Author Topic: 2018 FIRE cohort  (Read 738217 times)

CheapskateWife

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1000 on: January 05, 2018, 07:54:14 AM »
May seem like pulling the trigger early, but I told my boss this morning about our plans...the look on his face was priceless :)  This will give him plenty of time to transition my projects and work a replacement (in the Fed Govt, that piece takes forever).

My date is now 5/25/2018!

MaybeBabyMustache

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1001 on: January 05, 2018, 08:02:40 AM »
May seem like pulling the trigger early, but I told my boss this morning about our plans...the look on his face was priceless :)  This will give him plenty of time to transition my projects and work a replacement (in the Fed Govt, that piece takes forever).

My date is now 5/25/2018!

Congrats! Must feel great to have the news shared with your boss. :-)

CowboyAndIndian

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1002 on: January 05, 2018, 09:36:18 AM »
CheapskateWife to 5/25, Caoineag to 2/28.

Gimesalot, Monkey Uncle, you are batting next,  how does it feel?


01/01/18  CowboyAndIndian (at 59) CONFIRMED
01/05/18  Gimesalot
01/06/18  Monkey Uncle
01/15/18  PizzaSteve
01/31/18  MomCPA
01/??/18  FIBy30
01/??/18  PrePube
02/01/18  DTaggart
02/09/18  JLTinVA (at 42)
02/28/18  brooklynguy
02/28/18  Caoineag (at 36)
03/16/18  Cherry Lane
03/30/18  sol
03/31/18  homestead neohio
03/31/18  Mrbeardedbigbucks
03/31/18  ZiziPB (at 50)
03/31/18  DavidAnnArbor (at 52) (Won't renew my office lease)
03/??/18  Badblackgirl
03/??/18  Clean Shaven
03/??/18  Sofa King
03/??/18  MiserlyMiser
03/??/18  Acastus
04/01/18  Mrs. Honeyfill
04/01/18  patches
04/19/18  NinetyFour (at 56)
04/27/18  poppydog and DW
04/??/18  Aegishjalmur (at 35)
04/??/18  Calvin
04/??/18  FernFree
04/??/18  Gooki
04/??/18  lostformars
~04/??/18 HappyMargo
~04/??/18 Mother Fussbudget
05/01/18  SwordGuy (at 60)
05/08/18  SwordGuy DW (SwordGuy isn't saying.   He wants to live.)
05/04/18  wordnerd and DH (at 30 and 36)
05/04/18  step_away
05/15/18  Markbike528CBX (at 53.5)
05/25/18  Gyosho
05/25/18  CheapskateWife
05/??/18  Alim Nassor
05/??/18  msilenus
06/01/18  Honeyfill  (at 60)
06/15/18  DavisGang90 (at 49)
06/25/18  MaybeBabyMustache (at 42)
06/29/18  aperture
06/30/18  TartanTallulah
06/??/18  Cheddar Stacker
06/??/18  dbtx
06/??/18  Omalley
06/??/18  randomgiraffe
06/??/18  SwissMiss
~06/??/18 Pylortes
07/??/18  AussieGirl
07/??/18  ChasesFish
07/??/18  Mr Griz
~07/??/18 BackAndForth
~07/??/18 cerat0n1a
~07/??/18 Fresh Bread
~07/??/18 SnidelyWhiplashStache
08/01/18  SugarMountain
08/??/18  Mr Mark
08/??/18  NorCalistache
08/??/18  RunningWithScissors
09/30/18  SwissMiss
10/05/18  JumboShrimp
10/??/18  Fire1018
10/??/18  Happy
10/??/18  Irishtache
11/??/18  DeSteeg
11/??/18  Kris
12/01/18  Vegasgirl (at 49)
12/21/18  LateStarter
12/??/18  EnjoyIt
12/??/18  yoda34
??/??/18  Blindsquirrel
??/??/18  Michread
??/??/18  Minnesota_mom
??/??/18  OzBeach -- WIGLO (When I Get Laid Off)
??/??/18  thriftycanadian
??/??/18  pecunia
??/??/18  FLStache


GettingClose

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1003 on: January 05, 2018, 10:16:41 AM »
GettingClose's DH on 09/01/18

NinetyFour

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1004 on: January 05, 2018, 10:32:33 AM »
May seem like pulling the trigger early, but I told my boss this morning about our plans...the look on his face was priceless :)  This will give him plenty of time to transition my projects and work a replacement (in the Fed Govt, that piece takes forever).

My date is now 5/25/2018!

Woo hoo!!!!!  How exciting!  :D

Gimesalot

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1005 on: January 05, 2018, 11:00:25 AM »
I spent last week thinking that I may have exaggerated how shitty my job was, and feeling like I was throwing away a great gig.  THEN... I asked my boss to send me a copy of the vacation policy.  He didn't respond, I asked him and the head of HR several times and I never got a response.  Finally I got it from an office admin. Turns out that HR didn't want anyone to send it to me because they didn't know why I would need it if I were leaving!  Instead of communicating, they were ignoring me. 

