2020 FIRE Cohort

[exit2019]

Well... all plans shut down for me.  Have hardly left my city since March.  I must say I find it very hard to find anything exiting.  One day after the next between the four walls of my apartment or walking the same roads I walk every day, just to get outside.  And since I'm from Scandinavia, the days are short and dark and yet we have no snow where I live.

I watch clips on Youtube and read books and try to prepare mentally for the spring.

Sorry for being a downer. :)

That isn't a downer at all, that's pretty much where my wife and I are.  She has health issues that put her at higher risk for a bad c19 experience so we're being extra cautious despite relatively low rates where we life (the bay area is many things, but it's _mostly_ got low actual covid19 rates, though it's exploding right now). 

I think I may end up being a "one more quarter" kind of guy.  I can barely stomach it, but between lockdowns and winter, it's getting pretty hard not to decide to stick it out to the next lump sum payment, which is most of a full year's living expenses, by hanging on for another 75 days. Given how much PTO I'm burning, that's only 72 days (43 weekdays).  1% of my "good" time left (age now->70) for a ~year padding/travel/toys.  Vs exiting and .. coviding.

Hard to make the call.  I'm holding on to being in the 2020 cohort for now, but I'm late on pulling the trigger.

[Alternatepriorities]

I'm more or less on the same path FireLane except for being self-employed. As you can probably relate, it's dark and cold outside this time of year, I might as well spend some time at the computer. Though I did just see an opening for coordinating the construction of hiking trails in Alaska I might have apply for... That could end my retirement before it gets started... I was thinking of volunteering with the group next year anyway...

I would love to know where you found the hiking trails opportunity.

And risk increasing the competition? :)

https://www.alaska-trails.org/

I signed up for their news letter a couple months ago after reading a proposal for an Alaska Long Trail that they put forward. I'd been thinking about a similar idea this past summer so their proposal really caught my attention. It is slightly more ambitious and generally better than what I was envisioning and they already some meaningful attention.

[Alternatepriorities]

Well... all plans shut down for me.  Have hardly left my city since March.  I must say I find it very hard to find anything exiting.  One day after the next between the four walls of my apartment or walking the same roads I walk every day, just to get outside.  And since I'm from Scandinavia, the days are short and dark and yet we have no snow where I live.

I watch clips on Youtube and read books and try to prepare mentally for the spring.

Sorry for being a downer. :)

That isn't a downer at all, that's pretty much where my wife and I are.  She has health issues that put her at higher risk for a bad c19 experience so we're being extra cautious despite relatively low rates where we life (the bay area is many things, but it's _mostly_ got low actual covid19 rates, though it's exploding right now). 

I think I may end up being a "one more quarter" kind of guy.  I can barely stomach it, but between lockdowns and winter, it's getting pretty hard not to decide to stick it out to the next lump sum payment, which is most of a full year's living expenses, by hanging on for another 75 days. Given how much PTO I'm burning, that's only 72 days (43 weekdays).  1% of my "good" time left (age now->70) for a ~year padding/travel/toys.  Vs exiting and .. coviding.

Hard to make the call.  I'm holding on to being in the 2020 cohort for now, but I'm late on pulling the trigger.

I appreciate that line of thinking. Trading Covid days for meaningless but profitable work day is a much better deal than trading free days for those same work days and pay. At least it is for me.

[exit2019]

And risk increasing the competition? :)

:-)

Thanks.  I was thinking more of what sort of thing to look for; much more interested in the pacific northwest or colorado area opportunities, casually though.

[Alternatepriorities]

And risk increasing the competition? :)

:-)

Thanks.  I was thinking more of what sort of thing to look for; much more interested in the pacific northwest or colorado area opportunities, casually though.

I figure there can't be that many candidates with experience in both project management and long distance hiking.

[Linea_Norway]

01/01/20  Linea_Norway (@46)          CONFIRMED
01/01/20  firebrand                   CONFIRMED
01/01/20  Nancy                       CONFIRMED
01/01/20  openroadadventure (@53/50)  CONFIRMED
01/03/20  nwa-non                     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
02/03/20  grobinski (@52/53)          CONFIRMED
02/03/20  IslandFIGirl                CONFIRMED
02/07/20  JumboShrimp                 CONFIRMED
02/29/20  lemanfan                    CONFIRMED, but maybe not forever
03/01/20  Bmjohnson (@50)             CONFIRMED
03/05/20  LadyMaWhiskers              CONFIRMED
03/06/20  damyst                      CONFIRMED
03/10/20  Katmandew (@54/48)          CONFIRMED
03/13/20  CrazyIT                     CONFIRMED
03/13/20  ysette9 (@38)               CONFIRMED
03/13/20  Padonak                     CONFIRMED
03/13/20  Maenad                      CONFIRMED
03/16/20  Beeboy (@46)                CONFIRMED
03/20/20  Mmm_donuts                  CONFIRMED
03/??/20  FInding_peace (@38)       
03/19/20  wildatheart (@53)           CONFIRMED
04/01/20  FlytilFIRE                  CONFIRMED
04/15/20  hybrid                      CONFIRMED
04/15/20  Indio                       CONFIRMED
04/17/20  Ottawa
04/??/20  DreamFIRE
05/08/20  rab-bit                     CONFIRMED
05/21/20  Body Surfer                 CONFIRMED
05/31/20  Dee18                       CONFIRMED
05/??/20  Rcc                         SWAMI     
05/??/20  Lady Stash (@45)
06/01/20  bobble                      CONFIRMED
06/05/20  thelyon19
06/15/20  BigHaus89
06/15/20  aspiringnomad (@37)         CONFIRMED
06/16/20  Kteach                      CONFIRMED
06/30/20  LateStarter                 CONFIRMED
06/??/20  ixtap (date uncertain)
07/04/20  myobjectivism               CONFIRMED
07/07/20  FrugalFarmer                CONFIRMED
07/10/20  Zsazsa                      CONFIRMED
07/20/20  Alienbogey                  CONFIRMED (accepted package from employer)
07/??/20 or later 20  MMM123
07/??/20  bas5252 (@55)
08/03/20  SugarMountain               CONFIRMED (negotiated severance package)
08/07/20  HappyCheerE (@55)           CONFIRMED
08/11/20  rab-bit's wife              CONFIRMED
08/14/20  BeanCounter (@42)           CONFIRMED
08/28/20  Albireo13 (@64)             CONFIRMED
08/28/20  MoneyTree's wife            CONFIRMED
08/31/20  fishnfool                   CONFIRMED (Accepted package from employer)
09/01/20  RetireAbroadAt35
09/04/20  Lucky13 (@44)               CONFIRMED
09/06/20  APowers (@31)               CONFIRMED COAST FIRE
09/09/20  ItsALongStory (@39)         CONFIRMED
09/17/20  Dan23                       CONFIRMED
09/30/20  Fresh Bread's husband
09/30/20  CoffeeAndDonuts             Given notice to employee
09/30/20  2sk22                       CONFIRMED
10/01/20  apurplelife                 CONFIRMED
10/01/20  rae09                       CONFIRMED
10/01/20  ycc-phil (@62)              CONFIRMED
10/02/20  Farmgirl (@61)              CONFIRMED
10/02/20  CptCool                     CONFIRMED
10/02/20  FirePaddle (@41)            CONFIRMED
10/02/20  norajean                    CONFIRMED (accepted package from employer)
10/03/20  gooki (@40)                 CONFIRMED
10/20/20  SpreadsheetMan              CONFIRMED
11/09/20  DireWolf's wife             Given Notice
11/10/20  exit2019
11/20/20  Alternatepriorities         Scope Creep
12/05/20  Freedomsaver (@38)          CONFIRMED
12/14/20  Megs123                     Given notice
12/15/20  MarcherLady                 CONFIRMED
12/17/20  honneyfill                  Given notice
12/20/20  gertitorpe (@32)            CONFIRMED
12/28/20  SailingOnASmallSailboat's husband (@50/51) CONFIRMED
12/31/20  Freedomin5's husband        CONFIRMED SWAMI
12/31/20  Freedomin5 (@38)            CONFIRMED SWAMI
12/31/20  Bateaux
12/31/20  Chris@TTL + Jenni
12/31/20  BikeFanatic (@55)
12/31/20  Unique User (@50)       Given notice
12/??/20  david_shin   
12/??/20  Nora (@42)   
12/??/20  TheFIExplorer
??/??/20  DadzillaGorilla (FI@35, RE@40)   
??/??/20  FIREstache (@55)       
??/??/20  letsdoit   
??/??/20  onlykelsey     
??/??/20  tooqk4u22
??/??/20? Gumption
??/??/20  robtown


