Another 'Knowing When it's Time' article
- Thread starter ERhoosier
- Start date
ziggy29
Moderator Emeritus
For those who really have to make the decision and are facing "one more year syndrome", yeah. There's a lot to think about and a lot of tradeoffs to be made between "freedom" and economic security.
Folks like me didn't have a decision to make. Folks like me get laid off, fortunately just after DW started a new career that's off to a good start, go to FIRECalc and other resources and run the numbers, and realize.... I don't HAVE to throw my hat back into the ring unless I want to and it's something I want to do and mostly on my terms.
Folks like me didn't have a decision to make. Folks like me get laid off, fortunately just after DW started a new career that's off to a good start, go to FIRECalc and other resources and run the numbers, and realize.... I don't HAVE to throw my hat back into the ring unless I want to and it's something I want to do and mostly on my terms.
Major Tom
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
I quite envy the people who had the choice of whether to succumb to OMY syndrome, or whether to pull the plug. I had originally planned to work another 5-10 years but like ziggy, the choice was made for me when my company went out of business. I tried, but couldn't quite muster the mojo to work again. For whatever reason, my get up and go had got up and gone.
robnplunder
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Did it work out for you?
Ready
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
While the decision to quit was mine, I would have to say that I lost my mojo to work again as well. I just don't have it in me anymore to go into an office five days a week and have my life revolve around a job.
If you had asked me a few years ago, I would have said I plan to work easily until my 60's because I love to work and couldn't imagine not working and having so much free time on my hands. My how things can change so drastically in just a few years! I never would have seen this coming. But I'm very happy with my decision. No regrets.
If you had asked me a few years ago, I would have said I plan to work easily until my 60's because I love to work and couldn't imagine not working and having so much free time on my hands. My how things can change so drastically in just a few years! I never would have seen this coming. But I'm very happy with my decision. No regrets.
Major Tom
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
So far, yes, but it's really too early to tell. I stopped work in 2009, and began portfolio withdrawals in 2011. The market has been very kind to us in the last few years, so I'll wait a while longer before declaring this experiment a success.What helped it work has been maintaining a fairly low material standard of living (cheap apartment, no car etc). This was a lifestyle I had been practicing while working anyway, so it doesn't feel like a sacrifice.
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Midpack
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
All hypothetical as the author hasn't retired and presumably had a very well paying career (30 years in Silicon Valley) with more choices than the average Joe or Jane, but well thought out, and I wish him the best. Odds are he'll be fine...
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Major Tom
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
I bet there's a guy somewhere who works in a Burger King or MacDonalds in San Jose or nearby, who tells his friends he's had a long career in Silicon Valley just to impress 'em
