Epic FU money stories

[A Fella from Stella]

Cousin of mine just told me this story:

He's working for a small machine shop run by a nice family. One day it snows (it doesn't snow often where he lives), so he calls in and says he's going to stay home since there'll be little-to-no work because trucks they expected to come in would be delayed. The boss says he'll pick him up.

"No," cousin says, "I'll just take a day off to be with my kids."

Next day his boss confronts him about why he really didn't come in. My cousin said he didn't want to miss this chance to be with his kids in the snow. Boss called him a liar.

And then he quit.

that is pretty epic.....can't say I'd like to work for someone that thinks calling me a liar is appropriate.  OTH, if there was work that needed doing, not coming in because you want to play in the snow is unfair to a small family business - they can't been their commitments.

He was specifically told work they expected wasn't going to be there, and that everyone else was there anyway (boss picked them up). Maybe the boss had a fun thing going on that he was excited about. Can't say. All I know is that my cousin said he was very confused about how it escalated like it did, but felt certain that leaving was the right thing to do.

He's been a SAHD dad for 8 months now and said he's never felt more fulfilled. I'm so happy for him because he's such a good dude.

[A Fella from Stella]

Thought I'd add my own, despite not having any serious FU money or having to say FU to work. Last week I came out as transgender at work to little excitement. Having enough money to cover my debts and enough job skills to find some remote work if need be helped me to get over the whole lack of employment protection concern I had. You might say I said FU to being closeted instead.

Also, to be both foamy and on topic, my bosses were all kinds of supportive in helping me get enough things sorted out before making the big announcement. This let me relatively focus on work without them simply cracking the whip.

Maybe epic in that I have a 4.5 year old update to this. Over this time span, I've remained at the same web hosting company, have become a locally known trans activist, and now have solid FU money. At an upbeat company wide meeting, I asked the CEO what the company's plans were for handling customers who are potentially dangerous to myself and other employees. I got to watch the CEO and CFO squirm in front of an audience trying to address the question, and practically feel the breathlessness in the room. I also now have a direct in with the CFO to air further concerns. I have my transition and my activism work to thank for my spine, and FU money as a safety net.

Is there more background to this?  It sounds like your company was supportive then you needlessly put them on the spot with a difficult question out of nowhere in front of everyone?

What on earth about the question "how do you keep your employees safe" is supposed to be difficult?  If it's difficult, it's because the company is not doing the job it should be and making sure its employees are safe at work, and with Trump's policies and rhetoric in relation to transpeople the issue of safety is more pertinent for them now than ever.   Not having an answer is a big red flag and I'm glad @fantabulous' company seems to be recognising that.

Agreed, and many companies don’t have a real answer.  I’m a cis woman who had a national customer rep threaten to spank me and had a good laugh.  My company told me to avoid being alone with that rep- they didn’t do squat, they weren’t going to risk the account and our HR couldn’t do anything to another company’s employee.  Thankfully I only had to interact with the jerk a few times a year, and my verbal response to the incident was enough to dissuade him from continuing to say crap like that to me.  I don’t think this guy would have actually laid a hand on me, but it was clear that if he did it would have been my problem.

I'm female and over 50.  With a 7 year exception (female run and focused workplace) I've always worked in male dominated fields.  I don't have a single epic FU story, but I have countless stories of male customers/co-workers thinking they could touch/insult/threaten me just because I'm a girl. Thanks to my FU money I frequently felt able to push back and did (one or two situations were dangerous and focusing on getting to safety was paramount, the pushback for those came later).  At several workplaces I was even able to speak up and protect younger/less able female co-workers. 

More of us (and not just those of us who are viewed as potential victims) should be asking companies what their plans are to protect employees.  Way to go Fantabulous!

Aside from loving your name, I'm also going to share this with my oldest, who has some sweet cash set aside, and has so far just had good workplace experiences.

[SheWhoWalksAtLunch]

Agreed, and many companies don’t have a real answer.  I’m a cis woman who had a national customer rep threaten to spank me and had a good laugh.  My company told me to avoid being alone with that rep- they didn’t do squat, they weren’t going to risk the account and our HR couldn’t do anything to another company’s employee.  Thankfully I only had to interact with the jerk a few times a year, and my verbal response to the incident was enough to dissuade him from continuing to say crap like that to me.  I don’t think this guy would have actually laid a hand on me, but it was clear that if he did it would have been my problem.

I'm female and over 50.  With a 7 year exception (female run and focused workplace) I've always worked in male dominated fields.  I don't have a single epic FU story, but I have countless stories of male customers/co-workers thinking they could touch/insult/threaten me just because I'm a girl. Thanks to my FU money I frequently felt able to push back and did (one or two situations were dangerous and focusing on getting to safety was paramount, the pushback for those came later).  At several workplaces I was even able to speak up and protect younger/less able female co-workers. 

