Author Topic: 2020 FIRE Cohort  (Read 539960 times)

Linea_Norway

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Re: 2020 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1400 on: February 10, 2020, 11:41:22 AM »
01/01/20  Linea_Norway (@46)          CONFIRMED
01/01/20  firebrand                   CONFIRMED
01/01/20  Nancy                       CONFIRMED
01/01/20  openroadadventure (@53/50)  CONFIRMED
01/07/20  alienbogey's wife           CONFIRMED
01/15/20  Nifty
01/15/20  Nickel (@55)                CONFIRMED
01/15/20  GettingClose's husband      CONFIRMED
01/31/20  ATS (@52)                   CONFIRMED
01/31/20  DisplacedHoosier (@57)      CONFIRMED
01/??/20  Now-non
02/03/20  grobinski (@52/53)          CONFIRMED
02/03/20  IslandFIGirl                CONFIRMED
02/07/20  JumboShrimp                 CONFIRMED
02/??/20  RetireAbroadAt35
03/01/20  Bmjohnson (@50)             Given notice
03/07/20  Fresh Bread                 Swami
03/13/20  CrazyIT                     Given notice
03/13/20  ysette9 (@38)
03/??/20  Maenad                      Given notice
03/20/20  Mmm_donuts
03/??/20  FInding_peace (@38)   
03/??/20 or 04/??/20  Padonak   
03/??/20 or later 20  Beeboy (@46)
03/31/20  texxan1
03/31/20  wildatheart (@53)
04/02/20  CptCool 
04/09/20  rab-bit's wife              Given notice
04/14/20  MarcherLady
04/??/20  DreamFIRE   
04/??/20  Exit2019
04/??/20  Pennycounter   
04/24/20  aspiringnomad (@37)         Given notice
04/??/20 or later 20  robtown   
04/??/20 - 07/??/20  JoJo
05/01/20  Fresh Bread's husband
05/01/20  Much fishing to do 
05/15/20  SailingOnASmallSailboat's DH (@50/51)
05/15/20  BeanCounter
05/15/20  Lucky13 (@44)
05/22/20  Body Surfer                 Given notice
05/31/20  Dee18
05/??/20  Rcc     
05/??/20  Lady Stash (@45)
06/01/20  Albireo13 (@64)
06/05/20  thelyon19
06/05/20 (or April) rab-bit (@59)
06/16/20  Kteach
06/??/20  Farmgirl (@61)
06/??/20  ixtap (date uncertain)     
07/01/20  FireLane (@38)   
07/01/20  Unique User (@50)
07/??/20  SugarMountain
07/??/20 or later 20  MMM123
07/??/20. bas5252 (@55)
07/??/20  2sk22 
07/??/20  SpreadsheetMan
08/01/20  HappyCheerE (@55)
08/??/20 or 2021  Bateaux   
09/??/20  Dan23
10/??/20  Rubyvroom   
11/01/20  Alienbogey
11/30/20  Itchyfeet
11/??/20  Alternatepriorities
12/31/20  BFGirl
12/31/20  Freedomin5 (@38)
12/??/20  david_shin   
12/??/20  MoneyTree (@36)   
12/??/20  Nora (@42)   
12/??/20  Sand101   
12/??/20  TheFIExplorer     
??/??/20  EscapeVelocity2020   
??/??/20  apurplelife   
??/??/20  BlueMR2     
??/??/20  catccc   
??/??/20  DadzillaGorilla (FI@35, RE@40)   
??/??/20  FIREstache (@55)     
??/??/20  LadyMaWhiskers   
??/??/20  letsdoit   
??/??/20  onlykelsey     
??/??/20  tooqk4u22     
??/??/20  Fresh Bread
12/??/20  desk_jockey
??/??/20?  Gumption

 
To be decided: tipster350

OLY:   
meatgrinder   
Life in balance (end of 2019)
2Birds1Stone (autumn 2019)
Firebrand (second week of December 2019)
   
OMY:   
RedefinedHappiness   
FIREby2021 (Q1 2021)   
TheContinentalOp (2021)
   
FIREing later:   
FIPurpose (date to decided)   
ToughMother (date to be decided)
GettingClose working 50% and not in management from 04/01/2020 for another year.
Katmandew (@54), parttime from 02/29/2020.

Steevven1 (@29): parttime from 01/2020.

