Author Topic: Resigned last Monday (Read 8470 times)

Bolshevik Artizan · « **on:** October 29, 2015, 07:25:32 AM »

Hi guys

I resigned last Monday. In keeping with good Mustachian discipline, I will not claim I am FIREing as I will be a stay at home Dad with a working wife. However, there's no mortgage and a stash of $1.2m Canadian, so work is a (welcome) lifestyle choice for the wife.

The reaction from the boss was basically one of utter shock. I have been fulfilling the role of an investment banking EVP (hours, politics and responsibility) for middling wages in a not-for-profit (long story, will explain in another post some time) and could feel my health starting to go, so now is the time. I am 45 and my son is just 4.

I must say I will probably return to consulting/part-time work in a year to eighteen months' time, so don't know if this counts as ER, but strap-hanging on subways, suits and management meetings are now things of the past, unless fate/God/whatever forces me back in.

Cheers -

BA

G-dog · « **Reply #1 on:** October 29, 2015, 07:30:18 AM »

Woohoo! Congratulations!
I consider you FIREd, but I am biased because my spouse is still working! Though, parenting is a full time gig (whether you have other work or SAH).

Enjoy!

dude · « **Reply #2 on:** October 29, 2015, 07:30:38 AM »

Congrats!

lthenderson · « **Reply #3 on:** October 29, 2015, 07:45:59 AM »

Be careful, I did the same thing and am now going on year four as a stay at home dad/home remodeler and have no plans to go back. Wife enjoys her job and we enjoy our new lifestyle much better than we did when both of us were working. Once the kids are more independent, I'm thinking of ways to be my own boss of anything I plan to do. I wish we had done this years ago.

Davids · « **Reply #4 on:** October 29, 2015, 08:14:45 AM »

Congrats. Enjoy the time with your kid.

Gone Fishing · « **Reply #5 on:** October 29, 2015, 08:22:24 AM »

Congratulations! I am really looking forward to being a stay at home dad!

soccerluvof4 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 29, 2015, 08:38:01 AM »

Yep! Congrats! Time with your kids is awesome!!

zephyr911 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 29, 2015, 09:42:31 AM »

Well done, Badass. Your son thanks you, I'm sure.

Bolshevik Artizan · « **Reply #8 on:** October 29, 2015, 09:50:28 AM »

Thanks everyone for your good wishes and reflections. I feel more excited about my life than I can remember for years... and part of that excitement is apprehension, which is I suppose part of doing anything meaningful. BA

Bolshevik Artizan · « **Reply #9 on:** October 29, 2015, 09:53:24 AM »

Quote from: lthenderson on October 29, 2015, 07:45:59 AM

Be careful, I did the same thing and am now going on year four as a stay at home dad/home remodeler and have no plans to go back. Wife enjoys her job and we enjoy our new lifestyle much better than we did when both of us were working. Once the kids are more independent, I'm thinking of ways to be my own boss of anything I plan to do. I wish we had done this years ago.

really interesting, thanks. This would be an ideal future for me, I hope I can be as lucky as you have been. BA

Schaefer Light · « **Reply #10 on:** October 29, 2015, 10:06:15 AM »

Awesome. Hope I get to do the same thing around your age.

sunday · « **Reply #11 on:** October 29, 2015, 10:23:16 AM »

Congrats! Keep us up as to how it's going.

zinethstache · « **Reply #12 on:** October 29, 2015, 10:33:36 AM »

Congrats! my DH is a SAHL - stay at home landlord now...he is so much happier working for himself. He worked for the same company for 26 years (his only adult job). I initially envisioned working until 55 but as these things go, with our passive income and my stash I no longer have to work. We plan to hit the road in an RV as early as 2017. I am so excited for you and cannot wait to read your "blog" which I know you will want to start right away:)

acroy · « **Reply #13 on:** October 29, 2015, 10:42:51 AM »

CONGRATS!!

mm1970 · « **Reply #14 on:** October 29, 2015, 10:52:09 AM »

Congrats! I'm 45 and my kids are 9 and 3, so I totally feel you. I've been working for about 25% less than going rate for ... awhile now.

okits · « **Reply #15 on:** October 29, 2015, 10:55:34 AM »

Way to go, BA! FIRE/stepping away from work for health or family reasons is so great. Kids grow up so fast, and you never want a medical emergency to remind you that you've been neglecting your health (sometimes you do not get a second chance at this.)

Big changes can bring discomfort. Be brave and unapologetic in the awesome choices your family has made.

If you haven't found Dr. Doom's blog yet you may really enjoy the read: www.livingafi.com . He's written about the physical benefits of FIRE: better sleep, no constant mental noise about work tasks, exercising for as long as you want, feeling content and relaxed. Really great stuff.

regulator · « **Reply #16 on:** October 29, 2015, 11:16:24 AM »

Congrats!

I went through a tough 3 or 4 month period where I struggled with the transition and ultimately ended up ESRd rather than ERd. I am buried in work temporarily as two gigs ended up on top of each other, but I would fight tooth and nail to keep what I have rather than end up in the cube/stress bomb again.

FiguringItOut · « **Reply #17 on:** October 29, 2015, 12:23:32 PM »

Congratulations!!!!!!

Bolshevik Artizan · « **Reply #18 on:** October 29, 2015, 01:13:42 PM »

Quote from: okits on October 29, 2015, 10:55:34 AM

Way to go, BA! FIRE/stepping away from work for health or family reasons is so great. Kids grow up so fast, and you never want a medical emergency to remind you that you've been neglecting your health (sometimes you do not get a second chance at this.)

