Author Topic: 2018 FIRE cohort  (Read 738178 times)

Vegasgirl

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 150
  • Location: Washington DC Metro
  • Never have a battle of wits with an unarmed person
Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1450 on: March 19, 2018, 07:27:49 AM »
JLT - Loved hearing the update !!! Congrats to everyone so far !!!

LessIsLess

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 90
Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1451 on: March 19, 2018, 08:05:45 AM »
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.

Your 60+ year old coworker was supposed to die on the job.  How dare she retire! 

Monkey Uncle

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1740
  • Location: West-by-god-Virginia
Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1452 on: March 19, 2018, 01:12:39 PM »
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.)

Damn, that's a sweet deal!  Congratulations!

RunningWithScissors

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 149
  • Location: Victoria, BC Canada
Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1453 on: March 19, 2018, 02:31:20 PM »
I'm planning on giving notice in one week, now that my colleague's promotion to manager is nearly official.  The two of us are a very tight team and wanted to give our boss time to deal with one change at a time.  Given the long hiring process around here (6 months, in my case), my FIRE date is still end of August but I'll have three weeks vacation to use up before then.

OMY syndrome is rearing its ugly head, but I'm doing my best to beat it into submission.

msilenus

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 524
Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1454 on: March 20, 2018, 06:19:51 PM »
... the announcements are out, resignation paperwork filed, and we're transitioning the few things that need transitioning.  Next week is my last in the office.  My boss was really cool, and I get to stay on benefits via accrued vacation through early May.  My guesstimate last year was late May.  That's closer than I would have expected.

Mr Mark

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1229
  • Location: Planet Earth
  • Achieved Financial Independence summer 2014. RE'18
Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1455 on: March 21, 2018, 04:46:50 AM »
Damn, that's a sweet deal!  Congratulations!
Congratulations Mr Mark!  That is absolutely fantastic.

Thanks guys. Sometimes Megacorp's rigid HR procedures and SOPs actually work out in your favour.  Also shows why delaying giving notice until legal minimum may be the best 'default' position. It may sound harsh, but business is business. If I had already requested to retire early, pretty sure HR would not now be giving me a severance package!

Remember, the HR dept is there to look after the company's interests, not yours.

DavidAnnArbor

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2266
  • Age: 58
  • Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1456 on: March 21, 2018, 04:11:06 PM »
Congratulations Mr. Mark

Peter Parker

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 249
Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1457 on: March 21, 2018, 05:13:25 PM »
Will be popping a bottle of prosecco to celebrate with DW tonight. Woohoo!

Prosecco in Italy?  With some salty, deep-fried veggies?  You might want to take some of that bonus stache and splurge!  For some reason prosecco taste better in Italia.

Trifle

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 5902
  • Age: 57
  • Location: Outside, NC, US
    • In The Garden
Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1458 on: March 22, 2018, 05:54:23 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.

Just found out that my current company is being bought by MegaCorp, and they are aiming to close the deal in the fall.  I'm currently in the 2019 FIRE Cohort (planned last day was 4/1/19) but depending on how this goes, I may be knocking on the door here and asking if I can join your 2018 party.

I've never been through an acquisition situation.  I fully expect half the people in my department to be laid off, and I'm not sure how ruthless MegaCorp is about these things, whether they offer severance, etc.  Hopefully it works out even half as well for me as it did for you Mr. Mark! 

homestead neohio

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 854
    • Journal - Seeds Sprout
Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1459 on: March 22, 2018, 06:14:47 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.

Just found out that my current company is being bought by MegaCorp, and they are aiming to close the deal in the fall.  I'm currently in the 2019 FIRE Cohort (planned last day was 4/1/19) but depending on how this goes, I may be knocking on the door here and asking if I can join your 2018 party.

I've never been through an acquisition situation.  I fully expect half the people in my department to be laid off, and I'm not sure how ruthless MegaCorp is about these things, whether they offer severance, etc.  Hopefully it works out even half as well for me as it did for you Mr. Mark!

