Author Topic: 2021 FIRE Cohort  (Read 353353 times)

Arbitrage

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Re: 2021 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1000 on: March 22, 2021, 05:01:17 PM »
Wow, so much good news in this thread.  Congrats to all! 

Still can't believe it's coming up for me; I still have so much to do with house purchase/fixing, house sale/fixing, decluttering, moving, work, trying to get vaccinated, and so on...but so looking forward to it.  The good news is that we're steadily making progress on all of the hard tasks we identified, really per the plan I laid out many months ago.  The amount of tasks ahead of us still seems overwhelming, but when I look back at what we've accomplished over the past 3-4 months, that's pretty staggering as well, so I know we're on track and actually past a lot of the "biggest rocks."

Mrs. Healthywealth

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Re: 2021 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1001 on: March 22, 2021, 10:12:09 PM »
I can be updated to confirmed. My last day is this Friday (!!).

If anyone has suggestions on how to improve the goodbye email I'm sending on Wednesday, please chime in. I work in an office environment of professionals in what is considered a stuffy profession. I'm a middle manager type and already known as a bit of a clown, and the people at my company are generally great people, so I think this will go over well with most folks, and for those who it doesn't, oh well!

Congrats for Friday! Any plans on how you will celebrate? I'm leaving this Friday too, was also going to send out a goodbye email, but yours is way cooler and entertaining :)  Best of luck to you!

Ottawa

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Re: 2021 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1002 on: March 23, 2021, 04:19:15 AM »
15 March - Resignation produced, manager expected it though as we are friends outside of work. 
16 March - Informed rest of team of resignation over video call.  Although I had hinted to a number of people, there was some surprise for sure.  There was shock at higher up levels - Directors etc.   who expected I would be there for at least 11 more years!  There were requests to exit interview.  I politely declined for (many reasons).
19 March - Resignation accepted

I have around 3 working days left with all the leftover vacation etc prior to 16 April!  Woohoo.  I'm not doing any more work, per se, just filling a couple of bankers boxes with 15 years of work 'stuff'. 


Dreamer40

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Re: 2021 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1003 on: March 23, 2021, 11:44:16 AM »
Congrats to everyone! There's been a lot of movement with folks finalizing their departures the past few weeks.

I'm here to report on my 3-week post-retirement life. I spent all 3 weeks staying much busier than I expected to. Time FLEW by. Organizing stuff around the house, gardening, cooking, cleaning, reading lots of books, etc. I finally stopped today and had a good ugly cry over the trauma my career inflicted on me and all the trauma I was surrounded with every day for all those years. Now I feel drained. I still keep a daily to do list and planner. I don't know when/if that habit will stop. But I don't think I'm going to do any of the stuff on today's list. Other than "assemble the hammock stand." Because then I can go lay down in it.

ScreamingHeadGuy

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Re: 2021 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1004 on: March 23, 2021, 06:51:18 PM »
The roster is updated for everybody through post #1011.

So far we have 81 folks here who will be FIRE in 2021 and 5 have gone OLY into the 2020 Cohort. 

Average age of 2021ers is 45.42 (based on those 64 members who provided an age at FIRE date).  2020 average age was 48.32.  2019 average age was 47.38.

NameAge (at FIRE)FIRE Date
AldiEarly 50s1/23/2020 OLY
CrazyIT563/13/2020 OLY
Mmm_Donuts3/20/2020 OLY
Marcher Lady4912/15/2020 OLY
Zinnie 38 10/22/2020 OLY
     
