K in pensions coming and side-work/part-time is questionable.  I'm good with $50K/yr expenses ($30K over barebones) with stash alone, so you should be covered for expenses well above that with your other income sources.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on August 12, 2018, 03:47:30 PM
I love seeing the options people have, or have given themselves.  Really wonderful!

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on August 12, 2018, 04:51:09 PM
Hmmmmmmm it looks like i may need to bow out and get into the 2018 FIRE group lol.

So let me tell yall a story.... So the company has a new blueprint that just got announce, and as i know i was on a contract basis for my work overseas. I expect that they will tell me i wont be extended blah blah blah and then the day comes for my discussion with my boss... Turns out, that i will not make end of 2019, i will actually be lucky to make the end of 2018.. So  am to be repatriated back to the US by EOY 2018.    This throws some kinks into my plan, or non plan,

So come january 1, i will be back in the US on garden leave (paid leave, while i search for a job in the company). So no more huge fire hose of cash infusion to my accounts.. When abroad, i made tripple of what my US salary was and the company paid my taxes... Gonna be crazy to see my checks reduced 2/3rds lol

So maybe its time to fire early... Thing is, that garden leave could last a long while (up to a year)  If the company offers me a job, and i decline i get nothing... If the company doesnt offer me something etc, they will have to severance me out to the tune of 16 months salary---- So im hopeful for either something abroad working month on month off and starting back to getting my things in order in the states, or garden leave and ride out for hopes on a severance package

What do you guys think...

The stats
46 YO
$500 k  paid for house (HCOL)
698k Vanguard after tax
675 401k
side business in US that makes me about 25k a year right now... (55k but split with partner and paid help)

So i have about 1.35m liquid and a two pensions.. .one of 250k if i take at end of year and put into own future account, and one for 199k i get at 65.

Just talking outload

I think, its time to go FISHING lol

You're way past FI, especially if you have pensions in your future.  I'd milk that "garden leave" as long as you can and do everything possible to NOT be offered another job with the company.  Maybe they'll severance you out early.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on August 14, 2018, 04:45:01 AM
Love love love the OLY folks!  Put a big smile on my face this morning.

2019 is getting so close!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on August 14, 2018, 08:52:30 AM
big snip...........
Turns out Megacorp has a dress code which is way stricter than anything we currently have.  It includes no bare legs (pantyhose required with skirts and dresses) for women, and no bare shoulders.

snip........I don't have any pantyhose and no way I'm going to buy them (and fail the challenge) because of some stupid work rule.

For the first time in my internet use I'm going OMG!
Strict dress code in 2018? 

I know, right?  It feels like a throwback to the 60s or something.  Like we're going to wake up in a Mad Men episode.  And yes -- full suit-and-tie requirement for men.

"FIRE hazard" -- haha Mark! 

I may have some fun with this dress code thing on my way out ...
Are your legs well enough tanned to just draw on a seam with eyebrow pencil?  If not then I believe gravy browning was the traditional solution!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on August 14, 2018, 09:26:53 AM
big snip...........
Turns out Megacorp has a dress code which is way stricter than anything we currently have.  It includes no bare legs (pantyhose required with skirts and dresses) for women, and no bare shoulders.

snip........I don't have any pantyhose and no way I'm going to buy them (and fail the challenge) because of some stupid work rule.

For the first time in my internet use I'm going OMG!
Strict dress code in 2018? 

I know, right?  It feels like a throwback to the 60s or something.  Like we're going to wake up in a Mad Men episode.  And yes -- full suit-and-tie requirement for men.

"FIRE hazard" -- haha Mark! 

I may have some fun with this dress code thing on my way out ...
Are your legs well enough tanned to just draw on a seam with eyebrow pencil?  If not then I believe gravy browning was the traditional solution!

Lol I will give those a try!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Pylortes on August 15, 2018, 09:55:57 AM
I have been doing some thinking. I've only posted once in this thread since I joined after moving back from 2018 when my spouse decided to take a different career opportunity that altered our plans somewhat.   I'm now targeting end of May 2019.  But there may be some movement in that date depending on: 

1. My project's contract is  set to expire in 2019- this has been moved up a year, was originally set to expire in 2020.   As a key player on this contract, and to help make sure my direct reports/co-workers continue to be employed, I may want to stay just long enough to ensure that we win the next round of contract.  A new contract will come out sometime next spring, and its possible that our proposal/response will be completed by end of May, but if not, I'll stay long enough to help make sure we put out a good proposal and win the new contract.  I don't want to bail and then cost everyone else in my local office their jobs as I know the company would probably look for a way shut the office down if we don't win the next contract.   
2. Will keep my eyes open on markets/economy.  Sequence of return risk is not a huge factor considering my spouse will stay employed, but I'd be hard pressed to not pad the stash a bit and load up on cheap stocks in the event of a big downturn.  I couldn't imagine this would impact my date my more than a few months however, and if we're just floating along or down just modestly, screw it, I'm out.  Right now, I'm having a hard time finding a lot of attractive ways to invest my money.  That hasn't been the case much until recently. 
3. Have two school aged kids.  Really want to be done at least part (if not all) of the summer, so I can travel/take them on a long roadtrip.  Waiting until school starts back up in August would be a downer (plus if I'm off we can save money by not having to put them in summer camp)

As my employer matches 401k each paycheck (rather than a lump sum), my plan is to shoot to fund say 85-90% of the max 401k contributions by end of May.  In the event I end up working a few months longer I'll then have flexibility to continue to contribute and therefore continue to get the employer match until my end date is reached.   If I decide to leave as proposed at end of May (will try to make final decision by late April) will just go ahead and raise 401k contributions for the last couple paychecks so I can max out the 401k right as I leave. 

A couple of factors I am taking into consideration on the exact date of departure are  1. My company grants PTO for the month on the 18th of each month.  So it would be silly to leave say between the 10th and 17th of the month.  If I were to stay to the 18th, I'd earn another 2.5 days of pay.   So I will likely make sure to leave sometime between the 19th and 31st of the month.  2. I enjoy being paid not to work on holidays.  Ideally I will milk one last holiday or two.  Memorial Day is May 28th.  Would like to make it past that then quit.  If I have to work beyond, then its a long way to July 4th, but I'd be somewhat annoyed to quit say on June 30th only to see a holiday roll around 7 days later that I could have been paid to play on!  So that may be a factor (I'm looking at you July 17th as a plan B!). 

I know the OMY is looked down upon around here, and the OLY is cheered, but for me this OMY I'm currently on (although I am totally ready now to not be sitting at a desk in an office), is a good thing as it has allowed me more time to get mentally prepared and work through some optimizations and give my spouse time to get established in a new position.  I've made sure to take long lunches and walk to work whenever possible and use the time to daydream/solidify my thinking.   I just put put my kids on the bus to start the new school year, and I'm planning this school year to be the last for me at my job!  Future work, if I choose to pursue it, will not involve sitting on my butt in an air conditioned office.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on August 15, 2018, 10:58:41 AM
Great thoughtful post @Pylortes.  All of us have multiple things to ponder as the date gets closer, and we try to do that 'calculus' to come up with the perfect departure time. 

You are right that OLY is always cheered here, and OMY is often booed . . . but at least from my perspective it's in good fun.  Everyone's situation is so different that there is no one right way.  There are plenty of times when OMY may be the best thing to do (as you proved yourself).   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on August 15, 2018, 11:23:51 AM
I have been doing some thinking. I've only posted once in this thread since I joined after moving back from 2018 when my spouse decided to take a different career opportunity that altered our plans somewhat.   I'm now targeting end of May 2019.  But there may be some movement in that date depending on: 

...snip...

  I just put put my kids on the bus to start the new school year, and I'm planning this school year to be the last for me at my job!  Future work, if I choose to pursue it, will not involve sitting on my butt in an air conditioned office.

That is a lot of thoughtful planning.  I really like your last bit I bolded above.  So much opportunity. 

My dad retired when i was in middle school, and having him around regularly was a gift that could not be measured.  Mom was a teacher, so she was also around when we were.  A great combo! 

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Pylortes on August 15, 2018, 02:02:13 PM
Thanks LV- my oldest just started middle school yesterday.  My younger son will still be in elementary school for a few more years.   

They are now at separate schools starting this year.  My older son's middle school starts about an hour earlier, so my wife gets him up and ready to go and walks him to the bus (which was formerly my job when they were both in elementary school) then goes to work so she can get off a little earlier to pick him up at the end of the day.  My younger son starts later, so I'm still out there with him waiting for the bus.  Today my younger son and I grabbed our baseball gloves and played catch for 10 mins while waiting. Some days we shoot baskets or pull a soccer ball out and play.  But I'm missing those moments with my middle-schooler this year because of his earlier school schedule.  Next year I'll get to welcome them both home off the bus (an hour apart) in the middle of the afternoon!  We may get some crazy neighborhood baseball games or video game or homework time in (if they need help) in before mom comes home.   Just those extra moments are worth a lot when your kids are still in their formative years and appreciate the time you spend with them.

On the flip side, my parents (divorced) live halfway across the country and I currently only get to see them maybe once or twice a year for a week or so at a time.  They are hitting their early 70's and are in very good health, but who knows how long that will last?  I am looking forward to be able to visit them more often and for longer duration while they can still do active things. And as they get older, I can hopefully be of more assistance and take off to help them if needed. I also plan to help my wife by taking over cooking, cleaning, shopping, housework etc.  Plus even with all of that, I will still get more time for myself to think/read/relax/hobbies.   Just need to finish this last year strong.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on August 15, 2018, 02:29:26 PM

 Today my younger son and I grabbed our baseball gloves and played catch for 10 mins while waiting. Some days we shoot baskets or pull a soccer ball out and play. 


^^^^
Priceless!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on August 17, 2018, 10:28:39 AM

 Today my younger son and I grabbed our baseball gloves and played catch for 10 mins while waiting. Some days we shoot baskets or pull a soccer ball out and play. 


^^^^
Priceless!

+1.  These are the things that matter. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on August 17, 2018, 12:22:12 PM
Per PM from sui generis, she is confirmed FIREd effective today -- Congratulations @sui generis!   
 

01/??/19     MoneyStacher  (51)
01/??/19     PhilB  (53)                       OLY -- Planning 10/??/18; Possible PT into 2019
02/15/19     sui generis  (41)              OLY -- CONFIRMED 8/17/18.
02/??/19     zinnie  (35)
03/08/19     ChasesFish
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor  (50)     
03/??/19     Roboturner  (30)
03/??/19     Edgema
03/25/19     MaybeBabyMustache
03/31/19     TartanTallulah  (55)          OLY -- Planning 10/31/2018.   
04/01/19     Trifele  (52)
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)
05/??/19     cerat0n1a                         OLY -- CONFIRMED summer 2018
05/??/19     dude                               
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/14/19     Mr. Ver (40)
05/17/19     Loren Ver (37)
05/31/19     Pylortes  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
06/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/??/19     Bateaux  (50)
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
08/12/19     Canadian Ben  (29)
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
09/27/19     Spreadsheet Man
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
12/??/19     markbike528cbx  (55)        OLY -- CONFIRMED 6/1/18; checking in as OP
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:

Lowerbills (40)
Chrissy (42)
Gerard
getoutsoon (52)
ysette9 (38)
Elaine amj (40)
IPlawyer
Chairman                           SemiFIRE 2018
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Livingthedream55 on August 17, 2018, 12:33:09 PM
@Trifele   my FIRE date is 5/31/19     Thanks!

@sui generis  CONGRATS!!!  Outstanding news!!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: sui generis on August 17, 2018, 12:54:40 PM
Thank you!  It's definitely exciting, although quite unreal, to be here on my last day.  They are throwing a happy hour for me this afternoon - which I don't love because I hate being the center of attention - but should be a good way to end on a nice note.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SpareChange on August 17, 2018, 12:55:25 PM
Congrats to pulling the trigger sui! Let us know how it goes!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on August 17, 2018, 05:24:42 PM
Thank you!  It's definitely exciting, although quite unreal, to be here on my last day.  They are throwing a happy hour for me this afternoon - which I don't love because I hate being the center of attention - but should be a good way to end on a nice note.

Woot woot!!

Making me feel even more anxious for next year!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on August 19, 2018, 08:35:06 AM
Got messages from a few of our TBD friends.  Gerard is firming up his date, aiming for July of 19; Chrissy's DH (but not Chrissy at this time) is now looking at 12/31/19; ysette9 is out, but wishes us all well; and Chairman already pulled the plug.  Congrats @Chairman!
 

01/01/19     MoneyStacher  (51)
01/31/19     PhilB  (53)                      OLY -- Planning 10/??/18
02/15/19     sui generis  (41)              OLY -- CONFIRMED 8/17/18.
02/??/19     zinnie  (35)
03/08/19     ChasesFish
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor  (50)     
03/??/19     Roboturner  (30)
03/??/19     Edgema
03/25/19     MaybeBabyMustache
03/31/19     TartanTallulah  (55)          OLY -- Planning 10/31/2018.   
04/01/19     Trifele  (52)
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)
05/??/19     cerat0n1a                         OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
05/??/19     dude                               
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/14/19     Mr. Ver (40)
05/17/19     Loren Ver (37)
05/31/19     Pylortes  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
06/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/06/19     Bognish (44)
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/??/19     Bateaux  (50)
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45) 
07/03/19     Gerard
08/12/19     Canadian Ben  (29)
08/19/18     Chairman                         OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
09/27/19     Spreadsheet Man
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
12/??/19     markbike528cbx  (55)        OLY -- CONFIRMED 6/1/18; checking in as OP
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)
12/31/19     Chrissy's DH

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
Elaine amj (40)
IPlawyer
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on August 19, 2018, 01:59:30 PM
Yah Chairman!  I hope it is fantastic!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on August 19, 2018, 02:48:28 PM
Thanks for updating the list, Trifele.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Prairie Stash on August 21, 2018, 12:26:50 PM
I'm coming out and saying June 1. Like many, I'll have a couple months variance on it.

In fairness, I may be a false retirement. I'm mulling over setting up a consulting shop for fun. I think I could handle 300 hours/year, I struggle with letting go at the moment. Of course, if I do no work, thats fine.

IMO its FIRE if you don't need to work, also you need to be able to skip wearing pants.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on August 21, 2018, 12:41:31 PM
I'm coming out and saying June 1. Like many, I'll have a couple months variance on it.

In fairness, I may be a false retirement. I'm mulling over setting up a consulting shop for fun. I think I could handle 300 hours/year, I struggle with letting go at the moment. Of course, if I do no work, thats fine.

IMO its FIRE if you don't need to work, also you need to be able to skip wearing pants.

Welcome aboard @Prairie Stash -- got you added.   Agree 100% it counts as FIREd if you do only what you want -- pants optional.  :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: bognish on August 21, 2018, 02:58:51 PM
My kids start summer vacation June 6, 2019. I plan on joining them. I will be 44. We should have the funds to be permanent FIRE - no plans for other work, pensions or rentals. Wife is SAHM. I am planning on seasonal reassessment of work or some consulting going forward, but day dreaming of weekday rock climbing & skiing. It will be hard to keep dad toys and gearing up 2 kids for outdoor sports on a FIRE budget.

Right now its strange to let cash build up in a money market account. I have been 100% invested in stock mutual funds for almost 20 years. I can see it will be a huge shift in mind set to start drawing down investments. I can't remember if I have ever hit the sell button at Fidelity.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on August 21, 2018, 03:43:08 PM
Welcome @bognish!  Added you to the spreadsheet.  That's going to be one fine summer for you.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: gerardc on August 21, 2018, 10:02:52 PM
If you could keep your job with 2-3 months continuous vacation every summer, plus 40 vacation days sprinkled whenever you want throughout the year, would you do it? Sounds good enough. There are a few things I want to do in FIRE, but probably after 3 months I'll be tired of them. Also I'm starting to understand better how to be at my happiest even while working, no need to be miserable. I don't know, just pondering. It's kind of like being in love for the first time, or being very very hungry and thinking you'll need 1 week straight for just eating but then you eat 1 big pizza in 10 minutes and you're nauseous already. I just wonder what it would be like to be in vacation 365 days a year.

Nevermind, that's institutionalization speaking ;D
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on August 22, 2018, 01:07:54 AM
I'm coming out and saying June 1. Like many, I'll have a couple months variance on it.

In fairness, I may be a false retirement. I'm mulling over setting up a consulting shop for fun. I think I could handle 300 hours/year, I struggle with letting go at the moment. Of course, if I do no work, thats fine.

IMO its FIRE if you don't need to work, also you need to be able to skip wearing pants.
Reading that last sentence from the UK conjures up a very strange image of someone using a skipping rope in just their underwear.  Is that part of your 'coming out' ?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on August 22, 2018, 10:08:28 AM
How's everyone doing?  I've just had my head down at work, putting one foot in front of the other.  August tends to be pretty quiet with lots of people on vacation, meetings getting canceled, etc.  I'm hoping to slide on in to the end of the month without too much stress and then -- it's September!

I did hear something super funny this week.  If you remember, we're being bought by Megacorp and "integration" is underway.   Turns out Megacorp has a dress code which is way stricter than anything we currently have.  It includes no bare legs (pantyhose required with skirts and dresses) for women, and no bare shoulders.

Don't get me wrong, I 'clean up' and dress nicely for work.  But pantyhose and sleeves are hot, and the building I work in is stuffy.  I'm not sweating against my will at work -- they can bite me.  Plus I'm in the 'Absolutely No Clothes Shopping All Year" challenge in the MMM Throw Down the Gauntlet thread.  I don't have any pantyhose and no way I'm going to buy them (and fail the challenge) because of some stupid work rule.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!  :)   

Still on track. My account balances are @$790k, and my retirement (i.e., pension) eligibility is 8 months away. No plans to alter my plan. May 2019.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on August 23, 2018, 05:29:23 AM
Welcome folks that just got added to the list!!

This week has really started to chaff at work.  Nothing particular, just all my good productive time is being used at work, so that when I get home I am tired and really have to push to do the things i want to get done, even if they are fun.

There is something I am considering:
There is a "rumor" at work that my sub-function has been asked to look for redundancy in head count.  The company is going through some big changes so it needs to straighten out before Q2 next year.  Anyway, i have been debating telling my boss in my next 1:1 that I would like to be considered to downsizing if that is an option and they are doing packages. 

Past me was far more safe and timid and would never even consider this.  But I talked to DH about it last night (while sitting in our project van).  The risks are pretty low (things like, if they say no, I could still be rated poorly and get a small bonus next year).  The normal buy out is 2 weeks pay per year of service.  I hit 10 years in October.  I would NOT bring up the FIRE plans in this discussion, just that I would like to be considered for a buy out if that is possible.  I am one of the newest to this function (10 months); if they needs to lay someone off, I'd rather it be me for lots of reasons. 

My boss also lives in another country, so I don't have to see him daily if this makes things odd.  I haven't had him as a boss for long, but he is by far the best leader I have ever had (the distance may or may not be a factor in this) but he is also the most experienced leader I have had as well.   

Meeting is Sept 5th, so some time to think on it....
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on August 23, 2018, 05:52:49 AM
Welcome folks that just got added to the list!!

This week has really started to chaff at work.  Nothing particular, just all my good productive time is being used at work, so that when I get home I am tired and really have to push to do the things i want to get done, even if they are fun.

There is something I am considering:
There is a "rumor" at work that my sub-function has been asked to look for redundancy in head count.  The company is going through some big changes so it needs to straighten out before Q2 next year.  Anyway, i have been debating telling my boss in my next 1:1 that I would like to be considered to downsizing if that is an option and they are doing packages. 

Past me was far more safe and timid and would never even consider this.  But I talked to DH about it last night (while sitting in our project van).  The risks are pretty low (things like, if they say no, I could still be rated poorly and get a small bonus next year).  The normal buy out is 2 weeks pay per year of service.  I hit 10 years in October.  I would NOT bring up the FIRE plans in this discussion, just that I would like to be considered for a buy out if that is possible.  I am one of the newest to this function (10 months); if they needs to lay someone off, I'd rather it be me for lots of reasons. 

My boss also lives in another country, so I don't have to see him daily if this makes things odd.  I haven't had him as a boss for long, but he is by far the best leader I have ever had (the distance may or may not be a factor in this) but he is also the most experienced leader I have had as well.   

Meeting is Sept 5th, so some time to think on it....

If they are laying off with severance packages and you have told them you would be interested, could your severance package become lower? On the other hand, you don't want them to ask someone else first, who gets the package instead. If your company must let people go, then they might appreciate that someone goes voluntarily. But let them know you want the package.

My DH is also thinking about letting his new boss know that maybe within a year the boss should be looking for a replacement of DH's function. DH wants to spend his last year working by doing more normal engineer work, instead of leader.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on August 23, 2018, 03:16:30 PM
Snip

Meeting is Sept 5th, so some time to think on it....

If they are laying off with severance packages and you have told them you would be interested, could your severance package become lower? On the other hand, you don't want them to ask someone else first, who gets the package instead. If your company must let people go, then they might appreciate that someone goes voluntarily. But let them know you want the package.

My DH is also thinking about letting his new boss know that maybe within a year the boss should be looking for a replacement of DH's function. DH wants to spend his last year working by doing more normal engineer work, instead of leader.

As far as I know my company as never done voluntary layoffs, so I would be going outside the box.  Not sure what could or would happen :s.

Do you think you DH boss will let him shift to engineer work for his last year?  I can see why that would be more appealing.

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on August 24, 2018, 01:50:33 AM
Snip

Meeting is Sept 5th, so some time to think on it....

If they are laying off with severance packages and you have told them you would be interested, could your severance package become lower? On the other hand, you don't want them to ask someone else first, who gets the package instead. If your company must let people go, then they might appreciate that someone goes voluntarily. But let them know you want the package.

My DH is also thinking about letting his new boss know that maybe within a year the boss should be looking for a replacement of DH's function. DH wants to spend his last year working by doing more normal engineer work, instead of leader.

As far as I know my company as never done voluntary layoffs, so I would be going outside the box.  Not sure what could or would happen :s.

Do you think you DH boss will let him shift to engineer work for his last year?  I can see why that would be more appealing.

LV

Yes. Engineers with as much experience as my DH are very rare and hard to hire. DH thinks it might be easier to hire another experienced engineer with management ambitions to take over his job. Also, DH has a heart condition and can use that as an argument to work in a position with less stress.
But DH would like to keep his management salary. I'm not sure the boss with buy into that.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on August 24, 2018, 05:53:30 AM
Happy Friday everyone!

I shared this over on the 'Cheap Things That Make You Happy Thread.'  To count down my last 100 work days to FIRE, I printed off a free coloring page showing a lovely beach scene.  I numbered the sections from 1 to 100, and each day when I get home from work I color in a section.  I'm taking a picture each day too, so at the end I can combine them into a video. 

:)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on August 24, 2018, 07:46:35 AM
Happy Friday everyone!

I shared this over on the 'Cheap Things That Make You Happy Thread.'  To count down my last 100 work days to FIRE, I printed off a free coloring page showing a lovely beach scene.  I numbered the sections from 1 to 100, and each day when I get home from work I color in a section.  I'm taking a picture each day too, so at the end I can combine them into a video. 

:)

That's so fun!  What are you coloring first?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Pylortes on August 24, 2018, 09:45:06 AM
Happy Friday everyone!

I shared this over on the 'Cheap Things That Make You Happy Thread.'  To count down my last 100 work days to FIRE, I printed off a free coloring page showing a lovely beach scene.  I numbered the sections from 1 to 100, and each day when I get home from work I color in a section.  I'm taking a picture each day too, so at the end I can combine them into a video. 

:)

Great idea, but I would definitely do the coloring at work rather than home.  But maybe that's just me. :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on August 24, 2018, 01:22:22 PM
Happy Friday everyone!

I shared this over on the 'Cheap Things That Make You Happy Thread.'  To count down my last 100 work days to FIRE, I printed off a free coloring page showing a lovely beach scene.  I numbered the sections from 1 to 100, and each day when I get home from work I color in a section.  I'm taking a picture each day too, so at the end I can combine them into a video. 

:)

That's so fun!  What are you coloring first?

I'm working from the lower left corner upward.  So far I've colored in a seashell and a starfish, and the path leading up to a sandcastle.  I'll finish in the upper right corner in early 2019 by coloring in the sun!

It's fun -- I haven't colored in years.  And haha Pylortes -- you're right it might be even more fun to do this at work and come up with clever answers to whatever questions I might get!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SugarMountain on August 28, 2018, 08:53:08 AM
Hello to those joining the cohort, as recently discussed we are the most awesome of the cohorts!

I really love hearing about people that really look at things and then cut years off the work plan.  That is soo heartening!

Thank you for sharing!

LV

Just checking out this cohort to see if it's cool enough for me to switch from the 2018 cohort. (Short version, told my boss I was leaving last week.  Boss' boss took me to a back room and gave me an offer I can't refuse that may lead to OMY. Lots of internal debating going on in my head so current status is day to day.  Then again, we're all day to day.)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on August 28, 2018, 09:23:05 AM

Just checking out this cohort to see if it's cool enough for me to switch from the 2018 cohort. (Short version, told my boss I was leaving last week.  Boss' boss took me to a back room and gave me an offer I can't refuse that may lead to OMY. Lots of internal debating going on in my head so current status is day to day.  Then again, we're all day to day.)


Hi @SugarMountain  -- Sure, join the party if you like.  We welcome all OMY and OLY'ers.   The back room talk with the boss's boss and the "offer you can't refuse" sound vaguely sinister, but it sounds like it worked out well for you.  ;)

Let us know when you know for sure, and we'll get you added to the spreadsheet.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SugarMountain on August 28, 2018, 09:39:53 AM

Just checking out this cohort to see if it's cool enough for me to switch from the 2018 cohort. (Short version, told my boss I was leaving last week.  Boss' boss took me to a back room and gave me an offer I can't refuse that may lead to OMY. Lots of internal debating going on in my head so current status is day to day.  Then again, we're all day to day.)


Hi @SugarMountain  -- Sure, join the party if you like.  We welcome all OMY and OLY'ers.   The back room talk with the boss's boss and the "offer you can't refuse" sound vaguely sinister, but it sounds like it worked out well for you.  ;)

Let us know when you know for sure, and we'll get you added to the spreadsheet.

Yeah, mostly joking about the sinisterness of it. Basically he's saying I shouldn't quit yet, he'll put me in a different role with none of the stress or responsibility of my current job, but the salary will continue.  The things I haven't figure out are why he is doing this and what I will be doing.  It was a weird conversation.  I'll be journaling as things develop.  I wouldn't add me yet, I think when I get to October I'll end up making a decision about whether this is worth another year or not.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on August 28, 2018, 12:03:48 PM
Back to work after a great vacation, and I had my mid year performance review today (it was bad enough once a year, but now we have two!!!!).

My boss from HQ (overseas) asked if I was planning on leaving any time soon as he has a successor picked out. I said “no. I am happy here”.

Sorry but Mr/ Ms successor you will have to wait. Not for long, but nobody needs to know that yet.

I asked my boss if he wanted me to leave. Boss said “No. I am happy you are staying”.

That was pretty much the extent of my review.

My next review is in Feb. it will be my last, and Once I know my annual bonus is secure I’ll be able to tell my boss to get kick his succession plan into gear.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Livingthedream55 on August 28, 2018, 01:00:32 PM
Back to work after a great vacation, and I had my mid year performance review today (it was bad enough once a year, but now we have two!!!!).

My boss from HQ (overseas) asked if I was planning on leaving any time soon as he has a successor picked out. I said “no. I am happy here”.

Sorry but Mr/ Ms successor you will have to wait. Not for long, but nobody needs to know that yet.

I asked my boss if he wanted me to leave. Boss said “No. I am happy you are staying”.

That was pretty much the extent of my review.

My next review is in Feb. it will be my last, and Once I know my annual bonus is secure I’ll be able to tell my boss to get kick his succession plan into gear.

Nobody's business until you decide to announce. Things can get weird once you've announced your intentions. My thoughts right now is giving about two months notice so I'd tell my boss April 1 - ha ha!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SugarMountain on August 28, 2018, 01:11:11 PM
Back to work after a great vacation, and I had my mid year performance review today (it was bad enough once a year, but now we have two!!!!).

My boss from HQ (overseas) asked if I was planning on leaving any time soon as he has a successor picked out. I said “no. I am happy here”.

Sorry but Mr/ Ms successor you will have to wait. Not for long, but nobody needs to know that yet.

I asked my boss if he wanted me to leave. Boss said “No. I am happy you are staying”.

That was pretty much the extent of my review.

My next review is in Feb. it will be my last, and Once I know my annual bonus is secure I’ll be able to tell my boss to get kick his succession plan into gear.

"If you want me to leave, what kind of severance are you providing?"
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on August 28, 2018, 08:06:45 PM
Back to work after a great vacation, and I had my mid year performance review today (it was bad enough once a year, but now we have two!!!!).

My boss from HQ (overseas) asked if I was planning on leaving any time soon as he has a successor picked out. I said “no. I am happy here”.

Sorry but Mr/ Ms successor you will have to wait. Not for long, but nobody needs to know that yet.

I asked my boss if he wanted me to leave. Boss said “No. I am happy you are staying”.

That was pretty much the extent of my review.

My next review is in Feb. it will be my last, and Once I know my annual bonus is secure I’ll be able to tell my boss to get kick his succession plan into gear.

"If you want me to leave, what kind of severance are you providing?"

Haha. I work in the Middle East, the land of zero employee rights. A severance package is a pipe dream.

Anyways they don’t want me to leave, it’s just that there is seemingly a few bright up and comers with an eye on my job. Being the Middle East it’s more common than not that people don’t stay too many years here, so turnover is highish,  and it’s a popular place for ambitious types to get some overseas experience on their CV.

DW is quite keen to leave here (not because she doesn’t like living here, but because we are losing our ties/ friendships back home), but I’d stay if she would accept and if we needed to build the stash more. I’ll be a bit sad to leave actually. But, will also be nice to return home I suppose.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on August 29, 2018, 03:29:15 PM
Whew, the last few days plus a nice 2.5% or so move on the market in August had me debating hanging out through March.

There's nothing like having leadership think the solution to selling an inferior product/process is to beat on the salespeople to "just call more"
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: gerardc on August 29, 2018, 07:45:23 PM
Whew, the last few days plus a nice 2.5% or so move on the market in August had me debating hanging out through March.

Getting dangerously close to $1M with the last few days, might even make it before the new year. Not really counting on it though
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on August 29, 2018, 08:20:41 PM
With the ongoing great returns I am getting from stocks, I regret a little that I am still so heavily invested in residential property, which is dropping in value (in Syd year at least) as fast as I am Generating growth from my stock portfolio..... but I shouldn’t forget that the 20 preceding years of high growth in my property values is a big part of why I will FIRE next year. I am concerned that the property values still have a ways to drop. It is probably time I stopped focussing in NW so much and started to focus more on the income being generated from my assets ie: Rent + dividends + interest.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on August 29, 2018, 10:02:33 PM

Stash is now at 27X (3.6% SWR) planned FIRE spending, 76X barebones (1.3% SWR).

Just over 9 months to FIRE.

I've used benefit time to take off about every Thurs. and Fri. through July and August.  I've felt like a part time worker these last two months, and I've liked it.  I'll be off 5 over this holiday weekend, then I'll be using only a couple benefit days on Fridays in Sept., then it's back to a long string of full work weeks in October and November until Thanksgiving.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on August 30, 2018, 01:17:21 AM
Even though I expect to FIRE in 2020, I'm still lurking here from time to time...

We still have that plan of putting our house for sale in the spring. If we manage to sell it for a high enough price, we might well be able to FIRE in 2019.

DH has mentioned that, before pulling the plug finally (selling the house/quitting jobs), we should do a proper check of my excel sheet with FIRE calculations. I couldn't agree more.
But I wonder, would it pay off to get help from an expert? It is all very Norwegian specific information, which I have gathered from the website of the tax office. How many hours would a tax expert use to check calculations in an excel sheet, in addition to understanding the whole concept of FIRE? I guess it would cost maybe 500 USD at least for such an analysis.
My alternative is hoping that DH is intelligent enough to judge the correctness of the spreadsheet. He is very intelligent, just not an economist or tax expert.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on August 30, 2018, 02:27:09 AM

Stash is now at 27X (3.6% SWR) planned FIRE spending, 76X barebones (1.3% SWR).

Just over 9 months to FIRE.

I've used benefit time to take off about every Thurs. and Fri. through July and August.  I've felt like a part time worker these last two months, and I've liked it.  I'll be off 5 over this holiday weekend, then I'll be using only a couple benefit days on Fridays in Sept., then it's back to a long string of full work weeks in October and November until Thanksgiving.
I've been doing 4 day weeks through the school holidays too (when not actually going away) and it does indeed feel great.  I'm really not looking forward to my last slug of 5 day weeks but, as the saying goes, this too shall pass.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on August 30, 2018, 05:42:36 AM
Even though I expect to FIRE in 2020, I'm still lurking here from time to time...

We still have that plan of putting our house for sale in the spring. If we manage to sell it for a high enough price, we might well be able to FIRE in 2019.

DH has mentioned that, before pulling the plug finally (selling the house/quitting jobs), we should do a proper check of my excel sheet with FIRE calculations. I couldn't agree more.
But I wonder, would it pay off to get help from an expert? It is all very Norwegian specific information, which I have gathered from the website of the tax office. How many hours would a tax expert use to check calculations in an excel sheet, in addition to understanding the whole concept of FIRE? I guess it would cost maybe 500 USD at least for such an analysis.
My alternative is hoping that DH is intelligent enough to judge the correctness of the spreadsheet. He is very intelligent, just not an economist or tax expert.

Linda,

If the tax structure is complex paying someone to go through the process with you to make sure you have it right isn't a bad idea.  Findings a person could be hard, but the piece of mind could be worth it.  Assuming there isn't someone on the site that hasn't ready done this for Norway :).


As for me, I talked to my boss a few days ago. I told him if there were going to be layoffs with severance packages I wanted to be considered.  I didn't tell him the big plans. I just assured him it wasn't the work or the group, just if someone needed to go, then I'd rather it be me than someone else.  If was via phone call since he is a country away.  That was a awkward talk, as I am in a small group that is rather specialized and generally considered safe from layoffs.

Later that day, the company announced there would be layoffs.  My sub-functions said a few people would be laid off, but they will cut other places to reduce the pressure. 

The usual package is 2 weeks for every year of service.  I hit 10 years in October. 

So, uh, good timing maybe?  Not sure if I will get an offer or not.  But I should know by the end of November....

I really liked giving myself some of the power.  If they keep me, I am good.  If they lay me off, I am good.  The position i am it, it is good.

Whew. 

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on August 30, 2018, 06:10:48 AM

As for me, I talked to my boss a few days ago. I told him if there were going to be layoffs with severance packages I wanted to be considered.  I didn't tell him the big plans. I just assured him it wasn't the work or the group, just if someone needed to go, then I'd rather it be me than someone else.  If was via phone call since he is a country away.  That was a awkward talk, as I am in a small group that is rather specialized and generally considered safe from layoffs.

Later that day, the company announced there would be layoffs.  My sub-functions said a few people would be laid off, but they will cut other places to reduce the pressure. 

The usual package is 2 weeks for every year of service. 

So, uh, good timing maybe?  Not sure if I will get an offer or not.  But I should know by the end of November....

I really liked giving myself some of the power.  If they keep me, I am good.  If they lay me off, I am good.  The position i am it, it is good.

Whew. 

LV

Loren -- are we Doppelgaenger/s???  I am in _exactly_ this position -- I could have written your post word for word.  We're in the midst of a takeover by Megacorp and we know that some people will be let go, but so far it looks like my department is relatively safe.   I have been considering having this very conversation with my boss but have not yet done it.

I think the only thing holding me back from having the conversation is the thought that my boss might say "No, we need you."  And then I pull the plug anyway early next year.  I have mild moral qualms about that.  I think it would be obvious that I was going to leave all along and was just trying to milk out what I could . . . ?  And even though I will never go back to work there, I want to leave on good terms.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on August 30, 2018, 07:10:51 AM
Was just running numbers again (again!), and of course, start re-thinking shit, as I am wont to do. Anyway, Planned retirement date is @May 7, 2019 (though likely actually May 31, with me not being around much at all those last three weeks). However, I looked at my pension numbers, and the short of it is, if I stuck around until Dec 31, it would mean an extra $2,568/year for the first 8 years of retirement, and $65,160 over the course of a 30-year retirement (not including of course the extra 7 months salary and 401k match). My gut tells me in ain't worth it because I'll never get that summer back and psychologically I've been so dead-set on May 2019 that it would be monumentally disappointing to not be saying "sayonara!" then, that I won't likely go through with it. And I could make that up with a 0.3% increase in my portfolio withdrawal. But I must confess that if the markets took a big dump sometime just before May 2019, then I might do it out of fear.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on August 30, 2018, 07:48:12 AM

As for me, I talked to my boss a few days ago. ...snip...

Whew. 

LV

Loren -- are we Doppelgaenger/s???  I am in _exactly_ this position -- I could have written your post word for word.  We're in the midst of a takeover by Megacorp and we know that some people will be let go, but so far it looks like my department is relatively safe.   I have been considering having this very conversation with my boss but have not yet done it.

I think the only thing holding me back from having the conversation is the thought that my boss might say "No, we need you."  And then I pull the plug anyway early next year.  I have mild moral qualms about that.  I think it would be obvious that I was going to leave all along and was just trying to milk out what I could . . . ?  And even though I will never go back to work there, I want to leave on good terms.

Oh man.  I had the same thought before talking to my boss.  I have only been in this role since November, so it could end up being only a year.  I like to think I bring balance to the group (and have been told so from several of the stake holders).  Making it through the layoffs just to leave in May seems ... not quite right.  But I keep telling myself, it wasn't my decision to cut the department so thin that one person leaving a safe role causing issues.  I know after I am gone two months (if that) I wont even be remembered other than (hopefully) a few warm thoughts from my co-workers. 

Was just running numbers again (again!), and of course, start re-thinking shit, as I am wont to do. Anyway, Planned retirement date is @May 7, 2019 (though likely actually May 31, with me not being around much at all those last three weeks). However, I looked at my pension numbers, and the short of it is, if I stuck around until Dec 31, it would mean an extra $2,568/year for the first 8 years of retirement, and $65,160 over the course of a 30-year retirement (not including of course the extra 7 months salary and 401k match). My gut tells me in ain't worth it because I'll never get that summer back and psychologically I've been so dead-set on May 2019 that it would be monumentally disappointing to not be saying "sayonara!" then, that I won't likely go through with it. And I could make that up with a 0.3% increase in my portfolio withdrawal. But I must confess that if the markets took a big dump sometime just before May 2019, then I might do it out of fear.

dude - i think about this all the time.  One of the reasons I took the leap with my boss.  I do not want one more X (month, year), it would never stop.  DH and I will lean fire, and I have a job that is just starting to really pay off.  So a few extra months gets us quite a cushion, but I am tired of waiting and spending my time sitting at a desk when i could be doing ANYTHING ELSE.

Even if that anything else is eating rice and bean at home with my DH waiting for the markets to recover....
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SpareChange on August 30, 2018, 10:18:41 AM
Loren -- are we Doppelgaenger/s???  I am in _exactly_ this position -- I could have written your post word for word.  We're in the midst of a takeover by Megacorp and we know that some people will be let go, but so far it looks like my department is relatively safe.   I have been considering having this very conversation with my boss but have not yet done it.

Yikes. Have they given a time frame for these layoffs? Must be an unsettling process for most people.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SugarMountain on August 30, 2018, 10:22:00 AM
Was just running numbers again (again!), and of course, start re-thinking shit, as I am wont to do. Anyway, Planned retirement date is @May 7, 2019 (though likely actually May 31, with me not being around much at all those last three weeks). However, I looked at my pension numbers, and the short of it is, if I stuck around until Dec 31, it would mean an extra $2,568/year for the first 8 years of retirement, and $65,160 over the course of a 30-year retirement (not including of course the extra 7 months salary and 401k match). My gut tells me in ain't worth it because I'll never get that summer back and psychologically I've been so dead-set on May 2019 that it would be monumentally disappointing to not be saying "sayonara!" then, that I won't likely go through with it. And I could make that up with a 0.3% increase in my portfolio withdrawal. But I must confess that if the markets took a big dump sometime just before May 2019, then I might do it out of fear.

It's hard.  I'm in the 2018 cohort for the moment and was originally planning to be done by the end of July, but am considering OMY.  It took me until last week when I finally got the gumption up to tell my boss I was leaving.  They are trying to get me to stay and I'm definitely going to be here until the end of October with an extended vacation in the middle there. OMY is worth about 5-10% of my stache.  That means 5-10% more money available every year for the rest of my life.  Really debating whether it's worth it. At some point you have enough.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on August 30, 2018, 10:44:53 AM
Was just running numbers again (again!), and of course, start re-thinking shit, as I am wont to do. Anyway, Planned retirement date is @May 7, 2019 (though likely actually May 31, with me not being around much at all those last three weeks). However, I looked at my pension numbers, and the short of it is, if I stuck around until Dec 31, it would mean an extra $2,568/year for the first 8 years of retirement, and $65,160 over the course of a 30-year retirement (not including of course the extra 7 months salary and 401k match). My gut tells me in ain't worth it because I'll never get that summer back and psychologically I've been so dead-set on May 2019 that it would be monumentally disappointing to not be saying "sayonara!" then, that I won't likely go through with it. And I could make that up with a 0.3% increase in my portfolio withdrawal. But I must confess that if the markets took a big dump sometime just before May 2019, then I might do it out of fear.

It's hard.  I'm in the 2018 cohort for the moment and was originally planning to be done by the end of July, but am considering OMY.  It took me until last week when I finally got the gumption up to tell my boss I was leaving.  They are trying to get me to stay and I'm definitely going to be here until the end of October with an extended vacation in the middle there. OMY is worth about 5-10% of my stache.  That means 5-10% more money available every year for the rest of my life.  Really debating whether it's worth it. At some point you have enough.
That's exactly the range where I found it sticky to work out too.  10% for a year was an easy decision to stay.  5% would be an easy decision to quit.  In between?
One of the thought processes that helped me decide was like this:


Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on August 30, 2018, 10:49:37 AM
I'd get at least 15% were I to do OMY... But I'm happy with the number I picked. I'd rather take the free time, and find myself a tiny part-time job if I wanted more play money, much better than remaining at a full-time one.

Every time I have a bunch of planned activities and then have to return to work, it's another push towards FIRE and being able to do much more, and still have the same amount of time off.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Dreamer on August 30, 2018, 12:54:46 PM
I've been apprehensive about setting a firm date for a while now, but the markets have been good to me this week so I'm feeling more confident.  Please add me to the list for October 2019!  Exact date to be confirmed as I get closer :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on August 30, 2018, 02:04:15 PM

Regarding the OMY comments, I sometimes calculate this based on what it does for my discretionary spending after taxes.  As long as I manage my MAGI for ACA for 15 years, my barebones expenses shouldn't change except taxes longer term, so the extra stash would just be for the extra spending, having fun, traveling, eating out, etc.  So, as a single person, OMY would basically allow me to spend about $3000/yr more on discretionary spending.  That's only $250/mo, or about 10% more than the $30,000/yr that I already have planned for discretionary spending.  In my view, 10% increased entertainment/travel spending does not equal 10% more enjoyment or happiness.  In fact, I think the extra 10% would be so little as to be insignificant in how much I enjoy FIRE.  I can't justify one more full year of my life chained to my desk full time just for a 10% increase in my entertainment and travel budget going forward.

If you're in your 30's, OMY should be easier to deal with, but at 50, it gets more difficult to give up each year to a full time job.  Also, if you're cutting is closer to your basic expenses with a low discretionary budget, $3000 might do a lot more for you.  In my case, I feel $30K/yr for discretionary spending as a single person is plenty.

Of course, OMY can also provide more of a cushion in your stash if the market drops, but with my $30K discretionary and 60/40 AA, I shouldn't feel a need to OMY it unless things get really bad, or something happens with ACA to screw up my healthcare budget in a big way.  I still might stay on part time OMY, but that's a lot different to me than working full time.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SugarMountain on August 30, 2018, 02:04:52 PM
Was just running numbers again (again!), and of course, start re-thinking shit, as I am wont to do. Anyway, Planned retirement date is @May 7, 2019 (though likely actually May 31, with me not being around much at all those last three weeks). However, I looked at my pension numbers, and the short of it is, if I stuck around until Dec 31, it would mean an extra $2,568/year for the first 8 years of retirement, and $65,160 over the course of a 30-year retirement (not including of course the extra 7 months salary and 401k match). My gut tells me in ain't worth it because I'll never get that summer back and psychologically I've been so dead-set on May 2019 that it would be monumentally disappointing to not be saying "sayonara!" then, that I won't likely go through with it. And I could make that up with a 0.3% increase in my portfolio withdrawal. But I must confess that if the markets took a big dump sometime just before May 2019, then I might do it out of fear.

It's hard.  I'm in the 2018 cohort for the moment and was originally planning to be done by the end of July, but am considering OMY.  It took me until last week when I finally got the gumption up to tell my boss I was leaving.  They are trying to get me to stay and I'm definitely going to be here until the end of October with an extended vacation in the middle there. OMY is worth about 5-10% of my stache.  That means 5-10% more money available every year for the rest of my life.  Really debating whether it's worth it. At some point you have enough.
That's exactly the range where I found it sticky to work out too.  10% for a year was an easy decision to stay.  5% would be an easy decision to quit.  In between?
One of the thought processes that helped me decide was like this:

  • Another day of work would net me $x
  • My current fire budget gives me $y per day disposable income
  • A chill-out day at home, including cooking a nice dinner would cost me only $z meaning I would save (y-z) compared with my fire budgetI
  • If I need an extra $x would I rather earn it by working a day or having x/(y-z) days chilling out and relaxing?

Do you count returns on the stache when you look at this? I mean, in theory the average annual return is what 7% after inflation.  So even without adding additional money to savings, the stache will hopefully grow if I OMY it. (One of my irrational fears is that I will decide to do OMY, the market will crash, and I will no longer have a 4% SWR delaying things further. Obviously, if the market were to crash I'd be better off having done OMY, but would it ultimately prevent me from quitting?)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SugarMountain on August 30, 2018, 02:16:37 PM

Regarding the OMY comments, I sometimes calculate this based on what it does for my discretionary spending after taxes.  As long as I manage my MAGI for ACA for 15 years, my barebones expenses shouldn't change except taxes longer term, so the extra stash would just be for the extra spending, having fun, traveling, eating out, etc.  So, as a single person, OMY would basically allow me to spend about $3000/yr more on discretionary spending.  That's only $250/mo, or about 10% more than the $30,000/yr that I already have planned for discretionary spending.  In my view, 10% increased entertainment/travel spending does not equal 10% more enjoyment or happiness.  In fact, I think the extra 10% would be so little as to be insignificant in how much I enjoy FIRE.  I can't justify one more full year of my life chained to my desk full time just for a 10% increase in my entertainment and travel budget going forward.

If you're in your 30's, OMY should be easier to deal with, but at 50, it gets more difficult to give up each year to a full time job.  Also, if you're cutting is closer to your basic expenses with a low discretionary budget, $3000 might do a lot more for you.  In my case, I feel $30K/yr for discretionary spending as a single person is plenty.

Of course, OMY can also provide more of a cushion in your stash if the market drops, but with my $30K discretionary and 60/40 AA, I shouldn't feel a need to OMY it unless things get really bad, or something happens with ACA to screw up my healthcare budget in a big way.  I still might stay on part time OMY, but that's a lot different to me than working full time.

That makes a lot of sense.  And as a 51 yo, OMY is a lot.  The counter is my #1 hesitation in the whole FIRE thing is the unknown situation with healthcare in this country.  Looking at what a Bronze plan costs a 60 year old right now makes me a bit nervous, especially given that a) healthcare costs have been going up more than the rate of inflation basically forever and that trend will likely get worse rather than better and b) the whole concept of ACA is potentially going away, so it's tough to count on subsidies being there 5-10 years from now.

So, while another 10% might not matter from a discretionary spending perspective, it could lessen the impact of large healthcare costs in the middle of my early retirement. (I do tend to think of 2 retirements: pre-65 (early) and post-65 (normal)). 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on August 31, 2018, 04:02:51 AM
Updated cohort roster.  Welcome aboard @Dreamer !

01/01/19     MoneyStacher  (51)
01/31/19     PhilB  (53)                      OLY -- Planning 10/25/18
02/15/19     sui generis  (41)              OLY -- CONFIRMED 8/17/18.
02/??/19     zinnie  (35)
03/08/19     ChasesFish
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor  (50)     
03/??/19     Roboturner  (30)
03/??/19     Edgema
03/25/19     MaybeBabyMustache
03/31/19     TartanTallulah  (55)          OLY -- Planning 10/31/2018.   
04/01/19     Trifele  (52)
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)
05/??/19     cerat0n1a                         OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
05/??/19     dude                               
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/14/19     Mr. Ver (40)
05/17/19     Loren Ver (37)
05/31/19     Pylortes  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
06/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/06/19     Bognish (44)
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/??/19     Bateaux  (50)
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45) 
07/03/19     Gerard
08/12/19     Canadian Ben  (29)
08/19/18     Chairman                         OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
09/27/19     Spreadsheet Man
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
12/??/19     markbike528cbx  (55)        OLY -- CONFIRMED 6/1/18; checking in as OP
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)
12/31/19     Chrissy's DH

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
Elaine amj (40)
IPlawyer
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on August 31, 2018, 04:25:16 AM
The whole OMY conversation is very interesting.  OMY for me would mean a whopping 18%/4 years of expenses added to the 'stache.  I'm in your boat @Lews Therin -- still not tempted.  If I've done my calculations right I don't need it.  Lean FIRE hear I come!

Thanks for your comments on the layoffs @Loren Ver and @SpareChange!  They haven't given us an exact timeframe, but it would most likely be around the holidays.  ("Happy holidays!")  Yes, it's a very stressful environment for most people, but for me personally -- so close to FIRE -- it's not.

You've given me some food for thought Loren, and I think I will most likely talk to my boss and volunteer for the layoff.  You are right that if they don't take me up on it, then that was their decision and I don't need to feel guilty when I leave anyway.  Thanks.

 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on August 31, 2018, 04:50:55 AM
Glad my bumbling might be able to help someone :).  Put the power back in your corner!

I still think about it being more fun to announce randomly next year that I am leaving to retire, as opposed to being laid off.  But mathematically, the layoff is a really good option (and I'd get out early).

The holiday layoffs.  Always right around the holidays.  I know it gets people off the books, but it is also a bad time to job search since many companies freeze hiring in Q4.  Ugh.  Glad that isn't going to be my problem.

To lean fire! 

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on August 31, 2018, 11:53:39 AM

Regarding the OMY comments, I sometimes calculate this based on what it does for my discretionary spending after taxes.  As long as I manage my MAGI for ACA for 15 years, my barebones expenses shouldn't change except taxes longer term, so the extra stash would just be for the extra spending, having fun, traveling, eating out, etc.  So, as a single person, OMY would basically allow me to spend about $3000/yr more on discretionary spending.  That's only $250/mo, or about 10% more than the $30,000/yr that I already have planned for discretionary spending.  In my view, 10% increased entertainment/travel spending does not equal 10% more enjoyment or happiness.  In fact, I think the extra 10% would be so little as to be insignificant in how much I enjoy FIRE.  I can't justify one more full year of my life chained to my desk full time just for a 10% increase in my entertainment and travel budget going forward.

If you're in your 30's, OMY should be easier to deal with, but at 50, it gets more difficult to give up each year to a full time job.  Also, if you're cutting is closer to your basic expenses with a low discretionary budget, $3000 might do a lot more for you.  In my case, I feel $30K/yr for discretionary spending as a single person is plenty.

Of course, OMY can also provide more of a cushion in your stash if the market drops, but with my $30K discretionary and 60/40 AA, I shouldn't feel a need to OMY it unless things get really bad, or something happens with ACA to screw up my healthcare budget in a big way.  I still might stay on part time OMY, but that's a lot different to me than working full time.

That makes a lot of sense.  And as a 51 yo, OMY is a lot.  The counter is my #1 hesitation in the whole FIRE thing is the unknown situation with healthcare in this country.  Looking at what a Bronze plan costs a 60 year old right now makes me a bit nervous, especially given that a) healthcare costs have been going up more than the rate of inflation basically forever and that trend will likely get worse rather than better and b) the whole concept of ACA is potentially going away, so it's tough to count on subsidies being there 5-10 years from now.

So, while another 10% might not matter from a discretionary spending perspective, it could lessen the impact of large healthcare costs in the middle of my early retirement. (I do tend to think of 2 retirements: pre-65 (early) and post-65 (normal)).

 These ACA thoughts have definitely been on my radar as well, and I've thought about how much longer I would work if ACA was to go away before I FIREd.  Maybe OMY if that actually happened in the next 8 months.  My primary reason for not FIREing in 2018 was because of the uncertainty with the ACA with the repeal/replace efforts, and some uncertainty still lingers at this point with the "20 state lawsuit that Obamacare is now unconstitutional without the penalty" and whatever the current administration does in an attempt to dismantle it.  After the new Congress starts session, and by the time I plan to FIRE in the spring, I'm hoping I'll feel more confident in it surviving this latest attack and its survival during early FIRE, so that I can FIRE on schedule with planned expenses without much short-term concern.

If I FIRE, and the ACA/subsidies end a few years or so down the road, I think I'll be glad for every year of FIRE that I didn't give up and was able to take advantage of the ACA rather than having worked OMY to help fund insurance for when I might lose subsidies.  It helps that my large discretionary budget of $30K/yr would allow me shift a large chunk of those funds to my healthcare budget if subsidies went away, and I wouldn't have to worry about controlling my MAGI at that point and could drawdown a little more prior to age 65.  That would still give me a reasonable remaining discretionary budget.  Maybe I would even try to go back to work for a while if I could get a job with healthcare benefits, but I wouldn't "need" to, so that would depend on how I felt at the time.''

So, my view is, when June gets here, if I'm feeling pretty confident in the ACA sticking around during early FIRE, I'm not willing to OMY on the concern it may go away in a future year, in large part because I have a large discretionary budget to fund the higher cost.  If the ACA went away "before" I FIRE or/and a big enough drop in the market, I might OMY due to the pre-FIRE certainty of what's already happened.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on September 01, 2018, 12:04:48 PM
Onwards and in to September with just 10 final paychecks to come, and that will be it.

I am finding it increasingly difficult to imagine not working.... forever..... hopefully 30, 40 or even 50 years of not working... it’s so many years of freedom when I have never been unemployed since I was 14. The last time my time was my own I was 4.

As of today I remain committed to finishing at the end of June, but I am not 100% certain.

I am 95% certain I’ll quit (DW is very keen to repatriate) but only 65% sure I’ll stay quit. We’ll see how it goes. Maybe it will be a sabbatical rather than retirement.

There is a part of me already imaginging my career epitaph (if there was such a thing), “he threw away such a promising career”. I do sometimes wonder whether I shouldn’t see a shrink before pulling the trigger. It’s a really important decision, and I don’t want to get it wrong.

Stash grew by another $20K in August which is great.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cookie78 on September 03, 2018, 08:45:26 AM
Hi all!

I temp-FIREd in Aug 2017, went back to work Aug 2018. Not really sure what the plan is going forward, but here's to hoping for a permanent FIRE in 2019! Or even another year off would be nice. Just waiting out the real estate market slump for the next little while.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on September 03, 2018, 09:11:56 AM
Hi all!

I temp-FIREd in Aug 2017, went back to work Aug 2018. Not really sure what the plan is going forward, but here's to hoping for a permanent FIRE in 2019! Or even another year off would be nice. Just waiting out the real estate market slump for the next little while.

Hey there Cookie78!  Let us know how things progress, and if it's looking likely for next year -- we'll get you added.   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cookie78 on September 03, 2018, 03:00:10 PM
Hi all!

I temp-FIREd in Aug 2017, went back to work Aug 2018. Not really sure what the plan is going forward, but here's to hoping for a permanent FIRE in 2019! Or even another year off would be nice. Just waiting out the real estate market slump for the next little while.

Hey there Cookie78!  Let us know how things progress, and if it's looking likely for next year -- we'll get you added.   

Thanks! Will do. :D
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on September 04, 2018, 05:42:01 AM

Regarding the OMY comments, I sometimes calculate this based on what it does for my discretionary spending after taxes.  As long as I manage my MAGI for ACA for 15 years, my barebones expenses shouldn't change except taxes longer term, so the extra stash would just be for the extra spending, having fun, traveling, eating out, etc.  So, as a single person, OMY would basically allow me to spend about $3000/yr more on discretionary spending.  That's only $250/mo, or about 10% more than the $30,000/yr that I already have planned for discretionary spending.  In my view, 10% increased entertainment/travel spending does not equal 10% more enjoyment or happiness.  In fact, I think the extra 10% would be so little as to be insignificant in how much I enjoy FIRE.  I can't justify one more full year of my life chained to my desk full time just for a 10% increase in my entertainment and travel budget going forward.

If you're in your 30's, OMY should be easier to deal with, but at 50, it gets more difficult to give up each year to a full time job.  Also, if you're cutting is closer to your basic expenses with a low discretionary budget, $3000 might do a lot more for you.  In my case, I feel $30K/yr for discretionary spending as a single person is plenty.

Of course, OMY can also provide more of a cushion in your stash if the market drops, but with my $30K discretionary and 60/40 AA, I shouldn't feel a need to OMY it unless things get really bad, or something happens with ACA to screw up my healthcare budget in a big way.  I still might stay on part time OMY, but that's a lot different to me than working full time.

That makes a lot of sense.  And as a 51 yo, OMY is a lot.  The counter is my #1 hesitation in the whole FIRE thing is the unknown situation with healthcare in this country.  Looking at what a Bronze plan costs a 60 year old right now makes me a bit nervous, especially given that a) healthcare costs have been going up more than the rate of inflation basically forever and that trend will likely get worse rather than better and b) the whole concept of ACA is potentially going away, so it's tough to count on subsidies being there 5-10 years from now.

So, while another 10% might not matter from a discretionary spending perspective, it could lessen the impact of large healthcare costs in the middle of my early retirement. (I do tend to think of 2 retirements: pre-65 (early) and post-65 (normal)).

 These ACA thoughts have definitely been on my radar as well, and I've thought about how much longer I would work if ACA was to go away before I FIREd.  Maybe OMY if that actually happened in the next 8 months.  My primary reason for not FIREing in 2018 was because of the uncertainty with the ACA with the repeal/replace efforts, and some uncertainty still lingers at this point with the "20 state lawsuit that Obamacare is now unconstitutional without the penalty" and whatever the current administration does in an attempt to dismantle it.  After the new Congress starts session, and by the time I plan to FIRE in the spring, I'm hoping I'll feel more confident in it surviving this latest attack and its survival during early FIRE, so that I can FIRE on schedule with planned expenses without much short-term concern.

If I FIRE, and the ACA/subsidies end a few years or so down the road, I think I'll be glad for every year of FIRE that I didn't give up and was able to take advantage of the ACA rather than having worked OMY to help fund insurance for when I might lose subsidies.  It helps that my large discretionary budget of $30K/yr would allow me shift a large chunk of those funds to my healthcare budget if subsidies went away, and I wouldn't have to worry about controlling my MAGI at that point and could drawdown a little more prior to age 65.  That would still give me a reasonable remaining discretionary budget.  Maybe I would even try to go back to work for a while if I could get a job with healthcare benefits, but I wouldn't "need" to, so that would depend on how I felt at the time.''

So, my view is, when June gets here, if I'm feeling pretty confident in the ACA sticking around during early FIRE, I'm not willing to OMY on the concern it may go away in a future year, in large part because I have a large discretionary budget to fund the higher cost.  If the ACA went away "before" I FIRE or/and a big enough drop in the market, I might OMY due to the pre-FIRE certainty of what's already happened.

This is the way DH and i are looking at it too.  We have a big swing of discretionary money that we use for fun things (about a third of our budget) that could go to insurance if needed.  But at the same time that idea drives both DH and I nuts.  It is insurance, not health or even medical coverage, but insurance that should get your negotiated rate nothing more (BLARGH!).  If the ACA sticks around for a little while, or nest egg can grow while we are retired.  Then if it goes away we should still be okay.  Even if we really dislike paying so much for INSURANCE.  It is hard to believe that is just for premiums and not for actual care.  Insurance.  Ugh.

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on September 04, 2018, 08:33:13 AM

This is the way DH and i are looking at it too.  We have a big swing of discretionary money that we use for fun things (about a third of our budget) that could go to insurance if needed.  But at the same time that idea drives both DH and I nuts.  It is insurance, not health or even medical coverage, but insurance that should get your negotiated rate nothing more (BLARGH!).  If the ACA sticks around for a little while, or nest egg can grow while we are retired.  Then if it goes away we should still be okay.  Even if we really dislike paying so much for INSURANCE.  It is hard to believe that is just for premiums and not for actual care.  Insurance.  Ugh.

LV

We're taking a similar approach.  We have budgeted for the full ACA rate without any subsidies.  If the ACA goes away tomorrow, then we will probably need to work longer because healthcare costs rise faster than inflation.  However, if it sticks around for just a few more years then we'll actually be paying the rate with the subsidy and saving the difference for as long as it lasts.  That way if it goes away we should have a bigger buffer if we need to pay the full rate later.  The danger zone is if the ACA is cancelled within a couple years of FIRE.  We'll just need to tap into the travel budget if that happens. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SugarMountain on September 04, 2018, 11:51:09 AM

This is the way DH and i are looking at it too.  We have a big swing of discretionary money that we use for fun things (about a third of our budget) that could go to insurance if needed.  But at the same time that idea drives both DH and I nuts.  It is insurance, not health or even medical coverage, but insurance that should get your negotiated rate nothing more (BLARGH!).  If the ACA sticks around for a little while, or nest egg can grow while we are retired.  Then if it goes away we should still be okay.  Even if we really dislike paying so much for INSURANCE.  It is hard to believe that is just for premiums and not for actual care.  Insurance.  Ugh.

LV

No doubt. I've really only been looking at Bronze plans that have like $6500 deductible per person and it's $12k/year for the two of us.  It's crazy.  It's also why very few people actually are buying insurance on the marketplace without subsidies. 

Our plan once I quit is to do cobra for 18 months and then look at options (Bronze plan, Shared Health Ministries, Short term plans, move to Portugal, etc).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: JumboShrimp on September 04, 2018, 09:29:05 PM
OMY here from 2018

New FIRE date is March 29 2019 (from Oct 5 2018).

Decided to stay working till the end of my current project. With the month I'm taking off in October it ends up being less than 100 extra work days than my original plan.

Should be a nice home stretch to the finish. Just have to be firm about it so that even if the project gets extended (a very plausible scenario) I don't stay. There is no reason for me to keep working past March 29.

Except fear.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on September 05, 2018, 03:46:34 AM
Got you added @JumboShrimp .  Welcome aboard !  Your FIRE glide path sounds pretty ideal.  Welcome @Freedomin5 -- 2019 is going to be fine year.


01/01/19     MoneyStacher  (51)
01/31/19     PhilB  (53)                      OLY -- Planning 10/25/18
02/15/19     sui generis  (41)              OLY -- CONFIRMED 8/17/18.
02/??/19     zinnie  (35)
03/08/19     ChasesFish
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor  (50)     
03/??/19     Roboturner  (30)
03/??/19     Edgema
03/25/19     MaybeBabyMustache
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     TartanTallulah  (55)          OLY -- Planning 10/31/2018.   
04/01/19     Trifele  (52)
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)
05/??/19     cerat0n1a                         OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
05/??/19     dude                               
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/14/19     Mr. Ver (40)
05/17/19     Loren Ver (37)
05/31/19     Pylortes  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
06/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/06/19     Bognish (44)
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/??/19     Bateaux  (50)
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/01/19     Freedomin5 (38)
07/03/19     Gerard
08/12/19     Canadian Ben  (29)
08/19/18     Chairman                         OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
09/27/19     Spreadsheet Man
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
12/??/19     markbike528cbx  (55)        OLY -- CONFIRMED 6/1/18; checking in as OP
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)
12/31/19     Chrissy's DH

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
Elaine amj (40)
IPlawyer
[/quote]
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Freedomin5 on September 05, 2018, 07:32:32 AM
Hi, I’m popping in here from the 2020 cohort. In the past year, our income (and therefore savings) has increased, and the markets and our RE investments have been doing well, so it looks like we will be hitting our FIRE target early (barring any catastrophic crash).

We are aiming for July 1, 2019 as our new FIRE date (age 38).

If that happens, I’ll have to change my username to Freedomin4 (2015 was when we first got serious about FIRE-ing, and when we first started making decent enough income to accelerate the process).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on September 05, 2018, 08:13:39 AM
Hi, I’m popping in here from the 2020 cohort. In the past year, our income (and therefore savings) has increased, and the markets and our RE investments have been doing well, so it looks like we will be hitting our FIRE target early (barring any catastrophic crash).

We are aiming for July 1, 2019 as our new FIRE date (age 38).

If that happens, I’ll have to change my username to Freedomin4 (2015 was when we first got serious about FIRE-ing, and when we first started making decent enough income to accelerate the process).

Welcome!  Got you added.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on September 05, 2018, 08:21:46 AM
Hi, I’m popping in here from the 2020 cohort. In the past year, our income (and therefore savings) has increased, and the markets and our RE investments have been doing well, so it looks like we will be hitting our FIRE target early (barring any catastrophic crash).

We are aiming for July 1, 2019 as our new FIRE date (age 38).

If that happens, I’ll have to change my username to Freedomin4 (2015 was when we first got serious about FIRE-ing, and when we first started making decent enough income to accelerate the process).

Welcome!!  As discussed previously, we are the best cohort and the coolest!

:)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on September 05, 2018, 09:13:37 AM
Hi, I’m popping in here from the 2020 cohort. In the past year, our income (and therefore savings) has increased, and the markets and our RE investments have been doing well, so it looks like we will be hitting our FIRE target early (barring any catastrophic crash).

We are aiming for July 1, 2019 as our new FIRE date (age 38).

If that happens, I’ll have to change my username to Freedomin4 (2015 was when we first got serious about FIRE-ing, and when we first started making decent enough income to accelerate the process).

Welcome!!  As discussed previously, we are the best cohort and the coolest!

:)
And also by far the most modest!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: letsdoit on September 05, 2018, 09:37:45 AM
I found out today that I will be earning my 40th SS credit on March 31st 2019, so technically if I win the lottery between now and then, I can retire =P

A more likely scenario is getting fired/laid off from my current job.

Is anyone planning a leanfire? Basically retiring on an amount that requires a WR% greater than 4% with the assumption that you will return to some sort of work, whether it's part time for a longer period, or full time for another year or two?


SO and I are currently sitting ~$460k with an annual spend of ~$48k, FU$, but not FI$. We may be able to get to $550-600k by 2019 if the market cooperates, and with slow travel/geographical arbitrage should get our spending down to $36-40k/yr which would mean a 6-7.25% WR

Spent a good amount of time over the past month considering this scenario more seriously. Have been drawing more inspiration from the "Semi Retirement VS. Serial Mini Retirements" thread. Right now a gap year is planned for April 1 2020, but could possibly do it sooner if the courage is there.

i've been thinking about it.  maybe too much for my own good.  one morning out of the blue maybe we'll read it in the tea leaves
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cookie78 on September 05, 2018, 10:07:59 AM
I found out today that I will be earning my 40th SS credit on March 31st 2019, so technically if I win the lottery between now and then, I can retire =P

A more likely scenario is getting fired/laid off from my current job.

Is anyone planning a leanfire? Basically retiring on an amount that requires a WR% greater than 4% with the assumption that you will return to some sort of work, whether it's part time for a longer period, or full time for another year or two?


SO and I are currently sitting ~$460k with an annual spend of ~$48k, FU$, but not FI$. We may be able to get to $550-600k by 2019 if the market cooperates, and with slow travel/geographical arbitrage should get our spending down to $36-40k/yr which would mean a 6-7.25% WR

Spent a good amount of time over the past month considering this scenario more seriously. Have been drawing more inspiration from the "Semi Retirement VS. Serial Mini Retirements" thread. Right now a gap year is planned for April 1 2020, but could possibly do it sooner if the courage is there.

i've been thinking about it.  maybe too much for my own good.  one morning out of the blue maybe we'll read it in the tea leaves

I just finished my 'Gap Year' 3 weeks ago and I'd highly recommend it... but it's a bitch coming back to work. The first week was exciting and shiny, and the job itself is great. But the time commitment required to maintain a full time job is bullshit! It has me in a emotional tailspin like I've never experienced before!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on September 05, 2018, 05:11:44 PM
I found out today that I will be earning my 40th SS credit on March 31st 2019, so technically if I win the lottery between now and then, I can retire =P

A more likely scenario is getting fired/laid off from my current job.

Is anyone planning a leanfire? Basically retiring on an amount that requires a WR% greater than 4% with the assumption that you will return to some sort of work, whether it's part time for a longer period, or full time for another year or two?


SO and I are currently sitting ~$460k with an annual spend of ~$48k, FU$, but not FI$. We may be able to get to $550-600k by 2019 if the market cooperates, and with slow travel/geographical arbitrage should get our spending down to $36-40k/yr which would mean a 6-7.25% WR

Spent a good amount of time over the past month considering this scenario more seriously. Have been drawing more inspiration from the "Semi Retirement VS. Serial Mini Retirements" thread. Right now a gap year is planned for April 1 2020, but could possibly do it sooner if the courage is there.

i've been thinking about it.  maybe too much for my own good.  one morning out of the blue maybe we'll read it in the tea leaves

I just finished my 'Gap Year' 3 weeks ago and I'd highly recommend it... but it's a bitch coming back to work. The first week was exciting and shiny, and the job itself is great. But the time commitment required to maintain a full time job is bullshit! It has me in a emotional tailspin like I've never experienced before!

I feel like this, 3 weeks after returning from a 4 week summer holiday. I changed my password into vacation modus, because I felt like that the first days. But already now I have totally lost that modus. I am now in this modus of permanent anxiety, alternated with moments of heavy stress. Not to mention, the sleeplessness at night.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on September 05, 2018, 08:52:53 PM
Today I submitted all my papers and my formal request to retire from the military.  Human resources will look through my paperwork and ensure everything is in order.  Now begins the waiting game for the human resources folks to approve my retirement date.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Bateaux on September 05, 2018, 09:45:52 PM
Today I submitted all my papers and my formal request to retire from the military.  Human resources will look through my paperwork and ensure everything is in order.  Now begins the waiting game for the human resources folks to approve my retirement date.

Sounds great.  Thank you for your long term commitment of service.  Have fun with the next chapter.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Freedomin5 on September 06, 2018, 04:17:25 AM
Hi, I’m popping in here from the 2020 cohort. In the past year, our income (and therefore savings) has increased, and the markets and our RE investments have been doing well, so it looks like we will be hitting our FIRE target early (barring any catastrophic crash).

We are aiming for July 1, 2019 as our new FIRE date (age 38).

If that happens, I’ll have to change my username to Freedomin4 (2015 was when we first got serious about FIRE-ing, and when we first started making decent enough income to accelerate the process).

Welcome!!  As discussed previously, we are the best cohort and the coolest!

:)
And also by far the most modest!

Thanks for the warm welcome! Yes, you guys are by far the humblest people I’ve ever met. Seriously though, I’m glad to be here. :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on September 06, 2018, 07:16:28 AM
Today I submitted all my papers and my formal request to retire from the military.  Human resources will look through my paperwork and ensure everything is in order.  Now begins the waiting game for the human resources folks to approve my retirement date.

You had to give 12 months notice? Here in the North it's just 6.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on September 06, 2018, 08:29:04 AM
Hi, I’m popping in here from the 2020 cohort. In the past year, our income (and therefore savings) has increased, and the markets and our RE investments have been doing well, so it looks like we will be hitting our FIRE target early (barring any catastrophic crash).

We are aiming for July 1, 2019 as our new FIRE date (age 38).

If that happens, I’ll have to change my username to Freedomin4 (2015 was when we first got serious about FIRE-ing, and when we first started making decent enough income to accelerate the process).

Welcome!!  As discussed previously, we are the best cohort and the coolest!

:)
And also by far the most modest!

Thanks for the warm welcome! Yes, you guys are by far the humblest people I’ve ever met. Seriously though, I’m glad to be here. :)

Coolest, most modest and best looking.

Happy you are here!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on September 06, 2018, 08:37:08 AM
We are only 117 days away from 2019, my peeps!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on September 06, 2018, 11:43:06 AM
We are only 117 days away from 2019, my peeps!

Aren`t you out of the cohort? Thought you changed plans.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on September 06, 2018, 11:53:10 AM
We are only 117 days away from 2019, my peeps!

Aren`t you out of the cohort? Thought you changed plans.

I'm not out, till I'm out.

If I'm lucky I'll get fired next year ;)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on September 08, 2018, 11:04:46 AM
We are only 117 days away from 2019, my peeps!

Aaarrrgghh! 292 days here. At least I have cracked through 300 to go.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on September 08, 2018, 11:33:52 AM
Sounds great.  Thank you for your long term commitment of service.  Have fun with the next chapter.
Thank you for the well wishes!  I'm very much looking forward to the next chapter!

You had to give 12 months notice? Here in the North it's just 6.
9-12 months is the window before the desired retirement date to formally request separation from the military.  This gives the human resources folks time to work their processes and find a replacement for me.  I submitted my request at 12 months out to give me more time to go through my medical evaluations and document all the ailments I've picked up over 20 years of military duty.  I checked with HR, and they already sent my paperwork up.  If there are no major issues I will know in about 45 days whether my retirement date is approved or not.  Here's to mid-October!!  Woohoo!!  :-)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on September 08, 2018, 02:34:59 PM
We are only 117 days away from 2019, my peeps!

Aaarrrgghh! 292 days here. At least I have cracked through 300 to go.

Exactly 9 months from today to my target first full day of FIRE.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: edgema on September 11, 2018, 02:53:54 AM
I have various countdown clocks and the clock counting working days (including holidays) just hit 100 days to go. In 'real' time it is still 6.5 months away but it is starting to feel genuinely close. I think the feeling of being on the home straight will really ramp up in early December when we have our year-end discussions. best of luck to all as we head towards the final quarter of the year.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on September 11, 2018, 04:02:31 PM
I'm "officially" joining this group. I just confirmed today with my manager that I will kick off a 12 week sabbatical either 1/25/19 or 2/25/19. After the sabbatical, if we are both willing and find something interesting & well scoped, I will consider part time. Otherwise, that will be the end! Woohoo!!! 136 working days, but only 81 days if I count vacation days & paid holidays. . . . SO.CLOSE.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on September 11, 2018, 05:24:39 PM
I'm "officially" joining this group. I just confirmed today with my manager that I will kick off a 12 week sabbatical either 1/25/19 or 2/25/19. After the sabbatical, if we are both willing and find something interesting & well scoped, I will consider part time. Otherwise, that will be the end! Woohoo!!! 136 working days, but only 81 days if I count vacation days & paid holidays. . . . SO.CLOSE.

Awesome!  Welcome @MaybeBabyMustache!  So I will put you down for 2/25/19; let us know if the date gets moved up.   It IS close!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on September 11, 2018, 05:27:39 PM
Updated roster:

01/01/19     MoneyStacher  (51)
01/31/19     PhilB  (53)                      OLY -- Planning 10/25/18
02/15/19     sui generis  (41)              OLY -- CONFIRMED 8/17/18.
02/25/19     MaybeBabyMustache
02/??/19     zinnie  (35)
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/19/19     ChasesFish
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor  (50)     
03/??/19     Roboturner  (30)
03/??/19     Edgema
03/25/19     MaybeBabyMustache
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     TartanTallulah  (55)          OLY -- Planning 10/31/2018.   
04/01/19     Trifele  (52)
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)
05/??/19     cerat0n1a                         OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
05/??/19     dude                               
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/14/19     Mr. Ver (40)
05/17/19     Loren Ver (37)
05/31/19     Pylortes  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
06/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/06/19     Bognish (44)
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/??/19     Bateaux  (50)
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/01/19     Freedomin5 (38)
07/03/19     Gerard
08/12/19     Canadian Ben  (29)
08/19/18     Chairman                         OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
09/27/19     Spreadsheet Man
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
12/??/19     markbike528cbx  (55)        OLY -- CONFIRMED 6/1/18; checking in as OP
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)
12/31/19     Chrissy's DH

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
Elaine amj (40)
IPlawyer
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SpareChange on September 12, 2018, 10:31:49 AM
Hit one of my goals on the last paycheck! I maxed out my pto bank. It now sits at 60 days off. Surprised at how fast this year is going, but there are still plenty of times in the moment when it doesn't seem fast enough lol. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on September 12, 2018, 12:09:51 PM
I'm "officially" joining this group. I just confirmed today with my manager that I will kick off a 12 week sabbatical either 1/25/19 or 2/25/19. After the sabbatical, if we are both willing and find something interesting & well scoped, I will consider part time. Otherwise, that will be the end! Woohoo!!! 136 working days, but only 81 days if I count vacation days & paid holidays. . . . SO.CLOSE.

Welcome.  12 weeks off sounds fab.  Coming back would be HARD!

Hit one of my goals on the last paycheck! I maxed out my pto bank. It now sits at 60 days off. Surprised at how fast this year is going, but there are still plenty of times in the moment when it doesn't seem fast enough lol. 

60 days off is crazy!  I've never seen one that high!

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on September 12, 2018, 12:55:22 PM
Trifele, thanks for keeping the list updated!

Now that I'm FIRED, I'm too busy :-)

Trifele completely reformatted the list, and been a great welcoming committe of one.


markbike528cbx (the OP)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on September 12, 2018, 01:02:32 PM
I'm "officially" joining this group. I just confirmed today with my manager that I will kick off a 12 week sabbatical either 1/25/19 or 2/25/19. After the sabbatical, if we are both willing and find something interesting & well scoped, I will consider part time. Otherwise, that will be the end! Woohoo!!! 136 working days, but only 81 days if I count vacation days & paid holidays. . . . SO.CLOSE.

Welcome.  12 weeks off sounds fab.  Coming back would be HARD!

Hit one of my goals on the last paycheck! I maxed out my pto bank. It now sits at 60 days off. Surprised at how fast this year is going, but there are still plenty of times in the moment when it doesn't seem fast enough lol. 

60 days off is crazy!  I've never seen one that high!

LV

@Loren Ver - there is pretty much no chance I come back full time. But, would consider a part time option if it made sense. And, the great news I don't need to come back at all if a part time option isn't appealing. Totally agree, it's going to be interesting to see how hard it might be to come back. I'm guessing. . . super hard! :-)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SpareChange on September 12, 2018, 11:19:37 PM
Hit one of my goals on the last paycheck! I maxed out my pto bank. It now sits at 60 days off. Surprised at how fast this year is going, but there are still plenty of times in the moment when it doesn't seem fast enough lol. 

60 days off is crazy!  I've never seen one that high!

LV

Haha, it took awhile! 4.5 years to be exact. Nice to have in my back pocket.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on September 13, 2018, 03:46:05 AM
Trifele, thanks for keeping the list updated!

Sure thing Mark!  I'm on the forum a lot -- it's my lifeline right now during this last period before FIRE -- so my pleasure to keep the list rolling.

Glad to hear things are going well for you.  I also plan to be much busier after FIRE.  :)   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on September 13, 2018, 05:03:46 AM
Six months and two days until notice - I'm actually 3/19/2019, they changed the calendar slightly on my restricted stock so that date of 3/8 is eleven days off
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on September 13, 2018, 05:33:49 AM
Eventful times.

A small slither of opportunity has opened up for me to negotiate a severance.

There is the first hints of talk that my office might be closed next year. I don’t really believe it will happen, just the Group CFO sounding off as a result of our crappy sales performance, but if they do decide to close our office I will be in a good place to negotiate something so that I will stay till the end and not walk too soon.

Things could dovetail nicely.

However, I would much prefer that we have some commercial success in the coming 9 months and I leave a hero, rather than being the guy that locks the door after firing everyone.

.... and there is always the risk that they will close the office but what to retain and relocate me. That would be the worst outcome 😜. Who would ever have thought that being wanted by your employer could be the worst outcome

.... well I suppose the worst outcome is that they decide someone else can lock the doors and they just fire me with no severance. My anger would be boundless in this scenario after the crap I have endured of late, but big corporates are not always known for being fair.

Eventful times
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on September 13, 2018, 06:00:03 AM
Got you fixed, ChasesFish.

That is exciting Itchy.  Same boat here -- this week has been super interesting.  Rumors flying about a round of voluntary layoffs offered by MegaCorp (which I would be all over in a hot second), and then contrary rumors circulating that there will be no volunteer aspect -- I'll just have to fire people and then potentially get my own walking papers.  I care about my co-workers and would prefer not to be the hatchet man . . .  And of course I'd like to leave with some extra cash if possible.  But whatever happens, I'm done soon. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on September 13, 2018, 06:57:07 AM
I'm "officially" joining this group. I just confirmed today with my manager that I will kick off a 12 week sabbatical either 1/25/19 or 2/25/19. After the sabbatical, if we are both willing and find something interesting & well scoped, I will consider part time. Otherwise, that will be the end! Woohoo!!! 136 working days, but only 81 days if I count vacation days & paid holidays. . . . SO.CLOSE.

Welcome.  12 weeks off sounds fab.  Coming back would be HARD!

Hit one of my goals on the last paycheck! I maxed out my pto bank. It now sits at 60 days off. Surprised at how fast this year is going, but there are still plenty of times in the moment when it doesn't seem fast enough lol. 

60 days off is crazy!  I've never seen one that high!

LV

@Loren Ver - there is pretty much no chance I come back full time. But, would consider a part time option if it made sense. And, the great news I don't need to come back at all if a part time option isn't appealing. Totally agree, it's going to be interesting to see how hard it might be to come back. I'm guessing. . . super hard! :-)


Hmm, not sure if I should hope they find something for you or not :).  Best of luck, what ever you decide!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Freedomin5 on September 14, 2018, 07:30:00 AM
Hi, I’m popping in here from the 2020 cohort. In the past year, our income (and therefore savings) has increased, and the markets and our RE investments have been doing well, so it looks like we will be hitting our FIRE target early (barring any catastrophic crash).

We are aiming for July 1, 2019 as our new FIRE date (age 38).

If that happens, I’ll have to change my username to Freedomin4 (2015 was when we first got serious about FIRE-ing, and when we first started making decent enough income to accelerate the process).

Welcome!!  As discussed previously, we are the best cohort and the coolest!

:)
And also by far the most modest!

Thanks for the warm welcome! Yes, you guys are by far the humblest people I’ve ever met. Seriously though, I’m glad to be here. :)

Coolest, most modest and best looking.

Happy you are here!

And smartest...you forgot smartest.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on September 14, 2018, 01:25:53 PM
Hi, I’m popping in here from the 2020 cohort. In the past year, our income (and therefore savings) has increased, and the markets and our RE investments have been doing well, so it looks like we will be hitting our FIRE target early (barring any catastrophic crash).

We are aiming for July 1, 2019 as our new FIRE date (age 38).

If that happens, I’ll have to change my username to Freedomin4 (2015 was when we first got serious about FIRE-ing, and when we first started making decent enough income to accelerate the process).

Welcome!!  As discussed previously, we are the best cohort and the coolest!

:)
And also by far the most modest!

Thanks for the warm welcome! Yes, you guys are by far the humblest people I’ve ever met. Seriously though, I’m glad to be here. :)

Coolest, most modest and best looking.

Happy you are here!

And smartest...you forgot smartest.

Maybe I was being modest...

Okay no, I totally forgot smartest.  :D.

Oh Itchy that is a weird spot, and you wont really know until it materializes.  Good luck!

I've pretty much been informed my group is safe.  I am really glad for my team!  Then again, in corporate, safe always has the "for now" attached.  The layoff with severance would have been nice, but sometimes I feel like I would rather walk then be let go.  That way I get to say goodbye and such (very few people know my plans) and don't just get escorted out one day.

I am so glad we are sitting on this end and not the other end, where we worry about our jobs because there is no near end.

Good planning y'all.

LV

edit type fix
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on September 14, 2018, 10:18:19 PM
...... That way I get to say goodbye and such (very few people know my plans) and don't just get escorted out one day.

I am so glad we are sitting on this end and not the other end, where we worry about our jobs because there is no near end.

Good planning y'all.

LV

Yep, there is something to be said for walking off the field under one's own power.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Miss Piggy on September 15, 2018, 10:04:05 AM
Updated roster:

01/01/19     MoneyStacher  (51)
01/31/19     PhilB  (53)                      OLY -- Planning 10/25/18
02/15/19     sui generis  (41)              OLY -- CONFIRMED 8/17/18.
02/25/19     MaybeBabyMustache
02/??/19     zinnie  (35)
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/19/19     ChasesFish
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor  (50)     
03/??/19     Roboturner  (30)
03/??/19     Edgema
03/25/19     MaybeBabyMustache
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     TartanTallulah  (55)          OLY -- Planning 10/31/2018.   
04/01/19     Trifele  (52)
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)
05/??/19     cerat0n1a                         OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
05/??/19     dude                               
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/14/19     Mr. Ver (40)
05/17/19     Loren Ver (37)
05/31/19     Pylortes  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
06/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/06/19     Bognish (44)
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/??/19     Bateaux  (50)
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/01/19     Freedomin5 (38)
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
08/12/19     Canadian Ben  (29)
08/19/18     Chairman                         OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
09/27/19     Spreadsheet Man
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
12/??/19     markbike528cbx  (55)        OLY -- CONFIRMED 6/1/18; checking in as OP
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)
12/31/19     Chrissy's DH

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
Elaine amj (40)
IPlawyer

Okay, I'm committing. I added myself above on July 3.

%$#@  This feels way too real now. I'm nervous as hell...nervous about the market dropping, and nervous about healthcare coverage.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Blindsquirrel on September 15, 2018, 11:07:31 AM
   I shall be joining you fine folks in the 2019 class most likely with a firm date of 3/31/2019 as last day of working for megacorp. Really should just call it now but reasons and all that. There is also a non-zero chance that I just quit on any given day via flipping my badge in the pond, mooning the security cam, and firing up a bong in the parking lot. (Just kidding but there is also a non-zero chance of that).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on September 15, 2018, 11:42:47 AM
Welcome Miss Piggy and BlindSquirrel! 

01/01/19     MoneyStacher  (51)
01/31/19     PhilB  (53)                      OLY -- Planning 10/25/18
02/01/19     Trifele (51)
02/15/19     sui generis  (41)              OLY -- CONFIRMED 8/17/18.
02/25/19     MaybeBabyMustache
02/??/19     zinnie  (35)
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/19/19     ChasesFish
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor  (50)     
03/??/19     Roboturner  (30)
03/??/19     Edgema
03/25/19     MaybeBabyMustache
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     TartanTallulah  (55)          OLY -- Planning 10/31/2018.   
03/31/19     BlindSquirrel
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)
05/??/19     cerat0n1a                         OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
05/??/19     dude                               
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/14/19     Mr. Ver (40)
05/17/19     Loren Ver (37)
05/31/19     Pylortes  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)   
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/06/19     Bognish (44)
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/??/19     Bateaux  (50)
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/01/19     Freedomin5 (38)
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
08/12/19     Canadian Ben  (29)
08/19/18     Chairman                         OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
09/27/19     Spreadsheet Man
10/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
12/??/19     markbike528cbx  (55)        OLY -- CONFIRMED 6/1/18; checking in as OP
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)
12/31/19     Chrissy's DH

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
Elaine amj (40)
IPlawyer
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on September 15, 2018, 01:54:48 PM
   I shall be joining you fine folks in the 2019 class most likely with a firm date of 3/31/2019 as last day of working for megacorp. Really should just call it now but reasons and all that. There is also a non-zero chance that I just quit on any given day via flipping my badge in the pond, mooning the security cam, and firing up a bong in the parking lot. (Just kidding but there is also a non-zero chance of that).

Most definitely this! I'd probably crack open a bottle of nice champagne, but I'd be right there with you, and have had many days of considering just ripping the badge off & running.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on September 15, 2018, 05:00:33 PM
   I shall be joining you fine folks in the 2019 class most likely with a firm date of 3/31/2019 as last day of working for megacorp. Really should just call it now but reasons and all that. There is also a non-zero chance that I just quit on any given day via flipping my badge in the pond, mooning the security cam, and firing up a bong in the parking lot. (Just kidding but there is also a non-zero chance of that).

Most definitely this! I'd probably crack open a bottle of nice champagne, but I'd be right there with you, and have had many days of considering just ripping the badge off & running.

The Onion has found a study recommending just that..
https://www.theonion.com/health-experts-recommend-standing-up-at-desk-leaving-o-1819577456
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Blindsquirrel on September 15, 2018, 08:09:45 PM
   Spot on! !!! Get fat bonus and LTI if I can hack another 6 months
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SpareChange on September 15, 2018, 11:27:51 PM
So I'm on call this weekend, and I went in for a few hours this morning. We're getting ready for a surgery case, and the following conversation ensues...

CW1: "Sparechange, you sure have been on call a lot lately!"
Me:   "Yeah, it's good money, but it's only for another 6 or 7 months."
CW1: "What happens in 6 months?"
Me:    "I plan on going PT."
CW1: "Why are you going to do that??"
Me:    "Well, I'm sort of semi-retiring."
CW1: "Whaaaa????"
CW2: With eyes bulging...,"What!? You're too young for that!"

We talked a little more, but it's the reactions that were golden. Felt good.
   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on September 16, 2018, 04:11:47 AM
   I shall be joining you fine folks in the 2019 class most likely with a firm date of 3/31/2019 as last day of working for megacorp. Really should just call it now but reasons and all that. There is also a non-zero chance that I just quit on any given day via flipping my badge in the pond, mooning the security cam, and firing up a bong in the parking lot. (Just kidding but there is also a non-zero chance of that).

Most definitely this! I'd probably crack open a bottle of nice champagne, but I'd be right there with you, and have had many days of considering just ripping the badge off & running.

I'll be right there with both of you -- sprinting to the nearest pub for a celebratory round, and then away to freedom.

EDITED to add:  Decided I'm not gonna make it to 4/1/19, and have moved myself on the spreadsheet to 2/1/19.  Added bonus -- it's before my birthday, so I get to be a whole year younger on paper when I retire!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on September 17, 2018, 06:30:13 AM
Welcome to the team those that have just joined. 

We might be the smartest cohort, among many other admirable traits!  Glad to add you!

   I shall be joining you fine folks in the 2019 class most likely with a firm date of 3/31/2019 as last day of working for megacorp. Really should just call it now but reasons and all that. There is also a non-zero chance that I just quit on any given day via flipping my badge in the pond, mooning the security cam, and firing up a bong in the parking lot. (Just kidding but there is also a non-zero chance of that).

Most definitely this! I'd probably crack open a bottle of nice champagne, but I'd be right there with you, and have had many days of considering just ripping the badge off & running.

I'll be right there with both of you -- sprinting to the nearest pub for a celebratory round, and then away to freedom.

EDITED to add:  Decided I'm not gonna make it to 4/1/19, and have moved myself on the spreadsheet to 2/1/19.  Added bonus -- it's before my birthday, so I get to be a whole year younger on paper when I retire!


Trifele you are making me totally jealous.  By waiting for DH to retire on his birthday, I have to be a whole year older.  Boo.  Loren people problems :(.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on September 17, 2018, 07:15:26 AM
We are only 117 days away from 2019, my peeps!

According to the countdown app on my phone, I have 232 days, 6 hours, 44 mins and 40 seconds!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on September 18, 2018, 05:45:50 PM
Today was an ANYTHING else day.  I did not want to go to work.  I didn't feel great and just wanted to stay home. 

Soon!  34 weeks as of today.

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on September 18, 2018, 05:55:20 PM
I'm moving to 10/1/2019
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on September 18, 2018, 09:54:34 PM
Today was an ANYTHING else day.  I did not want to go to work.  I didn't feel great and just wanted to stay home. 

Soon!  34 weeks as of today.

LV

I hear you!! ANYTHING ELSE PLEASE! 😂

I am resenting having this FIRE ambition burning inside me. It is really negatively impacting my mood in the office.

I wish I could just snap out of my funk.

I want to leave work on a good note, just in case I change my mind after some extended time off.

But, sadly, I am like an angry and frustrated ant at work these days. All of the pressure, politics and BS is driving me nuts, amd rather than push through it like a hot knife through butter, as I once did, I now find the BS all swirling around me and pushing down on top of me. It’s exhausting to be drowning in a swamp of shit when you have given up swimming.

I remember when I was young and ambitious and the future was mine.

Today, the future in the office is certainly not mine, my mind is elsewhere....  and whilst FIRE sounds like a dreamy future I am not there yet. Even when I get there, I still have many hurdles to clear before I can transition into my new life (repatriation, selling property, finding a new town to live, buying a new home, making friends and a life somewhere new).

The waiting and the uncertainty about the future is getting to me. Sometimes I think it would be easier, and cause no additional loss of happiness (whatever that means) to reset my sights on chasing career ambitions for another 20 years like “normal” people. It’s not like my life is bad. It’s pretty awesome actually. If only I could adjust my mindset at work at little to make the most of the next 9 months.

274 days to go....



Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on September 19, 2018, 02:50:26 AM
I'm moving to 10/1/2019

OK -- got you moved in the roster above. Glad you are still with us!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on September 19, 2018, 03:26:15 AM
I'm moving to 10/1/2019

OK -- got you moved in the roster above. Glad you are still with us!
I get a chunk of equity that day =D

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on September 19, 2018, 05:19:38 AM
Today was an ANYTHING else day.  I did not want to go to work.  I didn't feel great and just wanted to stay home. 

Soon!  34 weeks as of today.

LV

I hear you!! ANYTHING ELSE PLEASE! 😂

I am resenting having this FIRE ambition burning inside me. It is really negatively impacting my mood in the office.

...snip...

Sometimes I think it would be easier, and cause no additional loss of happiness (whatever that means) to reset my sights on chasing career ambitions for another 20 years like “normal” people. It’s not like my life is bad. It’s pretty awesome actually. If only I could adjust my mindset at work at little to make the most of the next 9 months.

274 days to go....

Feeling you itchy.  I don't know how I would make it if I had 20+ years to go.  Maybe i'd just go into resignation.   The good news is, at work I have a job I am good at and I am being given opportunities to really shine in front of high level management.  Something I would have loved over the past 10 years where I had bad leadership and no visibility.  But at the same time, it doesn't really matter anymore.  Those buds will never bloom as I will be done and gone. 

Oh well, at least it keeps me busy, even if a little bored....

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on September 19, 2018, 07:03:03 AM
Today was an ANYTHING else day.  I did not want to go to work.  I didn't feel great and just wanted to stay home. 

Soon!  34 weeks as of today.

LV

I hear you!! ANYTHING ELSE PLEASE! 😂

I am resenting having this FIRE ambition burning inside me. It is really negatively impacting my mood in the office.

...snip...

Sometimes I think it would be easier, and cause no additional loss of happiness (whatever that means) to reset my sights on chasing career ambitions for another 20 years like “normal” people. It’s not like my life is bad. It’s pretty awesome actually. If only I could adjust my mindset at work at little to make the most of the next 9 months.

274 days to go....

Feeling you itchy.  I don't know how I would make it if I had 20+ years to go.  Maybe i'd just go into resignation.   The good news is, at work I have a job I am good at and I am being given opportunities to really shine in front of high level management.  Something I would have loved over the past 10 years where I had bad leadership and no visibility.  But at the same time, it doesn't really matter anymore.  Those buds will never bloom as I will be done and gone. 

Oh well, at least it keeps me busy, even if a little bored....

LV

I am right there with both of you, LorenVer and Itchy.  Anything else -- please.  I feel sick to my stomach on my way to work, and my TMJ pain is off the charts.  All of that magically vanishes on the weekends.  According to one of my many countdown clocks, I have 81 work days to go . . . 134 days overall . . .  I do my best to gut out the days, then I go home and color another piece of my FIRE picture, hang out with my kids, and heal enough to get up the next morning and do it again.  I wish I could turn this off and go back to how I felt a year or two ago, but I think the burning FIRE feeling is here to stay.   

I hear you about the buds never blooming, Loren.  I'm older than you, but I am right at the top of my game and in a great place professionally.  In another life, if things were different, I could continue to rise and really shine.  There is a part of me that is sad about walking away from that, but that sadness is dwarfed by my overwhelming desire to be free and be done.  I can see the door right in front of me.  I don't know exactly what's on the other side, but I'm ready to walk through it.   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MoneyStacher on September 19, 2018, 07:10:07 AM
I guess you can take me off the list or add an asterisk or something. My company made the decision for me when they cut all contractors at the end of July. I've got no debt, a condo rental making $11k gross/year, single no kids/dependents and can live fine with 3% SWR of invested assets. Still afraid of stopping all work at the age of 51 so I'm leaving the door open for more contracting work (work from home only).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: tooqk4u22 on September 19, 2018, 07:51:18 AM
Today was an ANYTHING else day.  I did not want to go to work.  I didn't feel great and just wanted to stay home. 

Soon!  34 weeks as of today.

LV

I hear you!! ANYTHING ELSE PLEASE! 😂

I am resenting having this FIRE ambition burning inside me. It is really negatively impacting my mood in the office.

I wish I could just snap out of my funk.

I want to leave work on a good note, just in case I change my mind after some extended time off.

But, sadly, I am like an angry and frustrated ant at work these days. All of the pressure, politics and BS is driving me nuts, amd rather than push through it like a hot knife through butter, as I once did, I now find the BS all swirling around me and pushing down on top of me. It’s exhausting to be drowning in a swamp of shit when you have given up swimming.

I remember when I was young and ambitious and the future was mine.

Today, the future in the office is certainly not mine, my mind is elsewhere....  and whilst FIRE sounds like a dreamy future I am not there yet. Even when I get there, I still have many hurdles to clear before I can transition into my new life (repatriation, selling property, finding a new town to live, buying a new home, making friends and a life somewhere new).

The waiting and the uncertainty about the future is getting to me. Sometimes I think it would be easier, and cause no additional loss of happiness (whatever that means) to reset my sights on chasing career ambitions for another 20 years like “normal” people. It’s not like my life is bad. It’s pretty awesome actually. If only I could adjust my mindset at work at little to make the most of the next 9 months.

274 days to go....

I remember earlier on when I thought and was convinced that it would be so much easier to handle/ignore/put up with the BS once I was close to FI or FIRE bc I would know that I could always just leave (which is true).....but the unfortunate reality is that I have significantly less tolerance and patience for it all so it is more like being a cage animal waiting to be released. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on September 19, 2018, 08:12:19 AM
Today was an ANYTHING else day.  I did not want to go to work.  I didn't feel great and just wanted to stay home. 

Soon!  34 weeks as of today.

LV

I hear you!! ANYTHING ELSE PLEASE! 😂

I am resenting having this FIRE ambition burning inside me. It is really negatively impacting my mood in the office.

I wish I could just snap out of my funk.

I want to leave work on a good note, just in case I change my mind after some extended time off.

But, sadly, I am like an angry and frustrated ant at work these days. All of the pressure, politics and BS is driving me nuts, amd rather than push through it like a hot knife through butter, as I once did, I now find the BS all swirling around me and pushing down on top of me. It’s exhausting to be drowning in a swamp of shit when you have given up swimming.

I remember when I was young and ambitious and the future was mine.

Today, the future in the office is certainly not mine, my mind is elsewhere....  and whilst FIRE sounds like a dreamy future I am not there yet. Even when I get there, I still have many hurdles to clear before I can transition into my new life (repatriation, selling property, finding a new town to live, buying a new home, making friends and a life somewhere new).

The waiting and the uncertainty about the future is getting to me. Sometimes I think it would be easier, and cause no additional loss of happiness (whatever that means) to reset my sights on chasing career ambitions for another 20 years like “normal” people. It’s not like my life is bad. It’s pretty awesome actually. If only I could adjust my mindset at work at little to make the most of the next 9 months.

274 days to go....

I remember earlier on when I thought and was convinced that it would be so much easier to handle/ignore/put up with the BS once I was close to FI or FIRE bc I would know that I could always just leave (which is true).....but the unfortunate reality is that I have significantly less tolerance and patience for it all so it is more like being a cage animal waiting to be released.
I can sympathise with all of the feelings above.  The last few months were a real killer for me, but then one day you wake up and you are nearly there.  You tell your boss you are going and you start that final glide to freedom.  My last day of full time work will be 5 weeks today and I'm already feeling as free as a bird!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Livingthedream55 on September 19, 2018, 08:29:06 AM
I guess you can take me off the list or add an asterisk or something. My company made the decision for me when they cut all contractors at the end of July. I've got no debt, a condo rental making $11k gross/year, single no kids/dependents and can live fine with 3% SWR of invested assets. Still afraid of stopping all work at the age of 51 so I'm leaving the door open for more contracting work (work from home only).

Congrats on your OLY MoneyStacher! I see you were aiming for 1/1/19 - sounds like financially you are there and then some!  Keep us posted on how you are doing!   : 0 )
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on September 19, 2018, 10:26:44 AM
Congrats @MoneyStacher!


01/01/19     MoneyStacher  (50)         OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
01/31/19     PhilB  (53)                      OLY -- Planning 10/25/18
02/01/19     Trifele (51)
02/15/19     sui generis  (41)              OLY -- CONFIRMED 8/17/18.
02/25/19     MaybeBabyMustache
02/??/19     zinnie  (35)
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/19/19     ChasesFish
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor  (50)     
03/??/19     Roboturner  (30)
03/??/19     Edgema
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     TartanTallulah  (55)          OLY -- Planning 10/31/2018.   
03/31/19     BlindSquirrel
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)
05/??/19     cerat0n1a                         OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
05/??/19     dude                               
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/14/19     Mr. Ver (40)
05/17/19     Loren Ver (37)
05/31/19     Pylortes  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)   
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/06/19     Bognish (44)
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/??/19     Bateaux  (50)
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/01/19     Freedomin5 (38)
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
08/12/19     Canadian Ben  (29)
08/19/18     Chairman                         OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
09/27/19     Spreadsheet Man
10/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
12/??/19     markbike528cbx  (55)        OLY -- CONFIRMED 6/1/18; checking in as OP
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)
12/31/19     Chrissy's DH

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
Elaine amj (40)
IPlawyer

 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: oldtoyota on September 19, 2018, 02:13:36 PM
I guess you can take me off the list or add an asterisk or something. My company made the decision for me when they cut all contractors at the end of July. I've got no debt, a condo rental making $11k gross/year, single no kids/dependents and can live fine with 3% SWR of invested assets. Still afraid of stopping all work at the age of 51 so I'm leaving the door open for more contracting work (work from home only).

Congrats on your OLY MoneyStacher! I see you were aiming for 1/1/19 - sounds like financially you are there and then some!  Keep us posted on how you are doing!   : 0 )

May I offer you both condolences and congratulations? You are free, and it sounds like you are in a good spot financially.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on September 22, 2018, 12:41:20 PM
I think I want to be back in this cohort. Plan is to fire somewehere September/Octoberish 2019.

DH and I went through my FIRE spreadsheet again today, which was a long time since last time. DH discovered a flaw in my calculation of taxation of income. We corrected it and luckily it didn't change the FIRE amount, as our income will be almost zero all the time.

We have had 2 real estate brokers visiting our house who gave us an estimate for a sales price of our clown house. One gave an estimate of 8,7 mil Norwegian crowns. The other one guessed a price between 8,7 and 9,2 mil crowns. In my old calculations I used a conservative estimate of 7 mil crowns nett leftover after sale. Now we changed this amount to 8 mil nett leftover after sale. We think about selling it in spring 2019 for 8,5 mil list price. And we hope to sell for more eventually. We need to sell during the summer halfyear because of the steep roads with snow in the winter.

After selling this house, we reserve half of it, 4 mil crowns, in cash for a future house purchase. The rest will be invested. Most in stock, but some in cash on a high interest bank account in case market downtime during FIRE. Or in bonds, I'll have to figure that out.
We still need to earn half our normal salary in 2019 and a very low amount in 2020. This last thing can be done be starting some side gig. DH is thinking on doing his current job as a private consultant occasionaly. I currently do a sidegig that generates a certain amount of taxfree money.

We are aiming for 7 mil Norwegian crowns as FIRE amount. If the house sells for the brutto price of 8,5 mil crowns, then we will reach this amount in just a few months. If the market takes a dive, we will have to continue working.

From 2040 we will both receive our pensions.

Our backup plan is that we intend to keep our cabin, but we can also sell it for approx 1,5 year spending level.
We can also in the future sell our future house, cash in those 4 mil crowns and live 8 years of that while we rent a place, depending on the height of the rent.
And we expect to receive 2,5 to 3 mil crowns in inheritage some day, that are not included in our calculations.
And we can choose to work part time some way or another.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on September 22, 2018, 01:07:07 PM
Welcome back @Linda_Norway!!  Happy Equinox everyone!
 

01/01/19     MoneyStacher  (50)         OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
01/31/19     PhilB  (52)                      OLY -- Planning 10/25/18
02/01/19     Trifele (51)
02/15/19     sui generis  (41)              OLY -- CONFIRMED 8/17/18.
02/25/19     MaybeBabyMustache
02/??/19     zinnie  (35)
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/19/19     ChasesFish
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor  (50)     
03/??/19     Roboturner  (30)
03/??/19     Edgema
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     TartanTallulah  (55)          OLY -- Planning 10/31/2018.   
03/31/19     BlindSquirrel
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)
05/??/19     cerat0n1a                         OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
05/??/19     dude                               
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/14/19     Mr. Ver (40)
05/17/19     Loren Ver (37)
05/31/19     Pylortes  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)   
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/06/19     Bognish (44)
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/??/19     Bateaux  (50)
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/01/19     Freedomin5 (38)
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
08/12/19     Canadian Ben  (29)
08/19/18     Chairman                         OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
09/27/19     Spreadsheet Man
10/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
10/??/19     Linda_Norway
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
12/??/19     markbike528cbx  (55)        OLY -- CONFIRMED 6/1/18; checking in as OP
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)
12/31/19     Chrissy's DH

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
Elaine amj (40)
IPlawyer

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on September 23, 2018, 01:45:39 AM
Congratulations Linda.  Fingers crossed that it sells for the high end of the range.  Are house prices on the up generally and did you need to increase the amount set aside for purchase of your non-clown house?

@Trifele could you do me a favour please and correct my age to 52 in the list?  53  was from my original date of July 2019.  I pulled that forward to 31 Jan on the list when I will still only be 52.  This shouldn't bother me, particularly as I've pulled since my date forward to 2018, but somehow it bugs me more each time I read the list!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on September 23, 2018, 04:28:24 AM
Congratulations Linda.  Fingers crossed that it sells for the high end of the range.  Are house prices on the up generally and did you need to increase the amount set aside for purchase of your non-clown house?

@Trifele could you do me a favour please and correct my age to 52 in the list?  53  was from my original date of July 2019.  I pulled that forward to 31 Jan on the list when I will still only be 52.  This shouldn't bother me, particularly as I've pulled since my date forward to 2018, but somehow it bugs me more each time I read the list!

Of course @PhilB !  Done.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on September 23, 2018, 04:41:49 AM
I think I want to be back in this cohort. Plan is to fire somewehere September/Octoberish 2019.

DH and I went through my FIRE spreadsheet again today, which was a long time since last time. DH discovered a flaw in my calculation of taxation of income. We corrected it and luckily it didn't change the FIRE amount, as our income will be almost zero all the time.

We have had 2 real estate brokers visiting our house who gave us an estimate for a sales price of our clown house. One gave an estimate of 8,7 mil Norwegian crowns. The other one guessed a price between 8,7 and 9,2 mil crowns. In my old calculations I used a conservative estimate of 7 mil crowns nett leftover after sale. Now we changed this amount to 8 mil nett leftover after sale. We think about selling it in spring 2019 for 8,5 mil list price. And we hope to sell for more eventually. We need to sell during the summer halfyear because of the steep roads with snow in the winter.

After selling this house, we reserve half of it, 4 mil crowns, in cash for a future house purchase. The rest will be invested. Most in stock, but some in cash on a high interest bank account in case market downtime during FIRE. Or in bonds, I'll have to figure that out.
We still need to earn half our normal salary in 2019 and a very low amount in 2020. This last thing can be done be starting some side gig. DH is thinking on doing his current job as a private consultant occasionaly. I currently do a sidegig that generates a certain amount of taxfree money.

We are aiming for 7 mil Norwegian crowns as FIRE amount. If the house sells for the brutto price of 8,5 mil crowns, then we will reach this amount in just a few months. If the market takes a dive, we will have to continue working.

From 2040 we will both receive our pensions.

Our backup plan is that we intend to keep our cabin, but we can also sell it for approx 1,5 year spending level.
We can also in the future sell our future house, cash in those 4 mil crowns and live 8 years of that while we rent a place, depending on the height of the rent.
And we expect to receive 2,5 to 3 mil crowns in inheritage some day, that are not included in our calculations.
And we can choose to work part time some way or another.
.

Welcome back Linda!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on September 23, 2018, 04:57:15 AM
Congratulations Linda.  Fingers crossed that it sells for the high end of the range.  Are house prices on the up generally and did you need to increase the amount set aside for purchase of your non-clown house?

In the past 3 years that we owned the house, prices in our community have gone up 25%. But the price of our house not so much. We paid 7,9 mil crowns for it.

But at the moment this country has a very low mortgage interest, about 2,5%. It is already announced that it will go up later this year, by a quarter. But it is also announced that it will gradually go up more the next years. So the long lasting low interest party has ended. I hope that doesn't mean a dive of the market prices. Maybe just a smaller growth. A colleague of mine has bought a house and tried to sell his old house. He is getting almost no viewers.

Just for your information, our house is not very central, about 45 min by train to center of the capital. Small, but expensing town below the hill on 5 min driving. But we live on the top of the hill and have an amazing view about 35 kms in the direction of the capital and the Oslo fjord. We hope this will sell.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on September 23, 2018, 05:02:43 AM
Linda, will you be looking to buy your new place in the same area?  Or moving further away from the city?

Certainly sounds like you have a great plan!  Congrats. :) 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on September 23, 2018, 05:06:42 AM
Linda, will you be looking to buy your new place in the same area?  Or moving further away from the city?

Certainly sounds like you have a great plan!  Congrats. :)

Moving away from the capital. Out in the country houses can be a LOT cheaper. Maybe we don't even need the 4 mil crowns and can buy a house for 2.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on September 23, 2018, 09:06:00 AM
But we luve on the top of the hill and have an amazing view about 35 kms in the direction of the capital and the Oslo fjord. We hope this will sell.
I was going to send you a link to the song 'The folks who live on the hill', but can't decide between the dozens of different versions!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on September 23, 2018, 12:51:21 PM
But we live on the top of the hill and have an amazing view about 35 kms in the direction of the capital and the Oslo fjord. We hope this will sell.
I was going to send you a link to the song 'The folks who live on the hill', but can't decide between the dozens of different versions!

I listened to one at random. Nice song. I guess we will open our wings next year, and fly away.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on September 23, 2018, 12:55:57 PM
I finished what I hope to be my last international work trip. EVER. Just got back from Tokyo yesterday, so pretty jet lagged. It will be really nice if this can be the end. I'm hoping to avoid a London trip before the end of the year, and just coast into my sabbatical with no more trips. Fingers crossed! I do think I'll have earned enough miles on this trip for a round trip domestic flight on my preferred airline, so at least there was some small benefit. Not enough to account for the family time away, the extra child care we paid for, and certainly not for the jet lag that will haunt me all week.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on September 24, 2018, 04:15:23 AM
Current updated roster:

01/01/19     MoneyStacher  (50)         OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
01/31/19     PhilB  (52)                      OLY -- Planning 10/25/18
02/01/19     Trifele (51)
02/15/19     sui generis  (41)              OLY -- CONFIRMED 8/17/18.
02/25/19     MaybeBabyMustache
02/??/19     zinnie  (35)
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/19/19     ChasesFish
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor  (50)     
03/??/19     Roboturner  (30)
03/??/19     Edgema
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     TartanTallulah  (55)          OLY -- Planning 10/31/2018.   
03/31/19     BlindSquirrel
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)
05/??/19     cerat0n1a                         OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
05/??/19     dude                               
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/14/19     Mr. Ver (40)
05/17/19     Loren Ver (37)
05/31/19     Pylortes  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)   
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/06/19     Bognish (44)
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/??/19     Bateaux  (50)
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/01/19     Freedomin5 (38)
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
08/12/19     Canadian Ben  (29)
08/19/18     Chairman                         OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
09/27/19     Spreadsheet Man
10/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
10/??/19     Linda_Norway
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
12/??/19     markbike528cbx  (55)        OLY -- CONFIRMED 6/1/18; checking in as OP
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)
12/31/19     Chrissy's DH

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
Elaine amj (40)
IPlawyer

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Miss Piggy on September 26, 2018, 06:18:09 PM
What does OLY mean?



I'm on target for July 2019. I'm getting simultaneously more comfortable/excited/certain and more nervous as the day creeps closer. How is that even possible?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on September 27, 2018, 01:41:00 AM
What does OLY mean?



I'm on target for July 2019. I'm getting simultaneously more comfortable/excited/certain and more nervous as the day creeps closer. How is that even possible?
One Less Year. To contrast with the famous OMY syndrome (I'll just do one more year...)
The really contentious argument is whether we should actually be using OFY instead!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on September 27, 2018, 03:48:32 AM
What does OLY mean?

I'm on target for July 2019. I'm getting simultaneously more comfortable/excited/certain and more nervous as the day creeps closer. How is that even possible?

One Less Year. To contrast with the famous OMY syndrome (I'll just do one more year...)
The really contentious argument is whether we should actually be using OFY instead!

Haha PhilB -- I've thought that many times!

@Miss Piggy -- that seems to be par for the course during the run-up to FIRE.  The excitement and the nervousness keep building as it gets more and more real! 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on September 27, 2018, 04:47:21 AM
Friday is the last market day for Q3.  I only do our investment calculations quarterly so I am really excited about this weekend.  DH wants to know by Sunday if he has to go to work Monday.  I told him yes, but we should be really close on our numbers.

The excitement builds.

Other than one project at work, I am ready to go.  I still have 33 weeks left to hit our date, but the pull to do *anything else* is so strong.

I'll actually be kinda amazed if we make it to May....
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on September 27, 2018, 11:46:40 PM
Friday is the last market day for Q3.  I only do our investment calculations quarterly so I am really excited about this weekend.  DH wants to know by Sunday if he has to go to work Monday.  I told him yes, but we should be really close on our numbers.

The excitement builds.

Other than one project at work, I am ready to go.  I still have 33 weeks left to hit our date, but the pull to do *anything else* is so strong.

I'll actually be kinda amazed if we make it to May....

Sounds Awesome! I hope you hit your numbers this quarter and can beak out the bubbly.

I look at our numbers monthly and I know we have booked some losses in Sept. But we saved well this month, so I am happy as this is what we can control.

We won’t be at our number before we FIRE as we have always expected to collect some loose change over the next 30 years to supplement what we have saved, or we will just have to trim our spending... or maybe we will get lucky with the markets.

I am also now rethinking whether I can include home equity in future spending plans ie: move into a small place when we are old, or one of us has kicked the bucket, or take out a reverse mortgage, or even annuitise and then rent at some point. We have no dependents, so no intention of dying with a large estate, but it’s tricky to try and run out of money on your last day on the planet.

Another safety valve we have lies in the fact that 20% of our stash is tagged for travel and vacations. This can definitely be managed in terms of timing for draw downs (so no real SORR), and also trimmed as we go if need be. I suspect that we can probably bank on spending an equivalent of 6% of this portion of our stash on average every year over the longer term and it’ll last. But maybe not. Even at 3% draw down we will be able to do plenty over the next 30 years with that pot.

Depending on what our stash looks like come June it will be the housing pot and the travel pot that get resized to fit within what we have.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Chrissy on September 28, 2018, 09:14:56 AM
2019 was always a long shot, but it's looking less likely for us by the minute.  A few weeks ago, Husband lost his temper, quit his job with nothing lined up, and his last day is today.  Wish us luck!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on September 28, 2018, 09:34:14 AM
2019 was always a long shot, but it's looking less likely for us by the minute.  A few weeks ago, Husband lost his temper, quit his job with nothing lined up, and his last day is today.  Wish us luck!

If you were planning on FIREing in the next few years then you have extra-heavy FU money, so you can relax.
AND maybe post on the FU money thread :-)
https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/epic-fu-money-stories/

In any case, it is probably better for his health. 
 https://www.theonion.com/health-experts-recommend-standing-up-at-desk-leaving-o-1819577456

You won't need luck, you have this covered, but good karma to you anyway.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on September 28, 2018, 12:27:35 PM
2019 was always a long shot, but it's looking less likely for us by the minute.  A few weeks ago, Husband lost his temper, quit his job with nothing lined up, and his last day is today.  Wish us luck!

If you were planning on FIREing in the next few years then you have extra-heavy FU money, so you can relax.
AND maybe post on the FU money thread :-)
https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/epic-fu-money-stories/

In any case, it is probably better for his health. 
 https://www.theonion.com/health-experts-recommend-standing-up-at-desk-leaving-o-1819577456

You won't need luck, you have this covered, but good karma to you anyway.

Here here. Great advice.

I have been wanting to just quit of late, but,lack the kahoonas. More power to your man!

But Mark is 100% right in that if you are nearly FI, it is almost a certainty you will find a means to let the stash grow that last bit without too much draining effort from yourself.

Best wishes!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cycling Stache on September 28, 2018, 02:12:28 PM
Please add me for 2/1/19.

I've hesitated to post this because I have a fear of commitment (even to internet strangers!) and because it feels completely irrational to walk away from significant, not hard-to-earn money in a job that many people dream of getting and working for supervisors and in a structure that is completely supportive (and, really, indulgent) of me.

But I know it's time to move on, even though I don't know what I'm moving on to, and even though my wife will continue to work.  I have been living my OMY the last 8 months waiting for the joy of my work to be re-sparked, and it hasn't happened.  That tells me that my brain knows it's time to leave, even though I have a hard time accepting it.

My wife and I are 44 and 42, with 2 kids.  Net worth is $2.1 million, including a $750k paid-off house, and the rest invested.  We will likely move to a (relatively) lower cost of living area at some point, thereby unlocking some of the money in the house.  My wife insists that she's wants to continue working forever, but at least the next 10 years.  I've done what I can to confirm that over the last 3 years, and she says yes.  Her after-tax salary is about what we spend ($70k, for now), so in theory that should work out fine.  I've also calculated pensions and social security earned to be about $50k per year so far.  While that could be reduced, I think it's unlikely to be cut by more than 20%, and our spending at that point would probably be about that.

For me, the hardest part is feeling ungrateful for having one of the best possible job settings I could have, but it just no longer resonates with me.  I have always been risk averse, and I am nervous about not "retiring to something," but I realize that I'm never going to feel like it's a good time to leave.  So I'm left with something that Dr. Doom posted in his (fantastic) LivingAFI blog, which was a psychologist telling him that of course he was frustrated while still at work, because he set a goal for himself when he would be able to leave, and then he hadn't left and given himself the reward.  I think that captures how I feel.  I know I have enough, or at least enough plus degrees, etc. that I will be able to provide for my family.  The last few months I experimented with writing down how much extra money we make each day to think about what additional stuff I could buy, and I think I bought one concert ticket and maybe a couple lunches/happy hours.  In other words, I don't think what I'm missing is more expensive stuff.

In the end, I think I'm just tired of going to work and feeling bad that I don't want to be there.  It's not something I can share with most people, because most people wouldn't understand walking away from a salary and job that most would consider a dream.  But if it's no longer my dream, isn't it time for something else?  I think so, and it's a point that resonated with me from Steve Jobs's Stanford commencement speech a few years ago.

By the way, 2/1/19 is as arbitrary as anything else.  It was the last date on the calendar I got a year ago (technically, 1/31/19), and it's the end of a 2-week period.  I will take 2 weeks off at the end of 2018 to make sure I'm convinced to leave, but for now, 2/1/19!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on September 28, 2018, 02:18:24 PM
Welcome, @Cycling Stache ! I could relate to much of what you said about your work, and we are similar ages (I'm 42), & our dates are similar as well! 1/25 is my goal, although I've offered up 2/25 if we are in the middle of onboarding a new manager. If it's no longer your dream & you can afford to move on, it's time to figure out what will make you happy. And, what an incredible gift we have - the gift of freedom & flexibility to form a life better suited to our desires. Such a gift!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: oldtoyota on September 28, 2018, 02:59:58 PM
2019 was always a long shot, but it's looking less likely for us by the minute.  A few weeks ago, Husband lost his temper, quit his job with nothing lined up, and his last day is today.  Wish us luck!

I'm sorry to hear that. You're welcome to stay.

I'm not sure if I will technically be 100% FIRE in 2019. However, I plan to keep the IRP at bay and follow a sensible timeline.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on September 28, 2018, 05:32:49 PM
24 weeks until equity vests and I drop notice....getting closer!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on September 28, 2018, 06:14:20 PM
Uhh, so I did the Q3 numbers since the markets closed today... we are about $6k away from out goal amount.  Oh man.  We will need to have some serious discussions in the next month or two to figure out the plan.   This is a lot sooner than anticipated. 

EHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Welcome Cycling Stache.

Chrissy - good luck with making a slightly new plan.  You are in a good position, you put yourselves in a good position.

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Half Stached on September 28, 2018, 07:24:12 PM
I also did Q3 numbers today... things are starting to feel real! Just two quarters left!

7/15: 41.6% FI
10/15: 40.1%
1/16: 45.6%
4/16: 50.4%
7/16: 53.7%
10/16: 60.7%* (due to reducing expenses and better modeling, we reduced our FI target from 1.8million to 1.7)
1/17: 63.5%
4/17: 75.3%
7/17: 44.4* (Condo purchase. FI target reduced from 1.7million to 1.3, not including condo.)
10/17: 50.6%
1/18: 56.3%
4/18: 62.3%
7/18: 64.6%
10/18: 71.6%

While I don't expect to be at 100% in six months, the 6 additional months of severance after that (since I'll be laid off) and then selling a bunch of old collectibles should get us across the finish line. cFireSim now yields 100% success with our retirement plan.

Work is really dragging at this point. My workload has been decreasing steadily, and with it my hours. However, it is hard to stay motivated...
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on September 29, 2018, 04:23:28 AM
Goodbye for now @Chrissy.  Good luck with everything, and come back anytime if you change your mind!  Welcome @Cycling Stache!  Got you added. 


01/01/19     MoneyStacher  (50)         OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
01/31/19     PhilB  (52)                      OLY -- Planning 10/25/18
02/01/19     Trifele (51)
02/01/19     Cycling Stache (44)
02/15/19     sui generis  (41)              OLY -- CONFIRMED 8/17/18.
02/25/19     MaybeBabyMustache
02/??/19     zinnie  (35)
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/19/19     ChasesFish
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor  (50)     
03/??/19     Roboturner  (30)
03/??/19     Edgema
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     TartanTallulah  (55)          OLY -- Planning 10/31/2018.   
03/31/19     BlindSquirrel
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)
05/??/19     cerat0n1a                         OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018                           
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/14/19     Mr. Ver (40)
05/17/19     Loren Ver (37)
05/31/19     Pylortes  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/31/19     dude   
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/06/19     Bognish (44)
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/??/19     Bateaux  (50)
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/01/19     Freedomin5 (38)
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
08/12/19     Canadian Ben  (29)
08/19/18     Chairman                         OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
09/27/19     Spreadsheet Man
10/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
10/??/19     Linda_Norway
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
12/??/19     markbike528cbx  (55)        OLY -- CONFIRMED 6/1/18; checking in as OP
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)


2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
Elaine amj (40)
IPlawyer
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on September 30, 2018, 01:47:03 PM
Uhh, so I did the Q3 numbers since the markets closed today... we are about $6k away from out goal amount.  Oh man.  We will need to have some serious discussions in the next month or two to figure out the plan.   This is a lot sooner than anticipated. 


My partner and I are in a similar place.  We've exceeded our goal amounts but given how high CAPE is at the moment and uncertainty surrounding the ACA we plan to keep working until our planned end date sometime around May of 2019.  That should allow us to max our 401(k)s, Roth IRA, and pay for the second half of the year's expenses.  We're also in the same position as Cycling Stache.  As far as jobs go, we are in the best possible situation - good management, low stress, relatively high pay, significant autonomy, etc.  The good position we're in is largely due to a combination of good reputations at work and FI money.  We've been able to maneuver into roles that are good fits, and that makes it even harder to pull the plug.  At the same time it is also hard to keep going in to work knowing that we don't need the money, but after we quit we're never going to have this combination of great work (as far as work goes...) and high pay.  Rather than take a small risk of needing to go back if the SHTF we're padding the numbers if they're willing to spray money at us for easy work. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: exit2019 on September 30, 2018, 08:52:30 PM
We are still in for 2019 but I have to admit, I am freaking a bit that I have yet to work out a solid scheme for healthcare.   we are residents of CA but want to get out - the tax rate has been killing me for years and the COL is insane in the Bay Area.  A lot of our plan is moving out; sell the house and travel for a year as well as look into places we might move.

I cannot figure out how to (1) buy healthcare that isn't somehow tied to a specific geography or (2) figure out how/if I should rebalance my very very out of whack portfolio (all in a taxable account, lots of taxable gains); essentially we discovered FIRE late and while I wasn't a horrible investor, the bulk of our investments are not in what I would like them to be in, but everything has gains since we've been hardcore savers for 20 years..
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on October 01, 2018, 02:15:43 AM
Uhh, so I did the Q3 numbers since the markets closed today... we are about $6k away from out goal amount.  Oh man.  We will need to have some serious discussions in the next month or two to figure out the plan.   This is a lot sooner than anticipated. 


My partner and I are in a similar place.  We've exceeded our goal amounts but given how high CAPE is at the moment and uncertainty surrounding the ACA we plan to keep working until our planned end date sometime around May of 2019.  That should allow us to max our 401(k)s, Roth IRA, and pay for the second half of the year's expenses.  We're also in the same position as Cycling Stache.  As far as jobs go, we are in the best possible situation - good management, low stress, relatively high pay, significant autonomy, etc.  The good position we're in is largely due to a combination of good reputations at work and FI money.  We've been able to maneuver into roles that are good fits, and that makes it even harder to pull the plug.  At the same time it is also hard to keep going in to work knowing that we don't need the money, but after we quit we're never going to have this combination of great work (as far as work goes...) and high pay.  Rather than take a small risk of needing to go back if the SHTF we're padding the numbers if they're willing to spray money at us for easy work.

We will also reach our FIRE stash for FIRE in second half of 2019 in a month or 2. This is the amount that is not invested in the house. In addition to that we need to sell the house for a certain minimum price. And to be able to start FIRE, we still need to cover half of 2019's expenses, therefore we'd better work (part time) for half the year in 2019. If the house does not sell well, we won't sell in 2019 and try again in 2020.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on October 01, 2018, 02:41:54 AM
Are any of you going to move to a different area after FIRE, to cash in the value of your house, or for other reasons?
We will do that, both to cash in the house and to move to a more outdoorsy area. We intend to rent a place first.

I am getting pretty nervous about it, because it comes so close. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night freaked out about it. The house will be put for sale the coming spring.
We will downsize many of our belongings to make moving easier and cheaper. But we have a lot of stuff and use much of it. I am not looking forward to moving several times, but it is madness to buy a house in an unknown area that we don't know whether we will enjoy. Therefore we will rent first.
Also, we still haven't decided exactly where to go. We have some ideas and see that there are sometimes reasonably priced rentals available. We have been through these areas on vacations and love what it looks like in the summer. But winters there can be hard. And how easy is it to live there? We will probably need to be close to a city and not too remote, as we are used to have anything we need available where we live.
The other thing that worries me a bit, is starting from scratch without knowing people. And leaving behind friends. On the other hand, I can make basic contact with new people pretty easily as long as I meet them in a hobby perspective. The challenge will be to get in touch with some people who are available at daytime through the week. And who like to do your stuff, like hiking, mushrooms, diving (DH).
Difficult to talk with other people about these anxieties.

I don't think it would be easier to wait until 2020. It would make it easier to sell the house and move into a local rental, to so figure stuff out at an easy pace. But that means moving an extra time, which is not so attractive.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on October 01, 2018, 05:26:10 AM

I cannot figure out how to (1) buy healthcare that isn't somehow tied to a specific geography or (2) figure out how/if I should rebalance my very very out of whack portfolio (all in a taxable account, lots of taxable gains); essentially we discovered FIRE late and while I wasn't a horrible investor, the bulk of our investments are not in what I would like them to be in, but everything has gains since we've been hardcore savers for 20 years..

Hey @exit2019 most of our savings are also in taxable investments.  This is not a bad strategy depending on age and retirement income.  Capital gains is taxed much less than income.  You can pull out gobs of money without paying federal income taxes, especially if you are married  https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/taxes/capital-gains-tax-rates/.   If married that is $77200 + $24000 (married standard deduction) that comes out tax free every year.  You also don't have to do any conversions which is one less thing to worry about.  You can pull money out in chunks, pay no taxes, and reinvest the rest. 

As for insurance that isn't tied to a location, that depends on if you need regular care of just coverage if there is an emergency.  If you will be outside the US there are options like world nomads travel insurance and other companies.    Inside the US,  there are travel insurance like aaa and other companies.  Some cover the trip, but some cover you, some both.  Some health care ministries are also not location driven, but let you use any medical facility nearby. 

Sometimes too many options can make it harder....
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on October 01, 2018, 07:29:23 AM
@Linda_Norway - we have a multi phased FIRE approach, but will stay in our house for the first 7 years. (We have kids in school.) After that, we are open to selling & moving to a less expensive location. We're in the bay area of California, so we could relocate almost anywhere & have a reduction in cost.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on October 01, 2018, 07:48:43 AM
Goodbye for now @Chrissy.  Good luck with everything, and come back anytime if you change your mind!  Welcome @Cycling Stache!  Got you added. 


01/01/19     MoneyStacher  (50)         OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
01/31/19     PhilB  (52)                      OLY -- Planning 10/25/18
02/01/19     Trifele (51)
02/01/19     Cycling Stache (44)
02/15/19     sui generis  (41)              OLY -- CONFIRMED 8/17/18.
02/25/19     MaybeBabyMustache
02/??/19     zinnie  (35)
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/19/19     ChasesFish
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor  (50)     
03/??/19     Roboturner  (30)
03/??/19     Edgema
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     TartanTallulah  (55)          OLY -- Planning 10/31/2018.   
03/31/19     BlindSquirrel
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)
05/??/19     cerat0n1a                         OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
05/??/19     dude                               
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/14/19     Mr. Ver (40)
05/17/19     Loren Ver (37)
05/31/19     Pylortes  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)   
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/06/19     Bognish (44)
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/??/19     Bateaux  (50)
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/01/19     Freedomin5 (38)
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
08/12/19     Canadian Ben  (29)
08/19/18     Chairman                         OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
09/27/19     Spreadsheet Man
10/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
10/??/19     Linda_Norway
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
12/??/19     markbike528cbx  (55)        OLY -- CONFIRMED 6/1/18; checking in as OP
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)


2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
Elaine amj (40)
IPlawyer

5/31/19 for me, to be specific. Eligibility date is 5/7/19, but staying until the end of the month ensures continuity of pay (pension), and I don't plan on being around much those last few weeks anyway.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on October 01, 2018, 07:51:12 AM
Are any of you going to move to a different area after FIRE, to cash in the value of your house, or for other reasons?

Not initially, no. But plan to keep that option in the back pocket for when it might make sense for us. Our home value has shot up pretty considerably, and I don't see that trend stopping any time in the foreseeable future in the city we live in.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on October 01, 2018, 08:53:03 AM
Are any of you going to move to a different area after FIRE, to cash in the value of your house, or for other reasons?

Not initially, no. But plan to keep that option in the back pocket for when it might make sense for us. Our home value has shot up pretty considerably, and I don't see that trend stopping any time in the foreseeable future in the city we live in.

We are also a no, unless that changes.  We have a VERY low cost house.  We will pay it off before FIRE.  If we do sell, it will be because we are moving to something, not away from.

We also really value our friend network were we are.  Not gonna leave that behind.

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on October 01, 2018, 09:08:30 AM
Are any of you going to move to a different area after FIRE, to cash in the value of your house, or for other reasons?

@Linda_Norway , initially we are staying put.  Our house is paid off and in a gorgeous rural location we love.  It is a lot of equity tied up, and eventually we will sell when we are old and can no longer perform the necessary work, and use the money to buy an apartment or condo.  That's the plan.  :)

@dude -- got your date added.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on October 01, 2018, 11:25:50 AM
Are any of you going to move to a different area after FIRE, to cash in the value of your house, or

Yeah, we are moving twice. We have to move back to Australia, then sell our expensive inner city home and then buy somewhere more affordable.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on October 01, 2018, 11:42:52 AM
Hello friends.  Happy October!

Seriously considering OLY . . . I'll decide within the next couple of weeks and you will be the first to know!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on October 01, 2018, 02:27:27 PM
Hello friends.  Happy October!

Seriously considering OLY . . . I'll decide within the next couple of weeks and you will be the first to know!

A very good place to be indeed.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: TartanTallulah on October 02, 2018, 02:53:32 PM
Are any of you going to move to a different area after FIRE, to cash in the value of your house, or for other reasons?
We will do that, both to cash in the house and to move to a more outdoorsy area. We intend to rent a place first.

Not immediately, maybe not at all. But it's something I'm thinking about. 

We live in a very LCOL town, we're comfortable and settled where we are, moving is stressful, and I've said for years that the only place I'd move to is a honeypot town 15 miles away with most of the amenities we'll need within walking distance, and that would require a financial windfall in excess of my retirement savings. But the thing most likely to persuade us to move would be one or other of our kids settling down and having a family, and us wanting to be closer to them.

We'd also sell and rent first before deciding to buy a place.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on October 07, 2018, 05:58:16 AM
It's been quiet for the last few days on the thread -- how's everyone doing?

I've got my head down here, just trying to gut it out.  Had a brutal couple of days at work, but I'm still resolved to work for a bit yet to achieve a bonus carrot.  Hopefully this recent stress is not adding a significant amount to the psychological crap that I'll need to decompress from after FIRE . . .

Hang in there everyone!!

Updated/bumped the roster:

01/01/19     MoneyStacher  (50)         OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
01/31/19     PhilB  (52)                      OLY -- Planning 10/25/18
02/01/19     Trifele (51)
02/01/19     Cycling Stache (44)
02/15/19     sui generis  (41)              OLY -- CONFIRMED 8/17/18.
02/25/19     MaybeBabyMustache
02/??/19     zinnie  (35)
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/19/19     ChasesFish
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor  (50)     
03/??/19     Roboturner  (30)
03/??/19     Edgema
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     TartanTallulah  (55)          OLY -- Planning 10/31/2018.   
03/31/19     BlindSquirrel
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)
05/??/19     cerat0n1a                         OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018                           
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/14/19     Mr. Ver (40)
05/17/19     Loren Ver (37)
05/31/19     Pylortes  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/31/19     dude   
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/06/19     Bognish (44)
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/??/19     Bateaux  (50)
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/01/19     Freedomin5 (38)
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
08/12/19     Canadian Ben  (29)
08/19/18     Chairman                         OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
09/27/19     Spreadsheet Man
10/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
10/??/19     Linda_Norway
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
12/??/19     markbike528cbx  (55)        OLY -- CONFIRMED 6/1/18; checking in as OP
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)


2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
Elaine amj (40)
IPlawyer


Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SpareChange on October 07, 2018, 09:28:52 AM
It's been quiet for the last few days on the thread -- how's everyone doing?

I've got my head down here, just trying to gut it out.  Had a brutal couple of days at work, but I'm still resolved to work for a bit yet to achieve a bonus carrot.  Hopefully this recent stress is not adding a significant amount to the psychological crap that I'll need to decompress from after FIRE . . .

Hang in there everyone!!

Good morning! I'm on call, so just chilling. My dominant arm has been bothering me from overuse this week, so I'm giving it some rest. Mon-Wed were very busy. Looks like I'll be going in this afternoon for a couple of hours though.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on October 07, 2018, 11:30:20 AM
Snip....backstory ....snip...
 When I subtract those unusual expenses I see I can easily live on 3% of my stache, no home equity included.  I should be golden, right?  I am a little concerned on the amount of accessible, non-retirement cash available because I would still like to update the kitchen in this home and that could cause a bit of a SOR risk in the early RE days if I do follow through with the 2019 plan.
 
...snip.....
March 2019 is a badass dream and a big FU to the events in my life that threatened to cut me down.  I would win against self-styled forces of evil but I would be a bit scared.  OTOH if I can just survive OMY I get the fabulous prize of cushion and comfort and a pile of dough and the satisfaction of getting off the machine after burning it up.  Forever.

I know you all understand, these are the things that weigh on me.     

MissNancyPryor,
Thanks for including the backstory, it's helpful for those of us who tune out the Journals.
3% "easily" yep, you are golden.
Unless the 100k is > 10% of the stache then I think OMY is a waste of time and effort.

Living well is the best revenge ( or FU).    2019 cohort rocks!

Edit ::  I'm with itchy feet, retiring at the start of summer is so cool!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on October 07, 2018, 11:56:16 AM
Go Nancy!

I see no point you working an extra year if you are down to 3% plus a house that you could always cash in if need be.

If you are worried about the cost of the kitchen remodel, maybe work 2 extra months to cover the cost of that project so you have no guilt spending the money, and then bail just before summer and enjoy the freedom.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: oldtoyota on October 07, 2018, 12:04:31 PM
It's been quiet for the last few days on the thread -- how's everyone doing?

I've got my head down here, just trying to gut it out.  Had a brutal couple of days at work, but I'm still resolved to work for a bit yet to achieve a bonus carrot.  Hopefully this recent stress is not adding a significant amount to the psychological crap that I'll need to decompress from after FIRE . . .

Hang in there everyone!!


Good here. Spouse wants more in the stash. Spouse will keep working for enjoyment and health insurance. My plan is to continue the consulting business, because I enjoy it. We have some unknowns in early 2019, and those will affect our plans. I feel pretty good about it now and am proud of what we accomplished together!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on October 07, 2018, 12:24:35 PM
It's been quiet for the last few days on the thread -- how's everyone doing?

I've got my head down here, just trying to gut it out.  Had a brutal couple of days at work, but I'm still resolved to work for a bit yet to achieve a bonus carrot.  Hopefully this recent stress is not adding a significant amount to the psychological crap that I'll need to decompress from after FIRE . . .

Hang in there everyone!!


Good here. Spouse wants more in the stash. Spouse will keep working for enjoyment and health insurance. My plan is to continue the consulting business, because I enjoy it. We have some unknowns in early 2019, and those will affect our plans. I feel pretty good about it now and am proud of what we accomplished together!

I want more in the stash too, but we’ll worry about that post fire.

A little here and a little there over the next 20 or 30 years and we should be sweet..... I hope..

We will be travelling for an extended, (duration to be decided on the road), period post Fire  and I spent a chunk of Sat morning pricing accom, flights etc for the first few months of the trip. It was fun day dreaming about next year. I was tempted to really commit by booking flights, but know that I really must wait until I have submitted my resignation, which will be in Feb as soon as my 2018 bonus is confirmed. The days are flashing by.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: oldtoyota on October 07, 2018, 03:22:15 PM

I want more in the stash too, but we’ll worry about that post fire.


Will you do a little work in retirement or wait and see if it is necessary?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Pylortes on October 07, 2018, 04:45:56 PM
Snip....backstory ....snip...
 When I subtract those unusual expenses I see I can easily live on 3% of my stache, no home equity included.  I should be golden, right?  I am a little concerned on the amount of accessible, non-retirement cash available because I would still like to update the kitchen in this home and that could cause a bit of a SOR risk in the early RE days if I do follow through with the 2019 plan.
 
...snip.....
March 2019 is a badass dream and a big FU to the events in my life that threatened to cut me down.  I would win against self-styled forces of evil but I would be a bit scared.  OTOH if I can just survive OMY I get the fabulous prize of cushion and comfort and a pile of dough and the satisfaction of getting off the machine after burning it up.  Forever.

I know you all understand, these are the things that weigh on me.     

MissNancyPryor,
Thanks for including the backstory, it's helpful for those of us who tune out the Journals.
3% "easily" yep, you are golden.
Unless the 100k is > 10% of the stache then I think OMY is a waste of time and effort.

Living well is the best revenge ( or FU).    2019 cohort rocks!

Edit ::  I'm with itchy feet, retiring at the start of summer is so cool!

I’m leaning the other way on this.  With her sudden life changes OMY would be totally understandable and sounds like would come with significant financial reward and peace of mind/confidence.  She didn’t lay out all the details though,  but under the limited things she listed OMY might be a good plan.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on October 07, 2018, 08:00:05 PM

I want more in the stash too, but we’ll worry about that post fire.


Will you do a little work in retirement or wait and see if it is necessary?

DW is currently of the mind that she wants to continue working casual, as a relief teacher, as she likes teaching and likes her fellow teachers. I am imagining she will earn at least 20K a year for at least 10 years I suppose (could be 5 years or could be 25 years I suppose). I doubt she will work full time ever again.

For me, I really don’t know, maybe I’ll do some contract work, maybe not. I will decide after our travel, which will most likely be for 9 months, but TBD. I have no ambition to work in my current line of work, but doing something completely different has some appeal..... maybe. I’ll get through the next 18 months or so and see how I feel.

If we buy a house at the right price, and sell our existing house for the right price, then work will be strictly optional. We have a decent sized stash by MMM metrics.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: oldtoyota on October 07, 2018, 08:41:45 PM

I want more in the stash too, but we’ll worry about that post fire.


Will you do a little work in retirement or wait and see if it is necessary?

DW is currently of the mind that she wants to continue working casual, as a relief teacher, as she likes teaching and likes her fellow teachers. I am imagining she will earn at least 20K a year for at least 10 years I suppose (could be 5 years or could be 25 years I suppose). I doubt she will work full time ever again.

For me, I really don’t know, maybe I’ll do some contract work, maybe not. I will decide after our travel, which will most likely be for 9 months, but TBD. I have no ambition to work in my current line of work, but doing something completely different has some appeal..... maybe. I’ll get through the next 18 months or so and see how I feel.

If we buy a house at the right price, and sell our existing house for the right price, then work will be strictly optional. We have a decent sized stash by MMM metrics.

Thanks for sharing. I enjoy hearing your plans!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: oldtoyota on October 07, 2018, 08:43:00 PM


The $100K is only about 7% of the non-house stache.  Represents a couple years' expenses and a kitchen.  Bazinga, presto, problem solved.  Just work OMY. 



Well done!! You look like you are in an excellent position. Hope the months leading up to FIRE are smooth.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on October 07, 2018, 09:23:32 PM
When I subtract those unusual expenses I see I can easily live on 3% of my stache, no home equity included.  I should be golden, right? 

3% is good, even better if that includes discretionary spending for entertainment and such.

I can barebones it on about 1.2% SWR, but I'm looking at a 3.5 to 4% SWR in FIRE, which will provide more discretionary than necessary expense spending.  My stash has already hit my target amount, so it's just a matter of working through my planned FIRE date - exactly 8 months from today - and seeing how everything goes.  OMY or temporary part time work beyond that isn't out of the question.  All my summer vacation days are over as of the end of Sept., so I'm back to five-day work weeks.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on October 08, 2018, 01:03:41 AM
Go Nancy!

I see no point you working an extra year if you are down to 3% plus a house that you could always cash in onions need be.

If you are worried about the cost of the kitchen remodel, maybe work 2 extra months to cover the cost of that project so you have no guilt spending the money, and then bail just before summer and enjoy the freedom.

Great points.  As I was writing that post it did strike me that there was no magic about spring 2019, I could do exactly as you suggest and drift a bit to cover the big expense.  I have chosen March because that is bonus season.  Leaving before the figure is determined guarantees there will be a smaller bonus.  Leaving after that when I rebuild cash post-kitchen, or maybe even negotiating a part time "glide path" out the door with minimal travel while they fuss about what to do with my role could be the ticket.  There is power in quitting and maybe I can negotiate something sweet like that for a few months for a soft landing.

I may yet be a 2019 cohort graduate then, maybe with a summer school session to rebuild and zero hassles permitted. 

Thanks for the recharge @markbike528CBX and @itchyfeet, just what I needed.  I travelled cross-country the week of Sept 24th and came back with a blistering cold that kept me down all last week and I still feel like total crap physically.  And back to the grind tomorrow before another trip the following week.  Just need to get off this wheel. 

These are good Sunday thoughts to carry me onward though, many thanks.
I can definitely recommend the part time glide path if you can swing it.  My immediate boss retired in the summer and was manic trying to clear his desk.  In contrast, I'm going to be consulting 1 day a week for a while and that has taken so much pressure off for all concerned.  It also let me negotiate to still keep my bonus which I would otherwise have been walking away from :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: letsdoit on October 08, 2018, 12:27:00 PM
what is OMY ?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: oldtoyota on October 08, 2018, 01:49:47 PM
what is OMY ?

One more year.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on October 08, 2018, 07:23:29 PM
It's been quiet for the last few days on the thread -- how's everyone doing?
Lately I've been developing ideas for pursuits and opportunities.  Some of these ideas have been in my head for some time while others I've developed in recent weeks.

1.  Finishing flight school.  I visited my old flight school to look into finishing my flight training and earning my private pilot license.  The flight instructor who I last trained with is still there!  It looks like I will just need to freshen up on my skills and get comfortable again with flying solo.  At this point I will need: refresher training, re-solo, cross-country solo, written test, night flying familiarization, and the Federal Aviation Administration checkride.  I have about 80 hours of flight time logged so am not starting completely from scratch.  My thinking right now is to get my fixed wing license and sliding into rotary wing training.  A friend in Texas wants to start a business hog hunting from helicopters in South Texas, and if I can open doors to joining the venture it would be an interesting pursuit.

2.  Working for a charity.  My friend from Hawaii is big into charity work and started charity work to get her mind off the death of her husband.  She invited me to join her efforts when my military days are over.  I visited her out in California in January 2018 to explore the options with the charity organization she is working for.  Unfortunately, she recently quit because the leadership was going down a road that didn’t match her values.  She is looking for another organization to join and contribute to and asked me to keep the charity work option open.

3.  Working for city services.  This is an interesting idea.  I met a guy who has connections to Johnson County’s city services departments here in Kansas City.  The guy offered me access to take a look at how some of the city services departments work: trash, emergency, crime investigation, etc.  He also offered me access to sit in on some of the meetings when the department leaders discuss key issues.  I’m thinking I really need to jump on this opportunity because this could have a lot of potential.

4.  FINCON 2019.  The word is FINCON ’19 is in Washington, DC and during dates after I separate from the military.  I’m thinking of attending just to see the festivities and maybe chat with people who will spark some good ideas.

5.  Nonprofit work.  I’m toying with the idea of contacting the head of the nonprofit where I delivered the presentation to the youngsters.  I’m thinking of joining that nonprofit organization and contributing where I can and learning about how nonprofits work.  Maybe take that knowledge and start a nonprofit of my own.

6.  Internship with financial planner.  My friend started his own financial planning business.  I’m thinking of asking him to let me go along for the ride and seeing how things work in his organization.  This guy was my roommate in college and majored in history.  He then worked for a financial planning organization and got sick of working for others.  So he started his own gig.  Hanging out with him on a daily basis might be considered more fun than work!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on October 08, 2018, 08:43:30 PM
It's been quiet for the last few days on the thread -- how's everyone doing?
(snip)

Here's what's happening on my side:
-I finally hit the $100K milestone for the year (save an additional $100K, to give us more flexibility & pad out the stash a bit). But, just got our property tax bill, so my estimate of hitting $100K by the end of the year still seems reasonable.

-I'm embarrassed to say that I've put off maxing out our HSA forever due to a really weird work HR issue when both spouses work for our company. It was fixable, just took time to unpick with HR. Finally got off my buns & got this maxed out for the remainder of the year. There are some smaller paychecks than normal, but feeling really happy I sorted it before the end of the year.

-I met with my executive coach today (free with a training I'm taking at work) & we continue to discuss who I am/want to be when I leave work. It's been really helpful so far, and she's honed in a lot on things that have kept me at this job/in this industry for far longer than I should have stayed.

-Getting ready for a half marathon this weekend (one of my 2018 goals & a trip to spend time with my sister & friend). I'm not nearly as prepared as I'd like to be due to health issues, but know I can finish. Just not in my preferred time.

-Finally, planning our Hawaii trip that's coming up in 5 weeks. This trip was something we added to the calendar when I agreed to stay on at my employer through the end of 2018. Q4 is our busiest/worst time at work, & I needed the motivation to keep it together. We'll stay in a condo & make the majority of the meals, but it's still a big splurge.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on October 09, 2018, 02:39:44 AM
I am done with my nightly side-gig for this season (2 hours online mushroom check for edibility, on average 2 sessions a week). I will soon receive payment for it, roughly $550. I still go hunting for mushrooms all 3 weekend days, as I now work 80%. Love walking around in the forest. I spend the evenings figuring out which mushrooms I found, as well as making a good index in Excel for a book on Russulas that doesn't have a key. I like to become better at this hobby. I even ordered 2 more (secondhand) mushrooms books (I have about 12 already). These new ones cost about £25 each.

I have an advertisement out to sell dried penny buns and someone is interested in buying a bulk load. I made a slight miscalculation in the price (80% of unit price for small package, instead of 85%), but done is done. I hope he will pick it up soon. It will be a bit of a low hourly rate, but it was my spare time.... I still have no luck selling the smaller packages, although I have lowered the price for them. In worst case, we'll need to eat them ourselves for the rest of the year. Also a bit stupid, I already ordered 2 new packages of small plastic food bags from China to sell more, even though I don't need them at this moment. They are on their way with extreme snail mail and I can't stop the order any more. My first customer for a mushroom course is soon going to pay for the course, with some delay, but it is a complicated organization. Rough profit: $370.

DH will also work 80% from next month. He spends his evenings sewing, mostly learning new techniques and learning how his new (second hand) overlocker works.

So far I love the downsizing to 80%. I am also thinking that IF 2019 won't work out (can't sell the house for a good price), I will downsize even more and do OMY working 50%.

I made a health investment: I just had my first voluntary vaccine against TBE caused by tic. I get bitten by tics a bit too often, several times a year. According to my GP some people attract them more than others and I guess I'm one of the unlucky ones. I need another injection in November and one in the spring and then I should be good to go for 5 years. The medicine costs approx $35 per dosage and $6 for the injection, plus the initial prescription. So well over $100 in total.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on October 09, 2018, 07:21:52 AM
@Linda_Norway - your 80% plan sounds like a really great fit for both of you. That's fabulous!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on October 09, 2018, 11:04:15 AM
We are all so close to FIRE, but between now and freedom curve balls will continue to be thrown our way.

Today was one such day for me.

Having reached my mid 40s I have had a long career and exceeded my own career ambitions.

I didn’t go to a great school and have many, many flaws. I never thought I’d amount to much career wise but as I get bored quickly I have never sat back, but instead have constantly made changes which from a distance could be mistaken for deliberate actions to shape and propel my career, rather than the actions of someone who just gets bored easy and is in a constant search for new adventures.

I have felt over the past couple of years that I would be happy exiting my career next year, content that I’d done well, better than ever could have been predicted of me in high school, college or even early in my career. My ambitions as a company man didn’t for one moment extend beyond my current position.

Today I got thrown a curve ball out of the blue that I didn’t see coming, and certainly didn’t pursue.

My boss called me from Megacorp HQ to share that the decision had been made in the inner circles of power to line me up for a major promotion to a key position, somewhere in the world over the coming year or 2.

Basically, they would start to move chess pieces to create the next career step for me.

I responded positively over the phone but my real first (well masked) reactions were:
  1. Sorry I am so out of here in June; and
  2. Taking on a big job like that is a bit of a worry as I know truths about myself that I may have hidden well from you thus far, but I am not fooling myself. I don’t want to be the fool who rises above their level of incompetence..

But then, as the day wore on, my ego and ambition started to get the better of me....

1. How lucky am I to be someone wired in a way that is a good fit for leadership in a megacorp. OK, I’d rather be wired as an NBA player, but I definitely can’t complain too much. I am in a good place.
It really is a matter of luck that we end up the way we do, and it’s pretty hard to fight type as we are shaped very early in our lives. Maybe I should just swim with the tide and if people think I am good at what I do I should just keep doing it. Recognition and appreciation is a drug.

2. Maybe my career still has some use to me. Maybe I should explore this.

3. Wouldn’t it be great to really stick it up to those who doubted me. I was certainly not on any list of most likely to succeed as a teenager. (clearly my ego is completely out of control tonight, but we are who we are).

4. Maybe the big salary wouldn’t be so bad. Maybe I’ll not enjoy the freedom of FIRE as much as I dream I will (I am surely delusional and have completely lost the plot).

Anyways food for thought over the coming months.

I am sure there will be more curve balls before I get to my planned resignation date in Feb.

Now back to planning my long term travel 🤪



Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on October 09, 2018, 12:14:59 PM
@itchyfeet - that's a very challenging dilemma! Looking forward  to hearing where you net out.

I had to make a decision about the next promotion as well, and was clear that I didn't want to move forward. This promotion would be a huge jump, and while I'm confident that I can do it, I don't want what it would require, in terms of work life balance, etc.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on October 10, 2018, 02:01:19 AM
@itchyfeet - that's a very challenging dilemma! Looking forward  to hearing where you net out.

I had to make a decision about the next promotion as well, and was clear that I didn't want to move forward. This promotion would be a huge jump, and while I'm confident that I can do it, I don't want what it would require, in terms of work life balance, etc.

That's what I was thinking. Instead of telling your boss that you are out of there a certain date, you could tell you don't want to move overseas or do extended travel because of life balance.

But I read that the itchyfeet is flattered and feels challenged and I can understand that. Of course a new and challenging function can take away any boredom if there is any in your current job. Maybe it is fun to do work in that function for a few years. And in worst case scenario, if they figure out you don't have the correct characteristics for the job anyway, then you can always FIRE at short notice. I hope your life won't be too disrupted if/when you do, like having moved abroad or something like that
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on October 10, 2018, 02:37:20 AM
@itchyfeet  - I can well imagine the lure, but as to whether it's worth it?  My general experience is that people at that level of seniority end up having to eat sleep and breathe the job.  You're mid 40s now so best guess you have say 25 dependably healthy years left in you?  2 years to get to the promotion and say another 3 after that to make it worthwhile would be 20% of that healthy time - not to mention the probable deleterious effect on your health of a long hours, high pressure job.  Is that worth it for money you don't need and a bit of ego massaging?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on October 10, 2018, 12:23:34 PM
@itchyfeet  - I can well imagine the lure, but as to whether it's worth it?  My general experience is that people at that level of seniority end up having to eat sleep and breathe the job.  You're mid 40s now so best guess you have say 25 dependably healthy years left in you?  2 years to get to the promotion and say another 3 after that to make it worthwhile would be 20% of that healthy time - not to mention the probable deleterious effect on your health of a long hours, high pressure job.  Is that worth it for money you don't need and a bit of ego massaging?

Thanks Phil. I reckon you nailed it.

After thinking on it overnight I came to the exact same conclusions as you.

5 years is too much time (as you said maybe quarter of my remaining life). Anything less and the extra money I’ll have saved changes nothing in any meaningful way. We’d prob just end up buying a more expensive house. So no point saying I’m doing it for the money.

I already moved to the Middle East for work. So having an expat experience is already ticked off the to do list. That said, for me personally, I feel in no hurry to repatriate.

 From here the most likely places we’d end up with work are Sydney, Paris, London, Hong Kong or New York. All great places to live for a bit, but all even better to spend a few months in if I was not working I am sure.

And let’s not even talk about what bad Condition my current job has already left my health in. It’s hard to exercise and eat healthy at airports and on planes. FIRE will mean a far healthier life for me.

The Plan to FIRE in June next year remains plan A......
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on October 10, 2018, 06:12:05 PM
Hey guys!  I have been completely ignoring you all for the last couple of months (sorry!) and working too much, but I thought I should pop in to let you know that my wife and I have discussed it and we have set the date.  April 19, 2019.  It's Good Friday, which seems fairly appropriate as it will definitely be a good friday.  Pretty exciting stuff!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on October 10, 2018, 07:45:39 PM
...
Today I got thrown a curve ball out of the blue that I didn’t see coming, and certainly didn’t pursue.

My boss called me from Megacorp HQ to share that the decision had been made in the inner circles of power to line me up for a major promotion to a key position, somewhere in the world over the coming year or 2.
...
Anyways food for thought over the coming months.

I am sure there will be more curve balls before I get to my planned resignation date in Feb.
...
I think you already know the answer...
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on October 10, 2018, 07:49:38 PM
Hey guys!  I have been completely ignoring you all for the last couple of months (sorry!) and working too much, but I thought I should pop in to let you know that my wife and I have discussed it and we have set the date.  April 19, 2019.  It's Good Friday, which seems fairly appropriate as it will definitely be a good friday.  Pretty exciting stuff!

Woohoo! Congrats on setting a date!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on October 11, 2018, 12:37:02 AM

And let’s not even talk about what bad Condition my current job has already left my health in. It’s hard to exercise and eat healthy at airports and on planes. FIRE will mean a far healthier life for me.

The Plan to FIRE in June next year remains plan A......

Sounds like a very good plan.

And you know, maybe your boss's motivation for telling you that you are lined up for a promotion was too keep you motivated to work very hard for the next 2-3 years.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on October 11, 2018, 05:45:09 AM
Congrats on setting the date @Eric !  Got you added.  Got your date updated @Lews Therin / Canadian Ben! 

01/01/19     MoneyStacher  (50)         OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
01/31/19     PhilB  (52)                      OLY -- Planning 10/25/18
02/01/19     Trifele (51)
02/01/19     Cycling Stache (44)
02/15/19     sui generis  (41)              OLY -- CONFIRMED 8/17/18.
02/25/19     MaybeBabyMustache
02/??/19     zinnie  (35)
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/19/19     ChasesFish
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor  (50)     
03/??/19     Roboturner  (30)
03/??/19     Edgema
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     TartanTallulah  (55)          OLY -- Planning 10/31/2018.   
03/31/19     BlindSquirrel
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/19/19     Eric
04/23/19     Canadian Ben (29)
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)
05/??/19     cerat0n1a                         OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018                           
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/14/19     Mr. Ver (40)
05/17/19     Loren Ver (37)
05/31/19     Pylortes  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/31/19     dude   
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/06/19     Bognish (44)
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/??/19     Bateaux  (50)
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/01/19     Freedomin5 (38)
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
08/19/18     Chairman                         OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
09/27/19     Spreadsheet Man
10/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
10/??/19     Linda_Norway
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
12/??/19     markbike528cbx  (55)        OLY -- CONFIRMED 6/1/18; checking in as OP
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)


2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
Elaine amj (40)
IPlawyer 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on October 11, 2018, 08:23:30 AM
Hey guys!  I have been completely ignoring you all for the last couple of months (sorry!) and working too much, but I thought I should pop in to let you know that my wife and I have discussed it and we have set the date.  April 19, 2019.  It's Good Friday, which seems fairly appropriate as it will definitely be a good friday.  Pretty exciting stuff!

Well.. Here I was about to break the news about giving my notice, which was the 15th of April, but since my job gives both Good Friday, AND Easter monday... Now I'm ending it on the 23rd of April. Hope you're proud of making me work 3 extra days, (for 7-8 days salary since I'm not hourly :D)

Canadian Ben, (29), 23 April.

Papers have been given. (6 months notice for us)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on October 11, 2018, 08:24:02 AM
I hope everyone has the guts to stick to their date after the next correction.......I have yet to experience a significant decline in the markets whilst having my NW tied up in the market.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on October 11, 2018, 08:29:38 AM
I hope everyone has the guts to stick to their date after the next correction.......I have yet to experience a significant decline in the markets whilst having my NW tied up in the market.

I've lost 15k ish on my stash. That's 3%, or almost a full year of expenses. I still gave in my paperwork. The more the index dips, the higher the dividend returns! (I keep buying 6%+ solid dividend payers, it's such fun!)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on October 11, 2018, 09:41:43 AM

Well.. Here I was about to break the news about giving my notice, which was the 15th of April, but since my job gives both Good Friday, AND Easter monday... Now I'm ending it on the 23rd of April. Hope you're proud of making me work 3 extra days, (for 7-8 days salary since I'm not hourly :D)

Canadian Ben, (29), 23 April.

Papers have been given. (6 months notice for us)

Congrats on pulling the FIRE date forward!  Got your date changed in the roster.  Do you prefer to go by Lews Therin now, or Canadian Ben?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on October 11, 2018, 09:46:34 AM
It'll go back to the other name when I fire. leave it as is.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on October 11, 2018, 12:19:30 PM
Thanks @Trifele for making it official!  I guess there's no backing out now!  lol

Well.. Here I was about to break the news about giving my notice, which was the 15th of April, but since my job gives both Good Friday, AND Easter monday... Now I'm ending it on the 23rd of April. Hope you're proud of making me work 3 extra days, (for 7-8 days salary since I'm not hourly :D)

Canadian Ben, (29), 23 April.

Yes, I'm very proud that I could inspire you to squeeze a few extra paid vacation days out of your employer before calling it.  :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on October 11, 2018, 12:23:32 PM
I hope everyone has the guts to stick to their date after the next correction.......I have yet to experience a significant decline in the markets whilst having my NW tied up in the market.

I'm positive that you have already experienced a correction, since there was one in February.

Personally, I'm not overly concerned about this current blip, because Q3 was the best quarter on record since 2013 and the economy still seems pretty strong in general.  I have shifted more of my portfolio to bonds though, in preparation of calling it quits.  (but that's independent of current market movements)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on October 12, 2018, 07:13:30 AM
I hope everyone has the guts to stick to their date after the next correction.......I have yet to experience a significant decline in the markets whilst having my NW tied up in the market.

I'm positive that you have already experienced a correction, since there was one in February.

Personally, I'm not overly concerned about this current blip, because Q3 was the best quarter on record since 2013 and the economy still seems pretty strong in general.  I have shifted more of my portfolio to bonds though, in preparation of calling it quits.  (but that's independent of current market movements)

Did the same over a year ago with about a year and a half to go -- went 50/50. If we see a really deep correction - 12-20%, I'll jack it back up to 60/40 or 70/30. Now less than 7 months away . . .
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on October 12, 2018, 08:21:02 AM
I don’t have any bonds but have a big % tied up in property.

By the time I FIRE next June I expect to be
- Property 60%
- Stocks 29%
- Pension 6%
- Term deposits/ cash 5%

But we will still be carrying a bit of leverage, which isn’t ideal but it is what it is.

We will sell down our property at some point in the next couple of years, TBD.

After this we will be more like
- Property 40% (incl home)
- Stocks 48%
- Pension 7%
- Term Deposits/ Cash 5%

So we are not quite as exposed to this weeks events as other I suspect. However, We are very exposed, to the crappy Sydney property market. 🤣 and I think that has worse medium term prospects than stocks. :-/
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on October 12, 2018, 11:14:49 AM
I don’t have any bonds but have a big % tied up in property.

By the time I FIRE next June I expect to be
- Property 60%
- Stocks 29%
- Pension 6%
- Term deposits/ cash 5%

But we will still be carrying a bit of leverage, which isn’t ideal but it is what it is.

We will sell down our property at some point in the next couple of years, TBD.

After this we will be more like
- Property 40% (incl home)
- Stocks 48%
- Pension 7%
- Term Deposits/ Cash 5%

So we are not quite as exposed to this weeks events as other I suspect. However, We are very exposed, to the crappy Sydney property market. 🤣 and I think that has worse medium term prospects than stocks. :-/

I will say re: bonds that I'm very lucky to be a fed employee with access to the G Fund, a specially issued security that cannot lose value and returns long-term rates on medium term government securities. As bonds have been getting hammered in the past year or two, the G Fund has given me a respectable 2.75% on a zero-risk investment that past 12 months. Enough to keep up with inflation, which is good enough for me in this interest rate environment.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on October 12, 2018, 05:10:36 PM
That does sound nice, dude, but even without that us commoners and our bond funds are doing okay.  The "hammering" they've been taking has left VBTLX down a little over 1% (https://investor.vanguard.com/mutual-funds/profile/performance/vbtlx/cumulative-returns) over the last 12 months.  Not great, obviously, but not the end of the world.

The way I look at it is that if the Fed continues to raise rates, bonds will continue to struggle.  However, the flip side is that the Fed will only continue raising rates if the economy continues to be strong, and as such, that should help our stocks.  So if I had my choice between falling bonds and rising bonds, I'll take falling bonds 8 days a week. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Nords on October 12, 2018, 11:06:23 PM
It's been quiet for the last few days on the thread -- how's everyone doing?
4.  FINCON 2019.  The word is FINCON ’19 is in Washington, DC and during dates after I separate from the military.  I’m thinking of attending just to see the festivities and maybe chat with people who will spark some good ideas.
4-7 September 2019.  It's at the Washington Hilton (1919 Connecticut Ave) and FinCon has a room block reserved at $169/night.  (Hey, compared to Hawaii this is cheap.)  The Military Influencer Conference is 8-10 September at the same location.

The FinCon18 earlybird sale ended a few days ago, and FinCon19 tickets go back on sale around January 2019.
https://finconexpo.com/fincon19/

You know how to find me:  I'm the middle-aged balding ponytailed surfer in an aloha shirt...
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on October 13, 2018, 08:55:03 AM
4-7 September 2019.  It's at the Washington Hilton (1919 Connecticut Ave) and FinCon has a room block reserved at $169/night.  (Hey, compared to Hawaii this is cheap.)  The Military Influencer Conference is 8-10 September at the same location.

The FinCon18 earlybird sale ended a few days ago, and FinCon19 tickets go back on sale around January 2019.
https://finconexpo.com/fincon19/
Thanks for the info!  That's an entire week of fun at one location!

...the Washington Hilton (1919 Connecticut Ave) and FinCon has a room block reserved at $169/night.  (Hey, compared to Hawaii this is cheap.)...
Very true!

...I'm the middle-aged balding ponytailed surfer in an aloha shirt...
The aloha shirt will definitely make it easy to spot you!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on October 15, 2018, 05:51:21 AM
Hope everyone had a nice weekend!

I've been noodling over whether to jump ship over to the 2018 cohort, but I think I will stay put here.  I may pull my FIRE date forward into January 2019, but that will probably be as early as I will go.

Weird situation at work.  Megacorp is taking over and the deal is expected to close sometime in the next two months.  Just found out Friday afternoon that Employer is offering me a bonus if I stay until the deal closes (on top of my annual bonus), and at the same time Megacorp is preparing a list of people they are going to cut as soon as they are the owner.  And no one knows for sure yet if they are on the cut list because Megacorp won't announce it until the deal closes.  In my situation it would be an absolute grand slam home run to collect the retention bonus and then get laid off by Megacorp.  But the only one of those two items under my control is the bonus, so I'm going to stick around long enough to collect it.  If Megacorp doesn't give me the axe, I will turn my 4 week notice in as soon as the bonus check hits my account.   

Whew.  Glad that's decided.  And glad I get to stay here with such a nice group of people.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on October 15, 2018, 07:33:54 AM
Hope everyone had a nice weekend!

I've been noodling over whether to jump ship over to the 2018 cohort, but I think I will stay put here.  I may pull my FIRE date forward into January 2019, but that will probably be as early as I will go.

Weird situation at work.  Megacorp is taking over and the deal is expected to close sometime in the next two months.  Just found out Friday afternoon that Employer is offering me a bonus if I stay until the deal closes (on top of my annual bonus), and at the same time Megacorp is preparing a list of people they are going to cut as soon as they are the owner.  And no one knows for sure yet if they are on the cut list because Megacorp won't announce it until the deal closes.  In my situation it would be an absolute grand slam home run to collect the retention bonus and then get laid off by Megacorp.  But the only one of those two items under my control is the bonus, so I'm going to stick around long enough to collect it.  If Megacorp doesn't give me the axe, I will turn my 4 week notice in as soon as the bonus check hits my account.   

Whew.  Glad that's decided.  And glad I get to stay here with such a nice group of people.

Wow, accepting the bonus until the deal is round (your company and megacorp signing papers for sale) and then disappearing directly after you are transferred as a new employee to megacorp?  That rocks and that will teach them! They are already putting people on their list to FIRE. You are probably on their list to keep, as your correct employer find you valuable enough to give you a stay-bonus. Megacorp will lose you immediately and should perhaps have kept one of the people they just fired.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on October 15, 2018, 08:38:54 AM
So I go on vacation (with no internet) for a few days and look what happens!

We have people joining the best, smartest, and most humble cohort, including those that overcame massive life changes but still moving forward with FIRE dates, instead of making excuses (hats off to you).

We have people moving their 2019 dates forward (woo hoo).

We have people critically evaluating promotions with the wonderful glasses of enough and balance (weirdos :D). 

Then there are interesting market movements.  The Ver Household is mostly (close to entirely) in stocks, including some exciting leveraged stocks, which makes market movement very interesting.  There as been a lot of giggling in the house, but that is mostly because we don't seem to respond to stimuli like normal people.  I don't do numbers until the end of the quarter so it will be interesting to see what I come up with Jan 1st.  Shopping on sale is always nice :).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on October 15, 2018, 09:15:56 AM
Hope everyone had a nice weekend!

I've been noodling over whether to jump ship over to the 2018 cohort, but I think I will stay put here.  I may pull my FIRE date forward into January 2019, but that will probably be as early as I will go.

Weird situation at work.  Megacorp is taking over and the deal is expected to close sometime in the next two months.  Just found out Friday afternoon that Employer is offering me a bonus if I stay until the deal closes (on top of my annual bonus), and at the same time Megacorp is preparing a list of people they are going to cut as soon as they are the owner.  And no one knows for sure yet if they are on the cut list because Megacorp won't announce it until the deal closes.  In my situation it would be an absolute grand slam home run to collect the retention bonus and then get laid off by Megacorp.  But the only one of those two items under my control is the bonus, so I'm going to stick around long enough to collect it.  If Megacorp doesn't give me the axe, I will turn my 4 week notice in as soon as the bonus check hits my account.   

Whew.  Glad that's decided.  And glad I get to stay here with such a nice group of people.

Wow, accepting the bonus until the deal is round (your company and megacorp signing papers for sale) and then disappearing directly after you are transferred as a new employee to megacorp?  That rocks and that will teach them! They are already putting people on their list to FIRE. You are probably on their list to keep, as your correct employer find you valuable enough to give you a stay-bonus. Megacorp will lose you immediately and should perhaps have kept one if the people they just fired.

Haha -- thanks @Linda_Norway!  Yes, it would be logical to think that I'm not going to be laid off, since they offered the bonus, but I'm not sure everything is proceeding logically here . . . And yes, that's the plan.  :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on October 15, 2018, 11:51:33 AM
It's been quiet for the last few days on the thread -- how's everyone doing?
(snip)

Here's what's happening on my side:
-I finally hit the $100K milestone for the year (save an additional $100K, to give us more flexibility & pad out the stash a bit). But, just got our property tax bill, so my estimate of hitting $100K by the end of the year still seems reasonable.

-I'm embarrassed to say that I've put off maxing out our HSA forever due to a really weird work HR issue when both spouses work for our company. It was fixable, just took time to unpick with HR. Finally got off my buns & got this maxed out for the remainder of the year. There are some smaller paychecks than normal, but feeling really happy I sorted it before the end of the year.

-I met with my executive coach today (free with a training I'm taking at work) & we continue to discuss who I am/want to be when I leave work. It's been really helpful so far, and she's honed in a lot on things that have kept me at this job/in this industry for far longer than I should have stayed.

-Getting ready for a half marathon this weekend (one of my 2018 goals & a trip to spend time with my sister & friend). I'm not nearly as prepared as I'd like to be due to health issues, but know I can finish. Just not in my preferred time.

-Finally, planning our Hawaii trip that's coming up in 5 weeks. This trip was something we added to the calendar when I agreed to stay on at my employer through the end of 2018. Q4 is our busiest/worst time at work, & I needed the motivation to keep it together. We'll stay in a condo & make the majority of the meals, but it's still a big splurge.