Every situation is different, but once the acquisition is complete, ask HR if there is a change of control agreement between megacorp and purchased corp and get a copy.  This will spell out minimum obligations for severance should they term anyone within a certain timeframe of acquisition.

I'm using a post-acquisition site closure to catapult me into Semi-FIRE.  They took over one full year before announcing my site would close, and my last day (3/28/18!) is 17 month after they announced the site would close.  So it could take so long (30+ months for me) that it is just a distraction and not worth delaying FIRE.  You can always volunteer for a layoff with HR, saying if there will be layoffs as a result of the acquisition you'd accept one given reasonable severance.  You might make someone's job of choosing who to lay off easier and keep someone else from being involuntarily laid off.

I had never been through an acquisition and it was painful, but worth it to me in the end.  GOOD LUCK @Trifele !
« Last Edit: March 22, 2018, 06:52:32 AM by homestead neohio »

Trifle

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 5902
  • Age: 57
  • Location: Outside, NC, US
    • In The Garden
Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1460 on: March 22, 2018, 06:33:42 AM »
Thanks for the wisdom @homestead neohio  !  Great points.  You are right that the sale could be dragged out longer than what they are predicting, and then it might not impact my plans much.  (I just looked up the stats on MegaCorp's last three acquisitions.  Looks like one of them was delayed a few months; the other two closed on the announced schedule.).  And right -- even after the sale closes, big changes like division closures, layoffs, etc. might not happen immediately. 


« Last Edit: March 22, 2018, 06:41:41 AM by Trifele »

RunningWithScissors

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 149
  • Location: Victoria, BC Canada
Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1461 on: March 22, 2018, 02:28:44 PM »
Just dropped the bomb on my boss.  It was more of a heads-up about my intention and approximate timing, rather than a formal resignation.  I didn't get into details about early retirement, as I presented it more as a move to another province situation. 

I need to give 3 months notice due to our hiring practices and current 'fiscal restraint' status, exclusive of holiday time.  So, my last day will be mid-August-ish. 

No regrets or qualms - it's just hard keeping this inane grin off my face.

Cherry Lane

  • CM*MW 2023 Attendees
  • Handlebar Stache
  • *
  • Posts: 1998
  • Age: 6
  • Location: Virginia
Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1462 on: March 22, 2018, 02:56:55 PM »
Just dropped the bomb on my boss.  It was more of a heads-up about my intention and approximate timing, rather than a formal resignation.  I didn't get into details about early retirement, as I presented it more as a move to another province situation. 

I need to give 3 months notice due to our hiring practices and current 'fiscal restraint' status, exclusive of holiday time.  So, my last day will be mid-August-ish. 

No regrets or qualms - it's just hard keeping this inane grin off my face.

Happy day!  Enjoy the grinning!

CHF

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 20
  • Age: 57
  • Location: Switzerland
Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1463 on: March 26, 2018, 07:45:20 AM »
Announced today my resignment in the office: Oh god, it is so relieving!
Thank you MMM, that you opened my eyes 5 years ago!!!
My gf will retire 2 weeks later, mid July.
The house is sold, the boat is bought. Next year we will cruise the baltic sea. And after that - who knows...



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)
06/28/18  CHF (at 51)
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

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1740
  • Location: West-by-god-Virginia
Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1464 on: March 26, 2018, 06:20:00 PM »
Congrats and welcome, CHF!

Cherry Lane

  • CM*MW 2023 Attendees
  • Handlebar Stache
  • *
  • Posts: 1998
  • Age: 6
  • Location: Virginia
Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1465 on: March 26, 2018, 09:36:12 PM »
Looks like a big week for FIREs!  I see:
Mrs. @honeyfill
@Target2018
@homestead neohio
@moxie
@DavidAnnArbor
are all on the list for this week.  Then there are the "sometime in March-ish" folks:
@Acastus
@Badblackgirl
@Sofa King
Are any of these happening in this last week of March?

Oh, also @msilenus finishing up work, while staying on the payroll until May.  Do you want to call your FIRE this week or later? (I, too, am being paid until May, but I counted my last day of work....)


