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So I cross the line... Should I tell others?
09-22-2019, 06:56 AM
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#1
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Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 521
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So I cross the line... Should I tell others?
In a recent MegaCorp reorg, my position was eliminated and I was given a nice package to leave the company. I've been working on my FI plans for almost a decade now, so this was a very welcomed and hoped outcome.
I am planning to tell my and DW's immediate family. Yesterday, I was meeting with my friends and I was torn on whether to say something. I decided to not mention it for fear any unnecessary reactions.
For those who finally pulled the trigger, how did you handle this? And did others react the way you thought they would? Also, I haven't hit 50, if age plays a role in this.
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09-22-2019, 07:17 AM
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#2
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Syracuse
Posts: 3,502
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Congrats.
I let close friends and relatives know I was retired. Casual friends were just told I had left Mega. I did look for some work in unrelated areas and found nothing, so it was both true.
__________________
“No, not rich. I am a poor man with money, which is not the same thing"
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09-22-2019, 07:19 AM
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#3
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,884
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It's really not a secret you can keep for very long, and you can't control how others react.
Best to just let people know.
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09-22-2019, 07:31 AM
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#4
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Moderator
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 13,920
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I had the exact same situation. My family already knew my plans to ER and hopes that I would have a package so it was not a surprise and they congratulated me.
Close friends same. If you don't think they'd be happy for you and positive about it, maybe they aren't close enough to know.
Anyone outside that group? nunya...
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09-22-2019, 07:33 AM
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#5
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,912
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My take is that this is their problem not mine.
It is unclear to why some people are so concerned about what others may think about their early retirement plans. It is not something over which we have any control so why sweat the small stuff.
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09-22-2019, 07:37 AM
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#6
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 13,227
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Depends on how close the friends are. I probably would. If you're worried about unnecessary reactions, better for you to tell the story and control the narrative. They'll find out anyway, and there will be speculation on why you didn't say anything. "Must've been something bad..."
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09-22-2019, 07:48 AM
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#7
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Cholula
Posts: 1,595
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brett
My take is that this is their problem not mine.
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+1
I was outta sh*ts to give when it came to what others might think of my retirement.
__________________
“Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. That way, you’ll be a mile from them, and you’ll have their shoes.” – Jack Handey
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09-22-2019, 08:27 AM
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#8
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 2,692
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If you really care what casual "friends" think then just tell them you were let go or left as part of recent reorg and now taking time off to explore options. After a while their figure it out.....
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09-22-2019, 08:31 AM
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#9
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,139
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You are planning to tell your wife? Don't you think she should be part of the decision process? As far as anyone else, I wouldn't concern myself with what they think. You have your life to live and they have theirs. Seriously, how much thought do you really give to how others live their lives? People really don't think about others as much as we would like to think they do.
__________________
And whatever your labors and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.- Desiderata by Max Ehrmann
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09-22-2019, 08:38 AM
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#10
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Moderator
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 13,920
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MissMolly
You are planning to tell your wife? People really don't think about others as much as we would like to think they do.
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OP said "DW's family".
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09-22-2019, 08:39 AM
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#11
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,139
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Ah. So he did. My apologies.
Edited to add: I see that the OP edited his original post. I am pretty certain that the original post said he was planning to tell DW and has since been edited to say DW's family. I read it more than once, so I am really pretty sure I didn't read it wrong every time.
__________________
And whatever your labors and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.- Desiderata by Max Ehrmann
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09-22-2019, 08:44 AM
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#12
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Moderator
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 9,176
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MissMolly
Ah. So he did. My apologies.
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I read it the same way at first, which lead me to think the OP hadn’t actually left work yet, which was why there was a question. Once I left work, I didn’t care who knew. I’d tell people I care about right away. Others as it came up.
__________________
Every day when I open my eyes now it feels like a Saturday - David Gray
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09-22-2019, 08:52 AM
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#13
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,192
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Like all things, you can either tell them and they hear the truth about what happened and most will be happy, many will be envious... or you don't say anything, people will gossip, who knows what stories will come out.
Ok people will always gossip but at least no one is worrying about the fact you can't find a job. I told my close inner circle and I assumed it will just trickle out as it usually does. 5 years later I still get a lot of pings on my LinkedIn where I think people are just curious if I really really retired, if you are under 50 that is probably the most likely outcome. People will be happy for you but skeptical that it will really work out.
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09-22-2019, 09:06 AM
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#14
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 17,774
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Definitely tell your families first so they don't hear it from your friends (hey it could happen). Celebrate it with them. I don't know what "unnecessary reactions" from your friends would be, but it's your life, your decisions, not theirs; if they're not thrilled for you, that's okay.
__________________
“Would you like an adventure now, or would you like to have your tea first?” J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan
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09-22-2019, 09:36 AM
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#15
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Beaverton
Posts: 1,382
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You didn't mention your age though I don't think that really matters. I'm not sure what the hesitation is in telling others your situation. I was laid off twice during tough economic times early in my career and also retired early. In all those instances I informed my family and friends pretty early on.
__________________
Jump in, the water's warm.
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09-22-2019, 09:51 AM
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#16
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Texas
Posts: 10,932
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Your job was eliminated... Not your fault and it sounds like that's what you wanted anyway. I wouldn't brag about it to them but I'd tell them in "it's a matter of fact" way. Personally, I wouldn't be concerned about what others say or think anyway. YMMV. At your age they may be curious if you are going to look for work somewhere else so I'd be ready for that question.
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09-22-2019, 11:53 AM
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#17
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 14,328
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Since you essentially got fired with a golden parachute, play the victim. Look real sad and ask if anyone knows who is hiring, like Walmart greeters, for example. Wear your oldest clothes when you go out.
Schedule a month long trip to Hawaii "to look for work".
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So I cross the line... Should I tell others?
09-22-2019, 12:05 PM
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#18
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gone traveling
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 249
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So I cross the line... Should I tell others?
Quote:
Originally Posted by brett
My take is that this is their problem not mine.
It is unclear to why some people are so concerned about what others may think about their early retirement plans. It is not something over which we have any control so why sweat the small stuff.
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+1
Well said
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09-22-2019, 12:21 PM
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#19
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Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Phoenix
Posts: 328
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brett
It is unclear to why some people are so concerned about what others may think about their early retirement plans.
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+1. I guess if you are the kind of person who constantly frets about what others think about you, then this is another example of that. But I would think that most people who have planned for FI, are not that kind of person.
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09-22-2019, 12:31 PM
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#20
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Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 485
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Best way:
Hey everyone, I got fired, really strapped for cash. Going to start a Go Fund Me page..please consider helping if you can during this trying time.
Problem solved.
__________________
Central Ohio and Ft.Myers, Florida
Retired January 2019, age 63
35/65 AA
0.00 WR
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