The Class of 2011

[steelyman]

Two more matriculates:

afntrn56 (55) 11/30
Arnie (55) 7/15
Beryl (56) 1/31
bizlady (55) 4/11
bob boag (55) 7/1
casky (58) 6/29
chinaco (55)
cj (56) 5/1
dessert (60) 3/31
frugal-one (??)
heirloom (61½) 6/1
heyduke (55) 3/1
Jacmac (53) 1/1
Jacmac DH (56) 5/31
jimbohoward69 (41)
jerryo (61) 8/31
JJPIES60 (51) 7/15
JmfromTx (56) 1/31
KingB (62) 1/31
KingB DW (63) 4/1
kwblack (54) 1/1
martyp (55) 3/1
Midpack (57) 6/30
NeverBored (59) 6/30
norske69 (59) 6/13
NW Landlady DH (55) 5/31
OhSoClose (54) 6/6
Packman (54) 5/31
Prototype (55) 1/15
Purron DH (55) 3/1
REattempt (46) 7/30
RunningBum (49) 3/15
Sixteen Tons (57) 5/1
Skye (62) 1/1
Southern Geek (55) 7/4
steelyman (53)8/15
TodaysTheDay (55) 3/14
Tomcat98 (43) 7/10
zaqxsw (57) 8/12

 

[crispus]

Oh please add me too.
Had a nightmare last evening. My old boss wanted me to come back to work.

 

[steelyman]

Oh please add me too.
Had a nightmare last evening. My old boss wanted me to come back to work.

Glad to have you. I'm sure one of us will be happy to add you; can you provide your age at retirement and date of retirement in 2011? Most everybody in the current list has that displayed.

 

[crispus]

56 years old February 2011

 

[Packman]

afntrn56 (55) 11/30
Arnie (55) 7/15
Beryl (56) 1/31
bizlady (55) 4/11
bob boag (55) 7/1
casky (58) 6/29
chinaco (55)
cj (56) 5/1
crispus (56) 2/?
dessert (60) 3/31
frugal-one (??)
heirloom (61½) 6/1
heyduke (55) 3/1
Jacmac (53) 1/1
Jacmac DH (56) 5/31
jimbohoward69 (41)
jerryo (61) 8/31
JJPIES60 (51) 7/15
JmfromTx (56) 1/31
KingB (62) 1/31
KingB DW (63) 4/1
kwblack (54) 1/1
martyp (55) 3/1
Midpack (57) 6/30
NeverBored (59) 6/30
norske69 (59) 6/13
NW Landlady DH (55) 5/31
OhSoClose (54) 6/6
Packman (54) 5/31
Prototype (55) 1/15
Purron DH (55) 3/1
REattempt (46) 7/30
RunningBum (49) 3/15
Sixteen Tons (57) 5/1
Skye (62) 1/1
Southern Geek (55) 7/4
steelyman (53)8/15
TodaysTheDay (55) 3/14
Tomcat98 (43) 7/10
zaqxsw (57) 8/12


Got you added, crispus!

 

[chas57006]

class of 2011

Can some one add me to the list.
I will be retiring June 30th after 38 years at 57.
My DW will also be retiring the same day.

Thanks

Chas57006

 

[Packman]

afntrn56 (55) 11/30
Arnie (55) 7/15
Beryl (56) 1/31
bizlady (55) 4/11
bob boag (55) 7/1
casky (58) 6/29
chas57006 & DW (a twofer) (57) 6/30
chinaco (55)
cj (56) 5/1
crispus (56) 2/?
dessert (60) 3/31
frugal-one (??)
heirloom (61½) 6/1
heyduke (55) 3/1
Jacmac (53) 1/1
Jacmac DH (56) 5/31
jimbohoward69 (41)
jerryo (61) 8/31
JJPIES60 (51) 7/15
JmfromTx (56) 1/31
KingB (62) 1/31
KingB DW (63) 4/1
kwblack (54) 1/1
martyp (55) 3/1
Midpack (57) 6/30
NeverBored (59) 6/30
norske69 (59) 6/13
NW Landlady DH (55) 5/31
OhSoClose (54) 6/6
Packman (54) 5/31
Prototype (55) 1/15
Purron DH (55) 3/1
REattempt (46) 7/30
RunningBum (49) 3/15
Sixteen Tons (57) 5/1
Skye (62) 1/1
Southern Geek (55) 7/4
steelyman (53)8/15
TodaysTheDay (55) 3/14
Tomcat98 (43) 7/10
zaqxsw (57) 8/12


Added chas and DW

 

[bob boag]

T minus 27 days
Six more work weeks.
Four more Mondays.

