2019 fire cohort

[Trifle]

Now how the heck did I get back to Sept? ;)

^ Fixed you 2Birds

@edgema--  I can definitely relate to the ricocheting thoughts.  FIRE is a Big F*ing Deal, and there are so many things to think about.  If the last two years on this thread have taught me anything, it's that everyone's situation is unique and what is 'enough' to pull the trigger is hugely variable.  We all run the calculus differently. 

[tooqk4u22]

....Note that I have also spent my career around financial models so also deeply skeptical about any analysis over 40 year time periods.   

Skeptical about 40 years?  They aren't worth much beyond a few years. 

The emotional side of me is deeply scared of f**king this up, not for me frankly but for my wife and kids, and regretting not pushing on for a few more years and still being a very young 'retiree' at 45.

I have and still do struggle with this, but sometimes enough is enough and if you got where you are you can surely make adjustments early enough so it is not completely f'ed

[Linea_Norway]

The emotional side of me is deeply scared of f**king this up, not for me frankly but for my wife and kids, and regretting not pushing on for a few more years and still being a very young 'retiree' at 45.

I have and still do struggle with this, but sometimes enough is enough and if you got where you are you can surely make adjustments early enough so it is not completely f'ed

Indeed, 3,5 mil is more than enough. It is 3,5 times the sum that many people consider enough to FIRE on. It is close to the Susan Orman number of 5 mil.
Most retirees says that they spend less than expected in FIRE. Have you made you spreadsheet with parameters and added a 0% growth of your stocks? Have you inserted some extra high expense during one of the years. Just run a few scenarios and look at what is realistic.

[edgema]

Have definitely looked at downsides both through spreadsheets, as well as conducting a 'what if' style evaluation of various bad things happening. They both point to things being fine. Perhaps as a UK person, who hasn't seen the kind of equity returns seen in the US, I am not comfortable relying on the 4% rule. In part this is because I think some slightly miss the point in stating success rates at the 40 year point. I know how deeply uncomfortable it would feel to me if in 5-10 years I am meaningfully down on my stash, even if it is still one of the 'success' paths over 40. My 'rule' if you can call it that, is that I don't want to be a seller of assets this 'early' in life, so I want to earn what I want from purely income (or adjust expenses accordingly) at least for a while. I am pretty sure we are there in that regard with steady income from non-mortgaged properties making up 75% of our expected income and the remainder covered by dividends on equity investments.

We are also not highly mustachian in daily life (perhaps not at all by some peoples definition), instead just avoiding the really big 'mistakes' people make around housing, cars, using financing, business class travel and pointless luxury items like expensive clothes/watches. That said, I am not going to live a 'strict' Mustachian life and grumble if my father-in-law wants us to come to Spain to see them, or my dad wants us to come to Florida to see him (he is 80 so one posters suggestion a while back that he should just come to us is a little misguided in my view), or family/friends who now and again want their birthday at an expensive restaurant (recalling a poster who bemoaned her profligate sister organising an expensive dinner for their mum's birthday), or myself for wanting to take the family skiing (I did it growing up and loved it, still do, and love watching the kids experiencing it themselves). All power to those that do this, I just don't want to. Roll that all together, and lets just say we don't spend 25k a year! 

[Trifle]

Well today's the day!  After years of planning and more than two years in this thread, the Last Day is here.  I went out last night with some co-workers (last hurrah before Megacorp takeover) and it was fun.  Drank a little too much.  None of them know I'm FIREing, but because of the timing it felt like a celebration all the same. 

I'm so excited about today I couldn't sleep.  Should be a smooth day at work, other than some sad goodbyes.  Boss is taking me to lunch, and then I have my exit interview/HR meeting mid afternoon.  After that --- !!!!!!!!

I haven't heard anything yet from @Cycling Stache, so not sure yet if he is still planning on tomorrow?  Also waiting to hear from the rest of the February crew.