« Last Edit: February 21, 2020, 01:55:57 PM by Linea_Norway »

Bateaux

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Re: 2020 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1401 on: February 10, 2020, 01:14:20 PM »
I'm down for August, 2020 but that's probably going to be extended a bit.  August is my first official early retirement date, as the company I work for defines it.  Basically, I can start receiving my pension earned to that point.   We must reach 80 points.  Which is age plus years of service.  For me that will be 52 in June and 28 years of service in August, 2020.  More likely than not I'll be working through the end of the year.  At that time, my paid time off will reboot to 7 weeks and I'll be eligible for any potential bonus for the year 2020.  So I'm looking at keeping company benefits and salary at least into March, 2021.  So, even if I don't work in 2021 it my earliest planned retirement date.  Company health insurance benefits aren't available to retirees unless they work till 55.  I'll be evaluating the worth of those benefits at the end of the current year.

JumboShrimp

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Re: 2020 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1402 on: February 10, 2020, 06:52:44 PM »
Quote
@JumboShrimp
How was your last day yesterday?

I actually liked my job and co-workers, so it was harder to walk away from than I expected. Not to mention the pay and cushy health insurance. Cost of COBRA sure was an eye opener. Leaving on a good note though, my manager was sorry to lose me and said I would be welcome back. Always good to have options!

Leaving shortly for Spain and Portugal, be there until April. I knew I had to have something big planned to help push me through the transition so I made sure to buy nonrefundable lodging and flights. Seems to have done the trick. I definitely was feeling some anxiety and it would have been really easy to push it out another 6 months (and then another 6 months ad infinitum).

Even if it is for the best FIRE is a huge life transition, so giving myself plenty of time to adjust.




Body Surfer

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Re: 2020 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1403 on: February 10, 2020, 08:03:05 PM »
I see we show 'given notice' of retiring to our employer on this thread. I gave notice a few months ago. Colleagues and admin know I am leaving in May.

ysette9

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Re: 2020 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1404 on: February 10, 2020, 08:44:31 PM »
I don’t give notice for a few more weeks and it is increasingly difficult for me to care at work. I am struggling to make myself so the minimum to pass as a normal employee. At the same time I am more aware and appreciative of the good things at work as I know they will be coming to an end soon. It is a little like seeing everything through a clearer lens than normal life.

MoneyTree

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Re: 2020 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1405 on: February 11, 2020, 08:51:22 AM »
Just passed our 25x current expenses number today!

This is a soft milestone and not the final target number, since 1) I’m aiming for a smaller SWR, and 2) we still don’t know if we will have more kids or not.

so I still have some stashing to do.

Still working for now, but its feels great knowing that if I walked away right now, we’d be 100% covered!


Body Surfer

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Re: 2020 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1406 on: February 11, 2020, 08:59:39 AM »
I am shocked at how badly I am struggling to finish out. As I drive to work I see folks running or biking and it is like a punch in the gut. I want freedom so badly...I want to be able to exercise on my schedule not on work's schedule. If I see someone my age or older out running or biking I am assuming they are retired and I get so envious lol of their freedom. This is crazy. I've never felt like this. Well, as people tell me I'll be retired soon enough. Not soon enough for me unfortunately (I have a contract I am honoring- done in late May).

Perhaps some of you feel the way I do. It is best if do not lol.

Linea_Norway

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Re: 2020 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1407 on: February 11, 2020, 09:23:54 AM »
I am shocked at how badly I am struggling to finish out. As I drive to work I see folks running or biking and it is like a punch in the gut. I want freedom so badly...I want to be able to exercise on my schedule not on work's schedule. If I see someone my age or older out running or biking I am assuming they are retired and I get so envious lol of their freedom. This is crazy. I've never felt like this. Well, as people tell me I'll be retired soon enough. Not soon enough for me unfortunately (I have a contract I am honoring- done in late May).

Perhaps some of you feel the way I do. It is best if do not lol.

I am now one of these people who is outside exercising between the normal pensioners. It feels great being able to go outside every time the weather is inviting to it. I see people look at me curiously, as I am not a regular pensioner, but I could also be a night shift person or something.

Good that you haven notice.