OLY:   
meatgrinder   
Life in balance (end of 2019)
2Birds1Stone (autumn 2019)
Firebrand (second week of December 2019)
   
OMY:   
RedefinedHappiness   
FIREby2021 (Q1 2021)   
TheContinentalOp (2021)
Sand101
desk_jockey
Pennycounter (or maybe fall 2020)
JoJo (FIRE maybe March 2021, working 60%)
tipster350 (2021)
Rubyvroom
texxan1
MoneyTree
FireLane (Working part-time, OMY until COVID vaccine)
WYOGO (Working until COVID vaccine)
Bownyboy
Exit2019
catccc
   
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.
Itchyfeet, accepted new job.
EscapeVelocity2020 (FI in 2020, but will not RE)
BFGirl (2 more years, WFH)
FrugalAussie (@54)
BlueMR2 (Somewhere between 2021 and 2024)

Not fully FIREd, but partly.
01/01/20  Steevven1 (@29)             Working PT
03/07/20  Fresh Bread                 Swami
05/01/20  Much fishing to do          Working PT from home occasionally

[simmias]

I think I may end up being a "one more quarter" kind of guy.

Good points raised by all. At this point I think I'm either an "until they try to pull me back in the office" kind of guy or an "until they piss me off" kind of guy.

Or maybe an "until spring weather is too nice to be inside in front of a laptop" kind of guy!

[Linea_Norway]

I think I may end up being a "one more quarter" kind of guy.

Good points raised by all. At this point I think I'm either an "until they try to pull me back in the office" kind of guy or an "until they piss me off" kind of guy.

Or maybe an "until spring weather is too nice to be inside in front of a laptop" kind of guy!

:-)


Like in general in Norway, my notification period was a mandatory 3 months = 1 quarter. That felt like a really long time, although I had enough to do during that time to feel busy and a bit pressed on time.

[beeboy]

Hi MMM friends and fellow 2020 retirees!

I know it's been a long time since I've last posted, but it's been a crazy year and I honestly haven't been on the computer very much at all since I FIRE'd. But, I just wanted to give everyone an update.

So, I took a buyout from my agency in mid-Nov. 2019; however, continued to get paid until January 2020. Then, I actually was hired to do some consulting work, which lasted until mid-March 2020. I've been really enjoying FIRE since then while the market has been on an absolute tear. I also have a significant amount more than the day I stopped working (it's amazing :0).

So, here's where I currently stand as of today:

* MS brokerage - 1,160,100 (which includes a balanced portfolio of stocks, about 215,000 in an annuity and 60,000 in cash)

* 401K - 668,900

* Checking - 20,200

* Savings - 118,200

* CD - 100,000

TOTAL - 2,067,400

Now, I realize that the market is at an all-time high currently, but FIRE-ing when I did was one of the greatest decisions I ever made in my life. If anyone is on the fence, I say go for it. I haven't missed work, the office or anything associated with my job for even a millisecond.

Hope everyone is doing well and let's hope the market keeps cooperating!

Cheers,

-bee

[SailingOnASmallSailboat]

Congratulations to all (I'm loving reading people's posts - thanks). DH will be officially retired on December 31, 2020. He told work in September or so, when his boss started making noises about "next year" and all the projects he wanted Mr.Sailboat to take the lead on. Boss was pretty great about it, honestly, and has been very accommodating about Mr. S using up all his vacation balance before he leaves.

Bonus is that he actually "carries over" 2 weeks of PTO into 2021 and the company will be paying him as if he were working, plus covering our medical insurance, for the month of January.

Time to get our sailboat ready to hit the seas.

[Freedomsaver]

Welp that’s it for me. Gave notice in early July and company dragged their feet finding my replacement. I trained them as best I could but I’m done. I am using pto for next week so that’s it. Tiny celebration by myself this morning with some cranberry juice and shine. CONFIRMED

[Nancy]

Congratulations!!!

