2022 FIRE cohort

[RainyDay]

skiscool                   1/1/2022 (49) (our first graduate!)
Boarder42               1/19/2022 (35)
rdy4er                    1/26/2022 (56)
dmmms                  1/31/2022 (52)
moof                      2/3/2022
Igelfreundin            2/11/22 (46)
taco_sushi              2/18/2022 (39)
friedmmj                end of Feb 2022 (55)
SteadyStache          3/4/2022 (no longer TBD!)
Mr. Dicey                Mar 2022
FrugalAussie           3/25/2022
dashuk                   late Mar 2022 (39)
mermalaid               end of March 2022 (46)
mak1277                3/31/2022 (45)
NearlyThere            Mar/April 2022 (39)
Holocene                4/1/2022
lollylegs                  mid-April 2022 (59)
thinkerGirl              4/29/2022 (54)
treffpunkt               Apr 2022 (49)
Much Fishing to Do  Apr 2022 (50)
Magnetic North        late April 2022
Blissful Biker           4/29/22 (49)
Bownyboy               4/29/2022
mspym                   4/31/2022 (48)
2Birds1Stone          5/1/2022
luckyme13              5/13/2022 (48)
80Westy                 5/20/2022 (50)
2KidFIRE                5/27/2022 (39)
Playing with Fire UK May/June 2022
shadesofgreen         6/3/2022 (45)
bowwowz                6/17/2022 (44)
ToughMother           June 2022
Roboturner              June 2022 (33)
swaneeSR                 7/1/2022 (56)
sheep_music           Aug 2022 (29)
skip207                  Aug 2022 (42)
the_gastropod         mid-Sept 2022
MisterA                   Sept 2022 (61)
frizzywhiskers          9/30/2022 (50)
slowroadtofreedom  Nov 2022
LightTripper             Nov 2022 (47)
RainyDay                Dec 2022 (48)
DaTrill                     12/31/2022
WSUCoug1994         12/31/2022
matchewed             TBD
MisterA                   TBD
TomTX                    5LY from 2027?!


We haven't heard from @rdy4er and @dmmms to see how their retirements are going!

[LightTripper]

Hello!  I can now add a date for me I hope: I just found out my last work project is due to go to court in September/October, so I should be done and out by November 2022.... eeeeee!!!!!

I will be 47 (so pretty average by the look of the list!).

[Trifle]

Hello!  I can now add a date for me I hope: I just found out my last work project is due to go to court in September/October, so I should be done and out by November 2022.... eeeeee!!!!!

I will be 47 (so pretty average by the look of the list!).

Congratulations!  Well done!

[Dicey]

Mr. Dicey is still waiting for his surgery date, sigh. In the interim, he's just about decided to let his vacation play out after the surgery instead of getting it paid out. We don't need the money either way. We'll see how this goes...

[NearlyThere]

So I did it. Intention to leave given. Absolutely drained from today.

Can’t say I feel any better right now but I’m hoping to wake up with a weight off my shoulders.

[mspym]

Woot woot LightTripper and NearlyThere!

[NearlyThere]

Hello!  I can now add a date for me I hope: I just found out my last work project is due to go to court in September/October, so I should be done and out by November 2022.... eeeeee!!!!!

I will be 47 (so pretty average by the look of the list!).

Well done you! That’s awesome news.

[boarder42]

So I did it. Intention to leave given. Absolutely drained from today.

Can’t say I feel any better right now but I’m hoping to wake up with a weight off my shoulders.

Congrats. My experience seems atypical.

[TomTX]

I'm still hangin' in there. We'll see what happens in May when I'm supposed to start showing up at the (*UGH* ridiculously awful) new office once a week.

[boarder42]

I'm still hangin' in there. We'll see what happens in May when I'm supposed to start showing up at the (*UGH* ridiculously awful) new office once a week.

Feel like people here have a problem with work structure in general and seeing how much our lives changes the last 2 years being able to work remotely made that even more clear how ridiculous it is when they're like hey everyone back in this box we pay millions for. 

