Three weeks left

setab · 02-10-2006, 10:14 AM

I'm a Boomer, but I can change, if I have to, I guess. Three weeks from today I retire from the Federal Government and I am borderline euphoric! It came a little faster than I thought it would, but I'm not looking back. I have a house payment, some credit card debt and a car payment, but I have a pension of about $55,000, a low six figure balance in my TSP and several offers coming in to work after this. I will, no doubt do a little something, but if I have to, I cash in the TSP, pay off the cards and reinvest the remainder. The best part...the absolute best part...is that from here on out, I am making the decisions about what I do and don't do and those of you who haven't gotten to this point yet have no idea how liberating that is. The only plans I have right now are to shop for new golf clubs this week end. Woo Woo!! And I have to say, reading this board for a few short months has given me the little push I needed. Thanks all.

setab

grumpy · 02-10-2006, 10:27 AM

Setab,

Congratulations and good luck! Don't want to rain on your parade but with house payments, car payments and credit card debt, this might not be the time for new golf clubs.

Grumpy

setab · 02-10-2006, 10:34 AM

Grumpy,

Thanks. Don't worry, I'll be fine. Lots of options out there and just considering them is more fun than what I've been doing.

setab

Nords · 02-10-2006, 12:32 PM

Congrats, Setab!

Watch out for those job offers. They really enhance your ego but they involve an unbelievable amount of... work.

You might find that even being expected to show up in an office two or three times a week is a big conflict with your new commitments & lifestyle, especially having to support a set of high-maintenance golf clubs.

grumpy · 02-10-2006, 01:46 PM

Setab,

I retired from NASA in 2002 and then worked for a NASA contractor two to three days a week for two years until my wife retired. That gave me a nice gradual transition to full retirement. It also allowed me to save big $ since I was collecting my gov't pension and making more working three days a week than I would have made if I had stayed in the civil service. Something to consider.

Grumpy

uncledrz · 02-10-2006, 02:46 PM

Sounds good, enjoy it.

Any plans to pursue new interests? Senior Tour maybe?

setab · 02-10-2006, 05:38 PM

I have lots of plans swirling in my head right now, but I am going to let them settle down before I act on them. I am not a good golfer; I just miss it and want to get back to it. I want to refine my eating habits and drop a bunch of weight, write some, pursue my wine collecting hobby, and maybe, evenwork for a contractor a few days a week, month or whatever. However, I have no firm plans and don't plan to have any for a month or two after March 3. All I can say is, this is exciting and I am ready to move to the next phase of my life.

setab

Spanky · 02-10-2006, 05:48 PM

Congrats - another success RE story of a soon retired federal employee.

Nords · 02-10-2006, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by setab

I have lots of plans swirling in my head right now, but I am going to let them settle down before I act on them.* I am not a good golfer; I just miss it and want to get back to it.* I want to refine my eating habits and drop a bunch of weight, write some, pursue my wine collecting hobby, and maybe, evenwork for a contractor a few days a week, month or whatever.* However, I have no firm plans and don't plan to have any for a month or two after March 3.* All I can say is, this is exciting and I am ready to move to the next phase of my life.

See, you've already answered the "Waddya DO all day" question and you haven't even started ER yet!

Enjoy.

setab · 02-10-2006, 10:11 PM

Nords,

Thanks. You hit on another key point for me. With all I have to do yet, I just don't have time to work anymore.

setab

Helen · 02-11-2006, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nords

Congrats, Setab!

Watch out for those job offers.* They really enhance your ego but they involve an unbelievable amount of... work.*

My ego must not be that big. I know I could land a job once I retire, but no way in hell. 7 years & 3 months to go, but who's countiing ....

02-10-2006, 10:14 AM	#1
setab Recycles dryer sheets Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 388	Three weeks left I'm a Boomer, but I can change, if I have to, I guess. Three weeks from today I retire from the Federal Government and I am borderline euphoric! It came a little faster than I thought it would, but I'm not looking back. I have a house payment, some credit card debt and a car payment, but I have a pension of about $55,000, a low six figure balance in my TSP and several offers coming in to work after this. I will, no doubt do a little something, but if I have to, I cash in the TSP, pay off the cards and reinvest the remainder. The best part...the absolute best part...is that from here on out, I am making the decisions about what I do and don't do and those of you who haven't gotten to this point yet have no idea how liberating that is. The only plans I have right now are to shop for new golf clubs this week end. Woo Woo!! And I have to say, reading this board for a few short months has given me the little push I needed. Thanks all. setab __________________ I told you I'd taunt you a second time.

02-10-2006, 10:27 AM	#2
grumpy Full time employment: Posting here. Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 975	Re: Three weeks left Setab, Congratulations and good luck! Don't want to rain on your parade but with house payments, car payments and credit card debt, this might not be the time for new golf clubs. Grumpy

02-10-2006, 10:34 AM	#3
setab Recycles dryer sheets Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 388	Re: Three weeks left Grumpy, Thanks. Don't worry, I'll be fine. Lots of options out there and just considering them is more fun than what I've been doing. setab __________________ I told you I'd taunt you a second time.

02-10-2006, 12:32 PM	#4
Nords Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Oahu Posts: 15,751	Re: Three weeks left Congrats, Setab! Watch out for those job offers. They really enhance your ego but they involve an unbelievable amount of... work. You might find that even being expected to show up in an office two or three times a week is a big conflict with your new commitments & lifestyle, especially having to support a set of high-maintenance golf clubs. __________________ * * For more info see "About Me" in my profile.

02-10-2006, 01:46 PM	#5
grumpy Full time employment: Posting here. Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 975	Re: Three weeks left Setab, I retired from NASA in 2002 and then worked for a NASA contractor two to three days a week for two years until my wife retired. That gave me a nice gradual transition to full retirement. It also allowed me to save big $ since I was collecting my gov't pension and making more working three days a week than I would have made if I had stayed in the civil service. Something to consider. Grumpy

02-10-2006, 02:46 PM	#6
uncledrz Full time employment: Posting here. Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 548	Re: Three weeks left Sounds good, enjoy it. Any plans to pursue new interests? Senior Tour maybe?

02-10-2006, 05:38 PM	#7
setab Recycles dryer sheets Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 388	Re: Three weeks left I have lots of plans swirling in my head right now, but I am going to let them settle down before I act on them. I am not a good golfer; I just miss it and want to get back to it. I want to refine my eating habits and drop a bunch of weight, write some, pursue my wine collecting hobby, and maybe, evenwork for a contractor a few days a week, month or whatever. However, I have no firm plans and don't plan to have any for a month or two after March 3. All I can say is, this is exciting and I am ready to move to the next phase of my life. setab __________________ I told you I'd taunt you a second time.

02-10-2006, 05:48 PM	#8
Spanky Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 2,784	Re: Three weeks left Congrats - another success RE story of a soon retired federal employee. __________________ May we live in peace and harmony and be free from all human sufferings.

02-10-2006, 10:11 PM	#10
setab Recycles dryer sheets Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 388	Re: Three weeks left Nords, Thanks. You hit on another key point for me. With all I have to do yet, I just don't have time to work anymore. setab __________________ I told you I'd taunt you a second time.

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