[Nancy]

I've been really missing my job lately. I'm so so happy that I left when I did. I can't imagine living now where I lived in Dec 2019.  I think the issue is that I don't have a community and my job was incredibly community-oriented.

[Freedomin5]

Congratulations, everyone who FIRE’d recently!

We are quickly approaching our FI date. DH jumped the gun a little and gave notice back in October that he will not be renewing his contract. He’s planning on picking up small gigs here and there to help defray living expenses so that my income can continue to be shoveled into savings.

Once we hit our target number, which should happen by the end of December, we will consider ourselves FI. DH will move to FIRE’d and I will remain SWAMI since I’m bound by a contract until 2022. Depending on how the virus situation is, we may hang out in China for another year or two where it’s well-controlled and life is relatively normal.

[apurplelife]

01/01/20  Linea_Norway (@46)          CONFIRMED
01/01/20  firebrand                   CONFIRMED
01/01/20  Nancy                       CONFIRMED
01/01/20  openroadadventure (@53/50)  CONFIRMED
01/03/20  nwa-non                     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
02/03/20  grobinski (@52/53)          CONFIRMED
02/03/20  IslandFIGirl                CONFIRMED
02/07/20  JumboShrimp                 CONFIRMED
02/29/20  lemanfan                    CONFIRMED, but maybe not forever
03/01/20  Bmjohnson (@50)             CONFIRMED
03/05/20  LadyMaWhiskers              CONFIRMED
03/06/20  damyst                      CONFIRMED
03/10/20  Katmandew (@54/48)          CONFIRMED
03/13/20  CrazyIT                     CONFIRMED
03/13/20  ysette9 (@38)               CONFIRMED
03/13/20  Padonak                     CONFIRMED
03/13/20  Maenad                      CONFIRMED
03/20/20  Mmm_donuts                  CONFIRMED
03/??/20  FInding_peace (@38)       
03/19/20  wildatheart (@53)           CONFIRMED
04/01/20  FlytilFIRE                  CONFIRMED
04/15/20  hybrid                      CONFIRMED
04/15/20  Indio                       CONFIRMED
04/17/20  Ottawa
04/??/20  DreamFIRE
05/08/20  rab-bit                     CONFIRMED
05/21/20  Body Surfer                 CONFIRMED
05/31/20  Dee18                       CONFIRMED
05/??/20  Rcc                         SWAMI     
05/??/20  Lady Stash (@45)
06/01/20  bobble                      CONFIRMED
06/05/20  thelyon19
06/15/20  BigHaus89
06/15/20  aspiringnomad (@37)         CONFIRMED
06/16/20  Kteach                      CONFIRMED
06/30/20  LateStarter                 CONFIRMED
06/??/20  ixtap (date uncertain)     
07/04/20  myobjectivism               CONFIRMED
07/07/20  FrugalFarmer                CONFIRMED
07/10/20  Zsazsa                      CONFIRMED
07/20/20  Alienbogey                  CONFIRMED (accepted package from employer)
07/??/20 or later 20  MMM123
07/??/20  bas5252 (@55)
08/03/20  SugarMountain               CONFIRMED (negotiated severance package)
08/07/20  HappyCheerE (@55)           CONFIRMED
08/11/20  rab-bit's wife              CONFIRMED
08/14/20  BeanCounter (@42)           CONFIRMED
08/28/20  Albireo13 (@64)             CONFIRMED
08/28/20  MoneyTree's wife            CONFIRMED
08/31/20  fishnfool                   CONFIRMED (Accepted package from employer)
09/01/20  RetireAbroadAt35
09/04/20  Lucky13 (@44)               CONFIRMED
09/06/20  APowers (@31)               CONFIRMED COAST FIRE
09/09/20  ItsALongStory (@39)         CONFIRMED
09/17/20  Dan23                       CONFIRMED
09/30/20  Fresh Bread's husband
09/30/20  CoffeeAndDonuts             Given notice to employee
09/30/20  2sk22                       CONFIRMED
10/01/20  apurplelife                 Given Notice
10/01/20  rae09                       CONFIRMED
10/01/20  ycc-phil (@62)              CONFIRMED
10/02/20  Farmgirl (@61)              CONFIRMED
10/02/20  CptCool                     CONFIRMED
10/02/20  FirePaddle (@41)            CONFIRMED
10/02/20  norajean                    CONFIRMED (accepted package from employer)
10/03/20  gooki (@40)                 CONFIRMED
10/20/20  SpreadsheetMan              CONFIRMED
11/06/20  WYOGO
11/09/20  DireWolf's wife             Given Notice
11/09or16/20  Unique User (@50)       Given notice
11/10/20  exit2019
11/20/20  Alternatepriorities
12/05/20  Freedomsaver (@38)          CONFIRMED
12/14/20  Megs123                     Given notice
12/14/20 or 12/24/20 MarcherLady      Given notice
12/17/20  honneyfill                  Given notice
12/18/20  bownyboy
12/31/20  Freedomin5 (@38)
12/31/20  Bateaux
12/31/20  Chris@TTL + Jenni
12/31/20  BikeFanatic (@55)
12/31/20  SailingOnASmallSailboat's DH (@50/51)
12/??/20  david_shin   
12/??/20  Nora (@42)   
12/??/20  TheFIExplorer
??/??/20  catccc   
??/??/20  DadzillaGorilla (FI@35, RE@40)   
??/??/20  FIREstache (@55)       
??/??/20  letsdoit   
??/??/20  onlykelsey     
??/??/20  tooqk4u22     
??/??/20  Fresh Bread
??/??/20? Gumption
??/??/20  Beeboy (@46)
??/??/20  robtown


OLY:   
meatgrinder   
Life in balance (end of 2019)
2Birds1Stone (autumn 2019)
Firebrand (second week of December 2019)
   
OMY:   
RedefinedHappiness   
FIREby2021 (Q1 2021)   
TheContinentalOp (2021)
Sand101
desk_jockey
Pennycounter (or maybe fall 2020)
JoJo (FIRE maybe March 2021, working 60%)
tipster350 (2021)
Rubyvroom
texxan1
MoneyTree
FireLane (Working part-time, OMY until COVID vaccine)
   
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.
Itchyfeet, accepted new job.
EscapeVelocity2020 (FI in 2020, but will not RE)
BFGirl (2 more years, WFH)
FrugalAussie (@54)
BlueMR2 (Somewhere between 2021 and 2024)

Not fully FIREd, but partly.
01/01/20  Steevven1 (@29)             Working PT
03/07/20  Fresh Bread                 Swami
05/01/20  Much fishing to do          Working PT from home occasionally

Sorry for the delay! I am confirmed and 10/1 was my last day. I hope you're all well!

