Class of 2017

Graduation Day

Today is my first official day of retirement. Now I'm just waiting for the dust to settle on the financial side, so I can implement my budget plan and get down to some serious retiree stuff.:dance:
 
Today is my first official day of retirement. Now I'm just waiting for the dust to settle on the financial side, so I can implement my budget plan and get down to some serious retiree stuff.:dance:

Congratulations!
 
Congratulations to everyone who has FIRED so far in 2017! Enjoy!

Please remove me from the list for May 2017 - and re-enter me for May 2018 (age 62). Yes, OMY! But it's my first mulligan....(should there be a rule you can only OMY once?). I'm hoping its sooner rather than later. I recently posted my update on the Introduction Forum.

In a nutshell, I've hit my target $ goal, and I left MegaCorp a few months ago to join a boutique type of firm in my industry three months ago to help them grow their business. I knew the people - so thought I'd give it a shot.
 
Class of 2017

January
- Pedidiva 1/1/17 age 58
- doneat54 – 1/4/2017 age 54
- rrufus – 1/6/2017
- Hillbilly – 1/6/2017
- GSMAN - 1/13/2017, age 56
- PaddyMac – 1/14/2017, age 55
- Paracelsus – 1/1/2017, age 55
- coveredbridge - 1/20/17, age 55
- jwr62 – 1/31/2017
- TNBound - 1/31/17, age 57
- Retire2017 – 1/31/2017, age 56
- gayl – 1/31/2017
- redduck, age 72

February
- Gazingus – 2/1/2017, age 55
- duckcalldan – 2/10/2017, age 53
- geeky_grrl - 2/10/2017, age 45
- Stratman - 2/10/17, age 62

March
- Johnora – 3/1/2017, age 52
- GalaxyBoy - 3/3/17, age 57
- Sasset – 3/6/2016, almost age 56
- jrwinfla – 3/15/2017, age 56
- Yogi Bear – 3/24/2017, age 57
- DrRoy – 3/31/2017
- Golden Sunsets- sometime in March, age 68
- Choices' DH 3/31/17, age 65

April
- JohnnyBGoode – 4/1/2017, age 50
- Lucantes – 4/2/2017, age 50
- Bklyn55 - 4/21/2017, age 56
- chief04010 – 4/29/2017, age 59 ½
- MuirWannabe - age 55
- JohnM - Sometime in April, age 50

May
- T-Minus - 5/11/2017 - age 56
- ccourt9283 – 5/31/2017, age 62
- Rdub- 5/?/17, age 47

June
- GreenER – 6/1/2017, age 55
- Oneparkatatime - 6/2/2017, age 57
- timo2 - 6/10/2017, age 64
- Argus - 6/16/2017, age 55
- LRDave – 6/30/2017, age 59
- Red Badger – 6/30/2017
- Joe0401 – 6/30/17, age 60
- candrew - age 59 ½
- jollystomper - age 59
- Rickt - age 57
- windyblonde DH

July
- Arkgolfer – 7/1/2017, age 49
- Bikechuck – 7/7/2017, age 64 1/12
- capjak – 7/7/2017, age 55
- DanD76 - 7/14/2017, age 59.5
- 2017ish - 7/28/2017, age 57

August
- Retire52 - 8/26/2017, age 48
- dixonge, age 56
- BlueAFMom - 8/14/2017, age 49
- cme4oil - 8/31/2017, age 61

September
- ABQ2015 – 9/16/2017, age 62
- KimInWis – 9/30/2017, age 56
- fishvt - age 55
- wmackey

October
- Indigo Mule – 10/31/2017, age 55
- MOSAT - 10/1-13/2017, age 62
- RetireAge50 - 10/10/2017, age 50
- Marc – 10/20/2017, age 59 11/12

November
- CANTW8, 11/24/2017

December
- Marco – 12/31/2017, age 56 1/2
- Clover5 - 12/31/2017, age 56
- Revlefty
- neihn, age 57

Month TBD
- HawkeyeNFO
- KrissK – late 2017
- Tdv2 - end 2017, age 54
- Future FIREe, age 55
- Montecfo, age 57
 
Some OMM here :) ... my new target is July 2017.
 