Big changes can bring discomfort. Be brave and unapologetic in the awesome choices your family has made.

If you haven't found Dr. Doom's blog yet you may really enjoy the read: www.livingafi.com . He's written about the physical benefits of FIRE: better sleep, no constant mental noise about work tasks, exercising for as long as you want, feeling content and relaxed. Really great stuff.

Thanks very much - I will have a read of that blog! Best - BA

eyePod · « **Reply #19 on:** October 29, 2015, 01:15:48 PM »

Quote from: lthenderson on October 29, 2015, 07:45:59 AM

Be careful, I did the same thing and am now going on year four as a stay at home dad/home remodeler and have no plans to go back. Wife enjoys her job and we enjoy our new lifestyle much better than we did when both of us were working. Once the kids are more independent, I'm thinking of ways to be my own boss of anything I plan to do. I wish we had done this years ago.

You guys are getting me stoked. There's so much I want to do around the house but I just don't have the time. If we have kid #3 we will seriously discuss me staying at home. Only issue is that I make a lot. So I'm trying to save as much as possible now.

Gumbo1978 · « **Reply #20 on:** October 29, 2015, 01:28:50 PM »

Congrats! My wife is currently in school and I plan on trying out being a SAHD myself in 2.5 years. Hope you enjoy it. I'm really looking forward to it myself (won't be easy for sure but a different kind of stress).

Gone Fishing · « **Reply #21 on:** October 29, 2015, 01:31:17 PM »

But, you're so young! What are you going to do with yourself all day when he starts school? You are so lucky! I could never live without my McMansion, S(tupid)UVs, etc.

Just priming you for all the crap you might hear! Be sure to amuse us with actual quotes once they start coming in!

Candace · « **Reply #22 on:** October 29, 2015, 01:37:18 PM »

Congratulations and best wishes. It sounds strange, but just hearing your story and knowing of your freedom makes me, an internet stranger, happy. I wish you the best of times with your son and the best of happiness in all things non-work!

Elderwood17 · « **Reply #23 on:** October 29, 2015, 02:12:19 PM »

Congrats! Hope it all goes great. Would love to hear more about the reaction of your boss and co-workers.

Bolshevik Artizan · « **Reply #24 on:** October 30, 2015, 07:55:15 AM »

Quote from: Candace on October 29, 2015, 01:37:18 PM

Congratulations and best wishes. It sounds strange, but just hearing your story and knowing of your freedom makes me, an internet stranger, happy. I wish you the best of times with your son and the best of happiness in all things non-work!

Bless you for such a lovely comment. Thank you. BA

Bolshevik Artizan · « **Reply #25 on:** October 30, 2015, 07:56:47 AM »

Quote from: So Close on October 29, 2015, 01:31:17 PM

But, you're so young! What are you going to do with yourself all day when he starts school? You are so lucky! I could never live without my McMansion, S(tupid)UVs, etc.

Just priming you for all the crap you might hear! Be sure to amuse us with actual quotes once they start coming in!

Indeed, these comments have already begun from my immediate family. Looking forward to watching them spread... thanks! BA

Bolshevik Artizan · « **Reply #26 on:** October 30, 2015, 07:58:53 AM »

Quote from: Elderwood17 on October 29, 2015, 02:12:19 PM

Congrats! Hope it all goes great. Would love to hear more about the reaction of your boss and co-workers.

Thanks very much Elderwood.

My co-workers (well, the ones I trust) were briefed on my plans a long time ago. As to my boss, he took it with a grin and then managed some fairly vile beneath-the-surface digs at my plans once it became clear he couldn't bribe me to stay, viz. "oh so you're going to go and grow weed/sit on your ass/God knows what you're going to do/be a ponytailed hippy dippy" etc etc

FrugalFan · « **Reply #27 on:** October 30, 2015, 08:02:09 AM »

Congrats! We could probably FIRE on that much if we moved to a smaller house or to a country with a lower COL. Or with a tiny bit more we could do it right here, but we are nowhere near there yet. Enjoy!

The_path_less_taken · « **Reply #28 on:** October 30, 2015, 09:16:06 AM »

I think you've just quadrupled your salary: you get to spend time with your child. Priceless.

Congrats.

K-ice · « **Reply #29 on:** October 30, 2015, 09:26:17 AM »

Nice work! Great job!

Isn't it odd that all those congratulatory phrases relate to work?
Something you no longer need to worry about! :)

I am motivated by you, thanks for sharing.

Bolshevik Artizan · « **Reply #30 on:** October 30, 2015, 09:27:41 AM »

Quote from: Travelling Biologist on October 30, 2015, 08:02:09 AM

Congrats! We could probably FIRE on that much if we moved to a smaller house or to a country with a lower COL. Or with a tiny bit more we could do it right here, but we are nowhere near there yet. Enjoy!

Thanks - as I said at the top of the thread, the reality is that all we are doing is moving from 2 salaries to one, so it's not FIRE as such; but it is, we hope, a more manageable mode of existence. Also as per the OP, it's likely I will return to some form of paid employment in a year or so. Right now, I really need a break. and a long one, at that, after 23 years before the mast.

BA

Bolshevik Artizan · « **Reply #31 on:** October 30, 2015, 09:28:29 AM »

Quote from: The_path_less_taken on October 30, 2015, 09:16:06 AM

I think you've just quadrupled your salary: you get to spend time with your child. Priceless.

Congrats.

Thank you and bless you for your lovely comment. BA

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Author Topic: Resigned last Monday (Read 8470 times)