Class of 2015
- Thread starter ikubak
- Start date
I wound up pulling the plug July 24, not July 2, but got it done and moved from Houston to Reno in June (DW went first while I worked another two months.)
Skiied 26 days over the winter. Didn't fish much but now that it's cooling down, I can fix that.
Skiied 26 days over the winter. Didn't fish much but now that it's cooling down, I can fix that.
Just_Steve
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Edited for those who did OMY -- up to 98. Two 2015 ERs hiding out there, so we can make 100? Emerge! Better late than never!
Originally Posted by hiker88
1. Ikubak - April/May 2015- age 52
[-]2. LoneAspen - Moved to Class of 2016[/-]
[-]3. Neihn - Moved to Class of 2016 [/-]
4. Fourchristians - June 2015
[-]5. ABQ2015 - Moved to Class of 2017[/-]
6. Live and Learn - June 2015- 52
7. Utrecht - Jan 2015 - Age 50
8. haloFIRE - August 14, 2015 - age 47
9. Phil1ben - June 1, 2015 - age 55
10. SonnyJim - January 1. 2015 - age 48
[-]11. Theseus - July 2015 - age 59 (moved up to 2014 - congrats )[/-]
12. biker4life - March 2015 - age 45
13. Options - January May 2015 - 59.5
[-]14. Al18 - Moved to Class of 2016[/-]
15. Siamond - July 2015 - age 53
16. Shabby - January 2015 - age 48
17. jcretire77 - April 2015 - age 55
18. Fermion - April 2015 - age 45
19. BrianB - January 2015 - age 56
20. RobLJ - July 2 - age 56
21. FreqFlyer - April 2015 - age 43
[-]22. Hiker88 - Moved to Class of 2016 (one more 1/2 year)[/-]
23. Enjoylife133 - December 2015 - age 60
24. Jpearl - July 2015 - age 43
25. iac1003 - April 2015 age 63.5
26. kern44 - June 2015
27. Fedup - Dec 2015 age 55
28. Mo Money - Feb 2015 age 53
29. Aus_E_Expat- April 2015, age 56
30. rodi - April 2015, age 53
30. vireo- June 30, 2015. Age 60
31. Sanstar - March 28, 2015, Age 59
32. Rdub - May 2015, age 45
33. johnnyfuego - Jan-March 2015, age 52
34. Islandtraveler - July 2015 age 56
35. kimcdougc - Feb. 1, 2015 age 57
36. Mike31204 1 May 2015
38. cbo111- Sep 2015 age 57 (Done deal, no more workie!)
39. ttvjef Oct 2015 age 53
40. FatCyclist - January 2, 2015 age 57
41. Oreogn - Feb 2015 age 58
42. 2B - Feb 2015 age 63
43. tuffshed - January 2015 age 60
44. trirod - December 2015 age 48
45. jabbahop - Feb 2015 age 54/55 (depending whether I go before Febbirthday)
