Author Topic: 2019 fire cohort (Read 794905 times)

texxan1 · « **Reply #3050 on:** December 10, 2019, 03:09:40 AM »

Im going to have to bow out of this group... Off to 2020 now, but still not far.

Megacorp is offering me a severance for march 1st... Since the business unit i tecnically work for got sold. 18 months pay, not a bad gig for working a total of 43 more days.

ONWARD, see you guys soon i hope lol

Tex

Trifle · « **Reply #3051 on:** December 10, 2019, 03:37:51 AM »

Quote from: texxan1 on December 10, 2019, 03:09:40 AM

Im going to have to bow out of this group... Off to 2020 now, but still not far.

Megacorp is offering me a severance for march 1st... Since the business unit i tecnically work for got sold. 18 months pay, not a bad gig for working a total of 43 more days.

ONWARD, see you guys soon i hope lol

Tex

Thanks for the check in @texxan1 -- got you updated. Sounds like an excellent deal for you. Congrats!

Trifle · « **Reply #3052 on:** December 10, 2019, 05:47:11 AM »

I got a PM from @macmoneysaver confirming FIRE on 9/30. Congratulations MMS!!!!!! You are CONFIRMED above. ^

How have your first couple of months been?

Nifty · « **Reply #3053 on:** December 10, 2019, 05:50:58 PM »

I will be giving notice middle of next week. I had originally planned to give notice early next year after my 4Q bonus was deposited, but I've decided to risk it and give notice in December and still request/expect the bonus for the quarter. Double whammy I'm going to request it be paid out to me after 1/1/20 as we'll obviously be in a lower tax bracket next year. Fortunately with a very gracious boss, I feel pretty confident I'll get what I'm asking.

My spreadsheet shows about a 3% WR at most after adding $12k to our estimated expenses in a few years when we have ~2 kids (with current expenses we are at about 2% WR). My wife and I plan to continue working part time for the next couple years. This is just to further buffer our reserves. A couple months ago she already gave notice at her work and was able to transition to 20 hr/week remote work. I will be attempting to work for my current employer on a contract basis, probably a few months a year.

In mid-January 2020 we will be hitting the road in our self-converted camper van and going on rock climbing adventures mainly in the western US. We are going to be renting out our house and just signed a lease for tenants to move in January 12th, so we're committed! We have a few rental properties and the cash flow from those approximately covers our expenses.

We are planning to buy a bronze plan through the ACA. Young and healthy so not too concerned with poor coverage. With maximizing traditional IRA, solo 401k, and HSA, we can earn ~$97k (including dividends) and still qualify for full ACA subsidy (which makes bronze plan like ~$2/month) and pay no federal income tax.

SeanTash · « **Reply #3054 on:** December 10, 2019, 07:10:00 PM »

Quote from: Nifty on December 10, 2019, 05:50:58 PM

I will be giving notice middle of next week. I had originally planned to give notice early next year after my 4Q bonus was deposited, but I've decided to risk it and give notice in December and still request/expect the bonus for the quarter.

If it's any kind of significant amount, I'd reconsider.

My boss was a super agreeable guy,
but when my colleague gave notice the week before the bonus were paid (after he had 'earned' the bonus if you like) it was quietly withdrawn from his next paycheck (even though he was still working there).

He called my boss, who knew nothing about it being withdrawn, but when it went to accounts there was some fine print saying the company would not pay bonuses if notice had been given.

dsw · « **Reply #3055 on:** December 10, 2019, 07:49:17 PM »

Quote from: SeanTash on December 10, 2019, 07:10:00 PM

Quote from: Nifty on December 10, 2019, 05:50:58 PM
I will be giving notice middle of next week. I had originally planned to give notice early next year after my 4Q bonus was deposited, but I've decided to risk it and give notice in December and still request/expect the bonus for the quarter.

If it's any kind of significant amount, I'd reconsider.

My boss was a super agreeable guy,
but when my colleague gave notice the week before the bonus were paid (after he had 'earned' the bonus if you like) it was quietly withdrawn from his next paycheck (even though he was still working there).

He called my boss, who knew nothing about it being withdrawn, but when it went to accounts there was some fine print saying the company would not pay bonuses if notice had been given.

I'd echo the above. Obviously you know your situation better than any of us, so this might just be empty advice. But a lot of times these sorts of situations aren't in the manager's hands. HR policy or some other corporate consideration can often be stronger than good intentions from a manager, even at a high level. But again, maybe your situation is one where you can feel confident in that working out. Best of luck to you either way!

Linea_Norway · « **Reply #3056 on:** December 11, 2019, 01:41:22 AM »

Quote from: dsw on December 10, 2019, 07:49:17 PM

Quote from: SeanTash on December 10, 2019, 07:10:00 PM
Quote from: Nifty on December 10, 2019, 05:50:58 PM
I will be giving notice middle of next week. I had originally planned to give notice early next year after my 4Q bonus was deposited, but I've decided to risk it and give notice in December and still request/expect the bonus for the quarter.

If it's any kind of significant amount, I'd reconsider.

My boss was a super agreeable guy,
but when my colleague gave notice the week before the bonus were paid (after he had 'earned' the bonus if you like) it was quietly withdrawn from his next paycheck (even though he was still working there).

He called my boss, who knew nothing about it being withdrawn, but when it went to accounts there was some fine print saying the company would not pay bonuses if notice had been given.

I'd echo the above. Obviously you know your situation better than any of us, so this might just be empty advice. But a lot of times these sorts of situations aren't in the manager's hands. HR policy or some other corporate consideration can often be stronger than good intentions from a manager, even at a high level. But again, maybe your situation is one where you can feel confident in that working out. Best of luck to you either way!

@Nifty Do you have any vacation days left? Then you could resign with your official day after new year, but take more days off before that?