[WYOGO]

OMYS in full swing mostly as a result of COViD uncertainty. I am done, but still stacking at the moment and waiting for things to hopefully normalize in the next year. Waiting for ACA SCOTUS ruling and widespread vaccination. Things in life will never be perfect, but this is pretty sketch and requires some caution.

[beeboy]

Just wanted to update the list with my FIRE date confirmed :o)

01/01/20  Linea_Norway (@46)          CONFIRMED
01/01/20  firebrand                   CONFIRMED
01/01/20  Nancy                       CONFIRMED
01/01/20  openroadadventure (@53/50)  CONFIRMED
01/03/20  nwa-non                     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
02/03/20  grobinski (@52/53)          CONFIRMED
02/03/20  IslandFIGirl                CONFIRMED
02/07/20  JumboShrimp                 CONFIRMED
02/29/20  lemanfan                    CONFIRMED, but maybe not forever
03/01/20  Bmjohnson (@50)             CONFIRMED
03/05/20  LadyMaWhiskers              CONFIRMED
03/06/20  damyst                      CONFIRMED
03/10/20  Katmandew (@54/48)          CONFIRMED
03/13/20  CrazyIT                     CONFIRMED
03/13/20  ysette9 (@38)               CONFIRMED
03/13/20  Padonak                     CONFIRMED
03/13/20  Maenad                      CONFIRMED
03/16/20  Beeboy (@46)            CONFIRMED
03/20/20  Mmm_donuts                  CONFIRMED
03/??/20  FInding_peace (@38)       
03/19/20  wildatheart (@53)           CONFIRMED
04/01/20  FlytilFIRE                  CONFIRMED
04/15/20  hybrid                      CONFIRMED
04/15/20  Indio                       CONFIRMED
04/17/20  Ottawa
04/??/20  DreamFIRE
05/08/20  rab-bit                     CONFIRMED
05/21/20  Body Surfer                 CONFIRMED
05/31/20  Dee18                       CONFIRMED
05/??/20  Rcc                         SWAMI     
05/??/20  Lady Stash (@45)
06/01/20  bobble                      CONFIRMED
06/05/20  thelyon19
06/15/20  BigHaus89
06/15/20  aspiringnomad (@37)         CONFIRMED
06/16/20  Kteach                      CONFIRMED
06/30/20  LateStarter                 CONFIRMED
06/??/20  ixtap (date uncertain)     
07/04/20  myobjectivism               CONFIRMED
07/07/20  FrugalFarmer                CONFIRMED
07/10/20  Zsazsa                      CONFIRMED
07/20/20  Alienbogey                  CONFIRMED (accepted package from employer)
07/??/20 or later 20  MMM123
07/??/20  bas5252 (@55)
08/03/20  SugarMountain               CONFIRMED (negotiated severance package)
08/07/20  HappyCheerE (@55)           CONFIRMED
08/11/20  rab-bit's wife              CONFIRMED
08/14/20  BeanCounter (@42)           CONFIRMED
08/28/20  Albireo13 (@64)             CONFIRMED
08/28/20  MoneyTree's wife            CONFIRMED
08/31/20  fishnfool                   CONFIRMED (Accepted package from employer)
09/01/20  RetireAbroadAt35
09/04/20  Lucky13 (@44)               CONFIRMED
09/06/20  APowers (@31)               CONFIRMED COAST FIRE
09/09/20  ItsALongStory (@39)         CONFIRMED
09/17/20  Dan23                       CONFIRMED
09/30/20  Fresh Bread's husband
09/30/20  CoffeeAndDonuts             Given notice to employee
09/30/20  2sk22                       CONFIRMED
10/01/20  apurplelife                 Given Notice
10/01/20  rae09                       CONFIRMED
10/01/20  ycc-phil (@62)              CONFIRMED
10/02/20  Farmgirl (@61)              CONFIRMED
10/02/20  CptCool                     CONFIRMED
10/02/20  FirePaddle (@41)            CONFIRMED
10/02/20  norajean                    CONFIRMED (accepted package from employer)
10/03/20  gooki (@40)                 CONFIRMED
10/20/20  SpreadsheetMan              CONFIRMED
11/06/20  WYOGO
11/09/20  DireWolf's wife             Given Notice
11/09or16/20  Unique User (@50)       Given notice
11/10/20  exit2019
11/20/20  Alternatepriorities
12/05/20  Freedomsaver (@38)          CONFIRMED
12/14/20  Megs123                     Given notice
12/14/20 or 12/24/20 MarcherLady      Given notice
12/17/20  honneyfill                  Given notice
12/18/20  bownyboy
12/31/20  Freedomin5 (@38)
12/31/20  Bateaux
12/31/20  Chris@TTL + Jenni
12/31/20  BikeFanatic (@55)
12/31/20  SailingOnASmallSailboat's DH (@50/51)
12/??/20  david_shin   
12/??/20  Nora (@42)   
12/??/20  TheFIExplorer
??/??/20  catccc   
??/??/20  DadzillaGorilla (FI@35, RE@40)   
??/??/20  FIREstache (@55)       
??/??/20  letsdoit   
??/??/20  onlykelsey     
??/??/20  tooqk4u22     
??/??/20  Fresh Bread
??/??/20? Gumption
??/??/20  robtown

OLY:   
meatgrinder   
Life in balance (end of 2019)
2Birds1Stone (autumn 2019)
Firebrand (second week of December 2019)
   
OMY:   
RedefinedHappiness   
FIREby2021 (Q1 2021)   
TheContinentalOp (2021)
Sand101
desk_jockey
Pennycounter (or maybe fall 2020)
JoJo (FIRE maybe March 2021, working 60%)
tipster350 (2021)
Rubyvroom
texxan1
MoneyTree
FireLane (Working part-time, OMY until COVID vaccine)
   
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.
Itchyfeet, accepted new job.
EscapeVelocity2020 (FI in 2020, but will not RE)
BFGirl (2 more years, WFH)
FrugalAussie (@54)
BlueMR2 (Somewhere between 2021 and 2024)

Not fully FIREd, but partly.
01/01/20  Steevven1 (@29)             Working PT
03/07/20  Fresh Bread                 Swami
05/01/20  Much fishing to do          Working PT from home occasionally

[ysette9]

It is wonderful to see the updates of people in this cohort who have been pulling the plug. For those working a bit longer, I can’t blame you too much, but don’t hold out too long!

