Author Topic: 2018 FIRE cohort  (Read 738136 times)

aperture

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1400 on: March 09, 2018, 06:55:13 AM »
I gave notice at the beginning of November that I would be leaving the company in June.  It was a small risk because I could have had a very crappy 8 month slog to departure if people reacted badly.  Only a small risk though because I trust my co-workers.  Since then, I have been all too flexible in accepting some crappy short-term assignments to off load a partner that is in it for the long haul.  I have been pretty candid with my POV on various issues too.  Anyway, I was not sure how my annual review and bonus might go since that is where I would get screwed if I was going to get screwed. 

Met with my boss last week and did the annual review over coffee.  She was 100% gold - appreciated my work, praised me to the hills etc. and told me she had my back on the bonus.  I have not seen the number yet, but I at least got the wink that she understood the bargain - I give her a long runway to replace me, and she does not fuck me come bonus season.  Will update in April when the check is in the banks (plural because I am hacking checking accounts). Best wishes to you all - aperture.

wordnerd

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1401 on: March 09, 2018, 07:04:14 AM »
In continuing micro-milestones toward FIRE, we're letting daycare know that kiddo won't be attending starting in May. Starting to feel more real. :) 41 workdays left...

Dicey

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1402 on: March 09, 2018, 07:18:46 AM »
In continuing micro-milestones toward FIRE, we're letting daycare know that kiddo won't be attending starting in May. Starting to feel more real. :) 41 workdays left...
Love the term micro-milestones and your avatar! Congratulations on your impending FIRE.

wordnerd

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1403 on: March 09, 2018, 07:34:38 AM »
In continuing micro-milestones toward FIRE, we're letting daycare know that kiddo won't be attending starting in May. Starting to feel more real. :) 41 workdays left...
Love the term micro-milestones and your avatar! Congratulations on your impending FIRE.
Thank you!

Target2018

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1404 on: March 09, 2018, 08:22:53 AM »
OK - it is now official, you can put me down as confirmed for March 28th.  I told the boss yesterday after I made sure my year-end bonus was in the bank.  He took it well and even took me and some peers out for drinks after work.  I like him more now that I did for the past 10 years that he has been my boss.  Now it is just a matter of time...

CowboyAndIndian

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1405 on: March 09, 2018, 09:37:20 AM »
Congratulations Target2018!

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 (at 53) CONFIRMED
01/31/18  patches (at 33) CONFIRMED
01/31/18  Wintergreen78 CONFIRMED
01/31/18  MomCPA  CONFIRMED
02/01/18  DTaggart (at 40) CONFIRMED
02/05/18  Mrbeardedbigbucks CONFIRMED
02/09/18  JLTinVA (at 42) CONFIRMED
02/14/18  Gimesalot DH (at 40) CONFIRMED
02/28/18  Caoineag (at 36) CONFIRMED
02/28/18  PKate and DH
03/01/18  Clean Shaven (at 45) CONFIRMED Part Time
03/02/18  brooklynguy (at 37) CONFIRMED
03/09/18  Aegishjalmur (at 35)
03/16/18  Cherry Lane
03/30/18  Moxie (at 58)
03/27/18  Mrs. Honeyfill
03/28/19  Target2018 CONFIRMED
03/31/18  DavidAnnArbor (at 52) (Won't renew my office lease)
03/31/18  homestead neohio
03/31/18  ZiziPB (at 50)
03/??/18  Acastus
03/??/18  Badblackgirl
03/??/18  Sofa King
04/04/18  OzBeach (at 54)
04/02/18  Honeyfill  (at 60)
04/19/18  NinetyFour (at 56)
04/25/18  Modernaimend DH (at 39)
04/27/18  poppydog and DW
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)
05/04/18  step_away
05/04/18  wordnerd and DH (at 30 and 36)
05/08/18  SwordGuy DW (SwordGuy isn't saying.   He wants to live.)
05/10/18  Modernaimend (at 35)
05/15/18  Markbike528CBX (at 53.5)
05/25/18  CheapskateWife (at 42) and CheapskateHubs (at 49)
05/25/18  Gyosho (at 55)
05/??/18  Alim Nassor
05/??/18  msilenus
06/03/18  moneytaichi
06/15/18  DavisGang90 (at 49)
06/25/18  MaybeBabyMustache (at 42)
06/29/18  aperture
06/??/18  Agent Rosenflower
06/??/18  dbtx
06/??/18  Omalley
06/??/18  randomgiraffe
06/??/18  SwissMiss
06/??/18  HenryDavid
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)
08/31/18  JerseyGrrrl
08/??/18  Mr Mark
08/??/18  NorCalistache
08/??/18  RunningWithScissors
09/01/18  Vegasgirl (at 49)
09/21/18  Ottawa
09/30/18  SwissMiss
10/05/18  JumboShrimp
10/25/18  PhilB (at 52)
10/??/18  Fire1018
10/??/18  Happy
10/??/18  Irishtache
11/??/18  DeSteeg
11/??/18  Kris
12/21/18  LateStarter
12/??/18  EnjoyIt
12/??/18  yoda34
??/??/18  Blindsquirrel
??/??/18  FLStache
??/??/18  Michread
??/??/18  Minnesota_mom
??/??/18  MiserlyMiser
??/??/18  pecunia
??/??/18  Mogadishu

Cherry Lane

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1406 on: March 09, 2018, 01:17:09 PM »
Can we wait until actual FIRE to mark confirmed?  While everything usually goes as planned, just read the prior classes’ threads to see examples of when it doesn’t. Plus, it’s nice to see the check in on people’s last day!