[thinkerGirl]

It's interesting that our awesome cohort is fairly light in numbers on a relative basis.  I count 21 of us based on above list.  I'm wondering if this is because we seemingly got a late start on having an actual list and there are a lot of other folks who will be chiming in on their participation.

For comparison, the 2021 cohort as of early Jan-2021 was around 75 folks.

By the way, I just turned 55.  I enjoy seeing the ages on the list for those of us who are inclined to share that info.

Please add me!  Tentative date of April 29th.  I am 54.  Older than most (does it count that I wake up thinking I'm 30?).  We get our annual bonuses in the account on March 31st, so I will resign April 1st and give them the rest of the month.

I have been lurking for a few months. Been trying to figure out how to quit for about a year now.  We've more than hit our number but we're heavily weighted in real estate - with much of the rest tied up as well.  We hadn't been planning on retiring  - hence all the long-term investments. Hubby got laid off at 50 and never went back. He has been doing all the property management and repairs, (mostly student housing in old homes so this is not insignificant) and doing the finishing on a cottage/retirement home that we signed up to build the month before he lost his job.  Some tricky dancing we had to do around financing the build but we figured it out and it's almost done.  The kids (26, 25) are still at home but finished school, working full time and saving diligently. My daughter is moving out this month and my son and his girlfriend are planning to as well in the not too distant future. It's a HCL for them so we are happy to help them save up by having them stay here a bit longer. Once they go we can sell our primary residence at any point.

I started thinking about quitting after Covid hit...but wasn't sure how to go about liquidating.  I always loved my job but all of a sudden felt done.  And we are also SOOO done managing the properties (I'm the point of contact).  We woke up to the fact that life is short and working so hard when we don't have to is just silly.  Of course, figuring out "the number" wasn't easy either, but I'm at peace with that now as well.  We were always frugal and hubby's needs are simple. I have a strong need to do a lot of travelling (we've taken some great trips), and simply don't want to worry about money when we do that, but after slicing and dicing the numbers every which way and coming out ok every time, I figured we're good even with some ambitious go go years.

I will say that after building it all up (the 'stache)  it's really hard to exit (mentally)!   We finally listed a property yesterday (a student rental). For whatever reason the market - a bit depressed with the school being online for almost two years) woke up a couple of weeks ago and it looks like we'll probably do ok, hopefully giving us a few years of cash backup and allowing us to either start drawing down on our RRSPs (tax-deferred plans) or selling off our other rentals in a tax-efficient manner, as market conditions dictate.

I haven't got much else figured out (no time), but I think we've bought ourselves some time to do so - and to get help if needed.  We need to set up our income streams but I'm ok with doing all that once I quit. My husband would stick it all under the mattress if he could - so basically it's on me. I've done a lot of research - just need to nail it down.

Anyway - I am very superstitious (afraid that telling the internet my intention to quit will make something go wrong)... but friedmmj inspired me so I'm drawing the line in the sand!  This braindump is much longer than I intended but I guess that's what happens when you are dying to tell SOMEBODY so thanks for giving me a place to share!  We aren't perfect Mustacheans but I hope I can still hang out!

[ToughMother]

Please add me!  Tentative date of April 29th.  I am 54.  Older than most (does it count that I wake up thinking I'm 30?).  We get our annual bonuses in the account on March 31st, so I will resign April 1st and give them the rest of the month.

Anyway - I am very superstitious (afraid that telling the internet my intention to quit will make something go wrong)... but friedmmj inspired me so I'm drawing the line in the sand!  This braindump is much longer than I intended but I guess that's what happens when you are dying to tell SOMEBODY so thanks for giving me a place to share!  We aren't perfect Mustacheans but I hope I can still hang out!

Congrats on the date @thinkerGirl !! I'm here to help you feel younger (58) although I have the same two "issues" you do! I have no connection to the age (seriously, I'm not 35 or something?) and just wrote in my journal about feeling superstitious about uttering a date "out loud" anywhere! LOL.