 

[SeanTash]

I spent most of today researching the Iceland leg of my post FIRE RTW trip. I decided we’d hike the Laugavegur trail

HAHA small world, I've going to do that as part my big year of hiking an travelling :)

[SeanTash]

I'm still on target.
The initial euphoria upon giving notice was tempered somewhat by the ridiculous amount of Handover tasks I had scheduled by my multiple bosses.
I ended up being more stressed than ever!
And unlike most of you in NA, we have to give 4 weeks notice in Australia, so it drags.
However, in a funny twist, the main guy I'm handing over to has also quit, so now it's just becoming a farce and I've stopped caring and stressing. Yay.  9 more days of work.
As befits this company, they somehow had my "exit interview" yesterday, even though I'm still around till the 13th.
They didn't seem to believe me when I said I didn't have another job, nor planned on getting one anytime soon :)

[Linea_Norway]

Well today's the day!  After years of planning and more than two years in this thread, the Last Day is here.  I went out last night with some co-workers (last hurrah before Megacorp takeover) and it was fun.  Drank a little too much.  None of them know I'm FIREing, but because of the timing it felt like a celebration all the same. 

I'm so excited about today I couldn't sleep.  Should be a smooth day at work, other than some sad goodbyes.  Boss is taking me to lunch, and then I have my exit interview/HR meeting mid afternoon.  After that --- !!!!!!!!

I haven't heard anything yet from @Cycling Stache, so not sure yet if he is still planning on tomorrow?  Also waiting to hear from the rest of the February crew.

Congrats from me. I am not sure how much online I will be tomorrow.

But it sounds like your last day exists of having a little hangover, having lunch with your boss and letting people have an exit interview with you which has no influence on your future. Sounds like a cruise in the park.

You can sleep out tomorrow! (me too, but only because of PT working).

[Trifle]

Haha -- thanks Linda!  Yes, tomorrow will be my first morning of leisure.  I'm up for the challenge.  :)
 
I heard from Zinnie that she is out, so list updated. 

[MrThatsDifferent]

Well today's the day!  After years of planning and more than two years in this thread, the Last Day is here.  I went out last night with some co-workers (last hurrah before Megacorp takeover) and it was fun.  Drank a little too much.  None of them know I'm FIREing, but because of the timing it felt like a celebration all the same. 

I'm so excited about today I couldn't sleep.  Should be a smooth day at work, other than some sad goodbyes.  Boss is taking me to lunch, and then I have my exit interview/HR meeting mid afternoon.  After that --- !!!!!!!!

I haven't heard anything yet from @Cycling Stache, so not sure yet if he is still planning on tomorrow?  Also waiting to hear from the rest of the February crew.

Congratulations! That’s wonderful! Well done!

[PowerStache]

@Trifele  - Congratulations to you!

[Trifle]

Thanks @MrThatsDifferent and @PowerStache!

[MaybeBabyMustache]

@Trifele - congrats!!

@MissNancyPryor - best ever reason to have a date for fire. ;-)

[MoMan]

Well today's the day!

WOO HOOOO!!!
So excited and happy for you Trifele!

[2Birds1Stone]

Congrats!!!

I wanted to share a small step toward FI with my cohort friends!

Upon doing my January Financial Recap........



LeanFI!

[Livingthedream55]

@Trifele   Many congratulations!!

[PowerStache]

Impressive @2Birds1Stone ! 

So, it has been a week since I turned in my retirement notice and I am already seeing a difference in my perspective.
-so excited that this is the last time I ever have to give people performance reviews
-I am taking days off to be with the kids and not feeling guilty
-I am not taking on any more work really, just finishing what I have on my plate (side benefit-work immediately expects less from me!)
-starting to make commitments with friends who are already retired to keep me active and social.
-starting to eat better, exercise and journal more as these are things I will expand on once retired.

Only 62 more days!

[FIRE 20/20]

@MissNancyPryor , can I kindly suggest that you consider paying for the colonoscopy out of pocket if necessary to get it done earlier.  Hanging on until July 5th is a huge price to pay....