Yesterday, an engineer finally asks me for help, at 6 PM!  It turns out he hadn't done any of his work and there were 5 projects requests that I should have been told to do, but he never bothered to even look at it, so I was at work until 7:45.  He peaced out at 6:15.  Of course, any doubt about FIRE was erased.  However, they are really struggling to get my job covered, so I will probably go back part-time to help them out over the next month, at a much increased rate.

Good luck on your last day MonkeyUncle!


01/01/18  CowboyAndIndian (at 59) CONFIRMED
01/04/18  Gimesalot (at 33) CONFIRMED
01/06/18  Monkey Uncle
01/15/18  PizzaSteve
01/31/18  MomCPA
01/??/18  FIBy30
01/??/18  PrePube
02/01/18  DTaggart
02/09/18  JLTinVA (at 42)
02/16/18  Gimesalot DH (at 40)
02/28/18  brooklynguy
02/28/18  Caoineag (at 36)
03/16/18  Cherry Lane
03/30/18  sol
03/31/18  homestead neohio
03/31/18  Mrbeardedbigbucks
03/31/18  ZiziPB (at 50)
03/31/18  DavidAnnArbor (at 52) (Won't renew my office lease)
03/??/18  Badblackgirl
03/??/18  Clean Shaven
03/??/18  Sofa King
03/??/18  MiserlyMiser
03/??/18  Acastus
04/01/18  Mrs. Honeyfill
04/01/18  patches
04/19/18  NinetyFour (at 56)
04/27/18  poppydog and DW
04/??/18  Aegishjalmur (at 35)
04/??/18  Calvin
04/??/18  FernFree
04/??/18  Gooki
04/??/18  lostformars
~04/??/18 HappyMargo
~04/??/18 Mother Fussbudget
05/01/18  SwordGuy (at 60)
05/08/18  SwordGuy DW (SwordGuy isn't saying.   He wants to live.)
05/04/18  wordnerd and DH (at 30 and 36)
05/04/18  step_away
05/15/18  Markbike528CBX (at 53.5)
05/25/18  Gyosho
05/25/18  CheapskateWife
05/??/18  Alim Nassor
05/??/18  msilenus
06/01/18  Honeyfill  (at 60)
06/15/18  DavisGang90 (at 49)
06/25/18  MaybeBabyMustache (at 42)
06/29/18  aperture
06/30/18  TartanTallulah
06/??/18  Cheddar Stacker
06/??/18  dbtx
06/??/18  Omalley
06/??/18  randomgiraffe
06/??/18  SwissMiss
~06/??/18 Pylortes
07/??/18  AussieGirl
07/??/18  ChasesFish
07/??/18  Mr Griz
~07/??/18 BackAndForth
~07/??/18 cerat0n1a
~07/??/18 Fresh Bread
~07/??/18 SnidelyWhiplashStache
08/01/18  SugarMountain
08/??/18  Mr Mark
08/??/18  NorCalistache
08/??/18  RunningWithScissors
09/30/18  SwissMiss
10/05/18  JumboShrimp
10/??/18  Fire1018
10/??/18  Happy
10/??/18  Irishtache
11/??/18  DeSteeg
11/??/18  Kris
12/01/18  Vegasgirl (at 49)
12/21/18  LateStarter
12/??/18  EnjoyIt
12/??/18  yoda34
??/??/18  Blindsquirrel
??/??/18  Michread
??/??/18  Minnesota_mom
??/??/18  OzBeach -- WIGLO (When I Get Laid Off)
??/??/18  thriftycanadian
??/??/18  pecunia
??/??/18  FLStache


honeyfill

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1006 on: January 05, 2018, 12:32:41 PM »
My fellow 2018 retiree's are inspiring me.  Plus, it looks like  work will suck  even more this year than last! 
 I wanted to pay off the kitchen and the new car out of cash flow.  I was actually thinking about putting off my retirement until Oct 1 because the kitchen is costing a lot more than I thought.  Plus working until late in the year meant I could use COBRA for the remainder of 2018 or just go two months without health care. Either way I would start  Obamacare with subsidies in 2019. 

However , I have been running the numbers and looking at contingency plans . It looks like I can take a lump sum out of my stash right now and pay off the kitchen and the car AND retire today. I'll  still have a nice cushion on FI. So now I am recalculating my date.   April 2 is my new date.  My bonus comes in March.   I have a business trip to Puerto Rico in February which is always lots of fun. So I might as well wait until 4/2 and match my wife's retirement date.  Plus I want to look into maxing out the 401k and HSA and see if I can get the income down to HSA subsidy levels this year. (or bite the bullet and go COBRA for 8 months).

Gimesalot

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1007 on: January 05, 2018, 12:59:08 PM »

However , I have been running the numbers and looking at contingency plans . It looks like I can take a lump sum out of my stash right now and pay off the kitchen and the car AND retire today. I'll  still have a nice cushion on FI. So now I am recalculating my date.   April 2 is my new date.

That's great news.  Congrats!

Since you are FIRE-ing early, can you spend some of your free time getting the kitchen reno to come in at a lower cost?  You could spend time finding low cost supplies, doing easy tasks yourself, etc...

