Join Early Retirement Today
Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
I'm new here and....
Old 08-30-2014, 11:06 AM   #1
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Chicago West Burbs
Posts: 2,771
I'm new here and....

come from the both politically and financially bankrupt state of Illinois.

I got downsized at the beginning of the recession some years back. I could find no work for a number of years. My wife went back to work to help support our life without relying on our savings. She is very conservative. I am now self employed and am entering my 3rd 1-year contract working out of my house for a former supplier. Making ~50% of what I did, but only work about 30 her per month. DW planning on retiring in Dec. She has been great during these last few years.

Fidelity's Retirement Income Planner says I have no problems if we both quit tomorrow. FIREcalc says very close to the same. I think it said only 2 scenarios where I don't make it. I consider that pretty good. But, the job is fun, not much work and I enjoy the guy(s) I am working with, so why quit? If they will have me, I currently plan on continuing my work up to and maybe beyond my FRA. Things are very flexible with them. Take whatever time off that I need, whenever I need it. Very relaxed situation, unlike my last full time job.

I haven't got too much more to say for now other than I plan on checking in an a regular basis. There is so much good info here, I'd hate to miss any of it.

Chuck
CRLLS is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 Early Retirement and Financial Independence Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

Are you planning to be financially independent as early as possible so you can live life on your own terms? Discuss successful investing strategies, asset allocation models, tax strategies and other related topics in our online forum community. Our members range from young folks just starting their journey to financial independence, military retirees and even multimillionaires. No matter where you fit in you'll find that Early-Retirement.org is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with our members, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create a retirement blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 08-30-2014, 12:59 PM   #2
Moderator
rodi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: San Diego
Posts: 13,894
Welcome to the forum, Chuck.

Sounds like you have a gig that gives you a good balance between freedom, cash, and hours. If you enjoy it, it makes sense to keep working.
rodi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-30-2014, 01:42 PM   #3
Moderator Emeritus
aja8888's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Conroe
Posts: 17,661
Hi Chuck!

Welcome to the forums. Please let us know how things are going. I still consult part time and its been a good thing for me as I need the interaction with my peers and the money has been helpful. DW retired about 5 years ago and stays busy. I tried full retirement and found that I am happier still putting my fingers in the industrial world, at least for the time being.
aja8888 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-30-2014, 02:50 PM   #4
Moderator
Walt34's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Eastern WV Panhandle
Posts: 24,893
Welcome to the forums! I too found a job I liked for a while after retirement but when things went south it was nice to be able to quit.

Sounds like you have a good gig going so no hurry to bail on it.
__________________
When I was a kid I wanted to be older. This is not what I expected.
Walt34 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-30-2014, 04:55 PM   #5
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
Amethyst's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 12,157
Welcome aboard. Your wife sounds like a treasure, and you were clever to turn what must have been a discouraging episode into a very positive situation.

Many of us are "partly retired." I retired from the Federal government on Jan 3rd, and then was called back part-time (still getting my full pension) to help start up a new effort - it's been fun, the money has come in handy, and I'm home more than I'm at work. It's not yet clear if my position is still funded in the new fiscal year - if it is, I'll probably continue working a couple days a week. If it isn't, well, it was fun while it lasted.

Check in often!

Amethyst
__________________
If you understood everything I say, you'd be me ~ Miles Davis
'There is only one success – to be able to spend your life in your own way.’ Christopher Morley.
Even a blind clock finds an acorn twice a day.
Amethyst is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2014, 11:25 AM   #6
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
38Chevy454's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 4,180
even though this is early retirement forum, many still have some work and the subsequent income to boost their money. I view retirement as not having to work, but work if you want to. Sounds like you are in that situation, and no reason to have to stop if you don't want to.

Keep hanging out and contribute to or learn from the site.
__________________
I used to have a handle on life, but it broke.
You can't spend yourself to prosperity.

Semi-Retired 7/1/16: working part-time (60%) for now [4/24/17 changed to 80%]
Retired Aug 2, 2017; age 53
38Chevy454 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2014, 12:22 PM   #7
Recycles dryer sheets
Earl E Retyre's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 476
Congrats and welcome to the forum!

I totally agree with your plan ... since you enjoy the work and the people, only work 30 hours a month, and get paid 50% of what you did as a full time employee - you should continue. It keeps you active, marketable (just in case), and gives you some extra spending money.

I am doing a similar plan (consulting part time throughout the year) - I call it semi-retirement. Balance is key!

Enjoy!
Earl E Retyre is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2014, 03:26 PM   #8
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
Midpack's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: NC
Posts: 20,328
Congrats and welcome, most of us find this forum a helpful resource.

And while it's an Early Retirement forum, it doesn't always work out as planned, and working longer is a very common stated/unstated plan B for most if not all.

While the average US retirement age was/is around 62 (many not FI), if you retire FI before 65, you're doing better than the overwhelming majority.
Attached Images
File Type: png sydjnu3tvuiz82mtvmm8iq.png (16.2 KB, 15 views)
File Type: jpg retirement-distribution.jpg (62.2 KB, 15 views)
__________________
No one agrees with other people's opinions; they merely agree with their own opinions -- expressed by somebody else. Sydney Tremayne
Retired Jun 2011 at age 57

Target AA: 50% equity funds / 40% bonds / 10% cash
Target WR: Approx 2.5% Approx 20% SI (secure income, SS only)
Midpack is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Hello new here and in trouble! Cobra question... Arty375 Hi, I am... 13 11-03-2008 02:51 PM
New here, any other fire department members here? FDCaptain Hi, I am... 33 08-24-2008 09:20 AM
I am new here... and almost ready for FIRE neihn Hi, I am... 15 09-09-2007 10:08 PM
New Here - 47 and close to ER ksr Hi, I am... 4 06-03-2007 04:00 PM

» Quick Links

 
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:03 PM.
 
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2023, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.