I think it is covered under COBRA and even the  exchange, it is the idea that if they find bad stuff I can be on company paid short term leave and recuperate at 100% salary.  That is the driver on waiting and knowing I won’t have to pay for cancer right out of the gate.  Getting the booby-squeeze  before I go for the same reason.

It sounds like you have given a lot of thought to this and you understand both sides.  If you do stay through July, as it sounds like you probably will, I'd suggest training the same powers of analysis you've shown for this decision to the challenge of making the next ~5 months or so better for your mental and physical health.  There *must* be things that you can do to make work bearable if you know with near 100% certainty you're not going to be at work after July 5th.  Given the level it seems you've reached in your professional career and that you put together a plan and executed it to get to FIRE at 49/50, you clearly have what it takes to solve this problem. 
I'd still advocate for getting out early because it seems like you objectively have more than enough even if they find something, but assuming that battle is lost I suggest moving on to the next one and making your life one worth living for the next few months.  I think the only way you can lose in this scenario is to both stay in your job and not use the power FI gives you to make it manageable through your last day.  Don't look back on a wasted 4-5 months of life. 

[MissNancyPryor]

If found healthy I may leap upon hearing of the next mandatory cross country trip.  That could be as early as April but would leave May 3rd to get health insurance through May.  July 5th feels like an electric fence I will only approach if things are going really well. 

I do think it will come down to a day by day for a little while in here, pushing the boundaries and keeping my sanity until I just can’t take it.  Bonus day is in March and that will also be a catalyst for something. 

[SpareChange]

Congrats Trifele!! Very exciting and the culmination of lots of planning and hard work. Best to ya.


Love the graph 2birds1stone. Big mile marker passed!

[Eric]

Well today's the day! 

[forward]

Well today's the day!  After years of planning and more than two years in this thread, the Last Day is here. 

Congratulations!!! I am so happy for you and your FIRE is so well deserved.

[forward]

Congrats!!!

I wanted to share a small step toward FI with my cohort friends!

LeanFI!

That graph is looking pretty good 2Birds, way to go.

[Pylortes]

Congratulations Trifele, that's awesome that you've made it to the finish line!  I'd love to hear more details from you on how your last day went down, and also later a summary of how you felt during the first days post retirement.  Your stories can help those of us that have months to go help make it through the doldrums (and the Polar Vortex!)

[Chrissy]

@MissNancyPryor , can I kindly suggest that you consider paying for the colonoscopy out of pocket if necessary to get it done earlier.  Hanging on until July 5th is a huge price to pay....

I think it is covered under COBRA and even the  exchange, it is the idea that if they find bad stuff I can be on company paid short term leave and recuperate at 100% salary.  That is the driver on waiting and knowing I won’t have to pay for cancer right out of the gate.  Getting the booby-squeeze  before I go for the same reason.

I get that, but doesn't that make the potential payoff for paying for the colonoscopy OOP even greater? If the results are scary you get to stop working immediately AND get paid for it! Like winning the lottery, but with the downside of cancer. But then the cancer gets caught/treated earlier, so that's good.

Your call, but if you ask me waiting just to save a few hundred bucks on the procedure when you are so miserable is penny wise pound foolish. Get it done and reward yourself by getting the F out of that miserable company ASAP. Bonus points if you can use the procedure to get out of some of the upcoming travel....

+1 to what @lhamo just said.

