Well... today is my birthday AND my first day of "Retirement"...
I put that word in quotes because, at 48, I'm left wondering if I'll be content not working again. You see, two weeks ago I gave notice... I couldn't think of a better birthday present to myself.
While I've posted my particulars in a previous thread... since I am officially retired, now, I'll offer a summary...
Personal: 48, single, never married, no kids, one great dog
Basic expenses: 25K annual
Debts: None
Finances: 2.2mm (stocks/bonds) + 600K (IRA) + 350K (approx. Home Value)
Additional: expecting approx. 1.5mm - 1.8mm to come in later this year
There are so many emotions that flood a person's mind when leaving a 20 year career (all with the same company)... the primary ones, for me, were..
- YIKES!... I'm leaving a (fairly) secure job and can't return!
(Not true, I'm on good terms with so many people w/i my industry... I could probably find another job pretty quickly)
- OH NO!... What if my next-egg isn't enough?
(Yes, I know... ALL the calculators say that I'll be fine - If I don't party like Lindsey Lohan on a Saturday night)
Sooo... I'll consider my 48th birthday a "Re-Birthday" and try to find, then satisfy, my inner child. After all, it seems like the last 25 years were spent trying to satisfy OTHER people with varying degrees of success.
Perhaps this forum can help me along the way...