Matz_70501/1/2021
BikeFanatic551/4/2021Confirmed
Sciurus1/8/2021Confirmed
ScreamingHeadGuy411/22/2021Confirmed
12321351/23/2021Confirmed
moneypitfeeder421/29/2021Confirmed
Sultan581/31/2021Confirmed
fireflye502/1/2021
goat_music_generator272/2/2021Confirmed
dividendman382/5/2021Confirmed
texxan12/15/2021Confirmed
Buffaloski Boris562/28/2021
dreams_and_discoveries39February
fiStressRelief403/1/2021Confirmed
Dreamer40403/3/2021Confirmed
Farfetchd33 3/7/2021Confirmed
skyrefuge433/12/2021Confirmed
TheContinentalOP55 3/19/2021
logjammin393/26/2021
Mrs. Healthywealth423/26/2021
Jack0Life ('s wife)March
ronsbusa3504/1/2021
HumanAfterAll444/2/2021
Trede514/2/2021
sailingTowardsFI434/9/2021
simmias474/16/2021
Ottawa494/16/2021
OmgLmg4/16/2021
Tipster350604/16/2021
bluebelle4/30/2021
LightTripper45April
force majeure45April
Geographer305/3/2021
Peter Parker5/7/2021
CoffeeR5/31/2021
gary341130April/May
WildJager35May
80Westy50May
rightstuff55May
amberfocus36May
phildonnia506/1/2021
ItalianGirl52 6/1/2021
Chaplin476/4/2021
icebox92366/4/2021
Sisto526/7/2021
MoStash536/11/2021
YoungGranny316/30/2021
SheWhoWalksAtLunch566/30/2021
mld33June
crazy jane55June
SunniDJune
Ladychips557/1/2021
Nazar7/1/2021
JoJo487/9/21
marque47June/July
CarolinaGirl50July
highlandterrier47July
NorskyJuly
Need2SaveMay-July
Arbitrage438/1/2021
asauer43August
Bownyboy499/7/2021
Well Respected Man569/10/2021
ospreyjp569/27/2021
frugalecon9/30/2021
GBRS36September
the_fixer4910/1/2021
damoOctober
Boyband37October
4tify54October
Money Badger5312/1/2021
Accountant0074812/23/2021
Ulysses Everett McGill5512/31/2021
dblaace60 12/31/2021
NoVa 12/31/2021
effigy9843December
WadimanDecember
mindfulrun43spring
Mrs. Slothspring
lightmyfireJune-Sept
monarda61TBD
aethonan1332TBD
American GenXTBD
lemonlymanTBD
dswTBD
MoneyTreeTBD
exit2019 TBD
justchristineTBD
« Last Edit: March 23, 2021, 06:57:02 PM by ScreamingHeadGuy »

HumanAfterAll

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Re: 2021 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1005 on: March 23, 2021, 09:28:27 PM »
I'm done! (as of last Friday.) It's funny how much COVID-effects blurred the line between retired/not-retired for me. This week, as a retired man, I've done some mid-day walks/bike-rides/grocery-trips with my wife, and then spent a good bit of time in our home office messing around in front of a computer. Which is exactly the life I've been living for the last year anyway! Ok, so one of our bike rides was a bit longer than normal and took us to a brewery, but really, since I've been 100% WFH anyway, and my job was flexible enough to allow mid-day excursions even when I was working, very little has actually changed in my day-to-day existence. I think things would feel a lot different if I'd had a 2-hour daily commute at a job where I was constantly speaking with people; the transition would have been much starker (and maybe scarier!) in that case.

The wildest part of my transition: my (big) ex-company uses a social-media-like platform as its main internal communication tool. It has user-created, non-business groups, one of which is dedicated to Mustachian early retirement. I know, pretty awesome (and bold!) all on its own. But wait! Two weeks before my last day, I decided to make my first (and last) post there, announcing that I was at least one person succeeding at the group's goal (the company is pretty young, so many of the group members are earlier in the accumulation/apirational stage). Overnight, that post became the week's 4th most-liked post on the entire platform! Like, it was more popular than posts from VPs making cool announcements to the entire company! So MMM should be proud that his message, which in its purest form is targeted explicitly towards high-paid workers at a company like mine, has definitely been heard, and even celebrated, inside such companies.

In that vein, I was clear and upfront with everyone, both in my professional and personal life, about it being an explicit "retirement". And I haven't heard a single note of skepticism, cynicism, or jealousy. I think it was the most-liked post I've ever made on my personal social media too. Maybe some of that is because I've always been relatively open about my plans, and surely reactions will vary between people and companies, but my broad advice from my experience would be: feel free to be more up-front with people, you might be pleasantly surprised at the reactions! (not to mention I subsequently got a decent amount of questions from people newly-interested in Mustachian concepts).

Congratulations!  I'm glad to hear you inspired the next generation of early retirees at work!

Mrs. Healthywealth

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Re: 2021 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1006 on: March 23, 2021, 10:52:29 PM »
Congrats to everyone! There's been a lot of movement with folks finalizing their departures the past few weeks.

I'm here to report on my 3-week post-retirement life. I spent all 3 weeks staying much busier than I expected to. Time FLEW by. Organizing stuff around the house, gardening, cooking, cleaning, reading lots of books, etc. I finally stopped today and had a good ugly cry over the trauma my career inflicted on me and all the trauma I was surrounded with every day for all those years. Now I feel drained. I still keep a daily to do list and planner. I don't know when/if that habit will stop. But I don't think I'm going to do any of the stuff on today's list. Other than "assemble the hammock stand." Because then I can go lay down in it.