[Trifle]

Yeah!!  Crossed the finish line!  Thanks so much for the well wishes everyone!  I'm so, so happy.  :)


2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19     Bingeworker (52)        CONFIRMED
01/31/19     Trifele (51)                 CONFIRMED
02/01/19     Cycling Stache (44)
02/08/19     Socmonkey (37)
02/13/19     SeanTash
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/19/19     ChasesFish (36)
03/??/19     Miss Nancy Pryor  (50)     
03/??/19     Edgema
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     BlindSquirrel
03/31/19     Loren Ver (36)
03/31/19     Mr. Ver (39)
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/01/19     Ryder (39)
04/04/19     PowerStache (43)
04/19/19     Eric
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)
05/15/19     MaybeBabyMustache                   
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/31/19     dude   
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/30/19     Pylortes  (42)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/??/19     Keeks
07/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)
08/01/19     SugarMountain
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
09/??/19     dayzero
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
August
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer
MustacheAnxiety
forward

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
Linda_Norway (45)
 

[sui generis]

Congratulations, @Trifele!  What a wonderful feeling!  I hope you enjoy each day and look forward to hearing an update from you when you are well into it!

[itchyfeet]

Way to go @Trifele !! Enjoy your first days of freedom.

[PhilB]

@Trifele Welcome to the first day of the rest of your life!

[2Birds1Stone]

w000t!

Maybe the best January since 1987 (stock returns), will get some of the 2020 folks back in here ;)

[Lews Therin]

Really? My accounts are still not yet at the level of Sept 2018... And I added a pile of money during the lows of Dec/Jan

[Trifle]

Got a PM from Socmonkey that he finished up a bit early and is FIREd.  Congratulations @Socmonkey !

Waiting to hear from @Cycling Stache on his/her status.


2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19     Bingeworker (52)        CONFIRMED
01/31/19     Trifele (51)                 CONFIRMED
02/01/19     Socmonkey (37)         CONFIRMED
02/01/19     Cycling Stache (44)
02/13/19     SeanTash
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/19/19     ChasesFish (36)
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor (50)     
03/??/19     Edgema
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     BlindSquirrel
03/31/19     Loren Ver (36)
03/31/19     Mr. Ver (39)
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/01/19     Ryder (39)
04/04/19     PowerStache (43)
04/19/19     Eric
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)
05/15/19     MaybeBabyMustache                   
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/31/19     dude   
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/30/19     Pylortes  (42)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/??/19     Keeks
07/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)
08/01/19     SugarMountain
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
09/??/19     dayzero
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
August
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer
MustacheAnxiety
forward

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
Linda_Norway (45)

OP of Cohort:
@markbike528CBX -- OLY.  FIREd in 2018.
 

[itchyfeet]

I just posted on the 2020 thread. I am hedging my bets 😜

We are now at 93% of our revised, lower, slightly more aggressive FIRE target and will not be FIREing until we get to 100% of our new number.

FIREing in June looks unlikely. December seems probable.

We will need the markets (property and stocks) to be positive for this year to get us across the line. Savings alone won’t get us there. A bad market will see us slip into 2020.

7% does not seem so far, but like the saying goes “ the last mile in a marathon is the longest”.

[2Birds1Stone]

@Lews Therin, my investments haven't recovered to pre-correction valuations, but new contributions brought me to all time balance highs.

Then again, I had a lot less skin in the equity game than some here.

[chasesfish]

@Lews Therin, my investments haven't recovered to pre-correction valuations, but new contributions brought me to all time balance highs.

Then again, I had a lot less skin in the equity game than some here.

Not quite at all-time highs yet, but getting close.  Had the largest month over month net worth gain at almost $120k last month

[Socmonkey]

Got a PM from Socmonkey that he finished up a bit early and is FIREd.  Congratulations @Socmonkey !

Thanks, Trifele.

20 years of working as an adult and I have retired with an income of just under $2k per month with yearly CPI adjustments and independent of the market.

[markbike528CBX]

@Trifele ,
Don't forget to delegate thread building, you won't have time now that you're retired! Congratulations!
 Look what happened to me!.
    Transcontinental trip in a small car, with at least one "culturally enlightening experience" per day.
    Lots of pool and river floating time.
    Trip to see sister's wedding.
    Bucket list item- saw Mudhoney at a random place in Europe.
    No job, no problem! -Able to drop everything and go hang out with my Dad during his surgery and recovery.