46. nuke_diver - revised again 3/27 3 months early thanks bean counters
47. Travel4Fun - Jan 2015, age 50
48. robnplunder - December 2015, age 53
49. Bryan Barnfellow - March 31, 2015, age 59
50. Taxman59 - July 1, 2015 (I did it! Retired and left town for a month to break the habits!)
51. Kerik68, July 31
52. texcurtis - January 31, 2015, age 54
53. OBXretire - July 1, 2015
54. Punxsyboy
55. Philliefan33 - March 31, age 50
56. pinejake - March 5, 2015, age 56
57. Spudd - January 30, 2015, age 42
58. bingybear - Feb 28, 2015, age 53
59. kitesurfer2- April 30, 2015, age 62
60. wheelsdown - March 1, 2015, age 60
61. Whisper66 - March 1, 2015, age 55
62. KCGeezer - May 31, 2015, age 58
63. stlguy57 - Dec 31, 2015, age 58
64. Travelwanted - July, 2015
65. Ally - June, 2015, age 63
66. Evergreen - June 30, 2015, age 52.5
67. FrankiesGirl - March 2015 age 42
68. LBYM - April 3, 2015 age 40
69. SDHiker - Dec 2015 age 56
70. liberty53 - July 4th, 2015 age 52
71. Jsailor - March 6, 2015 age 56
72. Patagonia Aug 2015 age 45
73. lhamo, June 15, 2015 age 46
74. sdtech, March 31, age 58
75. Niuatoputapu, June 5, 2015, age 58
76. Devans0, Aug. 2015, age 61
77. Irishgal, May 15, 2015, age 57
78. Papadad111, April 2015, age 46
79. ampeep, April 3, 2015, age 62
80. Time2re, June 8, age 57
81. Symbiotic, April 7, 2015, age 36
82. ArkTinkerer, August 4, 2015, age 51
83. Sangiovese, June 15, 2015, age 55
84. Daveneedstoknow, June 2015, age 46
85. Beldar, June 5, 2015, age 58
86. TallTim, July 3, age 48
87. BBQ-Nut, Jan 15, 2015, 55
88. CountingDown2014, June 10, 2015, age 55
89. Jazz4Cash, August 1, 2015 age 59
90. FreeBear, March 2015, age 45
91. lem1955, December 2015, age 60
92. USADoDCBPATF, July 31, 2015, age 60
93. COHgirl 11/17/15 age 50
94. spncity hers: May 2015 his: November 2015 age 59
95. Tennisno1 November 20 2015, age 55
96. Skibum, December 2015, age 55
97. Free2Bme, Aug 21, 2015, age 58
98. Global1, October 1, 2015, age 56
99. Crunchycon, December 31, 2015, Age 57
100. Fire 2015, June, 2015, Age 51
101. inmygardn, Sept 2015 age 60
102. HFWR, 12/31/2015, age 61
103. FIRE by 40, 8/15/15, age 39
104. Ed_The_Gypsy, 1/15/15, age 67
Add me to the list.
I retired 12/02/2015, age 55.
misshathaway
Full time employment: Posting here.
- Joined
- Dec 2, 2015
- Messages
- 617
ER Year in Review
I have gotten so much out of reading other peoples' experiences who were generous enough to post on this site. I have also learned very useful financial info pertaining to ACA and tax strategy. Wanted to share my own one-year-in experience.
My retirement 1 year anniversary just passed in September. It was not a planned retirement. I had known for about a year that I was OK financially to retire but I think I probably would have been too afraid to do it for years. Then a crisis happened at work that required me to give much more than I could handle, and I quit.
Right after I quit, the market had a prolonged dip and I was convinced I'd end up poor. It was not a rational, fact-based, fear and I knew that. Didn't help. I cut every expense to the bone and got a part-time job that I hated. After about 6 months of "retirement" I had made myself so miserable that I decided I'd rather risk becoming poor. So I quit the part-time job.
I've been tracking expenses and investment income and have become much more relaxed about the financial end of things. I think the anxiety comes from taking money OUT of your savings/investments when you've been making sure not to touch it for years. A year has passed and the nest egg has survived withdrawals for living expenses and grown. It's almost like magic. I have much more confidence now that it will survive lean market years too since my WR is lower than 4% and my allocation is 50/50.
The psychological adjustment turned out to be the bigger nut to crack. From reading postings here I think that people who fall into ER abruptly, like I did, or like people who are let go, have a harder time of it. I had all these plans, such as app development (was a programmer), clearing estate stuff still all over the house, moving. But I was too out of sorts to do much of anything for a good 6 months. That cloud has lifted now, and I'm getting back to my list and starting to relax and enjoy.
Although some of my experience is not typical, it does seem like many people have a decompression period that they did not expect at the beginning. Also they worry, probably unnecessarily, about money.
I have gotten so much out of reading other peoples' experiences who were generous enough to post on this site. I have also learned very useful financial info pertaining to ACA and tax strategy. Wanted to share my own one-year-in experience.