More of us (and not just those of us who are viewed as potential victims) should be asking companies what their plans are to protect employees.  Way to go Fantabulous!

Aside from loving your name, I'm also going to share this with my oldest, who has some sweet cash set aside, and has so far just had good workplace experiences.

Every generation has to fight their own battles and the good news is we're making progress, however slowly.  I'm glad I had the FU fund to be able to fight mine, and I'm delighted members of the next generation are being advised to build a fund so they can fight their own.

edited to fix quote nesting

[bluebelle]

Cousin of mine just told me this story:

He's working for a small machine shop run by a nice family. One day it snows (it doesn't snow often where he lives), so he calls in and says he's going to stay home since there'll be little-to-no work because trucks they expected to come in would be delayed. The boss says he'll pick him up.

"No," cousin says, "I'll just take a day off to be with my kids."

Next day his boss confronts him about why he really didn't come in. My cousin said he didn't want to miss this chance to be with his kids in the snow. Boss called him a liar.

And then he quit.

that is pretty epic.....can't say I'd like to work for someone that thinks calling me a liar is appropriate.  OTH, if there was work that needed doing, not coming in because you want to play in the snow is unfair to a small family business - they can't been their commitments.

He was specifically told work they expected wasn't going to be there, and that everyone else was there anyway (boss picked them up). Maybe the boss had a fun thing going on that he was excited about. Can't say. All I know is that my cousin said he was very confused about how it escalated like it did, but felt certain that leaving was the right thing to do.

He's been a SAHD dad for 8 months now and said he's never felt more fulfilled. I'm so happy for him because he's such a good dude.

Boss is just a jackass I guess....got what he deserved

[Zamboni]

My experience is that some people are really weird about just being prudent and cancelling when the weather is terrible. If boss had to pick multiple people up, then the roads were obviously not in good enough shape for people to feel comfortable driving . . . it wasn't just your cousin. Which means it was unsafe driving conditions, and thus people in non-emergency jobs should stay home. Period. It's not like your cousin is an ICU nurse.

If the roads are bad enough that I don't feel comfortable driving myself, then I am actually much more uncomfortable being in a vehicle driven by someone else because I grew up in a heavy snow climate and I am excellent at driving in snow. So boss had some control issue going on there, at a minimum, and good for your cousin to escape the lack of respect for normal boundaries.

[Alfred J Quack]

Not sure if this is Epic FU but had a talk with DW yesterday because she is overworked because of her extra effort because I had an accident last year (and 2 kids who need special attention and a job where her boss is a yelling micromanager). The work schedule (only weekends in the late evening) wreaks havoc on her sleep schedule and the mondays are hell because of it.
I told her not to worry, we've got the stash and absolutely no need for her to keep the job because of my income. She also said she wanted to go back into healthcare but wanted to take a few months before doing so which is fine.

So, we made the choice and she's going to resign this weekend, take some time to re(dis)cover  herself and then find something she would like to do. Whether it being paid or not.

We also discussed my job, as i've got combined job (basically 2 jobs, 9 hours a week for one and 27 hours a week for the other at the same employer) with different and sometimes conflicting priorities. This was a compromised promotion because I get to do some of the work of the higher paid job but am mainly active in the lower paid job. I do get paid based on the higher job though so it'll be a small drop in salary (which is also fine).
So, I'm going to ask my boss if I can drop the 9 hours of the higher job and just keep myself busy full time in the simpler job.

[A Fella from Stella]

Not sure if this is Epic FU but had a talk with DW yesterday because she is overworked because of her extra effort because I had an accident last year (and 2 kids who need special attention and a job where her boss is a yelling micromanager). The work schedule (only weekends in the late evening) wreaks havoc on her sleep schedule and the mondays are hell because of it.
I told her not to worry, we've got the stash and absolutely no need for her to keep the job because of my income. She also said she wanted to go back into healthcare but wanted to take a few months before doing so which is fine.

So, we made the choice and she's going to resign this weekend, take some time to re(dis)cover  herself and then find something she would like to do. Whether it being paid or not.

We also discussed my job, as i've got combined job (basically 2 jobs, 9 hours a week for one and 27 hours a week for the other at the same employer) with different and sometimes conflicting priorities. This was a compromised promotion because I get to do some of the work of the higher paid job but am mainly active in the lower paid job. I do get paid based on the higher job though so it'll be a small drop in salary (which is also fine).
So, I'm going to ask my boss if I can drop the 9 hours of the higher job and just keep myself busy full time in the simpler job.

While not epic or FU, it's still good.

