2024 FIRE Cohort

[By the River]

Heading out the door for the last time in a couple hours.  Time to start hanging out in the Post-FIRE forums :-)

Congratulations!

[ToughMother]

Bringing the list over to this page and adding a couple of new FIRE'd folks - CONGRATS!!
Feel free to message me with any corrections or updates.

FIREd!!!
1/1/2024   @dangbe
1/2/2024   @Bluenose1966
1/13/2024 @phildonnia's DW
1/31/2024 @Money Badger
1/2024      @Irateplatypus & partner in Feb
2/6/2024   @ptobest
2/20/24     @mtnrider
2/24/24     @doneby35
2/29/24     @crabby.van.man
2/29/24     @ToughMother
3/10/24     @MaybeBabyMustache
3/22/24     @Bateaux
3/29/24     @JungYo

FI!! (no RE yet, thanks)
Wageslave23
techwiz
Eco_eco
Jade

Plans to FIRE (with date)
1/16/2024  bluecollarlawyer  @bluecollarlawyer ?
2/2/2024   Lienlord did you pull the trigger @Lienlord ?
Early 2024 Simpli-FI
4/1/2024   Must_ache GAVE NOTICE!
4/2/2024   JumpInTheFIRE  GAVE NOTICE!
4/2024      FireDAD
5/1/2024   By the River  (60) GAVE NOTICE!
5/3/2024   PacificaFog  (51)  GAVE NOTICE!
5/3/2024   Ch@d
5/3/2024   PA_mtn_biker
6/28/2024 Anon-E-Mouze  (60)
6/2024      Cool Hwhip  (57)
6/2024      rmorris (50)
7/1/2024   Ambergris 
7/9/2024   1SLOLS1  (40)
8/2/2024   Nobodyinparticular
Fall 2024   zhelud
Fall 2024   AccidentialMustache
09/2024    FrugalShrew
12/1/2024 AO1FireTo
12/2024    MinouMinou (53)
Mid 2024.  themagicman
Late 2024  Kissthesky  (34)

Plans to FIRE (no date given)
Abe  (40)  FI, but not RE
Boganvillia
Brooklynmoney  (50)
Dcarrol
DutchGirl (45)
garyjames8
Lamplighter  (36)
Highbeam  (46)
Kaposzta  (40)
LadyStash
Marty998
Miss Piggy  (55)
MrThatsDifferent
Nangirl17 (45)  (may do OMY)
PharmaStache  (40)
Plainjane
PMJL34
Snowball  (43)
StarBright
Travis  (43)
Zaga

O/-LY
2019  Blahhh456 (38) - mini RE
2019? Sisto
2020  begood
2020  Greensheep
2021  Dreams_and_discoveries
2022  ItsALongStory
2022  mspym
2022  Need2Save  (51)
2022  Roboturner
2022  TomTX
2022. WSUCoug1994
2023  Blissful Biker  (52)
2023  navyswim01 
2023  Phryne

O/+MY
2025  jlcnuke
2025  OurTown
2025  Pdxvandal
2025  Asauer
2025  farmecologist
2025  Marblejane
2025? snuka
2025? ardrum
2025? scantee
2026  lilkidjesus
2026? BiggerFishToFI
2026? Edwards
2026? Neo von retorch
2026? Turtle
2026? grantmeaname
2027  RWD
2029  dogboyslim

[Trifle]

Congratulations on FIREing @ToughMother!!!  Enjoy.  :)

[Bateaux]

Looks like I'm next in the lineup. All my paperwork is signed and my office party lunch is ordered. Couple more weeks to go.

[ToughMother]

Congratulations on FIREing @ToughMother!!!  Enjoy.  :)

Thanks so much for the good wishes @Trifle ! Looking forward to the adventures ahead.

Looks like I'm next in the lineup. All my paperwork is signed and my office party lunch is ordered. Couple more weeks to go.

Lined up on the runway and ready for takeoff, @Bateaux ! Enjoy the celebrations and recognitions in the next few weeks.

[AccidentialMustache]

I hadn't shown up in one of these Class-of-X because DW wasn't convinced about safety margins or even my spending projections. So we did a checkup with a fee-only wealth advisor and that seems to have done it to reassure her. Expensive? Yes. But they spotted some tax optimizations that'll more than pay for them in a couple years so that's largely a wash. Oh and also we're basically ready now and she's onboard. /shrug?

