Author Topic: 2019 fire cohort  (Read 793142 times)

SwordGuy

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #2250 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!

chasesfish

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #2251 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!

FIRE 20/20

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #2252 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%. 

Trifle

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #2253 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.

Loren Ver

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #2254 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

2Birds1Stone

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #2255 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!

Eric

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #2256 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.

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #2257 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.

Loren Ver

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #2258 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

Trifle

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #2259 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. 

Eric

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #2260 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.

markbike528CBX

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #2261 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

Trifle

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #2262 on: April 19, 2019, 11:03:48 AM »
Today's my last working day. 

YEAH @Eric!!!!

                                                   

Eric

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #2263 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  :)

Trifle

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #2264 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
« Last Edit: April 30, 2019, 04:24:40 AM by Trifele »

Eric

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #2265 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.  :)

FIRE 20/20

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #2266 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.

Trifle

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #2267 on: April 19, 2019, 05:22:56 PM »
How are you doing @gerardc?  Are you starting your leave?

Loren Ver

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #2268 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

Dibdab

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #2269 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?

Caroline PF

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #2270 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!

Trifle

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #2271 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
« Last Edit: April 20, 2019, 09:11:19 AM by Trifele »

Dibdab

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #2272 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

Loren Ver

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #2273 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

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #2274 on: April 22, 2019, 07:32:45 AM »
My sabbatical officially starts on 5/17. Which means, only four Mondays to go! :-)

dude

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #2275 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.

Loren Ver

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #2276 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

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #2277 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.

Caroline PF

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #2278 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 without having to worry about how I'm going to fit it into my work schedule.

Life is good!

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #2279 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 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.

Trifle

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #2280 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."

Loren Ver

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #2281 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. 

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #2282 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.

SwordGuy

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #2283 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.

Parizade

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #2284 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:
  • Thank heavens they know I'm retiring now so I can honestly say my primary blue chip is making a graceful exit
  • How many people on my team are internally choking on this exercise and wishing to high heaven they could retire too?

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.

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #2285 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. 

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #2286 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. 

SwordGuy

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #2287 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.




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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #2288 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. 

FIRE 20/20

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #2289 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. 

Parizade

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #2290 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.

Loren Ver

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #2291 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!!

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #2292 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!

Parizade

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #2293 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!

Trifle

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #2294 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.   

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #2295 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 . . .

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #2296 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

Lews Therin

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #2297 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.

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #2298 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!

Lews Therin

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Re: 2019 fire cohort
« Reply #2299 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?

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!