Finished my half marathon, and did better than expected. I am having some knee/ankle pain from not being as well trained as I should have been. Already convinced my running group to run another half with me in May - plenty of time to train during my sabbatical. Woohoo!! Getting/staying in good shape is a big part of my post FIRE plan.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on October 15, 2018, 12:10:41 PM

Finished my half marathon, and did better than expected. I am having some knee/ankle pain from not being as well trained as I should have been. Already convinced my running group to run another half with me in May - plenty of time to train during my sabbatical. Woohoo!! Getting/staying in good shape is a big part of my post FIRE plan.

Congrats on finishing your race.
But be very careful about your ankel pain if it is your achilles. Let it heal properly, because achilles injury can be inrepairable, compared to most other injuries that can heal.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on October 15, 2018, 12:25:54 PM
It's been quiet for the last few days on the thread -- how's everyone doing?
(snip)

Here's what's happening on my side:
-I finally hit the $100K milestone for the year (save an additional $100K, to give us more flexibility & pad out the stash a bit). But, just got our property tax bill, so my estimate of hitting $100K by the end of the year still seems reasonable.

-I'm embarrassed to say that I've put off maxing out our HSA forever due to a really weird work HR issue when both spouses work for our company. It was fixable, just took time to unpick with HR. Finally got off my buns & got this maxed out for the remainder of the year. There are some smaller paychecks than normal, but feeling really happy I sorted it before the end of the year.

-I met with my executive coach today (free with a training I'm taking at work) & we continue to discuss who I am/want to be when I leave work. It's been really helpful so far, and she's honed in a lot on things that have kept me at this job/in this industry for far longer than I should have stayed.

-Getting ready for a half marathon this weekend (one of my 2018 goals & a trip to spend time with my sister & friend). I'm not nearly as prepared as I'd like to be due to health issues, but know I can finish. Just not in my preferred time.

-Finally, planning our Hawaii trip that's coming up in 5 weeks. This trip was something we added to the calendar when I agreed to stay on at my employer through the end of 2018. Q4 is our busiest/worst time at work, & I needed the motivation to keep it together. We'll stay in a condo & make the majority of the meals, but it's still a big splurge.

Finished my half marathon, and did better than expected. I am having some knee/ankle pain from not being as well trained as I should have been. Already convinced my running group to run another half with me in May - plenty of time to train during my sabbatical. Woohoo!! Getting/staying in good shape is a big part of my post FIRE plan.

Yah!!!  That's fantastic  Rest up, and even better luck on your next one!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on October 15, 2018, 02:15:46 PM
Thanks, @Linda_Norway and @Loren Ver ! My ankle pain doesn't seem to be achilles related - fingers crossed that I'm all healed in a week or so, with minimal use!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on October 18, 2018, 05:02:54 AM
I just got the email from boss that we are to write up our end of the year performance reviews.  I really don't like doing these.  I get why we do them and I think my company does a pretty good job with consensus and rating people, but I don't like this process.  I am far better at talking about what I did then writing it to be so many words etc. 

This is the first time in my career that I will be rated in a non-scientific role against other non-scientists, so I don't really know what to expect.  As a scientist I was good at what I did, but as a non- PhD I wasn't given the high impact studies, so I always hid in the middle of the bell curve (met expectations).  The sub-function I am in now never existed before so I'm not sure where I stand or how what I am doing compares to others.  I guess my goal is still to hid in the middle :).

With an extra notation that this might be my last consensus EVER!

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on October 18, 2018, 06:45:05 AM
I just got the email from boss that we are to write up our end of the year performance reviews.  I really don't like doing these.  I get why we do them and I think my company does a pretty good job with consensus and rating people, but I don't like this process.  I am far better at talking about what I did then writing it to be so many words etc. 

This is the first time in my career that I will be rated in a non-scientific role against other non-scientists, so I don't really know what to expect.  As a scientist I was good at what I did, but as a non- PhD I wasn't given the high impact studies, so I always hid in the middle of the bell curve (met expectations).  The sub-function I am in now never existed before so I'm not sure where I stand or how what I am doing compares to others.  I guess my goal is still to hid in the middle :).

With an extra notation that this might be my last consensus EVER!

LV
This website should help you complete your performance assessment:
https://www.atrixnet.com/bs-generator.html
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on October 20, 2018, 10:53:45 AM

Most Righteous Alias Age at
FIRE
Target
Date
MissNancyPryor50Mar-19
Roboturner30Mar-19
Livingthedream5559May-19
cerat0n1aMay-19
dude54May-19
SamIAm3829May-19
oldtoyotaJun-19
Itchyfeet47Jun-19
Enigma39Jul-19
Thedividebyzero45Jul-19
TrifeleAug-19
RetirementDreamingSep-19
VoteCthulu39Oct-19
trix7643Oct-19
markbike528CBX55Dec-19
HBFI38Dec-19
luckyme1345Dec-19
PhilBTBD
ParizadeTBD
madamwitty36TBD
LowerbillsTBD
Chrissy42TBD
GerardTBD
getoutsoon52TBD
ysette9TBD
elaine amj40TBD
IplawyerTBD
Linda_Norway46TBD, autumn 2019
BateauxTBD

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on October 20, 2018, 11:18:23 AM
I am getting serious cold feet. I am both concerned about our expected rate of profit on stocks. And concerned about moving to another area. There is still so much to do where we live now, although we can't do everything.
I asked DH if he wasn't nervous. He said his only concern was the unpredictable returns on stocks. But he also mentioned that we could just go live 20% cheaper than budgetted, which is realistic. And we could do more consultant work or something else parttime.
I am also a bit concerned bout how much more expensive light might be living out in the country. Most things will be further away than they are today while luving clise to the capital. But I think that as long as our daily activities are close to our house, we will be fine.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on October 20, 2018, 10:09:33 PM
I am getting serious cold feet. I am both concerned about our expected rate of profit on stocks. And concerned about moving to another area. There is still so much to do where we live now, although we can't do everything.
I asked DH if he wasn't nervous. He said his only concern was the unpredictable returns on stocks. But he also mentioned that we could just go live 20% cheaper than budgetted, which is realistic. And we could do more consultant work or something else parttime.
I am also a bit concerned bout how much more expensive light might be living out in the country. Most things will be further away than they are today while luving clise to the capital. But I think that as long as our daily activities are close to our house, we will be fine.
You should move into the 2022 cohort. They seem lonely over there.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on October 21, 2018, 07:15:48 AM
Bringing the roster forward.  I think cold feet are a bit normal Linda.  It will all work out. :)  Should we leave you tentatively as October 2019 for now?


01/01/19     MoneyStacher  (50)         OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
01/31/19     PhilB  (52)                      OLY -- Planning 10/25/18
02/01/19     Trifele (51)
02/01/19     Cycling Stache (44)
02/15/19     sui generis  (41)              OLY -- CONFIRMED 8/17/18.
02/25/19     MaybeBabyMustache
02/??/19     zinnie  (35)
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/19/19     ChasesFish
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor  (50)     
03/??/19     Roboturner  (30)
03/??/19     Edgema
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     TartanTallulah  (55)          OLY -- Planning 10/31/2018.   
03/31/19     BlindSquirrel
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/19/19     Eric
04/23/19     Canadian Ben (29)
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)
05/??/19     cerat0n1a                         OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018                           
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/14/19     Mr. Ver (40)
05/17/19     Loren Ver (37)
05/31/19     Pylortes  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/31/19     dude   
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/06/19     Bognish (44)
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/??/19     Bateaux  (50)
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/01/19     Freedomin5 (38)
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
08/19/18     Chairman                         OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
09/27/19     Spreadsheet Man
10/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
10/??/19     Linda_Norway
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
12/??/19     markbike528cbx  (55)        OLY -- CONFIRMED 6/1/18; checking in as OP
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)


2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
Elaine amj (40)
IPlawyer
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: waffles on October 21, 2018, 12:48:58 PM
At work, we are bidding our schedules and vacation for next year. It is odd to only plan vacation through June...this is getting real!

This will also help curb any temptation to stay longer...if I don't bid any vacation after June now, I have minimal chances of getting any time off later. That is quite some incentive to keep my retirement date as planned.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on October 21, 2018, 01:51:29 PM
At work, we are bidding our schedules and vacation for next year. It is odd to only plan vacation through June...this is getting real!

This will also help curb any temptation to stay longer...if I don't bid any vacation after June now, I have minimal chances of getting any time off later. That is quite some incentive to keep my retirement date as planned.

I'm running a similar thought right now.  I'm torn between taking vacation in the first few weeks of the year to shorten the amount of time worked verses not taking vacation and getting paid out those days once I quit.  I was leaning towards option #1 before our net worth dropped the value of two new vehicles in the first three weeks in October
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: waffles on October 21, 2018, 08:19:23 PM
I am not bidding much annual leave...and what I do bid, I plan to "convert" to sick leave. Then I will get paid full rate for my annual when I retire. I figure I can do six months with not a lot of leave, and there will be overtime days in there too. It will be tough but with a light at the end of the tunnel I can do it.

35 weeks....
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on October 21, 2018, 09:25:20 PM
Less than 100 days to go! I do still have vacation planned (Hawaii in November, the Oregon coast in December, & potentially a ski trip to Tahoe depending on exact end date). I'll accrue additional bonus/comp days to being on call over company holidays. I currently have 109 hours left, one day off from travel on a weekend, and 2 days off for covering company holidays. Let's do this! I cannot carry over any days before my sabbatical, so will have to burn all of my vacation. It's a position I've never been in before!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on October 22, 2018, 05:20:03 AM
I just got the email from boss that we are to write up our end of the year performance reviews.  I really don't like doing these.  I get why we do them and I think my company does a pretty good job with consensus and rating people, but I don't like this process.  I am far better at talking about what I did then writing it to be so many words etc. 

This is the first time in my career that I will be rated in a non-scientific role against other non-scientists, so I don't really know what to expect.  As a scientist I was good at what I did, but as a non- PhD I wasn't given the high impact studies, so I always hid in the middle of the bell curve (met expectations).  The sub-function I am in now never existed before so I'm not sure where I stand or how what I am doing compares to others.  I guess my goal is still to hid in the middle :).

With an extra notation that this might be my last consensus EVER!

LV
This website should help you complete your performance assessment:
https://www.atrixnet.com/bs-generator.html

Best performance review ever!

I am getting serious cold feet. I am both concerned about our expected rate of profit on stocks. And concerned about moving to another area. There is still so much to do where we live now, although we can't do everything....snip...

Stay strong Linda!!  You have a plan, plans are good.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on October 22, 2018, 05:46:23 AM
Less than 100 days to go! I do still have vacation planned (Hawaii in November, the Oregon coast in December, & potentially a ski trip to Tahoe depending on exact end date). I'll accrue additional bonus/comp days to being on call over company holidays. I currently have 109 hours left, one day off from travel on a weekend, and 2 days off for covering company holidays. Let's do this! I cannot carry over any days before my sabbatical, so will have to burn all of my vacation. It's a position I've never been in before!

240 days for us. Still seems a long ways off, but the past 125 since we passed the 1 year to go mark have flown by, so I guess the same will apply to the next few months.

Still half expecting that something will happen which will change our plans resulting in OMY or FMY, but with each week such an event seems increasingly unlikely.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Socmonkey on October 22, 2018, 01:39:28 PM
I don't post so much, but I am retiring on February 8th, 2019 at age 37. So you can add me to the list.

I'll have enough to cover my expenses and plan on ramping up my reselling side-hustle as I enjoy it a lot. Also, an occasional seasonal job seems like something I would like to do. Coolworks.com (http://Coolworks.com) has a few opportunities in remote and interesting places. Things I could see myself doing for a few months as an adventure of sorts.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on October 22, 2018, 02:29:43 PM
I don't post so much, but I am retiring on February 8th, 2019 at age 37. So you can add me to the list.

I'll have enough to cover my expenses and plan on ramping up my reselling side-hustle as I enjoy it a lot. Also, an occasional seasonal job seems like something I would like to do. Coolworks.com (http://Coolworks.com) has a few opportunities in remote and interesting places. Things I could see myself doing for a few months as an adventure of sorts.

Welcome to the cohort!!

What types of things do you like to resell?

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on October 22, 2018, 04:47:37 PM
Welcome @Socmonkey!  Got you added:

01/01/19     MoneyStacher  (50)         OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
01/31/19     PhilB  (52)                      OLY -- CONFIRMED 10/24/18
02/01/19     Trifele (51)
02/01/19     Cycling Stache (44)
02/08/19     Socmonkey (37)
02/15/19     sui generis  (41)              OLY -- CONFIRMED 8/17/18.
02/25/19     MaybeBabyMustache
02/??/19     zinnie  (35)
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/19/19     ChasesFish
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor  (50)     
03/??/19     Roboturner  (30)
03/??/19     Edgema
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     TartanTallulah  (55)          OLY -- Planning 10/31/2018.   
03/31/19     BlindSquirrel
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/19/19     Eric
04/23/19     Canadian Ben (29)
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)
05/??/19     cerat0n1a                         OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018                           
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/14/19     Mr. Ver (40)
05/17/19     Loren Ver (37)
05/31/19     Pylortes  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/31/19     dude   
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/06/19     Bognish (44)
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/??/19     Bateaux  (50)
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/01/19     Freedomin5 (38)
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
08/19/18     Chairman                         OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
09/27/19     Spreadsheet Man
10/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
10/??/19     Linda_Norway
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
12/??/19     markbike528cbx  (55)        OLY -- CONFIRMED 6/1/18; checking in as OP
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)


2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
Elaine amj (40)
IPlawyer
 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Socmonkey on October 23, 2018, 09:30:53 AM

Welcome to the cohort!!

What types of things do you like to resell?

LV

Thank you for the welcome!

Oh, I resell anything I can make a few bucks off of. I'll hit up garage sales, estate sales, and thrift stores as well as keep an eye on Craigslist and similar for deals. I'll also throw in a bit of retail arbitrage. eBay is my main selling area but I also sell on Amazon, and larger/heavier items locally. 

It's a treasure hunt and quite fun to me. Also, I can do it when I want, turn it off when I want, and answer to no bosses. I've semi-tracked my time spent to earned profit for a month and it comes out to a wage of around $20 per hour.

A side benefit is since I am looking for deals all the time I often find things I can use myself for cheap.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on October 23, 2018, 10:46:38 AM

Welcome to the cohort!!

What types of things do you like to resell?

LV

Thank you for the welcome!

Oh, I resell anything I can make a few bucks off of. I'll hit up garage sales, estate sales, and thrift stores as well as keep an eye on Craigslist and similar for deals. I'll also throw in a bit of retail arbitrage. eBay is my main selling area but I also sell on Amazon, and larger/heavier items locally. 

It's a treasure hunt and quite fun to me. Also, I can do it when I want, turn it off when I want, and answer to no bosses. I've semi-tracked my time spent to earned profit for a month and it comes out to a wage of around $20 per hour.

A side benefit is since I am looking for deals all the time I often find things I can use myself for cheap.

Nice. I wish I was a bit more entrepreneurial. Do you get stuck with stuff that you can't find a buyer for very often?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Socmonkey on October 23, 2018, 11:13:06 AM
Do I get stuck with items often? No, not too often. I did recently do a clear out of my eBay listings, removing items that have been listed for a long time without selling. That was about 50 items.

Sometimes I also make mistakes. I might not have inspected the item closely enough or didn't realize that it was missing an accessory, which reduces the price I can get for it.

Don't be scared about that stuff as the profit from the items that did sell vastly outweigh the price I paid for the items that didn't. Any items I take off eBay then go into a box for my own garage sale and anything left from that then goes back as a thrift store donation.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on October 23, 2018, 12:46:43 PM
Do I get stuck with items often? No, not too often. I did recently do a clear out of my eBay listings, removing items that have been listed for a long time without selling. That was about 50 items.

Sometimes I also make mistakes. I might not have inspected the item closely enough or didn't realize that it was missing an accessory, which reduces the price I can get for it.

Don't be scared about that stuff as the profit from the items that did sell vastly outweigh the price I paid for the items that didn't. Any items I take off eBay then go into a box for my own garage sale and anything left from that then goes back as a thrift store donation.

That's pretty cool.  TH does this done with old games (like game boy) since he knows that space some.  No big no big money makers but he enjoys it. You are far more successful at it.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on October 23, 2018, 04:34:19 PM
I hope everyone has the guts to stick to their date after the next correction.......I have yet to experience a significant decline in the markets whilst having my NW tied up in the market.

It will take more than a 10-15% correction for me to declare OMY of full time work, and I have about 6 months to decide, so we'll see what things are like then.  Any changes or continued uncertainty with the ACA would be more concerning to me.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on October 24, 2018, 12:39:45 AM
I hope everyone has the guts to stick to their date after the next correction.......I have yet to experience a significant decline in the markets whilst having my NW tied up in the market.

It will take more than a 10-15% correction for me to declare OMY of full time work, and I have about 6 months to decide, so we'll see what things are like then.  Any changes or continued uncertainty with the ACA would be more concerning to me.

Our major FIRE stash is in our current house. We will have to OMY it if we don't get the sales price for our house almost as high as the broker suggested. There is a real chance for that, so I still have a toe of two dipped into the 2020 cohort. Sale will be in spring 2019.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on October 24, 2018, 02:49:17 AM
I hope everyone has the guts to stick to their date after the next correction.......I have yet to experience a significant decline in the markets whilst having my NW tied up in the market.

It will take more than a 10-15% correction for me to declare OMY of full time work, and I have about 6 months to decide, so we'll see what things are like then.  Any changes or continued uncertainty with the ACA would be more concerning to me.

Our major FIRE stash is in our current house. We will have to OMY it if we don't get the sales price for our house almost as high as the broker suggested. There is a real chance for that, so I still have a toe of two dipped into the 2020 cohort. Sale will be in spring 2019.
The current 'crash' is all my fault as I'm FIREing today.  Expect all asset classes to head to zero.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on October 24, 2018, 03:18:54 AM
Congrats @PhilB on your last day of work! 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on October 24, 2018, 05:45:43 AM
Way to go PhilB. Champion effort.

Enjoy spending any pennies you have left after the great crash of 2018....(ok minor correction, but I’ve been scrolling through clickbait).

LeanFIRE is what the cool kids do, so you have the consolation of knowing that with every point that comes off the S&P you are that little bit more hip.

(PS: I added up all my accounts today. October has not been kind 😢. Easy come, easy go, easy cometh again I hope).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on October 24, 2018, 06:19:14 AM
I hope everyone has the guts to stick to their date after the next correction.......I have yet to experience a significant decline in the markets whilst having my NW tied up in the market.

It will take more than a 10-15% correction for me to declare OMY of full time work, and I have about 6 months to decide, so we'll see what things are like then.  Any changes or continued uncertainty with the ACA would be more concerning to me.

Geeze!!!!  Not thinking about others much are you?

I guess it is fine, so that you can get out early.

Congratulations!


DH and I are thinking May is too far away....
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on October 24, 2018, 07:20:49 AM
I hope everyone has the guts to stick to their date after the next correction.......I have yet to experience a significant decline in the markets whilst having my NW tied up in the market.

It will take more than a 10-15% correction for me to declare OMY of full time work, and I have about 6 months to decide, so we'll see what things are like then.  Any changes or continued uncertainty with the ACA would be more concerning to me.

Our major FIRE stash is in our current house. We will have to OMY it if we don't get the sales price for our house almost as high as the broker suggested. There is a real chance for that, so I still have a toe of two dipped into the 2020 cohort. Sale will be in spring 2019.
The current 'crash' is all my fault as I'm FIREing today.  Expect all asset classes to head to zero.

Congrats, PhilB!

I'm now 195 calendar days away. A correction had/has to happen at some point, so if it's gotta happen, I want it to be before I retire!  I went 50/50 a year ago, and it's helped minimize the damage thus far. Will rising glide path my way back up to a higher stock allocation after the first couple years of retirement.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on October 24, 2018, 07:58:20 AM
181 here!

Avoiding adding the vacation, short leave, holidays in order to make that number get smaller faster!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on October 24, 2018, 08:06:14 AM
Congrats, PhilB.

For me, I hope it is just under a year, given that the first of October is my FIRE date. But I give it a 50% chance.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on October 24, 2018, 08:22:26 AM
Thanks peeps.  Those last months will pass, honest, but it's amazing how non-linear time becomes - some months last at least 2 years, whilst others just vanish when you are not looking.  Then all of a sudden you're there!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on October 24, 2018, 08:34:20 AM
Please mark me as confirmed for September 2, 2019!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on October 24, 2018, 04:20:47 PM
Woo hoo!  Congrats Phil!

Woo hoo to you too Cornbread!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on October 24, 2018, 07:29:07 PM
Woo hoo!  Congrats Phil!

Woo hoo to you too Cornbread!
Thanks, yo!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on October 24, 2018, 07:30:42 PM
Please mark me as confirmed for September 2, 2019!!
I forgot I can update the chart myself!  lol  Here it is:

01/01/19     MoneyStacher  (50)         OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
01/31/19     PhilB  (52)                      OLY -- CONFIRMED 10/24/18
02/01/19     Trifele (51)
02/01/19     Cycling Stache (44)
02/08/19     Socmonkey (37)
02/15/19     sui generis  (41)              OLY -- CONFIRMED 8/17/18.
02/25/19     MaybeBabyMustache
02/??/19     zinnie  (35)
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/19/19     ChasesFish
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor  (50)     
03/??/19     Roboturner  (30)
03/??/19     Edgema
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     TartanTallulah  (55)          OLY -- Planning 10/31/2018.   
03/31/19     BlindSquirrel
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/19/19     Eric
04/23/19     Canadian Ben (29)
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)
05/??/19     cerat0n1a                         OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018                           
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/14/19     Mr. Ver (40)
05/17/19     Loren Ver (37)
05/31/19     Pylortes  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/31/19     dude   
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/06/19     Bognish (44)
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/??/19     Bateaux  (50)
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/01/19     Freedomin5 (38)
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
08/19/18     Chairman                         OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  CONFIRMED
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
09/27/19     Spreadsheet Man
10/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
10/??/19     Linda_Norway
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
12/??/19     markbike528cbx  (55)        OLY -- CONFIRMED 6/1/18; checking in as OP
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
Elaine amj (40)
IPlawyer
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on October 24, 2018, 07:43:59 PM
Please mark me as confirmed for September 2, 2019!!

I was wondering how you could CONFIRM a date 11 months in the future then I remembered that your military runway is of a very specific length.

at first I was thinking you misprinted 2018 vs 2019.   

Congratulations after my self-imposed confusion!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on October 24, 2018, 10:40:46 PM
Congratulations Cornbread!  I wonder if that's a record for earliest confirmation?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on October 25, 2018, 04:58:21 AM
Please mark me as confirmed for September 2, 2019!!

No OMY for you!!  Congrats!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on October 25, 2018, 09:18:39 AM
Well then, if we're playing that game.... I'm confirmed 23 April. my paperworks in and everything.

Course with the military you can remove the paperwork up to the actual retirement date (For Canada)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on October 25, 2018, 09:34:28 PM
I was wondering how you could CONFIRM a date 11 months in the future then I remembered that your military runway is of a very specific length.

at first I was thinking you misprinted 2018 vs 2019.   

Congratulations after my self-imposed confusion!

Congratulations Cornbread!  I wonder if that's a record for earliest confirmation?

No OMY for you!!  Congrats!!

Well then, if we're playing that game.... I'm confirmed 23 April. my paperworks in and everything.

Course with the military you can remove the paperwork up to the actual retirement date (For Canada)
Congrats, Lews Therin!  And thanks, everyone!

Yes, for us military folks, once the retirement date is approved it is locked in as the end date.  Once the end date is locked in most events along the timeline become rather predictable.  I had some anxiety waiting for the confirmation notification to come because human errors could've misplaced my paperwork packet, somebody may have forgotten the packet in a pile of other folders, etc.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on October 26, 2018, 04:37:06 AM
Well then, if we're playing that game.... I'm confirmed 23 April. my paperworks in and everything.

Course with the military you can remove the paperwork up to the actual retirement date (For Canada)

Congrats to you too.  Now just don't remove your paperwork ;).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on October 26, 2018, 08:49:42 AM
So far they've "forgotten" my paperwork on a person's desk (never would have advanced) and given the paper back to me without doing anything then signing it, instead of passing it to the people to whom it should go.
I've also been offered a different job to keep me interested, bit I passed. If they find an awesome position I might say yes, but they keep those for motivated and useful people, not retirees!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on October 26, 2018, 01:44:14 PM
Left the office a few hours ago for the weekend.  20 weeks to go
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on October 26, 2018, 03:47:20 PM
So far they've "forgotten" my paperwork on a person's desk (never would have advanced) and given the paper back to me without doing anything then signing it, instead of passing it to the people to whom it should go...
This was the kind of thing that I worried me about my paperwork.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on October 26, 2018, 03:57:13 PM
I have a step-by=step alert on my calendar.

I will be making sure things advance correctly.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Anette on October 26, 2018, 04:50:47 PM
Ptf  for motivation, you people are awesome!

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on October 26, 2018, 05:20:54 PM
@chasesfish - you inspired me to check. 13 weeks to go! May extend ever so slightly to include an international work trip that my husband can join me on. We shall see.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on October 26, 2018, 05:59:27 PM
If the market keeps crashing we should invest in tons of canned dog food.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on October 26, 2018, 06:49:17 PM
I might be on the run from the Internet Retirement Police for the next few years.  Long story short (or as short as I can make it):

In my field having an active certification is absolutely critical.  No one - no matter how good or experienced - can legally work without an active certification and the only way to keep it up is by working.  Because this is the only industry I've ever worked in and the skills aren't transferable, I feel like it's the only one I can make a decent living at.  My hourly pay is about 10x what I could make at the next highest paying job I think I could get.  The result is that I'm really scared about quitting in May 2019 because my certifications will expire in December of 2019.  Logically I know my withdrawal rate (about 3.6-3.9% at current stock valuations) should be safe, but the knowledge that I'll be totally locked out of my relatively high paying career gives me minor panic attacks. 

So - I just met with the president of a company that does consulting work in my field.  He contacted me because he'd heard about my plans from a director in my company, and the consulting company wants to bring me on.  I could keep my certifications up with just one to two 6 week blocks of work each year, and the pay would be high enough that each 6-week block should cover roughly 40% my annual expenses.  I could even work 3 or more and make more than I need for a year, although I don't think I'm interested in that. 

While I want to cut the cord and just never work again, the idea of making a silly amount of money for working for 6 weeks and then taking 4.5 months off sounds too good to pass up.  And if I do it for a year or two and realize that my spending is below what I planned then I can quit for real. 

There are a few details to work out, but if this works out I will feel a LOT better about quitting in May as planned.  I may even quit earlier, pick up a 6-week assignment for the fall, and then take it from there.  The IRP will probably say I'm not really retired, but if I'm able to spend 4 months in New Zealand hiking around the south island I think I'm ok with that.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on October 26, 2018, 08:51:54 PM
I might be on the run from the Internet Retirement Police for the next few years.  Long story short (or as short as I can make it):

In my field having an active certification is absolutely critical.  No one - no matter how good or experienced - can legally work without an active certification and the only way to keep it up is by working.  Because this is the only industry I've ever worked in and the skills aren't transferable, I feel like it's the only one I can make a decent living at.  My hourly pay is about 10x what I could make at the next highest paying job I think I could get.  The result is that I'm really scared about quitting in May 2019 because my certifications will expire in December of 2019.  Logically I know my withdrawal rate (about 3.6-3.9% at current stock valuations) should be safe, but the knowledge that I'll be totally locked out of my relatively high paying career gives me minor panic attacks. 

So - I just met with the president of a company that does consulting work in my field.  He contacted me because he'd heard about my plans from a director in my company, and the consulting company wants to bring me on.  I could keep my certifications up with just one to two 6 week blocks of work each year, and the pay would be high enough that each 6-week block should cover roughly 40% my annual expenses.  I could even work 3 or more and make more than I need for a year, although I don't think I'm interested in that. 

While I want to cut the cord and just never work again, the idea of making a silly amount of money for working for 6 weeks and then taking 4.5 months off sounds too good to pass up.  And if I do it for a year or two and realize that my spending is below what I planned then I can quit for real. 

There are a few details to work out, but if this works out I will feel a LOT better about quitting in May as planned.  I may even quit earlier, pick up a 6-week assignment for the fall, and then take it from there.  The IRP will probably say I'm not really retired, but if I'm able to spend 4 months in New Zealand hiking around the south island I think I'm ok with that.

I think it sounds like a great plan! I'd be very tempted to pursue the plan, but I'm conservative, so . .. :-)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on October 27, 2018, 01:32:29 AM
I might be on the run from the Internet Retirement Police for the next few years.  Long story short (or as short as I can make it):

In my field having an active certification is absolutely critical.  No one - no matter how good or experienced - can legally work without an active certification and the only way to keep it up is by working.  Because this is the only industry I've ever worked in and the skills aren't transferable, I feel like it's the only one I can make a decent living at.  My hourly pay is about 10x what I could make at the next highest paying job I think I could get.  The result is that I'm really scared about quitting in May 2019 because my certifications will expire in December of 2019.  Logically I know my withdrawal rate (about 3.6-3.9% at current stock valuations) should be safe, but the knowledge that I'll be totally locked out of my relatively high paying career gives me minor panic attacks. 

So - I just met with the president of a company that does consulting work in my field.  He contacted me because he'd heard about my plans from a director in my company, and the consulting company wants to bring me on.  I could keep my certifications up with just one to two 6 week blocks of work each year, and the pay would be high enough that each 6-week block should cover roughly 40% my annual expenses.  I could even work 3 or more and make more than I need for a year, although I don't think I'm interested in that. 

While I want to cut the cord and just never work again, the idea of making a silly amount of money for working for 6 weeks and then taking 4.5 months off sounds too good to pass up.  And if I do it for a year or two and realize that my spending is below what I planned then I can quit for real. 

There are a few details to work out, but if this works out I will feel a LOT better about quitting in May as planned.  I may even quit earlier, pick up a 6-week assignment for the fall, and then take it from there.  The IRP will probably say I'm not really retired, but if I'm able to spend 4 months in New Zealand hiking around the south island I think I'm ok with that.

I think it sounds like a great plan! I'd be very tempted to pursue the plan, but I'm conservative, so . .. :-)

It is a very good plan indeed. Walking around with anxiety during FIRE because of the loss of your cerfiticate is not great. And working a few periods, perhaps in the least attractive parts of the year to do other stuff, gives you great financial security.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on October 27, 2018, 07:22:18 AM
If the market keeps crashing we should invest in tons of canned dog food.

Look at the rich guy buying things. You should be making your own from strays.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on October 27, 2018, 01:01:38 PM
If the market keeps crashing we should invest in tons of canned dog food.

Look at the rich guy buying things. You should be making your own from strays.

Leave the poor strays out of this.....
.....but if 2birds1stonecomes up with a good recipe for roadkill that could be of benefit to us all in these uncertain times.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on October 27, 2018, 02:15:01 PM
I might be on the run from the Internet Retirement Police for the next few years.  Long story short (or as short as I can make it):

In my field having an active certification is absolutely critical.  No one - no matter how good or experienced - can legally work without an active certification and the only way to keep it up is by working.  Because this is the only industry I've ever worked in and the skills aren't transferable, I feel like it's the only one I can make a decent living at.  My hourly pay is about 10x what I could make at the next highest paying job I think I could get.  The result is that I'm really scared about quitting in May 2019 because my certifications will expire in December of 2019.  Logically I know my withdrawal rate (about 3.6-3.9% at current stock valuations) should be safe, but the knowledge that I'll be totally locked out of my relatively high paying career gives me minor panic attacks. 

So - I just met with the president of a company that does consulting work in my field.  He contacted me because he'd heard about my plans from a director in my company, and the consulting company wants to bring me on.  I could keep my certifications up with just one to two 6 week blocks of work each year, and the pay would be high enough that each 6-week block should cover roughly 40% my annual expenses.  I could even work 3 or more and make more than I need for a year, although I don't think I'm interested in that. 

While I want to cut the cord and just never work again, the idea of making a silly amount of money for working for 6 weeks and then taking 4.5 months off sounds too good to pass up.  And if I do it for a year or two and realize that my spending is below what I planned then I can quit for real. 

There are a few details to work out, but if this works out I will feel a LOT better about quitting in May as planned.  I may even quit earlier, pick up a 6-week assignment for the fall, and then take it from there.  The IRP will probably say I'm not really retired, but if I'm able to spend 4 months in New Zealand hiking around the south island I think I'm ok with that.

I think that sounds fabulous.  If someone would give me a deal like that, I'd probably take it. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on October 28, 2018, 12:37:18 AM
Yesterday I listened to a podcast with a macro economic person in it. Her prediction for the Norwegian housing market (in the vicinity of the capital) is that prices will go down in 2019 (when we plan to sell) because of the higher interest rate and will go up again in 2020. It already is taking a longer time to sell houses. Our FIRE plan requires to get a good price for the house after all selling costs.
I mentioned this to DH and said that maybe we should try selling in 2019, but might need to try again in 2020, if we couldn't sell for high enough price.
DH answered that we have enough stash to live of for some years, without selling the house. So his plan is to FIRE in 2019 anyway and sell the house later.
My objection to this is that we in that case don't have the house money in the stock market and don't have the expected growth og stash. And what if the house market stays low for many years to come? And what if the stock market stays low for a long time? So far I have lost several months of saving in my index funds, while buying new stocks.
So if we would FIRE without selling the house immediately, I think we would need to generate some extra income to cover for 2020 expenses. I could either continue to work 80% in my current job during the winter, as October is not the best time of the year to FIRE. And/or DH could start his consultancy firm as he had planned to do occasionally in the future. For me that wouldn't be full FIRE, but it would be the easiest way to generate extra income for me. I can also, like this year, generate some hobby income that is free for income tax, but that is not very much. It covers our expenses for a few weeks only. It least, it covers the cost of my hobby and a little more.
As long as we both work regularly, we need to keep 2 cars, which is also an extra cost because of the taxes. Although car number 2 is really old and as low cost as it could be.

It seems that DH is now in the mood the FIRE from his job no matter what, while I still want the security of selling the house for the expected price. I guess we will know after spring 2019 when/if we sell the house. And we won't quit both our jobs completely before we at least have a good plan that we both agree on. But I see it as an option that DH starts consulting before I FIRE. And that my FIRE perhaps moved to 2020.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on October 28, 2018, 02:08:23 AM
If the market keeps crashing we should invest in tons of canned dog food.

Look at the rich guy buying things. You should be making your own from strays.

Leave the poor strays out of this.....
.....but if 2birds1stonecomes up with a good recipe for roadkill that could be of benefit to us all in these uncertain times.
My dad once screeched to a halt when he saw the car in front hit a pheasant.  It was a busy road so he leapt out, grabbed it, threw it in the passenger footwell and took off again.  My mother, in the passenger seat, was not impressed.  She was even less impressed when it recovered consciousness...
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on October 28, 2018, 03:36:50 AM
It seems that DH is now in the mood the FIRE from his job no matter what, while I still want the security of selling the house for the expected price. I guess we will know after spring 2019 when/if we sell the house. And we won't quit both our jobs completely before we at least have a good plan that we both agree on. But I see it as an option that DH starts consulting before I FIRE. And that my FIRE perhaps moved to 2020.

We are in much the same boat.

We don’t plan to sell for a few years, but house prices are dropping it does create a lot of uncertainty about what we will actually get when we finally sell. It a bit of a headache. Things would be far simpler if we sold before FIRE but DW is not ready to close the door on Sydney just now.

We are still of the mind to cross our fingers and toes and to leap into the unknown. I hope our leap doesn’t end in a splat.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on October 28, 2018, 05:50:18 AM
It seems that DH is now in the mood the FIRE from his job no matter what, while I still want the security of selling the house for the expected price. I guess we will know after spring 2019 when/if we sell the house. And we won't quit both our jobs completely before we at least have a good plan that we both agree on. But I see it as an option that DH starts consulting before I FIRE. And that my FIRE perhaps moved to 2020.

We are in much the same boat.

We don’t plan to sell for a few years, but house prices are dropping it does create a lot of uncertainty about what we will actually get when we finally sell. It a bit of a headache. Things would be far simpler if we sold before FIRE but DW is not ready to close the door on Sydney just now.

We are still of the mind to cross our fingers and toes and to leap into the unknown. I hope our leap doesn’t end in a splat.


That is a hard one with the house being such a large investment.  :(.  Uncertainty really makes the short term part of long term planning difficult.

If you know you want to sell, would it be worth it to sell now, then rent where you need to be.  That way you know how big the stache is before going into retirement?  It will involve moving more than once, but it could be a lower price to pay to know where you stand.  Assuming this isn't timing the market with real estate....

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on October 28, 2018, 06:01:25 AM
It seems that DH is now in the mood the FIRE from his job no matter what, while I still want the security of selling the house for the expected price. I guess we will know after spring 2019 when/if we sell the house. And we won't quit both our jobs completely before we at least have a good plan that we both agree on. But I see it as an option that DH starts consulting before I FIRE. And that my FIRE perhaps moved to 2020.

We are in much the same boat.

We don’t plan to sell for a few years, but house prices are dropping it does create a lot of uncertainty about what we will actually get when we finally sell. It a bit of a headache. Things would be far simpler if we sold before FIRE but DW is not ready to close the door on Sydney just now.

We are still of the mind to cross our fingers and toes and to leap into the unknown. I hope our leap doesn’t end in a splat.

Put us in this category as well.  We know we want to move and can sell our house without too much pain.  We don't have the new house or final destination.  We figure there's at least five options that are decent, but nothing we absolutely love and are itching to go buy.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on October 28, 2018, 07:41:18 AM
I haven't posted much lately, as there have been new developments at work and I am mentally chewing through them and trying to process/plan.

My company is currently being bought by Megacorp, and the next steps in the acquisition are slowly becoming clear.  Last week my boss formally spoke with me about what my role may be after the takeover.  (Now, I haven't let on a hint of my FIRE plans to anyone at work, so as far as they know I'm in the same boat as everyone else -- needing a job and desperate for news of what's going to happen.)  So the role being offered to me is a substantial step down in responsibilities, but my current pay level is guaranteed for one year "while everything shakes out."  So I truthfully reply to my boss that the new role is a substantial step down, and I would not be happy with those reduced responsibilities.  And my boss says "I understand that, and if I can't persuade you to take it, then I will support you in getting a severance package." 

The severance is for three months' pay, not as high as what some people get when laid off, but since I had not expected anything this is a very unexpected gift they are offering.  I need the boss's support to get severance (because I'm turning down an offered role at the same pay level), but he is freely offering said support.   I'm having some mild moral qualms about this.  It feels undeserved . . . and yet it's apparently being offered up to me on a plate, so a large part of me thinks I'd be a fool to turn it down.   

Anyway, that's the Mustachian People Problem (MPP) I'm having right now. It's a very good problem to have.   

The next step is that I meet directly with Megacorp management next week.  Hopefully they do not like me so much that they offer me a better job than the first one, haha.  That would put the kibosh on any severance.   But whatever.   Soon I'm gone baby, gone . . . .   :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Freedomin5 on October 28, 2018, 08:43:47 AM
If someone offered me the same amount of money to do less work, I’d probably take them up on the offer “while things shake out”, then quit after the year was up. Especially if the markets take a tumble.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Nords on October 28, 2018, 10:36:58 AM

The severance is for three months' pay, not as high as what some people get when laid off, but since I had not expected anything this is a very unexpected gift they are offering.  I need the boss's support to get severance (because I'm turning down an offered role at the same pay level), but he is freely offering said support.   I'm having some mild moral qualms about this.  It feels undeserved . . . and yet it's apparently being offered up to me on a plate, so a large part of me thinks I'd be a fool to turn it down.   

Anyway, that's the Mustachian People Problem (MPP) I'm having right now. It's a very good problem to have.   

The next step is that I meet directly with Megacorp management next week.  Hopefully they do not like me so much that they offer me a better job than the first one, haha.  That would put the kibosh on any severance.   But whatever.   Soon I'm gone baby, gone . . . .   :)
This is why employees give the minimum required notice when they're leaving.

Years ago a member of Early-Retirement.org was planning his exit from his MegaCorp.  He extensively discussed all of the factors on E-R.org and decided to give just the minimum required two weeks' notice.  The day before his big announcement, his boss called him in (along with many others) to announce a mass layoff.

He left with a large severance package and was even told to keep the company laptop.  His boss didn't really care about the employee's situation because the boss had another dozen people to lay off.  The company clearly didn't care about any of the dozens of people it laid off.  Everyone was in survival mode and not interested in hearing about financial independence.

If your boss really felt that you were worth keeping at your company as it's subsumed by Megacorp, then they would have done a better job of defending your value to the acquiring staff.  Your boss could at least have described how valiantly they stuck up for you and what reasons went into the battle to retain you.  Upon learning that you wouldn't be happy, they could've even discussed other options with HR or tried to find you another role at the company.  Instead, as soon as you say you wouldn't be happy, your boss brings up the severance package.

That's a pretty strong signal on your future with the new company, and any qualms you may feel are certainly not being reciprocated by Megacorp.

You could tell your boss that you'd hoped for more career support and say that now you expect them to offer more "support" in the severance discussion.  If they want a smooth, quiet exit from you then they should be willing to pay you for it...
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on October 28, 2018, 02:12:44 PM
It seems that DH is now in the mood the FIRE from his job no matter what, while I still want the security of selling the house for the expected price. I guess we will know after spring 2019 when/if we sell the house. And we won't quit both our jobs completely before we at least have a good plan that we both agree on. But I see it as an option that DH starts consulting before I FIRE. And that my FIRE perhaps moved to 2020.

We are in much the same boat.

We don’t plan to sell for a few years, but house prices are dropping it does create a lot of uncertainty about what we will actually get when we finally sell. It a bit of a headache. Things would be far simpler if we sold before FIRE but DW is not ready to close the door on Sydney just now.

We are still of the mind to cross our fingers and toes and to leap into the unknown. I hope our leap doesn’t end in a splat.


That is a hard one with the house being such a large investment.  :(.  Uncertainty really makes the short term part of long term planning difficult.

If you know you want to sell, would it be worth it to sell now, then rent where you need to be.  That way you know how big the stache is before going into retirement?  It will involve moving more than once, but it could be a lower price to pay to know where you stand.  Assuming this isn't timing the market with real estate....

LV

Our house won't sell in the winter half year. The roads to it are extremely steep and every car without 4x4 risks getting stuck in the snow. We will have to wait until the road is clean after the winter. Somewhere in April normally.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on October 28, 2018, 05:32:15 PM
I haven't posted much lately, as there have been new developments at work and I am mentally chewing through them and trying to process/plan.

My company is currently being bought by Megacorp, and the next steps in the acquisition are slowly becoming clear.  Last week my boss formally spoke with me about what my role may be after the takeover.  (Now, I haven't let on a hint of my FIRE plans to anyone at work, so as far as they know I'm in the same boat as everyone else -- needing a job and desperate for news of what's going to happen.)  So the role being offered to me is a substantial step down in responsibilities, but my current pay level is guaranteed for one year "while everything shakes out."  So I truthfully reply to my boss that the new role is a substantial step down, and I would not be happy with those reduced responsibilities.  And my boss says "I understand that, and if I can't persuade you to take it, then I will support you in getting a severance package." 

The severance is for three months' pay, not as high as what some people get when laid off, but since I had not expected anything this is a very unexpected gift they are offering.  I need the boss's support to get severance (because I'm turning down an offered role at the same pay level), but he is freely offering said support.   I'm having some mild moral qualms about this.  It feels undeserved . . . and yet it's apparently being offered up to me on a plate, so a large part of me thinks I'd be a fool to turn it down.   

Anyway, that's the Mustachian People Problem (MPP) I'm having right now. It's a very good problem to have.   

The next step is that I meet directly with Megacorp management next week.  Hopefully they do not like me so much that they offer me a better job than the first one, haha.  That would put the kibosh on any severance.   But whatever.   Soon I'm gone baby, gone . . . .   :)

That sounds like what you were waiting for, sorta.  Do you have a timeline on when this will happen.  I know you have been moonlighting on the 2018 thread so this may all play out really well for you.

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on October 29, 2018, 05:38:37 AM
I haven't posted much lately, as there have been new developments at work and I am mentally chewing through them and trying to process/plan.

. . . .

But whatever.   Soon I'm gone baby, gone . . . .   :)

That sounds like what you were waiting for, sorta.  Do you have a timeline on when this will happen.  I know you have been moonlighting on the 2018 thread so this may all play out really well for you.

LV

Yeah you nailed it @Loren Ver -- I'm gone very soon no matter what, so this is all an amusing sideshow/potential extra cash.  When the acquisition was announced many months ago I thought "wow, what are the odds this could play to my favor?" 

Thanks for your thoughtful reply @Nords -- you are absolutely right, though I hadn't thought of it that way.  This illustrates a very good reason to only give the minimum notice.  And yes -- their actions are sending a strong signal about my situation.  I think my boss will be relieved to help me get the severance, honestly.  He has more employees than he has future slots, so someone has to go . . . And he's a decent person, so he doesn't enjoy laying people off. 

@lhamo -- My situation is skinny/lean FIRE -- I'm at about 22X, but have some safety cushions with a side gig and an at-home spouse that's going mildly stir crazy and wants to re-enter the workforce.   I am not even tempted by the year-long Megacorp reprieve with the guaranteed salary.  The time is worth far, far more to me right now than the money, and soon I will be gone.   But to your point -- yes, if I was more worried about finances, or if I wanted to look for another job, I would stick around for a bit and take advantage of the year guaranteed salary.  That's what almost all my coworkers are doing.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on October 29, 2018, 09:36:04 AM
Sounds like it could be a huge win for you @Trifele ! Fingers crossed :-)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on October 29, 2018, 12:41:34 PM
Hmm, so I'm down to 189 calendar days. So I did a calculation, subtracting weekends, holidays, and all my available vacation and sick time between now and May 7, and I found out I have a whopping 71 more work days until I gain my freedom. Only 71 more times that I'll have to show my face in this place. Oh man, did that give me new perspective!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on October 29, 2018, 06:30:00 PM
Hmm, so I'm down to 189 calendar days. So I did a calculation, subtracting weekends, holidays, and all my available vacation and sick time between now and May 7, and I found out I have a whopping 71 more work days until I gain my freedom. Only 71 more times that I'll have to show my face in this place. Oh man, did that give me new perspective!


Woohoo!!  I was running the same math today, 86 more times as of this evening I have to drive to work before the notice drops.  They'll likely exit me the day I quit so thats my number.

I'm trying to get my total number of pullups in a gym session up to the number of days remaining at work.  The gap was 51 today
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on October 29, 2018, 07:06:04 PM
I'm at 43 days (working days only). I took it a step further, and estimated that I do 6 meetings/day (I LOATHE meetings) & have a meetings left to go countdown going. Currently, around 257. Still seems like a lot. But, when I started the meeting countdown, I was at 500 or something, so progress is being made!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on October 29, 2018, 08:28:10 PM

Unless I end up doing OMY or PT, I'm just over 7 months from FIRE, but I'm in no hurry for those months to go by.  Time goes too fast as it is, so I'll take it as it comes.  I like my job pretty well and have a nice work environment.  I don't like meetings, but I only have one or two per week.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SpreadsheetMan on October 30, 2018, 04:40:03 AM
I've just OMY'd by dropping to part-time in Oct19 for another year to Oct20.

I thought it was a bit smarter to remain employed and salaried for another year in the mad-max wasteland that will be post-brexit UK. Oct 19 was a bit close to the Mar19 detonation for comfort, but martial law and the aid convoys should be properly established by Oct20. (I hope I am joking...)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on October 30, 2018, 05:11:48 AM
Sad to see you "go" @SpreadsheetMan -- and I'm sure the post-Brexit situation won't be that bad.  Best of luck! 

01/01/19     MoneyStacher  (50)         OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
01/31/19     PhilB  (52)                      OLY -- CONFIRMED 10/24/18
02/01/19     Trifele (51)
02/01/19     Cycling Stache (44)
02/08/19     Socmonkey (37)
02/15/19     sui generis  (41)              OLY -- CONFIRMED 8/17/18.
02/25/19     MaybeBabyMustache
02/??/19     zinnie  (35)
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/19/19     ChasesFish
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor  (50)     
03/??/19     Roboturner  (30)
03/??/19     Edgema
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     TartanTallulah  (55)          OLY -- Planning 10/31/2018.   
03/31/19     BlindSquirrel
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/19/19     Eric
04/23/19     Canadian Ben (29)
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)
05/??/19     cerat0n1a                         OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018                           
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/14/19     Mr. Ver (40)
05/17/19     Loren Ver (37)
05/31/19     Pylortes  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/31/19     dude   
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/06/19     Bognish (44)
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/??/19     Bateaux  (50)
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/01/19     Freedomin5 (38)
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
08/19/18     Chairman                         OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  CONFIRMED
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
10/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
10/??/19     Linda_Norway
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
12/??/19     markbike528cbx  (55)        OLY -- CONFIRMED 6/1/18; checking in as OP
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
Elaine amj (40)
IPlawyer

OMY/2MY/Etc:
SpreadsheetMan
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on October 30, 2018, 11:42:13 AM
Hmm, so I'm down to 189 calendar days. So I did a calculation, subtracting weekends, holidays, and all my available vacation and sick time between now and May 7, and I found out I have a whopping 71 more work days until I gain my freedom. Only 71 more times that I'll have to show my face in this place. Oh man, did that give me new perspective!

Cool thing to do is to look at what you were doing 189 days ago.  Does that seem very long ago?  April sometime?  Well, that is all the amount of time you have to wait!  I have been doing that backward look thing for a long time and it definitely helps me get perspective.

Back in April I was on crutches for 5 weeks, so I'd prefer not to look back! hahaha! But really, for some reason, the past always seems more distant than the future to me. I've always been one to plan several big adventure trips a year, and the looking forward and preparing physically for them has always made the time go by fast. And that's how I'm looking at FIRE. I'm planning to try to get in my best climbing shape for a big road trip that summer, so hopefully the time will fly by.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: waffles on October 30, 2018, 07:34:43 PM
I had a random day off today so I don't carry over too many annual leave hours into next year. Going to the grocery store, an appointment at the veterinarian and other chores kept me hustling all day! I am actually kind of grumpy that my day off was so busy. Looking forward to next year when work won't interfere with the rest of my life.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on October 30, 2018, 09:15:48 PM
Anybody know what SIRE is?  As in SIRE vs FIRE.  I know what FIRE is but stumbled on the term "SIRE" today and can find no info on it.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: CoffeeR on October 31, 2018, 06:14:56 AM
Anybody know what SIRE is?  As in SIRE vs FIRE.  I know what FIRE is but stumbled on the term "SIRE" today and can find no info on it.
Probably this:
Quote
SIRE income sources - Soc Security (or other country equiv), pensions, annuities, inheritance
FIRE income sources - personal nest egg/portfolio, RMDs, business/rental income, sale of property (e.g. real estate investment property), part time work.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on October 31, 2018, 08:19:13 AM
Anybody know what SIRE is?  As in SIRE vs FIRE.  I know what FIRE is but stumbled on the term "SIRE" today and can find no info on it.
Probably this:
Quote
SIRE income sources - Soc Security (or other country equiv), pensions, annuities, inheritance
FIRE income sources - personal nest egg/portfolio, RMDs, business/rental income, sale of property (e.g. real estate investment property), part time work.

But what's the acronym stand for? I assumed the "IRE" part is the same, but what's the "S"?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: CoffeeR on October 31, 2018, 08:48:16 AM
But what's the acronym stand for? I assumed the "IRE" part is the same, but what's the "S"?
SIRE - Secure Income, Retired Early
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on October 31, 2018, 12:15:38 PM
Thanks, that makes a lot of sense! I am definitely in the SIRE category (Fed LEO pension + TSP + SS).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: CoffeeR on October 31, 2018, 12:47:03 PM
Am I the only one who thinks it is a bit silly to invent a new acronym?  Those who have a steady income via SS, pension, annuity or inheritance are just as FI as anybody else.

Not disputing you here. It's a real alphabet soup! Here are the more common ones:

http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f47/acronyms-and-slang-frequently-used-on-the-forum-34884.html (http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f47/acronyms-and-slang-frequently-used-on-the-forum-34884.html)

Note that the acronym SIRE dates to at least 2006.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on October 31, 2018, 02:53:54 PM
But but but... without a specific acronym how will I feel extra special??
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on October 31, 2018, 04:16:07 PM
You guys inspired me to count my remaining working days.  After today, I'm at 102 remaining.  It seems like so many and so few at the same time.  lol
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Livingthedream55 on November 02, 2018, 08:30:36 AM
You guys inspired me to count my remaining working days.  After today, I'm at 102 remaining.  It seems like so many and so few at the same time.  lol

140 work days to go - doing a Happy Dance!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Freedomin5 on November 04, 2018, 06:01:24 AM
But but but... without a specific acronym how will I feel extra special??

@Loren Ver How about LVIAESSFIRE - Loren Ver Is An Extra Special Snowflake FIRE? :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PowerStache on November 04, 2018, 04:15:27 PM
Hello, class of 2019.  Long time forum lurker, new to posting! 

I am 43 and announcing April 2019 as my RE date.

Been working at the same "organization" for 25 years.  Organization is in quotes because the company has been bought, sold and merged many times.  I like my co-workers and my boss so there is not a toxic atmosphere. I just see that our industry's profit margin gets squeezed and as a manager, it exhausts me to constantly say, "No, we can't afford that." "Maybe next year" or the worst..."here's your pink slip".

I have a DH, two wonderful sons, and aging parents/inlaws that I want to be focused on.  I want my mental and physical health back.

The plan is for DH to continue with his job where he enjoys health benefits and working from home two days a week.  Most calculators say we could both FIRE now, but I am hanging on for a significant bonus expected by April next year.

I have a countdown app on my phone...about 180 days!

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on November 05, 2018, 01:16:51 AM
Hello, class of 2019.  Long time forum lurker, new to posting! 

I am 43 and announcing April 2019 as my RE date.

Been working at the same "organization" for 25 years.  Organization is in quotes because the company has been bought, sold and merged many times.  I like my co-workers and my boss so there is not a toxic atmosphere. I just see that our industry's profit margin gets squeezed and as a manager, it exhausts me to constantly say, "No, we can't afford that." "Maybe next year" or the worst..."here's your pink slip".

I have a DH, two wonderful sons, and aging parents/inlaws that I want to be focused on.  I want my mental and physical health back.

The plan is for DH to continue with his job where he enjoys health benefits and working from home two days a week.  Most calculators say we could both FIRE now, but I am hanging on for a significant bonus expected by April next year.

I have a countdown app on my phone...about 180 days!

Welcome to the forum and to this thread.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: cerat0n1a on November 05, 2018, 03:14:08 AM
I really need to stop working soon. Recently I had a health check at work where it was discovered that I have very high blood pressure. This is after I downshifting to working 80% from September. I feel so much less stress than last year (from autumn 2017 to summer 2018). And still my blood pressure is so high. I am going to check it out with my GP next week. Maybe I'll get a machine that measures blood pressure for 24 hours. I am convinced that FIRE would be much better for my health.

The evidence linking chronic high blood pressure to stress is pretty weak/non-existent.  It feels like there should be a link, but several studies seem to show there isn't one. Home blood pressure monitor is quite useful/interesting though. I would never have guessed that licorice raises my blood pressure by so much, for example.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on November 05, 2018, 04:53:34 AM
But but but... without a specific acronym how will I feel extra special??

@Loren Ver How about LVIAESSFIRE - Loren Ver Is An Extra Special Snowflake FIRE? :)

It just rolls off the tongue!  I also really like snow.  AND I really am extra special - in so many ways ;D.

Hello, class of 2019.  Long time forum lurker, new to posting! 

I am 43 and announcing April 2019 as my RE date.
...snip...


Welcome to the smartest, most extra special, humble cohort.  Happy to have you!!  You are SOOO close!

I really need to stop working soon. Recently I had a health check at work where it was discovered that I have very high blood pressure. This is after I downshifting to working 80% from September. I feel so much less stress than last year (from autumn 2017 to summer 2018). And still my blood pressure is so high. I am going to check it out with my GP next week. Maybe I'll get a machine that measures blood pressure for 24 hours. I am convinced that FIRE would be much better for my health.

I'm sorry about the troubles Linda, this is not good.  Hopefully your GP will have some good advice morning forward so that you can start fixing it now and not needed to wait until FIRE.

LV

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on November 05, 2018, 05:10:19 AM
I really need to stop working soon. Recently I had a health check at work where it was discovered that I have very high blood pressure. This is after I downshifting to working 80% from September. I feel so much less stress than last year (from autumn 2017 to summer 2018). And still my blood pressure is so high. I am going to check it out with my GP next week. Maybe I'll get a machine that measures blood pressure for 24 hours. I am convinced that FIRE would be much better for my health.

The evidence linking chronic high blood pressure to stress is pretty weak/non-existent.  It feels like there should be a link, but several studies seem to sure there isn't one. Home blood pressure monitor is quite useful/interesting though. I would never have guessed that licorice raises my blood pressure by so much, for example.

I had been eating licorice the day before... Let's hope it was only that.
But I do feel stressed and anxious about a lot of things most of the time. For example today at work, where I have responsibility for so many problems that I cannot solve myself. Technical limitations, depending on colleagues who are difficult to reach, depending on a supplier that had several weeks delay. I was pretty relaxed at the start of the day, but my anxiety and feelings of being inadequate are really high now.

Hope you feel better and figure out the blood pressure issue soon, Linda.  Sending positive thoughts your way! 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on November 05, 2018, 05:26:25 AM
Welcome aboard @PowerStache!  Got you added.   And a little birdie told me that @Fresh Bread may be joining us soon here too, OMYing from the 2018 cohort . . . ?

In honor of us coming down the home stretch to 2019, I reorganized the roster a bit to clean it up.  OLYers are in their own category now, many congrats. 

So proud of everyone!  2019 will be here before we know it!

02/01/19     Cycling Stache (44)
02/01/19     Trifele (51)
02/08/19     Socmonkey (37)
02/25/19     MaybeBabyMustache
02/??/19     zinnie  (35)
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/19/19     ChasesFish
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor  (50)     
03/??/19     Roboturner  (30)
03/??/19     Edgema
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     BlindSquirrel
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/19/19     Eric
04/23/19     Canadian Ben (29)
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
04/??/19     PowerStache (43)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)                   
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/14/19     Mr. Ver (40)
05/17/19     Loren Ver (37)
05/31/19     Pylortes  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/31/19     dude   
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/06/19     Bognish (44)
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/??/19     Bateaux  (50)
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/01/19     Freedomin5 (38)
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date CONFIRMED
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
10/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
10/??/19     Linda_Norway
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
Elaine amj (40)
IPlawyer

OLY FIRE-ees:
markbike528cbx  (55)      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

OMY/2MY/Etc:
SpreadsheetMan
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on November 05, 2018, 11:38:04 AM
Welcome aboard @PowerStache!  Got you added.   And a little birdie told me that @Fresh Bread may be joining us soon here too, OMYing from the 2018 cohort . . . ?

In honor of us coming down the home stretch to 2019, I reorganized the roster a bit to clean it up.  OLYers are in their own category now, many congrats. 

So proud of everyone!  2019 will be here before we know it!

02/01/19     Cycling Stache (44)
02/01/19     Trifele (51)
02/08/19     Socmonkey (37)
02/25/19     MaybeBabyMustache
02/??/19     zinnie  (35)
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/19/19     ChasesFish
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor  (50)     
03/??/19     Roboturner  (30)
03/??/19     Edgema
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     BlindSquirrel
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/19/19     Eric
04/23/19     Canadian Ben (29)
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
04/??/19     PowerStache (43)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)                   
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/14/19     Mr. Ver (40)
05/17/19     Loren Ver (37)
05/31/19     Pylortes  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/31/19     dude   
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/06/19     Bognish (44)
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/??/19     Bateaux  (50)
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/01/19     Freedomin5 (38)
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date CONFIRMED
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
10/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
10/??/19     Linda_Norway
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
Elaine amj (40)
IPlawyer

OLY FIRE-ees:
markbike528cbx  (55)      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

OMY/2MY/Etc:
SpreadsheetMan

That is a lovely list!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: bognish on November 05, 2018, 12:43:38 PM
Lovely list, but I think I might need to drop off it.
I got laid off last week. I am currently suffering through a 2 week transition period. I am not sure if I will look for another job, look for consulting work, or call it FIRE for now. With my last day of work 6 days before the scheduled opening of the ski area I have a paid season pass to I don't think I will be at risk of being bored this winter.
Without getting too political, I would like to thank Pres Trump for the upcoming free time. I work in a factory that uses a lot of steel and components from China. The parts go into new commercial construction in the US and internationally. With new tariffs increasing our costs 30% and interest rates for our customers construction loans going up new orders have ground to a halt. I am not sure how these policies will bring manufacturing back to America, but there is a good chance I will have plenty of time to contemplate this on the chair lift this winter.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on November 06, 2018, 01:26:43 AM
Lovely list, but I think I might need to drop off it.
I got laid off last week. I am currently suffering through a 2 week transition period. I am not sure if I will look for another job, look for consulting work, or call it FIRE for now. With my last day of work 6 days before the scheduled opening of the ski area I have a paid season pass to I don't think I will be at risk of being bored this winter.
Without getting too political, I would like to thank Pres Trump for the upcoming free time. I work in a factory that uses a lot of steel and components from China. The parts go into new commercial construction in the US and internationally. With new tariffs increasing our costs 30% and interest rates for our customers construction loans going up new orders have ground to a halt. I am not sure how these policies will bring manufacturing back to America, but there is a good chance I will have plenty of time to contemplate this on the chair lift this winter.

Sorry for your situation.
But indeed, maybe being laid off 8 months before your FIRE date is not the worst time. You are most likely in a very good financial situation and can choose to do whatever type of work part time or working as a consultant until you can afford full time FIRE.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on November 06, 2018, 04:56:56 AM
Lovely list, but I think I might need to drop off it.
I got laid off last week.

Aw @bognish, I'm really sorry to hear this if it interrupts your plans.  Are you sure you are off the list, or still thinking about it?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on November 06, 2018, 05:09:26 AM
Lovely list, but I think I might need to drop off it.
I got laid off last week. I am currently suffering through a 2 week transition period. I am not sure if I will look for another job, look for consulting work, or call it FIRE for now. With my last day of work 6 days before the scheduled opening of the ski area I have a paid season pass to I don't think I will be at risk of being bored this winter.
...snip...

That's not so good.  Are you pretty close to your FIRE numbers?  The market has been taking some hits recently. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on November 06, 2018, 06:10:01 AM
Lovely list, but I think I might need to drop off it.
I got laid off last week. I am currently suffering through a 2 week transition period. I am not sure if I will look for another job, look for consulting work, or call it FIRE for now. With my last day of work 6 days before the scheduled opening of the ski area I have a paid season pass to I don't think I will be at risk of being bored this winter.
Without getting too political, I would like to thank Pres Trump for the upcoming free time. I work in a factory that uses a lot of steel and components from China. The parts go into new commercial construction in the US and internationally. With new tariffs increasing our costs 30% and interest rates for our customers construction loans going up new orders have ground to a halt. I am not sure how these policies will bring manufacturing back to America, but there is a good chance I will have plenty of time to contemplate this on the chair lift this winter.

I'm sorry to hear about the disruption.  Try to enjoy a ski season off and consider the consulting option if you can pickup the work.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Ryder on November 06, 2018, 09:16:20 AM
Long-time lurker here :). Been FI for some time now, but now luxuriously so. RE should be April 1st, or May 1st 2019 (39 yo). I have a pretty long notice period in my contract, plus I haven't resigned yet for some good reasons, hence the "faraway" date rather than a 2 week notice. The anticipation is a bit of a sweet torture...
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on November 06, 2018, 11:32:31 AM
Welcome Ryder!

So I recently celebrated my 10 years with the company.  For my milestone I got to pick two things from the list of goodies.  I went with luggage for both.  It was nicer luggage than I have or would buy myself.  Gotta plan ahead for these things :).

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: bognish on November 06, 2018, 12:08:08 PM
My layoff is definitely an unexpected good thing. My current employer has not been a good place for me for at least a year. I was counting down to quit day at the start of my kids school summer break and dreading every moment of work and commute. Thankfully the company ripped the band aid off for me and will pay me a few weeks severance to go away.
Whats next? Based on all the models we have a stash that sould carry us through all but a nuclear war, but claiming FIRE seems to be testing fate. The term retirement has a permanent feeling to it that is intimidating to my wife & I, especially with 2 kids early in elementary school. Sabbatical sounds more temporary and a bit classier. My plan was to take a sabbatical from work next summer, then re-evaluate employment and life every few months. If the stock market keeps going up like 2017 then I could end up FIREd. If we have a few more October 2018 I might run back to work for peace of mind.  I have a pretty desirable and flexible skill set (accounting) and many years of experience. I will probably keep my eye on the job market in case a great job pops up, and I have some contacts with a contract work company.
In short the plan right now is to keep our options open and see what happens. While we wait for that I'll be hiking, mtn biking, maybe some rock climbing, a long list of honey do projects, and hopefully have some time for my community service project in the local mountain backcountry. So as of next Friday I am off the 2019 list and on the 2018 list. If its not snowing much this winter I might have time to check a computer and post an update. Otherwise I'll be skiing!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on November 06, 2018, 12:40:09 PM
Landed on your feet.  Love it!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on November 06, 2018, 03:44:16 PM
Welcome @Ryder!  And goodbye and congrats to @bognish. We lose yet another member to the 2018 cohort . . .

2019 FIRE Cohort:

02/01/19     Cycling Stache (44)
02/01/19     Trifele (51)
02/08/19     Socmonkey (37)
02/25/19     MaybeBabyMustache
02/??/19     zinnie  (35)
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/19/19     ChasesFish
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor  (50)     
03/??/19     Roboturner  (30)
03/??/19     Edgema
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     BlindSquirrel
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/01/19     Ryder (39)
04/19/19     Eric
04/23/19     Canadian Ben (29)
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
04/??/19     PowerStache (43)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)                   
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/14/19     Mr. Ver (40)
05/17/19     Loren Ver (37)
05/31/19     Pylortes  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/31/19     dude   
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/??/19     Bateaux  (50)
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/01/19     Freedomin5 (38)
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date CONFIRMED
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
10/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
10/??/19     Linda_Norway
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
Elaine amj (40)
IPlawyer

OLY FIRE-ees:
markbike528cbx  (55)      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 

OMY/2MY/Etc:
SpreadsheetMan
 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cycling Stache on November 07, 2018, 09:18:33 AM
I'm a little nervous seeing my name first on the list!

I have to admit that I started to hesitate when I look at my finances and wonder if I really have enough money.  It's not so much the amount as the sense that, from working, way more money comes in than goes out, so it feels like if anything were to happen, I'd be immediately covered.  I kind of got over this by thinking about how much more money would make me feel better.  $100k?  Probably no impact (we dropped $150k last month from investments before some of the recent recovery).  $500k?  Not in any kind of definite sense, and that's 5 more years working.  A million sounds good, but that's another 10 years, and I'm not working 10 more years just to feel a little more secure.

Also, I wonder whether I've worked up a fantasy of early retirement that really isn't any different than the housewife (husband) of yore.  My wife is going to keep working, the kids are in school, and I'm going to be helping around the house.  That's not that original or revolutionary, quite frankly.  But I think I've moved past this one as well on the basis that I simply don't have any interest in the work I'm doing any more, and if being a house husband while potentially discovering other interests (that could, at least potentially, involve work) is not that exciting, it's also more in line with what I want to be doing now.  And I've "earned" the right to do it now.

In any event, on Monday I turned off the auto investing in Vanguard and the auto reinvestment of dividends.  It was the first concrete step to making this happen.

I'm still giving myself the out of seeing if I want to recommit to work after the holiday break, but I know deep down that I don't want to do that.  I've been living my arbitrary OMY, and even that has proven difficult because I know the money I'm making right now doesn't really matter.

Unrelated note: my parents recently gave me a $2,000 gift because they felt they had been too controlling with money when we were younger.  I decided to set it up as a "treating" budget to treat people to lunch, drinks, etc., both because it will increase my number of social outings, which is important to me, and because it is one of the things I don't tend to do--I'm a here's my fair share kind of guy.  What I did find funny about the experience so far is the fallacy of mental accounting that really does affect my thinking.  That $2k has no meaningful impact on my net worth, but it feels amazingly luxurious to just pick up the check and enjoy the feeling of doing so!  Probably I can extend this after the $2k runs out without affecting my costs, given that we're talking a couple drinks or a lunch once or twice a month.  Something I'll consider!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on November 07, 2018, 09:29:40 AM
I'm a little nervous seeing my name first on the list!


I'm right there with you @Cycling Stache with the 2/1/19 date! Haha -- We can hold hands and jump out the plane door together . . .

I like your experiment with the $2000 treating fund.  Nice!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: bognish on November 07, 2018, 01:33:52 PM
Since this is where I posted about my termination last week, this is where I'll share this story. The corporate announcement of my departure came out yesterday. Nice and vague that I will be leaving to "pursue other opportunities". So in the lunch room today I got asked where I am going next. 
My response was "Skiing".
Awkward pause and lack of comprehension
"No where is your next position?"
"Chairlift."
"No where are you going to work next."
"Well I have a season pass at Alta, so that is where I will be working on my turns. Enjoy your lunch." mic drop and exit. 7 more days.
I love awkward conversations and relish the long pause.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on November 07, 2018, 03:07:32 PM
Since this is where I posted about my termination last week, this is where I'll share this story. The corporate announcement of my departure came out yesterday. Nice and vague that I will be leaving to "pursue other opportunities". So in the lunch room today I got asked where I am going next. 
My response was "Skiing".
Awkward pause and lack of comprehension
"No where is your next position?"
"Chairlift."
"No where are you going to work next."
"Well I have a season pass at Alta, so that is where I will be working on my turns. Enjoy your lunch." mic drop and exit. 7 more days.
I love awkward conversations and relish the long pause.

Amazing.  I hope they send out my announcement as pursuing other opportunities.  I'll say climbing a 14er, visiting Australia
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on November 07, 2018, 08:21:34 PM
I'm a little nervous seeing my name first on the list!

I have to admit that I started to hesitate when I look at my finances and wonder if I really have enough money. 

I have had persistent doubts ever since I posted my date here and started talking about it with a small group of family and friends.  This despite the fact that I have backup plan on top of backup plan.  I wish I had advice to help you through this, but the best I can do is commiserate. 

I do have one question for you; when you think about it logically do you see a reason for worry?  Or when you look at it logically are you able to see that there really is no reason at all to worry?  It's one thing to have an irrational fear that you know is an irrational fear, and it's another to know that you're going to FIRE with little in the way of back-up plans and ways to handle a downturn.  In the first case you just need to work through the fear, in the other you might need to replan. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on November 07, 2018, 08:25:00 PM
@Cycling Stache - really like your idea for the "Treating" fund!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on November 07, 2018, 08:35:10 PM
Since this is where I posted about my termination last week, this is where I'll share this story. The corporate announcement of my departure came out yesterday. Nice and vague that I will be leaving to "pursue other opportunities". So in the lunch room today I got asked where I am going next. 
My response was "Skiing".
Awkward pause and lack of comprehension
"No where is your next position?"
"Chairlift."
"No where are you going to work next."
"Well I have a season pass at Alta, so that is where I will be working on my turns. Enjoy your lunch." mic drop and exit. 7 more days.
I love awkward conversations and relish the long pause.
hahaha!  I love it!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on November 08, 2018, 01:22:38 AM
Since this is where I posted about my termination last week, this is where I'll share this story. The corporate announcement of my departure came out yesterday. Nice and vague that I will be leaving to "pursue other opportunities". So in the lunch room today I got asked where I am going next. 
My response was "Skiing".
Awkward pause and lack of comprehension
"No where is your next position?"
"Chairlift."
"No where are you going to work next."
"Well I have a season pass at Alta, so that is where I will be working on my turns. Enjoy your lunch." mic drop and exit. 7 more days.
I love awkward conversations and relish the long pause.

Great conversation. At least your answer was very specific and therefore easy to give: gone skiing.

We others who will (hopefully) be in a similar situation next year will have to find some suitable answer to the "what's next" question. I am not sure what my answer will be, other then "moving to xx (out into the country)". DH wants to say we will take a year sabbatical. But I have already told a few of my (frugal) colleagues about my saving for FIRE. When asked about when, I have answered: within 5 years.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on November 08, 2018, 04:50:39 AM
...
"No where is your next position?"
"Chairlift."
...

My favorite part :).

I'm a little nervous seeing my name first on the list!

I have to admit that I started to hesitate when I look at my finances and wonder if I really have enough money.  It's not so much the amount as the sense that, from working, way more money comes in than goes out, so it feels like if anything were to happen, I'd be immediately covered.  I kind of got over this by thinking about how much more money would make me feel better.  $100k?  Probably no impact (we dropped $150k last month from investments before some of the recent recovery).  $500k?  Not in any kind of definite sense, and that's 5 more years working.  A million sounds good, but that's another 10 years, and I'm not working 10 more years just to feel a little more secure.
...


I'm glad you are thinking through the issue instead of just throwing more work on the pile.  Changing from saver to spender is a massive transition (started by changed your account auto-invests!!)  and it really should feel hard, uh different, uh something.  Right?  Fundamental change to what you have been doing.  But you know this and you know you, so you can work through it.

I know me, so I know our first few years are going to be extra lean.  Not because they need to be, but because I will need to see the stash grow.  I know it will grow over time, but the first few years can be game changers, so i want the numbers up.  I'm not willing to work for the up though!

LV

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on November 08, 2018, 06:45:48 AM

I'm glad you are thinking through the issue instead of just throwing more work on the pile.  Changing from saver to spender is a massive transition (started by changed your account auto-invests!!)  and it really should feel hard, uh different, uh something.  Right?  Fundamental change to what you have been doing.  But you know this and you know you, so you can work through it.

I know me, so I know our first few years are going to be extra lean.  Not because they need to be, but because I will need to see the stash grow.  I know it will grow over time, but the first few years can be game changers, so i want the numbers up.  I'm not willing to work for the up though!

LV

And if it doesn't work out financially, there will always be the option to sidegig (occasionally) during FIRE, which will be very different from working fulltime in your current job.
We are thinking in the same way. I made a FIRE calculation and we have now idea how this will work out exactly in the future. Tax rules might be changed. The COL could change. We cannot predict the future. We will just give it a go and improvise if it doesn't work out.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Livingthedream55 on November 08, 2018, 07:24:35 AM
I'm a little nervous seeing my name first on the list!

I have to admit that I started to hesitate when I look at my finances and wonder if I really have enough money.  It's not so much the amount as the sense that, from working, way more money comes in than goes out, so it feels like if anything were to happen, I'd be immediately covered.  I kind of got over this by thinking about how much more money would make me feel better.  $100k?  Probably no impact (we dropped $150k last month from investments before some of the recent recovery).  $500k?  Not in any kind of definite sense, and that's 5 more years working.  A million sounds good, but that's another 10 years, and I'm not working 10 more years just to feel a little more secure.

Also, I wonder whether I've worked up a fantasy of early retirement that really isn't any different than the housewife (husband) of yore.  My wife is going to keep working, the kids are in school, and I'm going to be helping around the house.  That's not that original or revolutionary, quite frankly.  But I think I've moved past this one as well on the basis that I simply don't have any interest in the work I'm doing any more, and if being a house husband while potentially discovering other interests (that could, at least potentially, involve work) is not that exciting, it's also more in line with what I want to be doing now.  And I've "earned" the right to do it now.

In any event, on Monday I turned off the auto investing in Vanguard and the auto reinvestment of dividends.  It was the first concrete step to making this happen.

I'm still giving myself the out of seeing if I want to recommit to work after the holiday break, but I know deep down that I don't want to do that.  I've been living my arbitrary OMY, and even that has proven difficult because I know the money I'm making right now doesn't really matter.

Unrelated note: my parents recently gave me a $2,000 gift because they felt they had been too controlling with money when we were younger.  I decided to set it up as a "treating" budget to treat people to lunch, drinks, etc., both because it will increase my number of social outings, which is important to me, and because it is one of the things I don't tend to do--I'm a here's my fair share kind of guy.  What I did find funny about the experience so far is the fallacy of mental accounting that really does affect my thinking.  That $2k has no meaningful impact on my net worth, but it feels amazingly luxurious to just pick up the check and enjoy the feeling of doing so!  Probably I can extend this after the $2k runs out without affecting my costs, given that we're talking a couple drinks or a lunch once or twice a month.  Something I'll consider!

This is very, very powerful! If you get jittery as the day approaches (I'm betting that you will) please keep repeating this to yourself. My numbers are different but I, too, am feeling a little anxiety as this shit gets real so I appreciate the post!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: tooqk4u22 on November 08, 2018, 11:32:48 AM
I'm a little nervous seeing my name first on the list!

I have to admit that I started to hesitate when I look at my finances and wonder if I really have enough money.  It's not so much the amount as the sense that, from working, way more money comes in than goes out, so it feels like if anything were to happen, I'd be immediately covered.  I kind of got over this by thinking about how much more money would make me feel better.  $100k?  Probably no impact (we dropped $150k last month from investments before some of the recent recovery).  $500k?  Not in any kind of definite sense, and that's 5 more years working.  A million sounds good, but that's another 10 years, and I'm not working 10 more years just to feel a little more secure.

I completely feel this way too.   I have a number that would make me feel better, but I also know that is not worth the pain.  The  big drop last month (not so much now as some has been recovered) didn't really bother me...I guess that is due in part to I am still working and in part to a targeted 3.25-3.5% WR (allows some cushion for portfolio to drop before I get to the 4% rule).   But still it stresses me - the firehose of cash is a powerful thing.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on November 08, 2018, 05:19:02 PM
I'm a little nervous seeing my name first on the list!

I have to admit that I started to hesitate when I look at my finances and wonder if I really have enough money.  It's not so much the amount as the sense that, from working, way more money comes in than goes out, so it feels like if anything were to happen, I'd be immediately covered.  I kind of got over this by thinking about how much more money would make me feel better.  $100k?  Probably no impact (we dropped $150k last month from investments before some of the recent recovery).  $500k?  Not in any kind of definite sense, and that's 5 more years working.  A million sounds good, but that's another 10 years, and I'm not working 10 more years just to feel a little more secure.

I completely feel this way too.   I have a number that would make me feel better, but I also know that is not worth the pain.  The  big drop last month (not so much now as some has been recovered) didn't really bother me...I guess that is due in part to I am still working and in part to a targeted 3.25-3.5% WR (allows some cushion for portfolio to drop before I get to the 4% rule).   But still it stresses me - the firehose of cash is a powerful thing.

I'm in the same boat too.  I figure the nerves are there mostly because this is a major life event.  If I'm not nervous about it, there's probably something wrong with me.  I'm willing to bet that all of us would still be nervous even with twice as much money, simply because of the fact that this is a HUGE DEAL!!  It's like the first day of school or getting married.  You've never done it before and while you can read about it all you want, it's hard to actually know what to expect until afterwards.  It's completely normal to be nervous. 

Plus, it doesn't have to be permanent.  In the early retirement community we talk a lot about failure, whether that's portfolio failure or retirement failure.  And within that context, it's basically assumed that if you don't execute a plan that includes never working again that you failed.  But you only get one life.  Did I really fail if I took a decade off work to travel around the world before I went back to work part time?  Technically, sure, the IRP knows that my retirement "failed", but removing the word retirement, nearly everyone else would consider taking a decade off work during your prime living years as a win.  So I try to view it through that lens where even the failure scenario seems like a pretty good option.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on November 08, 2018, 05:40:54 PM
Worst case scenario: Have to fill up my retirement accounts. Still never have to do full-time again. Would take very little.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on November 09, 2018, 01:07:29 AM
I also definitely empathise  with the above posts.

I have a fair sized stash to FIRE on. It is extremely unlikely that We will ever have to spend less than the median Australian household spends.

However, I still question whether maybe I should shoot higher. I enjoy the freedom of jetting all over the place today, and will have to travel very differently post FIRE to reduce spending.

But like cyclestash says, one or 2 years of extra work won’t really make a fundamental difference. 5 years would make a difference, but 5 years is a massive chunk of time.

Sure, OMY or 2MY would give a little more certainty to my current spending plans as we will be drawing abut 4.5% most likely,, but DW still plans on working casually in the future so this will get us well below 4%, and there is always the chance I might do a short contract or 2 as well. That extra cashflow will also plug any small gaps that need/want plugging.

My body is getting old. I want to get off my ass, and out of the office before it is totally rotted.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on November 09, 2018, 04:44:36 AM
I'm right there with all of you -- extremely nervous.  It's a scary thing to us because it's a huge deal that goes against the grain of the typical working career.  Plus we are all excellent planners, so the unknowns make us nervous.  I agree 100% with Eric that it's not a "failure" in the big scheme if I quit, spend a few years getting my heath and fitness back in order, spend time with my teen age kids before they leave the nest, and then go back to working PT if I need to.  I'd take that deal anytime.   

On the work front, no dice on the severance.  :)  MegaCorp offered me a better job this week, which (when I turn it down) will disqualify me.  I'll just be a straight-up voluntary resignation for me.  Ah well.  Severance was a long shot anyway and would have been just icing on the cake.

I believe I'm going to pull my date forward into January, so as soon as I confirm that you won't be in the lonely spot at the top of the list @Cycling Stache !   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on November 09, 2018, 06:04:44 AM
I love that it is now mid November.

Here in the Middle East the weather is perfect this time of year and friends and families are visiting from all corners of the world. Christmas is just weeks away and I’ll have a short vacation back in Oz to visit everyone.

Before I blink it will be mid Jan and I’ll have just 5 months in front of me.

Or will it be......

Probability of getting a severance:  5%
Probability of resignation and FIRE: 80%
Probability of Employer proposing new assignment which I accept: 5% (FIRE plans on hold indefinitely)
Probability of OMY: 5%
Probability of 2MY: 5%
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on November 09, 2018, 07:30:41 AM
@Trifele - exciting on the potential date change!
@itchyfeet - I have a similar possibility matrix, but mine looks more like this:


Possibility of taking a sabbatical - 99%
Possibility of coming back part-time/reduced afters hours after said sabbatical - 60%
Possibility of turning in my badge after sabbatical & outright quitting - 40%
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on November 09, 2018, 07:54:35 AM
I'm a little nervous seeing my name first on the list!

I have to admit that I started to hesitate when I look at my finances and wonder if I really have enough money.  It's not so much the amount as the sense that, from working, way more money comes in than goes out, so it feels like if anything were to happen, I'd be immediately covered.  I kind of got over this by thinking about how much more money would make me feel better.  $100k?  Probably no impact (we dropped $150k last month from investments before some of the recent recovery).  $500k?  Not in any kind of definite sense, and that's 5 more years working.  A million sounds good, but that's another 10 years, and I'm not working 10 more years just to feel a little more secure.

I completely feel this way too.   I have a number that would make me feel better, but I also know that is not worth the pain.  The  big drop last month (not so much now as some has been recovered) didn't really bother me...I guess that is due in part to I am still working and in part to a targeted 3.25-3.5% WR (allows some cushion for portfolio to drop before I get to the 4% rule).   But still it stresses me - the firehose of cash is a powerful thing.

I'm in the same boat too.  I figure the nerves are there mostly because this is a major life event.  If I'm not nervous about it, there's probably something wrong with me.  I'm willing to bet that all of us would still be nervous even with twice as much money, simply because of the fact that this is a HUGE DEAL!!  It's like the first day of school or getting married.  You've never done it before and while you can read about it all you want, it's hard to actually know what to expect until afterwards.  It's completely normal to be nervous. 

Plus, it doesn't have to be permanent.  In the early retirement community we talk a lot about failure, whether that's portfolio failure or retirement failure.  And within that context, it's basically assumed that if you don't execute a plan that includes never working again that you failed.  But you only get one life.  Did I really fail if I took a decade off work to travel around the world before I went back to work part time?  Technically, sure, the IRP knows that my retirement "failed", but removing the word retirement, nearly everyone else would consider taking a decade off work during your prime living years as a win.  So I try to view it through that lens where even the failure scenario seems like a pretty good option.

Ditto on the nervousness thing. I've been a little spendy lately because between my pension and savings (and subsidized health insurance), I figured I've got more than enough. On the other hand, I'm a little nervous that the withdrawal of losing the Big Paycheck will be psychologically tough to handle. The reality is, I'm planning to keep a check on things by taking a mere 2% (or less) withdrawal anyway, so I should be just fine. But a part of me wants that security of having my account grow fatter and fatter every year -- I'm enamored with the idea of ending up with multi-millions in my account at the end of the road, so I can do good things with the money when I no longer need it. Bottom line for me though is I have to get out of this job; I'm not longer able to be sufficiently productive or caring enough to stick around. So no matter what the market does, I'm going (and unlike younger folks here, at 54, I have to be more realistic about the prospects of employment after I leave . . .).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on November 09, 2018, 08:02:38 AM
I also definitely empathise  with the above posts.

I have a fair sized stash to FIRE on. It is extremely unlikely that We will ever have to spend less than the median Australian household spends.

However, I still question whether maybe I should shoot higher. I enjoy the freedom of jetting all over the place today, and will have to travel very differently post FIRE to reduce spending.

But like cyclestash says, one or 2 years of extra work won’t really make a fundamental difference. 5 years would make a difference, but 5 years is a massive chunk of time.

Sure, OMY or 2MY would give a little more certainty to my current spending plans as we will be drawing abut 4.5% most likely,, but DW still plans on working casually in the future so this will get us well below 4%, and there is always the chance I might do a short contract or 2 as well. That extra cashflow will also plug any small gaps that need/want plugging.

My body is getting old. I want to get off my ass, and out of the office before it is totally rotted.

Same situation here. My damn pension alone will net me more than the median income for a family of 4 in this country (which causes me to have a slight degree of guilt, but then again that money is deferred compensation, i.e., money that's been paid by my agency out of current operating budgets year after year and placed in our pension account). And shit, I just calculated that we have @$350k of equity in our house, so we could easily sell and move to a LCOL area and buy something outright and eliminate our $1,800/mo. mortgage). So why am I still nervous?? Probably that whole thing about waiting for the other shoe to drop when life is going so swimmingly, you know?  Lyle Lovett sings, in his song "Lucky":

I've had an excellent time so far
There's only one thing that I fear
I've been up so long on this lucky star
It could be all downhill from here
It could be all downhill from here
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on November 09, 2018, 08:17:11 AM


Same situation here. My damn pension alone will net me more than the median income for a family of 4 in this country (which causes me to have a slight degree of guilt, but then again that money is deferred compensation, i.e., money that's been paid by my agency out of current operating budgets year after year and placed in our pension account). And shit, I just calculated that we have @$350k of equity in our house, so we could easily sell and move to a LCOL area and buy something outright and eliminate our $1,800/mo. mortgage). So why am I still nervous?? Probably that whole thing about waiting for the other shoe to drop when life is going so swimmingly, you know?  Lyle Lovett sings, in his song "Lucky":


Hehe- you have more home equity than my family had in net worth at the end of 2016....  That made me giggle. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on November 09, 2018, 08:23:17 AM


Same situation here. My damn pension alone will net me more than the median income for a family of 4 in this country (which causes me to have a slight degree of guilt, but then again that money is deferred compensation, i.e., money that's been paid by my agency out of current operating budgets year after year and placed in our pension account). And shit, I just calculated that we have @$350k of equity in our house, so we could easily sell and move to a LCOL area and buy something outright and eliminate our $1,800/mo. mortgage). So why am I still nervous?? Probably that whole thing about waiting for the other shoe to drop when life is going so swimmingly, you know?  Lyle Lovett sings, in his song "Lucky":


Hehe- you have more home equity than my family had in net worth at the end of 2016....  That made me giggle.

Courtesy of significant property value appreciation in our HCOL east coast city! We've only contributed about $83k of that.  :-)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on November 09, 2018, 10:07:57 AM


Same situation here. My damn pension alone will net me more than the median income for a family of 4 in this country (which causes me to have a slight degree of guilt, but then again that money is deferred compensation, i.e., money that's been paid by my agency out of current operating budgets year after year and placed in our pension account). And shit, I just calculated that we have @$350k of equity in our house, so we could easily sell and move to a LCOL area and buy something outright and eliminate our $1,800/mo. mortgage). So why am I still nervous?? Probably that whole thing about waiting for the other shoe to drop when life is going so swimmingly, you know?  Lyle Lovett sings, in his song "Lucky":


Hehe- you have more home equity than my family had in net worth at the end of 2016....  That made me giggle.

Courtesy of significant property value appreciation in our HCOL east coast city! We've only contributed about $83k of that.  :-)

That is even more awesome and giggly!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on November 09, 2018, 04:19:23 PM
18 weeks to go until my notice
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on November 13, 2018, 08:07:44 AM
18 weeks to go until my notice

More or less 7 weeks to go until I likely give mine, but that will be 5 months' notice! On the other hand, the Nervous Nellie in me thinks I may hold off until @60 days before retirement to give notice, just in case I change my mind (once I announce, it will set a series of things in motion, including announcing the vacancy of my position for a new hire/promotion -- hard to unring that bell once it happens). Which is why part of me and  thinking just fucking do it on the first of the new year, to avoid any hemming and hawing and OMY'ing.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on November 13, 2018, 11:34:43 AM
Ditto here. I need to give 3 months notice, but thinking I might give 5 so that I can just move forward with plans with 100% confidence that I am actually not,going to be working post June.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on November 13, 2018, 06:38:45 PM
Wow to these 2-3 months notices.

I am supposed to give 30 days.  Its excruciating to wait.  If I give notice any earlier the predators would descend on the bonus pool immediately
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on November 14, 2018, 12:42:37 AM
Ditto here. I need to give 3 months notice, but thinking I might give 5 so that I can just move forward with plans with 100% confidence that I am actually not,going to be working post June.

I think 3 months notice is long enough for your employer to prepare for your leave. You might find 5 months very long if they start treating you differently.

I need to give 3 full calendar months notice. But as I plan to leave the first of October, my leave can include my whole summer vacation, which could be 5 weeks, depending on how many days I use up earlier next year.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on November 14, 2018, 05:37:15 AM
Ditto here. I need to give 3 months notice, but thinking I might give 5 so that I can just move forward with plans with 100% confidence that I am actually not,going to be working post June.

I think 3 months notice is long enough for your employer to prepare for your leave. You might find 5 months very long if they start treating you differently.

I need to give 3 full calendar months notice. But as I plan to leave the first of October, my leave can include my whole summer vacation, which could be 5 weeks, depending on how many days I use up earlier next year.

I had to give 6 months (CAN military) and the difference is pretty extensive. Lost my office, got added a bunch of administrative tasks, and generally no longer get put up for anything. Plus, now everything is seen in the light "because he's leaving". Oh he arrived 5min late today? He must be phoning in his last 6 months. Didn't comb his hair, lack of motivation... etc.

I gave in the minimum amount of heads up, and would have much preferred 2-4 weeks.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on November 14, 2018, 05:55:00 AM
I really need to stop working soon. Recently I had a health check at work where it was discovered that I have very high blood pressure. This is after I downshifting to working 80% from September. I feel so much less stress than last year (from autumn 2017 to summer 2018). And still my blood pressure is so high. I am going to check it out with my GP next week. Maybe I'll get a machine that measures blood pressure for 24 hours. I am convinced that FIRE would be much better for my health.

The evidence linking chronic high blood pressure to stress is pretty weak/non-existent.  It feels like there should be a link, but several studies seem to sure there isn't one. Home blood pressure monitor is quite useful/interesting though. I would never have guessed that licorice raises my blood pressure by so much, for example.

I had been eating licorice the day before... Let's hope it was only that.
But I do feel stressed and anxious about a lot of things most of the time. For example today at work, where I have responsibility for so many problems that I cannot solve myself. Technical limitations, depending on colleagues who are difficult to reach, depending on a supplier that had several weeks delay. I was pretty relaxed at the start of the day, but my anxiety and feelings of being inadequate are really high now.

Just back at work from a visit to my GP. He also measured very high blood pressure. He thought I might have been affected by the circumstances (being stressed by the test itself). But at the end of the month I will get a 24 hour measuring machine installed on me, on a thursday, which is a working day for me. The machine has a busy agenda and that is why we can't do it earlier. But we'll take it from there. Then I will be measured several times an hour during the whole day. I am very curious about what that will show.

That's good Linda.  I hope you are able to get some actionable information from the tests.   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on November 14, 2018, 06:41:29 AM
Wow to these 2-3 months notices.

I am supposed to give 30 days.  Its excruciating to wait.  If I give notice any earlier the predators would descend on the bonus pool immediately

In my case, it's fed government job, so there is a shitload of paperwork processing that happens with retirements. And backfilling my position will take at least a couple months again because of the red tape (and whoever is selected usually is allowed several pay periods to report, especially if a geographic move involved), so I don't want to leave my colleagues hanging for too long. A friend of mine just filed his paperwork -- SIX MONTHS in advance! (that's the soonest you can file)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on November 14, 2018, 12:00:38 PM
Wow to these 2-3 months notices.

I am supposed to give 30 days.  Its excruciating to wait.  If I give notice any earlier the predators would descend on the bonus pool immediately

In my case, it's fed government job, so there is a shitload of paperwork processing that happens with retirements. And backfilling my position will take at least a couple months again because of the red tape (and whoever is selected usually is allowed several pay periods to report, especially if a geographic move involved), so I don't want to leave my colleagues hanging for too long. A friend of mine just filed his paperwork -- SIX MONTHS in advance! (that's the soonest you can file)

That's a nice advantage of your federal job.  They've been known to terminate people at my company for suggesting they need to relocate and leave.

The arrogance is astounding
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on November 18, 2018, 03:21:38 AM
Updating the roster.  @elaine amj has decided to pull the plug this year.  Congrats elaine!

How is everyone doing?  I am slogging it out and hoping to turn in my resignation next month.  Right around the corner!

2019 FIRE Cohort:

02/01/19     Cycling Stache (44)
02/01/19     Trifele (51)
02/08/19     Socmonkey (37)
02/25/19     MaybeBabyMustache
02/??/19     zinnie  (35)
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/19/19     ChasesFish (36)
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor  (50)     
03/??/19     Roboturner  (30)
03/??/19     Edgema
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     BlindSquirrel
03/31/19     Mr. Ver (39)
03/31/19     Loren Ver (36)
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/01/19     Ryder (39)
04/19/19     Eric
04/23/19     Canadian Ben (29)
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
04/??/19     PowerStache (43)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)                   
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/31/19     Pylortes  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/31/19     dude   
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/??/19     Bateaux  (50)
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/01/19     Freedomin5 (38)
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
10/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
10/01/19     Linda_Norway
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer

OLY FIRE-ees:
markbike528cbx  (55)      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
Elaine amj (40)               OLY -- CONFIRMED 11/30/18
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on November 18, 2018, 06:10:56 AM
Love the roster.  Do I get to count 36 for the retirement age since I'll be 36 on my notice date?  Company "requests" a 1 month notice period, which they tend to pay for but not really ask me to work.  I'll flip over to 37 before the paycheck drops.

17 weeks to go
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on November 18, 2018, 04:29:24 PM
Love the roster.  Do I get to count 36 for the retirement age since I'll be 36 on my notice date?  Company "requests" a 1 month notice period, which they tend to pay for but not really ask me to work.  I'll flip over to 37 before the paycheck drops.

17 weeks to go

Funny you should ask that. I don't have an answer, but DH and I decided to move our date to the end of March since i turn 37 in mid- April.  This way two things happen :1) I get to retire at 36, which is much less prime, but otherwise a very neat number.  DH still gets out at 39, as was the original agreement from many many years ago. 2)  Our first retired day will by April 1st.  We both find that amusing. 

Exciting times!
Loren
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on November 18, 2018, 05:09:05 PM
Love the roster.  Do I get to count 36 for the retirement age since I'll be 36 on my notice date?  Company "requests" a 1 month notice period, which they tend to pay for but not really ask me to work.  I'll flip over to 37 before the paycheck drops.

17 weeks to go

Funny you should ask that. I don't have an answer, but DH and I decided to move our date to the end of March since i turn 37 in mid- April.  This way two things happen :1) I get to retire at 36, which is much less prime, but otherwise a very neat number.  DH still gets out at 39, as was the original agreement from many many years ago. 2)  Our first retired day will by April 1st.  We both find that amusing. 

Exciting times!
Loren

Congrats!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on November 18, 2018, 05:17:56 PM
@Loren Ver and @chasesfish -- got you both updated.  That year really does make a difference, doesn't it?  I remember it felt wonderful when I rolled back my FIRE date over my birthday . . . almost like I got a whole 'nother year of life. 

Exciting times indeed!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on November 19, 2018, 01:24:42 AM
@Loren Ver and @chasesfish -- got you both updated.  That year really does make a difference, doesn't it?  I remember it felt wonderful when I rolled back my FIRE date over my birthday . . . almost like I got a whole 'nother year of life. 

Exciting times indeed!!

At the next update you may add the 1rst of October to my date.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on November 19, 2018, 01:37:40 AM
I can't tell you how excited I am at the thought that the class of 2019 will soon start to graduate.  Despite having defected to the 2018 cohort, who are also a great bunch of people, I still feel more emotionally invested in you lot and will be cheering from the sidelines over the next year.  Come on in, the water's lovely!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on November 19, 2018, 01:40:03 AM
I can't tell you how excited I am at the thought that the class of 2019 will soon start to graduate.  Despite having defected to the 2018 cohort, who are also a great bunch of people, I still feel more emotionally invested in you lot and will be cheering from the sidelines over the next year.  Come on in, the water's lovely!

I am also really excited about it. Less than a year to work for me (if everything works out). And a very short time left to work for most other people in this thread.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on November 19, 2018, 04:48:08 AM
I can't tell you how excited I am at the thought that the class of 2019 will soon start to graduate.  Despite having defected to the 2018 cohort, who are also a great bunch of people, I still feel more emotionally invested in you lot and will be cheering from the sidelines over the next year.  Come on in, the water's lovely!

I am also really excited about it. Less than a year to work for me (if everything works out). And a very short time left to work for most other people in this thread.

Thanks PhilB.  Finding a cohort is like family.  Even if you move around, we're still family ;).

Linda, are you feeling more confident?  I am really cheering for you and your husband!!

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on November 19, 2018, 07:14:31 AM
Yesterday, I found out that my "golden handcuffs" (stock options) aren't worth nearly as much as my company had led me to believe when I accepted my offer. I initially picked 10/1 because that was when I could exercise the first chunk (25%) of options. Now my date will be dictated by works bullshit vs. how close to 4% WR rate I am =D
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on November 19, 2018, 07:24:25 AM
I've heard good things about the month of April, right after Easter. 2019.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on November 27, 2018, 03:28:10 AM
After much consideration over the holiday, I'm going to submit my resignation today!  Target last day of work is January 2.  (I'm required to give four weeks' notice, but I'm planning to take a week off at Christmas, so it ends up being a five week notice.)  I'm thrilled-- so happy I can't sit still.  I honestly thought about pulling the plug 12/31/18, but I figure why not work an extra day and get the month's insurance, and also -- I wanted to stick around with you fine folks in this cohort. 

Hope everyone else is doing well!

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on November 27, 2018, 05:02:53 AM
After much consideration over the holiday, I'm going to submit my resignation today!  Target last day of work is January 2.  (I'm required to give four weeks' notice, but I'm planning to take a week off at Christmas, so it ends up being a five week notice.)  I'm thrilled-- so happy I can't sit still.  I honestly thought about pulling the plug 12/31/18, but I figure why not work an extra day and get the month's insurance, and also -- I wanted to stick around with you fine folks in this cohort. 

Hope everyone else is doing well!


WOO HOO!

That is fantastic.  I was wondering if you were going to slide into the 2018 group or stay here.  Glad you stayed!

The recent market numbers give me mixed feelings.  Normally I wouldn't mind a dip (sale), but the plan was to pull out money at the end of this year to buffer for the future.  We did some math over the weekend and decided that we should be okay with our current cash-like buffers we have established.  Since we decided not to pay off the house at the end of the year, we wont be pulling out quite so much, which is a relief.

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on November 27, 2018, 05:22:09 AM
After much consideration over the holiday, I'm going to submit my resignation today!  Target last day of work is January 2.  (I'm required to give four weeks' notice, but I'm planning to take a week off at Christmas, so it ends up being a five week notice.)  I'm thrilled-- so happy I can't sit still.  I honestly thought about pulling the plug 12/31/18, but I figure why not work an extra day and get the month's insurance, and also -- I wanted to stick around with you fine folks in this cohort. 

Hope everyone else is doing well!

Congrats on putting the first step in motion. Please let us know how it went.
I support you also take some time off around Christmas. Then you probably only have 1 month effective job left? Wow!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on November 27, 2018, 09:29:19 AM
@Trifele, congrats!! That's amazing news. Please do let us know how it plays out =)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SpareChange on November 27, 2018, 09:40:36 AM
After much consideration over the holiday, I'm going to submit my resignation today!  Target last day of work is January 2.  (I'm required to give four weeks' notice, but I'm planning to take a week off at Christmas, so it ends up being a five week notice.)  I'm thrilled-- so happy I can't sit still.  I honestly thought about pulling the plug 12/31/18, but I figure why not work an extra day and get the month's insurance, and also -- I wanted to stick around with you fine folks in this cohort. 

Hope everyone else is doing well!

Very cool! Congrats!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Livingthedream55 on November 27, 2018, 10:38:01 AM
After much consideration over the holiday, I'm going to submit my resignation today!  Target last day of work is January 2.  (I'm required to give four weeks' notice, but I'm planning to take a week off at Christmas, so it ends up being a five week notice.)  I'm thrilled-- so happy I can't sit still.  I honestly thought about pulling the plug 12/31/18, but I figure why not work an extra day and get the month's insurance, and also -- I wanted to stick around with you fine folks in this cohort. 

Hope everyone else is doing well!

Outstanding news - congrats!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SugarMountain on November 27, 2018, 03:45:18 PM
May as well make it official, I've OMY'ed out of the 2018 cohort.  Put me down with a target of 8/1/2019.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on November 27, 2018, 04:36:17 PM
Welp, it's done.  Resignation letter submitted and last day is January 2!  Boss was not that surprised because loads of people are jumping ship (Megacorp takeover in progress), but did try to persuade me to stay.  That was nice, but I just said my mind was made up.  It was a nice conversation, and I thanked Boss for having hired me. 

I'll share with you all that I had an amazing dream last night.  In the dream I bought a new house, and I was walking through it exploring everything.  I opened a door and found a sunny room with a gorgeous garden growing in it, full of flowers.  It was one of the best dreams I've ever had.  I woke up so happy this morning.  I took that dream as a sign that was SO READY to turn in my notice.  And I was -- It went great and I'm content and full of peace.     I feel like that house in my dream is maybe a symbol for my life?  That my subconscious is telling me there are wonderful things ahead.  :) 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on November 27, 2018, 04:43:45 PM
Updated roster with Trifele's new date, and welcoming @SugarMountain!


2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/02/19     Trifele (51)
02/01/19     Cycling Stache (44)
02/08/19     Socmonkey (37)
02/25/19     MaybeBabyMustache
02/??/19     zinnie  (35)
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/19/19     ChasesFish (36)
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor  (50)     
03/??/19     Roboturner  (30)
03/??/19     Edgema
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     BlindSquirrel
03/31/19     Mr. Ver (39)
03/31/19     Loren Ver (36)
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/01/19     Ryder (39)
04/19/19     Eric
04/23/19     Canadian Ben (29)
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
04/??/19     PowerStache (43)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)                   
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/31/19     Pylortes  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/31/19     dude   
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/??/19     Bateaux  (50)
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/01/19     Freedomin5 (38)
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
08/01/19     SugarMountain
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
10/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
10/01/19     Linda_Norway
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer

OLY FIRE-ees:
markbike528cbx  (55)      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
Elaine amj (40)               OLY -- CONFIRMED 11/30/18
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on November 27, 2018, 04:48:54 PM
May as well make it official, I've OMY'ed out of the 2018 cohort.  Put me down with a target of 8/1/2019.

Welcome SugarMountain. We are an excellent cohort, good choice!

Welp, it's done.  Resignation letter submitted and last day is January 2!  Boss was not that surprised because loads of people are jumping ship (Megacorp takeover in progress), but did try to persuade me to stay.  That was nice, but I just said my mind was made up.  It was a nice conversation, and I thanked Boss for having hired me. 

I'll share with you all that I had an amazing dream last night.  In the dream I bought a new house, and I was walking through it exploring everything.  I opened a door and found a sunny room with a gorgeous garden growing in it, full of flowers.  It was one of the best dreams I've ever had.  I woke up so happy this morning.  I took that dream as a sign that was SO READY to turn in my notice.  And I was -- It went great and I'm content and full of peace.     I feel like that house in my dream is maybe a symbol for my life?  That my subconscious is telling me there are wonderful things ahead.  :) 

Double yah!  Love that dream.  Sometimes you just know the time is right!

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on November 28, 2018, 05:41:40 AM
Congrats @Trifele - That might be the first resignation letter of the 2019 cohorts!

I wish I worked for a place where I could actually tell them I'm leaving.  Instead of pushed to take a lateral role so I could transition employees and clients I care about.  My "job change" announcement happened on Monday and news is filtering out.  Formally I'm taking a lateral non-management role.   This relieves me of my fancy president title and I have five weeks to ween out of a job under the "taking a new role" message.   

I'll have 10.5 weeks before any vacation time and holidays in the "new" role to pretend I'm interested in that job
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on November 28, 2018, 07:18:23 AM
Congrats @Trifele - That might be the first resignation letter of the 2019 cohorts!

I wish I worked for a place where I could actually tell them I'm leaving.  Instead of pushed to take a lateral role so I could transition employees and clients I care about.  My "job change" announcement happened on Monday and news is filtering out.  Formally I'm taking a lateral non-management role.   This relieves me of my fancy president title and I have five weeks to ween out of a job under the "taking a new role" message.   

I'll have 10.5 weeks before any vacation time and holidays in the "new" role to pretend I'm interested in that job

That's not too bad of a transition plan all things considered. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on November 28, 2018, 08:18:51 AM
Congrats @Trifele - Note that you might get busy in FIRE and not have time/energy for cohort thread updates.  That happened to me :-)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on November 28, 2018, 04:26:24 PM
Ha ha @markbike528CBX !  If I get so busy post-FIRE that I don't check the thread anymore, I'm sure someone else will take up the baton.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on December 01, 2018, 06:16:01 AM
Happy December everyone!!  Just a quick slide now into 2019 -- OUR YEAR!

Things got very interesting at work the last several days since I turned in my resignation.  Boss has made me an offer to stay on another three months.  I probably won't do it, but it is slightly tempting -- to pad the accounts just a bit more.   Nice to have the option -- I'll have to chew on it for a bit. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on December 01, 2018, 06:26:12 AM
Don't fall into that trap Trifele

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Miss Piggy on December 01, 2018, 09:16:48 AM
Happy December everyone!!  Just a quick slide now into 2019 -- OUR YEAR!


Damn. I like the sound of that!

This stuff's about to get real, folks!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on December 01, 2018, 12:55:53 PM
Happy December everyone!!  Just a quick slide now into 2019 -- OUR YEAR!


Damn. I like the sound of that!

This stuff's about to get real, folks!

Indeed!

On Friday we just got notice that our third level manager is going to change as we are being reorganized.  The middle managers will be announced Monday or Tuesday.  My group is safe.  Great news for my group!  I was hoping for a severance, but having everyone be safe is just too good a news. 

I really really liked my third level manager, so this is kind of a bummer.  The group also thinks we will be losing our first level manager too, but wont have that confirmed until next week.  He is really good.  Having these two manager change makes leaving much easier. 

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SpareChange on December 01, 2018, 01:14:00 PM
Happy December everyone!!  Just a quick slide now into 2019 -- OUR YEAR!

Things got very interesting at work the last several days since I turned in my resignation.  Boss has made me an offer to stay on another three months.  I probably won't do it, but it is slightly tempting -- to pad the accounts just a bit more.   Nice to have the option -- I'll have to chew on it for a bit.

Haha, it's good to be in demand and have options. Choose wisely!

My dad had a TIA (a mini-stroke) recently, and that has added more cement to my plan to drop to PT in 2019 and coast along from there. November was financially a great month thankfully. Good to see so many here dashing to the finish!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Miss Piggy on December 01, 2018, 02:41:02 PM
On Friday we just got notice that our third level manager is going to change as we are being reorganized.  The middle managers will be announced Monday or Tuesday.  My group is safe.  Great news for my group!  I was hoping for a severance, but having everyone be safe is just too good a news. 

Interesting. My group is going through a reorg, too. We're waiting to find out whether we have to re-apply for our jobs (which we will if the roles change by a certain percentage). If that happens, I'll just quietly forget to apply for one of the new roles...then I'll miss the deadline...then I'll get to see if there's any severance.  The sheer entertainment value of it all!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on December 01, 2018, 02:44:34 PM
Earlier this year there was a lot of reorganizing in my company, but my department was safe. We are currently hiring lots of people, including some of the people who were to loose their job in a different part of the company.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on December 01, 2018, 03:09:57 PM
On Friday we just got notice that our third level manager is going to change as we are being reorganized.  The middle managers will be announced Monday or Tuesday.  My group is safe.  Great news for my group!  I was hoping for a severance, but having everyone be safe is just too good a news. 

Interesting. My group is going through a reorg, too. We're waiting to find out whether we have to re-apply for our jobs (which we will if the roles change by a certain percentage). If that happens, I'll just quietly forget to apply for one of the new roles...then I'll miss the deadline...then I'll get to see if there's any severance.  The sheer entertainment value of it all!

The sheer entertainment value of it all! Love that phrase! --- maybe worth a post in Mustachian People Problems :-) 

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on December 01, 2018, 06:14:57 PM
On Friday we just got notice that our third level manager is going to change as we are being reorganized.  The middle managers will be announced Monday or Tuesday.  My group is safe.  Great news for my group!  I was hoping for a severance, but having everyone be safe is just too good a news. 

Interesting. My group is going through a reorg, too. We're waiting to find out whether we have to re-apply for our jobs (which we will if the roles change by a certain percentage). If that happens, I'll just quietly forget to apply for one of the new roles...then I'll miss the deadline...then I'll get to see if there's any severance.  The sheer entertainment value of it all!

That would be incredible
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on December 03, 2018, 12:43:42 PM
On Friday we just got notice that our third level manager is going to change as we are being reorganized.  The middle managers will be announced Monday or Tuesday.  My group is safe.  Great news for my group!  I was hoping for a severance, but having everyone be safe is just too good a news. 

Interesting. My group is going through a reorg, too. We're waiting to find out whether we have to re-apply for our jobs (which we will if the roles change by a certain percentage). If that happens, I'll just quietly forget to apply for one of the new roles...then I'll miss the deadline...then I'll get to see if there's any severance.  The sheer entertainment value of it all!

I just can't even with that process. Like something out of a movie!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on December 03, 2018, 03:53:50 PM
On Friday we just got notice that our third level manager is going to change as we are being reorganized.  The middle managers will be announced Monday or Tuesday.  My group is safe.  Great news for my group!  I was hoping for a severance, but having everyone be safe is just too good a news. 

Interesting. My group is going through a reorg, too. We're waiting to find out whether we have to re-apply for our jobs (which we will if the roles change by a certain percentage). If that happens, I'll just quietly forget to apply for one of the new roles...then I'll miss the deadline...then I'll get to see if there's any severance.  The sheer entertainment value of it all!

That would be incredible

**giggles**  That is just something else. 

Seems like re-orgs are in the air.  Our announcement came across as not very exciting.

LV 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on December 04, 2018, 03:11:16 AM
Just pulling the list forward . . .  Love all the re-orgs/maneuvering!


2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/02/19     Trifele (51)
02/01/19     Cycling Stache (44)
02/08/19     Socmonkey (37)
02/25/19     MaybeBabyMustache
02/??/19     zinnie  (35)
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/19/19     ChasesFish (36)
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor  (50)     
03/??/19     Roboturner  (30)
03/??/19     Edgema
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     BlindSquirrel
03/31/19     Mr. Ver (39)
03/31/19     Loren Ver (36)
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/01/19     Ryder (39)
04/19/19     Eric
04/23/19     Lews Therin (29)
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
04/??/19     PowerStache (43)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)                   
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/31/19     Pylortes  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/31/19     dude   
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/??/19     Bateaux  (50)
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/01/19     Freedomin5 (38)
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
08/01/19     SugarMountain
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
10/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
10/01/19     Linda_Norway
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer

OLY FIRE-ees:
markbike528cbx  (55)      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
Elaine amj (40)               OLY -- CONFIRMED 11/30/18
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on December 04, 2018, 09:59:05 AM
I'm now looking at pushing out my sabbatical to 4/25. Our company allows a 12 week sabbatical, but you have to exhaust your vacation down to zero before it begins. The challenge with taking my sabbatical earlier (as per my previous plan) is that I'll come back (maybe? to part time? not at all?) & will have zero vacation for the summer, which isn't an option with our summer plans. So, by shifting it out a bit, it gives me more flexibility in the event i decide I want to come back part time.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on December 05, 2018, 12:22:49 PM
A little update. We have now reached our FIRE stash, apart from selling the clown house for a good price...

So what is left between now and FIRE is indeed selling that house, and working long enough next year to cover the 2019 expenses. DH thinks we should also save up a bit for a car replacement for the day our current main car stops working. That is why we plan to work to October next year. We will see where we end up.

Luckily being in the FIRE list here is without too much obligation and we are allowed to change plans.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on December 05, 2018, 12:55:59 PM
Luckily being in the FIRE list here is without too much obligation and we are allowed to change plans.

This is simply not true. Your commitment is in blood.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on December 05, 2018, 12:58:08 PM
A little update. We have now reached our FIRE stash, apart from selling the clown house for a good price...

So what is left between now and FIRE is indeed selling that house, and working long enough next year to cover the 2019 expenses. DH thinks we should also save up a bit for a car replacement for the day our current main car stops working. That is why we plan to work to October next year. We will see where we end up.

Luckily being in the FIRE list here is without too much obligation and we are allowed to change plans.


That is great news Linda!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on December 05, 2018, 01:01:34 PM
Your name on the list above is legally binding. If you don`t, the closest mustachian will go to your house and make fun of you till you retire.

Be Warned Linda.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on December 05, 2018, 02:59:50 PM
A little update. We have now reached our FIRE stash, apart from selling the clown house for a good price...

So what is left between now and FIRE is indeed selling that house, and working long enough next year to cover the 2019 expenses. DH thinks we should also save up a bit for a car replacement for the day our current main car stops working. That is why we plan to work to October next year. We will see where we end up.

Luckily being in the FIRE list here is without too much obligation and we are allowed to change plans.
That's fantastic news, Linda_Norway!!!...


This is simply not true. Your commitment is in blood.

Your name on the list above is legally binding. If you don`t, the closest mustachian will go to your house and make fun of you till you retire.

Be Warned Linda.
...but these guys mean business!!!  :-P
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on December 07, 2018, 03:37:18 AM
Congrats on hitting your FIRE number Linda -- that's huge!

This week has just sped by for me.  I thought time might slow down as I approached my last day, but the opposite has been true.  I am NOT going to accept the offer to stay three more months (thanks for the timely comments @2Birds1Stone):
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on December 07, 2018, 08:44:22 AM
A little update. We have now reached our FIRE stash, apart from selling the clown house for a good price...

So what is left between now and FIRE is indeed selling that house, and working long enough next year to cover the 2019 expenses. DH thinks we should also save up a bit for a car replacement for the day our current main car stops working. That is why we plan to work to October next year. We will see where we end up.

Luckily being in the FIRE list here is without too much obligation and we are allowed to change plans.
That's fantastic news, Linda_Norway!!!...


This is simply not true. Your commitment is in blood.

Your name on the list above is legally binding. If you don`t, the closest mustachian will go to your house and make fun of you till you retire.

Be Warned Linda.
...but these guys mean business!!!  :-P

How hard could finding the house be? Huge house with beautiful view in Norway. I'm sure there is only one that fits the description, no problem :-)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Keeks on December 07, 2018, 11:23:19 AM
Hi!  I'm posting to add my name to the 2019 roster.

I’ll be FIRE’ing in early July, just waiting for a large bonus payout in June—will give my notice as soon as that hits the bank account.

I’ve had a fantastic career, but am now in a job that has brought me to utter burnout.  Honestly, staying on for those additional months will be a challenge, but it is the right financial decision and will give me a feeling of completion to make it to my stated goal.  DH will keep working for at least a year—he’s in a job he loves. 

I vacillate regularly between overwhelming excitement for the post-FIRE time, and complete nervousness.  I have started to tell a very small amount of family/friends about my plan but still a part of me does not believe it is real.  (Even typing this post to a bunch of internet strangers fills me with a twinge of nervousness!)

I’m keeping myself occupied with all of the changes that need to be made for a mid-2019 exit:  switched my health insurance to my husband’s employer so we could get the full HSA, meeting with the tax adviser to sort out what my 2019 withholdings will be, sorting out my 401k contributions so I can max out before I leave, and have found a volunteer organization I can spend more time with during the “decompress” time.

I’m with CycleStache on the “do I have enough” fears.  I go back and check my math in a panic on a regular basis, and the numbers always hold up.  While I hate that the market is a mess now and keeping me a tiny bit below where I wanted to be in July, I just need to remind myself that going down NOW is better than going down in a few years.  For now we are still contributing, and not withdrawing from the accounts so its mathematically best—even if it feels painful.

Glad to finally officially be part of the cohort!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on December 07, 2018, 11:38:46 AM
Welcome Keeks

Don't worry about your nervousness, it's natural, but you have to keep your eyes on the prize.

FIREing in summer is great, the only problem you may have is checking out the warm weather from the chilly office.

While having a volunteer org for FIRE is great, don't just rush out the door of your old office and into a new one.

Decompress time should be as non-thinking-active as possible.  Physical activity, yep, do it.  A big part of decompress is learning to say "Nope, not yet".


OP here FIRED 6/1/18.  Come on in, the water is fine!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Livingthedream55 on December 07, 2018, 12:03:39 PM
Your name on the list above is legally binding. If you don`t, the closest mustachian will go to your house and make fun of you till you retire.

Be Warned Linda.

LMAO   : 0 )
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on December 07, 2018, 02:06:16 PM
A little update. We have now reached our FIRE stash, apart from selling the clown house for a good price...

So what is left between now and FIRE is indeed selling that house, and working long enough next year to cover the 2019 expenses. DH thinks we should also save up a bit for a car replacement for the day our current main car stops working. That is why we plan to work to October next year. We will see where we end up.

Luckily being in the FIRE list here is without too much obligation and we are allowed to change plans.
That's fantastic news, Linda_Norway!!!...


This is simply not true. Your commitment is in blood.

Your name on the list above is legally binding. If you don`t, the closest mustachian will go to your house and make fun of you till you retire.

Be Warned Linda.
...but these guys mean business!!!  :-P

How hard could finding the house be? Huge house with beautiful view in Norway. I'm sure there is only one that fits the description, no problem :-)

After reading what rediculously big mansions some Americans live in, the hugeness of my house is relative. Only huge for Norwegian standars: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, large attic/bedroom, double garage, 2 storage rooms.

Most of you live far away, so I still feel pretty safe for not being visited by MMMers making fun of me. And I still think we are going to FIRE in 2019.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on December 07, 2018, 02:07:46 PM
Linda, I would never dare make fun of you. Simply nudge you to pull the trigger toward your goal!

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on December 07, 2018, 03:20:08 PM
I have lots of airlines points, and will be retired next year. Nobody will be safe.
(Also your country is awesome and on my list of places to go.)
It's like that expression you can murder 2 flying animals at the same time if you throw a rock at the right time. (Or something like that)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on December 07, 2018, 05:36:06 PM
14 weeks remaining until notice day!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on December 07, 2018, 05:36:18 PM
Hi!  I'm posting to add my name to the 2019 roster.

I’ll be FIRE’ing in early July...
Welcome, Keeks!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on December 07, 2018, 10:38:49 PM
I have lots of airlines points, and will be retired next year. Nobody will be safe.
(Also your country is awesome and on my list of places to go.)
It's like that expression you can murder 2 flying animals at the same time if you throw a rock at the right time. (Or something like that)

Norway is indeed an incredibly beautiful country. I look forward to getting back there one day.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on December 07, 2018, 10:45:08 PM
14 weeks remaining until notice day!

I will give notice late Feb, so maybe only 10 weeks left for me.

Yikes. That’s coming quickly.

Given that my Net Worth at 31 December 2018 will be pretty much the same as 31 December 2017 despite diligent saving and a big salary its a little nerve racking.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on December 08, 2018, 02:38:49 AM
Welcome aboard @Keeks!  Boy you don't mess around -- your first post announces your FIRE date.  :)

2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/02/19     Trifele (51)
02/01/19     Cycling Stache (44)
02/08/19     Socmonkey (37)
02/25/19     MaybeBabyMustache
02/??/19     zinnie  (35)
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/19/19     ChasesFish (36)
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor  (50)     
03/??/19     Roboturner  (30)
03/??/19     Edgema
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     BlindSquirrel
03/31/19     Mr. Ver (39)
03/31/19     Loren Ver (36)
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/01/19     Ryder (39)
04/19/19     Eric
04/23/19     Lews Therin (29)
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
04/??/19     PowerStache (43)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)                   
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/31/19     Pylortes  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/31/19     dude   
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/??/19     Bateaux  (50)
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/??/19     Keeks
07/01/19     Freedomin5 (38)
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
08/01/19     SugarMountain
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
10/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
10/01/19     Linda_Norway
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer

OLY FIRE-ees:
markbike528cbx  (55)      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
Elaine amj (40)               OLY -- CONFIRMED 11/30/18
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on December 08, 2018, 02:43:33 AM
I have lots of airlines points, and will be retired next year. Nobody will be safe.
(Also your country is awesome and on my list of places to go.)

+1.  We'll be headed to Norway sooner or later too.  Party at Linda's house next year! 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on December 08, 2018, 03:00:18 AM
I have lots of airlines points, and will be retired next year. Nobody will be safe.
(Also your country is awesome and on my list of places to go.)

+1.  We'll be headed to Norway sooner or later too.  Party at Linda's house next year!

That would be something, getting a bunch of 2019 retirees visiting for a party...
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on December 08, 2018, 03:03:35 AM
14 weeks remaining until notice day!

I will give notice late Feb, so maybe only 10 weeks left for me.

Yikes. That’s coming quickly.

Given that my Net Worth at 31 December 2018 will be pretty much the same as 31 December 2017 despite diligent saving and a big salary its a little nerve racking.

Yes, the stock market hasn't been generating a lot of faith in the 4% rule this year. I just hope it will average out in the years to come.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on December 08, 2018, 07:00:46 AM
14 weeks remaining until notice day!

I will give notice late Feb, so maybe only 10 weeks left for me.

Yikes. That’s coming quickly.

Given that my Net Worth at 31 December 2018 will be pretty much the same as 31 December 2017 despite diligent saving and a big salary its a little nerve racking.

Yes, the stock market hasn't been generating a lot of faith in the 4% rule this year. I just hope it will average out in the years to come.

There are going to be some 0% or negative years to offset ones like that 20% we got last year.  It'll all work out
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on December 08, 2018, 08:03:46 AM
Norway is indeed an incredibly beautiful country. I look forward to getting back there one day.
I spent some time in Oslo and then took the train along the coast to Stavanger.  Hiked up to Preikestolen, which afforded an absolutely beautiful view of the fjord below (really wish I had more time to make it to Kjerag).  I would love to go back for more hikes and to explore north to Bergen, Trondheim, and beyond.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Freedomin5 on December 08, 2018, 08:10:14 AM
Oh man, given the ribbing Linda_Norway is getting for even thinking of extending her FIRE date out by a few months, I hesitate to tell you guys that I was just offered a very interesting and lucrative opportunity which would extend my FIRE date out by at least two years, if not longer.

I haven’t moved on the opportunity yet (so I am currently still officially 2019), but FREE housing, FREE private school tuition, FREE round trip flights home, FREE healthcare, LOWER STRESS job, THREE MONTHS paid vacation per year, and a great work environment with a great group of people, is a bit hard to pass. Oh, and the salary is pretty decent too.

Once Lews Therin is done making fun of Linda in Norway, I’m mentally preparing myself to find him standing at my door in China. I’ll even plan to invite him into my super expensive but FREE luxury apartment. He can make fun of me from inside its air conditioned comfort. No need to stand outside in the sweltering heat.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on December 08, 2018, 08:23:09 AM
Oh man, given the ribbing Linda_Norway is getting for even thinking of extending her FIRE date out by a few months, I hesitate to tell you guys that I was just offered a very interesting and lucrative opportunity which would extend my FIRE date out by at least two years, if not longer.

I haven’t moved on the opportunity yet (so I am currently still officially 2019), but FREE housing, FREE private school tuition, FREE round trip flights home, FREE healthcare, LOWER STRESS job, THREE MONTHS paid vacation per year, and a great work environment with a great group of people, is a bit hard to pass. Oh, and the salary is pretty decent too.

Once Lews Therin is done making fun of Linda in Norway, I’m mentally preparing myself to find him standing at my door in China. I’ll even plan to invite him into my super expensive but FREE luxury apartment. He can make fun of me from inside its air conditioned comfort. No need to stand outside in the sweltering heat.

No need to explain @Freedomin5 ... Personally you had me at "three months paid vacation a year."  Damn that sounds tempting.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on December 08, 2018, 08:27:43 AM
Oh man, given the ribbing Linda_Norway is getting for even thinking of extending her FIRE date out by a few months, I hesitate to tell you guys that I was just offered a very interesting and lucrative opportunity which would extend my FIRE date out by at least two years, if not longer.

I haven’t moved on the opportunity yet (so I am currently still officially 2019), but FREE housing, FREE private school tuition, FREE round trip flights home, FREE healthcare, LOWER STRESS job, THREE MONTHS paid vacation per year, and a great work environment with a great group of people, is a bit hard to pass. Oh, and the salary is pretty decent too.
I would milk that for all that it's worth!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SpareChange on December 09, 2018, 09:19:48 AM
I haven’t moved on the opportunity yet (so I am currently still officially 2019), but FREE housing, FREE private school tuition, FREE round trip flights home, FREE healthcare, LOWER STRESS job, THREE MONTHS paid vacation per year, and a great work environment with a great group of people, is a bit hard to pass. Oh, and the salary is pretty decent too.

Are you sure you didn't just dream this? :p.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on December 09, 2018, 02:57:34 PM
Welcome to Keeks!!  This is a wonderful cohort, nervousness and all :).

Linda I would never come to make fun of you, but if you are holding a 2019 FIRE get together at your place, I'd find a way to be there.  The bigger house would probably be better   :)  :)  :).

Freedomin5, that sounds like it could be a good option, or a trap (see Admiral Ackbar above).  If you go for it, I hope it is all you hoped it could be. 

Things for me are moving forward.  We are certainly at the two steps forward one step back part of investing :).

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on December 09, 2018, 09:13:07 PM
Nervousness now mixed with a dose of frustration.

Australian stock market down a further 2% today. Syedney property prices deflating in an accelerating fashion.

 The gap between me and “my number” is getting rather big. I now think I’ll only be at 88-90% of my number by my FIRE day in June, which equates to a 4.5% planned withdrawal rate. Not as conservative as I would really like.

Still, DW will earn a little post FIRE which should bridge the gap.....

Tempted to just draw down on everything, go to the casino put it all on red and put all this emotional angst behind me one way or the other??
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Freedomin5 on December 09, 2018, 10:39:16 PM
We will see. I do live in a China after all, so what they say is sometimes vastly different from reality. I won’t really know for sure until I have the contract in front of me, and even then there is no guarantee that the contract will be honored.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on December 10, 2018, 08:10:52 PM
Received my 2019 compensation package today. They went big. I'll receive the bonus in January, so that's guaranteed. I am getting an 11% salary raise, which is much higher than standard for my corporation. And. . .$250k in stock. Total package for the year at $700k. I know my manager wants to retain me. . . if I can get part-time at this pay rate (porportionally by hours), that would be some crazy amazing part time money.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on December 11, 2018, 04:41:47 AM
Received my 2019 compensation package today. They went big. I'll receive the bonus in January, so that's guaranteed. I am getting an 11% salary raise, which is much higher than standard for my corporation. And. . .$250k in stock. Total package for the year at $700k. I know my manager wants to retain me. . . if I can get part-time at this pay rate (porportionally by hours), that would be some crazy amazing part time money.

Wow, that's solid.  How long does it take before the stock vests at your place?  We have a four year cliff vesting and that RSU login just looks like pretend money because of how long it takes to earn it
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on December 11, 2018, 04:55:39 AM
Received my 2019 compensation package today. They went big. I'll receive the bonus in January, so that's guaranteed. I am getting an 11% salary raise, which is much higher than standard for my corporation. And. . .$250k in stock. Total package for the year at $700k. I know my manager wants to retain me. . . if I can get part-time at this pay rate (porportionally by hours), that would be some crazy amazing part time money.

Wow, those are some huge numbers!  Congrats!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on December 11, 2018, 05:26:44 AM
Oh my! At that compensation level someone could retire in 3 years from scratch!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on December 11, 2018, 07:19:04 AM
Received my 2019 compensation package today. They went big. I'll receive the bonus in January, so that's guaranteed. I am getting an 11% salary raise, which is much higher than standard for my corporation. And. . .$250k in stock. Total package for the year at $700k. I know my manager wants to retain me. . . if I can get part-time at this pay rate (porportionally by hours), that would be some crazy amazing part time money.

Wow, that's solid.  How long does it take before the stock vests at your place?  We have a four year cliff vesting and that RSU login just looks like pretend money because of how long it takes to earn it

Our vesting schedule depends on the size of the grant. For my grant, I'll get a monthly grant with even distribution for the next 48 months. The big advantage of the large grant sizes is the monthly vests. At smaller grants, you are on a quarterly or even yearly vest.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on December 11, 2018, 07:23:09 AM
Thanks, @Loren Ver and @2Birds1Stone . Even with crazy expensive housing, a few years at this rate would make all of the difference. We haven't made this much before - this is "new money", as our move to California corresponded with greatly increased expenses (taxes, housing), but 3x/4x salary.

Golden handcuffs! So hard to leave.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on December 11, 2018, 07:34:51 AM
Received my 2019 compensation package today. They went big. I'll receive the bonus in January, so that's guaranteed. I am getting an 11% salary raise, which is much higher than standard for my corporation. And. . .$250k in stock. Total package for the year at $700k. I know my manager wants to retain me. . . if I can get part-time at this pay rate (porportionally by hours), that would be some crazy amazing part time money.
Shizzam!!  Even I have dollar signs in my eyes!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MustacheAnxiety on December 12, 2018, 01:40:42 PM
Received my 2019 compensation package today. They went big. I'll receive the bonus in January, so that's guaranteed. I am getting an 11% salary raise, which is much higher than standard for my corporation. And. . .$250k in stock. Total package for the year at $700k. I know my manager wants to retain me. . . if I can get part-time at this pay rate (porportionally by hours), that would be some crazy amazing part time money.

Damn, and I thought we were struggling to get off our gravy train with biscuit wheels (which pays 2 people well less than half of your 2019 salary).  Congrats! I hope you figure out a good part time scheme or find a way to say enough even though they want to pay you so much for just one year.

Unofficially signing up for 2019 cohort as 1 of 2 votes is most definitely not on board yet.  It is a bit early but after totaling our annual 2018 spending we are coming in with spending just under 2% of our invested assets.  Adding 17K extra for health care (which we may or may not need depending on the ACA) and 6K for travel/hobbies that have not had time for we are right around 3%.  There are tentative plans to move to a modest (300-330K) dream house in the sticks post retirement.  So that is what 2019 will be all about, getting that last 130K for the house swap (even with the higher priced house taxes will be the same).  With no help from the stock market we should be there sometime in October.

So the last question is what if the market tanks?  If we drop another 30 or 40% what are the plans for the rest of the cohort?

Statistically, we should still be fine calling it quits, right? If we can retire now at a 3% SWR and we save cash for a new house, it is the same (or slightly better) than retiring now.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on December 12, 2018, 02:44:30 PM
So the last question is what if the market tanks?  If we drop another 30 or 40% what are the plans for the rest of the cohort?

Hopefully everyone has a plan for this.  Personally, the die has been cast, so I'm retiring no matter what.  However, a 30% market drop should not equal a 30% portfolio drop, assuming you hold some bonds.  For reference, a 70/30 stock/bond portfolio would only lose 20% of its value during a 30% stock market draw down.  (This assumes bonds are flat, which is a pretty conservative assumption).  If that happened, I wouldn't change much as I feel like my portfolio can absorb a 20% hit and still be okay.  At full planned spending, that'd put me at about a 4.5% WR, which again is probably fine if you're starting from a depressed point.  I'd likely spend less due to nerves, but I doubt it'd be necessary. 

Larger market draw downs would result in definite cutting of planned spending - much less travel, find a place with really cheap rent and hole up, more visits to family because it's rent free because we miss them, etc.  My spending is fairly flexible though, since I won't have a permanent home, so I feel pretty okay about being able to weather the next recession by simply moving to a cheap location and reducing spending, possibly drastically, without too much of a quality of life hit.  Of course, having never done it, I don't know if it's actually sustainable.  Only one way to find out I guess.  lol  All I know is that I really don't want to have to earn any money again. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Pylortes on December 12, 2018, 03:23:00 PM
So the last question is what if the market tanks?  If we drop another 30 or 40% what are the plans for the rest of the cohort?

Hopefully everyone has a plan for this.  Personally, the die has been cast, so I'm retiring no matter what.  However, a 30% market drop should not equal a 30% portfolio drop, assuming you hold some bonds.  For reference, a 70/30 stock/bond portfolio would only lose 20% of its value during a 30% stock market draw down.  (This assumes bonds are flat, which is a pretty conservative assumption).  If that happened, I wouldn't change much as I feel like my portfolio can absorb a 20% hit and still be okay.  At full planned spending, that'd put me at about a 4.5% WR, which again is probably fine if you're starting from a depressed point.  I'd likely spend less due to nerves, but I doubt it'd be necessary. 

Larger market draw downs would result in definite cutting of planned spending - much less travel, find a place with really cheap rent and hole up, more visits to family because it's rent free because we miss them, etc.  My spending is fairly flexible though, since I won't have a permanent home, so I feel pretty okay about being able to weather the next recession by simply moving to a cheap location and reducing spending, possibly drastically, without too much of a quality of life hit.  Of course, having never done it, I don't know if it's actually sustainable.  Only one way to find out I guess.  lol  All I know is that I really don't want to have to earn any money again.

I try to be adaptable.  If the market tanks, I will plan to work longer so I can load up on cheap stocks. Too hard for me to pass up bargains, and I have a wish list of companies I follow (and I price I would pay) that I would buy shares of in a drop.   But not too much longer (maybe a few months?), as I'm getting pretty sick of work. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on December 12, 2018, 03:34:21 PM
@MustacheAnxiety - my first response was guilt. I'm thrilled, and appreciate the recognition for my efforts, but . . . a lot of guilt. I've had many moments of, if I work for another year, I can do X for my family (sister, etc). If I work for another two years, I can do Y for a charitable contribution I care about, etc. It's very, very difficult to walk away from the money. Which, is of course, the goal.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: forward on December 12, 2018, 04:25:42 PM

I haven't posted on the forum for a while but still stop in for inspiration and you all are inspiring.  I am thinking I am going to be in the 2019 cohort!  I do hope I am not in the 2018 cohort because I would like to put a little more away to pay off the house but that may be beyond my control.

Like some others, I bounce between overwhelming excitement and absolute trepidation for the post-FIRE time.  But the job almost always has me down.   

Work has become excrutiating and getting through the next 14 weeks will be very hard, if I last that long.  If I make it that long, I'll put my required 90 day notice in but I suspect I will be asked to leave at that moment.  its that kind of place.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on December 12, 2018, 05:43:32 PM
Unofficially signing up for 2019 cohort as 1 of 2 votes is most definitely not on board yet.  It is a bit early but after totaling our annual 2018 spending we are coming in with spending just under 2% of our invested assets.  Adding 17K extra for health care (which we may or may not need depending on the ACA) and 6K for travel/hobbies that have not had time for we are right around 3%.  There are tentative plans to move to a modest (300-330K) dream house in the sticks post retirement.  So that is what 2019 will be all about, getting that last 130K for the house swap (even with the higher priced house taxes will be the same).  With no help from the stock market we should be there sometime in October.

So the last question is what if the market tanks?  If we drop another 30 or 40% what are the plans for the rest of the cohort?

Statistically, we should still be fine calling it quits, right? If we can retire now at a 3% SWR and we save cash for a new house, it is the same (or slightly better) than retiring now.

If you're at 3%, you've already worked too long and over the last year or couple of years spent your youngest, arguably best remaining years working when you didn't need to.  This fully accounts for a 30 or 40% drop. 

If a 30-40% drop causes a panic or any kind of re-evaluation of whether or not we should have FIREd then we didn't have a good enough plan in place.  Drops of that size happen all the time.  My backup plans include:
1.  Set up an LLC so I can do some part-time consulting.  This will allow me to keep certificates that are required in my field up to date if things get *really* bad and I need to return to full-time work.  I anticipate working 6-18 weeks per year for a year or two to see if we FIREd into a situation like the mid-1960s cohorts. 
2.  Have buffer built into the budget.  My partner and I have agreed on a prioritized order of budget cuts if things start to look bad.
3.  We've ignored our pensions and Social Security, which we'll be able to access about 20 years into FIRE.
4.  Ignored the possibility of any inheritance, although a not insignificant inheritance probable.
5.  Use a very low withdrawal rate - I expect we'll be at 3.6-3.7% if the market returns 0% between now and our FIRE date in May.  I'm kind of embarrassed to admit that I'm going with such an unreasonably low withdrawal rate, but it'll help me sleep at night even if it's not at all logical to go that low. 
6.  Use a rising equities glidepath to reduce the sequence of returns risk.

So, in short, my plan to deal with a 30-40% drop in the markets will be to shrug and FIRE anyway.  We're well below the SWR of 4%, we have concrete plans in place to earn money if needed, we have concrete plans in place to cut expenses if needed, and we are completely ignoring very likely additional income in the form of Social Security, Pensions, and potential inheritance.  Of course I say that now, but my bravado may be proven to be false if the markets crash right before my FIRE date, or my greed may rise up as I see equities go on sale. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MustacheAnxiety on December 12, 2018, 06:59:00 PM
@MustacheAnxiety - my first response was guilt. I'm thrilled, and appreciate the recognition for my efforts, but . . . a lot of guilt. I've had many moments of, if I work for another year, I can do X for my family (sister, etc). If I work for another two years, I can do Y for a charitable contribution I care about, etc. It's very, very difficult to walk away from the money. Which, is of course, the goal.

Seriously, the last thing you should feel is guilt, especially not because of something I said.  You are in a tough position (which is something only one super privileged person can say to another about making 700K in a year ... and now I feel kind of guilty).  But seriously if there is something you are really excited about retiring too I hope you find a way to leave in 2019.  If you like your job well enough and can carve out enough time for the other things that make you happy, work another year or two. 

I appreciate the thoughts on back-up plans and why we should pull the trigger in 2019, even if the big one hits, keep them coming.

Also, I officially have a pencil 'stache Woohoo.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on December 12, 2018, 07:47:48 PM
So the last question is what if the market tanks?  If we drop another 30 or 40% what are the plans for the rest of the cohort?

Statistically, we should still be fine calling it quits, right? If we can retire now at a 3% SWR and we save cash for a new house, it is the same (or slightly better) than retiring now.


After recent drops in my investments, I'm down to 74X barebones and a 1.35% SWR.  Sounds good, but that's more of an existence budget, minimal discretionary spending, not a way I would want to live in FIRE.  It's my maximum cut-back that would still allow me to pay all the necesarry bills including ongoing maintenance on my home without downsizing or living with anyone else.

My planned fire budget which includes a nice sum for discretionary spending for things like entertainment and travel puts my stash currently at 26X, so just under a 4% SWR.

I have about 6 months of saving to come prior to my FIRE date in early June, but that will be offset mostly by some significant home repair projects - new roof, new deck, new appliances and new flooring to name a few - plus some home improvement projects.  So that still leaves me at about 26X if my investments merely keep up with inflation.

This doesn't include inheritance or SS. I will collect SS 15 years into FIRE, which will bring my stash SWR below 3% based on the SS calculator.

I moved from 80% to 60% equities in the last year when my investments were nearly at their peak, so I can weather some significant market drops for years without having to work.

That said, my preferred plan was not to FIRE completely in June 2019, but rather, move to part time work doing my same job until the following spring of 2020 to FIRE completely.  The way things are going where I work, being able to stay on part time isn't looking likely.  I like my job.  It's interesting, I got my own office (no cubicle) over a year ago, I have a lot of flexibility, it's a short commute, so I really don't want to just call it quits completely that soon.  So I'm now considering just staying on full time for 10 more months past my original FIRE date, then completely FIRE in April 2020 with no part time plans, so my full-on FIRE would still be the same as if I had gone part time instead 10 months earlier.  I would still be like part time in July and August since I take so much vacation during the summer.  Maybe we'll have some more certainty on the ACA by then also with this lawsuit that's dragging out.

But, I don't have to decide until May 2019 if I want to go ahead and FIRE in June 2019 and try to stay on part time for a while longer or just stay on full time another 10 months before FIREing completely in April 2020.

Back to the question about a 30%-40% drop in the market, that wouldn't be an issue, assuming it recovered over time like it normally has after a recession.  I've already been expecting we'll see a recession during the early part of my FIRE and that we could see a big drop in the market that could take years to recover from.  I've already moved to a more conservative asset allocation and have plenty of buffer in my budget in available discretionary spending cuts.  So I wouldn't feel that I need to continue working longer for that reason alone, yet I may continue to work a little longer anyway.

Edit:  corrected my decision deadline to May 2019.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on December 13, 2018, 01:52:32 AM
So the last question is what if the market tanks?  If we drop another 30 or 40% what are the plans for the rest of the cohort?

If the market drops that much, we will take up a mortgage on the house and buy stock, while waiting for the home to be sold in 2019, for the minimum price we want.

We plan to sell the house in 2019 and with that transaction we expect to free up approx 400K to bulk buy into the stock market. We'd better make use of some market timing if there is a perfect moment for it. So we'll do it in advance in case of a crash.

It is harder to figure out what to do is there is not a crash, as a coming crash always seems due when the market is high.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on December 13, 2018, 02:13:56 AM
Welcome @MustacheAnxiety!  Wow, your numbers are already at the 'fat FIRE' level.  We have all sorts here, folks like you that have a huge stash, and those like me that are skinnier (~4% bare bones). 

Welcome @forward!  I definitely hear you on the mix of feelings.  I love the smell of fear mixed with exhilaration in the morning.  Got you added.  Let us know when you have a date.


2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/31/19     Trifele (51)
02/01/19     Cycling Stache (44)
02/08/19     Socmonkey (37)
02/25/19     MaybeBabyMustache
02/??/19     zinnie  (35)
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/19/19     ChasesFish (36)
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor  (50)     
03/??/19     Roboturner  (30)
03/??/19     Edgema
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     BlindSquirrel
03/31/19     Mr. Ver (39)
03/31/19     Loren Ver (36)
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/01/19     Ryder (39)
04/19/19     Eric
04/23/19     Lews Therin (29)
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
04/??/19     PowerStache (43)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)                   
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/31/19     Pylortes  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/31/19     dude   
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/??/19     Bateaux  (50)
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/??/19     Keeks
07/01/19     Freedomin5 (38)
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
08/01/19     SugarMountain
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
10/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
10/01/19     Linda_Norway
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer
MustacheAnxiety
forward

OLY FIRE-ees:
markbike528cbx  (55)      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
Elaine amj (40)               OLY -- CONFIRMED 11/30/18   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on December 13, 2018, 05:51:28 AM
Welcome new people!  Glad you are looking at pulling the triggers in 2019 too!

For the big crash question, that is an interesting question as DH and I are going to be right around 4% (maybe more, maybe less) depending on the market when we leave.  Since we haven't been high earners most of our careers, we have taken high risk with our portfolios to cut down on time.  So if stocks go down, we go very down with them. 

So, what is the plan if bad times hit early in retirement since we don't plan on keeping out jobs:
1.  We have two years of mortgage payments in cash.  Having a cheap house really helps with this. 
2.  We will also have an additional cash buffer to fill in gaps.
3.  Knowing the mortgage is covered, we can cut spending by over a third and still be happy, if less traveled.   
4.  We plan on pulling money out the year before for tax reasons (2019 money will mostly come from 2018 investments), so we know at what value we will be selling.   If things are bad, we can put off pulling out more money and use the cash above. 
5.  Even though we are mostly in stocks, we have some diversity there.  We can draw down from industries that are still in the green, or that are most likely to bounce back fast. 
6.  If things are really really bad, and we can pull out no money, and all our cash is dwindling, we will have to find a way, between the 2 of us, to bring in ~$24,000 per year to keep us afloat.  I have skills, even if not high paying, are highly desirable. 

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on December 13, 2018, 07:03:48 AM
Welcome new people!  Glad you are looking at pulling the triggers in 2019 too!

For the big crash question, that is an interesting question as DH and I are going to be right around 4% (maybe more, maybe less) depending on the market when we leave.  Since we haven't been high earners most of our careers, we have taken high risk with our portfolios to cut down on time.  So if stocks go down, we go very down with them. 

So, what is the plan if bad times hit early in retirement since we don't plan on keeping out jobs:
1.  We have two years of mortgage payments in cash.  Having a cheap house really helps with this. 
2.  We will also have an additional cash buffer to fill in gaps.
3.  Knowing the mortgage is covered, we can cut spending by over a third and still be happy, if less traveled.   
4.  We plan on pulling money out the year before for tax reasons (2019 money will mostly come from 2018 investments), so we know at what value we will be selling.   If things are bad, we can put off pulling out more money and use the cash above. 
5.  Even though we are mostly in stocks, we have some diversity there.  We can draw down from industries that are still in the green, or that are most likely to bounce back fast. 
6.  If things are really really bad, and we can pull out no money, and all our cash is dwindling, we will have to find a way, between the 2 of us, to bring in ~$24,000 per year to keep us afloat.  I have skills, even if not high paying, are highly desirable.

I'm very fortunate to have a pension that will cover my non-discretionary spending. And I figured I'd already won the game, so to speak, when my retirement accounts were @$800k, so I dropped to a 50/50 allocation (for at least as long as this market reverts back or close to the mean) where I've earned a risk-free 2.87% on the bond half over the past year. With recent market drops, I'm down to @$760k now, but that's still plenty enough money that I can take $15k for discretionary spending and still only be at a <2% withdrawal. I will also earn some income, perhaps a couple grand annually, working a hobby gig very part-time. So really the only detrimental thing I envision if markets stayed down or flat would be traveling domestically rather than internationally for a little while. Not a big deal.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Livingthedream55 on December 13, 2018, 08:31:43 AM
100 Work Days to go!!!!!!!

With some vacation and personal days slated for early 2019, I have only 100 more days at the office to go! I can't believe it's getting so close.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on December 13, 2018, 08:25:46 PM
Welcome new people!  Glad you are looking at pulling the triggers in 2019 too!

For the big crash question, that is an interesting question as DH and I are going to be right around 4% (maybe more, maybe less) depending on the market when we leave.  Since we haven't been high earners most of our careers, we have taken high risk with our portfolios to cut down on time.  So if stocks go down, we go very down with them. 

So, what is the plan if bad times hit early in retirement since we don't plan on keeping out jobs:
1.  We have two years of mortgage payments in cash.  Having a cheap house really helps with this. 
2.  We will also have an additional cash buffer to fill in gaps.
3.  Knowing the mortgage is covered, we can cut spending by over a third and still be happy, if less traveled.   
4.  We plan on pulling money out the year before for tax reasons (2019 money will mostly come from 2018 investments), so we know at what value we will be selling.   If things are bad, we can put off pulling out more money and use the cash above. 
5.  Even though we are mostly in stocks, we have some diversity there.  We can draw down from industries that are still in the green, or that are most likely to bounce back fast. 
6.  If things are really really bad, and we can pull out no money, and all our cash is dwindling, we will have to find a way, between the 2 of us, to bring in ~$24,000 per year to keep us afloat.  I have skills, even if not high paying, are highly desirable.

I'm very fortunate to have a pension that will cover my non-discretionary spending. And I figured I'd already won the game, so to speak, when my retirement accounts were @$800k, so I dropped to a 50/50 allocation (for at least as long as this market reverts back or close to the mean) where I've earned a risk-free 2.87% on the bond half over the past year. With recent market drops, I'm down to @$760k now, but that's still plenty enough money that I can take $15k for discretionary spending and still only be at a <2% withdrawal. I will also earn some income, perhaps a couple grand annually, working a hobby gig very part-time. So really the only detrimental thing I envision if markets stayed down or flat would be traveling domestically rather than internationally for a little while. Not a big deal.
I'm in a similar situation like dude in that I also get a pension.  In addition, my regular taxable accounts are around $800K (retirement accounts around $525K).  My pension will give me $53K annually, and during good market conditions my taxable accounts generate about $26K for income.  After taxes total passive income will be around $64K a year.  In worst case, my taxable accounts deliver zero for income.  So my passive income range when I start FIRE is high-end of $64K and low-end of $40K.  I also have enough cash available (currently at $73K) to last me two years worth of living expenses.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Freedomin5 on December 13, 2018, 08:28:44 PM
Millenial Revolution's website does a good job explaining the cash buffer and yield shield (https://www.millennial-revolution.com/yield-shield/ (https://www.millennial-revolution.com/yield-shield/)) on how to protect yourself if you happen to retire right before a market crash.

For us, we'd probably just end up working another few years. DH has already said he wants to renew his contract because he enjoys his work, so we know for sure we will have one income coming in (does that still count as FIRE-ing in 2019 if I stop working, if we end up saving his entire income and just living off our investment income)?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on December 14, 2018, 08:04:31 AM
Welcome new people!  Glad you are looking at pulling the triggers in 2019 too!

For the big crash question, that is an interesting question as DH and I are going to be right around 4% (maybe more, maybe less) depending on the market when we leave.  Since we haven't been high earners most of our careers, we have taken high risk with our portfolios to cut down on time.  So if stocks go down, we go very down with them. 

So, what is the plan if bad times hit early in retirement since we don't plan on keeping out jobs:
1.  We have two years of mortgage payments in cash.  Having a cheap house really helps with this. 
2.  We will also have an additional cash buffer to fill in gaps.
3.  Knowing the mortgage is covered, we can cut spending by over a third and still be happy, if less traveled.   
4.  We plan on pulling money out the year before for tax reasons (2019 money will mostly come from 2018 investments), so we know at what value we will be selling.   If things are bad, we can put off pulling out more money and use the cash above. 
5.  Even though we are mostly in stocks, we have some diversity there.  We can draw down from industries that are still in the green, or that are most likely to bounce back fast. 
6.  If things are really really bad, and we can pull out no money, and all our cash is dwindling, we will have to find a way, between the 2 of us, to bring in ~$24,000 per year to keep us afloat.  I have skills, even if not high paying, are highly desirable.

I'm very fortunate to have a pension that will cover my non-discretionary spending. And I figured I'd already won the game, so to speak, when my retirement accounts were @$800k, so I dropped to a 50/50 allocation (for at least as long as this market reverts back or close to the mean) where I've earned a risk-free 2.87% on the bond half over the past year. With recent market drops, I'm down to @$760k now, but that's still plenty enough money that I can take $15k for discretionary spending and still only be at a <2% withdrawal. I will also earn some income, perhaps a couple grand annually, working a hobby gig very part-time. So really the only detrimental thing I envision if markets stayed down or flat would be traveling domestically rather than internationally for a little while. Not a big deal.
I'm in a similar situation like dude in that I also get a pension.  In addition, my regular taxable accounts are around $800K (retirement accounts around $525K).  My pension will give me $53K annually, and during good market conditions my taxable accounts generate about $26K for income.  After taxes total passive income will be around $64K a year.  In worst case, my taxable accounts deliver zero for income.  So my passive income range when I start FIRE is high-end of $64K and low-end of $40K.  I also have enough cash available (currently at $73K) to last me two years worth of living expenses.

Right on, Cornbread. Foregoing the private sector money for the pension and benefits was a conscious choice I made @22 years ago, and I don't regret it for one minute.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 6-Saturdays on December 14, 2018, 08:32:42 AM
Checks countdown app on phone... 364 days, 260 weekdays. So I'm hopeful to join the 2019 cohort as of December 13th 2019.  I will be 44 at that point.

My prediction is that DW may get a sweetheart deal at her work, she has been the linchpin to keeping one of their bigger clients happy, but the only way she stays is part-time and 100% remote from sunny Mexico.  They currently have a rule at her office about no remote work from Mexico (no obvious reason why, they currently have other offices outside the US), but I suspect this rule gets changed when the choice is DW + part-time+ Mexico = Happy Client who continues to send work your way or No DW = Not Happy Client and possibly less work. 

We don't need her to work to RE at this point, but she has expressed the possibility of liking some structure to her day and a way to silence her "inner bag-lady".

As to market downturn, we have that planned into our Financial Manifesto, decrease discretionary spending, rent out the casita on our property in Mexico, dance for nickles down by the pier, you get the gist.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on December 14, 2018, 09:09:50 AM
So much is up in the air right now regarding work.

I have my first chunk of options vesting October 1, 2019.......but we have to go public for them to be worth anything.

My financial model still shows my 12 month trailing expenses crossing 4% of investments in August of 2019.

If I feel there is a good chance we go public late 2019/early 2020, then I think it might we worth staying a little while longer, especially if stocks do go on a fire sale.

As a household we are only at ~14x annual expenses.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on December 14, 2018, 07:34:33 PM
Right on, Cornbread. Foregoing the private sector money for the pension and benefits was a conscious choice I made @22 years ago, and I don't regret it for one minute.
I would like to get my taxable accounts to generate after-tax $40K per year.  Considering the outlook for the US economy is only about 2% growth for 2019 (and possibly beyond) and a lot of market volatility, getting to that $40K amount is probably going to take several more years of accumulation phase.  When I hit my FIRE date in about nine months my accumulation phase essentially ends.  However, I think I will have periods where I work and earn income doing something.  I've been reading Tim Ferriss' book The 4-Hour Workweek and really like the idea of working two months and then taking one month off or I can just do seasonal work.  Scuba diving instructor is an option for me, and I can have short periods of mini-accumulation where I can invest more money into the taxable accounts.  Eventually, I will get to the point where my taxable accounts generate $40K in after-tax passive income.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on December 15, 2018, 05:22:50 AM
OK, got some news here.  I've pushed my FIRE date back to 1/31/19.  At work they were (surprisingly quickly) able to hire my replacement, and she starts the week after next.  They lucked out because she is already with the company in another division and can transfer over quickly.  Boss begged me to stay and train her for a month, and I said yes.  I told myself it was only 21 more days of work, and I could leave feeling good that I had helped with the transition.  I know from experience what it's like to train people from scratch vs. having their predecessor available.

So before you start the face punches -- my subconscious/right brain/real self/whatever-you-want-to-call-it already beat you to it.  I had a recurring dream all night last night that I was fleeing from shadowy figures.  Sometimes they seemed like criminals, and sometimes they seemed like 'authorities.'  I was struggling to flee because I had two big trunks I had to drag along with me, full of clothes, books, and miscellaneous crap.  And they were so heavy.  I tried to give things away to people, and that lightened the load a bit, but not enough.  I wasn't brave enough to just drop the trunks and run.  So I struggled onward, in fear and doubt.

Cohort member @sui generis did a very thoughtful post in her journal lately about our internal 'Narrator.'  Some call it the 'Interpreter.'  It is the voice we often hear when we think, that explains and interprets events and keeps us on an even mental keel.  But the Narrator is not who we really are, or at least not all of who we actually are.  If you've heard of the fascinating so-called 'Split Brain' experiments, this 'Narrator' was one aspect of how the two halves of the brain work together.

So here I am, a 51 year old logical-as-hell lawyer, and I feel like I am two people.  The Narrator likes my decision to stay for another month, and the 'Rest of Me' (or right brain or whatever) really hates it.  I find this whole thing fascinating and oddly touching.  My Narrator is apparently barely keeping a lid on a serious rebellion that is going on.  The Rest of Me can't speak as such, but apparently communicates the only way it can -- in dreams, and also physical manifestations of distress.  My TMJ pain is off the chart this morning.

I honestly did not expect the final exit to be this challenging mentally.  I wonder if I'm also waaaay underestimating how rough the FIRE decompression period is going to be . . .         
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on December 15, 2018, 05:58:43 AM
Hey @Trifele. you're still the first one out in January among this group =P

That's a reason I would stay too, not to mention you will pay no taxes on that income =P
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on December 15, 2018, 06:16:02 AM
@Trifele, don't feel bad about it. The default goodbye period in the USA, the 2 weeks, is very short to organize anything for a company. Staying 21 days longer to help your employer and your colleagues out is a nice thing to do. Just don't let them convince you to do even longer than that.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on December 15, 2018, 06:39:31 AM
13 weeks until notice.  Update:  3 of those will be spent on vacation between a long holiday break, four federal holidays, and a week and a half trip to Hawaii.

@Trifele I can relate to the painful exit.  It took months for me to have the courage to request a demotion and I still had a few gut wrenching feelings.  Part two is coming soon, which was looking easier.  Those thoughts started in September and its finally mid-December for them to subside.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on December 15, 2018, 08:29:36 AM
Another month or less isn't bad at all.  Heck, I'm looking at extending out another 10 months beyond my target that is 6 months off.

https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/2019-fire-cohort/msg2228571/#msg2228571

20 weeks until I probably won't give notice.  Something to look forward to, or not.  lol

Edit:

The entire ACA was just ruled unconstitutional by a federal judge.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/federal-judge-in-texas-rules-obama-health-care-law-unconstitutional/2018/12/14/9e8bb5a2-fd63-11e8-862a-b6a6f3ce8199_story.html
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: sui generis on December 15, 2018, 11:27:15 PM

So here I am, a 51 year old logical-as-hell lawyer, and I feel like I am two people.  The Narrator likes my decision to stay for another month, and the 'Rest of Me' (or right brain or whatever) really hates it.  I find this whole thing fascinating and oddly touching.  My Narrator is apparently barely keeping a lid on a serious rebellion that is going on.  The Rest of Me can't speak as such, but apparently communicates the only way it can -- in dreams, and also physical manifestations of distress.  My TMJ pain is off the chart this morning.


Oh wow, this sounds really intense.  I hope you can find some ways to hear more of that "rest of you", even if it's too late to change your mind on extending (maybe you could still do only 25-30 hours/week for that last month as a way to transition for yourself?). I agree with others that you shouldn't feel bad and one month is not so long...in principle.  Even though your Narrator is probably right and perfectly reasonable, it sounds like there's more to the story here.  I hope more of it comes to light, if for no other reason than reducing your physical pain!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on December 16, 2018, 07:08:27 AM
So here I am, a 51 year old logical-as-hell lawyer, and I feel like I am two people.  The Narrator likes my decision to stay for another month, and the 'Rest of Me' (or right brain or whatever) really hates it.  I find this whole thing fascinating and oddly touching.  My Narrator is apparently barely keeping a lid on a serious rebellion that is going on.  The Rest of Me can't speak as such, but apparently communicates the only way it can -- in dreams, and also physical manifestations of distress.  My TMJ pain is off the chart this morning.

I honestly did not expect the final exit to be this challenging mentally.  I wonder if I'm also waaaay underestimating how rough the FIRE decompression period is going to be . . .       
How I see it is the struggle between 'Narrator' and 'Rest of Me' will continue well into FIRE and going forward.  We all will go through some form of this as we hit the FIRE gate and continue beyond.  The reason the struggle will continue is because we are opening up a phase in life where the possibilities are endless, and we will have many many Narrator/Rest of Me mental discussions to navigate the possibilities.  For me, I've been having these mental discussions ever since making the decision to FIRE.  They are exciting and stressful at the same time.  I'm learning to embrace everything as part of the FIRE process.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: August on December 16, 2018, 06:58:29 PM
Hello, I haven't joined a cohort thread yet.

My resignation date keeps moving.  My final day was originally going to be mid-May 2018 because it was the anniversary of a significant event in my life, then that day came and went.  I thought, how about the end of July, that way I can leave and enjoy the summer weather.  The frenetic pace of work started to slow down, making it more tolerable and I just let it ride through the summer.  I moved my last day to September, then mid-October. 

I definitely want to leave the job, but it turns out that making a big change after working in one place for 15+ years isn't easy.  It's comforting to have a routine and work-friends I see every day.  I have my "bare bones" passive income and budget set, and am ready to dive into projects that I don't have time for now due to the work schedule.  A line had to be drawn so I decided I'd go through the end of the year and leave on Dec 28.  Now that it's two weeks away it doesn't feel like the right time due to some details to sort out with paid time off, my supervisor being out on leave and delays in getting healthcare for next year.  Also January is the job's busiest time of year and I'd feel like a jerk to leave right before the workload increases.

So now I'm thinking the end of January 2019.  That way I'll help my team get through the month, plus since I was originally hired in January it will make my career exactly 16 years.  And that will be shortly before my birthday.  This is how I chose my last day of full time work (maybe it doesn't make sense).  I'm posting this here to help make myself accountable.

August
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on December 16, 2018, 07:03:54 PM
Are you in the USA? Might be worth working far enough into 2019 to max out tax advantaged space and 0/10/12% fed tax brackets.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on December 16, 2018, 07:06:14 PM
...big snip..... I'm posting this here to help make myself accountable.

August
Welcome August.
As to the quote above," It is on the Internet, so it must be true"
Don't disappoint the Internet !   :-)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: August on December 16, 2018, 07:47:37 PM
Are you in the USA? Might be worth working far enough into 2019 to max out tax advantaged space and 0/10/12% fed tax brackets.

Yes in the USA, wages in January will added to my Roth IRA (less than the annual limit).
However I had these thoughts last year as well.  At some point I have to pick a date and stick with it, regardless of the tax details.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on December 16, 2018, 11:48:05 PM
@Trifele and others who choose to work for their employer's benefit, make sure you do it on your own conditions that make the period bearable. When they need you to work extra time, make sure your working hours are a good fit for you. Or do only -<5 days a week.

It came to mind that I already did this when I was working as a practitioner as a part of my education, in my early twenties. The company wanted to keep me an additional 2-3 months. Then I worked from 9-3, instead on 8-4. And for a good pay bump.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on December 17, 2018, 03:41:48 AM
Welcome @August!  Same situation here -- originally wanted to leave at the very beginning of January, now looking at the end of the month.  It really does get strangely difficult at the very end . . .

Thanks @Linda_Norway -- you are right that the working conditions at the end are critical.  For me they will be fine in terms of number of hours.  I don't work weekends, and I can come and go as I please.  No complaints there.

Hope everyone has a good week!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on December 17, 2018, 05:07:23 AM
@August as someone who also moved their date out, there's a lot of benefit in working a one to a couple months in a new tax year.

Roth IRA eligibility

The income you earn is barely taxable

Potentially maxing employer retirement accounts (my contribution rate for 2019 is set at 50%)

Its not all bad
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on December 17, 2018, 10:51:25 AM
...big snip..... I'm posting this here to help make myself accountable.

August
Welcome August.
As to the quote above," It is on the Internet, so it must be true"
Don't disappoint the Internet !   :-)

Ha!  This is hilarious!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SugarMountain on December 17, 2018, 11:18:12 AM
Hello, I haven't joined a cohort thread yet.

My resignation date keeps moving.  My final day was originally going to be mid-May 2018 because it was the anniversary of a significant event in my life, then that day came and went.  I thought, how about the end of July, that way I can leave and enjoy the summer weather.  The frenetic pace of work started to slow down, making it more tolerable and I just let it ride through the summer.  I moved my last day to September, then mid-October. 

I definitely want to leave the job, but it turns out that making a big change after working in one place for 15+ years isn't easy.  It's comforting to have a routine and work-friends I see every day.  I have my "bare bones" passive income and budget set, and am ready to dive into projects that I don't have time for now due to the work schedule.  A line had to be drawn so I decided I'd go through the end of the year and leave on Dec 28.  Now that it's two weeks away it doesn't feel like the right time due to some details to sort out with paid time off, my supervisor being out on leave and delays in getting healthcare for next year.  Also January is the job's busiest time of year and I'd feel like a jerk to leave right before the workload increases.

So now I'm thinking the end of January 2019.  That way I'll help my team get through the month, plus since I was originally hired in January it will make my career exactly 16 years.  And that will be shortly before my birthday.  This is how I chose my last day of full time work (maybe it doesn't make sense).  I'm posting this here to help make myself accountable.

August

As someone who is OMY'ing it for really no great reason other than when I tried to quit, the bosses threw out the idea of a job change, which I'm currently trying out.  It's definitely better than before, but it's still not FIRE.  Part of it is it's a lot of easy money to turn down and I think I wasn't really mentally ready when I quit in September (after dithering about it for most of July & August), so I can definitely relate to having a date in mind but not really committing to it.  We'll see if I make my new date in 2019.

A couple of things I've been thinking about a lot that you might want to think about too:
1) Why didn't I quit on that original date?
2) What are the steps I need to take to be ready financially and emotionally to pull the trigger?

For 1) I'd say asset allocation is probably not where it needs to be, questioning whether I really have enough money because the money will never be as easy as it is right now (I'm pretty un-mustachian tbh, but I make a fair amount).  Healthcare continues to be a concern, even more so after Friday's decision.  Even if ACA survives, I think it's going to get more and more expensive, particularly for someone who FAT FIREs so probably won't be very subsidized.  An extra 6-12 months of earnings and theoretical market growth can defray that.  I also don't feel like DW was really, truly on board, but I think we've gotten past that.
2) Dr. Doom (livingafi.com) had a great post on what he went through prior to FIREing. https://livingafi.com/2015/01/20/midlife-fi-sis/ (https://livingafi.com/2015/01/20/midlife-fi-sis/) that is well worth reading.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: forward on December 17, 2018, 08:22:36 PM
Welcome @August!  Same situation here -- originally wanted to leave at the very beginning of January, now looking at the end of the month.  It really does get strangely difficult at the very end . . .

Thanks @Linda_Norway -- you are right that the working conditions at the end are critical.  For me they will be fine in terms of number of hours.  I don't work weekends, and I can come and go as I please.  No complaints there.

Hope everyone has a good week!

Reading everyone’s progress is a settling exercise for me.  I wish I had a work environment where me bringing up leaving would bring about a request to stay a few more weeks or a nice transition etc.  When I put in my required (by contract) notice of 3 months, I fully expect to be escorted out the door within the day.  They will make it a very negative experience.  I feel like that should make it easier to do but I think I have some kind of Stockholm syndrome. 

Thanks for the well wishes on the week Trifele, I echo them to everyone.  I think this week may be one of the worst ones for me yet, I must keep reminding myself that I have a plan.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on December 18, 2018, 03:00:18 AM

Reading everyone’s progress is a settling exercise for me.  I wish I had a work environment where me bringing up leaving would bring about a request to stay a few more weeks or a nice transition etc.  When I put in my required (by contract) notice of 3 months, I fully expect to be escorted out the door within the day.  They will make it a very negative experience.  I feel like that should make it easier to do but I think I have some kind of Stockholm syndrome. 

Thanks for the well wishes on the week Trifele, I echo them to everyone.  I think this week may be one of the worst ones for me yet, I must keep reminding myself that I have a plan.

Oh @forward, that really sucks.  In theory that should make it easier, but I can see how that would mess with your head.  And it sounds like things are rough in general.  Do you have any time off coming up?   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on December 18, 2018, 04:23:58 AM
DH yesterday asked a critical question about my FIRE spreadsheet. I asked for help on the forum about how to solved the problem.

Last night I couldn't sleep. I spent the evening battling excel and getting nowhere at all. All night I had excel formulas in my head and worried about having to work for an additional number of years.

Now, with some help from the forum, I fixed a new spreadsheet, which I think is quite correct. Added all the taxes we pay in my country. I simplified it with making an overview of all years on 1 page, instead of 1 sheet per year that I had earlier.

The numbers are still in the same ballpark, luckily. Although we need to discuss the details (parameter values) at home.
My earlier sheet had 2019 as FIRE year, but with an income for 8 months. Now I just dropped 2019 from the spreadsheet. In 2019 we just need to earn enough to pay for the remaining of 2019 and then we can stop when we have earned enough.
The plan is to be able to not work at all from 2020. But it is clearly visible in my spreadsheet now that we can earn about $5000 per person tax free per year until 2033. So this opens up for some side-gigs, which might be smart to do.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on December 18, 2018, 06:05:06 AM
I'm teetering on officially removing myself from this cohort.

With the markets dropping this quickly, even at current valuations I am getting pushed into late 2019 before I will be at a 4% WR (individually). As a couple we are only at ~13x annual expenses right now.

Much of my decision will depend on what happens with the equities markets in the coming months/year.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on December 18, 2018, 06:58:18 AM
I'm teetering on officially removing myself from this cohort.

With the markets dropping this quickly, even at current valuations I am getting pushed into late 2019 before I will be at a 4% WR (individually). As a couple we are only at ~13x annual expenses right now.

Much of my decision will depend on what happens with the equities markets in the coming months/year.

I was just going to ask that question on this forum -- have the recent market moves made anyone reconsider 2019?  I'm down close to $50k so far (could have been much worse, but I shifted to a 50/50 mix well over a year ago), but I've still got plenty of money to comfortably finance FIRE withdrawals IF it doesn't get too much worse. And then again, I've got a cash buffer (to supplement my pension) to get me through the remainder of 2019, if I have to. And at this point, I've locked in the notion that I'm retiring in May and really cannot fathom having to stick around, so I guess in the worst case I'd just have to tighten the belt and skip some travel next year. And at any rate, anything can happen between now and May. I don't see the kind of problems out there that existed in 2008 to make me think we're going to see that kind of drop again, but certainly 20% isn't out of the question as values revert to the mean.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on December 18, 2018, 07:05:35 AM
I'm pushing three months, but only because that's worth almost 50k worth extra + a paid for move to hit an exact day (12 years in). (that's more than half my salary)

I'm also getting 17 vacation days for that 3 months, so it's all around ridiculous to stop early.

The market did help push me a bit, but I'd simply do next year's travel by doing house-sitting instead of AirBnB and it would cover the shortfall.

Or work 1 day a week in a brewery.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on December 18, 2018, 10:01:48 AM
@Lews Therin - sounds like a great tradeoff. I'm also in the process of trying to determine when to take my sabbatical to best optimize stock vesting & vacation time when/if I come back. It's a delicate dance, & I also would like my sabbatical to straddle both time with kids off of school, and time with kids in school. I'm hoping that will give me a good feel of what it would be like if I made this permanent.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SugarMountain on December 18, 2018, 10:08:39 AM
I'm teetering on officially removing myself from this cohort.

With the markets dropping this quickly, even at current valuations I am getting pushed into late 2019 before I will be at a 4% WR (individually). As a couple we are only at ~13x annual expenses right now.

Much of my decision will depend on what happens with the equities markets in the coming months/year.

You are 31 and hopefully would have a 60+ year retirement.  I would posit that where the market is in 2019 is somewhat irrelevant to whether you will have a successful ER that lasts that long.  I think there is danger in taking 4% WR as any sort of guarantee and if speculators drive up stock prices enough that you're at 4% you're good to go.

(One interesting conundrum I've thought about some is I had planned to retire this summer.  The market is down about 12% since my targeted date, which was literally within like 2 days of the peak. If I retire tomorrow, does this mean I have 12% less to spend per year for the rest of my life?  Why or why not? I mean, I could pretend that I retired back then and if anything I'm better off with 3 more months of earnings and say it's just been a side gig.)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SugarMountain on December 18, 2018, 10:19:08 AM
With the markets dropping this quickly

One other note.  This correction has not been very fast or deep by historical standards.  Heck, 2008 had multiple *days* where the market dropped almost 10%.

Not sure if the photo I attempted to add worked. You can see the chart for the S&P 500 annual returns here: https://www.macrotrends.net/2526/sp-500-historical-annual-returns (https://www.macrotrends.net/2526/sp-500-historical-annual-returns)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on December 18, 2018, 10:36:00 AM
@SugarMountain, oy!!! I struggle with the same conundrum.......but if you want to read up on it, ERN did a great piece on this and many other topics related to SWR's in a series here.

https://earlyretirementnow.com/2016/12/07/the-ultimate-guide-to-safe-withdrawal-rates-part-1-intro/

The jist of it being such that if you retired 3 months ago valuations were X so an adjusted SWR would be Y, whereas if you retired after a 12% decline, your at lower valuations and thus your SWR would be theoretically higher.