My retirement 1 year anniversary just passed in September. It was not a planned retirement. I had known for about a year that I was OK financially to retire but I think I probably would have been too afraid to do it for years. Then a crisis happened at work that required me to give much more than I could handle, and I quit.
Right after I quit, the market had a prolonged dip and I was convinced I'd end up poor. It was not a rational, fact-based, fear and I knew that. Didn't help. I cut every expense to the bone and got a part-time job that I hated. After about 6 months of "retirement" I had made myself so miserable that I decided I'd rather risk becoming poor. So I quit the part-time job.
I've been tracking expenses and investment income and have become much more relaxed about the financial end of things. I think the anxiety comes from taking money OUT of your savings/investments when you've been making sure not to touch it for years. A year has passed and the nest egg has survived withdrawals for living expenses and grown. It's almost like magic. I have much more confidence now that it will survive lean market years too since my WR is lower than 4% and my allocation is 50/50.
The psychological adjustment turned out to be the bigger nut to crack. From reading postings here I think that people who fall into ER abruptly, like I did, or like people who are let go, have a harder time of it. I had all these plans, such as app development (was a programmer), clearing estate stuff still all over the house, moving. But I was too out of sorts to do much of anything for a good 6 months. That cloud has lifted now, and I'm getting back to my list and starting to relax and enjoy.
Although some of my experience is not typical, it does seem like many people have a decompression period that they did not expect at the beginning. Also they worry, probably unnecessarily, about money.
Thanks for sharing! I know the transition from saving to spending will throw me for a loop. However, I have a pretty detailed spreadsheet that I have maintained for many years with actual and projected spend and income/return info. This has been pretty accurate, if not a little conservative. However, it's like that crazy dream I used to have after graduating from College and I would wake up thinking that I missed a class and never really graduated. I'm sure after I RE my dreams will be that I don't have as much money as I thought I did or something silly like that. My retirement tree is pretty full so I am not very worried about getting bored, but I am always concerned about how much is enough.
Yes, but the ACA/health care situation is a little scary. Pondering a move to the UK if we lose our access to health insurance here (husband is dual citizen).
Glad this post has come back to life. I'm still working full time despite saying that I was going a couple of years back. I am definitely pulling the plug late Spring next year, I'll be 55.5 years old. Staying on a bit longer has boosted my pension and I'm enjoying my work a lot more, just wish it wasn't 5 days per week with such a long commute. Anyway 2018, June 1st is my target.
Hope you are all well!
Hope you are all well!
Been almost 2 years and things are good:
- Just about to turn 63 and plan to take SS at 67.
- Due to small pension/HC, savings, and DW income, haven't touched retirement accounts. Worry little about finances.
- DW continues to work PT from home doing a job she loves. Wish she would retire, but she wants to work another 2-3 years.
- Still have a bit of PTSD from 27 years in the same high stress job - but it's mostly gone.
- Keep active - cruises, hiking (Grand Canyon, AT, mountains daily, 6 week cross country road trip, 9 trips by air), rented beach house in Florida for a week, traveled to see total solar eclipse, etc.
- sold Mom's house, moved her to independent living, then across country to an assisted living facility about a mile from our home.
- get a lot of time enjoying 2 young grandkids lIving nearby. (Ages 1 & 3)
- done a lot of projects at my home and at 2 sons homes
- Have helped all 4 grown kids out a bit financially, as needed and within our means over the past 2 years - probably spent $30,000 total.
Help several elderly and disabled neighbors with yard work, snow blowing, etc.
Really enjoying life. NO REGRETS about retirement at all!
- Just about to turn 63 and plan to take SS at 67.
- Due to small pension/HC, savings, and DW income, haven't touched retirement accounts. Worry little about finances.
- DW continues to work PT from home doing a job she loves. Wish she would retire, but she wants to work another 2-3 years.
- Still have a bit of PTSD from 27 years in the same high stress job - but it's mostly gone.
- Keep active - cruises, hiking (Grand Canyon, AT, mountains daily, 6 week cross country road trip, 9 trips by air), rented beach house in Florida for a week, traveled to see total solar eclipse, etc.
