The Class of 2011

[heirloom]

What does FIRE stand for??

I'm 61 1/2 and will be retiring plus receiving a severance pay because my job is being eliminated..

Plus, my husband is thinking about putting his 2 wks notice in. This is kind of scarry, from 2 incomes to 2 pension checks!! But if he wants to, we will find a way.

Last year we were at camp taking a walk in early evening and I told him "I could live with this". Enjoying the sunset, starting to exercise more and enjoying it, not worrying about getting back home to get ready for work. Plus, a coulple friends have been waiting for this day so we can travel together more.

Were any of you leary before you first retired?

 

[JmfromTx]

I'm 61 1/2 and will be retiring plus receiving a severance pay because my job is being eliminated..

Plus, my husband is thinking about putting his 2 wks notice in. This is kind of scarry, from 2 incomes to 2 pension checks!! But if he wants to, we will find a way.

Last year we were at camp taking a walk in early evening and I told him "I could live with this". Enjoying the sunset, starting to exercise more and enjoying it, not worrying about getting back home to get ready for work. Plus, a coulple friends have been waiting for this day so we can travel together more.

Were any of you leary before you first retired?

Hi Heirloom. I did six months of intense homework on the money side before I put in 2 months notice. I felt I was OK there. I was slightly apprehensive about how I would feel not working anymore and that's going fine too. Be sure and browse the forum including the faq's. There is a lot of good information that will help you.

 

[NeverBored]

I'm 61 1/2 and will be retiring plus receiving a severance pay because my job is being eliminated..

Plus, my husband is thinking about putting his 2 wks notice in. This is kind of scarry, from 2 incomes to 2 pension checks!! But if he wants to, we will find a way.

Last year we were at camp taking a walk in early evening and I told him "I could live with this". Enjoying the sunset, starting to exercise more and enjoying it, not worrying about getting back home to get ready for work. Plus, a coulple friends have been waiting for this day so we can travel together more.

Were any of you leary before you first retired?

Not financially; I've prepared and researched a ton, and am sure we'll be fine. DH isn't as convinced as I am, but he's pretty much a pessimist anyway. We don't feel or live wealthy, but are very diversified in our income streams, and probably will not tap portfolio income until we are forced to take RMD. We have health insurance (one of the reasons I stayed in my career 35 years) and are fairly healthy.

I'm excited too -- I've started riding my bike early every morning before leaving for the office and that alone is really helping me through the lame duck days. We enjoy riding together and are planning to ride a lot this summer. We've gotten a bit into birding, which is working nicely into our photography/biking/painting hobbies and have met some nice people in our local Audubon group.

Sounds like you and your DH will enjoy your time together. I'm hoping my DH will let go of his "the sky is falling or if it isn't, it could!" mantra and enjoy what we've worked hard to get. I'm seeing some encouraging signs lately.

 

[Midpack]

I'm 61 1/2 and will be retiring plus receiving a severance pay because my job is being eliminated...

Congrats heirloom! I'm not quite yet retired so I can't answer credibly - but can we add you to the list (example below) and do you have a date we can enter?

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 (??)
heirloom (61½) date unknown
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) 8/12

 

[REattempt]

FIreD

Ok, I don't know the protocol, but I added myself to the list. Since about 16, my goal was age 45. Would have made it except for a **vorce. Saving and planning for years. I now have about 60 days to figure out healthcare, restructuring assets and deciding what to do for the summer. Also been following, with great interest, the thread on anxiety with early retirement. Given that this happened really quickly, i.e. found out today that changes that are coming that move me from the class of 2015 to 2011, so I'm facing a new (happy) reality that I wasn't quite ready for....

Now the REAL QUESTION is how to I change my login from REattempt to REsuccess? Any good ideas?

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 (??)
heirloom (61½) date unknown
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) 8/12
REattempt (46) 7/30

 

[Packman]

Welcome to the group heirloom and reattempt! I can almost guarantee that as the time draws closer, you will be more and more confident in your paths. When I have had those moments of second guesses, I've come to this site and, voila - I'm feeling great again!

 

[Midpack]

Welcome aboard REattempt, thanks for adding your info...I just moved you into alphabetical. This list is getting long enough so it's helpful.

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 (??)
heirloom (61½) date unknown
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
REattempt (46) 7/30
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) 8/12

 

[OhSoClose]

Only three weeks of w*rk left! I turned in my Blackberry today, and on the commuter rail ride home I opened up my backpack to pull the berry out, and it wasn't there . . . . Very strange. Very exciting!

OhSoClose is really, finally, ohsoclose

 

[norske69]

Long time lurking, first time posting. I have learned alot from this forum.
Went to part time in 2008 and now full time retirement on 6/13/2011.
I am ready and very happy!

 

[Midpack]

Welcome aboard norske69, you've been added to the list (except age)...