Monkey Uncle

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1008 on: January 05, 2018, 07:53:50 PM »
Today was my last day at work.  Technically I am on the payroll through tomorrow, but the resignation action has been processed, and I've cleaned out my office, turned in my keys, security badge, and computer, and locked the office door behind me on my way out.  So I feel like today is the right day to announce to this thread that MONKEY UNCLE IS CONFIRMED FIRED AT AGE 49!

Gimesalot, thanks for the well-wishes.  My last day wasn't nearly as crappy as yours.  I was out by 3:30 pm.  Of course it helped that it was the second Friday of the pay period, and the last day of the 2017 leave year when a lot of people were still burning use-or-lose annual leave.  The place looked like a ghost town as I quietly slipped out.

NinetyFour

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1009 on: January 05, 2018, 08:32:00 PM »
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

Gimesalot

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1010 on: January 05, 2018, 09:38:38 PM »
Congratulations!  Doesn't it feel amazing to be free?

Now that I've crossed the finish line, I am really excited to be looking for all the other members of the 2018 cohort as they FIRE.

Monkey Uncle

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1011 on: January 06, 2018, 04:30:53 AM »
Congratulations!  Doesn't it feel amazing to be free?

Now that I've crossed the finish line, I am really excited to be looking for all the other members of the 2018 cohort as they FIRE.

Yes, amazing.  Had a nice celebratory dinner with DW, DS, and his GF last night.  I imagine Monday morning will feel even more amazing!

Monkey Uncle

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1012 on: January 06, 2018, 04:31:50 AM »

davisgang90

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1013 on: January 06, 2018, 05:25:59 AM »
Good work Monkey Uncle!
« Last Edit: January 06, 2018, 07:01:10 AM by davisgang90 »

chasesfish

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1014 on: January 06, 2018, 06:48:28 AM »
Really impressed and inspired by these stories!

The market run-up is creating a nasty two-headed monster for me (1st world problems though!).  The higher account balances make a 2018 retirement much easier, but the company stock is hitting fresh, new 52 week highs dramatically increasing a February 2019 payment (approaching six figures now).  That combined with tax reform means I'll net almost all that cash too, even if it takes a bit longer with how withholding are calculated. 

Keep the retirements coming

CowboyAndIndian

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1015 on: January 06, 2018, 06:57:26 AM »
Congratulations Monkey Uncle!!!

Honeyfill moved to April 2nd. Did you pick 2nd so no one thought it was an April Fools joke?


01/01/18  CowboyAndIndian (at 59) CONFIRMED
01/04/18  Gimesalot (at 33) CONFIRMED
01/06/18  Monkey Uncle (at 39) CONFIRMED
01/15/18  PizzaSteve
01/31/18  MomCPA
01/??/18  FIBy30
01/??/18  PrePube
02/01/18  DTaggart
02/09/18  JLTinVA (at 42)
02/16/18  Gimesalot DH (at 40)
02/28/18  brooklynguy
02/28/18  Caoineag (at 36)
03/16/18  Cherry Lane
03/30/18  sol
03/31/18  homestead neohio
03/31/18  Mrbeardedbigbucks
03/31/18  ZiziPB (at 50)
03/31/18  DavidAnnArbor (at 52) (Won't renew my office lease)
03/??/18  Badblackgirl
03/??/18  Clean Shaven
03/??/18  Sofa King
03/??/18  MiserlyMiser
03/??/18  Acastus
04/01/18  Mrs. Honeyfill
04/01/18  patches
04/02/18  Honeyfill  (at 60)
04/19/18  NinetyFour (at 56)
04/27/18  poppydog and DW
04/??/18  Aegishjalmur (at 35)
04/??/18  Calvin
04/??/18  FernFree
04/??/18  Gooki
04/??/18  lostformars
~04/??/18 HappyMargo
~04/??/18 Mother Fussbudget
05/01/18  SwordGuy (at 60)
05/08/18  SwordGuy DW (SwordGuy isn't saying.   He wants to live.)
05/04/18  wordnerd and DH (at 30 and 36)
05/04/18  step_away
05/15/18  Markbike528CBX (at 53.5)
05/25/18  Gyosho
05/25/18  CheapskateWife
05/??/18  Alim Nassor
05/??/18  msilenus
06/15/18  DavisGang90 (at 49)
06/25/18  MaybeBabyMustache (at 42)
06/29/18  aperture
06/30/18  TartanTallulah
06/??/18  Cheddar Stacker
06/??/18  dbtx
06/??/18  Omalley
06/??/18  randomgiraffe
06/??/18  SwissMiss
~06/??/18 Pylortes
07/??/18  AussieGirl
07/??/18  ChasesFish
07/??/18  Mr Griz
~07/??/18 BackAndForth
~07/??/18 cerat0n1a
~07/??/18 Fresh Bread
~07/??/18 SnidelyWhiplashStache
08/01/18  SugarMountain
08/??/18  Mr Mark
08/??/18  NorCalistache
08/??/18  RunningWithScissors
09/30/18  SwissMiss
10/05/18  JumboShrimp
10/??/18  Fire1018
10/??/18  Happy
10/??/18  Irishtache
11/??/18  DeSteeg
11/??/18  Kris
12/01/18  Vegasgirl (at 49)
12/21/18  LateStarter
12/??/18  EnjoyIt
12/??/18  yoda34
??/??/18  Blindsquirrel
??/??/18  Michread
??/??/18  Minnesota_mom
??/??/18  OzBeach -- WIGLO (When I Get Laid Off)
??/??/18  thriftycanadian
??/??/18  pecunia
??/??/18  FLStache

« Last Edit: January 06, 2018, 06:59:52 AM by CowboyAndIndian »

Monkey Uncle

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1016 on: January 06, 2018, 12:56:15 PM »
Thanks, DavisGang90 and Cowboy and Indian.  Fixed my age below.