CONGRATS!!!!! Glad to have you in the graduating class of 2022.

and @moof  - WELL DONE! Congrats.

[Dicey]

@thinkerGirl , I retired at 54 and it's been awesome! Even the parts that weren't were far better than working.

The type of rentals is a huge factor in how much work they are. Renting to students is so much harder because of the baked-in turnover and inexperienced tenants. We own three single family homes in an upscale retirement community. Our typical tenant is a former homeowner who no longer wants the hassle of home ownership. Frequently, they sell their home to free up cash for living expenses during their final years. All the houses are about the same age (20-25 years) and have similar components. We do our own repairs, but we do have a handyman we trust for things that need a quick response.  Since our tenants are experienced homeowners, they're alert to things that need maintenance, which avoids disasters due to negligence. Turnover is really low, because moving is a hassle for older folks. It's so much easier.

[thinkerGirl]

Well I sent the date out to the universe via MMM forum and guess what... the world didn't blow up!!!  @ToughMother I think we'll both be OK!

@Dicey I hear you - we have two SFH and both are wonderful tenants. One is a former homeowner just as you described, and the other is a single mom nurse who has a lot of common sense and rarely calls. So... those two we are keeping until the tenants wish to move out. As for the student houses - the students have been great and a lot of fun. But yes... a lot of work especially the first year until we train them :).  After that they are actually ok - a tough school with some tough programs...Lovely kids.  We offer well above average housing to attract the right groups.  Student homes cash flow really well and my husband is very handy so it worked well for a long time. The turnover is actually a blessing (rent control until new tenants move in). But overall yes more work, especially because they are post-war bungalows in a city with aging infrastructure.

For a while I think we suffered from OMY syndrome with those student houses, but it's very liberating to start off-loading them.   

I woke up in the middle of the night and instead of remembering something I need to worry about my first thought was ... Hmmm can I ACTUALLY QUIT MY JOB??

Anyway.. loving this forum and reading about everyone's experiences.  I am woefully unprepared for the non-financial aspects of retiring, but know in my gut that we'll figure it out...so I won't wait until I am.  I find it very easy to fill free time and I know I'll never be bored.

[MisterA]

I am 54.  Older than most (does it count that I wake up thinking I'm 30?).

I'm 60, but still think I'm 19 until my bones creak into life.

[Much Fishing to Do]

@thinkerGirl , I retired at 54 and it's been awesome! Even the parts that weren't were far better than working.

Since our tenants are experienced homeowners, they're alert to things that need maintenance, which avoids disasters due to negligence.

I've really found this out (I'm only an accidental landlord with inherited house that we havent decided what to do with). Have had two families of grad students.  The current is the responsible type and asks for a lot more than the last family, which I would have in the past thought made it more work/more expensive.  BUt its quite the opposite as he knows a running toilet needs to be fixed or any sign of water anywhere is something to be attended to.  He's also handy enough to just tell me about it and do it himself if easy and no cost.   Last tenants I had a $1500 water bill for one quarter.  I think he left the toilet running (literal broken stop, noit just trickling) for a month, who knows b/c he was always very loose with the truth.  They tore up a bunch of stuff too, so now I really feel like a bunch of college student have moved out and a dependable experienced homeowner moved in, totally different.  The guys rent check is always postmarked exactly on the first as well.....that the kind of stick in the mud I want there....

[thinkerGirl]

I have found that regular (non-student) tenants can be WAY worse than our students (who typically come from owned -by -family -homes).  We drill into them to call us for ANY water-related issues and we reinforce that by responding instantly, which in turn reinforces the behavior. 

Our jurisdiction is extremely tenant-friendly and a bad tenant can be a disaster. Responsible students, although high-maintenance, can be formed into the perfect tenant.  They pay consistently (parents from a college fund), on time (parents or working students), slightly dirty (can be cleaned) but no damage worse than a little drywall mud and paint. Best of all they come with an expiry date (rent control) so we can get market rent the next time.