Truly appreciate you sharing this. Glad to hear that you took the time to soak in how the past years of your career impacted you. Hope there was relief at knowing you are capable of creating a healthy space for yourself.

LightTripper

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Re: 2021 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1007 on: March 24, 2021, 04:00:38 AM »
Well done to everyone who's pulled the plug in the last few weeks.  And good luck with the transition pangs (I'm going to think of them as "growing pains" because that's exactly what we're doing). 

My transition is going to be more gradual and therefore probably a lot less satisfying, but it's still very inspiring to watch you all bid your goodbyes and move on to brighter and better things!

simmias

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Re: 2021 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1008 on: March 24, 2021, 05:04:33 AM »
Four of us on April 16! We should throw a party!

I just finished applying for ACA - the Internet was not wrong about it being a confusing process! I had to delete the first application because I ended up with no subsidy after saying I'd have health insurance in April but not May.

My friend who got ACA coverage said he had to get a 15-day short-term policy because he didn't start the process soon enough, so I wanted to go ahead and get a jump on things. But it looks like I have until April 23 to finalize a May 1 policy, which seems extremely reasonable.

Abe Froman

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Re: 2021 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1009 on: March 24, 2021, 03:27:27 PM »
I am going to sign myself up for April 16. (Now there will be 5 pulling the cord that date)
This is my first time signing up to a FIRE Cohort - hope I am doing it right.
Now.... its out in the universe.

Now to develop what I am going to say to my boss (the CEO). I report to him, and plan on telling him in person - I think its the right thing to do. Phone call seems impersonal to me since I had been there 15 years, plus I want to keep the options open for the future.

It feels like I am jumping naked from a biplane into an ice cold lake.

simmias

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Re: 2021 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1010 on: March 24, 2021, 05:30:18 PM »
I did a zoom call to my boss since we're still not in the office.

Also, apparently me leaving has left some people at my workplace a little shaken. And although I only told two people (who I trust) that I didn't need the money anymore, I think other people have been putting the pieces together from what I'm hearing secondhand from some folks.

JoJo

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Re: 2021 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1011 on: March 24, 2021, 06:01:41 PM »
Got a message from my bank that the bonus hit the bank account.  There was awhile I didn't think I'd make it to this date, but glad I stayed as it's almost a half year of expenses.  I can count the number of working days left on my fingers and my toes!

traveler

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Re: 2021 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1012 on: March 25, 2021, 09:08:53 AM »
Reading previous post is very inspiring!

Sign me and my wife up for 2021 as well! We’re both 36. My last day of work is May 3. Giving notice on April 15. I did let my manager know 7 weeks in advance as he’s my friend and I want the team to be prepared and to succeed.

My wife decided she wants to keep working part time a while longer, as she enjoys her work. She will take a 1 month break.

We’ll be moving out of beautiful California to a MCOL area we’re I’m from. We’re downsizing from a SFH to a super walkable apartment, and so we’re in the middle of the purge.

Wish you all successful FIREs!

ronsbusa3

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Re: 2021 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1013 on: March 26, 2021, 08:48:36 AM »
I’m still on track for April 1st. Things have been crazy the last 2 weeks. I put my 2 weeks notice in on March 18th. My DW wife retired March 3rd the day before her 49th birthday. She contacted COVID-19 the 20th of March. She tested positive on March 22. I got tested the next day and was negative.   I had the first Pfizer shot on March 15th. I notified my work on Monday the 22nd that my wife had a fever. I was sent home which was  company policy and I totally agree with. Last night March 25th I had a cough and a 101 fever. From everything I read it takes 12-14 days after the first shot to offer protection. Long story short I might have worked my last day on March 22nd. Not the way I wanted to leave. Oh well....  waiting on call back from doctor to get second test.

Blindsquirrel

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Re: 2021 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1014 on: March 26, 2021, 07:50:42 PM »
     That is still great! my last day is next Wednesday and I am absolutely geeked for it! LOve my coworkers greatly but waaay past time to bail.

RedefinedHappiness

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Re: 2021 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1015 on: March 27, 2021, 06:35:36 AM »
I’m still on track for April 1st. Things have been crazy the last 2 weeks. I put my 2 weeks notice in on March 18th. My DW wife retired March 3rd the day before her 49th birthday. She contacted COVID-19 the 20th of March. She tested positive on March 22. I got tested the next day and was negative.   I had the first Pfizer shot on March 15th. I notified my work on Monday the 22nd that my wife had a fever. I was sent home which was  company policy and I totally agree with. Last night March 25th I had a cough and a 101 fever. From everything I read it takes 12-14 days after the first shot to offer protection. Long story short I might have worked my last day on March 22nd. Not the way I wanted to leave. Oh well....  waiting on call back from doctor to get second test.