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 (??)
heirloom (61½) date unknown
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
norske69 (??) 6/13
NW Landlady DH (55) 5/31
OhSoClose (54) 6/6
Packman (54) 5/31
Prototype (55) 1/15
Purron DH (55) 3/1
REattempt (46) 7/30
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) 8/12

 

[norske69]

Age - 59

 

[Midpack]

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 (??)
heirloom (61½) date unknown
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
norske69 (59) 6/13
NW Landlady DH (55) 5/31
OhSoClose (54) 6/6
Packman (54) 5/31
Prototype (55) 1/15
Purron DH (55) 3/1
REattempt (46) 7/30
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) 8/12

 

[steelyman]

A secondary milestone for me today - I handed in my formal resignation, which technically is 3 months notice. However, with 24 vacation days, two holidays, two "flex days", a conference sprinkled in, and of course weekends, it turns out I only have 34 days left actually at the desk. It's feeling close!

 

[Midpack]

It's feeling close!

That's because it is close, just the blink of an eye in a lifetime. Congrats!

 

[steelyman]

Thanks, Midpack - and again thanks for keeping this thread in line and updated. It is one of my favorite on e-r.org (geeee, I wonder why?).

I just happened to stumble across a thread from a little while ago that I thought was interesting. Turns out it's one of the most-viewed of all time!

http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f29/want2retire-is-retired-47241.html

My observation is that it doesn't take too long for anyone who starts looking at e-r.org to get a feel for who are the most influential people and this thread is a great one for seeing a) a little bit of background, and b) learning more about people who have blazed the way.

W2R: if you see this, hope you approve of the reuse

 

[W2R]

Gee, I didn't think that thread would ever come up again! What happy memories. Thanks.

 

[cj]

A secondary milestone for me today - I handed in my formal resignation, which technically is 3 months notice. However, with 24 vacation days, two holidays, two "flex days", a conference sprinkled in, and of course weekends, it turns out I only have 34 days left actually at the desk. It's feeling close!

... but who's counting ? ? ?

 

[steelyman]

... but who's counting ? ? ?

Could it be.... Satan?

Wait, wrong venue. How about: everyone who hasn't hit it yet?

 

[Packman]

Only two weeks left for me before ER. Actually, I'm taking some days off to use some PTO time, so it's only 6 work days to go. I'm starting to think about that last day - should I do a dance in the parking lot? Should I just quietly walk away smiling? Should i walk around and shake everyone's hand, to gloat?

Actually it's not my style to do anything different than most any other day. I will say so long to my closest co-workers and wish them well. Actually, I may leave about 11:00 on the 31st and have lunch with my DW, like W2R did (what a nice thread!).

There is some sadness as I have begun to clean out the office and come across some old memorabilia. Throwing away 22 years of effort is somewhat sobering. But I am truly excited about the new horizons and I have everyone on these boards to thank for keeping me grounded and upbeat. I'll let you all know how that last day turns out!

 

[steelyman]

There is some sadness as I have begun to clean out the office and come across some old memorabilia. Throwing away 22 years of effort is somewhat sobering. But I am truly excited about the new horizons and I have everyone on these boards to thank for keeping me grounded and upbeat. I'll let you all know how that last day turns out!

I took the opportunity over the lull between Christmas and New Year's to do the cleaning bit. Since then, my office, while functional, has looked as clean as the console of a spaceship on some Star Trek episode

Please do let us know how your last day goes; I bet you'll handle it just fine no matter what. No need to gloat, though - I think lunch sounds better.

 

[zaqxsw]

Golly, who would be counting? By the time I post, this will be 087:08:03:32..................

 

[heirloom]

Hi Midpack,

Sure, you can add my name to the list.
June 1st is the big day!!

I'm more relaxed abou the decison now. I signed the papers on Tuesday and that night I started getting a headache while watching the finance shows. Aspirin didn't help so I decided to walk the mall and my stomach started to knot up. STRESS!!

So, I told Rick we have to wait one or two months before he signs up so we don't do it cold turkey. That's why he is waiting until July.

But...since he's waiting I am definately more comfortable. I'm sure it will all work out, just have to do it one at a time.

 

[Midpack]

Just another routine update, feel free to add/edit yourselves...

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 (??)
heirloom (61½) 6/1
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
norske69 (59) 6/13
NW Landlady DH (55) 5/31
OhSoClose (54) 6/6
Packman (54) 5/31
Prototype (55) 1/15
Purron DH (55) 3/1
REattempt (46) 7/30
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) 8/12

 

[JJPIES60]

Looks like I'm joining the class of 2011. I was planning on Jan 2012, but due to hugh budget cuts from the State of Calif., I waived my senority and took a layoff. So burnt out! I am ready to leave. Add me to the list--age 61, retire date 7/15/2011. Wheee!

 

[JDARNELL]

Add me also. Last day of active duty Air Force is 10/28 total of 21 yrs 3 months. Last day in the office will be around 7/10. Oh yeah age 43. Have couples massage scheduled with CINC house Tues, lunch date with her and some light shopping on Wed, then I actually had to schedule a breakfast on Friday with her to compare calendars, lay out honey-do list, and vacation plans. Kids out of school Friday at 1500.

Tomcat98