Trifle · « **Reply #3057 on:** December 11, 2019, 02:19:46 AM »

@6-Saturdays PMd to confirm that s/he is FIREd. Congratulations!!! Still waiting to hear from @Flavius.

Working their LAST DAYS tomorrow we have @firebrand and @Linea_Norway. Hope it goes smoothly for the two of you, and you have something fun planned for after. ;)

2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19 Bingeworker (52) CONFIRMED
01/11/19 Avrex (53) 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 TheShinyHorse CONFIRMED
02/13/19 SeanTash (48) CONFIRMED
02/28/19 nowwhat? (56) CONFIRMED
03/15/19 Half Stached (47) CONFIRMED
03/15/19 FireHazard CONFIRMED
03/15/19 Luck12 (41) CONFIRMED
03/18/19 chasesfish (36) CONFIRMED
03/18/19 Cycling Stache (43) CONFIRMED
03/29/19 Loren Ver (36) CONFIRMED
03/29/19 Mr. Ver (39) CONFIRMED
04/01/19 Ryder (39) CONFIRMED
04/04/19 PowerStache (43) CONFIRMED
04/06/19 Caroline PF CONFIRMED SEMI-FIRE
04/07/19 BTDRetire (64) CONFIRMED
04/19/19 Eric (42) CONFIRMED
04/26/19 FIRE 20/20 (42) CONFIRMED
05/02/19 couponvan (48) CONFIRMED
05/02/19 Edgema (42) CONFIRMED
05/14/19 anonprof CONFIRMED
05/16/19 dude (53) CONFIRMED
05/17/19 MaybeBabyMustache CONFIRMED SABBATICAL
05/17/19 Mowine (58) CONFIRMED
05/24/19 Prairie Stash (38) CONFIRMED
05/30/19 Livingthedream55 (59) CONFIRMED
05/31/19 Odiedog859 (62) CONFIRMED
06/10/19 tooqk4u22 CONFIRMED
06/14/19 Dibdab (56) CONFIRMED
06/18/19 RichMoose (29) CONFIRMED
06/19/19 Waffles (52) CONFIRMED
06/20/19 Parizade (62) CONFIRMED
06/21/19 Okonumiyaki (49) CONFIRMED
06/21/19 Home Stretch (31) CONFIRMED
06/30/19 SHO (37) CONFIRMED
07/02/19 DirtDiva CONFIRMED
07/03/19 Miss Piggy CONFIRMED
07/05/19 StoaX (58) CONFIRMED
07/07/19 Batljunk (57) CONFIRMED
07/12/19 5OClocksomewhere CONFIRMED
07/19/19 Polish_Hammer (51) CONFIRMED
07/29/19 Lews Therin (29) CONFIRMED
08/02/19 xbdb CONFIRMED
08/08/19 seattlecyclone (34) CONFIRMED
08/09/19 Jfer_rose (41) CONFIRMED
08/20/19 OMY CONFIRMED
08/26/19 MissNancyPryor (50) CONFIRMED
08/30/19 MoMan (54) CONFIRMED
08/31/19 Gerard CONFIRMED
08/31/19 Oldtoyota CONFIRMED SWAMI
09/02/19 Cornbread OMalley (42) CONFIRMED
09/06/19 dayzero CONFIRMED
09/12/19 Classical_Liberal CONFIRMED
09/27/19 snowdog (58) CONFIRMED
09/30/19 Ms. markbike528CBX CONFIRMED
09/30/19 RetirementDreaming(47) CONFIRMED
09/30/19 macmoneysaver (59) CONFIRMED
10/01/19 SnakesInTheGrass (55) CONFIRMED
10/01/19 Trix76 (43) CONFIRMED
10/03/19 iluvzbeach (49) CONFIRMED SEMI-FIRE
10/11/19 BigMoneyJim (49) CONFIRMED
10/14/19 2Birds1Stone (32) CONFIRMED
10/15/19 toocold CONFIRMED
10/17/19 I'm Fred (51) CONFIRMED
10/22/19 Enigma CONFIRMED
11/21/19 Meatgrinder (39) CONFIRMED
12/03/19 Dresden (52) CONFIRMED
12/03/19 NotCreativeName CONFIRMED
12/06/19 Sid Arthur (59) CONFIRMED
12/06/19 NotJen (39) CONFIRMED
12/06/19 6-Saturdays (44) CONFIRMED
12/12/19 firebrand (59) CONFIRMED
12/12/19 Linea_Norway (46) CONFIRMED
12/16/19 Mr. Linea_Norway
12/23/19 Life In Balance (49)
12/??/19 luckyme13 (45)

May have FIREd; waiting for them to confirm:

Mathieu
DireWolf
Thriftyc
Flavius (56)

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38)
Roboturner (30)
Bateaux (51)
CryingInThePool (44)
Albireo13 (61)
Cookie78
exit2019 (40)
powersuitrecall (47)
SamIAm38 (30)
Nifty (31) -- OMM to January of 20
Itchyfeet (47)
JoJo (45)
JumboShrimp -- A few more months to February of 20
SugarMountain -- Trying for January of 20
Pylortes (42)
texxan1 (47) -- A few more months to March of 20
MustacheAnxiety
forward
BlindSquirrel

OLY
markbike528cbx (53) OLY -- CONFIRMED 6/1/18; checking in as OP
MoneyStacher (50) OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
PhilB (52) OLY -- CONFIRMED 10/24/18
sui generis (41) OLY -- CONFIRMED 8/17/18
TartanTallulah (55) OLY -- CONFIRMED 10/2018
cerat0n1a OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
Chairman OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
Bognish (43) OLY -- CONFIRMED 11/16/18
Moxie (58) OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018

Linea_Norway · « **Reply #3058 on:** December 11, 2019, 03:45:21 AM »

My plan is as follows (open for changes):

Friday: Drive DH to the train station at 07:10 am. Then visit a place to deregister one of our cars that will be ditched tomorrow, and get a refund for the insurance and road-taxes that I already paid in advance.