I'm tentatively done this fall. I expect to take a 6-month sabbatical and then start on some passion projects, which I will try to parley into a low maintenance income stream.

We'll see if my boss tries to get me to OMY by showering me with comp. I wouldn't say no, if the offer was right... but I don't know that I expect it to be right.

[Bateaux]

Congratulations on FIREing @ToughMother!!!  Enjoy.  :)

Thanks so much for the good wishes @Trifle ! Looking forward to the adventures ahead.

Looks like I'm next in the lineup. All my paperwork is signed and my office party lunch is ordered. Couple more weeks to go.

Lined up on the runway and ready for takeoff, @Bateaux ! Enjoy the celebrations and recognitions in the next few weeks.

Appreciate it. Planning my celebratory backpacking trip now.

[By the River]

Congratulations on FIREing @ToughMother!!!  Enjoy.  :)

Thanks so much for the good wishes @Trifle ! Looking forward to the adventures ahead.

Looks like I'm next in the lineup. All my paperwork is signed and my office party lunch is ordered. Couple more weeks to go.

Lined up on the runway and ready for takeoff, @Bateaux ! Enjoy the celebrations and recognitions in the next few weeks.

Appreciate it. Planning my celebratory backpacking trip now.

Congrats Bateaux.  Figures I would be just a few weeks after you as I lived in Head of Island, Hilltop Inn area in my late teens.   (For those unfamiliar with Louisiana geography, its down river from Bateaux in Port Vincent). 

[Bateaux]

Congratulations on FIREing @ToughMother!!!  Enjoy.  :)

Thanks so much for the good wishes @Trifle ! Looking forward to the adventures ahead.

Looks like I'm next in the lineup. All my paperwork is signed and my office party lunch is ordered. Couple more weeks to go.

Lined up on the runway and ready for takeoff, @Bateaux ! Enjoy the celebrations and recognitions in the next few weeks.

Appreciate it. Planning my celebratory backpacking trip now.

Congrats Bateaux.  Figures I would be just a few weeks after you as I lived in Head of Island, Hilltop Inn area in my late teens.   (For those unfamiliar with Louisiana geography, its down river from Bateaux in Port Vincent).

Awesome! I grew up near Clio on the Amite and moved to our current house in 1992. Just a babe when I bought it. Still have it and in 2018 bought a house in Citrus County Florida. Not sure if I'll sell the Louisiana house. It floods often as you're familiar. The Florida house is inland and a fortress that won't flood.
Good luck with retirement.

[MaybeBabyMustache]

Just got laid off, so planning to parlay that severance into being FIREd. Will likely find other paid employment at some point, but by choice, not by need, and plan to never have another "big career" job. Wrapped up 27 years in tech, at 48.

[grantmeaname]

Congrats!

[mtnrider]

Just got laid off, so planning to parlay that severance into being FIREd. Will likely find other paid employment at some point, but by choice, not by need, and plan to never have another "big career" job. Wrapped up 27 years in tech, at 48.

Condolences on the layoff, and congratulations on the layoff -> FIRE transition!

[JumpInTheFIRE]

Hiya 2024ers!  I just handed in my notice and will be FIREing on 4/2/2024!  My FIRE thread is https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/finally-pulling-the-trigger-on-the-re-part-of-fire/ but I wanted to post in here as well to greet my fellow 2024 class.  Congrats to everyone who has already taken the plunge, I will be joining you in the Life of Riley shortly!

[grantmeaname]

Congrats!

[Must_ache]

I just put in my notice effective 4/1.  My net worth goal was $1.5M and it just crossed $1.6M. 
I'm 52.5 years old.  I still have about 4 years on my mortgage @ $1,000/mo.

[ToughMother]

We just got back from a little trip visiting friends and family - ahhh, nice. Next Monday, I suspect will start to feel like "retirement" versus time off/vacation as it has been like these last two weeks.

Meanwhile I just updated the above list to reflect these updates:

• Way to parlay the layoff into FIRE, @MaybeBabyMustache !
  
• Welcome to the 2024 cohort, @AccidentialMustache
  
• What a big step, giving notice, @JumpInTheFIRE and @Must_ache
  

Nice work, All!