CrazyIT

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Re: 2020 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1408 on: February 11, 2020, 10:09:08 AM »
I am shocked at how badly I am struggling to finish out. As I drive to work I see folks running or biking and it is like a punch in the gut. I want freedom so badly...I want to be able to exercise on my schedule not on work's schedule. If I see someone my age or older out running or biking I am assuming they are retired and I get so envious lol of their freedom. This is crazy. I've never felt like this. Well, as people tell me I'll be retired soon enough. Not soon enough for me unfortunately (I have a contract I am honoring- done in late May).

Perhaps some of you feel the way I do. It is best if do not lol.

I can relate for sure.  T -30 for me!  4 more Mondays

Lucky13

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Re: 2020 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1409 on: February 11, 2020, 08:55:51 PM »
I am shocked at how badly I am struggling to finish out. As I drive to work I see folks running or biking and it is like a punch in the gut. I want freedom so badly...I want to be able to exercise on my schedule not on work's schedule. If I see someone my age or older out running or biking I am assuming they are retired and I get so envious lol of their freedom. This is crazy. I've never felt like this. Well, as people tell me I'll be retired soon enough. Not soon enough for me unfortunately (I have a contract I am honoring- done in late May).

Perhaps some of you feel the way I do. It is best if do not lol.
For me it's Monday mornings that are the worst now. I really don't want to go to work (but once I'm there isn't not too bad). I'm going to start a countdown of how many Mondays I have left. :P

steevven1

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Re: 2020 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1410 on: February 11, 2020, 09:38:40 PM »
Wife moved to part-time work (a few freelance gigs at about 2-5 hours per week each) about a year ago at age 29; I've stepped down to part time on January 1 (also age 29 now)...We're in a position where we could probably barebones FIRE if we had to, but enjoying the challenge and flexibility of working part-time from home, so we're gonna stick with it a while. I guess we'd consider ourselves to be a part of the 2020 cohort, if you'll have us :-)

JoJo

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Re: 2020 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1411 on: February 11, 2020, 11:17:46 PM »
I just changed my 401K allocation to get the full amount in by May 8th, may reduce/adjust it in a few weeks depending on how the month goes.  Still not planning to work after July 10.  It's getting real!

Linea_Norway

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Re: 2020 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1412 on: February 12, 2020, 12:56:03 AM »
Wife moved to part-time work (a few freelance gigs at about 2-5 hours per week each) about a year ago at age 29; I've stepped down to part time on January 1 (also age 29 now)...We're in a position where we could probably barebones FIRE if we had to, but enjoying the challenge and flexibility of working part-time from home, so we're gonna stick with it a while. I guess we'd consider ourselves to be a part of the 2020 cohort, if you'll have us :-)

What a luxury to be barebones FI at able to only work PT at age 29.

ysette9

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Re: 2020 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1413 on: February 12, 2020, 09:19:23 AM »
Wife moved to part-time work (a few freelance gigs at about 2-5 hours per week each) about a year ago at age 29; I've stepped down to part time on January 1 (also age 29 now)...We're in a position where we could probably barebones FIRE if we had to, but enjoying the challenge and flexibility of working part-time from home, so we're gonna stick with it a while. I guess we'd consider ourselves to be a part of the 2020 cohort, if you'll have us :-)

What a luxury to be barebones FI at able to only work PT at age 29.
No kidding. Makes me feel like an old woman here at 38.

Maenad

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Re: 2020 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1414 on: February 12, 2020, 10:12:51 AM »
I am shocked at how badly I am struggling to finish out.

DH and I are right there with you! I'm pushing myself really hard to focus on performing well because I don't want to go out with a bad reputation, but it's extremely difficult to even care that much. I'm finishing up what I can get done before I leave and not starting anything new.

I've decided today that I'm likely to give notice in my annual review next week. There was some major project work that was supposed to be done in March that I was planning on sticking around for, but there's been no movement on it and I think it's going to be delayed until April. I'll keep you all posted, I'm tentatively changing to mid-March for my last day, somewhere between the 13th and 20th.

I'm so ready to be done.

Alternatepriorities

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Re: 2020 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1415 on: February 12, 2020, 11:35:07 AM »
I gave 2 months notice the first time I "retired" (quit a job just to do something else) and six weeks the second. Both were calculated risks... I could have been done the day I gave notice though and been alright with it. Both times the response was overwhelmingly positive. YMMV

I don't know how it's going to work yet this year. Being self employed I figured it would wind down slowly. Ideally I'd like to finish all of the work one particular client has and then just not look for the next client, but they told me earlier this week that they have "all of the work" and would like me to work more hours not less... I really like the client so we'll see how it plays out. Retired in 2020 has a nice ring to it.

itchyfeet

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Re: 2020 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1416 on: February 14, 2020, 12:16:24 PM »
DW and I had “the talk” this morning.