- sold Mom's house, moved her to independent living, then across country to an assisted living facility about a mile from our home.
- get a lot of time enjoying 2 young grandkids lIving nearby. (Ages 1 & 3)
- done a lot of projects at my home and at 2 sons homes
- Have helped all 4 grown kids out a bit financially, as needed and within our means over the past 2 years - probably spent $30,000 total.
Help several elderly and disabled neighbors with yard work, snow blowing, etc.
Really enjoying life. NO REGRETS about retirement at all!
DEC-1982
Full time employment: Posting here.
DEC-1982, May 2015 at age 59.
It's been a good 2.5 years of retired life.
It's been a good 2.5 years of retired life.
We've only had to use $5k of our stache over the past 2 years (we both had to had unexpected knee surgeries) I'm still working 2 days a month 
& the wife is still working 20 hrs/week. She "promises" to quit in January 2018 when we return from a 5 week trip/cruise to South America..... but we'll see. Life is good!
& the wife is still working 20 hrs/week. She "promises" to quit in January 2018 when we return from a 5 week trip/cruise to South America..... but we'll see. Life is good!
Bryan Barnfellow
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Life is sweeeeeet. Enjoying living in Switzerland and traveling like crazy with my wife. My adopted country is central for travel all around Europe, and very close to Italy, one of our favorite haunts. Financially, doing very well...our assets have actually increased in value about 25% in the last two years. The former employer has been reaching out with its claws; but I've managed to squirm away from anything but some volunteer roles (it's a nonprofit). We got our Swiss permanent residency two months after retiring, so that is settled for now. We are both working on long delayed projects and enjoying spending our time together.
Thanks for checking in.
-BB
Thanks for checking in.
-BB
texcurtis
Recycles dryer sheets
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2014
- Messages
- 125
Life is quite good since retiring 2/1/15. Health is good, new creative hobbies interest me, relationships are better, stress is minimal & networth up over 20% since retiring. Hadn't quite fully considered that scenario, but I'm not complaining. Hope my 'classmates' are well.
I guess I'm late to the party I retired October 1, 2015 and I am thankful for a great retirement this far. Upon our retirement we sold cars and house and moved aboard our boat and are currently in Grenada about to head back north up to Nova Scotia. Thanks to nice pension we haven't touched our retirement accounts and have benefited as others have from the performance of a 70/30 stock to bond portfolio. Great health and smooth sailing have helped make our entry into retirement a rewarding one. Thanks to all on this board who have helped me in planning and getting ready for FIRE.
Thanks to all.
Thanks to all.
Playing with ceramics and drawing, reading a lot, more or less staying in shape, maintaining my house, helping out my elderly parents and my old-as-Moses dog. Living on about 2% of portfolio, the balance of which is up over 21% since my early 2015 retirement. I don't miss w*rk at all. Not bored at all.
The only potential fly in the ointment was -- what else -- health coverage. But I had a Plan B and have implemented it. I joined my SO's health plan as a "domestic partner."
Generally, life is pretty good. I honestly feel that I sensed the right moment to get out of the rat race. I don't wish I'd retired earlier or later. Early 2015 seems to be just right.
The only potential fly in the ointment was -- what else -- health coverage. But I had a Plan B and have implemented it. I joined my SO's health plan as a "domestic partner."
Generally, life is pretty good. I honestly feel that I sensed the right moment to get out of the rat race. I don't wish I'd retired earlier or later. Early 2015 seems to be just right.
HFWR
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
So far, so good. Portfolio is up 30%, even after two yearly withdrawals. Budget appears to have more paddling than planned. Carrying on...
I had signed up and then dropped out of this class for some consulting work. That's still ongoing, at about 15 hours a week. Sometimes it's interesting, sometimes annoying, but I do enjoy having a bit of extra spending money. We've been making withdrawals as planned, and are putting a good part of the extra income towards travel and hobbies.