My partner got the rona from our son 7 days after her first vaccine.  It spread through our household.  So as you probably already know, need that 14 days post vaccine for effectiveness.

Just wanted to comment that I hope you are experiencing mild symptoms and recovering ok.  This virus is nasty.  Also - one piece of advice.  Be hyper aware of the potential ups and downs.  The continued setbacks after feeling like you are recovering/recovered was demoralizing for me.  It gets better.  Just takes a while.

Mrs. Healthywealth

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Re: 2021 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1016 on: March 27, 2021, 09:03:02 AM »
Guess you can say I finished up my last day, celebrated with eating lots of yummy food.
After a month off, I'll return to the office for a few hours to turn in my stuff and help them figure out whatever might have been missed. Plus, working that extra day provides me with another month of insurance that I won't have to pay for, after that the fam will go on my DW's insurance, and I'll go on COBRA. Honestly, insurance is the only big ticket concern I've had, but that's cause I have a medical condition.

Some moments it feels like I'm stepping off a cliff, forgetting there are safety nets to catch us. It's interesting how my brain perceives quitting my job as a threat to my safety. My rational thoughts recognize the wisdom in this decisions. There is this gnawing thought (silent scream) that's growing as a pan out and see how unhealthy my position was and how it impacted my health to such an extreme. I'm grateful to step away and not be part of a toxic system, and to think our program is probably one of the healthiest programs in this system...yikes

Looking forward to this next journey and making decisions to benefit my health and honor this life. Grateful to this forum for always providing feedback, accountability, and support! Love reading your stories

Dicey

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Re: 2021 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1017 on: March 27, 2021, 10:04:48 AM »
Guess you can say I finished up my last day, celebrated with eating lots of yummy food.
After a month off, I'll return to the office for a few hours to turn in my stuff and help them figure out whatever might have been missed. Plus, working that extra day provides me with another month of insurance that I won't have to pay for, after that the fam will go on my DW's insurance, and I'll go on COBRA. Honestly, insurance is the only big ticket concern I've had, but that's cause I have a medical condition.

Some moments it feels like I'm stepping off a cliff, forgetting there are safety nets to catch us. It's interesting how my brain perceives quitting my job as a threat to my safety. My rational thoughts recognize the wisdom in this decisions. There is this gnawing thought (silent scream) that's growing as a pan out and see how unhealthy my position was and how it impacted my health to such an extreme. I'm grateful to step away and not be part of a toxic system, and to think our program is probably one of the healthiest programs in this system...yikes

Looking forward to this next journey and making decisions to benefit my health and honor this life. Grateful to this forum for always providing feedback, accountability, and support! Love reading your stories
I think you will benefit from the healthcare changes included in the latest stimulus package. Check it out. Could save you some big bucks.

tipster350

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Re: 2021 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1018 on: March 27, 2021, 01:53:44 PM »
I made some changes to my bookmarks, reflecting my new phase in life.

1. I moved the bookmark to my savings and investments tracking page off of its front and center location on the bookmarks bar and into "Other bookmarks". My final bonus is in my account, and from this point forward, I am *there*. My sheet is where it belongs, available for periodic review and update.

2. I deleted the bookmark for Ask a Manager. Bye-bye! I don't need you anymore!

ronsbusa3

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Re: 2021 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1019 on: March 27, 2021, 02:12:17 PM »
I’m still on track for April 1st. Things have been crazy the last 2 weeks. I put my 2 weeks notice in on March 18th. My DW wife retired March 3rd the day before her 49th birthday. She contacted COVID-19 the 20th of March. She tested positive on March 22. I got tested the next day and was negative.   I had the first Pfizer shot on March 15th. I notified my work on Monday the 22nd that my wife had a fever. I was sent home which was  company policy and I totally agree with. Last night March 25th I had a cough and a 101 fever. From everything I read it takes 12-14 days after the first shot to offer protection. Long story short I might have worked my last day on March 22nd. Not the way I wanted to leave. Oh well....  waiting on call back from doctor to get second test.

My partner got the rona from our son 7 days after her first vaccine.  It spread through our household.  So as you probably already know, need that 14 days post vaccine for effectiveness.

