The Class of 2011

[Purron]

 

[Arnie]

Why be normal .... Exactly ... especially when you can get a drink and a bath at the same time.

 

[steelyman]

It is so nice to see the names turn to green in Midpack's list. I hope those who enter the FIRE crowd remember to keep us up to date on how it's going for them!

 

[braumeister]

Average age of this group is 55.52 years. Just thought this was interesting.

There must be something special about that age.

My FIRE date was when I was roughly that exact age. I had always had it in the back of my mind that 55 was the right age to retire, and even though it was more a matter of circumstances than planning, I did it when I wanted to. That was nearly 10 years ago, and I've been happier in the last decade than ever before in my life.

 

[dessert]

It is so nice to see the names turn to green in Midpack's list. I hope those who enter the FIRE crowd remember to keep us up to date on how it's going for them!

I thought I would weigh in on "how it's going" so far.
I spent all last week fishing and on the last day, everyone else had to hurry and get back home (3 hour drive). I decided to use my first retirement privilege and simply chill out, have a cold one and stay another night. I could drive back the next day because I did not have to go to W**k. Since I've been back I've simply been cleaning up, taking care of chores, getting some maintenance done etc.
Today I opened my "rollover IRA" and am in the process of rolling my 401K into the IRA account (all at Fidelity). This weekend I am cooking Easter Dinner for DW's family and so will be cleaning up tomorrow with the power washer now that the spring pollen and caterpillars are done with.
The bottom line is that I sleep until I wake up and do whatever I want to do whenever I want to do it. Feels doggone good at this point.
Next on the agenda is a week long cruise out of N.O. to Key West and the Bahamas at the end of April. I'm not complaining.

 

[bizlady]

So how do we make it the green!? Some one needs to mark a 4-11-2011 after my handle!

 

[steelyman]

I thought I would weigh in on "how it's going" so far.
I spent all last week fishing and on the last day, everyone else had to hurry and get back home (3 hour drive). I decided to use my first retirement privilege and simply chill out, have a cold one and stay another night. I could drive back the next day because I did not have to go to W**k. Since I've been back I've simply been cleaning up, taking care of chores, getting some maintenance done etc.
Today I opened my "rollover IRA" and am in the process of rolling my 401K into the IRA account (all at Fidelity). This weekend I am cooking Easter Dinner for DW's family and so will be cleaning up tomorrow with the power washer now that the spring pollen and caterpillars are done with.
The bottom line is that I sleep until I wake up and do whatever I want to do whenever I want to do it. Feels doggone good at this point.
Next on the agenda is a week long cruise out of N.O. to Key West and the Bahamas at the end of April. I'm not complaining.

One word: sweet!

Good for you.

 

[steelyman]

afntrn56 (55) 11/30
Arnie (55) 7/15
bizlady (55) 4/11
bob boag (55) 7/1
casky (58) 6/29
chinaco (55)
cj (56) 5/1
dessert (60) 3/31
frugal-one (??)
heyduke (55) 3/1
Jacmac (53) 1/1
Jacmac DH (56) 5/31
jimbohoward69 (41)
JmfromTx (56) 1/31
KingB (62) 1/31
KingB DW (63) 4/1
kwblack (54) 1/1
martyp (55) 3/1
Midpack (57) 6/30
NeverBored (59) 6/30
NW Landlady DH (55) 5/31
OhSoClose (54) 6/6
Packman (54) 5/31
Prototype (55) 1/15
Purron DH (55) 3/1
RunningBum (49) 3/15
Sixteen Tons (57) 5/1
Skye (62) 1/1
Southern Geek (55) 7/4
steelyman (53) 8/15
TodaysTheDay (55) 3/14
zaqxsw (57) 8/15

 

[cj]

I'm beginning to feel it - I have one more day to work (next Tuesday) and this month, easing out, I've been working only one day per week. I'm getting caught up on my pent-up list of must-do's at home and taking care of my parents. Yesterday, I went to my knitting circle (I'm a compulsive knitter), followed by some exercise and then lunch. Came home, straightened out a few things, and sat and read a book for awhile. DH came home from work (poor guy) and we went out for a nice long walk. Dinner, Seinfeld reruns, American Idol, then bedtime. Seriously, I could get used to this!!!

 

[Midpack]

Thanks for the updates dessert and bizlady. And it appears we have two new inductees just days away - cj (thanks for the post) and Sixteen Tons...

 

[heyduke]

i too will chime in on how our post retirement is so far....

Simply Mahhhhvelllousss.....

 

[cj]

I'll let you know TOMORROW! I'm sitting at my desk, it's my last day, "happy retirement" banners hanging from my ceiling. It's surreal!!

 

[REWahoo]

I'll let you know TOMORROW! I'm sitting at my desk, it's my last day, "happy retirement" banners hanging from my ceiling. It's surreal!!

It doesn't get much better than that - until tomorrow!!!

 

[Midpack]

It's surreal!!

I can only imagine. CONGRATS!!!

 

[JmfromTx]

I'll let you know TOMORROW! I'm sitting at my desk, it's my last day, "happy retirement" banners hanging from my ceiling. It's surreal!!

Very nice. Nothing like leaving on your own terms. Don't forget to turn the alarm clock off.

 

[cj]

Very nice. Nothing like leaving on your own terms. Don't forget to turn the alarm clock off.

LOL, no problem here!!! I'll just tell DH not to make any noise in the morning.

I had a great day. A nice, relaxing lunch in a conf. room, shooting the breeze and talking about old times. I was answering work-related questions until I left, ten whole minutes earlier than usual. It was a very happy time, everyone wished me well.