01/01/18  CowboyAndIndian (at 59) CONFIRMED
01/04/18  Gimesalot (at 33) CONFIRMED
01/06/18  Monkey Uncle (at 49) CONFIRMED
01/15/18  PizzaSteve
01/31/18  MomCPA
01/??/18  FIBy30
01/??/18  PrePube
02/01/18  DTaggart
02/09/18  JLTinVA (at 42)
02/16/18  Gimesalot DH (at 40)
02/28/18  brooklynguy
02/28/18  Caoineag (at 36)
03/16/18  Cherry Lane
03/30/18  sol
03/31/18  homestead neohio
03/31/18  Mrbeardedbigbucks
03/31/18  ZiziPB (at 50)
03/31/18  DavidAnnArbor (at 52) (Won't renew my office lease)
03/??/18  Badblackgirl
03/??/18  Clean Shaven
03/??/18  Sofa King
03/??/18  MiserlyMiser
03/??/18  Acastus
04/01/18  Mrs. Honeyfill
04/01/18  patches
04/02/18  Honeyfill  (at 60)
04/19/18  NinetyFour (at 56)
04/27/18  poppydog and DW
04/??/18  Aegishjalmur (at 35)
04/??/18  Calvin
04/??/18  FernFree
04/??/18  Gooki
04/??/18  lostformars
~04/??/18 HappyMargo
~04/??/18 Mother Fussbudget
05/01/18  SwordGuy (at 60)
05/08/18  SwordGuy DW (SwordGuy isn't saying.   He wants to live.)
05/04/18  wordnerd and DH (at 30 and 36)
05/04/18  step_away
05/15/18  Markbike528CBX (at 53.5)
05/25/18  Gyosho
05/25/18  CheapskateWife
05/??/18  Alim Nassor
05/??/18  msilenus
06/15/18  DavisGang90 (at 49)
06/25/18  MaybeBabyMustache (at 42)
06/29/18  aperture
06/30/18  TartanTallulah
06/??/18  Cheddar Stacker
06/??/18  dbtx
06/??/18  Omalley
06/??/18  randomgiraffe
06/??/18  SwissMiss
~06/??/18 Pylortes
07/??/18  AussieGirl
07/??/18  ChasesFish
07/??/18  Mr Griz
~07/??/18 BackAndForth
~07/??/18 cerat0n1a
~07/??/18 Fresh Bread
~07/??/18 SnidelyWhiplashStache
08/01/18  SugarMountain
08/??/18  Mr Mark
08/??/18  NorCalistache
08/??/18  RunningWithScissors
09/30/18  SwissMiss
10/05/18  JumboShrimp
10/??/18  Fire1018
10/??/18  Happy
10/??/18  Irishtache
11/??/18  DeSteeg
11/??/18  Kris
12/01/18  Vegasgirl (at 49)
12/21/18  LateStarter
12/??/18  EnjoyIt
12/??/18  yoda34
??/??/18  Blindsquirrel
??/??/18  Michread
??/??/18  Minnesota_mom
??/??/18  OzBeach -- WIGLO (When I Get Laid Off)
??/??/18  thriftycanadian
??/??/18  pecunia
??/??/18  FLStache


Trifle

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1017 on: January 08, 2018, 04:43:13 AM »
Go Class of '18!!!!  Class of '19 member here cheering you on! 

Vegasgirl

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1018 on: January 08, 2018, 06:48:09 AM »
Congrats Monkey Uncle !!! I have basically the rest of the year to go as I won't be done until December, but I'm counting on all you folks to keep spirits high all year !!!

poppydog

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1019 on: January 09, 2018, 08:00:33 AM »
Many congratulations to CowboyAndIndian, Gimesalot and Monkey Uncle, and many thanks for getting our cohort off to a flying start.

This morning, here in the UK, I submitted my resignation in good time for my RE date of 04/27.  I work for a European based global megacorp, and my boss is in Germany.  My resignation has been accepted with good grace and I've had some kind words.  My company are good people and I've never experienced any of the appalling working practices we sometimes read about in here.  European Union legislation simply wouldn't allow the kind of abuses I've noted here.....

Having said that, they are still running a competitive business, and in the 17 years I've been employed here there has been several restructures, downsizing projects etc. and I've somehow managed to survive them all.  I'm leaving on my own terms, and that's a wonderful feeling.

Good luck to all the 2018 cohort!

PD

davisgang90

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1020 on: January 09, 2018, 09:23:36 AM »
Congrats PD!