ETA:  not to take away from Target 2018's accomplishment.  Congratulations on making the announcement!
« Last Edit: March 09, 2018, 02:53:25 PM by Cherry Lane »

Aegishjalmur

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1407 on: March 09, 2018, 02:50:08 PM »




I'm excited for everyone going this week as we finish out Feb and break into March (my month!), but I'm especially excited for @Aegishjalmur and @Caoineag . I know from Caoineag's journal that they are an MMM forum power couple who will pull up stakes and take to the road for FIRE in their self-built, stealthy travel home/van.

Laughing my ass off at being called a power couple.

But checking in to confirm I am done. Gave my notice Monday 2/26 with Friday 3/9 being my last day. They let me leave on Wednesday so got a couple days back. It was strange saying goodbye. Half the managers had no clue  I was leaving as my manager likes to treat people leavings like a state secret (case and point- co-worker left mid February and last week we had  another person on a team we work with daily that was asking when they were due back). I actually expected to be gone earlier as if you are in the system as of the 1st you count against production figures for the remainder of the month regardless of when you leave.

Doesn't quite seem real yet, today feels like a Sunday to me. Late next week is when should start seeming real as haven't had over a week off since I graduated college.




Monkey Uncle

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1408 on: March 10, 2018, 04:11:55 AM »




I'm excited for everyone going this week as we finish out Feb and break into March (my month!), but I'm especially excited for @Aegishjalmur and @Caoineag . I know from Caoineag's journal that they are an MMM forum power couple who will pull up stakes and take to the road for FIRE in their self-built, stealthy travel home/van.

Laughing my ass off at being called a power couple.

But checking in to confirm I am done. Gave my notice Monday 2/26 with Friday 3/9 being my last day. They let me leave on Wednesday so got a couple days back. It was strange saying goodbye. Half the managers had no clue  I was leaving as my manager likes to treat people leavings like a state secret (case and point- co-worker left mid February and last week we had  another person on a team we work with daily that was asking when they were due back). I actually expected to be gone earlier as if you are in the system as of the 1st you count against production figures for the remainder of the month regardless of when you leave.

Doesn't quite seem real yet, today feels like a Sunday to me. Late next week is when should start seeming real as haven't had over a week off since I graduated college.

Congratulations, and welcome to the other side!  Every day is Saturday now.

Monkey Uncle

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1409 on: March 10, 2018, 04:26:19 AM »
O.K. guys, I hope you won't excommunicate me.  I'm taking on some intermittent part-time work as an adviser to a permittee that I used to work with in my old job.  I'm not sure how much of a time commitment it will turn into, but I'm aiming for no more than 10 hours a week on average.  The project should last until October or November.

I'm mainly doing this as a hedge against something bad happening to the ACA.  If I had to pay for an individual health insurance policy out of pocket, it would run to around $25k/yr, which would put a serious crimp in my FIRE budget.  So I'm doing this mainly to network and keep current in case I should need to earn some real money in the future.  If it turns into a PITA or a bigger time commitment than I want, I'll bail.

I'm still calling myself retired!

chasesfish

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1410 on: March 10, 2018, 04:55:57 AM »
Why get excommunicated?  This is one of the awesome parts of having options, offers for very flexible, low hour commitment paying work that does dramatically good things for your FIRE number and creates great excess!

davisgang90

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1411 on: March 10, 2018, 04:56:32 AM »
O.K. guys, I hope you won't excommunicate me.  I'm taking on some intermittent part-time work as an adviser to a permittee that I used to work with in my old job.  I'm not sure how much of a time commitment it will turn into, but I'm aiming for no more than 10 hours a week on average.  The project should last until October or November.

I'm mainly doing this as a hedge against something bad happening to the ACA.  If I had to pay for an individual health insurance policy out of pocket, it would run to around $25k/yr, which would put a serious crimp in my FIRE budget.  So I'm doing this mainly to network and keep current in case I should need to earn some real money in the future.  If it turns into a PITA or a bigger time commitment than I want, I'll bail.

I'm still calling myself retired!
Don't move, the Retirement Police are en route to your position.
« Last Edit: March 10, 2018, 05:08:59 AM by davisgang90 »

Monkey Uncle

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1412 on: March 10, 2018, 12:41:49 PM »
Why get excommunicated?  This is one of the awesome parts of having options, offers for very flexible, low hour commitment paying work that does dramatically good things for your FIRE number and creates great excess!

Yep, that's how I'm choosing to look at it.

Roboturner

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1413 on: March 12, 2018, 01:43:55 PM »
tag to follow, Good Luck and Congratulations to all you 2018-ers!

CodeZed

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1414 on: March 13, 2018, 09:30:00 AM »
Hello everyone. Long time reader and forum lurker here. Ready to add my name and date to the 2018 cohort after a rough Monday yesterday. I'll tell my story after I give notice (possibly as soon as next week).