It's really an excellent series, and takes weeks or even months to consume.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SugarMountain on December 18, 2018, 11:27:26 AM
@SugarMountain, oy!!! I struggle with the same conundrum.......but if you want to read up on it, ERN did a great piece on this and many other topics related to SWR's in a series here.

https://earlyretirementnow.com/2016/12/07/the-ultimate-guide-to-safe-withdrawal-rates-part-1-intro/

The jist of it being such that if you retired 3 months ago valuations were X so an adjusted SWR would be Y, whereas if you retired after a 12% decline, your at lower valuations and thus your SWR would be theoretically higher.

It's really an excellent series, and takes weeks or even months to consume.

Thanks for the reminder.  I looked at that a while ago, but didn't really read all of the way through.  I like the little cheatsheet right up front. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on December 18, 2018, 12:24:34 PM
The jist of it being such that if you retired 3 months ago valuations were X so an adjusted SWR would be Y, whereas if you retired after a 12% decline, your at lower valuations and thus your SWR would be theoretically higher.

This is definitely true in the abstract, but the recent drop is barely anything.  The total return on the S&P is only down a percent or two YTD.  Personally, I wouldn't go increasing my WR based on this little blip.  We're still in very high PE territory, so staying conservative (4% or lower) is prudent.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on December 18, 2018, 01:14:24 PM
I am still on the fence as to whether to press GO.

The drop in markets and house prices in Sydney is playing on my mind.

The HR Director from HQ flew in and paid me a visit yesterday. Still plenty of plans for me in Megacorp if I was to choose to play along. Also, we are developing a very large project atm, which is interesting stuff, mentally challenging and enjoyable.

I have made a list of pros and cons of FIREing in June 2019 as planned. Plenty of arguements both ways. Not such an easy choice and made harder with no stash growth this year (savings < losses)

DW is completely locked on June and doesn’t want to hear of my dithering. Happy wife, happy life I guess. Maybe this is the deciding factor.

I wish I could just shake this nagging feeling that I will regret walking away from my current job right at this time.

 Is their an acronym for pre FIRE jitters....

How about this Syndrome Of FIRE Trepidatiion.... also referred to as SOFT.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on December 18, 2018, 02:25:44 PM
Is their an acronym for pre FIRE jitters....

How about this Syndrome Of FIRE Trepidatiion.... also referred to as SOFT.

I think it's generally referred to as One More Year syndrome.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: forward on December 18, 2018, 04:41:26 PM

Reading everyone’s progress is a settling exercise for me.  I wish I had a work environment where me bringing up leaving would bring about a request to stay a few more weeks or a nice transition etc.  When I put in my required (by contract) notice of 3 months, I fully expect to be escorted out the door within the day.  They will make it a very negative experience.  I feel like that should make it easier to do but I think I have some kind of Stockholm syndrome. 

Thanks for the well wishes on the week Trifele, I echo them to everyone.  I think this week may be one of the worst ones for me yet, I must keep reminding myself that I have a plan.

I have the time available but being allowed to take it is another question.  There is good reason to want to leave.

Oh @forward, that really sucks.  In theory that should make it easier, but I can see how that would mess with your head.  And it sounds like things are rough in general.  Do you have any time off coming up?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on December 18, 2018, 05:38:59 PM
I was just going to ask that question on this forum -- have the recent market moves made anyone reconsider 2019?  I'm down close to $50k so far (could have been much worse, but I shifted to a 50/50 mix well over a year ago), but I've still got plenty of money to comfortably finance FIRE withdrawals IF it doesn't get too much worse. And then again, I've got a cash buffer (to supplement my pension) to get me through the remainder of 2019, if I have to. And at this point, I've locked in the notion that I'm retiring in May and really cannot fathom having to stick around, so I guess in the worst case I'd just have to tighten the belt and skip some travel next year. And at any rate, anything can happen between now and May. I don't see the kind of problems out there that existed in 2008 to make me think we're going to see that kind of drop again, but certainly 20% isn't out of the question as values revert to the mean.

A similar question was asked recently about a potential 30 to 40% drop.  For me,  whether it goes back up within a few months or drops 30%+, I might put in 10 more months of full time instead of FIREing and attempting to go part time for those 10 months (which was never guaranteed), partly because I like my job well enough that I would like to keep working a while longer.  The full time choice is the only guarantee I can stay on.  The ACA uncertainty concerns me some as well, although I'm optimistic.  I would say the recent downturn doesn't play as much of a factor, although it gets my attention.  Back in July, I moved from 80% to 60% equities, and I'm still down six figures since late September!  I calculated that drop in value out to be almost 8 years of my barebones expenses, and 2 to 3 years of my planned retirement spending.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on December 19, 2018, 07:53:07 AM
I was just going to ask that question on this forum -- have the recent market moves made anyone reconsider 2019?  I'm down close to $50k so far (could have been much worse, but I shifted to a 50/50 mix well over a year ago), but I've still got plenty of money to comfortably finance FIRE withdrawals IF it doesn't get too much worse. And then again, I've got a cash buffer (to supplement my pension) to get me through the remainder of 2019, if I have to. And at this point, I've locked in the notion that I'm retiring in May and really cannot fathom having to stick around, so I guess in the worst case I'd just have to tighten the belt and skip some travel next year. And at any rate, anything can happen between now and May. I don't see the kind of problems out there that existed in 2008 to make me think we're going to see that kind of drop again, but certainly 20% isn't out of the question as values revert to the mean.

A similar question was asked recently about a potential 30 to 40% drop.  For me,  whether it goes back up within a few months or drops 30%+, I might put in 10 more months of full time instead of FIREing and attempting to go part time for those 10 months (which was never guaranteed), partly because I like my job well enough that I would like to keep working a while longer.  The full time choice is the only guarantee I can stay on.  The ACA uncertainty concerns me some as well, although I'm optimistic.  I would say the recent downturn doesn't play as much of a factor, although it gets my attention.  Back in July, I moved from 80% to 60% equities, and I'm still down six figures since late September!  I calculated that drop in value out to be almost 8 years of my barebones expenses, and 2 to 3 years of my planned retirement spending.

DreamFIRE, I feel for folks who have to contend with ACA uncertainty (and health care insurance in general). I'm super fortunate to have a reasonably priced employer-provided retiree health care plan, and that certainly mitigates a lot of the stress of retirement planning.

A six-figure drop since September even with only 60% allocated! You've obviously got a nice nut stashed away!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on December 19, 2018, 08:07:13 AM
I have lost 19% of my stache since the end of September.  Painful.  I have too much exposure to the financials and tech (and this week, Johnson&Johnson) in my Vanguard funds, and too much single stock AAPL that I have had for more than a decade.  I am still up very big on AAPL over that long time but it has been a steep drop from the high.  My plan for a while now has been to pile up a bunch of cash so that I wouldn't have to sell any stock for the first couple of years after RE in case I got hit with a bad sequence of returns right out of the gate. 

I am tied to the mast (as JL Collins says) and I try to concentrate on not where the V-funds and AAPL are today, but where they will be several years down the road.  With a growing cash pile I could wait at least 2 years before having to sell and I would not remodel the kitchen as planned and just hang tight until the tide rises.  In theory I should be putting money into the fallen market to enjoy the inevitable rise but in these last months the cash pile is needed to round out my allocations.  I will have to pick up a few cheaper crumbs with dividend reinvestment for now.     

So I do have a plan, but it is pretty scary to think about quitting a high paying job when the market it sliding.  It was a lot easier to contemplate when I was riding high.  If things continue I am afraid I will be a 2019 flunky and chicken out, but I also know this is an excellent exercise in understanding why the 4% rule works through horrible economic times.         

Ouch, 19%? That's a steep drop. I just did the numbers and I'm only down 6.2% since the end of Sept. However, because of contributions (and a 2.8% gain in my bond allocation), I'm actually up $22,142 in my main account for the year.

One of the things I've been giving some thought to is dropping my 401k contributions to just the matching level (5%), and banking the difference (a lot since I do the max + catch ups, i.e., $24,500 this year) between now and May when I retire. I'd lose the tax benefit obviously, but because I'd be retiring in May, my income will be considerably lower next year so it might not be that big a tax hit. I'll have to crunch the numbers in more detail before I decide.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on December 19, 2018, 09:51:44 AM
I'm teetering on officially removing myself from this cohort.

With the markets dropping this quickly, even at current valuations I am getting pushed into late 2019 before I will be at a 4% WR (individually). As a couple we are only at ~13x annual expenses right now.

Much of my decision will depend on what happens with the equities markets in the coming months/year.

I was just going to ask that question on this forum -- have the recent market moves made anyone reconsider 2019?  I'm down close to $50k so far (could have been much worse, but I shifted to a 50/50 mix well over a year ago), but I've still got plenty of money to comfortably finance FIRE withdrawals IF it doesn't get too much worse. And then again, I've got a cash buffer (to supplement my pension) to get me through the remainder of 2019, if I have to. And at this point, I've locked in the notion that I'm retiring in May and really cannot fathom having to stick around, so I guess in the worst case I'd just have to tighten the belt and skip some travel next year. And at any rate, anything can happen between now and May. I don't see the kind of problems out there that existed in 2008 to make me think we're going to see that kind of drop again, but certainly 20% isn't out of the question as values revert to the mean.

I think there are two pieces to this.  One is the emotional, and one is the logical.  Emotionally it sucks to see our numbers drop from their peak values, and the fear that's being sold in the news makes it worse.  No matter how things are going, I think most of us are going to be nervous and seeing the markets drop will certainly make that worse. 

However, logically it seems to me that most or all of us in the 2019 cohort should be well past the point where we care at all about recent returns.  Negative or near zero returns for a *decade* have occurred in the past and our plans need to be robust enough for that kind of market performance again.  Each of us will have different ways of dealing with it, but we should all have some kind of backup plan.  If we're ready for a decade of zero or negative returns then just one year of ~0% returns shouldn't cause us to sweat at all.  Whether your back-up plan is geographic arbitrage, cutting expenses, low SWR, a side hustle, real estate, or whatever, it should hopefully be robust enough that the recent turmoil should just be noise.  With the recent drop we're still at a 10 year CAPE value over 28, and the only time it's been higher is around the crashes of 1929 and 1999.  Even the roll-off of the 2008/2009 horrible earnings will only contribute another 2-3 point reduction so it will take further market drops to get us below 25. 

I'm not trying to discourage anyone from FIRE, but I do think this is a great opportunity to make sure our plans are robust enough to get us through a potential extended period of low returns.  It's also a good time to figure out how to deal with the emotions surrounding this kind of volatility, because even if things start to look rosy tomorrow we should expect that during our first decade of FIRE we'll have many, many months like the couple we've just had.  It would suck to FIRE and then spend significant amounts of time panicking about market performance. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on December 19, 2018, 10:15:25 AM
@FIRE 20/20 I really appreciate what you just said.  The timing was also fantastic as I was just in one of my investment account selling enough to cover 2019 living expenses + 2 years of mortgage payments + a cash buffer.  Whew!  I picked the account that was the least negative for the year (and had the right cost basis to avoid taxes). 

I really don't like selling at a low, especially knowing that it could be back in bullish positive territory as early as next week (or tomorrow, or next month), but we need the money for 2019, and it all has to clear to be in this years income, so, we followed the plan. 

If I had sold before this recent slump, it all would have come from 2018 gains with room to spare, and that would have been lovely, but that isn't what happened so, eh. 

Loren
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on December 19, 2018, 11:35:26 AM
Depends on how early we were FIRE-ing. I personally am on the edge of lean-fire, so going down by 10% is a significant hit, there isn't a ton of cuts possible.

On the other hand, I'm not adding an extra day of normal work after accessing all my bonuses, no matter what the market does.

Had the market continued going gang-busters, I probably would've passed on my extra bonus for 3 months, but now it's just too tempting, and more than covers the drawback of the market.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on December 19, 2018, 12:47:06 PM
I'm teetering on officially removing myself from this cohort.

With the markets dropping this quickly, even at current valuations I am getting pushed into late 2019 before I will be at a 4% WR (individually). As a couple we are only at ~13x annual expenses right now.

Much of my decision will depend on what happens with the equities markets in the coming months/year.

I was just going to ask that question on this forum -- have the recent market moves made anyone reconsider 2019?  I'm down close to $50k so far (could have been much worse, but I shifted to a 50/50 mix well over a year ago), but I've still got plenty of money to comfortably finance FIRE withdrawals IF it doesn't get too much worse. And then again, I've got a cash buffer (to supplement my pension) to get me through the remainder of 2019, if I have to. And at this point, I've locked in the notion that I'm retiring in May and really cannot fathom having to stick around, so I guess in the worst case I'd just have to tighten the belt and skip some travel next year. And at any rate, anything can happen between now and May. I don't see the kind of problems out there that existed in 2008 to make me think we're going to see that kind of drop again, but certainly 20% isn't out of the question as values revert to the mean.

I think there are two pieces to this.  One is the emotional, and one is the logical.  Emotionally it sucks to see our numbers drop from their peak values, and the fear that's being sold in the news makes it worse.  No matter how things are going, I think most of us are going to be nervous and seeing the markets drop will certainly make that worse. 

However, logically it seems to me that most or all of us in the 2019 cohort should be well past the point where we care at all about recent returns.  Negative or near zero returns for a *decade* have occurred in the past and our plans need to be robust enough for that kind of market performance again.  Each of us will have different ways of dealing with it, but we should all have some kind of backup plan.  If we're ready for a decade of zero or negative returns then just one year of ~0% returns shouldn't cause us to sweat at all.  Whether your back-up plan is geographic arbitrage, cutting expenses, low SWR, a side hustle, real estate, or whatever, it should hopefully be robust enough that the recent turmoil should just be noise.  With the recent drop we're still at a 10 year CAPE value over 28, and the only time it's been higher is around the crashes of 1929 and 1999.  Even the roll-off of the 2008/2009 horrible earnings will only contribute another 2-3 point reduction so it will take further market drops to get us below 25. 

I'm not trying to discourage anyone from FIRE, but I do think this is a great opportunity to make sure our plans are robust enough to get us through a potential extended period of low returns.  It's also a good time to figure out how to deal with the emotions surrounding this kind of volatility, because even if things start to look rosy tomorrow we should expect that during our first decade of FIRE we'll have many, many months like the couple we've just had.  It would suck to FIRE and then spend significant amounts of time panicking about market performance.

Good point. For me, I only need a 1.8 - 2% withdrawal rate for the first 8 years of retirement, so I'm really not that concerned about market moves too much. After those first 8 years, I'll be 62 with just 5 years to go before I collect a max SS benefit (currently around $33k), so my 401k only has to do any heavy lifting from 62 to 67. I'm reasonable confident I'll have more in my account at that point than what I started with, so should have the option of taking 4% - 6% for those 5 years until SS kicks in.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SugarMountain on December 19, 2018, 03:56:15 PM
We're now down nearly 14% from the peak. I would posit that this is a healthy thing.  I felt like we were definitely getting into bubble territory.  The estimated P/E ratio for the S&P 500 for 2018 at today's close price is down to about 15.8.  This is way healthier than when it was over 20 not so long ago and is close to the historic mean.  My take is basically the market got about a year+ ahead of itself.  I am putting my money where my mouth is and dumped a bunch of cash into VOO on Monday. It's down a bit, but I don't really care. I'm pretty sure it will be up in 20-30 years when I need it, hopefully having increased by historical averages and is at 10x what I bought it for on Monday.  That's the thing to think about, where is this going to be 10, 20, 30, 40 years from now?  Will today's price matter?

I might buy more tomorrow. (I realize I shouldn't try to time the market, but timing worked out such that I have more in cash than I'd like and I was holding it aside for a potential investment which is now not going to happen for other reasons.  I like buying on dips. That's about as close to timing the market as I get these days.)

Now it does suck psychologically for those in the 2018/2019 cohorts, that's for sure.  And it may continue to go down, lots of things point to a recession coming, the yield curve inversion, interest rates going up, 9 years of uninterrupted growth etc.  But, as someone else pointed out above, this is a blip.  A minor correction.  So don't panic, keep calm and carry on.  This doesn't feel *anything* like 2000 or 2008. Or 1987 for that matter. The market had dropped 33% from its peak that year on black Friday with a close of 224.  It's now 31 years later it's "collapsed" to 2500 or 12x+ (more if you reinvested dividends).

Now, if you're in your 30s and were planning a lean FIRE in 2019 right at 4% and the market correction has moved it so you're closer to a 4.5% WR?  I would definitely be looking at some contingencies whether that's OMY, planning to go part time for other income, or finding additional ways to cut spending.  But then I know personally I would never have the stomach for that model, so take this advice with a grain of salt.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on December 19, 2018, 06:40:44 PM
I was just going to ask that question on this forum -- have the recent market moves made anyone reconsider 2019?  I'm down close to $50k so far (could have been much worse, but I shifted to a 50/50 mix well over a year ago), but I've still got plenty of money to comfortably finance FIRE withdrawals IF it doesn't get too much worse. And then again, I've got a cash buffer (to supplement my pension) to get me through the remainder of 2019, if I have to. And at this point, I've locked in the notion that I'm retiring in May and really cannot fathom having to stick around, so I guess in the worst case I'd just have to tighten the belt and skip some travel next year. And at any rate, anything can happen between now and May. I don't see the kind of problems out there that existed in 2008 to make me think we're going to see that kind of drop again, but certainly 20% isn't out of the question as values revert to the mean.

A similar question was asked recently about a potential 30 to 40% drop.  For me,  whether it goes back up within a few months or drops 30%+, I might put in 10 more months of full time instead of FIREing and attempting to go part time for those 10 months (which was never guaranteed), partly because I like my job well enough that I would like to keep working a while longer.  The full time choice is the only guarantee I can stay on.  The ACA uncertainty concerns me some as well, although I'm optimistic.  I would say the recent downturn doesn't play as much of a factor, although it gets my attention.  Back in July, I moved from 80% to 60% equities, and I'm still down six figures since late September!  I calculated that drop in value out to be almost 8 years of my barebones expenses, and 2 to 3 years of my planned retirement spending.

DreamFIRE, I feel for folks who have to contend with ACA uncertainty (and health care insurance in general). I'm super fortunate to have a reasonably priced employer-provided retiree health care plan, and that certainly mitigates a lot of the stress of retirement planning.

A six-figure drop since September even with only 60% allocated! You've obviously got a nice nut stashed away!

Yeah, my Vanguard brokerage account alone has lost 6 figures - down about 11.7% since Sept. 20.  It's about 75% equities though.  My work retirement account is under 50% equities and has lost about 7.7% (excluding contributions of about $16,000 since Sept.)  Of course, this will be all I've got to FIRE on until I take full SS 15 years into FIRE - no pensions, but it's still more than double what I need to pay the barebones.  A 4% SWR allocates more spending for discretionary spending than barebones expenses.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on December 19, 2018, 08:53:07 PM
Six months to go from today 😬

Looking at where I’ll be (assuming zero returns over the 6 months)

- I’ll have enough to buy a nice home
- I’ll have enough for my barebones budget at a 4% wr
- I’ll be looking at a 6% wr on my discretionary budget

Not where I was hoping to be. We’ll be a little more dependent on DW’s casual income and any other income that might come our way over the next 40 years, if we still want to spend as freely as I hoped. Alternatively we might need to trim the budget a little
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on December 21, 2018, 06:34:51 PM
Baring a miracle, I'm out.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on December 21, 2018, 09:51:07 PM
Baring a miracle, I'm out.
Are you going to OMY?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: gerardc on December 22, 2018, 02:40:41 PM
With recent market events, I'm not at 4% WR anymore, so no FIRE. Might also need more for a family I hadn't planned for.
I'll just take a few months off, then figure it out. I'm a little sick of planning so much in advance anyway. I don't need to call it retirement or fit this in a well-labeled box. This is becoming more of an obsessive thought for me at this point. I'll work in the future. Maybe not now or next year, but in 10 or 20 years from now. Retirement at this point is premature and just ridiculous. I will take a short break, and maybe work remote for a bit, but stop making it this grandiose mission, or have the arrogance to pretend my whole life is all planned out...
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on December 22, 2018, 03:38:57 PM
After this week, I'm on target for a 4.1% SWR in 5 months to meet my planned FIRE spending, which is FAT FIRE for me, and I could still get by on less than 2% SWR.  But I'm still considering an additional 10 months of full time employment for other reasons.  The market hasn't tanked enough yet for it to be a factor.  I expected a drop like this to come before too long, although I thought it might not be until "after" I FIREd.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MustacheAnxiety on December 23, 2018, 08:02:59 AM
Early retirement now is my current favorite fire blog for it's mostly pure math goodness. We are learning toward the 3 year cash buffer that is spent down only once after the market drops 20 percent. Per big ERN it is similarly successful compared to a rising equity glide path but, at least for us is way easier to implement.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on December 23, 2018, 08:30:31 AM
Early retirement now is my current favorite fire blog for it's mostly pure math goodness. We are learning toward the 3 year cash buffer...
Where are you stashing that cash buffer?  I have a cash buffer that's a good amount and am looking for something to stash it in that is both liquid and less susceptible to erosion from inflation.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on December 23, 2018, 11:40:38 AM
We just told told FIL about our Fire plans. He was an early retiree himself in 2000, but we heard today that he still did some consultancy work after that for any years. It was great to talk honestly and open about our plans to a person who has been in the same situation. He gave us some good advice about consultancy work: Work in your own field of expertise pays tenfold of whatever else you could earn. You can only do this for five years. After that you are not enough up to date and people won't take you seriously anymore. Even a short 3 month sabattical can cost you your job, because you are away to long and give others the chance to take over your job.
He thought it was great that we go for this and that we should do this for sure. He found it understandable because DH and I have always been working full time and have no children. FIL has no faith whatsoever in the stockmarket and thinks we should plan extremely conservatively for the future. He has himself lived off the stockmarket and pays his bank to invest for him.
Yesterday we also met my BIL and his wife/GF and children. They just we on an expensive vacation to South Africa. They also have pricy habits of buying expensive cheese. But they do buy fifth-hand toys for their children.  I don't have the impression they will retire soon. But they have seldom worked full-time. Mostly three or four days a week.
FIL has known several people who identified themselves through their work and who never really stopped. But he himself never had that need. He says he has never been so happy as when working on his private projects at home. This winter he built a woodstrip kayak and his next project is an electric guitar.

A few days ago I also hinted to my mother about early retirement, but didn't say it all. I think my mother might have more predudices.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: gerardc on December 23, 2018, 12:05:30 PM
You can only do this for five years. After that you are not enough up to date and people won't take you seriously anymore.

That's BS. I'm getting more outdated coasting at my big company tech job with their proprietary tech in the same project than I ever would as a consultant switching projects all the time.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on December 23, 2018, 01:16:29 PM
You can only do this for five years. After that you are not enough up to date and people won't take you seriously anymore.

That's BS. I'm getting more outdated coasting at my big company tech job with their proprietary tech in the same project than I ever would as a consultant switching projects all the time.

It is FIL's opinion.
DH has experienced to have a slightly different (more cruising type) job for 2-3 years. After that he came back at his previous level job. But it was probably based on his reputation he built up earlier. In his experience it took three months to get up to speed again.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on December 24, 2018, 08:38:24 PM
Baring a miracle, I'm out.
Are you going to OMY?

It really depends on Mr. Markets mood at this point.....if we return to Sept 2018 levels, no.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on December 25, 2018, 05:28:36 AM
Ooommpphh...finally yesterday was rough in the market.

I've been a little more conservative than a total indexer, staying 90%+ equities but having some lower volatility names.   I also tossed all my available cash into some beat down sectors a week ago and bought some ahead of some cash coming in over the next six to twelve weeks.

Officially down 12.81% from my high watermark on net worth, investment returns are probably around -13.5% from the high because there's a little ongoing investment.  I should be cheering about this since its working exactly as designed, but being down over $200k is a little startling.

At least I finally understand the math behind the panic, time will tell if this pace of interest rate increases will break some of the corporate debt thats out there. 

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: waffles on December 25, 2018, 08:32:21 AM
I'm at work today, working for the federal government that will, eventually, pay me when they get done with THEIR holiday and get back to doing their job. In theory.

After 27 years of working the vast majority of holidays, this should be my last Christmas spent at work! I am so looking forward to having actual holiday time at the holidays :-).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SpareChange on December 25, 2018, 09:28:50 AM
I'm at work today, working for the federal government that will, eventually, pay me when they get done with THEIR holiday and get back to doing their job. In theory.

After 27 years of working the vast majority of holidays, this should be my last Christmas spent at work! I am so looking forward to having actual holiday time at the holidays :-).

I feel ya. About to start an 18hr shift in at 1pm. Will so NOT be doing that next year. :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on December 25, 2018, 02:57:52 PM
The markets really are taking a beating.  I'm really glad DH and I were going to put at much into our 401ks in Q1, hopefully the sale will still be going.

On the sad front, we both hit our max in November, so we have missed out on most of the sale :(.

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on December 25, 2018, 06:19:01 PM
The markets really are taking a beating.  I'm really glad DH and I were going to put at much into our 401ks in Q1, hopefully the sale will still be going.

On the sad front, we both hit our max in November, so we have missed out on most of the sale :(.

LV

I think you'll see that sale get deeper through year-end.  Its been a long time since there's been this much tax loss harvesting activity at year-end
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on December 26, 2018, 01:26:27 PM
The markets really are taking a beating.  I'm really glad DH and I were going to put at much into our 401ks in Q1, hopefully the sale will still be going.

On the sad front, we both hit our max in November, so we have missed out on most of the sale :(.

LV

I think you'll see that sale get deeper through year-end.  Its been a long time since there's been this much tax loss harvesting activity at year-end

You may be the official jinx.  Just to be safe, could you make some more dire predictions please?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on December 26, 2018, 03:58:19 PM
@Eric I was probably more thrilled than anyone about the rally today.

I've always had a habit of buying deep when a couple signals start flashing.   Mainly the VIX, every time it gets above 25, we're enterting into panic mode.  Panic may drive it higher, but its rare and you're usually buying at a nice discount.

 Its not been a problem before because I've been so far away from retirement I didn't mind going all into equities or even borrowing some in advance of deposits to my account. I did it again between 10-15% down.  Seeing it drop to 20% was a gut check, I shouldn't be doing that as much anymore as a 2019 cohert. 

I'll never be a 100% indexer, but I don't need to blow through my bond allocation and go into my margin line again.  Unwound a few things today at a profit, need it to get back to -10% before any of those moves are in the green.

I'll be finalizing a formal investor policy statement after this :)  No longer will it just be in my head
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on December 26, 2018, 05:42:54 PM
It was nice to see some upward motion today, even if I have no money moving around. 

Today DH and I spent time working on our retirement budget.  We are still tweaking and tuning.  Now that we have all of our 2019 money pulled out of the market, the stress on what is going on is pretty low.  Don't need to think too much on it until late 2019, when we look at pulling for 2020.

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on December 26, 2018, 06:45:58 PM
With today's rally, I've only lost about 3 years of FIRE spending since late Sept.  Hopefully, it will start trending back up.  But I'll be more concerned in the final month or so leading up to FIRE and beyond.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on December 26, 2018, 09:13:11 PM
By the time we FIRE in June we should hold 3 years expenses in cash deposits. At some point during the 3 years immediately post FIRE we will prob sell our house in Sydney and buy a cheaper place. This will give us another pile of cash which will top up our cash reserves and we will also be buying more stocks With the sale proceeds as well.

In summary, it’ll be years before we sell any stocks. In fact we will even be reinvesting dividends for at least 5 or 6 years.

What is happening in the stock market these past few months is really of no relevance to me, but it still plays with the brain re: whether I am financially ready to FIRE..... does anyone have a crystal ball for 5 years from now??
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on December 27, 2018, 08:52:03 AM
Crystal Ball - five years from now you are blissfully retired and continuously forgetting to look at the daily market performance.

Question for the cohort, where do you keep your cash or highly liquid investments?  I am mostly stocks, but DH and I are looking for a place to put earmarked money that we don't want sitting in cash.  We need to find homes for:
Emergency fund (safe and highly liquid)
Two years emergency mortgage payments (safe but low liquidity)
2019s out of pocket max for medical (medium liquid, safe)
2019 spending money (highly liquid monthly, very safe)

I've been looking at vanguards total bond market, not so great if the fed is raising rates, but is performing around inflation (I know so little about bonds it is kinda sad).  There are some CDs (1 year 18 month) that might work out, (I know slightly more about those).  And some high interest checking accounts, but we need something that doesn't require a direct deposit as our 2019 money is in a pile right now not coming out over time.

I have some of the funds in a money market right now, but the returns are so sad.  Inflation is just chipping away.

Thoughts?

Loren
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on December 27, 2018, 09:58:02 AM
Crystal Ball - five years from now you are blissfully retired and continuously forgetting to look at the daily market performance.

Question for the cohort, where do you keep your cash or highly liquid investments?  I am mostly stocks, but DH and I are looking for a place to put earmarked money that we don't want sitting in cash.  We need to find homes for:
Emergency fund (safe and highly liquid)
Two years emergency mortgage payments (safe but low liquidity)
2019s out of pocket max for medical (medium liquid, safe)
2019 spending money (highly liquid monthly, very safe)

I've been looking at vanguards total bond market, not so great if the fed is raising rates, but is performing around inflation (I know so little about bonds it is kinda sad).  There are some CDs (1 year 18 month) that might work out, (I know slightly more about those).  And some high interest checking accounts, but we need something that doesn't require a direct deposit as our 2019 money is in a pile right now not coming out over time.

I have some of the funds in a money market right now, but the returns are so sad.  Inflation is just chipping away.

Thoughts?

Loren

Vanguard has CDs from 2.55% (6-month) to 3.0% (1 year) and up for longer periods. I'm thinking of building CD ladder for the next two years with my cash. Almost no chance I'd need it all at once, so a ladder should provide me with enough liquidity (you can always bail early and take the penalty, which is usually only a couple months' worth of interest) and at least keep pace with inflation.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on December 27, 2018, 01:59:18 PM
I second just building a CD ladder with Fidelity or Vangaurd
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on December 27, 2018, 03:53:15 PM
Crystal Ball - five years from now you are blissfully retired and continuously forgetting to look at the daily market performance.

Question for the cohort, where do you keep your cash or highly liquid investments?  I am mostly stocks, but DH and I are looking for a place to put earmarked money that we don't want sitting in cash. 

I currently keep a smaller amount of cash in my local bank.  I'm still working, so it's continuously replenished.

I have quite a bit invested in the Vanguard Prime MM, which is yielding 2.44% compounded now.  Although it's lower than a 1 year CD that's paying around 2.50% now though VG, the VG MM rate keeps edging up.

After the new year starts, I am looking at moving some into 1 year CDs or treasuries.  I would prefer more income delayed to 2020.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on December 27, 2018, 04:06:02 PM
Thank you for the feedback!! That was the direction I was leaning as well, but it is really nice to have others confirm :D.

LV

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on December 28, 2018, 02:44:14 PM
Sounds like there are several people on the fence now, watching the markets and weighing their options.  I don't think anyone has officially decided to OMY yet . . . ?

Pulling the list forward.  Hope you all have a good weekend.  2019 is almost here!!!

2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19     Bingeworker (52)
01/31/19     Trifele (51)
02/01/19     Cycling Stache (44)
02/08/19     Socmonkey (37)
02/25/19     MaybeBabyMustache
02/??/19     zinnie  (35)
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/19/19     ChasesFish (36)
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor  (50)     
03/??/19     Roboturner  (30)
03/??/19     Edgema
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     BlindSquirrel
03/31/19     Mr. Ver (39)
03/31/19     Loren Ver (36)
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/01/19     Ryder (39)
04/19/19     Eric
04/23/19     Lews Therin (29)
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
04/??/19     PowerStache (43)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)                   
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/31/19     Pylortes  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/31/19     dude   
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/??/19     Bateaux  (50)
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/??/19     Keeks
07/01/19     Freedomin5 (38)
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
08/01/19     SugarMountain
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
10/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
10/01/19     Linda_Norway
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer
MustacheAnxiety
forward

OLY FIRE-ees:
markbike528cbx  (55)      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
Elaine amj (40)               OLY -- CONFIRMED 11/30/18   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Bingeworker on December 28, 2018, 05:31:45 PM
Sounds like there are several people on the fence now, watching the markets and weighing their options.  I don't think anyone has officially decided to OMY yet . . . ?

Pulling the list forward.  Hope you all have a good weekend.  2019 is almost here!!!

Add me ... January 1, 2019.  I will work a 12 hour shift on New Year's Eve, and then will stop working for money.  I will actually still work two days a month to keep my skills current as a precaution, since my < 3% withdrawal rate still makes my husband nervous (plus, as pathologically cautious person myself, it might be too scary otherwise to quit completely), but Jan. 1 is my freedom date.  I can't wait!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on December 28, 2018, 06:04:30 PM
Welcome @Bingeworker! Got you added.  What's your story?  Have you been planning FIRE for quite a while? 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: ScreamingHeadGuy on December 29, 2018, 06:23:59 PM
I am posting a pre-emptive “Congratulations!” to all of you in the upcoming year’s cohort.  I shall live vicariously through your triumphs in these next 12 months, so kick some butt.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on December 29, 2018, 08:53:19 PM
I am posting a pre-emptive “Congratulations!” to all of you in the upcoming year’s cohort.  I shall live vicariously through your triumphs in these next 12 months, so kick some butt.

As OP, I command thee to RE on time (kick some butt).  OMY, "X"MY shall be cast into (insert your least favorite place, if that be OMY or a lake of fire, OR bed of tarantulas OR whatever your sick imaginations take you). 

But really, join us, it's really nice here in the FIRE hot tub/pool/paradise of your choice.

Disclaimer: binge watching Game of Thrones with DW. 

Edit: spelling.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on December 30, 2018, 05:21:31 AM
Sounds like there are several people on the fence now, watching the markets and weighing their options.  I don't think anyone has officially decided to OMY yet . . . ?

Pulling the list forward.  Hope you all have a good weekend.  2019 is almost here!!!

Add me ... January 1, 2019.  I will work a 12 hour shift on New Year's Eve, and then will stop working for money.  I will actually still work two days a month to keep my skills current as a precaution, since my < 3% withdrawal rate still makes my husband nervous (plus, as pathologically cautious person myself, it might be too scary otherwise to quit completely), but Jan. 1 is my freedom date.  I can't wait!

Good luck on your last shift. 12 hours is a long day.

Smart of you to maintain your skills a bit. That gives you some flexibility and choices.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on December 30, 2018, 06:52:58 AM
Sounds like there are several people on the fence now, watching the markets and weighing their options.  I don't think anyone has officially decided to OMY yet . . . ?

Not officially, as I'm less confident in my ability to put up with bullshit at work than markets rebounding.

Happy Early New Year to my fellow 2019ers, it's going to be an epic year.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on December 30, 2018, 12:37:16 PM
Sounds like there are several people on the fence now, watching the markets and weighing their options.  I don't think anyone has officially decided to OMY yet . . . ?

I'm still in for now.  My plan accounted for a drop like we saw recently, but if we get another 20% drop before my planned date I will reassess. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on December 30, 2018, 12:50:28 PM
Welcome @Bingeworker !  That sounds like a great retirement date!

As for me, I started getting the Sunday blues on Friday and I don't have to go back to work until Jan 2nd.  Aww man, not cool.  There is a very large study that is waiting for my review once I get back.  I am not looking forward to that. 

The markets have been rough with us, but we are still good for our end of March dates even if we get no growth in 2019.  If we have major losses in 2019, things will get interesting, but we don't plan to pull out any money until Dec 2019, and don't HAVE to pull out money until a few months after that to refill some coffers.  I am really looking forward to adding money in at a discount. 

Some 2019 plans:

I have a two week trip with my mother in law end of Jan/Early Feb.  Great way to split up the last three months!

Our "good-bye work" travel starts April first (HA!).  We are planning on driving the route 66 (what is left of it) with plans to hit the Trinity site on one of the two days per year that it is open, among other things.  We like tacky things, as well as lovely views, but mostly tacky things :).

Then in July we have a family reunion in Wisconsin, so we plan on hitting some of the local sites on our voyage (more tacky things).  None of the family knows our FIRE plans, so that should be interesting.  Many of them have also not met DH, so that should be interesting as well. 

So exciting!!

Loren
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Livingthedream55 on December 31, 2018, 08:15:06 AM
Sounds like there are several people on the fence now, watching the markets and weighing their options.  I don't think anyone has officially decided to OMY yet . . . ?

Pulling the list forward.  Hope you all have a good weekend.  2019 is almost here!!!

Add me ... January 1, 2019.  I will work a 12 hour shift on New Year's Eve, and then will stop working for money.  I will actually still work two days a month to keep my skills current as a precaution, since my < 3% withdrawal rate still makes my husband nervous (plus, as pathologically cautious person myself, it might be too scary otherwise to quit completely), but Jan. 1 is my freedom date.  I can't wait!
@Bingeworker   Congratulations on your last day of full-time work! Woohoo!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on December 31, 2018, 09:00:03 AM
I'm going to take an 8-10 week LoA regardless of what happens in the markets. And moving that date up to July 8th :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on December 31, 2018, 02:02:09 PM
..snip.....
Our "good-bye work" travel starts April first (HA!).  We are planning on driving the route 66 (what is left of it) with plans to hit the Trinity site on one of the two days per year that it is open, among other things.  We like tacky things, as well as lovely views, but mostly tacky things :).  ..snip...

Loren
Glad I'm not the only nerd. It is amazing how many people show up at TRINITY, yet are freaked out by a Geiger counter.
Other sights "nearby", include Robert H. Goddard ( rocket pioneer) museum in Roswell, the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History in Albuquerque, the VLA (Very Large Array, background to the movie Contact).

Fortunate NON-conversation:
TSA Agent, what's this in your carry on?
Me, a GM, a nuclear radiation detector.
TSA Agent, What are you doing with it?
Me, going on vacation.

I realized later that my entry and exit airports were probably the only ones where an Eberline (based in Albuquerque) GM wouldn't have caused much interest.

Edit new museum name, GM story.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Rubyvroom on December 31, 2018, 05:52:03 PM
I am posting a pre-emptive “Congratulations!” to all of you in the upcoming year’s cohort.  I shall live vicariously through your triumphs in these next 12 months, so kick some butt.

Pretty much what I am here for too (aka, PTF). Get at it 2019! :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on January 01, 2019, 03:36:08 AM
Well folks, finally after the long haul of accumulation we have made it to OUR year. Congratulations to all of you.

I still have not whispered a word of my intentions to anyone other than DW.

Over XMas I was having a drink with a friend and saying that I had suffered enough in my job and would repatriate to Australia this year. I mentioned that my aim was to get out of work as early as I could so was not so focussed on further career progression. He asked when was I going to stop work... I wasn’t ready to share my dreams of FIRE this year so said 55 (I am 47).

He replied “why would you want to retire at 55??  You will most likely live to over 90!!  What would you do for 40 years?”.

He certainly isn’t looking at the opportunities the world presents in the same way as me, so i let the conversation move on.

I still feel that telling people I am going to stop working at 47 to be a full time adventurer, middle aged athlete (I am very far from this atm) and coffee connoisseur is rather outrageous and preposterous, and even ridiculous. Even when I FIRE I doubt I will tell anyone what my long term dreams are. For now it will just be “taking a break between expat life and finding a new job back home”.

2019 is going to be EPIC!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 01, 2019, 04:44:40 AM
Happy New Year everyone!  After all our planning, hoping, dreaming, and talking -- 2019 is here. 

Waiting to hear from @Bingeworker.  We may have our first FIRE-ee of the year already?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on January 01, 2019, 06:48:48 AM
Welcome 2019!!!  We have been waiting so (or not so) patiently for you!!!

I have to go back to work tomorrow but I'm not done being on vacation :(.


..snip.....
Our "good-bye work" travel starts April first (HA!).  We are planning on driving the route 66 (what is left of it) with plans to hit the Trinity site on one of the two days per year that it is open, among other things.  We like tacky things, as well as lovely views, but mostly tacky things :).  ..snip...

Loren
Glad I'm not the only nerd. It is amazing how many people show up at TRINITY, yet are freaked out by a Geiger counter.
Other sights "nearby", include Robert H. Goddard ( rocket pioneer) museum in Roswell, the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History in Albuquerque, the VLA (Very Large Array, background to the movie Contact).

Fortunate NON-conversation:
TSA Agent, what's this in your carry on?
Me, a GM, a nuclear radiation detector.
TSA Agent, What are you doing with it?
Me, going on vacation.

I realized later that my entry and exit airports were probably the only ones where an Eberline (based in Albuquerque) GM wouldn't have caused much interest.

Edit new museum name, GM story.

HAHA!  No, not the only nerd.  I've worked in radioactive labs for about 10 years, so actually appreciate well functioning Geiger meters.  If they are totally quiet, something has gone wrong :). 

Thank you for the other suggestions, we are still looking to fill in the rest of the trip (adding in the limiting or dated options first).  It is nice to have a trip where we have a start date, but the end date is when we are ready to be home again. 

Loren
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Half Stached on January 01, 2019, 09:52:32 AM
Year end numbers are in, and I have just three months until freedom!

7/15: 41.6% FI
10/15: 40.1%
1/16: 45.6%
4/16: 50.4%
7/16: 53.7%
10/16: 60.7%* (due to reducing expenses and better modeling, we reduced our FI target from 1.8million to 1.7)
1/17: 63.5%
4/17: 75.3%
7/17: 44.4%* (Condo purchase. FI target reduced from 1.7million to 1.3, not including condo.)
10/17: 50.6%
1/18: 56.3%
4/18: 62.3%
7/18: 64.6%
10/18: 71.6%
1/19: 63.8%

Well, that was a rough quarter - we lost about 100K with the market drop. However, everything has been set in motion and there is no looking back! Even with this, between my severance package, my wife's work and my salable collectables, we'll be fine. March 5 here we come!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: LadyMaWhiskers on January 01, 2019, 11:35:20 AM
And just like that, quite lacking fanfare, mortgage is paid off! It didn’t seem too real sending the check, but getting a $1.87 refund is helping to make it real.

Murphy paid a timely visit in December, with hospital bills to calm the exuberant cash-stacking that would otherwise have commenced today
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on January 01, 2019, 01:14:28 PM
And just like that, quite lacking fanfare, mortgage is paid off! It didn’t seem too real sending the check, but getting a $1.87 refund is helping to make it real.

Murphy paid a timely visit in December, with hospital bills to calm the exuberant cash-stacking that would otherwise have commenced today

Congrats on paying off your mortgage.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on January 01, 2019, 07:44:41 PM
Year end numbers are in, and I have just three months until freedom!

7/15: 41.6% FI
10/15: 40.1%
1/16: 45.6%
4/16: 50.4%
7/16: 53.7%
10/16: 60.7%* (due to reducing expenses and better modeling, we reduced our FI target from 1.8million to 1.7)
1/17: 63.5%
4/17: 75.3%
7/17: 44.4%* (Condo purchase. FI target reduced from 1.7million to 1.3, not including condo.)
10/17: 50.6%
1/18: 56.3%
4/18: 62.3%
7/18: 64.6%
10/18: 71.6%
1/19: 63.8%

Well, that was a rough quarter - we lost about 100K with the market drop. However, everything has been set in motion and there is no looking back! Even with this, between my severance package, my wife's work and my salable collectables, we'll be fine. March 5 here we come!

Congratulations for powering through the tough quarter! 
There are people on the 2M-3M thread who are backpedaling (OMY, TMY,IndefiniteMY) much faster than they got there.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on January 01, 2019, 07:58:34 PM
Welcome 2019!!!  We have been waiting so (or not so) patiently for you!!!

I have to go back to work tomorrow but I'm not done being on vacation :(.


..snip.....
Our "good-bye work" travel starts April first (HA!).  We are planning on driving the route 66 (what is left of it) with plans to hit the Trinity site on one of the two days per year that it is open, among other things.  We like tacky things, as well as lovely views, but mostly tacky things :).  ..snip...

Loren
Glad I'm not the only nerd. It is amazing how many people show up at TRINITY, yet are freaked out by a Geiger counter.
Other sights "nearby", include Robert H. Goddard ( rocket pioneer) museum in Roswell, the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History in Albuquerque, the VLA (Very Large Array, background to the movie Contact).

Fortunate NON-conversation:
TSA Agent, what's this in your carry on?
Me, a GM, a nuclear radiation detector.
TSA Agent, What are you doing with it?
Me, going on vacation.

I realized later that my entry and exit airports were probably the only ones where an Eberline (based in Albuquerque) GM wouldn't have caused much interest.

Edit new museum name, GM story.

HAHA!  No, not the only nerd.  I've worked in radioactive labs for about 10 years, so actually appreciate well functioning Geiger meters.  If they are totally quiet, something has gone wrong :). 

Thank you for the other suggestions, we are still looking to fill in the rest of the trip (adding in the limiting or dated options first).  It is nice to have a trip where we have a start date, but the end date is when we are ready to be home again. 

Loren

If you are on a plane, no sound is best.   
If people who intentionally go to Trinity and are freaked out by a clicking GM, imagine the reaction on a plane at 30,000 ft , (10K cpm x 10% efficiency, ~1666 Bq).   
Trinity at waist level at the tower footings was ?<5k cpm?  Socorro background 4600 was ~500cpm.
I felt like Moses parting the Red Sea of people.

I made damn sure the sound was off (triple self check).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Bingeworker on January 01, 2019, 08:04:16 PM
Happy New Year everyone!  After all our planning, hoping, dreaming, and talking -- 2019 is here. 

Waiting to hear from @Bingeworker.  We may have our first FIRE-ee of the year already?

Thanks everyone for the welcome!  Yes, I am FIREd.  Today was my first day of not working for a living any more.

My story in a nutshell:  I never really planned on FI, as I was someone who realized within 3 years of finishing university that full-time work was not for me.  I took two stabs at being a normal person with a full-time job within that span. One lasted 4.5 months, the other lasted 3 months.  I'd had part-time jobs in there too, and realized that I was not a big spender, and my middle-class income level (I am a nurse) was enough to support my modest lifestyle.

Back then (1989), working minimalist like I did was not really a thing, and many warned me against it, saying that those were my most important earning years, and that I would get behind and never catch up.  While I am not a math person, I am pretty good with big-picture financial estimations, and I knew I was on the right track, despite swimming completely against the flow.  I also just LOATHED working full-time and not having my freedom, and I was very frugal naturally, and was unwilling to trade my life for money.  My brother actually was planning to retire early though, and I read a book that he had read, Charles Long's "How to Survive Without a Salary", 1992, which gave me the reassurance that part-time work by design might be unconventional, but would work just fine.

What I didn't expect, is that I would gradually reach FI anyway.  I had just assumed I would work part-time forever as that would be the trade-off for not being a conventional full-time employee.  I'm not sure when exactly I became FI, but I noticed it last year, when I was concerned my 40% part-time job was going to end, and I examined my finances to see how much less I could work if I had to look for a new job.  I did the math and was surprised to find that the answer was that I really did not have to work at all.  That's when I came back to this forum and read some threads and looked at the links to the various FI calculators, and added up what I would get for CPP and OAS (I am Canadian), and no matter what scenario I fed it, I was getting 100% success rates if I quit immediately.

Well, this of course increased my job dissatisfaction, and I eventually resigned from my part-time gig, effective end of November.  However, during my one-month's notice, a 10% part-time job in a different unit of the same department of my employer was posted.  I applied, not expecting to get it as I really did only want to work the 10% and they usually want someone desperate for work who will pick up extra work, but I did get it.  This led to a very weird retirement transition scenario, where 3 days after my old job ended, I had to immediately start full-time at the new one for a month, to get oriented to the new position.

So that ended yesterday, and now I am free!  I will work one day every two weeks, which keeps my husband from getting nervous, and me too actually, as we are pathologically cautious and responsible with money.  It's not for the actual money, I don't need it and I know it, it's rather a way to preserve my ability to earn an income, as a hedge against any future rampant inflation events.  I know it's unlikely to occur, but in these early years of retirement at least, it puts the last duck in a row for total security, or as close as anyone can ever get.

Even though I have been part-time all my working life, it still feels AMAZING to be free.  Even 40% was just eating up so much of my time!  Work consumes mental energy and seeps into free time.  My tiny remaining gig should not do so too much, it's a "show up once every 14 days, work 8-12 hours, and go away again" type of job, the one I had before that was a little more involved.

I am really looking forward to watching the rest of you meet your 2019 exit dates!  Whoohoo!  Let the freedom begin!!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 02, 2019, 04:08:49 AM
Congratulations to Bingeworker, our first FIRE of the year! 


2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19     Bingeworker (52)   CONFIRMED
01/31/19     Trifele (51)
02/01/19     Cycling Stache (44)
02/08/19     Socmonkey (37)
02/25/19     MaybeBabyMustache
02/??/19     zinnie  (35)
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/19/19     ChasesFish (36)
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor  (50)     
03/??/19     Roboturner  (30)
03/??/19     Edgema
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     BlindSquirrel
03/31/19     Mr. Ver (39)
03/31/19     Loren Ver (36)
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/01/19     Ryder (39)
04/19/19     Eric
04/23/19     Lews Therin (29)
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
04/??/19     PowerStache (43)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)                   
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/31/19     Pylortes  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/31/19     dude   
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/??/19     Bateaux  (50)
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/??/19     Keeks
07/01/19     Freedomin5 (38)
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
08/01/19     SugarMountain
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
10/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
10/01/19     Linda_Norway
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer
MustacheAnxiety
forward

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on January 02, 2019, 04:58:14 AM
@Bingeworker : welcome. How is your husband's situation? Is he also FIREd? Do you have shared finances?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on January 02, 2019, 06:29:32 AM
Welcome 2019!!!  We have been waiting so (or not so) patiently for you!!!

I have to go back to work tomorrow but I'm not done being on vacation :(.


..snip.....
Our "good-bye work" travel starts April first (HA!).  We are planning on driving the route 66 (what is left of it) with plans to hit the Trinity site on one of the two days per year that it is open, among other things.  We like tacky things, as well as lovely views, but mostly tacky things :).  ..snip...

Loren
Glad I'm not the only nerd. It is amazing how many people show up at TRINITY, yet are freaked out by a Geiger counter.
Other sights "nearby", include Robert H. Goddard ( rocket pioneer) museum in Roswell, the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History in Albuquerque, the VLA (Very Large Array, background to the movie Contact).

Fortunate NON-conversation:
TSA Agent, what's this in your carry on?
Me, a GM, a nuclear radiation detector.
TSA Agent, What are you doing with it?
Me, going on vacation.

I realized later that my entry and exit airports were probably the only ones where an Eberline (based in Albuquerque) GM wouldn't have caused much interest.

...snip

Loren

If you are on a plane, no sound is best.   
If people who intentionally go to Trinity and are freaked out by a clicking GM, imagine the reaction on a plane at 30,000 ft , (10K cpm x 10% efficiency, ~1666 Bq).   
Trinity at waist level at the tower footings was ?<5k cpm?  Socorro background 4600 was ~500cpm.
I felt like Moses parting the Red Sea of people.

I made damn sure the sound was off (triple self check).

HAHAHA!  Yes, no sound, or off would have been good for a plane ride!

Congratulations to @Bingeworker!! One down many to go!!  @Trifele you are next, are you ready??

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Bingeworker on January 02, 2019, 08:15:04 AM
@Bingeworker : welcome. How is your husband's situation? Is he also FIREd? Do you have shared finances?

He is self-employed, he works a bit every day but certainly it's not full-time hours.  We don't share finances, but we are both frugal.  We only married a few years ago. 

He keeps the books (money bores me, which is interesting since I have managed to accumulate a useful amount of it, but accumulated that pile without any sort of maximization strategy as I never figured FI was in my future anyway).  He also has started managing some of my investments in the past few months, which I let him do as he has a good track record of being good at it, and even if he lost it all I have divided up my stash so that I would never be living under a bridge, I keep way more in cash than the average mustachian.  I come from very cautious financial roots, and my parents were aghast at me even putting a little of my money in mutual funds (back in the stone ages before ETFs) back when I was in my 20's.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: mall0c on January 02, 2019, 08:31:05 AM
September 2019 for me.  Age 42
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on January 02, 2019, 08:55:08 AM
To my fellow 2019 cohorts.

This is one of the best resources available to anyone who is nearing/considering unplugging in the next year or two. I recommend reading from the beginning in chronological order.

https://livingafi.com/

Dr. Doom used to post here, but sadly hasn't updated the blog/forum in over two years. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on January 02, 2019, 08:56:34 AM
He fire'd. Adding: well portfolio continues to rise faster than my bills is boring.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on January 02, 2019, 09:20:20 AM
Congrats to BingeWorker for being first trooper over the trench wall. Trifele is up next.

Our cohort is looking rather small and select when compared to the 2018 horde. Only 2 peeps for the month of January.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on January 02, 2019, 09:43:42 AM
The markets have been shaky. Lot's of people likely waiting it out.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: forward on January 02, 2019, 12:48:44 PM

Congrats to BingeWorker! lets keep the party going!
I am still planning for 2019, even though I have taken a pretty big hit in the stache since October.  I am still a little unsure as to when as I'm hoping to pay off the mortgage before I put my resignation in.  I also don't know how my employer will handle my resignation but will likely become even more hostile than they are now, so I am just trying to get through the days.   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on January 02, 2019, 12:53:29 PM
Our cohort is looking rather small and select when compared to the 2018 horde. Only 2 peeps for the month of January.

I'll choose quality over quantity every day of the week.  :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on January 03, 2019, 12:34:44 AM
@Bingeworker : welcome. How is your husband's situation? Is he also FIREd? Do you have shared finances?

He is self-employed, he works a bit every day but certainly it's not full-time hours.  We don't share finances, but we are both frugal.  We only married a few years ago. 

He keeps the books (money bores me, which is interesting since I have managed to accumulate a useful amount of it, but accumulated that pile without any sort of maximization strategy as I never figured FI was in my future anyway).  He also has started managing some of my investments in the past few months, which I let him do as he has a good track record of being good at it, and even if he lost it all I have divided up my stash so that I would never be living under a bridge, I keep way more in cash than the average mustachian.  I come from very cautious financial roots, and my parents were aghast at me even putting a little of my money in mutual funds (back in the stone ages before ETFs) back when I was in my 20's.

Very well.

But as we have read in some of the scary threads, please let him inform you about what he does from time to time and look at the yearly tax papers together. Make sure he is working in your best interest.
In the scary threads, we sometimes read that one spouse is supposed to pay the bills, but doesn't pay the mortgage and leaves the other spouse with debt. Just make sure you don't get in that boat, despite finding financial matters boring.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Will on January 03, 2019, 02:23:19 AM
Our cohort is looking rather small and select when compared to the 2018 horde. Only 2 peeps for the month of January.

I'll choose quality over quantity every day of the week.  :)

AHA!!!  I came over to see how the 2019 cohorts were doing and I see smack talk about those of us who are 2018 cohorts!!  2018 had both quality AND quantity! 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 03, 2019, 04:45:16 AM
Welcome to the forum and the cohort @dayzero!  I've got you down for a September date.  What's your story?


2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19     Bingeworker (52)   CONFIRMED
01/31/19     Trifele (51)
02/01/19     Cycling Stache (44)
02/08/19     Socmonkey (37)
02/25/19     MaybeBabyMustache
02/??/19     zinnie  (35)
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/19/19     ChasesFish (36)
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor  (50)     
03/??/19     Roboturner  (30)
03/??/19     Edgema
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     BlindSquirrel
03/31/19     Mr. Ver (39)
03/31/19     Loren Ver (36)
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/01/19     Ryder (39)
04/19/19     Eric
04/23/19     Lews Therin (29)
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
04/??/19     PowerStache (43)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)                   
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/31/19     Pylortes  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/31/19     dude   
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/??/19     Bateaux  (50)
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/??/19     Keeks
07/01/19     Freedomin5 (38)
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
08/01/19     SugarMountain
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
09/??/19     dayzero
10/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
10/01/19     Linda_Norway
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer
MustacheAnxiety
forward

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Livingthedream55 on January 03, 2019, 08:06:24 AM
Happy New Year 2019 peeps!!

I continue on track with my May 31st date.  It is very exciting to have the thrill of watching our cohort confirm their escape from having to work for money. I will be filing my pension paperwork on February 1st so this is getting real for me. My immediate family knows my plans but won't tell anyone at work for another four months.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: mall0c on January 03, 2019, 08:15:40 AM
Welcome to the forum and the cohort @dayzero!  I've got you down for a September date.  What's your story?

Thank you! I will give my notice just after labor day, so 9/3. Retiring from big tech (Seattle). Wife is SAHM. We are currently building our retirement home in another lower COL state and plan to move there in the fall.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Bingeworker on January 03, 2019, 08:25:57 AM
@Bingeworker : welcome. How is your husband's situation? Is he also FIREd? Do you have shared finances?

He is self-employed, he works a bit every day but certainly it's not full-time hours.  We don't share finances, but we are both frugal.  We only married a few years ago. 

He keeps the books (money bores me, which is interesting since I have managed to accumulate a useful amount of it, but accumulated that pile without any sort of maximization strategy as I never figured FI was in my future anyway).  He also has started managing some of my investments in the past few months, which I let him do as he has a good track record of being good at it, and even if he lost it all I have divided up my stash so that I would never be living under a bridge, I keep way more in cash than the average mustachian.  I come from very cautious financial roots, and my parents were aghast at me even putting a little of my money in mutual funds (back in the stone ages before ETFs) back when I was in my 20's.

Very well.

But as we have read in some of the scary threads, please let him inform you about what he does from time to time and look at the yearly tax papers together. Make sure he is working in your best interest.
In the scary threads, we sometimes read that one spouse is supposed to pay the bills, but doesn't pay the mortgage and leaves the other spouse with debt. Just make sure you don't get in that boat, despite finding financial matters boring.

Oh, I won't.  I am far from oblivious to my own and his financial situation.  Most of it is still in only my own control.  He makes some decisions about the portion allocated to stocks, but it's a limited portion of my stache, and I have the ability to remove his control at any time, and he really isn't the type to steal it.  We have a (half-joking) deal, that if he loses all my money he has to support me, and he sure wouldn't want that!  :-D  The bills are definitely being paid, and we split the payments, and I am hands-on in dealing with them.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on January 03, 2019, 11:49:36 AM
Our cohort is looking rather small and select when compared to the 2018 horde. Only 2 peeps for the month of January.

I'll choose quality over quantity every day of the week.  :)

AHA!!!  I came over to see how the 2019 cohorts were doing and I see smack talk about those of us who are 2018 cohorts!!  2018 had both quality AND quantity!

Shoo!  Your time has passed, old man.  Time to fade away into obscurity.  lol
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on January 03, 2019, 12:11:59 PM
Our cohort is looking rather small and select when compared to the 2018 horde. Only 2 peeps for the month of January.

I'll choose quality over quantity every day of the week.  :)

AHA!!!  I came over to see how the 2019 cohorts were doing and I see smack talk about those of us who are 2018 cohorts!!  2018 had both quality AND quantity!

Shoo!  Your time has passed, old man.  Time to fade away into obscurity.  lol

Somebody got old and crochety fast. Guess that's retirement for you.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on January 03, 2019, 01:22:22 PM
I asked DH to give his numbers on income, expenses and savings. It turned out that my own numbers did not completely make sense, as my expenses + savings were more than my income. But we calculated them again together.

Total savings rate of our household is 70%. That means we live of 30%. For each year that we work, we can stop working 2 years earlier. This is despite of the fact that I have been working 80% for 4 months and DH since December.

Our spending is well withing our yearly FIRE budget, including the yearly devaluation of our car. And some leftover.

We both are at a stop in our stock fund. We have the sme amount as before the summer, despite of buying stocks all the time. But most of our net worth is in our house, which needs to be sold in 2019. DH also has some cash savings.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Will on January 03, 2019, 03:25:46 PM
Our cohort is looking rather small and select when compared to the 2018 horde. Only 2 peeps for the month of January.

I'll choose quality over quantity every day of the week.  :)

AHA!!!  I came over to see how the 2019 cohorts were doing and I see smack talk about those of us who are 2018 cohorts!!  2018 had both quality AND quantity!

Shoo!  Your time has passed, old man.  Time to fade away into obscurity.  lol

Somebody got old and crochety fast. Guess that's retirement for you.
Our cohort is looking rather small and select when compared to the 2018 horde. Only 2 peeps for the month of January.

I'll choose quality over quantity every day of the week.  :)

AHA!!!  I came over to see how the 2019 cohorts were doing and I see smack talk about those of us who are 2018 cohorts!!  2018 had both quality AND quantity!

Shoo!  Your time has passed, old man.  Time to fade away into obscurity.  lol

You're all just jealous!  Have fun working.  Hahahahahahahahaha. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SpareChange on January 03, 2019, 07:49:36 PM
My story in a nutshell:  I never really planned on FI, as I was someone who realized within 3 years of finishing university that full-time work was not for me.  I took two stabs at being a normal person with a full-time job within that span. One lasted 4.5 months, the other lasted 3 months.  I'd had part-time jobs in there too, and realized that I was not a big spender, and my middle-class income level (I am a nurse) was enough to support my modest lifestyle.

Back then (1989), working minimalist like I did was not really a thing, and many warned me against it, saying that those were my most important earning years, and that I would get behind and never catch up.  While I am not a math person, I am pretty good with big-picture financial estimations, and I knew I was on the right track, despite swimming completely against the flow.  I also just LOATHED working full-time and not having my freedom, and I was very frugal naturally, and was unwilling to trade my life for money.  My brother actually was planning to retire early though, and I read a book that he had read, Charles Long's "How to Survive Without a Salary", 1992, which gave me the reassurance that part-time work by design might be unconventional, but would work just fine.

So that ended yesterday, and now I am free!  I will work one day every two weeks, which keeps my husband from getting nervous, and me too actually, as we are pathologically cautious and responsible with money.  It's not for the actual money, I don't need it and I know it, it's rather a way to preserve my ability to earn an income, as a hedge against any future rampant inflation events.  I know it's unlikely to occur, but in these early years of retirement at least, it puts the last duck in a row for total security, or as close as anyone can ever get.

Even though I have been part-time all my working life, it still feels AMAZING to be free.  Even 40% was just eating up so much of my time!  Work consumes mental energy and seeps into free time.  My tiny remaining gig should not do so too much, it's a "show up once every 14 days, work 8-12 hours, and go away again" type of job, the one I had before that was a little more involved.

I reasonate with a lot of what you said. I also work in healthcare, and oddly enough, plan on dropping to about 40% PT this year. I'm hoping that will take most of the grind out of my job. Congrats on your newfound independence!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Bingeworker on January 03, 2019, 08:13:45 PM

I reasonate with a lot of what you said. I also work in healthcare, and oddly enough, plan on dropping to about 40% PT this year. I'm hoping that will take most of the grind out of my job. Congrats on your newfound independence!

Yes, go for it!  40% part-time is not bad at all.  When I was first out of school I worked around 60%, and gradually reduced through my working life.  My "Bingeworker" moniker comes from when I did contract work in remote areas for around 3 months of the year (including lots of overtime), and then was completely off the other 9 months.  I liked the off part the best though ...  I know I will do fine at retirement as I have been practicing for so long!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 04, 2019, 03:34:10 AM
Congratulations to @Bingeworker!! One down many to go!!  @Trifele you are next, are you ready??
LV

I think so, thanks for asking!  I've been busy training my replacement, and the last few weeks at work have not been bad at all.  I no longer feel like I'm being boiled in oil, haha.  I think the long holiday break helped a lot, and also just knowing I'm in the home stretch. 

I've been doing nuts and bolts things too -- planning for ACA health coverage, figuring out what to do with my 457, looking at options to roll my HSA over, etc.  Shit is getting very, very real!  :) 

@Cycling Stache -- How are you doing?  Less than a month to go!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on January 04, 2019, 07:58:28 AM
MissNancyPrior, one thing is for certain. It is time to leave your current gig.

Given you are cashed up with an almost 100% of FIRE success, if you take the new job you won’t be doing it for the money and you don’t need to stay at your current job just because the money is good.

Following along this train of thought, the fat bonus is also not super important.

So how about you quit mega Corp now and take 3 months off and start work wiith your former employer recharged and ready to go. A long break from work is an awesome thing.

It does sound like you will enjoy the interaction and challenges of your former employer.

With FI comes choice. You can work or not work. It is up to you. Maybe if former work is such a great place to work they’ll agree to you working 4 days a week, or taking extra leave, or working from home. The world is your oyster,
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Chrissy on January 04, 2019, 08:06:52 AM
What itchyfeet said, @MissNancyPryor !  Take Option 3(months off).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: tooqk4u22 on January 04, 2019, 09:13:50 AM
What itchyfeet said, @MissNancyPryor !  Take Option 3(months off).

Yup, take option 2 - you are clearly in a position to do what you want. 

Option 2:  take the analyst job at FormerCo just after my bonus arrives in March.  Enjoy the major downshift of responsibility.  Get some social buoyancy for a while.  Glide into retirement in a couple more years or if I really like it I can position myself to be a big cheese at that company at some point.  Understanding that getting up and going to work every day even with the short commute will still be a grind but the stress will evaporate.  So does the fat money.       

The bolded part is just ego, not fear, that is driving you on this part - don't let it.  2-5 more years in a position that is not inspiring along with an unknown probability if the big cheese moment even happens is definitely not worth it, especially if the big cheese role is not some fulfilling goal/desire of yours.  If it is something that you truly have always wanted and is a crazy cool position (at least in your view) then sure, factor it in.  But leaning in to FIRE for a bit just to ease your emotions or transition more smoothly, that's ok in book.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: tooqk4u22 on January 04, 2019, 10:40:27 AM
Yes, being a big cheese is not an appeal on its own and not worth staying in any job for.  Maybe that is why it is not a big consideration ans I contemplate leaving the current gig. 

Part of going back will be the acknowledgement that I am giving up this executive role that people at FormerCo knew about (I left there to take this big girl job). There will be some explaining from me required as in, “Hey, look who got busted down to Private!” which I expect to waive away with a relaxed smile because I don’t work for money anymore.  The other part is my personal history of my X’s spectacular abandonment of me a couple years ago-  filling in folks on that won’t be so fun when it comes up (I have my elevator speech ready though). 

But those are just ego considerations as well.

I am not judging you on the ego part, I struggle with that too.  Sure I am still trying to get comfortable as to whether we have enough or how our expense will change (btw - I am definitely in realm of "Perfection is the enemy of Progress") but the argument of "You can always go back part time or work at Starbucks to offset a bit" gives me a lot of displeasure, and mostly from the ego perspective.  Not to mention why the F would I want my fall back be to go make $7,800 a year ($10/hr * 15 hours * 52 weeks) when we can save that now in a few months - I think I feel like a complete failure in my mind, again ego. 

But that is my ridiculous view and not necessarily the right view. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: tooqk4u22 on January 04, 2019, 11:01:00 AM
Probably definitely worth it to ride it to comp time and then either go to the other place or pick an end date between comp time and June and just be done with it. 

OMY is most definitely a stretch by what your saying and you sound somewhat like me so I can relate - I don't have the excessive travel though. 

I should ask myself if the analysts job is something I would do for SBUX wages and go from there.

I don't think that is quite the same as it sounds like there are many positives to the other job (setting aside the ego of course).  And given your travel and likely hours that you put in - working a straight 40 hrs may feel like a vacation, at least for a bit anyway.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on January 04, 2019, 11:10:54 AM
Part of going back will be the acknowledgement that I am giving up this executive role that people at FormerCo knew about (I left there to take this big girl job). There will be some explaining from me required as in, “Hey, look who got busted down to Private!”
Simple you can just tell them you banked so much from that job you can now afford to spend your time doing something you actually enjoy.
The job at former co sounds like something that would suit you very nicely and let you rebuild your local social network in preparation for retirement.  The best solution would probably be if they would let you do it part time, but if you think you would enjoy it, go for it.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on January 04, 2019, 11:33:43 AM
Hmm, if the bonus is from 2018 work, are you sure you wont get it if you leave before it pays out?  If not, I would find leaving really really hard, but my employment is pretty easy (especially compared to yours).  But I don't think I could take feeling sick before work, nope.  I'd be gone. 

As for FormerCo, do you want to do that job?  You don't need the money, so is it something you would like to actually go do?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on January 04, 2019, 12:01:22 PM
@MissNancyPryor I would move for Option #2, just figure out how to pull it off and keep your year-end bonus for the work you put in for 2018.

I just left my near executive level role for a lateral move.  Three days in and it feels like an anchor has been lifted from my chest.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SpareChange on January 04, 2019, 12:07:15 PM
@MissNancyPryor I would move for Option #2, just figure out how to pull it off and keep your year-end bonus for the work you put in for 2018.

I just left my near executive level role for a lateral move.  Three days in and it feels like an anchor has been lifted from my chest.

Good for you! Did they bat an eye over your decision?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Livingthedream55 on January 04, 2019, 12:15:13 PM
Hey Nineteen-  What do you think of this?

Yesterday a former boss and I went to lunch.  I loved working for her and we have remained friends. 

I let her know that I was hoping to pull the plug mid year but was a little wobbly with the market troubles of late.  She said she will have an opening for an analyst in her group at FormerCo within the month and wondered if I would be interested.

My current job is high paid with a fat bonus.  It comes with high stress and ridiculous travel across the country on the regular (I counted 83 flights in 2017, somewhat less in 2018.)  It is the usual big company bullshit though and I feel nauseous every single day I go to the office of MegaCorpSucks, Inc.  The job allows me to save almost 80% of my income but I believe it is killing me and I will have a heart attack or get cancer eventually if I stay.  Yes, that bad.         

The role at FormerCo is pretty mid-level non-management, probably 40% of my current pay, tiny bonus, and maybe only 2 trips a year that are just regional hops for a day or two.  Low stress.  Back working with people in a culture that is really great.  If I take the role I would be in line to assume this woman's role when she gets kicked upstairs within 2-5 years if I choose it.  Even at the far reduced pay I would be saving substantially but more importantly I would be shortening my overall retirement funds demand.  I could half-step my way to retirement but still FIRE at any time if it is not a good fit. 

Option 1:  stay at MegaCorpSucks as planned until July 5th and hang it up.  I might not have as much cash on hand as I like but I won't need to sell stocks for a couple years.  Decompress for at least 6 months and add a couple years back to my life expectancy.  FIRE on!  Seven more months at a job that's making you sick? No, no, no!!

Option 2:  take the analyst job at FormerCo just after my bonus arrives in March. Enjoy the major downshift of responsibility.  Get some social buoyancy for a while.  Glide into retirement in a couple more years or if I really like it I can position myself to be a big cheese at that company at some point.  Understanding that getting up and going to work every day even with the short commute will still be a grind but the stress will evaporate.  So does the fat money.     

Another appealing thought is that the former company is populated by hundreds of local people and there is a possibility that I might find a partner there.  At my current company our regional office is small and I have been everyone's boss at one time or another so dating anyone is out of the question.  I am very isolated socially at work.  I know this is a little goofy but it matters-- at FormerCo, Inc there have been many long term marriages among co-workers.    Lots of good stuff with Option # 2!

See, I am rocking like 97% success on my favorite retirement calculator and 100% on cfiresim even with today's totals.  Even with the drop in the market I am fine, and yet I wobble emotionally.  That's understandable but you need out of MegaCorps! That tells me I need more psychological understanding on my decision to retire completely.  Maybe the major downshift is a way to glide out? 

Thoughts?  Feel free to whack me with a 2x4 if you think it is required or if I am being ridiculous.  And thanks-     

The numbers work for FIRE so my vote is for leaving Megacorps once you get your bonus. As far as FormerCo, sounds like you are drawn to it for a number of reasons. I made a lateral move to another agency three years ago to glide into FIRE - never regretted it for a moment. The lack of stress and anxiety feels like a vacation!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on January 04, 2019, 12:45:20 PM
You are the best!  I appreciate everyone chiming in and looking over the situation with me and offering your perspectives.

We had a compensation planning call with HR this morning and I asked if someone leaves before March do they get the bonus payout and the answer is yes, if they are in good standing and they worked all of last year they do get it.  The other leaders assumed I am asking for my own staff so it was a perfect stealth move. 

I am leaning hard toward the “give it a shot with FormerCo” route, and most importantly I realize I gotta get out of here.  That means even if the old place pulls back the offer of a role I will still step out by July 5th for my health.

That's a good thing to check on and not assume.

That was our situation in the past, this year megacorp still hasn't finalized the 2018 plan, it'll be used as a loophole to not pay people who leave before.

They also moved back the equity vesting date
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on January 04, 2019, 12:52:03 PM
Today I switched my taxable account dividends to stop being re-invested and instead get dumped into my bank account.  If I'm paying taxes on these things no matter what, they may as well be part of my spending. 

Feels really strange though.  I guess this is the first step in going from saver to spender.  It's a big difference.



And chiming in with the others that this kind of pace is insane.  You may have gotten somewhat desensitized to it, but from an outside perspective, I can't imagine all that travel.  And I plan to be a perpetual traveler!!

That nails it.  If I can just hold on a while longer I can out-earn the analyst’s paycheck in the blink of an eye.  I keep going back to that, too.

Then I think it isn’t a blink of an eye, it is the nagging twitch of the eye I have developed.  It is just 35 more plane rides.  Just 104 more sick mornings.  7 more all-leaders multi day hotel conference room shit shows where nothing gets done. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on January 04, 2019, 01:12:23 PM
Today I switched my taxable account dividends to stop being re-invested and instead get dumped into my bank account.  If I'm paying taxes on these things no matter what, they may as well be part of my spending. 

Feels really strange though.  I guess this is the first step in going from saver to spender.  It's a big difference.


I did that in December to help build my cash buffer, oh my, I've never had that much seemly random money start showing up in my account.  I'm glad I'm not the only one that feels strange.  With the market being down, i want to put it back in!

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on January 04, 2019, 01:14:53 PM
Today I switched my taxable account dividends to stop being re-invested and instead get dumped into my bank account.  If I'm paying taxes on these things no matter what, they may as well be part of my spending. 

Feels really strange though.  I guess this is the first step in going from saver to spender.  It's a big difference.


I did that in December to help build my cash buffer, oh my, I've never had that much seemly random money start showing up in my account.  I'm glad I'm not the only one that feels strange.  With the market being down, i want to put it back in!

LV

Right?  That's where it's supposed to go!! Back in the market!  lol
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on January 04, 2019, 08:06:11 PM
Hey Nineteen-  What do you think of this?

...

Thoughts?  Feel free to whack me with a 2x4 if you think it is required or if I am being ridiculous.  And thanks-     

@MissNancyPryor , it looks like you already have some good advice and may already know what you're going to do, but I just saw this and felt a need to reply.  You have already won the game.  You're done.  Yes, you may not have the cash on hand that you'd like, but if you're at 100% in cfiresim you don't need to live to meet any company's demands any longer.  And you *certainly* don't need to keep going back to MegaCorpSucks and dealing with all the anguish that's associated with it.  I think all the concerns about meeting people in the elevator and the big cheese potential and the bonus are your brain's way of distracting you from the bottom line truth of your situation - you don't need any of this shit any more and you can do whatever you want and that's terrifying. 
I'm not going to try to play internet psychiatrist any more than I already have, but it seems as though you are objectively past the point where you can FIRE but your brain isn't fully on board yet.  As cheesy as it sounds I would stand in front of the mirror and tell yourself that you don't need to go in to MegaCorpSucks ever again.  You don't need to feel nauseous every morning.  You don't need to chop weeks off your life every day you go into that toxic environment.  So don't.  I don't think it matters if you just call in sick for a couple weeks or give two week's notice or dump a pile of manure in your boss's office as long as you get out as quickly as possible.  The whole reason you've been pursuing this path is so you don't have to deal with this any more and you're now at a point that you don't.  So don't. 

I don't know whether or not you should take the job at FormerCo.  If you need to do that until you can get your brain fully on board then that's what you need to do.  But I think you need to accept - not just know intellectually but really believe - that you are making a choice to be there and that you don't really need the money.  I suspect that it won't take long for you to give your notice there as well once you truly believe that you don't need to go there every day, but I don't think it's a bad idea to try it out. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on January 04, 2019, 11:13:21 PM
...
@MissNancyPryor , it looks like you already have some good advice and may already know what you're going to do, but I just saw this and felt a need to reply.  You have already won the game.  You're done. 
....snip.....
... or dump a pile of manure in your boss's office as long as you get out as quickly as possible.  The whole reason you've been pursuing this path is so you don't have to deal with this any more and you're now at a point that you don't.  So don't. 

While I'm not suggesting the manure method, I would recommend NOT going to "retreats" or meetings you don't want to attend.  YOU have the power here, not the CEO's secretary. Worst case scenario, a layoff with $everance or unemployment, or a FIREing (which is what you want anyway).

Just take a mental health day when the intolerable events are scheduled, or have an "emergency" at work or at home.  I've found that forgetting or ignoring meetings works for me, YMMV.



Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on January 05, 2019, 05:57:26 AM
10 weeks until retirement notice.

Updated the spreadsheet this morning, thanks to yesterday net worth is only $122k off from the high
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on January 05, 2019, 06:57:09 AM
10 weeks until retirement notice.

That came quickly!!

I'll be requesting my Leave of Absence at the end of June. Need to commit to a date.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on January 05, 2019, 08:07:59 AM
You are the best!  I appreciate everyone chiming in and looking over the situation with me and offering your perspectives.

We had a compensation planning call with HR this morning and I asked if someone leaves before March do they get the bonus payout and the answer is yes, if they are in good standing and they worked all of last year they do get it.  The other leaders assumed I am asking for my own staff so it was a perfect stealth move. 

I am leaning hard toward the “give it a shot with FormerCo” route, and most importantly I realize I gotta get out of here.  That means even if the old place pulls back the offer of a role I will still step out by July 5th for my health.

It is still a long time to July, and as you mentioned earlier, it involves a great number of flights and BS meetings. Please resign much sooner.

I suggest you use your good negotiating position to get a PT job at FormerCo and focus on finding a potential partner. Maybe work there for another year and then FIRE.

Other alternative is to not start in a new job, and find new activities in your town, where you meet new people.

Good luck.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on January 06, 2019, 09:34:31 AM

snip   

I am determined that I will step out of MegaCorpSucks no matter what.  Going through this and writing it down has helped me see that there can be no other option and the price is simply too high to stay.  Thanks again to all who chimed in.

Great Happiness!  Yah!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on January 06, 2019, 11:48:02 AM
My current job is high paid with a fat bonus.  It comes with high stress and ridiculous travel across the country on the regular (I counted 83 flights in 2017, somewhat less in 2018.)  It is the usual big company bullshit though and I feel nauseous every single day I go to the office of MegaCorpSucks, Inc.  The job allows me to save almost 80% of my income but I believe it is killing me and I will have a heart attack or get cancer eventually if I stay.  Yes, that bad. 

If my job was even half as bad as what you describe, I would definitely go ahead and FIRE this June per my original plan.  I can't imagine working a job that I feel that way about.  Like you, I saved around 80% of my take home pay, and my stash numbers say I can FIRE at anytime with a 4% SWR to allow a semi-FAT FIRE (for me).  But I actually like like my job.  After 15 years of shared office space, I finally got my own office back in 2017, real walls and door.  I like it a lot better and stopped feeling that strong urge to get away from that job.  Same job - just a change in my environment that made all the difference in the world.  No travel for me - I usually don't even leave my building for lunch.  I actually miss it sometimes when I have a day off.  I was looking to FIRE in June 2019 but staying on part time if at all possible until April 2020, but the part time work option isn't guaranteed, so I might just stay on full time until April 2020, then plan to FIRE completely.  I haven't decided for certain.  But if I didn't like the job and even enjoy it at times, I would be FIREing sooner rather than later since the stash says I can.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on January 06, 2019, 04:50:58 PM
Today I switched my taxable account dividends to stop being re-invested and instead get dumped into my bank account.  If I'm paying taxes on these things no matter what, they may as well be part of my spending. 

Feels really strange though.  I guess this is the first step in going from saver to spender.  It's a big difference.


I did that in December to help build my cash buffer, oh my, I've never had that much seemly random money start showing up in my account.  I'm glad I'm not the only one that feels strange.  With the market being down, i want to put it back in!

LV

Right?  That's where it's supposed to go!! Back in the market!  lol

I know right!  Must refrain!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Dibdab on January 06, 2019, 06:39:55 PM
That is really good that you like your work.  Like Dr. Doom I have often wondered if I would enjoy any job. 

I have a door and a 6th floor view of the river.  The building is right on a water's edge with only a walking path between the back door and water.  Huge windows that go wall-to-wall and all the way to the ceiling. 

I remember when I was working at my first job, fast food.  I came home every day smelling like fries and with a visor ring in my 1980's hairdo.  I longed for a job where I didn't have to wear a hat.  9 months there.

Next job was in a supermarket deli.  More hat, and now with greasy floors to slip on.  I got athlete's foot from the hot water they used in the back to hose down he floors constantly to clean up the breaded raw chicken and other slop.  I longed for a job where I didn't have to clean grease.  I was also checker for a couple of that grocery outlet's locations.  I longed for a job where I didn't have to stand on my feet all day.  3 years there.

Next job was as a bill collector for a cable company.  I sat in a low-wall cubicle environment where we could see each other and hear each other's calls.  I got screamed at by losers who told me I was taking food from the mouths of their children because I made them pay for HBO.  I longed to go back to school and do something that was not in a swamp of human stupidity.  7 years there. 

I went back to school.  It was very difficult.  I paid a college large sums of money to hurt me but it was with a hope to get out and be a grownup finally.  I longed for a real job. 

I got one and climbed the ladder and things were so much better.  After a long time I finally did get the privacy and cushy office.  I have the comfortable wardrobe with no hat and no overlord micromanaging my day. 

But now after achieving FI it is as if I sit in a golden cage where they slide large checks under the door.  If the travel could stop I would give up half my salary.  I do wish I liked my job.
So why have you not quit already?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: oldtoyota on January 06, 2019, 08:53:10 PM
@MissNancyPryor I would move for Option #2, just figure out how to pull it off and keep your year-end bonus for the work you put in for 2018.

I just left my near executive level role for a lateral move.  Three days in and it feels like an anchor has been lifted from my chest.

Glad to hear it. Congrats!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: forward on January 07, 2019, 09:17:41 AM

This morning brought a Godfather-esque round of surprise reorganization and firing.  I am not directly impacted …yet.  So unsettling to work in this environment.  Trying to hang on for a few more months.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on January 07, 2019, 11:27:16 AM

This morning brought a Godfather-esque round of surprise reorganization and firing.  I am not directly impacted …yet.  So unsettling to work in this environment.  Trying to hang on for a few more months.

If you're FIREing this year, then by definition, you've got MEGA-FU money, so why be bothered, except for coworkers? Since you don't know which coworkers are in trouble, it's out of your sphere of influence, so worrying won't accomplish anything. Enjoy the drama you don't have pay tickets for.

Michael: It’s not personal, Sonny. It’s strictly business.
The Godfather

[as Tessio and Hagen walk to Michael's house, they are met by a bodyguard, Willi Cicci]
Willi Cicci : Sal... Tom... the boss says he'll come in a separate car. He says for you two to go on ahead.
Tessio : Hell, he can't do that; that screws up all my arrangements.
Willi Cicci : Well, that's what he said.
Tom Hagen : I can't go with you either, Tessio.
[just then, Michael's bodyguards materialize around them, Tessio understands everything]
Tessio : [to Hagen]  Tell Mike it was only business. I always liked him.
Tom Hagen : He understands that.
Willi Cicci : [removing Tessio's gun]  Excuse me, Sally.
Tessio : Can you get me off the hook, Tom? For old times' sake?
Tom Hagen : [shakes his head]  Can't do it, Sally.
[Hagen watches sadly as Tessio is led by Cicci and the others to a waiting car]
Via IMDB
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Bateaux on January 07, 2019, 05:37:45 PM
I won't be making the 2019 class of FIRE.  It's certainly OMY for me.  Too many wrinkles to iron out for now.  I'm thinking August 2020 is solid unless the bottom really falls out.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 08, 2019, 03:38:24 AM
Sorry to lose you @Bateaux!!  Come back anytime.  List updated.

2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19     Bingeworker (52)   CONFIRMED
01/31/19     Trifele (51)
02/01/19     Cycling Stache (44)
02/08/19     Socmonkey (37)
02/25/19     MaybeBabyMustache
02/??/19     zinnie  (35)
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/19/19     ChasesFish (36)
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor  (50)     
03/??/19     Roboturner  (30)
03/??/19     Edgema
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     BlindSquirrel
03/31/19     Mr. Ver (39)
03/31/19     Loren Ver (36)
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/01/19     Ryder (39)
04/19/19     Eric
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
04/??/19     PowerStache (43)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)                   
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/31/19     Pylortes  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/31/19     dude   
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/??/19     Keeks
07/01/19     Freedomin5 (38)
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)
08/01/19     SugarMountain
09/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
09/??/19     dayzero
10/01/19     Linda_Norway
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer
MustacheAnxiety
forward

OMY:
Bateaux (51)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Miss Piggy on January 08, 2019, 08:41:36 AM
@Trifele - thanks for keeping our list up to date!

Each time I see my name and date on the list, it gives me more confidence. I mean, if it's on the internet, it's gotta be true! I'm committed now!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on January 08, 2019, 08:59:42 AM
Sadly, I'll admit that my date has moved. from 26 April to 29th July.

Extra 3 months work - 17 vacation days.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on January 08, 2019, 10:48:02 AM
Today I switched my taxable account dividends to stop being re-invested and instead get dumped into my bank account.  If I'm paying taxes on these things no matter what, they may as well be part of my spending. 

Feels really strange though.  I guess this is the first step in going from saver to spender.  It's a big difference.


I did that in December to help build my cash buffer, oh my, I've never had that much seemly random money start showing up in my account.  I'm glad I'm not the only one that feels strange.  With the market being down, i want to put it back in!

LV

Right?  That's where it's supposed to go!! Back in the market!  lol

+1. I’ve got a small pile of cash in my bank account and itching to put it to work...... which it will later this year when it puts meals on the table.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on January 08, 2019, 11:15:12 AM

This morning brought a Godfather-esque round of surprise reorganization and firing.  I am not directly impacted …yet.  So unsettling to work in this environment.  Trying to hang on for a few more months.

My DH once used to work in such a company. The atmosphere became really bad and it was not nice for him to work there, despite being needed by the company and having a pile of FU money.

Just try to cruise to your FIRE date and prepare for your next hobbies/travels.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SugarMountain on January 08, 2019, 11:25:41 AM
Today I switched my taxable account dividends to stop being re-invested and instead get dumped into my bank account.  If I'm paying taxes on these things no matter what, they may as well be part of my spending. 

Feels really strange though.  I guess this is the first step in going from saver to spender.  It's a big difference.


Just make sure you've got an account with Ally or American Express where they are actually paying a bit of interest (~2% I believe).

I did buy a chunk of VOO last week that as of earlier today is up half a percent since then.

One of the reasons I ended up OMY'ing it (I was originally targeting last summer) was I have not really set up my portfolio to be in sustaining/withdrawal mode instead of saving mode.  I still haven't but it's on my list of to-dos!

I did that in December to help build my cash buffer, oh my, I've never had that much seemly random money start showing up in my account.  I'm glad I'm not the only one that feels strange.  With the market being down, i want to put it back in!

LV

Right?  That's where it's supposed to go!! Back in the market!  lol

+1. I’ve got a small pile of cash in my bank account and itching to put it to work...... which it will later this year when it puts meals on the table.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 09, 2019, 03:21:44 AM
Got you updated @Lews Therin

Pressure's on at work for me.  Yesterday the boss asked me to stay until 3/1.  I said no -- holding firm on a departure 1/31 . . . I have a feeling this isn't the last of the pressure to stay though.   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on January 09, 2019, 05:26:57 AM
Got you updated @Lews Therin

Pressure's on at work for me.  Yesterday the boss asked me to stay until 3/1.  I said no -- holding firm on a departure 1/31 . . . I have a feeling this isn't the last of the pressure to stay though.

Is there a # you can give him for a retention bonus?  Asking for an extra five figures to stay for the additional month probably makes that conversation go away.  A friend worked for the FDIC towards the end of the financial crisis, they kept paying retention bonuses when someone would try to leave to buy extra time.

 I don't know if you already have travel scheduled in February or not
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 09, 2019, 06:06:58 AM
Got you updated @Lews Therin

Pressure's on at work for me.  Yesterday the boss asked me to stay until 3/1.  I said no -- holding firm on a departure 1/31 . . . I have a feeling this isn't the last of the pressure to stay though.

Is there a # you can give him for a retention bonus?  Asking for an extra five figures to stay for the additional month probably makes that conversation go away.  A friend worked for the FDIC towards the end of the financial crisis, they kept paying retention bonuses when someone would try to leave to buy extra time.

 I don't know if you already have travel scheduled in February or not

No travel scheduled, and that is a good thought. Though it would have to be a very healthy $ number for me to consider that . . . I'm fairly desperate to be done.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on January 09, 2019, 06:10:31 AM
Got you updated @Lews Therin

Pressure's on at work for me.  Yesterday the boss asked me to stay until 3/1.  I said no -- holding firm on a departure 1/31 . . . I have a feeling this isn't the last of the pressure to stay though.

Well done so far. And yes, increase/double your salary if you feel the need to stay longer. You will get less and less attractive that way.
I don't really understand that a company wants to keep a person who really wants to leave. You won't be a motivated employee.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on January 09, 2019, 06:27:39 AM
Got you updated @Lews Therin

Pressure's on at work for me.  Yesterday the boss asked me to stay until 3/1.  I said no -- holding firm on a departure 1/31 . . . I have a feeling this isn't the last of the pressure to stay though.

Is there a # you can give him for a retention bonus?  Asking for an extra five figures to stay for the additional month probably makes that conversation go away.  A friend worked for the FDIC towards the end of the financial crisis, they kept paying retention bonuses when someone would try to leave to buy extra time.

 I don't know if you already have travel scheduled in February or not

No travel scheduled, and that is a good thought. Though it would have to be a very healthy $ number for me to consider that . . . I'm fairly desperate to be done.
Or turn it round the other way and offer to stay 3 days a week for 100% of the salary and only in an advisory capacity.

I may be under some pressure myself to rejoin this cohort as I'm hearing rumours that my replacement just got another job...
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 09, 2019, 07:06:05 AM
Got you updated @Lews Therin

Pressure's on at work for me.  Yesterday the boss asked me to stay until 3/1.  I said no -- holding firm on a departure 1/31 . . . I have a feeling this isn't the last of the pressure to stay though.

Is there a # you can give him for a retention bonus?  Asking for an extra five figures to stay for the additional month probably makes that conversation go away.  A friend worked for the FDIC towards the end of the financial crisis, they kept paying retention bonuses when someone would try to leave to buy extra time.

 I don't know if you already have travel scheduled in February or not

No travel scheduled, and that is a good thought. Though it would have to be a very healthy $ number for me to consider that . . . I'm fairly desperate to be done.
Or turn it round the other way and offer to stay 3 days a week for 100% of the salary and only in an advisory capacity.

Haha I LOVE that idea Phil — thanks!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on January 09, 2019, 07:20:22 AM
True story, to backup PhilB's suggestion.

I had "invented" a role at Company " Lazy H" some years before,and then was very quiet and very busy when they asked for volunteers to fill that role, as it was a horrible job.

Worker K: I'm leaving.

Manager: You can't leave! (Hiring process was minimum 6 month process, even absent a nearly constant hiring freeze).

Worker K: Double my salary.  ( I'd estimate this at 80-100K at the time)

Manager: I can't do that!!

Worker K: We're done then.

Side note: Worker K had been a distant colleague at Company " Lazy H" before  I left for SemiBigCorp.
Worker K eventually became my manager at SemiBigCorp.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on January 09, 2019, 12:04:55 PM
The new guy two desks over (in an open office concept) is currently clipping his fingernails at his desk while on a call.  How is this a thing?  Is it fucking April yet? 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on January 09, 2019, 01:15:40 PM
Tonight, DH and I had a long talk about our FIRE house schedule which includes house sale. We thought a lot about the stress of selling it, quitting our jobs with 3 months mandatory notice and moving to another part of the country. It is too much stress to organize this. We have now decided to rent a house close by for the first half year, max 2 hours driving from our current place. This is a lot less stress than moving across country and we can move several loads of our stuff to the other house each day, so there is less pressure of selling the lot in a short time before the move.

I updated my unsold ads for the piano and my wedding dress with a lower price, in the hope to sell it before the house sales. We made a list of stuff that needs to be done before the sales. We have also decided that we don't need to stress too much. If we aren't ready for sale in May, we can do it later, even during the summer when very few houses are for sale.

DH wants to know exactly whether our planned age pensions show correctly on our website. There is a choice, to calculate how much you get if you stop working completely. DH thinks there is hardly any difference between retiring now or working for another twenty years. Therefore we book a meeting with the organization that pays out to explain it. I also need to wait for the individual pension meeting at my job, that might be hold in January. Because not getting a high enough pension after 67 would be a show stopper.
We will hire an estate broker if this meeting goes well.

We plan to have a before sales anti stress vacation somewhere in March. And use the Easter holidays to prepare for house sale. We will also take some extra days off in May to prepare for the sale.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 10, 2019, 03:58:52 AM
That sounds like a good plan @Linda_Norway.  Selling one house is stressful enough, without having to buy another one at the same time -- been there, done that.  Plus added bonus --  because you'll be moving twice (once to the rental and then again to your permanent house) you'll probably get rid of even more belongings.  Nothing like a move to help you shed 'stuff'!   

Good luck with your retirement plan meetings.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 10, 2019, 04:34:59 AM
I may be under some pressure myself to rejoin this cohort as I'm hearing rumours that my replacement just got another job...

Do you think you would go back to work @PhilB?  How do you like FIRE so far? 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on January 10, 2019, 05:39:00 AM
I want to hear your opinion.

DH is thinking of doing part of his current job after FIRE. Not as the leader of the department, but as a specialist, working only on occasional hours when there is a job in the region where we live. He could also do this in his own company that he would have to create. But he feels a bit like doing it for either his current boss or one of the competitors.

We also intend to first decompress for 1/2 to 1 year, before doing any of this.

Because of this, he wants to maintain a good relationship with his current company. If he would deliver his resignation before the summer vacation and quit at the end of September (3 months mandatory notice in Norway), his boss would not have time to hire a replacement. So he is considering to tell his boss quite soon that he needs to start looking for a replacement leader and that he (DH) wouldn't mind working under this replacement leader.
He would like to do this some months before delivering his notice. Either by telling his boss that he is up to taking a year sabbatical, or just because he doesn't want to be a leader anymore after a while.

Do you others think it is a good idea to tell your boss to look for a replacement, half a year before leaving the company?

I am a bit sceptic. Will they treat you equally well if they know you are going to leave? I think he shouldn't mention wanting to leave before he has too.

For my position it is the question. They value me a lot, but I'm pretty sure another person can learn to do the same thing. Only it will take time. I am currently also the expert on a new tool that we use. But I am already documenting a lot of the difficult functions, as the last person did who left. I could very well imagine working with this tool maybe one day a week in average, outside my planned trips. But DH thinks we should first decompress for half a year. Last spring he had a long sick leave and read his work email regularly. He said that 1 hour reading mail gave stress for the whole day. So he thinks being system administrator for a tool one day a week might cause a lot of stress. On the other hand, I think they might still need me most during the first year, and less later. Any thoughts about that?
We should in theory not really need the extra money, but I would like a bit of a safety net.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on January 10, 2019, 05:52:24 AM
The decision on when to tell your employer is entirely based on company culture.  Fritz over at the Retirement Manifesto writes about his great relationship with his employer and giving six months notice and how well it worked out.


My company is the opposite.  We have sales goals and bonus pools.  As soon as someone shows they aren't "committed", the company knows their not likely going to try to hit sales goals and the manager wants those goals out of his target/bonus pool.  I have to be "employed at the company" through March 15th to get my restricted stock, in an ideal world I'd let them know earlier.  Instead, my notice date will be March 18th.  I might drop my letter requesting a leave of absence two weeks earlier because I've asked and was told no before without any real negative ramifications.

Your thoughts are completely normal for someone going through this situation.  It will be okay.  Breathe, trust your numbers, and know you are making the right decision.  The great thing about financial independence is options.  Those options can be overwealming and its okay to slow down.  Those of us who make it to FI are often go-getters that work hard.  That overactive mind can sometimes be a curse (it is to me!).

Good luck
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on January 10, 2019, 06:49:30 AM

Your thoughts are completely normal for someone going through this situation.  It will be okay.  Breathe, trust your numbers, and know you are making the right decision.  The great thing about financial independence is options.  Those options can be overwhelming and its okay to slow down.  Those of us who make it to FI are often go-getters that work hard.  That overactive mind can sometimes be a curse (it is to me!).

Good luck

This ^^^. My mind is always in hyper efficiency mode and I am always making lists to not forget a single thing.
According to my FIL, I always walk as if I am in a hurry, even when I am not at work. I would never walk to another room in my house without looking around for what things I could take along on my way there. I cannot cook without updating the shopping list on my phone for groceries. I cannot visit the bathroom without noticing the washing machine is finished and perform the actions needed to handle that.

We will be FIREing on a lean amount. But we have discussed that we for example can do some occasional consultancy work if we want to spend money on something big (like expensive travel or a newer car).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on January 10, 2019, 06:51:36 AM
I may be under some pressure myself to rejoin this cohort as I'm hearing rumours that my replacement just got another job...

Do you think you would go back to work @PhilB?  How do you like FIRE so far?
I'm hugely enjoying FIRE thanks.  My 1 day a week job has been bleeding over a tiny bit, but not to the extent of being too annoying, and I feel 10 years younger without the stress or the sedentary lifestyle.  It was an interesting day yesterday, having the news land from nowhere that my replacement was off and thinking about my reaction to it - particularly in the context of how the markets have moved since I pulled the plug.  I stopped and thought about how much more they would have to pay me for me to go back and the answer turned out to be that there was really no conceivable level of pay that would make me go back.  If markets are down I'd much rather keep my freedom and just spend less if I have to.
I probably will end up working more hours as a result of this (for paid overtime) and I do feel for the people still there and want to help out, BUT I am simply not prepared to take on any of the stress that would come with actually owning the job, nor am I prepared to give up my insistence that I don't work at all in school holidays (the 2 weeks at Xmas were bliss!).  I expect my current gig to come to a natural end next October when the systems I support are replaced.  The one possible impact of my replacement quitting is that, if the system change gets deferred, they would now probably need me to continue at my current level of commitment and I don't really have a problem with that.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on January 10, 2019, 07:03:11 AM
The decision on when to tell your employer is entirely based on company culture.  Fritz over at the Retirement Manifesto writes about his great relationship with his employer and giving six months notice and how well it worked out.


My company is the opposite.  We have sales goals and bonus pools.  As soon as someone shows they aren't "committed", the company knows their not likely going to try to hit sales goals and the manager wants those goals out of his target/bonus pool.  I have to be "employed at the company" through March 15th to get my restricted stock, in an ideal world I'd let them know earlier.  Instead, my notice date will be March 18th.  I might drop my letter requesting a leave of absence two weeks earlier because I've asked and was told no before without any real negative ramifications.

Your thoughts are completely normal for someone going through this situation.  It will be okay.  Breathe, trust your numbers, and know you are making the right decision.  The great thing about financial independence is options.  Those options can be overwealming and its okay to slow down.  Those of us who make it to FI are often go-getters that work hard.  That overactive mind can sometimes be a curse (it is to me!).

Good luck
It really does all come down to your particular situation vis a vis your employer.  I gave mine huge amounts of notice which was great for several reasons - it stopped them passing responsibilities to me when other people left, it gave everyone loads of time to make plans, and best of all it meant I got to largely opt out of all the corporate bullshit for my last year.  I was lucky though that bonuses weren't a big thing at my employer, so I didn't have to worry about there being much financial impact from my openness. YMMV.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on January 10, 2019, 07:48:49 PM
I don't plan to give more than a month's notice myself.  I mentioned it earlier in the thread, but if I was to give several months notice, I would likely lose the quiet office time to myself and have to spend my days doing my job while training my replacement(s), making my last months potential hell, after having suffered many years in shared office space to finally get my own office about a year and a half ago, I don't want to return to that type of environment in my final months of full time employment.

My stash is back up to 26X, about 3.84% SWR, for semi-FAT FIRE, or about 74X barebones.  My interest in continuing to work at my job may keep me 10 more months, although my desire had been to work those 10 months part time anyway, but part time was never guaranteed.

.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on January 10, 2019, 08:10:12 PM
Move me up. Sept 1
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on January 10, 2019, 08:12:14 PM
You heard him, move him up to may 1st.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on January 11, 2019, 01:40:47 AM
One of DH's employees has expressed the wish to become a group leader of the other city, as soon as they have hired some more people there. This is a person DH thinks has the ability to replace him. So it is good to hear that this person now has ambitions to become a manager. So DH's replcement might come very naturally now and maybe he won't need to tell his boss earlier than necessary.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 11, 2019, 03:44:02 AM
Move me up. Sept 1

Change made, but what's the deal?  I thought you were nearly ready to OMY to 2020, and now you're thinking even earlier?


2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19     Bingeworker (52)   CONFIRMED
01/31/19     Trifele (51)
02/01/19     Cycling Stache (44)
02/08/19     Socmonkey (37)
02/25/19     MaybeBabyMustache
02/??/19     zinnie  (35)
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/19/19     ChasesFish (36)
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor  (50)     
03/??/19     Roboturner  (30)
03/??/19     Edgema
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     BlindSquirrel
03/31/19     Mr. Ver (39)
03/31/19     Loren Ver (36)
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/01/19     Ryder (39)
04/19/19     Eric
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
04/??/19     PowerStache (43)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)                   
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/31/19     Pylortes  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/31/19     dude   
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/??/19     Keeks
07/01/19     Freedomin5 (38)
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)
08/01/19     SugarMountain
09/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
09/??/19     dayzero
10/01/19     Linda_Norway
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
August
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer
MustacheAnxiety
forward

OMY:
Bateaux (51)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on January 11, 2019, 05:46:20 AM
One of DH's employees has expressed the wish to become a group leader of the other city, as soon as they have hired some more people there. This is a person DH thinks has the ability to replace him. So it is good to hear that this person now has ambitions to become a manager. So DH's replcement might come very naturally now and maybe he won't need to tell his boss earlier than necessary.

Ohh, that is good news.  I was thinking telling them even earlier to keep on good terms had a lot of potential to make things worse for your husband.  I will probably give my place a few extra weeks (over the 2) but that is more so I can avoid doing things I don't want to do  (train on new systems make goals). 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on January 11, 2019, 06:35:13 AM
Move me up. Sept 1

Change made, but what's the deal?  I thought you were nearly ready to OMY to 2020, and now you're thinking even earlier?


Honestly? I've been agonizing over this for a while now. It's been OLY for me since finding this place. I'm considering more creative ways of lowering my expenses, and questioning whether pulling the plug on FT work with $450k in assets vs. $525k is going to make that much of a difference in the grand scheme of things. No matter what I plan on eventually doing some sort of compensated work.

The Sept 1 plan involves a leave of absence, to provide care for an elderly family member. I am very close with my grandfather, who lives in Europe. 2019 is largely because he's 93 and I'm not sure he will be around in 2020........
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 11, 2019, 07:00:12 AM
Move me up. Sept 1

Change made, but what's the deal?  I thought you were nearly ready to OMY to 2020, and now you're thinking even earlier?


Honestly? I've been agonizing over this for a while now. It's been OLY for me since finding this place. I'm considering more creative ways of lowering my expenses, and questioning whether pulling the plug on FT work with $450k in assets vs. $525k is going to make that much of a difference in the grand scheme of things. No matter what I plan on eventually doing some sort of compensated work.

The Sept 1 plan involves a leave of absence, to provide care for an elderly family member. I am very close with my grandfather, who lives in Europe. 2019 is largely because he's 93 and I'm not sure he will be around in 2020........

Those sound like good reasons to lean toward the earlier date.  And as a fellow skinny-FIREer choosing time with family over money, I shake your hand 2Birds.  Hope it works out for you to spend time with your grandfather.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on January 11, 2019, 11:03:31 AM
Today we had a visit of a new broker for selling the house. His plan is to sell much earlier than May, rather in the end of March. And for a much higher price than we counted on. That would lead to a fatter FIRE.

I started a journal for this process. Be welcome to visit it.
https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/journals/the-final-stages-of-my-normal-working-life-101241/
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 11, 2019, 11:12:47 AM
Today we had a visit of a new broker for selling the house. His plan is to sell much earlier than May, rather in the end of March. And for a much higher price than we counted on. That would lead to a fatter FIRE.

I started a journal for this process. Be welcome to visit it.
https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/journals/the-final-stages-of-my-normal-working-life-101241/

That is fantastic Linda!  As long as you are ok selling sooner, that could work out great.  Fingers crossed!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: forward on January 11, 2019, 12:59:29 PM


[/quote]

Honestly? I've been agonizing over this for a while now. It's been OLY for me since finding this place. I'm considering more creative ways of lowering my expenses, and questioning whether pulling the plug on FT work with $450k in assets vs. $525k is going to make that much of a difference in the grand scheme of things. No matter what I plan on eventually doing some sort of compensated work.

The Sept 1 plan involves a leave of absence, to provide care for an elderly family member. I am very close with my grandfather, who lives in Europe. 2019 is largely because he's 93 and I'm not sure he will be around in 2020........
[/quote]

2birds, if it works for you, do it.  Looking back there are times that I wish I had taken the time to spend more time with a family member that has since passed or that I had taken more time on a project etc.  That is one of the reasons I am getting out in 2019, so I can be present for the things that I can't yet see.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on January 11, 2019, 03:50:45 PM
Nine weeks left until notice (and will be taking nine work days off between now and then)  #soclose

Might turn in a request for a LOA on March 1st after bonuses are finalized before the retirement notice of March 18th
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on January 11, 2019, 04:01:52 PM
Today we had a visit of a new broker for selling the house. His plan is to sell much earlier than May, rather in the end of March. And for a much higher price than we counted on. That would lead to a fatter FIRE.

I started a journal for this process. Be welcome to visit it.
https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/journals/the-final-stages-of-my-normal-working-life-101241/

That is fantastic Linda!  As long as you are ok selling sooner, that could work out great.  Fingers crossed!

Woot woot!!  Great Linda.  Fingers crossed.




Honestly? I've been agonizing over this for a while now. It's been OLY for me since finding this place. I'm considering more creative ways of lowering my expenses, and questioning whether pulling the plug on FT work with $450k in assets vs. $525k is going to make that much of a difference in the grand scheme of things. No matter what I plan on eventually doing some sort of compensated work.

The Sept 1 plan involves a leave of absence, to provide care for an elderly family member. I am very close with my grandfather, who lives in Europe. 2019 is largely because he's 93 and I'm not sure he will be around in 2020........
[/quote]

2birds, if it works for you, do it.  Looking back there are times that I wish I had taken the time to spend more time with a family member that has since passed or that I had taken more time on a project etc.  That is one of the reasons I am getting out in 2019, so I can be present for the things that I can't yet see.
[/quote]

A very good reason 2birds. The truly important things in life!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: August on January 12, 2019, 08:45:17 AM
I met with my manager Friday to let her know I'm planning to resign.  It's a day later now and I've had time to unpack what happened. 

At the time I just felt very uncomfortable about speaking openly about this, because I like the people I work with and it may not make sense to give up a "perfectly good" job.  I also had a fear of people asking me questions that I don't have clear answers for about what I'm going to be doing instead.  So it was like steeling myself and just doing it, like ripping off a sticky bandage.

I didn't have a speech planned, just the first line about planning to resign.  The first response was "sorry to hear that".  I said that I don't have any problem with the company, just that I no longer want to do this type of work.  I mentioned a hobby/business project that I want to put spend time on.  Also that several people I know have passed away within the last two years and that has motivated me to make a change.  We talked a bit about how long we've been working together, and that she just needs the notice letter to give to HR.  And that I'm leaving in good standing and would be welcomed back if I want.  No pressure!

Looking back, I now realize that because of my fears/nervousness I expected some resistance.  Like a negotiation for a later date after the workload goes down, or a cross examination about how my business project would make money.  But those fears were unfounded.

I still need to hand in that letter to make it final.



(I see I'm not on Trifele's list yet - maybe add me to TBD?)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SwordGuy on January 12, 2019, 11:59:02 PM
Just wanted to pop in from the 2018 cohort and say, Happy FIRE YEAR to each and every one of you.


It's awesome.   You'll love it.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 13, 2019, 05:46:51 AM
I met with my manager Friday to let her know I'm planning to resign. 

(I see I'm not on Trifele's list yet - maybe add me to TBD?)

Got you added to the list above @August -- Congratulations!  Announcing your resignation is a huge milestone passed.  Sounds like you may be FIREing very soon!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: desk_jockey on January 13, 2019, 10:49:40 AM
I’m watching you folks as you get ready and to learn from your final preparations.   I’m targeting RE sometime between Jul2020 and end 2022.  The only realistic thing that would move up to 2019 is if I get a severance package in late 2019.   I’d receive the max, about 6-months’ salary & healthcare.  I think the chance of some layoffs in 4th Q 2019 is high, but the chance of me landing one is quite low.   A guy can dream, can’t he?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Bateaux on January 13, 2019, 12:30:19 PM
Just wanted to pop in from the 2018 cohort and say, Happy FIRE YEAR to each and every one of you.


It's awesome.   You'll love it.

Glad to hear Swordguy!  Have fun.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on January 13, 2019, 12:35:45 PM
I’m watching you folks as you get ready and to learn from your final preparations.   I’m targeting RE sometime between Jul2020 and end 2022.  The only realistic thing that would move up to 2019 is if I get a severance package in late 2019.   I’d receive the max, about 6-months’ salary & healthcare.  I think the chance of some layoffs in 4th Q 2019 is high, but the chance of me landing one is quite low.   A guy can dream, can’t he?

Been dreaming it for two years, personally in the starter ranks for a golden parachute.  A layoff would be worth about two years compensation
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: oldtoyota on January 13, 2019, 04:14:39 PM
Just wanted to pop in from the 2018 cohort and say, Happy FIRE YEAR to each and every one of you.


It's awesome.   You'll love it.

Thank you! It's kind of you to stop by. =-)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dragoncar on January 14, 2019, 01:26:24 AM
I’m watching you folks

Yes.  We are watching.

(https://i.imgur.com/sdjAJrO.gif)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on January 15, 2019, 12:43:13 AM
A bit off-topic, but I just found out yesterday that a friend of mine is a multi millionaire. I have known him and his wife for years. They are both lawyers. She has always been very ambitious and working for years at Big Law. He has always been working at government agencies, working normal hours.

They have 2 children and a more spendy lifestyle than we have. They typically drive a nicer car (with a car loan, many years ago), have a slightly more expensive house than we have, often go on trips abroad and live in hotels, while we camp. I had heard that his father was rich. We once heard from a third person, that his father own half the town they lived in.

For some reason, DH yesterday looked up this friend's father in the tax lists (in Norway that is semi-public info). We found out that his father showed up in a list of the top ten richest people of the town they live in, with a really big (taxable) net worth. But our friend himself also showed up in that list, with a net worth 4 times as big as our combined net worth. He has obviously already received a large portion of his inheritance, as I cannot imagine he would have been able to save that much by himself. Good for him.

I am pretty sure that my friend and his wife still work. I also doubt whether they would be able to live of this large pot of money, with their current lifestyle. But maybe next time I meet them, I should tell them about my plans to FIRE. Especially to his wife who is also Dutch and not born as a big spendypants. Maybe if I tell her about our plans, she might ask about the exact amount. If I would mention that, she might realize that they could perhaps do the same, with a few lifestyle adjustments. Or she could at least stop working full time at such high ambitious jobs, where she seems to be underappreciated.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Freedomin5 on January 15, 2019, 07:02:40 AM
Sorry...I really enjoy hanging out here with all you wonderful people, but it looks like my FIRE date is moving to 2021, if not even further off.

My manager caught wind of a rumor that I was thinking of not renewing my contract and FREAKED OUT. As in, escalated to the company CEO (and I work for a pretty big company and didn’t even know that the CEO knew who I was) and came into my office demanding an explanation and then begged me not to leave. The CEO now wants to talk to me, I think to see what they can offer me to convince me to stay...even though I haven’t said I’m leaving.

At the same time, I’ve gotten a verbal offer for another position that offers lower pay but many many benefits including three months paid vacation, decent work hours, housing, round trip airfare, pension plan, health insurance, and school tuition for DD. It would be a huge step up in terms of standard of living - we might even finally approximate a middle class North American lifestyle without sacrificing much by way of our savings rate. And the work and lifestyle is less stressful. We’d be living walking distance to work and school.

The comparison is kind of like a high stress high compensation private industry job versus a lower paid but more secure and laidback government job. Just out of curiosity, any advice in which one you would take?

So either way, unless something completely random happens, it looks like FIRE-ing in 2019 is a no go.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Roboturner on January 15, 2019, 03:25:04 PM
I'm unfortunately bowing out of the race. Going for fat-FIRE/until I'm bored/can't take it anymore, after hitting FI last year. Best of luck to the new graduates!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on January 16, 2019, 12:32:39 AM
I'm unfortunately bowing out of the race. Going for fat-FIRE/until I'm bored/can't take it anymore, after hitting FI last year. Best of luck to the new graduates!

Good for you.

This morning we were discussing to do OMY. So I might be out of here. :-(
DH has finally been playing around with the numbers in my FIRE spreadsheet and thinks the plan is a little too lean and too little robust for an occasional, necessary, big expense. We are not even talking about a fatter FIRE, but just one where we won't go broke in our sixties. We do have a few buffers (selling our cabin and receiving a possible inheritance), but they are not providing DH enough security. I want us both to be comfortable with the plan, so it is important to land this before we are actually putting the house for sale and quitting jobs.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 16, 2019, 03:25:39 AM
Farewell and good luck @Freedomin5 and @Roboturner!  We'll miss you.  Come back if you change your mind. 

2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19     Bingeworker (52)   CONFIRMED
01/31/19     Trifele (51)
02/01/19     Cycling Stache (44)
02/08/19     Socmonkey (37)
02/13/19     SeanTash
02/25/19     MaybeBabyMustache
02/??/19     zinnie  (35)
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/19/19     ChasesFish (36)
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor  (50)     
03/??/19     Edgema
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     BlindSquirrel
03/31/19     Mr. Ver (39)
03/31/19     Loren Ver (36)
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/01/19     Ryder (39)
04/19/19     Eric
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
04/??/19     PowerStache (43)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)                   
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/31/19     Pylortes  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/31/19     dude   
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/??/19     Keeks
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)
08/01/19     SugarMountain
09/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
09/??/19     dayzero
10/01/19     Linda_Norway
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
August
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer
MustacheAnxiety
forward

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 16, 2019, 03:30:26 AM
This morning we were discussing to do OMY. So I might be out of here. :-(
DH has finally been playing around with the numbers in my FIRE spreadsheet and thinks the plan is a little too lean and too little robust for an occasional, necessary, big expense. We are not even talking about a fatter FIRE, but just one where we won't go broke in our sixties. We do have a few buffers (selling our cabin and receiving a possible inheritance), but they are not providing DH enough security. I want us both to be comfortable with the plan, so it is important to land this before we are actually putting the house for sale and quitting jobs.

It's definitely critical to have your spouse on board for FIRE.  Does he think the numbers are too lean even if you sell your house for that larger amount your new agent predicted?  Maybe you two can put off a final decision until after the house sells?

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Miss Piggy on January 16, 2019, 03:30:56 AM
@Trifele - it looks like you're next. What's your status?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 16, 2019, 03:59:21 AM
@Trifele - it looks like you're next. What's your status?

Resignation was submitted some time ago, and my last day is scheduled for 1/31.  I've been training my replacement and getting all my work in order to hand over.   My boss is exerting pressure on me to stay another month, but so far I'm holding firm.  They haven't actually offered me money to stay yet.  If they do, I'm considering telling them I would do it if they let me work part time, but we'll see.  (Thanks for the suggestion @PhilB!)

I'm married with two kids.  DH is already FIREd and home with the kids.  We live on a small hobby farm and are doing a massive renovation on the old farm house while we live in it, doing the work ourselves.  We're essentially rebuilding the entire house structure from the foundation up (DH has mad construction skills).  We have so many stories about our house build, I probably should have started a journal.  At this point I'm really looking forward to being done with my FT job so I can be with the family and help more with the house.  And we're planning to do some traveling this year.  We've already booked camping reservations for Zion, Grand Canyon, and Shenandoah, and are planning to check out Kisatchie in Louisiana.  Happy happy!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on January 16, 2019, 04:32:39 AM
Sounds like a great year, Trifele.

I just realized that I'll be the second youngest (of those who shared age) to pull it off in 2019, if all goes to plan :)

@Lews Therin.....how does it feel young blood?

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on January 16, 2019, 04:43:10 AM
This morning we were discussing to do OMY. So I might be out of here. :-(
DH has finally been playing around with the numbers in my FIRE spreadsheet and thinks the plan is a little too lean and too little robust for an occasional, necessary, big expense. We are not even talking about a fatter FIRE, but just one where we won't go broke in our sixties. We do have a few buffers (selling our cabin and receiving a possible inheritance), but they are not providing DH enough security. I want us both to be comfortable with the plan, so it is important to land this before we are actually putting the house for sale and quitting jobs.

It's definitely critical to have your spouse on board for FIRE.  Does he think the numbers are too lean even if you sell your house for that larger amount your new agent predicted?  Maybe you two can put off a final decision until after the house sells?

The broker says our "working estimate" for the house is 9,5 mil Norwegian crowns. His costs are 0,25 mil. But yesterday he told me we needed to put it on the market with a high price to be able to negotiate with people who bid a lower price. Someone might offer 8 mil. And we might end up with 8,7 mil.

DH and I have now decided that 8,7 is the minimum sales price we can accept for a lean FIRE. We would prefer more margin. We think it is highly unlikely that we will receive over 9 mil. We still need to discuss if we won't to go through the stress of trying to sell the house for 9,5 or wether we don't bother this year.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SeanTash on January 16, 2019, 05:02:57 AM
Please add me!
I just gave notice, and my last day of slavery is Feb 13th.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on January 16, 2019, 06:06:50 AM
Sounds like a great year, Trifele.

I just realized that I'll be the second youngest (of those who shared age) to pull it off in 2019, if all goes to plan :)

@Lews Therin.....how does it feel young blood?

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Knees creak, back hurts, and looking forwards to bouncing my niece and nephews on my knee while reading them a book in front of a fireplace.

Also, work sucks, I don't want to be here for another 6 months..... Ugh.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 16, 2019, 06:57:18 AM
Please add me!
I just gave notice, and my last day of slavery is Feb 13th.

Congrats and Welcome SeanTash!  Got you added to the list above.  Do share your story!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on January 16, 2019, 06:57:44 AM
I know, this is another reason why I'm trying to pull of a leave of absence during ~2 months of this year.

It'll be here before you know it!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on January 16, 2019, 08:19:44 AM
So many changes!

Goodbye to those that needed to leave.  Enjoy your OMY+, there are worse things.  Especially if it was a down shift in stress.

Hello to those that joined, you picked a very nice year!

Good luck to those that are still deciding.  There is still time, but make sure to pick the one you can live with and sleep well at night!

As for me, my company is all about making goals in January.  Boo.  We usually don't get this push until  late Feb. So it looks like I might have to make goals for the year.

Loren
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on January 17, 2019, 02:49:16 AM
DH and I have decided to do OMY now, to make our FIRE more robust. So, goodbye for me and good luck to all of you.

2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19     Bingeworker (52)   CONFIRMED
01/31/19     Trifele (51)
02/01/19     Cycling Stache (44)
02/08/19     Socmonkey (37)
02/13/19     SeanTash
02/25/19     MaybeBabyMustache
02/??/19     zinnie  (35)
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/19/19     ChasesFish (36)
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor  (50)     
03/??/19     Edgema
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     BlindSquirrel
03/31/19     Mr. Ver (39)
03/31/19     Loren Ver (36)
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/01/19     Ryder (39)
04/19/19     Eric
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
04/??/19     PowerStache (43)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)                   
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/31/19     Pylortes  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/31/19     dude   
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/??/19     Keeks
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)
08/01/19     SugarMountain
09/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
09/??/19     dayzero
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
August
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer
MustacheAnxiety
forward

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
Linda_Norway (45)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 17, 2019, 03:02:53 AM
Goodbye @Linda_Norway!  Best of luck.  Come back anytime if things change again.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on January 17, 2019, 05:29:10 AM
Good luck Linda! 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Livingthedream55 on January 17, 2019, 07:31:35 AM
I'm unfortunately bowing out of the race. Going for fat-FIRE/until I'm bored/can't take it anymore, after hitting FI last year. Best of luck to the new graduates!

Good for you.

This morning we were discussing to do OMY. So I might be out of here. :-(
DH has finally been playing around with the numbers in my FIRE spreadsheet and thinks the plan is a little too lean and too little robust for an occasional, necessary, big expense. We are not even talking about a fatter FIRE, but just one where we won't go broke in our sixties. We do have a few buffers (selling our cabin and receiving a possible inheritance), but they are not providing DH enough security. I want us both to be comfortable with the plan, so it is important to land this before we are actually putting the house for sale and quitting jobs.

All good reasoning - and understandable you want to feel secure - please do keep us updated. I really appreciate your posts!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on January 17, 2019, 07:43:27 AM
Found out I need to submit a copy of my marriage certificate with my retirement paperwork (for survivor benefits) so contacted the town where we got married and sent them the completed request they directed me to. Soon as I get that certificate in the mail, I'll be filing my paperwork to retire effective 5/31.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Livingthedream55 on January 17, 2019, 07:48:44 AM
Found out I need to submit a copy of my marriage certificate with my retirement paperwork (for survivor benefits) so contacted the town where we got married and sent them the completed request they directed me to. Soon as I get that certificate in the mail, I'll be filing my paperwork to retire effective 5/31.

Woohoo @dude My retirement is also effective 5/31! I plan to file on 2/1. Already have the paperwork ready in a folder - can't wait!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on January 17, 2019, 09:48:29 AM
Best Wishes to Linda and the rest of what seems to be becoming a bumper crop of OMYs!  Much better to have a slightly fatter FIRE and be happy than an overly lean one that makes you stressed, so congratulations on working out what's best for you.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on January 17, 2019, 10:55:00 AM
Found out I need to submit a copy of my marriage certificate with my retirement paperwork (for survivor benefits) so contacted the town where we got married and sent them the completed request they directed me to. Soon as I get that certificate in the mail, I'll be filing my paperwork to retire effective 5/31.

Woohoo @dude My retirement is also effective 5/31! I plan to file on 2/1. Already have the paperwork ready in a folder - can't wait!!

Congrats, Ltd55! It appears we live in the same corner of the globe, btw.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Pylortes on January 17, 2019, 11:13:11 AM
Ran across this great short article about retiring early on Seeking Alpha that I think is worth a read and may be interesting to fellow 2019ers as we are contemplating our plans-  https://seekingalpha.com/article/4233932-knowing-retire

I'm still shooting for mid year at this point (more likely right now for end of June rather than end of May) but will not make a final decision until closer to the date.  Maybe for chart purposes put me at 6/30 and I'll adjust again once I know more. 

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 17, 2019, 12:56:25 PM
List updated with Pylortes's new date:


2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19     Bingeworker (52)   CONFIRMED
01/31/19     Trifele (51)
02/01/19     Cycling Stache (44)
02/08/19     Socmonkey (37)
02/13/19     SeanTash
02/25/19     MaybeBabyMustache
02/??/19     zinnie  (35)
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/19/19     ChasesFish (36)
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor  (50)     
03/??/19     Edgema
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     BlindSquirrel
03/31/19     Mr. Ver (39)
03/31/19     Loren Ver (36)
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/01/19     Ryder (39)
04/19/19     Eric
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
04/??/19     PowerStache (43)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)                   
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/31/19     dude   
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/30/19     Pylortes  (42)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/??/19     Keeks
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)
08/01/19     SugarMountain
09/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
09/??/19     dayzero
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
August
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer
MustacheAnxiety
forward

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
Linda_Norway (45)

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 18, 2019, 01:39:22 AM
Still on track here for finishing on 1/31.   I was thinking I would slide smoothly and uneventfully over the finish line, but Noooo . . . . I got the word yesterday that I have to lay off a bunch of people on my team (part of MegaCorp takeover adjustments).  The one-on-one meetings are scheduled for today. 

I've done this before but it doesn't make it much easier.  These are very good people who do good work.  We had thought our department would be spared from layoffs, but then MegaCorp did a 180.  Shit sandwich, all the way around.  At least they will get severance, and some job-searching assistance from HR apparently.  I don't know the personal financial situation of these folks, but I hope they have their act together and this job loss is not a serious crisis for them.

There are going to be a lot of tears and hugs today at work I predict.  I also predict a large martini in my hand after work tonight. 


Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on January 18, 2019, 04:48:28 AM
Still on track here for finishing on 1/31.   I was thinking I would slide smoothly and uneventfully over the finish line, but Noooo . . . . I got the word yesterday that I have to lay off a bunch of people on my team (part of MegaCorp takeover adjustments).  The one-on-one meetings are scheduled for today. 

I've done this before but it doesn't make it much easier.  These are very good people who do good work.  We had thought our department would be spared from layoffs, but then MegaCorp did a 180.  Shit sandwich, all the way around.  At least they will get severance, and some job-searching assistance from HR apparently.  I don't know the personal financial situation of these folks, but I hope they have their act together and this job loss is not a serious crisis for them.

There are going to be a lot of tears and hugs today at work I predict.  I also predict a large martini in my hand after work tonight.

Not fun.  I do not envy your day at all.  One of the reasons I am glad I was never a manager.  Tears and hugs and treat them like people!

But no layoff for you?  Sheesh!

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: forward on January 18, 2019, 09:12:10 AM
Still on track here for finishing on 1/31.   I was thinking I would slide smoothly and uneventfully over the finish line, but Noooo . . . . I got the word yesterday that I have to lay off a bunch of people on my team (part of MegaCorp takeover adjustments).  The one-on-one meetings are scheduled for today. 

I've done this before but it doesn't make it much easier.  These are very good people who do good work.  We had thought our department would be spared from layoffs, but then MegaCorp did a 180.  Shit sandwich, all the way around.  At least they will get severance, and some job-searching assistance from HR apparently.  I don't know the personal financial situation of these folks, but I hope they have their act together and this job loss is not a serious crisis for them.

There are going to be a lot of tears and hugs today at work I predict.  I also predict a large martini in my hand after work tonight.

I feel for you, not fun at all.  Not having to do this any more is one of the reasons you (and me and others) are FIREing.  Some people are ok with having to let people go, I'm not one of them.  You are so close to the finish line, hang in there, we are behind you.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on January 18, 2019, 09:13:22 AM
Still on track here for finishing on 1/31.   I was thinking I would slide smoothly and uneventfully over the finish line, but Noooo . . . . I got the word yesterday that I have to lay off a bunch of people on my team (part of MegaCorp takeover adjustments).  The one-on-one meetings are scheduled for today. 

I've done this before but it doesn't make it much easier.  These are very good people who do good work.  We had thought our department would be spared from layoffs, but then MegaCorp did a 180.  Shit sandwich, all the way around.  At least they will get severance, and some job-searching assistance from HR apparently.  I don't know the personal financial situation of these folks, but I hope they have their act together and this job loss is not a serious crisis for them.

There are going to be a lot of tears and hugs today at work I predict.  I also predict a large martini in my hand after work tonight.

I'm really sorry, we're going through this garbage too at megacorp.  They do mass layoffs in the same week they announce record earnings
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on January 18, 2019, 10:17:13 AM
Maybe, just maybe a few of those people are dreaming about getting laid off.

I know I do.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on January 18, 2019, 11:11:28 AM
Still on track here for finishing on 1/31.   I was thinking I would slide smoothly and uneventfully over the finish line, but Noooo . . . . I got the word yesterday that I have to lay off a bunch of people on my team (part of MegaCorp takeover adjustments).  The one-on-one meetings are scheduled for today. 

I've done this before but it doesn't make it much easier.  These are very good people who do good work.  We had thought our department would be spared from layoffs, but then MegaCorp did a 180.  Shit sandwich, all the way around.  At least they will get severance, and some job-searching assistance from HR apparently.  I don't know the personal financial situation of these folks, but I hope they have their act together and this job loss is not a serious crisis for them.

There are going to be a lot of tears and hugs today at work I predict.  I also predict a large martini in my hand after work tonight.

That is a very stressful job. I would ask the people during the personal meetings if any of them would appreciate a severance package. (And fire those who would tolerare it best).
Can you put yourself on the list?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on January 18, 2019, 11:15:51 AM
Wow, that sucks Trifele, both for you and them.  Hang in there.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on January 18, 2019, 04:36:22 PM
Still on track here for finishing on 1/31.   I was thinking I would slide smoothly and uneventfully over the finish line, but Noooo . . . . I got the word yesterday that I have to lay off a bunch of people on my team (part of MegaCorp takeover adjustments).  The one-on-one meetings are scheduled for today. 

I've done this before but it doesn't make it much easier.  These are very good people who do good work.  We had thought our department would be spared from layoffs, but then MegaCorp did a 180.  Shit sandwich, all the way around.  At least they will get severance, and some job-searching assistance from HR apparently.  I don't know the personal financial situation of these folks, but I hope they have their act together and this job loss is not a serious crisis for them.

There are going to be a lot of tears and hugs today at work I predict.  I also predict a large martini in my hand after work tonight.

That sucks.  A similar situation motivated and accelerated my FIRE pursuit.  I hope everyone is as prepared for the layoffs as possible.  Both sides of this equation - not wanting to lay people off and being financially secure if you are the one being laid off - benefit from pursuing FIRE. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 19, 2019, 04:09:04 AM
Yesterday really, really sucked.  The five people I had to lay off had not seen it coming, so those were some hard meetings.  Thank you for your support messages yesterday @forward, @Loren Ver, @chasesfish, @Eric , @Linda_Norway, and @fire 20/20.  They really helped.  On the positive side, all five people who were cut have a spouse who works and has access to health insurance, so there's that -- no sole breadwinners.  Also my department is quite compassionate, so the whole event was as kind as it could be under the circumstances.

My personal silver linings to all of this are first  -- FIRE means that I never have to do that again.  Second, my boss worked some kind of magic with MegaCorp and HR and got me onto the layoff list, so I found out I'm getting some severance after all -- 3 months' salary.  I'll take it -- that's more than a year's living expenses for us, so that's great. 

9 work days to go!!
   

   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on January 19, 2019, 04:37:34 AM


My personal silver linings to all of this are first  -- FIRE means that I never have to do that again.  Second, my boss worked some kind of magic with MegaCorp and HR and got me onto the layoff list, so I found out I'm getting some severance after all -- 3 months' salary.  I'll take it -- that's more than a year's living expenses for us, so that's great. 

9 work days to go!!

Nice work on scamming an extra 3 months pay. 9 days to go. AWESOME 👏
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on January 19, 2019, 04:48:06 AM
Congratulations on the lay-off pay and commiserations on having to do the lay-offs.  The first time I had to make anyone redundant it turned out that their partner, who worked for a different company, had been laid off earlier that same day.  Ouch.
The one thing I really want to know though, is that given you were the one having to lay people off, and you were one of those being laid off, how did you break the news to yourself?  I hope you were gentle?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on January 19, 2019, 05:31:32 AM
@Trifele I'm glad your boss got you on to that list, it is a decent consolation for you having to lay off the others.

So close!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 19, 2019, 05:36:31 AM
Congratulations on the lay-off pay and commiserations on having to do the lay-offs. 
The one thing I really want to know though, is that given you were the one having to lay people off, and you were one of those being laid off, how did you break the news to yourself?  I hope you were gentle?

Ha ha Phil . . . The way I found out about the severance was a phone call from my boss first thing in the morning.  He knows I was moving on anyway of course, and the severance was very welcome.  (I get the sense it is kind of a 'thank you' for me tidying up and turning the lights out).  The logistics were odd, but they didn't let me actually lay myself off.  I have a meeting scheduled with my boss and HR on Monday where I get my paperwork.

I'm sure I'll be even happier about the severance in the days and weeks to come, but right now I'm still dealing with the emotional fallout from yesterday.   



Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on January 19, 2019, 08:53:39 AM
Congratulations on the lay-off pay and commiserations on having to do the lay-offs. 
The one thing I really want to know though, is that given you were the one having to lay people off, and you were one of those being laid off, how did you break the news to yourself?  I hope you were gentle?

Ha ha Phil . . . The way I found out about the severance was a phone call from my boss first thing in the morning.  He knows I was moving on anyway of course, and the severance was very welcome.  (I get the sense it is kind of a 'thank you' for me tidying up and turning the lights out).  The logistics were odd, but they didn't let me actually lay myself off.  I have a meeting scheduled with my boss and HR on Monday where I get my paperwork.

I'm sure I'll be even happier about the severance in the days and weeks to come, but right now I'm still dealing with the emotional fallout from yesterday.

This is such good news Trifele!  I'm still sorry you had to lay people off, but i am glad you got a severance.

The first time I had to make anyone redundant it turned out that their partner, who worked for a different company, had been laid off earlier that same day.  Ouch.


:(
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on January 19, 2019, 11:36:22 AM
I was "outed" at work this week.  I told some of the key technical people about my plans to retire sometime in 2019/2020 (didn't give a date) when they joined my team over a year ago.  I wanted them to be aware of the possibility that I would be leaving when they made the decision to move onto the project I'm leading.  I knew I was taking the risk of it getting out to my management and I'm actually surprised that no one in leadership heard anything for a year.  Fortunately, after one found out I had great conversations about it with 3 of the 4 managers I report to.  The fourth still doesn't know, but he's at a different site and the least connected to what I do so I don't think he'll hear for a while.  All three expressed appreciation for the significant (4 months) notice, and they each promised that they wouldn't allow the information to change anything.  We'll see if they stick to that, but they're all ethical people who I trust. 
Fortunately with market gains, contributions, and a modest downward revision to the FIRE budget we're now at a ~3.4% withdrawal rate.  That low a WDR plus my plans to do a little consulting, Social Security in 20-30 years, two small pensions, and a likely inheritance make the plan pretty safe at this point.  If I feel like I'm getting pushed out or things turn ugly I can just move my date forward.  They need me a lot more than I need the paycheck, so my tolerance for BS can be extremely low at this point. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PowerStache on January 19, 2019, 07:43:47 PM
Trifele - I had to layoff 4 people who didn't see it coming last year.  It's so tough.  Hoping that if they were good employees for you, they will be able to be good employees at the next job!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on January 20, 2019, 01:36:29 AM
Yesterday really, really sucked.  The five people I had to lay off had not seen it coming, so those were some hard meetings.  Thank you for your support messages yesterday @forward, @Loren Ver, @chasesfish, @Eric , @Linda_Norway, and @fire 20/20.  They really helped.  On the positive side, all five people who were cut have a spouse who works and has access to health insurance, so there's that -- no sole breadwinners.  Also my department is quite compassionate, so the whole event was as kind as it could be under the circumstances.

My personal silver linings to all of this are first  -- FIRE means that I never have to do that again.  Second, my boss worked some kind of magic with MegaCorp and HR and got me onto the layoff list, so I found out I'm getting some severance after all -- 3 months' salary.  I'll take it -- that's more than a year's living expenses for us, so that's great. 

9 work days to go!!
   

Only 9 days! And with a whole year of expenses covered. Good deal after such a bad working day.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Freedomin5 on January 20, 2019, 06:24:27 AM
I was "outed" at work this week.  I told some of the key technical people about my plans to retire sometime in 2019/2020 (didn't give a date) when they joined my team over a year ago.  I wanted them to be aware of the possibility that I would be leaving when they made the decision to move onto the project I'm leading.  I knew I was taking the risk of it getting out to my management and I'm actually surprised that no one in leadership heard anything for a year.  Fortunately, after one found out I had great conversations about it with 3 of the 4 managers I report to.  The fourth still doesn't know, but he's at a different site and the least connected to what I do so I don't think he'll hear for a while.  All three expressed appreciation for the significant (4 months) notice, and they each promised that they wouldn't allow the information to change anything.  We'll see if they stick to that, but they're all ethical people who I trust. 
Fortunately with market gains, contributions, and a modest downward revision to the FIRE budget we're now at a ~3.4% withdrawal rate.  That low a WDR plus my plans to do a little consulting, Social Security in 20-30 years, two small pensions, and a likely inheritance make the plan pretty safe at this point.  If I feel like I'm getting pushed out or things turn ugly I can just move my date forward.  They need me a lot more than I need the paycheck, so my tolerance for BS can be extremely low at this point.

So lucky. Leadership found out I was thinking of leaving in six months and went desperate on me. Tried pressuring, guilt-tripping, begging, enticing. At the time, I had not even made a decision yet or given formal notice. That discomfort just kind of solidified things for me. I'm out of the 2019 cohort because I took another contract, but I just wanted to chime in to say I'm glad The Talk went well for you.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PowerStache on January 20, 2019, 05:41:24 PM
Less than 100 days to FIRE! I have verbally told management I am leaving in April.  I am trying to figure out when to make the news public. I am second in command at our location and most are anticipating me taking over when my 60ish boss retires. We are doing some reorganization so I am expecting when they determine whether I will be replaced, I can talk publicly.

Most won't understand the FIRE mentality.  But they will understand my focus on spending more with my family.

When you have worked at the same place for almost 26 years, your co-workers are a big piece of your life. I am trying to prepare myself for shifting my social circle once gone.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on January 21, 2019, 12:02:20 AM
Less than 100 days to FIRE! I have verbally told management I am leaving in April.  I am trying to figure out when to make the news public. I am second in command at our location and most are anticipating me taking over when my 60ish boss retires. We are doing some reorganization so I am expecting when they determine whether I will be replaced, I can talk publicly.

Most won't understand the FIRE mentality.  But they will understand my focus on spending more with my family.

When you have worked at the same place for almost 26 years, your co-workers are a big piece of your life. I am trying to prepare myself for shifting my social circle once gone.

Can you find out whether someone else in your team has leadership ambitions?

And if not, it is not your problem.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on January 21, 2019, 04:52:20 AM
Less than 100 days to FIRE! I have verbally told management I am leaving in April.  I am trying to figure out when to make the news public. I am second in command at our location and most are anticipating me taking over when my 60ish boss retires. We are doing some reorganization so I am expecting when they determine whether I will be replaced, I can talk publicly.

Most won't understand the FIRE mentality.  But they will understand my focus on spending more with my family.

When you have worked at the same place for almost 26 years, your co-workers are a big piece of your life. I am trying to prepare myself for shifting my social circle once gone.

Woo hoo!  Down from triple digits!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Miss Piggy on January 21, 2019, 09:15:39 AM
This may fall into the category of MPP, but I just have to say it to people who will understand it: My target fire date is July 3, 2019. That's when I plan to quit my full-time job. My plan is to continue my "side gig" consulting business. Here's the problem: my consulting business is keeping me so incredibly (or terribly, depending how you look at it) busy in January/February that I don't have time for my full-time job! And the pay is too good to turn down any work. I'm seriously thinking about downshifting to part-time job so I can have the space and time for my side gig. The consulting business is part of my long-term plan (mainly as a safety net for health insurance); the full-time job definitely isn't. It's a dilemma for sure.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: gerardc on January 21, 2019, 10:34:06 AM
The date is coming pretty quickly. A few weeks of vacation, maxing out 401k and Roth backdoor and mega backdoor for the year, doing taxes for 2018, and then heading out for leave later this spring, which I haven't even talked with my manager about yet... Plus I have a few cool projects at work going on, feeling a little bad about not ever completing them (for my personal satisfaction). I might take a shorter leave than I thought.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on January 21, 2019, 11:17:36 AM
150 days to go for me.... if I don’t chicken out and OMY.

I spent most of today researching the Iceland leg of my post FIRE RTW trip. I decided we’d hike the Laugavegur trail, before renting a camper for a couple of weeks to do the Ring Road++.

Very exciting.... hopefully we don’t delay the victory tour by 12 months.

I have noted on my phone an ever expanding list of reasons to FIRE v OMY. Both lists are long and compelling.

Tonight’s addition to the list was if I actually hand in my resignation tomorrow I will never have to talk about “will I or won’t I” ever again. The dialogue in my head is incessant.

Last week I tossed a coin to see what lady fate had to say.

First toss came up OMY. I was ok with that outcome at that moment, but decided to go to 2/3 to tempt fate.

Second toss came up OMY. It seemed fate was quite certain about my future so I thought “what the heck, let’s shoot for 3 in a row” to really ram home the message.

3rd toss came up FIRE. 4th toss came up FIRE.

Two all.

Go figure, my luck is as uncertain as me. I was sure toss 5 would come up FIRE just to add to the confusion. But it didn’t. Toss 5 came up OMY.

So first toss, 2 out of 3, and 3 out of 5 all said OMY. I’d call that definitive.

I added “coin toss” to my list of reasons to OMY, but it didn’t bring me any closer to a final decision.

I need to travel to MegaCorp HQ in mid Feb. if I am FIREing that’s when I’ll make it all official. Eek.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on January 21, 2019, 12:10:44 PM
@itchyfeet I remember both of my "corporate HQ" meeting trips during my OMY phase.  I looked around and couldn't believe how much BS I tolerated.  I kept wondering "do all of these people really enjoy this?"

The answer will come to you, trust your thoughts
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on January 21, 2019, 11:04:14 PM
@itchyfeet I remember both of my "corporate HQ" meeting trips during my OMY phase.  I looked around and couldn't believe how much BS I tolerated.  I kept wondering "do all of these people really enjoy this?"

The answer will come to you, trust your thoughts

Thanks. Yes, there is no more spreadsheets to be made. I just need to make a decision and roll with it. It will be a winner either way. Either For June I’ll be enjoying my freedom, or 12 months from now I’ll be enjoying my freedom with a lot more play money in my pocket.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 22, 2019, 03:47:24 AM
How are our February folks doing?  @Cycling Stache -- are you still on track for next Friday? @Socmonkey will be coming up just a week after that.  Let us know how things are going!


2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19     Bingeworker (52)   CONFIRMED
01/31/19     Trifele (51)
02/01/19     Cycling Stache (44)
02/08/19     Socmonkey (37)
02/13/19     SeanTash
02/25/19     MaybeBabyMustache
02/??/19     zinnie  (35)
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/19/19     ChasesFish (36)
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor  (50)     
03/??/19     Edgema
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     BlindSquirrel
03/31/19     Mr. Ver (39)
03/31/19     Loren Ver (36)
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/01/19     Ryder (39)
04/19/19     Eric
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
04/??/19     PowerStache (43)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)                   
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/31/19     dude   
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/30/19     Pylortes  (42)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/??/19     Keeks
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)
08/01/19     SugarMountain
09/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
09/??/19     dayzero
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
August
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer
MustacheAnxiety
forward

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
Linda_Norway (45)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on January 22, 2019, 04:32:25 AM
36 working days left for me.  I've got a two week vacation coming up which really helps a lot.

With the market losses from last year, we will most likely be about 10% below our FIRE number for 2019.  We may have to lean out of first few years to reduce our sequence of return risks.  When DH and I discuss, we would rather be leaner than OMY.  I am definitely more nervous than I thought I would be.

LV

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on January 22, 2019, 05:37:46 AM
I'm going to be at 90% the number I expected, but i'm not OMY'ing either. Lots of time to cover the shortfall if necessary
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on January 22, 2019, 06:15:04 AM
I'm going to be at 90% the number I expected, but i'm not OMY'ing either. Lots of time to cover the shortfall if necessary

At least I am not the only one :). 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on January 22, 2019, 08:39:27 AM
I'm going to be at 90% the number I expected, but i'm not OMY'ing either. Lots of time to cover the shortfall if necessary

Yep, we’ll be 10% or so short of our number as well.

But once we set aside housing and bare bones expenses, the 10% would represent a 50% increase to our discretionary budget, so it is pretty significant in terms of what we can do in the future and in terms of flexibility it would give to our spending ie: room to cut when needed.

The biggest setback to my FIRE plans is DW’s new stance that she won’t be working if I’m not working. Previously DW was very keen on doing casual work post FIRE. This an important buffer removed from my plans. That with the continued sliding of house prices in Sydney is causing me some pre-FIRE angst.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lady Stash on January 22, 2019, 02:24:37 PM
I think this is my cohort.

I'm hoping to quit my job to start a business this year (so FI but not RE).  For my own peace of mind, I wanted to be FI first since starting a business seems pretty risky.  Late last year, I hit a bare bones, skinny FI after paying off my house.

I have 5 milestones I want to hit before I pull the trigger on full time office employment:
   1. Find two awesome people to rent 2 bedrooms in my home which will cover most of my basic expenses and allow me to save my stash. 
   2. Max my 401K for this year (April 2019 at the soonest)
   3. Lose 30 pounds.  I'm using a work sponsored program to help. Down 5 pounds so far.   
   4. Get caught up on drs and dentist appts.
   5. Start a side gig.

What does OMY stand for? 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MoMan on January 22, 2019, 02:31:27 PM
OMY = One More Year.

Reading everyone’s plans and preparations is both exciting and agonizing: I still have a torturous 37 weeks to go. But at least I can now say, “I’m retiring this year.” Man that feels good! I calculate I have plenty of money: 36x current annual spending, which should put my withdrawal rate just under 3%. And I feel good about backup plans. My wife is very onboard with my RE plans but has no interest in retiring herself. The best parts are: she loves her job; she makes significantly more than me; she has a 6 minute commute and is fairly frugal herself (except for her J. Crew habit, which she can easily afford). We paid off the mortgage last summer and have redirected those payments to an online savings account. So I have zero debt and she has a couple more years on her car payment (we keep our finances fairly separate).

The only reason I’m gutting it out is for company-sponsored retiree health care. If you are 55+ and have 10+ years of service, you can stay on the company plan for the rest of your life (you have to pay the premiums yourself). For some of the more fortunate long-term employees, the company subsidizes the premiums based on years of service. PLUS, I can add my wife to the policy later on. Once you turn 65, MegaCorp insurance becomes secondary to MediCare. I’m assuming the premiums will be lower than getting onto my wife’s work plan, but I can’t get an estimate until I’m less than 6 months from my 55th b-day. My company also offers a pension plan (now frozen for several years), so I have a $30k buffer I can access any time after 55 without penalty. Or I can leave it be and it will payout something like $250/month starting at age 65. I don’t expect to need it anytime soon.

My plan is to convert my 401k balance to a 10-year income annuity. Over the past year I’ve moved quite a bit out of equities and bonds and into cash since I’m already able to fund above my current spending. That takes me to age 65, allowing my other investments to grow for a decade before I start drawing from a couple of rollover IRAs and a Roth IRA. If I need money before then I can access my taxable account, or withdraw some already-taxed contributions from the Roth without penalty. And in 4 years I can withdraw from the rollover IRAs w/o penalty. I will claim Social Security at age 70. Of course I could also do some part time work as my career allows me to work remotely very easily. And I have a hobby that can generate money. I think the only thing that could improve my current situation is if I got a layoff package right after turning 55!

My only issue right now is dragging my ass through yet another day at the office. Ugh. I work in a cubicle, but my cube is in a very remote corner of the floor where no one visits. Being an introvert, this is ideal. (Rumor is that the company will be renovating our floor and replacing our shoulder-height cube walls with the very low “open office” structures. I can’t get out of here soon enough!). Even better, we are allowed to work from home 2 days a week. And I’ll be honest, I am being given very little work to do these days (but the work I do get is completed quickly and accurately; I just haven’t raised my hand to ask for more). So I can do whatever I want for the 8 hours a day I’m home as long as I am close enough to hear the dreaded “ding” of a new email message being delivered. So it kind of feels like I’m already transitioned to part time. Only 106 more “cubicle” days! Tick-tock. Carry on.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on January 22, 2019, 04:07:07 PM
My only issue right now is dragging my ass through yet another day at the office. Ugh. I work in a cubicle, but my cube is in a very remote corner of the floor where no one visits. Being an introvert, this is ideal. (Rumor is that the company will be renovating our floor and replacing our shoulder-height cube walls with the very low “open office” structures. I can’t get out of here soon enough!).

I can relate to that.  Ugh... I used to work in a shared enclosed office space, no cubicles, sometimes with one other person, sometimes with three other people.  I hated it, even with just one other person, even worse as the years passed by, and that was one big reason I was wanting to FIRE back then.  There were just too many distractions that made it difficult to focus and work efficiently.  But as my stash grew to support FIRE a couple years ago, the junior engineer who was sharing some of my job responsibilities  left (and wasn't replaced), and I was moved to my own office not long after that.  I can close the door and shut out most of the distractions from other people but get out and about to mingle with staff when I feel like it.  Plus I don't have to spend time training or working as closely with anyone, so I'm more productive.  It's made a big difference in my feelings about my job.  If I had still been sharing office space, I might have gone ahead and FIREd last spring (2018).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on January 23, 2019, 12:16:31 AM

My only issue right now is dragging my ass through yet another day at the office. Ugh. I work in a cubicle, but my cube is in a very remote corner of the floor where no one visits. Being an introvert, this is ideal. (Rumor is that the company will be renovating our floor and replacing our shoulder-height cube walls with the very low “open office” structures. I can’t get out of here soon enough!). Even better, we are allowed to work from home 2 days a week. And I’ll be honest, I am being given very little work to do these days (but the work I do get is completed quickly and accurately; I just haven’t raised my hand to ask for more). So I can do whatever I want for the 8 hours a day I’m home as long as I am close enough to hear the dreaded “ding” of a new email message being delivered. So it kind of feels like I’m already transitioned to part time. Only 106 more “cubicle” days! Tick-tock. Carry on.

I am sitting in this very open landscape thing, without any kind of walls between the desks. So no privacy or sound protection at all, apart from a pair anti-sound producing headphones. We do have real walls between the groups of desks though, which means the sounds that are made and reflecting between the walls. DH who knows acoustics thinks this is a really bad way to design an open office.
I am also an introvert and are not very pleased by the fact that we need to OMY it, in practice a little more than 1,5 year. We keep working 80% to make it more bearable. Couldn't you do that and still fulfil the requirements for your health care plan?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 23, 2019, 05:03:06 AM
The only reason I’m gutting it out is for company-sponsored retiree health care. If you are 55+ and have 10+ years of service, you can stay on the company plan for the rest of your life (you have to pay the premiums yourself). For some of the more fortunate long-term employees, the company subsidizes the premiums based on years of service. PLUS, I can add my wife to the policy later on.
. . .
My only issue right now is dragging my ass through yet another day at the office. Ugh.

Sounds like you have a rock solid plan @MoMan.  Oh hell yes I would gut it out longer for a health insurance deal like that. 

Strategies that helped me get through the last 9 months:
 
--  Mentally breaking the time up into smaller units, i.e. telling myself "only two weeks until my next day off", or "only two weeks until [insert cool thing we were planning to do]"

--  Using all my PTO

--  Finding ways to stay busy at work (so the time passes quickly).  Careful here -- As you point out, you don't want to take on any more long term or stressful work.  So the trick is to get short term interesting things to do.  I found that offering to help other people with their work was a good strategy.  They have the overall responsibility which I wanted to avoid, but I stayed busy playing some interesting secondary role to fill my time.  And it made them happy.  Win-win-win.
 
--  Taking mental breaks at work to do things completely non-work related.  My go-to activity was travel planning.  I enjoy that, and you can fill lots of time with it.  I also spent time learning about new and interesting things.  YMMV on this one if others can see your computer screen in an open-style office.

--  Volunteering for/finagling your way into as many out-of-the-office activities as you can.  Conferences for the win. 

--  Talking to people (more than I normally would).  I'm fairly introverted too, but I enjoyed this.

--  Tried to:  Stay busy with interesting and fun things in my non-work hours; stay fully connected with family; exercise regularly and get good sleep.
 
--  Rinsed and repeated.

You'll get there!  You've got it. 

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on January 23, 2019, 10:08:39 AM
Great suggestions from Trifele.  One thing I would add is that if you concentrate too much on the future and just getting through you WILL go crazy.  Over these last weeks / months you need to find enjoyment where you can and cling to it.  What worked for me was to make sure there was at least one small good thing about every day and make that the last thing I thought about at night.  You will get there whatever happens so concentrate on getting there happy.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MoMan on January 23, 2019, 11:39:21 AM
Yes, great suggestions Trifele and PhilB! I hope I didn't paint myself as being depressed because I'm definitely not. I'm super excited about the next phase of my life. Just bored with work which feels increasingly pointless. I'm good at entertaining myself but it does get a little challenging in the office. Fortunately l'm not very visible right now, so no one is checking on my screen. A couple of years ago, I got assigned to a new manager, which made a world of difference. My former incompetent manager got fired last summer, and my annoying always-the-victim coworker, who coughed up a lung on a weekly basis, got laid off not long after.

Yes, I play all sorts of mind games to keep me focused and positive. One of my faves is thinking about the time left and comparing that quantity of time in the past: "Nine months to go seems like an eternity; but think about the past nine months and how fast that went." I also spend a lot of time mentally planning the dozens (hundreds?) of projects I plan to tackle, or what I can do to improve recently finished projects. I think I'm going to be as busy as I care to be for years to come.

There is one mental state that I feel I need to constantly combat: The idea that life will be magically different once I pull the plug. I'm pretty sure it won't be. Here's kind of what I mean: Think back to the time as you approached some of your big life goals, like graduating from school. I imagined how fantastic it would be to never have to do homework or get a teacher's permission to go to the bathroom, etc. But the reality was, yes, life was different but not to the extent I fantasized it would be. I need to constantly remind myself that there will still be days when I have to do things I don't feel like doing; days when I will be bored; projects that will frustrate me; people who will annoy me, etc. As long as I stay aware of that it should help keep expectations in check. It's all good!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on January 23, 2019, 12:53:03 PM
I went out and got drunk tonight..... all on my lonesome.

This definitely feels like the biggest decision of my life.

Today i modelled a scenario with what I want to spend until I’m 75 and then a15% reduction in spending from there on. Probability of success equals 93%, plus add on the probability of death before I run out of $$ , and maybe some social security or inheritance....

Good enough for me...... except I’d love an extra few $$$ to have more choice of housing....

I fail at ER101. I just don’t know what is enough.

Previously I was going to rely on DW to tidy up the edges, but now that has changed with DW saying no work for her either post me FIREing  I need to be damn sure I am good to go.

I need to be 120% ok with my choice of houses, cars, food, ISP, clothes... everything!!

My CV and unusual career offers no 2nd chance at anything close to what I am paid today......

....... I just wished I finished my masters.... haha..... that hasn’t  mattered till now....ok, I am fearing the worst, but isn’t that kind of wat the 4% rule is about....

Ignore me, I’m a bit drunk 🥴
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 23, 2019, 02:39:53 PM
Drink on, good sir, drink on. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on January 23, 2019, 04:18:17 PM
I'm in no hurry for time to go by.  It goes by too quickly as it is.  I try to just look forward to the closely approaching days off - i.e. the weekend.   Although, my summer vacation days start coming more into focus in June, which I spread out mostly through July and August.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DreamFIRE on January 23, 2019, 04:31:45 PM
Anybody use the Pralana retirement calculator?  I use the free bronze edition and really like how it separates the buckets of savings depending on taxable status.  It uses a Monte Carlo simulation. 

I would love for everyone to pick it apart and tell me any flaws you see or why it might not be valid.  It has been my go-to calculator for the good detail and scenarios you can play with on one time expenses like a new car in 10 years or the possibility of an inheritance way down the road, etc, all inflation-adjusted.  The table output of the drawdown is great detail.     

http://pralanaretirementcalculator.com

I checked the link, clicked my way around, found screenshots and user manuals, but I never saw a download link for the free bronze version.

ETA:  Disregard.  Looks like the "Buy Now" button is how you get access to download for free.

ETA2:  Downloaded.  It complained about my old version of Excel on my home computer, but it opened up and appears that it might work.  I will have to spend some time with it to form any opinion.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on January 24, 2019, 12:44:46 PM
--  Finding ways to stay busy at work (so the time passes quickly).  Careful here -- As you point out, you don't want to take on any more long term or stressful work.  So the trick is to get short term interesting things to do.  I found that offering to help other people with their work was a good strategy.  They have the overall responsibility which I wanted to avoid, but I stayed busy playing some interesting secondary role to fill my time.  And it made them happy.  Win-win-win.

I'd recommend completely ignoring your coworkers and just posting on the forum more.  Doing extra work is for people not retiring.  lol
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 24, 2019, 04:01:54 PM
--  Finding ways to stay busy at work (so the time passes quickly).  Careful here -- As you point out, you don't want to take on any more long term or stressful work.  So the trick is to get short term interesting things to do.  I found that offering to help other people with their work was a good strategy.  They have the overall responsibility which I wanted to avoid, but I stayed busy playing some interesting secondary role to fill my time.  And it made them happy.  Win-win-win.

I'd recommend completely ignoring your coworkers and just posting on the forum more.  Doing extra work is for people not retiring.  lol

:)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on January 24, 2019, 07:44:24 PM
--  Finding ways to stay busy at work (so the time passes quickly).  Careful here -- As you point out, you don't want to take on any more long term or stressful work.  So the trick is to get short term interesting things to do.  I found that offering to help other people with their work was a good strategy.  They have the overall responsibility which I wanted to avoid, but I stayed busy playing some interesting secondary role to fill my time.  And it made them happy.  Win-win-win.

I'd recommend completely ignoring your coworkers and just posting on the forum more.  Doing extra work is for people not retiring.  lol

Folks.  I related to this.  I feel like I'm playing a game of charades!  27 or so more work days to pull this off.

I cringed today when the new boss was excited about finding a deal to feed me
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 25, 2019, 02:42:50 AM
Speaking of charades, the theme this week at work has been co-workers trying to help me find a job.  No one at work knows my real situation.  Because I ended up getting rolled into a Megacorp layoff, and most people don't know I was leaving anyway, people assume I'm in desperate straits.  They mean very kindly.  I say "Thanks, I'm going to take a little time to look at my options."   And the responses are along the lines of "You can afford to do that?  Good for you."   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on January 25, 2019, 04:41:13 AM
Speaking of charades, the theme this week at work has been co-workers trying to help me find a job.  No one at work knows my real situation.  Because I ended up getting rolled into a Megacorp layoff, and most people don't know I was leaving anyway, people assume I'm in desperate straits.  They mean very kindly.  I say "Thanks, I'm going to take a little time to look at my options."   And the responses are along the lines of "You can afford to do that?  Good for you."

That is really nice of them but also pretty awkward.  I would really struggle with that.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on January 25, 2019, 05:07:38 AM
Speaking of charades, the theme this week at work has been co-workers trying to help me find a job.  No one at work knows my real situation.  Because I ended up getting rolled into a Megacorp layoff, and most people don't know I was leaving anyway, people assume I'm in desperate straits.  They mean very kindly.  I say "Thanks, I'm going to take a little time to look at my options."   And the responses are along the lines of "You can afford to do that?  Good for you."

That is really awkward.  I have a former boss then co-worker that retired at 52, I've struggled twice now when his name has come up and his bipolar boss has turned the story into "I removed a non-performer", trying to deflect the fact said boss is a jerk to work for.   Fingers crossed on the charades, its so tough when you know others are being laid off and don't have the same ability
 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on January 25, 2019, 05:18:16 AM
Speaking of random/interesting issues leading up to FIRE...

My in-laws are wonderful people.  Mother in law is an insensate planner, everything planned and way in advance.  Father in law has a habit of "thinking out loud".   They were also in the camp of "okay with money".  They're boomers, so they worked hard and spent almost all their money on crap stuffed in their house.  They have some savings and a decent pension, but FIL worked until 68.

We've told them "we're trying to get closer" in 2019, mentioned me taking consulting work, trying to drop hints without outright telling them I'm retired.  They don't understand investments and we can't come out and tell them just how much money we have.  I have to keep my retirement under wraps for another seven weeks to not risk being terminated out of the bonus/rsu pool (trust my manager, but not that much when six figures are on the line).

Now this week my MIL is obsessively trying to figure out our travel schedule and flights for a wedding back home in May and has also scheduled a big trip that includes a 24 hour layover in October in the city we currently live in.  We've managed to hold off them scheduling trips here to visit so far, but this game is humorous and kind of exhausting.


Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on January 25, 2019, 07:20:01 AM
I was "outed" at work this week.  I told some of the key technical people about my plans to retire sometime in 2019/2020 (didn't give a date) when they joined my team over a year ago.  I wanted them to be aware of the possibility that I would be leaving when they made the decision to move onto the project I'm leading.  I knew I was taking the risk of it getting out to my management and I'm actually surprised that no one in leadership heard anything for a year.  Fortunately, after one found out I had great conversations about it with 3 of the 4 managers I report to.  The fourth still doesn't know, but he's at a different site and the least connected to what I do so I don't think he'll hear for a while.  All three expressed appreciation for the significant (4 months) notice, and they each promised that they wouldn't allow the information to change anything.  We'll see if they stick to that, but they're all ethical people who I trust. 
Fortunately with market gains, contributions, and a modest downward revision to the FIRE budget we're now at a ~3.4% withdrawal rate.  That low a WDR plus my plans to do a little consulting, Social Security in 20-30 years, two small pensions, and a likely inheritance make the plan pretty safe at this point.  If I feel like I'm getting pushed out or things turn ugly I can just move my date forward.  They need me a lot more than I need the paycheck, so my tolerance for BS can be extremely low at this point.

So lucky. Leadership found out I was thinking of leaving in six months and went desperate on me. Tried pressuring, guilt-tripping, begging, enticing. At the time, I had not even made a decision yet or given formal notice. That discomfort just kind of solidified things for me. I'm out of the 2019 cohort because I took another contract, but I just wanted to chime in to say I'm glad The Talk went well for you.

Not quite the same thing, but way back when I was approaching the end of my military service obligation. It was right during the lead up to Operation Desert Shield. I was the lead Petty Officer in my division. I told my superiors that I planned to separate from the Navy in August (about 4 months from then) when my time was up. They tried to persuade and cajole me into extending for six months saying they needed my experience on the upcoming tour (a Westpac to the Persian Gulf, which would have been my second). I told them it was out of the question, because I'd matriculated at my home state university for the Fall Semester. When their pleadings fell on my deaf ears, they got nasty. I got called out over the 1MC (loudspeaker system) to report to the fantail immediately, where I met my division officer (an idiot asshole of man) and the Department Head, and they proceeded to undress me about the state of the fantail (my division's area of responsibility). I was utterly waylaid and at a loss for words. A few minutes in, my Chief showed up and asked what the fuck was going on and why wasn't he contacted? He in turn laid into them and told me to hit the road. Classy, ballsy move by that guy. Shortly thereafter, I was presented with my performance evaluation, which rated me very poorly, a marked departure from years of Outstanding ratings. I was livid and threatened an outside investigation (forget the term used for it, but in essence, if you file such a claim, they bring in officers from other branches to investigate). They promptly backed down and let me serve out my remaining time, which was actually less time than I had left, because they granted me an early out of about two months. Why anybody in a leadership position would think that going negative on someone in this position is a good strategy I'll never understand.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on January 25, 2019, 07:20:54 AM
Oh yeah, and by the way, I officially filed for retirement yesterday, effective May 31 . . .
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Livingthedream55 on January 25, 2019, 07:53:50 AM
Oh yeah, and by the way, I officially filed for retirement yesterday, effective May 31 . . .
@dude   Sweet - congrats!!!! 

I file my retirement paperwork in one week! 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on January 25, 2019, 08:01:51 AM
Congrats @dude!

Interesting date, which begs the question to the group.

If you were going to kick off FI(RE) with a leave of absence. Would you consider your exit day as your last day before the leave begins, or when the leave ends and you are no longer on the payroll/benefits of the employer?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on January 25, 2019, 08:19:45 AM
last time you go in, unless you`re military, at which point you have an asterix hoping to his noodlyness no world war starts and they recall you.

So for you, last day before leave!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on January 25, 2019, 08:22:09 AM
Snip....

So lucky. Leadership found out I was thinking of leaving in six months and went desperate on me. Tried pressuring, guilt-tripping, begging, enticing. At the time, I had not even made a decision yet or given formal notice. That discomfort just kind of solidified things for me. I'm out of the 2019 cohort because I took another contract, but I just wanted to chime in to say I'm glad The Talk went well for you.

Not quite the same thing, but way back when I was approaching the end of my military service obligation. It was right during the lead up to Operation Desert Shield. I was the lead Petty Officer in my division. I told my superiors that I planned to separate from the Navy in August (about 4 months from then) when my time was up. They tried to persuade and cajole me into extending for six months saying they needed my experience on the upcoming tour (a Westpac to the Persian Gulf, which would have been my second). I told them it was out of the question, because I'd matriculated at my home state university for the Fall Semester. When their pleadings fell on my deaf ears, they got nasty. I got called out over the 1MC (loudspeaker system) to report to the fantail immediately, where I met my division officer (an idiot asshole of man) and the Department Head, and they proceeded to undress me about the state of the fantail (my division's area of responsibility). I was utterly waylaid and at a loss for words. A few minutes in, my Chief showed up and asked what the fuck was going on and why wasn't he contacted? He in turn laid into them and told me to hit the road. Classy, ballsy move by that guy. Shortly thereafter, I was presented with my performance evaluation, which rated me very poorly, a marked departure from years of Outstanding ratings. I was livid and threatened an outside investigation (forget the term used for it, but in essence, if you file such a claim, they bring in officers from other branches to investigate). They promptly backed down and let me serve out my remaining time, which was actually less time than I had left, because they granted me an early out of about two months. Why anybody in a leadership position would think that going negative on someone in this position is a good strategy I'll never understand.

Geeze!  This is not an attitude I understand either.  Someone is doing something different than you, oh no!  Blergh.  Glad you got out!

and Congrats on the announcement!  Woo hoo!

To answer @2Birds1Stone 's question, I would mark my day as the one I am off payroll but I think the argument could be made either way....
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on January 25, 2019, 09:13:24 AM
Congrats @dude!

Interesting date, which begs the question to the group.

If you were going to kick off FI(RE) with a leave of absence. Would you consider your exit day as your last day before the leave begins, or when the leave ends and you are no longer on the payroll/benefits of the employer?

This is, essentially, my situation.  I'm still on target for May, but I plan to either start a consulting company or I may continue as a casual employee with Megacorp.  Casual employee status is essentially like I'm unemployed, but if they want to bring me in for a few weeks I can get an higher hourly rate but no benefits for the time I work without applying or doing any paperwork.  Because I'm at a low WDR (3.5% right now - FatFIRE, plenty to cut beyond that) I really don't need to work again.  But I'd like to keep some critical certifications active because I'm unemployable without them.  The IRP will definitely haul me in if/when I do a few days' or weeks' worth of work, but I'm claiming FIRE status the last day I'm a salaried employee.  Because most people don't know the acronym FIRE, I use the phrase "semi-retired, might do a little consulting" to describe my next phase to people.  But knowing that I really, truly, never ever need to work again barring a catastrophe - I consider myself FIREd and the IRP can issue a warrant if they want to.  I'll happily toss it in the circular file while I sip coffee in my PJs at 10am on a weekday and decide whether to read a book, go on a hike, or take off on a road trip. 

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: forward on January 25, 2019, 01:33:44 PM
Speaking of charades, the theme this week at work has been co-workers trying to help me find a job.  No one at work knows my real situation.  Because I ended up getting rolled into a Megacorp layoff, and most people don't know I was leaving anyway, people assume I'm in desperate straits.  They mean very kindly.  I say "Thanks, I'm going to take a little time to look at my options."   And the responses are along the lines of "You can afford to do that?  Good for you."

That is really awkward.  I have a former boss then co-worker that retired at 52, I've struggled twice now when his name has come up and his bipolar boss has turned the story into "I removed a non-performer", trying to deflect the fact said boss is a jerk to work for.   Fingers crossed on the charades, its so tough when you know others are being laid off and don't have the same ability

That will be me after I leave.  Boss is paranoid and can't imagine that everyone in the world doesn't want to work for them.  So for their story you are either fired for real or everyone is told that you weren't good enough to be part of the team.  Happened to the last person that left the team who retired at 66 after a cancer scare and decided lifes too short.  Now the boss routinely blames them for everything they don't like and says they weren't really part of the team.  So I'm playing the great game of charades.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: forward on January 25, 2019, 01:35:29 PM
Oh yeah, and by the way, I officially filed for retirement yesterday, effective May 31 . . .

dude.  duuude!

Thats awesome.  Way to go-congratulations!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 26, 2019, 01:59:47 AM
2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19     Bingeworker (52)   CONFIRMED
01/31/19     Trifele (51)
02/01/19     Cycling Stache (44)
02/08/19     Socmonkey (37)
02/13/19     SeanTash
02/25/19     MaybeBabyMustache
02/??/19     zinnie  (35)
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/19/19     ChasesFish (36)
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor  (50)     
03/??/19     Edgema
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     BlindSquirrel
03/31/19     Loren Ver (36)
03/31/19     Mr. Ver (39)
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/01/19     Ryder (39)
04/19/19     Eric
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
04/??/19     PowerStache (43)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)                   
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/31/19     dude   
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/30/19     Pylortes  (42)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/??/19     Keeks
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)
08/01/19     SugarMountain
09/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
09/??/19     dayzero
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
August
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer
MustacheAnxiety
forward

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
Linda_Norway (45)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on January 26, 2019, 09:36:46 AM
Speaking of charades, the theme this week at work has been co-workers trying to help me find a job.  No one at work knows my real situation.  Because I ended up getting rolled into a Megacorp layoff, and most people don't know I was leaving anyway, people assume I'm in desperate straits.  They mean very kindly.  I say "Thanks, I'm going to take a little time to look at my options."   And the responses are along the lines of "You can afford to do that?  Good for you."

That is really awkward.  I have a former boss then co-worker that retired at 52, I've struggled twice now when his name has come up and his bipolar boss has turned the story into "I removed a non-performer", trying to deflect the fact said boss is a jerk to work for.   Fingers crossed on the charades, its so tough when you know others are being laid off and don't have the same ability

That will be me after I leave.  Boss is paranoid and can't imagine that everyone in the world doesn't want to work for them.  So for their story you are either fired for real or everyone is told that you weren't good enough to be part of the team.  Happened to the last person that left the team who retired at 66 after a cancer scare and decided lifes too short.  Now the boss routinely blames them for everything they don't like and says they weren't really part of the team.  So I'm playing the great game of charades.

That is terrible.  There is no reason to rack someones reputation through the mud just because they decided to do something different. It really makes me thankful for where I work, with adults, that act like rational adults....
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on January 26, 2019, 09:55:11 AM
@Lews Therin, I like it! Especially since for those LoA weeks, I'll be on the state PFL insurance payroll, not my employers =)

@Loren Ver, psychologically I like committing to the earlier date, since the leave may get extended indefinitely.

So whenever @Trifele updates the list again, ya'll can put me down for 7/1.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 26, 2019, 10:20:08 AM
So whenever @Trifele updates the list again, ya'll can put me down for 7/1.

You got it.  Only five months to go for you!


2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19     Bingeworker (52)   CONFIRMED
01/31/19     Trifele (51)
02/01/19     Cycling Stache (44)
02/08/19     Socmonkey (37)
02/13/19     SeanTash
02/??/19     zinnie  (35)
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/19/19     ChasesFish (36)
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor  (50)     
03/??/19     Edgema
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     BlindSquirrel
03/31/19     Loren Ver (36)
03/31/19     Mr. Ver (39)
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/01/19     Ryder (39)
04/04/19     PowerStache (43)
04/19/19     Eric
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)                   
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/31/19     dude
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/??/19     MaybeBabyMustache   
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/30/19     Pylortes  (42)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/??/19     Keeks
07/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)
08/01/19     SugarMountain
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
09/??/19     dayzero
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
August
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer
MustacheAnxiety
forward

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
Linda_Norway (45)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on January 26, 2019, 05:50:44 PM
It is good to have a plan @2Birds1Stone :D.