I quit on lucky Friday the 13th right before Covid lockdown. So far FIRE has not at all been anything like I had hoped, entirely due to covid. In fact, this year has mostly sucked and been damn hard. But I am still grateful that I quit work because it would have been a lot more awful if I had also been trying to work. No, it would have been utterly impossible. So I am aware of how fortunate we are there.

Financially the year has been amazing. I did a lot of simulations and calculations to get us comfortable with $2.3M being the magical number instead of the original $2.6 I had estimated. Well, we are within spitting distance of $3M invested and will be selling our house sometime soon-ish which may net us another $400k+ to invest. Compound interest is indeed a powerful force. I have no clue what the future holds but at least we are financially prepared for what life may throw at us.

[bobble]

I'm amazed at how I've eased into FIRE. Just feels completely natural to me now. I work sometimes for pocket money but have completely let go of my fears about my financial future. Just feels like that problem is solved and now I can focus on other things.

Completely different feeling than the "one more year" mentality that I had before pulling the plug. I spent lots of time wondering if I really had enough, if FIRE would really suit me, if I would be leaving too much money on the table by retiring early, etc. None of those concerns has any weight to me these days.

[2sk22]

Its now 73 days since I retired - and it has been great!

Part of what made this possible was the year I spent getting my finances in order. I was already tracking my expenses closely so I was not worried on that front. The problem was in the way our savings were scattered about in a dozen accounts, some of which were hard to access. I consolidated much of this savings into just a few accounts at Fidelity, wrote up my investment policy statement and put it all on autopilot. I can now monitor the accounts on a weekly basis and get a full view.

The second aspect of my transition to retirement was getting my wife and family ready for it. You cannot hurry this along. Despite having a net worth well over $5M, my wife was apprehensive. Having run all the FIRE calculators, it was clear to me that we would be more than ok. But it still took me some time to reduce her anxiety level. It also helps that I can now take care of everything around the house so she can concentrate on her work.

[ysette9]

Its now 73 days since I retired - and it has been great!

Part of what made this possible was the year I spent getting my finances in order. I was already tracking my expenses closely so I was not worried on that front. The problem was in the way our savings were scattered about in a dozen accounts, some of which were hard to access. I consolidated much of this savings into just a few accounts at Fidelity, wrote up my investment policy statement and put it all on autopilot. I can now monitor the accounts on a weekly basis and get a full view.

The second aspect of my transition to retirement was getting my wife and family ready for it. You cannot hurry this along. Despite having a net worth well over $5M, my wife was apprehensive. Having run all the FIRE calculators, it was clear to me that we would be more than ok. But it still took me some time to reduce her anxiety level. It also helps that I can now take care of everything around the house so she can concentrate on her work.

What kind of withdrawal rate does that put you at?

[MarcherLady]

01/01/20  Linea_Norway (@46)          CONFIRMED
01/01/20  firebrand                   CONFIRMED
01/01/20  Nancy                       CONFIRMED
01/01/20  openroadadventure (@53/50)  CONFIRMED
01/03/20  nwa-non                     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
02/03/20  grobinski (@52/53)          CONFIRMED
02/03/20  IslandFIGirl                CONFIRMED
02/07/20  JumboShrimp                 CONFIRMED
02/29/20  lemanfan                    CONFIRMED, but maybe not forever
03/01/20  Bmjohnson (@50)             CONFIRMED
03/05/20  LadyMaWhiskers              CONFIRMED
03/06/20  damyst                      CONFIRMED
03/10/20  Katmandew (@54/48)          CONFIRMED
03/13/20  CrazyIT                     CONFIRMED
03/13/20  ysette9 (@38)               CONFIRMED
03/13/20  Padonak                     CONFIRMED
03/13/20  Maenad                      CONFIRMED
03/16/20  Beeboy (@46)            CONFIRMED
03/20/20  Mmm_donuts                  CONFIRMED
03/??/20  FInding_peace (@38)       
03/19/20  wildatheart (@53)           CONFIRMED
04/01/20  FlytilFIRE                  CONFIRMED
04/15/20  hybrid                      CONFIRMED
04/15/20  Indio                       CONFIRMED
04/17/20  Ottawa
04/??/20  DreamFIRE
05/08/20  rab-bit                     CONFIRMED
05/21/20  Body Surfer                 CONFIRMED
05/31/20  Dee18                       CONFIRMED
05/??/20  Rcc                         SWAMI     
05/??/20  Lady Stash (@45)
06/01/20  bobble                      CONFIRMED
06/05/20  thelyon19
06/15/20  BigHaus89
06/15/20  aspiringnomad (@37)         CONFIRMED
06/16/20  Kteach                      CONFIRMED
06/30/20  LateStarter                 CONFIRMED
06/??/20  ixtap (date uncertain)     
07/04/20  myobjectivism               CONFIRMED
07/07/20  FrugalFarmer                CONFIRMED
07/10/20  Zsazsa                      CONFIRMED
07/20/20  Alienbogey                  CONFIRMED (accepted package from employer)
07/??/20 or later 20  MMM123
07/??/20  bas5252 (@55)
08/03/20  SugarMountain               CONFIRMED (negotiated severance package)
08/07/20  HappyCheerE (@55)           CONFIRMED
08/11/20  rab-bit's wife              CONFIRMED
08/14/20  BeanCounter (@42)           CONFIRMED
08/28/20  Albireo13 (@64)             CONFIRMED
08/28/20  MoneyTree's wife            CONFIRMED
08/31/20  fishnfool                   CONFIRMED (Accepted package from employer)
09/01/20  RetireAbroadAt35
09/04/20  Lucky13 (@44)               CONFIRMED
09/06/20  APowers (@31)               CONFIRMED COAST FIRE
09/09/20  ItsALongStory (@39)         CONFIRMED
09/17/20  Dan23                       CONFIRMED
09/30/20  Fresh Bread's husband
09/30/20  CoffeeAndDonuts             Given notice to employee
09/30/20  2sk22                       CONFIRMED
10/01/20  apurplelife                 Given Notice
10/01/20  rae09                       CONFIRMED
10/01/20  ycc-phil (@62)              CONFIRMED
10/02/20  Farmgirl (@61)              CONFIRMED
10/02/20  CptCool                     CONFIRMED
10/02/20  FirePaddle (@41)            CONFIRMED
10/02/20  norajean                    CONFIRMED (accepted package from employer)
10/03/20  gooki (@40)                 CONFIRMED
10/20/20  SpreadsheetMan              CONFIRMED
11/06/20  WYOGO
11/09/20  DireWolf's wife             Given Notice
11/09or16/20  Unique User (@50)       Given notice
11/10/20  exit2019
11/20/20  Alternatepriorities
12/05/20  Freedomsaver (@38)          CONFIRMED
12/14/20  Megs123                     Given notice
12/15/20  MarcherLady      CONFIRMED
12/17/20  honneyfill                  Given notice
12/18/20  bownyboy
12/31/20  Freedomin5 (@38)
12/31/20  Bateaux
12/31/20  Chris@TTL + Jenni
12/31/20  BikeFanatic (@55)
12/31/20  SailingOnASmallSailboat's DH (@50/51)
12/??/20  david_shin   
12/??/20  Nora (@42)   
12/??/20  TheFIExplorer
??/??/20  catccc   
??/??/20  DadzillaGorilla (FI@35, RE@40)   
??/??/20  FIREstache (@55)       
??/??/20  letsdoit   
??/??/20  onlykelsey     
??/??/20  tooqk4u22     
??/??/20  Fresh Bread
??/??/20? Gumption
??/??/20  robtown