Weekend: Normal. If we get new snow, then we will ski. If it keeps raining, we will stay indoors.

Monday: Drive DH to the train for his last day or let him borrow the one remaining car and I stay home.

Tuesday - Saturday: Relaxing and preparing for Christmas trip. If there is snow, we will go skiing.

Sunday to some time after Christmas (no return ticket booked): Driving to NL to visit family for Christmas. Not sure if it is worth to stay there longer, as it is not such an inspirational time of the year (usually dark and wet).

Some days at home.

5th of Jan: winter mushroom trip with my mushroom club.

Spend some weeks at our cabin, skiing a lot. At the end of Jan there starts a local dog sledge race that is nice to watch. Maybe we will get visitors then, like last year.

Trifle · « **Reply #3059 on:** December 11, 2019, 03:59:19 AM »

That is so cool that you and your DH are FIREing together @Linea_Norway. Your plans sound great -- relaxed and FREE.

macmoneysaver · « **Reply #3060 on:** December 12, 2019, 04:59:42 AM »

All, just a quick update on our 2019 FIRE experience. My wife and I both retired from out W-2 jobs 30 September!! Then we immediately moved to NC to be nearer to family. Our new hose was supposed be be ready 30 Aug, but we were not able to take possession until 26 November. So we moved in with our son for nearly 2-months. Now we are in the hose with a brand new TV, and 2 lawn chairs for furniture. Our household goods won't be here until at least 15 December. No worries though!!! Wife and I are going to the gym, doing our Christmas shopping, and picking up all the staples we need to run the household. It will be nice to be settled, but the stress level is low for both of us as we wait. Congrats to all the other 2019 FIRE cohort members, and good luck to those seeking FIRE in 2020 and beyond!!!

Linea_Norway · « **Reply #3061 on:** December 12, 2019, 07:38:25 AM »

Quote from: Trifele on December 11, 2019, 03:59:19 AM

That is so cool that you and your DH are FIREing together @Linea_Norway. Your plans sound great -- relaxed and FREE.

You can confirm me now. I have said goodbye to my coworker and gave away my door card. Now I just need to get my last paycheck this month and my vacation money in Jan.

Trifle · « **Reply #3062 on:** December 12, 2019, 07:54:16 AM »

Quote from: Linea_Norway on December 12, 2019, 07:38:25 AM

You can confirm me now. I have said goodbye to my coworker and gave away my door card. Now I just need to get my last paycheck this month and my vacation money in Jan.

CONGRATULATIONS @Linea_Norway !!!!!

firebrand · « **Reply #3063 on:** December 12, 2019, 02:56:21 PM »

Quote from: Linea_Norway on December 12, 2019, 07:38:25 AM

You can confirm me now. I have said goodbye to my coworker and gave away my door card. Now I just need to get my last paycheck this month and my vacation money in Jan.

Congratulations to my younger retirement twin Linea!

I can confirm that as of a few minutes ago I'm officially out myself. I thought I'd be extremely excited right now, but after a lot of tearful hugs & long goodbyes I'm a little heartbroken. Bittersweet.

Trifle · « **Reply #3064 on:** December 12, 2019, 03:32:10 PM »

CONGRATULATIONS @firebrand! It sounds like you had a nice workplace with good co-workers. Here's hoping that the bittersweet feelings pass quickly for you, leaving you with just the good stuff. Tomorrow your new memories begin.

firebrand · « **Reply #3065 on:** December 12, 2019, 04:16:36 PM »

Thank you Trifele, that is a lovely gif

Life in Balance · « **Reply #3066 on:** December 12, 2019, 06:14:48 PM »

I have a little over a week left. My colleagues are starting to tell me goodbye as people are heading out for the holidays over the next week. Today, one of them came to tell me how much I would be missed and how much they have valued my voice. I wouldn't have expected this from this particular person. I got a little teary. It was really nice of them.

Loren Ver · « **Reply #3067 on:** December 13, 2019, 12:11:36 PM »

@Linea_Norway and @firebrand

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

I hope your first weeks off are the best. For most people, this only happens once :).

Trifle · « **Reply #3068 on:** December 13, 2019, 12:22:15 PM »

Quote from: Life in Balance on December 12, 2019, 06:14:48 PM

I have a little over a week left. My colleagues are starting to tell me goodbye as people are heading out for the holidays over the next week. Today, one of them came to tell me how much I would be missed and how much they have valued my voice. I wouldn't have expected this from this particular person. I got a little teary. It was really nice of them.

:). Those last few days at work can be really emotional.

On a separate note, I got a PM from forum member @NotCreativeName, who FIREd last week. I have added her to our list above. Welcome!! Hope your first FIRE week has been good.

Flavius · « **Reply #3069 on:** December 13, 2019, 12:57:52 PM »

I can confirm that I have definitely FIRE’d. Just had my first week of not working and it has been great. I’ve been doing loads of exercise, fixing things around the house and signed up for some JavaScript training. I used to be a software developer and have always enjoyed programming. So far so good :-)

Trifle · « **Reply #3070 on:** December 13, 2019, 03:33:35 PM »

Quote from: Flavius on December 13, 2019, 12:57:52 PM

I can confirm that I have definitely FIRE’d. Just had my first week of not working and it has been great.

Fantastic @Flavius! Congratulations!!!