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PowerStache on January 26, 2019, 06:11:54 PM
My company has put out our bonus distribution date so I now have a Fire date of April 4th 2019!  I turned in my retirement letter to my boss on Friday.  I like my job and co-workers for the most part so  I am sad that I won’t be seeing some everyday. I have been lucky to work with one of my closest friends for the last 20 years. 

Thank you to everyone sharing their experiences on leaving their employers. I think it help those that come next to be prepared for the various reactions. 

I have not been able to sleep well.  I think I am very emotionally charged from this transition...excited, nervous and a little sad.  DH has been so supportive through this.  I think he is excited for a change too.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 27, 2019, 03:19:36 AM
My company has put out our bonus distribution date so I now have a Fire date of April 4th 2019!  I turned in my retirement letter to my boss on Friday.  I like my job and co-workers for the most part so  I am sad that I won’t be seeing some everyday. I have been lucky to work with one of my closest friends for the last 20 years. 

Thank you to everyone sharing their experiences on leaving their employers. I think it help those that come next to be prepared for the various reactions. 

I have not been able to sleep well.  I think I am very emotionally charged from this transition...excited, nervous and a little sad.  DH has been so supportive through this.  I think he is excited for a change too.

Got you updated @PowerStache.  Congrats on turning in your resignation!
 
FIREing packs a powerful emotional punch, that's for sure.  Does your close friend at work know your situation? 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PowerStache on January 27, 2019, 05:59:55 AM
@Trifele Yes, my friend is aware. I have been lucky so far that everyone is happy for me.  So you are going into your last few days next week! Is all the work turnover complete or is there a lot to do?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on January 27, 2019, 06:54:29 AM
154 Days to go!

If the market doesn't tank by Thursday, and no large unexpected expenses pop up, my trailing 12 month expenses will be covered at 4% withdrawal rate. I'm cheating a bit because I'm counting my cars used value, but it's still an exciting moment =)

While that seems like a long time, there is a lot to plan and downsize before embarking on this adventure. First of all, I'll need to sell the car.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on January 27, 2019, 08:43:14 AM
154 Days to go!

If the market doesn't tank by Thursday, and no large unexpected expenses pop up, my trailing 12 month expenses will be covered at 4% withdrawal rate. I'm cheating a bit because I'm counting my cars used value, but it's still an exciting moment =)

While that seems like a long time, there is a lot to plan and downsize before embarking on this adventure. First of all, I'll need to sell the car.

Good luck. Selling your car is easy. Just don't count on getting a lot of money for it. I have always been a bit disappointed about the price when selling privately. Selling to a car sales company pays even less.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 27, 2019, 08:49:05 AM
@Trifele So you are going into your last few days next week! Is all the work turnover complete or is there a lot to do?

The work turnover is still in process -- most of the people being laid off are still around, working until 1/31. :(   So it's incredibly awkward in the office these last few days . . . I feel really bad for my coworkers, but over-the-moon-happy for myself.  Lots of mixed feelings, among them feeling so grateful that I'm in this position.

I am so excited for Thursday!!!!!  I can hardly believe it's almost here. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on January 27, 2019, 04:40:43 PM
@Trifele So you are going into your last few days next week! Is all the work turnover complete or is there a lot to do?

The work turnover is still in process -- most of the people being laid off are still around, working until 1/31. :(   So it's incredibly awkward in the office these last few days . . . I feel really bad for my coworkers, but over-the-moon-happy for myself.  Lots of mixed feelings, among them feeling so grateful that I'm in this position.

I am so excited for Thursday!!!!!  I can hardly believe it's almost here.

Congratulations!  It has to be difficult dealing with the layoffs and mixed emotions that brings into the mix.  I suspect you're not able to celebrate with people at work who are in a completely different position regarding the layoff, but we'll celebrate with you!  You've earned it. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 28, 2019, 02:41:51 AM
@Trifele So you are going into your last few days next week! Is all the work turnover complete or is there a lot to do?

The work turnover is still in process -- most of the people being laid off are still around, working until 1/31. :(   So it's incredibly awkward in the office these last few days . . . I feel really bad for my coworkers, but over-the-moon-happy for myself.  Lots of mixed feelings, among them feeling so grateful that I'm in this position.

I am so excited for Thursday!!!!!  I can hardly believe it's almost here.

Congratulations!  It has to be difficult dealing with the layoffs and mixed emotions that brings into the mix.  I suspect you're not able to celebrate with people at work who are in a completely different position regarding the layoff, but we'll celebrate with you!  You've earned it.

Thank you @FIRE2020!  No one at work knows my situation.  The friends and family who do know live far away, so I am left wanting to celebrate something huge with almost no one IRL to celebrate with! 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on January 28, 2019, 02:58:46 AM
@Trifele So you are going into your last few days next week! Is all the work turnover complete or is there a lot to do?

The work turnover is still in process -- most of the people being laid off are still around, working until 1/31. :(   So it's incredibly awkward in the office these last few days . . . I feel really bad for my coworkers, but over-the-moon-happy for myself.  Lots of mixed feelings, among them feeling so grateful that I'm in this position.

I am so excited for Thursday!!!!!  I can hardly believe it's almost here.

Congratulations!  It has to be difficult dealing with the layoffs and mixed emotions that brings into the mix.  I suspect you're not able to celebrate with people at work who are in a completely different position regarding the layoff, but we'll celebrate with you!  You've earned it.

Thank you @FIRE2020!  No one at work knows my situation.  The friends and family who do know live far away, so I am left wanting to celebrate something huge with almost no one IRL to celebrate with!

I feel for you. Celebrate with us all you want. We are proud of you and happy for you!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 28, 2019, 03:14:44 AM
@Trifele So you are going into your last few days next week! Is all the work turnover complete or is there a lot to do?

The work turnover is still in process -- most of the people being laid off are still around, working until 1/31. :(   So it's incredibly awkward in the office these last few days . . . I feel really bad for my coworkers, but over-the-moon-happy for myself.  Lots of mixed feelings, among them feeling so grateful that I'm in this position.

I am so excited for Thursday!!!!!  I can hardly believe it's almost here.

Congratulations!  It has to be difficult dealing with the layoffs and mixed emotions that brings into the mix.  I suspect you're not able to celebrate with people at work who are in a completely different position regarding the layoff, but we'll celebrate with you!  You've earned it.

Thank you @FIRE2020!  No one at work knows my situation.  The friends and family who do know live far away, so I am left wanting to celebrate something huge with almost no one IRL to celebrate with!

I feel for you. Celebrate with us all you want. We are proud of you and happy for you!

Thank you Linda!  :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on January 28, 2019, 06:07:03 AM
@Trifele So you are going into your last few days next week! Is all the work turnover complete or is there a lot to do?

The work turnover is still in process -- most of the people being laid off are still around, working until 1/31. :(   So it's incredibly awkward in the office these last few days . . . I feel really bad for my coworkers, but over-the-moon-happy for myself.  Lots of mixed feelings, among them feeling so grateful that I'm in this position.

I am so excited for Thursday!!!!!  I can hardly believe it's almost here.

Congratulations!  It has to be difficult dealing with the layoffs and mixed emotions that brings into the mix.  I suspect you're not able to celebrate with people at work who are in a completely different position regarding the layoff, but we'll celebrate with you!  You've earned it.

Thank you @FIRE2020!  No one at work knows my situation.  The friends and family who do know live far away, so I am left wanting to celebrate something huge with almost no one IRL to celebrate with!

I feel for you. Celebrate with us all you want. We are proud of you and happy for you!

Thank you Linda!  :)
We clearly need a virtual retirement party for Trifele!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on January 28, 2019, 06:31:02 AM
Congrats @dude!

Interesting date, which begs the question to the group.

If you were going to kick off FI(RE) with a leave of absence. Would you consider your exit day as your last day before the leave begins, or when the leave ends and you are no longer on the payroll/benefits of the employer?

re: the date -- I hit retirement eligibility (Fed LEO) on May 7, and would call it quits on that day except for the fact that it's standard to retire on the last day of the month for continuity of pay purposes.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: forward on January 28, 2019, 09:06:36 AM
@Trifele So you are going into your last few days next week! Is all the work turnover complete or is there a lot to do?



I feel for you. Celebrate with us all you want. We are proud of you and happy for you!

Thank you Linda!  :)
We clearly need a virtual retirement party for Trifele!

Definitely!  I am in as long as we have it by Saturday.  I get to go on vacation Sunday (yay)  Not sure how I managed it and I will be somewhat concerned about the ramifications of being gone for a week, but any day away from my office is a good one :)

Only a few more days Trifele.  So excited for you!!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on January 28, 2019, 11:40:18 AM
@Trifele I'll be out on vacation your last day (and your FIRST DAY!!!!) so I wanted to make sure to congratulate you. 

Congratulations!

You have done such a good job taking care of us, don't forget to come back and tell us how it is going!

Loren
 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on January 28, 2019, 06:44:26 PM
Unless I've missed it, some of the upcoming FIREes haven't posted here in a while.  Calling @Cycling Stache , @Socmonkey , @MaybeBabyMustache , and @zinnie - Are you all on schedule?  Are you more excited or nervous?  Any changes in plans?  Do you have major plans after FIRE or are you just going to chill for a while?

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on January 28, 2019, 08:00:55 PM
I have officially filed for sabbatical (my manager & I mutually agreed upon a date, but there's a bunch of HR/paperwork stuff that needs to happen). My date is mid May. (I have to use all of my vacation days before my sabbatical kicks in, so the exact date is TBD, but looking like 5/15). I may or may not return to work after that, & my return to work date is currently scheduled for 9/8. After that, I will be FI, but based on some recent discussions my husband & I are having, I may work part time or in another role for longer. It's been lots of good conversation, & actually my husband changing his previous retirement plans. He's always wanted to work until 65 (???), and has finally come to his senses. He's 9 years older than me, so may work best if we meet in the middle, with me planning to work a few extra years, and him retiring in 7ish years or so.

My long winded explanation of: I'm still taking a sabbatical, but I'm now less clear on next steps after that.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: exit2019 on January 28, 2019, 09:19:44 PM
Getting close and still haven't really worked out healthcare since we plan to move afterward (after doing some travel) so we are very likely to do COBRA.

It's amazing how this is the one thing that is most critical.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 29, 2019, 03:48:21 AM
Thanks so much @forward and @Loren Ver!  With all you sweet people congratulating me I feel like I've already had a retirement party. :)

@exit2019 -- I feel you.  Getting health care coverage is a challenging process, and I wish it wasn't.  We're going on the Exchange to get a plan, and I hope to get my last paperwork uploaded Thursday.   One thing I learned while researching our health coverage options (COBRA vs. Exchange) was that once you go onto COBRA, you can't hop from there to an Exchange plan until Open Enrollment at the end of the year unless your out of pocket cost changes.  So for us FIREing in January, it was a choice between COBRA all year, or Exchange plan all year.  Ugh.   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 29, 2019, 04:36:00 AM
Moved @MaybeBabyMustache to May, and waiting to hear on the rest of the February folks.  Thanks for giving them a shout out @FIRE 20/20.  How are you doing @SeanTash?


2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19     Bingeworker (52)   CONFIRMED
01/31/19     Trifele (51)
02/01/19     Cycling Stache (44)
02/08/19     Socmonkey (37)
02/13/19     SeanTash
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/19/19     ChasesFish (36)
03/??/19     Miss Nancy Pryor  (50)     
03/??/19     Edgema
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     BlindSquirrel
03/31/19     Loren Ver (36)
03/31/19     Mr. Ver (39)
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/01/19     Ryder (39)
04/04/19     PowerStache (43)
04/19/19     Eric
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)
05/15/19     MaybeBabyMustache                   
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/31/19     dude   
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/30/19     Pylortes  (42)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/??/19     Keeks
07/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)
08/01/19     SugarMountain
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
09/??/19     dayzero
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
August
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer
MustacheAnxiety
forward

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
Linda_Norway (45)
 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on January 29, 2019, 06:33:43 AM
Now how the heck did I get back to Sept? ;)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: edgema on January 29, 2019, 08:09:47 AM
Haven't posted in a while and currently down for March 31st. This is already a OMY, but just like this time last year I find January is when the doubt creeps in and I see all sorts of 'sensible' reasons to carry on. This year is no different!

However, while my current job is highly paid, the business is failing (as in revenues dropped 40% last year) so the game feels increasingly up here. A pretty cushy consulting option for another business looked likely but is now unlikely to happen as of yesterday. So from having three options it seems FIRE is becoming increasingly likely. It is a weird sensation as 'keeping options open' is also an easy way to make 'no' decisions (albeit that this is actually a 'decision' to carry on).

I have done the planning, run the numbers and saved pretty hard for a long time, so I should be happy. I kind of am, but it comes with a heavy dose of distinct queasiness as the reality of turning off the money machine in 2 months becomes a reality, rather than a pretty exercise on a spreadsheet.

Most would say we are fat FIRE with over $3.5m in invested assets so many would have pulled the ripcord already, but at 42 and the sole earner, with a wife of 39 and two children of 8 and 6, with luck there is a long time ahead for us to consider. Note that I have also spent my career around financial models so also deeply skeptical about any analysis over 40 year time periods.   

The rational side of me feels we have enough and can acknowledge all the things we can do to mitigate downside scenarios. The emotional side of me is deeply scared of f**king this up, not for me frankly but for my wife and kids, and regretting not pushing on for a few more years and still being a very young 'retiree' at 45. Note it is very unlikely that I can return to my career in 5 years time.

In no way is this a 'poor me' post, and similar emotions to many who have written about / experienced FIRE, but sometimes this stuff is just ricocheting around my brain in a very non productive way!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 29, 2019, 09:06:56 AM
Now how the heck did I get back to Sept? ;)

^ Fixed you 2Birds

@edgema--  I can definitely relate to the ricocheting thoughts.  FIRE is a Big F*ing Deal, and there are so many things to think about.  If the last two years on this thread have taught me anything, it's that everyone's situation is unique and what is 'enough' to pull the trigger is hugely variable.  We all run the calculus differently. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: tooqk4u22 on January 29, 2019, 02:05:38 PM
....Note that I have also spent my career around financial models so also deeply skeptical about any analysis over 40 year time periods.   

Skeptical about 40 years?  They aren't worth much beyond a few years. 


The emotional side of me is deeply scared of f**king this up, not for me frankly but for my wife and kids, and regretting not pushing on for a few more years and still being a very young 'retiree' at 45.

I have and still do struggle with this, but sometimes enough is enough and if you got where you are you can surely make adjustments early enough so it is not completely f'ed

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on January 30, 2019, 12:22:53 AM

The emotional side of me is deeply scared of f**king this up, not for me frankly but for my wife and kids, and regretting not pushing on for a few more years and still being a very young 'retiree' at 45.

I have and still do struggle with this, but sometimes enough is enough and if you got where you are you can surely make adjustments early enough so it is not completely f'ed

Indeed, 3,5 mil is more than enough. It is 3,5 times the sum that many people consider enough to FIRE on. It is close to the Susan Orman number of 5 mil.
Most retirees says that they spend less than expected in FIRE. Have you made you spreadsheet with parameters and added a 0% growth of your stocks? Have you inserted some extra high expense during one of the years. Just run a few scenarios and look at what is realistic.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: edgema on January 30, 2019, 06:38:51 AM
Have definitely looked at downsides both through spreadsheets, as well as conducting a 'what if' style evaluation of various bad things happening. They both point to things being fine. Perhaps as a UK person, who hasn't seen the kind of equity returns seen in the US, I am not comfortable relying on the 4% rule. In part this is because I think some slightly miss the point in stating success rates at the 40 year point. I know how deeply uncomfortable it would feel to me if in 5-10 years I am meaningfully down on my stash, even if it is still one of the 'success' paths over 40. My 'rule' if you can call it that, is that I don't want to be a seller of assets this 'early' in life, so I want to earn what I want from purely income (or adjust expenses accordingly) at least for a while. I am pretty sure we are there in that regard with steady income from non-mortgaged properties making up 75% of our expected income and the remainder covered by dividends on equity investments.

We are also not highly mustachian in daily life (perhaps not at all by some peoples definition), instead just avoiding the really big 'mistakes' people make around housing, cars, using financing, business class travel and pointless luxury items like expensive clothes/watches. That said, I am not going to live a 'strict' Mustachian life and grumble if my father-in-law wants us to come to Spain to see them, or my dad wants us to come to Florida to see him (he is 80 so one posters suggestion a while back that he should just come to us is a little misguided in my view), or family/friends who now and again want their birthday at an expensive restaurant (recalling a poster who bemoaned her profligate sister organising an expensive dinner for their mum's birthday), or myself for wanting to take the family skiing (I did it growing up and loved it, still do, and love watching the kids experiencing it themselves). All power to those that do this, I just don't want to. Roll that all together, and lets just say we don't spend 25k a year! 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 31, 2019, 01:46:52 AM
Well today's the day!  After years of planning and more than two years in this thread, the Last Day is here.  I went out last night with some co-workers (last hurrah before Megacorp takeover) and it was fun.  Drank a little too much.  None of them know I'm FIREing, but because of the timing it felt like a celebration all the same. 

I'm so excited about today I couldn't sleep.  Should be a smooth day at work, other than some sad goodbyes.  Boss is taking me to lunch, and then I have my exit interview/HR meeting mid afternoon.  After that --- !!!!!!!!

I haven't heard anything yet from @Cycling Stache, so not sure yet if he is still planning on tomorrow?  Also waiting to hear from the rest of the February crew.

 

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SeanTash on January 31, 2019, 02:16:12 AM

I spent most of today researching the Iceland leg of my post FIRE RTW trip. I decided we’d hike the Laugavegur trail


HAHA small world, I've going to do that as part my big year of hiking an travelling :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SeanTash on January 31, 2019, 02:30:39 AM
I'm still on target.
The initial euphoria upon giving notice was tempered somewhat by the ridiculous amount of Handover tasks I had scheduled by my multiple bosses.
I ended up being more stressed than ever!
And unlike most of you in NA, we have to give 4 weeks notice in Australia, so it drags.
However, in a funny twist, the main guy I'm handing over to has also quit, so now it's just becoming a farce and I've stopped caring and stressing. Yay.  9 more days of work.
As befits this company, they somehow had my "exit interview" yesterday, even though I'm still around till the 13th.
They didn't seem to believe me when I said I didn't have another job, nor planned on getting one anytime soon :)


Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on January 31, 2019, 03:58:48 AM
Well today's the day!  After years of planning and more than two years in this thread, the Last Day is here.  I went out last night with some co-workers (last hurrah before Megacorp takeover) and it was fun.  Drank a little too much.  None of them know I'm FIREing, but because of the timing it felt like a celebration all the same. 

I'm so excited about today I couldn't sleep.  Should be a smooth day at work, other than some sad goodbyes.  Boss is taking me to lunch, and then I have my exit interview/HR meeting mid afternoon.  After that --- !!!!!!!!

I haven't heard anything yet from @Cycling Stache, so not sure yet if he is still planning on tomorrow?  Also waiting to hear from the rest of the February crew.

Congrats from me. I am not sure how much online I will be tomorrow.

But it sounds like your last day exists of having a little hangover, having lunch with your boss and letting people have an exit interview with you which has no influence on your future. Sounds like a cruise in the park.

You can sleep out tomorrow! (me too, but only because of PT working).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 31, 2019, 04:22:18 AM
Haha -- thanks Linda!  Yes, tomorrow will be my first morning of leisure.  I'm up for the challenge.  :)
 
I heard from Zinnie that she is out, so list updated. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MrThatsDifferent on January 31, 2019, 04:26:26 AM
Well today's the day!  After years of planning and more than two years in this thread, the Last Day is here.  I went out last night with some co-workers (last hurrah before Megacorp takeover) and it was fun.  Drank a little too much.  None of them know I'm FIREing, but because of the timing it felt like a celebration all the same. 

I'm so excited about today I couldn't sleep.  Should be a smooth day at work, other than some sad goodbyes.  Boss is taking me to lunch, and then I have my exit interview/HR meeting mid afternoon.  After that --- !!!!!!!!

I haven't heard anything yet from @Cycling Stache, so not sure yet if he is still planning on tomorrow?  Also waiting to hear from the rest of the February crew.

Congratulations! That’s wonderful! Well done!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PowerStache on January 31, 2019, 04:59:28 AM
@Trifele  - Congratulations to you!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 31, 2019, 05:19:21 AM
Thanks @MrThatsDifferent and @PowerStache!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on January 31, 2019, 07:33:37 AM
@Trifele - congrats!!

@MissNancyPryor - best ever reason to have a date for fire. ;-)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MoMan on January 31, 2019, 07:46:01 AM
Well today's the day!

WOO HOOOO!!!
So excited and happy for you Trifele!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on January 31, 2019, 08:08:51 AM
Congrats!!!

I wanted to share a small step toward FI with my cohort friends!

Upon doing my January Financial Recap........

(https://i.imgur.com/quYXpdO.png)

LeanFI!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Livingthedream55 on January 31, 2019, 08:30:48 AM
@Trifele   Many congratulations!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PowerStache on January 31, 2019, 08:56:14 AM
Impressive @2Birds1Stone

So, it has been a week since I turned in my retirement notice and I am already seeing a difference in my perspective.
-so excited that this is the last time I ever have to give people performance reviews
-I am taking days off to be with the kids and not feeling guilty
-I am not taking on any more work really, just finishing what I have on my plate (side benefit-work immediately expects less from me!)
-starting to make commitments with friends who are already retired to keep me active and social.
-starting to eat better, exercise and journal more as these are things I will expand on once retired.

Only 62 more days!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on January 31, 2019, 09:13:25 AM
@MissNancyPryor , can I kindly suggest that you consider paying for the colonoscopy out of pocket if necessary to get it done earlier.  Hanging on until July 5th is a huge price to pay....

I think it is covered under COBRA and even the  exchange, it is the idea that if they find bad stuff I can be on company paid short term leave and recuperate at 100% salary.  That is the driver on waiting and knowing I won’t have to pay for cancer right out of the gate.  Getting the booby-squeeze  before I go for the same reason.

It sounds like you have given a lot of thought to this and you understand both sides.  If you do stay through July, as it sounds like you probably will, I'd suggest training the same powers of analysis you've shown for this decision to the challenge of making the next ~5 months or so better for your mental and physical health.  There *must* be things that you can do to make work bearable if you know with near 100% certainty you're not going to be at work after July 5th.  Given the level it seems you've reached in your professional career and that you put together a plan and executed it to get to FIRE at 49/50, you clearly have what it takes to solve this problem. 
I'd still advocate for getting out early because it seems like you objectively have more than enough even if they find something, but assuming that battle is lost I suggest moving on to the next one and making your life one worth living for the next few months.  I think the only way you can lose in this scenario is to both stay in your job and not use the power FI gives you to make it manageable through your last day.  Don't look back on a wasted 4-5 months of life. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MissNancyPryor on January 31, 2019, 09:30:14 AM
If found healthy I may leap upon hearing of the next mandatory cross country trip.  That could be as early as April but would leave May 3rd to get health insurance through May.  July 5th feels like an electric fence I will only approach if things are going really well. 

I do think it will come down to a day by day for a little while in here, pushing the boundaries and keeping my sanity until I just can’t take it.  Bonus day is in March and that will also be a catalyst for something. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SpareChange on January 31, 2019, 10:10:42 AM
Congrats Trifele!! Very exciting and the culmination of lots of planning and hard work. Best to ya.


Love the graph 2birds1stone. Big mile marker passed!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on January 31, 2019, 10:50:47 AM
Well today's the day! 

(https://media.giphy.com/media/5VMNcCxVBibZK/giphy.gif)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: forward on January 31, 2019, 12:56:07 PM
Well today's the day!  After years of planning and more than two years in this thread, the Last Day is here. 

Congratulations!!! I am so happy for you and your FIRE is so well deserved.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: forward on January 31, 2019, 12:58:37 PM
Congrats!!!

I wanted to share a small step toward FI with my cohort friends!

LeanFI!

That graph is looking pretty good 2Birds, way to go.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Pylortes on January 31, 2019, 01:05:44 PM
Congratulations Trifele, that's awesome that you've made it to the finish line!  I'd love to hear more details from you on how your last day went down, and also later a summary of how you felt during the first days post retirement.  Your stories can help those of us that have months to go help make it through the doldrums (and the Polar Vortex!)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Chrissy on January 31, 2019, 01:09:33 PM
@MissNancyPryor , can I kindly suggest that you consider paying for the colonoscopy out of pocket if necessary to get it done earlier.  Hanging on until July 5th is a huge price to pay....

I think it is covered under COBRA and even the  exchange, it is the idea that if they find bad stuff I can be on company paid short term leave and recuperate at 100% salary.  That is the driver on waiting and knowing I won’t have to pay for cancer right out of the gate.  Getting the booby-squeeze  before I go for the same reason.

I get that, but doesn't that make the potential payoff for paying for the colonoscopy OOP even greater? If the results are scary you get to stop working immediately AND get paid for it! Like winning the lottery, but with the downside of cancer. But then the cancer gets caught/treated earlier, so that's good.

Your call, but if you ask me waiting just to save a few hundred bucks on the procedure when you are so miserable is penny wise pound foolish. Get it done and reward yourself by getting the F out of that miserable company ASAP. Bonus points if you can use the procedure to get out of some of the upcoming travel....

+1 to what @lhamo just said.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 31, 2019, 02:01:51 PM
Yeah!!  Crossed the finish line!  Thanks so much for the well wishes everyone!  I'm so, so happy.  :)


2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19     Bingeworker (52)        CONFIRMED
01/31/19     Trifele (51)                 CONFIRMED
02/01/19     Cycling Stache (44)
02/08/19     Socmonkey (37)
02/13/19     SeanTash
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/19/19     ChasesFish (36)
03/??/19     Miss Nancy Pryor  (50)     
03/??/19     Edgema
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     BlindSquirrel
03/31/19     Loren Ver (36)
03/31/19     Mr. Ver (39)
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/01/19     Ryder (39)
04/04/19     PowerStache (43)
04/19/19     Eric
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)
05/15/19     MaybeBabyMustache                   
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/31/19     dude   
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/30/19     Pylortes  (42)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/??/19     Keeks
07/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)
08/01/19     SugarMountain
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
09/??/19     dayzero
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
August
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer
MustacheAnxiety
forward

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
Linda_Norway (45)
 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: sui generis on January 31, 2019, 06:41:56 PM
Congratulations, @Trifele!  What a wonderful feeling!  I hope you enjoy each day and look forward to hearing an update from you when you are well into it!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on February 01, 2019, 02:09:19 AM
Way to go @Trifele !! Enjoy your first days of freedom.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on February 01, 2019, 02:41:01 AM
@Trifele Welcome to the first day of the rest of your life!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on February 01, 2019, 07:35:14 AM
w000t!

Maybe the best January since 1987 (stock returns), will get some of the 2020 folks back in here ;)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on February 01, 2019, 09:23:31 AM
Really? My accounts are still not yet at the level of Sept 2018... And I added a pile of money during the lows of Dec/Jan
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on February 02, 2019, 02:25:40 AM
Got a PM from Socmonkey that he finished up a bit early and is FIREd.  Congratulations @Socmonkey !

Waiting to hear from @Cycling Stache on his/her status.


2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19     Bingeworker (52)        CONFIRMED
01/31/19     Trifele (51)                 CONFIRMED
02/01/19     Socmonkey (37)         CONFIRMED
02/01/19     Cycling Stache (44)
02/13/19     SeanTash
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/19/19     ChasesFish (36)
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor (50)     
03/??/19     Edgema
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     BlindSquirrel
03/31/19     Loren Ver (36)
03/31/19     Mr. Ver (39)
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/01/19     Ryder (39)
04/04/19     PowerStache (43)
04/19/19     Eric
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)
05/15/19     MaybeBabyMustache                   
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/31/19     dude   
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/30/19     Pylortes  (42)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/??/19     Keeks
07/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)
08/01/19     SugarMountain
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
09/??/19     dayzero
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
August
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer
MustacheAnxiety
forward

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
Linda_Norway (45)

OP of Cohort:
@markbike528CBX -- OLY.  FIREd in 2018.
 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on February 02, 2019, 04:46:36 AM
I just posted on the 2020 thread. I am hedging my bets 😜

We are now at 93% of our revised, lower, slightly more aggressive FIRE target and will not be FIREing until we get to 100% of our new number.

FIREing in June looks unlikely. December seems probable.

We will need the markets (property and stocks) to be positive for this year to get us across the line. Savings alone won’t get us there. A bad market will see us slip into 2020.

7% does not seem so far, but like the saying goes “ the last mile in a marathon is the longest”.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on February 02, 2019, 06:58:54 AM
@Lews Therin, my investments haven't recovered to pre-correction valuations, but new contributions brought me to all time balance highs.

Then again, I had a lot less skin in the equity game than some here.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on February 02, 2019, 07:24:34 AM
@Lews Therin, my investments haven't recovered to pre-correction valuations, but new contributions brought me to all time balance highs.

Then again, I had a lot less skin in the equity game than some here.

Not quite at all-time highs yet, but getting close.  Had the largest month over month net worth gain at almost $120k last month
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Socmonkey on February 02, 2019, 04:31:58 PM
Got a PM from Socmonkey that he finished up a bit early and is FIREd.  Congratulations @Socmonkey !


Thanks, Trifele.

20 years of working as an adult and I have retired with an income of just under $2k per month with yearly CPI adjustments and independent of the market.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on February 02, 2019, 07:53:32 PM
@Trifele ,
Don't forget to delegate thread building, you won't have time now that you're retired! Congratulations!
 Look what happened to me!.
    Transcontinental trip in a small car, with at least one "culturally enlightening experience" per day.
    Lots of pool and river floating time.
    Trip to see sister's wedding.
    Bucket list item- saw Mudhoney at a random place in Europe.
    No job, no problem! -Able to drop everything and go hang out with my Dad during his surgery and recovery.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on February 03, 2019, 02:33:47 AM
@Trifele ,
Don't forget to delegate thread building, you won't have time now that you're retired! Congratulations!
 Look what happened to me!.
    Transcontinental trip in a small car, with at least one "culturally enlightening experience" per day.
    Lots of pool and river floating time.
    Trip to see sister's wedding.
    Bucket list item- saw Mudhoney at a random place in Europe.
    No job, no problem! -Able to drop everything and go hang out with my Dad during his surgery and recovery.

That is fantastic Mark!  So happy for you.  Yes I can already see it starting -- I've been far busier the last two days than I normally am.   And I've been walking around with a silly grin on my face the whole time.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: August on February 03, 2019, 01:52:18 PM
Hello there.

I'm done with full-time jobs, my final work day was Feb 1st.  (at age 54)  This coming week is going to be a bit.. surreal.

More details to come if anyone wants them.  I'm not calling myself "retired" exactly.  I still plan to work on things I enjoy and try to earn money from them, but just not within a corporate job environment.  I plan to start with some decompression time, then doing a lot of reading and learning new things.  After that I'll work on my hobbies that earn money, trying to expand them into a low-key business.

Honestly I don't have a definite plan and will be winging it for a while.  The only thing I know for sure is I'm no longer going to be in a gray cubicle.

August
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on February 03, 2019, 05:00:21 PM
Whoa @August!  From TBD to Stealth FIRE -- awesome.  Congratulations!

2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19     Bingeworker (52)        CONFIRMED
01/31/19     Trifele (51)                 CONFIRMED
02/01/19     Socmonkey (37)         CONFIRMED
02/01/19     August (54)                CONFIRMED
02/01/19     Cycling Stache (44)
02/13/19     SeanTash
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/19/19     ChasesFish (36)
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor (50)     
03/??/19     Edgema
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     BlindSquirrel
03/31/19     Loren Ver (36)
03/31/19     Mr. Ver (39)
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/01/19     Ryder (39)
04/04/19     PowerStache (43)
04/19/19     Eric
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)
05/15/19     MaybeBabyMustache                   
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/31/19     dude   
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/30/19     Pylortes  (42)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/??/19     Keeks
07/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)
08/01/19     SugarMountain
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
09/??/19     dayzero
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer
MustacheAnxiety
forward

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
Linda_Norway (45)

OP of Cohort:
@markbike528CBX -- OLY.  FIREd in 2018.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Padonak on February 03, 2019, 05:08:04 PM
Just posting to follow for now.

No definite plans so no need to add me to the list right now, but I might join you guys. Will decide later this year.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Keeks on February 04, 2019, 08:00:15 AM
Looks like last week was a big FIRE week.  You can add my name to the list!  Feb 1, age 42.

In December, I shared with you guys the plan for me to FIRE in July 2019.  Literally hours after I posted that, I heard we were doing a huge layoff and that I was likely at risk.  I got “the call” on Friday letting me know that I would be laid off.

I’m feeling how @Trifele described over the last few weeks—coworkers calling to commiserate, wish each other luck, etc…and while I wish I could have controlled my exit, I’m so close to my planned date that it’s really not a big deal for me.  I just don’t quite know how to tell people that I’ll never have to work for significant money again.  Instead, I’m using the easy story of taking a few months off before I start looking again.

For those looking at how the first few days feel…I would say its 80% elation, 20% minor panic.  Minor panic about how precisely to structure my days (even though I already have most of that nailed down), minor panic because my number isn’t quite where I want it to be (although larger than many, and my husband still working for another approx. 18 months).  Mostly the minor panic is unfounded, but it’s part of my over-thinking personality.  Par for the course.

Underneath everything these last few days is a sense of pride.  Knowing that many years of good savings habits, and immersing myself in FIRE reading for the last 3 years is making this all possible.  Having the money, knowing how the numbers play out—it’s really such an amazing feeling. 

Gotta run—I have a busy day of cooking and learning Spanish ahead! : )
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on February 04, 2019, 09:18:55 AM
Looks like last week was a big FIRE week.  You can add my name to the list!  Feb 1, age 42.

In December, I shared with you guys the plan for me to FIRE in July 2019.  Literally hours after I posted that, I heard we were doing a huge layoff and that I was likely at risk.  I got “the call” on Friday letting me know that I would be laid off.

I’m feeling how @Trifele described over the last few weeks—coworkers calling to commiserate, wish each other luck, etc…and while I wish I could have controlled my exit, I’m so close to my planned date that it’s really not a big deal for me.  I just don’t quite know how to tell people that I’ll never have to work for significant money again.  Instead, I’m using the easy story of taking a few months off before I start looking again.

For those looking at how the first few days feel…I would say its 80% elation, 20% minor panic.  Minor panic about how precisely to structure my days (even though I already have most of that nailed down), minor panic because my number isn’t quite where I want it to be (although larger than many, and my husband still working for another approx. 18 months).  Mostly the minor panic is unfounded, but it’s part of my over-thinking personality.  Par for the course.

Underneath everything these last few days is a sense of pride.  Knowing that many years of good savings habits, and immersing myself in FIRE reading for the last 3 years is making this all possible.  Having the money, knowing how the numbers play out—it’s really such an amazing feeling. 

Gotta run—I have a busy day of cooking and learning Spanish ahead! : )

Congrats, sort of. No, you shouldn't tell your laid off colleagues that you are FI. That would hurt then too much. Will you get a decent severance?
Good luck learning Spanish.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on February 04, 2019, 10:57:17 AM
For those looking at how the first few days feel…I would say its 80% elation, 20% minor panic.  Minor panic about how precisely to structure my days (even though I already have most of that nailed down), minor panic because my number isn’t quite where I want it to be (although larger than many, and my husband still working for another approx. 18 months).  Mostly the minor panic is unfounded, but it’s part of my over-thinking personality.  Par for the course.

I'm sure the minor panic is well-founded.  That certainly doesn't imply that you're not prepared, but this is a major life change so of course it's somewhat unnerving.  ¡Felicidades!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on February 04, 2019, 11:41:11 AM
Marking @Keeks confirmed.  Congratulations Keeks!!!


2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19     Bingeworker (52)        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     Cycling Stache (44)
02/13/19     SeanTash
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/19/19     ChasesFish (36)
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor (50)     
03/??/19     Edgema
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     BlindSquirrel
03/31/19     Loren Ver (36)
03/31/19     Mr. Ver (39)
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/01/19     Ryder (39)
04/04/19     PowerStache (43)
04/19/19     Eric
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)
05/15/19     MaybeBabyMustache                   
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/31/19     dude   
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/30/19     Pylortes  (42)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)
08/01/19     SugarMountain
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
09/??/19     dayzero
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer
MustacheAnxiety
forward

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
Linda_Norway (45)

1LY, 2LY:
6/1/18      markbike528CBX (53.5) Thread OP
11/02/18  TartanTallulah (at 54) CONFIRMED
10/05/18  cerat0n1a CONFIRMED
11/30/18  elaine amj CONFIRMED
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on February 04, 2019, 01:39:34 PM

2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19     Bingeworker (52)        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     Cycling Stache (44)
02/13/19     SeanTash
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/19/19     ChasesFish (36)
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor (50)     
03/??/19     Edgema
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     BlindSquirrel
03/31/19     Loren Ver (36)
03/31/19     Mr. Ver (39)
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/01/19     Ryder (39)
04/04/19     PowerStache (43)
04/19/19     Eric
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)
05/15/19     MaybeBabyMustache                   
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/31/19     dude   
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/30/19     Pylortes  (42)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)
08/01/19     SugarMountain
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
09/??/19     dayzero
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer
MustacheAnxiety
forward

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
Linda_Norway (45)

OLY -or more
6/1/18      markbike528CBX (53.5) Thread OP
11/02/18  TartanTallulah (at 54) CONFIRMED
10/05/18  cerat0n1a CONFIRMED
11/30/18  elaine amj CONFIRMED

Deleted the @ by my name- got mention hits every time the list was updated.  Everything is in Trifele's post to keep copy/paste simpler.
Added OLY people by comparing the Dec 17th 2017 list to the 2018 Cohort Final list.
As I get to it I might find TLY or more people by searching earlier in the 2019 postings. 
Seems like a lot of work, and I'm retired :-)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Keeks on February 04, 2019, 02:46:24 PM
@Linda_Norway Yes, I got a severance--it's as good as I would have expected having only been at this company for 5 years.  Between severance, vacation payout, etc it is definitely a nice chunk of money!

And as a follow up, while I was freaking out this morning, I had an awesome RE day so no more freaking out.  (Tomorrow is another day! :)  )  Also, fun new fact...people are REALLY nice at the grocery story at 9am on a Monday.  Who knew?!?

Thanks all for the congrats!  Because I didn't plan it to happen last week, its pretty surreal.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on February 04, 2019, 02:52:14 PM

Deleted the @ by my name- got mention hits every time the list was updated.  Everything is in Trifele's post to keep copy/paste simpler.
Added OLY people by comparing the Dec 17th 2017 list to the 2018 Cohort Final list.
As I get to it I might find TLY or more people by searching earlier in the 2019 postings. 
Seems like a lot of work, and I'm retired :-)

Got it fixed in my list as well, thanks Mark! 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on February 04, 2019, 07:57:16 PM
.....Snip......
Also, fun new fact...people are REALLY nice at the grocery story at 9am on a Monday.  Who knew?!?

Thanks all for the congrats!  Because I didn't plan it to happen last week, its pretty surreal.

Even for those who have planned FIRE to the exact date etc. it is still surreal that first "day off".
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on February 05, 2019, 04:31:22 AM
.....Snip......
Also, fun new fact...people are REALLY nice at the grocery story at 9am on a Monday.  Who knew?!?

Thanks all for the congrats!  Because I didn't plan it to happen last week, its pretty surreal.

Even for those who have planned FIRE to the exact date etc. it is still surreal that first "day off".

Yes it sure is.  Monday at 10 a.m. I went to the Y to check it out (thinking of joining).  It was wonderful -- a bunch of relaxed, nice people working out.  Surreal . . . and fantastic. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on February 05, 2019, 06:12:25 AM
.....Snip......
Also, fun new fact...people are REALLY nice at the grocery story at 9am on a Monday.  Who knew?!?

Thanks all for the congrats!  Because I didn't plan it to happen last week, its pretty surreal.

Even for those who have planned FIRE to the exact date etc. it is still surreal that first "day off".

Yes it sure is.  Monday at 10 a.m. I went to the Y to check it out (thinking of joining).  It was wonderful -- a bunch of relaxed, nice people working out.  Surreal . . . and fantastic.

The Y...such a laid back place here too.

I've even wondered in my retirement budget can I get to know them and be an "on-call" employee in exchange for a free membership.  Agree to work four hours or so a month
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on February 05, 2019, 08:20:57 AM

Deleted the @ by my name- got mention hits every time the list was updated.  Everything is in Trifele's post to keep copy/paste simpler.
Added OLY people by comparing the Dec 17th 2017 list to the 2018 Cohort Final list.
As I get to it I might find TLY or more people by searching earlier in the 2019 postings. 
Seems like a lot of work, and I'm retired :-)

Got it fixed in my list as well, thanks Mark!
The OLY list as it stood in late Nov (before it got dropped) was:
markbike528cbx  (55)      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 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on February 05, 2019, 08:31:08 AM
2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19     Bingeworker (52)        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     Cycling Stache (44)
02/13/19     SeanTash
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/19/19     ChasesFish (36)
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor (50)     
03/??/19     Edgema
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     BlindSquirrel
03/31/19     Loren Ver (36)
03/31/19     Mr. Ver (39)
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/01/19     Ryder (39)
04/04/19     PowerStache (43)
04/19/19     Eric
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)
05/15/19     MaybeBabyMustache                   
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/31/19     dude   
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/30/19     Pylortes  (42)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)
08/01/19     SugarMountain
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
09/??/19     dayzero
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer
MustacheAnxiety
forward

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
Linda_Norway (45)

OLY
markbike528cbx  (55)      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 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on February 05, 2019, 09:41:07 AM
Bump me back to 19 December.

This may change again but is the most likely date as of today.

Cheers

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on February 06, 2019, 04:29:49 AM
Moving @itchyfeet to December.  Haven't heard anything yet from @Cycling Stache. 


2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19     Bingeworker (52)        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     Cycling Stache (44)
02/13/19     SeanTash
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/19/19     ChasesFish (36)
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor (50)     
03/??/19     Edgema
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     BlindSquirrel
03/31/19     Loren Ver (36)
03/31/19     Mr. Ver (39)
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/01/19     Ryder (39)
04/04/19     PowerStache (43)
04/19/19     Eric
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)
05/15/19     MaybeBabyMustache                   
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/31/19     dude   
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/30/19     Pylortes  (42)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)
08/01/19     SugarMountain
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
09/??/19     dayzero
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/19/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer
MustacheAnxiety
forward

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
Linda_Norway (45)

OLY
markbike528cbx  (55)      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
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on February 06, 2019, 05:38:15 AM
Market update:  $14k away from my all-time high net worth.  With the recent bounce back I should be above the target number when I walk away next month

December was still a nice scare
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cookie78 on February 06, 2019, 07:13:03 PM
That's it! Throwing my name on this list for October.

I've been waffling back and forth for awhile, but tonight I just need the F out. I was aiming for 2017, but took a 1 year leave instead. Went back to work mid-late 2018 and have been hating it passionately since then, despite enjoying my coworkers, supervisors, and the actual work for the most part. I just hate being 'stuck' there and it's getting harder and harder to look like I give a fuck.

Financially I'm fine to leave now, the catch is that I need to sell two houses first and the market has been shit for a few years. My realtor/friend said (two years ago) I should wait until things pick up, but I'm done waiting. I'd rather FIRE with not quite enough and pick up occasional work here and there than stay where I'm at for an extra who-knows-how-long until real estate market turns around. I have way too many adventures to go do that I can't fit into 4 week vacations, and I'm not getting any younger.

So, step 1: Sell rental house. Just got the roof replaced last week. Painted exterior last summer. Need to chat with my realtor and figure out what to do next. February isn't the best time to list. Maybe March or April. Maybe there will be a warm enough day before then to touch up some trim paint.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on February 07, 2019, 01:25:41 AM
That's it! Throwing my name on this list for October.

I've been waffling back and forth for awhile, but tonight I just need the F out. I was aiming for 2017, but took a 1 year leave instead. Went back to work mid-late 2018 and have been hating it passionately since then, despite enjoying my coworkers, supervisors, and the actual work for the most part. I just hate being 'stuck' there and it's getting harder and harder to look like I give a fuck.

Financially I'm fine to leave now, the catch is that I need to sell two houses first and the market has been shit for a few years. My realtor/friend said (two years ago) I should wait until things pick up, but I'm done waiting. I'd rather FIRE with not quite enough and pick up occasional work here and there than stay where I'm at for an extra who-knows-how-long until real estate market turns around. I have way too many adventures to go do that I can't fit into 4 week vacations, and I'm not getting any younger.

So, step 1: Sell rental house. Just got the roof replaced last week. Painted exterior last summer. Need to chat with my realtor and figure out what to do next. February isn't the best time to list. Maybe March or April. Maybe there will be a warm enough day before then to touch up some trim paint.

A tough decision. Do you really need to sell the rental? Or do you want to move to another part of the country where you can't take care of it yourself?
I understand really well that you don't want to wait for a market repair. That might take years or not come at all, back to the old level. If you sell for a shitty price, then maybe the next house you purchase also has a lower price.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on February 07, 2019, 03:53:20 AM
Welcome @Cookie78 !  Got you down for October.

2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19     Bingeworker (52)        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     Cycling Stache (44)
02/13/19     SeanTash
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/19/19     ChasesFish (36)
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor (50)     
03/??/19     Edgema
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     BlindSquirrel
03/31/19     Loren Ver (36)
03/31/19     Mr. Ver (39)
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/01/19     Ryder (39)
04/04/19     PowerStache (43)
04/19/19     Eric
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)
05/15/19     MaybeBabyMustache                   
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/31/19     dude   
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/30/19     Pylortes  (42)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)
08/01/19     SugarMountain
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
09/??/19     dayzero
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
10/??/19     Cookie78
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/19/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer
MustacheAnxiety
forward

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
Linda_Norway (45)

OLY
markbike528cbx  (55)      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
Modify message
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on February 07, 2019, 07:46:58 AM
Welcome @Cookie78 !  Got you down for October.

2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19     Bingeworker (52)        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     Cycling Stache (44)
02/13/19     SeanTash
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/19/19     ChasesFish (36)
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor (50)     
03/??/19     Edgema
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     BlindSquirrel
03/31/19     Loren Ver (36)
03/31/19     Mr. Ver (39)
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/01/19     Ryder (39)
04/04/19     PowerStache (43)
04/19/19     Eric
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)
05/15/19     MaybeBabyMustache                   
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/31/19     dude   
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/30/19     Pylortes  (42)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)
08/01/19     SugarMountain
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
09/??/19     dayzero
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
10/??/19     Cookie78
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/19/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer
MustacheAnxiety
forward

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
Linda_Norway (45)

OLY
markbike528cbx  (55)      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
Modify message

You can CONFIRM me for 5/31. Paperwork done been filed and that's all she wrote.

I have a fair amount of leave to use between now and then, such that in addition to a planned week off in Feb, and a planned week off in April, I can take one day off a week between now and May, take the last two weeks of May off, and still have @10 days to play with. So I'm really only looking at like @30 days of actual work left between now and retirement . . .
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on February 07, 2019, 08:11:10 AM
Congrats on confirming your date Dude!  (Since we've started the convention of waiting until the date has passed to "CONFIRM", I'll mark you "Date Confirmed" like Cornbread until the 31st.)  Only 30 more work days left -- wow!   


2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19     Bingeworker (52)        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     Cycling Stache (44)
02/13/19     SeanTash
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/19/19     ChasesFish (36)
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor (50)     
03/??/19     Edgema
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     BlindSquirrel
03/31/19     Loren Ver (36)
03/31/19     Mr. Ver (39)
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/01/19     Ryder (39)
04/04/19     PowerStache (43)
04/19/19     Eric
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)
05/15/19     MaybeBabyMustache                   
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/31/19     dude                              Date Confirmed
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/30/19     Pylortes  (42)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)
08/01/19     SugarMountain
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
09/??/19     dayzero
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
10/??/19     Cookie78
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/19/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer
MustacheAnxiety
forward

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
Linda_Norway (45)

OLY
markbike528cbx  (55)      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
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cookie78 on February 07, 2019, 08:32:23 AM
That's it! Throwing my name on this list for October.

I've been waffling back and forth for awhile, but tonight I just need the F out. I was aiming for 2017, but took a 1 year leave instead. Went back to work mid-late 2018 and have been hating it passionately since then, despite enjoying my coworkers, supervisors, and the actual work for the most part. I just hate being 'stuck' there and it's getting harder and harder to look like I give a fuck.

Financially I'm fine to leave now, the catch is that I need to sell two houses first and the market has been shit for a few years. My realtor/friend said (two years ago) I should wait until things pick up, but I'm done waiting. I'd rather FIRE with not quite enough and pick up occasional work here and there than stay where I'm at for an extra who-knows-how-long until real estate market turns around. I have way too many adventures to go do that I can't fit into 4 week vacations, and I'm not getting any younger.

So, step 1: Sell rental house. Just got the roof replaced last week. Painted exterior last summer. Need to chat with my realtor and figure out what to do next. February isn't the best time to list. Maybe March or April. Maybe there will be a warm enough day before then to touch up some trim paint.

A tough decision. Do you really need to sell the rental? Or do you want to move to another part of the country where you can't take care of it yourself?
I understand really well that you don't want to wait for a market repair. That might take years or not come at all, back to the old level. If you sell for a shitty price, then maybe the next house you purchase also has a lower price.

I don't NEED to technically. I would feel a little precarious in FIRE if I kept the houses, but I could manage provided there were no multiple-disasters-in-a-row situations. But I don't WANT to. I'm tired of being responsible for them and I desire some geographic flexibility. The adventures I want to do involve being out of cell phone range for weeks or months at a time, and I don't plan on spending very much time in my current city, if any. I also do not plan on buying any other houses for at least 10 years. I've had poor luck with management companies in the past, so I don't think that's an option for me at this time. At this point I just want to be rid of them and I'm not even concerned about the price. Working, and investing, for an extra year (until October) should easily make up the difference in price I'd get by waiting until the market picks up.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on February 07, 2019, 10:45:43 AM
Just a friendly suggestion, but maybe we keep an updated list on the first page of this thread, lest this entire thread becomes a constant re-post of the same list, and the conversation gets lost.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on February 07, 2019, 11:15:44 AM
Well, well, well....

I mentioned a few months ago that there were some whisperings in MegaCorp of me being offered a big promotion, and I wasn’t sure how I’d react given my FIRE plans... Maybe it was or wasn’t on this thread, but the conclusion I came to was that if I accepted such a job it would purely be driven by some deep need to have my ego stroked.

Taking such a job makes no logical sense as I don’t need the money, nor the stress, nor the lack of freedom, but (sadly) seemingly I might like being appreciated more than is good for me. 😬. 

I suppose I do like adventures, and a big job in another foreign city fills this desire. So there is that.

At the time I posted on this matter the timing of any of this was unclear. It seemed to me to be more of a medium term plan for MegaCorp. Just another HR succession plan. Unlikely to become a real consideration before FIRE.... the location was also completely unknown. It really could have been anywhere in the world.

So with all that background out of the way....... today out of the blue I got the summons to fly to the Glass Tower to meet with the Grand Poobah on the top floor with the nice views of the city, to discuss the possibility of me moving to our London office. I will fly to HQ in one week.

I didn’t say “no” on the phone today, and was only talking with HR anyways, but played keen and wanted to talk to DW first.

DW surprised me as she said she is was quite keen to live in London for a few years, amd wouldn’t have any issue with me taking the job, so it seems I am going to see this interview through amd will see where it leads.

I don’t believe I am the only candidate under consideration. But, rather one on a very short list of internal candidates only.

I am really not sure what I am doing at this point, but will keep my options open for now.

DW and I decided that if the role is offered to me from this summer I’d take it and we’d move to London.  If it’s not happening until summer 2020 then we’d stick with our FIRE plans.... and if I don’t get the role, then that’s perfect too. Back to Plan A. All will be revealed in the coming month....
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on February 07, 2019, 12:11:43 PM
Just a friendly suggestion, but maybe we keep an updated list on the first page of this thread, lest this entire thread becomes a constant re-post of the same list, and the conversation gets lost.

Or simply do it monthly!

First page would require OP to do it. Or someone on the first page.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on February 07, 2019, 01:46:43 PM
Just a friendly suggestion, but maybe we keep an updated list on the first page of this thread, lest this entire thread becomes a constant re-post of the same list, and the conversation gets lost.

OP here,  I can put it on the first page, where no one. will look at it.
Or we can recent updates clearly laid out as they happen:  Short form:

UPDATE for LIST: 
1/1/2019 So and so (999), CONFIRMED
1/1/2019 Methuselah (992) CONFIRMED
6/6/2019 Satan (666, of course) confirmed date

When I was more active in the list (thanks Trifele for picking up the ball!), I tried to update the list no more often than once per page, but then it was hard to go back and find the updated people in the previous parts of the thread.  Often FIRE announcements are buried in the text.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Half Stached on February 07, 2019, 02:54:55 PM
I'll admit - I enjoy seeing our list slowly get filled in over the year. Watching the 2018 thread get filled in kept up my motivation last year!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on February 07, 2019, 03:41:15 PM
I like seeing the list get filled in too.  How about -- we just update the list when someone actually FIREs?  That would be less often, and wouldn't interfere as much with the conversation.  If someone is adding themselves to the list or changing their date, we can do those changes on the most recent list without re-posting a new one. 




Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on February 07, 2019, 04:50:33 PM
I love that idea @Trifele
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Half Stached on February 07, 2019, 04:57:18 PM
Sounds great!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on February 08, 2019, 02:39:07 PM
I like seeing the list get filled in too.  How about -- we just update the list when someone actually FIREs?  That would be less often, and wouldn't interfere as much with the conversation.  If someone is adding themselves to the list or changing their date, we can do those changes on the most recent list without re-posting a new one.

Considering you're basically the Keeper Of The List, I'm sure we'll all agree to whatever you want.  :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on February 08, 2019, 02:41:41 PM
I'm headed off for a 2 week vacation on Sunday.  This could be my last vacation for a decade or more!  (considering I'm traveling in retirement, so then it's just "life")  And then when I get back, I will submit my (~7 week) notice shortly after.  It's all moving at breakneck speed.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: oldtoyota on February 08, 2019, 09:43:56 PM
I'm headed off for a 2 week vacation on Sunday.  This could be my last vacation for a decade or more!  (considering I'm traveling in retirement, so then it's just "life")  And then when I get back, I will submit my (~7 week) notice shortly after.  It's all moving at breakneck speed.

That's exciting!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on February 09, 2019, 05:40:09 AM
I'm headed off for a 2 week vacation on Sunday.  This could be my last vacation for a decade or more!  (considering I'm traveling in retirement, so then it's just "life")  And then when I get back, I will submit my (~7 week) notice shortly after.  It's all moving at breakneck speed.

@Eric and I must have similar plans.  Head off for a near two week vacation shortly.   Five weeks left at work becomes three.

This is the BEST advice I've gotten.  To anyone else on this thread, strongly consider taking a long vacation before you turn in your notice.  At times its overwhelming thinking about what I'm about to do.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on February 09, 2019, 06:05:51 AM
Shit, I would love to do this. Vacation before my LoA would be icing on the cake.

It's hard to get vacation approved at quarter end -_-
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on February 09, 2019, 10:29:11 AM
I'm headed off for a 2 week vacation on Sunday.  This could be my last vacation for a decade or more!  (considering I'm traveling in retirement, so then it's just "life")  And then when I get back, I will submit my (~7 week) notice shortly after.  It's all moving at breakneck speed.

@Eric and I must have similar plans.  Head off for a near two week vacation shortly.   Five weeks left at work becomes three.

This is the BEST advice I've gotten.  To anyone else on this thread, strongly consider taking a long vacation before you turn in your notice.  At times its overwhelming thinking about what I'm about to do.

I'll be in Hong Kong and Vietnam.  See you there?  lol

But yeah, this will be a nice break before the "lightning round". 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on February 09, 2019, 11:16:37 PM
I'm headed off for a 2 week vacation on Sunday.  This could be my last vacation for a decade or more!  (considering I'm traveling in retirement, so then it's just "life")  And then when I get back, I will submit my (~7 week) notice shortly after.  It's all moving at breakneck speed.

@Eric and I must have similar plans.  Head off for a near two week vacation shortly.   Five weeks left at work becomes three.

This is the BEST advice I've gotten.  To anyone else on this thread, strongly consider taking a long vacation before you turn in your notice.  At times its overwhelming thinking about what I'm about to do.

Here in Norway we have a 3 month notice period. I plan to take a long vacation during that notice period, just like a co-worker recently did. Just to make the period feel shorter. Maybe just at the end of the 3 months.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on February 10, 2019, 03:36:38 AM
I'm headed off for a 2 week vacation on Sunday.  This could be my last vacation for a decade or more!  (considering I'm traveling in retirement, so then it's just "life")  And then when I get back, I will submit my (~7 week) notice shortly after.  It's all moving at breakneck speed.

@Eric and I must have similar plans.  Head off for a near two week vacation shortly.   Five weeks left at work becomes three.

This is the BEST advice I've gotten.  To anyone else on this thread, strongly consider taking a long vacation before you turn in your notice.  At times its overwhelming thinking about what I'm about to do.

Here in Norway we have a 3 month notice period. I plan to take a long vacation during that notice period, just like a co-worker recently did. Just to make the period feel shorter. Maybe just at the end of the 3 months.

That is very civilized, that they let you take vacation during your notice period.  In the US I believe they usually don't.  My last job required 4 weeks' notice, with no vacation allowed after you give notice.

Congrats @Eric and @chasesfish -- hope you both have fabulous vacations. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on February 10, 2019, 05:02:55 AM
@Trifele - I'm not in my notice period, my job isn't that civilized.  They'll likely ask me to leave 1-2 days after I give notice and pay me for the full 30 day notice period.  This vacation is in advance of them knowing :)

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PowerStache on February 10, 2019, 07:58:05 AM
@chasesfish , it is interesting the way different companies deal with notice of leaving. I gave a little over 2 months notice to give them time to chose a replacement and complete the transfer of duties. After two weeks of notice, it looks like they are not going to hire but give my duties to another manager. So now I am getting anxious to go earlier. In the meantime I am dealing with some of the worst parts of being a manager. This week, we have had to cut work because the business isn’t making money,fire someone who was t showing up, write a performance plan for someone who isn’t pulling their weight and getting info to HR about a complaint against me.  Did I mention 53 days and
35 working days!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on February 10, 2019, 10:02:21 AM
@chasesfish , it is interesting the way different companies deal with notice of leaving. I gave a little over 2 months notice to give them time to chose a replacement and complete the transfer of duties. After two weeks of notice, it looks like they are not going to hire but give my duties to another manager. So now I am getting anxious to go earlier. In the meantime I am dealing with some of the worst parts of being a manager. This week, we have had to cut work because the business isn’t making money,fire someone who was t showing up, write a performance plan for someone who isn’t pulling their weight and getting info to HR about a complaint against me.  Did I mention 53 days and
35 working days!!

Oh wow, I feel you!   I took advantage of a window last quarter to get out of management.  They were going to reduce one but not in a RIF scenario, just a reassignment.  I saw this coming and pushed my boss for the reassignment.   I manage all of eight customers in my current role, there's not going to be much to do.

I also can't give notice earlier because they've been known to terminate quickly to get people out of long term incentive pay and bonus.  Oh well, its the culture that evolved and at least I know the game
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on February 10, 2019, 10:16:26 AM
@chasesfish , it is interesting the way different companies deal with notice of leaving. I gave a little over 2 months notice to give them time to chose a replacement and complete the transfer of duties. After two weeks of notice, it looks like they are not going to hire but give my duties to another manager. So now I am getting anxious to go earlier. In the meantime I am dealing with some of the worst parts of being a manager. This week, we have had to cut work because the business isn’t making money,fire someone who was t showing up, write a performance plan for someone who isn’t pulling their weight and getting info to HR about a complaint against me.  Did I mention 53 days and
35 working days!!

That is crummy @PowerStache.  Hang in there. 35 days will pass before you know it.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: nrvFIRE on February 10, 2019, 10:53:45 AM
Goal of 3/15/19 for me (husband, M, 33), Wife has a good job that is flexible so she will keep it for now
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on February 10, 2019, 11:41:42 AM
Goal of 3/15/19 for me (husband, M, 33), Wife has a good job that is flexible so she will keep it for now

Welcome to the forum!  That's quite a first post @nrvFIRE.  Do you want to be added to the FIRE cohort here? 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: tooqk4u22 on February 11, 2019, 10:14:51 AM
I am really struggling with conceptualizing going from high savings rate/fire hose of cash to draw down phase.  It is so much easier when say the house/car needs a major repair or something comes up with the kids and the answer is "Oh well, I just won't save as much this month".

My spending plan has all (or most) of this factored in, but psychologically its really weighing on me. 

I guess there is no way around this other than to suck it up, have confidence in the plan, and understand there is always a risk of something.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on February 11, 2019, 12:07:22 PM
took4u22:
The withdrawal part had me all beside myself before fire, post-FIRE, not nearly as much of a big deal.   
The first withdrawal was tough but afterwards, I've just lightly skipped the December dip (remember that, the end-of the world as we know it?) and withdrew my planned amount a month later.
This was after an unexpected family emergency that I had to go to the other side of the continent, paying full fare, etc.


TL;DR, Withdrawals in FIRE sound scarier than they really are.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cookie78 on February 11, 2019, 04:05:26 PM
That's it! Throwing my name on this list for October.

I've been waffling back and forth for awhile, but tonight I just need the F out. I was aiming for 2017, but took a 1 year leave instead. Went back to work mid-late 2018 and have been hating it passionately since then, despite enjoying my coworkers, supervisors, and the actual work for the most part. I just hate being 'stuck' there and it's getting harder and harder to look like I give a fuck.

Financially I'm fine to leave now, the catch is that I need to sell two houses first and the market has been shit for a few years. My realtor/friend said (two years ago) I should wait until things pick up, but I'm done waiting. I'd rather FIRE with not quite enough and pick up occasional work here and there than stay where I'm at for an extra who-knows-how-long until real estate market turns around. I have way too many adventures to go do that I can't fit into 4 week vacations, and I'm not getting any younger.

So, step 1: Sell rental house. Just got the roof replaced last week. Painted exterior last summer. Need to chat with my realtor and figure out what to do next. February isn't the best time to list. Maybe March or April. Maybe there will be a warm enough day before then to touch up some trim paint.

Had a chat with my realtor last night to get that ball rolling!

Just had a chat with my supervisor about taking another 1 year leave starting this fall. He has no problem with it, but it needs to get approval 2 more levels up. Technically I need to be back for as long as I was gone on the previous leave (1 year) until I can go again, but I'm aiming for Oct 10 now, which is 2 additional months. However, if everything falls into place (bitter funny thought considering how that is not the case at all lately) I could sell both houses and be out as early as Aug 18.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: forward on February 11, 2019, 06:32:43 PM
I am really struggling with conceptualizing going from high savings rate/fire hose of cash to draw down phase.  It is so much easier when say the house/car needs a major repair or something comes up with the kids and the answer is "Oh well, I just won't save as much this month".

My spending plan has all (or most) of this factored in, but psychologically its really weighing on me. 

I guess there is no way around this other than to suck it up, have confidence in the plan, and understand there is always a risk of something.

tooq,
I am still struggling with this too.  On my end the work environment has gotten so bad that the fear of turning off the firehose has become less than the painful work environment.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on February 13, 2019, 05:05:38 AM
Is today still the big day @SeanTash ?   May it go smoothly for you. 

Haven't heard anything from @Cycling Stache.  Looks like it's been a couple weeks since he visited the forum. 

 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on February 13, 2019, 12:45:24 PM
I just had my annual review this afternoon and told my manager that I plan to retire at the end of June. I've been looking forward to this day for some time, but as soon as I told him I felt a little sick to my stomach. Not relieved or excited, nauseated!

Is this normal?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on February 13, 2019, 01:13:39 PM
I just had my annual review this afternoon and told my manager that I plan to retire at the end of June. I've been looking forward to this day for some time, but as soon as I told him I felt a little sick to my stomach. Not relieved or excited, nauseated!

Is this normal?

I think its normal.  Giving up your professional identity isn't easy.  I have trouble getting back to sleep at 4:30am when I start thinking about it, same nauseated feeling.  Still have 30 days before I can have that conversation, damn RSUs and not trusting those above
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SeanTash on February 13, 2019, 01:59:34 PM
Is today still the big day @SeanTash ?   May it go smoothly for you. 
 
Indeed it is - mark me CONFIRMED!

Last day was all a big surreal. It did go pretty smoothly, apart from a nagging voice in my head saying "you could do this a bit longer, it's not THAT bad, you should top up your stash" !

Like many, I struggle with telling co-workers I'm probably not working in this career ever again (though even in 'retirement' I do plan to do some kind of paid employment along the way, just on my terms)

This morning was my first weekday with no alarm set in a loooong time - yay :)


Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on February 13, 2019, 02:02:22 PM
Thank you chasesfish, that makes sense. He gave me all this nice feedback about my work, nice raise, nice bonus, made me second guess my decision. I'm sure I'll get over it soon enough
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on February 13, 2019, 05:04:04 PM
Is today still the big day @SeanTash ?   May it go smoothly for you. 
 
Indeed it is - mark me CONFIRMED!
Last day was all a big surreal. It did go pretty smoothly, apart from a nagging voice in my head saying "you could do this a bit longer, it's not THAT bad, you should top up your stash" !


Congratulations @SeanTash!!   Ignore that nagging voice, and enjoy sleeping in tomorrow!


2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19     Bingeworker (52)        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   
02/13/19     SeanTash                   CONFIRMED
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/19/19     ChasesFish (36)
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor (50)     
03/??/19     Edgema
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     BlindSquirrel
03/31/19     Loren Ver (36)
03/31/19     Mr. Ver (39)
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/01/19     Ryder (39)
04/04/19     PowerStache (43)
04/19/19     Eric
04/26/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)
05/15/19     MaybeBabyMustache                   
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/31/19     dude                              Date Confirmed
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/15/19     Okonomiyaki (49)
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/30/19     Pylortes  (42)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
07/05/19     StoaX (58)
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)
08/01/19     SugarMountain
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
09/??/19     dayzero
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
10/??/19     Cookie78
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/19/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer
MustacheAnxiety
forward
Cycling Stache (44)

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
Linda_Norway (45)
CryingInThePool  (44)

OLY
markbike528cbx  (55)      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
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on February 13, 2019, 09:39:17 PM
I am really struggling with conceptualizing going from high savings rate/fire hose of cash to draw down phase.  It is so much easier when say the house/car needs a major repair or something comes up with the kids and the answer is "Oh well, I just won't save as much this month".

My spending plan has all (or most) of this factored in, but psychologically its really weighing on me. 

I guess there is no way around this other than to suck it up, have confidence in the plan, and understand there is always a risk of something.

I'm struggling with this as well.  If someone posted my numbers I would tell them they worked too long and had wasted the best year of their life in a cubicle after they already had more than enough to FIRE.  I have the same feeling I had before I went bungee jumping or skydiving.  I knew everything would be fine but I was terrified.  This is similar except the feeling is not as intense but it's lasting months instead of seconds or minutes. 
I wish I had something helpful to tell you, but I haven't figured it out. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on February 13, 2019, 09:41:03 PM
Is today still the big day @SeanTash ?   May it go smoothly for you. 
 
Indeed it is - mark me CONFIRMED!

Last day was all a big surreal. It did go pretty smoothly, apart from a nagging voice in my head saying "you could do this a bit longer, it's not THAT bad, you should top up your stash" !

Like many, I struggle with telling co-workers I'm probably not working in this career ever again (though even in 'retirement' I do plan to do some kind of paid employment along the way, just on my terms)

This morning was my first weekday with no alarm set in a loooong time - yay :)

Congrats SeanTash! 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on February 14, 2019, 06:31:53 AM
So as I mentioned in a previous post, I hit eligibility on May 7, and retirement date is May 31, and I have vacation time to burn that I'm going to take the last two weeks of May, effectively making my retirement date (insofar as not going to work anymore) May 17. Well, I found out the other day that there's a national training conference (in a city I enjoy very much) the week of May 13-17 in the works and I'm slated to be a presenter! So that's essentially another week "off," making my last day in the office May 10! Woo-hoo!  Hell, I may just call in sick May 8-10 and make May 7, my eligibility date, my last day!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on February 14, 2019, 07:19:46 AM
Down to 120 days till I give notice.

It feels surreal. I'm doing more research and trying to figure out how to make the most of the time off work :)

I have a feeling that's what will get me through these next 4 months of working 60+ hour weeks.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on February 14, 2019, 08:10:38 AM
I recommend making different time calculating things, that allow you to countdown the days.

Such as weeks left, Working days left, %, % since the beginning of work career.

I have # of work days, a monthly counter and my lifetime counter. It`s so nice when that one goes up a percentage (96% of work life done so far)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on February 14, 2019, 10:50:03 AM
Caution: this is a bit of an unstructured brain dump

I'm feeling so conflicted about my plans. I'm confirmed for my sabbatical (e.g. it's gone through all of the various approval processes at my company). When I'd originally planned my sabbatical, it was a safe transition to quitting, and would allow me to double check that I was ready to give up my "career".

Since then, my husband has had a change of heart around how long he wants to work & his own retirement plans. We need seven years of his salary before we can both retire, so the plan has been for me to quit this year, and for him to join me & quit in seven years. Lest you think I've pressured him/encouraged this, he's been very firm on his lack of desire to retire any earlier. Well, he's since had a bit of a change of heart & now wants to consider retiring earlier. This has thrown quite a wrench into my own plans.

The seven year timeline is when our youngest graduates. When that happens, we will sell our incredibly expensive bay area house, and move somewhere more affordable.

If we stay the course, and I quit this fall after my sabbatical, we can continue to cover all of our expenses. That's not a risk. However, we won't have our house paid off in seven years. We'd both like that, but if feels arbitrary to worry about that if we're going to sell anyway. We have A TON of equity already in our house, so we're talking about the difference in equity of 85% of the house value coming our way after we sell, vs 100% of the equity.

I'm struggling with the tradeoff of giving up a career with a huge paycheck. It's really pulling at me. I *know* I'm ready to leave, but giving up the giant fire hose of money feels terrifying. Particularly since so much of my compensation is tied into vested equity that I will give up when I leave, never to get back. . . I want to be supportive of my husband, and do the right thing for my family. He's fine with whatever decision I make, & just wants me to be happy. But, I guess I like security & knowing I'm helping my family. .. more than I like my own freedom? I have guilt, despite the fact that my husband is very clear that we will make it work no matter what. We are in a great financial position, so this feels like a really ridiculous thing to get hung up on.

Did anyone else have these fears, hang ups, last minute doubts?

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on February 14, 2019, 11:59:28 AM
Caution: this is a bit of an unstructured brain dump

Lest you think I've pressured him/encouraged this, he's been very firm on his lack of desire to retire any earlier. Well, he's since had a bit of a change of heart & now wants to consider retiring earlier. This has thrown quite a wrench into my own plans.

The seven year timeline is when our youngest graduates. When that happens, we will sell our incredibly expensive bay area house, and move somewhere more affordable.

If we stay the course, and I quit this fall after my sabbatical, we can continue to cover all of our expenses. That's not a risk. However, we won't have our house paid off in seven years. We'd both like that, but if feels arbitrary to worry about that if we're going to sell anyway. We have A TON of equity already in our house, so we're talking about the difference in equity of 85% of the house value coming our way after we sell, vs 100% of the equity.

I'm struggling with the tradeoff of giving up a career with a huge paycheck. It's really pulling at me. I *know* I'm ready to leave, but giving up the giant fire hose of money feels terrifying. Particularly since so much of my compensation is tied into vested equity that I will give up when I leave, never to get back. . . I want to be supportive of my husband, and do the right thing for my family. He's fine with whatever decision I make, & just wants me to be happy. But, I guess I like security & knowing I'm helping my family. .. more than I like my own freedom? I have guilt, despite the fact that my husband is very clear that we will make it work no matter what. We are in a great financial position, so this feels like a really ridiculous thing to get hung up on.

Did anyone else have these fears, hang ups, last minute doubts?


I'm 5 years older than my S/O; and about that much further along the FIRE Path (FIRE this year), but I promised her that if she ever ended up truly hating her job as much as I did (or starting to hate the job she currently doesn`t mind so much) I'd upshift to part-time, in order to allow her to downshift to part time. We'd both be making close to the same amount as her full time job (2x part-time + investments), and the pain of working would be reduced as a unit, since part-time isn`t all that hard.

Can you look at trying to negotiate with your work to downshift while still remaining with them? A well trained and useful worker is hard to replace and retrain, and with your FIRE stash, you have all the negotiating power so they might make an exception for you. (You'd keep a reasonably high salary, and help get your S/O to FIRE quicker, and still increase your happiness.)

I see it as a team effort, but you have to take the time to sit down, and figure out together what the plan is. (Nothing wrong with him deciding to do less, better than him resenting you and bottling it up!)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on February 14, 2019, 12:32:10 PM
@MaybeBabyMustache, take this with a grain of salt because I don't remember everything I read on these boards....

I do remember reading some of your posts around these struggles in the past. Even old posts from several years ago that you were ready to quit back then. Your net worth and incomes are already very high. You're FI and comfortably so, the second you choose to downsize and relocate. The opportunity cost of that house right now is wage slavery. Think about how you will feel 30-40 years from now when your kids are your age. Will you look back glad that you worked 7 more years to afford that house? Or that you were able to quit/downshift and focus on being as present as possible in your kids lives, as well as figuring out your identities outside of the career.

Struggling with similar feelings myself, albeit I'm pulling the plug with a $500k net worth, knowing that I'm highly employable in the future, and even a year or two of work in my field down the line, can mitigate any possible sequence of returns risk etc.

What I can't mitigate with more $$, is longevity risk, and making the most of my time on this planet. Tomorrow is never guaranteed.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on February 14, 2019, 01:22:00 PM
I'm struggling with the tradeoff of giving up a career with a huge paycheck. It's really pulling at me. I *know* I'm ready to leave, but giving up the giant fire hose of money feels terrifying.

I feel the same. I think it's similar to the "clean your plate even though you're not hungry because children are starving in Asia" I'm so fortunate to have this high paying job and I can wfh so I'm living in a LCOL area just shoveliing money into the bank at this point. Plus the people I work with are great and the job is not that hard. It seems crazy and ungrateful to the universe to quit now. Even though I don't need it anymore and really would prefer the freedom of retirement.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on February 14, 2019, 02:30:25 PM
Caution: this is a bit of an unstructured brain dump

Lest you think I've pressured him/encouraged this, he's been very firm on his lack of desire to retire any earlier. Well, he's since had a bit of a change of heart & now wants to consider retiring earlier. This has thrown quite a wrench into my own plans.

The seven year timeline is when our youngest graduates. When that happens, we will sell our incredibly expensive bay area house, and move somewhere more affordable.

If we stay the course, and I quit this fall after my sabbatical, we can continue to cover all of our expenses. That's not a risk. However, we won't have our house paid off in seven years. We'd both like that, but if feels arbitrary to worry about that if we're going to sell anyway. We have A TON of equity already in our house, so we're talking about the difference in equity of 85% of the house value coming our way after we sell, vs 100% of the equity.

I'm struggling with the tradeoff of giving up a career with a huge paycheck. It's really pulling at me. I *know* I'm ready to leave, but giving up the giant fire hose of money feels terrifying. Particularly since so much of my compensation is tied into vested equity that I will give up when I leave, never to get back. . . I want to be supportive of my husband, and do the right thing for my family. He's fine with whatever decision I make, & just wants me to be happy. But, I guess I like security & knowing I'm helping my family. .. more than I like my own freedom? I have guilt, despite the fact that my husband is very clear that we will make it work no matter what. We are in a great financial position, so this feels like a really ridiculous thing to get hung up on.

Did anyone else have these fears, hang ups, last minute doubts?


I'm 5 years older than my S/O; and about that much further along the FIRE Path (FIRE this year), but I promised her that if she ever ended up truly hating her job as much as I did (or starting to hate the job she currently doesn`t mind so much) I'd upshift to part-time, in order to allow her to downshift to part time. We'd both be making close to the same amount as her full time job (2x part-time + investments), and the pain of working would be reduced as a unit, since part-time isn`t all that hard.

Can you look at trying to negotiate with your work to downshift while still remaining with them? A well trained and useful worker is hard to replace and retrain, and with your FIRE stash, you have all the negotiating power so they might make an exception for you. (You'd keep a reasonably high salary, and help get your S/O to FIRE quicker, and still increase your happiness.)

I see it as a team effort, but you have to take the time to sit down, and figure out together what the plan is. (Nothing wrong with him deciding to do less, better than him resenting you and bottling it up!)

@Lews Therin
I think the age gap is the hard part. I'm 9 years younger, so I do feel guilty that he's planning to work longer. In order to get past that guilt, I've created all of these artificial goals for myself that would "make me feel better" & ready to leave. I've BLOWN past all of those goals. He's supportive of me making this change, so the majority of this is on me & my own feelings on the age gap.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on February 14, 2019, 02:43:53 PM
@2Birds1Stone - you are totally correct. Intellectually, I know that. I have all of the numbers to prove that out, but .. . still the anxiety. And yes, to @Parizade - I know I'm incredibly blessed by making so much money. So, I have guilt on that front as well.

Prior to my FIRE journey, I had no idea that I anchored so many decisions in guilt & security. . .Quite an eye opener
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: August on February 14, 2019, 02:54:25 PM
I'm struggling with the tradeoff of giving up a career with a huge paycheck. It's really pulling at me. I *know* I'm ready to leave, but giving up the giant fire hose of money feels terrifying.

It seems to me that you have two options, stay where you are and keep the income, or leave to gain more free time.  Both options are good, so the question becomes - what do you want?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on February 14, 2019, 02:58:28 PM
@MBM: Aim for happiness. Will you be happier FIREd? Will he be as happy if he has to spend longer?

Try to get the best match of it :D
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: stoaX on February 14, 2019, 03:14:18 PM
Is today still the big day @SeanTash ?   May it go smoothly for you. 
 
Indeed it is - mark me CONFIRMED!
Last day was all a big surreal. It did go pretty smoothly, apart from a nagging voice in my head saying "you could do this a bit longer, it's not THAT bad, you should top up your stash" !


Congratulations @SeanTash!!   Ignore that nagging voice, and enjoy sleeping in tomorrow!


2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19     Bingeworker (52)        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     Cycling Stache (44)     ?
02/13/19     SeanTash                   CONFIRMED
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/19/19     ChasesFish (36)
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor (50)     
03/??/19     Edgema
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     BlindSquirrel
03/31/19     Loren Ver (36)
03/31/19     Mr. Ver (39)
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/01/19     Ryder (39)
04/04/19     PowerStache (43)
04/19/19     Eric
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)
05/15/19     MaybeBabyMustache                   
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/31/19     dude                              Date Confirmed
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/30/19     Pylortes  (42)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)
08/01/19     SugarMountain
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
09/??/19     dayzero
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
10/??/19     Cookie78
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/19/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer
MustacheAnxiety
forward

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
Linda_Norway (45)

OLY
markbike528cbx  (55)      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

You can add me to the list.  July 5th is my last day at work.  I'm 58 years old so it's not a true Mustachian early retirement but an early retirement nonetheless.  Sure hope the stash lasts and the health insurance works out!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Zoot on February 14, 2019, 03:56:16 PM
I think the age gap is the hard part. I'm 9 years younger, so I do feel guilty that he's planning to work longer. In order to get past that guilt, I've created all of these artificial goals for myself that would "make me feel better" & ready to leave. I've BLOWN past all of those goals. He's supportive of me making this change, so the majority of this is on me & my own feelings on the age gap.

I don't have any answers for you on this, largely because I'm living it myself, but in reverse--I'm 11 years older than DH (I'm 52, he's 41) and I'm the one who would quit tomorrow if I could get over the mental hurdles; on his best day, he loves his job, and on his worst, he tolerates it, while I tolerate mine on my best days and want to curl up in a ball on my worst.  ;-)  But maybe you'll find a thread of something in my story that will be of some assistance.

DH and I have had the when-can-Zoot-quit conversation many times--and he has assured me every time that I can quit tomorrow if I want to.  Our LNW is roughly $800K in retirement funds and $100K in taxable, with another $250K in home equity.  We can live on his salary, comfortably but not lavishly, but our savings rate would take a big hit without my salary.  Every time I think about quitting, though, I am struck with guilt--I somehow can't conscience leaving work while he's still working.  "You've paid your dues for a decade longer than I have," he will tell me.  "It's OK if you want to go ahead and quit--you don't need to work just because I am."  And yet I still am. 

I told myself I'd work until we hit $1 million in net worth.  We hit that.  I then told myself I'd work until we had $1 million in LIQUID net worth.  We're working toward that, and if the market is kind we'll likely hit that in about a year's time.  I can already hear myself making my next argument, though--after we hit the LNW goal, it'll be, "well, I should work until the house is paid off."  Knowing me, I'll come up with some OTHER goal after that one is accomplished.

All of these are good things to do, good goals to have--but deep down, I think they are just smoke screens for the real reason I'm still working:  guilt, which itself is just another smoke screen for the REAL real reason. 

It's fear.  Abject fear.  Fear of being penniless, homeless, resource-less.  Irrational?  Probably.  But convince the scared child inside me that it's irrational.  Go ahead.  I'll wait.  ;-)

I guess what I'd say to you in your situation, based on my own similar-but-not-identical experience, is this:  beyond wholesome prudential planning for post-career cash flow, your goal of having a paid off house before you pull the trigger is an arbitrary one, established by you as a couple and as such alterable by you as a couple.  Take a look at the numbers, and take a look at your heart--model the reality of your both quitting financially, mentally, emotionally, and see what it has to tell you.  You may be able to construct a reality that you can both be comfortable with bringing to life.

(Can you tell I'm talking to myself here as much as I'm talking to you?  Thanks for the opportunity to reflect!)

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on February 14, 2019, 08:41:29 PM
All of these are good things to do, good goals to have--but deep down, I think they are just smoke screens for the real reason I'm still working:  guilt, which itself is just another smoke screen for the REAL real reason. 

It's fear.  Abject fear.  Fear of being penniless, homeless, resource-less.  Irrational?  Probably.  But convince the scared child inside me that it's irrational.  Go ahead.  I'll wait.  ;-)


I love this, @Zoot ; I'm going through something similar but without the guilt middleman.  I'm going straight from developing artificial goals well past the finish line due to fear. 

@MaybeBabyMustache , I wish I had something worthwhile to say to help you out.  One question - if you're going to be taking a sabbatical, can you just do that and take the sabbatical and delay the decision?  I was going to suggest going to part time or reducing your responsibilities somehow but Lews Therin beat me to it.  The only thing I can suggest is taking a some time, maybe with your husband or maybe with a therapist, to work out what you're feeling and why.  What's pushing you away from work?  Is it the stress, the time it takes from family, the inability to do the things you want to do, or something else?  What's pushing you to stay, really?  How much of it is fear about running short on money, how much is putting pressure on your husband, or is it something else entirely?  Talking to a therapist might help.  This is an oversimplification, but it might be easier to come to an answer if you understand the problem a little better.  If, for instance, you decide that the main issue is that you're just overwhelmed at work then perhaps negotiating something part-time or lower stress would solve that problem and let you keep working to resolve the fear of running out of money and putting the burden on your husband.  Or maybe you'll realize the fear is really about running out of money but you might be able to trim expenses so you have enough even if you quit and your husband works less than initially planned, so you can quit guilt-free.

Whatever you do, I wish you the best.  It sounds like many of us are dealing with similar issues even if our situations are radically different. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on February 14, 2019, 09:13:51 PM
MaybeBabyMustache, Zoot and readers generally.

If it makes you feel any better, there are several forum members on the "2M to 3M and beyond" thread that express the same issues that you have.

At some point, you just have to pull the ripcord and bail out.  "Enough" by John Bogle is a helpful read.

As to FIRE, come on in, the water is warm, welcoming and generally great!. 

Zoot, well said, most peoples root cause of not FIREing
            "It's fear.  Abject fear.  Fear of being penniless, homeless, resource-less.  Irrational?  Probably.  But convince the scared child inside me that it's irrational.  Go ahead.  I'll wait.  ;-) "

Sorry I don't have time to psychoanalyze the scared child/ bag-lady etc.   I'm having too much fun in FIRE.

Markbike528- Thread OP and FIRED since 6/2/18.
My future mission (should I choose to accept it) is to find the TwoLessYears members of this thread.
This message will self destruct in 10...9...8....

 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: sui generis on February 14, 2019, 09:17:02 PM
@MaybeBabyMustache, I was worried about many stressful philosphical and social questions as I approached my RE date as well.  And I absolutely went to see a therapist I had used before with great success, as a life coach.  It's funny, as I'm packing to move, I just came across the notes I made before going to see her, about all the topics I wanted to cover.  All the doubts that were in my head, with little lines connecting various thought bubbles to each other that felt interconnected to me. It was so worth it. It really helped me understand my thinking better and prepare for FIRE more.  Obviously, I highly recommend it!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on February 14, 2019, 10:25:26 PM
@MaybeBabyMustache, take this with a grain of salt because I don't remember everything I read on these boards....
......Snip......
What I can't mitigate with more $$, is longevity risk, and making the most of my time on this planet. Tomorrow is never guaranteed.

You can't mitigate longevity risk, but you can visualize it.       http://engaging-data.com/will-money-last-retire-early/?utm_source=mmm

Just think, the longer you OMY, the more likely it is that you'll end up dead instead of broke!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on February 15, 2019, 02:27:04 AM
I think about longevity risk a fair bit.

I always assume a 40 year retirement for me and 50 years for DW. I don’t want her to be without $$ after I’m gone.

But the reality is that I really cant see me being alive at 87, so on that front I am being too conservative. Given how I don’t look after myself, a stash for 30 years should be plenty. Nobody in family tree has made it to 80 yet.

On the other hand DW living beyond 92 is quite probable given the age her grandparents died (in their 90s) and the fact that her older aunts and uncles are all still alive in their late 70s (not one early death). All this with the fact that she doesn’t smoke, barely drinks and exercises most days, carries no excess weight etc etc....

So I am left with the conundrum of wanting to be aggressive with FIRE to make the most of my remaining years, but having to be conservative because DW will quite probably be around for 60 years. And as the primary earner I feel the responsibility to ensure we are both provided for rests on me.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on February 15, 2019, 03:44:12 AM
Welcome aboard @stoaX -- got you added for July 5 in the list above ^.  Congrats on setting the date!  And yes it sure as hell does count as FIRE -- good for you.  :)


@MaybeBabyMustache -- I think that once you intellectually know that you have enough money to FIRE, the decision really is just as simple (simple, but not necessarily easy) as deciding which you want more.  The freedom, or more money.   At some point -- if you conclude you want the freedom -- you just need to take a leap of faith and jump.  I was nervous about some things and making the decision was shit-scary at times, but I have absolutely no regrets.  As a new FIRE-ee I can tell you that it's fantastic and I'm happier than I've ever been.  I'm sleeping like a baby, getting my fitness back, and doing whatever the hell I want.  I wish I could have done this ten years ago.   

If it helps you calm the Inner Bag Lady down, FIRE is also not really a one way street.  You know how FIRE-ees often say that money and opportunities fall in their lap after they retire?  It's true.  Just in the past two weeks I've had two unsolicited job offers.  it's very comforting to know I could go back to work if I really needed to and my family will not go hungry.  For most of us FIREing doesn't mean stepping from Full-On-Work land through a black curtain into No-Work-Ever-Again land.  Now that I'm FIREd I can see that it feels just like life, only way more fun, with more time, and no work stress.   

I second the suggestion that you take that sabbatical and search your heart, see how things play out.  The part time suggestion above is also a good one to consider.  I worked part time for several years when my kids were younger and it was a great compromise that met our family needs at the time.   

EDIT to add:  Here's a thread in the 'Post FIRE' section talking about this issue:  https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/post-fire/serious-'one-more-year'-syndrome-advice-appreciated/

Also, Dr. Doom (great writer) did a "Quit Series" about the thoughts that swirl before we quit.  You may connect with that.  https://livingafi.com/the-quit-series/

 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on February 15, 2019, 08:40:38 AM
If you're interesting in reading, I posted this just over a year ago when I was considering retiring in June of 2018 or March of 2019:

One More Year (http://stopironingshirts.com/2018/01/10/early-retirement-decisions-one-more-year/)

The funniest comment of all was me talking about "the ease of the job".  My best person dropped a surprise resignation two weeks later *facepalm*.   Two other nice pieces about one more year decisions are included in that post.

This was also shared around today on Rockstar Finance from someone in the same industry as me, very appropriate for the threads.

Senioritis FI (https://guyonfire.us/senioritis-fi-2/)

Instead of grinding out the last month of work and taking the vacation days as payout, I'm sitting on a balcony waiting for the sun to rise and listening to waves.   Only a day into vacation but I am so done with work.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: gerardc on February 16, 2019, 01:20:52 AM
Good streak in the last few posts...

I'm having a bit of trouble when considering my sister, GF, and other family members seemingly struggling @ $30k/year, and how fast I could earn money to pay their downpayment, or spare them a few decades of boring work... or how I could provide my kids with the "good life", instead of living on a poverty $40k/year 4% WR for the rest of our lives, and forcing them to "make it" like I had to, maybe with less luck than I had... it does feel a bit selfish of me to declare that my ass sitting around on a beach enjoying life is more important than 1 short year of additional work...

Especially since, surprisingly since I've decided I would stop work soon, work actually seems more bearable. I am more detached, am working fewer hours, way less stressed, and my preparation for FIRE made me adopt a lifestyle after all compatible with work life, for the most part. I am hoping I can take a leave of a few months, then maybe I'd be willing to do another 6 months and/or work remotely, in order to lock in one more year of sweet 401k + Roth max contributions...

Most likely sticking to the plan, but just thinking out loud.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on February 16, 2019, 06:27:41 AM
Good streak in the last few posts...

I'm having a bit of trouble when considering my sister, GF, and other family members seemingly struggling @ $30k/year, and how fast I could earn money to pay their downpayment, or spare them a few decades of boring work... or how I could provide my kids with the "good life", instead of living on a poverty $40k/year 4% WR for the rest of our lives, and forcing them to "make it" like I had to, maybe with less luck than I had... it does feel a bit selfish of me to declare that my ass sitting around on a beach enjoying life is more important than 1 short year of additional work...


Funny you should say this, I was having similar feelings about my son and his wife, struggling to pay back student loans and raise a child. Then I get a call, he's just accepted a cushy new job in a new city, together he and his wife will be making more than 200K/yr.

Pffft, they can start worrying about working extra years to take of me!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on February 16, 2019, 08:31:19 AM
@gerardc and @Parizade

I have some of these family issues/pressures too.  My situation might be a little unique because I'm earning money 1,000 miles away from them.  I ultimately decided at some point my time I can spend with them becomes more valuable than giving them money.

It was part of the decision not to just stop at $1.25mil or $1.5mil in total money saved so I can have means if I really do need to help them with money
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Zoot on February 16, 2019, 09:10:04 AM
If it makes you feel any better, there are several forum members on the "2M to 3M and beyond" thread that express the same issues that you have.

At some point, you just have to pull the ripcord and bail out.  "Enough" by John Bogle is a helpful read.

Thanks to the pointer to the $2M-$3M thread; I've been participating off and on in the $500K-$1M and $1M-$2M threads, but I think I may go spy on the $2M crowd--because you're right, it will likely help to see them spinning around the same issues.  At some point, it's not about money--even when you have enough, or MORE than enough, there's something inside which says there will never be "enough" to keep you safe from whatever it is you fear.

Thanks also for the pointer to the book--I will definitely give it a look.

As to FIRE, come on in, the water is warm, welcoming and generally great!

Soon.  Not VERY soon, but soon.  I posted in the 2026 cohort thread that January 2, 2026 (the second day of the year in which I will turn 59 1/2) is the absolute last day I will work.  My goal is to OLY the heck out that date multiple times over, though.  :)


Zoot, well said, most peoples root cause of not FIREing
            "It's fear.  Abject fear.  Fear of being penniless, homeless, resource-less.  Irrational?  Probably.  But convince the scared child inside me that it's irrational.  Go ahead.  I'll wait.  ;-) "

Sorry I don't have time to psychoanalyze the scared child/ bag-lady etc.   I'm having too much fun in FIRE.

I got a good chuckle out of this.  :)

In all seriousness, though, pretty much nothing anyone can say to my Inner Bag Lady will convince her--I myself am the only one who can dislodge her from her place in my psyche.  She's mine, and mine alone, to conquer.  :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: exit2019 on February 16, 2019, 02:23:22 PM
Can someone point to the "2M to 3M and beyond" thread mentioned above?  I looked but cannot find it.  I am curious to read it.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: gerardc on February 16, 2019, 02:47:21 PM
@gerardc and @Parizade

I have some of these family issues/pressures too.  My situation might be a little unique because I'm earning money 1,000 miles away from them.  I ultimately decided at some point my time I can spend with them becomes more valuable than giving them money.

It was part of the decision not to just stop at $1.25mil or $1.5mil in total money saved so I can have means if I really do need to help them with money

Yeah, going to $2m eventually might be nice, but then I think it's fair to downshift and get there "eventually" instead of rushing, seeing as they're not even rushing themselves... why would I.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: shuffler on February 16, 2019, 04:12:42 PM
Can someone point to the "2M to 3M and beyond" thread mentioned above?  I looked but cannot find it.  I am curious to read it.
Google is your friend:
https://www.google.com/search?q="2M+to+3M+and+beyond"+site%3Aforum.mrmoneymustache.com (https://www.google.com/search?q="2M+to+3M+and+beyond"+site%3Aforum.mrmoneymustache.com)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Bateaux on February 16, 2019, 07:06:02 PM
Can someone point to the "2M to 3M and beyond" thread mentioned above?  I looked but cannot find it.  I am curious to read it.

Come on over.  It's under "Throw Down the Gauntlet"

Some of us have more money than sense.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: exit2019 on February 16, 2019, 11:51:33 PM
Can someone point to the "2M to 3M and beyond" thread mentioned above?  I looked but cannot find it.  I am curious to read it.
Google is your friend:
https://www.google.com/search?q="2M+to+3M+and+beyond"+site%3Aforum.mrmoneymustache.com (https://www.google.com/search?q="2M+to+3M+and+beyond"+site%3Aforum.mrmoneymustache.com)

Thanks.  I used the search with no luck; yay google.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: okonumiyaki on February 17, 2019, 02:01:12 AM
Resignation letter in on Friday.  Three month notice period - but we will probably mutually agree a mid June date (I have a conference to organise end May)

In a way, it is a FU story too - I was about to be put on a performance plan, and this saves us all the hassle.  My heart hasn't been in it for some time - and it shows, but was waiting for my wife's cancer treatment to be completed, which it is.

Issue will be that my wife does think this will be a sabbatic, rather than full on retirement (she may be right - we will see if I get bored without structured employment)  So at the moment, not planning permanent changes.

Plan is to stay in Singapore until mid September, then split time Perth & Bali.

Numbers - 4.5-4.8m USD investments (uncertainty is on value of a business that my wife is a sleeping partner in - asset value or potential sale value), and paid for apartment in Perth.  UK pension at age 67 - but depending where we are living, this will likely be frozen at that time, and not increased over time, unless we re-locate to UK

I am 49, wife is 46.  No kids (not by choice as it happens)

It is a large weight off my mind. 

My father retired at 52 (very happily - my parents were OG FIRE) - one sister retired in her mid 40's from stressful/ lucrative job (investment banking), and my other sister has just started part time teaching, absolutely on her terms, after a few years off.  So I think it runs in the genes!

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on February 17, 2019, 03:01:14 AM
Resignation letter in on Friday.  Three month notice period - but we will probably mutually agree a mid June date.

Welcome and congratulations @okonomiyaki!  Got you added to the list on the previous page for mid June.  Your story is very interesting, and it does sound like FIRE runs in your genes. (Mine too.  My dad and younger brother are both FIRE-ees.)  Best of luck to your wife in her recovery. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on February 17, 2019, 10:43:54 AM
Wow, while I was on vacation this thread has exploded.

Congrats to those that have confirmed, or have confirmed a date!  So exciting.  Please visit and let us know how things are going!
Congrats to those that have joined the cohort!  It is a great year and we have plenty of room to fit you in.  I am a little sad that I am getting pushed further down the list, but I'll bear the weight if that means more in the party.  I am just a sweetheart like that :).

To those having doubts.  DH and I were talking about that last night.  I am starting to fill the pressure and the pull of my income.   If I was making more income then it would be even harder.  To walk away from a very good stable salary is pretty crazy.  I never really thought I would ever make this much, at a good company.  I am making peanuts compared to many here (and my IRL friends) but I am well above the US median family income.  I'm glad we have a plan and a date or I would not be able to walk away.  Now are are just following the plan.  I am also glad we cut of years from the original plan ( it was 2022, when I turned 40, and has been dropping steadily) before I realized how crazy the plan was.  Now we just need to follow the plan.

Six more weeks.  I'll be giving notice sooner rather than later, I just don't know when.

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PowerStache on February 18, 2019, 02:43:42 PM
I have around 6 weeks left to go...

I re-read the forum's pre-fire checklist located over in the "Post-FIRE" section.  Feeling pretty good that I haven't missed anything.  Met with our financial advisor last week to talk about "flipping the switch" from making investments each month to getting a paycheck from them.  Seems so strange to go from putting everything we can away to taking some out.  We still have kids at home and the DH still wants to work so we will still invest in his 401k and the kids college funds.  So glad I found this forum (and the use of Personal Capital) to track our expenses.  We are FATfire as far as expenses go, but tracking closely for the last few years let us know the level of supplemental funding we would need.  Financial advisor recommended paying off our mortgage depending on how the taxes come out this year.  We are pondering whether we should.  Interest rate is 3 3/8% and you can make 2.5% in a money market account, more on the open market.  Will talk more with the tax accountant too.  With such little left to pay off, don't think it matters either way.

Still working through my decompression stage plan...any of those recently retired in the cohort want to share how they are planning(or purposely not planning) their days?  I am hoping by April it will be warmer in my neck of the woods to spend a lot of time on my yard/outside of the house.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Miss Piggy on February 18, 2019, 03:26:18 PM
I have around 6 weeks left to go...


No fair. 10 posts in, and you're already ready to go!  ;)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on February 18, 2019, 06:13:23 PM
No fair. 10 posts in, and you're already ready to go!  ;)

How do you think an unretired walrus feels?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on February 18, 2019, 07:30:25 PM
Tusk-y?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on February 19, 2019, 01:19:17 AM
I have around 6 weeks left to go...

I re-read the forum's pre-fire checklist located over in the "Post-FIRE" section.  Feeling pretty good that I haven't missed anything.  Met with our financial advisor last week to talk about "flipping the switch" from making investments each month to getting a paycheck from them.  Seems so strange to go from putting everything we can away to taking some out.  We still have kids at home and the DH still wants to work so we will still invest in his 401k and the kids college funds.  So glad I found this forum (and the use of Personal Capital) to track our expenses.  We are FATfire as far as expenses go, but tracking closely for the last few years let us know the level of supplemental funding we would need.  Financial advisor recommended paying off our mortgage depending on how the taxes come out this year.  We are pondering whether we should.  Interest rate is 3 3/8% and you can make 2.5% in a money market account, more on the open market.  Will talk more with the tax accountant too.  With such little left to pay off, don't think it matters either way.

Still working through my decompression stage plan...any of those recently retired in the cohort want to share how they are planning(or purposely not planning) their days?  I am hoping by April it will be warmer in my neck of the woods to spend a lot of time on my yard/outside of the house.

About whether or not to pay down the mortgage is discussed several places of this forum. There are pros and cons, so you can just choose. Paying down the mortgage is the most secure form for saving, but not guaranteed to give the best possible growth of your money. It is your choice.

Maybe you can work towards cutting out the financial advisor. MMMers tend to manage their own finances. An advisor has a cost and often also a private agenda for recommending certain investments. We just invest into the cheapest funds. With a bit of own study, you can manage your own stuff.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on February 19, 2019, 03:17:07 AM
Still working through my decompression stage plan...any of those recently retired in the cohort want to share how they are planning(or purposely not planning) their days? 

I'm less than a month in, and have been mostly taking it easy.  I didn't know what to expect as far as decompression, so I didn't plan anything special for the first couple months.  I set a few simple goals to accomplish each day -- lots of sleep, lots of exercise, lots of time outside, eat well.  So far so good.   Feeling good physically and no psychological issues have come up yet.  I'm really enjoying the slower pace and just having the time to think.

On another topic, still waiting to hear from @Cycling Stache on his status.  We have quite a large group on deck for March, with @exit2019 and @chasesfish up next -- less than a month to go.  Are you two still on target? 

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on February 19, 2019, 07:46:12 AM
Still working through my decompression stage plan...any of those recently retired in the cohort want to share how they are planning(or purposely not planning) their days? 

I'm less than a month in, and have been mostly taking it easy.  I didn't know what to expect as far as decompression, so I didn't plan anything special for the first couple months.  I set a few simple goals to accomplish each day -- lots of sleep, lots of exercise, lots of time outside, eat well.  So far so good.   Feeling good physically and no psychological issues have come up yet.  I'm really enjoying the slower pace and just having the time to think.

I was looking forward to this, but my son and his wife have asked for my assistance as they transition their careers and lives to a new city so I will be a full time Grandma for the first 6 weeks of my retirement. Not complaining as I will certainly get lots of exercise and lots of time outside. The decompression will likely be postponed however, entertaining a preschooler will be much more challenging than my corporate gig.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on February 19, 2019, 08:42:54 AM
@Trifele - Still on target.  Notice will be delivered on March 18th and expect to be walked out the door that day/week.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on February 19, 2019, 11:02:59 AM
WOW!!! Just got a call from the senior vice president over my work area to talk about my retirement. He wants me to transition all my project work to others over the next few weeks so I can work exclusively on a corporate culture project with him in my final 3 months! This has been my unofficial area of expertise over that past 5 years as senior leaders have come to rely on my "emotional intelligence" as much as my professional skills, but I never imagined this would be what they want me to focus on at the end of my career. It's absolutely brilliant, I couldn't be happier.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on February 19, 2019, 11:07:45 AM
WOW!!! Just got a call from the senior vice president over my work area to talk about my retirement. He wants me to transition all my project work to others over the next few weeks so I can work exclusively on a corporate culture project with him in my final 3 months! This has been my unofficial area of expertise over that past 5 years as senior leaders have come to rely on my "emotional intelligence" as much as my professional skills, but I never imagined this would be what they want me to focus on at the end of my career. It's absolutely brilliant, I couldn't be happier.

Congrats @Parizade!  Way to go, ending things on a happy high note.   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on February 19, 2019, 05:11:32 PM
That's so freaking awesome @Parizade!

A company that cares about culture and people will do great things.....
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: JoJo on February 19, 2019, 06:28:52 PM
I'm trying to decide what to do this year.  I think I have enough to retire.  But I have a pretty good gig, I get 21 weeks off of work per year, mostly when I want them, I try not to take more than 7 consecutive weeks.  Pay is in the 6 figures even at part time.  Job also comes with health insurance, I'm paying around $100 a month.

But sometimes I get depressed about work or super annoyed by something.  Work also contributes to seditary lifestyle (but I really need to start working to improve this). 

A big bonus is coming at the end of March so it would be stupid to leave before then. 

I've worked at the company for 13 years so I sort of want to give them ample notice.  Also, one guy that is the closest in experience (over 30 years) is likely going to retire this year so they really would hurt if we both left in a short period of time. 

Thoughts?  I was planning on leaving around April 1, but there are a couple other occassions thru the year that also might be good stop dates (like trip in May for family things, I don't mind working remote, though) and a big trip to South America and Antarctica in the fall.  If I quite, I could spend months down there.  If I don't quit, I'd be limited to about 7 weeks.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Miss Piggy on February 19, 2019, 06:49:17 PM
I'm trying to decide what to do this year.  I think I have enough to retire.  But I have a pretty good gig, I get 21 weeks off of work per year, mostly when I want them, I try not to take more than 7 consecutive weeks.  Pay is in the 6 figures even at part time.  Job also comes with health insurance, I'm paying around $100 a month.

You should definitely quit. And then immediately PM me the company name and role so I can apply for the job. :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on February 19, 2019, 06:54:26 PM
Congrats @Parizade!  Way to go, ending things on a happy high note.
Thanks Trifele, I feel very fortunate

That's so freaking awesome @Parizade!

A company that cares about culture and people will do great things.....

Thanks 2Birds1Stone, I agree (though they sure are making it hard to walk away!)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on February 19, 2019, 08:54:13 PM
I'm trying to decide what to do this year.  I think I have enough to retire.  But I have a pretty good gig, I get 21 weeks off of work per year, mostly when I want them, I try not to take more than 7 consecutive weeks.  Pay is in the 6 figures even at part time.  Job also comes with health insurance, I'm paying around $100 a month.

But sometimes I get depressed about work or super annoyed by something.  Work also contributes to seditary lifestyle (but I really need to start working to improve this). 

A big bonus is coming at the end of March so it would be stupid to leave before then. 

I've worked at the company for 13 years so I sort of want to give them ample notice.  Also, one guy that is the closest in experience (over 30 years) is likely going to retire this year so they really would hurt if we both left in a short period of time. 

Thoughts?  I was planning on leaving around April 1, but there are a couple other occassions thru the year that also might be good stop dates (like trip in May for family things, I don't mind working remote, though) and a big trip to South America and Antarctica in the fall.  If I quite, I could spend months down there.  If I don't quit, I'd be limited to about 7 weeks.

What would your withdrawal rate be?  Would it be lean or fat FIRE?  Is there a charity or family member you could help if you worked a bit too long?  Could you get back into a similar work arrangement if you quit but needed to return in a few years?

If you're at a 4% or higher withdrawal rate and you'd be in a lean FIRE situation, then I'd keep going with the current situation.  But if you're under a 3.5% withdrawal rate and have a fat-FIRE sized 'stache, then I'd give them notice as soon as the bonus hits your bank account.  One other thing to consider is how strong your negotiating position is.  If they provide you with 21 weeks off each year, maybe a few days after the other person retires you could tender your resignation.  My guess is that they would offer you anything to hold onto you for a little while longer.  Maybe you could negotiate even more time off, a one-time bonus, or fewer hours during the 31 weeks you are working.  What's the worst that could happen - they say no and you happily FIRE? 

@Trifele , can you update my FIRE date to April 26?  It could still slip to May if I find out that my company health insurance will last until the end of the month of my last day, but I've heard through the rumor mill that it expires on your last day.  I don't want to ask that question yet, so I'm temporarily targeting April 26.  We'll see if it slips into the first week in May. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Daisy on February 19, 2019, 09:14:15 PM
Since this is where I posted about my termination last week, this is where I'll share this story. The corporate announcement of my departure came out yesterday. Nice and vague that I will be leaving to "pursue other opportunities". So in the lunch room today I got asked where I am going next. 
My response was "Skiing".
Awkward pause and lack of comprehension
"No where is your next position?"
"Chairlift."
"No where are you going to work next."
"Well I have a season pass at Alta, so that is where I will be working on my turns. Enjoy your lunch." mic drop and exit. 7 more days.
I love awkward conversations and relish the long pause.

I was catching up on your messages since I might be meeting you in SLC.

I love this post!

It was similar to my parting conversations at work after FIREing in 2017.

"Where are you going to?"
- "Anywhere and nowhere"

"What are you going to do with all of that time?"
- Just smiled back and thought "you must be a boring person if you have to ask me a question like that". I love repeating that question to myself while out doing fun things in nature without the pressure of time.

I especially like your answer of your position being "chairlift".

I also titled it as more of a sabbatical to casual acquaintances at work and elsewhere so as not to get into any specifics. To others I say, a frugal early retirement, if I can pull it off. Makes them more comfortable with the situation and they have no idea how much I have saved.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on February 20, 2019, 04:00:10 AM
Thanks for the cross-post @Daisy!  I remember when Bognish FIREd (I was lurking on the 2018 thread), and his post was hilarious.   

Got you moved on the list @FIRE 20/20.  (Previous page list is current).  Thanks for the update.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on February 20, 2019, 04:56:26 AM
okay, I have my one on one (phone) meeting with new boss today.  I have decided I am going to give notice.  I am going to ask for a severance, but don't expect one.  Maybe there will be some negotiation.  This is awkward for me since he has only been my boss a little while, we've never met, and I've only talked on the phone to him once to introduce myself in January. 

There is a small risk, since I am telling him weeks in advance.  But the company now as even more hoops that were just set up, and I don't feel like jumping right now.

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on February 20, 2019, 05:01:53 AM
okay, I have my one on one (phone) meeting with new boss today.  I have decided I am going to give notice.  I am going to ask for a severance, but don't expect one.  Maybe there will be some negotiation.  This is awkward for me since he has only been my boss a little while, we've never met, and I've only talked on the phone to him once to introduce myself in January. 

There is a small risk, since I am telling him weeks in advance.  But the company now as even more hoops that were just set up, and I don't feel like jumping right now.

LV

Good luck.
You should preferably have done this in a real life meeting, but I understand it is more hassle.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on February 20, 2019, 05:19:14 AM
okay, I have my one on one (phone) meeting with new boss today.  I have decided I am going to give notice.  I am going to ask for a severance, but don't expect one.  Maybe there will be some negotiation.  This is awkward for me since he has only been my boss a little while, we've never met, and I've only talked on the phone to him once to introduce myself in January. 

There is a small risk, since I am telling him weeks in advance.  But the company now as even more hoops that were just set up, and I don't feel like jumping right now.

LV

Good luck.
You should preferably have done this in a real life meeting, but I understand it is more hassle.

Totally agree.  I have been waiting for a real life meeting, but he wasn't planning on visiting until some time in March.  Then the company just put on travel restrictions so it might not be until the end of March (or April or later).  Ugh.

 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on February 20, 2019, 07:39:10 AM
okay, I have my one on one (phone) meeting with new boss today.  I have decided I am going to give notice.  I am going to ask for a severance, but don't expect one.  Maybe there will be some negotiation.  This is awkward for me since he has only been my boss a little while, we've never met, and I've only talked on the phone to him once to introduce myself in January. 

There is a small risk, since I am telling him weeks in advance.  But the company now as even more hoops that were just set up, and I don't feel like jumping right now.

LV

Good luck.
You should preferably have done this in a real life meeting, but I understand it is more hassle.

Totally agree.  I have been waiting for a real life meeting, but he wasn't planning on visiting until some time in March.  Then the company just put on travel restrictions so it might not be until the end of March (or April or later).  Ugh.
 

Good luck @Loren Ver!  It's a weird situation, but you've got it.  :) 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on February 20, 2019, 08:14:38 AM
Things have really heated up here in Class of 2019. We’ll done to all of you awesome people chasing down your dreams.

My FIRE planning has taken a leap forward. I flew to HQ to meet with top mgt. I found out I wouldn’t be getting THE big promotion this year, but rather “in the next few years”.

With the uncertainty of where I would be working in the coming months resolved, and career temptations removed , I can really focus solely on getting to my number and FIREing ASAP.

June is definitely off the table as I’m not happy quitting with around 90% of my number whilst Sydney house prices are still dropping, given my FIRE plans are quite heavily reliant on selling out of Sydney. I’d like to see the floor of this correction if possible before FIREing.

December remains very possible..... and very appealing.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: forward on February 20, 2019, 08:40:13 AM
okay, I have my one on one (phone) meeting with new boss today.  I have decided I am going to give notice.  I am going to ask for a severance, but don't expect one.  Maybe there will be some negotiation.  This is awkward for me since he has only been my boss a little while, we've never met, and I've only talked on the phone to him once to introduce myself in January. 

There is a small risk, since I am telling him weeks in advance.  But the company now as even more hoops that were just set up, and I don't feel like jumping right now.

LV

Good luck @Loren Ver!  Its nerve wracking for sure.  Hope it goes great, update us when you get a chance.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on February 20, 2019, 10:51:30 AM
Thank you @forward , @Trifele and @Linda_Norway.

the chat happened.  He now needs to contact HR and the other levels of management.  He is happy for me :).  The HR situation is in flux here are we have merged and are now splitting into several companies, so he needed to check the new policies as to what happens now. 

I did ask for a severance, but I don't think that will happen. 

Now it is the waiting game. 

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: gerardc on February 20, 2019, 12:57:21 PM
Why would you get severance if you voluntarily quit?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: forward on February 20, 2019, 12:59:42 PM
Thank you @forward , @Trifele and @Linda_Norway.

the chat happened.  He now needs to contact HR and the other levels of management.  He is happy for me :).  The HR situation is in flux here are we have merged and are now splitting into several companies, so he needed to check the new policies as to what happens now. 

I did ask for a severance, but I don't think that will happen. 

Now it is the waiting game. 

LV


Good for you!  You must be so relieved.  The situation seems kind of comical, like - I'm not sure what policy that falls under (need a FIRE policy) and we're not sure who we should tell about this.  I say this with my company quite proudly having a policy on policies :I
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on February 20, 2019, 02:41:46 PM
Why would you get severance if you voluntarily quit?

You never know . . . that's basically what happened to me.  Especially with a reorg/merger/acquisition going on, the lines between leaving voluntarily and getting laid off can get blurry.  It's worth a shot for sure. 

Congrats @Loren Ver!  That must be a relief to get it behind you.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on February 20, 2019, 03:00:48 PM
Thank you!  It is good to have a group of people that understand.  Now to just get through the HR part.  I've actually never really left a job before, so this is all new to me.  I think I am more nervous now than before I said anything, HA!

As for the severance, like Trifele said, during times of craziness, things can happen.  If they know I want one, we might be able to negotiate something and I would never know unless I asked.  :).

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PowerStache on February 21, 2019, 05:36:40 PM
@Linda_Norway  - I hear you on the financial advisor.  We have not taken the most Mustachian approach to FIRE. I have a few areas where I give myself face punches (groceries/restaurants!!) that continue to be worked on in retirement.

@Trifele  - thanks for the update on life after FIRE.  Glad things are going well and gives me hope for enjoying the next chapter. 

Happy for those that are putting in their notice and starting the transition too.  It's going to be a great year!

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: CryingInThePool on February 23, 2019, 07:34:16 PM
So exciting to see so many of you ramping up to make the leap. Cheers to the class of 2019!

Unfortunately, I’m going to succumb to OMY.   Financially I think I’m okay.  Mentally, I’m almost there.  Medically, on the other hand, is another story.   Fair warning to the class of 2020 and beyond that might be lurking here but I really should have prioritized my health and medical to do list 2-3 years before my target date. 

I’ve got a surgery on the horizon and I need to lose some weight first so between scheduling that, recovery, and bonus timing I’m now looking at Fall 2020.  Not going to give up my health insurance, such as it is, until it’s 6 months in the rearview.   

In full transparency I’ve been walking the tightrope between OMY syndrome and SWAMI since I was part of the 2016 class. Even though this wasn’t how I imagined things playing out it’s what I get from the action, or lack thereof, my choices have wrought.   

I’m super grateful though that I have the options I do, that the closer I got to walking away, the less my job sucked and the more travel and life experiences I’ve been able to accessorize my career with. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on February 24, 2019, 03:32:34 AM
Sorry to lose you @CryingInThePool.  Health insurance is a very big deal.  Best of luck with your surgery and recovery!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on February 24, 2019, 08:56:51 AM
Sorry to lose you @CryingInThePool.  Health insurance is a very big deal.  Best of luck with your surgery and recovery!

Totally agree. @CryingInThePool - take care of yourself & good luck with your surgery.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: oldtoyota on February 24, 2019, 03:13:35 PM
So exciting to see so many of you ramping up to make the leap. Cheers to the class of 2019!

Unfortunately, I’m going to succumb to OMY.   Financially I think I’m okay.  Mentally, I’m almost there.  Medically, on the other hand, is another story.   Fair warning to the class of 2020 and beyond that might be lurking here but I really should have prioritized my health and medical to do list 2-3 years before my target date. 

I’ve got a surgery on the horizon and I need to lose some weight first so between scheduling that, recovery, and bonus timing I’m now looking at Fall 2020.  Not going to give up my health insurance, such as it is, until it’s 6 months in the rearview.   

In full transparency I’ve been walking the tightrope between OMY syndrome and SWAMI since I was part of the 2016 class. Even though this wasn’t how I imagined things playing out it’s what I get from the action, or lack thereof, my choices have wrought.   

I’m super grateful though that I have the options I do, that the closer I got to walking away, the less my job sucked and the more travel and life experiences I’ve been able to accessorize my career with.

Best wishes to you with your health and financial journey. Feel welcome to come back anytime. =-)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on February 24, 2019, 05:09:47 PM
Three weeks away, only 13 more working days
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on February 25, 2019, 05:38:41 PM
I'm back from my vacation.  Sorry to read about all of you struggling with finding the confidence to pull the plug.  After two weeks off, I can decidedly say that I am ready to quit yesterday.  But of course I'm sticking with the plan of 4/19.  However, assuming I receive a small bonus that I'm expecting on Thursday, I plan to give my notice then, which would be about 7 weeks notice.  Fingers crossed that they simply walk me out the door then.  lol
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on February 26, 2019, 08:20:33 AM
I'm back from my vacation.  Sorry to read about all of you struggling with finding the confidence to pull the plug.  After two weeks off, I can decidedly say that I am ready to quit yesterday.  But of course I'm sticking with the plan of 4/19.  However, assuming I receive a small bonus that I'm expecting on Thursday, I plan to give my notice then, which would be about 7 weeks notice.  Fingers crossed that they simply walk me out the door then.  lol

I have to second this.  I just got back from a nearly two week vacation and it was very clear to me, I'm ready to do this for a much longer time.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: forward on February 26, 2019, 09:16:03 AM
I'm back from my vacation.  Sorry to read about all of you struggling with finding the confidence to pull the plug.  After two weeks off, I can decidedly say that I am ready to quit yesterday.  But of course I'm sticking with the plan of 4/19.  However, assuming I receive a small bonus that I'm expecting on Thursday, I plan to give my notice then, which would be about 7 weeks notice.  Fingers crossed that they simply walk me out the door then.  lol

If they do walk you out after giving your 7 weeks notice, are you expecting that they will pay you for those 7 weeks?  I think my company will have the same approach of walking me out but I also think they will try to stop paying me as well.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on February 26, 2019, 09:37:06 AM
I'm back from my vacation.  Sorry to read about all of you struggling with finding the confidence to pull the plug.  After two weeks off, I can decidedly say that I am ready to quit yesterday.  But of course I'm sticking with the plan of 4/19.  However, assuming I receive a small bonus that I'm expecting on Thursday, I plan to give my notice then, which would be about 7 weeks notice.  Fingers crossed that they simply walk me out the door then.  lol

If they do walk you out after giving your 7 weeks notice, are you expecting that they will pay you for those 7 weeks?  I think my company will have the same approach of walking me out but I also think they will try to stop paying me as well.

Nah, they won't walk me.  That's just a pipe dream.  We basically have company sponsored going away parties for people leaving even if they're taking a job with a competitor.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on February 26, 2019, 01:12:52 PM
Bumping the list, as it was getting hard to find on prior pages.  Cycling Stache hasn't posted to the thread since early November, so I moved him to "TBD" until we hear from him.

March is nearly here!

2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19     Bingeworker (52)        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                   CONFIRMED
02/28/19     nowwhat? (56)           CONFIRMED
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/18/19     Cycling Stache (43)
03/19/19     ChasesFish (36)
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor (50)     
03/??/19     Edgema
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     BlindSquirrel
03/29/19     Loren Ver (36)
03/29/19     Mr. Ver (39)
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/01/19     Ryder (39)
04/04/19     PowerStache (43)
04/19/19     Eric
04/26/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)
05/15/19     MaybeBabyMustache                   
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/31/19     dude                              Date Confirmed
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/15/19     Okonomiyaki (49)
06/15/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/30/19     Pylortes  (42)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
07/05/19     StoaX (58)
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)
08/01/19     SugarMountain
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
09/??/19     dayzero
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
10/??/19     Cookie78
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/19/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer
MustacheAnxiety
forward

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
Linda_Norway (45)
CryingInThePool  (44)

OLY
markbike528cbx  (55)      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
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MoMan on February 26, 2019, 02:25:50 PM
Just passed another little FIRE milestone: My FINAL performance review!

In reality, my performance reviews have always been non events, so as expected there were no surprises. Plus I really like my current manager.

Pretty much all I heard was
Quote
MoMan, blah blah blah  blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah ... Keep up the good work

My manager also mentioned that bonuses will be paid out in the next few weeks and there has been no news about COLAs or merit-based raises. I smiled, thinking to myself, "I couldn't care less." Besides, I haven't really spent last year's bonus.

Also, I am now 90 "c" days away from retiring: I work from home 2 days a week, so I only have 90 more cubicle/commute days remaining. Still painful but the time will pass quickly I hope.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on February 27, 2019, 04:57:29 PM
I'm 35 and fired two years ago at 33. I was a software engineer and when I quit my career I was making just under $300,000 a year so I can relate to the golden handcuffs dilemma.

Others may have spoken to this effect already but I think our generation has a problem with thinking life requires meaning. Nothing on this planet requires meaning to live. Drawing breath does not involve meaning and I think most people will be a lot happier in the long run if they divorce meaning from happiness. I spent a lot of time thinking about this after I stopped working and suddenly had many hours of the day to ponder what it is I wanted to be doing with my life. I realized that meaning is a self-imposed construct that inevitably only limits what you're able to do with your life because of the negative feelings that arise from the idea of having a lack of meaning. Trying to find meaning in any particular activity of your life leaves you open to unhappiness if your circumstances suddenly change and you are no longer able to live meaningfully. Think about the worker whose meaning is pouring his soul into woodworking and is suddenly disabled to where he is no longer able to do that. We put such a great weight on meaning that the loss of it creates identity crises for many people. If instead we focused on the pursuit of happiness then when something is no longer able to provide it we can simply continue the pursuit elsewhere.

If you're financially independent and your job brings you no happiness, perhaps you should question why you're spending 40 or more hours a week doing something that brings you know happiness. It could be that the salary allows you to do other things in your life that bring enough happiness that it's worth those 40 hours a week. Perhaps the job itself is rewarding to you and give some form of happiness. If it isn't then what is the point of staying in the job?

If you're not truly financially independent then it would seem the answer is comparing the choice of staying in the job to become more so and what amount of happiness in life that may provide you while doing it and choosing to leave the job for something else and what level of happiness that could provide. Everything in life is a gamble though and there's no guarantee that something you may choose to pursue will provide the level of happiness you think it will, particularly if you're pursuing something that is new to you and you don't yet know whether you truly enjoy it.

I've noticed that some of the happiest people I've come across aren't the most intelligent. I think this allows them to more easily accept most things in life and be happy with what they have. Those of us constantly questioning things and looking for the best or quickest way to do something never seem to be satisfied and I wonder if the feeling of needing meaning is somehow tied to that. I've spent a lot of time trying to slow down and actually enjoy my life more and think about meaning less. I've been pleasantly surprised at how okay I am with not accomplishing much on a day-to-day basis. I would say that last spring is probably the first time in my life that I've experienced truly unbridled joy just to be alive. Taking in a glorious day, going for a walk, or something else of that nature. None of those things involve meaning and I've never been happier.

This was posted on another thread and it was too good not to republish for all of us 2019 counterparts to think about
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on February 27, 2019, 06:34:40 PM
Bumping the list, as it was getting hard to find on prior pages.  Cycling Stache hasn't posted to the thread since early November, so I moved him to "TBD" until we hear from him.

March is nearly here!


Thanks!  I like having one copy on the current page. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on February 28, 2019, 12:47:11 PM
77 days until my sabbatical. Went to lunch with a senior director (peer team) & she encouraged me to think hard about what I want when I'm out, because she thinks it's very likely I can ask for & receive any flexible work arrangement. That would be huge, as I could keep my stock & determine if I enjoy doing a part time role. I've previously not given much thought to this, as my employer very, very rarely grants part time. We shall see!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on February 28, 2019, 01:13:51 PM
Just gave my notice.  No going back now!

(https://66.media.tumblr.com/b91608d426b50f07be26c31bbebac37f/tumblr_ojh3ljSwnN1v3vyeao4_250.gif)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on February 28, 2019, 01:20:20 PM
Congratulations @Eric !!  You have strapped on your chute and have stepped up to the open door of the plane.  3 . . . 2 . . . 1 . . . .

@MaybeBabyMustache -- that is great news.  Options are good things to have.  :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: stoaX on February 28, 2019, 01:30:05 PM
Just gave my notice.  No going back now!

(https://66.media.tumblr.com/b91608d426b50f07be26c31bbebac37f/tumblr_ojh3ljSwnN1v3vyeao4_250.gif)

Congratulations! Time for new adventures!

Despite being ready and confident in my plans, there was a pit in my stomach when I actually said the words to my boss that I'm retiring. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on February 28, 2019, 01:39:22 PM
Congratulations! Time for new adventures!

Despite being ready and confident in my plans, there was a pit in my stomach when I actually said the words to my boss that I'm retiring.

I had a practice run.  First thing this morning, I took a young temp aside (that I think is a really good worker and smart kid) to let him know he's about to have some leverage, and whatever they offer him, he should counter for more.  I wish someone would've done that for me when I was his age!  I was feeling the nerves for that talk.  Then a couple hours later, I told my boss and he was cool with it and I was definitely less nervous.  Makes no sense, I know.  But I guess the practice run must've really helped.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on February 28, 2019, 04:35:28 PM
Just gave my notice.  No going back now!

Congratulations Eric!
(https://media.giphy.com/media/7NXukzqTUODTImM51C/giphy.gif)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on February 28, 2019, 06:42:12 PM
I have the sudden urge to hanglide!

Congrats @Eric !!!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on February 28, 2019, 08:25:44 PM
Congrats, @Eric
Thanks, @Trifele - totally agree. Nothing wrong with having more options
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on February 28, 2019, 08:47:43 PM
77 days until my sabbatical. Went to lunch with a senior director (peer team) & she encouraged me to think hard about what I want when I'm out, because she thinks it's very likely I can ask for & receive any flexible work arrangement. That would be huge, as I could keep my stock & determine if I enjoy doing a part time role. I've previously not given much thought to this, as my employer very, very rarely grants part time. We shall see!

Be careful MaybeBabyMustashe:   This looks like the slippery slope to OMY.  Also I'd like to point out that several forum members have found Part Time = FTEquivalient,
Just remember you have FU Money exponentially and have total control of the situation.   Nothing less than your ultimate goal is acceptable. 
Smoke up your a.....  a year prior is not the same thing as FIRE.

Go 2019!

Mark, OP, OLY
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on March 01, 2019, 12:04:41 AM
77 days until my sabbatical. Went to lunch with a senior director (peer team) & she encouraged me to think hard about what I want when I'm out, because she thinks it's very likely I can ask for & receive any flexible work arrangement. That would be huge, as I could keep my stock & determine if I enjoy doing a part time role. I've previously not given much thought to this, as my employer very, very rarely grants part time. We shall see!

Be careful MaybeBabyMustashe:   This looks like the slippery slope to OMY.  Also I'd like to point out that several forum members have found Part Time = FTEquivalient,
Just remember you have FU Money exponentially and have total control of the situation.   Nothing less than your ultimate goal is acceptable. 
Smoke up your a.....  a year prior is not the same thing as FIRE.

Go 2019!

Mark, OP, OLY
I'd second those concerns about PT turning into FT, but that can be managed.  My 1 day a week gig is actually turning out to be 1.5 to 2 most weeks and, if I let it, could be just as stressful as FT.  It isn't for me because I was well prepared.  I expected the hours creep so rather than agree to 2 days - which was my initial thought - I only offered 1 day with paid overtime for anything over that.  This way I'm doing less than I expected, they are getting more than they feared and everyone is happy.  More importantly, it's a time limited role and I made it clear that I'd be as helpful as possible, but I refused to actually own anything unless I wanted to.  That leaves me in a position to just dump all the stress up the line and go play with my woodpile.
For me it has been a useful transition mentally and doesn't get in the way of living the FIRE life too much as school age kids already imposes so much structure. 
ETA: If my PT role wasn't already time-limited I would probably be looking to end it fairly soon.  It's done its job of helping me transition and it is starting to get annoying when my working day turns out to be the day with the best weather!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on March 01, 2019, 02:25:08 PM
Congrats @Eric !!  Deep breaths!

The count down has really started in my family.  This is the last month.  At this time next month we will be in Chicago starting our route 66 drive.  Whee!

Each time I see the list, I am happy there are more people, but I wonder if my and Mr Ver's last days should be that Friday (Match 29th) since neither of us work weekends.... 

I still haven't heard from HR and it has been a week and a half.  Not sure if this is normal since I have never done this before.  Might have to poke my boss to make sure things are happening.

LV


Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on March 01, 2019, 03:18:38 PM
Congrats Eric!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on March 01, 2019, 03:23:58 PM
77 days until my sabbatical. Went to lunch with a senior director (peer team) & she encouraged me to think hard about what I want when I'm out, because she thinks it's very likely I can ask for & receive any flexible work arrangement. That would be huge, as I could keep my stock & determine if I enjoy doing a part time role. I've previously not given much thought to this, as my employer very, very rarely grants part time. We shall see!

Be careful MaybeBabyMustashe:   This looks like the slippery slope to OMY.  Also I'd like to point out that several forum members have found Part Time = FTEquivalient,
Just remember you have FU Money exponentially and have total control of the situation.   Nothing less than your ultimate goal is acceptable. 
Smoke up your a.....  a year prior is not the same thing as FIRE.

Go 2019!

Mark, OP, OLY
I'd second those concerns about PT turning into FT, but that can be managed.  My 1 day a week gig is actually turning out to be 1.5 to 2 most weeks and, if I let it, could be just as stressful as FT.  It isn't for me because I was well prepared.  I expected the hours creep so rather than agree to 2 days - which was my initial thought - I only offered 1 day with paid overtime for anything over that.  This way I'm doing less than I expected, they are getting more than they feared and everyone is happy.  More importantly, it's a time limited role and I made it clear that I'd be as helpful as possible, but I refused to actually own anything unless I wanted to.  That leaves me in a position to just dump all the stress up the line and go play with my woodpile.
For me it has been a useful transition mentally and doesn't get in the way of living the FIRE life too much as school age kids already imposes so much structure. 
ETA: If my PT role wasn't already time-limited I would probably be looking to end it fairly soon.  It's done its job of helping me transition and it is starting to get annoying when my working day turns out to be the day with the best weather!

It's good feedback & perspective on all sides, and I like your take @PhilB . For me, it comes down to finding the right compromise with my spouse. And by that, I mean that he's totally supportive of whatever is best for me/my health/mental state. But, I have my own feelings on that & him working another 7 years while I'm fully retired. I think that trying out a part time gig & validating whether it is indeed full time masked as part time (and as such, a terrible tradeoff), or something that I enjoy & fits in well with my family friendly (desired) lifestyle, is at least worth investigating. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on March 02, 2019, 07:08:46 AM
15 weeks to go here!!!

This months market performance has us at 16x annual expenses.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on March 02, 2019, 02:22:45 PM
77 days until my sabbatical. Went to lunch with a senior director (peer team) & she encouraged me to think hard about what I want when I'm out, because she thinks it's very likely I can ask for & receive any flexible work arrangement. That would be huge, as I could keep my stock & determine if I enjoy doing a part time role. I've previously not given much thought to this, as my employer very, very rarely grants part time. We shall see!

You post reminded me of Dr. Doom's (LivingAFI) third post in the Quit Series.  It's one of my favorite posts.  The situation is different, but there are some parallels.  The link is below, but if you aren't familiar with the blog reading parts 1&2 might be good.  https://livingafi.com/2015/03/22/quitters-never-win-except-when-they-do-33/


Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on March 02, 2019, 02:43:24 PM
I finally looked into the pensions that my partner and I are eligible for.  I have intentionally ignored the value of the pensions because pensions are notoriously unreliable; my company could go out of business and government insurance is no guarantee that we'll get most or all of the money that they claim we'll get.  I still consider our pensions a bonus that we can't rely on, so I've avoided learning details other than things that are important to my planning.  For instance, I know how payouts are calculated, I know the early retirement rules, I know about vesting, etc.  I just don't know how much we're supposed to get - at least I didn't until today.

In short, if we quit at the end of April as planned we should get enough to cover ~70% of our planned expenses starting in 22-23 years.  This is a lot more than I expected!  The dollar figure increases according to an inflation calculation until we start taking it, then the dollar figure freezes.  That's another reason we can't count on it; inflation will eat away at the value of our pension payments.  Nevertheless, if the pensions are around that plus SS will put us well over our planned expenses (starting at very roughly 140% and dropping over time).  With the run-up in equities over the past 2 months we unexpectedly are now past 30x our planned spending if the ACA stays as-is.  We're close to 25x if the ACA cost sharing and premium subsidies are eliminated, give or take. 

I feel like this should make me feel better, but I can't help but feel like the failure modes for each are correlated.  In other words, if the 4% rule fails even if we cut spending, then things are going to be so bad that our company may fail and government may have trouble funding social security.  On the other hand, if the pension is around and S.S. pays out what we expect then it's likely that the 4% rule worked and we'll have way too much. 

I need to get over my fear of these risks.  While I haven't submitted my formal notice, I've told everyone at work my plans.  I'm leaving whether I'm terrified or not.  But all the back-up plans (and the above are just a few) aren't enough to make the fear subside.  I am far more excited than fearful, but I'm pretty damn fearful. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on March 03, 2019, 05:17:13 AM
@FIRE 20/20 - I also have a pension to throw into the calculation.  I've wondered how to/not to value it and ultimately I got past 25x before calculating it.

I've found the best way to include this is to use Fidelity's guaranteed income estimator, then act as if you had to buy an annuity today to replace that pension.  It'll give you a lump sum you pay in today.  That's basically the value of your pension if you want to include it in your net worth or 4% calculation.

https://gpi.fidelity.com/ftgw/interfaces/gie/

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: nowwhat? on March 03, 2019, 04:40:04 PM
I've been lurking a couple years- Officially FIRE'd 2-28-19. Looking for new adventures and opportunities!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on March 03, 2019, 04:41:35 PM
I've been lurking a couple years- Officially FIRE'd 2-28-19. Looking for new adventures and opportunities!!
That's a hell of a first post!  Congratulations
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on March 03, 2019, 04:43:54 PM
I've been lurking a couple years- Officially FIRE'd 2-28-19. Looking for new adventures and opportunities!!
That's a hell of a first post!  Congratulations

Congrats!  Welcome to the cohort!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 04, 2019, 04:25:21 AM
Congrats and welcome aboard @nowwhat? !  Got you added to the list above.  Also got your dates changed @Loren Ver.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on March 04, 2019, 05:04:56 AM
I've been lurking a couple years- Officially FIRE'd 2-28-19. Looking for new adventures and opportunities!!

Congratulations!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on March 04, 2019, 05:05:06 AM
Thank you @Trifele.  Also, I love that you are playing in the dirt!!!  It has been over a month, how are you doing??

Loren
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on March 04, 2019, 05:19:03 AM
Congrats, @nowwhat?

We need a rule to encourage delurking before someone pulls the plug, lest they don't make the list ;)

Moving forward of course.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Ryder on March 04, 2019, 06:44:13 AM
I've also handed in my notice, with the first day of retirement being as planned, April 1st.

Must confess there's a bit of a feeling of loss and guilt, but it's by far overruled by the joy of the prospect of freedom and, oddly enough, a feeling of relief. The closer the date is, the more I just want to be done with this. Six or twelve months ago I could have formulated not-unrealistically high incentives (type of work + compensation) that would have gotten me to continue working. At this point, I can't.


To weigh in on the earlier discussion on mortgages: I've chosen to pay mine off. I don't think it would make a huge difference either way with how the taxes are structured where I live. Knowing that my fixed living expenses (including maintenance, insurance, food, transportation, energy, etc.) are just some 3 digit number monthly does give me a very comfortable feeling. Worst case if all my money evaporates I can still live extremely comfortably on just about any job, part-time at that. The choice was made a lot easier by the house representing <5% of the overall nest egg - there's not much Fear Of Missing Out on higher capital gains elsewhere.

I don't mentally regard the house as an investment, but more as a sunk one-time cost virtually guaranteeing a solar panelled roof over my head for the rest of my life.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: TheSinner on March 04, 2019, 07:07:01 AM
I officially FIREd one month ago. Mid thirties, male from Holland.
Feels like it hasn't really sunk in yet. I really liked my job, so I will miss it. But I guess I'll have more time now to build an even better life.
I too suffered from the OMY syndrome and I actually stayed one year too long I'm afraid. Guess I'll have to enjoy my free time extra hard now to make up for it!

I'm not sure what to tell friends and family, my current plan is to just tell them I'm an IT freelancer and pretend I have some projects now and then. Which will probably end up happening at some point. Not 100% comfortable with this, but there's a high cultural expectation to work, perform, achieve... And I'm not really eager to tell much about my financial status.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on March 04, 2019, 08:01:43 AM
I officially FIREd one month ago. Mid thirties, male from Holland.
Feels like it hasn't really sunk in yet. I really liked my job, so I will miss it. But I guess I'll have more time now to build an even better life.
I too suffered from the OMY syndrome and I actually stayed one year too long I'm afraid. Guess I'll have to enjoy my free time extra hard now to make up for it!

I'm not sure what to tell friends and family, my current plan is to just tell them I'm an IT freelancer and pretend I have some projects now and then. Which will probably end up happening at some point. Not 100% comfortable with this, but there's a high cultural expectation to work, perform, achieve... And I'm not really eager to tell much about my financial status.

Maybe you could tell your friends that you are taking a sabbatical now and will be freelancing later. If they then ask whether you are having a project, you can honestly answer, "no, not yet".
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on March 04, 2019, 08:09:36 AM
Congrats @TheShinyHorse and @Ryder.   

Exciting times!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 04, 2019, 09:14:43 AM
Thank you @Trifele.  Also, I love that you are playing in the dirt!!!  It has been over a month, how are you doing??

Loren


I'm doing great, thanks!  No decompression problems so far.  I think it helped that I had plenty to retire TO.  I'm much busier than I was before I retired; I always heard Post-FIRE people say that, and it's true.  I joined the Y, am working out, spending loads of time in my garden, and more time with my kids.  I walk around with perma-grin on my face.  I'm more relaxed, and I think I'm a nicer person.  It's like the best vacation I've ever had, only way better because it doesn't end.

One thing that surprised me a lot though -- before FIRE I had all these major travel plans, and now I have lost the urge.  I find myself being just really happy where I am.  I guess that's a great thing, but part of me is sad?  wistful? that I'm not going to those places I was dreaming of.  Oh well, it's only been a month.  Maybe the travel bug will bite me again later haha.   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on March 04, 2019, 11:44:38 AM
Thank you @Trifele.  Also, I love that you are playing in the dirt!!!  It has been over a month, how are you doing??

Loren


I'm doing great, thanks!  No decompression problems so far.  I think it helped that I had plenty to retire TO.  I'm much busier than I was before I retired; I always heard Post-FIRE people say that, and it's true.  I joined the Y, am working out, spending loads of time in my garden, and more time with my kids.  I walk around with perma-grin on my face.  I'm more relaxed, and I think I'm a nicer person.  It's like the best vacation I've ever had, only way better because it doesn't end.

One thing that surprised me a lot though -- before FIRE I had all these major travel plans, and now I have lost the urge.  I find myself being just really happy where I am.  I guess that's a great thing, but part of me is sad?  wistful? that I'm not going to those places I was dreaming of.  Oh well, it's only been a month.  Maybe the travel bug will bite me again later haha.

That doesn’t surprise me. DW and I have been discussing this these past days ie: when we FIRE is not a stretch to imagine we travel less rather than more. These days we often feel the need to escape, maybe we won’t post FIRE. Time will tell.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 04, 2019, 02:45:37 PM
Congrats @Ryder and @TheShinyHorse !  Welcome to the other side.  :)

Wow, I never expected so many new people to pop out with FIRE announcements.  What do you all think -- should we add this type of FIRE announcement to the cohort list?

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Half Stached on March 04, 2019, 03:14:27 PM
Congrats @Ryder and @TheShinyHorse !  Welcome to the other side.  :)

Wow, I never expected so many new people to pop out with FIRE announcements.  What do you all think -- should we add this type of FIRE announcement to the cohort list?

Let's add them - the more the merrier! Oh, and congrats! :)

On my end, things are getting real. I just received a meeting invite for March 15 for my exit interview. So, perhaps I am leaving two weeks early? I'll have to ask my boss what's up next time I see him. Last we talked, he was going to lay me off (with severance) the first week of April. Two weeks either way doesn't matter much to me, so long as I get my annual bonus paid out.

Today, I am working from home as I had no meetings scheduled. Work has been getting very slow as my projects finish up and I stop getting new ones...
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on March 04, 2019, 05:04:36 PM
One thing that surprised me a lot though -- before FIRE I had all these major travel plans, and now I have lost the urge.  I find myself being just really happy where I am.  I guess that's a great thing, but part of me is sad?  wistful? that I'm not going to those places I was dreaming of.  Oh well, it's only been a month.  Maybe the travel bug will bite me again later haha.

I'm not FIRE yet but I've experienced this too. I use to love travel and was always planning a new adventure. Now I'm just so content with my life I don't feel any need to run off elsewhere. I still plan to spend winters in Mexico but that will probably be the extent of my travel post FIRE.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: exit2019 on March 04, 2019, 09:42:50 PM
On another topic, still waiting to hear from @Cycling Stache on his status.  We have quite a large group on deck for March, with @exit2019 and @chasesfish up next -- less than a month to go.  Are you two still on target?

I resigned in mid-February.  It looks like I will either OLQ(uarter) or OLY it based on the response.  I kind of dread that with a sort of really primal loathing but if they actually deliver I will do it. Right now we are ticking down to my exit date with no plan in place but I'd give 75+% odds that they come back with a compelling counter and that against my psychological and physical health I'll stick around for it.

TL;DR: TBD.  I did the resign part but I may not do the stick-to-it part. we'll see. don't mark me as CONFIRMED.


Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: TheSinner on March 05, 2019, 01:16:43 AM
I officially FIREd one month ago. Mid thirties, male from Holland.
Feels like it hasn't really sunk in yet. I really liked my job, so I will miss it. But I guess I'll have more time now to build an even better life.
I too suffered from the OMY syndrome and I actually stayed one year too long I'm afraid. Guess I'll have to enjoy my free time extra hard now to make up for it!

I'm not sure what to tell friends and family, my current plan is to just tell them I'm an IT freelancer and pretend I have some projects now and then. Which will probably end up happening at some point. Not 100% comfortable with this, but there's a high cultural expectation to work, perform, achieve... And I'm not really eager to tell much about my financial status.

Maybe you could tell your friends that you are taking a sabbatical now and will be freelancing later. If they then ask whether you are having a project, you can honestly answer, "no, not yet".
Thanks for the idea. But I already did a sabattical a while ago. Came back to do OMY :-)
I think I'll look into some Master/MBA type of study as well. If I find something interesting I might actually do it or part of it if I enjoy it.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on March 05, 2019, 04:48:51 AM
Thank you @Trifele.  Also, I love that you are playing in the dirt!!!  It has been over a month, how are you doing??

Loren


I'm doing great, thanks!  No decompression problems so far.  I think it helped that I had plenty to retire TO.  I'm much busier than I was before I retired; I always heard Post-FIRE people say that, and it's true.  I joined the Y, am working out, spending loads of time in my garden, and more time with my kids.  I walk around with perma-grin on my face.  I'm more relaxed, and I think I'm a nicer person.  It's like the best vacation I've ever had, only way better because it doesn't end.

One thing that surprised me a lot though -- before FIRE I had all these major travel plans, and now I have lost the urge.  I find myself being just really happy where I am.  I guess that's a great thing, but part of me is sad?  wistful? that I'm not going to those places I was dreaming of.  Oh well, it's only been a month.  Maybe the travel bug will bite me again later haha.

That doesn’t surprise me. DW and I have been discussing this these past days ie: when we FIRE is not a stretch to imagine we travel less rather than more. These days we often feel the need to escape, maybe we won’t post FIRE. Time will tell.

I have been wondering about this too.  I do love a good travel, but as my date got closer the more I just want to be at home.  DH has some concerns about starting off retirement in a rut, so we are doing a long road trip to kick things off on the right foot.  After that we will see. 

I am my mother-in-laws travel buddy for international trips, not sure how that dynamic will change once I am free.

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 05, 2019, 05:05:59 AM
I've also handed in my notice, with the first day of retirement being as planned, April 1st.

Must confess there's a bit of a feeling of loss and guilt, but it's by far overruled by the joy of the prospect of freedom and, oddly enough, a feeling of relief. The closer the date is, the more I just want to be done with this. Six or twelve months ago I could have formulated not-unrealistically high incentives (type of work + compensation) that would have gotten me to continue working. At this point, I can't.


@Ryder -- I feel you, and that's exactly how I felt.  As FIRE approached there were some sad feelings but it was massively outweighed by the other feelings pushing me toward the exit.  I think all that is completely normal, since it is a major life transition.  Also agree on the mortgage -- we paid ours off just before I REd;  in our case the house is a much bigger chunk of NW, but psychologically it was important to own it outright.  Congrats and respect to you that you were able to achieve FIRE at such a young age.

Less than a month to go for you!  What will you do with your free time?  ;)



Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on March 05, 2019, 05:31:09 AM
Are there any existing threads about adjusting your investments post-FIRE? Most of my investments are with Fidelity now because that was my employer's choice, but i'd like some guidance on tweaking my portfolio once my employer has no more say in my investments.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on March 05, 2019, 08:19:08 AM
Are there any existing threads about adjusting your investments post-FIRE? Most of my investments are with Fidelity now because that was my employer's choice, but i'd like some guidance on tweaking my portfolio once my employer has no more say in my investments.

If a substantial 401k is present, I might leave it there, due to possibly better lawsuit protection. Can anyone confirm or deny that ?

I looked in post-FIRE, and a little bit in investor alley, but no relevant threads popped out at me.

If you like your AA the day before FIRE, it should be just as good the day after you start FIRE.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on March 05, 2019, 08:52:36 AM
Are there any existing threads about adjusting your investments post-FIRE? Most of my investments are with Fidelity now because that was my employer's choice, but i'd like some guidance on tweaking my portfolio once my employer has no more say in my investments.

If a substantial 401k is present, I might leave it there, due to possibly better lawsuit protection. Can anyone confirm or deny that ?

I looked in post-FIRE, and a little bit in investor alley, but no relevant threads popped out at me.

If you like your AA the day before FIRE, it should be just as good the day after you start FIRE.

I haven't seen too much either.  Most people seem to go with as aggressive as you can still sleep with at night.  Opinions vary wildly.  Using cfiresim, i have found that higher stock allocations with flexible spending, give the best success rates.  But I am a pretty aggressive investor.

Afford Anything has talked about a U shaped AA over time https://affordanything.com/heres-a-counterintuitive-idea-for-your-retirement/
I find the idea quite interesting. 

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Ryder on March 06, 2019, 07:59:22 AM
@Ryder -- I feel you, and that's exactly how I felt.  ...

Less than a month to go for you!  What will you do with your free time?  ;)

Thanks :).

Definitely at least one big (<2 months though) trip planned, now getting a bit worried by all the reports above of people losing interest in travel now, haha.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Livingthedream55 on March 06, 2019, 08:17:38 AM
Congrats @Ryder and @TheShinyHorse !  Welcome to the other side.  :)

Wow, I never expected so many new people to pop out with FIRE announcements.  What do you all think -- should we add this type of FIRE announcement to the cohort list?

Sure! Why not?

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 06, 2019, 08:22:30 AM
Congrats @Ryder and @TheShinyHorse !  Welcome to the other side.  :)

Wow, I never expected so many new people to pop out with FIRE announcements.  What do you all think -- should we add this type of FIRE announcement to the cohort list?

Sure! Why not?

Done!  I've got TheShinyHorse and nowwhat? added to the list above.  The more the merrier. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Keeks on March 06, 2019, 09:57:05 AM
Hi!  Wow--so many people making progress towards pulling the plug--congrats!!

I've been gone (traveling in Mexico) for a while, so thought I'd comment "from the other side" now that I'm back in the US. 

1.  Guilt and sadness:  I've come to realize that I got lucky by being laid off.  I did have intermittent feelings of guilt (guilt for my DH--not for leaving my company or societal guilt) and sadness.  I will say they lessened a lot AFTER I left the job.  I still had some, and it really subsided a lot after the first week or so of FIRE.  I now have real sense of clarity that if money, socialization, purpose became an issue I could find something to do that would better align to my needs/values/interests than my previous job.  Don't get me wrong, I had an amazing career and opportunities--but I had become too burnt out to continue on.

I also realize that I would probably be a total chicken if it came to ME being the one to walk away--if I had not been laid off.  Quitting in July 2019 was the plan, but I do wonder if the overachiever in me would have wanted OMQ, OMY, OM$50,000....  I know now that getting laid off removed the burden that I see a few of you struggling with--so I'm lucky to have been laid off.  Its the kick out of the nest I needed and its been great so far.

2.  Investing:  Along with my FP, we have come up with a allocation bucket.  I'll be honest and say when he proposed it a year ago, I questioned if it was too conservative.  However, what we've done is to have a non IRA account with 2 years spending in cash, 2 years in bonds (in theory...although its really in cash now because bonds are too low), and 1 year in stocks.  All of the rest of my portfolio is invested 80%/20%.  His proposal was to buy myself a cushion of not needing to sell for several years, based on the recovery timing of past markets and protect against SRR.  Probably too conservative for many, and I thought it would be for me--but now feeling good with the allocation.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on March 06, 2019, 10:46:33 AM
Wow, timely medical advice for the 2019 cohort - from 'Mayo Clinic' ;-D

[Health Experts Recommend Standing Up At Desk, Leaving Office, Never Coming Back] (https://www.theonion.com/health-experts-recommend-standing-up-at-desk-leaving-o-1819577456?utm_medium=sharefromsite&utm_source=theonion_copy&utm_campaign=top)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on March 06, 2019, 11:20:14 PM
Wow, timely medical advice for the 2019 cohort - from 'Mayo Clinic' ;-D

[Health Experts Recommend Standing Up At Desk, Leaving Office, Never Coming Back] (https://www.theonion.com/health-experts-recommend-standing-up-at-desk-leaving-o-1819577456?utm_medium=sharefromsite&utm_source=theonion_copy&utm_campaign=top)

LOL

In particular that part about hurling your stuff ID over the parking lot. I always take it of as soon as I leave my desk, walking out without ID around my neck. As my little act of resistence.

Funny that the article didn't say anything about coming back the next day. If that wasn't the intention, then you can't do this too often.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on March 07, 2019, 02:36:56 AM
The Onion is satire/ humor, but sadly sometimes excessively close to the truth.

https://www.theonion.com/demonic-spirit-claws-way-out-of-hell-to-flicker-lights-1833096666
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on March 07, 2019, 03:31:34 AM
In particular that part about hurling your stuff ID over the parking lot. I always take it of as soon as I leave my desk, walking out without ID around my neck. As my little act of resistence.

I liked the ID bit too LOL. Good on you for your act of resistance, I too often forget I'm wearing it and walk around with it on all night.

The Onion is satire/ humor, but sadly sometimes excessively close to the truth.

As the saying goes 'it's funny 'cuz it's true.' I mostly enjoy the Onion, but every now and then it makes me wince.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cycling Stache on March 07, 2019, 08:23:32 AM
My last day is March 18, 2019!

I know I've been overdue for an update, and there's more I'd like to write later about the process of leaving, which wasn't as straightforward as I thought.  My last day was delayed by the government shutdown and a last-minute trial, but I gave my notice a couple days ago.

I'm looking forward to the next phase of my life.  Very much!

P.S.  Can someone correct my age to 43 in the table.  Thank you!  :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MustacheAnxiety on March 07, 2019, 10:12:11 AM
Congrats @Cycling Stache.  Nice to see the mustachian side of the government shut down: having to get paid for an extra month because your work won't open to let you  put notice in.

We are reevaluating FIRE in 2019 already.  Part being chickenshit and part a diagnosis of a not terrible but lifelong medical condition that is going to cost a few thousand a year to manage.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 07, 2019, 10:41:32 AM
Thanks for the check in @Cycling Stache.  Got your date and age fixed on the list.  Also got a PM from 2Birds that his date has moved up a bit.  Bumping the list, so we have a copy on each page.  Should be lots more congratulations flowing from now until the end of the month!


2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19     Bingeworker (52)        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                   CONFIRMED
02/28/19     nowwhat? (56)           CONFIRMED
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/15/19     HalfStached  (47)
03/18/19     Cycling Stache (43)
03/19/19     ChasesFish (36)
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor (50)     
03/??/19     Edgema
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/29/19     Loren Ver (36)
03/29/19     Mr. Ver (39)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     Ryder (39)
04/04/19     PowerStache (43)
04/19/19     Eric (42)
04/26/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)
05/15/19     MaybeBabyMustache                   
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/31/19     dude                              Date Confirmed
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/15/19     Okonomiyaki (49)
06/15/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/30/19     Pylortes  (42)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
07/05/19     StoaX (58)
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)
08/01/19     SugarMountain
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
09/??/19     dayzero
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
10/??/19     Cookie78
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/19/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer
MustacheAnxiety
forward
BlindSquirrel
I'm Fred (51)
JoJo (45)

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
Linda_Norway (45)
CryingInThePool  (44)

OLY
markbike528cbx  (55)      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



Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on March 07, 2019, 10:59:04 AM
Thanks, @Trifele!!!!

And I can't wait to celebrate with each and every one of you this year!!!!!!

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on March 07, 2019, 02:30:37 PM
Congrats @Cycling Stache .  You day is coming up FAST!

@MustacheAnxiety I'm sorry to hear about the diagnosis.  Hopefully the news only moves things around for you.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on March 07, 2019, 05:02:03 PM
Congrats @Cycling Stache.  Nice to see the mustachian side of the government shut down: having to get paid for an extra month because your work won't open to let you  put notice in.

We are reevaluating FIRE in 2019 already.  Part being chickenshit and part a diagnosis of a not terrible but lifelong medical condition that is going to cost a few thousand a year to manage.

Thoughts are with you.  Ongoing medical costs for my spouse pushed me from June of 2018 to March of 2019.

6 work days left.  I just realized next week is spring break and work is going to be empty!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PowerStache on March 07, 2019, 06:28:54 PM
19 more working days!  Getting tasks turned over at work and starting to relax. Gave my last presentation to the workforce today.  It's still a little surreal, but I already feel better that I am not going to worrying about budgets and people problems and processes much longer.

I put together a list of items I am wanting to do each week.  Not looking to schedule every moment post - FIRE, but set up a mild routine to keep me from sitting on the internet all day. (not going to happen, but still a irrational thought)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: nowwhat? on March 08, 2019, 04:50:27 AM
Congrats everyone!! WOW, thought I retired "early", looks like I'm one of the old farts!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on March 08, 2019, 06:25:46 AM
Congrats everyone!! WOW, thought I retired "early", looks like I'm one of the old farts!!

Early is early, no matter how early that is!!

My boss contacted HR so now there is paperwork.  With that milestone, I am starting to tell people, or more accurately, letting the few people that knew tell others.  I also got my bonus paperwork for 2018.  The bonus is only 30% of what is should have been because the business set the goal crazy high.  Oh well, at least we got something. 

16 days left!

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on March 08, 2019, 06:32:19 AM
Congrats everyone!! WOW, thought I retired "early", looks like I'm one of the old farts!!

IKR! I'm starting to realize that the only people who think I'm retiring early are other working people my age. That's okay, before MMM I wasn't sure I'd ever be able to retire. Like many people my age, I feared I'd be working my way into a nursing home.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: trix76 on March 08, 2019, 11:45:15 PM
My October date is starting to look questionable but for a very positive reason... This week, I interviewed for a new job at my current company. To be super transparent (and because I’m feeling the freedom of FU money) I told my would-be manager, who is an all-around awesome guy that I already know pretty well, that I was thinking of leaving in October either for a sabbatical or indefinitely. He volunteered that I could do the job remotely and/or part-time if I want. This was before I even asked about either possibility!

If this materializes and I like the job, I may stay on longer than Oct. 2019 to pad my stash, gift some $$$ to my beloved niece and nephews to minimize their college loans, etc. Stay tuned...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on March 09, 2019, 12:44:37 AM
My October date is starting to look questionable but for a very positive reason... This week, I interviewed for a new job at my current company. To be super transparent (and because I’m feeling the freedom of FU money) I told my would-be manager, who is an all-around awesome guy that I already know pretty well, that I was thinking of leaving in October either for a sabbatical or indefinitely. He volunteered that I could do the job remotely and/or part-time if I want. This was before I even asked about either possibility!

If this materializes and I like the job, I may stay on longer than Oct. 2019 to pad my stash, gift some $$$ to my beloved niece and nephews to minimize their college loans, etc. Stay tuned...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Congratulations trix76! It is harder to leave when you work with good people and they are making the job fun.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Half Stached on March 09, 2019, 11:33:25 AM
My early retirement is going to start early! I found out this week that I'm going to be let go (with 5 months severance) on March 15 - only 5 more working days. I had expected to be let go, but not until April. I'm quite excited!

So, put me down for a finish date of 3/15/19 - at age 47 (for some reason the list has me retiring at 41).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on March 09, 2019, 11:37:44 AM
My early retirement is going to start early! I found out this week that I'm going to be let go (with 5 months severance) on March 15 - only 5 more working days. I had expected to be let go, but not until April. I'm quite excited!

So, put me down for a finish date of 3/15/19 - at age 47 (for some reason the list has me retiring at 41).

5 months severance is a good deal. Congrats.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on March 09, 2019, 11:47:50 AM
My early retirement is going to start early! I found out this week that I'm going to be let go (with 5 months severance) on March 15 - only 5 more working days. I had expected to be let go, but not until April. I'm quite excited!

So, put me down for a finish date of 3/15/19 - at age 47 (for some reason the list has me retiring at 41).

5 months severance is a good deal. Congrats.

I agree, what a nice surprise for you Half Stached!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on March 09, 2019, 12:05:14 PM
On version two of the resignation letter.  This gets real come Friday
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 09, 2019, 01:16:42 PM
My early retirement is going to start early! I found out this week that I'm going to be let go (with 5 months severance) on March 15 - only 5 more working days. I had expected to be let go, but not until April. I'm quite excited!

So, put me down for a finish date of 3/15/19 - at age 47 (for some reason the list has me retiring at 41).

Congratulations @Half Stached !  That is fantastic.  Got you fixed on the list above.^
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: I'm Fred on March 10, 2019, 03:02:21 PM
Moving up from the 2023 group.  Targeting the Oct-Dec range of this year.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on March 10, 2019, 03:36:44 PM
Huge change fred. How did it happen?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 10, 2019, 03:40:51 PM
Moving up from the 2023 group.  Targeting the Oct-Dec range of this year.

Welcome aboard @i'm Fred!   Wow -- 4LY.  That might be some kind of record.  Got you added in the list above.

I got a PM from BlindSquirrel that s/he is now in TBD status.  Exact words were "I lack the nuts" -- ha ha. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on March 10, 2019, 03:57:53 PM
Welcome Fred, that's wonderful!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: I'm Fred on March 10, 2019, 04:30:11 PM
Maybe I should have been here all along, but I have FoBB - fear of being broke.  I have vivid memories of my parents talking about how to pay the property tax, the electric bill, the mortgage, etc.  Eating canned beans for 30 meals in a row (along with other stuff).  Oddly my brother and I took different paths.  I sought financial security with a federal government job where I would always get a pay check.  He went big $ with an MBA and high paying consulting jobs.  I think it worked out for both of us.  My current job is high stress and I've had enough of that.  It's about time to close the door and move on to something else.

I don't know if this is a real retirement as I plan to find another job for general entertainment/keep busy/learn new things while getting paid for it, etc.  I believe I could never work again and I'll be fine, but don't see that happening.  My preference would be to pursue a new interest that pays well.

Here's the SWAG financials:
-2.6m assets  mostly in index funds/401k etc/200k cash
house not included because you have to live someplace=value 400k net after sale - no mortgage
-4k/month pension upon retirement
-wife will continue to work 3-8 years because she wants to - 100k/y salary + lots of frequent flyer miles for vacation fun

I feel that I have a crazy amount of money and also that I don't have enough.  I'm not sure that if I had 40m that I would feel secure.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 10, 2019, 05:25:17 PM
That's quite a story @i'm Fred.  How many years in/how old are you?  Will you be able to get that pension now?  Either way, sounds like you have more than enough.  It can be hard to pull the plug when it comes right down to it though. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: I'm Fred on March 10, 2019, 05:40:00 PM
How many years in/how old are you?  Will you be able to get that pension now?


I'll be 51 at retirement and the pension with begin immediately.  I know I'll never live under a bridge unless I want to :), but still have concerns about future medical costs for the family, parents and inlaws.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on March 11, 2019, 07:45:20 AM
How many years in/how old are you?  Will you be able to get that pension now?


I'll be 51 at retirement and the pension with begin immediately.  I know I'll never live under a bridge unless I want to :), but still have concerns about future medical costs for the family, parents and inlaws.

I'm curious, Fred, is that pension public or private? I'll begin collecting my public pension June 1. Currently down to 60 calendar days until my last day in the office, and 31 actual work days . . .
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: I'm Fred on March 11, 2019, 08:35:42 AM
It's public: US Gov't.  I should probably add a countdown to my desktop, but I haven't picked an exact date yet.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on March 11, 2019, 09:04:48 AM
My early retirement is going to start early! I found out this week that I'm going to be let go (with 5 months severance) on March 15 - only 5 more working days. I had expected to be let go, but not until April. I'm quite excited!

So, put me down for a finish date of 3/15/19 - at age 47 (for some reason the list has me retiring at 41).

Congratulations @Half Stached !  That is fantastic.  Got you fixed on the list above.^

Woo hoo!  That's great.  Congrats @Half Stached !!

@I'm Fred Welcome!  Glad you decided you have enough!!

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: forward on March 11, 2019, 10:39:41 AM
How many years in/how old are you?  Will you be able to get that pension now?


I'll be 51 at retirement and the pension with begin immediately.  I know I'll never live under a bridge unless I want to :), but still have concerns about future medical costs for the family, parents and inlaws.

I'm curious, Fred, is that pension public or private? I'll begin collecting my public pension June 1. Currently down to 60 calendar days until my last day in the office, and 31 actual work days . . .

Thats awesome Fred and dude.  I am actually pleasantly surprised at how many folks on this site have pensions.  Seems like a large number do regardless of the commonly held belief that they are all but extinct.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on March 11, 2019, 11:34:09 AM
It's public: US Gov't.  I should probably add a countdown to my desktop, but I haven't picked an exact date yet.

Yep, same here -- but goddamn, dude, did you say $2.6mil in non-house assets?? Holy shit, that's insane? Is there another high earner in the household?  In @22 years our house has managed to cobble together north of $1.2million in investments/savings, which I thought was pretty damn good. But $2.6m? Wow!

P.S. -- I have a countdown app on my phone!

Edited to add:  Subsequently read your original post, which answered a few of my questions! I'd still be interested to know what your path was to $2.6mil -- i.e., asset allocation and such? Were you maxing TSP from the get-go? How many years have you been a fed employee?  Just super curious! I know I've left some money on the table by going conservative in my AA the past few years (no regrets), so I'm thinking maybe you were just guns blazing 100% equities from start to finish?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Livingthedream55 on March 11, 2019, 11:54:02 AM
I will have a pension (state government) which provides for all my essential expenses which I will draw on right away.

My personal savings in an IRA (and a modest amount of Social Security in a few years) provides for extras (wants, not needs).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: I'm Fred on March 11, 2019, 04:00:14 PM
what your path was to $2.6mil -- i.e., asset allocation and such? Were you maxing TSP from the get-go? How many years have you been a fed employee?

I've been there 26 1/2 years.  If I recall correctly we couldn't sign up for TSP for the first 6 months or so, but can't remember why.  Probably just the man trying to keep me down ;).  It's been 100% in the C fund (S&P 500) from the start.  I figured the pension was the safe part, so the TSP could be more risky.  I was mostly maxed out, but I wasn't always on top of upping the amount as the limits increased.  Back in the 90s you could only do 10% of your salary.  I started at 27k salary, so it was slow going for awhile.  My wife is about 30% higher than me in investments.  She had more aggressive options available and is clobbering me even though she started her 401k two years after I did.  Our salaries have been pretty similar through the years. 

Although I don't talk about money at work some people do and it surprises me how many with similar or more years working with the same or higher salary have less in their Thrift.  It seems that for most it was from moving to the G fund (bonds) when the market was shaky and not getting back in soon enough.  For 10 years I couldn't even remember how to access my account, so I wasn't moving anything. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on March 12, 2019, 05:33:39 AM
@I'm Fred - FoBB.   Yeah, I can relate to that.  Impressive what you've built, especially with utilizing the C fund
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 12, 2019, 06:39:36 AM
I will have a pension (state government) which provides for all my essential expenses which I will draw on right away.

My personal savings in an IRA (and a modest amount of Social Security in a few years) provides for extras (wants, not needs).

That is a sweet situation @Livingthedream55 .  My MIL also retired with a generous state pension a few years ago.  I have a friend who will be retiring soon with a county pension, also quite generous. 

I've read that some counties and states have had to trim back their benefits in order to keep the pension funds solvent.  I suppose it all depends on how well the fund was managed over the years.   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Livingthedream55 on March 12, 2019, 06:56:17 AM
I will have a pension (state government) which provides for all my essential expenses which I will draw on right away.

My personal savings in an IRA (and a modest amount of Social Security in a few years) provides for extras (wants, not needs).

That is a sweet situation @Livingthedream55 .  My MIL also retired with a generous state pension a few years ago.  I have a friend who will be retiring soon with a county pension, also quite generous. 

I've read that some counties and states have had to trim back their benefits in order to keep the pension funds solvent.  I suppose it all depends on how well the fund was managed over the years.

@Trifele   Yes, very true. We have had benefits trimmed for younger workers. The state legislature keeps chipping away at it. As a retiree, I am also able to stay in the state employee group health insurance pool (paying only 25% of the monthly premium) until age 65. Without that, my retirement would not be possible.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on March 12, 2019, 07:06:57 AM
what your path was to $2.6mil -- i.e., asset allocation and such? Were you maxing TSP from the get-go? How many years have you been a fed employee?

I've been there 26 1/2 years.  If I recall correctly we couldn't sign up for TSP for the first 6 months or so, but can't remember why.  Probably just the man trying to keep me down ;).  It's been 100% in the C fund (S&P 500) from the start.  I figured the pension was the safe part, so the TSP could be more risky.  I was mostly maxed out, but I wasn't always on top of upping the amount as the limits increased.  Back in the 90s you could only do 10% of your salary.  I started at 27k salary, so it was slow going for awhile.  My wife is about 30% higher than me in investments.  She had more aggressive options available and is clobbering me even though she started her 401k two years after I did.  Our salaries have been pretty similar through the years. 

Although I don't talk about money at work some people do and it surprises me how many with similar or more years working with the same or higher salary have less in their Thrift.  It seems that for most it was from moving to the G fund (bonds) when the market was shaky and not getting back in soon enough.  For 10 years I couldn't even remember how to access my account, so I wasn't moving anything.

Amazing, and totally makes sense! Yep, when I started you couldn't contribute to TSP until after your probationary year. And yep, we couldn't contribute the max, either. It was 10%, and then started going up to 11%, 12%, 13% . . . until they finally got their heads out of their asses and let us contribute the IRS max. I, too, was 100% C Fund early on, but about mid-career, I diversified into the other funds. I stayed aggressive until about 2010 or so, when I started ratcheting down from 90% equities, to 80%, to 70% and eventually to 60/40 about 4 years ago. Then a year ago, with retirement so close and market valuations so damn high, I decided to drop to 50/50 (I ratcheted back up to 55/45 after the near 20% drop last quarter). TSP sits at @$790k, and I have a Roth IRA and other savings and accounts that put me around $850k. I'm finishing out my high-3 as a maxed out GS-15 (also LEO, and 6 years prior military) so I'll be going out with 42% plus the SRS for the first 8 years of retirement. Like you, I've got a wife (younger by 7 years) who won't be retiring any time soon, who also makes $100k+. Barring world collapse, I should be sitting pretty in retirement (esp. after I start collecting SS).

For a guy who's been 100% equities for 26 years, I'm amazed that you've been so conservative re: pulling the plug on work with your pension and level of assets!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on March 12, 2019, 07:13:27 AM
I will have a pension (state government) which provides for all my essential expenses which I will draw on right away.

My personal savings in an IRA (and a modest amount of Social Security in a few years) provides for extras (wants, not needs).

That is a sweet situation @Livingthedream55 .  My MIL also retired with a generous state pension a few years ago.  I have a friend who will be retiring soon with a county pension, also quite generous. 

I've read that some counties and states have had to trim back their benefits in order to keep the pension funds solvent.  I suppose it all depends on how well the fund was managed over the years.

@Trifele   Yes, very true. We have had benefits trimmed for younger workers. The state legislature keeps chipping away at it. As a retiree, I am also able to stay in the state employee group health insurance pool (paying only 25% of the monthly premium) until age 65. Without that, my retirement would not be possible.

Ltd55 -- yep, same here. Fed employees pay roughly 25% of FEHB premiums as well. Small price to pay for a Cadillac plan. And fortunately, FERS is solvent as far out as the eye can see (past 2094, last I read). Which is why it pisses me off so much when fuckhead politicians talk about cutting back on FERS benefits -- fuck you, that shit was paid for year after year by both me and my agency for the 22+ years I worked here, and there's no point in my lifetime when it'll ever run out of money.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on March 12, 2019, 07:38:56 AM
So, in a shocking good news/bad news turn of events, my manager took me aside yesterday to describe a pending re-org. The re-org would be terrible for me, which wasn't lost on her. In a good news scenario, I've had a helluva time walking away from a great team, and even better manager. The team would still be mine to manage. The manager.... yeah, no. That's over.

I've struggled so much with my deeply rooted feelings of "doing the right thing" and responsibility to my team,my peers, my managers, the business. This was a fantastic reminder to prioritize yourself, because the business will be appropriately always prioritizing for what they need.

Next steps: I plan to politely decline the role today, with my manager. I don't expect this to come as a surprise. I will offer up the option of transitioning through my sabbatical (mid-May) & then allowing the new management structure to come up with a better leadership structure that doesn't include me. I have soft verbal commitments that they would like to offer me something I do want (potentially part-time), should this not be a fit. I'll pursue that, maybe.

I've had such an emotional roller coaster on my own decision making for post sabbatical. The role I have now will be gone in a month or so, which is putting more pressure on me to finalize my post sabbatical decision. But, in many ways, I'm thrilled I don't have the old role clutch to rely on anymore.

I've worked a lot on staying calm during difficult conversations, & was able to deploy that, not once, but twice yesterday. :-)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on March 12, 2019, 10:35:23 AM
I've worked a lot on staying calm during difficult conversations, & was able to deploy that, not once, but twice yesterday. :-)

Well done MaybeBabyMustache, that is a very important skill to master.

And congratulations on getting the nudge you needed to leave the nest. I hope it works out perfectly for you.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 12, 2019, 10:52:02 AM
+1^.  Hang in there, @MaybeBabyMustache.   Sounds like you will handle the roller coaster ride just fine, but we're here for you too. 

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on March 12, 2019, 11:08:34 AM
So, in a shocking good news/bad news turn of events, my manager took me aside yesterday to describe a pending re-org. The re-org would be terrible for me, which wasn't lost on her. In a good news scenario, I've had a helluva time walking away from a great team, and even better manager. The team would still be mine to manage. The manager.... yeah, no. That's over.

...snip...

I've worked a lot on staying calm during difficult conversations, & was able to deploy that, not once, but twice yesterday. :-)

You put yourself in a good position, and it looks like it was a really good move on your part!

You got this!

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on March 12, 2019, 11:56:24 AM
I got a PM from BlindSquirrel that s/he is now in TBD status.  Exact words were "I lack the nuts" -- ha ha.

While I don't really want to laugh at someone's situation that would cause them to delay retirement, this is utterly hilarious!


Side note - next time you update the list Trifele, you can add my age.  I'm 42 and proud of it!  :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 12, 2019, 12:21:46 PM
I got a PM from BlindSquirrel that s/he is now in TBD status.  Exact words were "I lack the nuts" -- ha ha.