Eyeing my last day on May 25th. CAN'T WAIT.

CowboyAndIndian

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1415 on: March 13, 2018, 11:20:01 AM »
Congratulations CodeZed! Waiting for your story....

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 (at 53) CONFIRMED
01/31/18  patches (at 33) CONFIRMED
01/31/18  Wintergreen78 CONFIRMED
01/31/18  MomCPA  CONFIRMED
02/01/18  DTaggart (at 40) CONFIRMED
02/05/18  Mrbeardedbigbucks CONFIRMED
02/09/18  JLTinVA (at 42) CONFIRMED
02/14/18  Gimesalot DH (at 40) CONFIRMED
02/28/18  Caoineag (at 36) CONFIRMED
02/28/18  PKate and DH
03/01/18  Clean Shaven (at 45) CONFIRMED Part Time
03/02/18  brooklynguy (at 37) CONFIRMED
03/09/18  Aegishjalmur (at 35)
03/16/18  Cherry Lane
03/30/18  Moxie (at 58)
03/27/18  Mrs. Honeyfill
03/28/19  Target2018 CONFIRMED
03/31/18  DavidAnnArbor (at 52) (Won't renew my office lease)
03/31/18  homestead neohio
03/31/18  ZiziPB (at 50)
03/??/18  Acastus
03/??/18  Badblackgirl
03/??/18  Sofa King
04/04/18  OzBeach (at 54)
04/02/18  Honeyfill  (at 60)
04/19/18  NinetyFour (at 56)
04/25/18  Modernaimend DH (at 39)
04/27/18  poppydog and DW
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)
05/04/18  step_away
05/04/18  wordnerd and DH (at 30 and 36)
05/08/18  SwordGuy DW (SwordGuy isn't saying.   He wants to live.)
05/10/18  Modernaimend (at 35)
05/15/18  Markbike528CBX (at 53.5)
05/25/18  CheapskateWife (at 42) and CheapskateHubs (at 49)
05/25/18  Gyosho (at 55)
05/25/18  CodeZed
05/??/18  Alim Nassor
05/??/18  msilenus
06/03/18  moneytaichi
06/15/18  DavisGang90 (at 49)
06/25/18  MaybeBabyMustache (at 42)
06/29/18  aperture
06/??/18  Agent Rosenflower
06/??/18  dbtx
06/??/18  Omalley
06/??/18  randomgiraffe
06/??/18  SwissMiss
06/??/18  HenryDavid
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)
08/31/18  JerseyGrrrl
08/??/18  Mr Mark
08/??/18  NorCalistache
08/??/18  RunningWithScissors
09/01/18  Vegasgirl (at 49)
09/21/18  Ottawa
09/30/18  SwissMiss
10/05/18  JumboShrimp
10/25/18  PhilB (at 52)
10/??/18  Fire1018
10/??/18  Happy
10/??/18  Irishtache
11/??/18  DeSteeg
11/??/18  Kris
12/21/18  LateStarter
12/??/18  EnjoyIt
12/??/18  yoda34
??/??/18  Blindsquirrel
??/??/18  FLStache
??/??/18  Michread
??/??/18  Minnesota_mom
??/??/18  MiserlyMiser
??/??/18  pecunia
??/??/18  Mogadishu

SwordGuy

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1416 on: March 13, 2018, 10:01:21 PM »
A month and a half for me.   So close!!!

ZiziPB

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1417 on: March 14, 2018, 11:20:34 AM »
Giving my notice tomorrow!  Any last words of advice?  Neither my manager nor anyone else at work has any idea of what's about to happen.

honeyfill

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1418 on: March 14, 2018, 11:26:51 AM »
Giving my notice tomorrow!  Any last words of advice?  Neither my manager nor anyone else at work has any idea of what's about to happen.
Great News! Congratulations.  If you have any desire to keep working, your leverage will never be higher than tomorrow. See if they will consider a stay bonus, part time work, work from home etc.  Otherwise , stick to your guns and welcome to the ex-working week. 

NinetyFour

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1419 on: March 14, 2018, 11:42:35 AM »
Giving my notice tomorrow!  Any last words of advice?  Neither my manager nor anyone else at work has any idea of what's about to happen.

Go for it and enjoy the moment!!!  :)

Monkey Uncle

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1420 on: March 14, 2018, 12:44:21 PM »
Giving my notice tomorrow!  Any last words of advice?  Neither my manager nor anyone else at work has any idea of what's about to happen.

If your boss likes you and/or appreciates the work you do, be prepared for him/her to put on a full court press to get you to stay.  Plan ahead for how you are going to react to that. 

Also, be prepared for your boss to be taken off guard and possibly hurt by your decision.  I viewed my boss as completely unflappable in any situation, so I was not prepared for his clearly unpleasantly surprised reaction to my announcement.

modernaimend

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1421 on: March 14, 2018, 01:01:30 PM »
Started my "soft quit" today - I submitted my mat leave paperwork and had a chat with my boss that I'd chosen to defer making a decision on claiming mat leave allowances because I'm considering not coming back.  I know I won't be, but didn't want to officially quit quite this early, they'll get a month of notice in late April.  He was a little surprised but took it well.