Just wanted to comment that I hope you are experiencing mild symptoms and recovering ok.  This virus is nasty.  Also - one piece of advice.  Be hyper aware of the potential ups and downs.  The continued setbacks after feeling like you are recovering/recovered was demoralizing for me.  It gets better.  Just takes a while.
I noticed the ups and downs you speak of. My fever seems to come and go. Thanks for the encouragement. My wife is already feeling better. I guess I can’t wait to start enjoying this retirement. Just some bad timing for now.

Dicey

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Re: 2021 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1020 on: March 28, 2021, 09:49:09 AM »
I made some changes to my bookmarks, reflecting my new phase in life.

1. I moved the bookmark to my savings and investments tracking page off of its front and center location on the bookmarks bar and into "Other bookmarks". My final bonus is in my account, and from this point forward, I am *there*. My sheet is where it belongs, available for periodic review and update.

2. I deleted the bookmark for Ask a Manager. Bye-bye! I don't need you anymore!
Changing bookmarks is a great way to denote the transition to FIRE! Congratulations!

amberfocus

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Re: 2021 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1021 on: March 28, 2021, 10:57:25 AM »
Badass update @amberfocus.  I hope you take it easy these next two months before your sabbatical starts.

Aww shucks, thank you. :) I really appreciate the feedback and the well wishes (even if it did take me a bit on the long side to respond xP). It's probably still going to be a hard sprint to the finish, but I'm okay with that when the end is in sight. I'm used to hustling, and I'd like to leave on a positive note rather than senioritis-ing it to the end. But it is absolutely glorious to simply release the mental load of what's going to happen to this-or-that project after I leave. I was actually fretting about this to HR, and even HR was like, "But it's not your problem". That was a pretty sweet reality check from an unexpected source.

And who knows, maybe it will actually be easier. For the first time, my manager is aggressively turning down non-mission critical work on my behalf, instead of never saying no, and then piling everything plus the kitchen sink onto my plate. I need to prioritize cross-training others, and rushing that process won't help in the long run if it means they don't learn properly. The remaining work that I'm doing is so high priority/impact (or can only be done by me) that it's worth the last push, especially when I can actually fully focus on it, rather than having to constantly juggle multiple competing directives.

And since I am technically still holding out for a bonus... I'm caught in this ambivalent position where I still want to prove my value to maximize that final payout, but I also want it to be small enough to fit into an IRA so it doesn't mess up my ACA cashflow planning.

I was also talking to the SO, and he pointed out that I've never properly taken it easy in my whole life. I've always gone full bore in every single endeavor, from education to professional career to chasing FI. I'm the type of person who starts off jogging a little to get into shape, and wind up running a marathon (*cough*). Decompressing will be... an interesting experience. I've left myself an exit hatch just in case it goes poorly, but I'm looking forward to the next chapter where I have PLAAAAAANS for relaxing, LOL.

Mrs. Healthywealth

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Re: 2021 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1022 on: March 28, 2021, 04:03:25 PM »
Guess you can say I finished up my last day, celebrated with eating lots of yummy food.
After a month off, I'll return to the office for a few hours to turn in my stuff and help them figure out whatever might have been missed. Plus, working that extra day provides me with another month of insurance that I won't have to pay for, after that the fam will go on my DW's insurance, and I'll go on COBRA. Honestly, insurance is the only big ticket concern I've had, but that's cause I have a medical condition.

Some moments it feels like I'm stepping off a cliff, forgetting there are safety nets to catch us. It's interesting how my brain perceives quitting my job as a threat to my safety. My rational thoughts recognize the wisdom in this decisions. There is this gnawing thought (silent scream) that's growing as a pan out and see how unhealthy my position was and how it impacted my health to such an extreme. I'm grateful to step away and not be part of a toxic system, and to think our program is probably one of the healthiest programs in this system...yikes

Looking forward to this next journey and making decisions to benefit my health and honor this life. Grateful to this forum for always providing feedback, accountability, and support! Love reading your stories
I think you will benefit from the healthcare changes included in the latest stimulus package. Check it out. Could save you some big bucks.

Thanks Dicey, I will check it out!

tipster350

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Re: 2021 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1023 on: March 30, 2021, 11:07:08 AM »
The freakout over my impending retirement has begun at my place of work.

Perhaps they should have allotted a better bonus and other rewards to show their appreciation all along.

Not that it would have stopped me from retiring.....

Peter Parker

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Re: 2021 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1024 on: March 30, 2021, 02:04:43 PM »
The freakout over my impending retirement has begun at my place of work.

Perhaps they should have allotted a better bonus and other rewards to show their appreciation all along.

Not that it would have stopped me from retiring.....