I added some people: amomynous, rjsob58, StaceyR, freetodream and updated some dates. Congrats to all who have already graduated!

I'm getting antsy and sometimes depressed because I don't want to be at work. Time seems to be dragging most days but other days I feel like I'm getting close (this is week 22 and counting down!). Yesterday was my midyear performance appraisal. I got a 10 hour time off award for one project as I won't be sticking around long enough to get that big annual bonus at the end of the year (e.g., $800 before taxes :LOL:). I have about 8 weeks of annual leave that I had planned to cash out. But if it gets too tough, I want to start using it and my boss said he would be okay with that. Next week I have a 2 day retirement planning course so that should be fun. Cheers!


Class of 2017

January
- Pedidiva 1/1/17 age 58
- doneat54 – 1/4/2017 age 54
- rrufus – 1/6/2017
- Hillbilly – 1/6/2017
- GSMAN - 1/13/2017, age 56
- PaddyMac – 1/14/2017, age 55
- Paracelsus – 1/1/2017, age 55
- coveredbridge - 1/20/17, age 55
- jwr62 – 1/31/2017
- TNBound - 1/31/17, age 57
- Retire2017 – 1/31/2017, age 56
- gayl – 1/31/2017
- redduck, age 72

February
- Gazingus – 2/1/2017, age 55
- duckcalldan – 2/10/2017, age 53
- geeky_grrl - 2/10/2017, age 45
- Stratman - 2/10/17, age 62

March
- Johnora – 3/1/2017, age 52
- GalaxyBoy - 3/3/17, age 57
- Sasset – 3/6/2016, almost age 56
- jrwinfla – 3/15/2017, age 56
- Yogi Bear – 3/24/2017, age 57
- DrRoy – 3/31/2017
- Golden Sunsets- sometime in March, age 68
- Choices' DH 3/31/17, age 65

April
- Lucantes – 4/2/2017, age 50
- MuirWannabe – 4/7/2017, age 55
- rjsob58 – 4/7/2017, age 59
- StaceyR – 4/7/2017, age 59.5
- Bklyn55 - 4/21/2017, age 56
- chief04010 – 4/29/2017, age 59.5
- JohnM - Sometime in April, age 50

May
- JohnnyBGoode – 5/5/2017, age 50
- T-Minus - 5/11/2017 - age 56
- ccourt9283 – 5/31/2017, age 62
- Rdub- 5/?/17, age 47

June
- GreenER – 6/1/2017, age 55
- Oneparkatatime - 6/2/2017, age 57
- Freetodream – 6/2/2017, age 62
- timo2 - 6/10/2017, age 64
- Argus - 6/16/2017, age 55
- Amomynous – 6/23/2017, age 51
- LRDave – 6/30/2017, age 59
- Red Badger – 6/30/2017
- Joe0401 – 6/30/17, age 60
- candrew - age 59.5
- Rickt - age 57
- windyblonde DH
- timerfirst

July
- Arkgolfer – 7/1/2017, age 49
- Bikechuck – 7/7/2017, age 64 1/12
- capjak – 7/7/2017, age 55
- Dand76 - 7/14/2017, age 59.5
- 2017ish - 7/28/2017, age 57
- jollystomper, age 59

August
- Retire52 - 8/26/2017, age 48
- dixonge, age 56
- BlueAFMom - 8/14/2017, age 49
- cme4oil - 8/31/2017, age 61

September
- ABQ2015 – 9/30/2017, age 62
- KimInWis – 9/30/2017, age 56
- fishvt - age 55
- wmackey

October
- Indigo Mule – 10/31/2017, age 55
- MOSAT - 10/1-13/2017, age 62
- RetireAge50 - 10/10/2017, age 50
- Marc – 10/20/2017, age 59 11/12

November
- CANTW8, 11/24/2017

December
- Marco – 12/31/2017, age 56.5
- Clover5 - 12/31/2017, age 56
- Revlefty
- neihn, age 57

Month TBD
- HawkeyeNFO
- KrissK – late 2017
- Tdv2 - end 2017, age 54
- Future FIREe, age 55
- Montecfo, age 57
 
OMG I GAVE NOTICE TODAY!!! :)

Targeting Aug. 4 as last day, so my position in the Class schedule is still correct.