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/??/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/~25/18  ZiziPB (at 50)
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)
06/28/18  CHF (at 51)
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


homestead neohio

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 854
    • Journal - Seeds Sprout
Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1466 on: March 27, 2018, 06:13:24 AM »
Looks like a big week for FIREs!  I see:
...
@homestead neohio
...

I'm on track for tomorrow.  Today is my last real day of work, tomorrow is driving across town, turning in the company laptop and reviewing a document package over lunch.  Then it is time to celebrate!

honeyfill

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 321
  • Age: 66
  • Location: Tucson
Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1467 on: March 27, 2018, 08:38:18 AM »
Quote
Looks like a big week for FIREs!  I see:
Mrs. @honeyfill

I am happy to say that Mrs. Honeyfill has joined the ranks of the retired.  Yesterday was her last day at work.  She cleaned out her office and is now happily at home enjoying our newly remodeled kitchen.  She will be staying on as a consultant but will only work when she wants to work so we consider this the best of both worlds.  She can stay involved with the non profit where she worked and enjoy retirement bliss at the same time.

Vegasgirl

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 150
  • Location: Washington DC Metro
  • Never have a battle of wits with an unarmed person
Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1468 on: March 27, 2018, 11:10:10 AM »
Congrats to Homestead Neohio and Ms. Honeyfill !!!!!

sol

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 8433
  • Age: 47
  • Location: Pacific Northwest
Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1469 on: March 27, 2018, 11:17:00 AM »
I'm on track for tomorrow. 

Every time I read one of these posts, I die a little bit inside.

moxie

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 11
  • Age: 64
  • Location: Colorado
Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1470 on: March 27, 2018, 02:37:16 PM »
Looks like a big week for FIREs!  I see:
Mrs. @honeyfill
@Target2018
@homestead neohio
@moxie
@DavidAnnArbor
are all on the list for this week.  Then there are the "sometime in March-ish" folks:
@Acastus
@Badblackgirl
@Sofa King
Are any of these happening in this last week of March?

Friday is my last day!
« Last Edit: March 27, 2018, 02:39:03 PM by moxie »

2Birds1Stone

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 7916
  • Age: 1
  • Location: Earth
  • K Thnx Bye
Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1471 on: March 27, 2018, 03:15:47 PM »
I'm on track for tomorrow. 

Every time I read one of these posts, I die a little bit inside.

=D

I would wager you are in a more lucrative financial position to FIRE than most of these folks. I try to imagine how happy this person will feel, and then realize it's going to be a while as well.

sol

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 8433
  • Age: 47
  • Location: Pacific Northwest
Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1472 on: March 27, 2018, 04:01:49 PM »
I would wager you are in a more lucrative financial position to FIRE than most of these folks.

Sure, every day I make a few hundred extra dollars, but at what cost?  In return I give up one more day of my life, one more day that I didn't spend working on my little boat, or writing, or at home with my kids, or climbing, or hanging out with my dad at the dog park.  One day closer to death, one day I can never have back.

At some point, the extra few hundred dollars provides very little extra utility compared to the opportunity cost of all the things I didn't do instead.  For now, I'm not sure I would voluntarily trade away that amount of money for the chance to spend this one day doing things that I consider more important than whatever bullshit meeting I sat through this morning instead, but that day is rapidly approaching. 

In the meantime, I've decided I'm taking advantage of every inch of flexibility my employer offers in terms of reclaiming some semblance of work life balance in the cubicle time I have left.  I'm scaling back my work group contributions to better align with my proscribed duties, since it's become clear there is no extra credit here.  There is no promotion in my possible future, no rewards for a job well done, no gold watch for dutifully towing the company line, and certainly no attaboy bonus for exceeding expectations.  This has been a real challenge for me, since I've spent my life practicing ambitious overachievement in every facet of my life.  Professionally speaking, I have reached the end of this particular ladder.  There is no point in trying to climb any higher.

This makes me a bad employee. 

Friday I will hit ten years in the workforce.  Friday was my original target retirement date, before DAF donations complicated my plan.  The stock market stubbornly refuses to crash away all of this surplus value above and beyond my target number, even after the donations.  Every day it gets harder and harder to decide going to work is a better use of my time than not going to work.  Every day my inevitable death inches one day closer, and the scale tips a little bit more.