OLY:   
meatgrinder   
Life in balance (end of 2019)
2Birds1Stone (autumn 2019)
Firebrand (second week of December 2019)
   
OMY:   
RedefinedHappiness   
FIREby2021 (Q1 2021)   
TheContinentalOp (2021)
Sand101
desk_jockey
Pennycounter (or maybe fall 2020)
JoJo (FIRE maybe March 2021, working 60%)
tipster350 (2021)
Rubyvroom
texxan1
MoneyTree
FireLane (Working part-time, OMY until COVID vaccine)
   
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.
Itchyfeet, accepted new job.
EscapeVelocity2020 (FI in 2020, but will not RE)
BFGirl (2 more years, WFH)
FrugalAussie (@54)
BlueMR2 (Somewhere between 2021 and 2024)

Not fully FIREd, but partly.
01/01/20  Steevven1 (@29)             Working PT
03/07/20  Fresh Bread                 Swami
05/01/20  Much fishing to do          Working PT from home occasionally[/size][/size]



I'm done. Last day was yesterday. It feels gooooood.

[Linea_Norway]

@MarcherLady and @beeboy
Congrats to both of you.

There is no need to copy in a new list. I update the list on the top of the page.

[2sk22]

What kind of withdrawal rate does that put you at?

If my wife works for another four to five years (as she currently wants to), we will likely be at a 1.5% withdrawal rate when she finally retires. I was well paid but my wife is even better paid now - we won't have to touch our savings for a while :-)

[Alternatepriorities]

@MarcherLady and @beeboy
Congrats to both of you.

There is no need to copy in a new list. I update the list on the top of the page.

When you next update, you can put me down for "scope creep". I applied for the position constructing hiking trails, but if that doesn't happen I will spend next summer hiking on existing trails and probably take an 800 mile/1280km bike ride in June. I don't expect to know for sure about the new position until early next year though.

[bownyboy]

I'm officially jumping into the 2021 cohort. I got offered another small flexible contract to start in January, plus the possibility of another month.

As we're all in lockdown again, it makes sense to take the money and add to the 'stash.

Well done for everyone who called it quits this year!

[Linea_Norway]

@MarcherLady and @beeboy
Congrats to both of you.

There is no need to copy in a new list. I update the list on the top of the page.

When you next update, you can put me down for "scope creep". I applied for the position constructing hiking trails, but if that doesn't happen I will spend next summer hiking on existing trails and probably take an 800 mile/1280km bike ride in June. I don't expect to know for sure about the new position until early next year though.

Done. And a good plan. But what date should I put you? Under OMY?

[Unique User]

My employer kept extending me for 10 hours a week, but I just confirmed 12/31 as my final day.  Later than I thought, but working 10 hours a week for the last two months was a no brainer.  Especially since I don't have any non-billable time so skipped all irritating team calls, performance reviews, etc.  Planning to drop my laptop at fedex that day, I already have the box sitting next to my desk. 

[Alternatepriorities]

@MarcherLady and @beeboy
Congrats to both of you.

There is no need to copy in a new list. I update the list on the top of the page.

When you next update, you can put me down for "scope creep". I applied for the position constructing hiking trails, but if that doesn't happen I will spend next summer hiking on existing trails and probably take an 800 mile/1280km bike ride in June. I don't expect to know for sure about the new position until early next year though.

Done. And a good plan. But what date should I put you? Under OMY?

If I am offered and accept that job it would likely be a year, hopefully longer as I'd really like to see (and then hike) a long trail in Alaska and that will take some time to complete. I wouldn't be doing it for the money though, so I count 11/20 as my final day of "I need to do this for the money" work.

[exit2019]

Well, given that I have 2 more workdays left this month, Monday and Tuesday, and then nothing until January 5th, I think I am out of 2020. 

I was heading this way as it was, given Covid19 and other issues, but now exit2019^w exit2020 becomes exit2021Q1. Best of luck to everyone; we are in the home stretch, albeit a really miserable winter with many deaths sits before us.

[gertitorpe]

Hi 2020 FIRE Cohort,

I guess my name should be added to the 2020 list as well to preserve this achievement to the future (32 yrs old). FI sneaked on me this year and hit hard. Ask me 9 or 12 months ago I never even thought I could make FIRE this soon.

Around March I have finally decided to take a couple of months of sabbatical over the late summer. My then 7 years long very intense tech consultant was just getting seriously too much at that time. My past employer is a nice US company with great technology nice and loyal employees with booming business. Nonetheless to say the 7 years was a serious grinder leading to burnout and had devastating effects on my personal life, probably also on my personality.


