What were the chances of that?

[Flavius]

So literally on the day that I turned 55 and can access my pension I finally reached my FI number! It's slipped back a little since then but I was very pleased to make it.

So am I going to retire?

Probably not immediately with the US/China trade war escalating and Brexit on the horizon. However if work gets too stressful or they decide that I am deadwood then things could change very quickly.

[twistedfirestarter]

Congratulations! I hope the ‘trade war’ turns out to be a load of hot air and you can get on with the important business of being retired

[TartanTallulah]

Many congratulations :-)

[Playing with Fire UK]

Congratulations!!!

I like to look at this when I catch myself thinking "it's not a good time to ..."

[Flavius]

Thanks everybody. That's an excellent article and a good reminder that we have to look at the long term.

[MarcherLady]

Congratulations and Happy Birthday!

[Flavius]

Thanks. Two weeks into working when I could be retired and it's not getting any easier!

[Manchester]

Thanks. Two weeks into working when I could be retired and it's not getting any easier!

I think you should retire!  You've earnt it.  Why work another second when you don't have too?

[Flavius]

Five years ago when I started out on this I would definitely have said that if I have £xxx money in investments at 55 I will retire. Now that I am there its actually really hard to give up a job that pays very well though can be a PITA. I'm definitely suffering from OMY syndrome. I know that you should not compare your situation with other people but when you see other people asking if £1.4million is enough it does make you doubt your own figures. Not that OMY will get me to that figure.

On the plus said as I am not retiring that early I do have some final salary pensions and the state pension to fall back upon in 5 and 12 years time. We also have a 6 bedroom house and no kids at home so we could downsize in the future or make some money from renting rooms (Where we live there is a big market for doing this to foreign students) 

We are also looking at plans for a few other side hustles as a backup.

Decisions, decisions.

[never give up]

We are a long time dead unfortunately. My number is only £500k. Time spent doing what you want to do is far more precious than extra money in my opinion. If that is your housing situation then you have plenty of contingency, flexibility and options. I’d be out like a shot in your position but work is particularly stressful for me at the moment so that may be my frustration speaking!

[skip207]

+1 for just do it!

I started at 1MM goal, now 850k, honestly when I get to my FIRE age if I am not at my target I think I will just go anyway and sort it out later.  We have a reasonable plan and we could just cut back spending a little or get a PTJ.