2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19 Bingeworker (52) CONFIRMED
01/11/19 Avrex (53) 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 TheShinyHorse CONFIRMED
02/13/19 SeanTash (48) CONFIRMED
02/28/19 nowwhat? (56) CONFIRMED
03/15/19 Half Stached (47) CONFIRMED
03/15/19 FireHazard CONFIRMED
03/15/19 Luck12 (41) CONFIRMED
03/18/19 chasesfish (36) CONFIRMED
03/18/19 Cycling Stache (43) CONFIRMED
03/29/19 Loren Ver (36) CONFIRMED
03/29/19 Mr. Ver (39) CONFIRMED
04/01/19 Ryder (39) CONFIRMED
04/04/19 PowerStache (43) CONFIRMED
04/06/19 Caroline PF CONFIRMED SEMI-FIRE
04/07/19 BTDRetire (64) CONFIRMED
04/19/19 Eric (42) CONFIRMED
04/26/19 FIRE 20/20 (42) CONFIRMED
05/02/19 couponvan (48) CONFIRMED
05/02/19 Edgema (42) CONFIRMED
05/14/19 anonprof CONFIRMED
05/16/19 dude (53) CONFIRMED
05/17/19 MaybeBabyMustache CONFIRMED SABBATICAL
05/17/19 Mowine (58) CONFIRMED
05/24/19 Prairie Stash (38) CONFIRMED
05/30/19 Livingthedream55 (59) CONFIRMED
05/31/19 Odiedog859 (62) CONFIRMED
06/10/19 tooqk4u22 CONFIRMED
06/14/19 Dibdab (56) CONFIRMED
06/18/19 RichMoose (29) CONFIRMED
06/19/19 Waffles (52) CONFIRMED
06/20/19 Parizade (62) CONFIRMED
06/21/19 Okonumiyaki (49) CONFIRMED
06/21/19 Home Stretch (31) CONFIRMED
06/30/19 SHO (37) CONFIRMED
07/02/19 DirtDiva CONFIRMED
07/03/19 Miss Piggy CONFIRMED
07/05/19 StoaX (58) CONFIRMED
07/07/19 Batljunk (57) CONFIRMED
07/12/19 5OClocksomewhere CONFIRMED
07/19/19 Polish_Hammer (51) CONFIRMED
07/29/19 Lews Therin (29) CONFIRMED
08/02/19 xbdb CONFIRMED
08/08/19 seattlecyclone (34) CONFIRMED
08/09/19 Jfer_rose (41) CONFIRMED
08/20/19 OMY CONFIRMED
08/26/19 MissNancyPryor (50) CONFIRMED
08/30/19 MoMan (54) CONFIRMED
08/31/19 Gerard CONFIRMED
08/31/19 Oldtoyota CONFIRMED SWAMI
09/02/19 Cornbread OMalley (42) CONFIRMED
09/06/19 dayzero CONFIRMED
09/12/19 Classical_Liberal CONFIRMED
09/27/19 snowdog (58) CONFIRMED
09/30/19 Ms. markbike528CBX CONFIRMED
09/30/19 RetirementDreaming(47) CONFIRMED
09/30/19 macmoneysaver (59) CONFIRMED
10/01/19 SnakesInTheGrass (55) CONFIRMED
10/01/19 Trix76 (43) CONFIRMED
10/03/19 iluvzbeach (49) CONFIRMED SEMI-FIRE
10/11/19 BigMoneyJim (49) CONFIRMED
10/14/19 2Birds1Stone (32) CONFIRMED
10/15/19 toocold CONFIRMED
10/17/19 I'm Fred (51) CONFIRMED
10/22/19 Enigma CONFIRMED
11/21/19 Meatgrinder (39) CONFIRMED
12/03/19 Dresden (52) CONFIRMED
12/03/19 NotCreativeName CONFIRMED
12/05/19 Flavius (56) CONFIRMED
12/06/19 Sid Arthur (59) CONFIRMED
12/06/19 NotJen (39) CONFIRMED
12/06/19 6-Saturdays (44) CONFIRMED
12/12/19 firebrand (59) CONFIRMED
12/12/19 Linea_Norway (46) CONFIRMED
12/13/19 Mr. Linea_Norway CONFIRMED
12/23/19 Life In Balance (49)

May have FIREd; waiting for them to check in:
Mathieu
DireWolf
Thriftyc
luckyme13 (45)

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38) -- Targeting February of 20
Roboturner (30)
Bateaux (51) -- Aiming for August of 20
CryingInThePool (44)
Albireo13 (63) -- Looking at June of 20
Cookie78
exit2019 (40)
powersuitrecall (47)
SamIAm38 (30)
Nifty (31) -- OMM to January of 20
Itchyfeet (47) -- Looking at April 2020
JoJo (45)
JumboShrimp -- A few more months to February of 20
SugarMountain -- Trying for January of 20
Pylortes (42)
texxan1 (47) -- A few more months to March of 20
MustacheAnxiety
forward
BlindSquirrel

OLY
markbike528cbx (53) OLY -- CONFIRMED 6/1/18; checking in as OP
MoneyStacher (50) OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
PhilB (52) OLY -- CONFIRMED 10/24/18
sui generis (41) OLY -- CONFIRMED 8/17/18
TartanTallulah (55) OLY -- CONFIRMED 10/2018
cerat0n1a OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
Chairman OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
Bognish (43) OLY -- CONFIRMED 11/16/18
Moxie (58) OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018

Linea_Norway · « **Reply #3071 on:** December 14, 2019, 04:52:14 AM »

My DH took his last working day yesterday, Friday the 13th. He officially had one day left to work, but had nothing to do and nothing to invoice. So he is taking that day off unpaid. So you can confirm him on the 13th.

This morning, Saturday, feels like my first day without work, as I also didn't have to get up early to drive DH to the train station, like yesterday. I slept with a few wake ups in between, but I didn't get up until 8 am. I measured my blood pressure and it was within normal range! That is a seldom thing, only measured at the beginning of the summer, after weeks of meditation practice. So if this what not working does to me? I will keep measuring regularly to see what happens, but so far so good. It was one of my goals with FiRE to get my high bp levels down.