Woo-hoo!
 
Congrats dixonge! So you gave 2 1/2 months notice. Is that standard in your field?
 
Congrats dixonge! So you gave 2 1/2 months notice. Is that standard in your field?

I'm just an I.T. grunt, so I would have to say NO. But it's a small governmental entity and I happen to actually like the people here. So I did them a solid, basically. :)
 
Moved my last physical day at work to Sept 01, so no longer July date. negotiated work from home Thurs/Friday and 3 extra vacation days...
 
Anyone else get anxious when they were within the 90 day window? I was ok until my daughter graduated from HS last week and now the next milestone is leaving the job on 14 August! Still no replacement at work so they asked me if I would extend another year. If that came with a heartfelt appreciation for what I do, a remote maybe, but since it's a result of poor planning and not being able to find someone willing to do what I do in the location I do it, no way!
 
Anyone else get anxious when they were within the 90 day window? I was ok until my daughter graduated from HS last week and now the next milestone is leaving the job on 14 August!

Nope. Not a bit. Couldn't wait for the date (was 2 months ago).
 
Anyone else get anxious when they were within the 90 day window? ...

Was getting anxious about staying busy until retirement date a month ago (right at start of 90 day window). Was even thinking about adjusting the official termination date if I got bored. That got fixed with a couple new things that came in the door with short deadlines and "enabled" me to work both saturday and sunday of Memorial day weekend! :LOL:
 
Well, ugh, I was hoping by now to be able to begin dialing in an actual date. We are trying to get our company sold but it is rather slow going. There are economic incentives that make it less than optimal to leave prior to a sale but it is not out of the question.

In the meantime, things going well, I am not having to work very hard, or long, so not sure I have much to complain about. Except boredom at times. Could be a lot worse.

I guess i must remain at "TBD" for now.
 
I got very uptight before actually giving notice. I gave 30 days, which was the minimum required in my employment contract. I expected pressure to stay longer. It happened but thanks to many on this forum who reminded me how quickly I'd be forgotten and/or blamed for future problems once I was gone, I resisted the temptation to acquiesce to what my boss wanted and instead prioritized the needs and wants of DH & me. I had already created a very thorough and detailed transition plan which I spent my last 30 days executing. Once my upcoming ER was announced, I felt great and couldn't wait to finish. Seven months in and it's been great so far. By the way, my former position is still open so I'm very glad I didn't give in to the pressure to stay until my replacement was hired and up & running!
 
Added myself to the Class of 2017:

Class of 2017

January
- Pedidiva 1/1/17 age 58
- doneat54 – 1/4/2017 age 54
- rrufus – 1/6/2017
- Hillbilly – 1/6/2017
- GSMAN - 1/13/2017, age 56
- PaddyMac – 1/14/2017, age 55
- Paracelsus – 1/1/2017, age 55
- coveredbridge - 1/20/17, age 55
- jwr62 – 1/31/2017
- TNBound - 1/31/17, age 57
- Retire2017 – 1/31/2017, age 56
- gayl – 1/31/2017
- redduck, age 72

February
- Gazingus – 2/1/2017, age 55
- duckcalldan – 2/10/2017, age 53
- geeky_grrl - 2/10/2017, age 45
- Stratman - 2/10/17, age 62

March
- Johnora – 3/1/2017, age 52
- GalaxyBoy - 3/3/17, age 57
- Sasset – 3/6/2016, almost age 56
- jrwinfla – 3/15/2017, age 56
- Yogi Bear – 3/24/2017, age 57
- USGrant1962 – 3/24/2017, age 55
- DrRoy – 3/31/2017
- Golden Sunsets- sometime in March, age 68
- Choices' DH 3/31/17, age 65