I'd rather they ask me about something they are unsure about then not ask at all. Since I think we come across as approachable, non-judgemental pseudo-parents there is a least one in every group that will stay in touch enough for us to ward off any issues. Fishing, you are right - at first they seem annoying but I take comfort in knowing we'll never have any surprises.

Having said all that, the homes have appreciated at a rate that cannot possibly continue, so cashing out in a tax-efficient manner is the best thing for us going forward.  We can stay invested in the real estate sector in far more passive ways. Thirteen years of high-octane active landlording is more than enough for us!  If property management was an option we'd do it - but I'm a control freak and would worry anyway so I don't think it would work for me... Might try it as we divest - but only as a stop-gap solution.

[LightTripper]

It's funny reading about all of you feeling like you're 19 or 35 or whatever.  I'm 46 but have always felt middle aged inside, even in my teens - maybe even more 50 something.  It was tough going ploughing through some of the loud volatile stuff of youth (not that I didn't also have fun along the way!).  It's like I'm finally growing into myself and becoming the real me!!!  I'm at least as clueless as anybody here what I'll actually do with my retirement, and I'm sure I'll be nervous as hell when the time comes, but I'm also kind of excited and it feels like maybe this is what I've been waiting for/growing towards all the time?

[thinkerGirl]

@LightTripper you must be an old soul. Sounds like you'll be easing into retirement with no issue at all!

[NearlyThere]

So I’ve had a lot to unpack these past few days and to be honest it’s been an emotional free fall.

Was quitting the right decision? Absolutely.

I started this business 15 years ago and since the acquisition the dynamic has changed.

The buyers are great and have been hands off. I trust them and they trust me. Going into employment with them I had plans to help develop theirs and my business for many years.

However I do not have the autonomy I once had and I still feel that its success 100% falls on my shoulders. I thought through selling that the stress of running a small to medium business with 50 staff during a pandemic and beyond would be alleviated. It didn’t.

If I don’t make change, there will be no change.

To those who congratulated me, thank you. It meant a lot. But not quite as much as my wife who told me how proud she was. Here’s to a great year for you all!

[2KidFIRE]

I’ve put a huge spanner in the works for their future plans, but my own health and well-being had to come first.

Just want to highlight what you wrote above.  Sounds like you already know it, but any time you question whether you're doing the "right thing", think about what's best for you!

[ixtap]

We found out on the same day that 1) we can't move the boat to where we wanted and 2) Megacorp cannot figure out how to downshift an engineer.

Current plan is to maintain a local address while DH collects his salary, but actually live as digital nomads for the foreseeable future.

[Axecleaver]

No open berths or are we talking engineering problems? We can solve it! Or come up with a palatable plan B.

[ixtap]

No open berths or are we talking engineering problems? We can solve it! Or come up with a palatable plan B.

No open berths; we will likely put in for a wait list, but expect a 1 to 2 year wait.

We have the rest of 2022 sketched out with the usual summer and winter trips to see family, a cruise we agreed to take with my parents, travel on our boat, and possibly a trip abroad. Then we might go to Mexico for a few months in 2023, as I have never taken DH to see my old haunts...

It does somewhat depend on how long dh and megacorp can maintain their current detente.

[Axecleaver]

Travel down there, get a hotel, go to the bar nearest the wharf. Talk to people there who need deckhands. Those are the people leaving. If you don't find any, you're looking to buy a slot and willing to pay, what would it take?

I lived near a wharf in a fancy part of Norfolk, there was a ton of turnover there, lot of people changing plans. No waiting list, though, so maybe things work differently for your chosen port. The bar stumbling distance from the docks was 90% boat people. Learned some things.

[ixtap]

Travel down there, get a hotel, go to the bar nearest the wharf. Talk to people there who need deckhands. Those are the people leaving. If you don't find any, you're looking to buy a slot and willing to pay, what would it take?

I lived near a wharf in a fancy part of Norfolk, there was a ton of turnover there, lot of people changing plans. No waiting list, though, so maybe things work differently for your chosen port. The bar stumbling distance from the docks was 90% boat people. Learned some things.