It's getting a little more real :)

ZiziPB

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1422 on: March 14, 2018, 02:19:53 PM »
Giving my notice tomorrow!  Any last words of advice?  Neither my manager nor anyone else at work has any idea of what's about to happen.

If your boss likes you and/or appreciates the work you do, be prepared for him/her to put on a full court press to get you to stay.  Plan ahead for how you are going to react to that. 

Also, be prepared for your boss to be taken off guard and possibly hurt by your decision.  I viewed my boss as completely unflappable in any situation, so I was not prepared for his clearly unpleasantly surprised reaction to my announcement.

Good points and I think both of these are likely to happen. 

As to the unpleasant surprise, we're in a midst of a large project now so my timing IS bad.  And I had my annual review earlier in the week when I really should have told him that I was leaving.  But I didn't want to put the (large) bonus at risk - it will be in my account tomorrow morning :-)  Oh well, I've decided on this FIRE date 3 or 4 years ago, so there was no telling how busy or slow were going to be.  And I suspect that there's never going to be a good time for me to quit from his perspective. 

My boss at my prior job used to tell me that if I ever wanted to quit I needed to give him a 10 year notice...

homestead neohio

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1423 on: March 14, 2018, 06:35:53 PM »
Aegishjalmur marked confirmed and changed date to 3/7/18.

I just received word that while my official  last day is 3/31/18, my effective last day will be lunch on 3/28/18.  I will turn in my laptop and all work related expectations cease.  I'll be free!  Updated my date and added my age.

@Cherry Lane , Friday 3/16 is just around the corner.  How are you doing?

We've still got a few folks with undecided dates listed in March.  How are things going @Acastus @Badblackgirl and @Sofa King ? Are you going to make it in March? If so, which day?  If not, what is the revised plan?


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 (at 53) CONFIRMED
01/31/18  patches (at 33) CONFIRMED
01/31/18  Wintergreen78 CONFIRMED
01/31/18  MomCPA  CONFIRMED
02/01/18  DTaggart (at 40) CONFIRMED
02/05/18  Mrbeardedbigbucks CONFIRMED
02/09/18  JLTinVA (at 42) CONFIRMED
02/14/18  Gimesalot DH (at 40) CONFIRMED
02/28/18  Caoineag (at 36) CONFIRMED
02/28/18  PKate and DH
03/01/18  Clean Shaven (at 45) CONFIRMED Part Time
03/02/18  brooklynguy (at 37) CONFIRMED
03/07/18  Aegishjalmur (at 35) CONFIRMED
03/16/18  Cherry Lane
03/27/18  Mrs. Honeyfill
03/28/18  Target2018 CONFIRMED
03/28/18  homestead neohio (at 39)
03/30/18  Moxie (at 58)
03/31/18  DavidAnnArbor (at 52) (Won't renew my office lease)
03/31/18  ZiziPB (at 50)
03/??/18  Acastus
03/??/18  Badblackgirl
03/??/18  Sofa King
04/04/18  OzBeach (at 54)
04/02/18  Honeyfill  (at 60)
04/19/18  NinetyFour (at 56)
04/25/18  Modernaimend DH (at 39)
04/27/18  poppydog and DW
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)
05/04/18  step_away
05/04/18  wordnerd and DH (at 30 and 36)
05/08/18  SwordGuy DW (SwordGuy isn't saying.   He wants to live.)
05/10/18  Modernaimend (at 35)
05/15/18  Markbike528CBX (at 53.5)
05/25/18  CheapskateWife (at 42) and CheapskateHubs (at 49)
05/25/18  Gyosho (at 55)
05/25/18  CodeZed
05/??/18  Alim Nassor
05/??/18  msilenus
06/03/18  moneytaichi
06/15/18  DavisGang90 (at 49)
06/25/18  MaybeBabyMustache (at 42)
06/29/18  aperture
06/??/18  Agent Rosenflower
06/??/18  dbtx
06/??/18  Omalley
06/??/18  randomgiraffe
06/??/18  SwissMiss
06/??/18  HenryDavid
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)
08/31/18  JerseyGrrrl
08/??/18  Mr Mark
08/??/18  NorCalistache
08/??/18  RunningWithScissors
09/01/18  Vegasgirl (at 49)
09/21/18  Ottawa
09/30/18  SwissMiss
10/05/18  JumboShrimp
10/25/18  PhilB (at 52)
10/??/18  Fire1018
10/??/18  Happy
10/??/18  Irishtache
11/??/18  DeSteeg
11/??/18  Kris
12/21/18  LateStarter
12/??/18  EnjoyIt
12/??/18  yoda34
??/??/18  Blindsquirrel
??/??/18  FLStache
??/??/18  Michread
??/??/18  Minnesota_mom
??/??/18  MiserlyMiser
??/??/18  pecunia
??/??/18  Mogadishu

Cherry Lane

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1424 on: March 14, 2018, 07:52:23 PM »
@Cherry Lane , Friday 3/16 is just around the corner.  How are you doing?

Thanks for asking. It's almost here! 