[dangbe]

I dont know if I'm 2023 cohort or 2024 cohort.  My last day of work was Dec 29th 2023 but 2024 is my first year of retirement.  I'm a couple months in and still decompressing as I was kind of forced to quit my job for health reasons.  However, I had hit my FI number so it worked out! So grateful to have that backdrop of security when going through all of the stress related things I was going through.  We really are lucky to have FIRE as our goal and the means to reach it.

[ToughMother]

I dont know if I'm 2023 cohort or 2024 cohort.  My last day of work was Dec 29th 2023 but 2024 is my first year of retirement.  I'm a couple months in and still decompressing as I was kind of forced to quit my job for health reasons.  However, I had hit my FI number so it worked out! So grateful to have that backdrop of security when going through all of the stress related things I was going through.  We really are lucky to have FIRE as our goal and the means to reach it.

Congrats on being done, @dangbe !! Glad to know you're using your time so well, to take care of yourself. We are thrilled to have you here in this cohort. I'll add you to the list above. Congrats!

[Bateaux]

We just got back from a little trip visiting friends and family - ahhh, nice. Next Monday, I suspect will start to feel like "retirement" versus time off/vacation as it has been like these last two weeks.

Meanwhile I just updated the above list to reflect these updates:

• Way to parlay the layoff into FIRE, @MaybeBabyMustache !
  
• Welcome to the 2024 cohort, @AccidentialMustache
  
• What a big step, giving notice, @JumpInTheFIRE and @Must_ache
  

Nice work, All!

We had my retirement party at work yesterday. Friday I clean out my trash and turn in my keys. March 22, 2024 I'm now a visitor to the world and free.

[frugalecon]

We just got back from a little trip visiting friends and family - ahhh, nice. Next Monday, I suspect will start to feel like "retirement" versus time off/vacation as it has been like these last two weeks.

Meanwhile I just updated the above list to reflect these updates:

• Way to parlay the layoff into FIRE, @MaybeBabyMustache !
  
• Welcome to the 2024 cohort, @AccidentialMustache
  
• What a big step, giving notice, @JumpInTheFIRE and @Must_ache
  

Nice work, All!

We had my retirement party at work yesterday. Friday I clean out my trash and turn in my keys. March 22, 2024 I'm now a visitor to the world and free.

Congratulations! I hope your work colleagues were all happy for you.

[Sandi_k]

Well, I may be joining 2024, from the 2025 cohort. My employer is apparently changing the survivor benefit formulas for the pension, effective 7-1-24.

If I retire 6-30-2024, it would be calculated on the "old" values.

The retirement estimator tool won't be loaded with the new values until 4-1-24; 10 more days, and I'll know.

I'm confident that we can make it in 2024, but 2025 was optimal, given it would be at the max age multiplier then.

[AccidentialMustache]

Thanks for the welcome.

The retirement party thing made me go -- what are folks doing on exit? Like, if you're retiring early (think 40s not 60s/70s), do you call it a retirement party for when you leave? Or is calling it that considered rude?

[Turtle]

Thanks for the welcome.

The retirement party thing made me go -- what are folks doing on exit? Like, if you're retiring early (think 40s not 60s/70s), do you call it a retirement party for when you leave? Or is calling it that considered rude?

I work 100% remote, so I'm not expecting there will be a party.  I am announcing it as retirement when I do it, though, because I want my coworkers to know early retirement is possible.  Also depending on when I leave, there's a very small HR benefit to letting them know that it is retirement rather than just quitting.

[ToughMother]

We had my retirement party at work yesterday. Friday I clean out my trash and turn in my keys. March 22, 2024 I'm now a visitor to the world and free.

Congrats on the sweet freedom, @Bateaux !!

@Sandi_k, have you confirmed that there is no grandfathering? Like new hires or people hired after date X get the new survivor benefits, but prior employees retain the original benefit? Just curious since my workplace made some big retirement benefit changes in 2012 but they were effective for employees hired after a particular date. Anyway, sounds like you'll learn more next week.

@Turtle my team threw me what they called a retirement party even though they know I'm not of typical age. The great part was that rather than doing something in the office (what I've called retirement "wakes"), we went out bowling. It was a great time.