[Trifle]

@Trifele ,
Don't forget to delegate thread building, you won't have time now that you're retired! Congratulations!
 Look what happened to me!.
    Transcontinental trip in a small car, with at least one "culturally enlightening experience" per day.
    Lots of pool and river floating time.
    Trip to see sister's wedding.
    Bucket list item- saw Mudhoney at a random place in Europe.
    No job, no problem! -Able to drop everything and go hang out with my Dad during his surgery and recovery.

That is fantastic Mark!  So happy for you.  Yes I can already see it starting -- I've been far busier the last two days than I normally am.   And I've been walking around with a silly grin on my face the whole time.

[August]

Hello there.

I'm done with full-time jobs, my final work day was Feb 1st.  (at age 54)  This coming week is going to be a bit.. surreal.

More details to come if anyone wants them.  I'm not calling myself "retired" exactly.  I still plan to work on things I enjoy and try to earn money from them, but just not within a corporate job environment.  I plan to start with some decompression time, then doing a lot of reading and learning new things.  After that I'll work on my hobbies that earn money, trying to expand them into a low-key business.

Honestly I don't have a definite plan and will be winging it for a while.  The only thing I know for sure is I'm no longer going to be in a gray cubicle.

August

[Trifle]

Whoa @August!  From TBD to Stealth FIRE -- awesome.  Congratulations!

2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19     Bingeworker (52)        CONFIRMED
01/31/19     Trifele (51)                 CONFIRMED
02/01/19     Socmonkey (37)         CONFIRMED
02/01/19     August (54)                CONFIRMED
02/01/19     Cycling Stache (44)
02/13/19     SeanTash
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/19/19     ChasesFish (36)
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor (50)     
03/??/19     Edgema
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     BlindSquirrel
03/31/19     Loren Ver (36)
03/31/19     Mr. Ver (39)
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/01/19     Ryder (39)
04/04/19     PowerStache (43)
04/19/19     Eric
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)
05/15/19     MaybeBabyMustache                   
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/31/19     dude   
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/30/19     Pylortes  (42)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/??/19     Keeks
07/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)
08/01/19     SugarMountain
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
09/??/19     dayzero
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer
MustacheAnxiety
forward

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
Linda_Norway (45)

OP of Cohort:
@markbike528CBX -- OLY.  FIREd in 2018.

[Padonak]

Just posting to follow for now.

No definite plans so no need to add me to the list right now, but I might join you guys. Will decide later this year.

[Keeks]

Looks like last week was a big FIRE week.  You can add my name to the list!  Feb 1, age 42.

In December, I shared with you guys the plan for me to FIRE in July 2019.  Literally hours after I posted that, I heard we were doing a huge layoff and that I was likely at risk.  I got “the call” on Friday letting me know that I would be laid off.

I’m feeling how @Trifele described over the last few weeks—coworkers calling to commiserate, wish each other luck, etc…and while I wish I could have controlled my exit, I’m so close to my planned date that it’s really not a big deal for me.  I just don’t quite know how to tell people that I’ll never have to work for significant money again.  Instead, I’m using the easy story of taking a few months off before I start looking again.

For those looking at how the first few days feel…I would say its 80% elation, 20% minor panic.  Minor panic about how precisely to structure my days (even though I already have most of that nailed down), minor panic because my number isn’t quite where I want it to be (although larger than many, and my husband still working for another approx. 18 months).  Mostly the minor panic is unfounded, but it’s part of my over-thinking personality.  Par for the course.

Underneath everything these last few days is a sense of pride.  Knowing that many years of good savings habits, and immersing myself in FIRE reading for the last 3 years is making this all possible.  Having the money, knowing how the numbers play out—it’s really such an amazing feeling. 

Gotta run—I have a busy day of cooking and learning Spanish ahead! : )

[Linea_Norway]

Looks like last week was a big FIRE week.  You can add my name to the list!  Feb 1, age 42.

In December, I shared with you guys the plan for me to FIRE in July 2019.  Literally hours after I posted that, I heard we were doing a huge layoff and that I was likely at risk.  I got “the call” on Friday letting me know that I would be laid off.