[Alfred J Quack]

Not sure if this is Epic FU but had a talk with DW yesterday because she is overworked because of her extra effort because I had an accident last year (and 2 kids who need special attention and a job where her boss is a yelling micromanager). The work schedule (only weekends in the late evening) wreaks havoc on her sleep schedule and the mondays are hell because of it.
I told her not to worry, we've got the stash and absolutely no need for her to keep the job because of my income. She also said she wanted to go back into healthcare but wanted to take a few months before doing so which is fine.

So, we made the choice and she's going to resign this weekend, take some time to re(dis)cover  herself and then find something she would like to do. Whether it being paid or not.

We also discussed my job, as i've got combined job (basically 2 jobs, 9 hours a week for one and 27 hours a week for the other at the same employer) with different and sometimes conflicting priorities. This was a compromised promotion because I get to do some of the work of the higher paid job but am mainly active in the lower paid job. I do get paid based on the higher job though so it'll be a small drop in salary (which is also fine).
So, I'm going to ask my boss if I can drop the 9 hours of the higher job and just keep myself busy full time in the simpler job.

While not epic or FU, it's still good.

The FU is there though, if only non-verbally to my wife's boss. They are already short-handed and are now losing their last capable worker. They even resorted to putting the driver behind the grill.

[mm1970]

I am so glad to be done and finally really FIRE'd.   

Ah, this whole thing gave me the warm and fuzzies.  Congrats!

[RWTL]

Side note, for fun I came in extra early today and watched every single one of my co-workers come in later than they should and watched them leave after putting in only about 7 hours.  As I said, I was following the rest of the staff with my comings and goings and it was nice to prove that she was out of line
 

I really liked this part.  Feels like something I would do to keep myself entertained.

[Dicey]

Way to go, MissNancyPryor!

[2sk22]

So I did today.  Color me D.O.N.E. 

Heartiest congratulations! Theres nothing so satisfying as quitting a job in such a definite and dramatic way!

[AO1FireTo]

I quit. 

She freaked out.  She refused to accept my resignation.   

Must feel so good to have that option.  Sitting there listening to nonsense and have the option to just say, OK, I'm out of here.  To me that's why FI is important, I gives you freedom, you are no longer a slave to the economic system.  Well done!!!!

[AMandM]

She then ham-handedly turned the topic to my hours.  She said she noticed I only worked 7 hours a day and I really need to work 8.

I quit. 

She freaked out. 

Love this.

I wonder if, somewhere on the internet, there's a forum where bosses post stories like this from the other side. "In the middle of the regular review of one of my reports, it got a bit awkward because I had to tell her she wasn't working the required hours--and she just up and quit! Can you believe it?"

[trollwithamustache]

She then ham-handedly turned the topic to my hours.  She said she noticed I only worked 7 hours a day and I really need to work 8.

I quit. 

She freaked out. 

Love this.

I wonder if, somewhere on the internet, there's a forum where bosses post stories like this from the other side. "In the middle of the regular review of one of my reports, it got a bit awkward because I had to tell her she wasn't working the required hours--and she just up and quit! Can you believe it?"

Its an interesting point... so our the poster isn't performing the job well and both the boss and poster understand this.  But maybe attendance is the boss's short term plan to make job performance ok.  Butt in seat time based jobs seem to be very common in large organizations.

[Alfred J Quack]

Butt in seat time based jobs seem to be very common in large organizations.

The question is:

• Is it required
• Is it culture
• Is it expected

I work a job where attendance is required for my job title. My colleagues on the same team (but with a different job title) are not required because they often work outside office hours on planned maintenance/changes. They are expected to put in their hours though, but working a couple more this week and a couple less next week is no problem (nor is working from home). The key is, of course, trust.

We've seen departments where that trust was gone (new manager, usually) where basically everything fell apart.

[Step37]

Slow clap for @MissNancyPryor - how great to be in a position to send such a powerful message. One can hope that they learn something...

[SwordGuy]

Slow clap for @MissNancyPryor - how great to be in a position to send such a powerful message. One can hope that they learn something...

Smart managers learn from their mistakes.

Dumb ones blame others and NEVER, EVER learn from their mistakes -- because they never made any.

[former player]

I am so glad to be done and finally really FIRE'd.     

Congratulations.  Definitely an epic FU money story.

I've had some bad managers in my time, and come to the conclusion that a manager only has three jobs-

1.  To hire the right people and fire the wrong ones.
2.  To give people the information they need (this includes training, overseeing any needed improvement of work output - very rare if you've hired the right people, and ensuring that organisational information flows as it should)
3.  Not to get in the way of the people doing the real work.

Of course, a manager might have a "real" job as well which actually makes things happen for the organisation.  But far too many managers end up hampering the work of an organisation instead of facilitating it. Less is usually more when it comes to managing people.