OK, can someone turn me GREEN??

 

[JmfromTx]

Here you go

afntrn56 (55) 11/30
Arnie (55) 7/15
bizlady (55) 4/11
bob boag (55) 7/1
casky (58) 6/29
chinaco (55)
cj (56) 5/1
dessert (60) 3/31
frugal-one (??)
heyduke (55) 3/1
Jacmac (53) 1/1
Jacmac DH (56) 5/31
jimbohoward69 (41)
JmfromTx (56) 1/31
KingB (62) 1/31
KingB DW (63) 4/1
kwblack (54) 1/1
martyp (55) 3/1
Midpack (57) 6/30
NeverBored (59) 6/30
NW Landlady DH (55) 5/31
OhSoClose (54) 6/6
Packman (54) 5/31
Prototype (55) 1/15
Purron DH (55) 3/1
RunningBum (49) 3/15
Sixteen Tons (57) 5/1
Skye (62) 1/1
Southern Geek (55) 7/4
steelyman (53) 8/15
TodaysTheDay (55) 3/14
zaqxsw (57) 8/15

 

[dessert]

I'll let you know TOMORROW! I'm sitting at my desk, it's my last day, "happy retirement" banners hanging from my ceiling. It's surreal!!

Congratulations CJ. I know how you are feeling. I'm 3+ weeks into retirement and am enjoying each day.
This class of 2011 is growing quickly.

 

[steelyman]

cj was missing the little happy wave. This is starting to look like a bunch of people standing on the deck of a cruise ship as it sails away

afntrn56 (55) 11/30
Arnie (55) 7/15
bizlady (55) 4/11
bob boag (55) 7/1
casky (58) 6/29
chinaco (55)
cj (56) 5/1
dessert (60) 3/31
frugal-one (??)
heyduke (55) 3/1
Jacmac (53) 1/1
Jacmac DH (56) 5/31
jimbohoward69 (41)
JmfromTx (56) 1/31
KingB (62) 1/31
KingB DW (63) 4/1
kwblack (54) 1/1
martyp (55) 3/1
Midpack (57) 6/30
NeverBored (59) 6/30
NW Landlady DH (55) 5/31
OhSoClose (54) 6/6
Packman (54) 5/31
Prototype (55) 1/15
Purron DH (55) 3/1
RunningBum (49) 3/15
Sixteen Tons (57) 5/1
Skye (62) 1/1
Southern Geek (55) 7/4
steelyman (53) 8/15
TodaysTheDay (55) 3/14
zaqxsw (57) 8/15

 

[zaqxsw]

Great thread and congrats to all!

I'm sitting in my office right now literally "drooling" for 8/15/11 to come around. Just the first couple of hours of craziness here already today is really reinenforcing that I've made the right decision. Every time I doubt my decision, it get gets driven home that I have to do this!

Announcing in 1-2 weeks.

 

[zaqxsw]

Oh, note the conflicting dates between what I said in my post as my last day and my signature...... I get paid on the 15th and the 31st.

I'm reporting off sick on 8/15/11 (a Monday)! First sick day in 30+ years and I'm actually going to call the VP that Monday morning and report off. My last, poor joke.

 

[Midpack]

Congrats cj. I have 45 work days left, not that I'm counting...

 

[Beryl]

Retired a couple of months ago.

afntrn56 (55) 11/30
Arnie (55) 7/15
Beryl (56) 1/31
bizlady (55) 4/11
bob boag (55) 7/1
casky (58) 6/29
chinaco (55)
cj (56) 5/1
dessert (60) 3/31
frugal-one (??)
heyduke (55) 3/1
Jacmac (53) 1/1
Jacmac DH (56) 5/31
jimbohoward69 (41)
JmfromTx (56) 1/31
KingB (62) 1/31
KingB DW (63) 4/1
kwblack (54) 1/1
martyp (55) 3/1
Midpack (57) 6/30
NeverBored (59) 6/30
NW Landlady DH (55) 5/31
OhSoClose (54) 6/6
Packman (54) 5/31
Prototype (55) 1/15
Purron DH (55) 3/1
RunningBum (49) 3/15
Sixteen Tons (57) 5/1
Skye (62) 1/1
Southern Geek (55) 7/4
steelyman (53) 8/15
TodaysTheDay (55) 3/14
zaqxsw (57) 8/15

 

[jerryo]

So how to you get added to this list?

JerryO(61) planning to retire 8/31 and (likely) move to the Philippines (where my DW has an offer too good to refuse)!

 

[Midpack]

Happy to add you...

afntrn56 (55) 11/30
Arnie (55) 7/15
Beryl (56) 1/31
bizlady (55) 4/11
bob boag (55) 7/1
casky (58) 6/29
chinaco (55)
cj (56) 5/1
dessert (60) 3/31
frugal-one (??)
heyduke (55) 3/1
Jacmac (53) 1/1
Jacmac DH (56) 5/31
jimbohoward69 (41)
jerryo (61) 8/31
JmfromTx (56) 1/31
KingB (62) 1/31
KingB DW (63) 4/1
kwblack (54) 1/1
martyp (55) 3/1
Midpack (57) 6/30
NeverBored (59) 6/30
NW Landlady DH (55) 5/31
OhSoClose (54) 6/6
Packman (54) 5/31
Prototype (55) 1/15
Purron DH (55) 3/1
RunningBum (49) 3/15
Sixteen Tons (57) 5/1
Skye (62) 1/1
Southern Geek (55) 7/4
steelyman (53) 8/15
TodaysTheDay (55) 3/14
zaqxsw (57) 8/15