2023 FIRE cohort

[eyesonthehorizon]

Even moreso, that's a major undertaking during a huge life change. Well-done & thrilled for you.

[RWTL]

Bringing to the top of the page...I'll need someone to take over posting updates for a while.  I'm headed out on a long trip and won't be able to make updates for the majority of the year.   Good luck to all those who are continuing to plan to RE this year! 

I should be able to follow along and post periodically.  Look forward to watching the list grow!

Confirmed:
01/27/2023 watchmaker (39)
02/03/2023 NY Texan (55)
02/24/2023 shadesofgreen (46)
02/28/2023 Much Fishing to Do (51)
02/28/2023 baludon (50)
03/01/2023 stein07 (46)
03/08/2023 vagavince
04/14/2023 BFGirl (55)
04/28/2023 Midwest_Handlebar (39)
04/29/2023 Fresh Bread (48)
05/05/2023 navyswim01 (44)
05/05/2023 Beach_Bound (33)
05/12/2023 RWTL (51)


Plans to Fire:

01/1/2023 Northstar (33)
01/31/2023 detrimental12 (34)
02/2023 Thriftyc (49)
02/24/2023 stasherus-maximus (48)
03/2023 Retiring gaijin
04/03/2023 AccidentalMiser (55)
04/2023 SEAK
04/2023 FIREupDOOON
05/2023 Wanttobehome (55)
05/2023 dougules (44) - could vary a lot
05/2023 paideuma
05/2023 lutorm (52)
05/2023 MaybeBabyMustache(46)
05/2023 MisterA (61)
05/31/2023 Kosho (60)
06/2023 HuffDuf41 (41)
06/2023 Present Muse
06/01/2023 2Birds1Stone (36)
06/02/2023 PhrugalPhan (60)
06/05/2023 ShadowRegent (36)
06/14/2023 RelaxedGal (45)
06/16/2023 scottish
07/15/2023 JGS1980
08/12/2023 ToughMother (59)
08/2023 Erutio (43)
08/2023 Fjord (50)
09/2023 FireGinslia (50)
09/2023 markus
09/29/2023 frizzywhiskers (51)
10/2023 Phryne
10/2023 mtnrider
10/2023 Mathew675
11/2023 frugal rph
12/2023 Bateaux
12/2023 beer-man
12/2023 CindyBS
12/2023 FI Curious
12/2023 Landlady
12/2023 NESailor
12/2023 RedHotLama
12/2023 SpeedReader
12/2023 Stache-O-Lantern (48)
12/2023 stupidiot8
12/2023 wannabe-stache
12/2023 bottlerocks
12/2023 lauren_knows (42)
12/2023 marblejane (40)
12/25/2023 moof (46)
12/31/2023 Peony2019
12/31/2023 MamaMinou (52)
12/31/2023 garyjames8 (49)

OLY:

12/2019 I'm Fred
??/2020 Mmm_Donuts
12/2021 Arbitrage
02/22/2022 friedmmj
?  Le Dérisoire
11/10/2022  Slow road to freedom

OMY:

02/2024 grantmeaname
07/2024 pdxvandal
09/2024 FrugalShrew
12/2024 OurTown
12/2027 FireryFIRE
Ardrum (39)
rpr

SWAMI:
TomTx 5LY (49)
Locksmith
Moneytaichi

TBD:
fuzzy math
drumstache
moneytaichi
AlanStache
Spiffsome
Blissful Biker
sheep_music_generator
StarBright
mistymoney

[2Birds1Stone]

I offered to take over the reigns last time you mentioned that, and the offer still stands :)

[RWTL]

I offered to take over the reigns last time you mentioned that, and the offer still stands :)

Awesome!  You have the reigns!

[beach2133]

Add me to the list.  Joined from 2025 group.  Last day June 2.  Summer freedom!

[AlanStache]

Add me to the list.  Joined from 2025 group.  Last day June 2.  Summer freedom!

Great!  How did you bring the date forward two years?

[beach2133]

Add me to the list.  Joined from 2025 group.  Last day June 2.  Summer freedom!

Great!  How did you bring the date forward two years?

Got lucky with daycare expenses finishing a year earlier than expected (full-day public school pre-k expanded).  Timing is right for family flexibility.

I think my projections have always been overly cautious, but i did hit 25x briefly April 2022 and then market went down a good amount, so i'm kind of glad i stuck to the plan even though i had hit my #.  I finally got back above that line May 1 and I'm going to execute on it this time.