I know this doesn't say much about me, but it does kinda feel good, right? :-)

tipster350

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Re: 2021 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1025 on: March 30, 2021, 05:15:31 PM »
The freakout over my impending retirement has begun at my place of work.

Perhaps they should have allotted a better bonus and other rewards to show their appreciation all along.

Not that it would have stopped me from retiring.....

I know this doesn't say much about me, but it does kinda feel good, right? :-)

Yes it does.

ronsbusa3

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Re: 2021 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1026 on: April 01, 2021, 11:44:03 AM »
I can’t believe this day has finally come. As of today April fools day, I’m officially retired from my job. I’m still in quarantine till Monday from COVID-19 so unable to Celebrate outside of the home. Now DW and I can start enjoying this next stage of our lives. 

Dreamer40

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Re: 2021 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1027 on: April 01, 2021, 04:04:36 PM »
I can’t believe this day has finally come. As of today April fools day, I’m officially retired from my job. I’m still in quarantine till Monday from COVID-19 so unable to Celebrate outside of the home. Now DW and I can start enjoying this next stage of our lives.

Yay! Congrats!!! I got out one month ago and am still at home. But it’s still so much better than working. I planted some things in my garden today, did the cleaning I used to have to do on the weekends, a load of laundry, a little cooking, and still have hours of time to lay in a hammock in the yard and eat popsicles. If you don’t own a hammock, I highly recommend getting one.

dblaace

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Re: 2021 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1028 on: April 01, 2021, 05:20:55 PM »
I can’t believe this day has finally come. As of today April fools day, I’m officially retired from my job. I’m still in quarantine till Monday from COVID-19 so unable to Celebrate outside of the home. Now DW and I can start enjoying this next stage of our lives.
Congrats!

Trede

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Re: 2021 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1029 on: April 02, 2021, 05:39:28 AM »
Confirmed FIREd here as well, today is my first day waking up "retired."  I feel like I'm just taking a staycation though... wonder when the reality shift will sink in.

tipster350

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Re: 2021 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1030 on: April 02, 2021, 05:57:44 AM »
Confirmed FIREd here as well, today is my first day waking up "retired."  I feel like I'm just taking a staycation though... wonder when the reality shift will sink in.
Congratulations!

dblaace

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Re: 2021 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1031 on: April 03, 2021, 02:49:19 PM »
OBD closer!

Don't know if I'll make it till the end of the year.

simmias

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Re: 2021 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1032 on: April 04, 2021, 06:15:14 AM »
Today is the second-to-last Sunday that will be ruined for me because of dreading Monday.

Dicey

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Re: 2021 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1033 on: April 04, 2021, 08:56:27 AM »
Today is the second-to-last Sunday that will be ruined for me because of dreading Monday.
Don't be alarmed. It might take a while for that feeling to pass. Many years of conditioning don't disappear overnight.

phildonnia

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Re: 2021 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1034 on: April 05, 2021, 02:28:50 PM »
Today is the second-to-last Sunday that will be ruined for me because of dreading Monday.
Don't be alarmed. It might take a while for that feeling to pass. Many years of conditioning don't disappear overnight.
I'm fully expecting to continue having those bad dreams where you're unprepared or late with some work assignment. 

Blindsquirrel

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Re: 2021 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1035 on: April 05, 2021, 03:40:29 PM »
 @ronsbusa3  Congratulations on ditching the working world. Wednesday will make 1 week for me and it is a mighty fine thing and represents a ton of work and planning for most.

asauer

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Re: 2021 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1036 on: April 06, 2021, 06:48:58 AM »
Today is the second-to-last Sunday that will be ruined for me because of dreading Monday.
Congratulations!

Arbitrage

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Re: 2021 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1037 on: April 07, 2021, 01:33:31 PM »
I have an official date!  I had previously said August 1 as a WAG, but my official transition date to coast-FIRE is now July 10th.  In reality, my last week of full-time work is the second week of June, as I'll be on vacation between then and July 10th, but I'm good with putting the official date.

Even though we're only downsizing to coast-FIRE instead of full FIRE, I can't wait!  We still have two awful tasks to get through with the interstate move and the house sale, but I'm confident that we can manage it after all of the major hurdles we've overcome so far.  Perhaps I'll join a new cohort in the future for full FIRE, since that's still in the cards.

HumanAfterAll

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Re: 2021 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1038 on: April 07, 2021, 04:28:47 PM »
I'm Out!  Friday 4/2 was my last day!