Pylortes

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1021 on: January 09, 2018, 10:20:48 AM »
Hmmm- you guys are getting very particular lately about exact dates.  I guess I should have anticipated this.  I have my target down right now as June 2018- but this is just an estimate at this point.  There are external things out of my control (ie my spouse's job situation) that could speed it up to as early as March 2018 or as late as into 2019.  Maybe I just need to have someone add a squiggly mark around my date in case it ends up being several months late.  But will the squiggly mark really save me from the wrath if I don't quit my job right on time with my original target?

Update- my spouse was recruited to and has just accepted a new position locally which better aligns with her future career interests. She is not interested in FIRE for at least a few years- but her current employer is very niche and the new employer will give her more exposure to the broader industry, remove the thing from her current job she dislikes the most, and give her a substantial pay bump. This very positive development for her threw a little wrench in my plans to head out the door this summer although something like this arising was not wholly unanticipated.

Unfortunately we are not in our ideal FIRE location, and I am not particularly excited about FIRE in our present location. For me, FIRE timing is about both $ and lifestyle.  I suspect I would be alright for 6 months or so here doing projects on our house getting it ready for sale, learning to cook and hanging out, but long term we are interested in moving to a location with better weather, lifestyle and outdoor activities, all of which is pretty much missing from where we are now.   Since my job is pretty decent (other than I have to show up everyday) with a lot of autonomy and pretty well paying, I'm now altering my plan to roll on until early 2019 and bank additional $$ while she gains experience and puts some time in with the new employer.  Then I will FIRE spring 2019, and do my home improvement/hanging out stuff for a few months while she works to find a job in a more ideal location.  So I'm calling in my squiggly, but it looks like I will reclassify to 2019.  Good luck to all!

Acastus

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1022 on: January 09, 2018, 10:36:20 AM »
I am feeling pretty confident after doing the end of year tally. I am on track to pull the plug in early spring and take on some garden and landscaping projects to entertain myself during the decompression period everyone talks about. I am thinking shed, greenhouse, permanent fencing around the veggie garden, and revamp some foundation plantings. Maybe a patio.

The whole FIRE process is a big distraction from work. The fact that work has been unrewarding for the last couple years is not helping. How do people stay focused on their career, or job at least, during the last year of service? I have had a little counseling and pharma, and it took the edge off. Focus is still lacking.

sol

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1023 on: January 09, 2018, 11:05:20 AM »
My date is slipping from March to August.  I was approved for a month of paid leave, and a recent large charitable expense set me back more than expected.  Updated list is below.

It doesn't quite feel like a failure.  I was already planning to work past my target date to fund charitable giving, but the new tax law made it advantageous to give more this year instead of next, and it will take me several months to earn that much back.  I'm mentally paraphrasing it as donating 100% of my after-tax salary for every day I work past my original target date, even though the money is already gone.


01/01/18  CowboyAndIndian (at 59) CONFIRMED
01/04/18  Gimesalot (at 33) CONFIRMED
01/06/18  Monkey Uncle (at 49) CONFIRMED
01/15/18  PizzaSteve
01/31/18  MomCPA
01/??/18  FIBy30
01/??/18  PrePube
02/01/18  DTaggart
02/09/18  JLTinVA (at 42)
02/16/18  Gimesalot DH (at 40)
02/28/18  brooklynguy
02/28/18  Caoineag (at 36)
03/16/18  Cherry Lane
03/31/18  homestead neohio
03/31/18  Mrbeardedbigbucks
03/31/18  ZiziPB (at 50)
03/31/18  DavidAnnArbor (at 52) (Won't renew my office lease)
03/??/18  Badblackgirl
03/??/18  Clean Shaven
03/??/18  Sofa King
03/??/18  MiserlyMiser
03/??/18  Acastus
04/01/18  Mrs. Honeyfill
04/01/18  patches
04/02/18  Honeyfill  (at 60)
04/19/18  NinetyFour (at 56)
04/27/18  poppydog and DW
04/??/18  Aegishjalmur (at 35)
04/??/18  Calvin
04/??/18  FernFree
04/??/18  Gooki
04/??/18  lostformars
~04/??/18 HappyMargo
~04/??/18 Mother Fussbudget
05/01/18  SwordGuy (at 60)
05/08/18  SwordGuy DW (SwordGuy isn't saying.   He wants to live.)
05/04/18  wordnerd and DH (at 30 and 36)
05/04/18  step_away
05/15/18  Markbike528CBX (at 53.5)
05/25/18  Gyosho
05/25/18  CheapskateWife
05/??/18  Alim Nassor
05/??/18  msilenus
06/15/18  DavisGang90 (at 49)
06/25/18  MaybeBabyMustache (at 42)
06/29/18  aperture
06/30/18  TartanTallulah
06/??/18  Cheddar Stacker
06/??/18  dbtx
06/??/18  Omalley
06/??/18  randomgiraffe
06/??/18  SwissMiss
~06/??/18 Pylortes
07/??/18  AussieGirl
07/??/18  ChasesFish
07/??/18  Mr Griz
~07/??/18 BackAndForth
~07/??/18 cerat0n1a
~07/??/18 Fresh Bread
~07/??/18 SnidelyWhiplashStache
08/01/18  SugarMountain
08/24/18  sol (at 41)
08/??/18  Mr Mark
08/??/18  NorCalistache
08/??/18  RunningWithScissors
09/30/18  SwissMiss
10/05/18  JumboShrimp
10/??/18  Fire1018
10/??/18  Happy
10/??/18  Irishtache
11/??/18  DeSteeg
11/??/18  Kris
12/01/18  Vegasgirl (at 49)
12/21/18  LateStarter
12/??/18  EnjoyIt
12/??/18  yoda34
??/??/18  Blindsquirrel
??/??/18  Michread
??/??/18  Minnesota_mom
??/??/18  OzBeach -- WIGLO (When I Get Laid Off)
??/??/18  thriftycanadian
??/??/18  pecunia
??/??/18  FLStache

DTaggart

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1024 on: January 09, 2018, 11:06:31 AM »
How do people stay focused on their career, or job at least, during the last year of service?