The talk where I go “ We are close enough, let’s pull the pin”.

Unfortunately DW disagreed, citing the many one-off expenses we have this year, and wanting to stick it out till November or December. Sigh 😔 . We will always have one-off expenses. We need to just accept that and accept we have enough.

I am chomping at the bit!

Work is standing in the way of our next adventure (no idea what that is though).

That said, an extra 5-10% pure buffer in the stash might be useful.... maybe 🤷‍♂️

RWTL

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Re: 2020 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1417 on: February 14, 2020, 05:38:36 PM »
DW and I had “the talk” this morning.

The talk where I go “ We are close enough, let’s pull the pin”.

Unfortunately DW disagreed, citing the many one-off expenses we have this year, and wanting to stick it out till November or December. Sigh 😔 . We will always have one-off expenses. We need to just accept that and accept we have enough.

I am chomping at the bit!

Work is standing in the way of our next adventure (no idea what that is though).

That said, an extra 5-10% pure buffer in the stash might be useful.... maybe 🤷‍♂️

Sounds like you have Itchy Feet :)

itchyfeet

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Re: 2020 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1418 on: February 14, 2020, 11:09:15 PM »
🤪 BADABOOM! 🥁

Linea_Norway

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Re: 2020 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1419 on: February 15, 2020, 06:52:08 AM »
DW and I had “the talk” this morning.

The talk where I go “ We are close enough, let’s pull the pin”.

Unfortunately DW disagreed, citing the many one-off expenses we have this year, and wanting to stick it out till November or December. Sigh 😔 . We will always have one-off expenses. We need to just accept that and accept we have enough.

I am chomping at the bit!

Work is standing in the way of our next adventure (no idea what that is though).

That said, an extra 5-10% pure buffer in the stash might be useful.... maybe 🤷‍♂️

Any chance that you (both) could go parttime for the rest of the year? That would give you more time for weekend adventures at least.

itchyfeet

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Re: 2020 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1420 on: February 15, 2020, 10:33:02 AM »
Unfortunately I am in an all or nothing situation. DW could work part time and she prob will post FIRE. But I think until I stop working she will keep working full time to do her bit for the team.

exit2019

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Re: 2020 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1421 on: February 17, 2020, 05:16:16 PM »
new hobby: creatively consuming PTO.  I'm going alternating 5-day/3-day weeks up to my exit.

Fresh Bread

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Re: 2020 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1422 on: February 17, 2020, 06:20:10 PM »
I am a bit like ItchyFeet's wife, only because my husband will occasionally bring up expensive new toys that he wants and I wonder if we can do retirement. In practice he'll always sell an old toy to buy a new toy but of course old toy is not worth as much :|

Our fat FI date is delayed til Mar 7 when the tenants will be moved in. However, I updated all of our numbers yesterday and due to growth plus a top up from an inheritance we are more than covering our essentials with passive income. The rental will just be for the luxuries, of which we enjoy many.

My husband will retire on May 1 (for the second time actually) and I will become a SWAMI on Mar 7. I am so excited, I have so many plans.

ysette9

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Re: 2020 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1423 on: February 17, 2020, 09:24:42 PM »
Lucky Friday the 13th is my planned last day at work. My husband keeps asking now when it is, now long until I announce to my manager. I’ve decided to do it in a little over a week, during a one-on-one meeting, rather than waiting for Friday. So it will be more like a 2.5-week notice. I’m eager to have the truth out so I can stop pretending to care. So close!

2sk22

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Re: 2020 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1424 on: February 18, 2020, 06:57:37 AM »
Lucky Friday the 13th is my planned last day at work. My husband keeps asking now when it is, now long until I announce to my manager. I’ve decided to do it in a little over a week, during a one-on-one meeting, rather than waiting for Friday. So it will be more like a 2.5-week notice. I’m eager to have the truth out so I can stop pretending to care. So close!