[Sandi_k]

@Sandi_k, have you confirmed that there is no grandfathering? Like new hires or people hired after date X get the new survivor benefits, but prior employees retain the original benefit? Just curious since my workplace made some big retirement benefit changes in 2012 but they were effective for employees hired after a particular date. Anyway, sounds like you'll learn more next week.

Nope, no grandfathering. Anyone retiring after June 30th will retire under the new rules.

[Bluenose1966]

Been retired nearly 3 months now and absolutely loving it. Not a day goes by without me thinking to myself how lucky I am to be free from work and all the associated stresses and pressures.
My only complaint is how quick the days go by, by the time have done a long walk with dog in morning, gone gym, done some jobs etc then we seem to be thinking about evening meal. Meet with family and friends at least weekly if not more.

Despite having worries about whether I should work longer for financial reasons now I have made the leap those worries have disappeared, that is despite finding out my first week of retirement that we needed a new roof. Been offered 2 jobs since left, thought about it for a second but value and enjoy my freedom too much.

My first 3 months have been about decompressing after 40 odd years of working, though at moment in no hurry to start any new hobbies/ interests  etc as really enjoying life.

Hope everyone enjoys retirement as much as I am and good luck with your plans.

[Simpli-Fi]

Congrats @Bluenose1966 welcome to your new life!

Is Blue nose a play on Blue Note Records?

Nothing like nice records pulling from some memory equity.

[Bluenose1966]

Hi Simpli-Fi, have no idea what Blue Note records are but sounds good.
I am a Bluenose purely because I support the football team that wears Blue (Everton) in the city of Liverpool, England.

Just thinking I didn’t mention below I also do daily meditation, I have chosen Yoga Nindra as my meditation method after hearing about it either on Huberman or Dave Asprey podcasts,  you do it lying down so  immediately appealed  to my lazy side as hate sitting cross legged.…
I have gone from thinking meditation is total woowoo to feeling incredibly relaxed/ peaceful when doing it.

Hope to start the following over next few months, though currently in no hurry.
1. Learning very basic Italian
2. Reading of a day instead of just before I go to sleep.
3. Cooling more recipes.
4. Knitting.

[JungYo]

At the close of business Thursday Mar 28, our portfolio/savings eclipsed $2m.

At 2PM Eastern today, Mar 29, I logged off my work laptop for the last time ever.

Retired!

[Sandi_k]

At the close of business Thursday Mar 28, our portfolio/savings eclipsed $2m.

At 2PM Eastern today, Mar 29, I logged off my work laptop for the last time ever.

Retired!

Applause and congrats!

[mtnrider]

At the close of business Thursday Mar 28, our portfolio/savings eclipsed $2m.

At 2PM Eastern today, Mar 29, I logged off my work laptop for the last time ever.

Retired!

Woot!  Yay!

[ToughMother]

At the close of business Thursday Mar 28, our portfolio/savings eclipsed $2m.

At 2PM Eastern today, Mar 29, I logged off my work laptop for the last time ever.

Retired!

@JungYo -- HOW AWESOME on both counts! Congrats and enjoy!!

[By the River]

I have this trivial "problem" at work that shouldn't affect me but does.  Every pay period, we accrue a few vacation hours.  Employees can accrue up to 300 hours and get paid for those when leaving.  If I don't take any more time off, I would end up with 302 hours.  I've made plans on Thursday so I'm taking a half day off.  My ending vacation balance will now be 298 hours. Not being paid those 2 hours of vacation has NO effect on our plans/calculations/lives at all, but I feel like I'm missing out on something. 
It's not as if 30 years down the road, I'll be saying "Damn, I should have stayed in the office those 2 hours.  Otherwise I wouldn't be living in a van down by the river".

[Turtle]

I have this trivial "problem" at work that shouldn't affect me but does.  Every pay period, we accrue a few vacation hours.  Employees can accrue up to 300 hours and get paid for those when leaving.  If I don't take any more time off, I would end up with 302 hours.  I've made plans on Thursday so I'm taking a half day off.  My ending vacation balance will now be 298 hours. Not being paid those 2 hours of vacation has NO effect on our plans/calculations/lives at all, but I feel like I'm missing out on something. 
It's not as if 30 years down the road, I'll be saying "Damn, I should have stayed in the office those 2 hours.  Otherwise I wouldn't be living in a van down by the river".

