Day one

[Olbidness]

Well, the new chapter begins today, day one of my retirement. Starting with almost nothing in 1988, I must say I've come a long way. I've got the same feeling I had as a kid when my dad took the training wheels off my bike and I begged him to put them back on. No going back now.

 

[Toocold]

Wonderful! Congratulations!

 

[Gotadimple]

Congratulations!

 

[Ready]

Very exciting. Celebrating Independence Day next week will have a whole new meaning for you.

Congrats!

 

[Ed B]

Congratulations

 

[Looking4Ward]

Well, the new chapter begins today, day one of my retirement. Starting with almost nothing in 1988, I must say I've come a long way. I've got the same feeling I had as a kid when my dad took the training wheels off my bike and I begged him to put them back on. No going back now.

Congratulations! I too started with literally nothing in the same year (1988) with just $200 and the clothes on my back. Pulled the trigger three years ago and have enjoyed every second since.

 

[Olbidness]

Got a call from a former coworker last week. I know him, just not very well. So he wants to meet up and talk about what I know about retirement. Should take about 10 minutes.

 

[braumeister]

Got a call from a former coworker last week. I know him, just not very well. So he wants to meet up and talk about what I know about retirement. Should take about 10 minutes.

He's not a financial adviser by any chance, is he? If so, it could take a lot longer. Make sure he buys lunch if he is.

 

[Olbidness]

He's not a financial adviser by any chance, is he? If so, it could take a lot longer. Make sure he buys lunch if he is.

No, he is looking for information about how he can retire too. I'm not sure how much help I can be. Lets see, live on less than you make, invest the difference. Do that for a very long time and presto.....retire. Easy as pie.

 

[Rustic23]

Walk, read, travel, golf, enjoy true freedom. Congratulations!

 

[Red Badger]

Hi Oldbidness. Welcome aboard!

Maybe I cheated? I started counting yesterday...

Went to office around 10. Had late breakfast with a couple buddies, turned my cr*p in and hit the exit!

 

[Koolau]

Congratulations on your new found freedom. Keep us up to date on what you are doing in retirement. We love success stories!

 

[Walt34]

No, he is looking for information about how he can retire too. I'm not sure how much help I can be. Lets see, live on less than you make, invest the difference. Do that for a very long time and presto.....retire. Easy as pie.

He may find that lunch meeting very depressing if he doesn't have much saved.

Congratulations to you though!

 

[rt-texas]

Congratulations sir. Take a little time to enjoy the beach, fresh air and your new life. You've earned it!

 

[Quest4Fire]

Well, the new chapter begins today, day one of my retirement. Starting with almost nothing in 1988, I must say I've come a long way. I've got the same feeling I had as a kid when my dad took the training wheels off my bike and I begged him to put them back on. No going back now.

Nice analogy. Maybe make something out of training wheels. No going back...

 

[euro]

Congrats! Great way to end the week and move into the Holiday

 

[Johanson]

Congrats! I look forward to that day for me.

 

[Huston55]

Well, the new chapter begins today, day one of my retirement. Starting with almost nothing in 1988, I must say I've come a long way. I've got the same feeling I had as a kid when my dad took the training wheels off my bike and I begged him to put them back on. No going back now.

Congrats!

Suggest you record your activities of your 1st FIRE day. I did, and always enjoy reading it. My 3 yr FIRE anniversary was yesterday.

BTW, love your sig line.

 

[Scuba]

Woo hoo! Enjoy!![emoji322]

 

[ohyes]

Congratulations to you! Keep us posted on how this goes for you. My guess is you will love the freedom.

 

[JOHNNIE36]

Congratulations, Oldbidness. Ironic in that 1988 is the year I retired. Best wishes for a long and healthy retirement.

 

[Olbidness]

Congratulations, Oldbidness. Ironic in that 1988 is the year I retired. Best wishes for a long and healthy retirement.

Yep, 1988 not too long after Black Monday. My Step-father had sent me a book: The Morgan Stanley Guide to Personal Investing. The most memorable quote from the book: "Santa Claus is Dead", point being, magical thinking won't cut it. Personal responsibility and action are the only way to win with money. As true now as it was then.

 

[MRG]

Got a call from a former coworker last week. I know him, just not very well. So he wants to meet up and talk about what I know about retirement. Should take about 10 minutes.

Don't sell yourself short. After I left Megacorp I helped 5 others realize they didn't have to w*rk anymore.

 

[GravitySucks]

Congrats!

 

[Koolau]

Don't sell yourself short. After I left Megacorp I helped 5 others realize they didn't have to w*rk anymore.

Not quite the same, but my eye doc just let me know that he was retiring. He's probably the only doc I've ever gotten close to so I mentioned some of the more subtle things he should watch for - too much in deferred funds, the "Fairmark" book on Roths, "gotchas" based on AGI or MAGI, etc. Not an expert, but I told him he should consult his tax "guy" or hire someone to help him get started (fee only!). He said he would and thanked me profusely.