Good luck! When I quit megacorp last year, for various reasons, it simply had to be done in a hurry so I was forced to make my resignation in public in a group meeting rather than a one-on-one. Was awkward for a bit after that :-)

MarcherLady

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Re: 2020 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1425 on: February 20, 2020, 12:48:25 AM »
I’m eager to have the truth out so I can stop pretending to care.

Oh god yes, so much this! The last possible announcement date for a severance package is the 1st week of March, the UK budget is 11th, resignation date is 13th. If the long-threatened changes to workplace pension commencement ages is introduced in the budget it could blow my numbers up, so I have to wait.

Mmm_Donuts

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Re: 2020 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1426 on: February 20, 2020, 04:16:57 AM »
I can relate to wanting the word to be out! It's on my mind so much that I am finding it hard to make small talk with co-workers.

Another problem I'm wondering if people can relate to - whenever I have a good day at work, I think, oh it's not so bad, I can stay and build more financial cushion! But then a bad day comes and I just want to leave ASAP. So it's a bit of a roller coaster. The key for me I think is that I have a list of things I want to do when I leave. And when I give notice, it will be on those terms, otherwise they will try to talk me out of quitting. If I make it more about me and the things I need more time for outside of work, then that gives them less opportunity to try to fix the work-related issues. Plus it means leaving on a more positive note.

That said - I'm really nervous and excited. Even though I waver I'm 99% sure this is the right choice.

CrazyIT

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Re: 2020 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1427 on: February 20, 2020, 07:44:50 AM »
Lucky Friday the 13th is my planned last day at work. My husband keeps asking now when it is, now long until I announce to my manager. I’ve decided to do it in a little over a week, during a one-on-one meeting, rather than waiting for Friday. So it will be more like a 2.5-week notice. I’m eager to have the truth out so I can stop pretending to care. So close!

My last day too!  I'm trying not to think of it as "Friday the 13th".  That's probably how my company feels though.  I gave almost a 3 month notice.  I would not recommend that and would not do that again (but never plan to retire again either).  Only nice thing is I work with many people out of state and have had my chances to say goodbye to most of them. 

16 more working days 3 more Monday meetings....

Much Fishing to Do

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Re: 2020 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1428 on: February 20, 2020, 08:07:39 AM »
Another problem I'm wondering if people can relate to - whenever I have a good day at work, I think, oh it's not so bad, I can stay and build more financial cushion! But then a bad day comes and I just want to leave ASAP. So it's a bit of a roller coaster. The key for me I think is that I have a list of things I want to do when I leave. And when I give notice, it will be on those terms, otherwise they will try to talk me out of quitting.

That said - I'm really nervous and excited. Even though I waver I'm 99% sure this is the right choice.

Totally understood here.  Though frankly me coming close to quitting has led to changes over time that has made the work MUCH better.  The last few weeks have been extremely slow (i get paid hourly and work from home, so this just means little work and lots of freedom, and the hourly rate is great), and I would prefer to continue like that over quitting entirely for various reasons even though I'm now at 103% my number.  But I know eventually the sh*t will hit the fan again and will be swamped, and I'm so much less patient with the crap now.  But it has all let me realize how much the FI means even before the RE.

ysette9

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Re: 2020 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1429 on: February 20, 2020, 10:57:54 AM »
Another problem I'm wondering if people can relate to - whenever I have a good day at work, I think, oh it's not so bad, I can stay and build more financial cushion! But then a bad day comes and I just want to leave ASAP. So it's a bit of a roller coaster. The key for me I think is that I have a list of things I want to do when I leave. And when I give notice, it will be on those terms, otherwise they will try to talk me out of quitting.

That said - I'm really nervous and excited. Even though I waver I'm 99% sure this is the right choice.

Totally understood here.  Though frankly me coming close to quitting has led to changes over time that has made the work MUCH better.  The last few weeks have been extremely slow (i get paid hourly and work from home, so this just means little work and lots of freedom, and the hourly rate is great), and I would prefer to continue like that over quitting entirely for various reasons even though I'm now at 103% my number.  But I know eventually the sh*t will hit the fan again and will be swamped, and I'm so much less patient with the crap now.  But it has all let me realize how much the FI means even before the RE.
I can also really relate to this feeling. But I think things are pretty good now due to a combo of 1) work being slow due to project timelines and corona virus and 2) me really not trying hard due to senioritis.