April
- Lucantes – 4/2/2017, age 50
- MuirWannabe – 4/7/2017, age 55
- rjsob58 – 4/7/2017, age 59
- StaceyR – 4/7/2017, age 59.5
- Bklyn55 - 4/21/2017, age 56
- chief04010 – 4/29/2017, age 59.5
- JohnM - Sometime in April, age 50

May
- JohnnyBGoode – 5/5/2017, age 50
- T-Minus - 5/11/2017 - age 56
- ccourt9283 – 5/31/2017, age 62
- Rdub- 5/?/17, age 47

June
- GreenER – 6/1/2017, age 55
- Oneparkatatime - 6/2/2017, age 57
- Freetodream – 6/2/2017, age 62
- timo2 - 6/10/2017, age 64
- Argus - 6/16/2017, age 55
- Amomynous – 6/23/2017, age 51
- LRDave – 6/30/2017, age 59
- Red Badger – 6/30/2017
- Joe0401 – 6/30/17, age 60
- candrew - age 59.5
- Rickt - age 57
- windyblonde DH
- timerfirst

July
- Arkgolfer – 7/1/2017, age 49
- Bikechuck – 7/7/2017, age 64 1/12
- capjak – 7/7/2017, age 55
- Dand76 - 7/14/2017, age 59.5
- 2017ish - 7/28/2017, age 57
- jollystomper, age 59

August
- Retire52 - 8/26/2017, age 48
- dixonge, age 56
- BlueAFMom - 8/14/2017, age 49
- cme4oil - 8/31/2017, age 61

September
- ABQ2015 – 9/30/2017, age 62
- KimInWis – 9/30/2017, age 56
- fishvt - age 55
- wmackey

October
- Indigo Mule – 10/31/2017, age 55
- MOSAT - 10/1-13/2017, age 62
- RetireAge50 - 10/10/2017, age 50
- Marc – 10/20/2017, age 59 11/12

November
- CANTW8, 11/24/2017

December
- Marco – 12/31/2017, age 56.5
- Clover5 - 12/31/2017, age 56
- Revlefty
- neihn, age 57

Month TBD
- HawkeyeNFO
- KrissK – late 2017
- Tdv2 - end 2017, age 54
- Future FIREe, age 55
- Montecfo, age 57
 
Anyone else get anxious when they were within the 90 day window? I was ok until my daughter graduated from HS last week and now the next milestone is leaving the job on 14 August! Still no replacement at work so they asked me if I would extend another year. If that came with a heartfelt appreciation for what I do, a remote maybe, but since it's a result of poor planning and not being able to find someone willing to do what I do in the location I do it, no way!
Yeah, a bit. 9 weeks, replacement not hired yet. But ready to get out!
 
Wife retires tomorrow at 64.5. I was laid off four years ago (with almost 1 year's salary payout of severance, vacation, etc.), but she chose to stay at work. Our daughter had been a temp worker for the past two years, with limited health coverage, which is the main reason my wife chose to continue working.

My wife also wasn't mentally ready to leave - some people are just wired that way. With our daughter hiring in permanently last month to the company she's been working for, that eliminated the last external reason to stay at work. She's at her going-away luncheon as I type this. :)

I'm 58 and will start my mega-corp pension next month so that I have access to their retiree medical plan. Not a huge pension like those from government-based jobs, but it will cover our medical insurance premiums with some left over.

The next decision is whether to follow our daughter and leave California for Texas. She very much wants us there. My wife and I aren't sure we're going to like the weather. But selling our house here, paying the capital gains, and buying a house outright in the vicinity of Austin would put at least another $600K into the cash/investment pile. It would also eliminate a $2,300/month mortgage with six years remaining.
 
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I'm 58 and will start my mega-corp pension next month so that I have access to their retiree medical plan. Not a huge pension like those from government-based jobs, but it will cover our medical insurance premiums with some left over.