[theSlowTurtle]

After ruminating a few days I can say the whole hours thing really, really bugs me. 

So which is it: Am I a great catch that they were able to lure back after lamenting my absence and now have big leadership visions for,

 -or-

am I a dishonest hourly clerk who is singled out from the group and found to be cheating on her time card?

Trying to paint me as both was mind numbingly stupid.  I think because she lost the argument about me moving up to her vision in the first part of the conversation she thought she could zing me with treating me like a low level hourly person as a demonstration that she was still in control of me.  If I don’t follow her vision I will bear the wrath of being treated like I can’t wipe my own ass. 

Monty, I will take Door Number 3 and GTFO instead. 

She never saw that coming and that makes her a foolish manager.  Further, when I quit she should have quickly wished me well and let me carry on my way— that would have been a show of strength and dignity on her part.

Do you have to submit a timesheet stating 8 hours a day? I am a government contractor so I have to be a stickler with my time...federal crime otherwise. I had a big issue with coworkers doing the same thing...that amplified when I was promoted to manager and had to start approving those timesheets. I called someone out on their blatant timecard issues...it got ugly

On the other hand there are definitely times where our software is down and we can't really do much if any work. I remain in my seat and surf the net...is that any better? Probably not...but I rationalize to myself that if an emergency comes up I'm here for it. It's just a bad situation in the U.S. where hours are a really big deal...if companies would switch the value based pricing we could stop all the timesheet nonsense! I honestly believe my entire team could accomplish 98% of our work in 30/week....but I digress.

Enjoy retirement!

[BlueHouse]

I do not accept hammer blows because I don't need the job.

I am printing this out and hanging it above my cube.  I do actually need a job, but I don't necessarily need this job.  And it's healthy for me to remember this.

[Warlord1986]

@MissNancyPryor I want to be like you when I grow up.

[RyanAtTanagra]

Nice FU MissNancyPrior!

Sometimes i think a fun post-fire job would be to get hired at known toxic companies and fuck with the management.

[BlueHouse]

Nice FU MissNancyPrior!

Sometimes i think a fun post-fire job would be to get hired at known toxic companies and fuck with the management.

I'm going to graduate to this once I'm done with all the telemarketers. 

[jeninco]

Nice FU MissNancyPrior!

Sometimes i think a fun post-fire job would be to get hired at known toxic companies and fuck with the management.

I'm going to graduate to this once I'm done with all the telemarketers.

So, we'll expect to hear back from you in ... what, a week or three? about your new job at Wells Fargo?

[thesis]

Sometimes i think a fun post-fire job would be to get hired at known toxic companies and fuck with the management.

This!

It would take some serious FI concentration to not internalize the stress in work locations like that, but wouldn't it be fun to turn toxic environments around by having the leverage to get the right things done? Even the leverage to get rid of the bad apples? "So-and-so is ruining your company. I can help you fix your problems, but you're going to fire so-and-so first".

[GreenToTheCore]

Nice FU MissNancyPrior!

Sometimes i think a fun post-fire job would be to get hired at known toxic companies and fuck with the management.

Oh man, this.
Imagine getting hired into HR, finding a problem manager, and filling their team with fellow FI mustachians... *touches fingertips with an evil grin*

Edited for clarity.

[zolotiyeruki]

Nice FU MissNancyPrior!

Sometimes i think a fun post-fire job would be to get hired at known toxic companies and fuck with the management.

Oh man, this.
Imagine getting hired into HR, finding a problem manager, and filling their team with fellow FI mustachians... *touches fingertips with an evil grin*

Ooh, I like the idea of infiltrating multiple positions.  Hmmm, it might even make for a good TV show....maybe something like....

"Two years ago, a handful of workers were chewed out by a boss for something they didn't do.  These people promptly quit their jobs and joined the FIRE movement.  Today, still wanted by the Internet Retirement Police, they thrive as spoilers of mismanagement.  If your manager stinks...and nobody in HR is willing to help...and if you can find them...maybe you can enlist*...the FI-Team." (cue heroic music)

* no, you can't hire them, because they're retired.

[RWTL]

"Two years ago, a handful of workers were chewed out by a boss for something they didn't do.  These people promptly quit their jobs and joined the FIRE movement.  Today, still wanted by the Internet Retirement Police, they thrive as spoilers of mismanagement.  If your manager stinks...and nobody in HR is willing to help...and if you can find them...maybe you can enlist*...the FI-Team." (cue heroic music)

This worked as intended....I was hearing the A-Team the whole time I read this.  Well done.

[fantabulous]

Nice FU MissNancyPrior!

Sometimes i think a fun post-fire job would be to get hired at known toxic companies and fuck with the management.

