JohnnyBGoode
Recycles dryer sheets
Thank you everyone for your responses! I expect it will be equally smooth at my w*rk, but it was good to hear how it went for you.
I/we was/were blessed, and am/are eternally grateful. The plan came together.
Nobody asked me anything about dough.
Just the usual;
What are you going to do?
Are you going to move?
Stuff like that.
Everyone handles things differently. For me, it didn't really bother me what others thought or said. I made the final decision to retire on a weekend, told my boss and his boss on Monday, and started making plans to turnover my job to others almost immediately. When people asked, I just told them the truth.... I felt like it was a good time to retire and I was fortunate enough to be able to handle it financially. I was really looking forward to more free time with my family and I wished them all the very best. I've actually kept up with several of them and still enjoy talking to them. No one asked intimate financial questions and I would have just politely refused answers if they had.
BTW - Congradulations that you can ER!
All -
Yes, I can say I will be w*rking at our small business, but there is no way folks won't know it is a tremendous pay cut compared with profitable high-tech firm and wouldn't be an option for them if they were in my shoes.
Thanks!
I've about decided that I'm going to tell the people I like the truth- maybe we'll have a conversation about it. The people I don't like I'm going to reply that I have decided to be a stay at home mom- which I have found to be a conversation ender (to my mostly male colleagues anyway)! That might not be an option for you though!
"Going to become a sugar daddy."
The short answer is that your FIRE announcement will separate your co-workers from your real friends. In a good way.Question for you already-FIRE'd types. How did you deal with questions from co-workers? Right now my boss and the CEO both know, but we will keep it under wraps for a few more weeks.
I did not explain anything to anyone. So I let my leaving do the talking.All -
I am making good progress on my FIRE plans. My plan is to w*rk until end of March/Mid April and then "retire" to work in the Small Business my DW and I own. It probably will be a fair bit of w*rk as well, but will be much more flexible and no more working for the "man".
I've been fortunate enough to work in high-tech for my career and have been part of two acquisitions and one IPO - all of which resulted in stock, options, or both. That, plus LBYM and conservative financial planning have put us in a good position. I am 50 yo, so not super young, but clearly ahead of most Americans (though not necessarily those on this forum )
Question for you already-FIRE'd types. How did you deal with questions from co-workers? Right now my boss and the CEO both know, but we will keep it under wraps for a few more weeks.
I don't mind sharing financial details here, but I really don't need folks at w*rk knowing my business. But the fact I can FIRE kinda puts my finances out there for all to see and discuss. How did you all handle it? I expect there could be a variety of reactions and good-natured ribbing, but some resentment as well? The folks here are all quite nice, but I generally would prefer to stay kinda under the radar - doesn't seem like it will be possible.
Yes, I can say I will be w*rking at our small business, but there is no way folks won't know it is a tremendous pay cut compared with profitable high-tech firm and wouldn't be an option for them if they were in my shoes.
Would love to know your strategy/approach. Or if this has been asked, a pointer to relevant threads as well.
Thanks!
I'm not retired, but when I talk about my FIRE plans I get one of two reactions. The small percentage that know what FIRE is congratulate me and assume I'll be good (I'm military, so our pension is outstanding). The vast majority of people, though, immediately launch into "you don't know what you are talking about, you haven't yet realized how expensive life is (I've been living on my own for 17 years), your plan will never work" yada yada yada. I actually would prefer for someone to ask numbers questions so I could spread some knowledge, but instead it's a lot of ignorance and assumptions that is quite frankly a little insulting.
Actually I think its the general reaction from people who assume the standard plan (save 10% and work till you're eligible for social security) is the only way to do it. I work in financial services- all of my colleagues either do or should know how this works- and I get that same reaction. One older colleague asked me (with an incredulous expression) if I was sure I had enough. After 20 years doing this for a living? Yeah, I am sure. Thanks for asking.