[Dicey]

I offered to take over the reigns last time you mentioned that, and the offer still stands :)

Awesome!  You have the reigns!

So 2B1S is the king now? Long live the king!

[2Birds1Stone]

This is your captain speaking, we'll be cruising at an altitude of 32,764 feet until the top is in....

Confirmed:
01/27/2023 watchmaker (39)
02/03/2023 NY Texan (55)
02/24/2023 shadesofgreen (46)
02/28/2023 Much Fishing to Do (51)
02/28/2023 baludon (50)
03/01/2023 stein07 (46)
03/08/2023 vagavince
04/14/2023 BFGirl (55)
04/28/2023 Midwest_Handlebar (39)
04/29/2023 Fresh Bread (48)
05/05/2023 navyswim01 (44)
05/05/2023 Beach_Bound (33)
05/12/2023 RWTL (51)
05/31/2023 Wanttobehome (55)
05/31/2023 2Birds1Stone (36)
06/02/2023 beach2133 (40)
06/02/2023 paideuma (31)
06/02/2023 PhrugalPhan (60)
06/23/2023 bowwowz (45)
06/30/2023 MisterA
07/31/2023 FireGinslia (49)


Plans to Fire:

01/1/2023 Northstar (33)
01/31/2023 detrimental12 (34)
02/24/2023 stasherus-maximus (48)
03/2023 Retiring gaijin
04/03/2023 AccidentalMiser (55)
04/2023 SEAK
04/2023 FIREupDOOON
05/2023 Wanttobehome (55)
05/2023 dougules (44) - could vary a lot
05/2023 paideuma
05/2023 lutorm (52)
05/2023 MaybeBabyMustache(46)
05/2023 MisterA (61)
05/31/2023 Kosho (60)
06/2023 HuffDuf41 (41)
06/2023 Present Muse
06/01/2023 2Birds1Stone (36)
06/02/2023 PhrugalPhan (60)
06/05/2023 ShadowRegent (36)
06/14/2023 RelaxedGal (45)
06/16/2023 scottish
07/15/2023 JGS1980
08/12/2023 ToughMother (59)
08/2023 Erutio (43)
08/2023 Fjord (50)
09/2023 FireGinslia (50)
09/2023 markus
09/29/2023 frizzywhiskers (51)
10/2023 Phryne
10/2023 mtnrider
10/2023 Mathew675
11/2023 frugal rph
12/2023 Bateaux
12/2023 beer-man
12/2023 CindyBS
12/2023 FI Curious
12/2023 Landlady
12/2023 NESailor
12/2023 RedHotLama
12/2023 SpeedReader
12/2023 Stache-O-Lantern (48)
12/2023 stupidiot8
12/2023 wannabe-stache
12/2023 bottlerocks
12/2023 lauren_knows (42)
12/2023 marblejane (40)
12/25/2023 moof (46)
12/31/2023 Peony2019
12/31/2023 MamaMinou (52)
12/31/2023 garyjames8 (49)

OLY:

12/2019 I'm Fred
??/2020 Mmm_Donuts
12/2021 Arbitrage
02/22/2022 friedmmj
?  Le Dérisoire
11/10/2022  Slow road to freedom

OMY:

02/2024 grantmeaname
07/2024 pdxvandal
09/2024 FrugalShrew
12/2024 OurTown
12/2027 FireryFIRE
Ardrum (39)
rpr

SWAMI:
TomTx 5LY (49)
Locksmith
Moneytaichi

TBD:
fuzzy math
drumstache
moneytaichi
AlanStache
Spiffsome
Blissful Biker
sheep_music_generator
StarBright
mistymoney
Thriftyc
 

[beach2133]

@beach2133, if you wish to share your age @ fire date let us know so I can add it to the cohort info.

40

[PhrugalPhan]

Here I thought I had one last day to commute to the office before retiring.  Well.... technically I do, but it turns out I now have to commute back to the office on Monday the following week. 

I signed up to be an election officer for the first time, and it turns out that the required training is the first Monday after I retire in the same building I have worked in for 20 years!  D'oh.   It is only one day, so I guess I can suck it up one last time.

[mistymoney]

ironic!!

[Dicey]

Here I thought I had one last day to commute to the office before retiring.  Well.... technically I do, but it turns out I now have to commute back to the office on Monday the following week. 

I signed up to be an election officer for the first time, and it turns out that the required training is the first Monday after I retire in the same building I have worked in for 20 years!  D'oh.   It is only one day, so I guess I can suck it up one last time.

I think it might be a blast to be in the building, but not care one whit about work!