Yeah, that isn't what it is like on the other coast. Around LA, people stay on wait lists for years  You can't always get the slip the boat you are buying is currently in, much less nudge your way in just because someone else is taking off. We were under the impression that further north it would be better, and it is, but not by much. Mexico can go either way, but we won't do Mexico until he leaves work entirely or Starlink is boat ready, as we want to spend weeks in the middle of nowhere.

Stumbling to and from the bar does remain the same....

[NearlyThere]

Meeting with my boss tomorrow to follow up on  the conversation had a few weeks back. I’m putting to them 3 months full time and then 2 day work week while they find and train a successor. Not sure what they are bringing to the table at this point as its been a mute point in any discussion since tabled.

[dmmms]

Hello, hello! January 31st age 52! Gave notice in October ahead of schedule. Was planning June 30th, but have.had.enough. Looking forward to sharing more with you all!

Two weeks out and recovering nicely! My last day onsite was 1/28 (personal day on the 31st) and it has been a bit of an adjustment. Unfortunately I am still recovering from a bad break/surgery and will be heading in to PT shortly, but that will pass! It has limited me on many of the things I want to do which is probably a good thing to provide time to decompress. I have had a few minor panic attacks, but I had those working. It's definitely a process! I have had days where I have been SO HAPPY when I wake up (after sleeping in!) and other days when it just feels like a regular day off. I'm in the middle of my 5th book already!

It is hard to let go after a 27+ year career, but I did delete work email from my phone and am really trying not to "help" my former admin team; I was the leader and there is a big gap in leadership right now. ANYWAY! I am doing my best to not look at new jobs and have been ordered not to by my husband. I don't know why I look - maybe just curiosity! DH plans to work two more years. Interestingly enough, his boss called him Saturday asking what his plans are as the boss had "heard" I had retired! SO bizzare as that means someone was actively keeping track of me/us!

So, 52 years old & retired with pension + health insurance! We won't be touching the 457b until after my husband retires & that will fill our gap until 59 1/2.

Have a GREAT day!

[2KidFIRE]

So I met with my immediate supervisor on Friday and just finished meeting with my Career Guide.  I informed them both that I was planning to take a leave of absence starting in June through the end of 2022.  Both of them took it surprisingly well!

I realize that taking leave is kind of a hedge vs. just quitting outright, but I figure it doesn't hurt to see what happens during the year.  Only 15 weeks to go!

[Much Fishing to Do]

I have had days where I have been SO HAPPY when I wake up (after sleeping in!) and other days when it just feels like a regular day off.

So its been a mix of really good and really really good?  Congrats....

[NearlyThere]

Meeting with my boss tomorrow to follow up on  the conversation had a few weeks back. I’m putting to them 3 months full time and then 2 day work week while they find and train a successor. Not sure what they are bringing to the table at this point as its been a mute point in any discussion since tabled.

Meeting had, all seemed agreeable. Final details to be agreed in coming days. I can now get excited.

[Glenstache]

Meeting with my boss tomorrow to follow up on  the conversation had a few weeks back. I’m putting to them 3 months full time and then 2 day work week while they find and train a successor. Not sure what they are bringing to the table at this point as its been a mute point in any discussion since tabled.

Meeting had, all seemed agreeable. Final details to be agreed in coming days. I can now get excited.

Congrats on the ramp down/glide path!

[Dicey]

Mr. Dicey still hasn't got a surgery date yet. He has set June 1 as his official retirement date anyway. He will actually stop working in mid-March and will run out his vacation hours until then. He was going to direct the vacation hours to his 401k,  but we don't need the money. The reason for this shift is he wants to stay on the books long enough for the current contract to negotiations to be completed. If the proposed raise is approved, it will be the biggest single-year increase of his entire career and it will definitely boost his pension.

He knows chicks dig big pensions.

[lollylegs]

I have had days where I have been SO HAPPY when I wake up (after sleeping in!) and other days when it just feels like a regular day off. I'm in the middle of my 5th book already!