Oh man, this.
Imagine getting hired into HR, finding a problem manager, and filling their team with fellow FI mustachians... *touches fingertips with an evil grin*

Ooh, I like the idea of infiltrating multiple positions.  Hmmm, it might even make for a good TV show....maybe something like....

"Two years ago, a handful of workers were chewed out by a boss for something they didn't do.  These people promptly quit their jobs and joined the FIRE movement.  Today, still wanted by the Internet Retirement Police, they thrive as spoilers of mismanagement.  If your manager stinks...and nobody in HR is willing to help...and if you can find them...maybe you can enlist*...the FI-Team." (cue heroic music)

* no, you can't hire them, because they're retired.

As long as we still get to build cabbage cannons.

[Emerald]

Nice FU MissNancyPrior!

Sometimes i think a fun post-fire job would be to get hired at known toxic companies and fuck with the management.

Oh man, this.
Imagine getting hired into HR, finding a problem manager, and filling their team with fellow FI mustachians... *touches fingertips with an evil grin*

Ooh, I like the idea of infiltrating multiple positions.  Hmmm, it might even make for a good TV show....maybe something like....

"Two years ago, a handful of workers were chewed out by a boss for something they didn't do.  These people promptly quit their jobs and joined the FIRE movement.  Today, still wanted by the Internet Retirement Police, they thrive as spoilers of mismanagement.  If your manager stinks...and nobody in HR is willing to help...and if you can find them...maybe you can enlist*...the FI-Team." (cue heroic music)

* no, you can't hire them, because they're retired.

As long as we still get to build cabbage cannons.

I ain't getting on no plane.

[okisok]

Sometimes i think a fun post-fire job would be to get hired at known toxic companies and fuck with the management.

This!

It would take some serious FI concentration to not internalize the stress in work locations like that, but wouldn't it be fun to turn toxic environments around by having the leverage to get the right things done? Even the leverage to get rid of the bad apples? "So-and-so is ruining your company. I can help you fix your problems, but you're going to fire so-and-so first".

Ha! I've actually done this. It wasn't because I had FU money, but because I didn't need the job. It was several years ago when I was frugal but not Mustachian. I took a part-time job to save up for some traveling. It was the same company that my full-time job was with. They needed someone with my expertise and experience. I found out who was causing the problems that necessitated them hiring me, and was very straight up with management. "X is your problem, and will keep causing problems no matter who you fire or promote." They got rid of that person and it solved a lot of their problems in that department.
If I'd been desperate for money or the job, I would've kept my head down and begrudgingly kept working with the toxic person. THey would have kept trying to hire or train their way out of the issue. I'm still proud of that one!

[Dicey]

Nice FU MissNancyPrior!

Sometimes i think a fun post-fire job would be to get hired at known toxic companies and fuck with the management.

Oh man, this.
Imagine getting hired into HR, finding a problem manager, and filling their team with fellow FI mustachians... *touches fingertips with an evil grin*

Ooh, I like the idea of infiltrating multiple positions.  Hmmm, it might even make for a good TV show....maybe something like....

"Two years ago, a handful of workers were chewed out by a boss for something they didn't do.  These people promptly quit their jobs and joined the FIRE movement.  Today, still wanted by the Internet Retirement Police, they thrive as spoilers of mismanagement.  If your manager stinks...and nobody in HR is willing to help...and if you can find them...maybe you can enlist*...the FI-Team." (cue heroic music)

* no, you can't hire them, because they're retired.

As long as we still get to build cabbage cannons.

I ain't getting on no plane.

You can be a regional specialist.

[SwordGuy]

I am sticking with my theory that she pulled it out of her ass as an attempt to wrest control over me since I would not accept the idea of moving up out of the job.  I had already frustrated her by wanting to just do the job I was hired for so she had no other bullets.  She didn't think she would actually kill me with it but she was wrong.

[/quote]vi
@MissNancyPryor

In the olden days, when someone was knighted, the person doing the knighting would use the hand to strike the person being knighted a terrific blow to the face.  It was called "the buffet". 

(PS -- that's buff-it, not buf-fey.   It means a violent blow with a hand or fist, not a table full of serve-yourself food.)

With that buffet went these words, "Take this blow and no other."   

Being a sword guy, I view MMM's face punches in a very similar way.

When you graduate to FU or FI status, you no longer put up with other people's shit.  You stand for what you believe to be the right.

So walk proud, you've followed in a long tradition of chivalric behavior.  :)

[BicycleB]

I am sticking with my theory that she pulled it out of her ass as an attempt to wrest control over me since I would not accept the idea of moving up out of the job.  I had already frustrated her by wanting to just do the job I was hired for so she had no other bullets.  She didn't think she would actually kill me with it but she was wrong.

vi
@MissNancyPryor

In the olden days, when someone was knighted, the person doing the knighting would use the hand to strike the person being knighted a terrific blow to the face.  It was called "the buffet". 