The next decision is whether to follow our daughter and leave California for Texas. She very much wants us there. My wife and I aren't sure we're going to like the weather. But selling our house here, paying the capital gains, and buying a house outright in the vicinity of Austin would put at least another $600K into the cash/investment pile. It would also eliminate a $2,300/month mortgage with six years remaining.

My age, pension, and insurance situation are the same as you. Ditto on Texas weather. The real estate financials are really great though.
 
Because the Austin area has grown so much in the past 20 years, it has become a major heat sink. If the summer heat worries you, the further away from the center you are the better - the nighttime temps drop more. Also shade is a big deal, so finding a treed lot makes a huge difference. That said, July and August nearly always sport a good number of 100 degree days, and some years (drought years in particular) it gets really unpleasant for weeks at a time. We either travel or stay inside. Fortunately, October-December and mid-February-April are generally just about perfect for doing lots of outdoor things so we just suck it up in the summer.
 
Because the Austin area has grown so much in the past 20 years, it has become a major heat sink. If the summer heat worries you, the further away from the center you are the better - the nighttime temps drop more. Also shade is a big deal, so finding a treed lot makes a huge difference. That said, July and August nearly always sport a good number of 100 degree days, and some years (drought years in particular) it gets really unpleasant for weeks at a time. We either travel or stay inside. Fortunately, October-December and mid-February-April are generally just about perfect for doing lots of outdoor things so we just suck it up in the summer.
That is similar to the suggestion from our daughter to live outside of Austin, if we move to Texas. The treed lot idea makes sense for some temperature control, and I imagine it would help if there is a desire to grow certain plants outdoors that might otherwise suffer in the direct heat.

We had planned to downsize upon retirement and almost certainly move away from where we live in the southern part of the San Jose-San Francisco bay area. But the desire to remain in California keeps dwindling each day we live here. The main complaints are the cost of living, high state income and sales taxes, awful traffic and road conditions, and mediocre air and water quality.

The motto of the state is "Use less, pay more". Use less water: pay more per month. Use less electricity: pay higher rates. Use less gasoline: raise the state taxes per gallon. But I'm sure Texas has its own issues.
 
That is similar to the suggestion from our daughter to live outside of Austin, if we move to Texas. The treed lot idea makes sense for some temperature control, and I imagine it would help if there is a desire to grow certain plants outdoors that might otherwise suffer in the direct heat.

It does help a little, but not enough to make any real difference in what you can grow. All but the toughest plants burn up in the summer heat here, no matter how much you water them.

I live in the hills ~25 miles northwest of the Alamo. The fact we are 800ft higher in elevation and surrounded by trees and bushes, not concrete and asphalt, does make a difference of 3 to 4 degrees. But when it is 103 downtown and "only" 99 here, it is still miserable once you walk outside.
 
Wow, things got crazy over the past couple months. Sold the house along with a lot of our stuff, moved to an apartment as a temporary step to the motorhome which we still need to buy, gave 2 month notice and turned 59.5 so IRA is now available also. Moved last work day from July 14 to June 30. 10 work days left in the office! :dance: Feels like a roller coaster - I'm just a passenger along for the ride at this point.

Haven't lived in an apartment since the late 70s. Now there's an adjustment. :LOL:
 
Wow, things got crazy over the past couple months. Sold the house along with a lot of our stuff, moved to an apartment as a temporary step to the motorhome which we still need to buy, gave 2 month notice and turned 59.5 so IRA is now available also. Moved last work day from July 14 to June 30. 10 work days left in the office! :dance: Feels like a roller coaster - I'm just a passenger along for the ride at this point.

Haven't lived in an apartment since the late 70s. Now there's an adjustment. :LOL:

Congrats! I'm in the process of doing the same except it will be a new house. I gave notice a week ago. Aug 10 is my last day. New house fell through so I will be living with my daughter while I house hunt for another riverfront property. I haven't rented a room since I was 20.
 
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