Besides working as a consultant since 2015 I I built a side hustle of 'stock picking' which went fairly well until early 2020 giving me a total net worth  of about ~250k USD. A significant amount of money in part of the world where I live but far from a normal or even thin FIRE.

Anyway my calculation when I made the final decision over the spring was that the ~250k stash will allow me to enjoy a good sabbatical (without the remorse on money :D ) and planned to decide if to continue pursuing a carrier in my industry is a good thing or should I find something else, more exciting.

Then between April-June my main holding in my portfolio just blew up. To the upside. Like growing almost 10 fold as the company's main business is acting as a marketplace for digital services, doing absolutely amazing in the past months.
End of the story, is that my net worth in June now being around 700k was finally enough for me to tell my Boss that while I am very grateful for the provided sabbatical period now I am not planning to go back so we can even do a proper exit from the company. Which is exactly what we did with a grateful almost 2 months long notice period because I eventually like everyone at the company and wanted to leave them enough time to prepare and refill my position.

Fast forward to 2020 December, I am enjoying the time-off a lot, not being very productive first time in my life and having all kinds of plans for the future. Too many actually :D
This Friday my worth hit the 1m mark which is really a life changing amount and serves as a confirmation that my decision to quit working was correct. It seems the stock picking side hustle which I enjoy and invest time in pays much better for my time than the employee status I had all my life so far.
My yearly spend stands somewhat below 20k USD per year as a single, renting a fine apartment close to our capital.

[Padonak]

Welcome @gertitorpe

Question. Do you still hold that stock that blew up 10X or have you diversified into index funds for example?

[Freedomin5]

We hit our FI number and can probably live without working another day if everything blew up and we both lost our jobs. DH has given notice that he is not renewing his contract. I’m mid-contract and have decided to finish out the contract and then re-evaluate. Given how well-controlled the virus is here, it makes sense for us to stay here until the world settles down.

I guess we can be put down as “Confirmed” and moved to SWAMI status.

[Alternatepriorities]

@MarcherLady and @beeboy
Congrats to both of you.

There is no need to copy in a new list. I update the list on the top of the page.

When you next update, you can put me down for "scope creep". I applied for the position constructing hiking trails, but if that doesn't happen I will spend next summer hiking on existing trails and probably take an 800 mile/1280km bike ride in June. I don't expect to know for sure about the new position until early next year though.

Done. And a good plan. But what date should I put you? Under OMY?

If I am offered and accept that job it would likely be a year, hopefully longer as I'd really like to see (and then hike) a long trail in Alaska and that will take some time to complete. I wouldn't be doing it for the money though, so I count 11/20 as my final day of "I need to do this for the money" work.

They were "unable to offer" the position. Looks like I'll be pursuing a pilot's license, bike touring, and backpacking in 2021!

[gertitorpe]

Welcome @gertitorpe

Question. Do you still hold that stock that blew up 10X or have you diversified into index funds for example?

I still hold because the company is solid, although somewhat overvalued right now. Hopefully their business will continue to prospect.
US Index funds: past decades has been a good run for them but personally I am not a fan. Instead I like to hold a low number <5 of individual companies I know very well. Following my investment closely also helps to keep myself busy.

[Linea_Norway]

@gertitorpe welcome to the cohort.

@exit2019 good luck in the next cohort.

[jeroly]

Welcome @gertitorpe

Question. Do you still hold that stock that blew up 10X or have you diversified into index funds for example?

I still hold because the company is solid, although somewhat overvalued right now. Hopefully their business will continue to prospect.
US Index funds: past decades has been a good run for them but personally I am not a fan. Instead I like to hold a low number <5 of individual companies I know very well. Following my investment closely also helps to keep myself busy.

You are on the verge of financial independence with your 700k stash.  Do you really want to put it all on the spin of a roulette wheel?  Maybe that stock goes up more, but maybe it doesn't, and with only one stock representing such a significant part of your portfolio you have huge downside risk.  You are perfectly welcome to take the gamble, but you are not investing, you are gambling.

Even if you believe that US stocks are overvalued, that has nothing to do with the benefits that owning index funds offer.  Go ahead and buy European - Asian - or even African index funds.  You can even buy whole world ex-US funds.  In any of those you will spread your risk around and not risk a blow up of the bad variety.

[Padonak]

Welcome @gertitorpe

Question. Do you still hold that stock that blew up 10X or have you diversified into index funds for example?

I still hold because the company is solid, although somewhat overvalued right now. Hopefully their business will continue to prospect.
US Index funds: past decades has been a good run for them but personally I am not a fan. Instead I like to hold a low number <5 of individual companies I know very well. Following my investment closely also helps to keep myself busy.

Which company is it? My guess is TSLA.

[By the River]

Welcome @gertitorpe

Question. Do you still hold that stock that blew up 10X or have you diversified into index funds for example?

I still hold because the company is solid, although somewhat overvalued right now. Hopefully their business will continue to prospect.
US Index funds: past decades has been a good run for them but personally I am not a fan. Instead I like to hold a low number <5 of individual companies I know very well. Following my investment closely also helps to keep myself busy.

Let me tell you an old story.  In Late January 2000, I'm talking to my best friend.  He has been putting in 70-80 hour weeks and the startup IT company he was working for had just gone public.   I remember his quote "I'm a millionaire now."  He had stock options with a 180 day lockup before he could sell.  Go look at the Nasdaq crash of 2000 to see how that worked out.  I believe he sold for 5 figures instead of 7. 

[Dicey]

Welcome @gertitorpe

Question. Do you still hold that stock that blew up 10X or have you diversified into index funds for example?

I still hold because the company is solid, although somewhat overvalued right now. Hopefully their business will continue to prospect.
US Index funds: past decades has been a good run for them but personally I am not a fan. Instead I like to hold a low number <5 of individual companies I know very well. Following my investment closely also helps to keep myself busy.

Let me tell you an old story.  In Late January 2000, I'm talking to my best friend.  He has been putting in 70-80 hour weeks and the startup IT company he was working for had just gone public.   I remember his quote "I'm a millionaire now."  He had stock options with a 180 day lockup before he could sell.  Go look at the Nasdaq crash of 2000 to see how that worked out.  I believe he sold for 5 figures instead of 7.