(PS -- that's buff-it, not buf-fey.   It means a violent blow with a hand or fist, not a table full of serve-yourself food.)

With that buffet went these words, "Take this blow and no other."   

Being a sword guy, I view MMM's face punches in a very similar way.

When you graduate to FU or FI status, you no longer put up with other people's shit.  You stand for what you believe to be the right.

So walk proud, you've followed in a long tradition of chivalric behavior.  :)
[/quote]

Learn something new every day?

My day is done. Thanks,@SwordGuy!

:)

[Well Respected Man]

I finally have a story to share!

My daughter got a part time job at a ski shop, which is a great opportunity, should be fun, etc. It didn't turn out that way, as she was the only female employee, and when she became ill, the manager [I assume, don't know exactly] was not very accommodating, kind of retaliating by not scheduling her at all. It's also just stressing her out because she has a full load of classes, and her academics were not great last year.

So she's quitting. I mentioned that she should do what is right for her, and to remember this feeling of control and freedom (I am paying for her education and room and board, so her current power comes from privilege, not savings). I explained that to be in that position of power, she needs to save 50%+ of her income, and always have enough to walk if the situation warrants.

I think she gets it, and mentioned that she still has a good amount of savings from her summer job. Planting the seeds of a potential future epic FU money story.

[Loren Ver]

Nice FU MissNancyPrior!

Sometimes i think a fun post-fire job would be to get hired at known toxic companies and fuck with the management.

Oh man, this.
Imagine getting hired into HR, finding a problem manager, and filling their team with fellow FI mustachians... *touches fingertips with an evil grin*

Ooh, I like the idea of infiltrating multiple positions.  Hmmm, it might even make for a good TV show....maybe something like....

"Two years ago, a handful of workers were chewed out by a boss for something they didn't do.  These people promptly quit their jobs and joined the FIRE movement.  Today, still wanted by the Internet Retirement Police, they thrive as spoilers of mismanagement.  If your manager stinks...and nobody in HR is willing to help...and if you can find them...maybe you can enlist*...the FI-Team." (cue heroic music)

* no, you can't hire them, because they're retired.

As long as we still get to build cabbage cannons.

I ain't getting on no plane.

This made my day so much better.  We are currently on season three.
DH cross stitched this for me for retirement.

[RWTL]

I finally have a story to share!

My daughter got a part time job at a ski shop, which is a great opportunity, should be fun, etc. It didn't turn out that way, as she was the only female employee, and when she became ill, the manager [I assume, don't know exactly] was not very accommodating, kind of retaliating by not scheduling her at all. It's also just stressing her out because she has a full load of classes, and her academics were not great last year.

So she's quitting. I mentioned that she should do what is right for her, and to remember this feeling of control and freedom (I am paying for her education and room and board, so her current power comes from privilege, not savings). I explained that to be in that position of power, she needs to save 50%+ of her income, and always have enough to walk if the situation warrants.

I think she gets it, and mentioned that she still has a good amount of savings from her summer job. Planting the seeds of a potential future epic FU money story.

Good job Dad.

[Much Fishing to Do]

I explained that to be in that position of power, she needs to save 50%+ of her income

I think that's a great age to say this as you maybe the only one she's ever going to hear a savings rate even considered outside the range of 0%-20%...

[talltexan]

Advocating that you should always save 50% of your income seems kind of impossible for a parent to carry out successfully.

Your daughter's income will grow rapidly through the decade of her 20's. An easier path for her is to get used to saving some, but then commit to saving 50% of any raises that appear.

[RyanAtTanagra]

Advocating that you should always save 50% of your income seems kind of impossible for a parent to carry out successfully.

Your daughter's income will grow rapidly through the decade of her 20's. An easier path for her is to get used to saving some, but then commit to saving 50% of any raises that appear.

Impossible for parents making how much?  For every financial goal someone says is impossible, you can find someone else doing it.  We, as mustachians, come across this from people all the time.  Impossible shouldn't be in our vocabulary.

[SwordGuy]

Advocating that you should always save 50% of your income seems kind of impossible for a parent to carry out successfully.

Your daughter's income will grow rapidly through the decade of her 20's. An easier path for her is to get used to saving some, but then commit to saving 50% of any raises that appear.

Impossible for parents making how much?  For every financial goal someone says is impossible, you can find someone else doing it.  We, as mustachians, come across this from people all the time.  Impossible shouldn't be in our vocabulary.

Bravo!

[saguaro]

I finally have a story to share!