I’m feeling how @Trifele described over the last few weeks—coworkers calling to commiserate, wish each other luck, etc…and while I wish I could have controlled my exit, I’m so close to my planned date that it’s really not a big deal for me.  I just don’t quite know how to tell people that I’ll never have to work for significant money again.  Instead, I’m using the easy story of taking a few months off before I start looking again.

For those looking at how the first few days feel…I would say its 80% elation, 20% minor panic.  Minor panic about how precisely to structure my days (even though I already have most of that nailed down), minor panic because my number isn’t quite where I want it to be (although larger than many, and my husband still working for another approx. 18 months).  Mostly the minor panic is unfounded, but it’s part of my over-thinking personality.  Par for the course.

Underneath everything these last few days is a sense of pride.  Knowing that many years of good savings habits, and immersing myself in FIRE reading for the last 3 years is making this all possible.  Having the money, knowing how the numbers play out—it’s really such an amazing feeling. 

Gotta run—I have a busy day of cooking and learning Spanish ahead! : )

Congrats, sort of. No, you shouldn't tell your laid off colleagues that you are FI. That would hurt then too much. Will you get a decent severance?
Good luck learning Spanish.

[Eric]

For those looking at how the first few days feel…I would say its 80% elation, 20% minor panic.  Minor panic about how precisely to structure my days (even though I already have most of that nailed down), minor panic because my number isn’t quite where I want it to be (although larger than many, and my husband still working for another approx. 18 months).  Mostly the minor panic is unfounded, but it’s part of my over-thinking personality.  Par for the course.

I'm sure the minor panic is well-founded.  That certainly doesn't imply that you're not prepared, but this is a major life change so of course it's somewhat unnerving.  ¡Felicidades!

[Trifle]

Marking @Keeks confirmed.  Congratulations Keeks!!!


2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19     Bingeworker (52)        CONFIRMED
01/31/19     Trifele (51)                 CONFIRMED
02/01/19     Socmonkey (37)         CONFIRMED
02/01/19     August (54)                CONFIRMED
02/01/19     Keeks (42)                 CONFIRMED   
02/01/19     Cycling Stache (44)
02/13/19     SeanTash
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/19/19     ChasesFish (36)
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor (50)     
03/??/19     Edgema
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     BlindSquirrel
03/31/19     Loren Ver (36)
03/31/19     Mr. Ver (39)
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/01/19     Ryder (39)
04/04/19     PowerStache (43)
04/19/19     Eric
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)
05/15/19     MaybeBabyMustache                   
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/31/19     dude   
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/30/19     Pylortes  (42)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)
08/01/19     SugarMountain
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
09/??/19     dayzero
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer
MustacheAnxiety
forward

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
Linda_Norway (45)

1LY, 2LY:
6/1/18      markbike528CBX (53.5) Thread OP
11/02/18  TartanTallulah (at 54) CONFIRMED
10/05/18  cerat0n1a CONFIRMED
11/30/18  elaine amj CONFIRMED

[markbike528CBX]