While I don't really want to laugh at someone's situation that would cause them to delay retirement, this is utterly hilarious!


I know . . . I laughed out loud!  [ETA: @Blindsquirrel knows we're not laughing about his or her situation-- just the joke.  We hope all is well and you can rejoin us soon BlindSquirrel!]   

Got your age added Eric.  And yes you should be proud!  Well done.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: JoJo on March 12, 2019, 06:55:12 PM
I'm 4/1 but won't be that day, bonus isn't coming until 3/31 and didn't want to risk it.  I'm only working part time, tempted to keep this gig as long as I can take my long vacations and have health insurance mostly paid for.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: gerardc on March 12, 2019, 10:24:40 PM
That doesn’t surprise me. DW and I have been discussing this these past days ie: when we FIRE is not a stretch to imagine we travel less rather than more. These days we often feel the need to escape, maybe we won’t post FIRE. Time will tell.

I suspect people like traveling because traveling is correlated with not working, and they can't tell the difference, i.e. they actually enjoy the not working part rather than the traveling part. With the caveat that traveling keeps you busy/active. Then when you FIRE the urge to escape [work] with travel evaporates.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: gerardc on March 12, 2019, 10:42:21 PM
Congrats everyone! All this rapid-FIRE is pretty motivating to read.

I re-read livingafi quit series linked above... I think more and more I don't want a sabbatical, part-time, remote options... just quitting, which I can. I'd do the 6 month leave for practical purposes but would only come back if there is a major crash in the meantime.

I also came back from 2 weeks vacation and feel pretty great. Can't wait! and can't believe this is real
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on March 13, 2019, 05:01:57 AM
Ohhh I love rapid-FIRE @gerardc.  My mental image of what is going on has now very much shifted.

I am retiring at the same time as someone is being made redundant. My leaving is a celebration, his is far more bitter.  He is just shy of 30 years with the company, but I think they will nudge him over the edge since he is so close.  Talking to him, he doesn't think he is financially ready to go, but he also knows that he is too experienced and too specialized that no one near here will hire him.    He recently got remarried and how has kids in grade school again. 

I just learned that his pension is more than my stashe, but I am also not putting 3 kids through college with 2 more at home. 

Thinking on this, my DH and I accumulated a pile about equal to his pension in ~13 years compared to his ~30 years.  Neither way is a bad way to go, but putting in 30 years seems like a really long time to me.

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on March 13, 2019, 05:23:55 AM
Congrats everyone! All this rapid-FIRE is pretty motivating to read.

I re-read livingafi quit series linked above... I think more and more I don't want a sabbatical, part-time, remote options... just quitting, which I can. I'd do the 6 month leave for practical purposes but would only come back if there is a major crash in the meantime.

I also came back from 2 weeks vacation and feel pretty great. Can't wait! and can't believe this is real

My feeling exactly!  Verbal notice happens Friday, official letter on Monday.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 13, 2019, 06:11:55 AM
I'm 4/1 but won't be that day, bonus isn't coming until 3/31 and didn't want to risk it.  I'm only working part time, tempted to keep this gig as long as I can take my long vacations and have health insurance mostly paid for.

Thanks for the check in JoJo!  Are things totally up in the air now/TBD? 

BTW, I checked out your journal and blog and WOW are you my travel hero.  Major applause. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: JoJo on March 13, 2019, 05:33:22 PM


Thanks for the check in JoJo!  Are things totally up in the air now/TBD? 

BTW, I checked out your journal and blog and WOW are you my travel hero.  Major applause.

Yeah, retirement date is up in the air.  I think I will stay on until at least Sept, unless I have an opportunity to be laid off (not likely).

I told my boss my vacation schedule for the year under my part time deal and it's tentatively accepted.

2 days off in April for a travel blogger conference
1 tentative week in April to visit Oregon
4 weeks in May to visit family (some family events happening)
8 weeks in July-Aug to drive up to BC, Yukon, NWT, and Alaska
1 week in Sept in Montana
8 weeks in Oct-Dec in South America, incl 3 week cruise to Antarctica and South Georgia Islands. (will be 9 weeks if I don't take the Oregon trip in April. 

If I quit, it will likely be before the South America trip and I will stay in South America indefinitely.   The other alternative would be before Alaska trip. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on March 13, 2019, 07:32:50 PM
Wow JoJo, it looks like you have a really fun year planned! Enjoy.

Was told at work today that they are planning a retirement party for me at the end of May, so sweet! My culture project is keeping me busy all day working with some of my favorite people on fun things for the team. I really couldn't ask for a better way to end my career with only 100 days left to FIRE.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 14, 2019, 06:10:32 AM
@exit2019 -- are you still on track for wrapping up tomorrow?  Or did they make you an offer you couldn't refuse?   :)

And @Half Stached -- your big day is tomorrow!  How are you feeling?   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cycling Stache on March 14, 2019, 06:52:16 AM
Three more work days for me.  This is the first morning I've woken up and realized I'm going to make it!  :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 14, 2019, 07:11:56 AM
Three more work days for me.  This is the first morning I've woken up and realized I'm going to make it!  :)

Yes!!!!!!!    The next chapter is about to begin.  May your last few days at work be smooth and happy.  :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on March 14, 2019, 07:41:04 AM
Three more work days for me.  This is the first morning I've woken up and realized I'm going to make it!  :)

WOOHOO!

So close!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on March 14, 2019, 11:38:27 AM
Three more work days for me.  This is the first morning I've woken up and realized I'm going to make it!  :)

Congratulations!  That must have been a great feeling!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on March 14, 2019, 12:15:44 PM
Three more work days for me.  This is the first morning I've woken up and realized I'm going to make it!  :)

Congratulations!  That must have been a great feeling!

I agree, I'm so looking forward to that moment when it finally feels real.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on March 14, 2019, 05:54:09 PM
Holy crap ladies and gentlemen...I start the process tomorrow.

Verbally start telling people (including direct boss) tomorrow and people that deserve to know before it goes public before the end of the weekend.  Official notice gets emailed to boss Monday AM.  Over/under on how many days they want me to stay stands at 4 days.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 14, 2019, 06:00:32 PM
Good luck @chasesfish!   If you get walked out, then that's great -- FIRE starts immediately!  Let us know how it goes.   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on March 14, 2019, 06:02:05 PM
Holy crap ladies and gentlemen...I start the process tomorrow.

Verbally start telling people (including direct boss) tomorrow and people that deserve to know before it goes public before the end of the weekend.  Official notice gets emailed to boss Monday AM.  Over/under on how many days they want me to stay stands at 4 days.

Yikes! What a weekend you have planned!

This is like watching a row of dominos falling, only I'm one of the dominos enviously waiting my turn.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on March 14, 2019, 06:18:15 PM
Good luck @chasesfish!  Ohh hoo!!

DH gave notice today.  Awkwardness ensued when his boss came to talk to him before he got the email and said "you seem pretty happy, are you leaving or something."

:D
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on March 14, 2019, 06:25:55 PM
This is like watching a row of dominos falling, only I'm one of the dominos enviously waiting my turn.

I love this!  That would make a great signature, at least for a little while. 

While everyone at work already knows I'm retiring soon, I haven't given formal notice.  A few things need to sort themselves out first, but assuming they do I'm planning to give 5 weeks notice on March 25th .  I am a little jealous of people who expect to be walked out after giving notice, but that just doesn't happen where I work.  I don't think they'll make an exception for me.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on March 14, 2019, 06:34:59 PM
This is like watching a row of dominos falling, only I'm one of the dominos enviously waiting my turn.

I love this!  That would make a great signature, at least for a little while. 

While everyone at work already knows I'm retiring soon, I haven't given formal notice.  A few things need to sort themselves out first, but assuming they do I'm planning to give 5 weeks notice on March 25th .  I am a little jealous of people who expect to be walked out after giving notice, but that just doesn't happen where I work.  I don't think they'll make an exception for me.

Thanks Fire 20/20. I was jealous last year when older workers in another area were being offered early retirement packages in anticipation of impending layoffs. First time I ever wished for a layoff. For better or worse my department was growing like crazy so I knew I was stuck. It's still growing like crazy!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: EscapeVelocity2020 on March 14, 2019, 09:44:22 PM
Looking more and more like it won't be 2019 for me.  Assignment in Paris is going well, a lot of freedom to be home with the family in Houston and then work and stay in the apartment in Paris when needed.  This will probably wrap up in July or August.  Collecting expat pay and Skymiles in the meantime, and I really do enjoy working with my French colleagues (learning the language, exploring the country), but there are also the Yellow Vest protests and I'll never be a local...  Anyway, the nail in the coffin on ER plans came this month with a generous Long Term Incentive award.  If I'm around in 2022, or get made redundant or basically anything other than quit, then I'm in for 75k x 1.5.  Even if I don't need the money, I wouldn't mind having control over dispensing it to charities.  I have had so much fun this year giving away more significant than usual amounts of money in the form of tips and charitable donations that folks did not expect, that I could tell really appreciated it.  I can see how great it would be to make it a full time job giving away money effectively.  I may not be at a Bill Gates level, but another 112.5k would be nice!  Here's to hoping work won't begin to suck in the next few years.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 15, 2019, 04:30:07 AM
That sounds like a very cool job situation EscapeVelocity . . . Let us know if things head unexpectedly south and you decide to pull the plug.  In the meantime, enjoy!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Livingthedream55 on March 15, 2019, 07:53:13 AM
@Half Stached

Is today the day? Congratulations!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: TheSinner on March 15, 2019, 09:06:43 AM
Looking more and more like it won't be 2019 for me.  Assignment in Paris is going well, a lot of freedom to be home with the family in Houston and then work and stay in the apartment in Paris when needed...
Sounds like a great situation. I'd probably stay for a bit as well, as long as you're having fun and there are no real downsides.

DH gave notice today.  Awkwardness ensued when his boss came to talk to him before he got the email and said "you seem pretty happy, are you leaving or something." :D
Haha.
"Now that you mention it... Sounds like a good idea!"
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: EscapeVelocity2020 on March 15, 2019, 11:27:31 AM
Thanks guys (gals?), I tried to be firm with myself to ER at 45 but can’t help but wonder if I’m not just picking some arbitrary number.  I think most folks that post about the wonderful retirement lifestyle really did not enjoy going to work or no longer got anything new out of it.  I’m still challenged by the work and getting larger perks.  It’s a little frustrating to get to this point later in life, my 20’s and 30’s were pretty miserable at work and for much less.  Got me to FI faster (and allowed my wife to become a SAHP some 13 years ago), but that was the only upside.  To those on the cusp of ER, cheers and congrats!  I’ll get there eventually
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on March 15, 2019, 11:39:52 AM
Thanks guys (gals?), I tried to be firm with myself to ER at 45 but can’t help but wonder if I’m not just picking some arbitrary number.  I think most folks that post about the wonderful retirement lifestyle really did not enjoy going to work or no longer got anything new out of it.  I’m still challenged by the work and getting larger perks.  It’s a little frustrating to get to this point later in life, my 20’s and 30’s were pretty miserable at work and for much less.  Got me to FI faster (and allowed my wife to become a SAHP some 13 years ago), but that was the only upside.  To those on the cusp of ER, cheers and congrats!  I’ll get there eventually

You have to love life on your own terms.

Terminating a blossoming career is a big decision and you of course want to be sure that the alternative works for you and your family.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on March 15, 2019, 11:57:24 AM
...snip....I think most folks that post about the wonderful retirement lifestyle really did not enjoy going to work or no longer got anything new out of it. ...snip....

This sounds like many OMY rationalizations.  Some may be true for some people.

I had a fun job, great coworkers, upper tier bosses, but I found myself at work, looking at the FIRE spreadsheet (and the MMM fora) and wondering if there wasn't a greener pasture out there.

There is....
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PowerStache on March 15, 2019, 03:51:50 PM
Only 14 more working days!  I am sitting here in my part of the world enjoying a 70+ degree spring day and am so ready to go.

@itchyfeet "You have to love life on your own terms. " - This is my new mantra!



Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: gerardc on March 15, 2019, 04:00:41 PM
...snip....I think most folks that post about the wonderful retirement lifestyle really did not enjoy going to work or no longer got anything new out of it. ...snip....

This sounds like many OMY rationalizations.  Some may be true for some people.

I had a fun job, great coworkers, upper tier bosses, but I found myself at work, looking at the FIRE spreadsheet (and the MMM fora) and wondering if there wasn't a greener pasture out there.

There is....

+1. 112k for 3 years doesn't seem like much compared to the opportunity cost.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on March 15, 2019, 04:08:56 PM
...snip....I think most folks that post about the wonderful retirement lifestyle really did not enjoy going to work or no longer got anything new out of it. ...snip....

This sounds like many OMY rationalizations.  Some may be true for some people.

I had a fun job, great coworkers, upper tier bosses, but I found myself at work, looking at the FIRE spreadsheet (and the MMM fora) and wondering if there wasn't a greener pasture out there.

There is....

+1. 112k for 3 years doesn't seem like much compared to the opportunity cost.

He's getting paid to live in Paris.  Let's not shed any tears here.  lol
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on March 15, 2019, 06:26:55 PM
Thanks guys (gals?), I tried to be firm with myself to ER at 45 but can’t help but wonder if I’m not just picking some arbitrary number.  I think most folks that post about the wonderful retirement lifestyle really did not enjoy going to work or no longer got anything new out of it.  I’m still challenged by the work and getting larger perks.

This is awesome.  I'm genuinely very happy for you that you're in this position (despite what's coming next, I really mean that!).  I do take issue with the framing of most folks who post about their wonderful retirement, however.  I'm not there yet (about 25 more working days!), but I have a great job that pays very well.  I have great management, excellent peers, and a fantastic team who works for me.  I think the work I've done throughout my career really matters, and I feel like I've made significant contributions.  However, I realize that the next year of my life is the youngest and probably the healthiest, most potential-filled year I have left on this planet.  I can't imagine *any* job that would give me as much happiness, fulfillment, or satisfaction as I'll be able to get from choosing the best possible thing to do with the next day/week/month/year.  When I ask myself - is this or any job the best possible use of my short time remaining on this planet?  Will my family and friends be thankful that I spent my time in this cubicle, this office, or this conference room instead of with them?  Will I look back on this business decision - no matter how great it is - with as much happiness as I will look back on any of a hundred other things I could do today?  I've posted a lot about how terrified I am of shutting off the firehose of money they're spraying at me, but even stronger than that terror is the knowledge that I have a limited time to do the things I want to do in life and *this year* could be the best or maybe even the only year I have left.  I'm not FIRE'ing because I "did not enjoy going to work or no longer got anything new out of it", but because I don't believe this or any job is the best possible use of my life. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on March 15, 2019, 08:20:27 PM
Thanks guys (gals?), I tried to be firm with myself to ER at 45 but can’t help but wonder if I’m not just picking some arbitrary number.  I think most folks that post about the wonderful retirement lifestyle really did not enjoy going to work or no longer got anything new out of it.  I’m still challenged by the work and getting larger perks.

This is awesome.  I'm genuinely very happy for you that you're in this position (despite what's coming next, I really mean that!).  I do take issue with the framing of most folks who post about their wonderful retirement, however.  I'm not there yet (about 25 more working days!), but I have a great job that pays very well.  I have great management, excellent peers, and a fantastic team who works for me.  I think the work I've done throughout my career really matters, and I feel like I've made significant contributions.  However, I realize that the next year of my life is the youngest and probably the healthiest, most potential-filled year I have left on this planet.  I can't imagine *any* job that would give me as much happiness, fulfillment, or satisfaction as I'll be able to get from choosing the best possible thing to do with the next day/week/month/year.  When I ask myself - is this or any job the best possible use of my short time remaining on this planet?  Will my family and friends be thankful that I spent my time in this cubicle, this office, or this conference room instead of with them?  Will I look back on this business decision - no matter how great it is - with as much happiness as I will look back on any of a hundred other things I could do today?  I've posted a lot about how terrified I am of shutting off the firehose of money they're spraying at me, but even stronger than that terror is the knowledge that I have a limited time to do the things I want to do in life and *this year* could be the best or maybe even the only year I have left.  I'm not FIRE'ing because I "did not enjoy going to work or no longer got anything new out of it", but because I don't believe this or any job is the best possible use of my life.

Thanks FIRE 20/20:  far more stirring than my "greener pastures ".
But I will have to admit that being paid to work in France is cool, as I've done that, but getting home is much sweeter.  The relief of being "feet wet" leaving French airspace was so great (long, tough job).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: EscapeVelocity2020 on March 15, 2019, 08:42:28 PM
...snip....I think most folks that post about the wonderful retirement lifestyle really did not enjoy going to work or no longer got anything new out of it. ...snip....

This sounds like many OMY rationalizations.  Some may be true for some people.

I had a fun job, great coworkers, upper tier bosses, but I found myself at work, looking at the FIRE spreadsheet (and the MMM fora) and wondering if there wasn't a greener pasture out there.

There is....

+1. 112k for 3 years doesn't seem like much compared to the opportunity cost.

Yeah, I'm not going to stick it out until 2022 just for the bonus, but it does make it easier.  I'm really on a roller coaster ride.  Once the Paris assignment wraps up, I'll still be on the project until 2022 and I enjoy the people I'm working with.  It's not easy to really get to know French people, especially if you don't speak the language.  But I want to ER early enough to still have a life.  Financial Samurai did an article on 45 being a great age to ER because you are still young enough to try a few new things but old enough to have enjoyed some peak earning and career progression.  I'll still be in a honeymoon phase when I get back to Houston and  through the end of 2019, so maybe I'll know what I want in 2020.  If I make it to 2021 though, then I'll probably hang in for 2022 - I'll be 48 years old and have one child in college.

Trying to have no regrets about this.  Honestly, even if I were to ER now, I'd really want to travel and it's tough to do with 2 kids in school.  My grand plan is to hit the road and see National Parks, with no real schedule or firm commitments.  Probably won't get to do that until the second child is in college.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: EscapeVelocity2020 on March 15, 2019, 08:52:11 PM
I do take issue with the framing of most folks who post about their wonderful retirement, however. 

Sorry, it was just an opinion that I had, that I prefaced with 'I think'.  The next bit you talk about are also thoughts that I have -

Quote
However, I realize that the next year of my life is the youngest and probably the healthiest, most potential-filled year I have left on this planet.  I can't imagine *any* job that would give me as much happiness, fulfillment, or satisfaction as I'll be able to get from choosing the best possible thing to do with the next day/week/month/year.  When I ask myself - is this or any job the best possible use of my short time remaining on this planet?  ...  I'm not FIRE'ing because I "did not enjoy going to work or no longer got anything new out of it", but because I don't believe this or any job is the best possible use of my life.

Well said.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Half Stached on March 15, 2019, 09:08:52 PM
@Half Stached

Is today the day? Congratulations!!

Today is/was the day!

WOOOHOOO!

The whole week I've been running around with a giant smile on my face. Everyone at work found out I was leaving on Monday, and I received a ton of appreciation from everyone for the impact I've had on them and their projects. It was very gratifying. Today we had a small party at a local bar in the afternoon and a bunch of people came to say goodbye. Interestingly, I told everyone I was retiring, and no one really blinked. The worst reaction I got from anyone was simply bald jealousy (which I could totally empathize with). There was no real disbelief or malice, which it sounds like many other FIRErs had to deal with.

I have to admit... right now I feel really drained. I got home around 4pm, have been a lump for the past 4 hours, and I think I'm going to go to sleep early.

Thank you to everyone here - I wouldn't be in this position today without discovering MMM and these forums 4 years ago. There has been such great advice and support - this is a great community. I am extremely grateful!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on March 16, 2019, 06:39:42 AM
@Half Stached Woohoo!!!

Yesterday was verbal notice day to boss, went really well.   EVP finds out Sunday and they get my letter Monday morning.

Guess is it'll be eight days or so worth of work before I'm free.  Should go public on Monday then it'll be fun.  Sticking with the term retirement!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 16, 2019, 06:56:32 AM
Congratulations @Half Stached !!!!   :)

And congrats @chasesfish on giving notice.  Next week at work should be really interesting!  Let me know when you know your last day is and we'll get your date updated.


2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19     Bingeworker (52)        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                   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       
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/18/19     Cycling Stache (43)
03/19/19     ChasesFish (36)
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/29/19     Loren Ver (36)
03/29/19     Mr. Ver (39)
03/??/19     Edgema
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     Ryder (39)
04/04/19     PowerStache (43)
04/05/19     MissNancyPryor (50)   
04/19/19     Eric (42)
04/26/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/15/19     MaybeBabyMustache                   
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/31/19     dude                              Date Confirmed
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/15/19     Okonomiyaki (49)
06/15/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/30/19     Pylortes  (42)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
07/05/19     StoaX (58)
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)
08/01/19     SugarMountain
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
09/??/19     dayzero
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
10/??/19     Cookie78
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/19/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer
MustacheAnxiety
forward
BlindSquirrel
I'm Fred (51)
JoJo (45)

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
Linda_Norway (45)
CryingInThePool  (44)
Albireo13  (61)

OLY
markbike528cbx  (55)      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


Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 16, 2019, 07:02:09 AM
I can't imagine *any* job that would give me as much happiness, fulfillment, or satisfaction as I'll be able to get from choosing the best possible thing to do with the next day/week/month/year.  When I ask myself - is this or any job the best possible use of my short time remaining on this planet?  Will my family and friends be thankful that I spent my time in this cubicle, this office, or this conference room instead of with them?  I'm not FIRE'ing because I "did not enjoy going to work or no longer got anything new out of it", but because I don't believe this or any job is the best possible use of my life.

Very well said @FIRE 20/20.  My sentiments exactly.   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on March 16, 2019, 07:57:01 AM

DH gave notice today.  Awkwardness ensued when his boss came to talk to him before he got the email and said "you seem pretty happy, are you leaving or something." :D
Haha.
"Now that you mention it... Sounds like a good idea!"

Ohh, that is good!!  You so clever!

@Half Stached Congrats.  Enjoy your well earned sleep!!

Thanks guys (gals?), I tried to be firm with myself to ER at 45 but can’t help but wonder if I’m not just picking some arbitrary number.  I think most folks that post about the wonderful retirement lifestyle really did not enjoy going to work or no longer got anything new out of it.  I’m still challenged by the work and getting larger perks.

This is awesome.  I'm genuinely very happy for you that you're in this position (despite what's coming next, I really mean that!).  I do take issue with the framing of most folks who post about their wonderful retirement, however.  I'm not there yet (about 25 more working days!), but I have a great job that pays very well.  I have great management, excellent peers, and a fantastic team who works for me.  I think the work I've done throughout my career really matters, and I feel like I've made significant contributions.  However, I realize that the next year of my life is the youngest and probably the healthiest, most potential-filled year I have left on this planet.  I can't imagine *any* job that would give me as much happiness, fulfillment, or satisfaction as I'll be able to get from choosing the best possible thing to do with the next day/week/month/year.  When I ask myself - is this or any job the best possible use of my short time remaining on this planet?  Will my family and friends be thankful that I spent my time in this cubicle, this office, or this conference room instead of with them?  Will I look back on this business decision - no matter how great it is - with as much happiness as I will look back on any of a hundred other things I could do today?  I've posted a lot about how terrified I am of shutting off the firehose of money they're spraying at me, but even stronger than that terror is the knowledge that I have a limited time to do the things I want to do in life and *this year* could be the best or maybe even the only year I have left.  I'm not FIRE'ing because I "did not enjoy going to work or no longer got anything new out of it", but because I don't believe this or any job is the best possible use of my life. 

Love this.  Thank you for putting my thoughts into such great words ;).  I too like my coworkers and job, but there is so much I can't do while sitting in an office.

@EscapeVelocity2020 , the opportunity sounds wonderful and one of the main tenets of this arena is you doing what is right for you, even if most of us are doing something else.  You are the one that needs to live that life, we just have opinions to share.  Enjoy it what ever it is!

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Firehazard on March 16, 2019, 11:51:13 AM
Many congratulations to all you 2019 FIREees! 

I never put myself in this cohort because deep down I didn't believe it would actually happen for me, I'm not sure why.   But there is no point in denying it any longer.  I gave 8 weeks notice to my employer in early November, but they didn't look for find a replacement until late January, so things dragged on longer than I had hoped.  I've been working part time training the the new person since that point, but things are now progressing along well to where I'm working just about 10 hours per week now.  They offered me a permanent part-time position working from home and making my own schedule at about 40-50 hours per month; and the insecure side of me couldn't turn it down.  No real regrets, though.  It will be enough to cover all of my normal costs of living without tapping into investments, except possibly for unexpected larger expenses.  So I will be FIRE at a SWR of 0% for now.

Yesterday was my husband's last day at his job, so I'm officially calling it.....we are FIRED!!!!!  Now it feels like the real thing.  Next week's weather forecast is looking like perfect spring weather, so we'll be hiking with our dogs, working in the yard, taking on our household to-do list, enjoying picnic lunches and laughing giddily at our wonderful good fortune.   We are so grateful to have been able to pull this off!  It is a fantastic feeling that I can't even describe, but I wish it for every one of you who can't quite yet pull the trigger.  It's more than worth every little sacrifice we made along the way.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 16, 2019, 05:34:56 PM
Congrats @Firehazard!  Welcome to the happy club --got you added above.  :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on March 16, 2019, 06:53:11 PM
Woohoo @Firehazard   Congrats!!!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Firehazard on March 16, 2019, 08:29:27 PM
Thanks you guys!!!!  And thank you for adding me to the cohort even though I haven't contributed along the way.  Glad to be on the list :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on March 17, 2019, 04:33:58 AM
I have climbed to 22.8x desired spending. Getting close now...

I was only at 21.6x desired spending at 31 December, so it’s certainly been a productive 3 months.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 18, 2019, 06:15:44 AM
Good luck today @Cycling Stache!  :) 

In other news, we're waiting to hear from @exit2019 whether he FIREd on Friday or decided to stick around at work a bit longer.

I heard from @albireo13 that he is now most likely OMYing to January of 2020, so I have moved him on the list.  Let us know if your plans change again and you decide to pull the plug sooner Albireo!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on March 18, 2019, 08:32:51 AM
@Trifele - Thank you for continuing to stay up to date on the upcoming people in the cohort.

For those who have FIREd - I'd love to hear updates on how things are going!  If FIRE what you expected?  Are you struggling with boredom or are you still on a high from achieving something so monumental?

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Luck12 on March 18, 2019, 09:55:38 AM
Put me down as FIRED!!  Gave notice on Friday.  Funny thing is about 30 min before I gave notice I got reamed out over email by the bitch boss b/c I delegated something (of course I delegated b/c I'm not going to be around haha).   It was as if the FIRE gods gave me one last push (not that I needed the push).    I gotta say though other than the getting reamed out I'm going to miss the last few months where I did just the min amount of work, came into work once every 2-3 weeks, took care of so many personal things on work time b/c I just DGAF anymore. 

Also I'll be starting the Pacific Crest Trail in 15 days, so excited and also very nervous! 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on March 18, 2019, 10:29:24 AM
Also I'll be starting the Pacific Crest Trail in 15 days, so excited and also very nervous!

That sounds like a great way to kick off retirement.  Congrats!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Livingthedream55 on March 18, 2019, 10:39:05 AM
Put me down as FIRED!!  Gave notice on Friday.  Funny thing is about 30 min before I gave notice I got reamed out over email by the bitch boss b/c I delegated something (of course I delegated b/c I'm not going to be around haha).   It was as if the FIRE gods gave me one last push (not that I needed the push).    I gotta say though other than the getting reamed out I'm going to miss the last few months where I did just the min amount of work, came into work once every 2-3 weeks, took care of so many personal things on work time b/c I just DGAF anymore. 

Also I'll be starting the Pacific Crest Trail in 15 days, so excited and also very nervous!

Awesome - congrats!!!    What was boss' reaction to you giving notice?????????
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 18, 2019, 10:39:34 AM
Congrats @Luck12 -- got you confirmed above.  That trimmed more than a month off your target date.  Enjoy the hike! 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: sui generis on March 18, 2019, 11:00:49 AM

Also I'll be starting the Pacific Crest Trail in 15 days, so excited and also very nervous!

Congrats and best wishes for the hike!  Do come back and let us know how it went!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Luck12 on March 18, 2019, 11:27:17 AM
Awesome - congrats!!!    What was boss' reaction to you giving notice?????????

"That's not 2 weeks notice".  I kid you not.  It was 13 days notice, worked out that way b/c of my permit date.  Then it was just a bunch of phony "that's unfortunate, but good for you" blah blah.   Her boss was way cool about it and knows and is pursuing FIRE too. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on March 18, 2019, 02:03:07 PM
That's awesome! Are you blogging/vlogging your hike?? It's on our bucket list to do, and I've vicariously lived through dozens of people who documented the journey on youtube.

This one in particular should get you amped up!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PleoqR7VjY
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on March 19, 2019, 05:10:05 AM
WOO HOO @Luck12

That is wonderful.  Sorry it wasn't more pleasant, but you are DONE!

As I have been going around work, people are congratulating me and we are chatting.  Then yesterday, one of the managers whose people I do work for, offered me jobs.  She apparently thinks I have some great skill.  If I was unhappy due to my role she has a full time job in her group and would hire me.  I told her I was done sitting in an office for 40 hours, so she offered me part time (15-20 hours) working from home or in the office, doing what ever I wanted to do.  She said her group is willing to get creative (like I could work my non-travel months if I wanted to).

Oh man, that is pretty tempting.  DH and I are really really lean so some padding to reduce sequence of return risks is pretty nice. 

I told her I would think about it, but probably nothing until 2020, as I want to be retired first and have many trips to go on.

It was really nice to know someone values my skills enough to reach out and try to accommodate me. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 19, 2019, 05:34:24 AM
..... she offered me part time (15-20 hours) working from home or in the office, doing what ever I wanted to do.  She said her group is willing to get creative (like I could work my non-travel months if I wanted to).

Oh man, that is pretty tempting.  DH and I are really really lean so some padding to reduce sequence of return risks is pretty nice. 

I told her I would think about it, but probably nothing until 2020, as I want to be retired first and have many trips to go on.

It was really nice to know someone values my skills enough to reach out and try to accommodate me.

That's great @Loren Ver -- congrats!  That speaks really well of how you're perceived at work.  There are some that may warn you not to do it, because it's the slippery slope to more full time work (looking at you Mark ;), but personally I'm a fan of small side gigs.  I've had one for almost 10 years -- for a former employer -- that takes about 5 hours per week from home.  It's fun and the income is nice, speaking as a skinny FIREee. 

Don't be surprised if job offers continue to come your way.  I think MMM said in one of his posts that FIREees are like catnip to working people -- irresistible.   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on March 19, 2019, 07:37:47 AM
..... she offered me part time (15-20 hours) working from home or in the office, doing what ever I wanted to do.  She said her group is willing to get creative (like I could work my non-travel months if I wanted to).

Oh man, that is pretty tempting.  DH and I are really really lean so some padding to reduce sequence of return risks is pretty nice. 

I told her I would think about it, but probably nothing until 2020, as I want to be retired first and have many trips to go on.

It was really nice to know someone values my skills enough to reach out and try to accommodate me.

That's great @Loren Ver -- congrats!  That speaks really well of how you're perceived at work.  There are some that may warn you not to do it, because it's the slippery slope to more full time work (looking at you Mark ;), but personally I'm a fan of small side gigs.  I've had one for almost 10 years -- for a former employer -- that takes about 5 hours per week from home.  It's fun and the income is nice, speaking as a skinny FIREee. 

Don't be surprised if job offers continue to come your way.  I think MMM said in one of his posts that FIREees are like catnip to working people -- irresistible.   
Depending on what type of travel you are planning, it could be well worth grabbing that opportunity with both hands.  If you can do the job from home, you can do it from anywhere that has an internet connection.  That isn't going to work if your plans are for things like hiking the PCT, but for travelling the world it could be ideal.  One full day and a few odd hours when you could do with a break from being a tourist anyway gets you your 15 hours.  The money lets you stay there twice as long and see a whole lot more.  If I didn't mind the work or find it particularly stressful that would suit me pretty well!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on March 19, 2019, 07:50:38 AM
Hey Nineteen-  What do you think of this?

And thanks-     

I just told my boss I am resigning.  Last day at MegaCorpSucks is April 5th.

I am talking to FormerCo today formally about possibly doing some work there.   

I am not sure if this makes me a 2019 success or possibly a flunky if I choose to take some job at FormerCo.  The fact that I quit my job without any other offer in hand feels like a victory.  The shackles are falling away. 

I know that if I do something for FormerCo I can quit at any time.  I can enjoy a job that doesn't come with a 24 hours a day ball and chain cell phone and ridiculous travel.  I don't have to be in charge of anyone.  Taking work at FormerCo might be a nice downshift into a final early retirement status while I get my head straight, a nice glide into FIRE instead of a sudden stop.  I can re-engage with life outside of work, have some social connection with people who do not report to me, and just breathe for a while.  I won't beat myself up for not being totally done and FIRE if I do spend some months at FormerCo unwinding the knots in my gut.  I will check my feelings on this more as I speak with them later today.

The talk with my youngish boss was interesting.  I pulled no punches and just told him I am an early retiree and I have decided I will do the same as I tell my staff that I am leaving.  I have decided there is no need to hide.  My boss said he has longed for early retirement but knows he is way, way off and his wife is not quite on board.  I may have inspired him to get after it.   

Congrats, @MissNancyPryor.

My DH is also going to downsize from being a manager to just being a consultant in his field. The add for a replacement is currently being published and DH's Facebook friends are wondering that is happening to DH.

(Changed my username a little for privacy reasons)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 19, 2019, 08:35:39 AM
Congrats on giving notice @MissNancyPryor.  You are a badass.  Got your date updated.

@chasesfish -- Is today the big day???

Waiting to hear from @exit2019 and @Cycling Stache as to whether they are done.

Exciting times!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Luck12 on March 19, 2019, 08:54:58 AM
That's awesome! Are you blogging/vlogging your hike?? It's on our bucket list to do, and I've vicariously lived through dozens of people who documented the journey on youtube.

This one in particular should get you amped up!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PleoqR7VjY

Definitely not blogging or any social media, I really appreciate all those who do that, very entertaining and informative, but I'm just way too lazy to do that and will have my hands full just hiking and resupplying, etc. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on March 19, 2019, 09:17:35 AM
Yah @MissNancyPryor !!! 

Thank you @Trifele and @PhilB It is nice to have another option in my belt that doesn't require my decision right now. 

The catnip line made me actually laugh out loud and cover my mouth!  I had forgotten about that.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on March 19, 2019, 09:58:18 AM
Its official as of yesterday.   Notice given, its been pretty epic with the word retirement emailed out to nearly 400 people in our division.  More to come on the crazy social experiment.   They didn't walk me out the door, my guess is I'm valuable for 5-7 days and they'll pay me for 30, including a bunch of "work remote" time.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 19, 2019, 10:19:37 AM
Its official as of yesterday.   

Congrats @chasesfish !!

2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19     Bingeworker (52)        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                   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     JumboShrimp
03/29/19     Loren Ver (36)
03/29/19     Mr. Ver (39)
03/??/19     exit2019  (40)
03/??/19     Edgema
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     Ryder (39)
04/04/19     PowerStache (43)
04/05/19     MissNancyPryor (50)   
04/19/19     Eric (42)
04/26/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/15/19     MaybeBabyMustache                   
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/31/19     dude                              Date Confirmed
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/15/19     Okonomiyaki (49)
06/15/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/30/19     Pylortes  (42)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
07/05/19     StoaX (58)
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)
08/01/19     SugarMountain
08/31/19     Gerard
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
09/??/19     dayzero
10/18/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     Dreamer
10/??/19     Cookie78
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/19/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer
MustacheAnxiety
forward
BlindSquirrel
I'm Fred (51)
JoJo (45)

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
Linda_Norway (45)
CryingInThePool  (44)
Albireo13  (61)

OLY
markbike528cbx  (55)      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
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MoMan on March 19, 2019, 12:47:43 PM
Wow, timely medical advice for the 2019 cohort - from 'Mayo Clinic' ;-D

[Health Experts Recommend Standing Up At Desk, Leaving Office, Never Coming Back] (https://www.theonion.com/health-experts-recommend-standing-up-at-desk-leaving-o-1819577456?utm_medium=sharefromsite&utm_source=theonion_copy&utm_campaign=top)

Thanks Parizade! I love the Onion. I've already printed this article out which will be pinned to my cubicle wall the day I give notice.

I am also pinning down my last day: October 18. Just 29 weeks until I give notice. Feels so far away as we congratulate those who have already pulled the trigger, but the days are going fast and my Post-It countdown pad gets thinner every week.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cycling Stache on March 19, 2019, 02:22:45 PM
Waiting to hear from @exit2019 and @Cycling Stache as to whether they are done.

CONFIRMED that 3/18/19 was my last day!  There was a little farewell breakfast and happy hour, and I got to talk to a bunch of people that I care about.  Also, after a bit of deliberation, I did tell people that I was retiring early, and I think a number of people found the idea kind of exciting, if also a total shock.

So today is the first day of the rest of my life! 

It was emotional, and as I was leaving, I realized what a big deal it is to leave a "good" job that is a career.  This may seem common in MMM world, but it is WAY outside the norm in real life.  I still can't believe that risk-averse me actually did it.

But two documents confirmed my decision.  The first was a packet listing my total annual compensation (salary and benefits) at $215,000.  That figure seemed ridiculously high to walk away from, and yet I realized that I didn't care about it at all.  Being some amount richer at the end of this year wasn't going to make me happier, and if I ever need money again, I can go out and make it.  The second document was a page of handwritten notes.  For the last couple years, every 3 months I've revisited the decision whether to FIRE and written down my thoughts about it.  In the last few entries I could see how unhappy I've been trying to keep working when I didn't have to any more.  That sealed the decision. 

OMY is a huge temptation, and I've been doing it the last year, but staying just to add inconsequential dollars to an already sufficient amount of money is pointless.  I wasn't unhappy at work because it was a bad job or because I was performing poorly.  I was unhappy because deep down I knew that I had enough money, and I didn't have a good reason to keep going to work each day.  While it was incredibly hard to make the decision to leave, once I made it, it's seemed like the easiest decision in the world because it's what I know to be true to myself.

So, I don't know what the rest of my life holds, but it starts today, and I'm excited about it!

tl/dr FIRE 3/18/19.  :)

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 19, 2019, 02:32:04 PM

CONFIRMED that 3/18/19 was my last day! 

So today is the first day of the rest of my life! 


Congratulations and welcome to the FIRE side @Cycling Stache !!!

(https://media0.giphy.com/media/6fScAIQR0P0xW/200w.webp?cid=3640f6095c9158054b5479444110da71)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Blindsquirrel on March 19, 2019, 05:19:15 PM
    You folks are giving me itchy feet and I am actively searching for some nuts. :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on March 19, 2019, 06:39:40 PM
@Cycling Stache and I will always be tied together as same-date retirees.  (and that total comp statement does hit me)

Did you find the social interaction at work odd?

I've found the under 30 employees see me as inspirational.

The over 40 employees generally don't want to talk to me

The 30-40 all fall somewhere in between.

The boss decided to send this as a retirement announcement to 400+ people and word quickly spread in the company.  It...is...so....damn....awesome.   More posted on my journal (linked below), but its been unbelievable. 

I'm going to have to have some technology free time later this evening to get some good sleep.  I can't believe just how much fun this is.  Its exceeded all expectation.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: gerardc on March 19, 2019, 07:05:52 PM
I talked with my manager about taking a 6 month leave starting next month. My rationale is that it keeps my foot in the door if I want to come back and keeps me officially employed. But I realized it is harder than I thought. There is some planning involved to reshuffle my projects elsewhere or put them on standby, hire new people, coordinate my return... it probably won't be that well received if I don't return after all. I do have 3-4 big projects in flight just half-way completed. He tried to push for 3 months instead, starting in 3-4 months from now. I probably should have given more notice. Now, if I threaten to quit (which I only alluded to) they might say yes. But I'm not sure if that's the most ethical thing to do, since that company always treated me extremely well. Maybe I should simply quit, or get a leave with a plan of finding a new team on my return, which might be simpler to organize. On the other hand, maybe he's just trying to negotiate. We're supposed to think about it. But my plans will come true either way. I'm just unsure if I should bother pursuing this leave or not. I could get rehired there or elsewhere if necessary instead.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on March 20, 2019, 12:38:31 AM
I talked with my manager about taking a 6 month leave starting next month. My rationale is that it keeps my foot in the door if I want to come back and keeps me officially employed. But I realized it is harder than I thought. There is some planning involved to reshuffle my projects elsewhere or put them on standby, hire new people, coordinate my return... it probably won't be that well received if I don't return after all. I do have 3-4 big projects in flight just half-way completed. He tried to push for 3 months instead, starting in 3-4 months from now. I probably should have given more notice. Now, if I threaten to quit (which I only alluded to) they might say yes. But I'm not sure if that's the most ethical thing to do, since that company always treated me extremely well. Maybe I should simply quit, or get a leave with a plan of finding a new team on my return, which might be simpler to organize. On the other hand, maybe he's just trying to negotiate. We're supposed to think about it. But my plans will come true either way. I'm just unsure if I should bother pursuing this leave or not. I could get rehired there or elsewhere if necessary instead.

In many cases it costs the company to have you employed, regardless of whether you work or not. Therefore they are often reluctant to grant you a long sabbatical. Often it is easier to quit for for that period and make a deal to be rehired afterwards.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: RedefinedHappiness on March 20, 2019, 01:32:10 AM
I'm 1-2 years away.  Posting so I can follow along and learn from you all.  Good luck everyone!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on March 20, 2019, 05:24:19 AM
Congrats to those that pulled the trigger!!

I have a healthcare.gov question for those that have done it.

I was filling out the questions last night.  Oh man.  The repetition was kinda crazy and some of the questions had no answers (Are you the primary care taking for kids? Yes/No?  Uh, there are no kids, which I stated earlier....).

The application couldn't go through for some reason, so I have to try again tonight.  I know the form is for all kinds of people, and that I am an odd ball in this, but I had to go through all my current insurance costs and information, then there was one question on if i was losing coverage in 2019.  Seemed like a lot of work and looking stuff up that is not relevant.  Now I am concerned I did something wrong.

Other experiences before I head back to the form to try again tonight?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 20, 2019, 05:59:31 AM
Congrats to those that pulled the trigger!!

I have a healthcare.gov question for those that have done it.

I was filling out the questions last night.  Oh man.  The repetition was kinda crazy and some of the questions had no answers (Are you the primary care taking for kids? Yes/No?  Uh, there are no kids, which I stated earlier....).

The application couldn't go through for some reason, so I have to try again tonight.  I know the form is for all kinds of people, and that I am an odd ball in this, but I had to go through all my current insurance costs and information, then there was one question on if i was losing coverage in 2019.  Seemed like a lot of work and looking stuff up that is not relevant.  Now I am concerned I did something wrong.

Other experiences before I head back to the form to try again tonight?

Hey Loren

I just went through this at the end of January, and it took me three goes at the application before I got it right.  (Sounds like my trouble spots were different than yours though).  The questionnaire is cumbersome and there are a few questions that are not intuitive at all.  The Healthcare.gov help desk is great, however.  I called them several times and each time got someone who actually helped me; great customer service.  I was worried about screwing up a question and torpedoing the whole thing permanently, but there was no need.  It seems they allow multiple corrections.  It took about a week of on-again/off-again trying before I made it through the application process.  Then it was about three weeks before my application was handed off from healthcare.gov to the insurer.  That was a bit nerve wracking, but it worked out ok.  The insurance cards arrived, and the insurance was backdated to our approval date.

Another thing that may bring you comfort -- they have people that can walk you through the process at no cost if you hit a brick wall.  I was close to calling that "phone a friend" a couple times, but ended up getting through all right.   

tl;dr -- Clunky process, but don't be discouraged, you'll get there.     

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on March 20, 2019, 06:03:09 AM
Thank you Trifele!  I have several concern points (my income, COBRA options etc).  I wasn't sure if I just send it in and they give me an answer, of it the process will let me refine my answers as needed.... 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 20, 2019, 06:27:17 AM
Thank you Trifele!  I have several concern points (my income, COBRA options etc).  I wasn't sure if I just send it in and they give me an answer, of it the process will let me refine my answers as needed....

@Loren Ver -- Yes the income part was hard.  At the end of the application they put me in "Pend" status and said they needed more information.  I sent them a simple one page letter where I outlined how I was predicting my income for 2019, and they accepted that. 

And COBRA is kind of a land mine -- watch out.  COBRA and Exchange insurance are mutually exclusive for the remainder of the calendar year.  So if you go on COBRA for even one month, you cannot go onto the exchange until the next open enrollment at the end of the year.  There is one question on the application form that asks about COBRA and is potentially misleading.  I forget the exact wording, but I think it's something like "were you offered COBRA by your employer", and I called to ask about that one.  I was told by customer service to answer "No" to that if I was declining COBRA to go onto the Exchange.   That is a very common scenario, where COBRA is offered, but ultra expensive, so people decide to decline it and go on the Exchange.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on March 20, 2019, 07:52:29 AM
Thank you Trifele!  I have several concern points (my income, COBRA options etc).  I wasn't sure if I just send it in and they give me an answer, of it the process will let me refine my answers as needed....

@Loren Ver -- Yes the income part was hard.  At the end of the application they put me in "Pend" status and said they needed more information.  I sent them a simple one page letter where I outlined how I was predicting my income for 2019, and they accepted that. 

And COBRA is kind of a land mine -- watch out.  COBRA and Exchange insurance are mutually exclusive for the remainder of the calendar year.  So if you go on COBRA for even one month, you cannot go onto the exchange until the next open enrollment at the end of the year.  There is one question on the application form that asks about COBRA and is potentially misleading.  I forget the exact wording, but I think it's something like "were you offered COBRA by your employer", and I called to ask about that one.  I was told by customer service to answer "No" to that if I was declining COBRA to go onto the Exchange.   That is a very common scenario, where COBRA is offered, but ultra expensive, so people decide to decline it and go on the Exchange.

THIS!   DH and I are very analytical.  It asked if there was access to COBRA at all, so the answer is yes, but I am not going to take it.  So there was much confusion and going back and forth on what to put.  Sounds like a phone call might be in order.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on March 20, 2019, 11:10:30 AM
Did you find the social interaction at work odd?

I've found the under 30 employees see me as inspirational.

The over 40 employees generally don't want to talk to me

The 30-40 all fall somewhere in between.

Somewhat shockingly, so far I've received nothing but positive responses.  Of course, there are a couple of caveats to that.  It hasn't been announced to everyone, so I've just told people individually.  I haven't mentioned retirement specifically, only that I'm quitting to travel the world for the foreseeable future.  I work for a travel company, so basically everyone that works here would want to do the same thing.

In fact, I've gotten two identical responses of "I've always heard that people do that, but I've never known anyone.  That's awesome!"
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Enigma on March 20, 2019, 02:50:38 PM
So I decided last October to step back from my full time computer career and test out the waters with being a real-estate broker/realtor.  The goal was to give me the feeling of retiring early (commission pay vs salary pay) [FIRE was planned for July-2019]
Note: I still have personal income and residual income.  Also I moved to a LCOL area in Tennessee.

The first issue that I ran into was the bronzes marketplace plan which costed almost $400/month.  To be honest I wanted to choose the Platinum plan but wasn’t willing to spend almost $1000/month.  I also purchased a house with payments around $1650/m.
I was hit with multiple high dollar items (Investment property taxes ~ $25k, Investment insurance ~ $10k, and IRS personal taxes ~$13k).  For the most part I borrowed some of the money from my parents.  Although most of it is paid off now.

This is one of the few times that my residual income was being used to finance my personal life.  I HATED THE FEELING.  My net worth was still growing but at a slower rate.  Every time I turned around another high item expense popped up.  Fees of becoming a realtor have been around $3k with about $1k more spread throughout the year.

------

About 6 weeks ago, an employer less than 40 miles away offered me a high-paying computer job.  I started my first day last week.  For the most part they sought me out for the computer skills that I have.  This company has offered me more benefits than any other companies have in the past.  (Every other Friday off, 12 paid holidays) I even opted to pay for 2 extra weeks of paid vacation.

I plan to postpone my goal of retiring until I have my investments completely paid off (currently around 80% paid off).  Until then I am planning to max my 401k, max my HSA, max my IRA, and pay extra in Fed Taxes.  Plus be covered for my medical, dental, ST/LT disabilities, term life, AD&D Insurance, and about 10 other miscellaneous benefits.

Please remove me from FIRE 2019 timeline.  Maybe I will re-investigate the idea in a couple of years.  ;)

-----
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 20, 2019, 03:14:05 PM
<snip>
Please remove me from FIRE 2019 timeline.  Maybe I will re-investigate the idea in a couple of years.  ;)
-----

Best of luck @Enigma!  Come back any time.   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cookie78 on March 20, 2019, 03:15:41 PM
Looks like I'm out for this year's graduation class too.

I went to put my rental house on the market earlier this month and found out that the real estate market had continued to drop a lot more over the last 2 years. If I sold now I'd get about 3% more than what I bought it for over 10 years ago. I was expecting an extra 50k each for both houses, and 100k less net worth is just too close to minimal lean FIRE for my comfort. The market isn't expected to improve for at least a year or two.

The good news is that my mindset regarding this turn of events is surprisingly calm and accepting. Financially, everything else is under control and on autopilot and the tenants are all reliable. I'm planning on loosening the reins a bit over the next 2 years and spending more on things I enjoy while I wait for the market to improve. I chatted with my supervisor yesterday about taking a 6 month leave of absence for a summer, and using vacation time and short term unpaid leave for a different summer so I can still do some of the medium length adventures I have planned. It looks like things might work out just fine.

I'll have to put some of the longer term adventures on hold again, but I'm sure I have enough to keep me busy for now. I just hope I don't keep '1 more year'ing until I'm 55!

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 20, 2019, 03:39:06 PM
Best of luck with everything @Cookie78!  Sorry to see you go.     
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cookie78 on March 20, 2019, 04:16:37 PM
Best of luck with everything @Cookie78!  Sorry to see you go.   

Yeah it sucks, but it is what it is, and I'm a bit excited that maybe I can get to 1M before I quit for good now, and maybe I can do a few extra more costly adventures in the future if I save up a bit more. :)

The biggest downsides are that 1) I'm not getting younger and some of the more challenging adventures are only going to get harder, and 2) my elder 4 legged adventure sidekick is already coming up on 10 years old in a couple months and won't be around for some of the dog friendly adventures I was planning for too much longer.

(https://i.imgur.com/0z4NlZbl.jpg)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on March 21, 2019, 05:01:02 AM
Sorry to see you go @Cookie78 and @Enigma, but you need to make the right decisions for you.  Cookie, your dogs are SOO CUTE.  AWWW. 

@Eric I am glad things are so positive for you.  DH has been the same way, mine have too for the most part.  People that are most similar to my age or older but make more money tend of have some incredulous to their congrats, but maybe that will get them thinking.   

In other news, I fought the healthcare.gov website with help of one of the phone people and failed, again.  Ugh.  Now I have to wait another 24 hours and start again. Apparently there are some technical issues in addition to the Loren issues. 

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on March 21, 2019, 05:27:12 AM
This has been a fascinating week.  I took some time to write about the reactions I got from publicly announcing this as retirement at 36.  I didn't want to forget this moment and think what I learned and experienced will be helpful to everyone soon to deliver their retirement/resignation notice

It may or may not be a good idea in your situation, please be sure to know your audience.  I had a good mix of both supportive and grumpy folks.   

Communicating an Early Retirement (http://stopironingshirts.com/2019/03/21/communicating-an-early-retirement/)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on March 21, 2019, 06:05:53 AM
This has been a fascinating week.  I took some time to write about the reactions I got from publicly announcing this as retirement at 36.  I didn't want to forget this moment and think what I learned and experienced will be helpful to everyone soon to deliver their retirement/resignation notice

It may or may not be a good idea in your situation, please be sure to know your audience.  I had a good mix of both supportive and grumpy folks.   

Communicating an Early Retirement (http://stopironingshirts.com/2019/03/21/communicating-an-early-retirement/)

That is a good write-up, thanks for sharing.  I am seeing some of the same.  I find it funny that people that know me best are not really surprised at all.  They see how I live and once they got another data point found the logical conclusion.  My version of the entrepreneurs those that retired at normal retirement age, then came back as consultants part time.  They are so excited!  Excited for me, for my opportunities.   They are some fun people to talk to, and get advice from!

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on March 21, 2019, 06:08:10 AM
I read this article off Rockstar Finance that talks about some interesting things to be mindful of as we all get ready to FIRE.  I enjoy reading articles that give an alternative view of FIRE so I can have a better overall approach to FIRE.

https://www.freemoneyfinance.com/2019/01/an-alternative-look-at-the-fire-financial-independence-retire-early-movement.html

As for me I'm still on glide path to my FIRE date.  I stop working at my current job on May 23rd.  On May 24th I start a period of 100 days of leave as a precursor to FIRE.  I will still be earning a salary all the way until August 31st so that's some good travel money.  I have a few road trips planned during that 100-day period.  Right now I'm busy closing things out in the office.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 21, 2019, 06:46:21 AM
I read this article off Rockstar Finance that talks about some interesting things to be mindful of as we all get ready to FIRE.  I enjoy reading articles that give an alternative view of FIRE so I can have a better overall approach to FIRE.

As for me I'm still on glide path to my FIRE date.  I stop working at my current job on May 23rd.  On May 24th I start a period of 100 days of leave as a precursor to FIRE. 

I like reading all sorts of FIRE articles too, @Cornbread OMalley.  This one is pretty well written, so I was a bit surprised that the author doesn't seem to know about early access to a 401k account without the 10% penalty?  I'm not arguing it's ideal to use 401k money early, but it is possible.  His 'Better Path' points at the end are good, but I see them as totally compatible with the FIRE concept we have going here in this forum -- not only an alternative.  My take -- well written, not a hate piece, but lacking understanding of some of the finer points. 

Your glide path sounds fantastic.  Do you want to be confirmed after you finish work on May 23 instead of waiting until September for us to congratulate you?   :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on March 21, 2019, 07:10:43 AM
My countdown app says I'm 50 days out -- but only 22 or so of those are work days. Getting really, really close. Also, amazingly, my invested stash is exactly where I'd hoped it would be some 5-6 years ago when I was looking out toward 2019.

On the downside, now that it's getting real, DW has been expressing her doubts about my retirement -- not from the financial perspective, but rather from the perspective of me being gone all the time. She's concerned that I'll be flying off on any whim that moves me, to go adventuring here and there. My doing exactly that a week ago -- i.e., booked a last minute flight back to Utah (where I'd just spent a week just a week prior) to seize upon the 38" of new fluff they'd gotten -- probably set a bad precedent. DOH! At any rate, my attitude is it's either going to work out or it isn't. If it doesn't, well then, that's life. Not that I'm looking to sabotage our marriage or anything, it's just that I'm not willing to sacrifice my happiness on the altar of her insecurity. I'm confident in the end we'll reach a compromise and all will be fine, though I anticipate there are some battles ahead, but that's married life (at least in my experience).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on March 21, 2019, 07:53:02 AM
I like reading all sorts of FIRE articles too, @Cornbread OMalley.  This one is pretty well written, so I was a bit surprised that the author doesn't seem to know about early access to a 401k account without the 10% penalty?  I'm not arguing it's ideal to use 401k money early, but it is possible...
True.  But how can a person access 401k funds before age 59.5 without it being disadvantageous and/or being in dire circumstances?  The only positive I see is withdrawing early to partially fund a first-house payment.

Your glide path sounds fantastic.  Do you want to be confirmed after you finish work on May 23 instead of waiting until September for us to congratulate you?   :)
Please keep my FIRE date the same as I will still be bound to the organization until that date.  After my FIRE date I will totally FREE!!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on March 21, 2019, 08:12:20 AM
My countdown app says I'm 50 days out -- but only 22 or so of those are work days. Getting really, really close. Also, amazingly, my invested stash is exactly where I'd hoped it would be some 5-6 years ago when I was looking out toward 2019.

On the downside, now that it's getting real, DW has been expressing her doubts about my retirement -- not from the financial perspective, but rather from the perspective of me being gone all the time. She's concerned that I'll be flying off on any whim that moves me, to go adventuring here and there. My doing exactly that a week ago -- i.e., booked a last minute flight back to Utah (where I'd just spent a week just a week prior) to seize upon the 38" of new fluff they'd gotten -- probably set a bad precedent. DOH! At any rate, my attitude is it's either going to work out or it isn't. If it doesn't, well then, that's life. Not that I'm looking to sabotage our marriage or anything, it's just that I'm not willing to sacrifice my happiness on the altar of her insecurity. I'm confident in the end we'll reach a compromise and all will be fine, though I anticipate there are some battles ahead, but that's married life (at least in my experience).

Is your wife also FI?

Otherwise, try to find some compromise by not travelling ALL the time.

I have been seeing this situation at my friends. He is a "normal" pensioner, she is much younger and still working (not FI). He travels for 1-2 months at the time. She is home alone a lot and need to solve home emergencies on her own. That has annoyed her at occasions. When he is home though, he takes a lot of responsibility for the household, doing the cleaning and the cooking.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: sherr on March 21, 2019, 08:37:02 AM
I like reading all sorts of FIRE articles too, @Cornbread OMalley.  This one is pretty well written, so I was a bit surprised that the author doesn't seem to know about early access to a 401k account without the 10% penalty?  I'm not arguing it's ideal to use 401k money early, but it is possible...
True.  But how can a person access 401k funds before age 59.5 without it being disadvantageous and/or being in dire circumstances?  The only positive I see is withdrawing early to partially fund a first-house payment.

There's a sticky thread in Investor Alley (https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/investor-alley/how-to-withdraw-funds-from-your-ira-and-401k-without-penalty-before-age-59-5/) about it.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on March 21, 2019, 10:31:16 AM
There's a sticky thread in Investor Alley (https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/investor-alley/how-to-withdraw-funds-from-your-ira-and-401k-without-penalty-before-age-59-5/) about it.
Oh, yes.  The Roth conversion pipeline is useful when planned correctly.

The point the author is trying to make is don’t have your blinders on as you barrel your way towards FIRE.  Use your critical thinking skills and continuously adjust.  I can guarantee that there are some folks on this thread that have not thought about some of the facets the author lays out.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on March 21, 2019, 11:11:08 AM
My countdown app says I'm 50 days out -- but only 22 or so of those are work days. Getting really, really close. Also, amazingly, my invested stash is exactly where I'd hoped it would be some 5-6 years ago when I was looking out toward 2019.

On the downside, now that it's getting real, DW has been expressing her doubts about my retirement -- not from the financial perspective, but rather from the perspective of me being gone all the time. She's concerned that I'll be flying off on any whim that moves me, to go adventuring here and there. My doing exactly that a week ago -- i.e., booked a last minute flight back to Utah (where I'd just spent a week just a week prior) to seize upon the 38" of new fluff they'd gotten -- probably set a bad precedent. DOH! At any rate, my attitude is it's either going to work out or it isn't. If it doesn't, well then, that's life. Not that I'm looking to sabotage our marriage or anything, it's just that I'm not willing to sacrifice my happiness on the altar of her insecurity. I'm confident in the end we'll reach a compromise and all will be fine, though I anticipate there are some battles ahead, but that's married life (at least in my experience).

Is your wife also FI?

Otherwise, try to find some compromise by not travelling ALL the time.

I have been seeing this situation at my friends. He is a "normal" pensioner, she is much younger and still working (not FI). He travels for 1-2 months at the time. She is home alone a lot and need to solve home emergencies on her own. That has annoyed her at occasions. When he is home though, he takes a lot of responsibility for the household, doing the cleaning and the cooking.

No, not yet. She's 7 years younger and didn't get on the saving bandwagon until much later than me (and I have a pension). She's not interested in FIRE, per se. Likes her job and the sense of purpose it brings her. But it concerns her that I might be absent a lot, which I don't plan to be the case, with the exception of a summer road trip I've been dreaming about for years. She's kind of accepted that I'll be doing that trip, but her main concern is me taking off at the drop of a hat to go climb mountains or surf or snowboard. She's very much a pessimistic, worry-wart type person, and she does not share the same hobbies and passions that I have. It's worked up til now because we compromise, but of course since I won't need to work anymore and I'm not getting any younger, I do intend to pursue my hobbies more vigorously, though I recognize the need to balance it with my relationship. Only problem is, her idea and my idea of "balance" is likely to be quite different. Only time will tell if it all works out.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: gerardc on March 21, 2019, 01:42:10 PM
No, not yet. She's 7 years younger and didn't get on the saving bandwagon until much later than me (and I have a pension). She's not interested in FIRE, per se. Likes her job and the sense of purpose it brings her. But it concerns her that I might be absent a lot, which I don't plan to be the case, with the exception of a summer road trip I've been dreaming about for years. She's kind of accepted that I'll be doing that trip, but her main concern is me taking off at the drop of a hat to go climb mountains or surf or snowboard. She's very much a pessimistic, worry-wart type person, and she does not share the same hobbies and passions that I have. It's worked up til now because we compromise, but of course since I won't need to work anymore and I'm not getting any younger, I do intend to pursue my hobbies more vigorously, though I recognize the need to balance it with my relationship. Only problem is, her idea and my idea of "balance" is likely to be quite different. Only time will tell if it all works out.

We are in a similar situation (I see you commented on my thread), except we're not moved in yet, or married. If she starts whining too much about me being too absent on trips, I'll be out of there permanently.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on March 22, 2019, 02:20:41 PM
He's getting paid to live in Paris.  Let's not shed any tears here.  lol

My thoughts exactly, it sounds like a wonderful opportunity EscapeVelocity and I don't blame you for wanting to hold on a bit longer.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on March 22, 2019, 02:24:53 PM
@Half Stached

Is today the day? Congratulations!!

Today is/was the day!

WOOOHOOO!

The whole week I've been running around with a giant smile on my face. Everyone at work found out I was leaving on Monday, and I received a ton of appreciation from everyone for the impact I've had on them and their projects. It was very gratifying. Today we had a small party at a local bar in the afternoon and a bunch of people came to say goodbye. Interestingly, I told everyone I was retiring, and no one really blinked. The worst reaction I got from anyone was simply bald jealousy (which I could totally empathize with). There was no real disbelief or malice, which it sounds like many other FIRErs had to deal with.

I have to admit... right now I feel really drained. I got home around 4pm, have been a lump for the past 4 hours, and I think I'm going to go to sleep early.

Thank you to everyone here - I wouldn't be in this position today without discovering MMM and these forums 4 years ago. There has been such great advice and support - this is a great community. I am extremely grateful!

****CONGRATULATIONS****
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on March 22, 2019, 02:28:06 PM
Many congratulations to all you 2019 FIREees! 

I never put myself in this cohort because deep down I didn't believe it would actually happen for me, I'm not sure why.   But there is no point in denying it any longer.  I gave 8 weeks notice to my employer in early November, but they didn't look for find a replacement until late January, so things dragged on longer than I had hoped.  I've been working part time training the the new person since that point, but things are now progressing along well to where I'm working just about 10 hours per week now.  They offered me a permanent part-time position working from home and making my own schedule at about 40-50 hours per month; and the insecure side of me couldn't turn it down.  No real regrets, though.  It will be enough to cover all of my normal costs of living without tapping into investments, except possibly for unexpected larger expenses.  So I will be FIRE at a SWR of 0% for now.

Yesterday was my husband's last day at his job, so I'm officially calling it.....we are FIRED!!!!!  Now it feels like the real thing.  Next week's weather forecast is looking like perfect spring weather, so we'll be hiking with our dogs, working in the yard, taking on our household to-do list, enjoying picnic lunches and laughing giddily at our wonderful good fortune.   We are so grateful to have been able to pull this off!  It is a fantastic feeling that I can't even describe, but I wish it for every one of you who can't quite yet pull the trigger.  It's more than worth every little sacrifice we made along the way.

Congratulations Firehazard, I can't wait to join the club!

Congratulations chasefish and lucky12 and anyone else I missed, I didn't think I was away that long but clearly things are happening fast on the 2019 cohort. It's hard to keep up!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on March 22, 2019, 06:16:03 PM
Hahaha!  I (almost) have health insurance coverage with subsidy!! 

It took way too much effort, including one call where I was told I didn't qualify because quitting my job did not qualify me for a special enrollment period.  That call did not end well.  But then I looked it up and called back.  The last person was awesome.  She got me through everything, then when it didn't work again (no subsidy due to some issue), we went back through different forms until she got me what i needed.  Whew!  I was starting to sweat this one.  Six failed attempts over four days but the seventh one took!  Now I just need our termination letters (I get mine after employment ends) and we should be good to go.

Yah!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 23, 2019, 02:43:06 AM
Hahaha!  I (almost) have health insurance coverage with subsidy!! 

It took way too much effort, including one call where I was told I didn't qualify because quitting my job did not qualify me for a special enrollment period.  That call did not end well.  But then I looked it up and called back.  The last person was awesome.  She got me through everything, then when it didn't work again (no subsidy due to some issue), we went back through different forms until she got me what i needed.  Whew!  I was starting to sweat this one.  Six failed attempts over four days but the seventh one took!  Now I just need our termination letters (I get mine after employment ends) and we should be good to go.

Yah!

Congrats Loren!  That's a good hurdle to get across. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Gerard on March 23, 2019, 01:46:06 PM
Talked to HR at work about my plan to retire July 3, and they told me "the paperwork is difficult" for a mid-semester retirement. So instead, they're going to pay me to do nothing until the end of August. Okay, twist my arm...
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: gerardc on March 23, 2019, 08:15:57 PM
Talked to HR at work about my plan to retire July 3, and they told me "the paperwork is difficult" for a mid-semester retirement. So instead, they're going to pay me to do nothing until the end of August. Okay, twist my arm...

doing nothing but do you still need to come in to the office everyday?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on March 24, 2019, 04:44:30 AM
Talked to HR at work about my plan to retire July 3, and they told me "the paperwork is difficult" for a mid-semester retirement. So instead, they're going to pay me to do nothing until the end of August. Okay, twist my arm...

doing nothing but do you still need to come in to the office everyday?

And what are the consequences if you don't. You'll get fired? I presume Gerard can just stay at home, if the company doesn't want to give him tasks.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: exit2019 on March 24, 2019, 08:39:28 PM
@exit2019 -- are you still on track for wrapping up tomorrow?  Or did they make you an offer you couldn't refuse?

the offer is made and it may be that i can't refuse it.  I got the full paperwork today and I'm chewing it over.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on March 25, 2019, 05:23:51 AM
Talked to HR at work about my plan to retire July 3, and they told me "the paperwork is difficult" for a mid-semester retirement. So instead, they're going to pay me to do nothing until the end of August. Okay, twist my arm...

That is an interesting way to handle the issue.... 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 25, 2019, 05:42:46 AM
@exit2019 -- are you still on track for wrapping up tomorrow?  Or did they make you an offer you couldn't refuse?

the offer is made and it may be that i can't refuse it.  I got the full paperwork today and I'm chewing it over.

Which way are you leaning @exit2019 ?  I remember you are in the HCOL Bay Area and had a lot on your plate (plenty of savings, but needed to sell your house, sort out insurance, etc.)   In your last post you said

"I'd give 75+% odds that they [employer] come back with a compelling counter and that against my psychological and physical health I'll stick around for it."

Sounds like you predicted your employer right.  But how have you been feeling this month?  Will this new job offer continue to cause you psychological and physical damage?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 25, 2019, 06:25:40 AM
Hey @Loren Ver -- your final week is here!!  Are you ready?  :)

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Gerard on March 25, 2019, 06:26:02 AM
they're going to pay me to do nothing until the end of August.
doing nothing but do you still need to come in to the office everyday?
And what are the consequences if you don't. You'll get fired? I presume Gerard can just stay at home

I'm allowed to "work from home" any time I'm not teaching anyway, so I can do that. I'll still have some responsibilities even after I retire (some of my grad students won't be finished by my retirement date), so I'll be doing a few hours a week of actual work anyway.

So basically, I'll be doing exactly what I would have been doing if retired, but for pay.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on March 25, 2019, 07:28:12 AM
Hey @Loren Ver -- your final week is here!!  Are you ready?  :)

LAST MONDAY!  This week is off to a rough start.  I was not feeling good this weekend, so today is still a little off.  But today is the last Monday I need to use an alarm clock for work!  DH got out of bed early to wish me a happy last Monday! 

I am ready to be done, but also anxious too.

And this Monday also feels like a normal work day. 

So strange!

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on March 25, 2019, 09:23:05 AM
@exit2019 -- are you still on track for wrapping up tomorrow?  Or did they make you an offer you couldn't refuse?

the offer is made and it may be that i can't refuse it.  I got the full paperwork today and I'm chewing it over.

Which way are you leaning @exit2019 ?  I remember you are in the HCOL Bay Area and had a lot on your plate (plenty of savings, but needed to sell your house, sort out insurance, etc.)   In your last post you said

"I'd give 75+% odds that they [employer] come back with a compelling counter and that against my psychological and physical  health I'll stick around for it."

Sounds like you predicted your employer right.  But how have you been feeling this month?  Will this new job offer continue to cause you psychological and physical damage?

@exit2019 unless you're working for The Mob, (we're not asking, so don't tell) as a FI person, how can anyone make an offer you can't refuse? If it is an ego stroke, then the offer itself is sufficient. If it causes damage to your health in any even slight ways, running the hell away is your best option.

Join the fight against OMY,OMM,OMWEEK. Only YOU can prevent them!



Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on March 25, 2019, 05:29:35 PM
So basically, I'll be doing exactly what I would have been doing if retired, but for pay.

If I could find a job like that I'd NEVER retire, sounds like a sweet gig Gerard, congrats!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on March 25, 2019, 05:38:52 PM
If it causes damage to your health in any even slight ways, running the hell away is your best option.

Words of wisdom! Run the hell away!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: exit2019 on March 25, 2019, 08:45:43 PM
Join the fight against OMY,OMM,OMWEEK. Only YOU can prevent them!

hah.  I appreciate the sentiment. 

In a nutshell, the offer would add 10+% to my net worth over the next 12 months. I have been pretty clear with myself and my wife that I would have a serious problem walking away from something like that a second time (I walked away from a package of similar magnitude a few years ago and did not make up for it). 

That said, lots of things about it are tiresome (cliffs) and open (price used in modeling) and need negotiating, and since on most weekdays by evening I feel like complete dogshit, I haven't made the call yet.  If they don't fix the two issues, I will just walk, but if they do I will likely stay.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on March 26, 2019, 04:45:48 AM

@exit2019 unless you're working for The Mob, (we're not asking, so don't tell) as a FI person, how can anyone

Join the fight against OMY,OMM,OMWEEK. Only YOU can prevent them!
[/quote]

I'm only 8-11 days public, but I have to echo this sentiment.  The weight lifted off my shoulders is incredible.  Overcome the fear when you're ready and do it
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 26, 2019, 05:38:04 AM
The weight lifted off my shoulders is incredible. 

So FIRE is agreeing with you @chasesfish ?  What's your favorite part?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on March 26, 2019, 05:47:12 AM
The weight lifted off my shoulders is incredible. 

So FIRE is agreeing with you @chasesfish ?  What's your favorite part?

So far its the little things.  I'm being paid through mid-April and "helping out" on a couple of deals I have going on.  The few hours a week I'm showing up at the office post-notice, its been the realization or ability to say "Its not my place to have an opinion" or "its your call".  The decision responsibility is not my own.

Yesterday was one of those "little thing" days.  Stopped by the office for two hours, was home before noon.  Went to Costco at 1:30 and it was this nice laid back place full of people not rushing around banging carts into each other.  Went to the nursery and planted a bunch of flowers trying to improve home appearance.  Standing outside at 3pm in 73 degree sunshine was one of those moments where I just thought "holy crap, this is more than just a vacation".

I'll still be 3-6 months before we're settled down.  The house coming soon sign went up yesterday, our full time job right now is prepping the house for sale and finding our new destination.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on March 26, 2019, 08:57:38 AM
The weight lifted off my shoulders is incredible. 

So FIRE is agreeing with you @chasesfish ?  What's your favorite part?

So far its the little things.  I'm being paid through mid-April and "helping out" on a couple of deals I have going on.  The few hours a week I'm showing up at the office post-notice, its been the realization or ability to say "Its not my place to have an opinion" or "its your call".  The decision responsibility is not my own.

Yesterday was one of those "little thing" days.  Stopped by the office for two hours, was home before noon.  Went to Costco at 1:30 and it was this nice laid back place full of people not rushing around banging carts into each other.  Went to the nursery and planted a bunch of flowers trying to improve home appearance.  Standing outside at 3pm in 73 degree sunshine was one of those moments where I just thought "holy crap, this is more than just a vacation".

I'll still be 3-6 months before we're settled down.  The house coming soon sign went up yesterday, our full time job right now is prepping the house for sale and finding our new destination.

That sounds wonderful.  Ahhh!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 26, 2019, 09:05:23 AM
Standing outside at 3pm in 73 degree sunshine was one of those moments where I just thought "holy crap, this is more than just a vacation".

I'll still be 3-6 months before we're settled down.  The house coming soon sign went up yesterday, our full time job right now is prepping the house for sale and finding our new destination.

That's fabulous @chasesfish!  Best of luck selling the house and with the move.  Sounds like you don't know yet where you might land?  How exciting.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on March 26, 2019, 10:59:57 AM
The weight lifted off my shoulders is incredible. 

So FIRE is agreeing with you @chasesfish ?  What's your favorite part?

So far its the little things.  I'm being paid through mid-April and "helping out" on a couple of deals I have going on.  The few hours a week I'm showing up at the office post-notice, its been the realization or ability to say "Its not my place to have an opinion" or "its your call".  The decision responsibility is not my own.

Yesterday was one of those "little thing" days.  Stopped by the office for two hours, was home before noon.  Went to Costco at 1:30 and it was this nice laid back place full of people not rushing around banging carts into each other.  Went to the nursery and planted a bunch of flowers trying to improve home appearance.  Standing outside at 3pm in 73 degree sunshine was one of those moments where I just thought "holy crap, this is more than just a vacation".

I'll still be 3-6 months before we're settled down.  The house coming soon sign went up yesterday, our full time job right now is prepping the house for sale and finding our new destination.

That sounds wonderful.  Ahhh!

It sure does!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: tooqk4u22 on March 26, 2019, 12:17:15 PM
All the milestones are terrific, I continue to struggle with OMY or more specifically dropping out at the top'ish of the market.   Although, the market drop from September to December didn't really phase me, but upon reflection I am not sure if that is because I really was ok with it or because I had income coming in so who cares.

It's largely unavoidable I guess based on the fact that most retirees retire at high water marks (I think I read that somewhere on this forum), but it makes sense.

My demons of course.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Nifty on March 26, 2019, 05:32:56 PM
Hi there, I'm an addition to the 2019 family. Planning to work through the end of the year, so my date is 12/31/19! I'll be 31 at the time.

I will not be transitioning to full retirement however. I have a OMY gene in me, and the middle ground will be some part time work. I can contract in my current field basically at my leisure, and the intention is work a few consecutive months each year and take the bulk of the year off. It still feels like early retirement to me, because I know that the contract work isn't actually necessary, and mainly the idea of quitting Full time employment is terrifying.

Part time work will be kept under income limits for expanded Medicaid - by my calculation we can earn $81k (plus dividends), and after contributing to IRAs and solo 401(k)s, still be under 138% FPL limit for full Medicaid subsidy!

My soon-to-be-wife and I will be traveling around the US in a self-converted camper van (conversion in process now). We'll stop that and move back whenever we get tired of it. During that time we'll be renting out our current residence, and also already have another property that's rented. About 60% of net worth is in taxable/pre-tax investments, remaining 40% is equity in properties.

Excluding the part-time work we are at a 2.5% withdrawal rate. We plan to have kids in the future and when I add a conservative estimate to our budget in 8 years for that plus some increased housing expense, we are at a 3.55% withdrawal rate. I'm still scared of the unknown!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: JoJo on March 26, 2019, 06:28:52 PM
Work is going downhill really quickly.  Retirement may be sooner than later.  Waiting for the bonus to hit the bank account on Friday and see what I feel like then.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Half Stached on March 26, 2019, 08:29:19 PM
Work is going downhill really quickly.  Retirement may be sooner than later.  Waiting for the bonus to hit the bank account on Friday and see what I feel like then.

If you can swing it, go for it! I've been retired a week and half, and it's great. :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on March 27, 2019, 02:16:56 AM
Hi there, I'm an addition to the 2019 family...

My soon-to-be-wife and I will be traveling around the US in a self-converted camper van (conversion in process now). We'll stop that and move back whenever we get tired of it.

Welcome Nifty! Sounds like you and your fiance have lots of fun in your future.

Work is going downhill really quickly.  Retirement may be sooner than later.  Waiting for the bonus to hit the bank account on Friday and see what I feel like then.

If you can swing it, go for it! I've been retired a week and half, and it's great. :)

Jojo, I'm sorry things are not going well at work. I agree with Half Stached, make the leap!

Half Stached, I'm glad you are enjoying FIRE and I can't wait to join you. My countdown calendar says 86 days now. I find myself fighting what I hope are irrational fears that something terrible will happen to prevent me from FIREing or that I will die before I can enjoy the freedom I'm so longing for.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 27, 2019, 03:58:37 AM
Welcome @Nifty!  Your plans do sound fun.  Got you added for 12/31.

We have four folks on deck for next week -- @gerardc, @Ryder, @PowerStache, and @MissNancyPryor.  How are y'all doing?  Thrilled?  Freaking out?  ;)

Note:  JumboShrimp hasn't responded to my pms, so moving him to ?? until we hear back.     


2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19     Bingeworker (52)        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                   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)
03/29/19     Mr. Ver (39)
03/??/19     exit2019  (40)
03/??/19     Edgema
03/??/19     JumboShrimp
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     Ryder (39)
04/04/19     PowerStache (43)
04/05/19     MissNancyPryor (50)   
04/19/19     Eric (42)
04/26/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/15/19     MaybeBabyMustache                   
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/31/19     dude                              Date Confirmed
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/15/19     Okonomiyaki (49)
06/15/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/30/19     Pylortes  (42)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
07/05/19     StoaX (58)
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)
08/01/19     SugarMountain
08/31/19     Gerard
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
09/??/19     dayzero
10/18/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     Dreamer
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/19/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)
12/31/19     Nifty (31)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer
MustacheAnxiety
forward
BlindSquirrel
I'm Fred (51)
JoJo (45)

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
Linda_Norway (45)
CryingInThePool  (44)
Albireo13  (61)
Cookie78
Enigma

OLY
markbike528cbx  (55)      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
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on March 27, 2019, 04:55:54 AM

My soon-to-be-wife and I will be traveling around the US in a self-converted camper van (conversion in process now).


Ohh.  Welcome!!  DH and I are slowly converting a 2002 Chevy Express.  We are taking it on route 66 starting April 1.  Glad to see another converter on the list.  What is your van of choice?

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Nifty on March 27, 2019, 09:49:51 AM
Ohh.  Welcome!!  DH and I are slowly converting a 2002 Chevy Express.  We are taking it on route 66 starting April 1.  Glad to see another converter on the list.  What is your van of choice?

We are in a 2017 Transit High Roof Extended. Decided on the biggest since it's two of us and we'll be living in it full time. Just finished installing the propane heater and stove/oven. Next week taking it on a week long trip to Utah for rock climbing!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PowerStache on March 27, 2019, 04:02:00 PM
I am at SEVEN working days left!  It is a wonderfully strange feeling to report to work everyday and do the "normal" activities knowing they won't be normal for much longer.  I purposely made an outside appointment for 3 pm on my last day of work to ensure I say my good bye and get out.  It will be bittersweet to leave, but I am so looking forward to taking better care of my self, my family and my garden.

We have plans made for two vacations for the summer...one to Seattle and one to Jamaica. Looking forward to doing more outside fun with the kids this summer.  Biking, hiking, tennis, basketball, etc.

Wrapping up my turnover documents.  Next week, all is left is to eat the celebratory cake!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 27, 2019, 05:18:39 PM
My countdown calendar says 86 days now. I find myself fighting what I hope are irrational fears that something terrible will happen to prevent me from FIREing or that I will die before I can enjoy the freedom I'm so longing for.

I had those same fears @Parizade, and yes they were irrational and they vanished as soon as I FIREd.  You'll be ok my friend. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MissNancyPryor on March 27, 2019, 05:29:28 PM
Welcome @Nifty!  Your plans do sound fun.  Got you added for 12/31.

We have four folks on deck for next week -- @gerardc, @Ryder, @PowerStache, and @MissNancyPryor.  How are y'all doing?  Thrilled?  Freaking out?  ;)


Last day at MegaCorpSucks is still 4/5.  Feeling incredible, so much peace. 

It is looking more like I will get to have some sort of gig at FormerCo though.  I have to ask if that makes me an early retirement wash out-  I quit my job without having any new offer.  I may work full-time for half the money at an easier gig for a while, maybe a year or two (maybe 3 weeks if it is just more corporate crap). 

So what shall we say is my status?

ETA- This idea of doing work at FormerCo has me also feeling kind of guilty about my current notice period.  I haven't told anyone that  I might continue work somewhere so the whole idea of retirement feels like I am lying to them.  Even though I am not, I get it that I am not because I had no job offer when I told them toodle-loo.  I am in my head on this when I shouldn't be at all.  I am my own retirement police I guess.  At minimum if I do anything for FormerCo it will be at least a month away so there will be time to unwind my knots a bit. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on March 27, 2019, 07:18:30 PM
My countdown calendar says 86 days now. I find myself fighting what I hope are irrational fears that something terrible will happen to prevent me from FIREing or that I will die before I can enjoy the freedom I'm so longing for.

I had those same fears @Parizade, and yes they were irrational and they vanished as soon as I FIREd.  You'll be ok my friend.

THANK YOU Trifele
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on March 27, 2019, 07:26:57 PM

So what shall we say is my status?

ETA- This idea of doing work at FormerCo has me also feeling kind of guilty about my current notice period.  I haven't told anyone that  I might continue work somewhere so the whole idea of retirement feels like I am lying to them.  Even though I am not, I get it that I am not because I had no job offer when I told them toodle-loo.  I am in my head on this when I shouldn't be at all.  I am my own retirement police I guess.  At minimum if I do anything for FormerCo it will be at least a month away so there will be time to unwind my knots a bit.

I think you can choose your own status.  The English language doesn't have common words that deal with FIREes, and the small-minded people of the IRP will jump on you whatever you choose.  However, I would suggest SWAMI for your status.  It's from this old MMM post, and means Satisfied Working Advanced Mustachian Individual.  If you read the post it sounds like it might describe you pretty well:

http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2011/04/30/weekend-edition-retire-in-your-mind-even-if-you-love-your-job/
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MissNancyPryor on March 27, 2019, 07:35:21 PM
I forgot about SWAMI.  Maybe that will be me.  I still graduated as a FIRE but might go to summer school!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on March 28, 2019, 05:08:28 AM
Ohh.  Welcome!!  DH and I are slowly converting a 2002 Chevy Express.  We are taking it on route 66 starting April 1.  Glad to see another converter on the list.  What is your van of choice?

We are in a 2017 Transit High Roof Extended. Decided on the biggest since it's two of us and we'll be living in it full time. Just finished installing the propane heater and stove/oven. Next week taking it on a week long trip to Utah for rock climbing!

Nice!!  Have a blast!!

@MissNancyPryor I am glad things are falling into place for you and I am glad you have some time to let the knots untie. 

@PowerStache That's exciting.  Those last days go fast.

DH and I are so close.  It is starting to really feel real.  News is spreading fast.  I am getting a mix of reactions, most being happy for me but kind envious.  I tailor my responses based on who I am talking too. 

Yesterday was a goodbye bar visit for a coworker that is being retired.  He isn't ready to go yet, so the event was bittersweet.  He is very good at what he does and has liked doing it for 30 years, but didn't want to relocate.  It is strange to celebrate when others are mourning.  I know you had a similar ending @Trifele.  Luckily I am not the one that has to let them go.

LV 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on March 29, 2019, 04:54:29 AM
Two in a row!

Anyway, it is FRIDAY.  I am oscillating between being excited and not really feeling like it is real. 

I am turning my computer in at 9ish.  Going to my co-worker party at 930.  Then going out to lunch with work friends.  Then not coming back!!

Whee!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on March 29, 2019, 05:49:30 AM
Two in a row!

Anyway, it is FRIDAY.  I am oscillating between being excited and not really feeling like it is real. 

I am turning my computer in at 9ish.  Going to my co-worker party at 930.  Then going out to lunch with work friends.  Then not coming back!!

Whee!

Congratulations Loren, I'm so happy for you! Enjoy your last day and your forever weekend!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 29, 2019, 06:07:01 AM
Anyway, it is FRIDAY.  I am oscillating between being excited and not really feeling like it is real. 

I am turning my computer in at 9ish.  Going to my co-worker party at 930.  Then going out to lunch with work friends.  Then not coming back!!

Whee!

YASSSSSSS!!!!   Congrats @Loren Ver !

                                       (https://media0.giphy.com/media/pcLUblRhKPyve/200.webp?cid=790b76115c9e08f14b4b497536492acb)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on March 29, 2019, 08:09:03 AM
Two in a row!

Anyway, it is FRIDAY.  I am oscillating between being excited and not really feeling like it is real. 

I am turning my computer in at 9ish.  Going to my co-worker party at 930.  Then going out to lunch with work friends.  Then not coming back!!

Whee!

Congratulations!  You've earned this and only get to do it once - enjoy it and remember the feeling!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on March 29, 2019, 08:26:18 AM
60 Work days left. 4 calendar months left!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: JoJo on March 29, 2019, 09:37:31 AM
Bonus hit my bank account yesterday.  What to do, what to do. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Pylortes on March 29, 2019, 10:46:07 AM
Congratulations to those in this group that recently pulled the plug or are on the precipice of doing so!! 

Its been awhile since I've posted an update, but I've been extremely busy.   Since the fall/winter, work has not been going well and I've grown increasingly unhappy/stressed.  I got a new manager last year who wants to add a lot to my plate without taking anything away.   As my priorities have been changed, the tasks I spent my first 11 years or so here doing (and I feel I'm needed for) have been relegated to the back burner and this has caused some problems and increased my stress level.

I've been planning to pull the plug in late June, but I may need to look at pushing it forward for my sanity.   I had just a few financial goals that I wanted to accomplish in 2019 before I pulled the plug- with the biggest being to fully fund my 401k for the year.  I've been making good progress there and would be on track to do so by mid June, but if I leave earlier I may not get there (I could come close).  To add some complexity to the situation, I'm the only one in my company with a license to perform my specific role in my state and our contract with our client requires they employ a licensed person in the state.  My leaving would requiring unwinding a number of things with no replacement ready to pick up the tasks.  So I want to give somewhere in the neighborhood of 4-6 weeks notice.  However knowing the hiring process around here there's little chance a replacement would be found and in place even with 6 weeks so I won't be able to just smoothly transfer things over to someone else.   That's fine, I can leave regardless and just start running through a checklist of shut down items (If it takes longer for a replacement to be brought on board I could offer to come back to train them later- of course only for additional pay!).  I'm somewhat torn on moving up my date too much, I really don't want to screw my co-workers by leaving them suddenly and without the proper person on board to help them which could cause problems with our contract, but on the other hand I really want out of here to my freedom.

When I first committed to FIRE during 2019 my job was going relatively smoothly, I just was bored/tired and wanted a change from working so planned an exit.  Now the job is worse (at least in my mind).  I may have some senioritis- I know I'm leaving soon and I'm checking out and overwhelmed.  I need my freedom- and 80 something more days still seems like an eternity when you feel things are not going well and getting worse! 

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on March 29, 2019, 11:51:47 AM
Pylortes: Sounds like someone is going to become a well-paid consultant. You have all the leverage.... USE IT!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on March 29, 2019, 01:08:17 PM
11 Weeks to go
49 work days left

Time has definitely slowed down, and I'm trying to savor it outside of work :)

@Pylortes, don't make that your problem. Quit with minimal notice and then come back on for some consulting 2 days a week at 3-4X your current hourly rate. @Lews Therin is on to something!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on March 29, 2019, 02:21:30 PM
Thank you!!!  Love the dancers.

My now former co-workers were so nice to me (and DH) it was really sweet!

LV

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 29, 2019, 04:24:04 PM
Congratulations to today's FIRE-ees @Loren Ver and Mr. Ver!   Love the new signature line.  Hope you have a fabulous time on the road with your van.  Please check in once in a while and let us know how it's going!


2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19     Bingeworker (52)        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                   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
04/04/19     PowerStache (43)
04/05/19     MissNancyPryor (50)   
04/19/19     Eric (42)
04/26/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
04/??/19     Ryder (39)
05/15/19     MaybeBabyMustache                   
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/31/19     dude                              Date Confirmed
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/15/19     Okonomiyaki (49)
06/15/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/30/19     Pylortes  (42)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
07/05/19     StoaX (58)
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)
08/01/19     SugarMountain
08/31/19     Gerard
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
09/??/19     dayzero
10/18/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     Dreamer
10/??/19     JumboShrimp
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/19/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)
12/31/19     Nifty (31)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer
MustacheAnxiety
forward
BlindSquirrel
I'm Fred (51)
JoJo (45)
Edgema
Gerardc  (35) On leave effective 4/19

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
Linda_Norway (45)
CryingInThePool  (44)
Albireo13  (61)
Cookie78
Enigma
exit2019  (40)
powersuitrecall  (47)

OLY
markbike528cbx  (55)      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
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on March 30, 2019, 02:19:42 AM
Congratulations to our recent plug-pullers.
@Pylortes as the others have said, you seem to have huge leverage.  You just need to decide what you want to do with it.  One route would be padding your stash by retiring with minimum notice and extorting some highly paid consultancy.  The opposite approach might be to use that leverage to minimise your stress rather than maximise your cash.  Is there a solution in there that works for everyone where you stay on the books part time for a while?  They get to keep the necessary certifications, you get to ease yourself into FIRE with a whole lot less stress.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on March 30, 2019, 06:06:31 AM
03/29/19     Loren Ver (36)            CONFIRMED
03/29/19     Mr. Ver (39)                CONFIRMED


Happy Dance!! 

DH and I plan on hitting the road Sunday, so my posting will be close to non-existent as we do not have smart phones.  Very excited. 

Anyway, there are quite a few people that are going out either in March ?? or early April, and I didn't want to miss a chance to say congrats to those that are about to pull the rip cord!!  GO Team GO!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PowerStache on March 30, 2019, 11:16:02 AM
Congratulations @Loren Ver! Enjoy your adventure!

My bonus was deposited Friday and the person offered to take my job accepted.  So just some turnover and a retirement celebration next week before I get to enjoy unemployment!

Looking forward to enjoying the spring days in the yard instead of in the office.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 30, 2019, 11:54:37 AM
Looking forward to enjoying the spring days in the yard instead of in the office.

This is the quote of the day. 

Congrats on your imminent funemployment @PowerStache!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: exit2019 on March 30, 2019, 08:48:15 PM
Afraid I am one more year .. and a few days.  4/10/2020.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: EscapeVelocity2020 on March 30, 2019, 09:00:35 PM
These FIRE cohort's are great threads, the excitement of the ER's and the folks that 'can't refuse' a OMY offer.  It's all decisions from a position of power, being self-determined as opposed to blaming others and giving our future away mindlessly; regretfully.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: powersuitrecall on March 31, 2019, 04:49:20 AM
Hi all and congrats to everyone here who have made the jump this year so far.  It's been fun to check in and see how everyone has been doing. 

I'm long overdue for an update, so here goes: Long story short, I'm going to OMY but for a reason that I never expected.  I'm starting to like my job (!).  What the heck, right?  The change started with me stepping outside of my comfort zone about 2 years ago, and led to a position that I love, where I get to help guide future tech at my agency.

The FIRE plan for our family was always to have me retire first (because I hated my job), then have DW work for several years afterwards (because she is awesome at & loves her job).  Adding one more year of work will help bring our family closer to FIRE sooner, and also allow me to explore my new role at work. 

It's funny though, part of "stepping outside my comfort zone" 2 years ago was walking away from a lucrative pager.  The journey to FIRE brought me to a place where I could make a decision based on happiness, not money.  I've got MMM / this forum to thank for that.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on March 31, 2019, 05:30:11 AM
Thank you @PowerStache.  Enjoy your retirement party.  I really enjoyed mine.

@exit2019 Good luck with your OMY.  Come back if you change your mind.

@powersuitrecall That is fantastic.  As EscapeVelocity said, making the decisions from a place of power.  Now, if things change, you are in a position to react in a way that is optimum for your family.  Good job!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 31, 2019, 05:41:43 AM
Well, 1Q of 2019 is in the books.  Goodbye @powersuitrecall and @exit2019; got you down for OMY -- List above updated.  Good luck with everything and feel free to come back anytime!

@edgema and @JumboShrimp -- you were down for March, but I shifted you to TBD til we hear back from you.

On deck for tomorrow we have @gerardc and @Ryder.  Last we heard from gerardc he was going on leave, but wasn't yet sure if it would be permanent/FIRE.  Ryder gave notice at the beginning of March for a target last day of April 1.  Are you two still on track?
 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on March 31, 2019, 09:29:22 AM
Well, looks like I might be a bit late to wish a big CONGRATULATIONS to @Loren Ver since you're on the road already, but I'm assuming you'll see this eventually.  Wooo!

(https://i.redd.it/n421ah3wu4321.gif)

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on March 31, 2019, 09:46:42 AM
Only three weeks left of work here.  I am kind of freaking out a bit, not really over quitting my job or retiring, but the fact that I haven't made much progress on getting rid of all of my possessions.  I'm working through 4/19 and then have to be fully moved out of my apartment by 4/30.  I'm now thinking I should've left myself more time.  It's amazing how much shit one can accumulate in a 550 sq ft apartment.  We shall see.  I think my current plan is to have a "Free or best offer" yard sale where I just pull everything out my front door and let people take whatever they want and possibly offer a donation if they so choose.  Could be an interesting social experiment.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 31, 2019, 10:10:07 AM
Only three weeks left of work here.  I am kind of freaking out a bit, not really over quitting my job or retiring, but the fact that I haven't made much progress on getting rid of all of my possessions.  I'm working through 4/19 and then have to be fully moved out of my apartment by 4/30. 

Wow!  What are you planning to do after you FIRE @Eric ?  Are you going fully nomadic?  Cool.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on March 31, 2019, 10:43:58 AM
Yep.  The plan is fully nomadic world travel for as long as it's fun.  My wife and I have managed to avoid kids, pets, and mortgages, so we're completely unencumbered (or will be once we clear out this apartment).  We're planning to start with only one backpack each and I'm pretty sure we're going to Thailand first, but haven't bought plane tickets yet. I have a bit of time for that though, as we're likely leaving sometime in late June after spending some time visiting family and friends prior to hitting the road full time.  Pretty exciting!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on March 31, 2019, 12:59:17 PM

..big snip.....

It's funny though, part of "stepping outside my comfort zone" 2 years ago was walking away from a lucrative pager.  The journey to FIRE brought me to a place where I could make a decision based on happiness, not money.  I've got MMM / this forum to thank for that.

This is the happy side of FU money, let's call it FY,   Fuck Yes money. 

Still sad to lose you to OMY. You still have 3 quarters of 2019 to come back.

To ALL you OMY people, You still have 3 quarters of 2019 to come back!!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: powersuitrecall on March 31, 2019, 01:36:33 PM

..big snip.....

It's funny though, part of "stepping outside my comfort zone" 2 years ago was walking away from a lucrative pager.  The journey to FIRE brought me to a place where I could make a decision based on happiness, not money.  I've got MMM / this forum to thank for that.

This is the happy side of FU money, let's call it FY,   Fuck Yes money. 

Still sad to lose you to OMY. You still have 3 quarters of 2019 to come back.

To ALL you OMY people, You still have 3 quarters of 2019 to come back!!!

Totally! 

"Fuck Yes money".  I love it.  The perfect answer to the hypothetical question "Don't like your job eh ...  what are you going to do? Retire?!?!?"

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Livingthedream55 on April 01, 2019, 07:44:27 AM
Only three weeks left of work here.  I am kind of freaking out a bit, not really over quitting my job or retiring, but the fact that I haven't made much progress on getting rid of all of my possessions.  I'm working through 4/19 and then have to be fully moved out of my apartment by 4/30.  I'm now thinking I should've left myself more time.  It's amazing how much shit one can accumulate in a 550 sq ft apartment.  We shall see.  I think my current plan is to have a "Free or best offer" yard sale where I just pull everything out my front door and let people take whatever they want and possibly offer a donation if they so choose.  Could be an interesting social experiment.

Or perhaps have a traditional yard sale for the first four hours but advertise that everything will be free after a certain time.  Otherwise I bet that everyone will want everything for free from the get go.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on April 01, 2019, 09:52:08 AM
Only three weeks left of work here.  I am kind of freaking out a bit, not really over quitting my job or retiring, but the fact that I haven't made much progress on getting rid of all of my possessions.  I'm working through 4/19 and then have to be fully moved out of my apartment by 4/30.  I'm now thinking I should've left myself more time.  It's amazing how much shit one can accumulate in a 550 sq ft apartment.  We shall see.  I think my current plan is to have a "Free or best offer" yard sale where I just pull everything out my front door and let people take whatever they want and possibly offer a donation if they so choose.  Could be an interesting social experiment.

Or perhaps have a traditional yard sale for the first four hours but advertise that everything will be free after a certain time.  Otherwise I bet that everyone will want everything for free from the get go.

I can just imagine a line of people waiting on the sidewalk until 1pm hits to then sprint in and grab anything they can like a Black Friday Door Buster sale or something.  lol

I'm mostly okay with free, because anything left means that I have to move it a lot further than right outside my front door.  It has to make it all the way to Goodwill or equivalent.  At this point, I just want to make sure that it gets gone.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: JumboShrimp on April 01, 2019, 04:29:26 PM
Still sticking with the 2019 crew, but new Fire Date is early October. I let March come and go without giving notice and got put on a new project that was supposed to start today. I showed up this morning but the paperwork hadn't come through so they had to give me the day off. Took a nice long bike ride enjoying the cherry blossoms and fine weather on a Monday morning, good practice for being retired. Found it quite enjoyable!!

Original FIRE date was October 2018 when I took a month off. They wanted me back at work, so here I am. Pretty easy money and zero reason to get stressed, so why not? And to be honest, it has been harder to pull the plug and walk away than I anticipated (health insurance worries, last years poor market returns, etc.).

Planning another trip for this October/November of at least 6 weeks, it needs to be long enough that they won't give me the time off and I am forced to just quit. Do need to make sure all tickets and lodging are non-refundable so there will be significant cost for changing plans. No more OMY's!!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on April 01, 2019, 04:51:04 PM
Still sticking with the 2019 crew . . . 
<snip>
No more OMY's!!!

Great to hear from you @JumboShrimp!   Glad you are sticking around with us. :)  Sometimes we can use that little extra push . . .

                                 (https://media2.giphy.com/media/11z3oNkMCQBDcA/200w.webp?cid=790b76115ca29529305570314541b915)

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: edgema on April 02, 2019, 07:44:43 AM
Handed my notice in an hour ago. Officially 30 days but likely to be just a few days which is normal in this industry. Officially retired! (or unemployed depending on your point of view).

Slightly non-mustachian plans in that we plan to buy a sail boat, take the kids out of school (8 and 7) and head off for an unspecified amount of time. Likely to be a minimum 15 months or so and then plan from there. We are being pretty conservative on the boat purchase (<5% of net worth) and we have income from our rental properties as well as planning to rent out our house while we are away so hopefully not a crazy plan financially. Long term dream so have to give it a go and was one of the reasons I did OMY. With luck our equities will grind higher in the background but shouldn't need to touch them while we are away. Secret plan is to retrain ourselves away from over consuming as we simply won't have the space to keep buying stuff on a boat. Other than the big stuff (houses / cars / holidays) we definitely are a fail on living a 'strict' mustachian life and only want to be mustachian-lite anyway!

Lots to do. Exciting times and a little scary. Woohoo.......
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on April 02, 2019, 08:05:09 AM
Handed my notice in an hour ago. Officially 30 days but likely to be just a few days which is normal in this industry. Officially retired! (or unemployed depending on your point of view).

Slightly non-mustachian plans in that we plan to buy a sail boat, take the kids out of school (8 and 7) and head off for an unspecified amount of time. Likely to be a minimum 15 months or so and then plan from there. We are being pretty conservative on the boat purchase (<5% of net worth) and we have income from our rental properties as well as planning to rent out our house while we are away so hopefully not a crazy plan financially. Long term dream so have to give it a go and was one of the reasons I did OMY. With luck our equities will grind higher in the background but shouldn't need to touch them while we are away. Secret plan is to retrain ourselves away from over consuming as we simply won't have the space to keep buying stuff on a boat. Other than the big stuff (houses / cars / holidays) we definitely are a fail on living a 'strict' mustachian life and only want to be mustachian-lite anyway!

Lots to do. Exciting times and a little scary. Woohoo.......

Congrats on handing in your notice.

Know that a sailboat is a very expensive hobby... From what I have heard, one of the most expensive options for a hobby.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on April 02, 2019, 08:13:40 AM
Handed my notice in an hour ago.

Hell YEAH @edgema!!!!   Congrats on taking the step.  I know you were right on the fence.  Let us know when your last day is and we'll get you posted as Confirmed!

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: BTDretire on April 02, 2019, 09:12:35 AM
Well count me and my wife in. I have been wanting to retire for a couple years but couldn't convince my wife.
Finally about the middle of 2018 she started telling a few people our business was for sale.
 Then on Oct 10th Hurricane Michael hit us hard. Our business was totaled, our home had about $75k of damage, but we were able to live in it. We were officially retired after the hurricane, whether we wanted to or not.
 We had no insurance on the business, but very unlikely we could have sold it for even $100,000.
 The house insurance company has been very good to us, took care of everything.
 I was very happy to stop working and my wife is doing well, finding other ways to use her energy.
 I did a net worth* statement at the end of 2018 and again on March 31 2019, we are up $70k even after
paying all 3 months of our expenses. But this first quarter was spectacular in the market, I think VTI was up 14%!!
              Good luck to all of you!

* I never included the business in our net worth, so it was not a loss from my numbers.
 The business was a mom and pop niche, that took about 110 hours a week between the two of us.
Basically all we had was an income to sell, but no assets, so I never put a value on it.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on April 02, 2019, 09:29:03 AM
So many exciting announcements! Congrats to @BTDretire , @edgema & @Loren Ver !!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: edgema on April 02, 2019, 09:43:11 AM
Sailing is most definitely stupidly expensive as a hobby and if you walk past any marina you will see some of the most underutilized assets around. At least with the UK weather, owners might get 10 weekends a year maximum, particularly if they don't live close by and have a normal 9-5 job. We have a friend who lived 10 minutes from their boat but because of a rubbish UK summer only took it out 3 times one year. This is why we have never even considered owning one while working.

However, as a place to live, at least for a while, the maths changes. You are on hand to do the maintenance yourself and it is a 'tiny house' so you simply cannot fill it with nonsense belongings. You can make much of your own power (sails, solar, wind) and by definition bulk buy groceries and the like when you can. Like a car they depreciate, but we are buying a 15 year old boat so depreciation will not be a big issue as they are priced on condition and not age by that stage (GRP hulls will last >40 years). In the meantime you also get to rent your own house out as an income stream. 

Not going to claim it is the cheapest or fastest way to see the world, that is for sure, but we all have our own dreams.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on April 02, 2019, 09:53:05 AM
Welcome @BTDretire!   Do you want to call yourself FIREd now then?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on April 02, 2019, 10:10:00 AM
Sailing is most definitely stupidly expensive as a hobby and if you walk past any marina you will see some of the most underutilized assets around. At least with the UK weather, owners might get 10 weekends a year maximum, particularly if they don't live close by and have a normal 9-5 job. We have a friend who lived 10 minutes from their boat but because of a rubbish UK summer only took it out 3 times one year. This is why we have never even considered owning one while working.

However, as a place to live, at least for a while, the maths changes. You are on hand to do the maintenance yourself and it is a 'tiny house' so you simply cannot fill it with nonsense belongings. You can make much of your own power (sails, solar, wind) and by definition bulk buy groceries and the like when you can. Like a car they depreciate, but we are buying a 15 year old boat so depreciation will not be a big issue as they are priced on condition and not age by that stage (GRP hulls will last >40 years). In the meantime you also get to rent your own house out as an income stream. 

Not going to claim it is the cheapest or fastest way to see the world, that is for sure, but we all have our own dreams.
They do always say that the two happiest days are the day you buy your boat and the day you sell it.  Here's hoping you get some wonderful days in between!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: gerardc on April 02, 2019, 08:42:56 PM
Yes, my leave is confirmed for 6 months. My manager convinced me to start in a few weeks, which is fine since I'll get one more vesting event ($40k) and I'm working very low hours atm. Then back next year for a few weeks to max out 401k, match, Roth, SS contribs, etc. (I'm still < 40 SS credits). I might not confirm again in this thread, but this is confirmed with HR.

So, won't be fully FIREd but a significant change unlike anything else I've ever done in my career. From then on, I'll be slowly crusing up to an eventual $1.5M or even $2M net worth, no pressure. Perhaps working stints of a few months at a time, perhaps reducing expenses in a LCOL country with side gigs unrelated to technology, or perhaps staying content where I am.

Maybe next year would be a better "official FIRE" for me, but it doesn't really matter anymore. I don't benefit much from those labels so I'd rather just take it as it comes. Main point is I'm FI and enjoying a ton of flexibility right now.

Best of luck to everyone.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on April 03, 2019, 12:26:36 AM
Sailing is most definitely stupidly expensive as a hobby and if you walk past any marina you will see some of the most underutilized assets around. At least with the UK weather, owners might get 10 weekends a year maximum, particularly if they don't live close by and have a normal 9-5 job. We have a friend who lived 10 minutes from their boat but because of a rubbish UK summer only took it out 3 times one year. This is why we have never even considered owning one while working.

However, as a place to live, at least for a while, the maths changes. You are on hand to do the maintenance yourself and it is a 'tiny house' so you simply cannot fill it with nonsense belongings. You can make much of your own power (sails, solar, wind) and by definition bulk buy groceries and the like when you can. Like a car they depreciate, but we are buying a 15 year old boat so depreciation will not be a big issue as they are priced on condition and not age by that stage (GRP hulls will last >40 years). In the meantime you also get to rent your own house out as an income stream. 

Not going to claim it is the cheapest or fastest way to see the world, that is for sure, but we all have our own dreams.

A friend of mine lived on a sailboat for many years, with her SO. They had put a lot of their own hours into getting it in shape. She said is was a very good part of their lives. They still both worked when they lived on the boat. In the weekends, all the normal weekend people were around in the harbour and that was a bit stressful. On those days, they would just go sailing for the weekend, away from the harbour. By the time they came back, the weekend people were just leaving and that was a relieve. She said there was a very good atmosphere amongst the other people who lived on a boat.
Good luck.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on April 03, 2019, 04:17:10 AM
Good luck with your leave @gerardc!  I think we have a couple other folks that are taking the path of a long leave to test the water.  Hope you have a good time and rest up.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on April 03, 2019, 01:37:35 PM
I recently discovered this pre-fire checklist on the forum and found it helpful. If you haven't seen it already take a look
https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/post-fire/pre-fire-checklist/
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on April 04, 2019, 12:50:32 AM
Thanks for the reminder on the pre-fire checklist @Parizade -- good stuff there.

@PowerStache -- Is today the day?!?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on April 04, 2019, 09:30:15 AM
After yesterday's market close, my TSP account broke the $800k threshold for the first time. That was the goal I set for it by retirement, some 5-6 years ago. Pretty nice to see that part of the plan fall in line, even if only temporarily. I'm now 36 calendar days from my last day in the office (May 10; official retirement date is May 31), and factoring out weekends, sick days and vacation, only something like 15-18 work days left.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: forward on April 04, 2019, 09:44:17 AM
After yesterday's market close, my TSP account broke the $800k threshold for the first time. That was the goal I set for it by retirement, some 5-6 years ago. Pretty nice to see that part of the plan fall in line, even if only temporarily. I'm now 36 calendar days from my last day in the office (May 10; official retirement date is May 31), and factoring out weekends, sick days and vacation, only something like 15-18 work days left.

Your plan is coming together nicely.  15 days, that is awesome!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PowerStache on April 04, 2019, 05:52:09 PM
Yes @Trifele , today was the day!  Turned in the badge and computer.

Leaving is bittersweet as I have great co-workers.   But I am excited to de-stress and be free! Sitting here at my computer right now, still feels like a normal day home from work.  Very surreal.

Anyone who has FIRE'd already keeping in touch with old co-workers?  On social media or in person/verbal communication?  Going to be strange not having the "water cooler" type conversations anymore. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on April 04, 2019, 06:14:27 PM
CONGRATULATIONS POWERSTACHE
I have great coworkers too, I'm not looking forward to missing them
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on April 05, 2019, 05:25:08 AM
Congratulations @PowerStache!!!!     What are your FIRE plans?


2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19     Bingeworker (52)          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                     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
04/04/19     PowerStache (43)         CONFIRMED
04/05/19     MissNancyPryor (50)     CONFIRMED SWAMI
04/06/19     Caroline PF                   CONFIRMED SEMI-FIRE
04/07/19     BTDRetire (64) 
04/19/19     Eric (42)
04/19/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/26/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
04/??/19     Ryder (39)
05/15/19     MaybeBabyMustache                   
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/31/19     dude                              Date Confirmed
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/15/19     Okonomiyaki (49)
06/15/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/30/19     Pylortes  (42)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
07/05/19     StoaX (58)
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)
08/01/19     SugarMountain
08/31/19     Gerard
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/13/19     dayzero
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
10/18/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     Dreamer
10/??/19     JumboShrimp
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/19/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)
12/31/19     Nifty (31)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer
MustacheAnxiety
forward
BlindSquirrel
I'm Fred (51)
JoJo (45)
Edgema

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
Linda_Norway (45)
CryingInThePool  (44)
Albireo13  (61)
Cookie78
Enigma
exit2019  (40)
powersuitrecall  (47)

OLY
markbike528cbx  (55)      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
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on April 05, 2019, 09:44:04 AM
This is it!  Phone, badge, computer, travel credit card, parking pass, building keys all getting dropped off today.  Officially gone from MegaCorpSucks. 

<snip>   

Please move me to SWAMI status. 

Woohoo!!!  Congrats @MissNancyPryor!  Got you confirmed above as SWAMI.  Badass move to give MegaCorpSucks the finger and move on -- on your own terms.  Nice. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: mall0c on April 05, 2019, 09:47:09 AM
9/13 is my last day. 161 days left.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SwordGuy on April 05, 2019, 09:48:37 AM
... only to be working for a bit of mental stimulation and to possibly find a date.

I guess the old stories about stewardesses are true.   And here I thought it was all Hollywood exaggeration!

I expect my bullshit meter will be set permanently to "intolerant" ...

Not sure how many offers for a date you'll get but it sounds like you'll be pretty picky about accepting them!   That's one way to put FU money to use.



All joking aside, congrats!!!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on April 05, 2019, 10:29:57 AM
I expect my bullshit meter will be set permanently to "intolerant" so I have no idea how long I will be hanging out.  Even with a much better culture than MegaCorp, it is still corporate life. 
Congratulations!
As to the bullshit, when they know you don't need the job it's amazing how many of the rules they decide don't have to apply to you after all once you smile and say you're not going to do x y or z.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on April 05, 2019, 10:42:53 AM
The half-step from super high velocity work life to something simpler has to be good for me and I will concentrate on developing life outside the boundaries of work.  I think I will have clarity before long and will be ready to set a new RE date having already achieved FI.     

Please move me to SWAMI status.

Congratulations! Part of having fu money is being able to choose your own label or no label at all! Enjoy
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on April 05, 2019, 10:59:37 AM
Woah, as the list of "Confirmed" grows and gets closer and closer to your own name.........it's starting to feel real :)

10 Weeks or 45 Work Days left.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on April 05, 2019, 11:23:35 AM
Damn you 2b1s. 10 less than me. You win.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: cerat0n1a on April 05, 2019, 11:36:50 AM
Anyone who has FIRE'd already keeping in touch with old co-workers?  On social media or in person/verbal communication?

Both. Had lunch every Wednesday with colleagues for 10+ years and have continued to do so about once a month. Some other people who've left over the years come occasionally too. We'd rarely talk shop even when we all worked together.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on April 05, 2019, 11:48:46 AM
Anyone who has FIRE'd already keeping in touch with old co-workers? 

Yes, I'm meeting up for a beer with a largish group of former co-workers next week.  This'll be the first time, and I'm really curious what it will be like.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on April 05, 2019, 11:52:42 AM
Anyone who has FIRE'd already keeping in touch with old co-workers? 

Yes, I'm meeting up for a beer with a largish group of former co-workers next week.  This'll be the first time, and I'm really curious what it will be like.

It can be a bit of an acquired taste, and will probably be slightly bitter to the untrained palate, but a good beer on a sunny day is tough to beat.  It's nice you're able to explore different drinks now that you're retired.  ;)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on April 05, 2019, 12:31:37 PM
Anyone who has FIRE'd already keeping in touch with old co-workers? 

Yes, I'm meeting up for a beer with a largish group of former co-workers next week.  This'll be the first time, and I'm really curious what it will be like.

It can be a bit of an acquired taste, and will probably be slightly bitter to the untrained palate, but a good beer on a sunny day is tough to beat.  It's nice you're able to explore different drinks now that you're retired.  ;)

haha @Eric :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Half Stached on April 05, 2019, 12:52:57 PM
Yes @Trifele , today was the day!  Turned in the badge and computer.

Leaving is bittersweet as I have great co-workers.   But I am excited to de-stress and be free! Sitting here at my computer right now, still feels like a normal day home from work.  Very surreal.

Anyone who has FIRE'd already keeping in touch with old co-workers?  On social media or in person/verbal communication?  Going to be strange not having the "water cooler" type conversations anymore.

Congratulations, Powerstache! Welcome to the other side. :)

Every Thursday I meet some of my ex-coworkers for lunch and we play cards. I then run errands for the afternoon, and play board games with them after they finish work. Last night was week three of this, and it is already settling into a routine, and they all seem to accept this as the new normal (though I still get an an occasional question about 'being a man of leisure').
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PowerStache on April 06, 2019, 04:18:07 AM
My first day post-FIRE went by quickly...had a great meeting with a women's organization I am involved in, and a lunch out with my cousin and dinner with now former co-workers.

My next few months are focused on long overdue house and yard cleanup.  Establishing my routine with family as I plan on spending more time with my parents and in laws as well as exercising. Also, I have always went into work early so I have never been the one to help get the kids up and out of the house for school. 

Once we get to the summer, will be planning fun outings with my 11 year old and 14 year old.

Thanks for answering my question about co-workers.  Setting up a routine to hang out with the ones I really enjoy is a good idea.  I have been told I can come back for events like the Christmas party.  Still trying to decide if that will be the right thing to do.  Most folks used the word retired when I left, but it such a foreign concept to the general population when you're 43 that I don't know how my "person of leisure" status will be received.  Most felt much more comfortable with me becoming a SAHM.

So excited to start this new adventure in my life! 

I have never been in an online community before, but this has been great for me.  Love seeing our cohort CONFIRMED list grow!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: snowdog on April 06, 2019, 08:03:30 AM
I really enjoy reading these posts as they are very inspirational.  I hope to join this crew very soon.  Perhaps Monday.  I've been dealing with OMW syndrome for the past 3 weeks.  I think I finally have my head around this so Monday could be the day.  I've really been mentally checked out which makes it tough get anything done. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Caroline PF on April 06, 2019, 06:01:18 PM
I've been lurking for quite some time on this thread. I am loving hearing as people earn their freedom.

I feel like I belong with you guys. I'm not FIREing now, but I did just finish my last day of full-time work. As of next week, I will be part-time, working 24 hrs per week, with no intent of ever going back to full-time work. So semi-FIRE.

I chose not to completely FIRE for a couple of reasons: worry about what future healthcare will look like, wanting to try out the FIRE lifestyle before fully quitting, since my career is not tolerant of long breaks (would be hard to get back in if I needed to), and impatience to start the FIRE lifestyle now, even though I'm not FI yet.

My schedule will be working 48 hrs in 4 days, then having 10 days off. So I see a lot of camping trips, and trips to visit family this summer when the kids aren't in school. I'm so excited!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on April 06, 2019, 07:02:00 PM
I really enjoy reading these posts as they are very inspirational.  I hope to join this crew very soon.  Perhaps Monday.  I've been dealing with OMW syndrome for the past 3 weeks.  I think I finally have my head around this so Monday could be the day.  I've really been mentally checked out which makes it tough get anything done.

OMWeek?   Eeeek!  Eject, Eject, Eject!   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on April 06, 2019, 07:06:09 PM
I've been lurking for quite some time on this thread. I am loving hearing as people earn their freedom.

I feel like I belong with you guys. I'm not FIREing now, but I did just finish my last day of full-time work. As of next week, I will be part-time, working 24 hrs per week, with no intent of ever going back to full-time work. So semi-FIRE.

I chose not to completely FIRE for a couple of reasons: worry about what future healthcare will look like, wanting to try out the FIRE lifestyle before fully quitting, since my career is not tolerant of long breaks (would be hard to get back in if I needed to), and impatience to start the FIRE lifestyle now, even though I'm not FI yet.

My schedule will be working 48 hrs in 4 days, then having 10 days off. So I see a lot of camping trips, and trips to visit family this summer when the kids aren't in school. I'm so excited!

We are not the IRP, please add your name to the list as Semi-FIRE.   OMY's cannot be allowed to dissuade the true believers in FIRE.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on April 06, 2019, 07:17:23 PM
.... Snip.....
 since my career is not tolerant of long breaks (would be hard to get back in if I needed to), and impatience to start the FIRE lifestyle now, even though I'm not FI yet.

I wonder if the fear of not getting back into a career job is overblown?   

Is there any data on anyone who tried, but couldn't get back to the job?   
      a)knowing who is trying to get back in is difficult for most employees (who aren't HR personnel) to see.
      b)for those who are not "returning" to the same organization, it might not be obvious that they have been "out of the game" for a period.
      c) other categories may exist that I'm not mentioning.

In my case, I was never an ideal employee, and I'd likely be worse if I when back, but I'm pretty sure I could get my old job back (temporary, consultant basis).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Caroline PF on April 06, 2019, 09:51:11 PM
.... Snip.....
 since my career is not tolerant of long breaks (would be hard to get back in if I needed to), and impatience to start the FIRE lifestyle now, even though I'm not FI yet.

I wonder if the fear of not getting back into a career job is overblown?   

Is there any data on anyone who tried, but couldn't get back to the job?   
      a)knowing who is trying to get back in is difficult for most employees (who aren't HR personnel) to see.
      b)for those who are not "returning" to the same organization, it might not be obvious that they have been "out of the game" for a period.
      c) other categories may exist that I'm not mentioning.

In my case, I was never an ideal employee, and I'd likely be worse if I when back, but I'm pretty sure I could get my old job back (temporary, consultant basis).

I'm guessing based on the 4*12s that Caroline PF might be a nurse or something similar -- and if that is the case then licensure requirements may mean it makes more sense to keep working a reduced schedule rather than leaving the field entirely.

Yep, lhamo is right. I'm in medicine, and have to have credentials to practice at a hospital. In order to get credentialed, I have to show that I have done a certain number of cases in the past year.

It's not impossible to get back in, but you have to find a job that's willing to let you practice under supervision to get that number of cases, and most are very wary of people with long breaks, because possible causes include addiction or massive personality issues.

It's not uncommon for hospitals or licensure agencies to ask if you've ever in your career taken a break longer than 3 months, and if so, to explain why. It's a red flag to them.

And if I let my license lapse, it would add another whole layer of difficulties.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on April 07, 2019, 04:53:04 AM
I feel like I belong with you guys.   

Welcome @Caroline PF!  Got you added.  Congratulations and enjoy the time!

ETA I think you may have some things in common with @Bingeworker, our first FIRE of the year -- healthcare field, maybe similar challenges . . . 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on April 07, 2019, 05:11:56 AM
ooohh, with a great March behind me, if I FIRED today Id have 23x desired spending, which according to cFIREsim puts me above 90% probability of success without even worrying about varying spending downwards in years of bad share market returns (which of course I would do).

Getting very close now :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: BTDretire on April 07, 2019, 08:22:36 AM
Welcome @BTDretire!   Do you want to call yourself FIREd now then?

  I cut back my work to about 1 day a week during 2018, worked one day just so my wife could have a day off.
But, she did more physical labor on her day off than if she had worked.
 I think her working so much is what finally pushed her to decide to start telling people the business was for sale.
 We were pretty well FI by the end of 2011, the next 7 years put way more frosting on the cake than we need.
 As to RE, I turned 64 this year, so not so early. My wife is 5 years younger.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on April 09, 2019, 03:40:09 AM
Congrats on wrapping up your business @BTDretire!  That is a big milestone.  Got you added.  :)

Up next week we have @Eric (selling everything and going nomadic) and @gerardc (starting a 6 month leave to check things out).  @JoJo is a wild card and might pull the plug any day if she decides she's had enough.  And @edgema has turned in his notice; his last day may be soon.  Let us know how things are going!


2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19     Bingeworker (52)          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                     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
04/05/19     MissNancyPryor (50)      CONFIRMED SWAMI
04/06/19     Caroline PF                    CONFIRMED SEMI-FIRE
04/07/19     BTDRetire (64)              CONFIRMED 
04/19/19     Eric (42)
04/19/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/26/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/15/19     MaybeBabyMustache                   
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/10     snowdog (57)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55 (59)
05/31/19     dude                              Date Confirmed
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/15/19     Okonomiyaki (49)
06/15/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/30/19     Pylortes  (42)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
07/05/19     StoaX (58)
07/17/19     anonprof
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)
08/01/19     SugarMountain
08/30/19     MoMan  (55)
08/31/19     Gerard
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/13/19     dayzero
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     Dreamer
10/??/19     JumboShrimp
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/19/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)
12/31/19     Nifty (31)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer
MustacheAnxiety
forward
BlindSquirrel
I'm Fred (51)
JoJo (45)
Edgema
Jfer_rose (41)

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
Linda_Norway (45)
CryingInThePool  (44)
Albireo13  (61)
Cookie78
Enigma
exit2019  (40)
powersuitrecall  (47)

OLY
markbike528cbx  (55)      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
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: snowdog on April 09, 2019, 06:04:54 AM
I really enjoy reading these posts as they are very inspirational.  I hope to join this crew very soon.  Perhaps Monday.  I've been dealing with OMW syndrome for the past 3 weeks.  I think I finally have my head around this so Monday could be the day.  I've really been mentally checked out which makes it tough get anything done.

OMWeek?   Eeeek!  Eject, Eject, Eject!

Finally did it.  Gave notice on Monday, last day in mid-May.  I'm done!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on April 09, 2019, 06:15:57 AM
I really enjoy reading these posts as they are very inspirational.  I hope to join this crew very soon.  Perhaps Monday.  I've been dealing with OMW syndrome for the past 3 weeks.  I think I finally have my head around this so Monday could be the day.  I've really been mentally checked out which makes it tough get anything done.

OMWeek?   Eeeek!  Eject, Eject, Eject!

Finally did it.  Gave notice on Monday, last day in mid-May.  I'm done!!

Sweet!  Congratulations @snowdog -- got you added!   I remember your case study, and good for you for pulling the plug.  What are your plans for after?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SwordGuy on April 09, 2019, 07:33:49 AM
What does SWAMI mean?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: JoJo on April 09, 2019, 03:02:05 PM
Yep, I'm still going but think it will be sometime this year.  I'm going to get a physical and make sure the health is good before I pull the plug.  Setting up an appointment for June.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on April 09, 2019, 03:14:58 PM
Up next week we have @Eric (selling everything and going nomadic) [....]  Let us know how things are going!

Well, I'm definitely quitting on 4/19, so that part is going well.  Other that that though, things haven't been great and I haven't slept well for about 3 months now.  I keep waking up in the middle of the night for hours at a time, unable to turn my brain off.  This constant lack of sleep means I'm having trouble concentrating on anything for more than about 5 minutes at a time.  I think most of my problems are stemming not from fears of retirement, running out of money, or not having a paycheck, but instead from getting rid of nearly everything I own. It's kind of like I never get to fully relax, because even when I'm sitting on my couch watching TV, I'm thinking about how I have to get rid of this couch and TV soon.  I expanded on some of these issues here (https://bonusnachos.com/stumbling-to-the-finish-line/).  But, it'll all be over soon I'm sure.  Not having to get up to an alarm clock, even if I have a lot of work to do in my first 10 jobless days, will hopefully solve a lot of these problems.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on April 09, 2019, 03:17:06 PM
What does SWAMI mean?

I believe it's Satisfied Working Advanced Mustachian Individual.  Basically a Mustachian who has enough money to FIRE but chooses to continue working because they enjoy their work.

Edit - from this post: http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2011/04/30/weekend-edition-retire-in-your-mind-even-if-you-love-your-job/

Thanks google!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Ryder on April 10, 2019, 09:30:49 AM
On deck for tomorrow we have @gerardc and @Ryder.  Last we heard from gerardc he was going on leave, but wasn't yet sure if it would be permanent/FIRE.  Ryder gave notice at the beginning of March for a target last day of April 1.  Are you two still on track?

Yep, everything went according to plan. Currently into my second week not being bound by work obligations :). It's very pleasurable and relaxing so far. It also seems like it's been much longer than 10 days: time is not flying past (in a good way, not in an "I'm bored" way) - it's a bit like summer vacation in childhood, which seemed like this endless expanse of potential for fun.

Congrats to everyone else who's taken the step or is about to do so :).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on April 10, 2019, 09:39:28 AM
On deck for tomorrow we have @gerardc and @Ryder.  Last we heard from gerardc he was going on leave, but wasn't yet sure if it would be permanent/FIRE.  Ryder gave notice at the beginning of March for a target last day of April 1.  Are you two still on track?

Yep, everything went according to plan. Currently into my second week not being bound by work obligations :). It's very pleasurable and relaxing so far. It also seems like it's been much longer than 10 days: time is not flying past (in a good way, not in an "I'm bored" way) - it's a bit like summer vacation in childhood, which seemed like this endless expanse of potential for fun.

Congrats to everyone else who's taken the step or is about to do so :).

CONGRATULATIONS @Ryder!!  Got you confirmed.  Enjoy!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on April 10, 2019, 09:48:00 AM
Well, I'm definitely quitting on 4/19, so that part is going well.  Other that that though, things haven't been great and I haven't slept well for about 3 months now.  I keep waking up in the middle of the night for hours at a time, unable to turn my brain off.  This constant lack of sleep means I'm having trouble concentrating on anything for more than about 5 minutes at a time.  I think most of my problems are stemming not from fears of retirement, running out of money, or not having a paycheck, but instead from getting rid of nearly everything I own. It's kind of like I never get to fully relax, because even when I'm sitting on my couch watching TV, I'm thinking about how I have to get rid of this couch and TV soon.  I expanded on some of these issues here (https://bonusnachos.com/stumbling-to-the-finish-line/).  But, it'll all be over soon I'm sure.  Not having to get up to an alarm clock, even if I have a lot of work to do in my first 10 jobless days, will hopefully solve a lot of these problems.

Hang in there, @Eric.  You're doing a very hard thing, undergoing multiple life changes at once.  It's bound to create stress.  Once you pass the FIRE milestone hopefully some of that will evaporate, leaving you more energy to deal with the stresses that remain.  You're almost there!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Odiedog859 on April 10, 2019, 01:21:04 PM
Still on planned end date of 5/31/19.  I'll probably be somewhat SWAMI with side jobs that I like doing on my schedule.  I'm transitioning most of my responsibilities to others but I'm not leaving the area so they know they can call me if something comes up.  We go into seasonal shutdowns by the end of April, I'm going backpacking on the AT for the first half of May to use up vacation and then tie up loose ends when I get back.  I know 62 doesn't qualify for much of an "early retirement" but it is a lot sooner than I ever thought 10 years ago so there's that.

My wife will still be working for a few more years so maybe I'll be moving to more of a "stay at home husband" than a retiree, just in case the Internet Retirement Police check in.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PowerStache on April 11, 2019, 07:41:59 AM
On deck for tomorrow we have @gerardc and @Ryder.  Last we heard from gerardc he was going on leave, but wasn't yet sure if it would be permanent/FIRE.  Ryder gave notice at the beginning of March for a target last day of April 1.  Are you two still on track?

Yep, everything went according to plan. Currently into my second week not being bound by work obligations :). It's very pleasurable and relaxing so far. It also seems like it's been much longer than 10 days: time is not flying past (in a good way, not in an "I'm bored" way) - it's a bit like summer vacation in childhood, which seemed like this endless expanse of potential for fun.

Congrats to everyone else who's taken the step or is about to do so :).

I agree with @Ryder .  On my fifth day of FIRE and time has slowed down.  More important to me is that my mind has slowed down.  I am able to be more thoughtful and intentional about my actions instead of racing to the next issue. 

Oh, and I got EIGHT, count them, EIGHT hours sleep last night.  Glorious!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MoMan on April 11, 2019, 09:04:56 AM
Bad news/great news.

First the bad news: Since I found out about the benefit a few years ago I’ve been chasing the carrot and salivating. The benefit being MegaCorp’s retiree health care coverage. Considering the efforts to crush Obamacare into oblivion, it made sense to me to keep plugging away in a cushy corporate job that I was becoming less and less fond of. I would qualify for the health care plan on my 55th birthday (which would also put me past the 10-years of service prerequisite). How much would it cost me? HR said they won’t provide estimates until I am within 6 months of my 55th. OK, I will double down on my retirement savings/investing and pad my stash ever higher.

This week is the 6 month mark, so I called back and received the guidebook on retiree benefits. Major disappointment. Here’s the coverage details:

CDHP (Consumer driven health plan) w/ HSA
Annual deductible $1,600
Co-insurance 10%
Out of pocket max $3,700
In network pharma 10%

Cost:
Retiree under 65: $1,171.16/month
Retiree under 65 + spouse: $2,351/month

Retiree over 65: $392.81
Retiree over 65 + spouse: $785.62

So $14,000 per year until I hit age 65 and enroll in Medicare. I showed my wife, a CPA who administers benefits for a small manufacturer and her jaw dropped. A quick calculation showed that adding me to her company plan would be less than half that. Even Obamacare appears cheaper.

So the great news? The incentive for me to continue working for another 6 moths has just evaporated. Wife and I will sit down tonight and run some numbers to figure out the best route to start withdrawing funds from my various accounts.

This is going to be a significant inconvenience for my department as we are just starting a multi-month project in which I play a big part--and a tedious project I despise. My managers have all treated me well over the past decade, so I’m not interested in burning bridges or anything. If they decide they REALLY need me, I may consent to working 2 or 3 days a week until they can either hire someone to replace me or we get through the bulk of the project. But I will insist on being paid a premium.

So I’m pretty sure my departure date has moved up a few notches! I will report back when I know more.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on April 11, 2019, 11:34:10 AM
My boss was in town from Megacorp HQ this week and we went out for a team dinner last night.

Boss to me after a few beers, “so Itchyfeet, hypothetically if you had enough money not to work what would you do?”

Eek. Had I been found out....

Me to Boss, “I’d keep working, seriously what would I do if I was at home all day every day”.

I can’t wait to tell him I am a liar.

“So boss, you remember a few months back asking me what I’d do if I had enough money not to work. Well funnily enough I do have enough money not to work, and here is my resignation letter”.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SugarMountain on April 11, 2019, 06:12:02 PM
Up next week we have @Eric (selling everything and going nomadic) [....]  Let us know how things are going!

Well, I'm definitely quitting on 4/19, so that part is going well.  Other that that though, things haven't been great and I haven't slept well for about 3 months now.  I keep waking up in the middle of the night for hours at a time, unable to turn my brain off.  This constant lack of sleep means I'm having trouble concentrating on anything for more than about 5 minutes at a time.  I think most of my problems are stemming not from fears of retirement, running out of money, or not having a paycheck, but instead from getting rid of nearly everything I own. It's kind of like I never get to fully relax, because even when I'm sitting on my couch watching TV, I'm thinking about how I have to get rid of this couch and TV soon.  I expanded on some of these issues here (https://bonusnachos.com/stumbling-to-the-finish-line/).  But, it'll all be over soon I'm sure.  Not having to get up to an alarm clock, even if I have a lot of work to do in my first 10 jobless days, will hopefully solve a lot of these problems.

I read your blog post where you say you be okay losing your $1300 deposit if you haven't gotten rid of everything by checkout day. Why not just get a storage until for a year for that money? Buys you time to realize you don't need that stuff or discover that the nomad life isn't for you.

Last year leading up to my date I was wide awake almost every night from 3-5am. I ended up not actually leaving and am currently in OMY. We'll see how it goes this summer, but I feel much more ready to go at this point.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on April 12, 2019, 06:41:29 AM
So I went out yesterday with some former co-workers.  It was great to see them, but it was also strangely stressful.  They are all still fully in work mode, and were commiserating about this or that crummy work situation.  They're happy for me, but I got quite a few quizzical looks when I told them what I'm up to these days.  I am on such a different wavelength now that I really felt like an outsider.  And then last night I slept poorly.  I had a nightmare that I was back at work dealing with X, Y, and Z emergencies.  That was unexpected.  I've barely thought about work at all since FIREing, and it's so weird that a couple hours' exposure to it again brought back the old stresses.  All I can say is -- I am so damned happy to be OUT. 

Thanks for the check in @Odiedog859!  Good to hear things are on track.  And no worries -- the IRP aren't allowed here.  ;)

Sorry about your bad news on the health insurance @MoMan, but congrats that this might move your date up.  Excellent!


 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on April 12, 2019, 07:35:43 AM
Last night we were working on resignation letters, and both of us started to panic a bit.  It feels insane to throw away two pretty good incomes at jobs that are basically fine.  About 1-2 years ago we used our near-FIRE status to move into roles at work that are a better fit and lower stress, so work has been pretty manageable for a while now.  And soon after we quit our certifications will expire (can't maintain them without working) and we'll be unemployable in our field.  Setting up my consulting gig to hold onto my certifications has run into a few snags although it may still come through.
My rational side says that we'll be fine - we are down to a ~3% withdrawal rate and that doesn't count significant pension and Social Security income in 25-30 years.  However, part of my brain is still freaking out. 

Don't worry - we're going to give notice today.  It's also not like there's any surprise; we told our bosses and co-workers our plans months ago so giving notice is just a formality.  So there's no danger of another OMY (we hit 4% last June), but it's still scarier than I had anticipated. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on April 12, 2019, 09:30:54 AM
So I went out yesterday with some former co-workers.  It was great to see them, but it was also strangely stressful.  They are all still fully in work mode, and were commiserating about this or that crummy work situation.  They're happy for me, but I got quite a few quizzical looks when I told them what I'm up to these days.  I am on such a different wavelength now that I really felt like an outsider.  And then last night I slept poorly.  I had a nightmare that I was back at work dealing with X, Y, and Z emergencies.  That was unexpected.  I've barely thought about work at all since FIREing, and it's so weird that a couple hours' exposure to it again brought back the old stresses.  All I can say is -- I am so damned happy to be OUT. 

This illustrates so well why working can be bad for your health. Good for you that you are out.
I think that maybe you shouldn't meet your colleagues in that setting anymore. You have become an outsider when they talk about things that are currently happening at Corp. Even meeting one and one could be awkward if the only thing you have in common to talk about is that job. But meeting some years later when everyone is in other jobs, could be nice. It is also different if you would meet with an ex co-worker who you had other subjects to talk about.
And your co-workers are a bit stressed themselves if they use a beer drinking session after working hours to talk about work. Same as people who can only talk about work in the lunch break. So annoying.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on April 12, 2019, 04:37:00 PM
Up next week we have @Eric (selling everything and going nomadic) [....]  Let us know how things are going!

Well, I'm definitely quitting on 4/19, so that part is going well.  Other that that though, things haven't been great and I haven't slept well for about 3 months now.  I keep waking up in the middle of the night for hours at a time, unable to turn my brain off.  This constant lack of sleep means I'm having trouble concentrating on anything for more than about 5 minutes at a time.  I think most of my problems are stemming not from fears of retirement, running out of money, or not having a paycheck, but instead from getting rid of nearly everything I own. It's kind of like I never get to fully relax, because even when I'm sitting on my couch watching TV, I'm thinking about how I have to get rid of this couch and TV soon.  I expanded on some of these issues here (https://bonusnachos.com/stumbling-to-the-finish-line/).  But, it'll all be over soon I'm sure.  Not having to get up to an alarm clock, even if I have a lot of work to do in my first 10 jobless days, will hopefully solve a lot of these problems.

I read your blog post where you say you be okay losing your $1300 deposit if you haven't gotten rid of everything by checkout day. Why not just get a storage until for a year for that money? Buys you time to realize you don't need that stuff or discover that the nomad life isn't for you.

Last year leading up to my date I was wide awake almost every night from 3-5am. I ended up not actually leaving and am currently in OMY. We'll see how it goes this summer, but I feel much more ready to go at this point.

I really, truly, do not have an attachment to my stuff at all.  Most of it is old and should've been replaced years ago if we didn't have this plan.  I'm positive it's the process of getting rid of everything that's overwhelming, and not losing the things themselves that is causing the issues.  Even still, I'm reasonably sure we'll be able to get it done, partly because I'm too cheap to waste a grand.  lol  We have a lot of neighborhood scavengers, so that's helping a fair amount since I can just set things out by the curb and watch things disappear.

The awake in the middle of the night thing is so weird to me.  I understand not being able to get to sleep.  That makes sense.  But once I'm there, just stay asleep dammit!  I downloaded a couple of guided meditations, so I'm hoping that will help quiet my mind a bit for this last week of work.  Last week of work!  Boy, that feels good to say.  :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on April 14, 2019, 05:07:28 PM
Well, looks like I might be a bit late to wish a big CONGRATULATIONS to @Loren Ver since you're on the road already, but I'm assuming you'll see this eventually.  Wooo!

(https://i.redd.it/n421ah3wu4321.gif)

Thank you Eric, I finally did see it!!  I'm sorry your stuff is giving you stress.  Just slowly keep putting things outside and watch them go.  I find having too many things to become stressful in general, so I can't imagine 99.8% becoming too much in such a short period of time.

DH and I completed our victory lap and are home safely.  We had a great trip, but are happy to be back.  It was a lot of miles.

To all those that made it while i was gone, congrats.  To the OMX good luck to you!!

To the newbies or lurkers, happy you are here!!

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MoMan on April 15, 2019, 08:32:30 AM
So my wife and I sat down this weekend to crunch numbers and try out a variety of scenarios such as reducing to part time, etc. We ended up with my last day being August 30, which dovetails beautifully with Labor Day weekend!! The next day we leave for a week-long vacation in the Pacific Northwest. THAT, my friends, is how you celebrate Labor Day. So this shaves off about 7 weeks from my previous plan.

It wouldn't be a hardship to quit today but with managing account withdrawals, minimizing taxes and covering health insurance, continuing full time thru summer is the smoothest path. In 2 weeks I intend to tell my manager my plan, which gives the department 4 months to work around my departure. Only 2 others in my group know right now. I really don't think I can keep this joyful secret to myself much longer and I can't wait for everyone to know that I have a great big steaming pile of fuck you money stashed away.

I was very confident in my plan and my accumulated pile before my wife and I went through it in detail, but now I also have her complete confidence in my plan and she is totally on board. I've never been happier to be married to a CPA!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on April 15, 2019, 08:58:16 AM

-snip-

I was very confident in my plan and my accumulated pile before my wife and I went through it in detail, but now I also have her complete confidence in my plan and she is totally on board. I've never been happier to be married to a CPA!

Congratulations!  Having both your partner and CPA signing off on the plan is fantastic.  I love the Pacific Northwest, and I've had good luck with the weather around that time.  It's great that you have something to look forward to so you have a natural celebration when you're done. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MoMan on April 15, 2019, 09:01:00 AM
Thanks 20/20! I can't stop smiling.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on April 15, 2019, 06:22:24 PM
Woohoo @MoMan .  That is so exciting!  Glad the wife is on board :)

Today was my first retired day at home.  If felt like I was playing hooky for my first day back.  Well. I assume this is what playing hooky felt like as I never actually did it before....

LV

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on April 15, 2019, 07:02:22 PM
Congrats MoMan, I can't stop smiling for you!

FIRE 20/20 When is your last day?

Today was my first retired day at home.  If felt like I was playing hooky for my first day back.  Well. I assume this is what playing hooky felt like as I never actually did it before....

Sounds fantastic! I have some PTO to burn before I give notice so I'm taking a week off at the end of April, I'm thinking of it as a test run of FIRE lol. Plan to just hang around the house puttering on projects and get used to the idea that it will be a permanent state soon.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on April 15, 2019, 07:07:50 PM
So I went out yesterday with some former co-workers.  It was great to see them, but it was also strangely stressful.  They are all still fully in work mode, and were commiserating about this or that crummy work situation.  They're happy for me, but I got quite a few quizzical looks when I told them what I'm up to these days.  I am on such a different wavelength now that I really felt like an outsider.  And then last night I slept poorly.  I had a nightmare that I was back at work dealing with X, Y, and Z emergencies.  That was unexpected.  I've barely thought about work at all since FIREing, and it's so weird that a couple hours' exposure to it again brought back the old stresses.  All I can say is -- I am so damned happy to be OUT. 


A couple of my work friends are talking about coming to visit me in Mexico next winter, which sounds like great fun but it got me wondering. I think I'll make a rule that no one talks work in Mexico, see if they buy in to the idea.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on April 15, 2019, 09:24:26 PM
So I went out yesterday with some former co-workers.  It was great to see them, but it was also strangely stressful.  They are all still fully in work mode, and were commiserating about this or that crummy work situation.  They're happy for me, but I got quite a few quizzical looks when I told them what I'm up to these days.  I am on such a different wavelength now that I really felt like an outsider.  And then last night I slept poorly.  I had a nightmare that I was back at work dealing with X, Y, and Z emergencies.  That was unexpected.  I've barely thought about work at all since FIREing, and it's so weird that a couple hours' exposure to it again brought back the old stresses.  All I can say is -- I am so damned happy to be OUT. 


A couple of my work friends are talking about coming to visit me in Mexico next winter, which sounds like great fun but it got me wondering. I think I'll make a rule that no one talks work in Mexico, see if they buy in to the idea.

Good luck with that! Haha
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on April 15, 2019, 09:52:19 PM
...
FIRE 20/20 When is your last day?
...

It's complicated.  My last day in my current job is on the 26th, but quite a while ago I agreed to support a project that's happening from mid-June to mid-August.  Initially I planned to do so as a consultant, but some rule changes and issues with timing mean I will technically be taking personal leave from the 26th through mid-June and coming back as a MegaCorp employee. 

It's too long a story to get into right now, but I made a commitment to people I really respect and while it's going to be very intense work it'll also be rewarding.  There's a chance they may not need me and I made it very clear that would be ok with me! 

My partner is fully FIREing on the 26th; we'll see if I join her just for the month of May or if the 26th is actually my last day for good.  I'm still planning to set up a consulting company to keep my certifications valid for a couple of years, but in my industry there are regular 6 week projects that need a specific set of skills that I have.  If I do 1-2 a year then I'll still consider myself FIREd.  And 12 weeks of work will get very close to covering our expenses for the full year, so it'll be worthwhile from that perspective.  I can't imagine doing it for more than 2 years or so. 

For now I want to stay on the list for the 26th.  If they say I'm not needed then I'll claim FIRE then even if I do a little consulting over the next few years.  If they want me to support the program then I'll move my date to mid-August.  Either way I have some good trips planned and a list of activities lines up between April 26 and mid-June. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on April 16, 2019, 06:32:03 AM
Congrats @MoMan!  Got you updated ^.  Fantastic! 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on April 17, 2019, 06:34:29 AM
You're almost there @Eric . . . . 3, 2, 1 . . . !

How are you doing?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Livingthedream55 on April 17, 2019, 07:56:04 AM
Filed retirement paperwork yesterday - date is confirmed as 5/31.

I actually told my boss a few weeks ago - she's still trying to convince me to stay a few months longer as "it is not a good time for her for me to leave at the end of May" - I said no - she's not happy.  The reason I gave her so much notice is because she was talking to me about all these massive projects she wanted me doing later in 2019 and I had to let her know, for her planning purposes, that it would not be me. She even let me know I could pull my retirement paperwork up until the last day - Fat Chance!

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on April 17, 2019, 08:45:26 AM
Filed retirement paperwork yesterday - date is confirmed as 5/31.

I actually told my boss a few weeks ago - she's still trying to convince me to stay a few months longer as "it is not a good time for her for me to leave at the end of May" - I said no - she's not happy.  The reason I gave her so much notice is because she was talking to me about all these massive projects she wanted me doing later in 2019 and I had to let her know, for her planning purposes, that it would not be me. She even let me know I could pull my retirement paperwork up until the last day - Fat Chance!

Hold strong against the OMW, OMM and OMY!
There is NEVER a good time to let someone go, except for layoffs at the employers whim, even then the direct manager would probably disagree, privately..
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Livingthedream55 on April 17, 2019, 09:27:17 AM
Filed retirement paperwork yesterday - date is confirmed as 5/31.

I actually told my boss a few weeks ago - she's still trying to convince me to stay a few months longer as "it is not a good time for her for me to leave at the end of May" - I said no - she's not happy.  The reason I gave her so much notice is because she was talking to me about all these massive projects she wanted me doing later in 2019 and I had to let her know, for her planning purposes, that it would not be me. She even let me know I could pull my retirement paperwork up until the last day - Fat Chance!

Hold strong against the OMW, OMM and OMY!
There is NEVER a good time to let someone go, except for layoffs at the employers whim, even then the direct manager would probably disagree, privately..

Thanks - No wavering on my part - my timing was to meet my needs, not hers.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on April 17, 2019, 01:10:21 PM
Congrats MoMan, I can't stop smiling for you!

FIRE 20/20 When is your last day?

Today was my first retired day at home.  If felt like I was playing hooky for my first day back.  Well. I assume this is what playing hooky felt like as I never actually did it before....

Sounds fantastic! I have some PTO to burn before I give notice so I'm taking a week off at the end of April, I'm thinking of it as a test run of FIRE lol. Plan to just hang around the house puttering on projects and get used to the idea that it will be a permanent state soon.

I think PTO is a great idea.  Get use to the good life :).

@Eric Did you manage to get rid of your stuff?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on April 17, 2019, 02:49:54 PM
You're almost there @Eric . . . . 3, 2, 1 . . . !

How are you doing?

@Eric Did you manage to get rid of your stuff?

Thanks for checking in on me.  Everything is moving forward and I'm doing mostly fine, I guess.  It's weird though because I barely feel anything, like I'm sleepwalking through this.  Which is probably partially true, due to my lack of quality sleep over the last few months.  But shouldn't I be excited or something?  I really thought I'd be excited, but it's just not there.  WTF, right?  I've been extremely focused on this date since I found MMM 6+ years ago and now that it's here.....basically nothing.  Not sure what to make of it.

The stuff is slowly decumulating from my apartment.  The weekends have been reasonably productive on this front, so that makes me think I'll be able to get everything done between Friday and the end of the month when I have 11 days with no work.  Oh! I found the copy of my lease and learned that my security deposit was only $800, not $1300 as I previously thought, so there's even less at stake.  That made me feel better, even though I doubt it will come to that.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on April 17, 2019, 03:41:33 PM
Feelings are feelings and they can be complicated.  I didn't feel as excited about it as I thought I would, I was thinking a lot about what I was leaving behind.  Pretty bittersweet overall. 

I'm glad you are getting through the stuff.  Each thing that leaves is weight off your shoulders.

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on April 17, 2019, 04:27:41 PM
@Eric -- I agree with LV -- feelings are feelings.  I had some weird days too, where things were very surreal.  You're making great progress.  Just keep putting one foot in front of the other.  Once you can get some sleep I predict you'll feel like a new person. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: jfer_rose on April 17, 2019, 07:21:39 PM
Greetings and admiration to the 2019 cohort! I've been lurking but have decided to dip my toes in the water in consideration of picking a 2019 FIRE date. I see that the water here is fine!

Yesterday, I posted a Case Study seeking input on whether to keep grinding or coast and have been surprised at the responses. Surprised enough to consider joining this cohort. I'm currently at a 3.6% withdrawal rate for my very lean annual spending plus estimated cost for a bronze level healthcare.gov plan. There's a high likelihood that I would continue to pursue income for some extra buffer, however in a much reduced capacity. Would you still have me in your cohort if that were the case?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SwordGuy on April 17, 2019, 07:22:10 PM
@Eric, I was too damned tired and worn out in spirit to be super excited on my FIRE day.   

But my one year anniversary is coming up at the end of the month and I'm pretty darn happy where I am now!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on April 17, 2019, 08:25:23 PM
@Eric - I've had plenty of those feelings.  Two days away from the end of a five week notice period.  Barely worked the last two weeks, say 90 minutes in the office and some random hangouts with people I like.  I walk in/out of the office one last time on Friday.

There is no "normal".   I was walking the dog with my wife and we were talking.  She made the comment "You're not bored, you've just been overstimulated for the last fifteen years".   Its getting used to a new normal!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on April 17, 2019, 08:49:37 PM
Greetings and admiration to the 2019 cohort! I've been lurking but have decided to dip my toes in the water in consideration of picking a 2019 FIRE date. I see that the water here is fine!

Yesterday, I posted a Case Study seeking input on whether to keep grinding or coast and have been surprised at the responses. Surprised enough to consider joining this cohort. I'm currently at a 3.6% withdrawal rate for my very lean annual spending plus estimated cost for a bronze level healthcare.gov plan. There's a high likelihood that I would continue to pursue income for some extra buffer, however in a much reduced capacity. Would you still have me in your cohort if that were the case?

I don't see any flashing lights from the IRP (Internet Retirement Police), so you can certainly join if you want to!  I'm of the opinion that normal society doesn't have words to describe what many of us are doing, so we can make our own terms.  I certainly think that getting to a 3.6% withdrawal rate, leaving normal employment, and picking up a little occasional work at a nursery or doing woodworking counts as FIRE.  We're a very welcoming bunch!

I didn't see your case study before, but it looks to me that if you're willing to find some kind of work if things turn ugly, you should definitely FIRE.  I'd personally be nervous FIREing with that low an annual spend because the buffer is small, but I have zero confidence in my ability to find work after I'm no longer relevant in my current field.  But you're not in that situation; it sounds like you have skills that could easily bring in $5-10k/year and that would drop your WDR to 2-3%. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on April 18, 2019, 05:43:14 AM
Would you still have me in your cohort if that were the case?

God yes @jfer_rose -- come on in!  Got you added above as "Date TBD."  I'm in a really similar financial position.  Skinny FIRE, small side gig, etc.  It's working out great so far.  Sooo glad I did it.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on April 18, 2019, 07:25:09 AM
Would you still have me in your cohort if that were the case?

God yes @jfer_rose -- come on in!  Got you added above as "Date TBD."  I'm in a really similar financial position.  Skinny FIRE, small side gig, etc.  It's working out great so far.  Sooo glad I did it.

If you decide to leave your current job for some potential gigs you totally belong here!!

We have a few lean FIRE-ers, my family included.  We are lean, but don't really plan on being in actual job income anymore, just being flexible.  With as low as your expenses are, you wont have as much flexibility, but if you are moving in with someone, wont that also cut your costs?  Also, as mentioned in the case study, you shouldn't be paying full cost for insurance.  According to the 2019 poverty guidelines at 21k a year you are between 150-200% of poverty for a single person.  That means if you go with a silver plan, the aca will cover much of the costs.  I would recommend going to the site and seeing what works for you  https://www.healthcare.gov/see-plans/.

Cheers,
Loren
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on April 18, 2019, 11:38:44 AM
@jfer_rose, welcome! I'm $200k behind you and pulling the plug in 2 months anyway.

Based on your case study, you are set. That graph @ysette9 posted would be enough to pull the trigger!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on April 18, 2019, 12:35:27 PM
Feelings are feelings and they can be complicated.

@Eric -- I agree with LV -- feelings are feelings.

That's a good attitude to have.  It would be one thing if I had experience doing this, but going in blind, I guess it's best to have no expectations. 

@Eric, I was too damned tired and worn out in spirit to be super excited on my FIRE day.   

But my one year anniversary is coming up at the end of the month and I'm pretty darn happy where I am now!

Yeah, I'm pretty worn out at this point.  Hopefully it doesn't take me a whole year to get caught up on my sleep.  :)

@Eric - I've had plenty of those feelings.  Two days away from the end of a five week notice period.  Barely worked the last two weeks, say 90 minutes in the office and some random hangouts with people I like.  I walk in/out of the office one last time on Friday.

There is no "normal".   I was walking the dog with my wife and we were talking.  She made the comment "You're not bored, you've just been overstimulated for the last fifteen years".   Its getting used to a new normal!

I'm not working much either these last couple of weeks.  Mostly just going through the motions, waiting for people to ask me questions if needed.  Not for long though!  Then I can work on finding that new normal.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: anonprof on April 18, 2019, 12:57:41 PM
I've been following the boards for a long time, but wanted to come out of the shadows to join you all in the 2019 cohort.   I'm getting official notice in May and a severance package in July.  I'll then have to decide if I can FIRE or need to find a short term job to pad the stache a bit.   Feeling really ready to be done with work, but still not completely sure of my numbers.   Please put me down for a tentative FIRE date of July 17, 2019.  Maybe putting it in writing will positively influence the outcome.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on April 18, 2019, 02:00:07 PM
I've been following the boards for a long time, but wanted to come out of the shadows to join you all in the 2019 cohort.   I'm getting official notice in May and a severance package in July.  I'll then have to decide if I can FIRE or need to find a short term job to pad the stache a bit.   Feeling really ready to be done with work, but still not completely sure of my numbers.   Please put me down for a tentative FIRE date of July 17, 2019.  Maybe putting it in writing will positively influence the outcome.

Welcome!!

I love that we are adding people to our cohort as we go.  Yah!

I guess that's what happens when you are the overall best and most modest ;).

I had lunch with two of my best friends from work (and best friends in general).  The two of them make up the bulk of my sadness for leaving.  Things are really messy at work right now, so I am glad I am out. 

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on April 18, 2019, 06:14:34 PM
I've been following the boards for a long time, but wanted to come out of the shadows to join you all in the 2019 cohort.   

Welcome @anonprof! Come on in . . . Got you added above.  Sounds like you might be in academia?  (My spouse is an escapee of academia, so I have some knowledge of that world.  It's a very unique "reality tunnel").  Good for you for getting close, and welcome aboard!   

And you other folks lurking and thinking about it, come on and join us!  Party is in full swing, and the more the merrier. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on April 19, 2019, 10:51:26 AM
Today's my last working day.  I've already done my exit interview.  I've received my final paycheck.  I'll probably leave pretty darn early.  When I walk out of here I'll be retired.  And you know what, I'm actually feeling pretty good.  Like it's starting to sink in.  Can't believe it took this long, but here we are.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on April 19, 2019, 11:01:42 AM
Eric:  Whoohoo!   Welcome to the graduates club!

Suggested playlist:  Alice Cooper School's Out    Soup Dragons : I'm Free 12" Extended Mix
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on April 19, 2019, 11:03:48 AM
Today's my last working day. 

YEAH @Eric!!!!

                                                   (https://media0.giphy.com/media/w9nKvTnwQucsNgDMic/200w.webp?cid=790b76115cb9ff1b4a6f643763781a2e)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on April 19, 2019, 11:05:51 AM
Eric:  Whoohoo!   Welcome to the graduates club!

Suggested playlist:  Alice Cooper School's Out    Soup Dragons : I'm Free 12" Extended Mix

I was thinking Damn it Feels Good to be a Gangster - like Peter in Office Space  :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on April 19, 2019, 11:15:12 AM
Congratulations @Eric!  Hope you'll still check in, and let us know how things are going.


2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19     Bingeworker (52)          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
04/05/19     MissNancyPryor (50)      CONFIRMED SWAMI
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)
05/15/19     MaybeBabyMustache                   
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/10     snowdog (57)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55 (59)
05/31/19     dude                              Date Confirmed
05/31/19     Dibdab (56)
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/15/19     Okonomiyaki (49)
06/15/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/29/19     Waffles  (52)
06/30/19     Pylortes  (42)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
07/05/19     StoaX (58)
07/17/19     anonprof
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)
08/01/19     SugarMountain
08/30/19     MoMan  (55)
08/31/19     Gerard
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/13/19     dayzero
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     Dreamer
10/??/19     JumboShrimp
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/19/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)
12/31/19     Nifty (31)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer
MustacheAnxiety
forward
BlindSquirrel
I'm Fred (51)
JoJo (45)
Edgema
Jfer_rose (41)
Gerardc  (35)

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
Linda_Norway (45)
CryingInThePool  (44)
Albireo13  (61)
Cookie78
Enigma
exit2019  (40)
powersuitrecall  (47)

OLY
markbike528cbx  (55)      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
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on April 19, 2019, 11:49:24 AM
Congratulations @Eric!  Hope you'll still check in, and let us know how things are going.

I'm sure I'll be back to talk with all of you guys about how great it is to be retired.  :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on April 19, 2019, 02:58:24 PM
Eric:  Whoohoo!   Welcome to the graduates club!

Suggested playlist:  Alice Cooper School's Out    Soup Dragons : I'm Free 12" Extended Mix

I was thinking Damn it Feels Good to be a Gangster - like Peter in Office Space  :)

Yep, Damn it Feels Good to be a Gansta by the Geto Boys is the first song on the playlist I'm making for driving home on my last day.  A few others - Work is a 4-Letter Word (The Smiths), Freedom (Rage Against the Machine), These Boots Were Made For Walking (KMFDM cover).  I'll probably listen to Working Man (Rush) on the drive to the office in the morning.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on April 19, 2019, 05:22:56 PM
How are you doing @gerardc?  Are you starting your leave?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on April 19, 2019, 06:51:03 PM
WOOOOO HOOOOOOOO  @Eric


Yah for last day!!

Also, I have been reading up on your bonus nachos.  I hope you keep posting while you travel around!!

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Dibdab on April 19, 2019, 08:55:24 PM
I plan to retire at end of May pending my house sale.  Signed up for Obamacare silver plan.  However, did not qualify for premium subsidy because I, "can get health insurance through my employer" right now even though I will only make around $22000 this year .  This does not seem right, because I will soon lose that coverage as the document healthcare.gov made me submit from my employer states.  Does anyone know if I can somehow update  my info at healthcare.gov so I would qualify for subsidy  after I finally quit job?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Caroline PF on April 19, 2019, 09:21:07 PM
I plan to retire at end of May pending my house sale.  Signed up for Obamacare silver plan.  However, did not qualify for premium subsidy because I, "can get health insurance through my employer" right now even though I will only make around $22000 this year .  This does not seem right, because I will soon lose that coverage as the document healthcare.gov made me submit from my employer states.  Does anyone know if I can somehow update  my info at healthcare.gov so I would qualify for subsidy  after I finally quit job?

Mu understanding is that losing job-related health insurance opens up a 60-day special enrollment period, when you can sign up and get subsidies. I would try again and talk to a representative when you put in your notice at work, and have a solid 'end of coverage' date (I'm assuming it's not solid yet, as you said it's pending your house sale). It may have to wait until after your last day. Good luck!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on April 20, 2019, 04:50:14 AM
I plan to retire at end of May pending my house sale.  Signed up for Obamacare silver plan.  However, did not qualify for premium subsidy because I, "can get health insurance through my employer" right now even though I will only make around $22000 this year .  This does not seem right, because I will soon lose that coverage as the document healthcare.gov made me submit from my employer states.  Does anyone know if I can somehow update  my info at healthcare.gov so I would qualify for subsidy  after I finally quit job?

Your situation sounds like you should qualify.  I agree with @Caroline PF that you should call the help line and ask them to walk you through it.  You can tell them that although you are being offered COBRA, it's too expensive so you are declining it.  There are millions of people in that boat.  I think I remember the exact question you are talking about on the questionnaire, and the help desk told me to answer "No" to that one, because I was declining COBRA.  But call them and see what they say.   

And yes, you can update your application; I did it multiple times.  Good luck!

BTW, do you want to be added to the cohort list @Dibdab ?  EDIT: done
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Dibdab on April 20, 2019, 06:56:10 AM
Thank you.  I'll have to call the help-line.
Yes, please add me to the cohort list @Dibdab .  THANX
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on April 21, 2019, 12:40:53 PM
I plan to retire at end of May pending my house sale.  Signed up for Obamacare silver plan.  However, did not qualify for premium subsidy because I, "can get health insurance through my employer" right now even though I will only make around $22000 this year .  This does not seem right, because I will soon lose that coverage as the document healthcare.gov made me submit from my employer states.  Does anyone know if I can somehow update  my info at healthcare.gov so I would qualify for subsidy  after I finally quit job?

As others have said you will need to call.

I had almost this exact same issue.  If the questions get answered in a certain way, you get pushed on to a modified form that makes you not quality for a subsidy.  I had to work with three representatives until the last one was able to help me.  She had to get me on the classic form, that lets me tell them my expected income with a known end date.  She ended up filling out the form multiple times before it worked.  Then it was easy breezy.    If you know your last day (and have a document - a must have) then you just need to keep at it until you get the right form. 

Good luck and welcome!

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on April 22, 2019, 07:32:45 AM
My sabbatical officially starts on 5/17. Which means, only four Mondays to go! :-)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on April 22, 2019, 07:56:18 AM
Today's my last working day.  I've already done my exit interview.  I've received my final paycheck.  I'll probably leave pretty darn early.  When I walk out of here I'll be retired.  And you know what, I'm actually feeling pretty good.  Like it's starting to sink in.  Can't believe it took this long, but here we are.

Congrats, Eric! I'm right behind you -- last day in the office is 18 days from today.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on April 22, 2019, 08:14:48 AM
@MaybeBabyMustache  and @dude SOOO CLOSE!  It is wonderful!

Today is another Monday were I didn't wake up to an alarm.  I got to workout, and now I am eating a leisurely post workout snack.  So nice!

Loren
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on April 22, 2019, 11:32:27 AM
@MaybeBabyMustache  and @dude SOOO CLOSE!  It is wonderful!

Today is another Monday were I didn't wake up to an alarm.  I got to workout, and now I am eating a leisurely post workout snack.  So nice!

Loren
Loren Ver: welcome to retirement !   
I saw your MPP ( monday is restocking day at the grocery store) on that thread .
I've noticed it too, especially for leafy greens and fish.  So Tues-Friday (AM)look better.
SOME of this is probably store-dependent, so a general question thread is not warranted.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Caroline PF on April 22, 2019, 10:09:06 PM
Update on my semi-FIRE:

I just finished the first two-week cycle of my part-time work (work 4 days, off 10 days). It was amazing! Multiple people commented on how I looked refreshed after 10 days off. It must be because I was smiling so much.

I was afraid that I would dread going back to work after my taste of freedom, but all that I could think of was how little I had to work before my next 10 days off, so I actually enjoyed working.

Also, I found out what the financial hit to my benefits was going to be: when I was full-time, my employer paid ~75% of health insurance premiums. Now that I'm part-time, they will still pay ~70% of the premium! I am shocked that there is such a small difference.

Another great benefit: I have a friend with some health issues, and was able to help her out at the last minute with getting home from a procedure.

And I can do frivolous things like plan on seeing Hamilton (https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/ask-a-mustachian/should-i-go-see-hamilton/) without having to worry about how I'm going to fit it into my work schedule.

Life is good!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on April 23, 2019, 02:13:43 AM
Update on my semi-FIRE:

I just finished the first two-week cycle of my part-time work (work 4 days, off 10 days). It was amazing! Multiple people commented on how I looked refreshed after 10 days off. It must be because I was smiling so much.

I was afraid that I would dread going back to work after my taste of freedom, but all that I could think of was how little I had to work before my next 10 days off, so I actually enjoyed working.

Also, I found out what the financial hit to my benefits was going to be: when I was full-time, my employer paid ~75% of health insurance premiums. Now that I'm part-time, they will still pay ~70% of the premium! I am shocked that there is such a small difference.

Another great benefit: I have a friend with some health issues, and was able to help her out at the last minute with getting home from a procedure.

And I can do frivolous things like plan on seeing Hamilton (https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/ask-a-mustachian/should-i-go-see-hamilton/) without having to worry about how I'm going to fit it into my work schedule.

Life is good!

4 days - 10 days does indeed sound like a very luxury work situation. I just had that situation in the form of working a few days and then having a 10 day Easter holiday. If I would have that every other week, working life would become quite pleasant. And that they cover your health insurance so much is a great deal.

My 20% reduction is work life has had a big financial impact on the employer paid part of my pension that I am building up during 2019. Because of my 20% lower income, I am missing out on the really high pension rate. But working less than 100% is saving my sanity.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on April 23, 2019, 05:19:53 AM
Happy Tuesday everyone!

How are you doing @FIRE 20/20 ?  Do you want to be confirmed this Friday, or do you want to wait until the project wraps up?

Moved @gerardc to TBD til we hear back.  Gerard, let us know if your leave started and I'll get you marked as "CONFIRMED ON LEAVE."
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on April 23, 2019, 07:01:59 AM
@MaybeBabyMustache  and @dude SOOO CLOSE!  It is wonderful!

Today is another Monday were I didn't wake up to an alarm.  I got to workout, and now I am eating a leisurely post workout snack.  So nice!

Loren
Loren Ver: welcome to retirement !   
I saw your MPP ( monday is restocking day at the grocery store) on that thread .
I've noticed it too, especially for leafy greens and fish.  So Tues-Friday (AM)look better.
SOME of this is probably store-dependent, so a general question thread is not warranted.

Why thank you, happy to be here!
Yes, my issue was mostly in produce and the items that were on sale.  It made for a sad shopping trip. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: JoJo on April 23, 2019, 02:42:12 PM
Crap!  I need to fill out an IDP this week.  What shall I fill in this field:

"Career aspirations for next 1-3 years?  Indicate the particular roles, responsibilitiese, and horizontal or vertical moves (mention next role)."

I was thinking about writing:
Train a successor. 
or
Retiree

But probably shouldn't do that.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SwordGuy on April 23, 2019, 03:08:25 PM
Crap!  I need to fill out an IDP this week.  What shall I fill in this field:

"Career aspirations for next 1-3 years?  Indicate the particular roles, responsibilitiese, and horizontal or vertical moves (mention next role)."

I was thinking about writing:
Train a successor. 
or
Retiree

But probably shouldn't do that.

Cross train colleagues to improve team durability and cohesion.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on April 23, 2019, 06:19:30 PM
Crap!  I need to fill out an IDP this week.  What shall I fill in this field:

"Career aspirations for next 1-3 years?  Indicate the particular roles, responsibilitiese, and horizontal or vertical moves (mention next role)."

I was thinking about writing:
Train a successor. 
or
Retiree

But probably shouldn't do that.

Cross train colleagues to improve team durability and cohesion.

For the past 2 days I've been attending my last "team building onsite" work event. As we went around the room talking about strengths, goals, roles, and "blue chips" 2 things kept going through my mind:

Ultimately I tried to enjoy the experience as much as I could, as I know I will likely never see some of these people again and some I will genuinely miss. Only 59 days left now, and a pile of work to keep me busy enough that the time flies by.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on April 23, 2019, 07:07:47 PM
How are you doing @FIRE 20/20 ?  Do you want to be confirmed this Friday, or do you want to wait until the project wraps up?

I'm frustrated by the situation, but I know what they're dealing with (80-100 hour weeks) so I'm not frustrated with the people.  I think that as of Friday please mark me as confirmed.  I hope to work just 6 weeks a year on projects of my choice, so in my book that counts as FIREd.  It's a little irritating that the first one is so close to my FIRE date, but I should have about 5 weeks off - and it may not even happen.  Even with the highest of our spending predictions we'll be at a 3.2% withdrawal rate, with pensions and S.S. covering roughly our full planned spend in 25 years.  If that plan fails then we'll be worried about finding ammo to protect our garden and hunt with rather than SWR and SoRR. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on April 24, 2019, 05:08:44 AM
I'm not there yet (about 25 more working days!), but I have a great job that pays very well.  I have great management, excellent peers, and a fantastic team who works for me.  I think the work I've done throughout my career really matters, and I feel like I've made significant contributions.  However, I realize that the next year of my life is the youngest and probably the healthiest, most potential-filled year I have left on this planet.  I can't imagine *any* job that would give me as much happiness, fulfillment, or satisfaction as I'll be able to get from choosing the best possible thing to do with the next day/week/month/year.  When I ask myself - is this or any job the best possible use of my short time remaining on this planet?  Will my family and friends be thankful that I spent my time in this cubicle, this office, or this conference room instead of with them?  Will I look back on this business decision - no matter how great it is - with as much happiness as I will look back on any of a hundred other things I could do today?  I've posted a lot about how terrified I am of shutting off the firehose of money they're spraying at me, but even stronger than that terror is the knowledge that I have a limited time to do the things I want to do in life and *this year* could be the best or maybe even the only year I have left.  I'm not FIRE'ing because I "did not enjoy going to work or no longer got anything new out of it", but because I don't believe this or any job is the best possible use of my life.

In honor of your last work week @FIRE 20/20 I'm reposting your comments from March 15.  That post was a beauty and eloquently summed up the feelings a lot of us have. 

Hope your last few days are smooth!  I remember you said your partner is also FIREing Friday.  What are your plans for after?  May is one fine month to have free. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SwordGuy on April 24, 2019, 07:00:49 AM
I'm frustrated by the situation, but I know what they're dealing with (80-100 hour weeks) so I'm not frustrated with the people. 

Folks working those hours being paid salaries rather than hourly rates with overtime pay?

If so, that is what I call "a planned emergency".   Management plans the emergency as a way to get free labor from its employees.  And the suckers usually fall for it.

I tell salaried workers to always do their best, but after 40 hours per week, it's their personal time.   If it's a true emergency (rather than a planned one), be a sport and do what's needed.   Otherwise, only work extra if there is something in it for you.  That extra might be (a) more marketable skills which will increase your income here or at the next job, or (b) a better work process via organization or automation which will make you more productive (and thus more valueable in income terms) here or at the next job, or (c) you are helping a colleague with (a) or (b), which (aside from being a nice thing to do) will give you an in at a better paying job at their next job.  If it's not a true emergencyh and a, b or c don't apply, go home.



Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on April 24, 2019, 08:48:20 AM
I'm frustrated by the situation, but I know what they're dealing with (80-100 hour weeks) so I'm not frustrated with the people. 

Folks working those hours being paid salaries rather than hourly rates with overtime pay?

If so, that is what I call "a planned emergency".   Management plans the emergency as a way to get free labor from its employees.  And the suckers usually fall for it.

I tell salaried workers to always do their best, but after 40 hours per week, it's their personal time.   If it's a true emergency (rather than a planned one), be a sport and do what's needed.   Otherwise, only work extra if there is something in it for you.  That extra might be (a) more marketable skills which will increase your income here or at the next job, or (b) a better work process via organization or automation which will make you more productive (and thus more valueable in income terms) here or at the next job, or (c) you are helping a colleague with (a) or (b), which (aside from being a nice thing to do) will give you an in at a better paying job at their next job.  If it's not a true emergencyh and a, b or c don't apply, go home.

I agree in normal times.  I tell my team that if anyone is working weekends or more than 40 hours a week on a regular basis it's a failure of management (i.e. me).  But in my industry when competing for a new contract these hours are standard.  The requirements for the contract aren't really known until about 6-8 weeks before the bids are due, so there's only a moderate amount of prep work that can be done.  Whoever writes the best proposal wins, so everyone's job for the duration of the contract (usually 3-10 years) is on the line during those 6 weeks. 
For me, (a) applied earlier in my career and is a major reason I'm very well paid in my field, and it's also a major reason I have the opportunity to FIRE a little earlier because I have in-demand skills for this kind of situation that I can use to set up a consulting business.  Roughly speaking I probably averaged about 42 hours a week for, say, 45 weeks a year.  I took about 3 weeks of vacation.  The remaining 4 weeks a year on average I worked ridiculous hours - up to 14 hours a day 7 days a week.  I didn't get paid overtime, but I had a lot of 10-15% raises and 5 figure bonuses instead of the typical 3% raise and no bonus.  For me (no kids, understanding partner who does the same type of work) it was a good tradeoff that probably chopped 3 years off my normal working career. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on April 24, 2019, 08:58:19 AM

In honor of your last work week @FIRE 20/20 I'm reposting your comments from March 15.  That post was a beauty and eloquently summed up the feelings a lot of us have. 