I have no idea. I have failed miserably at this, but I've been doing this job long enough that apparently I've been able to perform adequately enough that they're still happy with me. Odds are your standards may be higher than theirs.

honeyfill

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1025 on: January 09, 2018, 11:30:07 AM »
Quote
How do people stay focused on their career, or job at least, during the last year of service?
I am also having a lot of trouble staying focused.  I am definitely starting to coast.  I always thought I would sprint to the finish line but it looks more like I am going to crawl to the end. 
I have been un cluttering my office this year, After 35 years of working , I have the usual pictures, knick knacks , coffee cups etc.  The goal is to get everything out except one small box worth of stuff.  That way I can quit on a day's notice if someone pisses me off. :-).  the problem is that people have noticed and the speculation is building.  It looks like my secret is getting out.  I wanted to keep it  a secret until bonus checks rolled out in March.

MaybeBabyMustache

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1026 on: January 09, 2018, 11:37:15 AM »
How do people stay focused on their career, or job at least, during the last year of service?

I have no idea. I have failed miserably at this, but I've been doing this job long enough that apparently I've been able to perform adequately enough that they're still happy with me. Odds are your standards may be higher than theirs.

Pretty much this. And, I'm going to need to adjust my date out by at least a month (was 6/25, now 7/25). In most ways, it's a good thing. I have enough vacation to get through to 7/25, with just a couple of weeks of working (and get two paid days off over the 4th). For each month I can fit in, I get about $8K of options + my salary savings. My husband & I are also trying to finalize some house update plans. Depending on how those fit in with our current savings, that may add another month or so. Will hope to have a final date by end of February.

homestead neohio

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1027 on: January 09, 2018, 11:42:56 AM »
How do people stay focused on their career, or job at least, during the last year of service?

I have no idea. I have failed miserably at this, but I've been doing this job long enough that apparently I've been able to perform adequately enough that they're still happy with me. Odds are your standards may be higher than theirs.

I've been somewhat spared of this as everyone's standards dropped during the site shutdown process.  We got done what we needed to, and nobody cared about anything else.  Luckily, my stash has increased to the point where I stopped caring about a career, and I can take a break before needing to think about a PT job or other income.  It is weird corresponding with former co-workers who have moved on and are starting over someplace new.

During my career, I've always worked very hard during the first 2 years at a new company.  Each manager or team member builds a mental impression of Homestead NEOhio that includes diligent, detail-oriented, focused, hard-working.  Once this image is built, it is noticeably easier to maintain it.  If you have already built this image for yourself at your workplace, you can likely coast without too much attention.  People tend to resist new data that conflicts with their expectations.

Retire-Canada

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1028 on: January 09, 2018, 11:43:05 AM »
I am also having a lot of trouble staying focused.  I am definitely starting to coast.  I always thought I would sprint to the finish line but it looks more like I am going to crawl to the end.

I feel the same way. The sad truth is that I can work at 50% fury and still get done enough at a high enough quality level that nobody even notices. I do contract work so I can be let go overnight with no notice or cause so the only reason I am kept around is because things are better with me here. Although to be fair the company as a whole is not exactly charging into battle so it's not like everyone else is rocking it and I am having a nap in the stationary closet. ;)

momcpa

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1029 on: January 09, 2018, 12:01:27 PM »
My journey to retirement started 15 months ago.  Thanks to confidence inspired by reading the stories on this website, and by educating myself by reading books on women presenting themselves as worthy of nice salaries and benefits (I am a classic introvert), I met with the company’s off-site owner in November 2016.  I told him (nicely and with confidence) that I would transition from fulltime to part-time as of Feb 1, 2017.  I told him I would change from salaried to hourly in fairness to both the company and to me.  I told him that my hourly rate would be $xx.  (Which was a substantial increase to what my salaried-per-hour rate computed to.)  He agreed to everything with NO discussion about changes to my proposal.  I even included some benefits that aren’t usual to part-timers.  My advantage was my great track record with the company and the fact that the owner really likes me and has great confidence in the accuracy and timeliness of my work.  And of course, they assumed I would be replaced in short order.

My departure got stretched.  Employer didn’t even start interviewing until February.  They finally found the candidate they felt comfortable with in the Spring.  But he had a commitment he had to fulfil and wasn’t available until the end of April.  So I continued to work full-time until then.  The bulk of the training took place over the next couple months…..So I was still full-time during the summer.  In August the gentleman said he needed time off for a hip surgery.  I continued to cover the position.  During the Fall, I started to actually work only 3 days a week…..making almost as much in 3 days as I did full-time salaried!!