Last day is 7/1 but they tell me my last day physically in-plant is 6/30; plus I'm off Memorial Day.
Got a rollover IRA from Vanguard so I can roll over my "lump-sum" pension (60 monthly payments actually). Vanguard was very helpful & I got my own guy to deal with it. I'm leaving my 401K at Fidelity so I still have access to their stable-value fund and can get money penalty-free if necessary before age 59.5. One of the tougher decisions was to forgo COBRA and company health/dental insurance. We'll use my wife's bennies until she's 65 and I'm 69. She's gonna work at least 4 more years. Got hooked up with a consultant agency so I might get the occasional gig for pocket cash.

One of the last loose ends is to clean up 31 years worth of paperwork, data files, and miscellaneous rubbish in my office and lab. That will cause some rumination.

Cheers to my brothers & sisters in the class of 2011!

 

[Packman]

So now that chas and crispus have been added to the list, there is no free lunch here in ER land. Can you tell us a bit about your situation - planned or unplanned, the good the bad and the ugly about your ER decisions. We're waiting....

 

[Packman]

One of the last loose ends is to clean up 31 years worth of paperwork, data files, and miscellaneous rubbish in my office and lab. That will cause some rumination.

With only 3 days left for me, I have begun the cleaning of the paper and data files, after 22 years with the same employer. Not as fun as I thought it might be. It's actually sad to see all my hard work go into the shredder. I think my problem is that I'm looking at too much of it. Should just toss it direct and delete whole folders instead of opening individual files and looking at them.

Next Tuesday is the end, seems surreal for now. I'm not sure when it will sink in, but I'm ready for it, whenever it hits me.

 

[Midpack]

Can some one add me to the list.
I will be retiring June 30th after 38 years at 57.
My DW will also be retiring the same day.

Thanks

Chas57006

We're twins! I will be retiring on June 30th after 34 years at 57...

 

[zaqxsw]

Congratulations to all alumni!!!

Damn, these last couple of months until graduation are tough.........

 

[steelyman]

Cheers to my brothers & sisters in the class of 2011!

We Are Family.

 

[heyduke]

to those who have made it congrats - to those waiting to join us it will happen faster than you think...

 

[steelyman]

Another update for the new forum member Greg.

afntrn56 (55) 11/30
Arnie (55) 7/15
Beryl (56) 1/31
bizlady (55) 4/11
bob boag (55) 7/1
casky (58) 6/29
chas57006 & DW (a twofer) (57) 6/30
chinaco (55)
cj (56) 5/1
crispus (56) 2/?
dessert (60) 3/31
frugal-one (??)
gsparks2 (55) 8/1
heirloom (61½) 6/1
heyduke (55) 3/1
Jacmac (53) 1/1
Jacmac DH (56) 5/31
jimbohoward69 (41)
jerryo (61) 8/31
JJPIES60 (51) 7/15
JmfromTx (56) 1/31
KingB (62) 1/31
KingB DW (63) 4/1
kwblack (54) 1/1
martyp (55) 3/1
Midpack (57) 6/30
NeverBored (59) 6/30
norske69 (59) 6/13
NW Landlady DH (55) 5/31
OhSoClose (54) 6/6
Packman (54) 5/31
Prototype (55) 1/15
Purron DH (55) 3/1
REattempt (46) 7/30
RunningBum (49) 3/15
Sixteen Tons (57) 5/1
Skye (62) 1/1
Southern Geek (55) 7/4
steelyman (53) 8/15
TodaysTheDay (55) 3/14
Tomcat98 (43) 7/10
zaqxsw (57) 8/12

 

[nivek]

What qualifies as ER? I see some who are ER but work part-time or have a spouse work or keep open a part-time business.

I think I'll be in the class of 2011. I have backed off to part-time hours. I may volunteer some hours in exchange for health coverage and some nominal wage from my former employer. I haven't decided on that yet. I am also starting a 501c3 that I won't draw income from. In fact, just the opposite, it will draw time and income from me. But it is a passion and labor of love. So I'm not sure if that will qualify as ER or not.

- Nivek

 

[Packman]

Well, tomorrow is my last day of w*rk. They have organized a going away party at 3:00 . So I need to hang around for the whole day. I am sure looking forward to deleting all of my emails and giving my laptop and i-phone back to the IT department. I'll walk away "electronically disconnected" and I'm most looking forward to that. Over the last 3-5 years or so, the use of home computers, smart phones, i-pads, etc., have made many employees (including me) 24 hour-a-day on call employees. Not my idea of fun!

I still don't think the whole idea of ER has sunk in with me yet. It all seems like a bit of a dream. I'll let you all know how that last day goes.