At my company those hours just stop accruing when the max is reached, so for your example at my company, you'd have lost 2 hours of vacation time by stopping to accrue at the limit.  I'd say better to have used the two hours towards a half day off vs having the company short you time off if you'd hit your max.

[PacificaFog]

I did it!  I submitted my resignation letter yesterday.  My last day trapped in a soul-sucking corporate job will be May 3rd.  I can't believe it!

I'm not really sure what the future holds.  I think it's likely that I may do some sort of "coast" or "barista" FIRE for the next several years.  We've reached our lean-FIRE number and have small pensions and SS coming in 10-15 years, but we may decide we want a bit more put away for extended travel (possibly including a campervan).

But, the first order of business is to unwind from a very stressful decade of work - or more accurately a quarter century of work!  I want to spend at least 3 months sleeping in, biking, cooking, reading, and just sitting the park before I make any decisions.

Hope everyone else is moving forward in their plans!  I'm nervous, excited, relieved, and most of all grateful to have this opportunity at my age!  Simply amazing!

[By the River]

I did it!  I submitted my resignation letter yesterday.  My last day trapped in a soul-sucking corporate job will be May 3rd.  I can't believe it!

I'm not really sure what the future holds.  I think it's likely that I may do some sort of "coast" or "barista" FIRE for the next several years.  We've reached our lean-FIRE number and have small pensions and SS coming in 10-15 years, but we may decide we want a bit more put away for extended travel (possibly including a campervan).

But, the first order of business is to unwind from a very stressful decade of work - or more accurately a quarter century of work!  I want to spend at least 3 months sleeping in, biking, cooking, reading, and just sitting the park before I make any decisions.

Hope everyone else is moving forward in their plans!  I'm nervous, excited, relieved, and most of all grateful to have this opportunity at my age!  Simply amazing!

Congratulations.

[ToughMother]

I did it!  I submitted my resignation letter yesterday.  My last day trapped in a soul-sucking corporate job will be May 3rd.  I can't believe it!

Ah, BIG congrats @PacificaFog (and I updated your happy news to the list above). Such a big step!! Looking forward to a big forum WOO HOO in a couple of weeks.

[By the River]

Its my last Friday at the office!!!   (Alternate Friday off next week and then leaving on May 1).   

[JungYo]

I did it!  I submitted my resignation letter yesterday.  My last day trapped in a soul-sucking corporate job will be May 3rd.  I can't believe it!

I'm not really sure what the future holds.  I think it's likely that I may do some sort of "coast" or "barista" FIRE for the next several years.  We've reached our lean-FIRE number and have small pensions and SS coming in 10-15 years, but we may decide we want a bit more put away for extended travel (possibly including a campervan).

But, the first order of business is to unwind from a very stressful decade of work - or more accurately a quarter century of work!  I want to spend at least 3 months sleeping in, biking, cooking, reading, and just sitting the park before I make any decisions.

Hope everyone else is moving forward in their plans!  I'm nervous, excited, relieved, and most of all grateful to have this opportunity at my age!  Simply amazing!

Congratulations! and welcome to a much better world. Now that I've been out for 3 weeks, the biking, cooking, reading, enjoying nature, working on my primary hobby would make it nigh impossible to return to any type of work - but it's early yet! Just enjoy and decompress...

[Nobodyinparticular]

@Sandi_k, have you confirmed that there is no grandfathering? Like new hires or people hired after date X get the new survivor benefits, but prior employees retain the original benefit? Just curious since my workplace made some big retirement benefit changes in 2012 but they were effective for employees hired after a particular date. Anyway, sounds like you'll learn more next week.

Nope, no grandfathering. Anyone retiring after June 30th will retire under the new rules.

So what was the verdict?

[Sandi_k]

@Sandi_k, have you confirmed that there is no grandfathering? Like new hires or people hired after date X get the new survivor benefits, but prior employees retain the original benefit? Just curious since my workplace made some big retirement benefit changes in 2012 but they were effective for employees hired after a particular date. Anyway, sounds like you'll learn more next week.

Nope, no grandfathering. Anyone retiring after June 30th will retire under the new rules.

So what was the verdict?