(I'm actually burning up my paid time off for a few more days, so I'll get one more paycheck worth of HSA and FSA contributions - I recommend this vs. taking a cash-out)

After 15 years, I finally followed this advice: https://www.theonion.com/health-experts-recommend-standing-up-at-desk-leaving-o-1819577456

Sabbatical negotiations broke down when it was clear everyone really wants me back, but the company couldn't get out of its own way and make an exception to a maximum 2 month personal leave policy.  Fine with me, now I'm completely free and I'll have a better negotiating position if I decide to come back part-time in the Fall.  Plus I won't worry all summer about having to cancel an agreement.  I'm not planning to go back, but I left on great terms and I'm keeping my options open.  There are smaller companies starting up that might be more fun if I get bored, but I doubt it will come to that!

No more job, no more excuses!  I am no longer Time Poor!

Monday, daycare was unexpectedly closed (teachers recovering from shot #2).  I spent an entire beautiful day with my daughter at a park, flying kites. 

Tuesday, neighbor (quaran-team) wasn't able to drop the kids off so I happily did it.  Went grocery shopping mid-morning with no crowds, it was glorious.  Went to the office, packed up my desk, shredded years of notes nobody will ever read, then stopped by some trails on the way home for a quick mountain bike ride!

Wednesday, was going to ski but the forecast wasn't great.  Went for a 3 hour road bike ride instead, and it was wonderful.

My wife is happy and relieved.  She's still working, but now she can sleep in a little later as I take over the role of Chief Domestique.

So far, so good!  Thankful to have read Your Money Or Your Life and found MMM 10+ years ago.  That 50% savings rate a decade ago, plus investment returns, did all the work!
« Last Edit: April 07, 2021, 04:31:18 PM by HumanAfterAll »

Chaplin

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Re: 2021 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1039 on: April 07, 2021, 09:29:01 PM »
So far, so good!  Thankful to have read Your Money Or Your Life and found MMM 10+ years ago.  That 50% savings rate a decade ago, plus investment returns, did all the work!

Awesome news, and impressive uptake on MMM given https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/mmm-turns-10/ ;-)

Malee55

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Re: 2021 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1040 on: April 07, 2021, 11:40:50 PM »
I have been reading this thread for a few days as I have just decided that this year is enough for me. I was going to work until I am 60 (2025). But about 1 month ago I just felt I could not last any more. So my current aim is to finish up in June. Which is a big relief for me to have made a decision. my aim is to have a couple of months break and then think about doing casual work. My husband wants to work for a few more years, so I will be doing some things with him and some things by myself.

asauer

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Re: 2021 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1041 on: April 08, 2021, 06:30:49 AM »
I have been reading this thread for a few days as I have just decided that this year is enough for me. I was going to work until I am 60 (2025). But about 1 month ago I just felt I could not last any more. So my current aim is to finish up in June. Which is a big relief for me to have made a decision. my aim is to have a couple of months break and then think about doing casual work. My husband wants to work for a few more years, so I will be doing some things with him and some things by myself.
So excited for you!  I was going to work until Feb 2022, then changed to Aug 2021 but its looking more like June as well.  Just so tired of the BS.

anotherAlias

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Re: 2021 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1042 on: April 08, 2021, 03:10:52 PM »
I think the universe is giving me signs that it's time to quit.  This week alone, one of the Jr developers on my team F'ed up not one but two things that anyone with more than  couple years of experience should have breezed through.  But no, I have to double check everything he does even though he has over seven years experience.  For some reason three different managers have refused to fire him even though all three agreed he is incompetent. 

Dept management has decided that everyone needs to take a skill assessment and create a soft skills development plan...ugh.  that went soooo well when we did it 8 yrs ago.  There was also a renewed interest in Agile SAFE training and 'maturing' our procedures,. FWIW, we've been doing 'agile' for years and all that goes out the window when it's inconvenient for the business.  I'm so fucking sick of all this bullshit. 

I have my annual dr exam on Monday.  Unless something concerning comes out of that or the stock market completely tanks, I thin I'm giving notice on Wed at my goal attainment review meeting.  "Uh yeah I didn't send you my updated goals because I'm giving my notice". I wish my manager wasn't so nice or this could be a lot more fun.

Malee55

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Re: 2021 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1043 on: April 08, 2021, 05:10:29 PM »
I feel so relieved since sharing my retirement plans with some friends. Working on a casual basis will mean I go to work because I want to and hopefully that will mean I regain my enjoyment of work and empathy for patients (I am a nurse).

I am definitely retiring FROM work, rather than TO anything. So now I need to think about what I will do with my extra time. After having a few months off to de-stress from work.