Well - I have to confess I went back to work last year. After retiring I lost a bunch of weight, did some great travel, and started volunteering. The volunteering turned into a full time gig, and I thought - if I'm going to work full time might as well get paid for it. I also got bored since I have some constraints with family that keep me from just taking off and traveling for a month at a time. It got old being able to knock out grocery shopping at 10:30 a.m. with all the other retirees.
The market has been better than I ever expected, and ended up adding quite a bit to the stash, which makes the decision to keep working even more ludicrous, but going back to work really wasn't about the money.
So now I'm left having to slog into work on Monday morning wondering if I have any fight left in me - but trying to keep in mind that I should be grateful that I can go to an office and interact with some people on some interesting work related things.
Kind of pathetic really - but that's where I'm at now.
The market has been better than I ever expected, and ended up adding quite a bit to the stash, which makes the decision to keep working even more ludicrous, but going back to work really wasn't about the money.
So now I'm left having to slog into work on Monday morning wondering if I have any fight left in me - but trying to keep in mind that I should be grateful that I can go to an office and interact with some people on some interesting work related things.
Kind of pathetic really - but that's where I'm at now.
Yup, I've been pleasantly surprised at how successful and easy the transition has been. I spent a couple of years looking over the financial situation and trying to prove to myself I couldn't afford to do it. Pulled the trigger and left work May of 2015. All in all, it's been great.
wheelsdown
Dryer sheet wannabe
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2014
- Messages
- 11
My first day of retirement was spent on a a cruise. I'm now less than two weeks away from my 5 year anniversary and have never looked back. I did take a part time gig at a woodworking store, but gave that up when it was interfering with my shop time
I hope everyone else in class of '15 is doing well
I hope everyone else in class of '15 is doing well
Never looked back. The best years of my life. I stay active, hiking, biking, enjoying family (especially grandkids). Almost completed full house remodel/updating. Mom passed in October, spent a lot of time the last 4 years taking care of her needs in assisted living with dementia.
Haven't watched any tv to speak of. Do a lot of reading. Several older widows in the neighborhood I help out.
Went to a w**k retirement party for an employee I'd hired 30 years ago right after I started. He's over 70. A lot of negative energy amongst employees. So glad I'm out of there. Got to go.. headed out on my daily 6 mile hike in the mountains.
Haven't watched any tv to speak of. Do a lot of reading. Several older widows in the neighborhood I help out.
Went to a w**k retirement party for an employee I'd hired 30 years ago right after I started. He's over 70. A lot of negative energy amongst employees. So glad I'm out of there. Got to go.. headed out on my daily 6 mile hike in the mountains.
texcurtis
Recycles dryer sheets
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2014
- Messages
- 125
5 years retired & about to turn 60! It just doesn’t seem possible, yet it totally is.
The first couple of years were about getting comfortable with knowing I have enough without a salary. Intellectually I knew I did, but emotionally it has taken longer to get there. Finally, at a lunch with good friends, one asked ‘What are you waiting for?’.
Somehow that was the key to opening the gates to living more fully as a retired person, really living. Like others I have more money now than when I started & still have paid for 5 years of living. Finally updating the house & kitchen and doing some traveling. In fact, I leave next week for a 31 day cruise in South America. Yeah!!!
Life is good & I’m grateful I early retired on Feb 1, 2015.
The first couple of years were about getting comfortable with knowing I have enough without a salary. Intellectually I knew I did, but emotionally it has taken longer to get there. Finally, at a lunch with good friends, one asked ‘What are you waiting for?’.
Somehow that was the key to opening the gates to living more fully as a retired person, really living. Like others I have more money now than when I started & still have paid for 5 years of living. Finally updating the house & kitchen and doing some traveling. In fact, I leave next week for a 31 day cruise in South America. Yeah!!!
Life is good & I’m grateful I early retired on Feb 1, 2015.
Retired five years ago this week. Was slow to FIRE because I didn’t know what I would do with all that free time. First couple of months a little strange, but, as posters have mentioned many times, time takes care of itself. And, have done some volunteering, but also learned how to say ‘no’ and mean it. Best decision I ever made. Time has flown!