[Kosho]

One day more…

[lutorm]

I thought 5/31 would be my last day as an employee, but when talking to my boss today he was like "it looks like you haven't taken all your PTO? Why don't you do that so we don't have to cash you out." Given that this means they'll also pay for another month of health insurance, sounds good to me. So 5/31 will just be my last day at work, and then I'll pop in 7/11 and say bye instead. ;-)

[AlanStache]

I thought 5/31 would be my last day as an employee, but when talking to my boss today he was like "it looks like you haven't taken all your PTO? Why don't you do that so we don't have to cash you out." Given that this means they'll also pay for another month of health insurance, sounds good to me. So 5/31 will just be my last day at work, and then I'll pop in 7/11 and say bye instead. ;-)

Careful they dont try to make you do work :-p   "dang it... I think I forgot my password"

[JGS1980]

30 days left --> I can do it, I think...

JGS

[2Birds1Stone]

Adding myself to the *confirmed* list, today was the big day :)

[Fresh Bread]

Adding myself to the *confirmed* list, today was the big day :)

Ooooh congrats!

[Kosho]

Elvis has left the building

Sweet freedom!

Congrats also to 2B1S

[RWTL]

Congrats to the recent additions!

[markum]

Elvis has left the building

Sweet freedom!

Congrats also to 2B1S

Congrats.   Loved both of your references.   Especially the one day more...

[jeroly]

This is your captain speaking, we'll be cruising at an altitude of 32,764 feet until the top is in....

I'm sorry but BS needs to be called on this. The top already is, and always has been, in. ;-)

[Wanttobehome]

May 31st was my last working day, 38 years working in healthcare.
Working part time for for the last year has prepared me for my next adventure.
It feels strange today,just like a day off. After all this planning still needs time to sink in.
Congratulations to all who have retired this year so far.

[paideuma]

Congrats to all the recent quitters, and best of luck to everyone in the final stretch!!

Today, June 2nd, was my last day! We'll see how long it takes to sink in. (For the list, I'm 31)

[AlanStache]

You all are motivating me to not go out and play this weekend but to review where I am and what I need to do before I talk to my boss. 

[Bateaux]

I'm on week three of my test fire on the Appalachian Trail.  Things are beautiful and I'm in much better health climbing over mountains everyday.  It's been raining at least half the days and I've needed to stay in hostels more than expected.  It's nice being able to afford the added expense of not sleeping on the trail every night. I'll be sleeping in a condo with my wife and some friends in just three weeks. I'll be returning to work in July and possibly updating my retirement date.  I may continue my hike in Maine in August.  Work is so much easier than this and I love my coworkers.  I'm contracted to retire no later than March 2024.  The money to retire is growing faster than expected.  It's all good.

[2Birds1Stone]

I'll get the list updated when I'm back at a computer.

Congrats to all of the recent FIRE'es!

Sent from my Pixel 6a using Tapatalk

[PhrugalPhan]

Well I am retired now but it doesn't feel like it yet.  So how did I spend my first day of retirement?   Well I got up at 4AM to take my friend to the airport for an early flight (ugh). Yeah, what a weird way to start retirement, but hey, I can do whatever I want, right?

[AlanStache]

Well I am retired now but it doesn't feel like it yet.  So how did I spend my first day of retirement?   Well I got up at 4AM to take my friend to the airport for an early flight (ugh). Yeah, what a weird way to start retirement, but hey, I can do whatever I want, right?

and you could take a nap at 10am after the drive :-)

[MisterA]

I'm scheduled to hand my notice to quit to my employer, tomorrow. As this day approaches, I'm having doubts and getting cold feet. I guess that this feeling is natural(?). Whilst I still can't wait to have my time to myself, I still have concerns about the general world economy and its affects on my stache. Whilst at the same time, I know that I earn a lot of money for not so much work! It seems like a lot to give up, during a time of uncertainty. But, I suppose that it will always feel that way.

The other thing is the social aspect. I work in a fairly vibrant office, all be it with plenty of people that I don't particularly like. Our social life is much less vibrant, I think that retirement will take some getting used to.

That was April 13th, and I lost my nerve and so didn't resign ☹

But I have now resigned, and I finish work on Friday 30th June. Awesome.

It feels very weird, having worked hard to develop my career, only to give it all up. Also to have saved, saved, saved, and now I'm planning to start to spend it. I've made that life-changing decision, it is done - wish me luck!