Trifle · « **Reply #3072 on:** December 15, 2019, 03:20:41 AM »

Hope that is your new permanent normal @Linea_Norway! Your DH is CONFIRMED. :)

And thanks for the great check in above @macmoneysaver! Hopefully your stuff will show up in the next few days, but in the meantime it sounds like you are living light free and happy.

Folks -- we're coming to the end of our epic year-long FIRE celebration. I've moved LuckyMe13 to "awaiting check in" since she hasn't been on the forum in a while. Unless some new FIRE friends pop out of the closet to join us, we are down to one! @Life in Balance has the baton now, running the final leg to the finish line next week. Go Life In Balance!!

friedmmj · « **Reply #3073 on:** December 15, 2019, 06:04:14 AM »

Quote from: Linea_Norway on December 14, 2019, 04:52:14 AM

My DH took his last working day yesterday, Friday the 13th. He officially had one day left to work, but had nothing to do and nothing to invoice. So he is taking that day off unpaid. So you can confirm him on the 13th.

This morning, Saturday, feels like my first day without work, as I also didn't have to get up early to drive DH to the train station, like yesterday. I slept with a few wake ups in between, but I didn't get up until 8 am. I measured my blood pressure and it was within normal range! That is a seldom thing, only measured at the beginning of the summer, after weeks of meditation practice. So if this what not working does to me? I will keep measuring regularly to see what happens, but so far so good. It was one of my goals with FiRE to get my high bp levels down.

That's very interesting regarding your BP. I have borderline HBP myself and am on some meds to help with it. Do you also take meds or are trying to manage it without?

Linea_Norway · « **Reply #3074 on:** December 16, 2019, 01:00:17 AM »

Quote from: friedmmj on December 15, 2019, 06:04:14 AM

Quote from: Linea_Norway on December 14, 2019, 04:52:14 AM
My DH took his last working day yesterday, Friday the 13th. He officially had one day left to work, but had nothing to do and nothing to invoice. So he is taking that day off unpaid. So you can confirm him on the 13th.

This morning, Saturday, feels like my first day without work, as I also didn't have to get up early to drive DH to the train station, like yesterday. I slept with a few wake ups in between, but I didn't get up until 8 am. I measured my blood pressure and it was within normal range! That is a seldom thing, only measured at the beginning of the summer, after weeks of meditation practice. So if this what not working does to me? I will keep measuring regularly to see what happens, but so far so good. It was one of my goals with FiRE to get my high bp levels down.
That's very interesting regarding your BP. I have borderline HBP myself and am on some meds to help with it. Do you also take meds or are trying to manage it without?

I am without meds. I had a 24 hour measuring with an average 140. And my GP thought that was too low to start on meds. Just eating less salt.

Life in Balance · « **Reply #3075 on:** December 16, 2019, 10:47:24 AM »

Quote from: Trifele on December 15, 2019, 03:20:41 AM

Unless some new FIRE friends pop out of the closet to join us, we are down to one! @Life in Balance has the baton now, running the final leg to the finish line next week. Go Life In Balance!!

I'm on it. Last week!! :)

itchyfeet · « **Reply #3076 on:** December 16, 2019, 11:01:25 AM »

Congratulations to all those in the 2019 class. I thought I’d pop by to collect the baton on behalf of the 2020 class and Sprint out of my office and down the street with out even a peak over my shoulder, into the blazing sunset of a low BP FIREd life.....

2020 will be EPIC!

Loren Ver · « **Reply #3077 on:** December 16, 2019, 03:00:37 PM »

@Linea_Norway that is fabulous news! I really hope this is your new normal and working was the health fix you needed! Yah!

@Life in Balance ohh sooo soon! I hope the week is just as long as you need it to be, but no longer :D.

batljunk · « **Reply #3078 on:** December 17, 2019, 05:53:53 PM »

Quote from: itchyfeet on December 16, 2019, 11:01:25 AM

Congratulations to all those in the 2019 class. I thought I’d pop by to collect the baton on behalf of the 2020 class and Sprint out of my office and down the street with out even a peak over my shoulder, into the blazing sunset of a low BP FIREd life.....

2020 will be EPIC!

I love it! Best wishes to my colleagues in the 2019 cohort. I am so happy for all of us. I ate rice and beans today, not because I'm broke, I'm not, just FREE! Free! free! Happy 2020.

Nifty · « **Reply #3079 on:** December 18, 2019, 12:01:43 PM »

Quote from: Nifty on December 10, 2019, 05:50:58 PM

I will be giving notice middle of next week. I had originally planned to give notice early next year after my 4Q bonus was deposited, but I've decided to risk it and give notice in December and still request/expect the bonus for the quarter. Double whammy I'm going to request it be paid out to me after 1/1/20 as we'll obviously be in a lower tax bracket next year. Fortunately with a very gracious boss, I feel pretty confident I'll get what I'm asking.

Quoting my post from last week. I am now confirmed! I had a couple people give me warnings about giving notice while I had a bonus pending, but fortunately, as its a small company, I just had to rely on my boss/the owner to react favorably. Fortunately its all amicable and I have one-month's notice and will still receive my bonus in 2020 in a lower tax bracket. Last day is 1/15/20, @Trifele does this make me class of 2020?

Trifle · « **Reply #3080 on:** December 18, 2019, 12:32:44 PM »

Congrats @Nifty! We've been confirming people after their last day worked usually! So I think that means you are 2020. Very happy for you!!!

Loren Ver · « **Reply #3081 on:** December 18, 2019, 02:02:31 PM »

Woot Woot @Nifty
Sorry we have to scooch you to 2020, but I am so happy it all worked out for you!!

Trifle · « **Reply #3082 on:** December 22, 2019, 04:19:22 PM »

Good luck tomorrow @Life in Balance! Hope you cross that finish line with a big smile.