Congrats dmmms!   sounds good & just having the time to read books is something I'm looking forward to.

I have about 6 weeks to go and am busy trying to get everything finished up at work. I have moments of worrying but overall I'm feeling like a kid waiting for Christmas. It's hard to be engaged at work or interested now, I'm just showing up and ticking off the checklist for the next few weeks.

[taco_sushi]

Hello, hello! January 31st age 52! Gave notice in October ahead of schedule. Was planning June 30th, but have.had.enough. Looking forward to sharing more with you all!

Two weeks out and recovering nicely! My last day onsite was 1/28 (personal day on the 31st) and it has been a bit of an adjustment. Unfortunately I am still recovering from a bad break/surgery and will be heading in to PT shortly, but that will pass! It has limited me on many of the things I want to do which is probably a good thing to provide time to decompress. I have had a few minor panic attacks, but I had those working. It's definitely a process! I have had days where I have been SO HAPPY when I wake up (after sleeping in!) and other days when it just feels like a regular day off. I'm in the middle of my 5th book already!

...

So, 52 years old & retired with pension + health insurance! We won't be touching the 457b until after my husband retires & that will fill our gap until 59 1/2.

Have a GREAT day!

Congratulations and thanks for the update! Take the time to decompress and hope the PT goes well. Panic attacks are no fun - It started with me in my mid-30s, and that's when I found MMM. To take your mind off things and keep the vibe going, start planning that Spring/Summer trip :)

[taco_sushi]

Well I guess I am now in this thread, quit my job today.  We can live on my wife’s salary, so really just RE, FI is about 3 years out on our glide path.  At about 80% of OUR “number”.  Wife was not wanting to retire herself anyway and gave me the green light to pull the plug.  Good riddance.

Looking forward to playing catch up with house projects, picking my kid up from the bus stop, and sgoing on more bike rides to name a few short term goals.

Congrats Moof! House projects are so rewarding! Keep it simple in the short term, that's my plan. Then slowly add on what sparks joy.

[taco_sushi]

skiscool                   1/1/2022 (49) (our first graduate!)
Boarder42               1/19/2022 (35)
rdy4er                    1/26/2022 (56)
dmmms                  1/31/2022 (52)
moof                      2/3/2022
Igelfreundin            2/11/22 (46)
taco_sushi              mid-Feb 2022

@RainyDay - please update my stat: 2/18/2022 (39)
@Igelfreundin - congrats on 2/11!

Looks like I'm the next one up, this Friday 2/18! I'm 39 going on 40. It's been a very rough and stressful last year. In early 2021, I was close to my number, and I had been with my company for a number of years and decided to change companies for a change of environment. As the story goes, the grass is not always greener. The new company surprised changed my manager on my start day, and things went downhill from there. I would say it's nothing as they promised. But I'm glad I did it -- because I was comfortably trending towards my FI number, that gave me the confidence to leave whenever I wanted to. I hit my number Fall 2021, wohoo!

I think it's very hard to tolerate BS at work when you've hit your number and no longer have to endure. This was true for me and I held on for a couple more stock vests. I will say the best advice from my friend: "It will always be just another few weeks to the next vest/bonus date - that's why they call it the Golden Hand Cuffs!" So I'm leaving now, even though I am 3-4 weeks away from another pay day. Money isn't worth it over health.

In parallel, I've had new physical conditions: TMJ, and related back pain problems. I've been seeing a Chiro and Therapist to help with the pain and underlying stress inducers. This shut me down a few months ago, where I couldn't move my neck one day. My Chiro PT doctor has been life changing for me.

Upon giving my two weeks notice, I felt a massive wave of relief wash over me. It was cathartic! It was apparent for me that the last few years of big tech/corp has felt like a straight jacket on me. I am now free to live in my dreams and be who I am.

Thanks for listening friends and for cheering us all on! I'll share another update when I'm on the other side.

[NearlyThere]

@taco_sushi congratulations!

If you’re nearly there on your number, you’re close enough when it negatively affects your health.

Look after yourself first and foremost. Without our health we’re nothing.