What would have happened if he's just hung on to it?

[exit2019]

What would have happened if he's just hung on to it?

Not the person you're replying to, but I think everyone who was around for the dotcom actually has friends who all would answer the question with the same answer: it went to zero.

We're in a strange time.  Diversification is your friend.  All of this stuff is a question of upside-vs-downside risk.  If you're willing to start again, let it ride.

[catccc]

Haven’t been on the forums for a while and just remembered that I joined this at some point.  Actually did reach FI in that my family spends less than $60k per year, and we hit $1.5M this year.  So I guess I’m officially on OMY status?  So much uncertainty in the world right now, I want things to feel more settled before either of us actually stop working.  Congrats to all who pulled the plug or hit their goals this year!  And if you haven’t yet and we’re hoping to, still a few days left!

[tawyer]

PTF and bookmark all the information here.

We are arguably FI now but are wanting to derisk the RE aspect by reducing our SWR because we are in our 30s.

Looking forward to reading more from those on a similar timeline!

Time for a two-years-later check-in, having been lurking for so long. We are definitely FI now, on our fairly conservative terms, but still hanging on for 2020, mainly because we haven't decided where to go next.

Having planned on FIRE in April 2020, several years ago, I ultimately FIREd in July. The CARES Act (part time work, full time salary) was too tempting to pass up. Still haven't decided where to go next. :)

Congrats everyone who has pulled the plug, reading your stories has helped me through!

[SailingOnASmallSailboat]

DH's last day of work is tomorrow (12/28); he'll be burning PTO through January 15 but is done.

Bring on the boat work!

[ScreamingHeadGuy]

Thank you, Class of 2020, for kicking some FIRE butt this past year.  Now stand back and hold our beer.  https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/2021-fire-cohort/

[norajean]

What has the class of 2020 being doing in retirement so far?    For us -

1) sold primary home
2) relocated across the country to a new (to us) home, in a horrible two-stage process with pet, goods, etc.
3) dealt with all the paperwork related to relocating, insurance, unemployment insurance, etc.
4) unpacked and set up the house (almost done this week)
5) set up new services and had some repairs (HVAC, electrician) plus a TON of DYI inside and out, Wifi, security,
6) list of projects (indoor and out) for the next few years
7) started exploring new home base and establishing favorite shops, dine out, etc.

For 2021 -
1) get final severance check in Jan (12 months pay)
2) continue unemployment through May
3) continue employer-paid health and dental insurance all year
4) work on home projects indoor and out, weather depending.  Consider installing wine cellar.  Consider planting an acre of grape vines.
5) buy MCM furniture, lawn tractor, etc.
6) get a bike
7) resolve a legal situation with a neighbor
8) look into getting either a miniature donkey or a couple alpaca

That should about do it.

[Linea_Norway]

What we did in 2020 was:
- Spending some weeks at our cabin in January, skiing.
- Spending almost a month at our cabin in February, skiing.
- Selling our primary home officially.
- Staying a lot at home because of COVID-19. Not allowed by law to spend Easter at our cabin.
- After Easter we did a week's road trip to look around for possible rentals in another part of the country. Camping wild as campsite was closed. We didn't find anything we wanted to live in that we big enough.
- Found a rental not far from home.
- Moved into the rental. On the last day, DH collapsed and couldn't move anymore. I had to do all the unpacking, bringing back the trailer and washing out the home for sale.
- Went to a week's camp for adults, doing lots of courses. Learned seakayak, bow and arrow shooting, ect.
- Went on a long summer vacation in own country, like we usually do.
- Went on a photohike in a national park.
- Went on an organized weekend hike, to meet some other people.
- Drove to above the polar circle and spent 2 weeks in an apartment there. Doing many hikes/walks there. Experiencing the beautiful colours of the sky and how it is in the week with the sun under the horizon.
- Spending Christmas at home for the first time, I think. We still had some tree decorations, but had to buy new tree lights. Trees (normal and small one) were picked in the local forest.
- Spending new year at the cabin, skiing.
- I did lots of cooking from recipees, almost all dishes from a cookbook with Turkish dishes. Some from Budget Bytes, but DH is not so enthusiastic about the latter. I also baked many sourdough breads, gradually getting better results.
- DH sent in his notice yesterday, as he was still officially employed but on a year sabbatical until the end of 2020. He has 3 months notice by contract, but we hope they won't let him start in January 2021.

[MarcherLady]

Well, technically I am employed for another 40 minutes... but since I finished work on the 15th life has been mostly:

• Knitting
• Listening to podcasts - I am loving EOS10 and also enjoyed Limetown, although the latter was a bit creepy!
• Lots of walking
• Finishing the redecoration of the spare bedroom, just in time for another lockdown...
• Watching Spiral on BBC iplayer - series 8 starts soon and I have catching up to do

Next year I'm hoping to feel ready to do some volunteering - my community is starting to plan some loneliness-combatting initiatives for next year. Lockdowns have been tough for our more elderly villagers who don't have computer access or skills.

[2sk22]

What a year!

• Came down with covid and recovered in April
• Older daughter graduated and got accepted into one of the top biology programs for her PhD
• Drove half way across the country and helped daughter get settled in St Louis
• Lost my father to Alzheimer's
• Retired at the beginning of October
• Spent much fo the next month cleaning up my house and getting rid of twenty plus years of accumulated junk
• Got my basement workshop renovated and ready for new projects.

[Mmm_Donuts]

This was truly a strange year that I think will take me some time to assimilate. I feel almost discombobulated.

2020 for me was about:

• quitting a very stable FT job to go part time when not yet at our FI level
• watching the investment accounts immediately plummet ~20%
• hitting FI level at the end of the year anyway
• relearning basic stay-at-home skills like cooking, cleaning, gardening, exercise and meditation and general self care habits
• letting go of and saying no to stressful situations (mostly at work)
• letting go of my tendency to want to plan the future (seems impossible this year to make any plans)
• holding on to the PT job until the whole FI thing settles in to my psyche (it seems 100% surreal right now)
• learning to be more generous. I have a plan (!) right now to donate a percentage of my work income over the next year. This helps me feel like I'm making a difference in the world while so many are suffering, and it motivates me to keep working for a little while longer until I feel more steady with this new situation.
• trying to repair relationships that had been negatively affected by prior work stress

Happy new year all!