Life in Balance · « **Reply #3083 on:** December 23, 2019, 11:56:09 AM »

Quote from: Trifele on December 22, 2019, 04:19:22 PM

Good luck tomorrow @Life in Balance! Hope you cross that finish line with a big smile.

Smile is in place! I am done!! I still cannot quite believe it, but I am so ready! Here's to a rejuvenating 2020.

Trifle · « **Reply #3084 on:** December 23, 2019, 02:58:07 PM »

CONGRATULATIONS @Life in Balance !!!! Enjoy!

2019 FIRE Cohort:

01/01/19 Bingeworker (52) CONFIRMED
01/11/19 Avrex (53) 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 TheShinyHorse CONFIRMED
02/13/19 SeanTash (48) CONFIRMED
02/28/19 nowwhat? (56) CONFIRMED
03/15/19 Half Stached (47) CONFIRMED
03/15/19 FireHazard CONFIRMED
03/15/19 Luck12 (41) CONFIRMED
03/18/19 chasesfish (36) CONFIRMED
03/18/19 Cycling Stache (43) CONFIRMED
03/29/19 Loren Ver (36) CONFIRMED
03/29/19 Mr. Ver (39) CONFIRMED
04/01/19 Ryder (39) CONFIRMED
04/04/19 PowerStache (43) CONFIRMED
04/06/19 Caroline PF CONFIRMED SEMI-FIRE
04/07/19 BTDRetire (64) CONFIRMED
04/19/19 Eric (42) CONFIRMED
04/26/19 FIRE 20/20 (42) CONFIRMED
05/02/19 couponvan (48) CONFIRMED
05/02/19 Edgema (42) CONFIRMED
05/14/19 anonprof CONFIRMED
05/16/19 dude (53) CONFIRMED
05/17/19 MaybeBabyMustache CONFIRMED SABBATICAL
05/17/19 Mowine (58) CONFIRMED
05/24/19 Prairie Stash (38) CONFIRMED
05/30/19 Livingthedream55 (59) CONFIRMED
05/31/19 Odiedog859 (62) CONFIRMED
06/10/19 tooqk4u22 CONFIRMED
06/14/19 Dibdab (56) CONFIRMED
06/18/19 RichMoose (29) CONFIRMED
06/19/19 Waffles (52) CONFIRMED
06/20/19 Parizade (62) CONFIRMED
06/21/19 Okonumiyaki (49) CONFIRMED
06/21/19 Home Stretch (31) CONFIRMED
06/30/19 SHO (37) CONFIRMED
07/02/19 DirtDiva CONFIRMED
07/03/19 Miss Piggy CONFIRMED
07/05/19 StoaX (58) CONFIRMED
07/07/19 Batljunk (57) CONFIRMED
07/12/19 5OClocksomewhere CONFIRMED
07/19/19 Polish_Hammer (51) CONFIRMED
07/29/19 Lews Therin (29) CONFIRMED
08/02/19 xbdb CONFIRMED
08/08/19 seattlecyclone (34) CONFIRMED
08/09/19 Jfer_rose (41) CONFIRMED
08/20/19 OMY CONFIRMED
08/26/19 MissNancyPryor (50) CONFIRMED
08/30/19 MoMan (54) CONFIRMED
08/31/19 Gerard CONFIRMED
08/31/19 Oldtoyota CONFIRMED SWAMI
09/02/19 Cornbread OMalley (42) CONFIRMED
09/06/19 dayzero CONFIRMED
09/12/19 Classical_Liberal CONFIRMED
09/27/19 snowdog (58) CONFIRMED
09/30/19 Ms. markbike528CBX CONFIRMED
09/30/19 RetirementDreaming(47) CONFIRMED
09/30/19 macmoneysaver (59) CONFIRMED
10/01/19 SnakesInTheGrass (55) CONFIRMED
10/01/19 Trix76 (43) CONFIRMED
10/03/19 iluvzbeach (49) CONFIRMED SEMI-FIRE
10/11/19 BigMoneyJim (49) CONFIRMED
10/14/19 2Birds1Stone (32) CONFIRMED
10/15/19 toocold CONFIRMED
10/17/19 I'm Fred (51) CONFIRMED
10/22/19 Enigma CONFIRMED
11/21/19 Meatgrinder (39) CONFIRMED
12/03/19 Dresden (52) CONFIRMED
12/03/19 NotCreativeName CONFIRMED
12/05/19 Flavius (56) CONFIRMED
12/06/19 Sid Arthur (59) CONFIRMED
12/06/19 NotJen (39) CONFIRMED
12/06/19 6-Saturdays (44) CONFIRMED
12/12/19 firebrand (59) CONFIRMED
12/12/19 Linea_Norway (46) CONFIRMED
12/13/19 Mr. Linea_Norway CONFIRMED
12/23/19 Life In Balance (49) CONFIRMED

May have FIREd; waiting for them to check in:
Mathieu
DireWolf
Thriftyc
luckyme13 (45)

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38) -- Targeting February of 20
Roboturner (30)
Bateaux (51) -- Aiming for August of 20
CryingInThePool (44)
Albireo13 (63) -- Looking at June of 20
Cookie78
exit2019 (40)
powersuitrecall (47)
SamIAm38 (30)
Nifty (31) -- OMM to January of 20
Itchyfeet (47) -- Looking at April 2020
JoJo (45)
JumboShrimp -- A few more months to February of 20
SugarMountain -- Trying for January of 20
Pylortes (42)
texxan1 (47) -- A few more months to March of 20
MustacheAnxiety
forward
BlindSquirrel

OLY
markbike528cbx (53) OLY -- CONFIRMED 6/1/18; checking in as OP
MoneyStacher (50) OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
PhilB (52) OLY -- CONFIRMED 10/24/18
sui generis (41) OLY -- CONFIRMED 8/17/18
TartanTallulah (55) OLY -- CONFIRMED 10/2018
cerat0n1a OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
Chairman OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
Bognish (43) OLY -- CONFIRMED 11/16/18
Moxie (58) OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018

Loren Ver · « **Reply #3085 on:** December 26, 2019, 04:54:34 PM »

We MADE IT!!!!