I have to keep reminding myself that the normal pace of this job is evening calls with Asia all the time and I definitely don’t want anything to do with that.

grobinski

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Re: 2020 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1430 on: February 20, 2020, 09:46:22 PM »
Another problem I'm wondering if people can relate to - whenever I have a good day at work, I think, oh it's not so bad, I can stay and build more financial cushion! But then a bad day comes and I just want to leave ASAP. So it's a bit of a roller coaster. The key for me I think is that I have a list of things I want to do when I leave. And when I give notice, it will be on those terms, otherwise they will try to talk me out of quitting. If I make it more about me and the things I need more time for outside of work, then that gives them less opportunity to try to fix the work-related issues. Plus it means leaving on a more positive note.

That said - I'm really nervous and excited. Even though I waver I'm 99% sure this is the right choice.

@Mmm_Donuts

Yes I can totally relate and your plan sounds mutually healthy and beneficial. I quit on Feb 3 after giving notice 7 months in advance so had a ton of time to prep for my own extraction and replacement. Over the last month, I felt time was sand slipping through my fingers and was really glad I had given myself and co-workers so much time. I also had the roller coaster of good/bad days and questioning the wisdom of dropping out. Ultimately that long time for reflection did give me a greater appreciation of "the end", allowed me to finish up some long term projects and a transition plan, and helped me to cement some post-work relationships.

I am about 99% sure it was the right choice and life is grand!

Mmm_Donuts

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Re: 2020 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1431 on: February 21, 2020, 05:28:25 AM »
Thanks for the feedback folks. @grobinski . 7 months notice - that's amazing! I am debating now whether to give notice right away or wait. The earliest I can leave (at the end of my current project) is March 31. My contract says 2 weeks notice but I think it would be nice to give them as much notice as possible, so I may tell them either today or next week, giving over 4 weeks. Disadvantage to longer notice - that limbo feeling where people are asking me why I'm leaving a great gig, and there is a chance they may just want me to go sooner for some reason since I technically only have to give 2 weeks notice. Advantage - it's out in the open and they can train someone right away and then I can stop thinking about it.
« Last Edit: February 21, 2020, 05:30:19 AM by Mmm_Donuts »

Maenad

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Re: 2020 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1432 on: February 21, 2020, 08:27:48 AM »
I just gave notice, my manager is happy for me but is also sad at losing me, which is just about the best response to get. I'm on the verge of hyperventilating, since this has just become REAL. I'm going to head home at lunch time to freak out a bit and cry in private. It's definitely the right time, but I've been planning this for my entire career (20+ years), and it's HUGE and REAL and HAPPENING NOW.

Last day is March 13th.

CrazyIT

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Re: 2020 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1433 on: February 21, 2020, 10:27:42 AM »
I just gave notice, my manager is happy for me but is also sad at losing me, which is just about the best response to get. I'm on the verge of hyperventilating, since this has just become REAL. I'm going to head home at lunch time to freak out a bit and cry in private. It's definitely the right time, but I've been planning this for my entire career (20+ years), and it's HUGE and REAL and HAPPENING NOW.

Last day is March 13th.

Congrats!!!!!!

ysette9

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Re: 2020 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1434 on: February 21, 2020, 11:36:19 AM »
  Congratulations. That is a huge step and you deserve a big let-it-all-out emotional session.

I’m curious how you framed it. Did you just say you are retiring?

I break the news to my manager on Tuesday and I still have no idea what I will say.

Maenad

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Re: 2020 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1435 on: February 21, 2020, 02:32:12 PM »
I framed it as, "I'm retiring, and I'd like my last day to be March 13. I know I'm surprisingly young, but this has been a long-time goal for me that I've achieved. I have a lot of mixed emotions, since I really love working with you all [which is true!], but it's time to live out the dream I've had for ## years."

Both my manager and director were very supportive, which is wonderful and says a lot about their character. Sounds like my director is thinking about retiring at 50, so he was jealous in the most friendly way. I feel very lucky, and I know that if we hit a big recession later this year and I need a contract spot to tide us over until the market recovers, I can contact them - the bridge isn't burned. Gods I feel lucky.

aspiringnomad

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Re: 2020 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1436 on: February 21, 2020, 03:20:33 PM »
I framed it as, "I'm retiring, and I'd like my last day to be March 13. I know I'm surprisingly young, but this has been a long-time goal for me that I've achieved. I have a lot of mixed emotions, since I really love working with you all [which is true!], but it's time to live out the dream I've had for ## years."