Yesterday was my last day in the office, but I'm not done work yet.  I'm traveling for the rest of the week, with my last presentation tomorrow.  I knew I'd be traveling, but it was supposed to be just a mentoring role for a staff member who was to do the presenting (to answer whatever questions he couldn't).  But he got injured and couldn't travel, so this isn't quite the laid-back ending I'd hoped for. Fortunately, I've given this talk 100 times before, just not recently (since I've been having others do it to prepare for my absence).

Friday, my last day, will just be making the trip home. Not expecting to do any actual work.

We had a potluck (my choice, spreading frugality!) lunch in the office yesterday to celebrate my departure.  Some people I didn't expect to care made a point to come by and wish me well, while others I thought would did not.  The big boss told me I'd always have a place there if I wanted to return (so long as he's there, of course), which felt very nice, especially since we've only worked together 1.5 years (I've been there 11).

homestead neohio

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1425 on: March 15, 2018, 06:33:53 AM »
@Cherry Lane , enjoy that final presentation today knowing it is your last ever work responsibility and you just have to get home to be done.  Very excited for you!

My DH left the house this morning smiling saying only 27 more days.   He has had a few awkward conversations when coworkers have asked him what he plans on doing when he leaves.  He hasn't told them he is FI.  He has mentioned he wants to completely switch careers and take time to do that. This is something he has always wanted to do so he thought it would be an easier explanation than retiring.   The next question from the coworkers is what do I do for work.  I don't work and this baffles the coworkers since they know I have a bunch of health issues.  I am sure some of this is due to my DH being under 40 years old.   

I know one of of his old friends and current project manager knows our situation and is impressed, slightly jealous, very happy for us, and not surprised that we are FI at this point.

@PKate , you and your DH are still listed as 2/28/18, but above indicates sometime in April.  Do you have a revised date we can add to the list?

ZiziPB

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1426 on: March 15, 2018, 06:51:13 AM »
I've done it!  I've given notice!  I will probably end up working into April so my actual FIRE date will change because my manager and I still need to agree on the logistics of the transition.  But it's a done deal!

homestead neohio

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1427 on: March 15, 2018, 07:11:08 AM »
I've done it!  I've given notice!  I will probably end up working into April so my actual FIRE date will change because my manager and I still need to agree on the logistics of the transition.  But it's a done deal!

Way to go!  How did the discussion go? 

Don't let them keep you longer than you want!  It is not up to them, it is up to you.  I understand wanting a good transition, but this is a time for them to thank you for your work and be nice so you support the transition, not a time for them to dump a shit ton of work on you and push the date out.  Some employers don't understand that.

andkar

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1428 on: March 15, 2018, 07:15:46 AM »
Hello!

Last day at work is April 27th. Boss was notified in November or so, he wasn't surprised. Apartment lease terminated. Bags packed (not really, I always pack the last minute).

Dicey

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1429 on: March 15, 2018, 09:07:08 AM »
I've done it!  I've given notice!  I will probably end up working into April so my actual FIRE date will change because my manager and I still need to agree on the logistics of the transition.  But it's a done deal!
Hooray!

CowboyAndIndian

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1430 on: March 15, 2018, 09:09:56 AM »
Welcome andkar!

@PKate : did you FIRE?


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 (at 53) CONFIRMED
01/31/18  patches (at 33) CONFIRMED
01/31/18  Wintergreen78 CONFIRMED
01/31/18  MomCPA  CONFIRMED
02/01/18  DTaggart (at 40) CONFIRMED
02/05/18  Mrbeardedbigbucks CONFIRMED
02/09/18  JLTinVA (at 42) CONFIRMED
02/14/18  Gimesalot DH (at 40) CONFIRMED
02/28/18  Caoineag (at 36) CONFIRMED
02/28/18  PKate and DH
03/01/18  Clean Shaven (at 45) CONFIRMED Part Time
03/02/18  brooklynguy (at 37) CONFIRMED
03/07/18  Aegishjalmur (at 35) CONFIRMED
03/16/18  Cherry Lane
03/27/18  Mrs. Honeyfill
03/28/18  Target2018 CONFIRMED
03/28/18  homestead neohio (at 39)
03/30/18  Moxie (at 58)
03/31/18  DavidAnnArbor (at 52) (Won't renew my office lease)
03/31/18  ZiziPB (at 50)
03/??/18  Acastus
03/??/18  Badblackgirl
03/??/18  Sofa King
04/04/18  OzBeach (at 54)
04/02/18  Honeyfill  (at 60)
04/19/18  NinetyFour (at 56)
04/25/18  Modernaimend DH (at 39)
04/27/18  poppydog and DW
04/27/18  andkar
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)
05/04/18  step_away
05/04/18  wordnerd and DH (at 30 and 36)
05/08/18  SwordGuy DW (SwordGuy isn't saying.   He wants to live.)
05/10/18  Modernaimend (at 35)
05/15/18  Markbike528CBX (at 53.5)
05/25/18  CheapskateWife (at 42) and CheapskateHubs (at 49)
05/25/18  Gyosho (at 55)
05/25/18  CodeZed
05/??/18  Alim Nassor
05/??/18  msilenus
06/03/18  moneytaichi
06/15/18  DavisGang90 (at 49)
06/25/18  MaybeBabyMustache (at 42)
06/29/18  aperture
06/??/18  Agent Rosenflower
06/??/18  dbtx
06/??/18  Omalley
06/??/18  randomgiraffe
06/??/18  SwissMiss
06/??/18  HenryDavid
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)
08/31/18  JerseyGrrrl
08/??/18  Mr Mark
08/??/18  NorCalistache
08/??/18  RunningWithScissors
09/01/18  Vegasgirl (at 49)
09/21/18  Ottawa
09/30/18  SwissMiss
10/05/18  JumboShrimp
10/25/18  PhilB (at 52)
10/??/18  Fire1018
10/??/18  Happy
10/??/18  Irishtache
11/??/18  DeSteeg
11/??/18  Kris
12/21/18  LateStarter
12/??/18  EnjoyIt
12/??/18  yoda34
??/??/18  Blindsquirrel
??/??/18  FLStache
??/??/18  Michread
??/??/18  Minnesota_mom
??/??/18  MiserlyMiser
??/??/18  pecunia
??/??/18  Mogadishu