Freedom awaits me, and all I have to do is reach out and grab it.  Today I balanced that decision scale and decided to go have a 3pm beer, then go back to my cube and tough it out.  Friday I hit the ten year mark, so Monday I plan to have some awkward conversations with my management group.
« Last Edit: March 27, 2018, 04:37:05 PM by sol »

Lews Therin

  • CMTO 2023 Attendees
  • Magnum Stache
  • *
  • Posts: 3897
  • Age: 34
  • Location: Gatineau
  • Fee-only Financial Planner
Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1473 on: March 27, 2018, 04:19:39 PM »
I'm awaiting MMM`s reply to this. (I assume he's tracking you like an animal now Sol.)

I can't imagine continuing past the time I could get out, I know that I'll make more money in the future with random tasks/short term jobs or deals with people to increase what I can do.

Lance Hiruma

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 117
Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1474 on: March 27, 2018, 04:24:25 PM »
I would wager you are in a more lucrative financial position to FIRE than most of these folks.
Freedom awaits me, and all I have to do is reach out and grab it.  Today I balanced that decision scale and decided to go have a 3pm beer, then go back to my cube and tough it out.  Friday I hit the ten year mark, so Monday I plan to have some awkward conversations with my management group.
3pm beer sounds great!

sol

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 8433
  • Age: 47
  • Location: Pacific Northwest
Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1475 on: March 27, 2018, 04:41:17 PM »
I'm awaiting MMM`s reply to this. (I assume he's tracking you like an animal now Sol.)

I've been laying low.  One side effect is that I'm building up a backlog of unpublished forum posts, since it seems I can't just not write.  I think it's about time I started a blog.

But I also don't think I rate highly enough on MMM's radar to be trackable.  My entire forum post history is reviewable in my profile history, surely that is sufficient if someone wanted to investigate a rogue member?

Lews Therin

  • CMTO 2023 Attendees
  • Magnum Stache
  • *
  • Posts: 3897
  • Age: 34
  • Location: Gatineau
  • Fee-only Financial Planner
Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1476 on: March 27, 2018, 04:42:50 PM »
6000+

Just seeing it makes my head hurt. No way anyone is going crawling through that.

If you want me to break your block: I've been thinking of buying a Vitamix. It's 20% off!  just kidding.

Cue the Sol Attack mode!




« Last Edit: March 27, 2018, 04:45:09 PM by Canadian Ben »

Target2018

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 23
  • Location: Iowa USA
Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1477 on: March 27, 2018, 04:54:42 PM »
Looks like a big week for FIREs!  I see:...
@Target2018 ...
are all on the list for this week. 
I had my going away party and exit interview this week and even turned in all of my equipment.  I am working from home checking remote email on the 28th and at 3:30 pm Central Daylight Time US, I am free!

SachaFiscal

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 275
Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1478 on: March 27, 2018, 05:00:50 PM »
@sol your post reminds me of the lyrics to Time by Pink Floyd

@Mr Mark you are living the dream!! So happy for you.

Just wanted to put my 2 cents in about giving notice in case it helps anyone.  I retired last year and was planning on giving 4 weeks notice but on the advice of my cohort buddies gave 2 instead. I’m so glad I did. The last two weeks were kind of torturous with some of my coworkers very upset with me. So I was glad to have had only two weeks of that instead of 4. Also people were kind of in shock the first week after so they didn’t really start asking me questions or trying to get me to stay longer until week two. I was out of there before they could convince me to stay.

