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Old 08-30-2016, 09:34 AM   #1
Confused about dryer sheets
 
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I have been lurking a while, decided it was time to participate.

I am 53, wife is 50. She was laid off two years ago, I was self employed (consulting), and had to step back from work last year due to (now resolved) medical issues. Unfortunately, my business pretty well evaporated during that time. Plan B worked for a while but did not allow well for being out of work for several months.

So, I want to call myself retired.

Ballpark, our situation looks like:

IRA 50k
investments (taxable) 1.45MM
cash 75k
home equity 50k (ain't much house)

On top of that, within the next few years, will receive approximately 900k from family trust.

We are fixing to put 500k into house and land (farm acreage). Plan is to downsize land-wise at age 75. Land is in a good location to appreciate greatly (prime area for development/subdivision with future growth).

Living expenses for the two of us run about 75k per year. Including private health insurance for the both of us, home expenses based on larger house and new land. That figure also includes about 12k/yr of flexible spending for toys and RV travel.

FIREcalc says I can do it. My FA says I can do it. My CPA says I can do it. I have dozens of spreadsheets that say I can do it.

So why is it so hard to accept it and just say retired?

(BTW, not really a felon. That's what I got voted on in our high school annual -- "Most likely to be a felon".)
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Old 08-30-2016, 09:45 AM   #2
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Welcome (not a) felon! (I must say your username gave me a bit of a panic when I first saw it, so thanks for the explanation!)

You're certainly not the first one around here to have difficulty with the "retired" word. Personally, I rebranded myself as a "part-time consultant" after about 9 months, but gave that up last year (it was really part-time - I think in 3+ years I was paid for less than a week of w*rk). Sometimes I say "professional volunteer" but other times "retired" is just fine. Others here have come up with various solutions.

The most important thing is to be happy with whatever you are doing once you know you are FI - if looking for w*rk makes you happier than doing other things, that's perfectly fine. But if you aren't looking, or w*rking, then you're retired, whatever you call it. Enjoy!
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Old 08-30-2016, 10:04 AM   #3
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I think the definition of retirement has changed over the years, but us oldies still have the classic view to draw on.
Fishing pole sitting on the dock type thing.

Maybe I should take a class at College, so when I'm asked I can say I'm a student.
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Old 08-30-2016, 12:30 PM   #4
Confused about dryer sheets
 
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Originally Posted by MBAustin View Post
Welcome (not a) felon! (I must say your username gave me a bit of a panic when I first saw it, so thanks for the explanation!)
Didn't think of that! I see you are a moderator. Can you add "(not a)" in front of felon for me, so it reads (not a) felon ??

Might sit better!
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Old 08-30-2016, 12:32 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by felon View Post
Didn't think of that! I see you are a moderator. Can you add "(not a)" in front of felon for me, so it reads (not a) felon ??

Might sit better!
But is likely a false statement--for both you and the rest of us! https://smile.amazon.com/Three-Felon...-no-redirect=1

(Welcome, BTW!)
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Old 08-30-2016, 12:40 PM   #6
Confused about dryer sheets
 
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But is likely a false statement--for both you and the rest of us! https://smile.amazon.com/Three-Felon...-no-redirect=1

(Welcome, BTW!)
I'm gonna read that!

How does "unconvicted felon" sound??
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Old 08-30-2016, 05:05 PM   #7
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Welcome Felon
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