JerseyGrrrl

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1431 on: March 15, 2018, 05:19:39 PM »
Also, be prepared for your boss to be taken off guard and possibly hurt by your decision.  I viewed my boss as completely unflappable in any situation, so I was not prepared for his clearly unpleasantly surprised reaction to my announcement.

This is what I'm afraid will happen when I give notice. My bosses are going to be pissed! They all think I will be there for another 15+ years. My boss's boss was angry at my coworker when she announced she was retiring--even though she was over 60 and gave 6 months notice.

JerseyGrrrl

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1432 on: March 15, 2018, 05:26:03 PM »
So earlier in the thread I mentioned how I was feeling bad about leaving because the head of my department was leaving, plus they offered me a possibly good opportunity to head a big committee.

Just when I convinced myself to refuse this offer, I found out over the weekend that another person in my department gave her two weeks’ notice. So now I was REALLY feeling guilty about leaving, since they’ll be even more shorthanded.

Well, no more.

We got our bonuses today. I’ve been a little disappointed with my bonuses in the past, so this year I really tried to step up. I was asked to take on more duties, and I did. I worked more Saturdays during our busy season than I have in the past. I thought for sure that would get me at least something more.

I got a LOWER bonus than I did last year.

Meanwhile, while my bonus was lower than last year, the share price for the company’s stockholders (officers/bigwigs only) went up.

So I am DONE feeling guilty.

Part of me wants to march in there tomorrow morning and give two weeks’ notice.

But I am too nice, and I don’t believe in burning bridges, and I’d like a good reference in the future. So I will stick to my plan and give notice when busy season is over so as not to overly stress them now and tell them I will stay until the end of the summer to give them time to replace me.

My husband kept telling me not to feel guilty—it’s just business. Today I saw he was right.

NO MORE GUILT.

sol

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1433 on: March 15, 2018, 06:23:38 PM »
We got our bonuses today. I’ve been a little disappointed with my bonuses in the past, so this year I really tried to step up... I thought for sure that would get me at least something more.

I got a LOWER bonus than I did last year.

How long did it take you to figure this out?  I've only been working ten years, but it was in year three that I finally figured out that my job performance was in no way related to my pay, promotions, or reputation in the eyes of my superiors in the chain of command.  By year five I was already a burned out has-been, but I was a burned out has-been who needed the money. 

Every time I have taken on additional responsibilities, or stepped up to answer a challenge, or volunteered for something important, I have universally and without exception been punished for it in one way or another.  I am an interchangeable cog in a vast bureaucratic machine, and the only thing that matters is how effectively I perform my cog-function.  I hate it.

It doesn't help that in my ten years of working, my female boss has hired eleven female employees and no male ones, in a profession that is approximately 70% male.  I'm all for gender equality, but not if you have to be blatantly discriminatory about it.  60% of our senior staff is female, too.   Sometimes I wonder if the difficulties I've faced at work are shared by everyone in my organization, or if I just have a sexist work environment.  Not that it really matters, because I hate it either way.

I will feel absolutely no guilt when I bail.  I'm currently leading a high-pressure project on a short deadline, and I've been telling them for a month now that we need more money, more time, and more people if we're going to deliver anything resembling what was promised to the customer.  If they listen to me they'll bring on enough help to ride it out when I submit my notice, but knowing how they operate they'll just dump and dump on me until I get fed up and slam the door on my way out for the last time.

Today was not a good day at work.

markbike528CBX

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1434 on: March 15, 2018, 07:59:19 PM »
Also, be prepared for your boss to be taken off guard and possibly hurt by your decision.  I viewed my boss as completely unflappable in any situation, so I was not prepared for his clearly unpleasantly surprised reaction to my announcement.

This is what I'm afraid will happen when I give notice. My bosses are going to be pissed! They all think I will be there for another 15+ years. My boss's boss was angry at my coworker when she announced she was retiring--even though she was over 60 and gave 6 months notice.

The worst thing I did is give six months notice.   Your bosses are soon to be ex-bosses. 
https://markmanson.net/not-giving-a-fuck

While I have a good boss, and understand his pressures, not my problem.

Two of my other coworkers are retiring early this year ( so 3 of 13 ). See boss pressures above.