Hope your last few days are smooth!  I remember you said your partner is also FIREing Friday.  What are your plans for after?  May is one fine month to have free.

Thanks, I had forgotten about that post!  It's a good reminder of what I wanted to focus on. 

I initially wrote a long post about what we had planned, but it was too much.  In short, we're going to take 2 trips to visit family, and the two of us are going to take a trip together to see a few concerts in another city.  But most of the month will be spent doing the things we've put off for the past 2 decades.  I want to take a walk together in the morning when everyone else is commuting.  There are some local hikes we haven't done that we'll get to do during normal working hours.  I was a musician growing up and through college but dropped it after I started working.  I just ordered a nice keyboard so I can re-learn piano.  I have a stack of books I want to read.  I'm spectacularly fortunate to have a partner who I never get tired of hanging out with, so I'm looking forward to spending more time with her.  And, for only the second time in my life I'm going to drink actual champagne.  I don't have a good enough palate to actually taste the difference, but it'll be a way to recognize the occasion. 
Family, relationships, music, reading, being outside, and celebrating.  It should be a good month. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on April 24, 2019, 09:07:10 AM
I want to take a walk together in the morning when everyone else is commuting.  There are some local hikes we haven't done that we'll get to do during normal working hours.  I was a musician growing up and through college but dropped it after I started working.  I just ordered a nice keyboard so I can re-learn piano.  I have a stack of books I want to read.  I'm spectacularly fortunate to have a partner who I never get tired of hanging out with, so I'm looking forward to spending more time with her.  And, for only the second time in my life I'm going to drink actual champagne.  I don't have a good enough palate to actually taste the difference, but it'll be a way to recognize the occasion. 
Family, relationships, music, reading, being outside, and celebrating.  It should be a good month.

Oh my, that sounds so wonderful! I can't imagine a better life than what you are describing.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on April 24, 2019, 09:10:01 AM
I want to take a walk together in the morning when everyone else is commuting.  There are some local hikes we haven't done that we'll get to do during normal working hours.  I was a musician growing up and through college but dropped it after I started working.  I just ordered a nice keyboard so I can re-learn piano.  I have a stack of books I want to read.  I'm spectacularly fortunate to have a partner who I never get tired of hanging out with, so I'm looking forward to spending more time with her.  And, for only the second time in my life I'm going to drink actual champagne.  I don't have a good enough palate to actually taste the difference, but it'll be a way to recognize the occasion. 
Family, relationships, music, reading, being outside, and celebrating.  It should be a good month.

Oh my, that sounds so wonderful! I can't imagine a better life than what you are describing.

It really does sound wonderful.  Soon!!  You are so close!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on April 24, 2019, 09:10:18 AM
I want to take a walk together in the morning when everyone else is commuting.  There are some local hikes we haven't done that we'll get to do during normal working hours.  I was a musician growing up and through college but dropped it after I started working.  I just ordered a nice keyboard so I can re-learn piano.  I have a stack of books I want to read.  I'm spectacularly fortunate to have a partner who I never get tired of hanging out with, so I'm looking forward to spending more time with her.  And, for only the second time in my life I'm going to drink actual champagne.  I don't have a good enough palate to actually taste the difference, but it'll be a way to recognize the occasion. 
Family, relationships, music, reading, being outside, and celebrating.  It should be a good month.

Oh my, that sounds so wonderful! I can't imagine a better life than what you are describing.

Hopefully you'll have your version of that in about 2 months!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on April 24, 2019, 10:13:11 AM
I want to take a walk together in the morning when everyone else is commuting.  There are some local hikes we haven't done that we'll get to do during normal working hours.  I was a musician growing up and through college but dropped it after I started working.  I just ordered a nice keyboard so I can re-learn piano.  I have a stack of books I want to read.  I'm spectacularly fortunate to have a partner who I never get tired of hanging out with, so I'm looking forward to spending more time with her.  And, for only the second time in my life I'm going to drink actual champagne.  I don't have a good enough palate to actually taste the difference, but it'll be a way to recognize the occasion. 
Family, relationships, music, reading, being outside, and celebrating.  It should be a good month.

Oh my, that sounds so wonderful! I can't imagine a better life than what you are describing.

Hopefully you'll have your version of that in about 2 months!
Yes, I'm looking forward to exploring tide pools with my grand daughter, hiking rain forests, as well as sitting in the sun doing absolutely nothing. So close now!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on April 24, 2019, 10:45:22 AM
I want to take a walk together in the morning when everyone else is commuting.  There are some local hikes we haven't done that we'll get to do during normal working hours.  I was a musician growing up and through college but dropped it after I started working.  I just ordered a nice keyboard so I can re-learn piano.  I have a stack of books I want to read.  I'm spectacularly fortunate to have a partner who I never get tired of hanging out with, so I'm looking forward to spending more time with her.  And, for only the second time in my life I'm going to drink actual champagne.  I don't have a good enough palate to actually taste the difference, but it'll be a way to recognize the occasion. 
Family, relationships, music, reading, being outside, and celebrating.  It should be a good month.

Fabulous!  :)

I can tell you -- doing fun things outside while everyone else is working and the world is quiet is the best.   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on April 26, 2019, 08:11:30 AM
I want to take a walk together in the morning when everyone else is commuting.  There are some local hikes we haven't done that we'll get to do during normal working hours.  I was a musician growing up and through college but dropped it after I started working.  I just ordered a nice keyboard so I can re-learn piano.  I have a stack of books I want to read.  I'm spectacularly fortunate to have a partner who I never get tired of hanging out with, so I'm looking forward to spending more time with her.  And, for only the second time in my life I'm going to drink actual champagne.  I don't have a good enough palate to actually taste the difference, but it'll be a way to recognize the occasion. 
Family, relationships, music, reading, being outside, and celebrating.  It should be a good month.

Oh my, that sounds so wonderful! I can't imagine a better life than what you are describing.

Hopefully you'll have your version of that in about 2 months!
Yes, I'm looking forward to exploring tide pools with my grand daughter, hiking rain forests, as well as sitting in the sun doing absolutely nothing. So close now!

Nice!  Will celebrate retirement (and birthday) next month with a 2-week trip to Hawaii, then I'm off to CO/UT/WY for 3 weeks of rock climbing (and maybe some mountain biking) in July, then the west coast for 2-3 weeks in August. I'm so excited I can hardly stand it. After today, only EIGHT more work days . . .
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SamIAm38 on April 26, 2019, 12:10:21 PM
I'm feeling a little bit lost. 30 years old, single, stayed the track, have been motivated and disciplined with occasional splurges and extra expenses. Planned to get out of corporate America in 2019 with $500k. I'm at $480K now. I have two final stage interviews lined up for corporate jobs that could change things up and push to chubby fire, the more I look at expenses now the more I realize I'm only at skinny fire. The further I get the more excuses I find to push towards fat fire ($825k-1M). I'm realizing that the higher paying engineering jobs are so much easier to get when you already have a good engineering job. Family desires starting to kick in now more than ever, changes all of the fire numbers though. I could stay the track here and try to appreciate my great job and situation. It's nice to have friends here and i'm dating a wonderful girl but it's still early. I could take a 50% travel job that also is 50% work remote to let me experiment with travel lifestyle and not having constant social interactions or structure. Could move to san diego and work another corporate job but learn new skills and have a lifestyle outside of work that I think would be very fun. Or I could just sabbatical, spend some time with family overseas, do some traveling and start life 2.0 with a job that's more fulfilling, less lucrative and let the stash do its thing in the background. I guess I could fire too but I don't think I would want to live off of this small of a withdrawal rate forever. Lots of options, I'm worried that having so many options will make it so that I avoid making a decision. Very happy and grateful, not trying to complain, just not sure what the next move is and finally getting to my goal is making me feel very overwhelmed and anxious.

I wonder if this is better off in its own thread, not really the subject of this thread.

TL;DR Ready to skinny fire like I wanted but now I'm rethinking the plan
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on April 26, 2019, 12:15:10 PM
Sam, How about downshifting significantly? 2-3 day workweeks will allow you to keep a good paycheck and still enjoy your life.

Especially if you can find remote part-time work.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SamIAm38 on April 26, 2019, 12:59:00 PM
Sam, How about downshifting significantly? 2-3 day workweeks will allow you to keep a good paycheck and still enjoy your life.

Especially if you can find remote part-time work.

That's a really good suggestion, I haven't thought of that as a possible path. I basically work 5-6 days a week now and tutor on Sundays. I could probably get by on just tutoring alone for a bit, maybe add in some music gigs too, but that's still location based unless I get into online tutoring. My current job basically requires 50 hours a week, we used to have a part time employee (new mother) and they were transferred out basically because a higher up made a policy that there could be no part time employees in our branch. The san diego job would be about the same 40-50 hours but I wonder if the traveling/remote job would be open to it since they are a smaller company and seem to be flexible. Thanks for the suggestion!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on April 26, 2019, 02:17:47 PM
Why remain in a job that takes away from his life when he no longer needs the money?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: waffles on April 26, 2019, 02:37:47 PM
I turned in retirement paperwork today for an official date of June 29. This is starting to get real!

I have worked the same job at the same place for over 27 years and I am so ready to be done. Two months feels like both forever and no time at all.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SwordGuy on April 26, 2019, 02:44:22 PM
Two months feels like both forever and no time at all.


That's because it **IS** both forever and no time at all!

Congrats!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Caroline PF on April 26, 2019, 02:46:40 PM
I'm feeling a little bit lost.

You seem to be uncertain what kind of future you want. So my vote is for you to give yourself space to figure that out. Take a sabbatical. At the end of the sabbatical, when you have more clarity, you can come back to your field, change careers, or fully FIRE. No need to make that decision now.

And any decision you do make now is not set in stone - it can be changed. So try out different options and see what sticks.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on April 26, 2019, 06:56:45 PM
I'm feeling a little bit lost.

You seem to be uncertain what kind of future you want. So my vote is for you to give yourself space to figure that out. Take a sabbatical. At the end of the sabbatical, when you have more clarity, you can come back to your field, change careers, or fully FIRE. No need to make that decision now.

And any decision you do make now is not set in stone - it can be changed. So try out different options and see what sticks.

I agree.  Your 'stache as brought you options, so you can figure out the best one for you at this point in your life.  You don't have to do anything forever, but if you don't make a decision, life will make it for you.
Take some time to think about it, makes some lists, and work it though.  If you do decide to pull the trigger and FIRE, we will still be here.

@waffles Yah for paperwork.  It really is getting real!!!  The days are long, but the months are short.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on April 27, 2019, 01:56:48 AM
I'm feeling a little bit lost.

You seem to be uncertain what kind of future you want. So my vote is for you to give yourself space to figure that out. Take a sabbatical. At the end of the sabbatical, when you have more clarity, you can come back to your field, change careers, or fully FIRE. No need to make that decision now.

And any decision you do make now is not set in stone - it can be changed. So try out different options and see what sticks.

I agree.  Your 'stache as brought you options, so you can figure out the best one for you at this point in your life.  You don't have to do anything forever, but if you don't make a decision, life will make it for you.
Take some time to think about it, makes some lists, and work it though.  If you do decide to pull the trigger and FIRE, we will still be here.

@waffles Yah for paperwork.  It really is getting real!!!  The days are long, but the months are short.
Sam, the first thing to say is Congratulations!  Getting to even a skinny FI at 30 is an amazing achievement and deserves to be celebrated.
You are now faced with the eternal 'what next?' and it's pretty clear that you don't have the answer to that one yet.  You are FI so you have options, You are 30 so you have time.  You achieved FI by 30 so you clearly have the ability to apply yourself to something and get results.  You need to spend the next period of your life working hard on establishing what it is you really want to do.  That is not an easy task for most people and isn't something you can come to an instant snap decision on.  Treat it as a project.  There are so many possibilities ahead of you that need thought, no-one will think any the less of you for not REing whilst you get your head round them.  We don't want people to be FIRE'd, we want people to be happy - we just think that FIRE is a great route to that for many.  Take some time to get your head together - your stache will continue to snowball in the background  Work out what YOU want and go for it without regrets.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on April 27, 2019, 04:26:05 AM
@SamIAm38 -- Huge congratulations to you for reaching FI at such a young age.  And I agree with the other wise posters above -- if you are not yet at a place where you know what you want to retire TO, and if work is going well, why rush it?  And I also agree wholeheartedly that you should take some time off work, to think things through and try things out.  Your past self has given your present self what is (in my opinion) the biggest gift imaginable.  So -- start unwrapping the present!


@waffles -- Congratulations on turning in the paperwork!  It does indeed get very real.  :)


And @FIRE 20/20 -- how did yesterday go?  Are you and your partner done?       
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SeanTash on April 27, 2019, 04:32:52 AM

I was thinking Damn it Feels Good to be a Gangster - like Peter in Office Space  :)

Damn, I so wish I would have thought of that and played it loudly as I walked out of the office two months ago!
Are you in Software too?

Hope you are going OK getting rid of all your stuff. I had the same issues - I think it stopped me enjoying the FIRE buildup a bit - it was quite stressful - but in the end I managed to sell quite a bit, give away most of the rest and only had to dump a couple of things.




Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SeanTash on April 27, 2019, 04:45:51 AM
A little update since FIREing in February,

Since then, I've got rid of all my stuff in Australia (except what I can carry) and I've been travelling in Asia - Bhutan, Thailand and mostly here in Nepal.
I've been trekking like crazy for the last 7 weeks. It feels good to be exercising my body again so much.
I've lost a bunch of weight, and feel as fit as at any time in my life.

In a surprising twist, I'm actually considering some kind of SWAMI  - I realise how toxic my last workplace was, but I think a new location (I'm thinking somewhere like Barcelona or Berlin) and a cool smallish company might actually be a genuinely fun challenge.
This is partly driven by my realisation that my budget is really lean - even in Nepal, one of the cheapest countries in the world, I've gone over it on the odd day - so it would be really difficult in Europe (I do want to spend some time there each year)
Part of the problem is that mentally I was using prices from my last extensive travel a few years ago, when the Aussie $ was about on par with the U.S. $. Now its closer to 2/3, and local prices seem to be based mainly off of the greenback's value.

But it's still a choice - I can live frugally if I need to. Or I can do other work for fun - english teaching, woofing for accomodation+food, etc. So not decided yet. I definitely won't be taking a boring job at a big corporation that sucks the life out of me each day!

Oh and for the record @Trifele, I'm 48 (for the list).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on April 27, 2019, 05:12:40 AM
A little update since FIREing in February,

Great update @SeanTash!  You should change the location under your username to "The World" haha. 

Got your age added^
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on April 27, 2019, 07:39:35 AM
Thanks for the update @SeanTash.  It is good to hear what people are doing after their FIRE.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on April 27, 2019, 07:47:06 AM
Thanks for the update @SeanTash.  It is good to hear what people are doing after their FIRE.

Yes, thank you SeanTash and everyone who is posting their happy FIRE stories. It is very inspiring and helps me be patient during these last few weeks. I'm trying very hard not to be neurotic but I find myself double checking my NW and using FIRE calculators daily to reassure myself that I really am  prepared. Every little twinge of pain or spot of dry skin has my mind racing to thoughts of "sure, now that I can retire I'll get some agressive cancer and DIE."

Deep breaths, positive thoughts, lots of lavendar, and reading happy post-FIRE stories from my cohort. This is my lifeline.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SwordGuy on April 27, 2019, 11:26:37 AM
Every little twinge of pain or spot of dry skin has my mind racing to thoughts of "sure, now that I can retire I'll get some agressive cancer and DIE."

Way better to be sick when you're not working than sick when you have to drag yourself to work to pay the bills...


We know this from experience.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on April 27, 2019, 11:34:50 AM
Every little twinge of pain or spot of dry skin has my mind racing to thoughts of "sure, now that I can retire I'll get some agressive cancer and DIE."

Way better to be sick when you're not working than sick when you have to drag yourself to work to pay the bills...


We know this from experience.

Good point SwordGuy, I'll add that to my "think positive thoughts" list.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on April 27, 2019, 11:58:44 AM
I'm trying very hard not to be neurotic but I find myself double checking my NW and using FIRE calculators daily to reassure myself that I really am  prepared. Every little twinge of pain or spot of dry skin has my mind racing to thoughts of "sure, now that I can retire I'll get some aggressive cancer and DIE."

@Parizade -- I had those exact same thoughts pre-FIRE, and it was nothing -- just some weird aspect of pre-FIRE stress.  In my case I think it was extra bad because I've had cancer.  I couldn't shake the thought that it would return and kill me right as I FIREd.   (A grim joke told among cancer survivors is that one silver lining is you'll never have a headache again.  Because you'll immediately worry it's not a headache, but cancer returning).  If you've not been diagnosed with anything like that so far, then the chances of it (a) happening now and (b) being something extremely serious are really really small.  Just try to stay busy, get lots of exercise, and try not to think about it.  You'll be ok.  :)   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SamIAm38 on April 27, 2019, 01:06:26 PM
@SamIAm38 -- Huge congratulations to you for reaching FI at such a young age.  And I agree with the other wise posters above -- if you are not yet at a place where you know what you want to retire TO, and if work is going well, why rush it?  And I also agree wholeheartedly that you should take some time off work, to think things through and try things out.  Your past self has given your present self what is (in my opinion) the biggest gift imaginable.  So -- start unwrapping the present!
 

I'm feeling a little bit lost.

You seem to be uncertain what kind of future you want. So my vote is for you to give yourself space to figure that out. Take a sabbatical. At the end of the sabbatical, when you have more clarity, you can come back to your field, change careers, or fully FIRE. No need to make that decision now.

And any decision you do make now is not set in stone - it can be changed. So try out different options and see what sticks.

I agree.  Your 'stache as brought you options, so you can figure out the best one for you at this point in your life.  You don't have to do anything forever, but if you don't make a decision, life will make it for you.
Take some time to think about it, makes some lists, and work it though.  If you do decide to pull the trigger and FIRE, we will still be here.

@waffles Yah for paperwork.  It really is getting real!!!  The days are long, but the months are short.
Sam, the first thing to say is Congratulations!  Getting to even a skinny FI at 30 is an amazing achievement and deserves to be celebrated.
You are now faced with the eternal 'what next?' and it's pretty clear that you don't have the answer to that one yet.  You are FI so you have options, You are 30 so you have time.  You achieved FI by 30 so you clearly have the ability to apply yourself to something and get results.  You need to spend the next period of your life working hard on establishing what it is you really want to do.  That is not an easy task for most people and isn't something you can come to an instant snap decision on.  Treat it as a project.  There are so many possibilities ahead of you that need thought, no-one will think any the less of you for not REing whilst you get your head round them.  We don't want people to be FIRE'd, we want people to be happy - we just think that FIRE is a great route to that for many.  Take some time to get your head together - your stache will continue to snowball in the background  Work out what YOU want and go for it without regrets.

Thanks so much for the kind words and advice. I guess I'm so hyper focused on crossing the finish line that I forgot to think about what I want to do after the race. I kept this goal on my mind to keep me motivated through a less than fulfilling situation. Time to work on the fulfilling part. I'm happy where I'm at but i'm not challenged or learning anything anymore and that's really what keeps me driven. The more real this becomes the more I switch my focus from what more do I want to what could I lose if I leave this. I don't consider myself an anxious person but I definitely noticed my worries and concerns list growing the closer it gets to making a move.

I'll check back in after I hear back from the two jobs. Seem's like its best to weigh all the options once I have all the information. I think it's time for a change, whether that's to sabbatical/fire, experiment with remote/traveling lifestyle or switch my focus to prioritize lifestyle while working, I owe it to myself to do something different and keep myself moving forward.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on April 27, 2019, 01:24:45 PM
I had those exact same thoughts pre-FIRE, and it was nothing -- just some weird aspect of pre-FIRE stress.  In my case I think it was extra bad because I've had cancer.  I couldn't shake the thought that it would return and kill me right as I FIREd.   (A grim joke told among cancer survivors is that one silver lining is you'll never have a headache again.  Because you'll immediately worry it's not a headache, but cancer returning).  If you've not been diagnosed with anything like that so far, then the chances of it (a) happening now and (b) being something extremely serious are really really small.  Just try to stay busy, get lots of exercise, and try not to think about it.  You'll be ok.  :)

Thanks Trifele, the Sr VP of my area put me on a special project that keeps me very busy doing what I enjoy most while training in my replacement (who I've already determined will become a lifelong friend, amazing lady) so that has helped tremendously. Time is flying by.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on April 30, 2019, 04:25:24 AM
How are you doing @FIRE 20/20 ?   Did you wrap up on Friday?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on April 30, 2019, 09:08:25 AM
How are you doing @FIRE 20/20 ?   Did you wrap up on Friday?

Sorry for not responding a couple of days ago.  Friday was my partner's last day - she's FIRED.  That evening we traveled out of town, and had a crazy weekend.  We went to a horror convention near Detroit and had a photo op with Clive Barker and then attended John Waters' birthday party with Jake Shears as the musical guest.  Clive Barker and John Waters are her favorite directors, and Jake Shears is one of her favorite musicians.  Needless to say I didn't have time to check the boards until I got back.
I'm still in limbo.  I am on leave from my company, with the expectation I'll be called back in late May or June to work one last project for ~6 weeks over the summer.  But if they don't call sometime in May then I should be out.  For now I'm living as FIREd, and will be happy to either do one more bit of interesting work or not. 

I don't care how I'm marked on the list - I'm thinking of myself as FIREd, but you can put me down for whatever. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on April 30, 2019, 09:11:37 AM
@FIRE 20/20 Woohoo on your partner calling it quits and having an fantastic weekend right after!!
Congrats to you too.  Do you think they will call in May?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on April 30, 2019, 09:25:19 AM
@FIRE 20/20 Woohoo on your partner calling it quits and having an fantastic weekend right after!!
Congrats to you too.  Do you think they will call in May?

Thanks!  I think it's 80% likely they will call, although a few weeks ago I thought it was nearly 100%. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on April 30, 2019, 10:09:50 AM
@FIRE 20/20 Woohoo on your partner calling it quits and having an fantastic weekend right after!!
Congrats to you too.  Do you think they will call in May?

Thanks!  I think it's 80% likely they will call, although a few weeks ago I thought it was nearly 100%.

Congrats @FIRE 20/20, sounds like a darn good firestarter weekend!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on April 30, 2019, 10:14:46 AM
Congratulations to you and your partner @FIRE 20/20 !  That sounds like a fantastic weekend!

2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19     Bingeworker (52)          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
04/05/19     MissNancyPryor (50)      CONFIRMED SWAMI
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                    CONFIRMED
05/09/19     dude (53)
05/15/19     MaybeBabyMustache                   
05/24/19     Prairie Stash (38)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55 (59)                     
05/31/19     Dibdab (56)
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/10     snowdog (57)
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/15/19     Okonomiyaki (49)
06/15/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/29/19     Waffles  (52)
06/30/19     Pylortes  (42)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     SHO (37)
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
07/05/19     StoaX (58)
07/17/19     anonprof
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
08/01/19     SugarMountain
08/30/19     MoMan  (55)
08/31/19     Gerard
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/13/19     dayzero
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     Dreamer
10/??/19     JumboShrimp
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/19/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)
12/31/19     Nifty (31)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer
MustacheAnxiety
forward
BlindSquirrel
I'm Fred (51)
JoJo (45)
Edgema
Jfer_rose (41)
Gerardc  (35)

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
Linda_Norway (45)
CryingInThePool  (44)
Albireo13  (61)
Cookie78
Enigma
exit2019  (40)
powersuitrecall  (47)

OLY
markbike528cbx  (55)      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
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on April 30, 2019, 10:26:34 AM
I really like that list!!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on April 30, 2019, 11:22:35 AM
I really like that list!!!

Me too, but I'll like it even more in 52 days :-)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Miss Piggy on April 30, 2019, 12:05:02 PM

2019 FIRE Cohort:

.
.
.
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
.
.
.

I have really been struggling with this lately, thinking instead that I may wait until the end of the year, OMY, etc....you know the drill. But over the past few days, I have gained a crap-ton of clarity (which is interesting since clarity technically weighs nothing). I texted my husband earlier and suggested we discuss my exit plan this evening. I'm ready to stick to my original date as noted above. I'm more than ready, mentally as well as financially. My big, fat, hairy fear is healthcare, but we can work with that. We have options.  The work I'm doing (at my...ugh...job) does not energize me. I don't exactly hate it, but it's just not the kind of work I want to be doing anymore. I'm over it. And I'm over the bullshit politics. Time to make my move soon.

I've enjoyed keeping up with the recent "moves" in this thread. Lots of happiness here.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on April 30, 2019, 03:11:33 PM
@Trifele for maintaining the list!  I really like seeing it fill up and getting updates as everyone approaches and passes the milestone. 

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on April 30, 2019, 07:37:07 PM
@Trifele for maintaining the list!  I really like seeing it fill up and getting updates as everyone approaches and passes the milestone.
DITTO! Thank you Trifele for all you do for our cohort
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on May 01, 2019, 12:22:29 AM
@Trifele for maintaining the list!  I really like seeing it fill up and getting updates as everyone approaches and passes the milestone.
DITTO! Thank you Trifele for all you do for our cohort
Trifele picked up where I was slacking as OP, redoing the list, being general greeter and thread host.
I dropped the ball right after I FIRED, as I went on a cross country trip, with little internet service. When I did get back, Trifele had things going well enough, I didn't see a pressing need for my OP services. 
Thanks @Trifele !!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on May 01, 2019, 04:30:36 AM
Thanks @Trifele !!!

My pleasure.  It's amazing to see how far we've all come! 

@Miss Piggy -- great update.  How did your discussion go about your exit plan?  Health insurance is a fear/big unknown for many of us.   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on May 01, 2019, 05:47:00 AM
@Trifele for maintaining the list!  I really like seeing it fill up and getting updates as everyone approaches and passes the milestone.
DITTO! Thank you Trifele for all you do for our cohort
Trifele picked up where I was slacking as OP, redoing the list, being general greeter and thread host.
I dropped the ball right after I FIRED, as I went on a cross country trip, with little internet service. When I did get back, Trifele had things going well enough, I didn't see a pressing need for my OP services. 
Thanks @Trifele !!!
Thanks for getting it all started markbike528CBX. I fully intend to drop many many balls after I FIRE, it's part of the deal isn't it?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Phryne on May 01, 2019, 06:08:40 AM
I'm not there yet (about 25 more working days!), but I have a great job that pays very well.  I have great management, excellent peers, and a fantastic team who works for me.  I think the work I've done throughout my career really matters, and I feel like I've made significant contributions.  However, I realize that the next year of my life is the youngest and probably the healthiest, most potential-filled year I have left on this planet.  I can't imagine *any* job that would give me as much happiness, fulfillment, or satisfaction as I'll be able to get from choosing the best possible thing to do with the next day/week/month/year.  When I ask myself - is this or any job the best possible use of my short time remaining on this planet?  Will my family and friends be thankful that I spent my time in this cubicle, this office, or this conference room instead of with them?  Will I look back on this business decision - no matter how great it is - with as much happiness as I will look back on any of a hundred other things I could do today?  I've posted a lot about how terrified I am of shutting off the firehose of money they're spraying at me, but even stronger than that terror is the knowledge that I have a limited time to do the things I want to do in life and *this year* could be the best or maybe even the only year I have left.  I'm not FIRE'ing because I "did not enjoy going to work or no longer got anything new out of it", but because I don't believe this or any job is the best possible use of my life.

In honor of your last work week @FIRE 20/20 I'm reposting your comments from March 15.  That post was a beauty and eloquently summed up the feelings a lot of us have. 

Hope your last few days are smooth!  I remember you said your partner is also FIREing Friday.  What are your plans for after?  May is one fine month to have free.

Thanks for reposting this- it totally resonates with me.

I have no right being here- I'm in the 2023 cohort (trying to push into 2022...) but just wanted to say to everyone thanks for the continued inspiration!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Miss Piggy on May 01, 2019, 06:19:37 AM

@Miss Piggy -- great update.  How did your discussion go about your exit plan?  Health insurance is a fear/big unknown for many of us.

@Trifele - the discussion was short and sweet. Honestly, it was more for me to re-commit out loud to the decision. Hubby is totally on board. We're already considering him FIREd since his contract gig ended in December.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on May 01, 2019, 06:21:51 AM
Thanks for reposting this- it totally resonates with me.

I have no right being here- I'm in the 2023 cohort (trying to push into 2022...) but just wanted to say to everyone thanks for the continued inspiration!

I agree @Phryne -- that post really sums it up, doesn't it?  Someone could write music for that one, and it could be the theme song of our cohort.  :)  Nicely done, @FIRE 20/20.   

I'm glad this thread gives you inspiration.  I remember reading the 2017 and 2018 threads every day for the same reason.  It gave me energy, and helped me convince myself deep down that it really, truly could be done.  Best of luck on your journey, and possibly trimming some time off!  Your time will be here before you know it. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on May 01, 2019, 07:15:20 AM
@Trifele for maintaining the list!  I really like seeing it fill up and getting updates as everyone approaches and passes the milestone.
DITTO! Thank you Trifele for all you do for our cohort
Trifele picked up where I was slacking as OP, redoing the list, being general greeter and thread host.
I dropped the ball right after I FIRED, as I went on a cross country trip, with little internet service. When I did get back, Trifele had things going well enough, I didn't see a pressing need for my OP services. 
Thanks @Trifele !!!
Thanks for getting it all started markbike528CBX for getting it all started. I fully intend to drop many many balls after I FIRE, it's part of the deal isn't it?
I bet I've dropped a lot more balls than most.  Since FIREing I've been trying to remember how to juggle again after a twenty year break...
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on May 01, 2019, 09:06:03 AM
I learned something new today, I left the house at around 845 am for my grocery shopping trip only to discover that is still part of rush hour apparently.  Ugh.  Glad I didn't have anywhere I needed to be.  The good news is the shelves were stocked and there were no lines to check out at the store.  Last week taught me noonish is too late.  So I am still zeroing in. Maybe 930 or so....

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on May 01, 2019, 11:10:33 AM
I bet I've dropped a lot more balls than most.  Since FIREing I've been trying to remember how to juggle again after a twenty year break...

Actual juggling?  Basic 3 ball, club passing, or something else?  I also took a ~20 year break from juggling and I plan to get back into it. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on May 01, 2019, 03:05:21 PM
I bet I've dropped a lot more balls than most.  Since FIREing I've been trying to remember how to juggle again after a twenty year break...

Actual juggling?  Basic 3 ball, club passing, or something else?  I also took a ~20 year break from juggling and I plan to get back into it.

This is too funny.  I starting trying to learn to juggle yesterday.  I came across three foil balls DH had made while at work.  He would eat the candy and then add the foil onto a ball, for all 7 years that he worked there.  When the ball got too big to easily add more foil he would make a new one.  Turns our they are a good juggling size for me.  And they sum up the last 7 years at his last company before FIRE.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on May 01, 2019, 03:29:08 PM
I bet I've dropped a lot more balls than most.  Since FIREing I've been trying to remember how to juggle again after a twenty year break...

Actual juggling?  Basic 3 ball, club passing, or something else?  I also took a ~20 year break from juggling and I plan to get back into it.

This is too funny.  I starting trying to learn to juggle yesterday.  I came across three foil balls DH had made while at work.  He would eat the candy and then add the foil onto a ball, for all 7 years that he worked there.  When the ball got too big to easily add more foil he would make a new one.  Turns our they are a good juggling size for me.  And they sum up the last 7 years at his last company before FIRE.
Just three balls at the moment, but if I can get back in the groove I'll get the clubs out of the shed.  Not yet though because those things hurt!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Prairie Stash on May 02, 2019, 12:09:35 PM
Last day is May 24, I'll be 38.

I just finished the conversation. My boss was surprised and was asking my thoughts about staying on for 6 months more; I declined (if I wanted more time I could have resigned later). I replied that I don't mind doing contract work at a higher rate, that was met with the standard; we'll have to discuss that with HR.

I'm ambivalent on the whole ordeal, I plan on living my best life. I enjoy parts of my job and I'm willing to continue, other parts I don't enjoy and wish to stop. I told my boss as much and let him know its up to him to decide if they want me or not.

On a personal level he was happy for me. On a work level, it was quite the shock. He mentioned he wished he could have had more notice, I told him that I had mentioned it a year ago that I wanted more time off to my former supervisor, which didn't end up happening. From my perspective, no one took me serious enough and would never have believed me anyhow. Also, if I had changed my mind I would have foregone any possibility of training, which i think is problematic; I would have lost something by telling them and gained nothing.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on May 02, 2019, 12:31:04 PM
I'd tell them that I'm sure that people who get fired also want more notice, but when one group has all the power, they keep and use it :D
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: JoJo on May 02, 2019, 12:31:54 PM
Feeling ultra micro managed today.  Targeting 4.5 months (of which I'll be on vacation for 2.5 of those months). 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on May 02, 2019, 02:11:17 PM
Congrats on setting the date @Prairie Stash!  Got you updated in the list above ^.  What are your FIRE plans?


Thanks for the check in @JoJo.  Sounds like you already have some summer trips planned.  Way to use up all your vacation time before you go.  And if you pull the plug in September, you've still got some prime travel time this year -- nice! 
 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Prairie Stash on May 02, 2019, 02:59:18 PM
Congrats on setting the date @Prairie Stash!  Got you updated in the list above ^.  What are your FIRE plans?

The first few weeks I plan to negotiate work as a consultant to my old company at a higher pay. I suspect they don't see it my way, they're use to paying me $X and can't understand $2*X. Or I'll just offer it directly to companies of interest...There's a certain satisfaction about flexing my stash. The best time to flex is when you're indifferent, its the ultimate position of power.

If that fails, I plan to set up a hammock and listen to the birds.

@Lews Therin so very true about people being fired. I started with mostly boomers and watched a few get fired after decades of service. One guy had 40 years in and an unofficial planned retirement was a few months off, he had disclosed it over coffee to coworkers that he would retire on his birthday. All the notice they give is 2 weeks, in that case his severance was greater than his remaining weeks but the hit to his personal pride was massive.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on May 02, 2019, 03:11:21 PM
Last day is May 24, I'll be 38.

I just finished the conversation. My boss was surprised and was asking my thoughts about staying on for 6 months more; I declined (if I wanted more time I could have resigned later).

Yah!  Having that conversation can really make it feel real!  If you don't mind me asking, what will be involved with living your best life?  I do so love to poach ideas :).

As for me, today was rug cleaning day.  The carpet really needed a deep clean, so this morning DH and I moved the furniture out of the carpeted rooms and rented a rug cleaner.  Two happy thoughts came of this: 1.  I am really glad we don't own that much stuff, so moving it, and moving it back, isn't that big of a deal. 2.  I am also really glad I don't have a very big house.  The actual rug cleaning took about 3 hours, but that includes stopped near the end of dinner and going over the high traffic areas twice.

Overall a pretty well spent day.

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on May 02, 2019, 03:50:30 PM
This is too funny.  I starting trying to learn to juggle yesterday.  I came across three foil balls DH had made while at work.  He would eat the candy and then add the foil onto a ball, for all 7 years that he worked there.  When the ball got too big to easily add more foil he would make a new one.  Turns our they are a good juggling size for me.  And they sum up the last 7 years at his last company before FIRE.

If you're learning, make sure you're working on a Cascade, not a Shower.  Most people think of a Shower when they think of juggling, but a Shower is much more difficult to learn and perfect than a Cascade, and the Cascade is the basic pattern that can be the starting point for more tricks, if you're interested. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toss_juggling#Shower
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: couponvan on May 02, 2019, 07:02:57 PM
Dropping in to say "hi" and I may have added myself to the contingent a few years earlier than planned.  My last day was 3/29/19, but I'd been off work since 10/17/18....Cancer kind of changes your world.  So DH is still working, and I'm enjoying what I call a "smoke break" for now.  However I don't feel like going back to work and think I'm going to let this be my FIRE date.  I may relegate myself back to the 2022 group if FIRE feels too hot. NW hit $1.725 this past month. Our original FIRE budget was $2.5MM....DH is making just as much as we used to make together at his new elevated job (promoted 7/1/18) and has no plans for FIRE himself for at least the next 4-5 years. We will continue saving and see how things pan out.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on May 02, 2019, 08:08:44 PM
@Lews Therin so very true about people being fired. I started with mostly boomers and watched a few get fired after decades of service. One guy had 40 years in and an unofficial planned retirement was a few months off, he had disclosed it over coffee to coworkers that he would retire on his birthday. All the notice they give is 2 weeks, in that case his severance was greater than his remaining weeks but the hit to his personal pride was massive.

That's so rotten! How hard would it have been just to give him an early retirement with severence package? They did that at my current employer last year, offered older workers an early retirement option with a little better severence and a year of health insurance instead of layoffs. I was jealous, I would have grabbed that  offer with both hands if they had given it to me.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on May 02, 2019, 08:13:02 PM
Dropping in to say "hi" and I may have added myself to the contingent a few years earlier than planned.  My last day was 3/29/19, but I'd been off work since 10/17/18....Cancer kind of changes your world.  So DH is still working, and I'm enjoying what I call a "smoke break" for now.  However I don't feel like going back to work and think I'm going to let this be my FIRE date.  I may relegate myself back to the 2022 group if FIRE feels too hot. NW hit $1.725 this past month. Our original FIRE budget was $2.5MM....DH is making just as much as we used to make together at his new elevated job (promoted 7/1/18) and has no plans for FIRE himself for at least the next 4-5 years. We will continue saving and see how things pan out.

Hi couponvan, I hope  you are better now. Definitely take it easy if you can, and it sounds like you are in a good position to do that.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on May 03, 2019, 04:52:44 AM
Welcome @couponvan!   Got you added and CONFIRMED above.  Cancer does turn the world upside down.  Hope you are feeling well these days.  It sounds like you're in a great financial position.  Don't worry, FIRE won't feel hot . . . the water is coooool.  :)  Congratulations on taking a major step that many only dream of!

Continuing on the theme of "living your best FIRE life", yesterday I:

-- Worked in the garden for a couple hours in the early morning.  Weather has been beautiful -- Low 80s for highs, 50 for low.
-- Went to the Y with the kids to work out.
-- On the way home we rescued two turtles crossing the road.
-- And stopped at the grocery store for some coffee truffle ice cream.  Mmmm.
-- Helped DH with the renovation/rebuild project.  This has been his full time job for the past three years and he's done incredible things with this old house.  He finished the big work (foundation repairs, walls repaired/rebuilt, new roof rafters, windows and doors) last year.  Now we're mostly down to the 'finishing' work.  Yesterday's task was some repair work on the hardwood floors.   
-- After supper we played some euchre and then watched some Mystery Science Theater.

Life is good.     
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on May 03, 2019, 07:14:12 AM
@Trifele - you are selling it! That sounds fantastic. Two weeks from today.... I"m officially on sabbatical!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on May 03, 2019, 07:43:22 AM
As for me, today was rug cleaning day. 

Love this.  One great aspect of FIRE is that you have the time to do things that get put off when you're working.  It is deeply satisfying. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: couponvan on May 03, 2019, 07:44:05 AM
Thanks for the welcome!  I too have been planting the past two days.  We're closing on a new construction build in under two weeks, and the builder is letting me into the yard early to get some plants into the back and customize the layout more.  (Lest you all think he's overly generous, they were supposed to be done April 15th.) A nursery is having a sale today, and I want to get a bloodgood Japanese maple for the back yard - and maybe some other trees as well if they are affordable.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on May 03, 2019, 06:24:24 PM
This is too funny.  I starting trying to learn to juggle yesterday.  I came across three foil balls DH had made while at work.  He would eat the candy and then add the foil onto a ball, for all 7 years that he worked there.  When the ball got too big to easily add more foil he would make a new one.  Turns our they are a good juggling size for me.  And they sum up the last 7 years at his last company before FIRE.

If you're learning, make sure you're working on a Cascade, not a Shower.  Most people think of a Shower when they think of juggling, but a Shower is much more difficult to learn and perfect than a Cascade, and the Cascade is the basic pattern that can be the starting point for more tricks, if you're interested. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toss_juggling#Shower

Thank you for the link.  I know very little about juggling, but it looks like I am learning a cascade.  :D.

Welcome @couponvan!  I'm sorry for the why you retired but I am really really glad you put yourself in a position to optimize what you could.  Good on you for having a plan!

@Trifele that sounds lovely! 

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on May 06, 2019, 07:44:59 AM
I took last week off to burn up remaining vacation time, this morning it's back to work and every fiber of my being is saying "no, just no." Taking a week off made me realize how exhausted and burned out I am.

I am now 46 days out from official FIRE but I think mentally I'm retiring today. I've been working very hard training my replacement and helping her set up an employee enrichment program which I've enjoyed. But after a week off I have to say my enthusiasm is gone. From this point on I will coast, doing as little as possible to keep up and do right by my replacement.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on May 06, 2019, 08:09:46 AM
I took last week off to burn up remaining vacation time, this morning it's back to work and every fiber of my being is saying "no, just no." Taking a week off made me realize how exhausted and burned out I am.

I am now 46 days out from official FIRE but I think mentally I'm retiring today. I've been working very hard training my replacement and helping her set up an employee enrichment program which I've enjoyed. But after a week off I have to say my enthusiasm is gone. From this point on I will coast, doing as little as possible to keep up and do right by my replacement.

This is my last week in the office, and I can relate to how you feel. I could, if I really wanted to, bail on this week and be effectively retired right now, but I'm saving one final week of annual leave to get paid for at the end of the month. This Friday will be my last day in the office, other than having to come in for an hour or so the week of May 20-24 to turn in keys, ID, security card, etc. And I am for sure taking at least one day off this week (looks like we'll finally get one day of good weather this week here in the Northeast). So bizarre being down to just 3 days after today. Not sure when the whole "I'll never have to go to work again" thing will hit me; probably not until a week or two after I've retired, I'd imagine.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on May 06, 2019, 08:20:41 AM
I took last week off to burn up remaining vacation time, this morning it's back to work and every fiber of my being is saying "no, just no." Taking a week off made me realize how exhausted and burned out I am.

I am now 46 days out from official FIRE but I think mentally I'm retiring today. I've been working very hard training my replacement and helping her set up an employee enrichment program which I've enjoyed. But after a week off I have to say my enthusiasm is gone. From this point on I will coast, doing as little as possible to keep up and do right by my replacement.

Congrats on achieving mental-FIRE!  Can you do anything concrete like using more PTO or sick days between now and then? 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on May 06, 2019, 08:25:54 AM
I took last week off to burn up remaining vacation time, this morning it's back to work and every fiber of my being is saying "no, just no." Taking a week off made me realize how exhausted and burned out I am.

I am now 46 days out from official FIRE but I think mentally I'm retiring today. I've been working very hard training my replacement and helping her set up an employee enrichment program which I've enjoyed. But after a week off I have to say my enthusiasm is gone. From this point on I will coast, doing as little as possible to keep up and do right by my replacement.

This is my last week in the office, and I can relate to how you feel. I could, if I really wanted to, bail on this week and be effectively retired right now, but I'm saving one final week of annual leave to get paid for at the end of the month. This Friday will be my last day in the office, other than having to come in for an hour or so the week of May 20-24 to turn in keys, ID, security card, etc. And I am for sure taking at least one day off this week (looks like we'll finally get one day of good weather this week here in the Northeast). So bizarre being down to just 3 days after today. Not sure when the whole "I'll never have to go to work again" thing will hit me; probably not until a week or two after I've retired, I'd imagine.

@dude I've been done over a month, and sometimes it still hasn't hit me.  This past week I was sure Thursday was Saturday and so I needed to get things done so I could work Monday.  Then again, yesterday, it hit me that I can finish the things I was working on since I don't have to go to work EVER again.  HA!  So I guess I am still in flux!

@Parizade you are so close!  I am glad you have a replacement to train.  That should make the hand off and leaving easier.  My last vacation before FIRE was really rough.  If I didn't say I was coming back, I wouldn't have, and I had a pretty good job with good coworkers.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on May 06, 2019, 09:04:55 AM
I took last week off to burn up remaining vacation time, this morning it's back to work and every fiber of my being is saying "no, just no." Taking a week off made me realize how exhausted and burned out I am.

I am now 46 days out from official FIRE but I think mentally I'm retiring today. I've been working very hard training my replacement and helping her set up an employee enrichment program which I've enjoyed. But after a week off I have to say my enthusiasm is gone. From this point on I will coast, doing as little as possible to keep up and do right by my replacement.

Congrats on achieving mental-FIRE!  Can you do anything concrete like using more PTO or sick days between now and then?

I am WFH so my concrete thing is not scheduling any meetings before noon. Mornings will be all mine to drink coffee and sit on the deck or putter around the house doing little projects. I'll do what I have to in the afternoons but no more than the absolute minimum.

@dude, how exciting, congratulations! I will earn a couple more days off and plan to take them immediately upon receipt lol

@Loren Ver, the only thing that keeps me here is that extra $10K I'll net in these last weeks. That will pay for Mexico next winter.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on May 06, 2019, 02:52:22 PM
@Parizade -- congrats!  Your morning plan sounds wonderful.

@dude -- Wow you are so close!  Do you want to call yourself FIRE this Friday? Or wait til the end of the month?

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: tooqk4u22 on May 06, 2019, 03:24:17 PM
I have been working to FIRE like every one else here but have had my share of OMY and changing priorities/expectations As described here (https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/can't-get-to-fire-(self-sabotage!)/) and other spots in this very thread, but the decision is anxiety inducing and I really want to avoid another OMY or other reasons not to. 

So maybe posting here in this cohort will make it more official, I must keep my word and all that. 

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on May 06, 2019, 04:31:32 PM
I have been working to FIRE like every one else here but have had my share of OMY and changing priorities/expectations As described here (https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/can't-get-to-fire-(self-sabotage!)/) and other spots in this very thread, but the decision is anxiety inducing and I really want to avoid another OMY or other reasons not to. 

So maybe posting here in this cohort will make it more official, I must keep my word and all that.

Put a date on it, and we will send you sternly worded PMs telling you to resign or else.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on May 07, 2019, 03:40:18 AM
So maybe posting here in this cohort will make it more official, I must keep my word and all that.

Yep -- Give us a date.  We'll put you on the list @tooqk4u22 and support and cheer you to the finish line.

I read some of your other posts, and it sounds like you know you're there financially.  You're posting here now, so it sounds like you want to FIRE.  So go ahead and take the first step -- name a date.  You can do it.

ETA -- batsignal out to @markbike528CBX -- the best anti-OMY coach around.  :)   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on May 07, 2019, 08:11:45 AM
Today is my PRD -- that's prison lingo for "projected release date," i.e., my retirement eligibility date. I've had this date tacked up to my credenza at work for at least 6-7 years, maybe longer. Pretty sublime feeling now that it's here. Friday is my last day in the office, May 31 is my official retirement date. But damn for this date to finally get here feels pretty fucking awesome.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on May 07, 2019, 08:25:02 AM
@Parizade -- congrats!  Your morning plan sounds wonderful.

@dude -- Wow you are so close!  Do you want to call yourself FIRE this Friday? Or wait til the end of the month?

Ha!  In my mind, Friday is it -- done, kaput, game over!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on May 07, 2019, 08:36:24 AM
So maybe posting here in this cohort will make it more official, I must keep my word and all that.

Yep -- Give us a date.  We'll put you on the list @tooqk4u22 and support and cheer you to the finish line.

I read some of your other posts, and it sounds like you know you're there financially.  You're posting here now, so it sounds like you want to FIRE.  So go ahead and take the first step -- name a date.  You can do it.

ETA -- batsignal out to @markbike528CBX -- the best anti-OMY coach around.  :)

{blushes.....} Thanks Trifele, but if I was that good, everyone in the "2M to 3 M and beyond" thread would be long FIREd.   
In that spirit, I offer from https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/post-fire/serious-'one-more-year'-syndrome-advice-appreciated/50/  a thread where Omy is the OP..........
Just lost another, sudden heart attack, was in great shape, mid 40’s, avid biker.  Lot’s of money in the bank, so sad.  :( 

I'm sorry to hear that.  Is there a reason you're losing so many friends in their 30s and 40s?

No real reason, cancer, genetics, freak accident, etc.  I know a huge number of people and I guess I am fairly popular as I have friends all over the world in this age group.  I suppose some you could call acquaintances instead of friends, but still sucks.  Not looking forward to getting old enough where this accelerates.

Also, sorry to drag down your thread OMY, that was not my intent. :)

Not at all, RCC. It's the most compelling reason to retire and start enjoying the fruits of our labor.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on May 07, 2019, 10:57:10 AM
@Parizade -- congrats!  Your morning plan sounds wonderful.

@dude -- Wow you are so close!  Do you want to call yourself FIRE this Friday? Or wait til the end of the month?

Ha!  In my mind, Friday is it -- done, kaput, game over!

@dude I'm just about 10 days into FIRE and it's even better than I dreamed it would be.  I didn't realize how quickly the stress and worry about work lifted from my shoulders, and I'm a very low-stress person.  My partner, who is one of those hyper-dedicated, always on, constantly ruminating about work types relaxed almost immediately after leaving and has barely thought about work the last week and a half.  You're going to love it!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PowerStache on May 07, 2019, 12:18:12 PM
I agree, @FIRE 20/20 !  I am a month in and love everyday.  I get comments from people about how relaxed I look.  I really thought I would be posting more once I FIRE'd, but I have been doing all the things that I want to do and have not spent a lot of time online and none with a TV.

It was difficult for me to make this decision to leave work, over a year past when the finances were ok.  I thought I would miss it. My job required 24-7 response and I thought I would want to still be part of the everyday excitement solving the latest problem.  I don't miss it AT ALL.  It really was like a switch.

Very excited for all our cohorts who have made it to their goals and now have the freedom to choose what they want to do with their days!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on May 09, 2019, 04:19:27 PM
On deck for FIRE tomorrow we have dude.  How are you doing @dude?  Any big plans for tomorrow night after you leave work?


                                                            (https://media1.giphy.com/media/l41m6t4KSY8zsUoFi/100.webp?cid=790b76115cd56ff176314f72490ef232&rid=100.webp) 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on May 10, 2019, 06:41:04 AM
Posting to check in with my cohorts...

3 weeks since I was released from duty, 8 since announcing early retirement.

Still trying to settle down but unlimited vacation time is cool.   Including the time I was employed, I've now gone to Hawaii, DC, Utah, and the Carolinas and its only May 10th.  Getting a better idea of where to move in geographic arbitrage and got a few reminders of just how disposable we are to a company.   

Also, selling a house is a pain in the rear, but its cool to be doing it for the first time without outside forces (a job) pushing me.  Its also an awkward feeling to actually be able to pick where we live.  1st world problems!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SHO on May 12, 2019, 08:13:00 PM
Hi there, sent my notice a few weeks ago leaving the rat race next month. My wife and I will be relocating back to our home city. We are both 37 yo and are FI, wife was always a stay at home, we were expats for a while relocating to different countries. Today our montly budget spend is just above 2k though bring in twice that from investments so we should have a safety margin there on top of an eraly pension that will kick in 18 years from now (once I am 55),  house is paid for, and not included in our budget is travel which we like to do, not so much lately as it gets compmicated with 3 kids (todlers).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on May 13, 2019, 01:56:44 AM
Also, selling a house is a pain in the rear, but its cool to be doing it for the first time without outside forces (a job) pushing me.  Its also an awkward feeling to actually be able to pick where we live.  1st world problems!

Selling the house is always a pain. Just putting it is pristine condition, styled as a lifestyle magazine, is an enormous effort. Especially if you still live in it. And you are probably like us in the situation that you want to receive a certain minimum sum for it, to meet your expected retirement numbers. At least you don't need to do it beside having a job.

We will be in that situation in about half a year. And we also still have to figure out where we are going to live... We will rent first, but I hope this will not lead to an endless life of renting on various places and never settling.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on May 13, 2019, 03:13:51 AM
Welcome to the group @SHO!  Well done on reaching FI so young, and with three little ones to boot.  Outstanding. 

Waiting for confirmation from @dude that his last day was Friday.  I have a feeling he may still be sleeping off the epic weekend haha.

On deck this week we have @MaybeBabyMustache, who is waving bye bye to her job and heading off on sabbatical.  What are your plans for the free time?   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on May 13, 2019, 05:14:45 AM
Also, selling a house is a pain in the rear, but its cool to be doing it for the first time without outside forces (a job) pushing me.  Its also an awkward feeling to actually be able to pick where we live.  1st world problems!

Selling the house is always a pain. Just putting it is pristine condition, styled as a lifestyle magazine, is an enormous effort. Especially if you still live in it. And you are probably like us in the situation that you want to receive a certain minimum sum for it, to meet your expected retirement numbers. At least you don't need to do it beside having a job.

We will be in that situation in about half a year. And we also still have to figure out where we are going to live... We will rent first, but I hope this will not lead to an endless life of renting on various places and never settling.

Agree with everything above.   We're about $120,000 above our walk away number, so its not a *need* as much as a balance of not doing something stupid out or urgency.  The current house costs $1,000 to $1,750/mo more than our replacement, which hurts.  However we don't want to take $40,000 less to move it faster than average days on market, which is 60 days for my type of home.   Three offers out of the gate (two that were decent prices), didn't come to an agreement with the one we picked and now its been pretty quiet for two weekend.  Showings but not offers
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on May 13, 2019, 05:41:09 AM
Also, selling a house is a pain in the rear, but its cool to be doing it for the first time without outside forces (a job) pushing me.  Its also an awkward feeling to actually be able to pick where we live.  1st world problems!

I don't envy you selling a house, I hope all that is behind me forever! The rest sounds lovely, I'm glad you are enjoying yourself @chasefish

Hi there, sent my notice a few weeks ago leaving the rat race next month. My wife and I will be relocating back to our home city. We are both 37 yo and are FI, wife was always a stay at home, we were expats for a while relocating to different countries. Today our montly budget spend is just above 2k though bring in twice that from investments so we should have a safety margin there on top of an eraly pension that will kick in 18 years from now (once I am 55),  house is paid for, and not included in our budget is travel which we like to do, not so much lately as it gets compmicated with 3 kids (todlers).

Welcome @SHO, and congratulations on a stellar achievement. I wish I had been FIRE when I had toddlers.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on May 13, 2019, 05:52:09 AM
@Parizade Every future home I own will be an acceptable rental when I want to move.  I'm done giving away 6%
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on May 13, 2019, 07:05:49 AM
Thank you all for the updates, I love hearing about new joiners and what people that have pulled the rip cord are doing.  I am really glad we weren't planning on selling the house. I actually like moving (military kid) but that mixed with everything else would have sucked the fun out of it.

For me, I got to go on a random mini-road trip last week.  Some friends from work needed to drive to the other site 8 hours away so I tagged along.  It was so fun!  I just had to cover my food costs for the two days, but I got to spend some good quality time with some of my favorite people.  I also got to see some friends that had to relocate during the merger.  So fun.  One of the ladies really wants to know how to FIRE, so I am going to get her some info so she can start a plan too :).

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on May 13, 2019, 12:55:19 PM
I don't miss it AT ALL.  It really was like a switch.

Agreed.  I have found the same thing.

@chasesfish - I'm curious to hear what prompted your "disposable" comment.  It sounds like there's a story there.

And finally welcome @SHO .  I'm always incredibly impressed when I hear about people achieving FIRE before they're 40.  Did your expat work help accelerate reaching FI?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on May 13, 2019, 03:00:42 PM
@FIRE 20/20 - The first official letter I got was revoking my restricted stock. (http://stopironingshirts.com/2019/05/03/reflections-on-the-first-monthish-of-early-retirement/)  It wasn't a thank you for your service, congratulations on retirement, information on how to access my deferred comp, or even my package for COBRA to keep my health insurance.   

No, the first letter came from executive compensation saying I was terminated and I was forfeiting a bunch of money.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on May 13, 2019, 03:49:30 PM
@FIRE 20/20 - The first official letter I got was revoking my restricted stock. (http://stopironingshirts.com/2019/05/03/reflections-on-the-first-monthish-of-early-retirement/)  It wasn't a thank you for your service, congratulations on retirement, information on how to access my deferred comp, or even my package for COBRA to keep my health insurance.   

No, the first letter came from executive compensation saying I was terminated and I was forfeiting a bunch of money.

Sheesh! so basically confirmation that you'd made the right choice leaving that horrible place! I'm so glad you got out.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on May 13, 2019, 04:00:13 PM
Welcome to the group @SHO!  Well done on reaching FI so young, and with three little ones to boot.  Outstanding. 

Waiting for confirmation from @dude that his last day was Friday.  I have a feeling he may still be sleeping off the epic weekend haha.

On deck this week we have @MaybeBabyMustache, who is waving bye bye to her job and heading off on sabbatical.  What are your plans for the free time?

Oh my, so many plans! Here they are:
-Running a half marathon this weekend, to kick things off
-Taking my mom to Las Vegas
-Reading, writing, relaxing
-Running in a relay on the Washington coast
-Taking my sister & best friend to Hawaii
-Hanging out on the Oregon coast with my husband & kids
-Going on a mini vacation with my husband
-Running in a relay with my extended family
-Participating in a big mountain biking event
-Doing an obstacle event with the kids


Apparently, I'll be getting a lot of exercise!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on May 13, 2019, 04:21:55 PM
Dancing at our cottage with our friends, drinking and laughing about the other people who bluffed, and then lowered their price by 10k because we were willing to walk away. Costly transaction coming up!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on May 13, 2019, 04:25:42 PM
On deck this week we have @MaybeBabyMustache, who is waving bye bye to her job and heading off on sabbatical.  What are your plans for the free time?

Oh my, so many plans! Here they are:
-Running a half marathon this weekend, to kick things off
-Taking my mom to Las Vegas
-Reading, writing, relaxing
-Running in a relay on the Washington coast
-Taking my sister & best friend to Hawaii
-Hanging out on the Oregon coast with my husband & kids
-Going on a mini vacation with my husband
-Running in a relay with my extended family
-Participating in a big mountain biking event
-Doing an obstacle event with the kids


Apparently, I'll be getting a lot of exercise!

That sounds SO wonderful @MaybeBabyMustache!  You aren't going to want the sabbatical to end!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on May 13, 2019, 04:58:41 PM
@Parizade - It was unfortunate for sure.  I sent them a letter back to tell them I was not terminated and I early retired and it was announced as such by leadership.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on May 13, 2019, 05:44:38 PM
On deck this week we have @MaybeBabyMustache, who is waving bye bye to her job and heading off on sabbatical.  What are your plans for the free time?

Oh my, so many plans! Here they are:
-Running a half marathon this weekend, to kick things off
-Taking my mom to Las Vegas
-Reading, writing, relaxing
-Running in a relay on the Washington coast
-Taking my sister & best friend to Hawaii
-Hanging out on the Oregon coast with my husband & kids
-Going on a mini vacation with my husband
-Running in a relay with my extended family
-Participating in a big mountain biking event
-Doing an obstacle event with the kids


Apparently, I'll be getting a lot of exercise!

That sounds SO wonderful @MaybeBabyMustache!  You aren't going to want the sabbatical to end!

Exercise is good!  Way to kick things off with all kinds of fun of many flavors.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on May 13, 2019, 05:48:47 PM
Bumping the list, as it was getting buried:

2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19     Bingeworker (52)          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
04/05/19     MissNancyPryor (50)      CONFIRMED SWAMI
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                    CONFIRMED
05/14/19     anonprof                       CONFIRMED
05/??/19      dude (53)
05/15/19     MaybeBabyMustache                   
05/24/19     Prairie Stash (38)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55 (59)                     
05/31/19     Dibdab (56)
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/10     snowdog (57)
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/15/19     Okonomiyaki (49)
06/15/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/29/19     Waffles  (52)
06/30/19     Pylortes  (42)
06/30/19     SHO (37)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
07/05/19     StoaX (58)
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
08/01/19     SugarMountain
08/30/19     MoMan  (55)
08/31/19     Gerard
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/13/19     dayzero
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     JumboShrimp
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/19/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)
12/31/19     Nifty (31)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer
MustacheAnxiety
forward
BlindSquirrel
I'm Fred (51)
JoJo (45)
Edgema
Jfer_rose (41)
Gerardc  (35)

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
Linda_Norway (45)
CryingInThePool  (44)
Albireo13  (61)
Cookie78
Enigma
exit2019  (40)
powersuitrecall  (47)

OLY
markbike528cbx  (55)      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
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on May 13, 2019, 10:02:34 PM
The emotional roller coaster continues....

I was emailed a confidential head office “strategy” paper that is proposing to shut my office. A$$holes.

Whilst I am supposedly meant to be FIREing at the end of the year, I don’t really want to have to fire everyone on the way out.

Maybe I’ll get a few months pay in lieu of notice as a parting gift and my cost of repatriation paid and maybe a few other perks. I’ll try and make the chaos work for me in my best Little Finger impersonation.

.... if only I hadnt stalled completely on my way to my number I would be more relaxed about what is going on around me. I am stuck at around 90% and can’t make headway for a variety of reasons. And I thought the power of compounding meant the last miles were meant to be the easiest. My net worth is pretty much exactly what it was 12 months ago despite working and saving. Arrgghh..

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SHO on May 13, 2019, 10:28:02 PM
@FIRE 20/20 , @Trifele @Parizade thanks for the welcoming. Very happy to be here. Have been reading the blog for a little more than a couple years now, but my FIRE plans date back more than ten years. Retirement date is on the 30th of June, while I have been very relaxed at work considering my financial situation I still do my best though I must admit it has not been fun anymore. The expat situation did help - had better salary and housing was provided, and will get a small pension in a few years.

My parents retired in their mid 40s, after which my mom worked part time for a couple of years or so in a non profit and my dad has had many interests that have turned into side gigs which has helped to keep him bussy a day or two of the week. They both worked really hard when I was young, and I remember my mom taking some work home and my dad ventuting in side gigs which would often bring in more cash than his normal job - I learned discipline and determination from them. I can only wish my kids can have the same opportunities I did, and with some luck perhaps they can retire in their 20s.

We are relocating to our home city in July, eager to spend more time with the family and also on my own projects. As @MaybeBabyMustache already have so many things on my wish list that is difficult to prioritize what to do - from a list of pending books to read, a couple of easy and not-so-easy DIY projects, hobbies, and so on...
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SwordGuy on May 13, 2019, 10:43:01 PM
And I thought the power of compounding meant the last miles were meant to be the easiest. My net worth is pretty much exactly what it was 12 months ago despite working and saving. Arrgghh..

Do you own more shares?  Because if you do, your net worth will go up fast once the market goes up past last year's high and stays there. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on May 14, 2019, 01:55:59 AM
The emotional roller coaster continues....

Whilst I am supposedly meant to be FIREing at the end of the year, I don’t really want to have to fire everyone on the way out.


That's exactly what happened to me back in January -- had to fire a bunch of people on my way out during a re-org.  :(  But I did get severance.  Best of luck to you @itchyfeet.   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on May 14, 2019, 04:35:04 AM
The emotional roller coaster continues....

I was emailed a confidential head office “strategy” paper that is proposing to shut my office. A$$holes.

Whilst I am supposedly meant to be FIREing at the end of the year, I don’t really want to have to fire everyone on the way out.


UGH! That sounds awful @itchyfeet! I would be tempted to just walk out and let someone else clean up the mess, even at 90%
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on May 14, 2019, 05:54:31 AM
@itchyfeet - I'm sorry to hear this!

It might help your position if you can also disclose to your teammates that you are being let go.  In that situation, you're just one of everyone else trying to make the best of a situation.  If you have to keep that under wraps, then that really stinks
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Dreamer on May 14, 2019, 10:13:32 AM
I'm going to have to take myself off this list due to some unexpected changes affecting my budget for the foreseeable future.  Best of luck to all of you taking the leap this year!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on May 14, 2019, 10:45:56 AM
Thanks for the thoughts and best wishes everyone.

Whilst it might be easy to walk, I am not happy at 90%. I don’t want to start FIRED life on the back foot if I can help it. 6 months more this year will get me to 95% I hope. (Swordguy, yes I am invested in stocks and property too. My Houses have been dragging me down over the past 2 years. Stocks are going good).

It is most likely that I would have to do all the fireing of the team here and then MegaCorp would make an effort to reassign me elsewhere in the world. Maybe even back to Australia. Personally, I’m pretty safe, provided I am willing to work internationally. My team doesn’t have the same luxury. Firing them all will suck big time, but they already know it’s a possibility as our results have been bad for a couple of years. We didn’t close on a couple of big contracts last year which we needed to.

I will see how the next few months play out, and try and get some kind of severance at the end f the year by turning down whatever assignment they offer me. Even though the severance won’t be much I should be able to get 3 months at least. With that I think I will be close enough to my number

I suppose there is still a chance of me not FIREing if they offer me something really motivating to work on, in the right city in the world that works for both DW and I.

At least I have FU money ++ if it comes to needing to walk, and I do have enough money to live comfortably the rest of my life. I just want more comfort, more buffer.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on May 14, 2019, 04:20:11 PM
I'm going to have to take myself off this list due to some unexpected changes affecting my budget for the foreseeable future.  Best of luck to all of you taking the leap this year!

I'm sorry to see you go @Dreamer , but you need to do what is best for you.  I only hope it is all positive news :).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: anonprof on May 15, 2019, 12:35:20 PM
Yesterday was my notice day, so while not my official last day, it was my last day of work.  My coworkers held a nice party for me and sent me on my way.  Got lots of questions about my plans and a lot of incredulous reactions about my retirement (I'm in my early 40's).  I didn't even hate my really long commute home last night (normally the bumper to bumper traffic would have had me grinding my teeth).  So happy to be done, but I don't think reality has set in yet. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on May 15, 2019, 12:57:00 PM
Yesterday was my notice day, so while not my official last day, it was my last day of work.  My coworkers held a nice party for me and sent me on my way.  Got lots of questions about my plans and a lot of incredulous reactions about my retirement (I'm in my early 40's).  I didn't even hate my really long commute home last night (normally the bumper to bumper traffic would have had me grinding my teeth).  So happy to be done, but I don't think reality has set in yet.

Congratulations anonprof, can't wait to join you!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on May 15, 2019, 01:29:22 PM
Congratulations @anonprof !!!  Got you CONFIRMED above. ^

Sorry to see you go @Dreamer.  Best of luck, and come back anytime!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on May 15, 2019, 05:42:16 PM
Yesterday was my notice day, so while not my official last day, it was my last day of work.  My coworkers held a nice party for me and sent me on my way.  Got lots of questions about my plans and a lot of incredulous reactions about my retirement (I'm in my early 40's).  I didn't even hate my really long commute home last night (normally the bumper to bumper traffic would have had me grinding my teeth).  So happy to be done, but I don't think reality has set in yet.

Hurray!  It is far more fun to be traffic for other people, than to be in traffic :).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on May 15, 2019, 05:57:29 PM
Yesterday was my notice day, so while not my official last day, it was my last day of work.  My coworkers held a nice party for me and sent me on my way.  Got lots of questions about my plans and a lot of incredulous reactions about my retirement (I'm in my early 40's).  I didn't even hate my really long commute home last night (normally the bumper to bumper traffic would have had me grinding my teeth).  So happy to be done, but I don't think reality has set in yet.

Congratulations!  You'll have tons of thoughts and feelings over the next few months, but they'll be overwhelmingly positive.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on May 16, 2019, 06:49:12 AM
I met with my manager yesterday to talk about some issues that came up around my "final project." This project was supposed to be something light and fun, which it was until some of the stakeholders became hostile and combative over who was in charge. I was feeling frustrated and shared this with my manager. I'm going to paraphrase his wonderful response:

"At the end of day Parizade you don't report to them, you report to me, and if it was up to me you wouldn't have to do anything you don't want to do in these last few weeks. In my opinion you should be floating out the door on Cloud 9, not wrestling with hostile stakeholders. So do whatever you want to do now, and I will back you up on it!"

I work remotely so I couldn't give him a hug but I certainly did in my mind! He just gave me permission to float through the last month and I intend to do exactly that.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on May 16, 2019, 08:51:46 AM
I met with my manager yesterday to talk about some issues that came up around my "final project." This project was supposed to be something light and fun, which it was until some of the stakeholders became hostile and combative over who was in charge. I was feeling frustrated and shared this with my manager. I'm going to paraphrase his wonderful response:

"At the end of day Parizade you don't report to them, you report to me, and if it was up to me you wouldn't have to do anything you don't want to do in these last few weeks. In my opinion you should be floating out the door on Cloud 9, not wrestling with hostile stakeholders. So do whatever you want to do now, and I will back you up on it!"

I work remotely so I couldn't give him a hug but I certainly did in my mind! He just gave me permission to float through the last month and I intend to do exactly that.

Smart boss :).  I's really had he has your back, even though you are leaving soon!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on May 16, 2019, 09:06:01 AM
I met with my manager yesterday to talk about some issues that came up around my "final project." This project was supposed to be something light and fun, which it was until some of the stakeholders became hostile and combative over who was in charge. I was feeling frustrated and shared this with my manager. I'm going to paraphrase his wonderful response:

"At the end of day Parizade you don't report to them, you report to me, and if it was up to me you wouldn't have to do anything you don't want to do in these last few weeks. In my opinion you should be floating out the door on Cloud 9, not wrestling with hostile stakeholders. So do whatever you want to do now, and I will back you up on it!"

I work remotely so I couldn't give him a hug but I certainly did in my mind! He just gave me permission to float through the last month and I intend to do exactly that.

This is totally fabulous, @Parizade!  You deserve it!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Livingthedream55 on May 16, 2019, 09:47:31 AM
I met with my manager yesterday to talk about some issues that came up around my "final project." This project was supposed to be something light and fun, which it was until some of the stakeholders became hostile and combative over who was in charge. I was feeling frustrated and shared this with my manager. I'm going to paraphrase his wonderful response:

"At the end of day Parizade you don't report to them, you report to me, and if it was up to me you wouldn't have to do anything you don't want to do in these last few weeks. In my opinion you should be floating out the door on Cloud 9, not wrestling with hostile stakeholders. So do whatever you want to do now, and I will back you up on it!"

I work remotely so I couldn't give him a hug but I certainly did in my mind! He just gave me permission to float through the last month and I intend to do exactly that.

Outstanding - this is the way we all should be treated!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on May 16, 2019, 02:39:13 PM
On deck for FIRE tomorrow we have dude.  How are you doing @dude?  Any big plans for tomorrow night after you leave work?


                                                            (https://media1.giphy.com/media/l41m6t4KSY8zsUoFi/100.webp?cid=790b76115cd56ff176314f72490ef232&rid=100.webp)

So yeah, Friday was my last day in the office. This week I'm at a final work conference in Colorado (where I presented on federal retirement!) and it's been nice seeing colleagues from around the country for the last time. Lot of congratulations and well wishes. Today marks the end of that conference, so this is really the end of the line. Didn't do anything special last Friday. I'm not sure when it will actually sink in that I'm done working. Maybe Monday, but more likely after a 2-week vacation that wraps up on June 7.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on May 16, 2019, 05:19:02 PM
Congratulations on crossing the finish line @dude!   


2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19     Bingeworker (52)          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
04/05/19     MissNancyPryor (50)      CONFIRMED SWAMI
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                    CONFIRMED
05/14/19     anonprof                       CONFIRMED
05/16/19     dude (53)                      CONFIRMED
05/??/19     MaybeBabyMustache                         
05/24/19     Prairie Stash (38)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55 (59)                     
05/31/19     Dibdab (56)
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/10     snowdog (57)
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/15/19     Okonomiyaki (49)
06/15/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/29/19     Waffles  (52)
06/30/19     Pylortes  (42)
06/30/19     SHO (37)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
07/05/19     StoaX (58)
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
08/01/19     SugarMountain
08/30/19     MoMan  (55)
08/31/19     Gerard
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/13/19     dayzero
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     JumboShrimp
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/19/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)
12/31/19     Nifty (31)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer
MustacheAnxiety
forward
BlindSquirrel
I'm Fred (51)
JoJo (45)
Edgema
Jfer_rose (41)
Gerardc  (35)

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
Linda_Norway (45)
CryingInThePool  (44)
Albireo13  (61)
Cookie78
Enigma
exit2019  (40)
powersuitrecall  (47)

OLY
markbike528cbx  (55)      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 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: tooqk4u22 on May 17, 2019, 10:09:59 AM
So maybe posting here in this cohort will make it more official, I must keep my word and all that.

Yep -- Give us a date.  We'll put you on the list @tooqk4u22 and support and cheer you to the finish line.

I read some of your other posts, and it sounds like you know you're there financially.  You're posting here now, so it sounds like you want to FIRE.  So go ahead and take the first step -- name a date.  You can do it.

ETA -- batsignal out to @markbike528CBX -- the best anti-OMY coach around.  :)


I am tired of the BS, I am tired of the increasing bureaucracy, I am tired of sitting in an office, I am tired of being out of shape, I am just tired, and mostly I am just tired of being tired with everything.   F'ck it, I am out.  OMY be damned or in any event it will be later in life if it does happen.   I am going to throw caution to the wind and irresponsible F'ck up our lives.

This is a fair warning to everyone on this forum - dump your stocks today bc I am giving notice on Monday.   And sure as shootin' the market will likely crash moments after I do it to f'ck with me.   

This is your final warning GET OUT NOW BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!!!!!!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on May 17, 2019, 10:26:09 AM
@Trifele - I will be officially on sabbatical, by EOD today!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on May 17, 2019, 10:43:24 AM
@Trifele - I will be officially on sabbatical, by EOD today!

Congratulations!


28 days to go here. Feels surreal!

I'm shoe-stringing this with $475k in assets @ age 32, hoping to never have to work a FT/Office job again. Part of my plan does involve funding some discretionary spending with either side hustle, very PT work, or trading human capital in some form of barter.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on May 17, 2019, 12:17:02 PM
F'ck it, I am out.  OMY be damned or in any event it will be later in life if it does happen.   I am going to throw caution to the wind and irresponsible F'ck up our lives.

Go for it @tooqk4u22! And congratulations @MaybeBabyMustache

(https://media.giphy.com/media/4q9urQCrXVvXO/giphy.gif)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on May 17, 2019, 02:05:58 PM
Congrats @MaybeBabyMustache on the sabbatical!!!  Got you CONFIRMED.  Enjoy it!

and Whoa!!  Welcome to the group @tooqk4u22!  YEAH!!  Go you!!  Got you added as TBD; let us know when you settle on a date.  (Hopefully you don't really feel like it's irresponsible, or will f*ck up your life.) 


2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19     Bingeworker (52)          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
04/05/19     MissNancyPryor (50)      CONFIRMED SWAMI
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                    CONFIRMED
05/14/19     anonprof                       CONFIRMED
05/16/19     dude (53)                     CONFIRMED
05/17/19     MaybeBabyMustache      CONFIRMED SABBATICAL                   
05/24/19     Prairie Stash (38)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55 (59)                     
05/31/19     Dibdab (56)
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/10     snowdog (57)
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/15/19     Okonomiyaki (49)
06/15/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/29/19     Waffles  (52)
06/30/19     SHO (37)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
07/05/19     StoaX (58)
07/08/19     Batljunk
07/08/19     Mathieu
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
08/01/19     SugarMountain
08/30/19     MoMan  (55)
08/31/19     Gerard
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/13/19     dayzero
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     JumboShrimp
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/19/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)
12/31/19     Nifty (31)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer
MustacheAnxiety
forward
BlindSquirrel
I'm Fred (51)
JoJo (45)
Edgema
Jfer_rose (41)
Gerardc  (35)
tooqk4u22
Pylortes  (42) 

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
Linda_Norway (45)
CryingInThePool  (44)
Albireo13  (61)
Cookie78
Enigma
exit2019  (40)
powersuitrecall  (47)

OLY
markbike528cbx  (55)      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

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on May 18, 2019, 08:51:52 AM
Congratulations

@dude and @MaybeBabyMustache

WOOO HOOO!!!


Also, welcome to the group @tooqk4u22.  Things will be okay.  You are buying yourself more options.  Nothing needs to be the end or final or messed up.  Living life is about living.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on May 18, 2019, 09:15:57 AM
Yey, congratulations gang!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Blindsquirrel on May 18, 2019, 09:52:13 AM
     It is sooo good to see you go! From the bottom of my heart I wish you well. @MaybeBabyMustache  and @dude  Congratulations and this squirrel is kind of jelly as they say.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Luck12 on May 19, 2019, 09:27:20 PM
Just finished up the Southern Cal portion (702 miles) of the Pacific Crest Trail and waiting out the snow in the Sierra Nevada for some weeks and hanging out with friends and family in the meantime.    I didn't really make any real friends, but the experience has been awesome so far.  So much pretty scenery and everyone was so nice, chill, and helpful.  It's been challenging, but not overwhelmingly so, I can do 20+ miles a day without any problem at all and I'm not a super hiker or anything.   We've been fortunate with the weather too as it's been below average temperature 80%+ of the time.  Even on my worst day where there was so much route finding and uphill elevation and it was hot as hell not once did I think "hmm I'd rather be at work" LOL.    Been at my parents' place for 24 hours and already miss the trail. 

If anybody is even remotely thinking about doing something like this, I say do it, you will not regret it, whether you end up hiking 500 miles or make all the way to Canada.   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on May 20, 2019, 05:15:31 AM
Thanks for the check in @Luck12!  Updates like that are a breath of pure, fresh air -- and a peek through the window into the possibilities of FIRE.

On deck this week we have @Prairie Stash who is set to pull the trigger on Friday.  How are you doing PS?  Last minute jitters, or can't wait to run out that door?

This week we also have @tooqk4u22, who may be setting him/herself on FIRE today and handing in a resignation.  How are you doing? 

 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on May 20, 2019, 06:29:15 AM
Just finished up the Southern Cal portion (702 miles) of the Pacific Crest Trail and waiting out the snow in the Sierra Nevada for some weeks and hanging out with friends and family in the meantime.    I didn't really make any real friends, but the experience has been awesome so far.  So much pretty scenery and everyone was so nice, chill, and helpful.  It's been challenging, but not overwhelmingly so, I can do 20+ miles a day without any problem at all and I'm not a super hiker or anything.   We've been fortunate with the weather too as it's been below average temperature 80%+ of the time.  Even on my worst day where there was so much route finding and uphill elevation and it was hot as hell not once did I think "hmm I'd rather be at work" LOL.    Been at my parents' place for 24 hours and already miss the trail. 

If anybody is even remotely thinking about doing something like this, I say do it, you will not regret it, whether you end up hiking 500 miles or make all the way to Canada.

I would like to do a really long hike that takes you away for many weeks, maybe even 2 months. It is on my list of things to do after FIRE. But not the PCT, which is way too hot for us, as well as too far away. But maybe Norway in the length, or much shorter in the width, would be more suitable for us.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Pylortes on May 20, 2019, 10:49:49 AM
Congratulations to those in this group that recently pulled the plug or are on the precipice of doing so!! 

Its been awhile since I've posted an update, but I've been extremely busy.   Since the fall/winter, work has not been going well and I've grown increasingly unhappy/stressed.  I got a new manager last year who wants to add a lot to my plate without taking anything away.   As my priorities have been changed, the tasks I spent my first 11 years or so here doing (and I feel I'm needed for) have been relegated to the back burner and this has caused some problems and increased my stress level.

I've been planning to pull the plug in late June, but I may need to look at pushing it forward for my sanity.   I had just a few financial goals that I wanted to accomplish in 2019 before I pulled the plug- with the biggest being to fully fund my 401k for the year.  I've been making good progress there and would be on track to do so by mid June, but if I leave earlier I may not get there (I could come close).  To add some complexity to the situation, I'm the only one in my company with a license to perform my specific role in my state and our contract with our client requires they employ a licensed person in the state.  My leaving would requiring unwinding a number of things with no replacement ready to pick up the tasks.  So I want to give somewhere in the neighborhood of 4-6 weeks notice.  However knowing the hiring process around here there's little chance a replacement would be found and in place even with 6 weeks so I won't be able to just smoothly transfer things over to someone else.   That's fine, I can leave regardless and just start running through a checklist of shut down items (If it takes longer for a replacement to be brought on board I could offer to come back to train them later- of course only for additional pay!).  I'm somewhat torn on moving up my date too much, I really don't want to screw my co-workers by leaving them suddenly and without the proper person on board to help them which could cause problems with our contract, but on the other hand I really want out of here to my freedom.

When I first committed to FIRE during 2019 my job was going relatively smoothly, I just was bored/tired and wanted a change from working so planned an exit.  Now the job is worse (at least in my mind).  I may have some senioritis- I know I'm leaving soon and I'm checking out and overwhelmed.  I need my freedom- and 80 something more days still seems like an eternity when you feel things are not going well and getting worse!

Back with an update-  and things have certainly changed since the last update.  My new manager abruptly resigned- he left for another position (yeah!). The company also brought in a new VP of our department (leadership has basically turned over almost completely which is a good thing). The new VP (who so far has said all the the right things and been listening to the team) began discussions with me about promoting me to answer directly to him and giving me leeway to design the job (there is one thing I would be asked to take on, but other items seem flexible).  Although I was torn about whether to even engage in a discussion given my impending FIRE goal, I decided it wouldn't hurt to have dialogue to see if there was a fit.  I had previously aspired to get promoted to a role such as what is being discussed 4-5 years ago, but had mostly given up on the idea and focused attention on my current job and preparing for FIRE.  Nothing like a late 11th hour possible change of plans. And no, I had not announced a retirement date or even hinted at my plans.  I've been keeping that close to the vest. 

The discussions are still ongoing, but won't be finalized until mid to late June at the earliest.  I have a couple of must have items on the list if I'm going to agree to stay that I won't get into here.  This decision is not primarily a financial one however.  It's great to have leverage of course, but the downside if I take the promotion is that I probably won't FIRE this year, and would need to push it out to next year at the earliest- or longer if I actually like the new job a lot and want to stay.   For now I'm leaving 2019 on the table but I'm going to let this process play out before a final decision.  That means earliest possible FIRE date is now late July for me, but probably shouldn't commit to a date at this point until I know more (I should probably move to date TBD for now). 


Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on May 20, 2019, 01:34:19 PM
Thanks for the update @Pylortes.  Fingers crossed that this plays out well for you.  You have all the power, so if it isn't ideal you can walk.  Got you moved to TBD for now.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on May 20, 2019, 05:04:33 PM
@Luck12 Thank you for coming back to update.  I love hearing about what others are doing.  Sometimes I steal ideas :).  I've never really done any hiking other than a few hours.  I find the idea fascinating but also intimidating. 

@Pylortes You placed yourself in a very good position, so reaping the benefits of this isn't a bad thing.  Just don't let them stick you in the OMY if that isn't what you truly want.  If it is what you want (at least for now) then grab it with both hands and enjoy!

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on May 21, 2019, 01:10:23 AM
Congratulations to those in this group that recently pulled the plug or are on the precipice of doing so!! 

Its been awhile since I've posted an update, but I've been extremely busy.   Since the fall/winter, work has not been going well and I've grown increasingly unhappy/stressed.  I got a new manager last year who wants to add a lot to my plate without taking anything away.   As my priorities have been changed, the tasks I spent my first 11 years or so here doing (and I feel I'm needed for) have been relegated to the back burner and this has caused some problems and increased my stress level.

I've been planning to pull the plug in late June, but I may need to look at pushing it forward for my sanity.   I had just a few financial goals that I wanted to accomplish in 2019 before I pulled the plug- with the biggest being to fully fund my 401k for the year.  I've been making good progress there and would be on track to do so by mid June, but if I leave earlier I may not get there (I could come close).  To add some complexity to the situation, I'm the only one in my company with a license to perform my specific role in my state and our contract with our client requires they employ a licensed person in the state.  My leaving would requiring unwinding a number of things with no replacement ready to pick up the tasks.  So I want to give somewhere in the neighborhood of 4-6 weeks notice.  However knowing the hiring process around here there's little chance a replacement would be found and in place even with 6 weeks so I won't be able to just smoothly transfer things over to someone else.   That's fine, I can leave regardless and just start running through a checklist of shut down items (If it takes longer for a replacement to be brought on board I could offer to come back to train them later- of course only for additional pay!).  I'm somewhat torn on moving up my date too much, I really don't want to screw my co-workers by leaving them suddenly and without the proper person on board to help them which could cause problems with our contract, but on the other hand I really want out of here to my freedom.

When I first committed to FIRE during 2019 my job was going relatively smoothly, I just was bored/tired and wanted a change from working so planned an exit.  Now the job is worse (at least in my mind).  I may have some senioritis- I know I'm leaving soon and I'm checking out and overwhelmed.  I need my freedom- and 80 something more days still seems like an eternity when you feel things are not going well and getting worse!

Back with an update-  and things have certainly changed since the last update.  My new manager abruptly resigned- he left for another position (yeah!). The company also brought in a new VP of our department (leadership has basically turned over almost completely which is a good thing). The new VP (who so far has said all the the right things and been listening to the team) began discussions with me about promoting me to answer directly to him and giving me leeway to design the job (there is one thing I would be asked to take on, but other items seem flexible).  Although I was torn about whether to even engage in a discussion given my impending FIRE goal, I decided it wouldn't hurt to have dialogue to see if there was a fit.  I had previously aspired to get promoted to a role such as what is being discussed 4-5 years ago, but had mostly given up on the idea and focused attention on my current job and preparing for FIRE.  Nothing like a late 11th hour possible change of plans. And no, I had not announced a retirement date or even hinted at my plans.  I've been keeping that close to the vest. 

The discussions are still ongoing, but won't be finalized until mid to late June at the earliest.  I have a couple of must have items on the list if I'm going to agree to stay that I won't get into here.  This decision is not primarily a financial one however.  It's great to have leverage of course, but the downside if I take the promotion is that I probably won't FIRE this year, and would need to push it out to next year at the earliest- or longer if I actually like the new job a lot and want to stay.   For now I'm leaving 2019 on the table but I'm going to let this process play out before a final decision.  That means earliest possible FIRE date is now late July for me, but probably shouldn't commit to a date at this point until I know more (I should probably move to date TBD for now).

If your boss is such a good listener, would it be an idea to tell him you would like to downsize in the near future and that it could be smart to start looking for a replacement for you? Or train someone to get the right license.

My DH was in a bit of a similar situation where he first worked in an absolutely toxic environment and then suddenly got a new boss who he reports directly to and who is a good boss and listens to him. After half a year DH announced that he wanted to step down from his management position in a couple of months (due to health reasons). The boss heard him and immediately started looking for a replacement, who might soon have signed a contract. DH will be around to train this new person, if that is necessary. But he won't feel too bad to retire soon after that. He boss doesn't know that part yet.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Pylortes on May 21, 2019, 09:41:08 AM
Yes- getting someone hired with a similar license to mine and me training them will be a key part of the discussion.  I'm reluctant to bring up possible retirement in the near future unless I need to play that card in negotiations to get what's needed.  Assuming I can get a desired arrangement for a new position and my current position backfilled with a qualified person, my thought would be to table things on that front for 6-9 months while I get to training and working in the new position.  At that point I'd probably have a good idea whether I am tired of the new role and still want to FIRE (if so create a checklist again and rapidly work right down it until pulling the plug) or if at 6+ months in I feel re-energized (I'm skeptical at the moment, but you never know!) then I'll just keep rolling until I'm not.   There's also a potential wildcard lurking, my spouse is still working and wants to continue at least short to mid-term.  If she gets recruited away from her position or moved, I may just immediately pull the trigger.

With so many balls in the air, I'm going to play it by ear.  I have always been pretty adaptable, but the uncertainty of letting this play out has been a little draining even for me.  I have not taken any 2019 vacation days this year so that I could get a payout when I left (I took some leftover 2018 days in Febr/Mar). I do admit to being a little down considering I was thinking I'd be gone early this summer and now I may allow that goal to pass.  I allowed myself to make a few small material purchases recently that I never would have done.  I told my wife I needed to buy something "shiny" to perk me up.  She was like -I don't even know you anymore-  hah ha.   When June/July rolls around and I'm still here it may be difficult. I'm thinking if I decide to stick around I may go ahead and schedule a long vacation for mid to late summer to help refresh me.  I appreciate the support of this group even if I may end up dropping out.  I will at least try to live vicariously thorough you guys!

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Prairie Stash on May 21, 2019, 12:59:30 PM

On deck this week we have @Prairie Stash who is set to pull the trigger on Friday.  How are you doing PS?  Last minute jitters, or can't wait to run out that door?
It was a long weekend and I felt anxious. I coud barely sleep with second guessing myself, I'm exhausted today. Keeping the emotions in check is hard, I developed a nervous twitch in my eye that's bugging me incessantly.

I have several backup plans, including doing fun work both in and out of my field (I got a lead about a 3-day job in a greenhouse). I have a lovely wife who is willing to work, if she needs to, in case things go bad and we need to invoke the emergency plans. I can cut my WR to 3% for a few years and go lean for a bit. We have a lot of backup plans and I'm still nervous, it helps to remind myself constantly about the backup plans, particularly as the date looms closer.

However, I'm more sure then before. Yesterday I spent time with my older daughter, I went for an hour walk in the afternoon. We talked about whatever was on her mind while we held hands. It was nothing really, normal stuff, but that's what I want the most. Over the years I've become very good at my job which tends to keep me away from human interactions, I stare at computers far too much. I want to feel connected to people, in just a few days it's all going to change.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on May 21, 2019, 02:30:21 PM
Yesterday I spent time with my older daughter, I went for an hour walk in the afternoon. We talked about whatever was on her mind while we held hands. It was nothing really, normal stuff, but that's what I want the most. Over the years I've become very good at my job which tends to keep me away from human interactions, I stare at computers far too much. I want to feel connected to people, in just a few days it's all going to change.

This is kind of beautiful Prairie Stash, I'm moved!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: batljunk on May 21, 2019, 04:10:28 PM
Hi everyone. I'm joining this cohort today. And today I gave my notice.

I've been doing the OMY thing a bit to get my numbers up and had some planned mini-retires along the way, but it is time.
Now I will have to decide if I want to work P/T or just rip the band-aid off altogether. My employer will likely ask me to carry on a while. I think it makes sense and can always use the benefits cushion to postpone decisions about health insurance. That's PLAN B.
Of course, if negotiation doesn't go that way, it's PLAN A, FI date: July 8.

PS--I've enjoyed reading everyone's stories while lurking here in the background...
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SwordGuy on May 21, 2019, 04:57:59 PM
Hi everyone. I'm joining this cohort today. And today I gave my notice.

I've been doing the OMY thing a bit to get my numbers up and had some planned mini-retires along the way, but it is time.
Now I will have to decide if I want to work P/T or just rip the band-aid off altogether. My employer will likely ask me to carry on a while. I think it makes sense and can always use the benefits cushion to postpone decisions about health insurance. That's PLAN B.
Of course, if negotiation doesn't go that way, it's PLAN A, FI date: July 8.

PS--I've enjoyed reading everyone's stories while lurking here in the background...


If you're going to retire mid year, I would recommend keeping employer healthcare thru the end of June (if you're in the US).   You can use COBRA to keep your current insurance if you need to for 18 months, which means you start ACA insurance in January instead of December.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on May 21, 2019, 05:03:51 PM
Welcome @batljunk!  Got you added to the list above^ for a July 8 FIRE.  Fingers crossed your Plan A works out for you.  That's cool that you've been reading along.  To all you other lurkers, come join us!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on May 21, 2019, 06:20:45 PM
Hi everyone. I'm joining this cohort today. And today I gave my notice.

I've been doing the OMY thing a bit to get my numbers up and had some planned mini-retires along the way, but it is time.
Now I will have to decide if I want to work P/T or just rip the band-aid off altogether. My employer will likely ask me to carry on a while. I think it makes sense and can always use the benefits cushion to postpone decisions about health insurance. That's PLAN B.
Of course, if negotiation doesn't go that way, it's PLAN A, FI date: July 8.

PS--I've enjoyed reading everyone's stories while lurking here in the background...

Welcome @batljunk. Here's my vote

(https://media.giphy.com/media/nqMlCfPsDvuCs/giphy.gif)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: batljunk on May 21, 2019, 06:36:48 PM
Thanks to @Parizade  @SwordGuy and @Trifele for your comments. Loved the GIF for sure. As you may know, it's a bit of a fragile time until the dust settles. I will be using COBRA nonetheless to get me to 2021 if possible. This is happening.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: tooqk4u22 on May 22, 2019, 07:48:08 AM
Thanks for the check in @Luck12!  Updates like that are a breath of pure, fresh air -- and a peek through the window into the possibilities of FIRE.

On deck this week we have @Prairie Stash who is set to pull the trigger on Friday.  How are you doing PS?  Last minute jitters, or can't wait to run out that door?

This week we also have @tooqk4u22, who may be setting him/herself on FIRE today and handing in a resignation.  How are you doing?

I resigned on Monday, they didn't accept it though (not that it matters), but they are trying to think of some alternatives that might make it more palatable for me...we will see but my guess is it ends they way I intended. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on May 22, 2019, 08:19:50 AM
So, my first day of sabbatical was. .. interesting. My husband found out that his product is being decommissioned, and he + entire team has six months to find a new job. Our goal has been for me to take something much more flexible in the long term, while my husband continues down the career path & is the source of health care.

A few thoughts:
-Grateful that we have a huge, huge emergency fund. So facepunch worthy large.
-Also grateful that i took a sabbatical vs quit out right. If nothing else, it reduces pressure for my husband during his job search
-Changes like this slow down his career/promotion trajectory (not his fault, just the reality of the situation). He is getting burned out. We work for the same company, but this has been his second decommissioned project. Despite his protests, I can tell that he's losing interest in fighting the political battles required to keep going in this career. What that means for the long term is going to require a bunch more thought. We may need to revisit our 5, 7 & 10 year  plans.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on May 22, 2019, 08:25:14 AM
Thanks for the check in @Luck12!  Updates like that are a breath of pure, fresh air -- and a peek through the window into the possibilities of FIRE.

On deck this week we have @Prairie Stash who is set to pull the trigger on Friday.  How are you doing PS?  Last minute jitters, or can't wait to run out that door?

This week we also have @tooqk4u22, who may be setting him/herself on FIRE today and handing in a resignation.  How are you doing?

I resigned on Monday, they didn't accept it though (not that it matters), but they are trying to think of some alternatives that might make it more palatable for me...we will see but my guess is it ends they way I intended.


I didn't know they could really do that....  I've only seen that on TV shows....


@Prairie Stash sounds like you are making the right decision.  Isn't it neat how those things come into focus so much more when the timing is close?  Good luck!  Get sleep, it will help!  Even now that I have been FIRED since April, I still run numbers to make sure I didn't mess something up.  A little late to find it now, but I keep checking :).

@batljunk great announcement from a lurker!  I am so glad you decided to join us.  July will be here before you know it, and take forever to get here.

As for me, I spent over an hour riding my bike, part of that in the rain.  It would have been longer, but the rain was getting worse.  I much prefer riding in the morning after breakfast, than at night after dinner :).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on May 22, 2019, 09:08:01 AM
oh @MaybeBabyMustache, I'm so sorry for the "black fly in your chardonnay" but it sounds like everything is under control at least.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on May 22, 2019, 10:28:51 AM
Thanks, @Parizade . It's definitely a surprise, but I feel lucky I have the emotional bandwidth right now to help him with this, vs being caught in my own work stress vortex. Also, super grateful we've made a lot of other conservative financial decisions that give us a lot of flexibility.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on May 22, 2019, 11:17:26 AM
I resigned on Monday, they didn't accept it though (not that it matters), but they are trying to think of some alternatives that might make it more palatable for me...we will see but my guess is it ends they way I intended.

Wait, what?  I'm trying to imagine how this went:

tooqk4u22 - Hey boss, I resign.  My last day will be <whenever>
boss - No, you're not quitting.
tooqk4u22 - um, yes I am.
boss - Nah, I'm pretty sure you be here after <whenever>

In all seriousness, if I remember your prior posts correctly you have plenty to FIRE but due to family obligations and the same fears most of us have you've been trying to hold out longer and longer.  Eventually you got fed up and decided you were done.  Is it possible that they can fix the things that pushed you over the edge?  I know that once I decided I was done I only got more confident in that decision.  Now that I'm out and waiting to hear about my first consulting gig I'm dreading going back - even though it's a great opportunity. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on May 22, 2019, 01:02:13 PM
It's definitely a surprise, but I feel lucky I have the emotional bandwidth right now to help him with this, vs being caught in my own work stress vortex. Also, super grateful we've made a lot of other conservative financial decisions that give us a lot of flexibility.

Very well said @MaybeBabyMustache.  And a great demonstration of the power of FI/RE.  It sounds like the two of you have everything covered, but I'm sending good thoughts your way.     
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Half Stached on May 22, 2019, 09:08:03 PM
I've been FIREd just over 2 months now, and it has been great! The best is getting to yoga 5-6 days a week, and I've also enjoyed lots of cooking, and playing games. I've finished up all of the home projects that I avoided over the past two years, and it feels good to have them done. That being said.... I do feel a bit restless. I've had a couple of offers to do some part time consulting, and each time they come up I get happy and excited. I haven't committed to anything, and I want to see how the summer goes with some out of state trips as well as visitors coming here for a few weeks. I also have jury duty at the end of the summer - I've never done it before, and doing it without worrying about work sounds great.

Anyway, I'm curious... anyone else ever feel restless?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SwordGuy on May 23, 2019, 12:28:26 AM
I've been FIREd just over 2 months now, and it has been great! The best is getting to yoga 5-6 days a week, and I've also enjoyed lots of cooking, and playing games. I've finished up all of the home projects that I avoided over the past two years, and it feels good to have them done. That being said.... I do feel a bit restless. I've had a couple of offers to do some part time consulting, and each time they come up I get happy and excited. I haven't committed to anything, and I want to see how the summer goes with some out of state trips as well as visitors coming here for a few weeks. I also have jury duty at the end of the summer - I've never done it before, and doing it without worrying about work sounds great.

Anyway, I'm curious... anyone else ever feel restless?

Yeah, but then I take a nap.   Or read a book.  Or make some art.   Or watch a good movie.  Or take a walk or a drive.    Or chat with my wife.  Or...
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on May 23, 2019, 12:35:11 AM
The best is getting to yoga 5-6 days a week...

This is what I'm looking forward to most, having adequate time for self-care for the first time in decades.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on May 23, 2019, 12:42:45 AM
This is what I'm looking forward to most, having adequate time for self-care for the first time in decades.

+1
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on May 23, 2019, 05:29:06 AM
Anyway, I'm curious... anyone else ever feel restless?

As @SwordGuy said, I think there are many different types of restlessness, depending on what you feel is lacking.  I have definitely NOT felt any restlessness or longing for my former work.  I HAVE however felt a lot of physical restlessness.  I have more energy now that I'm not sitting at a desk job all day, and I can exercise as much as I want to scratch that itch.  I feel great.

Another type of restlessness is the travel bug.  When I first FIREd in January I had no desire to travel anywhere and just focused on getting my fitness back and working around the house/garden.  But now four months in, the travel bug is back.  We're going to Europe in the fall -- can't wait!  I'm having so much fun planning the details. 

@Half Stached, if consulting makes you feel happy and excited, go for it.  But as @PhilB and others would say, beware the slippery slope of part time work.  It can be tricky to manage that at a small level where you get the fun, but none of the stress or encroachment on the rest of your life.   
     
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: tooqk4u22 on May 23, 2019, 08:15:45 AM
I resigned on Monday, they didn't accept it though (not that it matters), but they are trying to think of some alternatives that might make it more palatable for me...we will see but my guess is it ends they way I intended.

Wait, what?  I'm trying to imagine how this went:

tooqk4u22 - Hey boss, I resign.  My last day will be <whenever>
boss - No, you're not quitting.
tooqk4u22 - um, yes I am.
boss - Nah, I'm pretty sure you be here after <whenever>

In all seriousness, if I remember your prior posts correctly you have plenty to FIRE but due to family obligations and the same fears most of us have you've been trying to hold out longer and longer.  Eventually you got fed up and decided you were done.  Is it possible that they can fix the things that pushed you over the edge?  I know that once I decided I was done I only got more confident in that decision.  Now that I'm out and waiting to hear about my first consulting gig I'm dreading going back - even though it's a great opportunity.

Yeah it kind of went like that.  In their court to see if there are alternatives - doubt it but i appreciate the effort and will listen if they do come up with something. 

Summer off, part time/remote work structure upon return could be appealing option to help me ease into FIRE transition.

But like you, since giving my resignation I have been relaxed and at ease and even less interested in the BS (if that was even possible). On the other hand i have actually been pretty busy at work this week with a bunch of the stuff I like - if I could work in more of that and less of the BS (probably not possible) and the other stuff above I could see OMY. 

For now, as far as I am concerned I am out!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Half Stached on May 23, 2019, 09:12:17 AM
Anyway, I'm curious... anyone else ever feel restless?

As @SwordGuy said, I think there are many different types of restlessness, depending on what you feel is lacking.  I have definitely NOT felt any restlessness or longing for my former work.  I HAVE however felt a lot of physical restlessness.  I have more energy now that I'm not sitting at a desk job all day, and I can exercise as much as I want to scratch that itch.  I feel great.

Another type of restlessness is the travel bug.  When I first FIREd in January I had no desire to travel anywhere and just focused on getting my fitness back and working around the house/garden.  But now four months in, the travel bug is back.  We're going to Europe in the fall -- can't wait!  I'm having so much fun planning the details. 

@Half Stached, if consulting makes you feel happy and excited, go for it.  But as @PhilB and others would say, beware the slippery slope of part time work.  It can be tricky to manage that at a small level where you get the fun, but none of the stress or encroachment on the rest of your life.   
   

It's definitely not the travel bug. I much prefer to explore the area around my home than spend a bunch of time going places. That being said, it is sometimes a necessary evil to enjoy getting to see someone (or something). I'm also happy for you that you're going to Europe this fall - that's awesome!

I'll be careful of the slippery slope of part time work. I know that now I don't have to work, so anything I do will have to be fun and fulfilling - otherwise I'll skip it. Regardless, this summer is looking quite full already, and perhaps that will clear out my restlessness on its own.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on May 23, 2019, 09:28:31 AM
This is what I'm looking forward to most, having adequate time for self-care for the first time in decades.

+1

+2
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on May 23, 2019, 10:52:11 AM

Yeah it kind of went like that.  In their court to see if there are alternatives - doubt it but i appreciate the effort and will listen if they do come up with something. 

Summer off, part time/remote work structure upon return could be appealing option to help me ease into FIRE transition.

But like you, since giving my resignation I have been relaxed and at ease and even less interested in the BS (if that was even possible). On the other hand i have actually been pretty busy at work this week with a bunch of the stuff I like - if I could work in more of that and less of the BS (probably not possible) and the other stuff above I could see OMY. 

For now, as far as I am concerned I am out!

That's awesome - it's good to know you're valued enough that they'll try to work with you to fix things that suck at work just to keep you.  Congrats - that's what FIRE-money plus the skills, talent, and reputation you've built up buy you.  You have done the hard work of getting to a stage in life where you can choose to either live free as you choose or your company will make work so much better that you choose to stay there instead of FIRE.  Pretty awesome!

I found that I was really engaged my last 2 weeks as I tried to transition everything.  However, my first 4 (!) weeks of FIRE have been so great that I'm dreading the potential call to support a project for 6-8 weeks as I previously agreed to.  I can't go back on the commitment I made because I couldn't live with myself for breaking it and I really like the people I'd be working with.  But I really wish I had just broken free completely.  Your situation is different than mine, but I would recommend that if they offer something like the summer off that you make it clear you might not be back.  I feel like I'm living in the alternative universe where Dr. Doom (livingAFI) didn't get on the treadmill in this post - https://livingafi.com/2015/03/22/quitters-never-win-except-when-they-do-33/. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Livingthedream55 on May 23, 2019, 11:50:37 AM
I can't believe that after next week, going to work ever again will be completely optional for me!

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on May 23, 2019, 12:23:52 PM
I can't believe that after next week, going to work ever again will be completely optional for me!
You're out of the woods, you're out of the dark, you're out of the night,
Step into the sun, step into the light.
Keep straight ahead for the most glorious place on the face of the earth or the sky.
Hold onto your breath, hold onto your heart, hold onto your hope,
March up to that gate and bid it open....OPEN!

(https://media.giphy.com/media/Ljb11mOMNOueA/giphy.gif)

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on May 23, 2019, 12:44:41 PM
One of my big fears is pulling the plug on a high income right as we enter a recession/bear market. I've only flirted with $500k asset level during the most recent market highs. Doing this on a shoe string budget has it's ups and downs, I guess I wouldn't need a high income to replace a portion of my living expenses with work, but finding a good job in a bad economy could be very difficult.

Never the less, 3 weeks to go!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Mathieu on May 24, 2019, 02:39:27 AM
Count me in!

July 8 is my last day.

Reached our FI target in July 2018 but we didn't want to rush as school year was about to start. So worked an extra 12 months which gave us plenty of time to carefully plan our relocation to Canada in details.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on May 24, 2019, 04:02:00 AM
Welcome @Mathieu!  Got you added to the current list.  It sounds like you have an interesting story.  You're relocating to Canada from where?

@Prairie Stash -- You're right at the door.  Time to step through!  Good luck today.  :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: tooqk4u22 on May 24, 2019, 05:53:11 AM

Yeah it kind of went like that.  In their court to see if there are alternatives - doubt it but i appreciate the effort and will listen if they do come up with something. 

Summer off, part time/remote work structure upon return could be appealing option to help me ease into FIRE transition.

But like you, since giving my resignation I have been relaxed and at ease and even less interested in the BS (if that was even possible). On the other hand i have actually been pretty busy at work this week with a bunch of the stuff I like - if I could work in more of that and less of the BS (probably not possible) and the other stuff above I could see OMY. 

For now, as far as I am concerned I am out!

That's awesome - it's good to know you're valued enough that they'll try to work with you to fix things that suck at work just to keep you.  Congrats - that's what FIRE-money plus the skills, talent, and reputation you've built up buy you.  You have done the hard work of getting to a stage in life where you can choose to either live free as you choose or your company will make work so much better that you choose to stay there instead of FIRE.  Pretty awesome!

I found that I was really engaged my last 2 weeks as I tried to transition everything.  However, my first 4 (!) weeks of FIRE have been so great that I'm dreading the potential call to support a project for 6-8 weeks as I previously agreed to.  I can't go back on the commitment I made because I couldn't live with myself for breaking it and I really like the people I'd be working with.  But I really wish I had just broken free completely.  Your situation is different than mine, but I would recommend that if they offer something like the summer off that you make it clear you might not be back.  I feel like I'm living in the alternative universe where Dr. Doom (livingAFI) didn't get on the treadmill in this post - https://livingafi.com/2015/03/22/quitters-never-win-except-when-they-do-33/.

They got back to me, and like I expected "It's difficult to give sabbaticals or rework a role for revenue producing employees."  Ha.   My response was "Thanks for the effort and for validating one of the reasons why I am leaving banking - it just lacks any creativity and is filled with bureaucracy."  I am sure @chasefish could attest to this. 


Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Prairie Stash on May 24, 2019, 08:53:25 AM
Thank you @Trifele

Today is my last day, 15 years of memories are flooding back. I'm a little sad they didn't meet my contract price to stay on a bit longer, it would have been a slower release. Now that the day is here I feel out of sorts. I spent an hour last night cleaning paper files, I started when paper files were a big thing, it was cool seeing some of the fun stuff I did over the years; I had forgotten some of it so it all came flooding back.

In the last couple weeks I've received some nice accolades from my clients, I never realized people took much note of me. Hearing what people thought of me and having people go out of their way was humbling. At work I was fairly burnt out and getting all this positive feedback is really nice, in a weird way if I had known what people thought a year or two ago I probably would have stayed on longer, a lot of my reasons for leaving were morale issues (having a stash was my stress relief).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on May 24, 2019, 08:57:55 AM
I love the Wizard of Oz analogy -- so many of us stay locked in too long to jobs we don't love doing any more, but once we step into FIRE and pull back that curtain we see that all the doom and awe and fear we had of the Wizard (status, or money or whatever is keeping us from taking action) was just some small timid part of ourselves pulling frantically on some cleverly hidden levers.

Well said @lhamo
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on May 24, 2019, 03:33:14 PM


Today is my last day, 15 years of memories are flooding back. I'm a little sad they didn't meet my contract price to stay on a bit longer, it would have been a slower release. Now that the day is here I feel out of sorts. I spent an hour last night cleaning paper files, I started when paper files were a big thing, it was cool seeing some of the fun stuff I did over the years; I had forgotten some of it so it all came flooding back.

In the last couple weeks I've received some nice accolades from my clients, I never realized people took much note of me. Hearing what people thought of me and having people go out of their way was humbling. At work I was fairly burnt out and getting all this positive feedback is really nice, in a weird way if I had known what people thought a year or two ago I probably would have stayed on longer, a lot of my reasons for leaving were morale issues (having a stash was my stress relief).

I'm glad your last day was a good one and that you are leaving knowing you were appreciated.  :).  Good workers are hard to find.

@tooqk4u22 that is so strange.  I was thinking they would find something since they are the ones that brought it up.  :P
 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on May 24, 2019, 04:25:57 PM
CONGRATULATIONS @Prairie Stash!


2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19     Bingeworker (52)          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
04/05/19     MissNancyPryor (50)      CONFIRMED SWAMI
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                    CONFIRMED
05/14/19     anonprof                       CONFIRMED
05/16/19     dude (53)                     CONFIRMED
05/17/19     MaybeBabyMustache      CONFIRMED SABBATICAL                   
05/24/19     Prairie Stash (38)          CONFIRMED
05/30/19     Livingthedream55 (59)
05/31/19     Odiedog859  (62)                 
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (30)
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/14/19     Dibdab (56)
06/15/19     Okonomiyaki (49)
06/15/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/29/19     Waffles  (52)
06/30/19     SHO (37)
06/30/19     snowdog (57)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
07/05/19     StoaX (58)
07/08/19     Batljunk
07/08/19     Mathieu
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
08/01/19     SugarMountain
08/30/19     MoMan  (55)
08/31/19     Gerard
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/13/19     dayzero
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     JumboShrimp
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/19/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)
12/31/19     Nifty (31)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer
MustacheAnxiety
forward
BlindSquirrel
I'm Fred (51)
JoJo (45)
Edgema
Jfer_rose (41)
Gerardc  (35)
tooqk4u22
Pylortes  (42) 

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
Linda_Norway (45)
CryingInThePool  (44)
Albireo13  (61)
Cookie78
Enigma
exit2019  (40)
powersuitrecall  (47)

OLY
markbike528cbx  (55)      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
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SwordGuy on May 25, 2019, 07:32:12 AM
Damn, but it's good to see all those folks on the confirmed list!

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on May 25, 2019, 07:15:05 PM
Damn, but it's good to see all those folks on the confirmed list!


HAHAHA!  That was my retirement quote!  DH even cross stitched it for me and I put it our the door of our adventure planning room!!!  He even did the A Team A :).

It goes on the door with our Dr Bashir Quote, "manufactured triumph" that he etched into the wood.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on May 26, 2019, 11:29:38 AM
Talk of shutting our office, or not continues. All rather exhausting. It’s still 50/50.

As expected my employer is looking to do right by me and find something for me elsewhere.

Last week they asked if I would relocate to the US.

The proposed position has some appeal, but doesnt work for DW (lots of red tape in the US it seems).

FIREing in December remains the most likely scenario, but I am resisting giving the game away to colleagues just in case I can get a severance, or if by some fluke chance an awesome job comes up (but I really can’t imagine what that would look like though).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on May 27, 2019, 12:41:28 PM
Big group potentially ready to burst into flames this week:

-- @Odiedog859 who I think just did a long backpacking trip to burn up his last PTO.  (nice)

-- @Livingthedream55 who can't wait to go "work optional."  Woo!

-- @Dibdab is in the final planning stages, working to get on the Exchange and sell his house.

-- And @SamIAm38 was a May maybe, evaluating a job offer that could turn skinny FIRE to chubby.

How are you all doing?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Dibdab on May 27, 2019, 02:27:51 PM
Hello all.  Yes that is right, I am in the final stages.
  Thanks so much you guys for advice on signing up for Obamacare which I have set to kick in July 1. With subsidy, the monthly premium for a high deductible silver plan is $134.
  The plan as it stands now is my house sale would close June 12 according to an accepted offer and I will work two days after closing.  I have vacation approved for the last two weeks of June, so I plan on giving my boss the obligatory 2 week notice of termination right before I leave on the last day.  That way I don't have to explain I'm retiring to everybody.   
  Unfortunately there is a catch:  I am not at all sure my sale will go through because the house buyer is trying to get a USDA direct loan that has all kinds of opaque requirements and these were not spelled out in the offer and every week I am asked to complete some repair or update. For instance, replace a perfectly fine water heater because it might fail in five years due to its age. I would repair these things myself but the Feds want only licensed contractors and logistics of getting the contractors here within required time frame, with copies of invoices and the miscommunications between Feds and realtors is proving comical and maddening.  Buyers has a zero money down 33 year loan at 3.25% interest which makes me think it's too good to be true also although I assume PMI would be required.
  So, I am trying to preparing myself psychologically for huge disappointment on the home sale and to work a few more months until house sells finally.  My next step after June 12 was gonna be to move into a two flat apartment building I own and start renovating it.  If my house  fails to sell as I anticipate I will unfortunately probably cash in some old, rather high paying I-bonds in order to start renovating before I move to the apartment.  So it wouldn't be 100% terrible, since I wouldn't have to live inside a demolition and construction zone when I retire.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on May 27, 2019, 02:41:37 PM
Great update @Dibdab.  I'll update your tentative last day to June 14.  Fingers crossed for your house to sell.     
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on May 27, 2019, 07:25:49 PM
Hello all.  Yes that is right, I am in the final stages.
  Thanks so much you guys for advice on signing up for Obamacare which I have set to kick in July 1. With subsidy, the monthly premium for a high deductible silver plan is $134.
  The plan as it stands now is my house sale would close June 12 according to an accepted offer and I will work two days after closing.  I have vacation approved for the last two weeks of June, so I plan on giving my boss the obligatory 2 week notice of termination right before I leave on the last day.  That way I don't have to explain I'm retiring to everybody.   
  Unfortunately there is a catch:  I am not at all sure my sale will go through because the house buyer is trying to get a USDA direct loan that has all kinds of opaque requirements and these were not spelled out in the offer and every week I am asked to complete some repair or update. For instance, replace a perfectly fine water heater because it might fail in five years due to its age. I would repair these things myself but the Feds want only licensed contractors and logistics of getting the contractors here within required time frame, with copies of invoices and the miscommunications between Feds and realtors is proving comical and maddening.  Buyers has a zero money down 33 year loan at 3.25% interest which makes me think it's too good to be true also although I assume PMI would be required.
  So, I am trying to preparing myself psychologically for huge disappointment on the home sale and to work a few more months until house sells finally.  My next step after June 12 was gonna be to move into a two flat apartment building I own and start renovating it.  If my house  fails to sell as I anticipate I will unfortunately probably cash in some old, rather high paying I-bonds in order to start renovating before I move to the apartment.  So it wouldn't be 100% terrible, since I wouldn't have to live inside a demolition and construction zone when I retire.

Whoa, that has to be nerve racking.  I hope the sell goes through, and I am really glad you have a plan B in place just in case.  Smart thinking!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on May 27, 2019, 11:57:19 PM
Hello all.  Yes that is right, I am in the final stages.
  Thanks so much you guys for advice on signing up for Obamacare which I have set to kick in July 1. With subsidy, the monthly premium for a high deductible silver plan is $134.
  The plan as it stands now is my house sale would close June 12 according to an accepted offer and I will work two days after closing.  I have vacation approved for the last two weeks of June, so I plan on giving my boss the obligatory 2 week notice of termination right before I leave on the last day.  That way I don't have to explain I'm retiring to everybody.   
  Unfortunately there is a catch:  I am not at all sure my sale will go through because the house buyer is trying to get a USDA direct loan that has all kinds of opaque requirements and these were not spelled out in the offer and every week I am asked to complete some repair or update. For instance, replace a perfectly fine water heater because it might fail in five years due to its age. I would repair these things myself but the Feds want only licensed contractors and logistics of getting the contractors here within required time frame, with copies of invoices and the miscommunications between Feds and realtors is proving comical and maddening.  Buyers has a zero money down 33 year loan at 3.25% interest which makes me think it's too good to be true also although I assume PMI would be required.
  So, I am trying to preparing myself psychologically for huge disappointment on the home sale and to work a few more months until house sells finally.  My next step after June 12 was gonna be to move into a two flat apartment building I own and start renovating it.  If my house  fails to sell as I anticipate I will unfortunately probably cash in some old, rather high paying I-bonds in order to start renovating before I move to the apartment.  So it wouldn't be 100% terrible, since I wouldn't have to live inside a demolition and construction zone when I retire.

I think you should start looking around for another buyer, because this sounds very uncertain and very demanding. If you recline this offer, do you think you could find another buyer without all these expensive demands?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on May 28, 2019, 05:24:11 AM
Big group potentially ready to burst into flames this week:

-- @Odiedog859 who I think just did a long backpacking trip to burn up his last PTO.  (nice)

-- @Livingthedream55 who can't wait to go "work optional."  Woo!

-- @Dibdab is in the final planning stages, working to get on the Exchange and sell his house.

-- And @SamIAm38 was a May maybe, evaluating a job offer that could turn skinny FIRE to chubby.

How are you all doing?

Dibdab has bumped his date out a couple weeks.  @Odiedog859, @Livingthedream55, and @SamIAm38 -- any update? 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on May 28, 2019, 06:31:10 AM
@Dibdab - It'll probably work out, but the home sale process is so frustrating.  Don't be afraid to renegotiate the price in your deal and say "with all due respect, the price we agreed to was for a used house.  If they want everything new, it does cost more"

Our saga involves five offers from four buyers in the span of thirty days.  Didn't get to a contract on opening weekend,  then we had to terminate on Sunday because buyer kept wanting inspection after inspection.  They wouldn't give us a number on what they already had and dropped a request for a mold inspection on a 63year old house on us a day before the option period ran out.  The lot is worth 85% of the purchase price, I'm just not opening up that line of inspection. 

We had another offer in hand and gave those folks all the inspections and the final number we had gotten to and they signed.  They agreed and we are starting a new option period.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Livingthedream55 on May 28, 2019, 07:57:17 AM
Big group potentially ready to burst into flames this week:

-- @Odiedog859 who I think just did a long backpacking trip to burn up his last PTO.  (nice)

-- @Livingthedream55 who can't wait to go "work optional."  Woo!

-- @Dibdab is in the final planning stages, working to get on the Exchange and sell his house.

-- And @SamIAm38 was a May maybe, evaluating a job offer that could turn skinny FIRE to chubby.

How are you all doing?

Dibdab has bumped his date out a couple weeks.  @Odiedog859, @Livingthedream55, and @SamIAm38 -- any update?

Thanks @Trifele for doing such a wonderful job facilitating our cohort - you really help develop community here! 

My last day is Thursday as I'm taking a road trip with family on Friday. There will be a small send off tomorrow (a cake, a few well wishes) at work. Lots of coworkers are stopping by my desk to say they are excited for me and envious for themselves (one sad exception was a man with significant health issues who I would estimate to be in his mid 60's to late 60's who said he couldn't afford to retire because of student loans he took out!).

My boss has been a little pouty "I can't believe you're leaving me", "this is not a good time for me to lose you", etc.  so I threw her an offer to maybe come back one day a week in the Fall as a contractor to help with some specific reports that need to be written (which is a task I enjoy) and which I would negotiate to do remotely and at a higher rate than my current salaried rate. So we will see. The ball is completely in her court and no details pinned down.

It's still surreal - I'm excited to get through these last few days. I won't miss my commute (by commuter rail) to the city. I look forward to better self-care and lots more connection with friends and family. It's a good place to be.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Odiedog859 on May 28, 2019, 10:07:41 AM
I'm in my last week.  Just for the record, I work in a great place, for a great company, for a great boss and I like my job.  I am very fortunate that I am not bailing out of a sinking ship or escaping a toxic work environment.  So why am I leaving?  There is just more to life than working.  To be transparent, my version of retirement won't be sleeping in everyday or sitting around the coffee shop (not that there is anything wrong with that.)  I'll still be doing on-call fire assignments for wildland fires in the summer and FEMA disaster work (I have a Urban Search and Rescue K9).

Co-workers are starting to come by and ask "Are you really retiring?  That is so cool."  It's a small valley so we'll still see each other around. I did get to have an enjoyable backpacking trip  the first half of May on the AT.  Lots of rain as usual.....  The buffer allowed a quiet last week just wrapping things up and making sure transfer of responsibilities are done.  I get to kick off my first week of retirement going to Indiana with our FEMA team for a mock deployment.  Of course with all the tornado activity, it might turn into the real thing.

My challenge is to not let myself fall into the trap of just sitting around because I can.  I consider calendars to be the enemy but I have a list of things I can fill my time with.  I'll just have the freedom to chose which ones each day :-)

3 and a wake-up.....
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on May 29, 2019, 10:15:00 AM
Exciting items Odiedog. Nicely done.

In my neck of the woods, the expected has happened, and megacorp has offered me a transfer. It’s to the to the US. Philly specifically. I’ve never been to eastern US, just the west coast, Montana, Wyoming, Alaska and Hawaii.

Philly is a long way from home and a long way from FIRE, but I’ll have to  think about the proposal. Could be fun for a couple of years I suppose.

I’ll fly to Megacorp HQ in 3 weeks to discuss. I am still not ready to confess to my true FIRE ambitions to my employer, so are playing along.

I wish I was at 110% and not 90% of my desired stash.... even even a tad more than 110% will be awesome and put to good use.

I have lots of questions about expat life in the US. Im not sure if this forum is a decent place to pose my questions.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on May 29, 2019, 12:22:11 PM
Exciting items Odiedog. Nicely done.

In my neck of the woods, the expected has happened, and megacorp has offered me a transfer. It’s to the to the US. Philly specifically. I’ve never been to eastern US, just the west coast, Montana, Wyoming, Alaska and Hawaii.

Philly is a long way from home and a long way from FIRE, but I’ll have to  think about the proposal. Could be fun for a couple of years I suppose.

I’ll fly to Megacorp HQ in 3 weeks to discuss. I am still not ready to confess to my true FIRE ambitions to my employer, so are playing along.

I wish I was at 110% and not 90% of my desired stash.... even even a tad more than 110% will be awesome and put to good use.

I have lots of questions about expat life in the US. Im not sure if this forum is a decent place to pose my questions.
Several members are Euro expats/immigrants @Exflyboy being first to mind.  There must be a thread(s) on relevant subjects somewhere here.

I've only been to Philly 3 to 5 times in my life, even though I grew up about 120 miles away in rural Central PA.
Anti-OMY alert- You do realize, that over the course of FIRE, that your stache is likely to vary by MORE than 10%? Unless your "number" is bare skeleton, you've got lots of wiggle room. FIRE now, FIRE FOREVER.   

However, if someone was to pay me to work overseas again, I might consider it. The per diem and or pay would have to be really good though. Paid repatriation or spousal visit flights would be great too.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Exflyboy on May 29, 2019, 06:52:49 PM
Exciting items Odiedog. Nicely done.

In my neck of the woods, the expected has happened, and megacorp has offered me a transfer. It’s to the to the US. Philly specifically. I’ve never been to eastern US, just the west coast, Montana, Wyoming, Alaska and Hawaii.

Philly is a long way from home and a long way from FIRE, but I’ll have to  think about the proposal. Could be fun for a couple of years I suppose.

I’ll fly to Megacorp HQ in 3 weeks to discuss. I am still not ready to confess to my true FIRE ambitions to my employer, so are playing along.

I wish I was at 110% and not 90% of my desired stash.... even even a tad more than 110% will be awesome and put to good use.

I have lots of questions about expat life in the US. Im not sure if this forum is a decent place to pose my questions.
Several members are Euro expats/immigrants @Exflyboy being first to mind.  There must be a thread(s) on relevant subjects somewhere here.

I've only been to Philly 3 to 5 times in my life, even though I grew up about 120 miles away in rural Central PA.
Anti-OMY alert- You do realize, that over the course of FIRE, that your stache is likely to vary by MORE than 10%? Unless your "number" is bare skeleton, you've got lots of wiggle room. FIRE now, FIRE FOREVER.   

However, if someone was to pay me to work overseas again, I might consider it. The per diem and or pay would have to be really good though. Paid repatriation or spousal visit flights would be great too.

@itchyfeet yes there are a number of us here. @UnleashHell is another Expat Brit.

I have to say that as an engineer at least the transfer to the US was the best thing ever.. My salary doubled but even more importantly I was given professional respect. In the UK everybody and their dog calls themselves engineers and if you use the word "engineer" in the UK people assume your a car mechanic.. It drives me up the stinking wall to be honest!

Not that there is anything wrong with being a mechanic or any kind of technical worker.. I have worked with superb technicians during my career, but they do a different job. They are not engineers and I'm not a technician!

Just like nurses are not doctors and vice versa.

Anyway I digress.. I don't know anything about the East Coast but I do know there is nothing on Earth like the US economy and the cost of living is generally lower than the UK/Europe.

In the West there are vast expanses of wilderness.. Heck even my modest house is on 5.5 acres.. Same amount of money would buy you a postage stamp in the UK.

I honestly owe my FIRE to living in the US.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on May 29, 2019, 08:48:30 PM
Thanks for the comments

I’d have no intention of staying in the US long term. It would just be a couple of years. We look forward to the day we return to Australia.

If we went to the US my company would pay my rent, so it would be an ok deal financially. Maybe not as good as my current deal in The UAE (due to no tax), but still better than anything I would ever have earned back in Oz....

But it is true that any money we earn from now is just for luxuries. So i would be a OMY victim/ perpetrator.

For me to the US for a few years is just taking the opportunity to add a further life experience, amd a few extra $ in the bank as a side effect is not the worst thing in the world.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on May 30, 2019, 12:00:42 AM
Thanks for the comments

I’d have no intention of staying in the US long term. It would just be a couple of years. We look forward to the day we return to Australia.

If we went to the US my company would pay my rent, so it would be an ok deal financially. Maybe not as good as my current deal in The UAE (due to no tax), but still better than anything I would ever have earned back in Oz....

But it is true that any money we earn from now is just for luxuries. So i would be a OMY victim/ perpetrator.

For me to the US for a few years is just taking the opportunity to add a further life experience, amd a few extra $ in the bank as a side effect is not the worst thing in the world.

Then maybe you could do it for just another year, but not everal years. Then you get the new experience and some mote cash.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on May 30, 2019, 03:34:06 AM
Damn, but it's good to see all those folks on the confirmed list!


HAHAHA!  That was my retirement quote!  DH even cross stitched it for me and I put it our the door of our adventure planning room!!!  He even did the A Team A :).


This is fabulous!  I picture a world map covering one entire wall with strings pinned in it here and there, lockers full of exotic gear for things like wingsuit gliding, and a bank of computers for checking weather and flight schedules . . .



Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MoMan on May 30, 2019, 08:13:30 AM
I guess you can add my name to the Confirmed list. I gave my manager a verbal 4-month notice on April 30th. The responses from colleagues has been disappointingly muted, but I suppose they all see me carting my lunch bag every day, and I'm certain they have come to expect my redundant, utilitarian wardrobe. If I were to show up in a new shirt, the rumors would start to fly: "Hey, what the hell's up with MoMan?"

Also, Trifele -- Next list update, could you please change my age to 54? My original plan was to retire immediately after my b-day but screw that! 92 calendar days to go.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on May 30, 2019, 11:03:18 AM
Damn, but it's good to see all those folks on the confirmed list!


HAHAHA!  That was my retirement quote!  DH even cross stitched it for me and I put it our the door of our adventure planning room!!!  He even did the A Team A :).


This is fabulous!  I picture a world map covering one entire wall with strings pinned in it here and there, lockers full of exotic gear for things like wingsuit gliding, and a bank of computers for checking weather and flight schedules . . .

Actually it is a wall sized map of the US (as DH doesn't fly so most of our together travels are in the US).  It is being filled with pins of various colors to denote things we do all over.  The other wall is covered with 4 years of future wall calendars for planning. Computer, memorabilia, etc.  :D. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on May 30, 2019, 11:20:23 AM
Damn, but it's good to see all those folks on the confirmed list!

HAHAHA!  That was my retirement quote!  DH even cross stitched it for me and I put it our the door of our adventure planning room!!!  He even did the A Team A :).


This is fabulous!  I picture a world map covering one entire wall with strings pinned in it here and there, lockers full of exotic gear for things like wingsuit gliding, and a bank of computers for checking weather and flight schedules . . .

Actually it is a wall sized map of the US (as DH doesn't fly so most of our together travels are in the US).  It is being filled with pins of various colors to denote things we do all over.  The other wall is covered with 4 years of future wall calendars for planning. Computer, memorabilia, etc.  :D.

Four those travelers who don't have a big wall, take a picture for your desktop/ home page from http://www.gcmap.com/mapui
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on May 30, 2019, 12:48:47 PM
CONGRATS @Livingthedream55!  Have a wonderful road trip!

CONGRATS @MoMan!  It's going to be one fine summer.
 

2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19     Bingeworker (52)          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
04/05/19     MissNancyPryor (50)      CONFIRMED SWAMI
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                    CONFIRMED
05/14/19     anonprof                       CONFIRMED
05/16/19     dude (53)                      CONFIRMED
05/17/19     MaybeBabyMustache      CONFIRMED SABBATICAL                   
05/24/19     Prairie Stash (38)           CONFIRMED
05/30/19     Livingthedream55 (59)   CONFIRMED
05/30/19     MoMan  (54)                  CONFIRMED
05/31/19     Odiedog859  (62)                 
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (30)
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/14/19     Dibdab (56)
06/15/19     Okonomiyaki (49)
06/15/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/29/19     Waffles  (52)
06/30/19     SHO (37)
06/30/19     snowdog (57)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
07/05/19     StoaX (58)
07/08/19     Batljunk
07/08/19     Mathieu
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
08/01/19     SugarMountain
08/31/19     Gerard
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/13/19     dayzero
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     JumboShrimp
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/19/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)
12/31/19     Nifty (31)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer
MustacheAnxiety
forward
BlindSquirrel
I'm Fred (51)
JoJo (45)
Edgema
Jfer_rose (41)
Gerardc  (35)
tooqk4u22
Pylortes  (42) 

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
Linda_Norway (45)
CryingInThePool  (44)
Albireo13  (61)
Cookie78
Enigma
exit2019  (40)
powersuitrecall  (47)

OLY
markbike528cbx  (55)      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
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on May 30, 2019, 04:55:24 PM
Damn, but it's good to see all those folks on the confirmed list!

HAHAHA!  That was my retirement quote!  DH even cross stitched it for me and I put it our the door of our adventure planning room!!!  He even did the A Team A :).


This is fabulous!  I picture a world map covering one entire wall with strings pinned in it here and there, lockers full of exotic gear for things like wingsuit gliding, and a bank of computers for checking weather and flight schedules . . .

Actually it is a wall sized map of the US (as DH doesn't fly so most of our together travels are in the US).  It is being filled with pins of various colors to denote things we do all over.  The other wall is covered with 4 years of future wall calendars for planning. Computer, memorabilia, etc.  :D.

Four those travelers who don't have a big wall, take a picture for your desktop/ home page from http://www.gcmap.com/mapui

You and your fancy technology ;).

Also CONGRATS @Livingthedream55 and @MoMan.  Thanks for keeping us informed.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on May 30, 2019, 06:19:51 PM
Congratulations @livingthedream enjoy the open road!
(https://media.giphy.com/media/6W6IthnfbuIlq/giphy.gif)

hang in there @MoMan
(https://media.giphy.com/media/3kACvwjyzgOdqE3GWT/giphy.gif)

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on May 30, 2019, 07:35:01 PM
Damn, but it's good to see all those folks on the confirmed list!

HAHAHA!  That was my retirement quote!  DH even cross stitched it for me and I put it our the door of our adventure planning room!!!  He even did the A Team A :).


This is fabulous!  I picture a world map covering one entire wall with strings pinned in it here and there, lockers full of exotic gear for things like wingsuit gliding, and a bank of computers for checking weather and flight schedules . . .

Actually it is a wall sized map of the US (as DH doesn't fly so most of our together travels are in the US).  It is being filled with pins of various colors to denote things we do all over.  The other wall is covered with 4 years of future wall calendars for planning. Computer, memorabilia, etc.  :D.

Four those travelers who don't have a big wall, take a picture for your desktop/ home page from http://www.gcmap.com/mapui

You and your fancy technology ;).

Also CONGRATS @Livingthedream55 and @MoMan.  Thanks for keeping us informed.

Unfortunately, the fancy technology is aided by old-school memory of airport codes.
At one time, electronic departure screens (CRT) only had room for the three letter codes, which may or may not hint at the airport city name. MDT is obviously Harrisburg PA, right?  CDG and CVG are NOT the same place.

Congratulations to recent graduates!!!  And to all of the rest of you, come on in!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Odiedog859 on May 31, 2019, 03:18:51 PM
I'm out of here!  Well, I'll  stop by here once in a while but shutting down the computer, password updating complete :-)  Had a nice low key breakfast get together with the rest of the department.

What to do first....Oh, that's already decided......
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on May 31, 2019, 03:31:10 PM
YEAH @Odiedog859!  Congratulations and wishing you much happiness!  Thank you for fighting forest fires and helping FEMA. 

@SamIAm38 moved to TBD til we hear back.


2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19     Bingeworker (52)          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
04/05/19     MissNancyPryor (50)      CONFIRMED SWAMI
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                    CONFIRMED
05/14/19     anonprof                       CONFIRMED
05/16/19     dude (53)                      CONFIRMED
05/17/19     MaybeBabyMustache      CONFIRMED SABBATICAL                   
05/24/19     Prairie Stash (38)           CONFIRMED
05/30/19     Livingthedream55 (59)   CONFIRMED
05/30/19     MoMan  (54)                  CONFIRMED
05/31/19     Odiedog859  (62)           CONFIRMED               
06/12/19     tooqk4u22
06/14/19     Dibdab (56)
06/15/19     Okonomiyaki (49)
06/15/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
06/18/19     RichMoose (29)
06/19/19     Waffles  (52)
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/30/19     SHO (37)
06/30/19     snowdog (57)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     Home Stretch
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
07/05/19     StoaX (58)
07/05/19     5OClocksomewhere
07/08/19     Batljunk
07/08/19     Mathieu
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/??/19     Omy
08/01/19     SugarMountain
08/09/19     Jfer_rose (41)
08/31/19     Gerard
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/13/19     dayzero
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
10/01/19    SnakesInTheGrass (55)
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     JumboShrimp
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/19/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)
12/31/19     Nifty (31)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer
MustacheAnxiety
forward
BlindSquirrel
I'm Fred (51)
JoJo (45)
Edgema
Gerardc  (35)
Pylortes  (42)
SamIAm38  (30)
DreamFire 

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
Linda_Norway (45)
CryingInThePool  (44)
Albireo13  (61)
Cookie78
Enigma
exit2019  (40)
powersuitrecall  (47)

OLY
markbike528cbx  (55)      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
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on May 31, 2019, 06:28:26 PM
I'm out of here!  Well, I'll  stop by here once in a while but shutting down the computer, password updating complete :-)  Had a nice low key breakfast get together with the rest of the department.

What to do first....Oh, that's already decided......

BYE!!  Thanks for playing!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on June 01, 2019, 05:54:06 AM
And just like that, JUNE IS HERE!   Can you believe it?

How are you doing, June folks??  Just a few days left!  :)

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on June 01, 2019, 06:38:10 AM
And just like that, JUNE IS HERE!   Can you believe it?

How are you doing, June folks??  Just a few days left!  :)

The days are flying by now. I will give official notice next Friday and turn in my computer 2 weeks later.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: tooqk4u22 on June 04, 2019, 09:41:28 AM
Last day is June 12th.   Always nice to leave after a down month for the markets, I am sure there is more to come - oh well, I will be enjoying my summer.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on June 04, 2019, 10:03:59 AM
It is hard to believe, but I'm past my 1year FIREanniversary (FIREversary?)
It's been fun, especially when not looking at the markets.

AND I'm over 1000 posts on the forum.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on June 04, 2019, 01:30:38 PM
Last day is June 12th.   Always nice to leave after a down month for the markets, I am sure there is more to come - oh well, I will be enjoying my summer.

Congrats on setting the date @tooqk4u22!  Got you added above for next week. ^  (No worries about the down market; if I recall your numbers correctly you were at 100% on cfiresim.  The calculators take into account the ups and downs of the markets.)  Yes!  It will be a mega-fine summer.  :)

And congrats on your milestones @markbike528CBX!   How has your first FIRE year been?

 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on June 04, 2019, 02:36:23 PM
Last day is June 12th.   Always nice to leave after a down month for the markets, I am sure there is more to come - oh well, I will be enjoying my summer.

Congrats on setting the date @tooqk4u22!  Got you added above for next week. ^  (No worries about the down market; if I recall your numbers correctly you were at 100% on cfiresim.  The calculators take into account the ups and downs of the markets.)  Yes!  It will be a mega-fine summer.  :)

And congrats on your milestones @markbike528CBX!   How has your first FIRE year been?

It has gone faster than I expected.
What I expected to do, reading and motorcycling , I did less of. Some of the lower reading is due to all of you interesting people on this forum :-). 
A bucket list item checked off: see my favorite band in a place I wouldn't otherwise go, Mudhoney, Zagreb Croatia. On my birthday just made it cooler.

GO 2019 Cohort!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Omy on June 04, 2019, 03:18:59 PM
I've been reluctant to join this thread because I've been "one more year"-ing for at least 5 years. But DH has given notice to his management that he is retiring in July...and I am wrapping up what may be my final transaction this month. So feel free to add me to the July list!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on June 04, 2019, 03:53:11 PM
I've been reluctant to join this thread because I've been "one more year"-ing for at least 5 years. But DH has given notice to his management that he is retiring in July...and I am wrapping up what may be my final transaction this month. So feel free to add me to the July list!

Yay @Omy!!  Welcome and come on in!  Will you change your username now?  :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on June 04, 2019, 04:16:17 PM
I've been reluctant to join this thread because I've been "one more year"-ing for at least 5 years. But DH has given notice to his management that he is retiring in July...and I am wrapping up what may be my final transaction this month. So feel free to add me to the July list!

Welcome and welcome.  And congrats on finally throwing off the OMY handcuffs of obligation!!

Woo hoo!!

@markbike528CBX those are some impressive milestones.  I can't imagine what you have planned for the next year.  Maybe 2000 posts??
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on June 04, 2019, 10:18:01 PM
Welcome OMY, might have to mod your name to "forum member formerly known as OMY".
I had been following your self-titled thread.

Loren Ver, not that many posts, it has taken me 4 years to make 1000.
I'll settle for keeping my posting rate at 0.666 for non- religious reasons.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on June 04, 2019, 11:00:40 PM
Welcome @Omy! And congrats on the handlebar mustache @markbike528CBX
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on June 05, 2019, 12:41:31 AM
I've been reluctant to join this thread because I've been "one more year"-ing for at least 5 years. But DH has given notice to his management that he is retiring in July...and I am wrapping up what may be my final transaction this month. So feel free to add me to the July list!

Congrats! You have made a big step mentally.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Omy on June 05, 2019, 07:50:31 AM
Thank you for the warm welcome! I woke up early with a slight tinge of panic about this becoming real relatively quickly. We have planned and (over) saved for years before I had even heard of MMM, but turning off the cash fire hose is still a bit daunting. The articles, calculators, and encouragement of forum members have helped me realize that it is time.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: RichMoose on June 05, 2019, 10:52:27 AM
I'm finally tossing my name into this thread. For a sort-of FI/RE. (Maybe coast FI/RE, or maybe semi-FI/RE.)

Yesterday I gave my work notice that I am leaving. Last day is likely going to be June 18. I'll be ending my life as a holder of a full-time job after about 9 years. I work in law enforcement so the golden handcuffs of pensions and benefits are enticing, but the strong hierarchical work structure and forever growing layers of policy are not.

I am not a porch hound so I can see myself starting a business or freelancing in the future. I don't think I'll ever work a 9-5 permanent full-time gig again. I wouldn't consider myself totally FI and also not in the right mindset to RE. My wife will continue to work full-time for the time being. (She really loves her career field and will probably work, at least part-time, until she's well into more traditional retirement years).

Our 'stache is reasonably big considering I'm 29, my wife is 27 and we both work public service jobs. It should cover most of our expenses, certainly the core expenses. That gives us a substantial amount of financial freedom. Especially where we are going to start our adventure.

This summer we will be starting the next phase of our lives, leaving the winter city of Edmonton for much warmer Hanoi. Our plan is to live there for a few years and travel around Eastern Asia. My wife (a teacher) has a job lined up at an American school in the city. After that, who knows where life will take us.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on June 05, 2019, 10:54:16 AM
Wow!! That's an amazing story. See you in Hanoi/SE Asia in fall/winter 2020!!

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: RichMoose on June 05, 2019, 11:11:42 AM
Wow!! That's an amazing story. See you in Hanoi/SE Asia in fall/winter 2020!!

Quickly scanned your journal, looks like you've got some amazing travel plans yourself. When you get to Hanoi, definitely send a PM!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on June 05, 2019, 12:04:53 PM
Welcome @RichMoose!  Got you added above ^.  Well done to get this far so young.  Some really exciting plans you have!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on June 05, 2019, 12:56:50 PM
Congrats Moose-like person!

At 29 and 27, you're like me, there's no downside to retiring now, since you could easily go back, and you have decades of time to cover off issues, by making tiny incremental changes to either income, returns, or simply consuming less. Nice pension Payouts?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: RichMoose on June 05, 2019, 03:04:24 PM
Congrats Moose-like person!

At 29 and 27, you're like me, there's no downside to retiring now, since you could easily go back, and you have decades of time to cover off issues, by making tiny incremental changes to either income, returns, or simply consuming less. Nice pension Payouts?

Yeah that's what I'm thinking. My wife's salary will probably be around 2-3x our cost of living in Hanoi. That will allow plenty of cash for plane tickets to see the region and a bit of additional savings money. She's still got a big tuition bill due in September for her Master's, but that will be the last one and it should come with a nice pay bump to recoup the costs in about 5 years.

I'm not sure what our pension transfer values will be, but I think the timing is pretty good with the total collapse in Canadian 5 year bond yields in the past year. I should find out in a month or so.

I don't think we'll be dipping into our investment accounts at all for at least 5 years. Lots of time for further growth, hopefully on the other side of our first retirement bear market.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on June 05, 2019, 05:47:50 PM
Welcome @RichMoose.  Glad you joined us and I am really happy to see some public service representation at the early ages.  It can be done and you did it!!

Loren
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on June 05, 2019, 11:45:07 PM
Welcome @RichMoose and congratulations on achieiving FIRE at such a young age.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: RichMoose on June 06, 2019, 11:11:39 AM
Welcome @RichMoose.  Glad you joined us and I am really happy to see some public service representation at the early ages.  It can be done and you did it!!

Loren

Welcome @RichMoose and congratulations on achieiving FIRE at such a young age.

Thanks folks! My wife and I worked hard, paid our own way through school with part-time jobs to avoid debt, I took overtime opportunities wherever I could, and we lived within our means. As we Mustachians know, it is not rocket science.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on June 06, 2019, 11:16:12 AM
Out of curioisity, since i've been vaguely following your blog, (too technical for me), would index funds have gotten your to fire at the same speed?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: RichMoose on June 06, 2019, 11:29:00 AM
Out of curioisity, since i've been vaguely following your blog, (too technical for me), would index funds have gotten your to fire at the same speed?

Probably not. I had great returns 2015-2017 with my strategy. I also beat the market in 2018 by a little bit.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on June 07, 2019, 03:14:43 AM
No word yet from @DreamFIRE.  Are you still on target for today?

Large group up next week!  How fun. 

06/12/19     @tooqk4u22
06/14/19     @Dibdab (56)
06/15/19     @okonomiyaki (49)
06/15/19     @2Birds1Stone  (32)

How are the four of you doing? 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on June 07, 2019, 04:29:06 AM
Howdy, @Trifele!

Can't share too many details here just yet, but I'm still on target.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SwordGuy on June 07, 2019, 08:09:06 AM
Howdy, @Trifele!

Can't share too many details here just yet, but I'm still on target.

We're all rooting for you.  Just don't be this guy...

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Caroline PF on June 07, 2019, 11:27:07 AM
Howdy, @Trifele!

Can't share too many details here just yet, but I'm still on target.

We're all rooting for you.  Just don't be this guy...

LOL

"Lost Tiree, lost Dutch . . . HR came from behind!"
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SnakesintheGrass on June 07, 2019, 05:43:38 PM
Hello All,

I have been lurking on this thread for many months — and am finally ready to join in the fun! 

After a 15 year career in healthcare IT, I will be retiring on October 1, 2019.  Odd choice of day (Monday), but it’s the earliest possible date for me to retire and collect a reduced pension from my employer. 

Plans post Oct 1 include overseas travel (Indonesia), volunteering, and likely purchasing/fixing up a second investment property.  My husband will retire three months after me so that’s when our ‘real retirement’ will begin (January 2020) together.  We will be 55/56.

We attended CampFI this spring, and during a ‘transition to retirement’ discussion, everyone who was post FIRE admitted that they rarely told people they were actually retired, due to the negative reactions they got.  Most identified themselves as ‘consultants’. 

Which now has me thinking about my ‘exit story’.  In our culture, departing employees are announced via a fairly detailed email outlining their career accomplishments to date, and next steps.

So Fellow 2019-ers— what did you tell people when you left your employer?

Snakes-in-the-Grass/Beth

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on June 07, 2019, 07:35:45 PM
Quote
So Fellow 2019-ers— what did you tell people when you left your employer?
Lotsa possible answers:

https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/post-fire/do-any-of-you-flat-out-lie-about-keeping-a-job/

https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/ask-a-mustachian/am-i-obligated-to-tell-friends-about-my-fire-plans/

https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/do-you-tell-people/

https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/what-would-you-tell-your-19-year-old-self/

stay tuned for edits, this is my not-so-sober take on it.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on June 07, 2019, 07:46:33 PM
Quote
So Fellow 2019-ers— what did you tell people when you left your employer?

stay tuned for edits, this is my not-so-sober take on it.

The truth. I explain it so non-chalantly people don't really challenge it.

Also, I won't ever see any of those people every again, so I don't really care what they think. My friends all know and were only positive.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SnakesintheGrass on June 08, 2019, 03:33:49 AM
Quote
So Fellow 2019-ers— what did you tell people when you left your employer?
Lotsa possible answers:

https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/post-fire/do-any-of-you-flat-out-lie-about-keeping-a-job/

https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/ask-a-mustachian/am-i-obligated-to-tell-friends-about-my-fire-plans/

https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/do-you-tell-people/

https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/what-would-you-tell-your-19-year-old-self/

stay tuned for edits, this is my not-so-sober take on it.

Thanks @markbike528CBX for these links.

As @Hikester put it in the most recent thread:  “FIRE in the closet is a real thing.”

Lots to think about...

Snakes-in-the-Grass/Beth
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on June 08, 2019, 05:09:18 AM
Welcome @SnakesintheGrass!  Got you added for October 1 on the most recent list. 

Yeah, I haven't lied outright to anyone about FIRE, but how much I choose to share with strangers and acquaintances varies.  Family and friends all know and are 100% supportive.  I have multiple FIRE-ees in my family so they're like, "what took you so long?" haha.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on June 08, 2019, 05:30:46 AM

So Fellow 2019-ers— what did you tell people when you left your employer?

Snakes-in-the-Grass/Beth

I went back and forth on what to do and wasn't certain until I met with my direct boss, we decided to own it as early retirement. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on June 08, 2019, 06:18:45 AM
Hello All,

I have been lurking on this thread for many months — and am finally ready to join in the fun! 


Welcome Beth, it sounds like you have quite an exciting FIRE adventure awaiting you.

At 62 I'm only a few years early so I just say I'm retiring and people have been appropriately happy for me. If I were much younger I would probably just say I've decided to take time off to write a novel.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on June 08, 2019, 02:50:35 PM
Hello All,

I have been lurking on this thread for many months — and am finally ready to join in the fun! 
 ...snip...

So Fellow 2019-ers— what did you tell people when you left your employer?

Snakes-in-the-Grass/Beth

And fun it is.  Welcome to the team!!  I am so glad you decided to join us.

For me, I told fellow employees that I was retiring.  Those close to me knew it was coming and threw me a party.  The reactions from there varied.  I had several people tell me reasons I could do this (you don't have kids etc).  It is partly true, though you can FIRE with kids.  I didn't so that isn't my battle to fight.  To a few people that came by that I am not close to at all (and kinda avoided) I told them we were quitting and would "figure it out later."  I didn't tell them that means never to work again.  Telling people in my pay bracket or above doesn't bother me at all.

DH announced on facebook.  As someone one that never wanted to work, it was a BIG deal for him.

For neighbors, we say nothing.  We live in a very low cost of housing area, many people struggling to get by.  No one has asked and we don't say.  I really don't need the gambit of other people's feelings this close to where I live. 

Sorry, long answer :).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 5Oclocksomewhere on June 10, 2019, 03:00:10 PM
I just gave my boss notice last week that I was retiring as of July 5th.  FREEEEDOMMM!  After years of quietly living on one income, lurking on early retirement blogs, and doing a couple OMYs, I finally pulled off the band-aid.  It feels amazing to be out and proud about early retirement.  I'm telling everyone with a big-ass smile on my face and a skip in my step.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: waffles on June 10, 2019, 03:43:50 PM
I've been pretty vocal at work since late last year that I was going to retire in June. I've actually been annoying my co-workers by counting down the weeks lol. I have been considering it motivation for retirement planning for the early career folks. I have a federal government job, so I push the younger employees about TSP contributions and discuss the different investment funds like I wish someone had done for me when I started. Education is key.

I only have 5 work shifts left! My actual last day of work is June 19, technically retiring on June 29. There have been some comments on how happy I seem about it!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on June 10, 2019, 03:49:29 PM
Woo Hoo @5Oclocksomewhere  and @waffles!  Good times are ahead!!

5Oclock, that is a fun first post!  :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on June 10, 2019, 07:04:10 PM
Welcome @5Oclocksomewhere!  Awesome first post, announcing your FIRE date, go you!  I've added you to the list for July 5. 

Also got you updated to June 19 Waffles -- so close!  Love your efforts to educate co-workers.

To all the lurkers reading this:  Maybe you know you have enough money, but are struggling to pull the trigger.  Maybe you've been OMYing for a while.  Maybe you're scared, but desperate to taste that freedom.  Well, come on in here!  Whether you need help stepping through the door, or just someone to celebrate with you on the other side, we're your crew!   

 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: JoJo on June 11, 2019, 01:58:05 PM
Well, I think peer pressure will keep me in the job until 2020.  I'm happy with my stache, but extending from Sept to next April shouldn't be so bad because I'm part time.   I was thinking of retiring mid September, now looking March/April 2020. 

I will be taking 2 weeks off in Sept (Montana), all of November (Patagonia + Antarctica!), most of December (Family time, chill), and a few days in Jan-March  (and I get 8 weeks off this July-August too! Alaska & Yukon!)
It means I'll get my bonus the end of March (no bonus paid if I leave before March)
I'm still saving around $5K a month in the meantime, even the months I'm not working.  This will give me some slush money - like I've been looking at RV's and occasionally I take an expensive trip.
I have health insurance for 6.5 months longer.  I was pricing out ACA plans because I won't take a subsidy and holy cow I'm not looking forward to paying those - it takes over 15% of my monthly retirement budget. 
Get to dump in 2020 contributions to 401K and maybe eligible for Roth.   
A couple guys that are well aware of my situation (both older) are convincing me I have the best gig ever and should keep it as long as I can. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIREstache on June 11, 2019, 06:13:00 PM
To all the lurkers reading this:  Maybe you know you have enough money, but are struggling to pull the trigger.  Maybe you've been OMYing for a while.  Maybe you're scared, but desperate to taste that freedom.  Well, come on in here!  Whether you need help stepping through the door, or just someone to celebrate with you on the other side, we're your crew!   

I've been lurking here some, but I decided back in December to OMY to 2020 or 2021 after the ACA was ruled unconstitutional along with the lowest point in last year's stock market drop, both of those in December 2018.  I started a case study about OMY vs. 2MY, and it looks like it's just OMY for me if the ACA ends up staying in place.
https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/case-studies/case-study-omy-or-2/
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on June 12, 2019, 11:06:58 AM
I've been pretty vocal at work since late last year that I was going to retire in June. I've actually been annoying my co-workers by counting down the weeks lol. I have been considering it motivation for retirement planning for the early career folks. I have a federal government job, so I push the younger employees about TSP contributions and discuss the different investment funds like I wish someone had done for me when I started. Education is key.

@waffles - I agree with this completely.  I found a couple of other people who were quietly on the FIRE path at work by being open about my plans, and got a few others on the path.  One young engineer who was familiar with my plans asked a basic question about investing and the conversation developed from there.  She's now fully on board with FIRE, although to be fair I think she would have gotten there anyway because she's naturally frugal and is a very fast rising engineer. 

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: martyconlonontherun on June 12, 2019, 11:42:57 AM
  The plan as it stands now is my house sale would close June 12 according to an accepted offer and I will work two days after closing.  I have vacation approved for the last two weeks of June, so I plan on giving my boss the obligatory 2 week notice of termination right before I leave on the last day.  That way I don't have to explain I'm retiring to everybody.   
Is the 2 week notice really obligatory? If not, seems like you are playing semantics. In reality you look like you are giving no notice as the company/co-workers wont have time to properly off-board you. Obviously, there are no repercussions if you are planning on leaving the industry for good but I would think about your relationship with co-workers/friends. I had a co-worker just do this (he's moving to California so didn't care about burning bridges). Just seemed like a lack of respect for the teammembers having to pick up the work.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: kenmoremmm on June 12, 2019, 11:47:16 AM
marty conlon! love the name. one of my fav BB players of all time.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on June 13, 2019, 12:24:12 AM
  The plan as it stands now is my house sale would close June 12 according to an accepted offer and I will work two days after closing.  I have vacation approved for the last two weeks of June, so I plan on giving my boss the obligatory 2 week notice of termination right before I leave on the last day.  That way I don't have to explain I'm retiring to everybody.   
Is the 2 week notice really obligatory? If not, seems like you are playing semantics. In reality you look like you are giving no notice as the company/co-workers wont have time to properly off-board you. Obviously, there are no repercussions if you are planning on leaving the industry for good but I would think about your relationship with co-workers/friends. I had a co-worker just do this (he's moving to California so didn't care about burning bridges). Just seemed like a lack of respect for the teammembers having to pick up the work.

If I were the company, I would unapprove the vacation, so that you would be present those 2 weeks, for some transfer of routines to your co-workers.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on June 13, 2019, 04:15:38 AM
  The plan as it stands now is my house sale would close June 12 according to an accepted offer and I will work two days after closing.  I have vacation approved for the last two weeks of June, so I plan on giving my boss the obligatory 2 week notice of termination right before I leave on the last day.  That way I don't have to explain I'm retiring to everybody.   
Is the 2 week notice really obligatory? If not, seems like you are playing semantics. In reality you look like you are giving no notice as the company/co-workers wont have time to properly off-board you. Obviously, there are no repercussions if you are planning on leaving the industry for good but I would think about your relationship with co-workers/friends. I had a co-worker just do this (he's moving to California so didn't care about burning bridges). Just seemed like a lack of respect for the teammembers having to pick up the work.

If I were the company, I would unapprove the vacation, so that you would be present those 2 weeks, for some transfer of routines to your co-workers.

Maybe Dibdab's coworkers don't deserve respect or thoughtfulness. Many years ago I did the same thing, using my vacation as my 2-week notice. I worked for pretty terrible company and my manager, who was inappropriately touchy-feely on top of everything else, lied to me about the work I was doing because he thought I might find the truth morally objectionable (because my work was supporting the testing of nuclear weapons). My then husband got fed up and encouraged me to just quit so I could help him start a business.

Disrespectful? Yes, but exactly what they deserved and the healthiest thing for me.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on June 13, 2019, 05:26:13 AM
@tooqk4u22 -- How did it go yesterday?  Did you wrap up?

And how are you doing @Dibdab, @okonomiyaki, and @2Birds1Stone  ?  Is tomorrow still your last day?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Home Stretch on June 13, 2019, 02:31:36 PM
Well, I just finished drafting my resignation letter, so I guess I'm part of the club!

I specifically did not specify a two-week notice, as I'm hoping we can get it to be sooner than that (Maybe next Weds or Thurs?). I'm in an ideal position to leave as I've been surreptitiously off-loading all of my responsibilities for the past several months. I think my manager has noticed this, but hopefully he'll appreciate it when I leave and nothing gets dropped. Personally, I think he's going to be pretty upset because we have a really close relationship and have bonded over our shared stress and anxiety working for a rather stressful and anxiety-inducing company. For that reason, I'm waiting until Monday to hand in my notice so as not to ruin his weekend. I REALLY want to just get it over with though!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: jfer_rose on June 13, 2019, 07:07:44 PM
Sorry for a rambling post, but today was an eventful day at the office. It did not go as planned and I have a lot to report.

I decided to tell my boss about my plans today as we had a meeting where they were relevant. But he dived right in to the meeting and so I addressed each point he raised without feeling it was the right time to mention my news. The feeling of nervousness in my stomach getting stronger and stronger as the meeting progressed. And then when he was done with all his points, I awkwardly told him that I have enrolled in a carpentry program starting in September which would require me to leave the job. I still don't feel 100% certain about my decision, although I'm 95-99% sure I will go through with leaving (I do really love my boss and coworkers!!). While I said I was leaning towards leaving, I think I left him with the impression that I was much less decided than I am. Not my finest hour. He wants me to give him my final decision ASAP.

Subsequently, and unrelated, I learned later this afternoon that I am being sent on business travel for two non-consecutive five day/four night trips in July. This in addition to my previously scheduled vacation for a week in July. This is a far greater amount of travel than I normally experience. (And I live alone and have a cat that currently needs medicine 2X per day, ugh! gonna be expensive!) I had been toying with making August 2 my last day in the office to allow a month off before starting the program, however now I will be out of town on business travel that week/day. I don't want my last day to be a day when I'm out of the office.

Tentative last day: August 9?
In addition to previously planned business travel and vacation, this would mean I have 35 work days remaining, 22 of which would be in the office-- Yikes!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on June 13, 2019, 09:50:31 PM
Sorry for a rambling post, but today was an eventful day at the office. It did not go as planned and I have a lot to report.

I decided to tell my boss about my plans today as we had a meeting where they were relevant. But he dived right in to the meeting and so I addressed each point he raised without feeling it was the right time to mention my news. The feeling of nervousness in my stomach getting stronger and stronger as the meeting progressed. And then when he was done with all his points, I awkwardly told him that I have enrolled in a carpentry program starting in September which would require me to leave the job. I still don't feel 100% certain about my decision, although I'm 95-99% sure I will go through with leaving (I do really love my boss and coworkers!!). While I said I was leaning towards leaving, I think I left him with the impression that I was much less decided than I am. Not my finest hour. He wants me to give him my final decision ASAP.

Subsequently, and unrelated, I learned later this afternoon that I am being sent on business travel for two non-consecutive five day/four night trips in July. This in addition to my previously scheduled vacation for a week in July. This is a far greater amount of travel than I normally experience. (And I live alone and have a cat that currently needs medicine 2X per day, ugh! gonna be expensive!) I had been toying with making August 2 my last day in the office to allow a month off before starting the program, however now I will be out of town on business travel that week/day. I don't want my last day to be a day when I'm out of the office.

Tentative last day: August 9?
In addition to previously planned business travel and vacation, this would mean I have 35 work days remaining, 22 of which would be in the office-- Yikes!

Why the 95-99% range?  Is it concern about money, making a huge change, health care, or something else?  I don't know your situation, but the worst thing I did as a part of my FIREing was to be uncertain and ambiguous with my company.  There was a potential project they wanted me to support a few months after my FIRE date, and I feel like I spent about 6 weeks with the possibility of going back for a few weeks hanging over my head.  I still had a great time and got a start on a lot of things that I wanted to do, but I think a clean break would have been better.  I offer this as a cautionary tale so hopefully you don't make the same mistake I did.  Once you're sure, I recommend cutting the cord quickly and cleanly.  You can talk through your uncertainty here, but for me it would have been better to be firm with my company much earlier.  I think @sol had a "FIRE Failure" thread a few months ago that had something similar. 
Or maybe I'm mis-reading your post. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on June 14, 2019, 05:31:13 AM
Well, I just finished drafting my resignation letter, so I guess I'm part of the club!

Welcome @Home Stretch!  Got you added to the list.  You are joining a few other 30-ish year old FIRE-ees here in the cohort -- well done.  What's your plan for after?

God you updated to August 9 @jfer_rose!  Congrats on firming up the plans.  It can get nerve wracking at the end; just keep putting one foot in front of the other.

And we're waiting for news from these 4 folks to see if we can mark them confirmed:

06/12/19     @tooqk4u22
06/14/19     @Dibdab (56)
06/15/19     @okonomiyaki (49)
06/15/19     @2Birds1Stone  (32) 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on June 14, 2019, 06:28:59 AM
Sorry for a rambling post, but today was an eventful day at the office. It did not go as planned and I have a lot to report.

I decided to tell my boss about my plans today as we had a meeting where they were relevant. But he dived right in to the meeting and so I addressed each point he raised without feeling it was the right time to mention my news. The feeling of nervousness in my stomach getting stronger and stronger as the meeting progressed. And then when he was done with all his points, I awkwardly told him that I have enrolled in a carpentry program starting in September which would require me to leave the job. I still don't feel 100% certain about my decision, although I'm 95-99% sure I will go through with leaving (I do really love my boss and coworkers!!). While I said I was leaning towards leaving, I think I left him with the impression that I was much less decided than I am. Not my finest hour. He wants me to give him my final decision ASAP.

Subsequently, and unrelated, I learned later this afternoon that I am being sent on business travel for two non-consecutive five day/four night trips in July. This in addition to my previously scheduled vacation for a week in July. This is a far greater amount of travel than I normally experience. (And I live alone and have a cat that currently needs medicine 2X per day, ugh! gonna be expensive!) I had been toying with making August 2 my last day in the office to allow a month off before starting the program, however now I will be out of town on business travel that week/day. I don't want my last day to be a day when I'm out of the office.

Tentative last day: August 9?
In addition to previously planned business travel and vacation, this would mean I have 35 work days remaining, 22 of which would be in the office-- Yikes!

Can you not recline those business trips, because of that cat?  The worst thing your boss could do is fire you...
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Home Stretch on June 14, 2019, 06:52:23 AM
Welcome @Home Stretch!  Got you added to the list.  You are joining a few other 30-ish year old FIRE-ees here in the cohort -- well done.  What's your plan for after?

Thanks @Trifele! When you say "the list" - I saw a list posted a few pages back in this thread, but it is also maintained elsewhere? Might be nice to have it in your signature as a read-only Google doc so that people can quickly reference it.

As far as my plans for after? Well, I've been working almost non-stop since the age of 19, so I'm going to take a well-deserved break. Time to lose the 20 pounds of desk weight that I've been carrying around for the past few years. Also on the near-term list:
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on June 14, 2019, 09:19:39 AM
Those are some great plans @Home Stretch

Yeah, the list -- It's the confirmed FIREs that occur, and everyone else's projected FIRE date.  We post it up at least once per page.  It's gotten big.  As a cohort we've had discussions about how to manage it.  Most recently, it was getting in the way of our conversations, so the consensus was to only repost it when we had a confirmed FIRE.  It's getting buried a bit now since it's been more than a week, so if we don't hear something very soon from our pending folks for today, I'll pull it forward.  :)   The most recent one is on the prior page.

Interesting idea about the Google doc.  I assume I'd need a Google account to do that? 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on June 14, 2019, 11:35:23 AM
I'm in limbo now! Can't say much more than that.

Please move my date TBD!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Miss Piggy on June 14, 2019, 12:39:43 PM
07/03/19     Miss Piggy

I am confirmed. Gave notice. May stay on for some part-time/consulting hours, but my time in the FTE world is almost over.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on June 14, 2019, 01:10:18 PM
07/03/19     Miss Piggy

I am confirmed. Gave notice. May stay on for some part-time/consulting hours, but my time in the FTE world is almost over.

That's awesome!  Congrats!  Do you want to call it now, or wait until your last FT day?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on June 14, 2019, 01:18:49 PM
Congratulations @Dibdab and @tooqk4u22 !!!!

Next week we have on deck: @RichMoose, @waffles, @Parizade and @okonumiyaki .   Your day is almost here!!
 

2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19     Bingeworker (52)          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
04/05/19     MissNancyPryor (50)      CONFIRMED SWAMI
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                    CONFIRMED
05/14/19     anonprof                       CONFIRMED
05/16/19     dude (53)                      CONFIRMED
05/17/19     MaybeBabyMustache      CONFIRMED SABBATICAL                   
05/24/19     Prairie Stash (38)           CONFIRMED
05/30/19     Livingthedream55 (59)   CONFIRMED
05/30/19     MoMan  (54)                  CONFIRMED
05/31/19     Odiedog859  (62)           CONFIRMED
06/10/19     tooqk4u22                     CONFIRMED             
06/14/19     Dibdab (56)                   CONFIRMED
06/18/19     RichMoose (29)
06/19/19     Waffles  (52)
06/20/19     Parizade  (62)
06/21/19     Okonumiyaki (49)
06/21/19     Home Stretch (31)
06/30/19     SHO (37)
06/30/19     snowdog (57)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
07/05/19     StoaX (58)
07/05/19     5OClocksomewhere
07/08/19     Batljunk
07/08/19     Mathieu
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/??/19     Omy
08/01/19     SugarMountain
08/09/19     Jfer_rose (41)
08/31/19     Gerard
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/13/19     dayzero
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
10/01/19    SnakesInTheGrass (55)
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     JumboShrimp
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/19/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)
12/31/19     Nifty (31)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer
MustacheAnxiety
forward
BlindSquirrel
I'm Fred (51)
JoJo (45)
Edgema
Gerardc  (35)
Pylortes  (42)
SamIAm38  (30)
DreamFire
2Birds1Stone  (32)

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
Linda_Norway (45)
CryingInThePool  (44)
Albireo13  (61)
Cookie78
Enigma
exit2019  (40)
powersuitrecall  (47)

OLY
markbike528cbx  (55)      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
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on June 14, 2019, 01:47:05 PM
Darn you RichMoose, you've stolen the crown for youngest, and firstest.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Dibdab on June 14, 2019, 04:29:00 PM
You can confirm me.
At quitting time, turned in my uniforms and door card. I told boss I was giving 2 week notice of quitting.  He laughed and says, "oh so your going on 2 week vacation and giving notice." We high fived and wished each other luck.   Glad my "career" of 35 years is in the rear view mirror.  Can't forget it fast enough really, especially the last 11 years.  Can't thank my younger self enough for being frugal and investing then so I don't have to quit later than now because I got carpal tunnel or whatever, as opposed now because I'm FI.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on June 14, 2019, 04:48:10 PM
Congratulations Dibdab, sounds like your boss was pretty cool about your vacation-notice, I'm glad for you.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on June 14, 2019, 07:48:56 PM
Congrats @Dibdab!!!

Got you CONFIRMED above.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: okonumiyaki on June 14, 2019, 11:18:39 PM
Well, I just finished drafting my resignation letter, so I guess I'm part of the club!

Welcome @Home Stretch!  Got you added to the list.  You are joining a few other 30-ish year old FIRE-ees here in the cohort -- well done.  What's your plan for after?

God you updated to August 9 @jfer_rose!  Congrats on firming up the plans.  It can get nerve wracking at the end; just keep putting one foot in front of the other.

And we're waiting for news from these 4 folks to see if we can mark them confirmed:

06/12/19     @tooqk4u22
06/14/19     @Dibdab (56)
06/15/19     @okonomiyaki (49)
06/15/19     @2Birds1Stone  (32)

Last day at office 21Jun - last official day of employment 30Jun.  Plans for next 12 months agreed with partner...
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: friedmmj on June 15, 2019, 08:50:11 AM
I've been pretty vocal at work since late last year that I was going to retire in June. I've actually been annoying my co-workers by counting down the weeks lol. I have been considering it motivation for retirement planning for the early career folks. I have a federal government job, so I push the younger employees about TSP contributions and discuss the different investment funds like I wish someone had done for me when I started. Education is key.

I only have 5 work shifts left! My actual last day of work is June 19, technically retiring on June 29. There have been some comments on how happy I seem about it!
It must be bizarre spending your last weekend as an employed person.  Somehow, the Sunday night stress won't be so stressful when it's the last working week of your life!  Congrats.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on June 15, 2019, 07:24:28 PM
Last day at office 21Jun - last official day of employment 30Jun.  Plans for next 12 months agreed with partner...

Excellent!  Thanks for the check in @okonumiyaki.  Got you updated^.  You and @Parizade have only 5 days to go!!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on June 15, 2019, 07:53:12 PM
Last day at office 21Jun - last official day of employment 30Jun.  Plans for next 12 months agreed with partner...

Excellent!  Thanks for the check in @okonumiyaki.  Got you updated^.  You and @Parizade have only 5 days to go!!!

June 21 is my official last day, but I'm turning in my badge and computer on June 20 just before my office retirement party.

What keeps going through my head these days is a childhood memory of letting the cow out of the barn in spring. Winters are so cold here cows need to be kept inside all winter so when it's finally warm enough to let them out again they go a little bonkers (look up Spring Cow Dance on youtube for examples). I'm feeling like a cow whose been in the barn all winter, it's time to open that door and let me out.
(https://i0.wp.com/www.guggenheim.org/wp-content/uploads/1911/01/49.1210_ph_web-1.jpg?w=870)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: waffles on June 15, 2019, 08:31:16 PM

I only have 5 work shifts left! My actual last day of work is June 19, technically retiring on June 29. There have been some comments on how happy I seem about it!
It must be bizarre spending your last weekend as an employed person.  Somehow, the Sunday night stress won't be so stressful when it's the last working week of your life!  Congrats.

It is still kind of unreal actually! I think the first Monday AFTER retirement it may start to sink in.

It doesn't seem too common anymore for employees to keep the same job for so long, but I have essentially done the same job, at the same workplace, for 27 years. There have been equipment changes, and co-worker changes, but the basic job has been the same. While I still have some trepidation over giving up the regular paycheck, there is no doubt in my mind it is time for me to be done with this job.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on June 16, 2019, 04:39:47 AM
Wow, great analogy @Parizade!  You dance, girl.  :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on June 16, 2019, 06:14:43 PM
WOO HOO to those that made it.  So exciting!!!!

@jfer_rose that is why some people do this via letter, it takes out the awkward part.  If mine hadn't had been over the phone, it would have been squirmy and even more awkward for me.  Once you are ready, you can email your details (which HR will probably want) and then you don't have to look or sound confident. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: waffles on June 16, 2019, 11:20:29 PM
Parizade, I love the Spring Cow! Maybe that can be the spirit animal of this cohort lol. It is certainly mine now!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on June 17, 2019, 06:07:52 AM
Should be a fun week!  Four FIRE-ees ready to jump and pull the rip cord, open the barn door and run for it, [insert your favorite metaphor!]  --  @RichMoose, @waffles, @Parizade, and @okonumiyaki.

OH YEAH!!!


Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: tooqk4u22 on June 17, 2019, 07:13:33 AM
@tooqk4u22 -- How did it go yesterday?  Did you wrap up?

And how are you doing @Dibdab, @okonomiyaki, and @2Birds1Stone  ?  Is tomorrow still your last day?


Actually 6/10 was my last day so I am basically one week in.  It has gone fast and busier than I expected, mostly my doing and a good thing and I haven't been on a computer since then until now (had to pay some bills).   So far so good.   Main issue is my projects list keeps growing in number and my ideas are tending toward "way above my skill set" 

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on June 17, 2019, 08:33:04 AM
@tooqk4u22 -- How did it go yesterday?  Did you wrap up?