[MisterA]

Just scrolled up and read the last few messages, lots of FIRE's. Well done and good luck to @2Birds1Stone, @JGS1980, @lutorm, @Kosho, @PhrugalPhan, and @Wanttobehome. And that's just the last few weeks.

I'm looking forward to joining you all.

[mistymoney]

I'm scheduled to hand my notice to quit to my employer, tomorrow. As this day approaches, I'm having doubts and getting cold feet. I guess that this feeling is natural(?). Whilst I still can't wait to have my time to myself, I still have concerns about the general world economy and its affects on my stache. Whilst at the same time, I know that I earn a lot of money for not so much work! It seems like a lot to give up, during a time of uncertainty. But, I suppose that it will always feel that way.

The other thing is the social aspect. I work in a fairly vibrant office, all be it with plenty of people that I don't particularly like. Our social life is much less vibrant, I think that retirement will take some getting used to.

That was April 13th, and I lost my nerve and so didn't resign ☹

But I have now resigned, and I finish work on Friday 30th June. Awesome.

It feels very weird, having worked hard to develop my career, only to give it all up. Also to have saved, saved, saved, and now I'm planning to start to spend it. I've made that life-changing decision, it is done - wish me luck!

Good luck!!

[Blissful Biker]

Just scrolled up and read the last few messages, lots of FIRE's. Well done and good luck to @2Birds1Stone, @JGS1980, @lutorm, @Kosho, @PhrugalPhan, and @Wanttobehome. And that's just the last few weeks.

I'm looking forward to joining you all.

Congratulations to you all!  I'm glad you're taking the leap too @MisterA.

I planned to also FIRE 30 June 23 but my company is restructuring, flattening the levels of leadership and my role is being made redundant.  I turned down the offer of a promotion because that would require shifting back to full time and I also secretly knew I wouldn't be around long.  So there is now a reasonable chance of being laid off.  Severance in my industry isn't huge (about 15 weeks pay) but it would sure be a nice way to start retirement (7 months of expenses covered), so I haven't shared yet that I'm leaving soon in hopes that I get laid off.  But how long do I wait?  It's a huge company that moves really slowly.  Now that I'm really ready to go each day is more painful than the last. 

I've decided to hang in there and use vacation to make the waiting game easier.  Taking next week off and another week in July if the picture isn't clear by then.  If I still don't know by August I think I'll walk away from the potential severance just to call it finally done.

[AO1FireTo]

Just keep doing crazy stuff until they fire you.  Treat it like a game :)

[Blissful Biker]

Just keep doing crazy stuff until they fire you.  Treat it like a game :)

LOL, that's what DH says too.  :)  But I am relentlessly practical and don't want to burn bridges even though I don't need that bridge anymore.

[PhrugalPhan]

If I had any doubts about retirement... Tuesday removed them.  I was heading back to the building I worked for two decades (for an election officer class).  I drove the first 18 miles with no issue. Then I turned off the parkway and came up on the first traffic light with two miles to go.  Seeing that tableau in front of me, knowing the only reason I go that way is to go to that building... and my whole body just tensed up.  I had to catch my breath and tell myself to relax - the big bad job can't hurt me anymore.

Oh yes... I do not regret leaving.

[wageslave23]

If I had any doubts about retirement... Tuesday removed them.  I was heading back to the building I worked for two decades (for an election officer class).  I drove the first 18 miles with no issue. Then I turned off the parkway and came up on the first traffic light with two miles to go.  Seeing that tableau in front of me, knowing the only reason I go that way is to go to that building... and my whole body just tensed up.  I had to catch my breath and tell myself to relax - the big bad job can't hurt me anymore.

Oh yes... I do not regret leaving.

That's great.  But why did you keep working at that job until FIRE if it was that bad? Do you regret not switching jobs earlier?

[PhrugalPhan]

That's great.  But why did you keep working at that job until FIRE if it was that bad? Do you regret not switching jobs earlier?

The job was fine 'til about 5 years ago and slowly got worse day by day.  However the job comes with a rock solid pension that has a crazy bad haircut if you retire early. If I retired 3 years ago I would have gotten about 50% less than I am getting today. (And if I left earlier I would need to wait until 2028 to start getting anything)  They're not called golden handcuffs for nothing.

As a little extra about the pension... after backing out what I was contributing to the 457 account, my pension contribution, and the FICA taxes I will no longer pay... I will be taking home as much from my pension as I was taking home while I was working.  It has a COLA and will be for the rest of my life.  So it's very generous and not something I could easy dismiss.

[Sandi_k]

They're not called golden handcuffs for nothing.

