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Waffling - Do I stay or do I go?
Old 11-19-2015, 09:33 AM   #1
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Waffling - Do I stay or do I go?

Tentative earliest RE day is 6/30/16. Some days I like my job so much that I think I'll stay longer. Other days I can hardly wait to get out.
Just wanted to share this because I suspect many of us go through the same thing. Any tricks you want to share to make this time more tolerable?
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Old 11-19-2015, 09:49 AM   #2
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Yes, just go.


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Old 11-19-2015, 09:54 AM   #3
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You're asking that question here Just go!!!
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Old 11-19-2015, 10:35 AM   #4
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Originally Posted by ImThinkin2019 View Post
Tentative earliest RE day is 6/30/16. Some days I like my job so much that I think I'll stay longer. Other days I can hardly wait to get out.
Just wanted to share this because I suspect many of us go through the same thing. Any tricks you want to share to make this time more tolerable?
I am thinking you should not go until you feel more sure. I have a trick that might help you to feel more sure. The trick is to start a list of things you would rather be doing than working, like hobbies or interests.

I had a long list of things like growing roses, learning Spanish, getting an MBA, taking up piano again, going to the gym regularly, and so on. Having this list, I knew that there was no way I would feel bored or "at sea" in retirement.

Since I retired in 2009, I haven't done anything on the list other than go to the gym regularly. I did download a free Spanish app to my iPhone, but didn't really work at it. Still, it was nice to know there are lots of things I am interested in that I could pursue, should I get bored.
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Old 11-19-2015, 10:47 AM   #5
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Some days I like my job so much that I think I'll stay longer. Other days I can hardly wait to get out.
Which type of day is more common?

How do you usually feel on Sunday evening?

Are you anxious to get back to it after a vacation or would another few days be nice?
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Old 11-19-2015, 10:58 AM   #6
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Before I fixed my date, I merely had a range. That range did get earlier, ultimately to "no later than 9/30/13," and some time after 2/1/13. I called it quits 2/28.
You wrote that your earliest date is 6/30. At least for starters, why not do as I did, and pick a no-later-than date. At least then you have a window where you know you'll leave. That, in and of itself, may make the waiting easier.
Now, whether you should leave before 6/30, that's a whole other question
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Old 11-19-2015, 10:58 AM   #7
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We all have a vested interest in believing we've made the right call so there may be just a hint of confirmation bias in the answers given.
Nope, I say stay working, someone has to fund SS for us slackers.
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Old 11-19-2015, 11:05 AM   #8
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I'm thinking 2019.

But maybe that's just me.
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Old 11-19-2015, 11:25 AM   #9
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.... Any tricks you want to share to make this time more tolerable?
I found that a broken kneecap made me enjoy sitting at my desk and working more than being at home and trying to get around. Could try that I suppose.
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Old 11-19-2015, 01:16 PM   #10
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Tentative earliest RE day is 6/30/16. Some days I like my job so much that I think I'll stay longer. Other days I can hardly wait to get out.
Just wanted to share this because I suspect many of us go through the same thing. Any tricks you want to share to make this time more tolerable?

I keep reminding myself why I should just go - the good things I can do in ER, and the bad things about the job.
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Old 11-19-2015, 01:35 PM   #11
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I have a trick that might help you to feel more sure. The trick is to start a list of things you would rather be doing than working, like hobbies or interests.
Using this logic, my list is about 25 to 1 in favor of not working
......come on 6/1/16
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Old 11-19-2015, 01:38 PM   #12
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Time working is not time you can get back to do what you want to do. Go.
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Old 11-19-2015, 01:58 PM   #13
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The trick that worked for me was playing at my hobbies more as retirement got closer. You'll know that the correct decision is to retire when you spend time doing things that you enjoy more than your job.


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Old 11-19-2015, 02:03 PM   #14
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Which type of day is more common?

How do you usually feel on Sunday evening?

Are you anxious to get back to it after a vacation or would another few days be nice?
Thank you for this. My days are about 50% good and 50% bored to tears. Sunday night I don't dread going to work. After a vacation I'm OK but not anxious going back. So my conclusion is mebbe.

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Before I fixed my date, I merely had a range. That range did get earlier, ultimately to "no later than 9/30/13," and some time after 2/1/13. I called it quits 2/28.
You wrote that your earliest date is 6/30. At least for starters, why not do as I did, and pick a no-later-than date. At least then you have a window where you know you'll leave. That, in and of itself, may make the waiting easier.
Now, whether you should leave before 6/30, that's a whole other question
Thank you I like the "not to exceed" idea.
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Nope, I say stay working, someone has to fund SS for us slackers.
Gave me a chuckle. I want to join the ranks of the slackers. Paid my dues already.

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I'm thinking 2019.

But maybe that's just me.
Yep, we started thinkin 2019 but had the benefit of extreme saving and some nice market growth. Now I am wondering what to do with my name if we go earlier than 2019.

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I found that a broken kneecap made me enjoy sitting at my desk and working more than being at home and trying to get around. Could try that I suppose.
Like the suggestion but not going to do it.

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You're asking that question here Just go!!!
Spoken like a "just the facts jack" person.

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Originally Posted by W2R View Post
I am thinking you should not go until you feel more sure. I have a trick that might help you to feel more sure. The trick is to start a list of things you would rather be doing than working, like hobbies or interests.

I had a long list of things like growing roses, learning Spanish, getting an MBA, taking up piano again, going to the gym regularly, and so on. Having this list, I knew that there was no way I would feel bored or "at sea" in retirement.

Since I retired in 2009, I haven't done anything on the list other than go to the gym regularly. I did download a free Spanish app to my iPhone, but didn't really work at it. Still, it was nice to know there are lots of things I am interested in that I could pursue, should I get bored.
This is also a good idea. I have a mental list but will write it down.
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Old 11-19-2015, 02:07 PM   #15
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Any tricks you want to share to make this time more tolerable?
No tricks. You are 7 months away from R-Day. Keep thinking about it and you will loose sleep. Make a decision and you can sleep.
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