Once you’ve got that in check, what do you dream of doing?

[MathematicalCycler]

This week is my first week of FIRE and so far I'm loving it. My first goal is to learn to balance "getting things done" with just relaxing. I'm very much a doer, so this still take time.

@Dicey , I love Mr. Dicey's pension strategy- getting out while maximizing the chance of more income is great.

[Dicey]

@Dicey , I love Mr. Dicey's pension strategy- getting out while maximizing the chance of more income is great.

Mr. D was a pro painting contractor. He realized he was making a lot of money but had little to show for it. He took this job specifically for the DB Pension. Because he was nearly 40, he only had to put in 20 years to fully qualify. The work was interesting and mostly easier and he quite enjoyed it. For years, he had every other Friday off. Due to his gentle persistence, they switched to 4 x 10's a few years ago, so he now has every Friday off. He always joked that he had to go to work so he could relax. Interestingly, he was the hardest working guy they had, and if something was especially challenging, he was often pulled in to consult. Ditto for fixing other people's screw-ups.

He took a huge pay cut to take this job. He also continued to do painting gigs on the side to make up the difference, which is actually how we met. This final raise will put him about where he was before he took this job.

Oh, he finally got a surgery date. It's March 25th. He has another appointment with the company's retirement specialist next week, so that should provide us with an exact date. We are so exited to begin this next chapter!

[Bateaux]

He knows chicks dig big pensions.

My sick mind rearranged the letters in that last comment.  Congratulations two both of you. 

[Dicey]

He knows chicks dig big pensions.

My sick mind rearranged the letters in that last comment.  Congratulations two both of you.

Glad somebody finally caught that :-P

[Bateaux]

He knows chicks dig big pensions.

My sick mind rearranged the letters in that last comment.  Congratulations two both of you.

Glad somebody finally caught that :-P

Glad to accommodate.  Wishing you guys the best health and prosperity.

[mspym]

My boss pre-empted my plan to have an awkward conversion a month early. He was trying to be proactive and get my contract renewal in train early. It's not you, it's me! (and my dislike of all jobs) so that's done. 10 weeks to go.

[boarder42]

My boss pre-empted my plan to have an awkward conversion a month early. He was trying to be proactive and get my contract renewal in train early. It's not you, it's me! (and my dislike of all jobs) so that's done. 10 weeks to go.

Nice. That sums up how I feel well. You guys (the job world) have constructed a terrible environment for life. It won't be fixed before I die I'm sure of it. My direct management wanted to keep me on just to tap my brain. HR decided that was against policy. And the let me retire. It was really strange hearing HR tell my bosses that their plan to utilize my skills was bad for the business. Umm your degree is in something worthless a VP told you this was worthwhile and you missed your only shot at keeping my brain around. Bc I have lucrative stock and when you let me walk you severed that. The only reason I'd hang out and teach other people how to make real money.

Oh well it was a blessing for me to not have to decide thru their stupidity.

If they ask me back to consult on something it's 1k an hour 8 hour/day minimum. But I only take 2 hour meetings a day.

[ixtap]

My boss pre-empted my plan to have an awkward conversion a month early. He was trying to be proactive and get my contract renewal in train early. It's not you, it's me! (and my dislike of all jobs) so that's done. 10 weeks to go.

Nice. That sums up how I feel well. You guys (the job world) have constructed a terrible environment for life. It won't be fixed before I die I'm sure of it. My direct management wanted to keep me on just to tap my brain. HR decided that was against policy. And the let me retire. It was really strange hearing HR tell my bosses that their plan to utilize my skills was bad for the business. Umm your degree is in something worthless a VP told you this was worthwhile and you missed your only shot at keeping my brain around. Bc I have lucrative stock and when you let me walk you severed that. The only reason I'd hang out and teach other people how to make real money.

Oh well it was a blessing for me to not have to decide thru their stupidity.

If they ask me back to consult on something it's 1k an hour 8 hour/day minimum. But I only take 2 hour meetings a day.