While I feel better about giving 6 months ( unusual in the US), it has been tough on me, with the anticipation, and time to doubt, I would have given 1 month, except I didn't want to retire in winter.





chasesfish

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1435 on: March 15, 2018, 08:21:14 PM »
@sol and @jerseygirl its so interesting to hear about discretionary bonuses...

15 years with the same company and I've never been subjected to a discretionary bonus, all in sales-related fields with mathematical calculations around produce X receive $$s.

Interestingly 2018 (payment of March 2019) is the first year of a big discretionary component.  Nice time to say peace-out

itchyfeet

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1436 on: March 15, 2018, 09:48:40 PM »
Also, be prepared for your boss to be taken off guard and possibly hurt by your decision.  I viewed my boss as completely unflappable in any situation, so I was not prepared for his clearly unpleasantly surprised reaction to my announcement.

This is what I'm afraid will happen when I give notice. My bosses are going to be pissed! They all think I will be there for another 15+ years. My boss's boss was angry at my coworker when she announced she was retiring--even though she was over 60 and gave 6 months notice.

The worst thing I did is give six months notice.   Your bosses are soon to be ex-bosses. 
https://markmanson.net/not-giving-a-fuck

While I have a good boss, and understand his pressures, not my problem.

Two of my other coworkers are retiring early this year ( so 3 of 13 ). See boss pressures above.

While I feel better about giving 6 months ( unusual in the US), it has been tough on me, with the anticipation, and time to doubt, I would have given 1 month, except I didn't want to retire in winter.

There is no way I am letting on 6 months out. Unfortunately my contract requires 3 months, otherwise it would be 4 weeks notice from me. In my past experience, being on death row for a month is plenty long enough.

Cherry Lane

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1437 on: March 16, 2018, 03:55:32 PM »
It's done!  Training presentation went well yesterday; it was a good chance to say goodbye to people I only see once per year.  Today I drove home, returned the car, sent out farewell emails, and filed for my travel reimbursement. 

Various extended family members have contacted me today with congratulations.  My parents were not among them, even though I spoke with my mother this morning. 


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 (at 53) CONFIRMED
01/31/18  patches (at 33) CONFIRMED
01/31/18  Wintergreen78 CONFIRMED
01/31/18  MomCPA  CONFIRMED
02/01/18  DTaggart (at 40) CONFIRMED
02/05/18  Mrbeardedbigbucks CONFIRMED
02/09/18  JLTinVA (at 42) CONFIRMED
02/14/18  Gimesalot DH (at 40) CONFIRMED
02/28/18  Caoineag (at 36) CONFIRMED
02/28/18  PKate and DH
03/01/18  Clean Shaven (at 45) CONFIRMED Part Time
03/02/18  brooklynguy (at 37) CONFIRMED
03/07/18  Aegishjalmur (at 35) CONFIRMED
03/16/18  Cherry Lane (at 43) CONFIRMED
03/27/18  Mrs. Honeyfill
03/28/18  Target2018 Gave Notice
03/28/18  homestead neohio (at 39)
03/30/18  Moxie (at 58)
03/31/18  DavidAnnArbor (at 52) (Won't renew my office lease)
03/31/18  ZiziPB (at 50)
03/??/18  Acastus
03/??/18  Badblackgirl
03/??/18  Sofa King
04/04/18  OzBeach (at 54)
04/02/18  Honeyfill  (at 60)
04/19/18  NinetyFour (at 56)
04/25/18  Modernaimend DH (at 39)
04/27/18  poppydog and DW
04/27/18  andkar
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)
05/04/18  step_away
05/04/18  wordnerd and DH (at 30 and 36)
05/08/18  SwordGuy DW (SwordGuy isn't saying.   He wants to live.)
05/10/18  Modernaimend (at 35)
05/15/18  Markbike528CBX (at 53.5)
05/25/18  CheapskateWife (at 42) and CheapskateHubs (at 49)
05/25/18  Gyosho (at 55)
05/25/18  CodeZed
05/??/18  Alim Nassor
05/??/18  msilenus
06/03/18  moneytaichi
06/15/18  DavisGang90 (at 49)
06/25/18  MaybeBabyMustache (at 42)
06/29/18  aperture
06/??/18  Agent Rosenflower
06/??/18  dbtx
06/??/18  Omalley
06/??/18  randomgiraffe
06/??/18  SwissMiss
06/??/18  HenryDavid
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)
08/31/18  JerseyGrrrl
08/??/18  Mr Mark
08/??/18  NorCalistache
08/??/18  RunningWithScissors
09/01/18  Vegasgirl (at 49)
09/21/18  Ottawa
09/30/18  SwissMiss
10/05/18  JumboShrimp
10/25/18  PhilB (at 52)
10/??/18  Fire1018
10/??/18  Happy
10/??/18  Irishtache
11/??/18  DeSteeg
11/??/18  Kris
12/21/18  LateStarter
12/??/18  EnjoyIt
12/??/18  yoda34
??/??/18  Blindsquirrel
??/??/18  FLStache
??/??/18  Michread
??/??/18  Minnesota_mom
??/??/18  MiserlyMiser
??/??/18  pecunia
??/??/18  Mogadishu


Monkey Uncle

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1438 on: March 16, 2018, 04:24:43 PM »
Congrats Cherry Lane!