By the mid-to-end of November 2017, I finally cut back to 2 days a week.  In December he requests time off for another surgery.  The owner and general manager didn’t see a problem with that because they ASSUMED I would still be available to cover the duties of the position.  So the week before and after the holidays, I was back to full-time.   I told the owner and general manager that my OFFICIAL last day would be January 31.   I intend to work 2 days a week these last 3 weeks.   What I can teach him about year-end procedures will either get done, or not during that time.  On one hand, I feel a responsibility to the company.  On the other hand, this has gone on long enough.

My spouse and two grown children think I’ve been taken advantage of horribly.   On some days I agree with them.   But when I see my W-2 figures for 2017, I smile from ear to ear!!!!  Asking for that bigger hourly rate REALLY, REALLY worked to my advantage.   

I have a saying on my refrigerator (maybe it came from this site) that says ‘……upon retiring, I’m not so much happy as I am relieved’.  That’s me.   7 more work days. 
I can’t thank all of you enough for the initial (and continued) inspiration to stand up for myself.   AND TO HAVE “FU” MONEY.  Now onto retirement.

GettingClose

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1030 on: January 09, 2018, 12:13:49 PM »
Great story, momcpa!

Gyosho

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1031 on: January 09, 2018, 12:20:05 PM »
After 9 days off during the holiday season, my desire to go back to work in January was absolutely 0. I am now counting down the days, and surreptitiously cleaning my desk and environs a little bit every day.

I had an interview with a retirement counselor at work, and am having an interview with a Fidelity rep in February. I plan to give notice on April 2.

Woo hoo!

mathlete

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1032 on: January 09, 2018, 12:52:55 PM »
Just popping in to say that I'm jealous of (and proud of) you guys!!

ZiziPB

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1033 on: January 09, 2018, 01:43:31 PM »
Many congratulations to CowboyAndIndian, Gimesalot and Monkey Uncle, and many thanks for getting our cohort off to a flying start.

This morning, here in the UK, I submitted my resignation in good time for my RE date of 04/27.  I work for a European based global megacorp, and my boss is in Germany.  My resignation has been accepted with good grace and I've had some kind words.  My company are good people and I've never experienced any of the appalling working practices we sometimes read about in here.  European Union legislation simply wouldn't allow the kind of abuses I've noted here.....

Having said that, they are still running a competitive business, and in the 17 years I've been employed here there has been several restructures, downsizing projects etc. and I've somehow managed to survive them all.  I'm leaving on my own terms, and that's a wonderful feeling.

Good luck to all the 2018 cohort!

PD
Congrats poppydog!

ZiziPB

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1034 on: January 09, 2018, 01:52:42 PM »
We had an informal group meeting this morning during which the manager reminded us to let him know our 2018 vacation plans.  It felt strange to listen to others in the group talking about taking time off in late spring or summer.  I was tempted to say that I'm taking Q2, Q3 and Q4 off but stopped myself just in time...

poppydog

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1035 on: January 09, 2018, 02:10:25 PM »
Well done ZiZiPB - you must have been sooooooo tempted to splill the beans!

MaybeBabyMustache

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1036 on: January 09, 2018, 02:35:27 PM »
So impressed with all of you! Love your story, momcpa!!!

Monkey Uncle

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1037 on: January 09, 2018, 03:12:57 PM »
Many congratulations to CowboyAndIndian, Gimesalot and Monkey Uncle, and many thanks for getting our cohort off to a flying start.

This morning, here in the UK, I submitted my resignation in good time for my RE date of 04/27.  I work for a European based global megacorp, and my boss is in Germany.  My resignation has been accepted with good grace and I've had some kind words.  My company are good people and I've never experienced any of the appalling working practices we sometimes read about in here.  European Union legislation simply wouldn't allow the kind of abuses I've noted here.....

Having said that, they are still running a competitive business, and in the 17 years I've been employed here there has been several restructures, downsizing projects etc. and I've somehow managed to survive them all.  I'm leaving on my own terms, and that's a wonderful feeling.

Good luck to all the 2018 cohort!

PD

Congrats for making it official, poppydog.

Gimesalot

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1038 on: January 09, 2018, 07:36:32 PM »
I have a saying on my refrigerator (maybe it came from this site) that says ‘……upon retiring, I’m not so much happy as I am relieved’.  That’s me.   7 more work days. 
I can’t thank all of you enough for the initial (and continued) inspiration to stand up for myself.   AND TO HAVE “FU” MONEY.  Now onto retirement.

What an amazing story.  I can't believe that your resignation got drawn out a year!  Finally it's time.  We'll be counting the 7 days down with you.

@poppydog Congratulations on giving notice.  For me, that was the most difficult part.  I was really nervous and felt sick afterwards.  Walking out of my office on the last day was a breeze.

honeyfill

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1039 on: January 11, 2018, 11:49:29 AM »
Looks like my retirement plans are leaking out.  I had a senior manager ask me directly what my plans are.  I told him to please not spread it around, but unless they give me a lot more money or let me go to part time that I would leave some time this year.
 I'm still not mentally prepared to retire(but I am getting there!). Plus with the in laws living with us , quite frankly , I work harder at home than I do at work.  It wouldn't take much for Megacorp to convince me to hold on for a few more months or even longer. 