DreamFIRE

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1593
Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1479 on: March 27, 2018, 06:28:48 PM »
I retired last year and was planning on giving 4 weeks notice but on the advice of my cohort buddies gave 2 instead. I’m so glad I did. The last two weeks were kind of torturous with some of my coworkers very upset with me. So I was glad to have had only two weeks of that instead of 4. Also people were kind of in shock the first week after so they didn’t really start asking me questions or trying to get me to stay longer until week two. I was out of there before they could convince me to stay.
I'm still a year out, but this is something I think about.  In the past, people have left for other jobs with giving just two weeks notice, but the only retiree in my dept. gave many months notice.  The difference in my case compared to that employee or you is that I'm hoping they will be interested in keeping me on part time for a year, just 1 to 3 days each week.  Due to my skill position, I feel like the shorter notification would give me some leverage, but then it might piss them off I didn't let them know I was retiring sooner and not offer the part time hours.

snapperdude

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 107
Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1480 on: March 27, 2018, 09:08:11 PM »
...or hanging out with my dad at the dog park.

For crying out loud! He's your dad, man. Take him to a regular park.

Dicey

  • Senior Mustachian
  • ********
  • Posts: 22319
  • Age: 66
  • Location: NorCal
Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1481 on: March 27, 2018, 10:13:25 PM »
I'm on track for tomorrow. 

Every time I read one of these posts, I die a little bit inside.
I kinda get what you're saying @sol, and I've been FIRE for over five years. There was no cohort for 2012. My decision to leave was pretty sudden, too. The support for everyone here is amazing!

Mr Mark

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1229
  • Location: Planet Earth
  • Achieved Financial Independence summer 2014. RE'18
Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1482 on: March 27, 2018, 11:24:19 PM »
@sol your post reminds me of the lyrics to Time by Pink Floyd

@Mr Mark you are living the dream!! So happy for you.

Just wanted to put my 2 cents in about giving notice in case it helps anyone.  I retired last year and was planning on giving 4 weeks notice but on the advice of my cohort buddies gave 2 instead. I’m so glad I did. The last two weeks were kind of torturous with some of my coworkers very upset with me. So I was glad to have had only two weeks of that instead of 4. Also people were kind of in shock the first week after so they didn’t really start asking me questions or trying to get me to stay longer until week two. I was out of there before they could convince me to stay.

Indeed SashaFiscal. Just glad to be in this situation. Now, I'd that big market correction to occur before I get the check and become exposed to sequence of returns risk please.

The notice period quandary is a tricky one. Most people here seem pretty ethical and 'nice', and there's no point burning bridges, because who knows what the future might hold? So the tendency is to give lots of notice. But people should judge for themselves. Companies may be people too, but they can behave like really psychopathic people with zero interest in doing the 'right' thing, especially if the legal thing they could do instead makes them more money.

Luckily my megacorp has pretty clear SOPs and most of my HR people seem to be reasonably human. Simply being professional about the whole thing, and calmly following your minimum contractual notice period is probably the best default option. It's almost certainly what the company would do if the boot was on the other foot. Business is business.

davisgang90

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1360
  • Location: Roanoke, VA
    • Photography by Rich Davis
Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1483 on: March 28, 2018, 06:03:15 AM »
...or hanging out with my dad at the dog park.

For crying out loud! He's your dad, man. Take him to a regular park.
LOL!

homestead neohio

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 854
    • Journal - Seeds Sprout
Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1484 on: March 28, 2018, 08:10:59 AM »
Looks like a big week for FIREs!  I see:
...
@homestead neohio
...
I'm on track for tomorrow.  Today is my last real day of work, tomorrow is driving across town, turning in the company laptop and reviewing a document package over lunch.  Then it is time to celebrate!

Headed out for lunch soon!  I should come back CONFIRMED.

Cherry Lane

  • CM*MW 2023 Attendees
  • Handlebar Stache
  • *
  • Posts: 1998
  • Age: 6
  • Location: Virginia
Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1485 on: March 28, 2018, 08:18:09 AM »
Looks like a big week for FIREs!  I see:
...
@homestead neohio
...
I'm on track for tomorrow.  Today is my last real day of work, tomorrow is driving across town, turning in the company laptop and reviewing a document package over lunch.  Then it is time to celebrate!

Headed out for lunch soon!  I should come back CONFIRMED.

Yes!

Saving4Fire

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 56
Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1486 on: March 28, 2018, 11:24:23 AM »
I would wager you are in a more lucrative financial position to FIRE than most of these folks.