My daughter got a part time job at a ski shop, which is a great opportunity, should be fun, etc. It didn't turn out that way, as she was the only female employee, and when she became ill, the manager [I assume, don't know exactly] was not very accommodating, kind of retaliating by not scheduling her at all. It's also just stressing her out because she has a full load of classes, and her academics were not great last year.

So she's quitting. I mentioned that she should do what is right for her, and to remember this feeling of control and freedom (I am paying for her education and room and board, so her current power comes from privilege, not savings). I explained that to be in that position of power, she needs to save 50%+ of her income, and always have enough to walk if the situation warrants.

I think she gets it, and mentioned that she still has a good amount of savings from her summer job. Planting the seeds of a potential future epic FU money story.

Good job Dad.

This is great.   A good lesson to learn early on, that feeling of freedom and control is invaluable.   And she has a start on the savings. 

[Chris Pascale]

A lot of this is on the 2019 cohort thread but it fits here and I was encouraged to post it in this widely-read thread. 

I left my very stressful job April 5th, 2019 as per the glorious FIRE plan of quitting at age 50.  I quickly returned to work later that month at a place I used to work years prior in an effort to transition and SWAMI my way into a retirement.  I felt like I needed a transition period from the crazy corporate life with its ridiculous cross country travel to a time where I could still earn a little bit as a safety net and would finally be able to develop my life outside of work and be social since I would finally be no one's boss. 

I shifted from a high power boss type job pre-FIRE to more of a technical analyst, but still salaried and with a decent paycheck.  Unfortunately I have been there 4 months and it is boring beyond all hell.  There is a struggle because the person who is supposed to be training me is a passive aggressive dude who told me flat out, "No one taught me anything here, I had to figure it out for myself" and then proceeded to not teach me anything there.  Every bit of knowledge I have gained has been painfully acquired.  It was clear that he did not want me to be the successful candidate for this job, he wanted a buddy of his, but they could not meet the salary requirements.  The fact that I easily figured out that I was not his first choice should tell you everything about how he treated me after I arrived.   

But, the goals of transitioning are being met for the most part-- I have enjoyed not carrying a company cell phone any longer and the extension of medical insurance as well as a paycheck.  Even though it is boring and I have the constant friction with the dude in the next cubicle I decided that I would stay a year so as not to be a jerk about things and show some gratitude.     

Last Friday my boss and I had our regular 1:1 session and she said she could tell I was not happy.  I explained (again, because I have been saying it to her since my second week there) that I was not getting the training I needed and was frustrated but I was sorry I was not hiding it better.  She encouraged me to take a promotion where my skill set and leadership experience would be better used.  I declined and emphasized that I purposefully downshifted to this role in order to build a life that was not driven by work.  After a while we developed some ideas on how I could find a path forward and we agreed. 

She then ham-handedly turned the topic to my hours.  She said she noticed I only worked 7 hours a day and I really need to work 8.

I quit. 

She freaked out.  She refused to accept my resignation.   

It was fairly dramatic but I explained that I have been working the exact same hours as the rest of the group, I am a salaried individual, and furthermore I asked more than once when I got on board what the deal was and it was agreed I was fine.  I had just spent 40 minutes going through how I was struggling with getting necessary training from a guy who refuses to provide it and to move to a discussion about my HOURS of all things was just too much.  I told her I simply can't take that and therefore I quit.  She told me to sleep on it and let her know Monday.

So I did today.  Color me D.O.N.E. 

Today it was a surprisingly good discussion with her.  I agreed to help us both by doing a graceful exit.  "It just wasn't a fit, I am going to go back to my early retirement" will be our story.  I can live with that.  The only question now is if I should work at all into September or if I can take vacation days to get me another full month of health insurance to ease the transition out to the exchange.   

Side note, for fun I came in extra early today and watched every single one of my co-workers come in later than they should and watched them leave after putting in only about 7 hours.  As I said, I was following the rest of the staff with my comings and goings and it was nice to prove that she was out of line.

I am really glad that doing this short encore job gave me the chance to have an oh-so-satisfying EPIC FU MONEY story as my final exit from working life.  That must have been what these few months were for, a small gift to myself in that I do not have to put up with a boring job where I can't get good training and am going to be hounded about my hours.  Perfect.   

I am so glad to be done and finally really FIRE'd.   

Going to share this with my kids. Excellent story. They were way out of line.

[talltexan]

Advocating that you should always save 50% of your income seems kind of impossible for a parent to carry out successfully.

Your daughter's income will grow rapidly through the decade of her 20's. An easier path for her is to get used to saving some, but then commit to saving 50% of any raises that appear.

Impossible for parents making how much?  For every financial goal someone says is impossible, you can find someone else doing it.  We, as mustachians, come across this from people all the time.  Impossible shouldn't be in our vocabulary.