Congrats Cohort!!

It is hard to believe 2019 is coming to a close and we have FIREd. What a great year, and what a great cohort!

Assuming no more changes, how did our size compare?

SeanTash · « **Reply #3086 on:** December 26, 2019, 05:34:16 PM »

Quote from: Life in Balance on December 23, 2019, 11:56:09 AM

Quote from: Trifele on December 22, 2019, 04:19:22 PM
Good luck tomorrow @Life in Balance! Hope you cross that finish line with a big smile.

Smile is in place! I am done!! I still cannot quite believe it, but I am so ready! Here's to a rejuvenating 2020.

Congrats on rounding out the 2919 cohort!

Life in Balance · « **Reply #3087 on:** December 26, 2019, 06:21:39 PM »

Thanks! With the holiday coming in the middle of the week, it still hasn't sunk in for me. But I'm okay with that as it just stretches out the joy.

PhilB · « **Reply #3088 on:** December 26, 2019, 10:54:23 PM »

Quote from: Loren Ver on December 26, 2019, 04:54:34 PM

We MADE IT!!!!

Congrats Cohort!!

It is hard to believe 2019 is coming to a close and we have FIREd. What a great year, and what a great cohort!

Assuming no more changes, how did our size compare?

2018 had the previous record with 73 confirmed. 2019 beats that with 80. 2018 will probably argue that the site membership got bigger, but 2019 also have 9 OLYs of whom 6 appear in the 2018 list. Clearly these should really be considered as advance pathfinders for the 2019 cohort making the score 89 to 67...

FIRE 20/20 · « **Reply #3089 on:** December 27, 2019, 01:21:33 PM »

Congratulations everyone! I intended to stop by to provide well-wishes throughout the year, but after I FIREd I spent a lot less time here. There were too many other great things to be doing with my free time!

I'd love to keep this thread going into 2020 and beyond. How is retirement for everyone? Better than expected? Are you finding that all the naysayers were correct and that you're bored? Biggest surprises? Are you hitting your spending forecasts?

I'll start by saying that FIRE for me is even better than expected. I am busier than I was when I was working because there are so many things I want to do and there still isn't enough time. The only real surprise I have had is that I decided to become a volunteer math tutor at my public library. It's just 2.5 hours one day a week, but it's one of the best things I've ever done. I thought I might hate it, but it's been far more fulfilling than I expected. I hope to add in some literacy tutoring twice a week to get me to 3 days of volunteering each week. I'm worried that might be too much of an obligation, but if the math tutoring is any guide I'm hoping that about 9 hours a week won't be too much.

dragoncar · « **Reply #3090 on:** December 31, 2019, 02:17:37 PM »

Woot!

Trifle · « **Reply #3091 on:** January 01, 2020, 08:02:49 AM »

HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone!! We did it!

Great update @FIRE 20/20 -- your volunteering sounds great. I hope more folks stop by for updates as the months go on.

chasesfish · « **Reply #3092 on:** January 01, 2020, 08:45:51 AM »

Congrats everyone!

achvfi · « **Reply #3093 on:** January 01, 2020, 04:11:07 PM »

I have been following this cohort for a while, just popped into to say... Congratulations all who made it.

Hope to follow your updates after FIRE.

HappyCheerE · « **Reply #3094 on:** January 01, 2020, 06:06:47 PM »

YOU DID IT!!! Congratulations all! May FIRE be everything you hoped and imagined it could be.

BigMoneyJim · « **Reply #3095 on:** January 01, 2020, 06:21:19 PM »

Yay, we did not die!

https://www.instagram.com/p/B6w9Pk0lxaD/

Trifle · « **Reply #3096 on:** January 02, 2020, 03:57:00 AM »

Quote from: MissNancyPryor on January 01, 2020, 04:48:26 PM

I have tried 4 times to add a gif of graduation caps getting thrown into the air but can't do it. I know I have seen somewhere, at least once, the instruction on how to make it work. Probably on the Top Is In thread but that is over 100 pages! I did check the forum FAQ and technical section but don't see it. I googled it and tried those suggestions but no go. Can anyone help?

In the mean time just imagine graduation caps getting thrown in the air or Reese Witherspoon saying "We did it!" at the end of Legally Blonde. That is how I feel for all of us! Congratulations to all.

Hey @MissNancyPryor -- the way I've done it is to use the 'insert image' button in the tool panel (iit's upper left, right under Bold), then inside the bracket that appears, paste the gif address

Trifle · « **Reply #3097 on:** January 02, 2020, 04:05:23 AM »

Happy Graduation 2019! It was a fantastic year. Tagging @arebelspy so he has our final roster for the record books. Thank you ARS!