Actually 6/10 was my last day so I am basically one week in.  It has gone fast and busier than I expected, mostly my doing and a good thing and I haven't been on a computer since then until now (had to pay some bills).   So far so good.   Main issue is my projects list keeps growing in number and my ideas are tending toward "way above my skill set"

Wow!  CONGRATULATIONS!!!  Got you confirmed above.  I hear you on the projects, haha.  After a while, you wonder how we ever had time to work full time.

By the way, I have to ask:  how do you 'read' your user name?  When I see it, part of my brain reads "too quick for you", but sometimes it looks like "toque" and "tutu", which would be an interesting outfit lol. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Home Stretch on June 17, 2019, 01:06:19 PM
Welp, I just gave my notice this morning. It went more smoothly than I ever could have expected. Manager/CEO were both very chill about it. Everyone is very understanding and people have been coming by to wish me well and ask where I'm going (to which I respond "I'm taking some time off").

As I said in my last comment, I don't have much to hand off, so we discussed when my last day would be. I was originally hoping for Wednesday, but now I'm seeing it will take at least 2 days just to properly get the paperwork together and hand everything off without putting an undue burden on HR or IT, which I would never want to do (I get along great with them). So, to make things easy on everyone we have decided officially that my last day will be this Friday, June 21st.

So, @Trifele - you can update the list! Can't wait to join everyone else who has made the leap in 2019!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on June 18, 2019, 05:28:26 AM
CONGRATS @RichMoose!  Our youngest FIRE-ee of the year so far.  Best of luck on your move to Hanoi this summer!

CONGRATULATIONS @waffles!!  After a long successful career, hope it feels good to walk out that door!


2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19     Bingeworker (52)          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
04/05/19     MissNancyPryor (50)      CONFIRMED SWAMI
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                    CONFIRMED
05/14/19     anonprof                       CONFIRMED
05/16/19     dude (53)                      CONFIRMED
05/17/19     MaybeBabyMustache      CONFIRMED SABBATICAL                   
05/24/19     Prairie Stash (38)           CONFIRMED
05/30/19     Livingthedream55 (59)   CONFIRMED
05/30/19     MoMan  (54)                  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)
06/21/19     Okonumiyaki (49)
06/21/19     Home Stretch (31)
06/30/19     SHO (37)
06/30/19     snowdog (57)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
07/05/19     StoaX (58)
07/05/19     5OClocksomewhere
07/08/19     Batljunk
07/08/19     Mathieu
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/??/19     Omy
07/??/19     Dire Wolf
08/01/19     SugarMountain
08/09/19     Jfer_rose (41)
08/31/19     Gerard
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/13/19     dayzero
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
10/01/19    SnakesInTheGrass (55)
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     JumboShrimp
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/19/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)
12/31/19     Nifty (31)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer
MustacheAnxiety
forward
BlindSquirrel
I'm Fred (51)
JoJo (45)
Edgema
Gerardc  (35)
Pylortes  (42)
SamIAm38  (30)
DreamFire
2Birds1Stone  (32)

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
Linda_Norway (45)
CryingInThePool  (44)
Albireo13  (61)
Cookie78
Enigma
exit2019  (40)
powersuitrecall  (47)

OLY
markbike528cbx  (55)      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

   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on June 18, 2019, 08:15:36 AM
Welp, I just gave my notice this morning. It went more smoothly than I ever could have expected. Manager/CEO were both very chill about it. Everyone is very understanding and people have been coming by to wish me well and ask where I'm going (to which I respond "I'm taking some time off").

As I said in my last comment, I don't have much to hand off, so we discussed when my last day would be. I was originally hoping for Wednesday, but now I'm seeing it will take at least 2 days just to properly get the paperwork together and hand everything off without putting an undue burden on HR or IT, which I would never want to do (I get along great with them). So, to make things easy on everyone we have decided officially that my last day will be this Friday, June 21st.

So, @Trifele - you can update the list! Can't wait to join everyone else who has made the leap in 2019!

That's great!  It will be here FAST!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: tooqk4u22 on June 18, 2019, 09:19:55 AM
@tooqk4u22 -- How did it go yesterday?  Did you wrap up?


Actually 6/10 was my last day so I am basically one week in.  It has gone fast and busier than I expected, mostly my doing and a good thing and I haven't been on a computer since then until now (had to pay some bills).   So far so good.   Main issue is my projects list keeps growing in number and my ideas are tending toward "way above my skill set"

Wow!  CONGRATULATIONS!!!  Got you confirmed above.  I hear you on the projects, haha.  After a while, you wonder how we ever had time to work full time.

By the way, I have to ask:  how do you 'read' your user name?  When I see it, part of my brain reads "too quick for you", but sometimes it looks like "toque" and "tutu", which would be an interesting outfit lol.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: RichMoose on June 18, 2019, 03:45:00 PM
Went in to work today to hand in my badge, keys, clean out my desk, and take the last few personal belongings home. I'm officially off the books at the end of the day. A great feeling!

I guess this makes me officially FIRE until I find something else to do. I don't anticipate that to be for a while as I've got a big move to Vietnam coming up that I need to prepare for.

Lets keep the CONFIRMED's going! Looks like Lews (another Canadian) is up next for the <30 FIREes this year!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on June 18, 2019, 03:56:13 PM
Congratulations @RichMoose, I'm right behind you. I'll be turning in my badge and computer on Thursday.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on June 19, 2019, 05:19:07 AM
CONGRATULATIONS @waffles!   You are CONFIRMED.   Breathe the free air.  Let us know how it goes and what your immediate plans are!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on June 19, 2019, 05:24:48 AM
Congratulations @RichMoose, I'm right behind you. I'll be turning in my badge and computer on Thursday.

Look at your FIRE ticker picture @Parizade -- crazy!  You've been a regular on this thread for what, three or four years?  And now it's almost here
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on June 19, 2019, 06:17:51 AM
I was thinking about that the other day @Trifele when I saw this thread
How do you motivate yourself to work 1,000 more days? (https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/how-do-you-motivate-yourself-to-work-1-000-more-days/)

I did a search to see what I was posting about 1000 days ago, apparently motivation was not a problem for me. I had some major family issues going on at the time so that was a distraction, but it certainly didn't lessen my motivation.

I'm dismantling my home office today and making the 2 hour trek up to the cities. I'll be staying there with a friend tonight and dropping off most of my equipment before the office party tomorrow. I'll hold onto my laptop another day so I can respond to any last minute farewell emails, but I certainly won't be using it for work.

It's all getting very real now.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: RichMoose on June 19, 2019, 08:26:39 AM
Congratulations RichMoose, I'm right behind you. I'll be turning in my badge and computer on Thursday.
Awesome! If you don't mind sharing, what's your service?
I was a police officer for 3 years and a bylaw officer for 6.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on June 19, 2019, 08:30:52 AM
My service? Megacorp lackey lol. I'm turning in my security badge, no more access to corporate hq.

But thank you for your service :-)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: RichMoose on June 19, 2019, 09:22:59 AM
My service? Megacorp lackey lol. I'm turning in my security badge, no more access to corporate hq.

But thank you for your service :-)
Haha! I guess in my world we make assumptions about badges. Police, fire, paramedics, military, etc.

But yes, along with my badge I also had to turn in a security ID card, building access cards, and half a dozen fancy keys (most are backup for when the access card system fails). Then sign an agreement that I still won't unlawfully disclose information that I have learned about people over the years via internal police information systems. And go through a long checklist of equipment and things that could be misused (ie. uniform pants, shirts, jackets, shoulder flashes, body armor).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: sisto on June 19, 2019, 09:54:45 AM
Wanted to chime in and congratulate you all. I also got a kick out of the badge/service convo. I work for megacorp, so my assumption was biased towards that type of badge. It was cool seeing a different perspective. I like to lurk around here and see how people are doing and reading their stories. My official date is in 2021.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Bingeworker on June 19, 2019, 11:49:31 AM
Just wanted to drop by and say congratulations to all the recent retirees, and cheer on those who are rapidly approaching the finish line!  Feels great, doesn't it?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DireWolf on June 19, 2019, 02:02:54 PM
I'm tentatively going to tell my boss I'm retiring when I get back from a beach vacation on July 1st. Thought about telling him this week, but a week off to think about life before I commit seems prudent. Should be out by my 51st birthday. Wife just got a big promotion, enough to cover all our expenses and still put in some 401k (enough for the employer match). She says 5 more years for her (she started her career in early 30s, unlike me). If she does 1.5, we'd be at 100% FIREcalc.

Her health benefits are outstanding, so that's a big relief from worrying about what will happen with ACA. Hopefully when she is ready to quit, we have a lot better outlook as to health care. Scares the hell out of me right now. I'm also now kinda hoping we go ahead and get the inevitable recession over with before I tap the nest egg at all.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on June 19, 2019, 03:06:57 PM
I was thinking about that the other day @Trifele when I saw this thread
How do you motivate yourself to work 1,000 more days? (https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/how-do-you-motivate-yourself-to-work-1-000-more-days/)

I did a search to see what I was posting about 1000 days ago, apparently motivation was not a problem for me. I had some major family issues going on at the time so that was a distraction, but it certainly didn't lessen my motivation.

I'm dismantling my home office today and making the 2 hour trek up to the cities. I'll be staying there with a friend tonight and dropping off most of my equipment before the office party tomorrow. I'll hold onto my laptop another day so I can respond to any last minute farewell emails, but I certainly won't be using it for work.

It's all getting very real now.

The barn door is almost open.  Your wee turtle is on the move!!  Woo hoo.

@RichMoose Congrats on making it!!!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Home Stretch on June 19, 2019, 08:17:44 PM
Thanks @Bingeworker and @sisto for the congratulatory words! I sent out my "farewell" email today and it's been both gratifying and a little sad to see all the responses from people who I am genuinely going to miss having an excuse to be around. I think I spent 2 hours writing what ended up being a 2 paragraph email. I had to dare myself to hit the send button. It was a really strange feeling.

T-minus 38 hours for me.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: waffles on June 19, 2019, 09:00:45 PM
I worked my last shift today! It was hard saying goodbye to the people I have worked with, some for many years. There was a nice little retirement party and good food.

So it is now about six hours after leaving work for the last time and it is really sinking in that I NEVER HAVE TO GO BACK. My time is truly my own now. This will take some getting used to.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on June 20, 2019, 03:59:51 AM
Congrats for all those of you who have FIREd.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on June 20, 2019, 04:31:54 AM
Have a great last day at work @Parizade!  And hope you have a ball in Seattle!  Looking forward to your 'FIRE Porn' pictures.  :)

                                                                (https://media3.giphy.com/media/d1E1brEoXc8cU7e0/200w.webp?cid=790b76115d0b5dd65665766e2e1bc285&rid=200w.webp)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on June 20, 2019, 03:49:57 PM
CONGRATULATIONS @Parizade on your last day!  You are CONFIRMED.

@DireWolf -- got you added for July.   Welcome aboard!


2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19     Bingeworker (52)          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
04/05/19     MissNancyPryor (50)      CONFIRMED SWAMI
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                    CONFIRMED
05/14/19     anonprof                       CONFIRMED
05/16/19     dude (53)                      CONFIRMED
05/17/19     MaybeBabyMustache      CONFIRMED SABBATICAL                   
05/24/19     Prairie Stash (38)           CONFIRMED
05/30/19     Livingthedream55 (59)   CONFIRMED
05/30/19     MoMan  (54)                  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)
06/30/19     snowdog (57)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
07/05/19     StoaX (58)
07/05/19     5OClocksomewhere
07/08/19     Batljunk
07/08/19     Mathieu
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/??/19     Omy
07/??/19     Dire Wolf
08/01/19     SugarMountain
08/09/19     Jfer_rose (41)
08/31/19     Gerard
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/13/19     dayzero
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
10/01/19    SnakesInTheGrass (55)
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     JumboShrimp
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/19/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)
12/31/19     Nifty (31)

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)

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
Linda_Norway (45)
CryingInThePool  (44)
Albireo13  (61)
Cookie78
Enigma
exit2019  (40)
powersuitrecall  (47)
SamIAm38  (30)

OLY
markbike528cbx  (55)      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
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on June 20, 2019, 08:31:35 PM
They threw me a very nice little party, got to visit with coworkers I hadn't seen in many years, and the cake was delicious.

(https://media.giphy.com/media/135Vn8Sx61hW0g/giphy.gif)

Thank you or updating the list Trifele, I love seeing CONFIRMED next to my name.
And thanks to all for the congratulations and well wishes.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on June 21, 2019, 07:33:26 AM
Yooooooo, 2019 Cohort peeps! Figured I'd check in since I cast off the shackles 41 days ago. Retirement is fucking grand! Went to Hawaii for 2 weeks (week in Maui, week on the Big Island), now been back a couple weeks. Haven't set an alarm clock for well over a month now, and I love it. Getting ready for a 3-week intermountain west (CO/UT/WY) climbing trip in a few weeks, then coming home for a couple weeks before heading back out west for 3-4 weeks (WY/Vegas/SoCal) for some jiu jitsu and surfing. Beyond that, who knows? Been filling my days with lots of working out, running, climbing, and jiu jitsu. This FIRE deal is as good as I'd fantasized it would be! Git some!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Home Stretch on June 21, 2019, 08:08:57 AM
Yooooooo, 2019 Cohort peeps! Figured I'd check in since I cast off the shackles 41 days ago. Retirement is fucking grand! Went to Hawaii for 2 weeks (week in Maui, week on the Big Island), now been back a couple weeks. Haven't set an alarm clock for well over a month now, and I love it. Getting ready for a 3-week intermountain west (CO/UT/WY) climbing trip in a few weeks, then coming home for a couple weeks before heading back out west for 3-4 weeks (WY/Vegas/SoCal) for some jiu jitsu and surfing. Beyond that, who knows? Been filling my days with lots of working out, running, climbing, and jiu jitsu. This FIRE deal is as good as I'd fantasized it would be! Git some!

Thanks for the update @dude! Sounds like you're absolutely doing it the right way.

I'm looking to join you in the exercise (running/cycling/weight training for me) department next week. Sitting in my office for the last day today and figured what better way to burn the time than on the forums here.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on June 21, 2019, 08:39:42 AM
Man, I know it is a little late in the year, but we should of had a rule that when you FIRE and get cake, you have the share the cake with the rest of the cohort.  It seems only fair :).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on June 21, 2019, 10:33:43 AM
c'mon over @Loren Ver, they sent the leftovers home with me
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on June 21, 2019, 11:12:55 AM
I've been FIREd since April 26, but finally turned in my badge, laptop, remote access key, etc.  I had been on personal leave (i.e. not working) waiting for some possible work that I'd agreed to support, but haven't been contacted.  I finally told the HR people that I'm formally resigning.  Being "on leave" was a pretty sweet deal because I kept most of my benefits without having to work, but I was tired of this extra thing hanging over my head - and it prevented me from making any real travel plans. 

While the details are different, I'm in complete agreement with @dude .  The past 2 months have been amazing, and I only see things getting better from here.  FIRE is everything I had hoped it would be. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on June 21, 2019, 11:29:56 AM
c'mon over @Loren Ver, they sent the leftovers home with me

YESSSSSSSSSSS

And it is beautiful too!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on June 21, 2019, 12:43:21 PM
Wow the list of 2019 FIREd legends is getting really long. Congrats to you all.

A few good months and I find myself tat 94.5% of my target number..... but still question whether the number is the right one... 😔
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Miss Piggy on June 22, 2019, 08:10:18 AM
@Trifele - you can confirm me for the date that's currently on the group list for me: July 3. (You had asked about that a page or two ago.)  Thank you for managing this list/thread/group!  :)



I'm in kind of a bittersweet mental space right now. I love my teammates; my boss is pretty good; the work is mostly okay; but I absolutely effing HATE the cult company. So happy to be ending the daily grind of wanting to put a sharp stick in my eye instead of walking into that building. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on June 22, 2019, 08:20:01 AM
@Trifele - you can confirm me for the date that's currently on the group list for me: July 3. (You had asked about that a page or two ago.)  Thank you for managing this list/thread/group!  :)



I'm in kind of a bittersweet mental space right now. I love my teammates; my boss is pretty good; the work is mostly okay; but I absolutely effing HATE the cult company. So happy to be ending the daily grind of wanting to put a sharp stick in my eye instead of walking into that building.

That is only a week and a half from now. :-) Sounds like you really meed to quit there.
It is very often the company and it's rules and culture. The people you work with are often the best part of a job, apart from a few exceptions, but they all have to comply with the company BS.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on June 22, 2019, 08:51:45 AM
@Trifele - you can confirm me for the date that's currently on the group list for me: July 3. (You had asked about that a page or two ago.)  Thank you for managing this list/thread/group!  :)



I'm in kind of a bittersweet mental space right now. I love my teammates; my boss is pretty good; the work is mostly okay; but I absolutely effing HATE the cult company. So happy to be ending the daily grind of wanting to put a sharp stick in my eye instead of walking into that building.

That is only a week and a half from now. :-) Sounds like you really meed to quit there.
It is very often the company and it's rules and culture. The people you work with are often the best part of a job, apart from a few exceptions, but they all have to comply with the company BS.

Very very true Linea!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Miss Piggy on June 22, 2019, 09:14:09 AM
It is very often the company and it's rules and culture. The people you work with are often the best part of a job, apart from a few exceptions, but they all have to comply with the company BS.

Yeah, you pretty much nailed it.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on June 22, 2019, 11:47:20 AM
Congrats @okonumiyaki and @Home Stretch!   Got you CONFIRMED above ^.  That feels lucky, FIREing on the first day of summer.  Enjoy!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on June 22, 2019, 04:03:48 PM
Just checking in to the fellow coherts

Geographic arbitrage is a pain in the rear, but will hopefully be setup at the beach in just under three weeks.  Keep on trucking
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on June 23, 2019, 05:22:00 AM
Put the sharp stick down @Miss Piggy, you're almost there.

All retirement celebrations are done now, I'll be getting on a plane to Seattle in a few hours. I don't think I'm really feeling it yet, letting go of the "gotta work" mindset might take me awhile.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on June 24, 2019, 01:38:32 PM
Put the sharp stick down @Miss Piggy, you're almost there.

All retirement celebrations are done now, I'll be getting on a plane to Seattle in a few hours. I don't think I'm really feeling it yet, letting go of the "gotta work" mindset might take me awhile.


Travel safe!

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SamIAm38 on June 25, 2019, 11:16:04 AM
I think I'm out guys. Wasn't feeling completely comfortable with the idea of stopping work completely to fire, and not comfortable staying at this routine. I need a larger nest egg to support the life I'd like to live.

I liked the sabbatical idea but a job came up that seems really interesting. 15% more money, flexibility in where I can live, less hours, weekends off and a different type of position within my field. It's been fun in the 2019 cohort but I guess I'll find a new cohort home.

My future employer said I can start when I'm ready. How long of a gap between this employer and starting with them is acceptable? I was thinking of asking for 4-5 weeks off between jobs but I'm not sure if i'm pushing it, or I could get away with more.

Wish me luck, 2 weeks notice in 3 days....
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on June 25, 2019, 01:18:36 PM
Got you updated ^ @SamIAm38.  Sounds like a great opportunity!  You have plenty of time to figure out your best life path.  Best of luck!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: RichMoose on June 25, 2019, 04:27:24 PM
I think I'm out guys. Wasn't feeling completely comfortable with the idea of stopping work completely to fire, and not comfortable staying at this routine. I need a larger nest egg to support the life I'd like to live.

I liked the sabbatical idea but a job came up that seems really interesting. 15% more money, flexibility in where I can live, less hours, weekends off and a different type of position within my field. It's been fun in the 2019 cohort but I guess I'll find a new cohort home.

My future employer said I can start when I'm ready. How long of a gap between this employer and starting with them is acceptable? I was thinking of asking for 4-5 weeks off between jobs but I'm not sure if i'm pushing it, or I could get away with more.

Wish me luck, 2 weeks notice in 3 days....
Congrats! Sounds like a great opportunity. I would not feel pressured to FIRE at all. If a good opportunity like this comes up, it might be the motivation you need to get a new wind in your working life (and maybe your personal life as well). It is always nice to know that if things don't work out you have a healthy nest egg to back things up and you can walk away stress free.

Never forget, the important thing is happiness... not FIRE.

I would ask for as much time as you want. It may be a good test to see how flexible they will really be in the future. If they want you there sooner because of a certain project, you could always ask for half days or 3 day work weeks to start until the end of summer. The ball is in your court!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on June 25, 2019, 06:57:33 PM
I think I'm out guys. Wasn't feeling completely comfortable with the idea of stopping work completely to fire, and not comfortable staying at this routine. I need a larger nest egg to support the life I'd like to live.

I liked the sabbatical idea but a job came up that seems really interesting. 15% more money, flexibility in where I can live, less hours, weekends off and a different type of position within my field. It's been fun in the 2019 cohort but I guess I'll find a new cohort home.

My future employer said I can start when I'm ready. How long of a gap between this employer and starting with them is acceptable? I was thinking of asking for 4-5 weeks off between jobs but I'm not sure if i'm pushing it, or I could get away with more.

Wish me luck, 2 weeks notice in 3 days....

Good by @SamIAm38, good luck giving notice. 
I like @lhamo's idea, it sounds reasonable to me, a few weeks off should be easy to do.

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on June 26, 2019, 08:32:12 AM
Fare thee well Sam, enjoy your break and your FIREless new adventure.

So far FIRE has been a blast, though I did get a little sunburn yesterday. Not used to spending so much time outside in the middle of the day! I'm meeting lots of grandmas who are in the same boat as me, helping their kids with daycare. And my granddaughter is rather a social butterfly, no worries about her making friends here.

Congrats to all my companions who FIRED last week, sorry if I missed your day but I've been busy :-)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Home Stretch on June 26, 2019, 06:47:08 PM
Checking in after a few days on the other side. IT IS GLORIOUS.

I've been waking up around the same time as I did before (7am), but now I fill my mornings with productive activities. So far, I've been making super-healthy breakfasts, delicious coffee, and then going for 30-minute high-intensity bike rides. I take a good hour to cool down (still in pretty garbage physical condition), then I take a shower and make lunch. Every day so far this week I've had stuff scheduled with my close friends and/or ex-coworkers, so I'm certainly not wanting for more socialization. Bought a new game for 80% off on a Steam sale, but haven't even had time to play it that much because I've been so busy living my actual life.

How the hell did I ever have time to live my life before I left my full-time job? Oh wait, I wasn't...
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on June 27, 2019, 01:29:31 AM
Checking in after a few days on the other side. IT IS GLORIOUS.

I've been waking up around the same time as I did before (7am), but now I fill my mornings with productive activities. So far, I've been making super-healthy breakfasts, delicious coffee, and then going for 30-minute high-intensity bike rides. I take a good hour to cool down (still in pretty garbage physical condition), then I take a shower and make lunch. Every day so far this week I've had stuff scheduled with my close friends and/or ex-coworkers, so I'm certainly not wanting for more socialization. Bought a new game for 80% off on a Steam sale, but haven't even had time to play it that much because I've been so busy living my actual life.

How the hell did I ever have time to live my life before I left my full-time job? Oh wait, I wasn't...

Good for you that you are so happy.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on June 27, 2019, 07:33:18 AM
How the hell did I ever have time to live my life before I left my full-time job? Oh wait, I wasn't...

LOVE this! it perfectly sums up the "why FIRE?" question that pops up on the forums periodically: so I can live my life!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on June 29, 2019, 03:36:12 AM
Well, June is almost over.  Sending out a page to @SHO, @snowdog, and @oldtoyota.  What's your status?

And up this coming week (July!!) we have

07/03/19     Miss Piggy
07/05/19     StoaX (58)
07/05/19     5OClocksomewhere

It sounds like @Miss Piggy is a definite for the 3rd, and can't wait to get out.  How about you @stoaX and @5Oclocksomewhere?  How are you doing?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: avrex on June 30, 2019, 02:30:03 PM
Hi guys,
I am FIRE! 
I haven't been very active on the forums in the past year, but I thought I'd add my name to the list here.
I FIRE'd back on Jan 11, 2019 at age 53, receiving my final payment on this date.

For those who I've met IRL at MMM events, I've shared some health struggles that I've had over the years.  I'm happy to report that with some newly approved medication that I've started in 2019, I've seen improvements with my health.

I'm super happy with my life.

I've travelled a lot in the first half of 2019.  (Europe, USA, Caribbean)

More good news.  My SO was part of a massive layoff at her company.  Yesterday was her last day at work.  Although she hasn't ruled out other job opportunities down the road.... for now ....she is quite happy to join me in FIRE and do more travelling together.

Life is good.

Cheers,
avrex

***********************************************************

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
04/05/19     MissNancyPryor (50)      CONFIRMED SWAMI
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                    CONFIRMED
05/14/19     anonprof                       CONFIRMED
05/16/19     dude (53)                      CONFIRMED
05/17/19     MaybeBabyMustache      CONFIRMED SABBATICAL                   
05/24/19     Prairie Stash (38)           CONFIRMED
05/30/19     Livingthedream55 (59)   CONFIRMED
05/30/19     MoMan  (54)                  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)
06/30/19     snowdog (57)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
07/05/19     StoaX (58)
07/05/19     5OClocksomewhere
07/08/19     Batljunk
07/08/19     Mathieu
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/??/19     Omy
07/??/19     Dire Wolf
08/01/19     SugarMountain
08/09/19     Jfer_rose (41)
08/31/19     Gerard
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/13/19     dayzero
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
10/01/19    SnakesInTheGrass (55)
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     JumboShrimp
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/19/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)
12/31/19     Nifty (31)

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)

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
Linda_Norway (45)
CryingInThePool  (44)
Albireo13  (61)
Cookie78
Enigma
exit2019  (40)
powersuitrecall  (47)
SamIAm38  (30)

OLY
markbike528cbx  (55)      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
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on July 01, 2019, 03:29:02 AM
Congrats to all of the mid-year early retirees!

Seven saturdays a week, I wouldn't trade it for the office again
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on July 01, 2019, 03:30:23 AM
Welcome to the FIREd list @avrex!  Sounds like it's been a great year for you so far.

No word yet from @SHO, @snowdog, and @oldtoyota, so moving them to TBD til we hear back.

Next up we have @Miss Piggy, who sounded ready to combust last week already.  How are you doing MP? 3 days left!!!


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
04/05/19     MissNancyPryor (50)      CONFIRMED SWAMI
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                    CONFIRMED
05/14/19     anonprof                       CONFIRMED
05/16/19     dude (53)                      CONFIRMED
05/17/19     MaybeBabyMustache      CONFIRMED SABBATICAL                   
05/24/19     Prairie Stash (38)           CONFIRMED
05/30/19     Livingthedream55 (59)   CONFIRMED
05/30/19     MoMan  (54)                  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                 
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
07/05/19     StoaX (58)
07/05/19     5OClocksomewhere
07/08/19     Batljunk
07/08/19     Mathieu
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/??/19     Omy
07/??/19     Dire Wolf
08/01/19     SugarMountain
08/09/19     Jfer_rose (41)
08/31/19     Gerard
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/13/19     dayzero
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
10/01/19    SnakesInTheGrass (55)
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     JumboShrimp
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/19/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)
12/31/19     Nifty (31)

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)
snowdog (57)
Oldtoyota

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
Linda_Norway (45)
CryingInThePool  (44)
Albireo13  (61)
Cookie78
Enigma
exit2019  (40)
powersuitrecall  (47)
SamIAm38  (30)

OLY
markbike528cbx  (55)      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   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on July 01, 2019, 07:30:34 AM
Hey Cohort,

I'm going to be updating the list while our good and timely friend Trifele is unavailable. My internet right now is really spotty, so I might not be as good and timely as she was (she set some high standards).  I'll do my best, but if I miss something, please let me know.   

Loren
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on July 01, 2019, 08:23:22 AM
Congrats @avrex and anyone I may have missed. Seattle zapped me with a nasty virus so I have not been enjoying retirement as much as I planned yet (though it is wonderful to not worry about falling behind at work while I'm sick).

Thank you @Loren Ver for picking up the torch, @Trifele I hope you are having fun somewhere.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on July 01, 2019, 09:06:35 AM
We're going camping in the Monongahela NF!  I've never been, so should be fun. 

Hope you feel better @Parizade
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on July 01, 2019, 02:02:33 PM
That sounds very fun @Trifele, have a wonderful time.

I had a "work" dream last night, the Sr VP of my department gave me an assignment to research and map out all the best restaurants in Dublin. I accepted the project LOL
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on July 02, 2019, 01:03:35 PM
That sounds very fun @Trifele, have a wonderful time.

I had a "work" dream last night, the Sr VP of my department gave me an assignment to research and map out all the best restaurants in Dublin. I accepted the project LOL

That would make me sick too ;)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MoMan on July 03, 2019, 02:01:18 AM
Congrats to all who have crossed the finish line-- I'm super jealous! Now that it's July, I can finally say, "I'm retiring next month." (Loren Ver-- my official date is 08/30).

It's fun as word slowly seeps out to colleagues. Two of them found out yesterday during a meeting. It's also fun to hear of the projects and changes that are coming up in my department that I will miss avoid. What a relief. One change is reconstructing our floor. Hurricane Harvey damaged all the buildings on our campus, so now MegaCorp is taking the opportunity to revamp every floor. It means getting rid of the 5 foot tall cubes and replacing them with lower "open workspace" cubes. Right now my space is fairly secluded, and people tend to forget I exist (which is heaven for my introvert personality). Not sure I can handle "open."

Since we are allowed to work from home 2 days a week, I figure I have about 20 commute/cubicle days left after factoring in vacations and holidays. It's getting closer ... so excited!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on July 03, 2019, 06:24:25 AM
Congrats to all who have crossed the finish line-- I'm super jealous! Now that it's July, I can finally say, "I'm retiring next month." (Loren Ver-- my official date is 08/30).

It's fun as word slowly seeps out to colleagues. Two of them found out yesterday during a meeting. It's also fun to hear of the projects and changes that are coming up in my department that I will miss avoid. What a relief. One change is reconstructing our floor. Hurricane Harvey damaged all the buildings on our campus, so now MegaCorp is taking the opportunity to revamp every floor. It means getting rid of the 5 foot tall cubes and replacing them with lower "open workspace" cubes. Right now my space is fairly secluded, and people tend to forget I exist (which is heaven for my introvert personality). Not sure I can handle "open."

Since we are allowed to work from home 2 days a week, I figure I have about 20 commute/cubicle days left after factoring in vacations and holidays. It's getting closer ... so excited!

You will be moving out just in time. Building projects are very noisy and sitting in an open landscape is truly terrible for an introvert. I simple can't concentrate anymore where I currently sit. So my productivity has dropped with about 80% since we are in this open landscape. I still have a little over half a year left. I heard rumours of that they will build another floor on top of our building (our building is just a year old and of course they couldn't foresee that it would be too small). But I hope the building project will not start before next spring when I'm gone.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Odiedog859 on July 03, 2019, 06:45:47 PM
Hey there 2019 companions.  One month in and it is going great.  Like others have said, it is hard to believe I had time to work.  For example, this is the first chance I've had to check on this forum since May.

I do find that I need to set a few strong guidelines so I don't waste time needlessly.  The dogs don't get the retirement thing so I'm still up everyday early but I like mornings.  I try to work on something that needs to be fixed around the house everyday and I try to get out and do something to stay in shape (lots of options here where I live).  Who knew that if you play golf at least twice a week, you start getting better. Our local course has a great deal on a season pass that I finally get to take full advantage of.  The big snowpack has also resulted in higher than normal river levels and we have had a lot of swiftwater rescue calls that I can now help out with (I volunteer with the local fire department). 

I know it can't last but it doesn't hurt to see the markets still doing well and my savings continuing to increase while I'm not working for a salary anymore. I did stop by the office last week for a co-workers birthday party and it was great catching up with folks.  A few noticed the continuous smile I had

Glad I made the jump and fully embraced the concept of enough.  I could have easily been a chronic OMY person.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PowerStache on July 06, 2019, 06:32:38 PM
Checking in after 3 months of FIRE...great to see our list of confirmed cohorts growing!

I don't know if this feeling of elation continues forever, but I don't know if I have ever been happier than I have the last 3 months.  Sleeping better, low stress, physical exercise and lots of time with family.  We are on the east coast and just spent 10 days in the PNW.  Beautiful!!

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on July 06, 2019, 09:37:30 PM
Checking in after 3 months of FIRE...great to see our list of confirmed cohorts growing!

I don't know if this feeling of elation continues forever, but I don't know if I have ever been happier than I have the last 3 months.  Sleeping better, low stress, physical exercise and lots of time with family.  We are on the east coast and just spent 10 days in the PNW.  Beautiful!!

How I feel about FIRE so far
https://www.facebook.com/BuzzFeedCocoaButter/videos/1294289370702398/ (https://www.facebook.com/BuzzFeedCocoaButter/videos/1294289370702398/)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Classical_Liberal on July 06, 2019, 09:49:05 PM
2019 FIRE Cohort:
I'm from the 2022 cohort, but decided to go early and do some part time work.  If this group want to count that for posterity and encouragement for others, my date is 9/14/2019. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on July 06, 2019, 10:42:08 PM
2019 FIRE Cohort:
I'm from the 2022 cohort, but decided to go early and do some part time work.  If this group want to count that for posterity and encouragement for others, my date is 9/14/2019.

We LOVE "poaching" 3xOLY people from later cohorts. !   WELCOME!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: oldtoyota on July 07, 2019, 12:20:52 PM
Trifele messaged me in early June. I was traveling in Europe and not checking in here.

The bottom line is I'll consider June 30, 2019 my "retirement" date.

I share this news with the caveat that I enjoy my business and consider it a valuable and fulfilling part of my life. I plan to continue! I guess this is what MMM himself does?

In May, I launched a service and earned $13K from a small launch. The actual physical work I have to do is minimal and the results people get are good. So I see no reason to stop. In fact, I want to grow this service and do it more so that I can keep letting my principal grow while earning more from successive launches.

This work keeps me engaged with other people and helps me help people in a way that I want. And I love the community I've built around it.

Life is good.

=-D



Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: rocketpj on July 07, 2019, 02:15:24 PM
Without really being aware of it I became FIRE this year, though in a fairly unorthodox manner.

I was happily working and saving away in a job I liked but didn't love, and our FI date was about 12 years in the future, (2030ish).  We are what could be called moderate mustachians, spending a bit more than most on here by having 2 kids in high level sports and living in a fairly high COL area.  Over a couple of years I began to strongly dislike my job and started looking around for other opportunities.  I'm pretty done with working for others, so I looked for a business to buy in my community.

After about a year and a few false starts (all while working and saving etc) I found a commercial property that was, to say the least, 'distressed' and on the brink of being condemned by the town because the previous owner was, well, a moron.  Of course he couldn't sell it, so I did the research, determined what it would cost me to bring it back to life, and made a lowball offer on the property.  The first two times I was outbid by someone else, who then bailed out when they looked at the work that needed to be done.  Ultimately I got the place and took over (Dec 2017).

1.5 years later the work is done, mostly by myself though with some trades as necessary.  I spend about 3 hours/month cleaning and doing bills etc, and after tax and mortgage it nets me about $6-8k/mo, more than I've ever needed.  Basically I made about $1M from a year's work.  If I choose to sell it the increased value combined with our existing stash would be enough to pay off all mortgages and be utterly FIRE.  However, DW isn't ready to retire and keeping it is much more profitable in the long term - I plan to pay it off quickly and enjoy the evergreen income it will provide.  There are also two big developers slowly buying up all the property in that area for redevelopment, so at some point one or both may make me a dramatic offer which would be hard to refuse...

I say I'm FI but I just took on a new, part time job working as a support worker in a homeless shelter - right up my academic alley and directly in my preferred type of work.  Of course, I can always just quit if we decide to do something else, but with the kids still is school and athletics, and DW still working her high ambition job I see no reason to not keep building our stash.  I have significantly increased our charitable giving, and I think I'll buy myself some new hockey gear this fall, but aside from that it won't be much of a change - except of course that I only work about 20 hours/week.  The dog is getting a lot of walks...
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: batljunk on July 07, 2019, 04:31:07 PM
Thanks to @Parizade  @SwordGuy and @Trifele for your comments. Loved the GIF for sure. As you may know, it's a bit of a fragile time until the dust settles. I will be using COBRA nonetheless to get me to 2021 if possible. This is happening.
July 8th is tomorrow, my stated FIRE date from May 2019 when I posted my alternative plans depending on my employer's cooperation. I'm going with a glide path plan of several months of part-time work (half-time) with some mixed feelings. This will enable me to keep my benefits to the end of the year and I'll sign up for one of the exchange health insurance plans during open enrollment for 2020 and by accepting this offer of part-time work, I maintain these options to step away: resign and keep my insurance for 18 additional months, or become "retired" from my employer (which does not offer much in the way of benefits).  I'm FIRE today, age 57, not super-early RE, but beating my original objective of 60 by three years, so I'm grateful.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIREstache on July 07, 2019, 04:36:56 PM
I'm FIRE today, age 57, not super-early RE, but beating my original objective of 60 by three years, so I'm grateful.

Congrats - and 10 years earlier than your SS full retirement age of 67.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: stoaX on July 08, 2019, 01:07:16 PM
Hey there 2019 companions.  One month in and it is going great.  Like others have said, it is hard to believe I had time to work.  For example, this is the first chance I've had to check on this forum since May.

I do find that I need to set a few strong guidelines so I don't waste time needlessly.  The dogs don't get the retirement thing so I'm still up everyday early but I like mornings.  I try to work on something that needs to be fixed around the house everyday and I try to get out and do something to stay in shape (lots of options here where I live).  Who knew that if you play golf at least twice a week, you start getting better. Our local course has a great deal on a season pass that I finally get to take full advantage of.  The big snowpack has also resulted in higher than normal river levels and we have had a lot of swiftwater rescue calls that I can now help out with (I volunteer with the local fire department). 

I know it can't last but it doesn't hurt to see the markets still doing well and my savings continuing to increase while I'm not working for a salary anymore. I did stop by the office last week for a co-workers birthday party and it was great catching up with folks.  A few noticed the continuous smile I had

Glad I made the jump and fully embraced the concept of enough.  I could have easily been a chronic OMY person.

Congrats and even though I'm only 3 days in to my ER (last Friday was my last day), I have the same "how did I ever have time to work" thoughts that you have.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: stoaX on July 08, 2019, 01:12:36 PM
I'm FIRE today, age 57, not super-early RE, but beating my original objective of 60 by three years, so I'm grateful.

Congrats - and 10 years earlier than your SS full retirement age of 67.

Congrats Batljunk!  I just FIRE'd last Friday at age 58.  And I'm grateful too since we're young enough to (hopefully) have many years ahead of us and young enough to enjoy them.  My boss and my boss's boss are both my age or older and make more money than I do.  Both made remarks (in a nice way) wondering how I did it.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PowerStache on July 08, 2019, 02:13:07 PM
@Parizade  - I love the gif.  :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on July 09, 2019, 07:08:38 AM
Okay, I finally found some reliable wifi so I got what I could updated.  I think I got everyone from this page.  If I mixed something up or made any mistakes, just let me know  :).

Also- thank you those that are FIREd for coming back to visit.  Love hearing from you!

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
04/05/19     MissNancyPryor (50)      CONFIRMED SWAMI
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                    CONFIRMED
05/14/19     anonprof                       CONFIRMED
05/16/19     dude (53)                      CONFIRMED
05/17/19     MaybeBabyMustache      CONFIRMED SABBATICAL                   
05/24/19     Prairie Stash (38)           CONFIRMED
05/30/19     Livingthedream55 (59)   CONFIRMED
08/30/19     MoMan  (54)                  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
6/30/19       oldtoyota                      CONFIRMED                 
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
07/05/19     StoaX (58)                   CONFIRMED
07/05/19     5OClocksomewhere
07/07/19     Batljunk   (57)              CONFIRMED
07/08/19     Mathieu
07/26/19     Dire Wolf
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/??/19     Omy
08/01/19     SugarMountain
08/09/19     Jfer_rose (41)
08/31/19     Gerard
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/13/19     dayzero
09/14/19     Classical_Liberal
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
10/01/19    SnakesInTheGrass (55)
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     JumboShrimp
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/19/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)
12/31/19     Nifty (31)

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)
snowdog (57)
Oldtoyota

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
Linea_Norway (45)
CryingInThePool  (44)
Albireo13  (61)
Cookie78
Enigma
exit2019  (40)
powersuitrecall  (47)
SamIAm38  (30)

OLY
markbike528cbx  (55)      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   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on July 10, 2019, 01:00:45 AM
Hey guys,
Sorry for abandoning you all.  Here's an update.  My wife and I quit on 4/19, but needed to get rid of all of our stuff besides what would fit in the car and be gone from our apartment by 4/30.  The main stressors were trying to make sure that all of our stuff ended up with people who would use it instead of in a landfill.  And we tried to balance that process with the fact that we were still living there during that time, so we still wanted a bed to sleep on and a TV to watch at the end of the day and things like that. That process was grueling and I'm soooo glad it's over. 

From there, we loaded up the car with our remaining belongings and went camping for about a month as we drove from California back to the Chicago area. Highlight was definitely the Moab Utah area (https://bonusnachos.com/moab-rocks/), including Arches and Canyonlands National Parks.  We planned to stay for 3 nights but stayed for a week instead. Thanks retirement!

Then we spent about a month visiting with friends and family in the Midwest before getting on a plane for Bangkok at the end of June. We just spent two weeks here in Bangkok and will be leaving for the Gulf of Thailand and Koh Phangan tomorrow for some island time.

I kind of thought the retirement thing would really hit me when we got on the plane for Thailand, but it's turning out to be more of a gradual change than a switch that flips.  This still kind of feels like a long vacation, although since we know it's long, we're taking our time getting over jetlag, will sit around for a day if needed, and am generally cooking at home still instead of eating out too much. We've seen some sights, but mostly are just going at it pretty slowly and not worrying too much about packing in a bunch of activities, figuring it will work itself out. And if we miss something, well, we'll be back at some point.

All in all, it's been going pretty good so far.  I'm happy to be in SE Asia and we've got the next ~2 months planned (2 weeks on Koh Phangan, 2 weeks on Koh Samui, 2 weeks in Phuket, 2 weeks in Siem Reap, Cambodia). So now we just get to enjoy amazing produce at ridiculously cheap prices, hot weather, and leisurely breakfasts.

Eric
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: avrex on July 10, 2019, 08:39:55 AM
Congratulations @Eric

I love your slow travel / nomadic plans.  My wife and I have a home base, but we still hope to slow travel 4-5 months per year.
Following your blog / Instagram account now.  Have fun!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DireWolf on July 10, 2019, 10:16:27 AM

2019 FIRE Cohort:


07/??/19     Dire Wolf

Notice given at work, 7/26 to be my last day!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on July 10, 2019, 10:22:07 AM
Congratulations @Eric

I love your slow travel / nomadic plans.  My wife and I have a home base, but we still hope to slow travel 4-5 months per year.
Following your blog / Instagram account now.  Have fun!

Thanks!  I realize it's early in the game, but slow travel seems to really click with us so far.  My wife thinks she could live in Bangkok year round.  I'm not sure I'm that convinced, but it's a fun city and really cheap as far as cities go.  In total, we spent a little under $800 in our two weeks here.  Tough to beat that!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on July 10, 2019, 11:15:42 AM
Hooray @DireWolf @stoaX @Eric and any others I didn't notice in my blissful post-fire state

I've been enjoying low tide beach explorations here in the PNW, learning about all the alien little creatures scuttling around the tide pools. It's so nice to pursue knowledge for the joy of it without regard to how it might advance my career.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on July 10, 2019, 01:32:53 PM

2019 FIRE Cohort:


07/??/19     Dire Wolf

Notice given at work, 7/26 to be my last day!

Thanks for the information Dire Wolf.  I got you updated up above.  The time is going to go by in a flash!

Eric - great update.  I am glad you were able to get the moving stressors completed.  Getting rid of stuff can be sooo hard, especially on a time limit.  Good job!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: forward on July 11, 2019, 12:23:35 PM

Hi All,

Just thought I would throw an update out.  I am still following the 2019 cohort and hesitating to climb over the fence to fire myself.  I know here is not the place to discuss it, but I am struggling with all the irrational unknowns of fire and the fact that for me it really appears/feels like once I make that committment to leave it is a one way street in my career and I can't really go back.  Standing at the fence, I worry that the grass isn't always greener on the other side.  That and I believe I am also suffering from a Stockholm syndrome like situation in my job but thats hard to see clearly when I'm in the middle of it.

Still hoping for this year...Congratulations to everyone who has made it!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SugarMountain on July 11, 2019, 01:12:49 PM

Hi All,

Just thought I would throw an update out.  I am still following the 2019 cohort and hesitating to climb over the fence to fire myself.  I know here is not the place to discuss it, but I am struggling with all the irrational unknowns of fire and the fact that for me it really appears/feels like once I make that committment to leave it is a one way street in my career and I can't really go back.  Standing at the fence, I worry that the grass isn't always greener on the other side.  That and I believe I am also suffering from a Stockholm syndrome like situation in my job but thats hard to see clearly when I'm in the middle of it.

Still hoping for this year...Congratulations to everyone who has made it!

Glad to know I'm not the only one.  My current date in the 2019 list is August 1st.  That's probably not going to happen.  Today was actually the day I was going pull the trigger and give notice but I didn't.  Next regularly scheduled opportunity is in a couple of weeks.  I was originally going to quit last year, but got talked into staying with a new lower stress role.  Just haven't quite wrapped my mind around giving up what right now is pretty easy money.  That coupled with the current uncertainty around ACA and as you said "Stockholm Syndrome" have made me hesitant. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Omy on July 12, 2019, 06:35:09 AM
Sugar mountain and forward -

The health care uncertainty has kept me in "one more year" status for 5+ years, but we are making the leap. DH is leaving August 2 and I am leaving this month (hopefully) after wrapping up a final transaction. We are using COBRA for the first 18 months since that was less expensive than ACA because we don't qualify for subsidies. After that, we will look at ACA again. If too expensive, one of us will work again briefly at a fun job and ride out COBRA for another 18 months.

This approach gives me some peace of mind. At 56, I decided it's time to stop trading time for money. We are far more likely to die than to outlive our stash.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MoMan on July 12, 2019, 07:47:56 AM
We planned to stay for 3 nights but stayed for a week instead. Thanks retirement!

LOVE this! Best line of the day.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SugarMountain on July 12, 2019, 08:00:26 AM
Sugar mountain and forward -
 We are using COBRA for the first 18 months since that was less expensive than ACA because we don't qualify for subsidies. After that, we will look at ACA again. If too expensive, one of us will work again briefly at a fun job and ride out COBRA for another 18 months.
...
We are far more likely to die than to outlive our stash.

We've talked about exactly this strategy, as well as buying property in Spain or Portugal and living there for a while, since they have a generous Visa policy if you buy property, which gets you access to their healthcare system.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Eric on July 12, 2019, 09:20:35 AM
We planned to stay for 3 nights but stayed for a week instead. Thanks retirement!

LOVE this! Best line of the day.

I do what I can.  :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: tooqk4u22 on July 12, 2019, 10:15:15 AM

Hi All,

Just thought I would throw an update out.  I am still following the 2019 cohort and hesitating to climb over the fence to fire myself.  I know here is not the place to discuss it, but I am struggling with all the irrational unknowns of fire and the fact that for me it really appears/feels like once I make that committment to leave it is a one way street in my career and I can't really go back.  Standing at the fence, I worry that the grass isn't always greener on the other side.  That and I believe I am also suffering from a Stockholm syndrome like situation in my job but thats hard to see clearly when I'm in the middle of it.

Still hoping for this year...Congratulations to everyone who has made it!

Glad to know I'm not the only one.  My current date in the 2019 list is August 1st.  That's probably not going to happen.  Today was actually the day I was going pull the trigger and give notice but I didn't.  Next regularly scheduled opportunity is in a couple of weeks.  I was originally going to quit last year, but got talked into staying with a new lower stress role.  Just haven't quite wrapped my mind around giving up what right now is pretty easy money.  That coupled with the current uncertainty around ACA and as you said "Stockholm Syndrome" have made me hesitant.
s

I am only a month into FIRE and its been great.  If you go back and read my posts you will see that I had a lot of fear/anxiety about making the decision (there were probably a thousand reasons - markets, spending, healthcare, kids costs escalating, family, expectations, having to be a cashier if it doesn't work and so and so on).   Because I am only a month in I can't tell if its greener on this side or not for the long term or how it will work out, but I have really enjoyed the last month and personally I am really really surprised how easy the transition was (I think it helps that it is summer) - I thought I would have that initial ""What did I do?" or "What will I do?".   

I said to DW last week "How did I have time for a job?"  and it has been all social or family fun with some chores - I haven't touched the bigger project lists that I had planned to come out of the gate with.  I feel so much better and not stressed at the moment.   I am also now doing light exercise and walking 4-6 miles a day most days. 

This only another anecdotal perspective and is not meant to push you.   You have to do what's right for you including how you feel about it, only you can decide.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on July 12, 2019, 12:52:35 PM

Hi All,

Just thought I would throw an update out.  I am still following the 2019 cohort and hesitating to climb over the fence to fire myself.  I know here is not the place to discuss it, but I am struggling with all the irrational unknowns of fire and the fact that for me it really appears/feels like once I make that committment to leave it is a one way street in my career and I can't really go back.  Standing at the fence, I worry that the grass isn't always greener on the other side.  That and I believe I am also suffering from a Stockholm syndrome like situation in my job but thats hard to see clearly when I'm in the middle of it.

Still hoping for this year...Congratulations to everyone who has made it!

Just keep in mind that if you have slightly set you budget too low,  or the stockmarket tanks,  a barista type of job will provide you with the funds that you need. You don't need to go back to your current position and income.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SugarMountain on July 12, 2019, 01:31:16 PM

Hi All,

Just thought I would throw an update out.  I am still following the 2019 cohort and hesitating to climb over the fence to fire myself.  I know here is not the place to discuss it, but I am struggling with all the irrational unknowns of fire and the fact that for me it really appears/feels like once I make that committment to leave it is a one way street in my career and I can't really go back.  Standing at the fence, I worry that the grass isn't always greener on the other side.  That and I believe I am also suffering from a Stockholm syndrome like situation in my job but thats hard to see clearly when I'm in the middle of it.

Still hoping for this year...Congratulations to everyone who has made it!

Glad to know I'm not the only one.  My current date in the 2019 list is August 1st.  That's probably not going to happen.  Today was actually the day I was going pull the trigger and give notice but I didn't.  Next regularly scheduled opportunity is in a couple of weeks.  I was originally going to quit last year, but got talked into staying with a new lower stress role.  Just haven't quite wrapped my mind around giving up what right now is pretty easy money.  That coupled with the current uncertainty around ACA and as you said "Stockholm Syndrome" have made me hesitant.
s

I am only a month into FIRE and its been great.  If you go back and read my posts you will see that I had a lot of fear/anxiety about making the decision (there were probably a thousand reasons - markets, spending, healthcare, kids costs escalating, family, expectations, having to be a cashier if it doesn't work and so and so on).   Because I am only a month in I can't tell if its greener on this side or not for the long term or how it will work out, but I have really enjoyed the last month and personally I am really really surprised how easy the transition was (I think it helps that it is summer) - I thought I would have that initial ""What did I do?" or "What will I do?".   

I said to DW last week "How did I have time for a job?"  and it has been all social or family fun with some chores - I haven't touched the bigger project lists that I had planned to come out of the gate with.  I feel so much better and not stressed at the moment.   I am also now doing light exercise and walking 4-6 miles a day most days. 

This only another anecdotal perspective and is not meant to push you.   You have to do what's right for you including how you feel about it, only you can decide.

I can totally see that.  Last year when I attempted to quit, they basically gave me a new role and a month off.  I didn't get anything on my lists really done in that month.  It's amazing how time flies.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on July 12, 2019, 01:43:04 PM


I said to DW last week "How did I have time for a job?"  and it has been all social or family fun with some chores - I haven't touched the bigger project lists that I had planned to come out of the gate with.  I feel so much better and not stressed at the moment.   I am also now doing light exercise and walking 4-6 miles a day most days. 


 

DH and I had a big project we wanted to do when we got back from vacation.  Instead we decided to build a little library.  Our neighborhood doesn't have any and we have wanted to build one for years.  The first coat of paint is drying right now.  It should be ready to place by Monday :D.

How did we have time for a job indeed!

Loren

edited for quote struggles
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: forward on July 12, 2019, 03:11:58 PM

Hi All,

Just thought I would throw an update out.  I am still following the 2019 cohort and hesitating to climb over the fence to fire myself.  I know here is not the place to discuss it, but I am struggling with all the irrational unknowns of fire and the fact that for me it really appears/feels like once I make that committment to leave it is a one way street in my career and I can't really go back.  Standing at the fence, I worry that the grass isn't always greener on the other side.  That and I believe I am also suffering from a Stockholm syndrome like situation in my job but thats hard to see clearly when I'm in the middle of it.

Still hoping for this year...Congratulations to everyone who has made it!

Glad to know I'm not the only one.  My current date in the 2019 list is August 1st.  That's probably not going to happen.  Today was actually the day I was going pull the trigger and give notice but I didn't.  Next regularly scheduled opportunity is in a couple of weeks.  I was originally going to quit last year, but got talked into staying with a new lower stress role.  Just haven't quite wrapped my mind around giving up what right now is pretty easy money.  That coupled with the current uncertainty around ACA and as you said "Stockholm Syndrome" have made me hesitant.
s

I am only a month into FIRE and its been great.  If you go back and read my posts you will see that I had a lot of fear/anxiety about making the decision (there were probably a thousand reasons - markets, spending, healthcare, kids costs escalating, family, expectations, having to be a cashier if it doesn't work and so and so on).   Because I am only a month in I can't tell if its greener on this side or not for the long term or how it will work out, but I have really enjoyed the last month and personally I am really really surprised how easy the transition was (I think it helps that it is summer) - I thought I would have that initial ""What did I do?" or "What will I do?".   

I said to DW last week "How did I have time for a job?"  and it has been all social or family fun with some chores - I haven't touched the bigger project lists that I had planned to come out of the gate with.  I feel so much better and not stressed at the moment.   I am also now doing light exercise and walking 4-6 miles a day most days. 

This only another anecdotal perspective and is not meant to push you.   You have to do what's right for you including how you feel about it, only you can decide.

Thanks for the input tooqk4u22, objectively knowing others have and do deal deal with all the same uncertainties is helpful.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: forward on July 12, 2019, 03:17:25 PM

Hi All,

Just thought I would throw an update out.  I am still following the 2019 cohort and hesitating to climb over the fence to fire myself.  I know here is not the place to discuss it, but I am struggling with all the irrational unknowns of fire and the fact that for me it really appears/feels like once I make that committment to leave it is a one way street in my career and I can't really go back.  Standing at the fence, I worry that the grass isn't always greener on the other side.  That and I believe I am also suffering from a Stockholm syndrome like situation in my job but thats hard to see clearly when I'm in the middle of it.

Still hoping for this year...Congratulations to everyone who has made it!

Just keep in mind that if you have slightly set you budget too low,  or the stockmarket tanks,  a barista type of job will provide you with the funds that you need. You don't need to go back to your current position and income.

Thanks for the reminder Linea_Norway.  The irrational side of my brain says 'who in their right mind would hire me as a barista?' 

I'm getting there slowly, you all are keeping me on track.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SugarMountain on July 12, 2019, 03:28:13 PM
If you go back and read my posts you will see that I had a lot of fear/anxiety about making the decision (there were probably a thousand reasons - markets, spending, healthcare, kids costs escalating, family, expectations, having to be a cashier if it doesn't work and so and so on).   

Your "Can't get to FIRE (self sabotage!)" thread is excellent.  Some of the topics brought up definitely hit home. (I don't have kids so I'm in a much different situation, but some of the commentary in that thread resonated.)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on July 12, 2019, 03:38:08 PM


I said to DW last week "How did I have time for a job?"  and it has been all social or family fun with some chores - I haven't touched the bigger project lists that I had planned to come out of the gate with.  I feel so much better and not stressed at the moment.   I am also now doing light exercise and walking 4-6 miles a day most days. 


 

DH and I had a big project we wanted to do when we got back from vacation.  Instead we decided to build a little library.  Our neighborhood doesn't have any and we have wanted to build one for years.  The first coat of paint is drying right now.  It should be ready to place by Monday :D.

How did we have time for a job indeed!

Loren

What a fun project! I hope your neighbors appreciate it.

I spent the day with my granddaughter yesterday, visiting the local children's farm and children's museum. She was bouncing around that museum like a human pinball, lighting up at every bumper. So much fun!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on July 12, 2019, 04:14:08 PM

Hi All,

Just thought I would throw an update out.  I am still following the 2019 cohort and hesitating to climb over the fence to fire myself.  I know here is not the place to discuss it, but I am struggling with all the irrational unknowns of fire and the fact that for me it really appears/feels like once I make that committment to leave it is a one way street in my career and I can't really go back.  Standing at the fence, I worry that the grass isn't always greener on the other side.  That and I believe I am also suffering from a Stockholm syndrome like situation in my job but thats hard to see clearly when I'm in the middle of it.

Still hoping for this year...Congratulations to everyone who has made it!

Just keep in mind that if you have slightly set you budget too low,  or the stockmarket tanks,  a barista type of job will provide you with the funds that you need. You don't need to go back to your current position and income.

Thanks for the reminder Linea_Norway.  The irrational side of my brain says 'who in their right mind would hire me as a barista?' 

I'm getting there slowly, you all are keeping me on track.

If barista is too high pressure, how about receptionist? Think you can answer phones and say hi to people?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SwordGuy on July 12, 2019, 04:52:20 PM
If barista is too high pressure, how about receptionist? Think you can answer phones and say hi to people?

Being a receptionist in a business that gets a lot of calls is not as easy as you might think.   

Personally, if I need a low-paying job to get by for awhile, I want to be a cook at Hooters or possibly something at one of the stripper clubs in town.   :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on July 12, 2019, 05:17:35 PM
Be a receptionist in a place with as little activity as possible. Then read a book.

My part-time job would be paid to go back to school. (Canada's version of the GI Bill)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 5Oclocksomewhere on July 12, 2019, 08:15:02 PM
When I was 18 and had my Chevy Citation packed to the gills on the way to college, I still remember the fantastic feeling of looking in my rearview mirror with the certain knowledge that I was moving on to better things.  The feeling as I zipped away from work on my fun little moped today was not nearly as strong, but very similar.  But this is probably a product of being a tempered 47 year old versus a cheeky 18 year old..  Early retirement confirmed.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on July 12, 2019, 08:32:45 PM
When I was 18 and had my Chevy Citation packed to the gills on the way to college, I still remember the fantastic feeling of looking in my rearview mirror with the certain knowledge that I was moving on to better things.  The feeling as I zipped away from work on my fun little moped today was not nearly as strong, but very similar.  But this is probably a product of being a tempered 47 year old versus a cheeky 18 year old..  Early retirement confirmed.

Great visual!  Happy retirement!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on July 12, 2019, 08:37:14 PM
Congratulations @5Oclocksomewhere, enjoy your "better things."
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on July 13, 2019, 04:39:35 AM
When I was 18 and had my Chevy Citation packed to the gills on the way to college, I still remember the fantastic feeling of looking in my rearview mirror with the certain knowledge that I was moving on to better things.  The feeling as I zipped away from work on my fun little moped today was not nearly as strong, but very similar.  But this is probably a product of being a tempered 47 year old versus a cheeky 18 year old..  Early retirement confirmed.

CONGRATS @5Oclocksomewhere !!


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
04/05/19     MissNancyPryor (50)      CONFIRMED SWAMI
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                    CONFIRMED
05/14/19     anonprof                       CONFIRMED
05/16/19     dude (53)                      CONFIRMED
05/17/19     MaybeBabyMustache      CONFIRMED SABBATICAL                   
05/24/19     Prairie Stash (38)           CONFIRMED
05/30/19     Livingthedream55 (59)   CONFIRMED
08/30/19     MoMan  (54)                  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
6/30/19       oldtoyota                      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
07/26/19     Dire Wolf
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/??/19     Omy
07/??/19     Mathieu
07/??/19     Miss Piggy
08/01/19     SugarMountain
08/09/19     Jfer_rose (41)
08/31/19     Gerard
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/13/19     dayzero
09/14/19     Classical_Liberal
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
10/01/19    SnakesInTheGrass (55)
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     JumboShrimp
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/19/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)
12/31/19     Nifty (31)

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)
snowdog (57)
Oldtoyota

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
Linea_Norway (45)
CryingInThePool  (44)
Albireo13  (61)
Cookie78
Enigma
exit2019  (40)
powersuitrecall  (47)
SamIAm38  (30)

OLY
markbike528cbx  (55)      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   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on July 13, 2019, 05:46:21 AM
Hey y'all, just got back from our camping trip (first vacation since FIREing in January).  It was fabulous.  Remember when we were kids, and summers seemed to last forever, and time was slow?  It was like that.  It was different than any other vacation I've had in the past thirty years.  My brain slipped into this wonderful sideways relaxed/high-focus mode.  We did loads of hiking, swimming, and kayaking, but then I could also contentedly sit for hours, just quietly observing one thing, then another.  Maybe this is what 'vacations' are like when you don't have a job you have to go back to?  Jayz, that was good.  As @Eric would say -- "Thanks, retirement" haha.  I was so dang relaxed by the end of it, it was kind of a shock to get back into the car and have to focus on operating a motor vehicle.  I didn't think FIRE could be any better than our at-home life, but folks there's another level, if you sprinkle in a little travel.   

Big thanks to @Loren Ver for taking over for a couple weeks (while she was on her own vacation!) :)  Congrats to those who recently FIREd and to those who are on the fence, go for it! 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on July 13, 2019, 01:25:07 PM
Hey y'all, just got back from our camping trip (first vacation since FIREing in January).  It was fabulous.  Remember when we were kids, and summers seemed to last forever, and time was slow?  It was like that.  It was different than any other vacation I've had in the past thirty years.  My brain slipped into this wonderful sideways relaxed/high-focus mode.  We did loads of hiking, swimming, and kayaking, but then I could also contentedly sit for hours, just quietly observing one thing, then another.  Maybe this is what 'vacations' are like when you don't have a job you have to go back to?  Jayz, that was good.  As @Eric would say -- "Thanks, retirement" haha.  I was so dang relaxed by the end of it, it was kind of a shock to get back into the car and have to focus on operating a motor vehicle.  I didn't think FIRE could be any better than our at-home life, but folks there's another level, if you sprinkle in a little travel.   

Big thanks to @Loren Ver for taking over for a couple weeks (while she was on her own vacation!) :)  Congrats to those who recently FIREd and to those who are on the fence, go for it!

I am glad you are back!!  You take such good care of us :).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on July 13, 2019, 08:17:40 PM
Welcome back @Trifele  ! I'm glad you had such a good time.
And thanks @Loren Ver  for taking good care of use while Trifele was gone.

for all of you OMYers, don't be a King Midas
The Door Into Summer (https://youtu.be/AKfjDU-waMg)

"Well, it's travel onto "maybe next year" 's places
As a trade-in for a name upon the door
And he pays for every year he cannot buy back with his tears
As he finds out there's been no one keeping score"
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on July 16, 2019, 06:29:46 PM
I deleted my LinkedIn account today!  Not sure why exactly, but I hesitated to cut that tie . . . But it feels great!  Like a post-FIRE rite of passage.

I read on another thread where someone kept their account but updated their status to "RETIRED, HAHAHAHA!"
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on July 16, 2019, 06:31:50 PM
I deleted my LinkedIn account today!  Not sure why exactly, but I hesitated to cut that tie . . . But it feels great!  Like a post-FIRE rite of passage.

I read on another thread where someone kept their account but updated their status to "RETIRED, HAHAHAHA!"

Woo Hoo!

Mine is listed as Retired Scientist :).  I tried to change the company information, but Linkedin likes actually companies and it wasn't worth my effort to figure out.

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on July 16, 2019, 06:36:30 PM
I deleted my LinkedIn account today!  Not sure why exactly, but I hesitated to cut that tie . . . But it feels great!  Like a post-FIRE rite of passage.

I read on another thread where someone kept their account but updated their status to "RETIRED, HAHAHAHA!"

Woo Hoo!

Mine is listed as Retired Scientist :).  I tried to change the company information, but Linkedin likes actually companies and it wasn't worth my effort to figure out.

LV

Mine is "Happily Retired" and it's gonna stay that way :-)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on July 16, 2019, 10:11:38 PM
I deleted my LinkedIn account today!  Not sure why exactly, but I hesitated to cut that tie . . . But it feels great!  Like a post-FIRE rite of passage.

I read on another thread where someone kept their account but updated their status to "RETIRED, HAHAHAHA!"

In LinkedIn format "Congrats Trifele"

I had to log in to see what my LnkedIn says, I am a Gentleman of Leisure at Independent Consultant.
I've gotten anniversary Congrats for this "position".
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on July 17, 2019, 03:25:08 AM
I deleted my LinkedIn account today!  Not sure why exactly, but I hesitated to cut that tie . . . But it feels great!  Like a post-FIRE rite of passage.

I read on another thread where someone kept their account but updated their status to "RETIRED, HAHAHAHA!"

In LinkedIn format "Congrats Trifele"

I had to log in to see what my LnkedIn says, I am a Gentleman of Leisure at Independent Consultant.
I've gotten anniversary Congrats for this "position".

Love this! 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on July 17, 2019, 04:36:58 AM
I deleted my LinkedIn account today!  Not sure why exactly, but I hesitated to cut that tie . . . But it feels great!  Like a post-FIRE rite of passage.

I read on another thread where someone kept their account but updated their status to "RETIRED, HAHAHAHA!"

In LinkedIn format "Congrats Trifele"

I had to log in to see what my LnkedIn says, I am a Gentleman of Leisure at Independent Consultant Leisure Personified.
I've gotten anniversary Congrats for this "position".

Love this!

Edit to include the new LinkedIn edit.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SwordGuy on July 17, 2019, 07:59:14 AM
That's so good I just changed my Linked In!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on July 17, 2019, 08:08:21 AM
Dead man walking.

Most conversations either start or end with "so how many days left?"
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on July 17, 2019, 09:57:22 AM
My LinkedIn profile now says "Private Portfolio Manager".

I've told people that I log in and check my portfolio once a month and it kinda feels like work
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on July 17, 2019, 10:46:41 AM
I didn't even join LinkedIn until after I'd retired!  Never interested in it for work, but it turns out to be a useful tool for tracking down old friends I'd lost touch with.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on July 17, 2019, 03:36:02 PM
Dead man walking.

Most conversations either start or end with "so how many days left?"

How are you feeling about that @Lews Therin ?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on July 17, 2019, 06:22:36 PM
Six days left.


''giggle, giggle, snort''


Also, it's not like i'm stressed about it, I could get back in to the military easily at any point, I'm 29, so I have decades to cover income shortfalls, and I don't like my job. Absolutely nothing keeping me at work.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: batljunk on July 19, 2019, 11:42:58 AM
Hi all.
With more time to ponder, I'm reading the '19 cohort thread and enjoying your stories.

ONE WEEK AFTER FI:  A check-in. Last Friday, July 12, I kissed the ground and did a small happy dance finishing my last full-time work week. I enjoyed the heck out the weekend without going crazy. Monday came around and I looked forward to my temporary and part-time existence. FU money, the value it brings. Ahhh. People began asking me what I was doing and how I did this. I've been scheduling catch-up time with people I've neglected and getting chores done. Yesterday I did another happy dance (think fingers pointed to the sky with a gentle alternating of pointing up with each forefinger!) with the gratitude of knowing there are no more meetings on a Wednesday, Thursday or Friday. Now I'm going to go have a nap. Next week a road trip. Thanks retirement.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on July 19, 2019, 12:17:48 PM
I love the personality and differences this thread shows, especially on LinkedIn :).

@Lews Therin Enjoy your march to freedom!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on July 19, 2019, 12:24:34 PM
There's 5 stairs left.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Polish_Hammer on July 19, 2019, 10:00:11 PM
Packaged out from work this month, so FIRE now. Was planning feb of 2020 but getting paid to leave is better. (51).  Wife is (52) and working part-time for benefits and needed extra income. One son working but living home for 6 more months to pay off loans. Daughter just hired as a physical therapist and planning to move out next summer. Youngest son two more years of college. Only debt is mortgage on a two big for soon to be empty nesters.  Really won't feel like true fire until the kids move out and wife can quit. 1.4 million is still a little small to live on.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on July 20, 2019, 04:53:02 AM
Congratulations @Polish_Hammer!  (We're twins -- same age and stash.  Hey, our stashes may be skinny compared to some, but we're FREE).  Do you have plans to downsize the house after the kids move out?

From your earlier posts it sounds like your job was completely eating you up physically and mentally.  So double congratulations for taking the step to change that and rebuild yourself.  May your post-FIRE journey be restful, invigorating, and happy. 


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
04/05/19     MissNancyPryor (50)      CONFIRMED SWAMI
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                    CONFIRMED
05/14/19     anonprof                       CONFIRMED
05/16/19     dude (53)                      CONFIRMED
05/17/19     MaybeBabyMustache      CONFIRMED SABBATICAL                   
05/24/19     Prairie Stash (38)           CONFIRMED
05/30/19     Livingthedream55 (59)   CONFIRMED
08/30/19     MoMan  (54)                  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         
07/05/19     StoaX (58)                    CONFIRMED
07/07/19     Batljunk   (57)               CONFIRMED
07/12/19     5OClocksomewhere        CONFIRMED
07/19/19     Polish_Hammer (51)       CONFIRMED
07/26/19     Dire Wolf
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/??/19     Mathieu
07/??/19     Miss Piggy
08/02/19     xbdb
08/09/19     Jfer_rose (41)
08/31/19     Gerard
08/31/19     Oldtoyota
08/??/19     Omy
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/13/19     dayzero
09/14/19     Classical_Liberal
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
10/01/19    SnakesInTheGrass (55)
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     JumboShrimp
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/19/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)
12/31/19     Nifty (31)

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)
snowdog (57)
SugarMountain

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
Linea_Norway (45)
CryingInThePool  (44)
Albireo13  (61)
Cookie78
Enigma
exit2019  (40)
powersuitrecall  (47)
SamIAm38  (30)

OLY
markbike528cbx  (55)      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   

 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Polish_Hammer on July 21, 2019, 04:17:17 PM

Thanks Trifele.  Job was hell. definitely going to need to do the downsize for taxes alone.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on July 22, 2019, 12:58:55 PM
For @DireWolf and @Lews Therin, who are on their final march to freedom this week . . .

                               (https://media3.giphy.com/media/thNsW0HZ534DC/200.webp?cid=790b76115d3606704964626b6b1a9212&rid=200.webp)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on July 22, 2019, 01:01:13 PM
Confirmed.

Retirement papers sent in 6 months ago, nothing has changed since. I'll be done on the 29th.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DireWolf on July 22, 2019, 02:31:24 PM
For @DireWolf and @Lews Therin, who are on their final march to freedom this week . . .

                               (https://media3.giphy.com/media/thNsW0HZ534DC/200.webp?cid=790b76115d3606704964626b6b1a9212&rid=200.webp)

I have my exit interview with HR in the morning. Then just trying to wrap a few things up to help my coworkers over the rest of the week.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Omy on July 22, 2019, 04:15:02 PM
Please move me to August. My last transaction has a mind of its own and will not be complete in July : (
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on July 22, 2019, 06:36:18 PM
What a list to follow. I love it
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on July 22, 2019, 06:43:25 PM
Good things are happening. 

Good luck with HR and goodbyes!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SugarMountain on July 23, 2019, 10:32:44 AM

08/01/19     SugarMountain
 

Probably should change that to ???? for me. It's not happening on the first.  I have a few target dates in mind, but we'll see.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on July 23, 2019, 11:45:04 AM
Thanks for the check ins @Omy and @SugarMountain -- got you updated. ^^^
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: oldtoyota on July 23, 2019, 08:48:39 PM
Thanks for the check ins @Omy and @SugarMountain -- got you updated. ^^^

Please put me down for end of August. I do plan to keep my biz going because I do what I want when I want, and I enjoy it. =-D

We may have a project come through that would positively impact our situation. If/when that happens, I may reconsider my business decision.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on July 24, 2019, 04:08:52 AM
Thanks for the check ins @Omy and @SugarMountain -- got you updated. ^^^

Please put me down for end of August. I do plan to keep my biz going because I do what I want when I want, and I enjoy it. =-D

We may have a project come through that would positively impact our situation. If/when that happens, I may reconsider my business decision.

Got you moved from 6/30 to 8/31
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DirtDiva on July 24, 2019, 09:23:48 AM
Welp, count me in the 2019 cohort.  DH and I were planning to both go to 3 days a week in January 2020.  But instead, my last day at work was 7/2/19.

It's not an entirely happy event.  My cancer has recurred and I am slated for a huge abdominal surgery, which with any luck will be curative. But I will qualify for permanent disability based on the recurrent cancer diagnosis, and I think I'm going to take it.  The surgery will come with permanent life-changing physical alterations that I don't want to deal with at work.

I didn't get the pleasure (or angst!) of counting down to my last day, no retirement party yay!), no goodbyes- my employer is hoping I will return after I recover from surgery.  I will resign when my FMLA has run out, assuming I still feel the same way.

One of my reasons for deciding not to go back is the knowledge that my lifespan may be way shorter than I was anticipating, and I don't want to spend my time at work.  I do anticipate volunteering for my employer (a hospital) once I have recovered from surgery.

Although I do have some emotions to work out, I am happy to join the 2019 cohort!   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on July 24, 2019, 11:36:10 AM
Welcome @DirtDiva, I wish you were joining under happier circumstances but it's great you can forget about work and focus on just getting better. I wish you every good thing possible going forward.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on July 24, 2019, 11:58:18 AM
Welcome @DirtDiva!  Got you CONFIRMED above.  Cancer totally sucks.  There are a number of us in the 2019 cohort in that club.  Best of luck with the surgery.  We're all sending good thoughts your way!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on July 24, 2019, 12:29:31 PM
Welcome to the team @DirtDiva.  I'm sorry cancer is pushing your date forward, but I am really glad you are in a position to step away from work if you so choose.   Best of luck on your surgery!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: couponvan on July 24, 2019, 02:56:51 PM
@DirtDiva I'm here ahead of schedule due to cancer as well - welcome to the FIRE club.  I wish you weren't in the cancer club....

This summer I've spent an unmustachian amount of money on the YOLO bandwagon.  I think that will settle down now that my recovery is looking better and I've crossed some life goals off the list.  I really let out the purse strings, and now it's just about time to draw them tighter again if possible.

It was almost exactly one year ago that I got the news - I didn't actually FIRE until 3/29/19 when my disability/FMLA ran out.  I think that's a very prudent course of action considering you never know if you're going to need more than FMLA/disability.  Not having the added stress of working will allow you to focus more on your recovery.  I'm sending positive vibes your way!  If possible, try to find or reconnect with a cancer support group - there's nothing like another cancer survivor to cheer you on or give you good referrals, or listen to you rant at the world....
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DirtDiva on July 24, 2019, 10:24:57 PM
Thanks for the greeting- as several of you are aware, it’s a “mixed blessing”. But I plan to make good use of my unexpected freedom! First, the surgery and recovery.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: oldtoyota on July 26, 2019, 05:56:54 AM
Thanks for the check ins @Omy and @SugarMountain -- got you updated. ^^^

Please put me down for end of August. I do plan to keep my biz going because I do what I want when I want, and I enjoy it. =-D

We may have a project come through that would positively impact our situation. If/when that happens, I may reconsider my business decision.

Got you moved from 6/30 to 8/31

Thank you!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: oldtoyota on July 26, 2019, 06:00:30 AM
Thanks for the greeting- as several of you are aware, it’s a “mixed blessing”. But I plan to make good use of my unexpected freedom! First, the surgery and recovery.

I am sorry to hear of the cancer.

I send you all good wishes in your surgery and recovery.

Welcome to the group.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on July 26, 2019, 06:23:10 AM
Oi, currently have one foot in this thread and the other in the 2020 thread.

I was almost certain I would have gotten to/been FIRE(d) by now......work situation changed, such that it might be well worth to stay a little bit longer, with the possibility of increasing our NW by 10% for 8 months of work.

Do believe I was planning on pulling the plug with one of the lowest (if not lowest NW's) posted in this thread, so maybe this is prudent and a wise choice in the grand scheme.....
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on July 26, 2019, 07:22:16 AM
at 70-80% SR (Like yours) Every years is above 10% NW.

Don't get bogged down by watching the money accumulate (especially if you're happy with current expense levels)

(I think I get to comment, since i'm the other one at the same NW level. (500k)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Need2Save on July 26, 2019, 08:07:50 AM
@DirtDiva and @couponvan  - you are both real reminders for all of us that we may not in fact have 30, 40, or 50 years ahead of us post-FIRE.  I'm sorry that you are both going through that right now!  I had a little scare earlier this year that turned out okay, but if it went the other way, I certainly would have left work immediately to focus on spending as much time with my family and doing the things I wanted to do while I could (progression and treatment allowing of course).

We recently loss my MIL this year in fact to Cancer and although she was able to do things and was mobile until the last 6 week or so, what she wanted most was to spend her time at her home (the same one she lived in for 25 years). I guess this brought her the most joy.

Hoping for a speedy recovery for both of you!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on July 26, 2019, 07:56:32 PM
at 70-80% SR (Like yours) Every years is above 10% NW.

Don't get bogged down by watching the money accumulate (especially if you're happy with current expense levels)

(I think I get to comment, since i'm the other one at the same NW level. (500k)

You're right, but since I'm in two player mode now, running the #'s through https://engaging-data.com/will-money-last-retire-early/ or firecalc.....

Quit now - 46% chance of success (5.5% withdrawal rate)
Quit 3/30/2020 - 66% chance of success (5.1% withdrawal rate)

Either one is a risk, but the chance of success improves by nearly 50% in 8 months.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SwordGuy on July 26, 2019, 09:07:33 PM
A few years ago I had to have a chunk of my tongue cut away because of a cancerous growth on it.  Thankfully it got caught early.

It was good to know that if things had gone worse I could have quit work and focused on my health.  Being FI or near it really helps in a host of ways.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SugarMountain on July 27, 2019, 10:50:04 AM
at 70-80% SR (Like yours) Every years is above 10% NW.

Don't get bogged down by watching the money accumulate (especially if you're happy with current expense levels)

(I think I get to comment, since i'm the other one at the same NW level. (500k)

You're right, but since I'm in two player mode now, running the #'s through https://engaging-data.com/will-money-last-retire-early/ or firecalc.....

Quit now - 46% chance of success (5.5% withdrawal rate)
Quit 3/30/2020 - 66% chance of success (5.1% withdrawal rate)

Either one is a risk, but the chance of success improves by nearly 50% in 8 months.

One thing to keep in mind is that that simulator (and firecalc and firesim) are basically back testing based on actual years. If 54% of years failed with your WR it doesn't really mean you have a 46% chance of success. We're in a period of extremely high market valuations. I suspect those years that made up the 54% failures were starting years where the market had an above median valuation.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on July 27, 2019, 03:04:49 PM
Yup!

Thought at 32 years old, we definitely don't plan on never earning any income again.

Our spending is in the $35-36k/yr range as a couple, so even PT work every other year for 6 months can increase our success rate drastically.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on July 28, 2019, 05:00:54 AM
Yup!

Thought at 32 years old, we definitely don't plan on never earning any income again.

Our spending is in the $35-36k/yr range as a couple, so even PT work every other year for 6 months can increase our success rate drastically.

The power of "just a little" bit of money in these simulations is unbelievable.  Heck, I think I can pull in $3,000 in bank signup bonuses with barely any work.  Crazy what that does to retirement projections.

I've also realized that random income earning opportunities start appearing once you aren't working.  Its fun
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: xbdb on July 28, 2019, 01:48:03 PM
Add me to the list!  FIRING the end of the week.

I was able to FIRE about 3 years ago, but my dream job opportunity came up working at a super hot company (which shall remain nameless) with the "dream team."  I had high hopes of doing great things with my heroes... But, guess what? It turned out to be toxic. I did it for all the right reasons, and I saw it through, but now I'm done. After 30 years of working, I am done. 

Time is the only currency we have.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on July 29, 2019, 04:43:45 AM
Add me to the list!  FIRING the end of the week.

I was able to FIRE about 3 years ago, but my dream job opportunity came up working at a super hot company (which shall remain nameless) with the "dream team."  I had high hopes of doing great things with my heroes... But, guess what? It turned out to be toxic. I did it for all the right reasons, and I saw it through, but now I'm done. After 30 years of working, I am done. 

Time is the only currency we have.

Welcome to the group @xbdb!  Got you added for 8/2/19.  You are spot on that time is really all we have. 

I think @DireWolf and @Lews Therin are done and finishing today, respectively.  Just waiting to hear from them.

And bat signal out to the rest of our July potentials:

07/??/19     @Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/??/19     @Mathieu
07/??/19     @Miss Piggy

Any updates? 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on July 29, 2019, 05:23:15 AM
Look up, i'm done!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on July 29, 2019, 07:52:14 AM
                                       (https://media3.giphy.com/media/dkGhBWE3SyzXW/200.webp?cid=790b76115d3f0494623469742ea39b77&rid=200.webp)


CONGRATS and welcome to the FIREside @Lews Therin !!! 


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
04/05/19     MissNancyPryor (50)      CONFIRMED SWAMI
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                    CONFIRMED
05/14/19     anonprof                       CONFIRMED
05/16/19     dude (53)                      CONFIRMED
05/17/19     MaybeBabyMustache      CONFIRMED SABBATICAL                   
05/24/19     Prairie Stash (38)           CONFIRMED
05/30/19     Livingthedream55 (59)   CONFIRMED
05/30/19     MoMan  (54)                  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         
07/05/19     StoaX (58)                    CONFIRMED
07/07/19     Batljunk   (57)               CONFIRMED
07/12/19     5OClocksomewhere        CONFIRMED
07/19/19     Polish_Hammer (51)       CONFIRMED
07/26/19     DireWolf
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)            CONFIRMED
08/02/19     xbdb
08/08/19     seattlecyclone
08/09/19     Jfer_rose (41)
08/31/19     Gerard
08/31/19     Oldtoyota
08/??/19     Omy
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/13/19     dayzero
09/14/19     Classical_Liberal
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
10/01/19     SnakesInTheGrass (55)
10/04/19     iluvzbeach
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     JumboShrimp
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/19/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)
12/31/19     Nifty (31)

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)
snowdog (57)
SugarMountain
Thedividebyzero  (45)
Mathieu
Miss Piggy

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
Linea_Norway (45)
CryingInThePool  (44)
Albireo13  (61)
Cookie78
Enigma
exit2019  (40)
powersuitrecall  (47)
SamIAm38  (30)

OLY
markbike528cbx  (55)      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   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: seattlecyclone on July 29, 2019, 11:24:28 AM
I went to part time a few years ago. Going the rest of the way in two weeks. I gave my notice today! FIRE date 2019-08-08.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on July 29, 2019, 11:46:11 AM
I went to part time a few years ago. Going the rest of the way in two weeks. I gave my notice today! FIRE date 2019-08-08.

Welcome @seattlecyclone!  Got you added^^
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on July 29, 2019, 01:07:58 PM
Rough first day... signed my release paperwork at 8AM, followed sailing with friends, free ice cream, replacing a backpack with a larger, nicer and higher quality one at the exact same price, and then biking back home.

Left home at 0730, returned at 1445. 2h30 of biking.

Not something I could have done in a day if I had to work!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on July 29, 2019, 03:05:30 PM
Congratulations eveyone, welcome to freedom!

Rough first day... signed my release paperwork at 8AM, followed sailing with friends, free ice cream, replacing a backpack with a larger, nicer and higher quality one at the exact same price, and then biking back home.

Left home at 0730, returned at 1445. 2h30 of biking.

Not something I could have done in a day if I had to work!

Yep, the biggest problem I've had so far in an increase in my consumption of sunscreen. My skin is now a shade of brown I haven't seen in years of office work. I need to pay more attention to that big yellow orb in the sky, I'd forgotten it's power.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on July 29, 2019, 04:30:32 PM
Woot!  I love that the team keeps growing and more people keep pulling the cord.  Yah!!
Happy dances for all!

Loren
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: iluvzbeach on July 29, 2019, 06:45:44 PM
Hi, please add me to the list. I’ll be giving notice on 9/20 and my last day may be 10/4 or worst-case 12/06. Any time I stay beyond 10/4 will be on my terms, such as 2-3 days per week, etc.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on July 30, 2019, 02:51:01 AM
Welcome @iluvzbeach !  Got you added. 

By the way y'all -- in addition to being by far the coolest FIRE cohort, we are the second biggest as well.  So far this year we are running just a bit behind 2018's numbers of FIRE-ees.  If a few more folks add their name to the list we can stand forever at the top of the FIREy mountain with our hands raised in exultant victory haha!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Bateaux on July 30, 2019, 09:43:20 AM
Welcome @iluvzbeach !  Got you added. 

By the way y'all -- in addition to being by far the coolest FIRE cohort, we are the second biggest as well.  So far this year we are running just a bit behind 2018's numbers of FIRE-ees.  If a few more folks add their name to the list we can stand forever at the top of the FIREy mountain with our hands raised in exultant victory haha!!

There are days I think about jumping back into 2019.  Good luck to you all and congratulations to the class of 2019.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on July 30, 2019, 03:06:24 PM
Welcome @iluvzbeach !  Got you added. 

By the way y'all -- in addition to being by far the coolest FIRE cohort, we are the second biggest as well.  So far this year we are running just a bit behind 2018's numbers of FIRE-ees.  If a few more folks add their name to the list we can stand forever at the top of the FIREy mountain with our hands raised in exultant victory haha!!

So we need to start recruiting.  Hmm....
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DirtDiva on July 30, 2019, 09:32:30 PM
@DirtDiva and @couponvan  - you are both real reminders for all of us that we may not in fact have 30, 40, or 50 years ahead of us post-FIRE.  I'm sorry that you are both going through that right now!  I had a little scare earlier this year that turned out okay, but if it went the other way, I certainly would have left work immediately to focus on spending as much time with my family and doing the things I wanted to do while I could (progression and treatment allowing of course).


That's the bitch of it.  Now I finally have the time, but treatment is going to make it impossible to do the things I want, at least for a few months as I recover from surgery.

At least I have plenty of time to spend with family and friends. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: couponvan on July 31, 2019, 08:32:32 AM
@DirtDiva and @couponvan  - you are both real reminders for all of us that we may not in fact have 30, 40, or 50 years ahead of us post-FIRE.  I'm sorry that you are both going through that right now!  I had a little scare earlier this year that turned out okay, but if it went the other way, I certainly would have left work immediately to focus on spending as much time with my family and doing the things I wanted to do while I could (progression and treatment allowing of course).


That's the bitch of it.  Now I finally have the time, but treatment is going to make it impossible to do the things I want, at least for a few months as I recover from surgery.

At least I have plenty of time to spend with family and friends.
At a year out from first surgery/start of treatment, this is the summer of FUN....MMM meets YOLO. I figure if I am alive next year (planning on it!) I will go back to conservative spending me. For now, I am living the best life, and it’s good. Spain for Spring Break, new house in May, California in June, Alaska/Seattle cruise in July, Illinois lake cottage in August, and then California again in September. Not working makes all of this travel and fun possible. I thank my past self a lot for her frugal ways!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: xbdb on August 02, 2019, 11:31:17 AM
Just turned in my badge, laptop, finished my exit interview and picked up my last check. Time for lunch a few drinks with some ex-co-workers. I can't even begin to describe how amazing and surreal this feels. I knew I was going to FIRE today for a while, but it never seemed real until now. But today, I am free. My face is locked into what feels like a permanent smile.

If you are nervous or on the fence about FIRING, just do it!  You deserve it!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on August 02, 2019, 11:56:03 AM
CONGRATULATIONS @xbdb!  Yeah, the perma-grin lasts for a good while.  I still have mine, six months in.  Have a fabulous first FIRE weekend!

Waiting to hear from @DireWolf, have moved him/her to TBD til we hear back. 


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
04/05/19     MissNancyPryor (50)      CONFIRMED SWAMI
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                    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
05/30/19     MoMan  (54)                  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
08/09/19     Jfer_rose (41)
08/31/19     Gerard
08/31/19     Oldtoyota
08/??/19     Omy
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/13/19     dayzero
09/14/19     Classical_Liberal
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
10/01/19     SnakesInTheGrass (55)
10/04/19     iluvzbeach
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     JumboShrimp
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/19/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)
12/31/19     Nifty (31)

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)
snowdog (57)
SugarMountain
Thedividebyzero  (45)
Mathieu
DireWolf

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
Linea_Norway (45)
CryingInThePool  (44)
Albireo13  (61)
Cookie78
Enigma
exit2019  (40)
powersuitrecall  (47)
SamIAm38  (30)

OLY
markbike528cbx  (55)      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   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: mowine on August 02, 2019, 06:55:58 PM
Hey, can I be retroactively added to this cohort?

I quit/retired on May 17, I didn't have an exact date planned much in advance. A couple of weeks before I did the deed I felt a very strong persistent urge to leave and never take up paid work again-was just sick of the commute and repetitive work. So I did it, and now spend my time with my daughters, my dog, and on the many trails in the neighborhood.

Life is good!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on August 02, 2019, 07:26:46 PM
Congrats @xbdb that is wonderful.  I hope your ex-co-workers sent you off right!!

Welcome to the cohort @mowine, we are always happy to bring in more FIRE-achievers, as we are the coolest and most welcoming cohort ;).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: mowine on August 02, 2019, 07:49:29 PM
Congrats @xbdb that is wonderful.  I hope your ex-co-workers sent you off right!!

Welcome to the cohort @mowine, we are always happy to bring in more FIRE-achievers, as we are the coolest and most welcoming cohort ;).

Thanks Loren Ver. Agreed, we is the coolest kids!
Sam
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on August 02, 2019, 09:08:28 PM
Hey, can I be retroactively added to this cohort?

I quit/retired on May 17, I didn't have an exact date planned much in advance. A couple of weeks before I did the deed I felt a very strong persistent urge to leave and never take up paid work again -was just sick of the commute and repetitive work. So I did it, and now spend my time with my daughters, my dog, and on the many trails in the neighborhood.

Life is good!

Just short of an EPIC FU
https://www.theonion.com/health-experts-recommend-standing-up-at-desk-leaving-o-1819577456
, but way above the retroactive limit to join the coolest cohort to date.

edit to change bolding.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on August 03, 2019, 03:59:22 AM
Welcome @mowine!  Got you added^.  Sounds like you are having one fine summer.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on August 04, 2019, 10:06:48 AM
Congratulations to all our recent FIREees.  Life after work is indeed wonderful :)
2019 was my original cohort and my original planned date of late July 2019 has just gone by.  We are 10 days into a 5 and a half week holiday in France and Spain, currently in the beautiful little Cathar town of Saissac in the South of France.  Being able to take the kids away for the whole school holidays was a key driver for FIRE.  Since pulling the plug last October we have been away every half term for a week and for 2 weeks at Easter.  Such a privilege to be able to have these fun times with the kids.

In other news, I have just agreed to extend my one-day-a-week, term-time-only gig with my old employer out to 1 July 2020.  Does this mean that I am both OLY and OMY I wonder?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Parizade on August 04, 2019, 10:15:31 AM
In other news, I have just agreed to extend my one-day-a-week, term-time-only gig with my old employer out to 1 July 2020.  Does this mean that I am both OLY and OMY I wonder?

Here in the 2019 cohort we decided that having a FIRE police force was too expensive, so no one is monitoring whether or not your FIRE is fully certified or legitimate. If you are looking for opinions, I think your life sounds perfectly wonderful as is.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Miss Piggy on August 04, 2019, 03:15:50 PM
And bat signal out to the rest of our July potentials:

07/??/19     @Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/??/19     @Mathieu
07/??/19     @Miss Piggy

Any updates?

I am confirmed 7/3/2019.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: couponvan on August 04, 2019, 06:53:16 PM
And bat signal out to the rest of our July potentials:

07/??/19     @Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/??/19     @Mathieu
07/??/19     @Miss Piggy

Any updates?


I am confirmed 7/3/2019.

CONGRATULATIONS!! Happy FIRE One month anniversary!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on August 04, 2019, 06:57:50 PM
And bat signal out to the rest of our July potentials:

07/??/19     @Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/??/19     @Mathieu
07/??/19     @Miss Piggy

Any updates?

I am confirmed 7/3/2019.

WOOHOO!! Congrats @MissPiggy
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on August 05, 2019, 03:37:25 AM
Congrats @Miss Piggy !  Got you CONFIRMED.^  How was your first month? 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Miss Piggy on August 06, 2019, 03:47:39 PM
Congrats @Miss Piggy !  Got you CONFIRMED.^  How was your first month?

Thanks! Awesome so far. But why am I still so busy??!!

Ironically, on a trip to Florida to celebrate, I was banned from the forum, presumably due to an IP address issue at the hotel. So my first month included NO reading/posting on the forum. I got to a point that I was okay with the withdrawal, but in all honesty, I really did miss y'all!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on August 06, 2019, 05:34:24 PM
Congrats @Miss Piggy !  Got you CONFIRMED.^  How was your first month?

Thanks! Awesome so far. But why am I still so busy??!!

Ironically, on a trip to Florida to celebrate, I was banned from the forum, presumably due to an IP address issue at the hotel. So my first month included NO reading/posting on the forum. I got to a point that I was okay with the withdrawal, but in all honesty, I really did miss y'all!

Ha!  We forgive you for abandoning us during your time of celebration if you were banned.  But in the future if you are to be banned, you should do something more exciting than having an IP issue :).

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Miss Piggy on August 06, 2019, 07:47:05 PM
Congrats @Miss Piggy !  Got you CONFIRMED.^  How was your first month?

Thanks! Awesome so far. But why am I still so busy??!!

Ironically, on a trip to Florida to celebrate, I was banned from the forum, presumably due to an IP address issue at the hotel. So my first month included NO reading/posting on the forum. I got to a point that I was okay with the withdrawal, but in all honesty, I really did miss y'all!

Ha!  We forgive you for abandoning us during your time of celebration if you were banned.  But in the future if you are to be banned, you should do something more exciting than having an IP issue :).

Excellent point, @Loren Ver. And one I shall keep in mind for future banning opportunities!  ;)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on August 07, 2019, 04:00:00 PM
Congrats @Miss Piggy !  Got you CONFIRMED.^  How was your first month?

Thanks! Awesome so far. But why am I still so busy??!!

Ironically, on a trip to Florida to celebrate, I was banned from the forum, presumably due to an IP address issue at the hotel. So my first month included NO reading/posting on the forum. I got to a point that I was okay with the withdrawal, but in all honesty, I really did miss y'all!

Ha!  We forgive you for abandoning us during your time of celebration if you were banned.  But in the future if you are to be banned, you should do something more exciting than having an IP issue :).

Excellent point, @Loren Ver. And one I shall keep in mind for future banning opportunities!  ;)

As one does, especially when they become a person of leisure :).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on August 08, 2019, 03:43:55 AM
Coming to the finish line today we have @seattlecyclone.  Good luck and let us know how it goes!

Shout out to @jfer_rose.  Are you still on track for tomorrow?  Last time you dropped by things were terrible in the office, and you were tentatively planning to FIRE August 9.  How are you doing? 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: jfer_rose on August 08, 2019, 04:47:36 AM

Shout out to @jfer_rose.  Are you still on track for tomorrow?  Last time you dropped by things were terrible in the office, and you were tentatively planning to FIRE August 9.  How are you doing?

I'm having trouble believing that when I walk out of work tomorrow, I won't need to go back on Monday! I was able to rectify my clumsy notice situation. I had my exit interview yesterday and my going away lunch is today. I felt quite a bit of guilt about leaving my job since it is one that attempts to make the world a better place, and I am passionate about what we do. But I have been blown away at how excited my coworkers and colleagues have been about my new plans! Almost everyone has expressed envy. I should explain, I haven't told anyone I am retiring, I have been saying that I am leaving to complete a full-time carpentry-related program at the local community college.

I have 3 weeks off before my classes start. It's a 1-year program and I couldn't be more excited. No idea what comes after that! Also, as a symbol of my escape from professionaldom I am dying my hair purple this weekend (something I had long wanted to do but lacked the guts to try).

As an aside, my boss actually mentioned MMM to me since I gave notice. I think maybe he has been on to me since my boyfriend early-retired 2 years ago. I neither confirmed nor denied. Teehee!!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on August 08, 2019, 05:03:12 AM

Shout out to @jfer_rose.  Are you still on track for tomorrow?  Last time you dropped by things were terrible in the office, and you were tentatively planning to FIRE August 9.  How are you doing?

I'm having trouble believing that when I walk out of work tomorrow, I won't need to go back on Monday! I was able to rectify my clumsy notice situation. I had my exit interview yesterday and my going away lunch is today. I felt quite a bit of guilt about leaving my job since it is one that attempts to make the world a better place, and I am passionate about what we do. But I have been blown away at how excited my coworkers and colleagues have been about my new plans! Almost everyone has expressed envy. I should explain, I haven't told anyone I am retiring, I have been saying that I am leaving to complete a full-time carpentry-related program at the local community college.

I have 3 weeks off before my classes start. It's a 1-year program and I couldn't be more excited. No idea what comes after that! Also, as a symbol of my escape from professionaldom I am dying my hair purple this weekend (something I had long wanted to do but lacked the guts to try).

As an aside, my boss actually mentioned MMM to me since I gave notice. I think maybe he has been on to me since my boyfriend early-retired 2 years ago. I neither confirmed nor denied. Teehee!!!

:)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on August 08, 2019, 07:21:51 AM
Hey guys,
Sorry for abandoning you all.  Here's an update.  My wife and I quit on 4/19, but needed to get rid of all of our stuff besides what would fit in the car and be gone from our apartment by 4/30.  The main stressors were trying to make sure that all of our stuff ended up with people who would use it instead of in a landfill.  And we tried to balance that process with the fact that we were still living there during that time, so we still wanted a bed to sleep on and a TV to watch at the end of the day and things like that. That process was grueling and I'm soooo glad it's over. 

From there, we loaded up the car with our remaining belongings and went camping for about a month as we drove from California back to the Chicago area. Highlight was definitely the Moab Utah area (https://bonusnachos.com/moab-rocks/), including Arches and Canyonlands National Parks.  We planned to stay for 3 nights but stayed for a week instead. Thanks retirement!

Then we spent about a month visiting with friends and family in the Midwest before getting on a plane for Bangkok at the end of June. We just spent two weeks here in Bangkok and will be leaving for the Gulf of Thailand and Koh Phangan tomorrow for some island time.

I kind of thought the retirement thing would really hit me when we got on the plane for Thailand, but it's turning out to be more of a gradual change than a switch that flips.  This still kind of feels like a long vacation, although since we know it's long, we're taking our time getting over jetlag, will sit around for a day if needed, and am generally cooking at home still instead of eating out too much. We've seen some sights, but mostly are just going at it pretty slowly and not worrying too much about packing in a bunch of activities, figuring it will work itself out. And if we miss something, well, we'll be back at some point.

All in all, it's been going pretty good so far.  I'm happy to be in SE Asia and we've got the next ~2 months planned (2 weeks on Koh Phangan, 2 weeks on Koh Samui, 2 weeks in Phuket, 2 weeks in Siem Reap, Cambodia). So now we just get to enjoy amazing produce at ridiculously cheap prices, hot weather, and leisurely breakfasts.

Eric

@Eric, fuck yeah!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on August 08, 2019, 07:30:01 AM
Yooooooo, 2019 Cohort peeps! Figured I'd check in since I cast off the shackles 41 days ago. Retirement is fucking grand! Went to Hawaii for 2 weeks (week in Maui, week on the Big Island), now been back a couple weeks. Haven't set an alarm clock for well over a month now, and I love it. Getting ready for a 3-week intermountain west (CO/UT/WY) climbing trip in a few weeks, then coming home for a couple weeks before heading back out west for 3-4 weeks (WY/Vegas/SoCal) for some jiu jitsu and surfing. Beyond that, who knows? Been filling my days with lots of working out, running, climbing, and jiu jitsu. This FIRE deal is as good as I'd fantasized it would be! Git some!

Capped off a 3-week intermountain west roadtrip a little over a week ago. Posted a few pics in the Post-FIRE forum. Next roadtrip begins in a few days and will be nearly a month, covering WY, UT, NV and CA. Can't freakin' wait!

Congrats to all those who've FIRE'd since I pulled the plug back in May!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on August 08, 2019, 06:02:21 PM

Shout out to @jfer_rose.  Are you still on track for tomorrow?  Last time you dropped by things were terrible in the office, and you were tentatively planning to FIRE August 9.  How are you doing?

I'm having trouble believing that when I walk out of work tomorrow, I won't need to go back on Monday! I was able to rectify my clumsy notice situation. I had my exit interview yesterday and my going away lunch is today. I felt quite a bit of guilt about leaving my job since it is one that attempts to make the world a better place, and I am passionate about what we do. But I have been blown away at how excited my coworkers and colleagues have been about my new plans! Almost everyone has expressed envy. I should explain, I haven't told anyone I am retiring, I have been saying that I am leaving to complete a full-time carpentry-related program at the local community college.

I have 3 weeks off before my classes start. It's a 1-year program and I couldn't be more excited. No idea what comes after that! Also, as a symbol of my escape from professionaldom I am dying my hair purple this weekend (something I had long wanted to do but lacked the guts to try).

As an aside, my boss actually mentioned MMM to me since I gave notice. I think maybe he has been on to me since my boyfriend early-retired 2 years ago. I neither confirmed nor denied. Teehee!!!

Teehee indeed!!  Congrats.  Enjoy not going to work on Mondays!!!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: seattlecyclone on August 08, 2019, 08:46:41 PM
Coming to the finish line today we have @seattlecyclone.  Good luck and let us know how it goes!

Put me down as CONFIRMED, and feel free to put down my age.

This morning I achieved my personal best on the office pinball machine. Then I went out to a nice farewell lunch with my team, packed up my personal belongings, turned in my laptop and badge, and came home a retired man.
Title: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: ysette9 on August 08, 2019, 09:05:07 PM
Congrats!

(On thé personal best on the pinball machine, of course) ;-)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FiveSigmas on August 08, 2019, 09:57:57 PM
Put me down as CONFIRMED, and feel free to put down my age.

This morning I achieved my personal best on the office pinball machine. Then I went out to a nice farewell lunch with my team, packed up my personal belongings, turned in my laptop and badge, and came home a retired man.

Nice. Congratulations SC!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: iluvzbeach on August 08, 2019, 10:07:10 PM
Huge congrats, @seattlecyclone! What an amazing accomplishment and at 34, no less! I’m just a few months behind you but am 15 years your senior at age 49. Had I been smarter, I would have handled my 20s and early 30s much differently and I’d be done already. I love reading about folks who started out on the right foot and achieved FIRE at such a young age. Congrats again, enjoy every freaking moment of FUREd life.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: couponvan on August 09, 2019, 06:10:25 AM
Huge congrats, @seattlecyclone! What an amazing accomplishment and at 34, no less! I’m just a few months behind you but am 15 years your senior at age 49. Had I been smarter, I would have handled my 20s and early 30s much differently and I’d be done already. I love reading about folks who started out on the right foot and achieved FIRE at such a young age. Congrats again, enjoy every freaking moment of FUREd life.

+1.  Although I'm 48 and just a few months ahead of you.  If I'd only worked about 3 more years in early life, I'd have been completely completely done working.  Enjoy the FIRE life!  I love that you and your wife will be able to do it together.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on August 09, 2019, 07:06:50 AM
CONGRATULATIONS @seattlecyclone

And happy last day of work @jfer_rose!


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
04/05/19     MissNancyPryor (50)      CONFIRMED SWAMI
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
08/30/19     MoMan  (54)                 
08/31/19     Gerard
08/31/19     Oldtoyota
08/??/19     Omy
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/13/19     dayzero
09/14/19     Classical_Liberal
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
10/01/19     SnakesInTheGrass (55)
10/04/19     iluvzbeach (49)
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     JumboShrimp
11/21/19     Meatgrinder (39)
12/06/19     Sid Arthur (59)
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/19/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)
12/31/19     Nifty (31)

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)
snowdog (57)
SugarMountain
Thedividebyzero  (45)
Mathieu
DireWolf

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
Linea_Norway (45)
CryingInThePool  (44)
Albireo13  (61)
Cookie78
Enigma
exit2019  (40)
powersuitrecall  (47)
SamIAm38  (30)

OLY
markbike528cbx  (55)      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   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: xbdb on August 09, 2019, 02:11:07 PM
Congrats @seattlecyclone!  I retired a week ago, and I am still smiling.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: jfer_rose on August 09, 2019, 03:28:55 PM
I am pleased to join the prestigious "CONFIRMED" ranks! I have left my office, turned in all that required it and now I'm ready to see what adventures await.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on August 09, 2019, 03:35:45 PM
CONGRATS @jfer_rose !!!  You are CONFIRMED.^


                                                          (https://media2.giphy.com/media/l0HFiOtai3t3xIoLK/200w.webp?cid=790b7611cdb587fde6bddecf535895c4b5aea95c330fb229&rid=200w.webp)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Sid Arthur on August 12, 2019, 08:17:05 PM
Hi,

My first post here, I've been lurking for a while :)

I'm planning to FIRE on December 6, 2019. I was originally planning for June 2019 but delayed for an extra 6 months. Please add me to the 2019 cohort!

In December I will be 59 1/2 so eligible for withdrawals from my rollover IRA if it makes sense to take them.

I feel pretty good about the numbers but taxes and health insurance are the complicating factors. Still figuring out the exact plan for withdrawal strategy and possible ACA subsidies.


Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on August 13, 2019, 03:00:09 AM
Fantastic @Sid Arthur!  Welcome to the cohort and the forum!  Got you added to the list.^

Sounds like you have a good plan and have it figured out -- as much as any of us do when it comes to the ACA.  And you'll be FIREing during open enrollment too, so your timing's good there.   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on August 13, 2019, 08:24:39 AM
Congrates to the recent FIREes.  I am so excited for you.  Remember to take some active time to relax your smiling muscles over the next few weeks.  They wont be use to all this hard work :).

@seattlecyclone, good job on the personal high score before leaving.  Excellent send off :).

Welcome @Sid Arthur.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MoMan on August 13, 2019, 12:33:37 PM
Hmmm ... My date on the list got moved to May 30th. Oh how I wish! 

I have 17 torturous calendar days left/ 14 work days left/ 10 commutes left until my last day (August 30).

I had informed my boss last April of my plan, and just yesterday turned in my official resignation letter. Despite giving MegaCorp 4 months (that's 17.5 weeks!) notice, they still have not moved forward with hiring a replacement. Looks like I'm not going to be missed after all!  But all my co-workers are supportive, if a bit jealous. I got to pick out my work retirement party location/details. That will happen the day before my last day, so I plan to come in to the office the next morning with a severe hangover, hand in my badge and laptop and make a 180 degree exit back to bed.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: stoaX on August 13, 2019, 01:06:46 PM
so I plan to come in to the office the next morning with a severe hangover, hand in my badge and laptop and make a 180 degree exit back to bed.

You got to admire a MoMan with a plan!  Congratulations...
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on August 13, 2019, 01:36:49 PM
Got you fixed @MoMan ^.   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on August 13, 2019, 03:28:41 PM
so I plan to come in to the office the next morning with a severe hangover, hand in my badge and laptop and make a 180 degree exit back to bed.

You got to admire a MoMan with a plan!  Congratulations...

It isn't a bad plan :).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: meatgrinder on August 13, 2019, 05:29:19 PM
I'm bumping to 2019 from the 2020 group. My last day in the matrix is planned for 11/21 when my RSUs vest. From there it will be on to watching Jerry Springer reruns with Cheetos on the couch then straight to the nursing home! 

Looking forward to hearing all of the stories about ACA and commiserating on market performance. I'll be 39 and have a 3.3% withdraw rate due to a planned expiration year of 2080+.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on August 13, 2019, 06:21:48 PM
I'm bumping to 2019 from the 2020 group. My last day in the matrix is planned for 11/21 when my RSUs vest. From there it will be on to watching Jerry Springer reruns with Cheetos on the couch then straight to the nursing home! 

Looking forward to hearing all of the stories about ACA and commiserating on market performance. I'll be 39 and have a 3.3% withdraw rate due to a planned expiration year of 2080+.

We are always on the lookout for OLY defectors from 2020.
Congratulations !  Don't get cold feet between now and then.  At 3.3% you're pretty well insulated from shocks and crashes.

Suggestion:
Jerry Springer Jerry Seinfeld
Cheetos, if you must have a Lay's product, Limón chips

It is good to see lots of OLY additions to the cohort as well as lurkers coming out of the woodwork to join 2019, the cool cohort.

When I started this thread it was kinda slow. I thought I'd have to go door-to-door to drum up converts, whew,avoided that.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: avrex on August 13, 2019, 06:55:03 PM
My last day in the matrix is planned for 11/21

Congratulation on your FIRE date, @meatgrinder

Based on your user name, I'm guessing that you are quite happy to be leaving the job that you are in.  :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on August 14, 2019, 12:22:01 AM
I'm bumping to 2019 from the 2020 group. My last day in the matrix is planned for 11/21 when my RSUs vest. From there it will be on to watching Jerry Springer reruns with Cheetos on the couch then straight to the nursing home! 

Looking forward to hearing all of the stories about ACA and commiserating on market performance. I'll be 39 and have a 3.3% withdraw rate due to a planned expiration year of 2080+.

Then I'll remove you from the 2020 list. Congrats.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on August 14, 2019, 04:23:42 AM
Welcome @meatgrinder!  Got you added to the latest list.  November will be here before you know it.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: meatgrinder on August 14, 2019, 12:56:45 PM
Thanks! Its bizarre to think that when I started investing 20 years ago, I was in mutual funds with a 2%+ expense fee.

@Trifele My job isn't that bad and most people would think I'm crazy for walking away but I've come to a point in life where time is more valuable than money and I fortunately have enough money. The most regretful scenario for me is the thought of looking back when I'm 80 and realizing I spent most of my time typing shit into a computer and sitting in meetings rather living true to myself and with family.

I keep recalling a story I heard where a yacht owner is having a party on his boat but he isn't there since he is off working deals and making money.

One party goer says to another "I'll never be as rich as this guy...owns a yacht and throws parties".
The other party goer "Oh, I'm richer than this guy".
party goer:  "No way. You have peanuts, this guy has billions!".
The other party goer: "Au contraire. I know when I have enough".

Thanks for the suggestions @markbike528CBX. They will be added to the bottom of the retirement to do list just above Jerry Springer and Cheetos.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MoMan on August 14, 2019, 01:54:46 PM
Its bizarre to think that when I started investing 20 years ago, I was in mutual funds with a 2%+ expense fee.

I used to work for a mutual fund company that charged over 5% sales load (that's on top of the expense ratio!) on each purchase. I threw up in my mouth a little every time I had to create literature to promote that garbage. The brokers and sales guys sure made out like bandits.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on August 14, 2019, 03:22:15 PM

@Trifele My job isn't that bad and most people would think I'm crazy for walking away but I've come to a point in life where time is more valuable than money and I fortunately have enough money. The most regretful scenario for me is the thought of looking back when I'm 80 and realizing I spent most of my time typing shit into a computer and sitting in meetings rather living true to myself and with family.


A-men.  I hit that point when I was 48.  It was suddenly crystal clear to me then that I valued the time far more than the money, and that I wanted out of work as fast as possible.  I put the hammer down on savings and sprinted for the FIRE finish line.  cFIREsim says I've got a 96% chance of success . . . honestly I would have pulled the trigger with lower odds than that.  Time is all we have.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: xbdb on August 15, 2019, 09:35:38 AM

@Trifele My job isn't that bad and most people would think I'm crazy for walking away but I've come to a point in life where time is more valuable than money and I fortunately have enough money. The most regretful scenario for me is the thought of looking back when I'm 80 and realizing I spent most of my time typing shit into a computer and sitting in meetings rather living true to myself and with family.


A-men.  I hit that point when I was 48.  It was suddenly crystal clear to me then that I valued the time far more than the money, and that I wanted out of work as fast as possible.  I put the hammer down on savings and sprinted for the FIRE finish line.  cFIREsim says I've got a 96% chance of success . . . honestly I would have pulled the trigger with lower odds than that.  Time is all we have.


RIGHT ON

There is a quote by Paul Bowles that I love:

Quote
Because we don't know when we will die, we get to think of life as an inexhaustible well. Yet everything happens only a certain number of times, and a very small number really. How many more times will you remember a certain afternoon of your childhood, an afternoon that is so deeply a part of your being that you can't even conceive of your life without it? Perhaps four, five times more, perhaps not even that. How many more times will you watch the full moon rise? Perhaps 20. And yet it all seems limitless.”
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: meatgrinder on August 16, 2019, 09:36:21 AM
Question to the group of 2019 fire cohorts that have already retired and are doing roth conversions: 

How are you handling health insurance?  We will be eligible for ACA/obamacare and will have some investment income in retirement, however, I also want to start doing roth conversions to get those sweet tax free investment returns.  My concern is this is going to push us over the ACA subsidies limit.

Should we go balls to the wall with roth conversions up to the tax free income amount and pay full insurance or try to limit income/roth conversion and get as much ACA subsidies as possible?

SIAP!

Thanks
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on August 16, 2019, 11:13:17 AM
I think that depends on a bunch of things @meatgrinder, including your age, health, tax bracket, family size, your annual spend, how much you'll make this year and next, and your income stream plan for retirement.  For us (family of 4) it worked out better to not do any conversions this year, and go on the ACA to get a family plan.  NEXT year we may do a conversion, haven't decided.  I think we'll have the income 'space' to do that and still qualify for an ACA plan. 

My brother FIREd 4 years ago as a single guy.  His situation was way simpler because he didn't have to choose between having a subsidized plan and doing conversions; his numbers worked out such that he could do both.  He started doing conversions immediately, living on cash and taxable accounts. He carefully measures out the conversions each year to give himself enough income to stay off Medicaid and still qualify for a decent ACA plan. 

The only way to do both though, as far as I can see, is to get your income well below the subsidy cliff.  If that's not possible, then yes it seems we are pushed into that choice of (a) subsidies, or (b) doing conversions.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: seattlecyclone on August 16, 2019, 11:26:17 AM
Question to the group of 2019 fire cohorts that have already retired and are doing roth conversions: 

How are you handling health insurance?  We will be eligible for ACA/obamacare and will have some investment income in retirement, however, I also want to start doing roth conversions to get those sweet tax free investment returns.  My concern is this is going to push us over the ACA subsidies limit.

Should we go balls to the wall with roth conversions up to the tax free income amount and pay full insurance or try to limit income/roth conversion and get as much ACA subsidies as possible?

SIAP!

Thanks

Some level of ACA subsidies are available all the way up to 400% of the federal poverty level, which is roughly $50k for a single person and $100k for a family of four. You won't run into this limit if your only income is Roth conversions up to the standard deduction. It could happen with capital gains and dividend income too if you're spending down a taxable account. In that case you'll have to weigh the value of the subsidies you'd lose going over 400% against the value of using up every last bit of the room under the standard deduction. While this may vary from person to person, I'd guess the ACA subsidies will win out for most of us.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: meatgrinder on August 16, 2019, 04:09:43 PM
Thanks for the info. I'm 95% confident ACA subsidies is the way to go vs. making Roth conversions up to the standard deduction.  This is because it looks like a $7000K/Year ACA subsidy which the savings in taxes from the conversion look to be ~$3000K/Year given we will still have some income.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Nifty on August 19, 2019, 06:08:18 PM
I'm (very) slightly pushing back my quit date to early January 2020. Reason being, I need my Q4 bonus to deposit, which should post first 2 weeks of the new year. I will then give notice. After much number crunching I decided from a tax/ACA subsidy perspective its better to have this income in 2020 rather than asking for the bonus to post in late 2019.

I still feel part of the 2019 cohort though!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on August 20, 2019, 04:53:18 AM
Pulling the list forward.  Thanks for the update Nifty -- sounds like you are working on the final FIRE details -- congrats!   I did the same thing -- teetered between December and January, and finally settled on January of 19 so my bonus could hit.

Shout out to the rest of our August folks --  MoMan, Gerard, @oldtoyota, and Omy.  How are you all doing? 


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
04/05/19     MissNancyPryor (50)      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
08/30/19     MoMan  (54)                 
08/31/19     Gerard
08/31/19     Oldtoyota
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/12/19     Classical_Liberal
09/13/19     dayzero
09/27/19     snowdog (58)
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)
12/24/19     Linea_Norway (45)
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  (55)      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 

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on August 20, 2019, 05:13:54 AM
And for the following folks that haven't checked in lately, how are you doing? 

09/13/19     @dayzero
09/14/19     @Classical_Liberal (43)
09/??/19     @RetirementDreaming
10/01/19     @SnakesintheGrass (55)
10/??/19     @VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     @trix76  (43)
10/??/19     @JumboShrimp
12/??/19     @luckyme13  (45)
12/19/19     @itchyfeet  (47)
12/31/19     @texxan1  (47)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MoMan on August 20, 2019, 06:15:17 AM
Shout out to the rest of our August folks --  @MoMan, @Gerard, @oldtoyota, and @Omy.  How are you all doing?  Still on track for the end of this month?

It's the final countdown!
10 calendar days
8 work days
6 commute-to-office days

... and a serious case of don't-give-a-fuck senioritis.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Gerard on August 20, 2019, 06:41:50 AM
Shout out to the rest of our August folks --  @MoMan, @Gerard, @oldtoyota, and @Omy.  How are you all doing?  Still on track for the end of this month?

Most definitely! I'm practicing by not working very hard.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: trix76 on August 20, 2019, 07:10:23 AM
I decided last night on Oct. 1. I’m planning to give notice on Sept. 18 when some stocks vest, then my last day of work will be Oct. 1 so that health insurance is covered through the end of October.

It’s all coming together... and yes, the senioritis is strong


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on August 20, 2019, 08:59:05 AM
So exciting!   We are growing so fast.  I didn't realize so many people moved around between the cohorts during the middle of the year.  Love it!  It would have been terrible if @markbike528CBX did have to go knocking on doors.  :D.

@xbdb that is a sobering thought.  Even though I am retired, I still think like this a lot of the time.  There are always more opportunities right, into forever....

@meatgrinder, for your conversion question, my plan is to keep us in the subsidy range.  As you pointed out, it makes the maths happy.  A while ago I did read another strategy from someone else here on the forum.  They were doing a one year off, three years on strategy.  So on year one they convert enough money for the four years, and pay for medical out of pocket, then the next three (or so years) have the income extra low to get the best subsidies.  Rinse repeat.  I thought about it, but it kinda gave me some heartburn so we are just going low and slow. 

Loren
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Omy on August 20, 2019, 03:24:19 PM
Settled my final transaction today...I'm done!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on August 20, 2019, 03:31:41 PM
Settled my final transaction today...I'm done!

Congrats!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on August 20, 2019, 04:32:09 PM
Yeah @Omy!!!!  You are CONFIRMED.^  Congratulations!

                                                   (https://media2.giphy.com/media/122ieBYC3AcECI/200.webp?cid=790b7611b10fe45a82acff092953cabea03ccafd554cd4c3&rid=200.webp)

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on August 20, 2019, 04:42:07 PM
I decided last night on Oct. 1. I’m planning to give notice on Sept. 18 when some stocks vest, then my last day of work will be Oct. 1 so that health insurance is covered through the end of October.

It’s all coming together... and yes, the senioritis is strong


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Fantastic @trix76 !  Thanks for the check in -- got you updated. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on August 21, 2019, 02:58:37 AM
As written in my journal, my last actual working day might be before Christmas 2019. We decided yesterday to officially end working in the beginning of Jan, instead of a month later. For pension reasons and for taxfree payment of my vacation money, it is best if my official last day is in January. But I might be taking the day off (will probably do that). :-))))
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: snowdog on August 21, 2019, 05:58:40 AM
Final day is set in stone...finally!!  9/27 it is.  I missed getting out at 57 as I Just turned 58.  Oh well, I still consider it a big victory!



Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on August 21, 2019, 06:07:00 AM
Congratulations on setting your dates @Linea_Norway and @snowdog!  Got you both updated.^   

ETA -- I think you might be the first OMY to come back Linea!  (we're happy to claim you in 2019, if that's when your last working day is)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on August 21, 2019, 09:28:15 AM
Settled my final transaction today...I'm done!

WOOT WOOT!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Classical_Liberal on August 22, 2019, 12:33:37 AM
09/14/19     @Classical_Liberal (43)

Last day is 9/12, confirmed. I'm semi-RE in that I'll still work intermittent contract work for my old employer
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on August 24, 2019, 01:31:25 AM
Hey muh Nineteen peeps, been a while. 

I think I am about to re-join the ranks of the unemployed. 

I left my very stressful job April 5th as per the glorious FIRE plan and then went to work later that month at a place I used to work years prior in an effort to transition and SWAMI my way into a retirement. 

I shifted from a high power boss type to more of a technical analyst, but it is a salaried role rather than something hourly and has a decent paycheck.  Unfortunately I have been there 4 months and it is boring beyond all hell.  There is a struggle because the person who is supposed to be training me is a passive aggressive dude who told me flat out, "No one taught me anything here, I had to figure it out for myself" and then proceeded to not teach me anything there.  Every bit of knowledge I have gained has been painfully acquired.  It was clear that he did not want me to be the successful candidate for this job, he wanted a buddy of his, but they could not meet the salary requirements.  The fact that I easily figured out that I was not his first choice should tell you everything about how he treated me after I arrived.   

But, the goals of transitioning are being met for the most part-- I have enjoyed not carrying a company cell phone and the extension of medical insurance as well as a paycheck, though it is much smaller than I was making before.   I am still saving a ton of dough even with the dramatically reduced income.  I decided that I would stay a year so as not to be a jerk about things but knew that if things continued how they are I would not be making any long term career out of this.     

Today my boss and I had our regular 1:1 session and she said she could tell I was not happy.  I explained (again, because I have been saying it to her since my second week there) that I was not getting the training I needed and was frustrated but I was sorry I was not hiding it better.  She encouraged me to take a promotion where my skill set and leadership experience would be better used.  I declined and emphasized that I purposefully downshifted to this role in order to build a life that was not driven by work.  After a few moments we developed some ideas on how I could find a path forward and we agreed. 

She then ham-handedly turned the topic to my hours.  She said she noticed I only worked 7 hours a day and I really need to work 8.

I quit. 

She freaked out.  She refused to accept my resignation.   

It was fairly dramatic but I explained that I have been working the exact same hours as the rest of the group, I am a salaried individual, and furthermore I asked more than once when I got on board what the deal was and it was agreed I was fine.  I had just spent 40 minutes going through how I was struggling with getting necessary training from a guy who refuses to provide it and to move to a discussion about my HOURS of all things was just too much.  I told her I simply can't take that and therefore I quit.  She told me to sleep on it and let her know Monday.

So I will confirm with her Monday that I am really BYEEEEE.

Am I missing something?  I simply can't think of one reason to stay other than l am bummed I will have to go out to the health exchange.  Thoughts? 

Damn, I have missed you. 

We've missed you too.
Looks like an EPIC FU thread cross post coming up.

I would have just left, no Monday redoo. 
Same drama different day, why go through that drama twice?

Text/email your final answer now (Friday-Saturday)and ghost on Monday.

Refusing a resignation? Are you currently "in the face of the enemy"? WTF in a civilian context.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on August 24, 2019, 03:43:28 AM
Welcome back @MissNancyPryor!  I'm sorry that job turned out like that.  Yeah, sounds like a very good move to get out of there.   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SnakesintheGrass on August 24, 2019, 04:28:14 AM
And for the following folks that haven't checked in lately, how are you doing? 

10/01/19     @SnakesintheGrass (55)

Yup, still on track!  October 1 is a pension triggering date which we’ve been looking towards for several years now — felt a long time away forever and now suddenly it’s imminent!

I am starting to put some pieces in place for post-FIRE (volunteering, etc.) while the usual unravelling of work life.  My plan is to try a whole bunch of new and interesting things in Year 1 and just see ‘what sticks’.  Anyone on the other side of FIRE try something similar?

Thanks for checking in — congrats to the other ‘19 Cohort buddies!

SnakesintheGrass(Beth)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: texxan1 on August 24, 2019, 04:46:53 AM
I am still on track for dec 31,but see it being sooner lol.

if trump will quit tweeting, it will definatley be sooner... Just padding the cash and im out.. SOOON
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Bateaux on August 24, 2019, 05:00:16 AM
Hey muh Nineteen peeps, been a while. 

I think I am about to re-join the ranks of the unemployed. 

I left my very stressful job April 5th as per the glorious FIRE plan and then went to work later that month at a place I used to work years prior in an effort to transition and SWAMI my way into a retirement. 

I shifted from a high power boss type to more of a technical analyst, but it is a salaried role rather than something hourly and has a decent paycheck.  Unfortunately I have been there 4 months and it is boring beyond all hell.  There is a struggle because the person who is supposed to be training me is a passive aggressive dude who told me flat out, "No one taught me anything here, I had to figure it out for myself" and then proceeded to not teach me anything there.  Every bit of knowledge I have gained has been painfully acquired.  It was clear that he did not want me to be the successful candidate for this job, he wanted a buddy of his, but they could not meet the salary requirements.  The fact that I easily figured out that I was not his first choice should tell you everything about how he treated me after I arrived.   

But, the goals of transitioning are being met for the most part-- I have enjoyed not carrying a company cell phone and the extension of medical insurance as well as a paycheck, though it is much smaller than I was making before.   I am still saving a ton of dough even with the dramatically reduced income.  I decided that I would stay a year so as not to be a jerk about things but knew that if things continued how they are I would not be making any long term career out of this.     

Today my boss and I had our regular 1:1 session and she said she could tell I was not happy.  I explained (again, because I have been saying it to her since my second week there) that I was not getting the training I needed and was frustrated but I was sorry I was not hiding it better.  She encouraged me to take a promotion where my skill set and leadership experience would be better used.  I declined and emphasized that I purposefully downshifted to this role in order to build a life that was not driven by work.  After a few moments we developed some ideas on how I could find a path forward and we agreed. 

She then ham-handedly turned the topic to my hours.  She said she noticed I only worked 7 hours a day and I really need to work 8.

I quit. 

She freaked out.  She refused to accept my resignation.   

It was fairly dramatic but I explained that I have been working the exact same hours as the rest of the group, I am a salaried individual, and furthermore I asked more than once when I got on board what the deal was and it was agreed I was fine.  I had just spent 40 minutes going through how I was struggling with getting necessary training from a guy who refuses to provide it and to move to a discussion about my HOURS of all things was just too much.  I told her I simply can't take that and therefore I quit.  She told me to sleep on it and let her know Monday.

So I will confirm with her Monday that I am really BYEEEEE.

Am I missing something?  I simply can't think of one reason to stay other than l am bummed I will have to go out to the health exchange.  Thoughts? 

Damn, I have missed you.       

Quit the job if you like.  Just don't quit us.  More stories please.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MoMan on August 24, 2019, 05:11:00 AM
Unfortunately I have been there 4 months and it is boring beyond all hell.  There is a struggle because the person who is supposed to be training me is a passive aggressive dude who told me flat out, "No one taught me anything here, I had to figure it out for myself" and then proceeded to not teach me anything there.

This just makes FIRE all the more sweet! And please write up a post for the epic FU thread. I love those stories.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: jfer_rose on August 24, 2019, 07:09:52 AM
@MissNancyPryor - Wow, that story is amazing! Congratulations for quitting on the spot. Epic FU story, indeed!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on August 24, 2019, 09:08:30 AM

Last day is 9/12, confirmed. I'm semi-RE in that I'll still work intermittent contract work for my old employer

w00t w00t!!!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SwordGuy on August 24, 2019, 09:28:23 AM
Thanks everyone.  You are right, it is obvious this is just done.  Once I put a button on things I will tell you how it ends and will put it in the Epic FU thread.  I will spend some time today and tomorrow figuring out how to gracefully exit but honestly I just want to tell her that she better look for someone who actually needs this job so they will have a higher tolerance for the crap.  Trick-or-treating my way around the entire floor to get answers that could well be provided by a fellow sitting 3 feet off my right elbow is such bullshittery that I simply won't but up with it.  I have digested it overnight into 3 simple points.

Per my boss:

- I am not happy and everyone can see this (this is horrifying to me that I am somehow poisoning my team, I can't tolerate that, of course she tried to walk it back when I repeated her words back to her)

- I am wasting my talents in this role and should be in a higher position (for the the umpteenth time I don't want that and I think her own judgement here is coloring her opinion of the above about me being "unhappy")

- There is a problem with my hours  (you have got to be fucking kidding me, I am not an hourly clerk)

She will be in a bit of a pinch because I was heartily welcomed back by the executives this spring because in my prior employment I was responsible for a ground breaking and highly visible program still in use today and they hated to see me go to that other company.  She was clapped on the back for getting me to return and will now have to explain how she "lost me" again.  I surely hope she goes for the easy answer that I refused to work 8 hours a day.  Ha!

Good choice on your part.   You really should mention in your exit interview that management failed to do it's job and make your colleague train you, i.e. do their job.   If you go back in, be sure to smile at the asswipe who wouldn't train you and let him know that all the work you've been doing is now his to do and you hope he enjoys the extra work load.    Let everyone hear it so they will know not to help him out.   Don't forget to smile and talk sweetly.  It makes it more fun.  :)       

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SwordGuy on August 24, 2019, 09:33:25 AM
There is a struggle because the person who is supposed to be training me is a passive aggressive dude who told me flat out, "No one taught me anything here, I had to figure it out for myself" and then proceeded to not teach me anything there.

The world only gets better because of one kind of person.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on August 25, 2019, 12:23:47 AM
Sorry folks, I’m now def a OMY victim.

Hopefully I’ll be able to call time at 30 April next year.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on August 25, 2019, 04:05:16 AM
Sorry folks, I’m now def a OMY victim.

Hopefully I’ll be able to call time at 30 April next year.

Sorry to lose you @itchyfeet!  Come back anytime.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on August 25, 2019, 06:47:43 PM
@MissNancyPryor I am very sorry it didn't work out for you, but I am really glad you are planning to cut and run as the job is not as advertised.  If you can't get training and still have plenty of time then there is something wrong with the people and the role, and that sounds horrible.  And you are my hero to saying no :).

@SnakesintheGrass I am currently trying things to see what sticks.  DH dove right in to building giant metal creatures to put in the yard.  He will spend 8-12 hours a day working on this.  I like to help out, but that is not my deal.  I have a few volunteer opportunities that I am dipping my toes into to see what fits well.  I do not want another full time job, especially one that doesn't pay.  So options with year long commitments  am putting off until I am sure I am not filling a work void that doesn't need filling.  It makes for interesting times, but can also be complex.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on August 25, 2019, 09:36:50 PM
...snip
DH dove right in to building giant metal creatures to put in the yard.
......snip.

You got me there.  Need welding skills, more motivation. I think DW would be enthusiastically onboard .
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on August 26, 2019, 04:45:53 PM
Just checking in with the group.

I still have no idea how I ever had time for full-time work.  Parked in a free area and took an 11 mile bike ride today with the better weather.  Stopped at the aquarium, a neat dive place for lunch, and got 11 miles in on the bike before an afternoon gym trip.

If you haven't pulled the plug, don't be scared.  This is awesome
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MissNancyPryor on August 26, 2019, 04:48:48 PM
Yay @chasesfish!  Love it!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on August 26, 2019, 08:34:22 PM
Well, I'm officially going back after my sabbatical. I head back to work in the next week or so. The time off has definitely clarified for me that this will be a short term thing to lock in a senior level promotion. If anything should happen over the next seven or so years while my husband is working, I'll be able to re-enter the "career" workforce at that level. It's a hedge, basically.

My current plan is to return in September, stay for 6-12 months (just not sure I can hack it, we shall see) & then find a flexible role that is part-time. We won't need the money, but I do think I'll enjoy the mental stimulation & it will speed along a few side goals that would be nice to meet.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SugarMountain on August 27, 2019, 11:39:38 AM
If you haven't pulled the plug, don't be scared.  This is awesome

The worry that leads to OMY/OMM is never the immediate time period, i.e. the first year or even the first five or ten years.  It's 30 years down the road.  I'm sure the first months and years will be awesome when I eventually do pull the plug.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on August 27, 2019, 12:40:30 PM
...snip
DH dove right in to building giant metal creatures to put in the yard.
......snip.

You got me there.  Need welding skills, more motivation. I think DW would be enthusiastically onboard .

:D.

We co-bought a welder as a joint Christmas for each other (along with the needed gear).  Over the past four months DH taught himself to weld using trial and error with some youtube videos to fix particular issues.  His welds aren't pretty, but they hold the dinosaurs and other creatures together :D.  I would highly recommend, the world needs more whimsy and giant metal creatures :).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on August 27, 2019, 12:47:36 PM
. . . the world needs more whimsy and giant metal creatures :).

:)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: iluvzbeach on August 27, 2019, 01:19:06 PM
Totally off topic for this thread but since we’re talking about whimsy and creating with metal, check out the work of this artist in my area: http://www.greatmetalwork.com/slideshows.aspx

Her stuff is really cool.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: NotJen on August 27, 2019, 01:25:53 PM
Maybe I belong here?  My spreadsheet doesn’t say I’ll be FI this year with all my made-up numbers (though I’m close), but I am definitely pulling the plug on my job and “career” this year.

I don’t have a date yet, but December seems ideal.  I’d have health insurance through the end of the year, and keep all my income in 2019.  It could happen sooner if work slows down.  I have told my bosses I’m quitting this year, so I’m counting on that to keep me on track.

I decided I wouldn’t look for new work while I was still employed, but now I’m thinking maybe I won’t work at all next year.  My worry was health insurance, but now that I’ve looked into ACA plans, I think a year with my only income “engineered” with Roth conversions could work out, while seeing how long I could live off my current cash savings. 

I do intend to seek some form of employment in the future, but I’d like some unplanned time to figure out what I really want to do.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on August 27, 2019, 03:26:59 PM
Welcome @NotJen!  Got you added as 12/??/19. 

And congrats to the folks who have just a few days left -- @MoMan, @Gerard, @oldtoyota, and @Cornbread OMalley.  Is it feeling surreal?

08/30/19     MoMan                   
08/31/19     Gerard
08/31/19     Oldtoyota
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MoMan on August 28, 2019, 06:10:33 AM
We co-bought a welder as a joint Christmas for each other (along with the needed gear).  Over the past four months DH taught himself to weld using trial and error with some youtube videos to fix particular issues.  His welds aren't pretty, but they hold the dinosaurs and other creatures together :D.  I would highly recommend, the world needs more whimsy and giant metal creatures :).

This makes me smile. My father in law gave (i.e. permanently loaned) me his welder. I'm anxiously awaiting cooler weather so I can experiment out in my driveway. It's just too hot to wear the necessary gear right now, and I really can't weld inside my wood shop which is covered in flammable sawdust. I'm the type of person who wakes up in the middle of the night and thinks, "I just thought of something I can weld!"

I plan to contribute to the world's whimsical creations by building lots of whirligigs (google it). You've seen them before: a wind-driven propeller drives some whimsical figure, like a lumberjack perpetually chopping a log. But I've got dozens of ideas running around in my brain, just waiting for a week or two of uninterrupted experimenting.

Life is definitely feeling surreal right now. Today is my last work-from-home day, and tomorrow I will Uber in to work because right after work my company is hosting my retirement party! I picked a little bar close to the office so people could attend easily. The company will pay for appetizers and attendees will buy their own drinks. Friday I will show up late, turn in my badge and laptop and return home. (Is there any better way to kick off Labor Day weekend than by quitting your job?!)

It feels great, seeing this 5-year plan of mine materialize into reality. Coworkers have all been supportive and appreciative of my work, currently and in the past, so I definitely don't want to burn any bridges or leave my projects in disarray. I got some bonus points by giving them 4 months notice. You would think that would be enough time to recruit and train a replacement, but no, they haven't extended any offers yet. Not my problem.

Tick tock, watching that clock.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Gerard on August 28, 2019, 06:50:12 PM
Events are complicating my "do nothing for the last few days" plan -- the colleague taking over my office has a giant desk that's moving in early, my neighbour bought my house today (to expand his lawn) so I have 4 weeks to get rid of a lot of stuff, and tomorrow I get a spontaneous-ish second retirement party potluck. Good stuff, but busier than I expected.

If any of you know someone in St. John's, NL, who needs furniture or cookware or yard tools, PM me!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MoMan on August 28, 2019, 07:27:30 PM
I don't mean to "bogart" the thread, but I'm super excited about my situation. After "working" from home today, I started to toss out some of my work wardrobe: disintegrating shoes, threadbare pants, socks that have long since given up any sign of elasticity, etc. The ONLY reason I replace my worn out underwear is purely for comfort reasons.

I mentioned all of this to my wife over dinner and she seemed a little surprised: "I never noticed that your pants were threadbare or that your shoes were disintegrating", etc.

All of which confirmed my long-held belief that 98% of people don't give a shit about your clothes/fashion/shoes/haircut/etc. Seriously, those shoes have been falling apart (like obviously/visually) for at least 5 years. Not a single person, including my wife, has raised an eyebrow. Please, people, don't waste your money pretending to look fashionable. (pretty sure the same things go for your car).

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on August 28, 2019, 10:21:41 PM
I don't mean to "bogart" the thread, but I'm super excited about my situation. After "working" from home today, I started to toss out some of my work wardrobe: disintegrating shoes, threadbare pants, socks that have long since given up any sign of elasticity, etc. The ONLY reason I replace my worn out underwear is purely for comfort reasons.

I mentioned all of this to my wife over dinner and she seemed a little surprised: "I never noticed that your pants were threadbare or that your shoes were disintegrating", etc.

All of which confirmed my long-held belief that 98% of people don't give a shit about your clothes/fashion/shoes/haircut/etc. Seriously, those shoes have been falling apart (like obviously/visually) for at least 5 years. Not a single person, including my wife, has raised an eyebrow. Please, people, don't waste your money pretending to look fashionable. (pretty sure the same things go for your car).

I once noticed that a co-worker wore shoes that were falling apart and couldn't help making a funnyish comment about it. But I couldn't care less what kind of shoes he wears.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on August 30, 2019, 02:43:42 AM
And we kick off our Non-Labor Day weekend of FIREs with @MoMan, who seems to be enjoying every single minute of his quitting process.  Hope you got home ok last night from the party MoMan, and CONGRATULATIONS!

And CONGRATULATIONS to @MissNancyPryor for her fantastic stick-it-to-the-man quit this week (detailed above and on the 'Epic FU Money Stories' thread).  She is no longer a SWAMI, but CONFIRMED. 


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
08/31/19     Oldtoyota
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley (42) 
09/12/19     Classical_Liberal
09/13/19     dayzero
09/27/19     snowdog (58)
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)
12/24/19     Linea_Norway (45)
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  (55)      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 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MoMan on August 30, 2019, 09:39:27 AM
The deed is done!

I am blissfully unemployed. Had a nice little going away party last night where coworkers lined up (literally) to buy me drinks. They presented me with a nice gift too: My good friend works there and knows me very well, knows that I don't want any more crap or kitschy shit that will quickly make its way to the landfill. They got a nice shop apron (I do lots of woodworking), professionally embroidered with: "Retired. Not my problem." And everyone signed it with a short message. I love it.

Today I showed up late wearing shorts, tennis shoes and a T-shirt that says "Wake and Bake" with the Pillsbury dough boy. For any non-stoners in the audience, that's a reference to getting high first thing in the morning. (For the record, that never happens to me ... any more.). I set all my devices to out of office, penned a goodbye email to the gang, shook hands to those who are in the office today and turned in my badge and laptop. Now I'm getting ready to mow the lawn, patch some drywall and pack for my trip tomorrow (wedding in Pacific Northwest).

It doesn't really feel any different yet, and I don't expect it to for awhile. Just soaking in my new lack of responsibility.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on August 30, 2019, 09:59:29 AM
@MoMan I LOVE it.  Your last few days sound pretty cool!  I really like the apron idea, so smart.  It is good to have friends that understand you!   I love your plan to add more whimsy :).  Whirligigs sound like a good way to do that!

WOO HOO!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: couponvan on August 30, 2019, 10:36:20 AM
Epic last day MoMan!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on August 30, 2019, 09:01:44 PM
The deed is done!
Today I showed up late wearing shorts, tennis shoes and a T-shirt that says "Wake and Bake" with the Pillsbury dough boy. For any non-stoners in the audience, that's a reference to getting high first thing in the morning. (For the record, that never happens to me ... any more.)

What doesn't happen, the Wake and/or Bake ? 
Asking from a stoner legal location.  It is always 4:20 somewhere! - another stoner reference.
The FIRE sequence is wake bake and nap
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on August 31, 2019, 03:31:53 AM
FIREing today we have @Gerard, who's selling his house and stuff at the same time -- eek.  We've had a few other cohort members do that too.  Where are you moving to, Gerard?  Let us know how your last day of work goes!

Also waiting to hear from @oldtoyota who hasn't stopped by in a while.   Not sure if s/he is still on track for today.   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on August 31, 2019, 04:40:09 AM
FIREing today we have @Gerard, who's selling his house and stuff at the same time -- eek.  We've had a few other cohort members do that too.  Where are you moving to, Gerard?  Let us know how your last day of work goes!

Also waiting to hear from @oldtoyota who hasn't stopped by in a while.   Not sure if s/he is still on track for today.

We will do the house sale and FIRE at the same time, too. We are currently using our evenings and weekends to make our house look representable. Today I am pulling weeds out of the gravel in our parking lot, as I did yesterday. My back only manages only 1 hour before I need to take a break. DH has been painting scratches and dirty sports on our inner walls and building lists around a garage door that didn't haven any.
We think it pays off to make the home look good. Next week, I'll borrow a hanger to throw away some rubbish that is on our patch in in our garage.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on September 02, 2019, 09:33:01 AM
And up today we have @Cornbread OMalley who I believe cemented this FIRE date a long time ago (thanks to military processes).  Are you done sir? 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Gerard on September 02, 2019, 09:37:53 AM
Hey @Gerard -- how are you doing?  Is it a done deal?
Hey, thanks for checking! I am indeed officially for-real retired. Super lucky that the dude moving into my office is on sabbatical this year, so I can occasionally use the office, and store some stuff there for now.

The house sale is going through, closing in a few weeks. I've given away most of my stuff ('cause my partner and I are combining households in a different city). Gonna have a last giveaway that I announce on Kijiji (Canadian Craigslist) in a couple of weeks.

My professional contacts at other universities are shocked/surprised... many academics don't retire until several years after they die.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on September 02, 2019, 11:55:02 AM
CONGRATULATIONS @Gerard and welcome to the club!  Best of luck on the move.  LOL about your colleagues being shocked.  My DH FIREd from academia and got the same reaction -- like it didn't compute for them haha.

Enjoy!


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
09/12/19     Classical_Liberal
09/13/19     dayzero
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
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on September 02, 2019, 06:43:54 PM
Congratulations to all the recent FIREes!  I haven't been back to this thread very often since my last day, but whenever I do it's great to see the names getting "CONFIRMED" on the list.  I also stopped in to thank @MissNancyPryor for posting her story in the Epic FU stories thread.  It sounds like your situation worked out perfectly because you will know that you needed to FIRE when you did.  If you hadn't taken the job you might have wondered if you did the right thing, but it seems like the door to going back to work is closed, locked, and barricaded!  Nowhere to go but forward!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on September 02, 2019, 08:56:25 PM
Hey @Gerard -- how are you doing?  Is it a done deal?
Hey, thanks for checking! I am indeed officially for-real retired. Super lucky that the dude moving into my office is on sabbatical this year, so I can occasionally use the office, and store some stuff there for now.

The house sale is going through, closing in a few weeks. I've given away most of my stuff ('cause my partner and I are combining households in a different city). Gonna have a last giveaway that I announce on Kijiji (Canadian Craigslist) in a couple of weeks.

My professional contacts at other universities are shocked/surprised... many academics don't retire until several years after they die.

That is too funny.  Glad you took the more ambitious retirement plan.  Congrats!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on September 02, 2019, 10:34:02 PM
And up today we have @Cornbread OMalley who I believe cemented this FIRE date a long time ago (thanks to military processes).  Are you done sir?
Yes, thanks for checking.  Today is the official date, however, I have not been to the office since May 23rd.  The free time is great, and I've been doing a lot of self reflection and thinking about future opportunities.  Thank you to all on this thread!  You are a great resource!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on September 03, 2019, 04:48:01 AM
Congratulations @Cornbread OMalley!  You are CONFIRMED. ^
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on September 03, 2019, 07:43:12 AM
And up today we have @Cornbread OMalley who I believe cemented this FIRE date a long time ago (thanks to military processes).  Are you done sir?
Yes, thanks for checking.  Today is the official date, however, I have not been to the office since May 23rd.  The free time is great, and I've been doing a lot of self reflection and thinking about future opportunities.  Thank you to all on this thread!  You are a great resource!

Hurray!  So you had a few months of practice and training before the actual event.  Makes success more likely :).  Way to go!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: oldtoyota on September 04, 2019, 01:12:48 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!

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: couponvan on September 04, 2019, 01:23:36 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 retired...

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

You are smoking-not quite at full FIRE, but close! ;-)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on September 05, 2019, 04:14:50 AM
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 retired...

What I meant to say, and probably didn't do it well, was that I think you can be considered FIREd with a side hustle . . . A number of us here in the cohort have a bit of money coming in here or there.  Sounds like maybe your side hustle is pretty robust, but christ I'm not the Retirement Police.  This whole FIRE thing is a big complicated spectrum.  I CONFIRMED you as a SWAMI* above @oldtoyota. We need to celebrate you, because you're one of us.  :) 

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!  Sounds like things are going great! 

*ETA -- SWAMI = Satisfied Working Advanced Mustachian Individual, a/k/a someone who is 'free' but is working because they want to.  MMM did a post on it
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on September 05, 2019, 11:36:56 AM
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 retired...

What I meant to say, and probably didn't do it well, was that I think you can be considered FIREd with a side hustle . . . A number of us here in the cohort have a bit of money coming in here or there.  Sounds like maybe your side hustle is pretty robust, but christ I'm not the Retirement Police.  This whole FIRE thing is a big complicated spectrum.  I CONFIRMED you as a SWAMI* above @oldtoyota. We need to celebrate you, because you're one of us.  :) 

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!  Sounds like things are going great! 

*ETA -- SWAMI = Satisfied Working Advanced Mustachian Individual, a/k/a someone who is 'free' but is working because they want to.  MMM did a post on it

That was sounding a little harsh, and we all know Trifele is a softie on all us old retired folks :).

Anyway I could see side hustle going retired or SWAMI depending on what the doer sees themselves as.  We usually aren't too judge-y about it :).  Glad you made it though!  Congrats!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on September 05, 2019, 04:16:11 PM
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 retired...

What I meant to say, and probably didn't do it well, was that I think you can be considered FIREd with a side hustle . . . A number of us here in the cohort have a bit of money coming in here or there.  Sounds like maybe your side hustle is pretty robust, but christ I'm not the Retirement Police.  This whole FIRE thing is a big complicated spectrum.  I CONFIRMED you as a SWAMI* above @oldtoyota. We need to celebrate you, because you're one of us.  :) 

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!  Sounds like things are going great! 

*ETA -- SWAMI = Satisfied Working Advanced Mustachian Individual, a/k/a someone who is 'free' but is working because they want to.  MMM did a post on it

That was sounding a little harsh, and we all know Trifele is a softie on all us old retired folks :).

Anyway I could see side hustle going retired or SWAMI depending on what the doer sees themselves as.  We usually aren't too judge-y about it :).  Glad you made it though!  Congrats!

Exactly!  @oldtoyota -- if you feel FIREd instead of SWAMI let me know and we'll get that changed! 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: thriftyc on September 05, 2019, 08:00:00 PM
I am in for 2019.

Sept 27th or Mid Oct will be my last day of work, depending if I can hold off giving notice another couple weeks.  Day at a time....

And congrats to all who have made the leap to FIRE in 2019!

Cheers,
Thrifty.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Cornbread OMalley on September 05, 2019, 09:19:18 PM
And up today we have @Cornbread OMalley who I believe cemented this FIRE date a long time ago (thanks to military processes).  Are you done sir?
Yes, thanks for checking.  Today is the official date, however, I have not been to the office since May 23rd.  The free time is great, and I've been doing a lot of self reflection and thinking about future opportunities.  Thank you to all on this thread!  You are a great resource!

Hurray!  So you had a few months of practice and training before the actual event.  Makes success more likely :).  Way to go!
The few months of practice was very good!  I stopped wearing my wristwatch; I started to lose track of the day of the week because every day feels like a Saturday.  The biggest benefit thus far has been more time to cook and eat real food, exercise properly, and get proper rest.  I've lost weight and am healthier overall, and my energy level has increased.  I'm also spending a lot more time with my friends and family.  I enjoy it but don't know if they enjoy it since I come to visit more frequently.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on September 06, 2019, 01:06:37 AM
I am in for 2019.

Sept 27th or Mid Oct will be my last day of work, depending if I can hold off giving notice another couple weeks.  Day at a time....

And congrats to all who have made the leap to FIRE in 2019!

Cheers,
Thrifty.

Welcome aboard @thriftyc!  Got you added.^  It'll be here before you know it!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: mall0c on September 06, 2019, 09:49:25 AM
Today is my last day!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on September 06, 2019, 11:21:13 AM
Today is my last day!

Bam!  Day zero indeed!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: mall0c on September 06, 2019, 12:49:55 PM
Today is my last day!

Bam!  Day zero indeed!!

You got it! :-)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: oldtoyota on September 06, 2019, 01:03:44 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 retired...

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

So awesome!  I still remember way back when when you were just starting the business and trying to decide whether or not to quit your day job.  You have come so far!  Very happy for you that you have found the right place to settle work- and income-wise for the next bit.  Good luck with the side hustle and welcome to FIRE!

Thank you!

It is good to be here after so long.

And I corrected what I wrote to say that Trifele said my having a side hustle does not mean I am **not** retired. LOL! I left out the word "not" in the original post.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: oldtoyota on September 06, 2019, 01:06:14 PM
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 retired...

What I meant to say, and probably didn't do it well, was that I think you can be considered FIREd with a side hustle . . . A number of us here in the cohort have a bit of money coming in here or there.  Sounds like maybe your side hustle is pretty robust, but christ I'm not the Retirement Police.  This whole FIRE thing is a big complicated spectrum.  I CONFIRMED you as a SWAMI* above @oldtoyota. We need to celebrate you, because you're one of us.  :) 

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!  Sounds like things are going great! 

*ETA -- SWAMI = Satisfied Working Advanced Mustachian Individual, a/k/a someone who is 'free' but is working because they want to.  MMM did a post on it

Yes. You did say that. I am SO sorry I left out a word and made you sound like you were telling me I was not retired. I hate making mistakes, yet I made one.

I know you are not the IRP.

Everyone--I left out the word "not" before retired in my earlier post. I apologize for the confusion it caused and for my omission making it seem like Trifele said something s/he did not say.

I feel pretty dumb. Hope you accept my apologies.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: oldtoyota on September 06, 2019, 01:08:18 PM
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 retired...

What I meant to say, and probably didn't do it well, was that I think you can be considered FIREd with a side hustle . . . A number of us here in the cohort have a bit of money coming in here or there.  Sounds like maybe your side hustle is pretty robust, but christ I'm not the Retirement Police.  This whole FIRE thing is a big complicated spectrum.  I CONFIRMED you as a SWAMI* above @oldtoyota. We need to celebrate you, because you're one of us.  :) 

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!  Sounds like things are going great! 

*ETA -- SWAMI = Satisfied Working Advanced Mustachian Individual, a/k/a someone who is 'free' but is working because they want to.  MMM did a post on it

That was sounding a little harsh, and we all know Trifele is a softie on all us old retired folks :).

Anyway I could see side hustle going retired or SWAMI depending on what the doer sees themselves as.  We usually aren't too judge-y about it :).  Glad you made it though!  Congrats!

Exactly!  @oldtoyota -- if you feel FIREd instead of SWAMI let me know and we'll get that changed!

I like being a SWAMI. Do I get a bottle that, when rubbed, produces a genie??

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: thriftyc on September 06, 2019, 01:29:57 PM
I am in for 2019.

Sept 27th or Mid Oct will be my last day of work, depending if I can hold off giving notice another couple weeks.  Day at a time....

And congrats to all who have made the leap to FIRE in 2019!

Cheers,
Thrifty.

Welcome aboard @thriftyc!  Got you added.^  It'll be here before you know it!

Yes! Thank you!  It's a great feeling!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on September 06, 2019, 02:06:42 PM
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 retired...

What I meant to say, and probably didn't do it well, was that I think you can be considered FIREd with a side hustle . . . A number of us here in the cohort have a bit of money coming in here or there.  Sounds like maybe your side hustle is pretty robust, but christ I'm not the Retirement Police.  This whole FIRE thing is a big complicated spectrum.  I CONFIRMED you as a SWAMI* above @oldtoyota. We need to celebrate you, because you're one of us.  :) 

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!  Sounds like things are going great! 

*ETA -- SWAMI = Satisfied Working Advanced Mustachian Individual, a/k/a someone who is 'free' but is working because they want to.  MMM did a post on it

That was sounding a little harsh, and we all know Trifele is a softie on all us old retired folks :).

Anyway I could see side hustle going retired or SWAMI depending on what the doer sees themselves as.  We usually aren't too judge-y about it :).  Glad you made it though!  Congrats!

Exactly!  @oldtoyota -- if you feel FIREd instead of SWAMI let me know and we'll get that changed!

I like being a SWAMI. Do I get a bottle that, when rubbed, produces a genie??

Hahaha -- I love that image!  Yes in fact you do get that -- yet another great metaphor for FIRE!

ETA -- absolutely no worries @oldtoyota -- just glad you don't think I was judging.  :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Life in Balance on September 07, 2019, 07:39:51 AM
I'm moving to this cohort (thanks, @Trifele, for the invitation) as I've decided to leave my job in December due to health concerns.  I'm not at my "number", but I'm done with full-time work.  I may have to look for something PT in the future, but for the next couple of years, I'm focusing on my recovering my health and perspective. 

I read through the last several pages of this thread and it's inspiring!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on September 07, 2019, 08:56:32 AM
I'm moving to this cohort (thanks, @Trifele, for the invitation) as I've decided to leave my job in December due to health concerns.  I'm not at my "number", but I'm done with full-time work.  I may have to look for something PT in the future, but for the next couple of years, I'm focusing on my recovering my health and perspective. 

I read through the last several pages of this thread and it's inspiring!!

Welcome aboard @Life in Balance!  Got you added above.^
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Life in Balance on September 07, 2019, 09:47:00 AM
Forgot to mention my date, it'll be 12/23/2019 and I'll be 49.  Wow, just writing that made it more real. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on September 07, 2019, 12:35:55 PM
My age is wrong in the list. I am 46 and will be when I FIRE. Last practical working day probably the 19th of Dec, official day 31rst or 1rst of 2020.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on September 07, 2019, 03:18:54 PM
Hi Trifele!

I'm glad I'm not the only one poaching the 2020 cohort (Re: Life in Balance)   :-)

On subject of ages, 55 was my 2019 age, but I bailed in 2018 at 53.5.   Not sure that it matters, but since you've got Linea_Norway and Life in Balance to update, you might want to include me.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on September 07, 2019, 04:21:07 PM
Got you all updated!  ^

Oh hell yes @markbike528CBX -- I have accepted it as my personal mission to make our cohort the best, the most fun, and the most welcoming of all.  And the biggest.  So we need more recruits!  :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Much Fishing to Do on September 08, 2019, 07:11:35 AM
Forgot to mention my date, it'll be 12/23/2019 and I'll be 49.  Wow, just writing that made it more real.

Wow.  This sounds like someone is going to have the best Christmas ever...
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Life in Balance on September 08, 2019, 11:00:03 AM
Forgot to mention my date, it'll be 12/23/2019 and I'll be 49.  Wow, just writing that made it more real.

Wow.  This sounds like someone is going to have the best Christmas ever...

LOL, it is going to be a really good Christmas.  :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on September 08, 2019, 11:53:52 AM
@Life in Balance,  Welcome!!  One less is year is awesome, even if it isn't an actual year but a calendar year.  Doing so for one's health is a good idea.  I'm sorry if that is the reason, but I am glad you are able to make the leap to put yourself first.  Goes with your name :).

@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
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on September 08, 2019, 12:15:06 PM

@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.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on September 09, 2019, 03:20:20 AM
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
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on September 09, 2019, 05:18:25 AM
The list of "confirms" is getting impressive. 2019 was apparently a good year to retire.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on September 09, 2019, 06:54:18 AM

@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
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Classical_Liberal on September 09, 2019, 11:40:52 PM
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.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on September 10, 2019, 03:47:19 AM
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.  :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on September 13, 2019, 06:56:45 PM
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

 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: snowdog on September 14, 2019, 05:30:40 AM
I am on schedule.  All is locked and loaded...no turning back now.  Looking forward to a glorious fall!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on September 14, 2019, 06:19:59 AM
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 :).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: macmoneysaver on September 14, 2019, 08:34:04 AM
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!!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Classical_Liberal on September 14, 2019, 03:06:20 PM
Can I move you to CONFIRMED?
Yep
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: couponvan on September 15, 2019, 07:18:34 AM
Can I move you to CONFIRMED?
Yep

Congratulations confirmed!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on September 15, 2019, 01:49:47 PM
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!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: RetirementDreaming on September 15, 2019, 02:19:08 PM
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! 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on September 15, 2019, 05:52:28 PM
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.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: iluvzbeach on September 15, 2019, 09:09:34 PM
Submitted my retirement notice last week, a week earlier than I had originally planned. Last day has been changed slightly to 10/03.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on September 16, 2019, 06:27:34 AM
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!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on September 16, 2019, 06:43:16 AM
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.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on September 16, 2019, 02:51:39 PM
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 :-(
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on September 16, 2019, 05:17:04 PM
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
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on September 16, 2019, 05:23:48 PM
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
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on September 16, 2019, 05:30:58 PM
@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
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on September 16, 2019, 05:39:17 PM
Redacted. Thanks for the tips.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: sui generis on September 16, 2019, 05:57:49 PM
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!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: sui generis on September 16, 2019, 05:59:20 PM
@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.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on September 16, 2019, 07:29:39 PM
Thank you sui! 

I hope you don't mind if I PM you with a follow up question.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on September 16, 2019, 10:08:29 PM
@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. ;-)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: trix76 on September 17, 2019, 07:26:55 PM
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
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Miss Piggy on September 17, 2019, 07:37:13 PM
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.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on September 18, 2019, 05:23:31 AM
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.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on September 18, 2019, 09:51:54 AM
@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!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on September 21, 2019, 01:27:55 AM
#soon
#birdsofashitfeatherflocktogether
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190921/ca2306422aed85566dfa3094a4e8c044.gif)

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: toocold on September 21, 2019, 10:28:19 AM
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!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: sui generis on September 21, 2019, 08:36:35 PM
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!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on September 22, 2019, 05:32:35 AM
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?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: toocold on September 22, 2019, 06:28:20 AM
Quote
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.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on September 22, 2019, 11:20:28 AM
@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
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: toocold on September 23, 2019, 07:59:47 AM
Quote
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.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: oldtoyota on September 23, 2019, 02:35:46 PM
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.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: JoJo on September 24, 2019, 11:47:56 AM
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.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on September 24, 2019, 01:44:06 PM
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 :).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on September 24, 2019, 01:49:09 PM
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
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: thriftyc on September 26, 2019, 02:12:46 PM
One more month syndrome for me. LOL!  Will confirm new date.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SugarMountain on September 26, 2019, 02:21:20 PM
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.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on September 26, 2019, 02:45:29 PM
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
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SugarMountain on September 26, 2019, 03:36:43 PM
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 (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.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on September 26, 2019, 06:49:55 PM
FUCKIN' Eh!

Confirmed, October 14th, 2019.

(https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=31733)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: thriftyc on September 27, 2019, 06:21:18 AM
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. :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: BigMoneyJim on September 27, 2019, 04:48:49 PM
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)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SwordGuy on September 27, 2019, 05:39:29 PM

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

https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/throw-down-the-gauntlet/race-to-100-fi! (https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/throw-down-the-gauntlet/race-to-100-fi!)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: RWTL on September 28, 2019, 03:34:40 AM
Posting to join the celebrations.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on September 28, 2019, 04:40:07 PM
We made it to the next page so time for the updates!

If you recently sent in an update, thank you!  We are always glad to hear back, even if you are putting things off because you found a new toy to purchase :).]
@BigMoneyJim - welcome!  I have added you to the list.  Thank you for joining. 
@thriftyc good luck with the new bike, I hope it is spectacular.  Let us know when you pull the plug and tell us about the bike :).
@2Birds1Stone got you updated.  We will confirm it once the 14th comes around.  So did something good happen?
@SugarMountain there are worse situations to be in :).  Keep us posted.

Take a look and make sure I got this all correct:

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
09/27/19     Thriftyc
09/30/19     macmoneysaver (59)
09/30/19     RetirementDreaming
09/30/19     Ms. markbike528CBX
10/01/19     SnakesInTheGrass (55)
10/01/19     Trix76  (43)
10/03/19     iluvzbeach (49)
10/11/19     BigMoneyJim (49)
10/14/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
10/15/19     toocool
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)
Edgema
Gerardc  (35)
Pylortes  (42)
DreamFire
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)
JoJo (45)

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


Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on September 28, 2019, 04:45:52 PM

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

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

Thanks @SwordGuy for dropping in.  I'll post but not until Oct 1st.  That is the day I have decided will determine the dollars we retired with.  It took a few months so everything to settle and hit the accounts, and then I only calculate quarterly, so yah :).  I am very excited to see what my actual number is!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Miss Piggy on September 30, 2019, 07:22:47 PM
07/03/19     Miss Piggy                     CONFIRMED         


Spent the weekend visiting my parents. Here's part of one of our conversations:

Blah, blah, blah...

Mom: "How are you two doing on your retirement savings?"

Me: Pause...hhhmmm...how to answer this???  "Outstanding." (Very matter-of-factly, in a "case closed" sort of way.)

Mom: Pause... "Oh."

End of conversation.

That felt good. Probably for her, too. I've never had a FIRE conversation with my parents, but they know my husband and I are at least semi-decent with money. Maybe now they believe we're doing better than they thought.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on October 01, 2019, 12:26:08 PM
07/03/19     Miss Piggy                     CONFIRMED         


Spent the weekend visiting my parents. Here's part of one of our conversations:

Blah, blah, blah...

Mom: "How are you two doing on your retirement savings?"

Me: Pause...hhhmmm...how to answer this???  "Outstanding." (Very matter-of-factly, in a "case closed" sort of way.)

Mom: Pause... "Oh."

End of conversation.

That felt good. Probably for her, too. I've never had a FIRE conversation with my parents, but they know my husband and I are at least semi-decent with money. Maybe now they believe we're doing better than they thought.
Does she know that you're FIREd?     "Outstanding" is how an old boss would nearly invariably  respond to "How's it going?".  It is a bit of a conversation stopper in that it is pretty clearly better than "OK".
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Caroline PF on October 01, 2019, 04:02:44 PM
07/03/19     Miss Piggy                     CONFIRMED         


Spent the weekend visiting my parents. Here's part of one of our conversations:

Blah, blah, blah...

Mom: "How are you two doing on your retirement savings?"

Me: Pause...hhhmmm...how to answer this???  "Outstanding." (Very matter-of-factly, in a "case closed" sort of way.)

Mom: Pause... "Oh."

End of conversation.

That felt good. Probably for her, too. I've never had a FIRE conversation with my parents, but they know my husband and I are at least semi-decent with money. Maybe now they believe we're doing better than they thought.
Does she know that you're FIREd?     "Outstanding" is how an old boss would nearly invariably  respond to "How's it going?".  It is a bit of a conversation stopper in that it is pretty clearly better than "OK".

Oooh, I want to know, too!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Miss Piggy on October 01, 2019, 05:49:39 PM
07/03/19     Miss Piggy                     CONFIRMED         


Spent the weekend visiting my parents. Here's part of one of our conversations:

Blah, blah, blah...

Mom: "How are you two doing on your retirement savings?"

Me: Pause...hhhmmm...how to answer this???  "Outstanding." (Very matter-of-factly, in a "case closed" sort of way.)

Mom: Pause... "Oh."

End of conversation.

That felt good. Probably for her, too. I've never had a FIRE conversation with my parents, but they know my husband and I are at least semi-decent with money. Maybe now they believe we're doing better than they thought.
Does she know that you're FIREd?     "Outstanding" is how an old boss would nearly invariably  respond to "How's it going?".  It is a bit of a conversation stopper in that it is pretty clearly better than "OK".

Oooh, I want to know, too!

Sort of. She knows my husband and I have left the full-time corporate world, which I assumed would immediately greatly concern her, for health insurance reasons. That was the first question she asked upon finding out: "What are you doing about health insurance?" We are doing COBRA, then the marketplace. She also knows I'm keeping my consulting business going because I love the work, so she's not worried about us ending up homeless living in a van by the river. But it's highly likely she thinks we're nuts. I'm okay with that.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on October 01, 2019, 11:57:00 PM
07/03/19     Miss Piggy                     CONFIRMED         


Spent the weekend visiting my parents. Here's part of one of our conversations:

Blah, blah, blah...

Mom: "How are you two doing on your retirement savings?"

Me: Pause...hhhmmm...how to answer this???  "Outstanding." (Very matter-of-factly, in a "case closed" sort of way.)

Mom: Pause... "Oh."

End of conversation.

That felt good. Probably for her, too. I've never had a FIRE conversation with my parents, but they know my husband and I are at least semi-decent with money. Maybe now they believe we're doing better than they thought.
Does she know that you're FIREd?     "Outstanding" is how an old boss would nearly invariably  respond to "How's it going?".  It is a bit of a conversation stopper in that it is pretty clearly better than "OK".

Oooh, I want to know, too!

Sort of. She knows my husband and I have left the full-time corporate world, which I assumed would immediately greatly concern her, for health insurance reasons. That was the first question she asked upon finding out: "What are you doing about health insurance?" We are doing COBRA, then the marketplace. She also knows I'm keeping my consulting business going because I love the work, so she's not worried about us ending up homeless living in a van by the river. But it's highly likely she thinks we're nuts. I'm okay with that.

It is very valid that your mother has some concerns about your future expenses, as you have chosen not to have your normal income. It sounds like she is just checking on the most important aspects now (health insurance and pension) and if you can answer in a reassuring way. Sounds like she is not judging you for your choice, but just checking if you thought about the big expenses.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on October 02, 2019, 05:57:24 AM
07/03/19     Miss Piggy                     CONFIRMED         


Spent the weekend visiting my parents. Here's part of one of our conversations:

Blah, blah, blah...

...snip...

Haha.  Way to go.  At least you didn't tell her you stopped saving :).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: snowdog on October 03, 2019, 07:11:05 AM
It's official.  9/27 was it.  I'm finally done. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on October 03, 2019, 07:34:43 AM
snowdog, awesome!
Thanks for sticking to the plan, it makes the list-keepers job easier:-)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on October 03, 2019, 09:18:01 AM
WOO HOO @snowdog!!  I got you updated above ^^^^.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on October 04, 2019, 04:49:32 AM
Congratulations @snowdog!!!!

                                                                     (https://media1.giphy.com/media/1gP1Mh7XRgWM6jZchd/giphy.webp?cid=790b7611942ebe038cfa1bd11ba5f11c0491409084b7c4de&rid=giphy.webp)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: iluvzbeach on October 04, 2019, 07:09:03 AM
Internet strangers, I’m slightly afraid to report that I’ve reluctantly succumbed to OMY syndrome. My employer made an offer that I simply could not refuse. I’ll continue on for now, in a very limited part-time capacity, but in a supporting role with minimal stress. I’m prepared to walk at anytime, if I find that I’m unable to stick to the boundaries I’ve set or the new role becomes stressful.

Does this make me a failure at FIRE before I could even RE? I’m going to consider myself semi-retired for now. I hope I do not get reported to the IRP.

I’ll keep the cohort posted.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on October 04, 2019, 09:16:09 AM
Congrats, @snowdog !!

@iluvzbeach, not a failure at all. Congrats on the new arrangement, and hope it works out for your goals.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on October 05, 2019, 04:55:57 AM
Hey everybody -- the Trifele family is back from our mini walkabout in Europe -- we had a fantastic time.  And the cherry on top of the sundae is coming home -- and not having to go back to work.  ;)   Thanks so much to @Loren Ver for keeping up the list!

No worries @iluvzbeach -- the Retirement Police are not allowed in here.  We can get you confirmed as 'semi-FIRE' or SWAMI if you like?

Looks like we have a few folks who may have pulled the plug this week?  Send in an update and let us know how you are doing!

09/30/19     @macmoneysaver (59)
09/30/19     @RetirementDreaming
10/01/19     @SnakesintheGrass (55)
10/01/19     @trix76  (43)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: trix76 on October 05, 2019, 09:08:22 AM
Yes indeed - Oct 1 was my last day of work! I moved out of my apartment Sept 30 and have become a nomad, slowly making my way south to Mexico for the winter. It’s only been a few days but work already feels verrrry far away.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on October 05, 2019, 01:58:19 PM
Excellent -- CONGRATULATIONS @trix76!!!  Enjoy your nomadic wanderings!

Just waiting for a few folks to check in, to fill in our blanks from the past week.  @markbike528CBX -- is your partner confirmed?


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
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
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
Edgema
Gerardc  (35)
Pylortes  (42)
DreamFire
SHO (37)
SugarMountain
Thedividebyzero  (45)
Mathieu
DireWolf
Thriftyc
macmoneysaver (59)
RetirementDreaming


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)



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
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on October 05, 2019, 08:05:55 PM
Mrs.markbike528CBX IS CONFIRMED! 10/30/19.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on October 06, 2019, 01:37:04 AM
Mrs.markbike528CBX IS CONFIRMED! 10/30/19.

Cool!  You mean 9/30?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on October 06, 2019, 02:36:07 AM
Yes 9/30/19 at 54 for Mrs.markbike528cbx. 

We now have to sign up for COBRA for the next three months,than look into a a plans, as the Cobra will be the same or more cost after Jan 1, 2020
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on October 06, 2019, 04:28:26 AM
Yes 9/30/19 at 54 for Mrs.markbike528cbx. 

We now have to sign up for COBRA for the next three months,than look into a a plans, as the Cobra will be the same or more cost after Jan 1, 2020

She is CONFIRMED.  :)  Congratulations to you both!   Yes, health insurance is a barrel of laughs isn't it?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on October 06, 2019, 05:23:26 AM
Isn't Cobra essentially free for 60 days as long as you dont have a health issue that requires monthly care/medication? I was told to fill out the paperwork and only mail it in if I had an emergency. Many threads on Bogleheads confirmed this.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Enigma on October 08, 2019, 12:30:58 PM
Lots of changes have taken place for me this year.  Originally I planned to FIRE in July then found myself between jobs the year prior.  I have never lived a lavish lifestyle but fear I am bought into the idea of lots of money.  Furthermore, I sold half my rental investments the past three weeks leading to me being debt free with a strong remaining residual income, house paid off, and no debt.

Today (10/8) I put in a two week notice.

Please re-add me to FIRE 2019 with a date of 10/22/2019
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SnakesintheGrass on October 08, 2019, 02:26:53 PM

Looks like we have a few folks who may have pulled the plug this week?  Send in an update and let us know how you are doing!

10/01/19     @SnakesintheGrass (55)

Yup, I’m done!  October 1 was my first day of FIRE freedom as planned.

I’m focusing the first few months on undoing 15 years of sitting indoors in a cubicle staring at a computer screen.  Doing trail runs in the park instead of on a treadmill facing a brick wall, riding my bike, taking a yoga class most days, working out in the garden.  Being retired is even better than I had imagined it!

Snakes in the Grass/Beth
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: RWTL on October 08, 2019, 06:00:52 PM

Looks like we have a few folks who may have pulled the plug this week?  Send in an update and let us know how you are doing!

10/01/19     @SnakesintheGrass (55)

Yup, I’m done!  October 1 was my first day of FIRE freedom as planned.