Gyosho

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1439 on: March 16, 2018, 05:31:55 PM »
My boss is in total denial. Yesterday, with panic in his eyes, he mentioned he wanted to hire someone to shadow me for the next 6 months.

My last day is May 25. I just smiled at him.

ZiziPB

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1440 on: March 16, 2018, 05:48:01 PM »
Congrats Cherry Lane!  Loved the picture of your empty desk a few days ago. Enjoy your freedom!!!

Fresh Bread

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1441 on: March 16, 2018, 07:55:53 PM »
Congrats Cherry Lane.

Gyosho - I remember smiling that smile when I left the corporate world a few years ago. Your face will start aching by May, ha ha.

JLTinVA

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1442 on: March 17, 2018, 07:35:55 PM »
This is my first day back on the forum since FIRE'ing on 2/9. I'm only 5 weeks in; I'm sure the stressful detox period will hit me eventually, but so far, I just feel at peace.

We spent 2 weeks in Florida in February visiting family on both sides. It was great to be able to have extended time with them, rather than having to rush through visits to try and see everyone. Right now, I'm writing from sunny Hawaii, where we're halfway through a 3-week trip to cat-sit for a friend. (I'm allergic to cats, but for a free place to stay on Oahu, I invested in some Allegra and packed my bags.) We have plans to visit friends in April, plus a trip to Tennessee for some springtime hiking in the Smoky Mountains.

Since retiring, I've been sleeping beautifully, reading a lot, going for long walks every day, and cooking delicious food. Without really trying, I'm in better shape than I've been in in years. Oh, and I haven't had a migraine since I left work. Quite a coincidence, eh?

Cherry Lane

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1443 on: March 17, 2018, 07:42:15 PM »
Since retiring, I've been sleeping beautifully, reading a lot, going for long walks every day, and cooking delicious food. Without really trying, I'm in better shape than I've been in in years. Oh, and I haven't had a migraine since I left work. Quite a coincidence, eh?

Thanks for the update!  And I really, really, really hope that bolded part holds true for me.

poppydog

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1444 on: March 18, 2018, 03:40:39 AM »
Many congratulation Cherry Lane and JLT.

6 more weeks for me and Mrs PD! 

I love this forum thread, it’s full of positivity and encouragement.

PD

ZiziPB

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1445 on: March 18, 2018, 04:07:34 AM »
I have agreed on the departure schedule at work:  will work through the last week of April, with the last day somewhere between April 25-27.  I have also asked the group head to keep it really low key in terms of goodbye parties or gifts.  Hopefully she will do as I asked, but I expect it will be hard to break with a longstanding tradition :-)

aperture

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1446 on: March 18, 2018, 07:15:20 AM »
Congrats ZiziPB.  For me, it was a load off to have the details ironed out. I hope you find the same.

I have one more week before my spring vacation.  When I come back to work in April, I will have exactly 60 work days remaining. While I am feeling pretty worn out by work, I no longer have that sisyphean dread that dogged me in September last year.  Back then I was surprised to find that rather than easier, my last year was the hardest year I had ever worked. As previously covered, it was several factors that combined to make it a tough period.  Now on a scale of 0 to -10 where 0 is neutral and -10 is the suckiest work could ever be, I find my job seldom dives below a -4.  That is 100% doable for a few short months. 

Today I rose before the sun and listed about 15 items in my eBay store. I love turning other people's waste stream into income.  My goal for the store is to produce ~$2k/month in sales starting in September. 

chasesfish

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1447 on: March 18, 2018, 07:50:41 AM »
Layoff request has officially been made...

I'm sure the first response will be no, but I'm out there and on a list if a cost savings is needed.  Immediate boss is generally supportive since my reasons are medical issues for my spouse and my area of responsibility could be collapsed into others and solve some problems.  Challenge is, as he put it, "70% of me is better than 100% of most people".

If this doesn't come through, I may be bowing out and part of the 2019 coherts for February 2019

Mr Mark

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1448 on: March 19, 2018, 06:56:26 AM »
Great news. I just managed to land a 'free' OMY without changing my FIRE date. With only a few months to go before I was planning to pull the rip cord, Megacorp announced my entire division is being sold lock, stock and barrel. A deal has been on the cards for over a year, but now its all signed.

Just had my official meeting with the lovely people from HR and they confirmed that I will be one of the ones 'forced' to get involuntary redundancy. Because of my many years service, the deal is pretty awesome - over a years salary as a cash lump sum, plus 3 months notice period paid out in lieu (just not yet, the deal doesn't get activated for payroll purposes until end July). Still have to pay tax on it, but while I knew there was a chance of getting a deal, am naturally very happy to get it confirmed. I was expecting to have to simply resign and thus get no package at all.

So there's no turning back now. Solidly on track for mid August FIRE. And now with a lovely top up to the 'stache. Will be popping a bottle of prosecco to celebrate with DW tonight. Woohoo!

(Albeit tinged with sadness for some of my younger colleagues who will also get canned but with a lot less payout, due to having fewer years and nowhere near FI.)


Trifle

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1449 on: March 19, 2018, 07:00:01 AM »
Congratulations Mr Mark!  That is absolutely fantastic.