2019 FIRE Cohort -- Final Roster:

01/01/19 Bingeworker (52) CONFIRMED
01/11/19 Avrex (53) 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 TheShinyHorse CONFIRMED
02/13/19 SeanTash (48) CONFIRMED
02/28/19 nowwhat? (56) CONFIRMED
03/15/19 Half Stached (47) CONFIRMED
03/15/19 FireHazard CONFIRMED
03/15/19 Luck12 (41) CONFIRMED
03/18/19 chasesfish (36) CONFIRMED
03/18/19 Cycling Stache (43) CONFIRMED
03/29/19 Loren Ver (36) CONFIRMED
03/29/19 Mr. Ver (39) CONFIRMED
04/01/19 Ryder (39) CONFIRMED
04/04/19 PowerStache (43) CONFIRMED
04/06/19 Caroline PF CONFIRMED SEMI-FIRE
04/07/19 BTDRetire (64) CONFIRMED
04/19/19 Eric (42) CONFIRMED
04/26/19 FIRE 20/20 (42) CONFIRMED
05/02/19 couponvan (48) CONFIRMED
05/02/19 Edgema (42) CONFIRMED
05/14/19 anonprof CONFIRMED
05/16/19 dude (53) CONFIRMED
05/17/19 MaybeBabyMustache CONFIRMED SABBATICAL
05/17/19 Mowine (58) CONFIRMED
05/24/19 Prairie Stash (38) CONFIRMED
05/30/19 Livingthedream55 (59) CONFIRMED
05/31/19 Odiedog859 (62) CONFIRMED
06/10/19 tooqk4u22 CONFIRMED
06/14/19 Dibdab (56) CONFIRMED
06/18/19 RichMoose (29) CONFIRMED
06/19/19 Waffles (52) CONFIRMED
06/20/19 Parizade (62) CONFIRMED
06/21/19 Okonumiyaki (49) CONFIRMED
06/21/19 Home Stretch (31) CONFIRMED
06/30/19 SHO (37) CONFIRMED
07/02/19 DirtDiva CONFIRMED
07/03/19 Miss Piggy CONFIRMED
07/05/19 StoaX (58) CONFIRMED
07/07/19 Batljunk (57) CONFIRMED
07/12/19 5OClocksomewhere CONFIRMED
07/15/19 Mathieu CONFIRMED
07/19/19 Polish_Hammer (51) CONFIRMED
07/26/19 DireWolf CONFIRMED
07/29/19 Lews Therin (29) CONFIRMED
08/02/19 xbdb CONFIRMED
08/08/19 seattlecyclone (34) CONFIRMED
08/09/19 Jfer_rose (41) CONFIRMED
08/20/19 OMY CONFIRMED
08/26/19 MissNancyPryor (50) CONFIRMED
08/30/19 MoMan (54) CONFIRMED
08/31/19 Gerard CONFIRMED
08/31/19 Oldtoyota CONFIRMED SWAMI
09/02/19 Cornbread OMalley (42) CONFIRMED
09/06/19 dayzero CONFIRMED
09/12/19 Classical_Liberal CONFIRMED
09/27/19 snowdog (58) CONFIRMED
09/30/19 Ms. markbike528CBX CONFIRMED
09/30/19 RetirementDreaming(47) CONFIRMED
09/30/19 macmoneysaver (59) CONFIRMED
10/01/19 SnakesInTheGrass (55) CONFIRMED
10/01/19 Trix76 (43) CONFIRMED
10/03/19 iluvzbeach (49) CONFIRMED SEMI-FIRE
10/11/19 BigMoneyJim (49) CONFIRMED
10/14/19 2Birds1Stone (32) CONFIRMED
10/15/19 toocold CONFIRMED
10/17/19 I'm Fred (51) CONFIRMED
10/22/19 Enigma CONFIRMED
11/21/19 Meatgrinder (39) CONFIRMED
12/03/19 Dresden (52) CONFIRMED
12/03/19 NotCreativeName CONFIRMED
12/05/19 Flavius (56) CONFIRMED
12/06/19 Sid Arthur (59) CONFIRMED
12/06/19 NotJen (39) CONFIRMED
12/06/19 6-Saturdays (44) CONFIRMED
12/12/19 firebrand (59) CONFIRMED
12/12/19 Linea_Norway (46) CONFIRMED
12/13/19 Mr. Linea_Norway CONFIRMED
12/23/19 Life In Balance (49) CONFIRMED

OMY/2MY/Etc:
Freedomin5 (38) -- Targeting February of 20
Roboturner (30)
Bateaux (51) -- Aiming for August of 20
CryingInThePool (44)
Albireo13 (63) -- Looking at June of 20
Cookie78
exit2019 (40)
powersuitrecall (47)
SamIAm38 (30)
Nifty (31) -- OMM to January of 20
Itchyfeet (47) -- Looking at April 2020
JoJo (45)
JumboShrimp -- A few more months to February of 20
SugarMountain -- Trying for January of 20
Pylortes (42)
texxan1 (47) -- A few more months to March of 20
MustacheAnxiety
forward
BlindSquirrel

OLY
markbike528cbx (53) OLY -- CONFIRMED 6/1/18; checking in as OP
MoneyStacher (50) OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
PhilB (52) OLY -- CONFIRMED 10/24/18
sui generis (41) OLY -- CONFIRMED 8/17/18
TartanTallulah (55) OLY -- CONFIRMED 10/2018
cerat0n1a OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
Chairman OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018
Bognish (43) OLY -- CONFIRMED 11/16/18
Moxie (58) OLY -- CONFIRMED 2018

MissNancyPryor · « **Reply #3098 on:** January 02, 2020, 06:41:35 AM »

Yessssss! Thank you @Trifele, and thank you for maintaining this list for so long.

Loren Ver · « **Reply #3099 on:** January 02, 2020, 07:26:12 AM »

Congrats and Thank you Team!

Special Thank Yous to @markbike528CBX for getting this train rolling, then bailing out when he saw something shiny in 2018 :D.

@Trifele for taking the stick and bringing us to the end with wonderful list upkeep (even though many of us where on again, off again, up, down, TBD, and MIA) and welcoming us to FIRE with wonderful images!

@PhilB who answered my numbers question since I was too busy being FIREd (ie lazy) to look it up myself :).

To all the people that joined the team, those that FIREd, those that encouraged, those that visited.

Yah! A good year indeed. I plan to come back and update, I am glad others plan to as well.

Then to all the people that FIRED

News:

Author Topic: 2019 fire cohort (Read 794905 times)