Sure, every day I make a few hundred extra dollars, but at what cost?  In return I give up one more day of my life, one more day that I didn't spend working on my little boat, or writing, or at home with my kids, or climbing, or hanging out with my dad at the dog park.  One day closer to death, one day I can never have back.

At some point, the extra few hundred dollars provides very little extra utility compared to the opportunity cost of all the things I didn't do instead.  For now, I'm not sure I would voluntarily trade away that amount of money for the chance to spend this one day doing things that I consider more important than whatever bullshit meeting I sat through this morning instead, but that day is rapidly approaching. 

In the meantime, I've decided I'm taking advantage of every inch of flexibility my employer offers in terms of reclaiming some semblance of work life balance in the cubicle time I have left.  I'm scaling back my work group contributions to better align with my proscribed duties, since it's become clear there is no extra credit here.  There is no promotion in my possible future, no rewards for a job well done, no gold watch for dutifully towing the company line, and certainly no attaboy bonus for exceeding expectations.  This has been a real challenge for me, since I've spent my life practicing ambitious overachievement in every facet of my life.  Professionally speaking, I have reached the end of this particular ladder.  There is no point in trying to climb any higher.

This makes me a bad employee. 

Friday I will hit ten years in the workforce.  Friday was my original target retirement date, before DAF donations complicated my plan.  The stock market stubbornly refuses to crash away all of this surplus value above and beyond my target number, even after the donations.  Every day it gets harder and harder to decide going to work is a better use of my time than not going to work.  Every day my inevitable death inches one day closer, and the scale tips a little bit more.

Freedom awaits me, and all I have to do is reach out and grab it.  Today I balanced that decision scale and decided to go have a 3pm beer, then go back to my cube and tough it out.  Friday I hit the ten year mark, so Monday I plan to have some awkward conversations with my management group.

Sol, this is a great post and very inspiring.   Also, maybe a little depressing because much further away.  :)

I hope once you FIRE you'll continue to drop by.

Target2018

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 23
  • Location: Iowa USA
Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1487 on: March 28, 2018, 02:39:38 PM »
Looks like a big week for FIREs!  I see:...
@Target2018 ...
are all on the list for this week. 
I had my going away party and exit interview this week and even turned in all of my equipment.  I am working from home checking remote email on the 28th and at 3:30 pm Central Daylight Time US, I am free!

I am officially free!!!  Happy Dance commencing along with a nice cold beer.

Stachless

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 128
Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1488 on: March 28, 2018, 02:43:20 PM »
Congrats Target2018!!  I am a long way from joining you in RE but I will absolutely join you in a beer right now!!!

homestead neohio

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 854
    • Journal - Seeds Sprout
Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1489 on: March 28, 2018, 03:24:19 PM »
Confirmed!

2Birds1Stone

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 7916
  • Age: 1
  • Location: Earth
  • K Thnx Bye
Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1490 on: March 28, 2018, 03:32:45 PM »
Confirmed!

I am officially free!!!  Happy Dance commencing along with a nice cold beer.

Congrats to Both!!!

poppydog

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 156
  • Location: Scotland, UK
Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1491 on: March 28, 2018, 08:18:14 PM »
Many congratulations Target and Homestead!  Crack open the champers!

CowboyAndIndian

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1934
  • Location: NJ, USA
    • KOWines: Deep discount wine/spirits store.
Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1492 on: March 29, 2018, 05:18:42 AM »
Congratulations Mrs. @honeyfill ,@Target2018, @homestead neohio  and @moxie
@moxie, my apologies. I CONFIRMED you a couple of days before your end date.
Moved @PKate and DH to end of April as per PM.

I've PM'ed @Acastus  and @Badblackgirl since they are active.

I do not see Sofa King on the list of members. Should I remove him or move him to the end?


