Author Topic: 2019 fire cohort  (Read 793064 times)

Linea_Norway

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #1650 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.

SeanTash

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #1651 on: January 16, 2019, 05:02:57 AM »
Please add me!
I just gave notice, and my last day of slavery is Feb 13th.

Lews Therin

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #1652 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.

Trifle

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #1653 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!

2Birds1Stone

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #1654 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!

Loren Ver

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #1655 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

Linea_Norway

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #1656 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)

Trifle

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #1657 on: January 17, 2019, 03:02:53 AM »
Goodbye @Linda_Norway!  Best of luck.  Come back anytime if things change again.
« Last Edit: January 17, 2019, 08:31:16 AM by Trifele »

Loren Ver

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #1658 on: January 17, 2019, 05:29:10 AM »
Good luck Linda! 

Livingthedream55

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #1659 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!

dude

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #1660 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.

Livingthedream55

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #1661 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!!

PhilB

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #1662 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.

dude

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #1663 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.

Pylortes

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #1664 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. 


Trifle

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #1665 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)


Trifle

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #1666 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. 



Loren Ver

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #1667 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

forward

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #1668 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.

chasesfish

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #1669 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

2Birds1Stone

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #1670 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.

Linea_Norway

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #1671 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?
« Last Edit: January 19, 2019, 02:18:00 AM by Linda_Norway »

Eric

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #1672 on: January 18, 2019, 11:15:51 AM »
Wow, that sucks Trifele, both for you and them.  Hang in there.

FIRE 20/20

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #1673 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. 

Trifle

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #1674 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!!
   

   
« Last Edit: January 19, 2019, 05:11:32 AM by Trifele »

itchyfeet

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #1675 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 👏

PhilB

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #1676 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?

chasesfish

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #1677 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!

Trifle

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #1678 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.   




Loren Ver

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #1679 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.


:(

FIRE 20/20

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #1680 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. 

PowerStache

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #1681 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!

Linea_Norway

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #1682 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.

Freedomin5

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #1683 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.

PowerStache

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #1684 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.

Linea_Norway

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #1685 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.
« Last Edit: January 21, 2019, 06:51:22 AM by Linda_Norway »

Loren Ver

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #1686 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!

Miss Piggy

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #1687 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.

gerardc

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #1688 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.

itchyfeet

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #1689 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.

chasesfish

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #1690 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

itchyfeet

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #1691 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.

Trifle

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #1692 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)

Loren Ver

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #1693 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


Lews Therin

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #1694 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

Loren Ver

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #1695 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 :). 

itchyfeet

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #1696 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.

Lady Stash

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #1697 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? 
« Last Edit: January 22, 2019, 02:29:58 PM by Lady Stash »

MoMan

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #1698 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.

DreamFIRE

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #1699 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).