Bravo!

Raising a child who saves 50% of his or her income is not a financial goal. My children won't even listen to me about easy stuff I want them to do.

[RyanAtTanagra]

I have a new entry, from my sister, whom in a short time got to experience two different aspects of FU money.

She took on a part-time small-town bartending job for extra money.  She bartended in school so it was an easy job to pick up.  She learned quickly that the owner was the angry, yelling kind of boss.  But she didn't really need the job, and as such she realized the yelling and anger didn't bother her, where as previously if would have.  But now it just rolled off her back and she could just ignore him.  Benefit of FU money #1.

Until the other night when he starting yelling at her directly like she was an idiot, which she decided she absolutely wasn't ok with.  She told him 'no one talks to me like that' and walked.  Benefit of FU money #2.

Very proud of her, and very happy she's in the position to not put up with bullshit anymore.  I wish everyone were taught the power of that.

[bluebelle]

I have a new entry, from my sister, whom in a short time got to experience two different aspects of FU money.

She took on a part-time small-town bartending job for extra money.  She bartended in school so it was an easy job to pick up.  She learned quickly that the owner was the angry, yelling kind of boss.  But she didn't really need the job, and as such she realized the yelling and anger didn't bother her, where as previously if would have.  But now it just rolled off her back and she could just ignore him.  Benefit of FU money #1.

Until the other night when he starting yelling at her directly like she was an idiot, which she decided she absolutely wasn't ok with.  She told him 'no one talks to me like that' and walked.  Benefit of FU money #2.

Very proud of her, and very happy she's in the position to not put up with bullshit anymore.  I wish everyone were taught the power of that.

the attitude from FU money is a powerful thing....just having that attitude shuts down alot of work-place bullies.   Having the air of 'I won't put up with that shit' often stops the bullies.   Good for your daughter for knowing when to walk away.

[Just Joe]

Raising a child who saves 50% of his or her income is not a financial goal. My children won't even listen to me about easy stuff I want them to do.

Hang in there Tall Texan. Sometimes your kids will surprise you. From the outside it looks messy but one day they reveal that something you taught them stuck.

DW and I are in a similar situation with our kids.

[Adventine]

Raising a child who saves 50% of his or her income is not a financial goal. My children won't even listen to me about easy stuff I want them to do.

Hang in there Tall Texan. Sometimes your kids will surprise you. From the outside it looks messy but one day they reveal that something you taught them stuck.

DW and I are in a similar situation with our kids.

Kids learn by example, not by lectures. All you can do is set a good example.

[Sandi_k]

This thread is so much fun! So here's one of mine...

My first job, working as a cashier at a stop-and-shop quicky mart. I got the job as a junior in high school, paid 15 cents more per hour than minimum wage. Decent manager, the owners showed up to count the cash and sign for deliveries, everything else was on us.

We had pretty good continuity, people stayed typically 12-24 months, with occasional bumps in pay. Pretty laid back, to the point where payroll checks were loaded under the cash drawer every other Friday, and anyone could scan them as they weren't in envelopes.

Well, a new guy had been hired, and I was training him his first week. I was now graduated from HS, and starting at the junior college up the hill. I'd moved out to my own apartment (at age 17!), and was a great employee for them - never sick, always willing to cover for others' absences, never late, good at training. When paychecks came out in New Guys' second week, as I sorted through the stack to get my check, I could see that his hourly rate was higher than mine.

OK, I hadn't asked for a raise for awhile, and surely I was worth it, and I understood that the boss doesn't *have* to pay me more unless I ask...so I do.

The next Saturday morning, the owner was in, and I asked him for a raise. I mentioned that I'd been there now 18 months, was now a college student, and was worth a 50 cent raise (so I'd be making 25 cents more than New Guy). So I would have gone from $3.90/hour to $4.40/hr. Boss says nope.

I ask why I'm being paid less than New Guy. Boss says it's because he does swing shift (3pm-11pm). I remind him that *I* do swing shift, too! And I am worth more. Still nope. Even worse, he dared me - "If you think you're worth more, go find someone else to pay it."

So I go up the hill to the JC's job board for college students, find a listing for a small Mom and Pop copy shop in town (coincidentally, half a mile from my new apartment), and go in person to apply. I am hired on the spot, to start the next day, at $4.75 per hour.

I then ride my badass new scooter (bought two weeks before, paid for in cash, from job savings) to the quicky mart, and tender my immediate resignation (no one ever gave two weeks notice for the cashier/stocking job). He's dumbfounded, and I am delighted. It could only have been more epic if I'd managed it on the holiday weekend a couple of weeks earlier.

That was in 1983, and it still gives me joy to have proven to that old misogynistic assh*le that there were young women who wouldn't put up with his sh*t.