The hit was only 1.7%, whereas staying until Sept. 2025 means a 15% increase in payment, due to hitting the maximum age multiplier of 60. So I'm staying until Sept. 2025, assuming nothing goes off the edge with The Mothers in the next 18 months.

I mapped out the income for a retirement date of each month until 10/1/2025, and as long as I stay through Sept. 2024, any future month will be an increase in the retirement payout forever.

[garyjames8]

I did it!  I submitted my resignation letter yesterday.  My last day trapped in a soul-sucking corporate job will be May 3rd.  I can't believe it!

I'm not really sure what the future holds.  I think it's likely that I may do some sort of "coast" or "barista" FIRE for the next several years.  We've reached our lean-FIRE number and have small pensions and SS coming in 10-15 years, but we may decide we want a bit more put away for extended travel (possibly including a campervan).

But, the first order of business is to unwind from a very stressful decade of work - or more accurately a quarter century of work!  I want to spend at least 3 months sleeping in, biking, cooking, reading, and just sitting the park before I make any decisions.

Hope everyone else is moving forward in their plans!  I'm nervous, excited, relieved, and most of all grateful to have this opportunity at my age!  Simply amazing!

"the first order of business is to unwind from a very stressful decade of work - or more accurately a quarter century of work!" > Nicely worded.

[garyjames8]

Its my last Friday at the office!!!   (Alternate Friday off next week and then leaving on May 1).   

Congratulations.

[PacificaFog]

I was sharing my news with a co-worker on Friday and said that while I was unsure what I was going to do long term, I was at least taking the summer off.  Later that night I was thinking - when was the last time I had a summer off with no work?  I was 15!!!!!  I’m now 51!!!!!  That’s insane.  I’ve DEFINITELY earned a summer off. 

[techwiz]

I was sharing my news with a co-worker on Friday and said that while I was unsure what I was going to do long term, I was at least taking the summer off.  Later that night I was thinking - when was the last time I had a summer off with no work?  I was 15!!!!!  I’m now 51!!!!!  That’s insane.  I’ve DEFINITELY earned a summer off.

Very much earned!

[PA_mtn_biker]

Figure I'd post an update - I started the conversion at work about my situation.  I approached it as a fairly open discussion & see if they would offer anything.  Apparently part-time &/or contracting is a possibly.  I think I'm okay with that depending on the details.  I was completely honest, that there hasn't been enough work for this role to be FT.  It sounded like my honesty was appreciated.  We'll see what they come back with at this point. 

[MaybeBabyMustache]

I was sharing my news with a co-worker on Friday and said that while I was unsure what I was going to do long term, I was at least taking the summer off.  Later that night I was thinking - when was the last time I had a summer off with no work?  I was 15!!!!!  I’m now 51!!!!!  That’s insane.  I’ve DEFINITELY earned a summer off.

Hello, fellow bay area friend, @PacificaFog . Congrats & sounds like you most definitely have earned the summer off. I took a sabbatical right before COVID & it was incredible. I'm now "funemployed", which I think means I might apply for things I'm interested in, but never want a corporate career job again, if I can help it. I'm also very excited about the summer off, particularly as DS18 is going to college this fall & there's a bunch of stuff related to that I can help with. Also, I get to spend additional time with my teens before they are both in college! What a timely gift.

[Ch@d]

Hello everyone,  I'm much more of a lurker than a poster, but wanted to thank everyone for making this forum such a great resource and place to hang out online.   My last day will be Friday, May 3rd.😁

[By the River]

It's my last day in the office!  I had my last hand-off meeting yesterday, today saying good-byes, final cleanup of the desk, turn in the laptop and then I'm out of here.

Thanks to all the information shared on this site.  I'm not as young (60) as many but still 5 years earlier than I could have guessed.  And more importantly, it allowed my wife to retire from a much much more stressful job 18 months ago at 58. 

[techwiz]

It's my last day in the office!  I had my last hand-off meeting yesterday, today saying good-byes, final cleanup of the desk, turn in the laptop and then I'm out of here.

Thanks to all the information shared on this site.  I'm not as young (60) as many but still 5 years earlier than I could have guessed.  And more importantly, it allowed my wife to retire from a much much more stressful job 18 months ago at 58.

Enjoy FIRE, 5 years early is still great. Congrats!