As a little extra about the pension... after backing out what I was contributing to the 457 account, my pension contribution, and the FICA taxes I will no longer pay... I will be taking home as much from my pension as I was taking home while I was working.  It has a COLA and will be for the rest of my life.  So it's very generous and not something I could easy dismiss.

Yep, me too. The multiplier between ages 55 to 60 is nearly vertical in its effect.

Age 56: 1.94 x years of service
Age 57: 2.10 x years of service
Age 58: 2.22 x years of service
Age 59: 2.36 x years of service
Age 60: 2.50 x years of service

I am hanging on for an extra 2 years to completely replace DH's income as well.

[wageslave23]

That's great.  But why did you keep working at that job until FIRE if it was that bad? Do you regret not switching jobs earlier?

The job was fine 'til about 5 years ago and slowly got worse day by day.  However the job comes with a rock solid pension that has a crazy bad haircut if you retire early. If I retired 3 years ago I would have gotten about 50% less than I am getting today. (And if I left earlier I would need to wait until 2028 to start getting anything)  They're not called golden handcuffs for nothing.

As a little extra about the pension... after backing out what I was contributing to the 457 account, my pension contribution, and the FICA taxes I will no longer pay... I will be taking home as much from my pension as I was taking home while I was working.  It has a COLA and will be for the rest of my life.  So it's very generous and not something I could easy dismiss.

Ahh. Makes sense. Congratulations!!

[AO1FireTo]

Enjoy, I bet everything in your life will improve now the stress is gone.

[FireGinslia]

Congrats to all the recently FIRE’d. I’ll be joining sooner than originally predicted in the list.

I had the talk with my boss this morning, and agreed 31 July as my last day in work. That’ll make me a much younger 49 year old (but only by a week). @2Birds1Stone when you get a chance to update .

@MisterA i know the feelings you were talking about- I felt queasy all week, hardly slept last night, but feeling much better now.

[BFGirl]

Congrats to all the new retirees and the ones who have given notice! 

[thriftyc]

You can take me off this year for now, I still could fire this year but taking it a day at a time....thanks.

[Dicey]

You can take me off this year for now, I still could fire this year but taking it a day at a time....thanks.

You can also just say "TBD" if there's a chance it could still happen this year. Might help with motivation  ;-)

[PhrugalPhan]

As I was thinking of retiring I saw some people come back as contractors and thought how absurd that was to return.  But I figured that could never happen to me, especially as my position was filled right before I left.

It's day eight of retirement and now I have been contacted to see if I would be interested to come back to work on one of my old projects.  Nothing about how much pay, but...omg.  I laughed it off at first, but then said I would consider it.

I'm trying to think of any reason to go back but so far I'm happy to leave it in the past. But seeing my retirement account grow over 100k in the past month I suspect I will be saying no.

If I had any doubts about retirement... Tuesday removed them.  I was heading back to the building I worked for two decades (for an election officer class).  I drove the first 18 miles with no issue. Then I turned off the parkway and came up on the first traffic light with two miles to go.  Seeing that tableau in front of me, knowing the only reason I go that way is to go to that building... and my whole body just tensed up.  I had to catch my breath and tell myself to relax - the big bad job can't hurt me anymore.

Oh yes... I do not regret leaving.

[2Birds1Stone]

*wave*

After 15 long days without a computer, I finally got the ol' laptop back today and updated/cleaned up the list.

If anyone catches any mistakes just let me know.

Congrats to all of the recent 2023 cohort members!!

[bowwowz]

Hi all, 2022 transplant jumping in. My wife finished up about a month ago and my last day will be June 23 ( I had a project I wanted to finish up at work). We are both 45. Its hard to believe, but we're finally doing it and I can't wait to have a nice long summer decompressing. There will be backpacking trips, long days at the lake and catching up on house projects to keep us plenty busy for a while. We're hoping to get a lot more ski days in this winter and there's a 50% chance we'll build out a van and travel out west after that.

Congrats to everyone who has made it!

[Fresh Bread]

Hi all, 2022 transplant jumping in. My wife finished up about a month ago and my last day will be June 23 ( I had a project I wanted to finish up at work). We are both 45. Its hard to believe, but we're finally doing it and I can't wait to have a nice long summer decompressing. There will be backpacking trips, long days at the lake and catching up on house projects to keep us plenty busy for a while. We're hoping to get a lot more ski days in this winter and there's a 50% chance we'll build out a van and travel out west after that.

Congrats to everyone who has made it!

Your plans sound great, congrats!