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
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 CONFIRMED
03/28/18  Target2018 CONFIRMED
03/28/18  homestead neohio (at 39) CONFIRMED
03/30/18  Moxie (at 58) CONFIRMED
03/31/18  DavidAnnArbor (at 52) (Won't renew my office lease)
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/~25/18  ZiziPB (at 50)
04/27/18  poppydog and DW
04/27/18  andkar
04/??/18  PKate and DH
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)
06/28/18  CHF (at 51)
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
« Last Edit: March 29, 2018, 05:30:26 AM by CowboyAndIndian »

PhilB

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 5704
Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1493 on: March 29, 2018, 05:48:34 AM »
As someone nearer the bottom of the 2018 list it is incredibly inspiring to see the tide of 'CONFIRMED's sweeping down the list towards me.  Warmest congratulations to all.

Mrbeardedbigbucks

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 180
  • Location: NH
Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1494 on: March 29, 2018, 06:13:32 AM »
Has anyone in the class of 2018 posted a case study or would be willing to share one? I know we all have unique situations but sometimes it's helpful to see how others are invested, look at withdrawal rates, monthly expenses, health insurance etc... I think  posting your situation can help uncover weak spots and also inspire new ideas.

I posted one not long ago. Here's my "razor thin" FIRE plan according to my Fidelity guy. Link or post a case study if you're willing to share.

https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/case-studies/is-this-fire-plan-'razor-thin'/

My last day of full time work is tomorrow.

Dicey

  • Senior Mustachian
  • ********
  • Posts: 22319
  • Age: 66
  • Location: NorCal
Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1495 on: March 29, 2018, 10:58:08 AM »
Congratulations all around. My, the handsome, talented (and wealthy) Class of 2018 is huge!

moxie

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 11
  • Age: 64
  • Location: Colorado
Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1496 on: March 29, 2018, 12:03:22 PM »
moxie, my apologies. I CONFIRMED you a couple of days before your end date

No worries at all! I appreciate you keeping this updated. I set my permanently out of office message to start at 11:00 am MT tomorrow. I have to go mail all my stuff back so I'll do it on their time. ;-)

CowboyAndIndian

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1934
  • Location: NJ, USA
    • KOWines: Deep discount wine/spirits store.
Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1497 on: March 29, 2018, 08:32:07 PM »
 @Acastus  moved to end of May ...


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
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 CONFIRMED
03/28/18  Target2018 CONFIRMED
03/28/18  homestead neohio (at 39) CONFIRMED
03/30/18  Moxie (at 58) CONFIRMED
03/31/18  DavidAnnArbor (at 52) (Won't renew my office lease)
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/~25/18  ZiziPB (at 50)
04/27/18  poppydog and DW
04/27/18  andkar
04/??/18  PKate and DH
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
05/25/18  Acastus
05/??/18  Alim Nassor
05/??/18  msilenus
06/03/18  moneytaichi
06/15/18  DavisGang90 (at 49)
06/25/18  MaybeBabyMustache (at 42)
06/28/18  CHF (at 51)
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

poppydog

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 156
  • Location: Scotland, UK
Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1498 on: March 30, 2018, 05:17:10 AM »
...or hanging out with my dad at the dog park.

For crying out loud! He's your dad, man. Take him to a regular park.

Ha ha ha! Brilliant!

Four weeks today for me and Mrs PD, it’s getting real!
« Last Edit: March 30, 2018, 05:19:03 AM by poppydog »

CowboyAndIndian

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1934
  • Location: NJ, USA
    • KOWines: Deep discount wine/spirits store.
Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1499 on: March 30, 2018, 10:45:49 AM »
Yesterday I was driving back from the library and a funny thing happened. A jogger was waiting to cross and I stopped the car and waved him thru.

Hmm, a lot of you are saying that is very common where you live in.

Not in my neighborhood. I live in New Jersey and as you may have heard it has the highest population density in the US. Also, my town has a train station and very good schools, so it has become a bedroom community for people who work in New York. Actually, it is more right to say, people who work for Wall St. companies. As it implies, these folks are very, very aggressive and their driving reflects it. Not as aggressive as the place I learned to drive, Bombay, where  I think the first rule of driving is to aim for the pedestrians :-)

I think my 3 months of FIRE has mellowed me out. I no longer fixate on cutting a few minutes off my drive or to obsessively be a slave to the clock.

Vive la FIRE!!