Both my manager and director were very supportive, which is wonderful and says a lot about their character. Sounds like my director is thinking about retiring at 50, so he was jealous in the most friendly way. I feel very lucky, and I know that if we hit a big recession later this year and I need a contract spot to tide us over until the market recovers, I can contact them - the bridge isn't burned. Gods I feel lucky.

I framed it as taking some time off and also as something we've been working towards for a long time. So far (fingers crossed!) there are no burned bridges. As word spread, and especially after it was officially announced via email blast, I've had people constantly in my office to talk about our travel plans. Many have said they're jealous in a friendly way and not entirely surprised since my wife is from another country, we both travel a lot, and we don't have kids. If we were at least in our mid-40s and were certain we weren't returning to the workforce at some point I might have felt more comfortable framing it as retirement, but that's probably a silly thing to worry about on my part anyway.

FWIW, I had a pit in my stomach just before I gave notice, and it felt great to get it out there. Now I'm battling the senioritis and if I'm honest am mentally already in Portugal.

Linea_Norway

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Re: 2020 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1437 on: February 22, 2020, 04:19:01 AM »
I framed it as, "I'm retiring, and I'd like my last day to be March 13. I know I'm surprisingly young, but this has been a long-time goal for me that I've achieved. I have a lot of mixed emotions, since I really love working with you all [which is true!], but it's time to live out the dream I've had for ## years."

Both my manager and director were very supportive, which is wonderful and says a lot about their character. Sounds like my director is thinking about retiring at 50, so he was jealous in the most friendly way. I feel very lucky, and I know that if we hit a big recession later this year and I need a contract spot to tide us over until the market recovers, I can contact them - the bridge isn't burned. Gods I feel lucky.

I framed it as taking some time off and also as something we've been working towards for a long time. So far (fingers crossed!) there are no burned bridges. As word spread, and especially after it was officially announced via email blast, I've had people constantly in my office to talk about our travel plans. Many have said they're jealous in a friendly way and not entirely surprised since my wife is from another country, we both travel a lot, and we don't have kids. If we were at least in our mid-40s and were certain we weren't returning to the workforce at some point I might have felt more comfortable framing it as retirement, but that's probably a silly thing to worry about on my part anyway.

FWIW, I had a pit in my stomach just before I gave notice, and it felt great to get it out there. Now I'm battling the senioritis and if I'm honest am mentally already in Portugal.

I also said I was taking a year off. My manager thought it was a very good idea for me personally and she admired my dare to do something unconventional. Of course for the company it was not benefitial, but she thought it was good that I prioritized my own health.

ysette9

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Re: 2020 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1438 on: February 22, 2020, 12:33:29 PM »
Your experiences are helpful to read as I figure out what to say myself. Thanks for sharing

Lucky13

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Re: 2020 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1439 on: February 24, 2020, 05:44:17 PM »
This morning I was surprisingly excited to go to work, thinking "Only 12 Mondays left!" :D

Love what @Maenad  said about about "time to live out the dream I've had for ## years" because it destroys the notion that FIRE practitioners are rage quitting, "haven't found a job they love" or something silly like that.

IslandFiGirl

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Re: 2020 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1440 on: February 24, 2020, 07:32:10 PM »
This Wednesday will be 3 weeks since I quit my job.  I've heard people say it takes a while to decompress from work...I think I've done that...I pretty much forgot about work as soon as I left and haven't felt any draw to go back or really even think about it at all.  I hate to admit it but I'm starting to feel BORED and LAZY!  I've been to the gym almost every day and I love that, the classes I take are awesome, the people are nice.  It's crazy, I have all this time and I am kind of wasting it and I hate that!  :(  I'm hoping tomorrow will start the trend of no more laziness...  And just to be clear, I'm still glad I left work....it was literally killing me!  For those of you that are waiting to give your notice, good luck!  It's totally worth it!

ysette9

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Re: 2020 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1441 on: February 24, 2020, 08:48:33 PM »
Why can’t you be lazy?

IslandFiGirl

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Re: 2020 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1442 on: February 24, 2020, 08:51:18 PM »
Why can’t you be lazy?