Chaplin

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Re: 2021 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1044 on: April 08, 2021, 10:27:19 PM »
I am definitely retiring FROM work, rather than TO anything. So now I need to think about what I will do with my extra time. After having a few months off to de-stress from work.

I totally support retiring FROM something, even if you haven't decided the "TO what" part yet. Just because it's quotable to say that you need to retire TO something doesn't make it true. There's definitely a potential risk or problem if you don't figure out the TO part, but we sometimes need to be away from the FROM part to figure out the TO part.

Dicey

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Re: 2021 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1045 on: April 09, 2021, 01:02:26 AM »
I am definitely retiring FROM work, rather than TO anything. So now I need to think about what I will do with my extra time. After having a few months off to de-stress from work.

I totally support retiring FROM something, even if you haven't decided the "TO what" part yet. Just because it's quotable to say that you need to retire TO something doesn't make it true. There's definitely a potential risk or problem if you don't figure out the TO part, but we sometimes need to be away from the FROM part to figure out the TO part.
Amen. My first seven years of FIRE looked like nothing I had ever planned or imagined, but it was still way better than working at my old job.

tipster350

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Re: 2021 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1046 on: April 09, 2021, 05:24:43 AM »
I am definitely retiring FROM work, rather than TO anything. So now I need to think about what I will do with my extra time. After having a few months off to de-stress from work.

I totally support retiring FROM something, even if you haven't decided the "TO what" part yet. Just because it's quotable to say that you need to retire TO something doesn't make it true. There's definitely a potential risk or problem if you don't figure out the TO part, but we sometimes need to be away from the FROM part to figure out the TO part.Amen. My first seven years of FIRE looked like nothing I had ever planned or imagined, but it was still way better than working at my old job.




 We have an obsession in the USA with having to DO DO DO and be productive every minute, every day, and it is killing us. It is killing me. The way I see it, the last thing I need is to commit to activities that I might not want to do. I'm exhausted to my bone from DOING. Planning planning planning. That is what I need to leave behind until I am decompressed and well-rested, and have had a chance to see what interests me when I am good and ready. There are many possibilities so I don't worry that I will end up sitting on the couch for the rest of my life.

sailingTowardsFI

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Re: 2021 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1047 on: April 09, 2021, 08:33:40 AM »
My last day was today, and I have officially ended my career in a cubicle! On to outdoor pursuits, time to do the activities I find meaningful! I haven't figured out how I'll structure my days yet, but I know they'll involve more exercise and I have a long to-do list! Today has been a jumble of emotions though, especially saying goodbye to coworkers that I will miss. Change is hard, but I'm excited for all of the tomorrows to come!

Peter Parker

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Re: 2021 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1048 on: April 09, 2021, 09:03:31 AM »
My last day was today, and I have officially ended my career in a cubicle! On to outdoor pursuits, time to do the activities I find meaningful! I haven't figured out how I'll structure my days yet, but I know they'll involve more exercise and I have a long to-do list! Today has been a jumble of emotions though, especially saying goodbye to coworkers that I will miss. Change is hard, but I'm excited for all of the tomorrows to come!

Congratss!  On to a new chapter!

Dreamer40

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Re: 2021 FIRE Cohort
« Reply #1049 on: April 09, 2021, 11:23:03 AM »
My last day was today, and I have officially ended my career in a cubicle! On to outdoor pursuits, time to do the activities I find meaningful! I haven't figured out how I'll structure my days yet, but I know they'll involve more exercise and I have a long to-do list! Today has been a jumble of emotions though, especially saying goodbye to coworkers that I will miss. Change is hard, but I'm excited for all of the tomorrows to come!

Congrats!!

I totally agree with the comments above that we don’t need to retire “to” anything. The lack of a plan or new mega life purpose is perfectly great. I’m 37 days into retirement and still adjusting to the idea that things don’t need to be perfect and I don’t need to check off a to do list to feel ok each day. DH still works (at home) so I made Thursdays my “housewife” day where I clean and have a little more feeling of needing to do stuff (plus the sense of accomplishment from doing it). My workouts have been getting more enjoyable since I don’t feel like I need to wrap it up and get back to my work email. My sleeping is becoming better. I feel more patient with the people around me. And I’ve read a lot of books. I’m getting vaccinated tomorrow and look forward to doing a little more outside the house soon. Like I could go sit on a brewery patio with a book on a Friday afternoon. And start doing more stuff with extended family. I keep an eye for part time jobs that I think would be fun, but I haven’t seen any yet that sound remotely worthwhile. I don’t miss my job AT ALL or have any regrets about leaving.