NinetyFour

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1040 on: January 11, 2018, 06:51:57 PM »
Adding my congratulations to @poppydog !!

Retire-Canada

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1041 on: January 11, 2018, 07:02:02 PM »
Its a done deal folks.  Thanks for the support. 

Enjoy FIRE PS. :)

NinetyFour

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1042 on: January 11, 2018, 07:06:59 PM »
Its a done deal folks.  Thanks for the support. 

Enjoy FIRE PS. :)

CONGRATULATIONS, @PizzaSteve !!!!!  That all sounds awesome!

DavidAnnArbor

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1043 on: January 11, 2018, 08:15:12 PM »
Congratulations PizzaSteve. The transition from having to save constantly, to saving a lot less or not at all, and even spending the stash saved up is a very weird and destabilizing feeling.  If I'm not saving then I'm wondering if something must be wrong.

CowboyAndIndian

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1044 on: January 11, 2018, 08:16:31 PM »
PizzaSteve on 1/26.

Congratulations! Please edit and put in your age.


01/01/18  CowboyAndIndian (at 59) CONFIRMED
01/04/18  Gimesalot (at 33) CONFIRMED
01/06/18  Monkey Uncle (at 49) CONFIRMED
01/26/18  PizzaSteve CONFIRMED
01/31/18  MomCPA
01/??/18  FIBy30
01/??/18  PrePube
02/01/18  DTaggart
02/09/18  JLTinVA (at 42)
02/16/18  Gimesalot DH (at 40)
02/28/18  brooklynguy
02/28/18  Caoineag (at 36)
03/16/18  Cherry Lane
03/31/18  homestead neohio
03/31/18  Mrbeardedbigbucks
03/31/18  ZiziPB (at 50)
03/31/18  DavidAnnArbor (at 52) (Won't renew my office lease)
03/??/18  Badblackgirl
03/??/18  Clean Shaven
03/??/18  Sofa King
03/??/18  MiserlyMiser
03/??/18  Acastus
04/01/18  Mrs. Honeyfill
04/01/18  patches
04/02/18  Honeyfill  (at 60)
04/19/18  NinetyFour (at 56)
04/27/18  poppydog and DW
04/??/18  Aegishjalmur (at 35)
04/??/18  Calvin
04/??/18  FernFree
04/??/18  Gooki
04/??/18  lostformars
~04/??/18 HappyMargo
~04/??/18 Mother Fussbudget
05/01/18  SwordGuy (at 60)
05/08/18  SwordGuy DW (SwordGuy isn't saying.   He wants to live.)
05/04/18  wordnerd and DH (at 30 and 36)
05/04/18  step_away
05/15/18  Markbike528CBX (at 53.5)
05/25/18  Gyosho
05/25/18  CheapskateWife
05/??/18  Alim Nassor
05/??/18  msilenus
06/15/18  DavisGang90 (at 49)
06/25/18  MaybeBabyMustache (at 42)
06/29/18  aperture
06/30/18  TartanTallulah
06/??/18  Cheddar Stacker
06/??/18  dbtx
06/??/18  Omalley
06/??/18  randomgiraffe
06/??/18  SwissMiss
~06/??/18 Pylortes
07/??/18  AussieGirl
07/??/18  ChasesFish
07/??/18  Mr Griz
~07/??/18 BackAndForth
~07/??/18 cerat0n1a
~07/??/18 Fresh Bread
~07/??/18 SnidelyWhiplashStache
08/01/18  SugarMountain
08/24/18  sol (at 41)
08/??/18  Mr Mark
08/??/18  NorCalistache
08/??/18  RunningWithScissors
09/30/18  SwissMiss
10/05/18  JumboShrimp
10/??/18  Fire1018
10/??/18  Happy
10/??/18  Irishtache
11/??/18  DeSteeg
11/??/18  Kris
12/01/18  Vegasgirl (at 49)
12/21/18  LateStarter
12/??/18  EnjoyIt
12/??/18  yoda34
??/??/18  Blindsquirrel
??/??/18  Michread
??/??/18  Minnesota_mom
??/??/18  OzBeach -- WIGLO (When I Get Laid Off)
??/??/18  thriftycanadian
??/??/18  pecunia
??/??/18  FLStache


SwordGuy

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1045 on: January 11, 2018, 09:56:01 PM »
3 months and 3 weeks for me!  Woot!

LostGirl

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1046 on: January 11, 2018, 10:34:40 PM »
Congrats PizzaSteve!!! Watching and cheering from the sidelines.

poppydog

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1047 on: January 12, 2018, 12:39:55 AM »
Well done PizzeSteve, and many thanks to all for the kind words about me and DW handing in our notice.  Just over three months to go!

In the meantime, there’s the small matter of us becoming grandparents next month to keep us busy!

DTaggart

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1048 on: January 12, 2018, 07:51:11 AM »
Congrats PizzaSteve!!

MaybeBabyMustache

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1049 on: January 12, 2018, 08:13:56 AM »
Congrats, PizzaSteve!!!