Indigo Mule
Recycles dryer sheets
Hello all,
I will quietly lurk, but wanted to introduce myself. I will be turning 49 this month, and plan to retire promptly in six years, when I turn 55. I work in the fiscal office of a K-12 school district as a data wrangler, a high-pressure environment with many demands (which can be quite stressful--especially with the California state and local budget situation of the last few years).
One of the carrots that has kept me at this job is eligibility for employer-paid post-retirement health and dental insurance, from age 55 to 65, for myself and my spouse. Of course, this might be eliminated at any time, but so far it's only been capped, not eliminated.
I'm very much looking forward to retirement, and have a countdown application on my smartphone which I check when I feel especially stressed (2202 days as of this afternoon). I've discussed this with my husband, who says he wants whatever is best for my health and sanity. He and a few of my friends predict I'll be bored within a few months, and soon be working at a new job. I don't think so, though. I have PLENTY of hobbies and interests, and have never defined myself by my job. I joke that I'll have a chance to be a housewife, and surprise him with completed DIY home projects. I plan to retire, take a minimum four-week vacation to de-stress, and then see how my post-work life evolves.
I'm mostly interested in the forum threads that deal with "Life after FIRE", especially the emotional, physical, and mental effects of FIRE. I'm working my way through the archive, gleaning wisdom and refining my plans. It makes me happy to read about others who have achieved--or are actively striving towards--FIRE.
So...hello from the West Coast.
I will quietly lurk, but wanted to introduce myself. I will be turning 49 this month, and plan to retire promptly in six years, when I turn 55. I work in the fiscal office of a K-12 school district as a data wrangler, a high-pressure environment with many demands (which can be quite stressful--especially with the California state and local budget situation of the last few years).
One of the carrots that has kept me at this job is eligibility for employer-paid post-retirement health and dental insurance, from age 55 to 65, for myself and my spouse. Of course, this might be eliminated at any time, but so far it's only been capped, not eliminated.
I'm very much looking forward to retirement, and have a countdown application on my smartphone which I check when I feel especially stressed (2202 days as of this afternoon). I've discussed this with my husband, who says he wants whatever is best for my health and sanity. He and a few of my friends predict I'll be bored within a few months, and soon be working at a new job. I don't think so, though. I have PLENTY of hobbies and interests, and have never defined myself by my job. I joke that I'll have a chance to be a housewife, and surprise him with completed DIY home projects. I plan to retire, take a minimum four-week vacation to de-stress, and then see how my post-work life evolves.
I'm mostly interested in the forum threads that deal with "Life after FIRE", especially the emotional, physical, and mental effects of FIRE. I'm working my way through the archive, gleaning wisdom and refining my plans. It makes me happy to read about others who have achieved--or are actively striving towards--FIRE.
So...hello from the West Coast.