This is what DH's chain of management is struggling with. It is starting to look like they might be able to swing it only because two people asked at the same time. But they will have to give up their RSUs and bend three other rules and...

[taco_sushi]

@taco_sushi congratulations!

Look after yourself first and foremost. Without our health we’re nothing.

Once you’ve got that in check, what do you dream of doing?

Thanks @NearlyThere! First day of not working and I'm already sleeping better! I found that I naturally slept and woke up earlier. Previously, I'd often stay up late (12:30am) escaping into a show or the internet. And wake up on work days with a panic, dreading the day. I still had some nerves coming out of this weekend, but soon to be forgotten :)

I dream of being in a "good vibe - being in a state of flow" where I know myself better, building on things that spark joy, and enable me to help those that I care about. I dream of a "new renaissance man" journey where I have autonomy to explore my broad interests in a creative and entrepreneur sense.

I'll dabble to get in the flow and see where it goes - 1) Start a YT channel for my dogs :)
2) expand my investments in stocks and real estate (I know! - I actively manage), 3) learn new hobbies like Sailing

I plan on a nomadic summer, with road trips to see family and friends. Not being tethered to work/people is a complete game changer.

A part of me dreams to create my own small business, or work with friends on a passion project. I'll take it slow for now and see where it all takes me. I'm feeling immense gratitude!
 

[NearlyThere]

@taco_sushi congratulations!

Look after yourself first and foremost. Without our health we’re nothing.

Once you’ve got that in check, what do you dream of doing?

Thanks @NearlyThere! First day of not working and I'm already sleeping better! I found that I naturally slept and woke up earlier. Previously, I'd often stay up late (12:30am) escaping into a show or the internet. And wake up on work days with a panic, dreading the day. I still had some nerves coming out of this weekend, but soon to be forgotten :)

I dream of being in a "good vibe - being in a state of flow" where I know myself better, building on things that spark joy, and enable me to help those that I care about. I dream of a "new renaissance man" journey where I have autonomy to explore my broad interests in a creative and entrepreneur sense.

I'll dabble to get in the flow and see where it goes - 1) Start a YT channel for my dogs :)
2) expand my investments in stocks and real estate (I know! - I actively manage), 3) learn new hobbies like Sailing

I plan on a nomadic summer, with road trips to see family and friends. Not being tethered to work/people is a complete game changer.

A part of me dreams to create my own small business, or work with friends on a passion project. I'll take it slow for now and see where it all takes me. I'm feeling immense gratitude!

Thats great to hear @taco_sushi. I'm looking forward to some sleep where I don't nod off, wake up in the middle of the night or morning thinking about work. I hope it comes as quickly as yours has.

The nomadic summer sounds amazing. You're right, not being tethered to a timeline will make everything fluid and much easier to manage. Where and when you go will be on your schedule. Any thoughts on locations? Local, further afield?

Delighted for you and hope this year is everything you hope for.
____

In my news I am working full time until the end of April. 3 days per week until June and then 2 days per week (or 8 days per month) until my replacement is in situ. Expecting to be asked to leave mid summer. Not quite the March leave I had in mind, but trying to be fair to all parties in this process.

I feel like I've broken up with a girlfriend or going through the stages of grief. I have been asked if I regret my decision and this is a definite no, but leaving the business I started in my bedroom, that I've dedicated 2 decades to is a lot to unpack!!

Here we are though and i'm on the track to a very different 2022 and beyond

[friedmmj]

Well, I'm done.  It's been a long road since I first posted here in June of 2015 and my very first post declared my intention to retire at age 55 and that's exactly what I did as of today!

I'll post something more detailed soon about my plans and ideas for next steps.  For now, the only plan is to exhale.

[lollylegs]

Well, I'm done.  It's been a long road since I first posted here in June of 2015 and my very first post declared my intention to retire at age 55 and that's exactly what I did as of today!

I'll post something more detailed soon about my plans and ideas for next steps.  For now, the only plan is to exhale.

Congratulations @friedmmj !!  enjoy the exhalation phase.