I just don't feel good about it.  I'm wanting to lose weight and taking naps and not accomplishing anything just makes me feel bad.  I'm going to help a friend paint her house tomorrow, so I'm hoping some hard work gets me back in the groove.  It's weird going from 90 miles a minute to a dead stop. 

Linea_Norway

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Re: 2020 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1443 on: February 25, 2020, 03:01:06 AM »
Why can’t you be lazy?

I just don't feel good about it.  I'm wanting to lose weight and taking naps and not accomplishing anything just makes me feel bad.  I'm going to help a friend paint her house tomorrow, so I'm hoping some hard work gets me back in the groove.  It's weird going from 90 miles a minute to a dead stop.

Going to the gym every day is not lazy. You are allowed to relax after a good workout. Why don't you start reading books after your workout? Maybe that will make you feel better. Helping a friend also sounds like a good idea.

My FIRE days so far have existed of being at our cabin and skiing almost every day, reading a lot of books, cooking new dishes and now preparing our home for a new attempt to sell it. And I have been to a course and an event for two weekends.
Even when I just spend the day at home because the weather is too bad to go out, I don't feel lazy. I think I deserve taking time off. I have worked hard for more than 20 years and never even had a long sickleave or parential leave. I am just tired and need to recover.

ysette9

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Re: 2020 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1444 on: February 25, 2020, 12:03:09 PM »
I feel the same way “tired and need to recover”. Maybe not necessarily physically tired, but mentally I am tired. I need a lot of quiet space to be in my own head.

Alternatepriorities

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Re: 2020 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1445 on: February 25, 2020, 12:38:45 PM »
Watching a years spending disappear in two days might give me a bad case of OMY...

In general DW and I are in a better position to take a little extra risk on sequence of returns since we both have readily employable skills that won't be obsolete in 5 years. That was part of my logic in FIRE this year, but if the drop continues to the point if would trigger returning to work if I were already FIREd i might choose boring well paying work for a bit longer... Don't write me off yet though, November is still a ways off...

Lucky13

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Re: 2020 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1446 on: February 25, 2020, 01:20:01 PM »
Even when I just spend the day at home because the weather is too bad to go out, I don't feel lazy. I think I deserve taking time off. I have worked hard for more than 20 years and never even had a long sickleave or parential leave. I am just tired and need to recover.

Hey it's great to read the different perspectives of the early graduating members of our class. :)  really make me think. I'm also around 20 years full-time working, never had a long leave, but was unemployed for a few months here and there due to layoffs etc. which definitely wasn't a vacation or relaxing. I will never recover, in the sense that being in the corporate world this long has changed me and made me a different person. I expect my first few months, maybe years, after retiring will not only be recovering from the physical and psychologic stress but also discovering how goals & priorities change. I've spent my entire adult life working 40+ hours a week in various offices with small groups of people who have an outsized affect on how I see myself and the world.  For example the indoctrination (brainwashing?) that if you're not working 8+ hours a day you're "lazy" which isn't some law of the universe it's just something we decided. I understand the feeling of wanting to stay "busy" after retiring. I feel that too, although I don't know how much of that is just a left over habit, and not how I really want to live, once I have the choice. 

CrazyIT

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Re: 2020 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1447 on: February 25, 2020, 01:43:41 PM »
I had a moment this morning:

Last night I was called in for an urgent issue I needed to fix (wasn't too happy but it's my job) .  With my last day just over 2 weeks I have been trying to avoid working more than i need to just get by.  When I woke this morning I turned my alarm off and layed in bed an extra hour.  When I left home already an hour  and a half later than usual I stopped and filled with gas.  At the gas station I was very relaxed and just observed all the people coming and going.  Everyone seemed to be in super speed almost in panic mode like they were all already late for work.   I thought to myself that's probably how I have been for the last 25 years too.  Strolled into work just before 10!  Of course I need to have a long lunch and plan to leave early too.   Guess the moment is lasting all day.

 Hope every day feels like this one moving forward.

13 more working days!


markbike528CBX

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Re: 2020 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1448 on: February 25, 2020, 04:33:53 PM »
Quote: Of course I need to have a long lunch and plan to leave early too.
A colleague used to say: “if you come in late you have to leave early to make up for it!

ysette9

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Re: 2020 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1449 on: February 25, 2020, 06:14:51 PM »
I’m doing a lot of coming in late and going home early these days. I highly recommend.