2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19     Bingeworker (52)        CONFIRMED
01/31/19     Trifele (51)                 CONFIRMED
02/01/19     Socmonkey (37)         CONFIRMED
02/01/19     August (54)                CONFIRMED
02/01/19     Keeks (42)                 CONFIRMED   
02/01/19     Cycling Stache (44)
02/13/19     SeanTash
03/15/19     exit2019  (40)
03/19/19     ChasesFish (36)
03/??/19     MissNancyPryor (50)     
03/??/19     Edgema
03/29/19     JumboShrimp
03/31/19     BlindSquirrel
03/31/19     Loren Ver (36)
03/31/19     Mr. Ver (39)
04/01/19     HalfStached  (41)
04/01/19     Gerardc  (35)
04/01/19     JoJo (45)
04/01/19     Ryder (39)
04/04/19     PowerStache (43)
04/19/19     Eric
04/??/19     Luck12  (41)
05/01/19     Albireo13  (61)
05/15/19     MaybeBabyMustache                   
05/??/19     SamIAm38  (29)
05/??/19     FIRE 20/20  (42)
05/31/19     Odiedog8590  (62)
05/31/19     Livingthedream55  (59)
05/31/19     dude   
06/01/19     Prairie Stash
06/07/19     DreamFire
06/21/19     Parizade  (62)
06/22/19     Waffles  (52)
06/30/19     Pylortes  (42)
06/??/19     Oldtoyota
06/??/19     Itchyfeet  (47)
06/??/19     CryingInThePool  (44)
07/??/19     powersuitrecall  (47)
07/??/19     Enigma  (39)
07/??/19     Thedividebyzero  (45)
07/01/19     2Birds1Stone  (32)
07/03/19     Gerard
07/03/19     Miss Piggy
07/29/19     Lews Therin (29)
08/01/19     SugarMountain
09/02/19     Cornbread OMalley  (42)  Date Confirmed
09/??/19     RetirementDreaming
09/??/19     dayzero
10/??/19     VoteCthulu  (39)
10/??/19     Trix76  (43)
10/??/19     MoMan  (55)
10/??/19     Dreamer
12/??/19     HBFI  (38)
12/??/19     luckyme13  (45)
12/27/19     moxie
12/31/19     texxan1  (47)

2019 Cohort with date TBD:
Lowerbills (40)
getoutsoon (52)
IPlawyer
MustacheAnxiety
forward

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner  (30)
Bateaux (51)
Linda_Norway (45)

OLY -or more
6/1/18      markbike528CBX (53.5) Thread OP
11/02/18  TartanTallulah (at 54) CONFIRMED
10/05/18  cerat0n1a CONFIRMED
11/30/18  elaine amj CONFIRMED

Deleted the @ by my name- got mention hits every time the list was updated.  Everything is in Trifele's post to keep copy/paste simpler.
Added OLY people by comparing the Dec 17th 2017 list to the 2018 Cohort Final list.
As I get to it I might find TLY or more people by searching earlier in the 2019 postings. 
Seems like a lot of work, and I'm retired :-)

[Keeks]

@Linda_Norway Yes, I got a severance--it's as good as I would have expected having only been at this company for 5 years.  Between severance, vacation payout, etc it is definitely a nice chunk of money!

And as a follow up, while I was freaking out this morning, I had an awesome RE day so no more freaking out.  (Tomorrow is another day! :)  )  Also, fun new fact...people are REALLY nice at the grocery story at 9am on a Monday.  Who knew?!?

Thanks all for the congrats!  Because I didn't plan it to happen last week, its pretty surreal.

[Trifle]

Deleted the @ by my name- got mention hits every time the list was updated.  Everything is in Trifele's post to keep copy/paste simpler.
Added OLY people by comparing the Dec 17th 2017 list to the 2018 Cohort Final list.
As I get to it I might find TLY or more people by searching earlier in the 2019 postings. 
Seems like a lot of work, and I'm retired :-)

Got it fixed in my list as well, thanks Mark! 

[markbike528CBX]

.....Snip......
Also, fun new fact...people are REALLY nice at the grocery story at 9am on a Monday.  Who knew?!?

Thanks all for the congrats!  Because I didn't plan it to happen last week, its pretty surreal.

Even for those who have planned FIRE to the exact date etc. it is still surreal that first "day off".

[Trifle]

.....Snip......
Also, fun new fact...people are REALLY nice at the grocery story at 9am on a Monday.  Who knew?!?

Thanks all for the congrats!  Because I didn't plan it to happen last week, its pretty surreal.

Even for those who have planned FIRE to the exact date etc. it is still surreal that first "day off".

Yes it sure is.  Monday at 10 a.m. I went to the Y to check it out (thinking of joining).  It was wonderful -- a bunch of relaxed, nice people working out.  Surreal . . . and fantastic.