I’m focusing the first few months on undoing 15 years of sitting indoors in a cubicle staring at a computer screen.  Doing trail runs in the park instead of on a treadmill facing a brick wall, riding my bike, taking a yoga class most days, working out in the garden.  Being retired is even better than I had imagined it!

Snakes in the Grass/Beth

Congrats!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on October 08, 2019, 06:07:32 PM
Hey hey CONGRATULATIONS @SnakesintheGrass!!!  Welcome to the club.  You are CONFIRMED. ^


                                                 (https://media0.giphy.com/media/YiNafKAcZKZOg/200.webp?cid=790b761105a1b537c0f1da71eedb2b5ee60d73c05aa55533&rid=200.webp)


And welcome back from the land of OMY @Enigma!  Got you down for 10/22. ^


   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on October 08, 2019, 06:34:55 PM
Wow!  I was only gone for a few days and so many things happened on the list, all of them good!

Congrats to those that have pulled the rip cord.  Extra congrats to those rejoining the best of the cohorts. 

Reading this list certainly gives me the warm fuzzies!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: marty998 on October 09, 2019, 04:09:21 AM
Yes 9/30/19 at 54 for Mrs.markbike528cbx. 

We now have to sign up for COBRA for the next three months,than look into a a plans, as the Cobra will be the same or more cost after Jan 1, 2020

Brave of you to post her age for all to see. You might be in a bit of trouble if she sees this, especially if you are around each other more often now you're both FIRED.    :D
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on October 09, 2019, 06:06:08 AM
Yes 9/30/19 at 54 for Mrs.markbike528cbx. 

We now have to sign up for COBRA for the next three months,than look into a a plans, as the Cobra will be the same or more cost after Jan 1, 2020

Brave of you to post her age for all to see. You might be in a bit of trouble if she sees this, especially if you are around each other more often now you're both FIRED.    :D

She is not on MMM fora. She is exaxcly five weeks older than I, so for five weeks a year, I get to be her boy toy. I tread carefully about the issue, but we still have fun with it. She is just not that sensitive about her age.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: BigMoneyJim on October 11, 2019, 02:56:44 PM
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.

10/11/19     BigMoneyJim (49)

Ahem,

CONFIRMED
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on October 11, 2019, 03:17:29 PM
CONGRATULATIONS @BigMoneyJim !!!!!!!!!!   You are CONFIRMED.   What are your plans?

 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: BigMoneyJim on October 11, 2019, 04:53:41 PM
What are your plans?

Plans? I retired so my time is freed! :D

Ok, I plan on giving myself from two days to two months to get over a daily schedule and adjust to what I've done.

I'll probably do a couple of trips in the rest of 2019. Somewhere in there want to make content on YouTube and a blog or two in hopes of making some money in a year or two. I also want to fix up the house for sale, pack up, sell it, and move to the greater Seattle area where I think I'll be much more likely to go outside and enjoy myself more than here in North Texas.

I have cash for two years' expenses. If everything is going horribly 18 months from now I might start looking for work again. Or not.

In short, find out and adjust to what retirement means to me, and make progress to get to the places and do the things I'd like to do.

Edit: I also plan on telling people I retired "in my 40s!" Even though there's only about 6 months left of that designation.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on October 11, 2019, 06:37:56 PM
I am confirmed as well. All that's left to do, is mail my laptop, badge, and a few other company assets out on Monday.

Anti-climatic as I haven't seen any of my colleagues face to face in weeks, and this week was just a matter of transitioning the last bits of workload and closing a few open loops.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on October 12, 2019, 03:11:58 AM
I am confirmed as well.


CONGRATULATIONS 2birds!!!  Can you believe it's finally here?!?  Please keep us all updated on what you're up to! 


I moved @macmoneysaver and @RetirementDreaming to TBD til we hear back on how they're doing.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on October 14, 2019, 08:16:39 AM
Thank you!! I can. It's been a long time coming :)

Just dropped my laptop, badge, and office keys off at FedEx.  I'm officially done.

Now to hit the gym and hit the MTB trails while it's still nice and warm out =D

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on October 15, 2019, 02:32:46 AM
Just dropped my laptop, badge, and office keys off at FedEx.  I'm officially done.

Now to hit the gym and hit the MTB trails while it's still nice and warm out =D


                                                      (https://media3.giphy.com/media/1swvDfvs2ezbHkJyri/200.webp?cid=790b761125ebb3aa4af3b413cb97c32208035486732b9531&rid=200.webp)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on October 15, 2019, 11:13:49 AM
Congrats @BigMoneyJim and @2Birds1Stone !!!!!  Woo hoo!

Big Money Jim, for someone that stated "Plans? I retired so my time is freed! :D" You then stated a lot of stuff that needs to get done!  It made me laugh.  Thank you :).  It is soo different when you are the one pulling the shots though.

2Birds, enjoy the outdoors!  Hopefully we will have some good weather for just enjoying our middays of not being locked inside. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: simmias on October 15, 2019, 07:30:41 PM
What did you all tell your jobs when you quit?  Did you tell the truth that you were retiring, or did you get creative?  Or did you just resign Nixon style - short and sweet with no reason?

And what did you tell your parents?

I'm dreading both of these conversations! :)  First world problems, I know.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on October 16, 2019, 12:40:38 AM
What did you all tell your jobs when you quit?  Did you tell the truth that you were retiring, or did you get creative?  Or did you just resign Nixon style - short and sweet with no reason?

And what did you tell your parents?

I'm dreading both of these conversations! :)  First world problems, I know.

As I delivered my notice in September, I can answer this.

DH took out a one year leave from work, but while still keeping his job formally. He thinks the world (Norway) is a small place and therefore I shouldn't tell everyone I retire. There I also told my job I wanted a one year leave. They said no, so I quit. I told them we wanted to spend a year doing lots of outdoor activities.  My boss also wrote that in the email that notified my coworkers. My boss thought it was a good idea for me personally and she admired our decision to so something so bold. I was not to worry about work consequences. Our department leader said that if I don't like being free all the time next year, I can call her and come back to work.

FIL knows since a year about our plans to retire early, because he did the same thing himself and therefore I told him about it. I told my mother the one year off story. I also told her we are selling our home (clown house) to free up money, which is true. My mother thought it was a really good idea: just think about your father who died at 50, you never know how much time you have left.

We also recently posted on facebook that we are taking a year off/quit my job to spend a year having time for outdoor activities. Next week we hope to post the add for our home sale on facebook. We posted the other thing first, so it wouldn't come as such a shock and people don't need to ask why.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on October 16, 2019, 04:25:41 AM
@simmias, I did it Nixon style. But I'm 32 years old, so I'm sure they thought I was leaving to go to a competitor.

Re: parents, we told them that we are taking a year off to travel.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Enigma on October 16, 2019, 06:03:00 AM
What did you all tell your jobs when you quit?  Did you tell the truth that you were retiring, or did you get creative?  Or did you just resign Nixon style - short and sweet with no reason?
And what did you tell your parents?

Job: I told my IT/computer job that I am focusing on my hobbies of real-estate / licensed realtor although I dread commission based sales.
Parents: I told them I wanted more time to focus on me.  Mom's response, "You are going to get fat and lazy"
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: toocold on October 16, 2019, 08:12:58 AM
Quick update on my status.  I received and signed my separation agreement from megacorp.  I'm confirmed - although it's been almost 3 weeks of not going to work so the separation agreement is only a formality.  Wahoo!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on October 16, 2019, 04:14:15 PM
Quick update on my status.  I received and signed my separation agreement from megacorp.  I'm confirmed - although it's been almost 3 weeks of not going to work so the separation agreement is only a formality.  Wahoo!

YEAH!  Huge congrats on making it official @toocold!!  You are CONFIRMED.^  Breathe the free air! 


Shout out to @VoteCthulu  and @JumboShrimp -- are you guys still planning to pull the plug this month?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Daisy on October 16, 2019, 07:56:41 PM

Looks like we have a few folks who may have pulled the plug this week?  Send in an update and let us know how you are doing!

10/01/19     @SnakesintheGrass (55)

Yup, I’m done!  October 1 was my first day of FIRE freedom as planned.

I’m focusing the first few months on undoing 15 years of sitting indoors in a cubicle staring at a computer screen.  Doing trail runs in the park instead of on a treadmill facing a brick wall, riding my bike, taking a yoga class most days, working out in the garden.  Being retired is even better than I had imagined it!

Snakes in the Grass/Beth

Yay Beth! I'm happy to read your update.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: I'm Fred on October 17, 2019, 12:32:26 PM
Today was my last day .  I'm at home searching facebook marketplace for a new (used) bike and drinking a beer or three.

 (https://media.giphy.com/media/YlitvKufE2O4M/giphy.gif)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on October 17, 2019, 04:44:11 PM
Today was my last day .  I'm at home searching facebook marketplace for a new (used) bike and drinking a beer or three.

CONFIRMED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                  (https://media2.giphy.com/media/tDFfAG1vTHfGw/giphy.webp?cid=790b7611a44e130a5a79e83a8ad84ed9126e4aa0287398aa&rid=giphy.webp)



eta: Just read about your wife @I'm Fred, and I'm wishing her well for a speedy recovery.  Fantastic that you can be with her.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on October 22, 2019, 04:02:07 AM
FIREing today we have @Enigma.  Any plans for your final walk out the door and first free days?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Enigma on October 22, 2019, 06:56:41 AM
FIREing today we have @Enigma.  Any plans for your final walk out the door and first free days?
I have my out processing / Off-boarding at 2pm today where I drop off my laptop, keys, tokens, IDs, etc.  My guess it will last an hour.
Tomorrow I plan to head to the gym in the morning as if it was my job.  May sleep in an hour.  Was waking up at 4:30am daily to beat the traffic.
Next week I will be traveling to Titusville Florida with a last minute trip that my father was going on.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on October 22, 2019, 07:42:46 AM
FIREing today we have @Enigma.  Any plans for your final walk out the door and first free days?
I have my out processing / Off-boarding at 2pm today where I drop off my laptop, keys, tokens, IDs, etc.  My guess it will last an hour.
Tomorrow I plan to head to the gym in the morning as if it was my job.  May sleep in an hour.  Was waking up at 4:30am daily to beat the traffic.
Next week I will be traveling to Titusville Florida with a last minute trip that my father was going on.

Oi, you are finally getting a life...
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on October 22, 2019, 09:20:09 AM
Hurray to those moved to confirmed!!  Exciting times ahead, along with relaxing ones :).

@Enigma losing my 430 am alarm is one of my favorite things about retiring!!  Enjoy it!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on October 23, 2019, 04:54:36 AM
CONGRATULATIONS @Enigma!  Enjoy the first day of the rest of your life!!


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)
12/05/19     Flavius (56)
12/06/19     Sid Arthur (59)
12/06/19     NotJen (39)
12/06/19     6-Saturdays (44)
12/19/19     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
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: GettingClose on October 27, 2019, 11:42:25 AM
My husband just FIREd - walking around with a smile on his face, literally!  The big problem is that he's not happy that I'm still working and very unhappy whenever I work late or on a weekend.  We've accepted an offer on our "big house" and it will hopefully close in three weeks.   At that point I can consider an end date myself, but it certainly won't be soon enough for him.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on October 27, 2019, 01:54:35 PM
My husband just FIREd - walking around with a smile on his face, literally!  The big problem is that he's not happy that I'm still working and very unhappy whenever I work late or on a weekend.  We've accepted an offer on our "big house" and it will hopefully close in three weeks.   At that point I can consider an end date myself, but it certainly won't be soon enough for him.

Nice that you have a deal for your house. We are in the process of selling and can get our first offer earliest the coming week. But we need to wait and see.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on October 28, 2019, 08:25:19 AM
Good luck with the upcoming house sales!  May they be generous and go smoothly!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on October 28, 2019, 12:03:17 PM
As October draws to a close, shout out to @VoteCthulu and @JumboShrimp -- who a while ago identified this month as a tentative FIRE date. 

How are you two doing? 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: JumboShrimp on October 30, 2019, 10:04:14 PM
Well, I am not going to make October. And unlikely to make 2019.

New target is Feb 7 2020.
Job has been pretty enjoyable and there are some big deadlines in play that make leaving early next year a much better proposition. Delaying for a few months is no big deal and I certainly don't want to be burning any bridges.

My original plan was Oct 2018 but discovered I wasn't quite ready when that rolled around so just let OMY syndrome take over. Since then I have crossed the line where I know my time left is more valuable than the money I can make at a job. Got things I want to do while I'm still healthy. I'd like to say while still young but that passed me by a decade or 2 ago.

Health care considerations have definitely the biggest source of anxiety. I was kind of hoping the DW would keep working for benefits, but she did not enjoy her work so she quit at the end of August. We will be maxing out health benefits over the next few months while we still have the cushy plan from my employment and after that we'll just have to launch out into the unknown.

I know that making some kind commitment /deadline will help keep me focused so I don't drag things out any longer than Feb 7. To that end I have rented an apartment in Spain starting in mid February and and going to buy non-refundable airline tickets in the next few days to make sure any backsliding as painful as possible.
 
As of tomorrow, 100 calendar days, 67 work days left. Each with a smile on my face.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on October 31, 2019, 01:50:56 AM
I know that making some kind commitment /deadline will help keep me focused so I don't drag things out any longer than Feb 7. To that end I have rented an apartment in Spain starting in mid February and and going to buy non-refundable airline tickets in the next few days to make sure any backsliding as painful as possible.
 
As of tomorrow, 100 calendar days, 67 work days left. Each with a smile on my face.

Sorry to lose you @JumboShrimp!  We will miss you.  Love your plan!  Rent that apartment for a loooong stay, longer than any vacation time you could possibly take if you were still working.  ;)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Omy on October 31, 2019, 10:23:42 AM
Just checking in after 2 months of being retired...it's going pretty well, but I suffered some anxiety at first about not accomplishing enough. We've organized the garage and office (which was the one room in the house that was a complete disaster). I have bigger organizational plans, but I've realized that I have the rest of my life to accomplish those things.

In the past 2 months, we've had all kinds of things break that had been running perfectly - central air conditioning broke, washing machine died, HVAC in our rental died, toilet tank in rental cracked and leaked through the ceiling below. It's been a PITA, but so much easier to deal with while not having full time jobs.

On the positive side, we are hiking and exploring on a daily basis, taking at least one weekend a month to go on an adventure, and have a cruise lined up this month as well. And our net worth has grown since we stopped working, so that is icing on the cake!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on October 31, 2019, 10:34:44 AM
Glad to see you're getting along well @Omy - Seven months in and I have no idea how we ever had time to work!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Omy on October 31, 2019, 10:57:19 AM
I know, right?!

Funny story about the recent net worth calculation: DH was looking at our checking/savings accounts and asked "How have we spent $70k since August?" I knew we had spent a lot (real estate taxes on three houses, quarterly estimated taxes, repair bills, insurance bills, etc) but I was shocked that we had that kind of unsustainable burn rate. It turned out he had made a mistake in a formula on the spread sheet which accounted for the majority of that $70k.  And when we looked at the stock and investment accounts we had actually gained overall. So maybe this FIRE thing might just work out.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: RetirementDreaming on October 31, 2019, 11:50:01 AM
I'm confirmed!!  Last day was 9/30/19.  I'm 47.  Just waiting on husband now. He's 7/1/20.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on October 31, 2019, 01:22:13 PM
I'm confirmed!!  Last day was 9/30/19.  I'm 47.  Just waiting on husband now. He's 7/1/20.

Congratulations @RetirementDreaming !!!  Got you CONFIRMED above.   How has your first month been?


ETA:  We are now at 66 FIRE-ees on our incredible list, with 7 more yet to go, and some more potentials on the TBD list.  We are running neck and neck with the Class of 2018, the biggest MMM cohort, which had 73 total graduates last year.   It's going to be close!   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: snowdog on November 01, 2019, 06:59:01 AM
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.

 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: NotJen on November 07, 2019, 01:35:06 PM
I just confirmed with HR that my last day will be 12/6/19!  I'll still be (barely) 39 that day.  Excited that my "goal" to quit before 40 is going to work out!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on November 07, 2019, 02:48:54 PM
I just confirmed with HR that my last day will be 12/6/19!  I'll still be (barely) 39 that day.  Excited that my "goal" to quit before 40 is going to work out!

Congrats on setting your date @NotJen!  Got you updated. ^  Fantastic.  You will always be able to say you retired in your thirties!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on November 07, 2019, 04:00:26 PM
Woo hoo!  Congrats on the new confirmations!  Exciting times. 

I hope we manage to beat the 2018 cohort, not so much to win, but just to have more people FIRE!

Thanks for checking in, FIRE folks.  I love hearing from you, even if some of it is a bit rough.

I will be taking a road trip to visit my mother for Thanksgiving.  I haven't had Thanksgiving with my mother since I graduated from high school.  The time off was never enough to justify the trip.  Excited!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on November 10, 2019, 06:31:23 AM
Looks like @meatgrinder may be our lone FIRE-ee in November -- he's scheduled for 11/21.  How's it going @meatgrinder?  Any plans for after your last work day?

I did some clean up on our cohort list and removed a few folks who no longer appear to be on the forum.  Shout out to our remaining 'TBD' folks.  Any chance you'll still FIRE this year, or is it looking like OMY?

@Lowerbills (40)
@getoutsoon (52)
@MustacheAnxiety
@forward
@Blindsquirrel
@Pylortes  (42)
@SHO (37)
@SugarMountain
@Thedividebyzero  (45)
@Mathieu
@DireWolf
@thriftyc
@macmoneysaver (59)
@VoteCthulu  (39)

ETA:  And how about you @luckyme13?  Are you still on for next month?   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: oldtoyota on November 11, 2019, 06:02:31 AM
My husband just FIREd - walking around with a smile on his face, literally!  The big problem is that he's not happy that I'm still working and very unhappy whenever I work late or on a weekend.  We've accepted an offer on our "big house" and it will hopefully close in three weeks.   At that point I can consider an end date myself, but it certainly won't be soon enough for him.

Are you moving away or moving into smaller and less expensive places?

Nice that you have a deal for your house. We are in the process of selling and can get our first offer earliest the coming week. But we need to wait and see.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 6-Saturdays on November 12, 2019, 08:40:03 AM
Last day is December 6th 2019, (I'll be 44). DW has decided to continue to work, but is downshifting to part-time. Biggest change will be we are moving to Mexico, can't wait!!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Flavius on November 12, 2019, 09:48:49 AM
Bit of a late joiner to this thread. Have I missed anything? 

My last day will be 5th December at the grand old age of 56. Not exactly RE but managed to get to FI in 6 years after my wife started reading MMM.

After 33 years in full time employment and before that University and school with no gap years I am a little scared but also excited. I feel energised already even though I haven't finished but I'm sure that a few weeks of the Big Lebowski life style will knock that out of me.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SugarMountain on November 12, 2019, 10:14:51 AM

I did some clean up on our cohort list and removed a few folks who no longer appear to be on the forum.  Shout out to our remaining 'TBD' folks.  Any chance you'll still FIRE this year, or is it looking like OMY?
@SugarMountain

Looking like I've at least pushed until January, possibly longer.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: meatgrinder on November 12, 2019, 12:26:47 PM
Still on track. I'm getting a little anxiety with the thought of removing my heroin drip monthly paycheck.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on November 13, 2019, 04:34:50 AM
Welcome to the cohort @6-Saturdays!  Those are some big plans.  Congrats on the upcoming move! 

Welcome @Flavius!  Yes, FIREing in your 50s is RE -- congrats!  Just a few weeks to go.

Sorry to lose you @SugarMountain!  Hope you can pull the plug in 2020.   

I hear you on the nerves, @meatgrinder.  It's a huge life change.  But there's a very high percentage chance that you'll love the freedom and be like, "I should have done this sooner!".  And if FIRE doesn't agree with you for some reason, it's not a one-way door.  You can always get more work if that's what you want to do.   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: firebrand on November 13, 2019, 09:03:17 AM
Thank you for the invitation to join this fire cohort Trifele. I joined in with the 2020 group months ago, and since then have change my last day to Dec 12, 2019. Every day from now on will be "less than a month". Damn this feels good!

Let's see, how many ways can I describe how short is my time remaining...

I have only 2 full weeks remaining, next week and the first week in December.
I have only 4 weeks remaining and one of those weeks includes a long Thanksgiving holiday break.
This time next week I'll have only 13 working days left (considering my last day probably won't be terribly busy with my typical work activities).

Okay, I'll stop now.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MissNancyPryor on November 13, 2019, 10:48:41 AM
"Don't stop, thinkin' about tomorrow

Don't stop, it'll soon be here

It'll be here, better than before

Yesterday's gone, yesterday's gone

Whoooo, ooooo, oooooo ooooo ooo

Oooh, don't you look back......."


Congratulations on joining the bestest cohort of all cohortingness. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on November 13, 2019, 05:36:37 PM
Pulling the list forward.  Welcome @firebrand!  Our December group is getting big!


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)
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
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on November 13, 2019, 11:18:13 PM
I was told yesterday that I need to use up the extra flexible hours that I have, more than 20. So my last day is moving foreward. At the moment I have enough hours to make Monday 16th of Dec at lunch my last day. With a few hours more, I can have Thursday 12th as last day. Thursday is a much better day, as I will avoid woorking another Monday.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on November 14, 2019, 04:29:34 AM
That's great @Linea_Norway!  Less than a month to go!  It must be feeling pretty real now.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on November 14, 2019, 05:21:54 AM
That's great @Linea_Norway!  Less than a month to go!  It must be feeling pretty real now.

I am suddenly getting very scared financially. We still haven't sold the house, so 63% of our NW is still tied up in the house, 33% of NW is in index funds and a little bit is in cash, which is probably enough for a year's expenses. In addition we will receive a high December pay (only 50% income tax) and our tax free vacation money in January.

In theory we should be good to go for 2020 using up our stash and whatever we receive in last salary and vacation money. I just need DH to transfer some of his cash to my account, as I pay lots of our bills and I don't have a pile of cash laying around.

But what makes me nervous is that currently all kinds of expenses are just appearing, like that the main car needed a big repair and now shortly after had a broken headlight. And I know issues might pop up all the time.

We certainly hope to sell the house in the remainder of 2020. But when should we start selling our stocks? Currently they are very high and we don't know whether that will last until next year. I had hope to receive the house money somewhere in spring 2020 and then have several years of expenses in cash, and just investing a part of it in stock. This is no longer the case. So as long we are own the house, we are vulnerable for a bear market.

One good thing: the public TV license next year will be paid by letting everyone pay a little more income tax. Our income will be (close to) zero in 2020, so I think we don't need to pay that year. 300 euros saved.

My boss said that if I felt like working a month or 2 longer then 1rst of January, I could just say so. Then I could stay. I wasn't offered more money. And anyway, I am so glad moving my end date forward. If I got bored, I would rather do some other simpler job.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on November 14, 2019, 07:36:40 AM
@firebrand love it.  Keep on counting!!!
@Linea_Norway that is wonderful news.  Less Mondays are better!
@meatgrinder cold turkey is the best way to quit!
@Flavius Welcome!  It really is wonderful, and if it isn't for you, you have time to figure out what is.
@6-Saturdays so, will you be moving to Mexico while your wife is still working part time? If so, that is an awesome gig!!

I realized the other day that is has been over 8 months since we pulled the plug.  My brain keeps telling me it was a few weeks ago.  Ha.  This week was full of people complaining about going to work due to the very cold and icy weather.  I'm so glad I got to miss the driving.  I did have a very nice walk though.  I love walking in the snow.  So happy.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on November 14, 2019, 07:42:33 AM
I realized the other day that is has been over 8 months since we pulled the plug.  My brain keeps telling me it was a few weeks ago.  Ha.  This week was full of people complaining about going to work due to the very cold and icy weather.  I'm so glad I got to miss the driving.  I did have a very nice walk though.  I love walking in the snow.  So happy.

I hear you about the driving. I was hoping for the snow this year to be late, but this week has been one with snowy/rainy circumstances and very slippery roads. No fun when I am out there on the small roads, but with a lot of other commuting traffic.

I am really looking forward to cross country skiing. Then we need good snow. I am so looking forward to doing that in daylight on weekdays.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on November 14, 2019, 11:50:39 AM
DH didn't understand how I could be finished so early. There are lots of days to take off until the 31rd of Dec. I know I already ordered a few days off after Christmas, as those are short days and cost few hours. But I might still have 30 and 31rst of Dec, which I just don't recall. As I didn't bring my job pc home, I need to wait to Monday to double check the dates. Maybe I am very wrong and my last day will be around the 19th. I guess I will survive the extra week as well.

Today I printed a bunch of hiking maps on the color printer at work, as a last "goodie". I already have lots of maps, but I lack a few that I plan to visit some day.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 6-Saturdays on November 14, 2019, 08:04:05 PM
@firebrand love it.  Keep on counting!!!
@Linea_Norway that is wonderful news.  Less Mondays are better!
@meatgrinder cold turkey is the best way to quit!
@Flavius Welcome!  It really is wonderful, and if it isn't for you, you have time to figure out what is.
@6-Saturdays so, will you be moving to Mexico while your wife is still working part time? If so, that is an awesome gig!!

Yes, her company really likes her and will take whatever time she is willing to give them. It is going to be a pretty good set-up. US dollars go really far in Mexico. I don't think we actually need the extra money, but it keeps her inner bag lady quiet, so I will be a "kept man" I've told her it's the ultimate accessory :) 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on November 15, 2019, 09:13:33 AM
@Linea_Norway I would be tempted to sell enough stocks while markets are high to cover your spending for at least the next year.  When you are negotiating the house sale you really don't want to be thinking 'I have to sell this quickly or I might run out of cash!' or you could feel pressured into accepting a low offer.  You may feel differently, but that's the way my mind would work.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on November 15, 2019, 05:28:30 PM
@firebrand love it.  Keep on counting!!!
@Linea_Norway that is wonderful news.  Less Mondays are better!
@meatgrinder cold turkey is the best way to quit!
@Flavius Welcome!  It really is wonderful, and if it isn't for you, you have time to figure out what is.
@6-Saturdays so, will you be moving to Mexico while your wife is still working part time? If so, that is an awesome gig!!

Yes, her company really likes her and will take whatever time she is willing to give them. It is going to be a pretty good set-up. US dollars go really far in Mexico. I don't think we actually need the extra money, but it keeps her inner bag lady quiet, so I will be a "kept man" I've told her it's the ultimate accessory :)

An excellent score, on both fronts!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on November 16, 2019, 12:15:10 AM
@Linea_Norway I would be tempted to sell enough stocks while markets are high to cover your spending for at least the next year.  When you are negotiating the house sale you really don't want to be thinking 'I have to sell this quickly or I might run out of cash!' or you could feel pressured into accepting a low offer.  You may feel differently, but that's the way my mind would work.

@PhilB So far we got an offer that was below our minimum and we didn't accept it. Also because it had some conditions that were unacceptable. But we know that with our current stock savings, we can live here for another 7 years or so before we really need the money that is in the house.
But I don't want to wait endlessly long. If in the next round, people are not willing to pay the price that we want, then maybe the house isn't worth as much as we think. We will try again in early spring and see what happens then.

We have seen with a house below us on the hill, that they had it for sale for 2 years, slightly lowering the price. They ended up selling for a really low price. I don't want to sit here for two more years and then still get a low price. But we can definitely wait for half a year in the hope that we them get more poteltial buyers and a higher price.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on November 18, 2019, 12:27:55 AM
DH didn't understand how I could be finished so early. There are lots of days to take off until the 31rd of Dec. I know I already ordered a few days off after Christmas, as those are short days and cost few hours. But I might still have 30 and 31rst of Dec, which I just don't recall. As I didn't bring my job pc home, I need to wait to Monday to double check the dates. Maybe I am very wrong and my last day will be around the 19th. I guess I will survive the extra week as well.

Today I printed a bunch of hiking maps on the color printer at work, as a last "goodie". I already have lots of maps, but I lack a few of areas that I plan to visit some day.

Back at work and looking at the hour registration system. It looks like I had already ordered all days off to the end of the year. Now I just need to build up another 2 hours of flexible time, to be able to take the whole 16th of Dec off as well. That should be no problem in the next 4 weeks.

After investigating the maps at home, I found another couple of maps that I want to print out. Need to wait for some quiet moment at work.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on November 18, 2019, 07:14:52 AM
That's good news Linea_Norway!   I am glad you are getting all those days off :).

As for me, I got a head cold.  The feeling of not needed to go to work, or call in, or anything Monday morning makes being sick not so bad.  Now I am sitting around sipping warm juice and having some quality time with my box of tissues.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: NotJen on November 19, 2019, 08:36:20 AM
12 working days to go!  I've committed to carrying out a bag full of personal items each day that I need to take home.  It's surprising the number of things that have accumulated over 16 years.  I'm glad I'm starting the clean-up process early.

Today's "score" is a bunch of plastic grocery bags found in a desk drawer.  I use them to scoop cat litter, and have come close to running out recently, so this is very exciting!  Lol.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on November 19, 2019, 09:00:08 AM
12 working days to go!  I've committed to carrying out a bag full of personal items each day that I need to take home.  It's surprising the number of things that have accumulated over 16 years.  I'm glad I'm starting the clean-up process early.

Today's "score" is a bunch of plastic grocery bags found in a desk drawer.  I use them to scoop cat litter, and have come close to running out recently, so this is very exciting!  Lol.

I also have only 12 working days to go! We moved offices last year, so I don't have much crap around. I think I can take all I own in two trips, one the dressing room downstairs and one my desk and drawer block. There are a few books of mine in a book shelf, but I don't think I want to litter my house with them.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on November 19, 2019, 09:04:39 AM
12 working days to go! 

Hooray @NotJen !  Do you have any plans for after FIRE? 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on November 19, 2019, 09:30:25 AM
You two are so close to single digits :D.  Woo Hoo!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on November 19, 2019, 10:15:34 AM
12 working days to go!  I've committed to carrying out a bag full of personal items each day that I need to take home.  It's surprising the number of things that have accumulated over 16 years.  I'm glad I'm starting the clean-up process early.

Today's "score" is a bunch of plastic grocery bags found in a desk drawer.  I use them to scoop cat litter, and have come close to running out recently, so this is very exciting!  Lol.

I also have only 12 16 working days to go! We moved offices last year, so I don't have much crap around. I think I can take all I own in two trips, one the dressing room downstairs and one my desk and drawer block. There are a few books of mine in a book shelf, but I don't think I want to litter my house with them.

Edited. I had the number 12 in my head because of the 12th of the 12th, my last day. But 16 working days left according to my phone app.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: firebrand on November 19, 2019, 02:54:15 PM
12 working days to go!  I've committed to carrying out a bag full of personal items each day that I need to take home.  It's surprising the number of things that have accumulated over 16 years.  I'm glad I'm starting the clean-up process early.

Today's "score" is a bunch of plastic grocery bags found in a desk drawer.  I use them to scoop cat litter, and have come close to running out recently, so this is very exciting!  Lol.

I also have only 12 16 working days to go! We moved offices last year, so I don't have much crap around. I think I can take all I own in two trips, one the dressing room downstairs and one my desk and drawer block. There are a few books of mine in a book shelf, but I don't think I want to litter my house with them.

Edited. I had the number 12 in my head because of the 12th of the 12th, my last day. But 16 working days left according to my phone app.
Damn. I got all excited for a second knowing we have the same RE date.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: NotJen on November 19, 2019, 06:31:20 PM
There are a few books of mine in a book shelf, but I don't think I want to litter my house with them.

Yes, I have a shelf of old textbooks that are pretty much useless (in spite of the fact that I'm pretty sure physics hasn't changed in the last 20 years).  I'm not going to leave them for someone else to deal with - so I'll bring them home and try to sell or recycle them.  Bringing things home piecemeal makes it more likely I'll deal with them appropriately rather than let them sit in a pile for a while!

Hooray @NotJen !  Do you have any plans for after FIRE? 

Very loose plans.  2 weeks at home with no agenda, 2 weeks visiting my family for the holidays, then in January I'll start to look into volunteer opportunities, work on fixing up my house and selling more of my stuff, and decide what the heck I want to do in the future!  Or at least where I want to move.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on November 20, 2019, 12:15:22 AM

Hooray @NotJen !  Do you have any plans for after FIRE? 

Very loose plans.  2 weeks at home with no agenda, 2 weeks visiting my family for the holidays, then in January I'll start to look into volunteer opportunities, work on fixing up my house and selling more of my stuff, and decide what the heck I want to do in the future!  Or at least where I want to move.

At least our plans are very similar, apart from the volunteering bit. (I already volunteer a bit, but I just call it a hobby)
And our house already looks presentable and is for sale.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SeanTash on November 20, 2019, 01:37:32 AM
A little update since FIREing in February,

Since then, I've got rid of all my stuff in Australia (except what I can carry) and I've been travelling in Asia - Bhutan, Thailand and mostly here in Nepal.
I've been trekking like crazy for the last 7 weeks. It feels good to be exercising my body again so much.
I've lost a bunch of weight, and feel as fit as at any time in my life.

In a surprising twist, I'm actually considering some kind of SWAMI  - I realise how toxic my last workplace was, but I think a new location (I'm thinking somewhere like Barcelona or Berlin) and a cool smallish company might actually be a genuinely fun challenge.
This is partly driven by my realisation that my budget is really lean - even in Nepal, one of the cheapest countries in the world, I've gone over it on the odd day - so it would be really difficult in Europe (I do want to spend some time there each year)
Part of the problem is that mentally I was using prices from my last extensive travel a few years ago, when the Aussie $ was about on par with the U.S. $. Now its closer to 2/3, and local prices seem to be based mainly off of the greenback's value.

But it's still a choice - I can live frugally if I need to. Or I can do other work for fun - english teaching, woofing for accomodation+food, etc. So not decided yet. I definitely won't be taking a boring job at a big corporation that sucks the life out of me each day!

Oh and for the record @Trifele, I'm 48 (for the list).

I think it's high time I updated!

So after all the travel I got back to Ireland with a half baked plan to do some work. I looked at Barcelona and London, but ended up taking a job very close to my family in Ireland (in software).
I enjoyed the novelty of working in rural Ireland, but the job was soooooo ... Soul destroying... That I quit after 6 weeks!

I spent another couple of months hanging out with family and doing an awesome Iceland trip, before an ex colleague offered me a part time (3 days a week) gig back in Oz.

Tbh, the thought of avoiding Irish winter was enough for me to give it a go.

It's turned out great. Part time work is sooo much better.
And it's a tiny company, no red tape, or bs. Just get stuff done.
It's just a short contract, but I'm happy to do it longer if they want me longer.

In real moustacian fashion, I've hardly paid anything in rent, just a weeks airbandb at the start. The rest of the time I've been petsitting,
with a few days here and there with friends.
So even though it's not the highest paid gig, and it's only part time, I'm still saving a bit. And the best part is it doesn't feel like work.

I go hiking for hours midweek, take naps on my days not in office and generally am loving life.
 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on November 20, 2019, 02:10:01 AM
A little update since FIREing in February,

Since then, I've got rid of all my stuff in Australia (except what I can carry) and I've been travelling in Asia - Bhutan, Thailand and mostly here in Nepal.
I've been trekking like crazy for the last 7 weeks. It feels good to be exercising my body again so much.
I've lost a bunch of weight, and feel as fit as at any time in my life.

In a surprising twist, I'm actually considering some kind of SWAMI  - I realise how toxic my last workplace was, but I think a new location (I'm thinking somewhere like Barcelona or Berlin) and a cool smallish company might actually be a genuinely fun challenge.

I feel your pain about the valuta thing. The Norwegian crown is also hopelessly low, so that Europe and the US are now like 25% more expensive than they used to be. It is therefore cheapest to stay in our own country during vacations.
This is partly driven by my realisation that my budget is really lean - even in Nepal, one of the cheapest countries in the world, I've gone over it on the odd day - so it would be really difficult in Europe (I do want to spend some time there each year)
Part of the problem is that mentally I was using prices from my last extensive travel a few years ago, when the Aussie $ was about on par with the U.S. $. Now its closer to 2/3, and local prices seem to be based mainly off of the greenback's value.

But it's still a choice - I can live frugally if I need to. Or I can do other work for fun - english teaching, woofing for accomodation+food, etc. So not decided yet. I definitely won't be taking a boring job at a big corporation that sucks the life out of me each day!

Oh and for the record @Trifele, I'm 48 (for the list).

I think it's high time I updated!

So after all the travel I got back to Ireland with a half baked plan to do some work. I looked at Barcelona and London, but ended up taking a job very close to my family in Ireland (in software).
I enjoyed the novelty of working in rural Ireland, but the job was soooooo ... Soul destroying... That I quit after 6 weeks!

I spent another couple of months hanging out with family and doing an awesome Iceland trip, before an ex colleague offered me a part time (3 days a week) gig back in Oz.

Tbh, the thought of avoiding Irish winter was enough for me to give it a go.

It's turned out great. Part time work is sooo much better.
And it's a tiny company, no red tape, or bs. Just get stuff done.
It's just a short contract, but I'm happy to do it longer if they want me longer.

In real moustacian fashion, I've hardly paid anything in rent, just a weeks airbandb at the start. The rest of the time I've been petsitting,
with a few days here and there with friends.
So even though it's not the highest paid gig, and it's only part time, I'm still saving a bit. And the best part is it doesn't feel like work.

I go hiking for hours midweek, take naps on my days not in office and generally am loving life.

Sound like a good situation you are in now, with a part time job with no BS. Interesting to hear you are only pet sitting and don't have your own place. Not my personal thing, but very badass.

In Spain the unemployment among young people is very high. So thinking you could come in there as a foreigner and just take a job is not so realistic.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SeanTash on November 20, 2019, 03:58:29 AM

Sound like a good situation you are in now, with a part time job with no BS. Interesting to hear you are only pet sitting and don't have your own place. Not my personal thing, but very badass.

In Spain the unemployment among young people is very high. So thinking you could come in there as a foreigner and just take a job is not so realistic.

Haha, yeah I get a lot of *very* strange looks when I tell people I'm pet sitting. I kind of fell into it, I have no furniture and as I'm only here for a few months and furnished options aren't great, I was planning on airbandbing, but a friend put me onto petsitting.
It's definitely not for everyone, but I recommend it to anyone who is very flexible and looking for something different. I'm actually really enjoying the interactions with the pets, and getting to live in different parts of the city. But I guess it can be a bit hit and miss finding consistent sits.

Re:Spain, I'm a software developer, and Barcelona is a bit of a tech hub at the moment, so plenty of work in english speaking companies there. I had recruiters contacting me, and arranging remote video interviews. It's just it's not that well paid for a city that's not all that cheap. Plus, most of the jobs were full time permanent, which I don't really want.

p.s.   congratulations on your impending FIRE!



Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on November 22, 2019, 02:37:29 PM
Did you wrap up yesterday @meatgrinder?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: meatgrinder 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!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: RedefinedHappiness 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!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway 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.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle 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
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver 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 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway 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.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle 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.  :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: meatgrinder 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.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver 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.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: RedefinedHappiness 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.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: RWTL 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. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MoMan 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! 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: meatgrinder 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.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: TempusFugit 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. 

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle 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. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway 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.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: RWTL 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.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle 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
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Pylortes 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!

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway 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.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle 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!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB 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:

Once again congratulations to each and every one in the coolest, brightest, sexiest and, above all, most humble cohort.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: firebrand 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!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: NotJen 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.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish 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
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Chrissy 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/ (https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/journals/i-live-on-bananas/)

It's fun watching everyone else break free.  Congratulations, all!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Sid Arthur 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 :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: stoaX 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.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle 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. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish 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
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on December 05, 2019, 02:47:07 AM
FIREing today we have @Flavius in the UK.  Let us know how your last day goes!

                                                                (https://media3.giphy.com/media/VoTZL3bXm3iPS/200.webp?cid=790b7611a76f585178eb6b814c7f4ba4aede72eee774ca81&rid=200.webp)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Livingthedream55 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.



Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle 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.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver 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*
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Miss Piggy 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.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle 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!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: NotJen 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.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: firebrand 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
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver 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!!!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: NotJen 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!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle 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

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Livingthedream55 on December 07, 2019, 11:52:59 AM
Thanks for your comments @Trifele @Loren Ver and @Miss Piggy



Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dresden 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.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on December 08, 2019, 12:59:50 AM
Welcome @dresden!  Got you CONFIRMED above.  Sounds like you are in a great position!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver 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.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: oldtoyota 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!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver 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. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Sid Arthur 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!

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle 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. ;)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on December 09, 2019, 06:18:52 PM
Yeah @Sid Arthur

WOO HOO!!  Early is still early!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: texxan1 on December 10, 2019, 03:09:40 AM
Im going to have to bow out of this group... Off to 2020 now, but still not far.

Megacorp is offering me a severance for march 1st... Since the business unit i tecnically work for got sold.   18 months pay, not a bad gig for working a total of 43 more days.

ONWARD, see you guys soon i hope lol

Tex
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on December 10, 2019, 03:37:51 AM
Im going to have to bow out of this group... Off to 2020 now, but still not far.

Megacorp is offering me a severance for march 1st... Since the business unit i tecnically work for got sold.   18 months pay, not a bad gig for working a total of 43 more days.

ONWARD, see you guys soon i hope lol

Tex

Thanks for the check in @texxan1 -- got you updated.  Sounds like an excellent deal for you.  Congrats! 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on December 10, 2019, 05:47:11 AM
I got a PM from @macmoneysaver confirming FIRE on 9/30.  Congratulations MMS!!!!!!  You are CONFIRMED above. ^

How have your first couple of months been?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Nifty on December 10, 2019, 05:50:58 PM
I will be giving notice middle of next week. I had originally planned to give notice early next year after my 4Q bonus was deposited, but I've decided to risk it and give notice in December and still request/expect the bonus for the quarter. Double whammy I'm going to request it be paid out to me after 1/1/20 as we'll obviously be in a lower tax bracket next year. Fortunately with a very gracious boss, I feel pretty confident I'll get what I'm asking.

My spreadsheet shows about a 3% WR at most after adding $12k to our estimated expenses in a few years when we have ~2 kids (with current expenses we are at about 2% WR). My wife and I plan to continue working part time for the next couple years. This is just to further buffer our reserves. A couple months ago she already gave notice at her work and was able to transition to 20 hr/week remote work. I will be attempting to work for my current employer on a contract basis, probably a few months a year.

In mid-January 2020 we will be hitting the road in our self-converted camper van and going on rock climbing adventures mainly in the western US. We are going to be renting out our house and just signed a lease for tenants to move in January 12th, so we're committed! We have a few rental properties and the cash flow from those approximately covers our expenses.

We are planning to buy a bronze plan through the ACA. Young and healthy so not too concerned with poor coverage. With maximizing traditional IRA, solo 401k, and HSA, we can earn ~$97k (including dividends) and still qualify for full ACA subsidy (which makes bronze plan like ~$2/month) and pay no federal income tax.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SeanTash on December 10, 2019, 07:10:00 PM
I will be giving notice middle of next week. I had originally planned to give notice early next year after my 4Q bonus was deposited, but I've decided to risk it and give notice in December and still request/expect the bonus for the quarter.


If it's any kind of significant amount, I'd reconsider.

My boss was a super agreeable guy,
but when my colleague gave notice the week before the bonus were paid (after he had 'earned' the bonus if you like) it was quietly withdrawn from his next paycheck (even though he was still working there).

He called my boss, who knew nothing about it being withdrawn, but when it went to accounts there was some fine print saying the company would not pay bonuses if notice had been given.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dsw on December 10, 2019, 07:49:17 PM
I will be giving notice middle of next week. I had originally planned to give notice early next year after my 4Q bonus was deposited, but I've decided to risk it and give notice in December and still request/expect the bonus for the quarter.


If it's any kind of significant amount, I'd reconsider.

My boss was a super agreeable guy,
but when my colleague gave notice the week before the bonus were paid (after he had 'earned' the bonus if you like) it was quietly withdrawn from his next paycheck (even though he was still working there).

He called my boss, who knew nothing about it being withdrawn, but when it went to accounts there was some fine print saying the company would not pay bonuses if notice had been given.


I'd echo the above. Obviously you know your situation better than any of us, so this might just be empty advice. But a lot of times these sorts of situations aren't in the manager's hands. HR policy or some other corporate consideration can often be stronger than good intentions from a manager, even at a high level. But again, maybe your situation is one where you can feel confident in that working out. Best of luck to you either way!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on December 11, 2019, 01:41:22 AM
I will be giving notice middle of next week. I had originally planned to give notice early next year after my 4Q bonus was deposited, but I've decided to risk it and give notice in December and still request/expect the bonus for the quarter.


If it's any kind of significant amount, I'd reconsider.

My boss was a super agreeable guy,
but when my colleague gave notice the week before the bonus were paid (after he had 'earned' the bonus if you like) it was quietly withdrawn from his next paycheck (even though he was still working there).

He called my boss, who knew nothing about it being withdrawn, but when it went to accounts there was some fine print saying the company would not pay bonuses if notice had been given.


I'd echo the above. Obviously you know your situation better than any of us, so this might just be empty advice. But a lot of times these sorts of situations aren't in the manager's hands. HR policy or some other corporate consideration can often be stronger than good intentions from a manager, even at a high level. But again, maybe your situation is one where you can feel confident in that working out. Best of luck to you either way!

@Nifty Do you have any vacation days left? Then you could resign with your official day after new year, but take more days off before that?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on December 11, 2019, 02:19:46 AM
@6-Saturdays PMd to confirm that s/he is FIREd.  Congratulations!!!  Still waiting to hear from @Flavius.

Working their LAST DAYS tomorrow we have @firebrand and @Linea_Norway.  Hope it goes smoothly for the two of you, and you have something fun planned for after.  ;)


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
12/03/19     NotCreativeName           CONFIRMED
12/06/19     Sid Arthur (59)              CONFIRMED
12/06/19     NotJen (39)                   CONFIRMED
12/06/19     6-Saturdays (44)           CONFIRMED
12/12/19     firebrand (59)                CONFIRMED
12/12/19     Linea_Norway (46)         CONFIRMED
12/16/19     Mr. Linea_Norway
12/23/19     Life In Balance (49)
12/??/19      luckyme13  (45)


May have FIREd; waiting for them to confirm:

Mathieu
DireWolf
Thriftyc
Flavius (56)


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
MustacheAnxiety
forward
BlindSquirrel


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
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on December 11, 2019, 03:45:21 AM
My plan is as follows (open for changes):

Friday: Drive DH to the train station at 07:10 am. Then visit a place to deregister one of our cars that will be ditched tomorrow, and get a refund for the insurance and road-taxes that I already paid in advance.

Weekend: Normal. If we get new snow, then we will ski. If it keeps raining, we will stay indoors.

Monday: Drive DH to the train for his last day or let him borrow the one remaining car and I stay home.

Tuesday - Saturday: Relaxing and preparing for Christmas trip. If there is snow, we will go skiing.

Sunday to some time after Christmas (no return ticket booked): Driving to NL to visit family for Christmas. Not sure if it is worth to stay there longer, as it is not such an inspirational time of the year (usually dark and wet).

Some days at home.

5th of Jan: winter mushroom trip with my mushroom club.

Spend some weeks at our cabin, skiing a lot. At the end of Jan there starts a local dog sledge race that is nice to watch. Maybe we will get visitors then, like last year.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on December 11, 2019, 03:59:19 AM
That is so cool that you and your DH are FIREing together @Linea_Norway.  Your plans sound great -- relaxed and FREE.   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: macmoneysaver on December 12, 2019, 04:59:42 AM
All, just a quick update on our 2019 FIRE experience.  My wife and I both retired from out W-2 jobs 30 September!!  Then we immediately moved to NC to be nearer to family.  Our new hose was supposed be be ready 30 Aug, but we were not able to take possession until 26 November.  So we moved in with our son for nearly 2-months.  Now we are in the hose with a brand new TV, and 2 lawn chairs for furniture.  Our household goods won't be here until at least 15 December.  No worries though!!! Wife and I are going to the gym, doing our Christmas shopping, and picking up all the staples we need to run the household.  It will be nice to be settled, but the stress level is low for both of us as we wait.  Congrats to all the other 2019 FIRE cohort members, and good luck to those seeking FIRE in 2020 and beyond!!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on December 12, 2019, 07:38:25 AM
That is so cool that you and your DH are FIREing together @Linea_Norway.  Your plans sound great -- relaxed and FREE.

You can confirm me now. I have said goodbye to my coworker and gave away my door card. Now I just need to get my last paycheck this month and my vacation money in Jan.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on December 12, 2019, 07:54:16 AM
You can confirm me now. I have said goodbye to my coworker and gave away my door card. Now I just need to get my last paycheck this month and my vacation money in Jan.

CONGRATULATIONS @Linea_Norway !!!!!


                                                                (https://media3.giphy.com/media/3ohhwGGOOPEWKZBrlm/200.webp?cid=790b7611b9ce2c4be0a08c2ce07e5f654beb20392fd436a4&rid=200.webp)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: firebrand on December 12, 2019, 02:56:21 PM
You can confirm me now. I have said goodbye to my coworker and gave away my door card. Now I just need to get my last paycheck this month and my vacation money in Jan.
Congratulations to my younger retirement twin Linea!

I can confirm that as of a few minutes ago I'm officially out myself. I thought I'd be extremely excited right now, but after a lot of tearful hugs & long goodbyes I'm a little heartbroken. Bittersweet.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on December 12, 2019, 03:32:10 PM
CONGRATULATIONS @firebrand!  It sounds like you had a nice workplace with good co-workers.  Here's hoping that the bittersweet feelings pass quickly for you, leaving you with just the good stuff.  Tomorrow your new memories begin.

                                                                     (https://media3.giphy.com/media/fi9iBFsZXieAg/giphy.webp?cid=790b7611836a59113544c0ac070d0f108a46eab819bd4bd6&rid=giphy.webp)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: firebrand on December 12, 2019, 04:16:36 PM
Thank you Trifele, that is a lovely gif
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Life in Balance on December 12, 2019, 06:14:48 PM
I have a little over a week left.  My colleagues are starting to tell me goodbye as people are heading out for the holidays over the next week.  Today, one of them came to tell me how much I would be missed and how much they have valued my voice.  I wouldn't have expected this from this particular person.  I got a little teary. It was really nice of them.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on December 13, 2019, 12:11:36 PM
@Linea_Norway and @firebrand

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

I hope your first weeks off are the best.  For most people, this only happens once :).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on December 13, 2019, 12:22:15 PM
I have a little over a week left.  My colleagues are starting to tell me goodbye as people are heading out for the holidays over the next week.  Today, one of them came to tell me how much I would be missed and how much they have valued my voice.  I wouldn't have expected this from this particular person.  I got a little teary. It was really nice of them.

:).  Those last few days at work can be really emotional.

On a separate note, I got a PM from forum member @NotCreativeName, who FIREd last week.  I have added her to our list above.  Welcome!!   Hope your first FIRE week has been good.

 

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Flavius on December 13, 2019, 12:57:52 PM
I can confirm that I have definitely FIRE’d. Just had my first week of not working and it has been great. I’ve been doing loads of exercise, fixing things around the house and signed up for some JavaScript training. I used to be a software developer and have always enjoyed programming. So far so good :-)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on December 13, 2019, 03:33:35 PM
I can confirm that I have definitely FIRE’d. Just had my first week of not working and it has been great.

Fantastic @Flavius!  Congratulations!!!


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
12/03/19     NotCreativeName           CONFIRMED
12/05/19     Flavius (56)                   CONFIRMED
12/06/19     Sid Arthur (59)              CONFIRMED
12/06/19     NotJen (39)                   CONFIRMED
12/06/19     6-Saturdays (44)           CONFIRMED
12/12/19     firebrand (59)                CONFIRMED
12/12/19     Linea_Norway (46)         CONFIRMED
12/13/19     Mr. Linea_Norway           CONFIRMED
12/23/19     Life In Balance (49)


May have FIREd; waiting for them to check in:
Mathieu
DireWolf
Thriftyc
luckyme13  (45)


OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38) -- Targeting February of 20
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51) -- Aiming for August of 20
CryingInThePool  (44)
Albireo13  (63) -- Looking at June of 20
Cookie78
exit2019  (40)
powersuitrecall  (47)
SamIAm38  (30)
Nifty (31) -- OMM to January of 20
Itchyfeet  (47) -- Looking at April 2020
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
MustacheAnxiety
forward
BlindSquirrel


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
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on December 14, 2019, 04:52:14 AM
My DH took his last working day yesterday, Friday the 13th. He officially had one day left to work, but had nothing to do and nothing to invoice. So he is taking that day off unpaid. So you can confirm him on the 13th.

This morning, Saturday, feels like my first day without work, as I also didn't have to get up early to drive DH to the train station, like yesterday. I slept with a few wake ups in between, but I didn't get up until 8 am. I measured my blood pressure and it was within normal range! That is a seldom thing, only measured at the beginning of the summer, after weeks of meditation practice. So if this what not working does to me? I will keep measuring regularly to see what happens, but so far so good. It was one of my goals with FiRE to get my high bp levels down.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on December 15, 2019, 03:20:41 AM
Hope that is your new permanent normal @Linea_Norway!  Your DH is CONFIRMED.  :)

And thanks for the great check in above @macmoneysaver!  Hopefully your stuff will show up in the next few days, but in the meantime it sounds like you are living light free and happy.   

Folks -- we're coming to the end of our epic year-long FIRE celebration.  I've moved LuckyMe13 to "awaiting check in" since she hasn't been on the forum in a while.  Unless some new FIRE friends pop out of the closet to join us, we are down to one!  @Life in Balance has the baton now, running the final leg to the finish line next week.  Go Life In Balance!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: friedmmj on December 15, 2019, 06:04:14 AM
My DH took his last working day yesterday, Friday the 13th. He officially had one day left to work, but had nothing to do and nothing to invoice. So he is taking that day off unpaid. So you can confirm him on the 13th.

This morning, Saturday, feels like my first day without work, as I also didn't have to get up early to drive DH to the train station, like yesterday. I slept with a few wake ups in between, but I didn't get up until 8 am. I measured my blood pressure and it was within normal range! That is a seldom thing, only measured at the beginning of the summer, after weeks of meditation practice. So if this what not working does to me? I will keep measuring regularly to see what happens, but so far so good. It was one of my goals with FiRE to get my high bp levels down.
That's very interesting regarding your BP.  I have borderline HBP myself and am on some meds to help with it.  Do you also take meds or are trying to manage it without?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on December 16, 2019, 01:00:17 AM
My DH took his last working day yesterday, Friday the 13th. He officially had one day left to work, but had nothing to do and nothing to invoice. So he is taking that day off unpaid. So you can confirm him on the 13th.

This morning, Saturday, feels like my first day without work, as I also didn't have to get up early to drive DH to the train station, like yesterday. I slept with a few wake ups in between, but I didn't get up until 8 am. I measured my blood pressure and it was within normal range! That is a seldom thing, only measured at the beginning of the summer, after weeks of meditation practice. So if this what not working does to me? I will keep measuring regularly to see what happens, but so far so good. It was one of my goals with FiRE to get my high bp levels down.
That's very interesting regarding your BP.  I have borderline HBP myself and am on some meds to help with it.  Do you also take meds or are trying to manage it without?


I am without meds. I had a 24 hour measuring with an average 140. And my GP thought that was too low to start on meds. Just eating less salt.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Life in Balance on December 16, 2019, 10:47:24 AM
Unless some new FIRE friends pop out of the closet to join us, we are down to one!  @Life in Balance has the baton now, running the final leg to the finish line next week.  Go Life In Balance!!

I'm on it.  Last week!!  :)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: itchyfeet on December 16, 2019, 11:01:25 AM
Congratulations to all those in the 2019 class. I thought I’d pop by to collect the baton on behalf of the 2020 class and Sprint out of my office and down the street with out even a peak over my shoulder, into the blazing sunset of a low BP FIREd life.....

2020 will be EPIC!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on December 16, 2019, 03:00:37 PM
@Linea_Norway that is fabulous news!  I really hope this is your new normal and working was the health fix you needed!  Yah!

@Life in Balance ohh sooo soon!  I hope the week is just as long as you need it to be, but no longer :D.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: batljunk on December 17, 2019, 05:53:53 PM
Congratulations to all those in the 2019 class. I thought I’d pop by to collect the baton on behalf of the 2020 class and Sprint out of my office and down the street with out even a peak over my shoulder, into the blazing sunset of a low BP FIREd life.....

2020 will be EPIC!

I love it! Best wishes to my colleagues in the 2019 cohort. I am so happy for all of us. I ate rice and beans today, not because I'm broke, I'm not, just FREE! Free! free! Happy 2020.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Nifty on December 18, 2019, 12:01:43 PM
I will be giving notice middle of next week. I had originally planned to give notice early next year after my 4Q bonus was deposited, but I've decided to risk it and give notice in December and still request/expect the bonus for the quarter. Double whammy I'm going to request it be paid out to me after 1/1/20 as we'll obviously be in a lower tax bracket next year. Fortunately with a very gracious boss, I feel pretty confident I'll get what I'm asking.

Quoting my post from last week. I am now confirmed! I had a couple people give me warnings about giving notice while I had a bonus pending, but fortunately, as its a small company, I just had to rely on my boss/the owner to react favorably. Fortunately its all amicable and I have one-month's notice and will still receive my bonus in 2020 in a lower tax bracket. Last day is 1/15/20,  @Trifele does this make me class of 2020?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on December 18, 2019, 12:32:44 PM
Congrats @Nifty!  We've been confirming people after their last day worked usually!  So I think that means you are 2020.  Very happy for you!!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on December 18, 2019, 02:02:31 PM
Woot Woot @Nifty
Sorry we have to scooch you to 2020, but I am so happy it all worked out for you!!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on December 22, 2019, 04:19:22 PM
Good luck tomorrow @Life in Balance!   Hope you cross that finish line with a big smile.   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Life in Balance on December 23, 2019, 11:56:09 AM
Good luck tomorrow @Life in Balance!   Hope you cross that finish line with a big smile.

Smile is in place!  I am done!!  I still cannot quite believe it, but I am so ready!  Here's to a rejuvenating 2020.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on December 23, 2019, 02:58:07 PM
CONGRATULATIONS @Life in Balance !!!!   Enjoy!


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
12/03/19     NotCreativeName           CONFIRMED
12/05/19     Flavius (56)                   CONFIRMED
12/06/19     Sid Arthur (59)              CONFIRMED
12/06/19     NotJen (39)                   CONFIRMED
12/06/19     6-Saturdays (44)           CONFIRMED
12/12/19     firebrand (59)                CONFIRMED
12/12/19     Linea_Norway (46)         CONFIRMED
12/13/19     Mr. Linea_Norway           CONFIRMED
12/23/19     Life In Balance (49)        CONFIRMED


May have FIREd; waiting for them to check in:
Mathieu
DireWolf
Thriftyc
luckyme13  (45)


OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38) -- Targeting February of 20
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51) -- Aiming for August of 20
CryingInThePool  (44)
Albireo13  (63) -- Looking at June of 20
Cookie78
exit2019  (40)
powersuitrecall  (47)
SamIAm38  (30)
Nifty (31) -- OMM to January of 20
Itchyfeet  (47) -- Looking at April 2020
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
MustacheAnxiety
forward
BlindSquirrel


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
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on December 26, 2019, 04:54:34 PM
We MADE IT!!!!

Congrats Cohort!!

It is hard to believe 2019 is coming to a close and we have FIREd.  What a great year, and what a great cohort!

Assuming no more changes, how did our size compare?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SeanTash on December 26, 2019, 05:34:16 PM
Good luck tomorrow @Life in Balance!   Hope you cross that finish line with a big smile.

Smile is in place!  I am done!!  I still cannot quite believe it, but I am so ready!  Here's to a rejuvenating 2020.

Congrats on rounding out the 2919 cohort!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Life in Balance on December 26, 2019, 06:21:39 PM
Thanks!  With the holiday coming in the middle of the week, it still hasn't sunk in for me.  But I'm okay with that as it just stretches out the joy. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on December 26, 2019, 10:54:23 PM
We MADE IT!!!!

Congrats Cohort!!

It is hard to believe 2019 is coming to a close and we have FIREd.  What a great year, and what a great cohort!

Assuming no more changes, how did our size compare?
2018 had the previous record with 73 confirmed.  2019 beats that with 80. 2018 will probably argue that the site membership got bigger, but 2019 also have 9 OLYs of whom 6 appear in the 2018 list.  Clearly these should really be considered as advance pathfinders for the 2019 cohort making the score 89 to 67...
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on December 27, 2019, 01:21:33 PM
Congratulations everyone!  I intended to stop by to provide well-wishes throughout the year, but after I FIREd I spent a lot less time here.  There were too many other great things to be doing with my free time!

I'd love to keep this thread going into 2020 and beyond.  How is retirement for everyone?  Better than expected?  Are you finding that all the naysayers were correct and that you're bored?  Biggest surprises?  Are you hitting your spending forecasts? 

I'll start by saying that FIRE for me is even better than expected.  I am busier than I was when I was working because there are so many things I want to do and there still isn't enough time.  The only real surprise I have had is that I decided to become a volunteer math tutor at my public library.  It's just 2.5 hours one day a week, but it's one of the best things I've ever done.  I thought I might hate it, but it's been far more fulfilling than I expected.  I hope to add in some literacy tutoring twice a week to get me to 3 days of volunteering each week.  I'm worried that might be too much of an obligation, but if the math tutoring is any guide I'm hoping that about 9 hours a week won't be too much. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dragoncar on December 31, 2019, 02:17:37 PM
Woot!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 01, 2020, 08:02:49 AM
HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone!!  We did it!   

Great update @FIRE 20/20 -- your volunteering sounds great.  I hope more folks stop by for updates as the months go on.

                                              (https://media1.giphy.com/media/L3ttAqUkORuU2ZNzME/200.webp?cid=790b76116303c9a70f703717e460b5c15352ca6cee3ed194&rid=200.webp)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on January 01, 2020, 08:45:51 AM
Congrats everyone!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: achvfi on January 01, 2020, 04:11:07 PM
I have been following this cohort for a while, just popped into to say... Congratulations all who made it.

Hope to follow your updates after FIRE.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: HappyCheerE on January 01, 2020, 06:06:47 PM
YOU DID IT!!! Congratulations all! May FIRE be everything you hoped and imagined it could be.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: BigMoneyJim on January 01, 2020, 06:21:19 PM
Yay, we did not die!

https://www.instagram.com/p/B6w9Pk0lxaD/
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 02, 2020, 03:57:00 AM
I have tried 4 times to add a gif of graduation caps getting thrown into the air but can't do it.  I know I have seen somewhere, at least once, the instruction on how to make it work.  Probably on the Top Is In thread but that is over 100 pages!  I did check the forum FAQ and technical section but don't see it.  I googled it and tried those suggestions but no go.  Can anyone help?

In the mean time just imagine graduation caps getting thrown in the air or Reese Witherspoon saying "We did it!" at the end of Legally Blonde.  That is how I feel for all of us!  Congratulations to all.

Hey @MissNancyPryor -- the way I've done it is to use the 'insert image' button in the tool panel (iit's upper left, right under Bold), then inside the bracket that appears, paste the gif address
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 02, 2020, 04:05:23 AM
Happy Graduation 2019!  It was a fantastic year.  Tagging @arebelspy so he has our final roster for the record books.  Thank you ARS!


2019 FIRE Cohort -- Final Roster:

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
07/15/19     Mathieu                         CONFIRMED
07/19/19     Polish_Hammer (51)       CONFIRMED
07/26/19     DireWolf                        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
12/03/19     NotCreativeName           CONFIRMED
12/05/19     Flavius (56)                   CONFIRMED
12/06/19     Sid Arthur (59)              CONFIRMED
12/06/19     NotJen (39)                   CONFIRMED
12/06/19     6-Saturdays (44)           CONFIRMED
12/12/19     firebrand (59)                CONFIRMED
12/12/19     Linea_Norway (46)         CONFIRMED
12/13/19     Mr. Linea_Norway           CONFIRMED
12/23/19     Life In Balance (49)        CONFIRMED


OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38) -- Targeting February of 20
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51) -- Aiming for August of 20
CryingInThePool  (44)
Albireo13  (63) -- Looking at June of 20
Cookie78
exit2019  (40)
powersuitrecall  (47)
SamIAm38  (30)
Nifty (31) -- OMM to January of 20
Itchyfeet  (47) -- Looking at April 2020
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
MustacheAnxiety
forward
BlindSquirrel


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
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MissNancyPryor on January 02, 2020, 06:41:35 AM
(https://media.giphy.com/media/QMA7KlOfLC5RS/giphy.gif)


Yessssss!   Thank you @Trifele, and thank you for maintaining this list for so long.   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on January 02, 2020, 07:26:12 AM
Congrats and Thank you Team!

Special Thank Yous to @markbike528CBX for getting this train rolling, then bailing out when he saw something shiny in 2018 :D.

@Trifele for taking the stick and bringing us to the end with wonderful list upkeep (even though many of us where on again, off again, up, down, TBD, and MIA) and welcoming us to FIRE with wonderful images!

@PhilB who answered my numbers question since I was too busy being FIREd (ie lazy) to look it up myself :).

To all the people that joined the team, those that FIREd, those that encouraged, those that visited. 

Yah!  A good year indeed.  I plan to come back and update, I am glad others plan to as well.

Then to all the people that FIRED

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on January 02, 2020, 12:19:03 PM
Congrats and Thank you Team!

Special Thank Yous to @markbike528CBX for getting this train rolling, then bailing out when he saw something shiny in 2018 :D.
..........
I prefer to think of it as setting a good example :-)

Yep @Trifele really picked up the list ball when I FIRED and dropped list maintenance .   It is quite a lot of work and careful thread reading.
I notice that @Loren Ver  also spotted for Trifele at times.  Thanks!
 
The general cheeriness of this thread was also appreciated.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 02, 2020, 12:33:40 PM
Hugs all the way around!  We were a great team and group!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on January 02, 2020, 06:20:42 PM
Congrats and Thank you Team!

Special Thank Yous to @markbike528CBX for getting this train rolling, then bailing out when he saw something shiny in 2018 :D.
..........
I prefer to think of it as setting a good example :-)

Yep @Trifele really picked up the list ball when I FIRED and dropped list maintenance .   It is quite a lot of work and careful thread reading.
I notice that @Loren Ver  also spotted for Trifele at times.  Thanks!
 
The general cheeriness of this thread was also appreciated.

Ohh, that is much more classy :).  And such a good example it was!

Agreed, the tone was of friendship and camaraderie not just declaring and high-fiving.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: oldtoyota on January 06, 2020, 06:06:29 PM
Hugs all the way around!  We were a great team and group!

Team 2019. Thanks, all! I appreciate you tracking us and following up and listing.

=-D

Enjoy your time, everyone.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on January 06, 2020, 06:26:50 PM
So, today was the first day back to work for most of my friends.  After a long Christmas break, it was a rough Monday for them. 

I asked them to work hard to get the stock price up, since I still own stock. 

As for me, I slept in since the bed was soooo warm.

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: couponvan on January 07, 2020, 03:50:56 PM
So, today was the first day back to work for most of my friends.  After a long Christmas break, it was a rough Monday for them. 

I asked them to work hard to get the stock price up, since I still own stock. 

As for me, I slept in since the bed was soooo warm.

LV

Yesterday was actually hectic since everyone else was back at work/school after having a couple weeks off. 

Car got a puncture in the tire - 2 hours sitting at the shop using their free wifi and reading all the good magazines while drinking free premium tea.  I may just go there and sit in the customer lounge more often....

Costco, Big Lots, Wegman's grocery store for a major winter stock up.  Unloading and putting away said groceries.

Washing sheets, clothes, and beginnings of cleaning the house up after all those people.

Man, how would I ever have time to work for pay?

Today - I didn't even leave the house. It was raining. Why go outside? Ha. I didn't have to!  :-)

Tomorrow - it will be over 50 and sunny, so I'm going to walk around the local botanical garden and hang with a friend who has also stopped working a regular job.  Ah the luxury.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on January 07, 2020, 05:01:58 PM
That's some good stuff @couponvan !!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on January 31, 2020, 05:05:16 AM
Today is my one year FIRE-versary, so I thought I'd check in with the cohort.  Seems like most of us are spending less time on the forum now that we crossed the finish line, but I hope you all will check in from time to time.

FIRE has been everything I hoped it would be and more.  This first year was fairly busy, doing some long-put-off travel and working on our house build.  Also there was plenty of relaxing built in there.  We're at the beach for the week right now to round out my first FIRE year, and oh my god.  Vacations when you don't have to worry about work in the back of your mind or hurry home for something are the BEST.

For 2020 I'm shifting focus to some more ambitious projects around the house and garden -- getting bees for example.  I'm also volunteering for our local guardian ad litem program.  I've done that before in the past, and it was good important work.  I'm also looking into other ways to start giving back.  On the personal front I need to get a bit more serious about my fitness and get back to running some longer distances.  We have only one other trip planned so far for the rest of the year (camping in April with some friends) otherwise we are going with the flow.  Life is damn good!  Peeps, hope you PM me if you're ever down in my neck of the woods.  Would love to meet you and get together for a beer.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SwordGuy on January 31, 2020, 06:46:21 AM
This is the 21 month mark for us and it's been great.   Life is good!

Found our dream home at a good price and are moving in this week.    More studio space and it's so very inspirational, too.

We'll be selling 3 properties this year so our new mortgage should shrink by at least 70% by years end.   Should be able to pay it off in 2 years or less. That's our only debt so I'll be pleased to see it gone.     That will cut our cost of living by 20% and that's a great sequence of returns risk reducer because then we won't need any stock/bond funds from our portfolio to meet normal expenses.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Home Stretch on January 31, 2020, 07:00:00 PM
6 months checking in. It's been pretty great.

It took me until literally about two weeks ago to finally get over the work stress from my previous career (I was in an unnecessarily stressful position, mostly foisted on me by the megalomaniac CEO who ran the company).

The cool part is, as soon as those thick clouds finally parted, I had a rush of motivation to start doing something productive again. So, I've taken on a small part-time consulting project that I can do from home. The client is very laid-back, and I think it's a perfect fit as far as how much time I want to commit and what their expectations are.

Also, I've got my first kid due just about any day, so it's about time to embark on that adventure. My SO and I are so grateful that neither of us have to work during this time. It's been very surreal when everyone has been asking us what our plans are for childcare "umm... stay home and take care of the child?". HOW WILL YOU AFFORD HEALTH INSURANCE FOR YOUR KID? "Umm... it's like $200 more a month - it's in the budget".

Anyway, I hope y'all are doing great. Here's to a brilliant 2020!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on January 31, 2020, 08:03:49 PM
Love the updates!

I am 9 months in and it has been quite nice.

I have a few trips that are bunching up in the spring, one in early March then one in late April.  Earlier today I was thinking of flying down to see family mid March.  DH recommends we drive down, since we have the time, and the costs end up being almost the same, except we both get to go.  Nice! 

If I was working, this would eat almost all my vacation days for the year.  Ahhh.  Now I just need to ask my mom if she wants us to drop by :).

Loren

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Mathieu on March 01, 2020, 06:44:33 AM
Looks like @meatgrinder may be our lone FIRE-ee in November -- he's scheduled for 11/21.  How's it going @meatgrinder?  Any plans for after your last work day?

I did some clean up on our cohort list and removed a few folks who no longer appear to be on the forum.  Shout out to our remaining 'TBD' folks.  Any chance you'll still FIRE this year, or is it looking like OMY?

@Mathieu


I did FIRE as planned in July 2019. So far so good :-)

One advantage to be at ease with your plan and numbers is that when I submitted my resignation my employer came back with many many different and interesting options to make me stay : from a different assignment to a significant raise (+20%). Some of my colleagues couldn't believe I turned down that raise. :-) Those who would have taken the raise are those will be working until 70. They can never have enough money (even though they have way more than me). When asked "how much is enough?" they reply "more". :-)

I spent a lot of time woodworking (our new home is unfurnished) so I built 3 beds, coffee tables, outdoor benches, refurbished some other items. It was rewarding to see the family use the items I crafted.

The only thing for me was adjustment to a slower pace. I've been working very hard and with passion all my life so the stop was sudden. Plus my kids are in school and my wife at work (for fun, not for salary), and being in a new city/country/continent (Québec city) I found it difficult to make friends.

I also realized that I did spend "a lot" of money renting workshop time (I don't have a space for stationary machines in my appartement, plus I prefer to share such large pieces of equipment). So I thought to myself "hey, why not getting paid (or at least not paying from my own pocket) for shop time?".

So after 6 months of "staycation" I enrolled in a carpentry technical degree. Not only do I practice wood working for free, I also gain very valuable skills and make friends ! All of this for 300US$ for a full year of tuition. I'm having a great time learning new things, and I've already received several very interesting employment offers. I guess I'll work part time in that field so I can continue gaining experience without impacting much my time with family.

Take care.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: jfer_rose on March 01, 2020, 08:01:04 AM

So after 6 months of "staycation" I enrolled in a carpentry technical degree. Not only do I practice wood working for free, I also gain very valuable skills and make friends ! All of this for 300US$ for a full year of tuition. I'm having a great time learning new things, and I've already received several very interesting employment offers. I guess I'll work part time in that field so I can continue gaining experience without impacting much my time with family.


Congratulations, Mathieu! I'm another member of the 2019 cohort and I'm also enrolled in a carpentry technical degree with plans to work part time in the field (for fun) after graduation. I'm impressed with how low the cost of your program is!  Mine is quite a bit higher, but still easy for me to afford. And congrats on the employment offers! I don't have any yet but hope to within the next few months.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Daisyedwards800 on March 06, 2020, 02:20:41 PM
How is everyone feeling with the big drop in the market?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on March 06, 2020, 02:45:46 PM
How is everyone feeling with the big drop in the market?

I refer the Honorable Member to the response I gave some moments ago.*

Q: Post-FIRE folks: how are you handling the market downturn?
A: Wheeeeeeee!


* an attempt at paraphrasing the answers during Prime Minister's Questions in the British Parliament.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SwordGuy on March 06, 2020, 02:59:29 PM
How is everyone feeling with the big drop in the market?

Meh.   We haven't seen valuations this low since -- insert drum roll here -- October of last year, about 5 months ago.     

A point I recollect people were celebrating as an all time high...
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: BigMoneyJim on March 06, 2020, 03:22:11 PM
How is everyone feeling with the big drop in the market?

Well, I have as much money as when I started. After expenses which included three trips. And I have two years' expenses worth of cash.

Even though this seems to be a possible beginning to one of my worst case scenarios I feel fine.

My biggest challenge was to avoid trying to optimize returns by altering my plans.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SwordGuy on March 06, 2020, 07:15:12 PM
How is everyone feeling with the big drop in the market?
We've had injuries that put my wife and daughter in a wheelchair (twice for my wife!), 2 tooth replacements for me, replacing two cars with 1 year old, very low mileage ones, buying a house that was almost 50% more expensive than the house we lived in, and giving a bunch of money to our son to pay down medical bills for our grandchild.   Plus we took some small vacations in between being injured or ill.

Shucks, if I was only down the market percentage I wouldn't be worried because we have lots of safety features in our retirement plan.   

But I just checked, we have more wealth than we did when we retired in May 2018!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Miss Piggy on March 07, 2020, 07:47:53 AM
Post modified.

Summary - I'm extremely concerned about the spread of germs. Less concerned about my money right now.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: HBFIRE on March 08, 2020, 07:07:24 PM
Curious for those who retired, if we see a 50% drop, will you return to work?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SwordGuy on March 08, 2020, 07:23:59 PM
No.   But I'll try to economize to buy more stock.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: American GenX on March 08, 2020, 07:33:30 PM

If it gets that bad, there might not be many jobs to return to.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: BigMoneyJim on March 08, 2020, 08:23:34 PM
Curious for those who retired, if we see a 50% drop, will you return to work?

It's not that simple. How suddenly and how long is it at 50% down? Rhetorical question.

Sometime before 50% I'd start looking at historical returns sequences and look at my strategy more carefully.

Also, "going back to work" is not as straightforward as the question implies. Before I retired I had these categories in my head like working, retired, semi-retired, and downshifted. But now that I'm here in "retired land", there are so many possibilities to explore. "Going back to work" in my head sounds like going back to what I did before retiring, 40+ hours/week in an office. I doubt I'll do that, although it's still on the table.

I have two years' worth of cash/equivalents to draw on. I've been topping that up as I spend, but unless something unexpected happens I won't be topping that up for a while. So from the get-go I have 2 years to figure out what to do about this.

I currently live alone in a 3 bedroom house, but I'm wishing to sell it and move very shortly. If things crash too badly to make that doable, I could rent out a couple of rooms and probably come close to covering my biggest expense, my mortgage.

If I am able to sell, I'll have an influx of cash from equity (tax-free!) that I'll keep cash for a while, so I may get up to 3 or 4 years' expenses in cash. And if things stay bad, I could look to rent a room in someone else's house for a while instead of paying for a whole 1-BR apt for myself. Or split a 2-BR or something.

Then there are all sorts of yet-to-be-explored ways to reduce monthly living costs or generating income. And I don't need to generate my full preretirement income by a longshot! I was saving 1/3 to 1/2 of my salary then, and my expenses are lower in retirement. And I don't need to cover all my expenses with income; if I can just reduce the spend-down from depressed funds I can stretch things longer safely, and even before that I'll stretching out that 2-4 year cash cushion.


If it gets that bad, there might not be many jobs to return to.

Hmm. Since the current market driver seems to be Coronavirus and its impact on supply chains and consumption...well I can imagine ways where at least some jobs can't find enough people to fill them.

Let's be non-morbid and look at perhaps the U.S. cutting H-1B to almost nothing as an intended protective measure for health and domestic jobs. (I am not offering any opinion on this; it's just a hypothetical.) My particular skillset and experience would be in much higher demand.

Generally speaking, those who have managed to save and retire have either been in high-demand skill jobs and/or have hustled and optimized earnings and expenses with the available opportunities. I can imagine each of these groups dealing with a pessimistic near-future quite well.

In summary, the danger is not running out of money in 2020 or 2021; it's the fear of sending depressed assets affecting long-term survivability. In the meantime we all have shitloads of money which gives us a lot of leeway and options.

And for me, even if I blow every penny in the next 5 years, I have a pension starting then which will put me over the poverty line. Another 7 years after that I can start SS. (Spoiler: I am not blowing every penny in the next 5 years.)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on March 09, 2020, 04:14:18 AM
Curious for those who retired, if we see a 50% drop, will you return to work?
I might be tempted to extend my 1 day a week gig a little longer, but I wouldn't dream of returning full time.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Dicey on March 09, 2020, 04:21:58 AM
Curious for those who retired, if we see a 50% drop, will you return to work?
Pardon me, sorry to enquire, but I didn't quite hear you. Return to what?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on March 09, 2020, 09:21:33 AM
Quote from:  link=topic=49913.msg2576577#msg2576577 date=1583716044
Curious for those who retired, if we see a 50% drop, will you return to work?
Pardon me, sorry to enquire, but I didn't quite hear you. Return to what?

This is now a Post-FIRE thread, so the w**k word is banned.

To answer HBFIRE's impertinent question, FUCK NO. 
We will keep our spend rate EXACTLY as it has been/ is.

 -75%, we'll still make it, but with lower spending.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: tooqk4u22 on March 09, 2020, 01:04:03 PM
Quote from:  link=topic=49913.msg2576577#msg2576577 date=1583716044
Curious for those who retired, if we see a 50% drop, will you return to work?
Pardon me, sorry to enquire, but I didn't quite hear you. Return to what?

This is now a Post-FIRE thread, so the w**k word is banned.

To answer HBFIRE's impertinent question, FUCK NO. 
We will keep our spend rate EXACTLY as it has been/ is.

 -75%, we'll still make it, but with lower spending.

I will never say never but 50% probably wouldn't be it as I started FIRE with conservative AA/glidepath approach.   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on March 09, 2020, 01:05:01 PM
Quote from:  link=topic=49913.msg2576577#msg2576577 date=1583716044
Curious for those who retired, if we see a 50% drop, will you return to work?
Pardon me, sorry to enquire, but I didn't quite hear you. Return to what?

This is now a Post-FIRE thread, so the w**k word is banned.

To answer HBFIRE's impertinent question, FUCK NO. 
We will keep our spend rate EXACTLY as it has been/ is.

 -75%, we'll still make it, but with lower spending.

I FIREd in April 2019, and we're still a long way from any reason to adjust our plans.  That is one nice result of planning excessively and saving a bit more than 25x our planned spending; even if things get a lot worse (and we're approaching 20% down from recent highs as I write this) we don't even need to think about any cuts to spending or any more drastic measures.  While the markets freak out, I'm planning to read, play piano, and work out today as usual.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: tooqk4u22 on March 09, 2020, 01:19:36 PM
Quote from:  link=topic=49913.msg2576577#msg2576577 date=1583716044
Curious for those who retired, if we see a 50% drop, will you return to work?
Pardon me, sorry to enquire, but I didn't quite hear you. Return to what?

This is now a Post-FIRE thread, so the w**k word is banned.

To answer HBFIRE's impertinent question, FUCK NO. 
We will keep our spend rate EXACTLY as it has been/ is.

 -75%, we'll still make it, but with lower spending.

I will never say never but 50% probably wouldn't be it as I started FIRE with conservative AA/glidepath approach.

So equities are down about 20% from highs and broke through 2019 lows (after the 2018 year end rally). The 2018 lows for SP500 was 2416, which is roughly 30% drop from all time highs.    Funny thing is that is the point in time when I was comfortable with FIREing - it was after the 20% drop from the highs in 9/2018 to the lows in 12/2018 that confirmed I was comfortable with the risk. 

I didn't actually FIRE until 6/2019 and by that point the market had just about recovered to the 9/2018 highs plus I added another 5-7% or to the stash from year end bonus, annual 401k match, vesting RSUs etc.  I then moved about 10% from equities to bonds to have a more conservative AA/glide path plan so I could sleep at night.  Definitely had FOMO as markets ran up the rest of the year and into this year but didn't change anything and now I still sleep at night.    I like my AA and I like that I FIREd with less than 4% WR.   I will rebalance some as this continues.   

But what's the likelihood of a 50% drop?  Better than 50/50 probably.   Personally I think 30% will be the floor.   The standstill that is being caused by coronavirus, even if the issue/fear lasts only another month, will ripple through the economy and SP500 earnings will drop - how much, who knows.   If its 20-30% then market is where it should be, if its more it will drop more but will recover faster like during the financial crisis. 

Anyway, I may have or will leave money on the table with my conservative ways but I personally could not handle 100% equities and I really really really really wanted to be sure I didn't have to go back to work.   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on March 09, 2020, 02:09:11 PM
So equities are down about 20% from highs and broke through 2019 lows (after the 2018 year end rally). The 2018 lows for SP500 was 2416, which is roughly 30% drop from all time highs.    Funny thing is that is the point in time when I was comfortable with FIREing - it was after the 20% drop from the highs in 9/2018 to the lows in 12/2018 that confirmed I was comfortable with the risk. 

I didn't actually FIRE until 6/2019 and by that point the market had just about recovered to the 9/2018 highs plus I added another 5-7% or to the stash from year end bonus, annual 401k match, vesting RSUs etc.  I then moved about 10% from equities to bonds to have a more conservative AA/glide path plan so I could sleep at night.  Definitely had FOMO as markets ran up the rest of the year and into this year but didn't change anything and now I still sleep at night.    I like my AA and I like that I FIREd with less than 4% WR.   I will rebalance some as this continues.   

But what's the likelihood of a 50% drop?  Better than 50/50 probably.   Personally I think 30% will be the floor.   The standstill that is being caused by coronavirus, even if the issue/fear lasts only another month, will ripple through the economy and SP500 earnings will drop - how much, who knows.   If its 20-30% then market is where it should be, if its more it will drop more but will recover faster like during the financial crisis. 

Anyway, I may have or will leave money on the table with my conservative ways but I personally could not handle 100% equities and I really really really really wanted to be sure I didn't have to go back to work.

Wow, that is exactly my situation.  December 2018 was when I became totally comfortable with FIRE - even after that drop we were right around 25x spending without any cuts (4% WDR).  I waited until I could max my 401(k) and add some to the 'stache and FIREd in April instead of June, but that's close.  And I upped the bond portion of my portfolio to have a less volatile mix.  The result was a tiny bit of FOMO during the run-up over the last year, but I was comfortable with that decision.  I will say that if the markets end up with a CAPE value below 23 I will move back to 100% equities, in accordance with my IPS.  That's just a 12% drop from where we are now. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: tooqk4u22 on March 09, 2020, 02:56:47 PM

Wow, that is exactly my situation.  December 2018 was when I became totally comfortable with FIRE - even after that drop we were right around 25x spending without any cuts (4% WDR).  I waited until I could max my 401(k) and add some to the 'stache and FIREd in April instead of June, but that's close.  And I upped the bond portion of my portfolio to have a less volatile mix.  The result was a tiny bit of FOMO during the run-up over the last year, but I was comfortable with that decision.  I will say that if the markets end up with a CAPE value below 23 I will move back to 100% equities, in accordance with my IPS.  That's just a 12% drop from where we are now.

Yeah, that's probably right around a 30% total drop.    For me I still wouldn't be comfortable at 100% but I would go to a more aggressive AA at that level.   I did move about 4% from bonds to equities today.  May be too early, may be too late but that's ok - just about 20% from high and reorients my AA a bit.   I probably would have moved more but tough with multiple accounts and mutual funds at last minutes of day to get it in.   I wasn't about to place the order early and then see major rally in the last 15 minutes and end up buying higher than I would want.   Its the main downfall to funds vs. ETFs - when you lock in an ETF its done.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: American GenX on March 09, 2020, 05:13:58 PM
So equities are down about 20% from highs and broke through 2019 lows (after the 2018 year end rally). The 2018 lows for SP500 was 2416, which is roughly 30% drop from all time highs.   

Not a huge difference, but the S&P 500 closed at 2,351.10 on Dec 24, 2018.  That was the the closing low for the year 2018.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: tooqk4u22 on March 09, 2020, 06:08:25 PM
So equities are down about 20% from highs and broke through 2019 lows (after the 2018 year end rally). The 2018 lows for SP500 was 2416, which is roughly 30% drop from all time highs.   

Not a huge difference, but the S&P 500 closed at 2,351.10 on Dec 24, 2018.  That was the the closing low for the year 2018.

Yup, looked at the wrong day, and that is a hair beyond a 30% drop from highs.   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Half Stached on March 15, 2020, 03:31:44 PM
Today is 1 year FIRE anniversary! I'll admit that within a month or so after retiring, I stopped reading the forums, but I thought I'd come back and give an update.


Thank you all for an amazing community! I learned so much here and would still be (unhappily) working full time without the knowledge that I picked up here over the years.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on March 17, 2020, 06:19:49 PM
I am so glad I am FIREd.  I would have been considered essential personnel and would be going in to work each day.

I am glad the 2019eers aren't in a panic!

Loren

PS Thanks for the update @Half Stached!  Good stuff!

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on March 18, 2020, 05:28:57 AM
Great to hear from you @Half Stached and @Loren Ver

I'm worried about vulnerable people I know getting the virus (as everyone is) but definitely no panic here and I'm not worried about money.   I'm SO glad we are FIREd while this is going on!!!  Actually, since we are a FIREd couple with homeschooled kids, we are really fortunate in that our life hasn't changed as much as most other folks.  Our kids' extracurricular activities are canceled, and the library is closed.  So far that's it for us.  I really feel for people that are still working and are facing potential layoffs. 

Hope everyone else is doing ok!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Omy on March 18, 2020, 05:49:09 AM
I was doing great emotionally until I went grocery shopping at 6 am this morning. SO many empty shelves it was depressing. We will be fine, but I fear for everyone who is more vulnerable.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: couponvan on March 19, 2020, 06:22:25 AM
I was doing great emotionally until I went grocery shopping at 6 am this morning. SO many empty shelves it was depressing. We will be fine, but I fear for everyone who is more vulnerable.

Seeing the empty spots is the depressing part! I appreciated my own Costco’s efforts to fill in gaps with other products. Yeah, we don’t have chicken, but here’s a bunch of bacon instead. It was less mentally taxing.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Omy on March 19, 2020, 06:50:44 AM
Yes. That would have been helpful. They had turned off all of the lights in the empty veggie and dairy aisles. That also made it eerie.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on March 19, 2020, 12:55:24 PM
Text message sent to my Army step son:

At [local large grocery store],
Toilet Paper?-stripped.
Top Ramen?-stripped.
MRE entrees?- plenty.

in response I got a "laughing so hard, crying emoji".


What was even better, the decent pasta was still there, just thinned out a bit.
25 lbs (10 kg) bags of oatmeal and other staples were still there, just less than pre-panic.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on April 01, 2020, 10:18:25 AM
So when I FIREd I decided to switch from updating our account amounts from monthly to quarterly (we have a LOT of accounts).  Then when all this hit I debated if I even wanted to update in April or not due to all the crazy.  I wasn't sure how I would feel. I always though I'd be all nonchalant about it but what if it stressed me out, there would be no going back once i knew our actual numbers.

Well I am a creature of planning and updated my numbers this morning to capture Q1.  We are down about 25% on average and I am feeling rather nonchalant about it.  So yah.  Well, other than this one trouble account where an old employee stock purchase has disappeared, I'm going to need to start digging into where that money went....

It helps that we don't need to pull any money out until the end of the year when we need to hit our ACA minimums. 

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on April 02, 2020, 05:34:48 AM
Haha I did the same thing @Loren Ver!  At the end of 2019 I switched to quarterly tracking.  I wasn't sure if I even wanted to total it up given the current situation, but I did and it was fine.  I didn't even feel stressed afterwards. 

My brother (FIREd for 5 years now) has a comforting take on this.  He says he hasn't bought any stocks in 5 years, so the market right now is still higher than it was when he bought the shares he has. 

Yeah, same boat here on having to hit the ACA minimums by the end of the year.  We're planning to do Roth conversions.  I haven't looked into that yet in detail, but I think that means just recharacterizing the shares and paying the taxes on the money, but leaving it invested.  So I guess then we wouldn't be locking in 'losses' . . . since aren't planning to actually withdraw it?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on April 02, 2020, 07:33:57 AM
@Trifele I haven't done it, but from my understanding, you wouldn't be locking in losses as long as you bough the same or similar investment.

Yesterday was our one year FIRE-versary!  We got the FIRE pit fired up and cooked up some hotdogs. 

Mr. Ver said we should have called our 2019 cohort the FIREing Squad.  Ha!

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: tooqk4u22 on June 12, 2020, 12:33:28 PM
Wow, I just realized that two days ago was my 1st anniversary of not working.    It went pretty fast and something like this:

June- Sep:  Spent a lot of time enjoying the summer, friends and family with a little bit of regional travel. 

Sep-Nov:  Back to kid craziness with school and all three in travel sports.  During days did a whole bunch of house projects that were always on the list but no time.

Dec:   Holiday season - a lot of friends and family time, more kids travel, and over indulging.

Jan-Feb:  Not much, winter gloom, more kids stuff, recovering from too much socializing and indulging. Planned and paid for a great spring break vacation in April (wah wah)

March-Now:  Pretty much the same as everyone else - not much, social distancing, home schooling, spending down 50% from same time last year (a lot due to canceled/delayed kids travel sports) Did a bunch of outside projects. 

Overall not too interesting but very satisfying and not stressful at all.  I confirmed that I am different than most people we know bc being mostly isolated without spending was rather nice IMO, obviously this excludes the virus itself and the impact it had on so many people.  I am just referring to the homebody aspect of it.   While my DW enjoys my company she did not feel the same way as she is a very social person who does like more of the typical consumerist ways.

Two things that I still finding interesting are:
1.  How everybody continues to ask me some form of "When are you going back to work?", "Have you found anything yet?", "What's your plan for work?"
    -  Mostly I just reply "Not sure" or "Looking for something different that resonates better with me" or "when I have to"  because I don't like telling people I am not bc I have enough.  I would rather people not have an idea and question my sanity (some have by the way both directly and behind my back).   But now its over a year I guess the farce that I am still open to work may be obvious to all but the dumbest or most self absorbed individuals.

2. I think I still have burnout syndrome (sort of a PTSD) from work/career because there is nothing that interests me if it means not controlling my schedule (aside from my family that I can't control) or reporting to someone or held to some timeline.   Whatever.  An example was I crafted some things and they came out well that I actually got several requests for some.  And if I did it I I could probably make a nice profit if I broke it down hourly, but then I would have to DO IT, DELIVER IT, LISTEN TO PEOPLE THAT MAY NOT LIKE THIS OR THAT A LITTLE.  Nope, not interested. Which is funny because I like making stuff, but just on my timeline.   


That's it for now.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SwordGuy on June 12, 2020, 12:58:19 PM

2. I think I still have burnout syndrome (sort of a PTSD) from work/career because there is nothing that interests me if it means not controlling my schedule (aside from my family that I can't control) or reporting to someone or held to some timeline.   Whatever.  An example was I crafted some things and they came out well that I actually got several requests for some.  And if I did it I I could probably make a nice profit if I broke it down hourly, but then I would have to DO IT, DELIVER IT, LISTEN TO PEOPLE THAT MAY NOT LIKE THIS OR THAT A LITTLE.  Nope, not interested. Which is funny because I like making stuff, but just on my timeline.   

I understand EXACTLY  how you feel on this.

If and when I get good enough that people want to hire me to make things for them, it will be on the following terms:

1) You will get it when you get it.  It might be tomorrow.  It might be a decade from now.  I might give your money back and say, 'Oh, never mind.'

2) You'll get what I make you.   Whatever that ends up being.

3) The only thing I promise when you get it is that I like it.

If I'm good enough, I'll be able to get commissions like that.   

And if I'm not, I won't.

Since I don't need the money, it's a win-win either way.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on June 15, 2020, 07:30:58 PM
Congrats on one year @tooqk4u22.  Even though things went sideways, I'm glad you are doing well.

You view on making things is a good one.  If you don't need the money you can do it on your terms.  Why not.  You don't need the hassle, so why go looking for it.

Let the good times roll :).

Loren
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on June 16, 2020, 02:25:46 PM
Wow, I just realized that two days ago was my 1st anniversary of not working.    It went pretty fast and something like this:
...

Thanks for the update @tooqk4u22 !  I had planned to write an update but never got around to it.  Here's mine, using your format.  My last day was around April 26, I think:

May-December- On our last day we flew to see a few concerts, then after we returned we mixed about 2 weeks of downtime with a few visits to see out of state family. We were a lot more social than normal.  We had friends and family stay with us while they visited, and we went to see a few friends and family members.  We also had local friends over for dinner a lot more than usual because weren't seeing them at work.   I started tutoring math at the local library for 1st semester. 
January - mid-February - We took a 6 week vacation to New Zealand.  It turns out we had perfect timing to blow through almost our entire annual travel budget.
mid-February - now COVID isolation.

I've added a number of things to my normal routine that I wasn't able to do while working.  I'm finally learning a foreign language.  I'm re-learning piano.  I've been able to stick with at least 30 minutes a day on each of those tasks pretty consistently.  I haven't gotten out into nature as much as I had hoped.  My restaurant trips have gone from rare to never, although COVID had a little to do with that.  I'm also reading a lot more than I was before, although it seems like that just turns me on to more books so the backlog is even larger than usual. 

The main lessons I've learned are:
1.  I'm still the same person.  Things I wasn't interested in before I am still not interested in even though I have more time.  Only activities that I really wanted to do but didn't have time for have stuck.  Tasks that I put off before I still put off, even though I have plenty of time to do them.
2.  Volunteering has become vastly more important to me than I expected.  I signed up out of a feeling that I should be contributing in some way, but I've gotten a lot more personal satisfaction out of it than I thought I would.  I can't recommend highly enough that FIREes try to find some kind of volunteering opportunity.  It's so much more fulfilling than I thought, and for me it was just 4 hours a week (pre-COVID).  I was planning to add 2 additional days of literacy tutoring to the mix, but COVID nixed that. 
3.  I FIREd with a plan to start consulting to pick up a little income, but FIRE is so much better than I expected that I'm never going back unless the situation is absolutely dire.  I would *much* rather pare my expenses than ever work again. 
4.  It's a cliche, but I don't know how I ever had time to work.  My daily activities full up all of my available time and more.  I'm never bored.  I didn't retire to something as so many people say you should - I really FIREd to get the obligation to work off my schedule even though I had a fantastic job.  It was the obligation that I hated even though the work paid well and the environment was good. 
5.  I am much more sanguine about my money and the markets than I expected I would be.  The market drops this year haven't bothered me in the slightest.  Some of it is the conservative approach I took to FIRE, with a low sub-4% withdrawal rate plus back-up plan on top of back-up plan, but some of it is that it's so clear to me how much I don't want to go back to work that I know I'd be happy to reduce spending significantly to stay FIREd.  For me, being FIREd on a shoestring budget would be better than working with lots of luxuries.  I suspected that might be the case, but it's a much stronger feeling now that I know I'm extremely happy at home with my partner just doing my thing. 
6.  I am incredibly grateful to everyone who went before me.  MMM, @madfientist , LivingAFI, the Trinity study authors, posters on this forum, etc.  When I found out about FIRE I had been saving about 25-35% of my income, but I was able to get that up closer to 60-70% after I saw how much stupid spending I was doing.  That probably chopped a decade of work off my life.  Finding out about things like safe withdrawal rates, Roth IRA ladders, ACA and tax optimization, and a DIY mindset have given me many extra years without the obligation of work 5 days each week.  I never could have done this on my own, and I'll be forever grateful for all the people who made this possible. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MoMan on June 17, 2020, 05:46:53 AM

2. I think I still have burnout syndrome (sort of a PTSD) from work/career because there is nothing that interests me if it means not controlling my schedule (aside from my family that I can't control) or reporting to someone or held to some timeline.   Whatever.  An example was I crafted some things and they came out well that I actually got several requests for some.  And if I did it I I could probably make a nice profit if I broke it down hourly, but then I would have to DO IT, DELIVER IT, LISTEN TO PEOPLE THAT MAY NOT LIKE THIS OR THAT A LITTLE.  Nope, not interested. Which is funny because I like making stuff, but just on my timeline.   

I understand EXACTLY  how you feel on this.

If and when I get good enough that people want to hire me to make things for them, it will be on the following terms:

1) You will get it when you get it.  It might be tomorrow.  It might be a decade from now.  I might give your money back and say, 'Oh, never mind.'

2) You'll get what I make you.   Whatever that ends up being.

3) The only thing I promise when you get it is that I like it.

If I'm good enough, I'll be able to get commissions like that.   

And if I'm not, I won't.

Since I don't need the money, it's a win-win either way.

Wow, these 2 posts sum up my situation exactly! I have a well stocked woodworking shop and whenever I show off some of my projects, the first thing most people say is, "Hey, you could make some money selling those."

Yes, I know. But that means meeting someone else's expectations, which includes finish preferences, materials, timeline and quality of build. In addition, some of my projects, like my wind-powered whirligigs, have some delicate parts. That means selling these would inevitably put me in the whirligig repair business. No thanks.

Fortunately I was diligent about saving, investing and reducing my expenses so I don't need the money. But it's nice to know that if I did need money, I have yet another source to draw from.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on June 17, 2020, 11:19:23 AM
Thanks for the update @FIRE 20/20 it is good to hear back from the 2019ers!

I too have no idea how work fit into my life.  How did I actually manage to wake up to an alarm and get things done on demand?  Utter non-sense. 

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Linea_Norway on June 18, 2020, 02:48:33 AM
Thanks for the update @FIRE 20/20 it is good to hear back from the 2019ers!

I too have no idea how work fit into my life.  How did I actually manage to wake up to an alarm and get things done on demand?  Utter non-sense. 

LV

Indeed, obligations for an employer who requires you to be present at the office for 7,5 hours a day is non-sense. I can really get used to the quieter times outside rush hour. When I need to shop now, I always plan it during work time. The corona thing has made it much more crowded now on all times, and I get the impression that from 2 pm most people are off. But if I manage to do much stuff before that time, I'm fine. I have gotten a much lower stresslevel for shopping and traffic now.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on June 18, 2020, 03:54:48 AM
Great update @FIRE 20/20!  Thanks for the encouragement to volunteer!  I've done a few things here and there but want to find something steadier.   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on June 18, 2020, 03:24:42 PM
Thanks for the update @FIRE 20/20 it is good to hear back from the 2019ers!

I too have no idea how work fit into my life.  How did I actually manage to wake up to an alarm and get things done on demand?  Utter non-sense. 

LV

Indeed, obligations for an employer who requires you to be present at the office for 7,5 hours a day is non-sense. I can really get used to the quieter times outside rush hour. When I need to shop now, I always plan it during work time. The corona thing has made it much more crowded now on all times, and I get the impression that from 2 pm most people are off. But if I manage to do much stuff before that time, I'm fine. I have gotten a much lower stresslevel for shopping and traffic now.

Linea- I too find myself really avoiding the normal crowds, even before the pandemic.  The shift in patterns due to the virus has made things harder as many schedules have shifted, but I think I have found a new sweet spot.  I'm not up as early as I once was, but before 1030am still seems to be pretty light on a Monday morning. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Dicey on June 20, 2020, 07:41:49 PM
Thanks for the update @FIRE 20/20 it is good to hear back from the 2019ers!

I too have no idea how work fit into my life.  How did I actually manage to wake up to an alarm and get things done on demand?  Utter non-sense. 

LV
Indeed, obligations for an employer who requires you to be present at the office for 7,5 hours a day is non-sense. I can really get used to the quieter times outside rush hour. When I need to shop now, I always plan it during work time. The corona thing has made it much more crowded now on all times, and I get the impression that from 2 pm most people are off. But if I manage to do much stuff before that time, I'm fine. I have gotten a much lower stresslevel for shopping and traffic now.

Linea- I too find myself really avoiding the normal crowds, even before the pandemic.  The shift in patterns due to the virus has made things harder as many schedules have shifted, but I think I have found a new sweet spot.  I'm not up as early as I once was, but before 1030am still seems to be pretty light on a Monday morning.
Uh, possible pro tip: Shipments tend to be smaller, lighter or non-existent on Sundays, ergo Monday is not the optimal shopping day for groceries. You have the time of day right, but you should find fresher goods Tu-We-Th. This is particularly true for Costco. Source: Costco brother. He says you're welcome ;-)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on July 24, 2020, 11:04:15 AM
Thanks for the update @FIRE 20/20 it is good to hear back from the 2019ers!

I too have no idea how work fit into my life.  How did I actually manage to wake up to an alarm and get things done on demand?  Utter non-sense. 

LV

I think about this daily
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on July 24, 2020, 04:44:59 PM
Thanks for the update @FIRE 20/20 it is good to hear back from the 2019ers!

I too have no idea how work fit into my life.  How did I actually manage to wake up to an alarm and get things done on demand?  Utter non-sense. 

LV

I think about this daily

And the further away it gets the more ridiculous is seems yes?

How do people even manage to get kids to do this?  Craziness!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on July 24, 2020, 04:46:25 PM
Thanks for the update @FIRE 20/20 it is good to hear back from the 2019ers!

I too have no idea how work fit into my life.  How did I actually manage to wake up to an alarm and get things done on demand?  Utter non-sense. 

LV
Indeed, obligations for an employer who requires you to be present at the office for 7,5 hours a day is non-sense. I can really get used to the quieter times outside rush hour. When I need to shop now, I always plan it during work time. The corona thing has made it much more crowded now on all times, and I get the impression that from 2 pm most people are off. But if I manage to do much stuff before that time, I'm fine. I have gotten a much lower stresslevel for shopping and traffic now.

Linea- I too find myself really avoiding the normal crowds, even before the pandemic.  The shift in patterns due to the virus has made things harder as many schedules have shifted, but I think I have found a new sweet spot.  I'm not up as early as I once was, but before 1030am still seems to be pretty light on a Monday morning.
Uh, possible pro tip: Shipments tend to be smaller, lighter or non-existent on Sundays, ergo Monday is not the optimal shopping day for groceries. You have the time of day right, but you should find fresher goods Tu-We-Th. This is particularly true for Costco. Source: Costco brother. He says you're welcome ;-)

Just saw this one Dicey- I might have to move my day to Tuesday.... :).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on August 11, 2020, 04:36:15 AM
Re: Costco/Shopping Days - I've picked up an instacart hobby, Tuesday - Thursday is 100% better for Costco and the other grocery stores.  Both for stock levels and freshness.

 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Classical_Liberal on August 31, 2020, 12:04:41 PM
I semi-FIRE'ed back in Sept of 2019.  I was contract working my old job in smaller chunks until two weeks ago when I quit completely. 

A year ago my WR was around 5% (I just checked, it was actually 5.5%), now it's down to about 4.25%, mostly because of spending reductions post FIRE.  I still plan to work again in the future, just more aligned with my values and lifestyle preferences.

I'm a heretic here in that prior to FIRE I never biked, but since FIRE it's become a true passion of mine, for transportation, entertainment and exercise.  I can't believe how much fun I had been missing out on!  Anyway, the biking hobby, plus tons more time for other activities like hiking has helped me lose about 20lbs since FIRE date.  Plus amazingly improved cardiovascular health, which just makes life so much more fun.

I've also taken up a whole host of other productive-type hobbies, which has really opened up the world to me from a sustainability/DIY ethos. Really, my thinking has done a 180 from being mostly reliant on consumer culture to mostly independent of it. Although I still have a couple of vices. :)  Maybe I can ditch the worst of them in 2021 and push the boundaries of spending down even further.

I don't spend much time here posting or reading anymore.  MMM was more of a gateway drug for me.  I'm more interested in ideas that lead to what would be viewed as more extreme lifestyles.

If you can't tell, I highly recommend pulling the plug to anyone who is unhappy with their job situation and has even a modicum of financial security.  Consequences be damned, if you're smart enough to be here, you'll figure it out.

Keep kick'en ass MMM forum!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Life in Balance on September 06, 2020, 04:47:39 PM
@MissNancyPryor  Thank you for sharing your reflections.  I am 8 months in and just feel now like the decompression cloud is lifting.  So, it's nice to see someone on the other side who is enjoying their fire-pandemic life. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: BigMoneyJim on September 06, 2020, 06:12:42 PM
I'm days short of 11 months retired, and I only really felt like my pandemic life having any relation to my retired life started meshing a month or two ago.

My response to the pandemic has greatly altered my near-term plans, and I think it has dragged out my decompression/adjustment period. Or maybe I'm not even fully decompressed or adjusted yet, but at least I can connect the dots between what I'm doing the past few weeks and what I want to be doing post-pandemic in retirement. And that's new.

I've been coming to the forum fairly frequently, but I quickly learned to be very selective in what I read, and especially what I reply to. Usually I just look for updated topics I've posted in. I just have nothing constructive to add to the most popular topics of 2020.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on September 07, 2020, 01:07:19 PM
Thank you for the updates @Classical_Liberal and @MissNancyPryor

It is so good to hear from those that have wandered off and found their FIREd selves! 

Miss Nancy - I'm glad you kicked the cheater to the curb, before he even got on the side walk even!  So many people let the excuses slide because because because and then wonder how they got trapped is a mess.  Well duh.  Not worth it.  Value your self highly, for that is what you are worth!

Loren
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on September 07, 2020, 03:35:17 PM
Great updates everyone!  It's so interesting to read about everyone's journey.  I really miss you all.  If you're going to be in western NC please PM me.  I'd love to meet up for a beer. 

All's well here at the Trifele ranch.  I'm one year and seven months into FIRE, and it is out-of-this-world fantastic.   My health continues to be good, which I'm grateful for every single day.  I don't miss work even a little bit.  We're gardening, DIYing, hiking, and running to our hearts' content.  Covid put a crimp in some travel plans, but that is a tiny, first world/privileged problem if there ever was one.  Agree @MissNancyPryor -- FIREing was one of the best things I've ever done.  Life is soooo good.  :)

 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Home Stretch on September 10, 2020, 10:08:06 PM
I hit one year in June.

I think 2019 has to go down as the all-time weirdest year to FIRE in the history of Mr. Money Mustache. Seriously, what a roller-coaster.

The second half of 2019 was pure bliss, for the most part. Found out my wife and I were expecting our first child a few weeks before I quit my job, but after I had decided to do so. This was not unexpected, per say, but for some reason I thought it would take longer to conceive since we've had lots of friends our age with issues. Welp, not a problem for us! We traveled up north and out west during the summer and fall, spent tons of time with friends and family, and generally had a great year.

Around the new year, I started to get a bit antsy and decided to do some freelance software development work with a really good/low-key client. Partially, I wanted to do this to keep myself mentally sharp, but also partially just to prove that I could have been successful on my own if I had chosen that path earlier. So far, it's going okay, but the events of this year have been... distracting... to say the least. I feel like I could be delivering things faster for their project, but there isn't a huge amount of pressure to do so, and I didn't FIRE so I could work 40 hours a week again.

Our new baby arrived in Feb. She is adorable and healthy and a whole lot of work, as everyone of course warned us would be the case. Since we have no full-time employment, we aren't paying for childcare, which means a whole lot of time at home with the little one. This isn't a bad thing, but 2020 threw a nice little curveball which has made everything feel a little more claustrophobic and a little less optimistic. I really would like to be able to just meet up with our friends and their kids, but a lot of them are still super paranoid, even though none of them are high-risk and I would have no problem meeting up. And even then, they all work full time and can only meet on the weekends; one of the downsides of leaving full-time employment at such a ludicrously young age.

All in all, I have zero regrets about pulling the trigger. We are inexplicably wealthier and more confident in our plan than we were last June, and it feels good to know I can pull in extra income via freelance work if we need it.

Now we just need to get over this fear-based pandemic nonsense, and back to traveling the world, and all will be well.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on September 11, 2020, 08:56:10 AM
Congrats on the baby @Home Stretch!   Glad you didn't have any issues.  Working out not make the pandemic any better :).

@Trifele Glad things are well at the ranch!  First world problem are the best problems to have :).
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SeanTash on October 24, 2020, 10:41:46 PM
I haven't posted for many months now, so thought I might as well.
It's been about 20 months since my initial fire date.
I spent the first 6 months travelling in Asia, hiking a lot and loving it.

Afterwards, I spent a few months back in Ireland with family - I even took a job (I was a bit nervous that my lean fire is a little too lean) but it really didn't feel right so I left after a few weeks.Then, an old work friend offered me some part time contracting with a small startup in the travel space back in Melbourne, so I decided to do that for a while.

I didn't plan on doing it all that long - I don't have a real permanent base, so I was actually pet sitting for accomodation, with the odd airbandb.  I had several mega adventures planned - starting with walking the length of new zealand, when covid started being a thing. Before long, we were blocked from flying overseas, then from leaving the state, then the city, and then stuck to a 5k limit. So that's curtailed my travel just a little!!

I didnt expect my PT gig to last (as its in the travel space) and because my two rental properties were now only paying 50% rent (if at all) due to covid, I accepted a freelancing gig which meant I was basically working 6 days a week, not 2 or 3.
I figured, its freelancing, I'm working for myself, should be fun. Well no, it wasn't. You are not really working for yourself, you are working to deadlines and requirements of a client. It was a very stressful 4 months, but thankfully now Ive handed off that project and am back to just 20 hours a week.

Until the rental issues get sorted, I kind of need to keep working a bit for the moment, so the fact that I am blocked from travelling isn't a huge issue. But it's still pretty annoying. I'd just love to be able to just go for a weekends camping.


Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on April 14, 2021, 02:34:26 PM
How is everyone doing?

I hit two years this Friday...and I don't know how I ever had time to work!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: stoaX on April 14, 2021, 02:51:45 PM
How is everyone doing?

I hit two years this Friday...and I don't know how I ever had time to work!

My 2 years is coming up in July and I fully agree with your "how did I have time to work" thought. Between planning and executing a cross country move in late 2019 / early 2020, and then having the covid hit, I'm not really sure what it is like to have a normal retirement. 

I do know that I prefer it to a full time stressful job!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: BigMoneyJim on April 14, 2021, 03:31:24 PM
Doing very well! 18-ish months in. As much of a downer as the pandemic has been, I think being retired has made it much easier for me to deal with compared to most others.

But now I'm midway between two vaccine doses and starting to consider how quickly/slowly I want to reintegrate into the public world.

The pandemic–well, my chosen response to it–delayed my moving plans for several months to a year. On the other hand, I was forced to reconsider how I was going to do it and came up with the idea of going nomadic which is something I had never seriously considered.

I've only been in two places and actually have a 5-month lease right now, but I do consider myself nomadic in that I'm not staying in one place for more than a few months at a time, and after this lease I'll do a post-pandemic family slow-travel tour. (For me to visit family, especially my aging parents.)

I may actually be getting some employment rather suddenly and unexpectedly, but just a few hours a week, all online, and very in-line with my current activities and interest. I will still consider myself retired; retired doesn't necessarily mean never working; it means doing what I want, when I want.

I'm still learning what it means to me to be retired, but I am definitely progressing.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on April 14, 2021, 04:37:13 PM
@stoaX - Where did you land?   We pulled off our move in July, so at least had eight months to experience the place before the last thirteen of pandemic life.

I underestimated the amount of time/work a cross country move would take, it was a solid 3+ months of a new full time job.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: DireWolf on April 15, 2021, 10:02:32 AM
How is everyone doing?

I hit two years this Friday...and I don't know how I ever had time to work!

I’m still about 3 months away from 2 years. It’s going fantastic. Spouse joined me in October. I’d told here she could retire when I did, but she wasn’t ready. Seeing me enjoy myself and our portfolio growing and growing convinced her.

And, wow, the portfolio. I didn’t panic in the slightest at the COVID dip. Now up $250k since I started prepping to pull the trigger on FIRE. On top of that, this crazy real estate market has pushed my home price up almost $100k. Might hit the $2M mark this year. Crazy.

Expenses were way under expectations because of being home all the time last year with lockdowns. We decided to go ahead and do some big ticket items, replacing the roof and gutters. Also got a new bicycle and wife splurged for a kayak. Getting tons of use out of these. With all that, we still came out just under budget. With the roof last year and water heater 2 years ago, our A/C unit is the only thing on the horizon for years.

This is our first year on ACA. CSR Silver plan was already cheap, and then the stimulus bill lowered in half or less. Woohoo
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Omy on April 16, 2021, 06:43:21 PM
20 months in. We've spent way less than anticipated due to the pandemic. Almost no travel or restaurant spending. Because we FIREd, we were eligible for all three stimulus checks (which we're donating to food banks). ACA was WAY cheaper than expected...and just dropped another $150 per month. Net worth has increased over 20% since August 2019.

2020 taxes were a huge surprise. I was certain that Turbotax was wrong because our tax rate was SO low. I was expecting 10%...but less than 1%?!

Overall, it's been very stress free. Before FIRE, I had stressed about health insurance costs and a million other what ifs. If I'd known it was going to be this easy, I would have FIREd 5 years sooner.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on April 17, 2021, 04:10:54 AM
Great updates everyone!  I'm 27 months in, and life is grand.  The stash has continued to grow, I don't think about money much, I'm with my family who I love, and I am freeeeee.   Now if we could just fix the pandemic and all the other problems.   
:)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: tooqk4u22 on April 17, 2021, 08:29:51 AM
Pretty good here and fortunate no family or close relationships had covid issues, although there have been other health concerns.  2 months before it will be a full 2 years.   I believe I am an inherently lazy unmotivated person and sometimes I stress about thoughts that I should be doing more.  But on the other hand I have done a crap ton of work on the house (kitchen, paint whole house, rewired a bunch of it, redid two of kids room, landscaped outside with Boulder fire pit, gardened), helped family members with some home projects, did a few smaller trips pre and post covid, lost 20+ lbs last year by mostly walking (but gained 10+ back when holidays and winter came).   Oh and I run my 3 kids all of the place for their school and activities (lucky to have one day with nothing). 

So yeah, I am lazy and unmotivated but still seem to do a bunch.  I think the feeling of not being super productive is a remnant from the work life when qork related stuff (commute, dressing, ironing, shaving, actually working, etc)  consumed 60-70+ hours per week. 

It's also crazy that my portfolio is up more than I would have made (gross) during that time and that's with a conservative AA.   Crazy! Still don't trust it but not fighting it either, just sticking with the AA and rebalance accordingly and still mentally prepared to withstand a 50% drop in equities but don't think that will actually happen.

I guess one thing I need to figure out (other than dropping some lbs again) is getting some friends. Problem is I am not an overly social person and if I do to much it gets tiring, but I do enjoy hanging out with people in general.   aside from covid the schedule and ways to find people don't seem to cooperate. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: markbike528CBX on April 17, 2021, 12:43:37 PM
Hi everyone, OP here.

I OLY but checked in as the rest of you FIRED.  Congratulations, and hoping everything is going good with all of you.

We have been OK.  Didn't panic (much) last March.   I have been reading "Too Big To Fail" and I feel that we are close to that finance-wise.

New "problem": Covid gave me an excuse to be anti-social. 
Now I have to fight covid habits as well as my pre-existing introversion to get to becoming a more social person.  https://xkcd.com/2416/
(https://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/trash_compactor_party.png)

Both DW and I have at least one vaccine shot now.
The pool might be an attractor for small parties to get back into socialization. 
Working on getting it set up earlier this year.


I have restarted having a weekly checklist of to-do's just to prevent ultimate sloth. 
I don't take the checklist that seriously.  Some things took 6 months of weekly reminders to complete, but I didn't stress about it.


still mentally prepared to withstand a 50% drop in equities but don't think that will actually happen.

You do realize that you already have been there, done that and got the t-shirt for to 50% drop already?  :-)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on April 20, 2021, 02:57:01 AM
I failed my cohort and ended up back at work after ~13 months off.

Planning the next exit strategy while waiting for things to normalize a bit. To be fair, I pulled the plug too early by most peoples standards ($500k in assets).

It's great seeing so many of you still happily FIRE'd!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: tooqk4u22 on April 20, 2021, 05:11:32 AM

still mentally prepared to withstand a 50% drop in equities but don't think that will actually happen.

You do realize that you already have been there, done that and got the t-shirt for to 50% drop already?  :-)

Yup, but doesn't mean I don't want to be prepared for the next one!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on April 24, 2021, 02:43:09 PM
So glad to see so many checking in and doing well!

We celebrated two years April 1st and things are very well with us.  Our numbers are looking better than we ever thought possible.  We went out light and thought we would need to be lean the first 5 years or so to let thing stabilize and avoid SORR, but with the 2020 growth we should be good.  Not like we have much we want to inflate to, just less being watchful.

COVID cancelled some things, but also gave us a chance to reset and evaluate some of our early FIRE decisions and decide what we value and want to add back in going forward.  Worked out well for us and we are choosing to use it like an opportunity instead of a set back.  So glad I wasn't at work when all this came down though.  DH and I would have been some form of essential, and being tucked safely at home with a mug of hot cocoa was far more enjoyable. 

LV
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: stoaX on April 24, 2021, 02:56:45 PM
@stoaX - Where did you land?   We pulled off our move in July, so at least had eight months to experience the place before the last thirteen of pandemic life.

I underestimated the amount of time/work a cross country move would take, it was a solid 3+ months of a new full time job.

We landed in the suburbs of charlotte, on the SC side of the border, just 2 months before the covid hit.   I hope to never make a major move again.... but I suspect that I will.....
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Lews Therin on April 24, 2021, 03:42:27 PM
Here's another data point on the: I could have FIRE`d earlier.

It's been quite nice market-wise.


I was Skinny Fire, (4% at 500k) ; now I'm up at 650k.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: iluvzbeach on April 24, 2021, 03:47:40 PM
I can't recall if I provided an update after my attempt at FIRE in the fall of 2019, but I ended up staying on part-time (3 days per week) at 75% pay + other incentives and benefits and it worked out quite well.  Slowly, over time, I've ended back up to full-time but with an incredible amount of flexibility in my schedule and it's actually been okay as I'm not sure what I would have done with myself during the quarantine of the pandemic.  In some ways I feel like I'm FIREd but I know I'm really not.  I plan to launch FIRE 2.0 (the final FIRE) later this year with a much bigger safety cushion than we originally anticipated.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on April 26, 2021, 06:02:28 AM
@stoaX - Where did you land?   We pulled off our move in July, so at least had eight months to experience the place before the last thirteen of pandemic life.

I underestimated the amount of time/work a cross country move would take, it was a solid 3+ months of a new full time job.

We landed in the suburbs of charlotte, on the SC side of the border, just 2 months before the covid hit.   I hope to never make a major move again.... but I suspect that I will.....

100% with you on that.  I ended up outside of Charleston and see one more move in my future...even if the pain of it is frustrating.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: TartanTallulah on April 29, 2021, 03:58:42 PM
Two and a half years after "retiring" and falling straight into a little stash-sparing freelance job doing the most enjoyable parts of my occupation I remain a FIRE failure. I keep thinking I'm going to become surplus to requirement and that'll be OK, but as things stand I remain useful and having a defined role in an actual workplace has been a blessing during the pandemic. With no opportunities to spend on holidays and dining out, I managed to save most of my income in 2020. It'll be lower this year because my parents, who live some distance away, need a lot of support from me so I can only work around 12 days a month. But that's more than enough, and it's all icing on the cake that was my lean FI situation in late 2018. I suspect that as things open up and short vacations and long bike rides become possible I'll be less willing to work.

I tried to take my DB pension this year, but the process was frustrating and I had plenty of income so I put it aside to accrue for another year.

Two of my adult offspring have boomeranged, but they're 27 and 23, have lived independently, and are highly motivated to launch again.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on April 30, 2021, 06:14:57 AM
Two and a half years after "retiring" and falling straight into a little stash-sparing freelance job doing the most enjoyable parts of my occupation I remain a FIRE failure. I keep thinking I'm going to become surplus to requirement and that'll be OK, but as things stand I remain useful and having a defined role in an actual workplace has been a blessing during the pandemic. With no opportunities to spend on holidays and dining out, I managed to save most of my income in 2020. It'll be lower this year because my parents, who live some distance away, need a lot of support from me so I can only work around 12 days a month. But that's more than enough, and it's all icing on the cake that was my lean FI situation in late 2018. I suspect that as things open up and short vacations and long bike rides become possible I'll be less willing to work.

This really resonates with me.  After OLYing from this cohort, I agreed to stay on with work 7 hours a week.  Two and a half years later I'm still doing it.  I too keep thinking it will end and they keep finding me useful.  I've been glad to have it through the pandemic for the social contact and it has definitely padded the budget.

It has been a real struggle to come to terms with not being properly 'retired' though after so many years of looking forward to it.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on July 01, 2021, 02:50:04 PM
Mid-year check in?  How far out are you?   27ish months for me and this week marks two years since we settled into our FIRE spot.  Celebrated it with some surfing this morning.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: couponvan on July 01, 2021, 06:31:31 PM
Still on my smoke break- hubs got a package to cover through 2022. Technically we could FIRE, but hubs is not ready to go out on terms that weren’t his own. FU money comes in very helpful BTW.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: BigMoneyJim on July 01, 2021, 07:07:09 PM
I guess almost 21 months for me. I sold my house, went nomadic, spent a few months in Colorado, in the middle of a few months in Washington where I've officially moved to, and in August will hit the road and stop in a bunch of places in the Western US a few days at a time while visiting family along the way. (From Northern border states to Southern border states.)

I think I'll be going to a conference or two and returning to Washington along the West coast on highway 101 before winter makes getting back to WA iffy.

No RV, just me, a cat, and a car full of stuff, and staying in vacation rentals or hotels.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Enigma on July 04, 2021, 08:30:54 AM
I was FIRE, Oct-2019 (@$1.7M).  Left my computer job and did some road trips when I wasn't confined to my house due to COVID.

Due to rental income and market rise I am (@$1.99M).  My rental income is still a pretty good chunk of income and I am still trying to grow my liquid stache.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on July 05, 2021, 11:45:43 AM
Hey Hey!

DH and my first day of FIRE was April 1st 2019 and we are still happily FIREd.  Very happily.  I still wake up and realize I never have to go to work again.  Yah!!

If we had been working we would have been essential and been in the office/labs at least some of the time, ugh.  No thanks.  Being hunkered down in the safety of our own home where we could make the rules was much better. 

The market has been very good to us.  We went from very lean FIRE to oh my freaking goodness gracious FIRE (very close to doubling).  So naturally we hedonically increased our lifestyle, by an estimated $1,700 for the year.  Big money, big prizes!

Today is the 4th of July holiday (observed).  I don't have to go to work tomorrow.  EHHHHH!!!!

We are starting to plan trips again and see where whimsy takes up. 

Loren
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on July 05, 2021, 12:23:06 PM
Today is the 4th of July holiday (observed).  I don't have to go to work tomorrow.  EHHHHH!!!!

Hahahaha!

Enjoy your whimsical awesomeness this year @Loren Ver.   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PowerStache on July 05, 2021, 05:54:08 PM
Enjoy reading everyone's updates!

I am 27 months in and still loving life.  In March 2020 my RE life was interrupted when the DH and two kids stopped leaving the house for work and school.  lol. Hubs and I have enjoyed more time together and I have been glad to be around while the middle schooler and high schooler navigated virtual learning.  Oldest son (16) was very sick in early 2021.  Turns out he has an autoimmune disease that will require infusion treatments every 1-2 month for the foreseeable future.  Just another reason to be glad to be out of the workforce.

Old job has called to offer me a promotion to come back not to long ago.  That's a big no thank you! 

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on August 09, 2021, 10:06:13 AM
So earlier this month DH and I went up to mother in law's house (few hours drive) to do some things she needed done around the house (painting fence, fixing toilet, caulking storage barn etc.) and visit.

While her and I were out and about we got to chatting about DH and I being retired and she stated, "you two are just so much happier now.  Not that you weren't happy before, but still."  It was pretty funny. 

She retired when father in law got terminally ill years ago to take care of him.  They were always frugal and good savers so she knows the game.  She is just so happy we could step out of the game while we still so young and really enjoy retirement.  And of course come up in the middle of the week to fix her fence and storage barn :).

Loren
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: oldtoyota on August 10, 2021, 08:22:18 PM
So earlier this month DH and I went up to mother in law's house (few hours drive) to do some things she needed done around the house (painting fence, fixing toilet, caulking storage barn etc.) and visit.

While her and I were out and about we got to chatting about DH and I being retired and she stated, "you two are just so much happier now.  Not that you weren't happy before, but still."  It was pretty funny. 

She retired when father in law got terminally ill years ago to take care of him.  They were always frugal and good savers so she knows the game.  She is just so happy we could step out of the game while we still so young and really enjoy retirement.  And of course come up in the middle of the week to fix her fence and storage barn :).

Loren

That’s so nice you can do that for her, and I bet she appreciates it! My mother did similar by retiring to care for my dad. He had retired years earlier.

I hope you two have lots of fun in your retirement. :-)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on August 11, 2021, 03:07:43 AM
So earlier this month DH and I went up to mother in law's house (few hours drive) to do some things she needed done around the house (painting fence, fixing toilet, caulking storage barn etc.) and visit.

While her and I were out and about we got to chatting about DH and I being retired and she stated, "you two are just so much happier now.  Not that you weren't happy before, but still."  It was pretty funny. 

She retired when father in law got terminally ill years ago to take care of him.  They were always frugal and good savers so she knows the game.  She is just so happy we could step out of the game while we still so young and really enjoy retirement.  And of course come up in the middle of the week to fix her fence and storage barn :).

Loren

:)
It really is great when we can help family with things. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: stoaX on August 11, 2021, 04:30:31 AM
So earlier this month DH and I went up to mother in law's house (few hours drive) to do some things she needed done around the house (painting fence, fixing toilet, caulking storage barn etc.) and visit.

While her and I were out and about we got to chatting about DH and I being retired and she stated, "you two are just so much happier now.  Not that you weren't happy before, but still."  It was pretty funny. 

She retired when father in law got terminally ill years ago to take care of him.  They were always frugal and good savers so she knows the game.  She is just so happy we could step out of the game while we still so young and really enjoy retirement.  And of course come up in the middle of the week to fix her fence and storage barn :).

Loren

:)
It really is great when we can help family with things.

Agreed.  Spending more time with family, especially the older ones, is my top reason for being retired.  Whether it's helping out or having fun with them, I'm so glad that I have the time to be there. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Dicey on August 13, 2021, 12:52:30 AM
So earlier this month DH and I went up to mother in law's house (few hours drive) to do some things she needed done around the house (painting fence, fixing toilet, caulking storage barn etc.) and visit.

While her and I were out and about we got to chatting about DH and I being retired and she stated, "you two are just so much happier now.  Not that you weren't happy before, but still."  It was pretty funny. 

She retired when father in law got terminally ill years ago to take care of him.  They were always frugal and good savers so she knows the game.  She is just so happy we could step out of the game while we still so young and really enjoy retirement.  And of course come up in the middle of the week to fix her fence and storage barn :).

Loren

That’s so nice you can do that for her, and I bet she appreciates it! My mother did similar by retiring to care for my dad. He had retired years earlier.

I hope you two have lots of fun in your retirement. :-)
Hey @oldtoyota , methinks you've returned after a long-ish break. Hope you've been well and welcome back!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: oldtoyota on August 16, 2021, 09:06:19 AM
So earlier this month DH and I went up to mother in law's house (few hours drive) to do some things she needed done around the house (painting fence, fixing toilet, caulking storage barn etc.) and visit.

While her and I were out and about we got to chatting about DH and I being retired and she stated, "you two are just so much happier now.  Not that you weren't happy before, but still."  It was pretty funny. 

She retired when father in law got terminally ill years ago to take care of him.  They were always frugal and good savers so she knows the game.  She is just so happy we could step out of the game while we still so young and really enjoy retirement.  And of course come up in the middle of the week to fix her fence and storage barn :).

Loren

That’s so nice you can do that for her, and I bet she appreciates it! My mother did similar by retiring to care for my dad. He had retired years earlier.

I hope you two have lots of fun in your retirement. :-)
Hey @oldtoyota , methinks you've returned after a long-ish break. Hope you've been well and welcome back!

Aw, that’s so nice of you to say. Thank you! I hope you are doing well!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on August 24, 2021, 09:04:16 AM
Anyone else thinking about it?

https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/camp-mustache-events/camp-mustache-midwest-cm*mw-cincinnati-oh-422-4242022/

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on August 24, 2021, 12:27:24 PM
Thanks for the heads up about this @Loren Ver !  I think I can do this one.  I filled out the pre-registration form. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on August 25, 2021, 06:23:34 AM
That's great @Trifele , I did as well.  I was excited to see one so near by and not sold out.  They are looking for someone that is good identifying plants, so, if you know someone ;). 

Anyone else?

Loren
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on August 25, 2021, 09:57:18 AM
That's great @Trifele , I did as well.  I was excited to see one so near by and not sold out.  They are looking for someone that is good identifying plants, so, if you know someone ;). 

haha, I saw that Loren.  I never lived in that area though, so I doubt I would be much help identifying things.  Probably the best thing would be to rustle up one of the local Master Gardeners . . .
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on August 25, 2021, 02:44:06 PM
:D

I have lived in the area and worked in agriculture for over a decade.  I am a horrible identifier and can barely grow anything (other than weeds).  Ah well, run with the skills you have.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MissNancyPryor on September 06, 2021, 11:42:47 AM
Hey nineteen-

Just popping in to say to those in the US-  Happy Labor Day, or as we FIRE folks call it, "Monday."  Let's give a thought to the working folks today as the last days of summer wane. 

And your trash may be getting picked up a day late this week.  I have to keep a calendar to remind myself that there are certain holidays when municipal things are not happening. 

Such bliss.  No dread about going back to a crappy job tomorrow!  Life is wonderful.

I am glad this thread exists to roll around in it sometimes.  Ahhhhhhhh

 

 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on September 06, 2021, 12:59:53 PM
Yesterday me:   Why is the beach so crowded?  Oh yeah...
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on September 06, 2021, 01:29:26 PM

Today me:  Why is the grocery store so crowded and everyone's buying beer and firewood?  Oh yeah . . .
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on September 06, 2021, 02:29:13 PM
So so true!

Happy Monday.  Happy Labor Day.  Those still working are what keep me from needing to keep working :D.

Loren
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MissNancyPryor on September 06, 2021, 02:32:20 PM
Losing track of the days is something I didn't expect to be so easily done.  It is an oblivion of the best kind.  I am still waking up every day so, so grateful to feel fully rested and free from inane office bullshit. 

I have to say though that it has been a sincere disappointment with this whole Covid dealio that I do not get to enjoy shopping alone mid-week while the rest of the gerbils collect pellets.  I was told there would be empty stores.  Alas, everyone is out there, all the time, playing hooky from their WFH job or still not back to where they were in the Before Times.

I will get over it.  I have forever to do so.     
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: sui generis on September 06, 2021, 02:46:15 PM
Losing track of the days is something I didn't expect to be so easily done.  It is an oblivion of the best kind.  I am still waking up every day so, so grateful to feel fully rested and free from inane office bullshit. 

I have to say though that it has been a sincere disappointment with this whole Covid dealio that I do not get to enjoy shopping alone mid-week while the rest of the gerbils collect pellets.  I was told there would be empty stores.  Alas, everyone is out there, all the time, playing hooky from their WFH job or still not back to where they were in the Before Times.

I will get over it.  I have forever to do so.     

This is me for the last year+ as well!  I've taken to grocery shopping on Saturday mornings because that now seems to be the least crowded time!  Same with neighborhood/regional hiking trails (i.e. not the ones people would go on vacation to, only out for quick 2-3 hour jaunts, so that's not any explanation).  And restaurants at 2pm on weekdays!  I honestly don't know when these people do the work they are supposedly still doing.  I feel a bit cheated, but I'm so happy personally that I'm not up for begrudging other people. Unless my Saturday morning grocery runs get crowded, too, and then watch out!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on September 07, 2021, 01:58:34 AM
Many of us FIRE'd during Covid-19 without telling our employers.....shhhh it's a secret ;)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on January 01, 2022, 09:14:53 AM
Happy New Year!  I hope this year brings you all happiness and joy!
Now that it is 2022, how is the 2019 cohort doing?

DH and I are still thrilled to be retired.  We still plan to never go back to organized work and are now to the point where we aren't entirely sure how we managed to accomplish organized work for so long and in such sub-optimal working conditions. 

There have actually be a few occasions where people have asked what I do and I just list things that I like to do that I think might appeal to them and the conversation.  Then someone else in the conversation might point out "oh, she's retired."  Maybe I got to the point where being retired is something I am, not something I am doing. 

How about you?  Anything you'd like to update us on?
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: BigMoneyJim on January 01, 2022, 11:26:33 AM
Going well for me. I guess I'm used to it, but when I stop to think about it, I'm really happy to be retired.

I worry vaguely sometimes about the future, but it's more about just really not ever wanting to *have* to work again. In truth I am far better off than I was the day I retired, so it's kind of ridiculous to worry at all.

About a month and a half ago I finally landed in the spot I had intended to pre-pandemic: in Silverdale,WA, with a one-year lease. I'm not sure what happens after that, but that uncertainty is a feature of my retirement, not a bug.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on January 01, 2022, 12:11:18 PM
It's gone very strangely for me.  I OLY'd out of this cohort and FIREd in October 2018 and it's all been great, I've absolutely loved it.  But work asked me to stay on one-day-a-week for a while, and somehow I'm still doing that.  Even weirder, my expenses have been so low because of the pandemic that my part time salary has covered them, so I haven't actually spent anything over the last three years!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on January 02, 2022, 04:29:49 AM
Happy Near Year!

After 13 months off work I went back in November of 2020, and now eyeing the 2022 fire cohort for attempt #2.

Our initial plan to slow travel and geoarbitrage our first few years of leanFIRE* were squashed by Covid so we went back to awesome jobs and are better poised to FIRE on a less shoestring budget this time :)

*I quit @ $525k portfolio before getting married knowing that working in the future was likely to become FI as a couple

Right now we're playing things by ear and considering working remotely while slow traveling around the USA until things begin to look more appealing internationally.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: stoaX on January 02, 2022, 04:52:57 AM
Overall I am quite happy with my retirement life. The one thing I disliked most about my job was the travel. So when covid hit and travel shut down, I kinda wished I would have stayed on. Fortunately the feeling didn't last long. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SeanTash on May 06, 2022, 03:00:05 AM
It's pretty Quite in the 2019 thread!

Ok I'll give a little update and maybe others might follow
Since my last check-in, I took three months off my part time gig to travel up the Australian east coast in a campervan.  Part of the reason was to see if #vanlife was for me.  The answer?  Maybe. But probably not.  I loved the trip and had a great time, but I'm not sure I'd want to do it indefinitely. Or not here anyway.

Since then I went back to my pt job, .and recently I've started tutoring at the local university.  Which I love. It's  bIt sad to say after 30 years in software, but I think this is the first time I have truly enjoyed a job !

I'm winding down the part time job as the tutoring is enough to cover my costs, and I don't need to make money anymore really. It's a good fit too as I will have lots of time off which I'm going to use to travel overseas. But with something I enjoy to come back to.  I only wish I'd tried it sooner.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on May 06, 2022, 02:55:21 PM
Thanks for the update @SeanTash .  DH and I like traveling around in a van (good for sleeping and hanging out in bad weather - no plumbing etc) but could never van life.  There are lots of in between options for lots of in between people.  Good to try it out before you jumped full in.

Traveling in Australia sounds like a blast :D.

I'm glad you found a job you love, if you love having work to do :).  What do you tutor?  It really isn't a bad time to have funds coming in.

As for us:

Overall, things are going well.  A few highlights:

Sadly DH and I lost Buttercup (our van) in January due to a meet and greet with a guardrail due untreated ice on the road.  Luckily we were one of the slide offs that had no other vehicles involved.  So many slide offs, so little road space.  So easy to fix with some road treatment.  Ah well.  RIP Buttercup.  Happy this happened on our way back from our trip not on our way out!  60 miles south of home, not too bad.    Sadly we have been unable to replace her due to lack of van availability or reasonably of van stock.  Still looking though.  Hopefully something will come up before our next trip. 

DH is starting to crank up the yard art again now that the weather is getting less cold.  He is currently working on a Knight and dragon battle while I was getting the big snails painted.  If the volume of art he is making keeps up, he is going to have to start making some kind of plan. 

On the money side, this interesting market is giving us a chance to stress test our plan.  We went out lean, with a riskier portfolio, and some odd ideas.  Should be interesting to see what happens.

Loren


Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on May 06, 2022, 03:33:57 PM

Thanks for the updates @SeanTash and @Loren Ver !  SeanTash it sounds like things are going great for you.  Loren -- I'm so sorry about Buttercup.  :(

Things are going pretty well with us.  We're continuing to enjoy the FIRE life, puttering in the garden and renovating our house, starting to travel a bit again.  Our 18 year old daughter, a senior in high school, is doing a foreign exchange this year in Germany.  She's been gone since last August and returns home next month.  Can't wait to see her!  While she's gone, we've been hosting a German high school student in exchange.  It's been totally delightful!  It has expanded our family -- not the one you're born with, but the family that you make along the journey of life.  We'll always think of her as a daughter now, and her family as our family.  Also, our son -- a sophomore in high school -- decided to enroll in the local public high school this year, after having homeschooled since age 7.  We were a bit nervous for him, as he's neurodiverse, but he is having a great time.  It was the right thing, at the right time in his life.  Life is full of surprises. 

Financially speaking, we FIREd on the lean side back in 2019.  I have a side gig that brings in a bit -- enough to cover about half our expenses.  This market is no fun, and we will see how things go in the next year or two.  We may want to bring in a bit more cash, just to make things feel more comfortable. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on May 06, 2022, 06:03:48 PM
Hello fellow cohort! 

Financially we're doing fantastic.  We did OMY (actually 9-10 months) after hitting 25x and have found that without all the crap associated with work we're spending even less than planned.  In addition, we had a lot of money in our travel budget that we haven't spent because of COVID.  In 2021 our actual withdrawal rate was under 2%.  I believe in the 4% rule so the low withdrawal rate isn't driven by concern about the 4% rule's validity, it's mostly that we're just not feeling much of a need to buy things because our lives are good enough as it is that we don't need to spend more.  We had fat to trim in the budget because we didn't want to feel overly constrained in retirement but we've just spent the lower non-fat amount because we're happy as-is.

I've been doing more math tutoring, I'm finally able to play music I really like on piano, am closing in on being able to watch TV shows in a second language, have read a lot of books, and have spent more time with friends and family than at any time since college.  I'm thinking about starting literacy tutoring this summer because the math tutoring has been so fulfilling.  One of my friend's daughters has a horrible math teacher this year, and after struggling through most of the year I started tutoring her in addition to the tutoring at the library.  She just got a 95% on her latest test and her parents said she has a totally changed attitude about math.  I know I say it each update, but volunteering has given me so much more than the ~4 hours a week that I put in.  I really recommend trying to find a volunteer opportunity if there are any needs in your community!  For me it's been one of the best things I've done since FIRE. 

On the down side we've had friends diagnosed with cancer and others pass away unexpectedly.  It's totally selfish, but in addition to the normal reactions to those horrible situations I also feel incredibly fortunate that we have a chance to live the life that we want before something unexpected comes our way. 


Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dresden on May 07, 2022, 01:30:53 AM
I was originally planning to retire in 2022 and pivoted to December 2019 due to a combination of health issues and not really enjoying my work for the first time in my career.

Even with recent stock market downturn our net worth is still way up.    We recently sold our home in Florida and close on our new home in Illinois on Monday.  It will be great living closer to family even though we will miss the friendships we made there and those Florida winters.  Financially the house sale netted us some extra cash even though we aren't really down-sizing yet.

Once we get settled in I might look for a part-time or seasonal position, but only if I can find a perfect fit.  I definitely don't feel compelled to work due to stock market fluctuations.

Health-wise, I feel much better than when I retired.  I am hoping ACA with protection for pre-existing conditions survives past the 2024 election.  Losing insurance might prompt me to go back to work, but physically I am not sure that I am up for working full-time again,

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: couponvan on May 07, 2022, 07:24:42 AM
@dresden were you in Florida before, or did you decide that being near family was better than the FL life? Just curious. We have a home in IL near a lake  in central IL we don’t use. It may get used more as our oldest is graduating and he doesn’t have a set job yet. He used to work at the lake in the summers and may do that again for survival money until he gets a job.  It was supposed to be our 2022 FIRE house, but life is playing jokes on us.

I also early retired for health reasons in 2019, and don’t want to go back to work. DH now thinks he never wants to retire after changing jobs last year. He doesn’t have any retirement hobbies outside of travel. I think we have 10 trips planned this year, even though he’s working. We used to live in Naperville, and have family all around that area.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dresden on May 07, 2022, 12:15:58 PM
@dresden were you in Florida before, or did you decide that being near family was better than the FL life? Just curious. We have a home in IL near a lake  in central IL we don’t use. It may get used more as our oldest is graduating and he doesn’t have a set job yet. He used to work at the lake in the summers and may do that again for survival money until he gets a job.  It was supposed to be our 2022 FIRE house, but life is playing jokes on us.

I also early retired for health reasons in 2019, and don’t want to go back to work. DH now thinks he never wants to retire after changing jobs last year. He doesn’t have any retirement hobbies outside of travel. I think we have 10 trips planned this year, even though he’s working. We used to live in Naperville, and have family all around that area.

I was in Florida primarily for work reasons, but we did really like it there.  In 2019 housing in Naperville and Sarasota, Florida were about equal.  Fast forward to 2022 and housing in Sarasota is more than 50% more expensive than Naperville even though prices went up in both places.  It made the economics of moving much better for us.

My wife and I grew up in Naperville and met there while we were in high school.  We are moving a little further west, but still close to enough to spend more time with family which are also located in and around Naperville.

It's a very small world!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: couponvan on May 07, 2022, 02:26:05 PM
@dresden were you in Florida before, or did you decide that being near family was better than the FL life? Just curious. We have a home in IL near a lake  in central IL we don’t use. It may get used more as our oldest is graduating and he doesn’t have a set job yet. He used to work at the lake in the summers and may do that again for survival money until he gets a job.  It was supposed to be our 2022 FIRE house, but life is playing jokes on us.

I also early retired for health reasons in 2019, and don’t want to go back to work. DH now thinks he never wants to retire after changing jobs last year. He doesn’t have any retirement hobbies outside of travel. I think we have 10 trips planned this year, even though he’s working. We used to live in Naperville, and have family all around that area.

I was in Florida primarily for work reasons, but we did really like it there.  In 2019 housing in Naperville and Sarasota, Florida were about equal.  Fast forward to 2022 and housing in Sarasota is more than 50% more expensive than Naperville even though prices went up in both places.  It made the economics of moving much better for us.

My wife and I grew up in Naperville and met there while we were in high school.  We are moving a little further west, but still close to enough to spend more time with family which are also located in and around Naperville.

It's a very small world!
Definitely small world! I will remind you that winters are way worse than you remember. So plan at least a 1-2 week escape to sunny Florida or San Diego, or just about anywhere warm. My favorites were spirit airlines flights to FLL, Puerto Rico, or Myrtle Beach. Where we have our lake house is probably about an hour from where you are landing. I’m guessing you are of the “the world ends at 75th population” from Naperville. Sarasota beets Naperville for overall annual quality of life IMO. However for FIRE people who can travel at the winter months, it’s a great launch zone to other options.

We may do a 2 year stint just to avoid taxes on our FIRE house gain. We purchased it for less than a car, and it’s gone up around $150K from there due to improvements and just general market.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on July 22, 2022, 04:39:39 PM
Hey, I know some of you were interested in the 2022 Mid West Camp Mustache, well they just posted the 2023 heads up:

https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/camp-mustache-events/camp-mustache-midwest-cm*mw-cincinnati-oh-55-572023/

I plan on going, anyone else gonna make a play for tickets?

Loren
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on August 19, 2022, 06:40:11 PM
It's that time - Pre-registration is now open! Pre-register here (https://forms.gle/c52pqfdtEYAhg3Cm7), and let us know if you have any questions!

2023 pre-registration just opened if anyone is interested.

Loren
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on August 22, 2022, 01:34:19 PM
I don't have any interest in Camp Mustache, but it's good to see this thread get an update.  I hope everyone from the 2019 cohort is doing well!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on August 24, 2022, 05:39:01 AM
+1 to nice seeing this thread get bumped.

Still mostly retired
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: couponvan on August 24, 2022, 10:00:56 AM
Still retired, but I have a job for next spring at my old employer. My daughter graduates high school, and one of my goals was to cash flow all college. I only said I was taking a “smoke break” on my way to full FIRE. Likely it will be 3 years of PT work before I really retire at 55. Then I can easily access my 401(k) from said employer.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: sui generis on August 24, 2022, 10:22:31 AM
I'm suddenly working two jobs - just as I hit my 4 year FIREversary.  These two opportunities to help groups/causes I really care about came up at the same time a few weeks ago.  They are very part-time, to the point that I have worked less than 20 hours per week, combined, so far.  And they aren't permanent positions, so I may be back to full retirement within a few months. 

And even though I'm happy to be doing this briefly, it's really underscored to me how horrible it would be to ever go back to "real" work full-time and probably even part-time.  Even if I'm only billing a few hours a day, it sucks up a lot of energy, mental capacity and some nonbillable time as well.  It leaves me with insufficient time for everything that's been a part of my routine in recent years.  Really grateful I enjoyed 4 years of FIRE so far and looking forward to many more.

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Miss Piggy on August 24, 2022, 11:14:57 AM
Well, since we're sharing updates in our old thread...here's mine:

Like some others, I, too, find myself working again...for my previous employer. A role came up that looked super-interesting, and I was asked if I wanted to apply. And here I am.

It's not super-interesting. I actually hate it. No...I don't just hate it. I fucking hate it, mostly because of one over-eager, try-hard, brown-nosing colleague...you know the kind...that guy who speaks up in meetings every chance he gets, asks a question every time there's a pause in a presentation, volunteers for everything, replies to every single email/Teams message/communication that's sent out...just painfully attention-seeking. That guy that your boss pairs you up with because he's new and you do the same role...so you step on each other's toes constantly because you do the same work and you're assigned to the same project. That guy you can't get away from because he's in every meeting you're in. You know...that guy.

My mental health and quality of life are suffering greatly. And yet, I'm still doing it. I don't know why. I guess it's for the health insurance. And the friends I've made there.

Between typing this out and reading a thread earlier about FU money, I'm now thinking "Piggy, why the hell are you doing this to yourself?"  This brings great clarity.

Thanks for listening. I think I'll retire again.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on August 24, 2022, 12:30:12 PM
@Miss Piggy , please post an update if/when you quit.  I'm interested in more detail - like how did they draw you back, how long have you been back, and how long you last from re-hire to re-FIRE.  I've never seriously considered going back, and at this point my clearance to work on my old projects has expired so I may not be able to go back even if I wanted to.  Fortunately I don't want to.  :D

Other than COVID messing up my plans to travel a lot, everything else has going better in FIRE than I could have hoped.  I have been doing more volunteering (math tutoring), had more fun re-learning piano, spent more time with family, and generally just been having a great time since FIRE.  I liked my job as far as jobs go, but not having a job is a billion times better than having a great job. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on August 24, 2022, 03:52:38 PM
Oh Miss Piggy, I'm so sorry.  If it isn't worth it, then you know where the door is, and we are always happy to have you back :D. 

Seems like going back to work is catching!  Maybe they need to develop a vaccine for that :).  DH and I are still FIREd, and quite happy, but that was always the plan so we don't even look for possible jobs nor entertain people that want to talk to use about paid employment.  Too many fun things to do.  I'm still in touch with my friends that were co-workers because they are my friends, not working hasn't changed that.  Now I just have more different friends.

Loren
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on August 24, 2022, 04:29:13 PM
Since this morphed into a work / side hustle update, I'm happy to say I backed into something that's 1/8th the work for 1/8th the time/money as my old job.

I've done three transactions this year, each had a day or two of intense work with mostly just following something along and occasionally solving a problem.

The downside is there's been another 5-10 hours put into another 10 potential transactions to find three that work.

I might keep doing it, I may not.  The benefit of financial independence.  I do enjoy the game to an extent.

@Miss Piggy Good luck with your second quitting
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on September 07, 2022, 04:27:25 AM
Good luck with your second quitting @Miss Piggy!  Sounds like it is time.

Our update is that we are still happily FIREd here with no desire to return to work.  This year we caught up on some travel that Covid postponed.  This summer we went to Germany, Belgium, and France.  We went on a short lovely camping trip to Virginia.  And next spring we're going to Spain for five weeks.  We FIREd on the skinny side for a family of four, so we travel-hack/slow travel/avoid restaurants/avoid hotels/take public transit to keep travel costs down. 
 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Half Stached on October 26, 2022, 04:33:32 PM
After FIRE-ing in 2019, I've occasionally done some part time consulting: 10-20 hours/week for various lengths of time. I find that I really enjoy getting to sink my teeth into a project, and getting paid to do something fun is great. However, I don't enjoy drumming up the business. Currently, I'm considering employment so I can skip this intermediate step. FIRE is allowing me to be *very* picky, though.

I never thought I'd consider employment again, but here I am!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: tooqk4u22 on November 04, 2022, 11:05:47 AM
To whom it may concern:

It is with great apprehension and excitement that I am providing my resignation from the 2019 FIRE Cohort.   While my experience has been wonderful and I remain squarely FI I have been offered an opportunity that was worth exploring. 

In short it's not you, it's me!

Thank you for having me.

Tooq

Siren Song Of Megacorp is Calling (https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/siren-song-of-megacorp-is-calling/msg3076715/#new)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Miss Piggy on November 04, 2022, 12:56:58 PM
@tooqk4u22  Don't we at least get two weeks notice? I mean, you don't want to burn any bridges, do you???

Best of luck! May Megacorp be all you are hoping for! 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Dicey on November 04, 2022, 02:01:08 PM
Lol, it took you going back to work for me to realize your handle is "too quick for you 22", not "too CUTE for you 22". Duh. At least I always knew Joe was/is A Rebel Spy.

I believe you have a short-ish window, maybe six months, before the IRP are called in for a full investigation. I hope the new gig is as good as they said it would be.

Also, you can't say you're going back to work just so you can afford some super-expensive machining tools. @Exflyboy's got that angle covered. That would be former pilot, Frank.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: tooqk4u22 on November 04, 2022, 05:45:50 PM
@tooqk4u22  Don't we at least get two weeks notice? I mean, you don't want to burn any bridges, do you???

Best of luck! May Megacorp be all you are hoping for!

I clearly have lost my professionalism! Lol

Lol, it took you going back to work for me to realize your handle is "too quick for you 22", not "too CUTE for you 22". Duh. At least I always knew Joe was/is A Rebel Spy.

I believe you have a short-ish window, maybe six months, before the IRP are called in for a full investigation. I hope the new gig is as good as they said it would be.

Also, you can't say you're going back to work just so you can afford some super-expensive machining tools. @Exflyboy's got that angle covered. That would be former pilot, Frank.

The names we play!

Ooooh, an IRP moratorium, that's perfect if it doesn't work out.   My heart will always be with the class of 2019!

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on November 04, 2022, 07:26:16 PM
Oh man, we are losing another one to WORK.  This would be horrible if it wasn't so darn funny!  I hope you have a great time and as with the other happy busy bees, keep us posted, wither you stay with working or not, we like updates.  Some of us need to get our living vicariously though someone since we aren't going to be getting back to the grind :D.

Best of luck!

Loren
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: iluvzbeach on November 04, 2022, 09:05:46 PM
@tooqk4u22 - we’re going to have to watch you retrieve your personal belongings, retain your badge and escort you out of the building out of this thread.

In other exciting news, I tried to FIRE in 2019 but failed (not financially, just never truly left the job completely); however, that’s all changing next week when I officially retire. Really excited that it’s finally happening for real!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Exflyboy on November 04, 2022, 09:06:40 PM
Don't worry I'm back...:)

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: EscapeVelocity2020 on November 04, 2022, 10:05:47 PM
It's interesting how different the FIRE forums are, especially around returning to *work*:

Bogleheads - of course you are returning to work, the market dip has turned your 2% SWR in to something closer to 3%, and you don't want purchasing power to be impacted 20 years hence, what with inflation currently raging and all...

e-r.org - ohmaigawd we hate you and all of your traitorous ilk and hope you ride that train into your deathbed while funding all the goods and services that we will continue to enjoy until our last incredibly awesome and vastly superior breath...

ERE - what, you need food, clothing, AND shelter?  Every year??  so much still yet to learn...
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on November 05, 2022, 05:57:25 PM
Congrats @iluvzbeach you made it, that's what matters!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: tooqk4u22 on November 05, 2022, 06:33:38 PM
@tooqk4u22 - we’re going to have to watch you retrieve your personal belongings, retain your badge and escort you out of the building out of this thread.

In other exciting news, I tried to FIRE in 2019 but failed (not financially, just never truly left the job completely); however, that’s all changing next week when I officially retire. Really excited that it’s finally happening for real!

Congrats!   Guess the count will be net neutral with us offsetting.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: PhilB on November 07, 2022, 10:01:08 AM
Count me in.  I was starting to worry there was something wrong with 2019 as it didn't have a thread!
Our target is summer 2019.  I'll be turning 53 and my wife turning 55.  We are just about FI now (2015 spending matched forecast sustainable income if retiring now), but the kids won't finish high school until 2024 so we would be unable to go travelling until then even if we did retire.  On good days I consider staying on PT after 2019.  On bad days we think about going now, but 2019 is the sweet spot as my wife would be able to access pension funds at 55 and we also have an endowment maturing. That makes it the first date that it all works from a cashflow viewpoint - if we go earlier we have to use the mortgage facility for cashflow, unless I'm lucky enough to get made redundant.  We're running a 2/3rds saving rate, so each year makes quite a difference financially, but neither of us really enjoys the job any more so we think 2019 will be the point when laziness trumps greed!

The above was the second post on this thread.  So, what happened?

I ended up defecting to the 2018 cohort and retiring in October 2018.  I agreed to stay on 7 hours a week for a year to help with the transition.  Four years later I definitely consider myself 'retired', but I'm still doing that 7 hours a week and expect to continue for a few years to come - possibly until normal retirement age.  It's amazing how much more enjoyable work is when you do it because you choose to, rather than because you have to!  Coupled with low spending during the pandemic the work has meant I haven't had to spend any capital so far on bridging the gap to pensions which has been a significant boost to my stash. 

I spent far too long worrying about whether or not the PT job compromises my 'achievement' of retiring early.  The truth is, who cares?  I have a great lifestyle, into which the work fits very nicely and is probably a net positive to me, even before the money. 

Life is good.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MissNancyPryor on November 15, 2022, 10:24:35 AM
I passed 3 years retired this fall, and it has been excellent.  I am 53 now and I still get the "What DO you do all day?" question now and again, spoken with a snide tone that signals disapproval of my wasted life. 

"Whatever I want to," is my short answer, having abandoned all effort to elaborate.  I used to try to explain but now I have come to see the absurdity of the question. 

If someone can’t fathom how to spend their time at a relatively young age 50, do they expect a magic answer to that question when they are more physically and mentally eroded at 65?  Do they think answers simply appear from the mist with a social security check? 

If the answer at 65 is, “travel,” or “throw away my alarm clock,” or “finally concentrate on my health,” how about doing all of that 15+ years earlier?
       
The reason people ask is simply that they don’t have enough money saved to quit early and it probably never occurred to them that they could.  If any of the incredulous people won the lottery they would have plenty of answers about how to spend their time and would quit their day jobs guilt-free.  The answers about what to do would magically appear and they wouldn't think to scold others about obvious character flaws and lack of work ethic. 

I saved up my own lottery prize and am now spending it.
 
In my career I was resentful of handing over my days to ungrateful overlords and I was boundlessly curious about literally ANYTHING ELSE I could do with my time.  I admit it, I didn’t retire TO anything.  I retired FROM meaningless bullshit, and it is marvelous. 

The answer is clear. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Zoot on November 15, 2022, 10:56:35 AM
I saved up my own lottery prize and am now spending it.
 
In my career I was resentful of handing over my days to ungrateful overlords and I was boundlessly curious about literally ANYTHING ELSE I could do with my time.  I admit it, I didn’t retire TO anything.  I retired FROM meaningless bullshit, and it is marvelous. 

The answer is clear.

Thank you so much for this--it is pinging for me, in a big way.  I've been spinning my wheels about leaving my job; I think if the market hadn't tanked this year I might already have done it.  Given the 20% drop in the stash we're not technically ready, but I think reading the above has given me permission to do it when we are.

"I saved up my own lottery prize"--those words are ringing in my ears today.  I've done just that.  It took 20 years, but I have done JUST. THAT.

Thank you.  <3
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MissNancyPryor on November 15, 2022, 11:16:05 AM
I saved up my own lottery prize and am now spending it.
 
In my career I was resentful of handing over my days to ungrateful overlords and I was boundlessly curious about literally ANYTHING ELSE I could do with my time.  I admit it, I didn’t retire TO anything.  I retired FROM meaningless bullshit, and it is marvelous. 

The answer is clear.

Thank you so much for this--it is pinging for me, in a big way.  I've been spinning my wheels about leaving my job; I think if the market hadn't tanked this year I might already have done it.  Given the 20% drop in the stash we're not technically ready, but I think reading the above has given me permission to do it when we are.

"I saved up my own lottery prize"--those words are ringing in my ears today.  I've done just that.  It took 20 years, but I have done JUST. THAT.

Thank you.  <3

Wonderful-  inspiration!  I also struggled with being ready as my day approached and I am so glad I took the leap. It has turned out better than I imagined and I hope the same for you. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: sui generis on November 15, 2022, 02:07:30 PM
 

I saved up my own lottery prize and am now spending it.
 
In my career I was resentful of handing over my days to ungrateful overlords and I was boundlessly curious about literally ANYTHING ELSE I could do with my time.  I admit it, I didn’t retire TO anything.  I retired FROM meaningless bullshit, and it is marvelous. 

The answer is clear.

I love this too! 

I passed 4 years this summer (OLY'd to 2018) and last week was at the eye dr.  He asked me what I do for a living and I told him I was retired and he was amazed.  He asked for how long (I suspect maybe he thought I was a COVID retiree or something) and I told him and he seemed amazed again.  He asked if I ever have any desire to go back to work.  It's not a question I ever get, really!  I was so surprised, I laughed really loud - I'm usually a quiet laugher, but it burst out of me totally involuntarily!  I was pretty vehement in my response. 

I vividly remember, just like you, feeling so resentful about all my foregone hours and days and weeks when I was working.  I never thought I got paid enough to give that up - and not only the actual time but, as I worked my way up the ladder, basically all my time, since the expectation was effectively that I would be available at all times, any time, except perhaps while officially on vacation (And I guess I felt lucky for that??).

I have recently drifted a bit apart from one of my closest friends from college.  I remember over a decade ago we were out together and somehow I mentioned I would gladly make less money for more time, and she was like, no way, I would give up more time for more money!  It shouldn't have been a surprise to me, but because she was already working long hours and making good money, I was pretty shocked.  How much more was there to give up and what could she possibly do with the money?  Recently, she and her husband purchased a $3.5MM home.  I'm starting to realize how far we really have parted from being roommates in some pretty humble apartments in college.

But, maybe we both ended up doing what rings truest to us, respectively.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: okonumiyaki on November 23, 2022, 01:56:34 AM
My update.  Unfortunately life happened, and my wife of 22 years has decided to divorce me.  We went through counseling, but it was clear she had made her mind up.  Cancer followed by COVID lockdowns was too much for the relationship to take.  So far amicable, but the finances haven't been settled yet...  She has moved back to Indonesia

So I've accepted a 6 month contract in Delhi, basically to take my mind off things.  I'll probably then move to the UK, as have family there.  Almost everyone I know (including my in-laws) thinks I will be happier without her (she's been burning every bridge she can find over the last year or so, it isn't just me that she has decided to cut ties with) but I guess time will tell.  No longer depressed about it, but still frustrated. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on November 23, 2022, 02:27:49 AM
I'm so sorry about the divorce @okonumiyaki.  It sounds like you're dealing with it really well and have a solid plan for moving forward.  Best of luck with the next chapter.     
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on November 23, 2022, 09:35:11 AM
I'm glad to see some folks are staying retired :D.

@MissNancyPryor I always love your perspective and your voice, thank you for sharing.  Social Security better not send me a to do list with my check, just sayin'! I will totally send them that check back :P.

@sui generis I love your response!  Why would you want to lock yourself back in a cage once your finally got to spread your wings? I still meet with old work friends regularly, after those meetings any rosy glasses I might have about my work days are very much cracked to pieces!

@okonomiyaki I'm so sorry.  It sounds incredibly hard and frustrating.  Best of luck getting back on your feet in the UK.  We are rooting for you!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SugarMountain on November 28, 2022, 09:46:09 AM

"I saved up my own lottery prize and am now spending it."
 

It's funny how that works.  When I tell people I'm retired and they can't believe I have no plans to go back to work, I do think if I said, "well, I won $X million in the lottery and decided I no longer want to work" would go over better than, "I saved $X million over 30 years of working and decided I no longer want to work" does.  I don't share what $X is, but the concept is unfathomable to most. 

(2019 cohort update, not sure if I ever put it in this thread, but since I'm here I will now. I was originally 2018, tried to quit, got talked into staying in a different easier role, did that for two years, but was able to take a package in 2020 so I've been retired a little over two years after OMY'ing twice inn 2018 & 2019.  If anyone finds this searching about "one more year," I will say I am glad I did what I did.  Our portfolio increased significantly and because of various COVID programs, 2020 was a fantastic year to get laid off and ultimately retire in.  I did look for some jobs so I was unemployment eligible, which also helped with health insurance costs in 2021.  None of them went anywhere, but were the kind of things I might be willing to do if it actually worked out.  I do sometimes worry about money, we've moved and had some lifestyle bloat due to that, but really we just need to take a look at what we've spent in 2022 and make some minor tweaks.)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on February 03, 2023, 10:03:42 AM
Been a long time since I was here, wow. Casually perused the last few pages of this thread and happy to see lots of fellow 19'ers are doing well. I can't believe it's going on 4 years now for me (May 2019). SOoooooo much has happened since then.

In a nutshell:  I went through a long and stressful divorce which cost me $80k+ in attorney's fees, lost 22% of my pension to the ex, had to fork over @$100k of my 401k to her as well, found a new girl (considerably younger than I am), got engaged, had my first child (a beautiful daughter who recently turned one year old) at the ripe old age of 56, have traveled and recreated extensively the past 4 years, relocated from Boston to fkng Texas (sorry, I hate fkng TX), and the bottom line is I'm happier than I've ever been.

Retiring from the 9-5 has just been the most amazing thing imaginable. I'm still collecting plenty from my pension, still have in excess of $900k invested, and can start collecting SS in just 4.5 years. Money hasn't been an issue whatsoever. Though I no longer own a house, and prices have skyrocketed in my area, along with mortgage rates obviously, everything is just hunky dory.

So to all fellow 19'ers out there, keep on keepin' on!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: couponvan on February 03, 2023, 11:01:39 AM
@dude sorry on the divorce, but congratulations on moving on with your FIRE life!  Fatherhood at 56 is probably tiring, but since you don't have to work you can take the time for rest you need.  A pension plus a million on the side saved is a nice thing, and you will be collecting SS on that little person as well until they turn 18.  Hmmm.  I may have just come up with a new retirement strategy I hadn't thought of before.  Is that why all those "old" retired people are adopting and fostering kids on the internet these days? For the SS bump to afford said kids' expenses. 

I'm posting here to commit retirement blasphemy in that I am planning a return to PT work for the 4 years my youngest is in college.  COVID means remote work is now a possibility and a thing.  I'm bored being RE when my spouse is still working.  So, we are both going to work for 4 years and then we will both retire when DH turns 55.  Or retire when we/he decide/s to stop spending so much $$!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on February 03, 2023, 11:24:01 AM
Thank you for the updates @dude and @couponvan.  Sorry you ended up divorced and in Texas dude, but I am glad you seemed to recover.    Couponvan, any ideas what you will do for PT work?  Hopefully something fun!

Loren
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: dude on February 03, 2023, 04:08:57 PM
@dude  A pension plus a million on the side saved is a nice thing, and you will be collecting SS on that little person as well until they turn 18.  Hmmm. 

yep, a little known provision of the program, which is why I will definitely be claiming early and not waiting until FRA! :-)
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: couponvan on February 04, 2023, 12:52:16 PM
Thank you for the updates @dude and @couponvan.  Sorry you ended up divorced and in Texas dude, but I am glad you seemed to recover.    Couponvan, any ideas what you will do for PT work?  Hopefully something fun!

Loren

I'm going back to work for my previous employer.  With COVID, they opened up fully remote work options, so I will mainly be doing reviews of completed work for people in the field versus going to actual client locations to do work.  If I hate it, I can quit.  That's my mantra anyway.  I have just discovered I do not have a resume on my computer-I need to find the flash drive where I hid them!  I am also doing 120 hours of CPE to reactivate my license, and that is more boring than I remember. Of course, I'm doing the dry ethics and sexual harassment trainings for each state first.  I should have started with the fun stuff!
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: FIRE 20/20 on February 06, 2023, 02:09:56 PM
@dude, I'm sorry to hear about the divorce.  Even though it seems like things worked out well, divorce is always difficult. 

It seems like lots of us have returned to work!  I'm still firmly in the never ever ever camp as far as returning to work goes.  Fortunately we've spent less than expected and we had a good market run to kick off FIRE, so we're more comfortable financially than I had planned.   I am having too much fun doing things like volunteering (math tutoring at the library), playing piano (working on Chopin's Nocturne in C-Minor Op. posth.), spending time with family and friends, and travel.  My biggest stressor at the moment is that I won't be able to practice piano for the 3 weeks we are going to spend in the U.K. this spring. 
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: couponvan on February 06, 2023, 03:14:09 PM

It seems like lots of us have returned to work!  I'm still firmly in the never ever ever camp as far as returning to work goes. 

I was never in the FIRE camp.  I was on a smoke break. It apparently didn't build to full FIRE. LOL.  Putting together the resume last night I realized I wasn't too terribly invested in the whole return-to-work.  It still doesn't feel real.  I leave for 10 days in Egypt Thursday, then back for 5, then to Florida for another 10 days.  Finally doing some traveling right before returning to work.  COVID really did put a damper in fun travel. My biggest stressor is downloading enough CPE to review while I'm stuck on the bus in Egypt.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Trifle on February 08, 2023, 06:00:52 AM
Hello 2019 peeps!  I'm past four years FIREd now and doing well.  We've done some excellent travel both here in the States and internationally.  We've had some adventures, including hosting a foreign exchange student for a year.  I volunteer for two excellent local charities that I love.  Day to day life here on our little farm is blissful.  All in all the past four years have been glorious. 

Our only problem (and it's a minor one) has been generating enough income on paper to keep our insurance on the Health Care Exchange.  I briefly tried out a part time job to help with that income issue, but quit after a few weeks.  I have zero tolerance for bullshit anymore.  I'll just do the Roth conversions to create the income.  Thanks FIRE!   
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on June 01, 2023, 02:02:00 PM
Bumping the thread...

Enjoying my 5th summer of freedom.  It's not bad
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: SeanTash on June 01, 2023, 05:19:44 PM
So another year has gone by!
I'm still doing Uni tutoring and really liking it, it's two days a week onsite (plus a little extra wfh), 6-7 months a year, so really just the right amount for me. It really does not feel anything like work I used to do.
I'm heading off to the south pacific for 6 weeks next week - Samoa, Tonga and Fiji. Looking forward to escaping the Auatralian winter for a bit.
I co-parent a 2 yo lab puppy too, which is amazingly rewarding, if trying at times!

Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on June 03, 2023, 07:39:32 AM
Is it June already!

April was our FIREversary, and it came and went.  We got our yearly picture of doing anything but working!  This year was building fun things.

Glad other folks are traveling and otherwise enjoying there time.  I will be flying to Florida for my mom's 75th birthday.  I was able to fly down for her 70th while I was still working, but this time I will be able to stay longer, which is nice.  I can't stay too long, because she then makes her yearly trip up to visit family in the north, and I am one of her stopping off points haha. 

Loren
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: stoaX on June 04, 2023, 06:42:53 AM
I'm coming up on my retirement anniversary.  Work seems long ago in a galaxy far away.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: chasesfish on June 14, 2023, 06:07:57 PM
I'm coming up on my retirement anniversary.  Work seems long ago in a galaxy far away.

I can't believe it was my prior life.  So far away, so strange.
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: MissNancyPryor on September 03, 2023, 10:43:34 AM
I'm coming up on my retirement anniversary.  Work seems long ago in a galaxy far away.

I can't believe it was my prior life.  So far away, so strange.

This describes my life, too. 

Last week I got a text from a former staff member saying she was applying to another job, probably hinting she wants a reference which I will gladly give.  But it was very much like hearing a voice through cotton earmuffs, or tapping your jaw hard when under dentist's anesthesia.  "Huh? Wut?" my brain and body said.  Oh, yes, that old workie thing I used to do, that super-important career stuff that obsessed my former life.  Yawn.   

I am a September 4, 2019 FIRE anniversary baby.  The irony that it occurs on Labor Day this year is rich, as the country celebrates the worker by having a day off for those fortunate to have a role that allows it.  I celebrate not working by jotting some thoughts in the 2019 Cohort thread and will begin to slowly rend my garden to compost and gather seeds. 

I like that metaphor as the season changes.  My garden was built with much preparation and then tended with much care, and now it will be put down with its heirlooms stored in little packets and made ready for next time.  I love that in retirement I have the time to think about the poetry and peace that process offers and it is no longer a weekend rush of weeding and tending and fixing and dashing around because here comes Monday again. 

There is time for everything now.  FIRE has far exceeded my dream of it and I still find myself saying "I can't believe I pulled this off."             
Title: Re: 2019 fire cohort
Post by: Loren Ver on September 04, 2023, 09:51:43 AM
Well said Miss!

Today I went out for my walk and then started a loaf of bread.  I found a recipe I wanted to try.  When working I didn't have as much random time to just try random recipes that took TIME and then might not be good and might require more food prep time if they were complete flops.  I had to cook batches for the week, so they had to be tried and true. 

I got together with some old work friends last week to celebrate one of their birthdays.  They both still work.  They were both tossing around an idea to start a small business to get themselves out of the office and to be their retirement plan.  Sounds like work to me :).  They both plan on retiring early.  We meet regularly and do numbers so they will both be out in in their 50s (about 10 years).  But that's a long time to be waiting.  I keep telling them they can do it sooner if they want, but one is waiting for kids to start college and the other wants to be a big spender.  To get their own. 

Loren