 

[steelyman]

Well, tomorrow is my last day of w*rk. They have organized a going away party at 3:00 . So I need to hang around for the whole day. I am sure looking forward to deleting all of my emails and giving my laptop and i-phone back to the IT department. I'll walk away "electronically disconnected" and I'm most looking forward to that. Over the last 3-5 years or so, the use of home computers, smart phones, i-pads, etc., have made many employees (including me) 24 hour-a-day on call employees. Not my idea of fun!

I still don't think the whole idea of ER has sunk in with me yet. It all seems like a bit of a dream. I'll let you all know how that last day goes.

Take it light on your last day, Packman, and let us know how it goes. I think we all know what you're talking about .

I watched "Field of Dreams" this evening, a movie that I think has a lot to do with freedom and conviction. Hopefully we'll all find our fields.

 

[cj]

Yay for you, Packman!! Relax, enjoy the last day. I normally worked 7-4, and I was still doing real work (reviewing stuff with coworkers) right up until 4:00 on that last day. But it was fine.

Some thoughts: After one month, I find that I don't miss work. Not at all, not even a little bit! The days somehow fill, and I'm not bored. I have time to read, time to knit, time to go for long walks. I'm not in a hurry to do anything, and I've pretty much stopped wearing a watch. It's hard sometimes to remember what day it is, but that's just a minor problem. I cook more, now that I have the time, and we eat out less, so the "dining out" category is not as high. I also find that I drive around less. It's been 15 days since my last fill-up, and I still have 1/3 tank of gas in my car. I go to town once or twice a week, and find that I am content to spend time at home just puttering around. (We have a lot of activities in our community, so I do stuff there - i'm not a total hermit!!) I have time to visit my parents and help them with whatever they need. I think I'm almost ready to do some volunteering (thought I'd do more, and right away) but there's no hurry. The amount of money in the checking account is not falling as fast as I expected (built up in anticipation of the end of my income). Of course, DH is still working for now.... The truth is, we're just not spending as much.

Life is sweet!!

 

[Sixteen Tons]

Congratulations Packman! I echo CJs comments. The days before ER seemed to drag, but this last month has just flown by. Life on the other side is good.

 

[W2R]

Well, tomorrow is my last day of w*rk. They have organized a going away party at 3:00 . So I need to hang around for the whole day. I am sure looking forward to deleting all of my emails and giving my laptop and i-phone back to the IT department. I'll walk away "electronically disconnected" and I'm most looking forward to that. Over the last 3-5 years or so, the use of home computers, smart phones, i-pads, etc., have made many employees (including me) 24 hour-a-day on call employees. Not my idea of fun!

I still don't think the whole idea of ER has sunk in with me yet. It all seems like a bit of a dream. I'll let you all know how that last day goes.

Looking forward to your report! As I recall, turning in my badge was tough but otherwise it was an exhilarating beginning to a new adventure, retired life.

Edited to add: looking forward to reports from other 2011 retirees as well! I had forgotten that so MANY of you exist.

 

[Midpack]

Congrats to 3 more "graduates" - Jacmac DH, NW Landlady DH & Packman!!! And another tomorrow...

afntrn56 (55) 11/30
Arnie (55) 7/15
Beryl (56) 1/31
bizlady (55) 4/11
bob boag (55) 7/1
casky (58) 6/29
chas57006 & DW (a twofer) (57) 6/30
chinaco (55)
cj (56) 5/1
crispus (56) 2/?
dessert (60) 3/31
frugal-one (??)
gsparks2 (55) 8/1
heirloom (61½) 6/1
heyduke (55) 3/1
Jacmac (53) 1/1
Jacmac DH (56) 5/31
jimbohoward69 (41)
jerryo (61) 8/31
JJPIES60 (51) 7/15
JmfromTx (56) 1/31
KingB (62) 1/31
KingB DW (63) 4/1
kwblack (54) 1/1
martyp (55) 3/1
Midpack (57) 6/30
NeverBored (59) 6/30
norske69 (59) 6/13
NW Landlady DH (55) 5/31
OhSoClose (54) 6/6
Packman (54) 5/31
Prototype (55) 1/15
Purron DH (55) 3/1
REattempt (46) 7/30
RunningBum (49) 3/15
Sixteen Tons (57) 5/1
Skye (62) 1/1
Southern Geek (55) 7/4
steelyman (53) 8/15
TodaysTheDay (55) 3/14
Tomcat98 (43) 7/10
zaqxsw (57) 8/12

 

[zaqxsw]

Hey Midpack! Looking at the dates, you're going to have a lot of company the end of June!

 

[dessert]

looking forward to reports from other 2011 retirees as well! I had forgotten that so MANY of you exist.

Well I'll go first....I am like most others in the early stages of ER. I don't miss work at all. Each day seems to fill up with things to do. I sleep a little later, have coffee, read the paper, and then get started with whatever I'm doing that day. I don't feel the price of gas because I am not on the road every day going to work and fill up much less often. I have been fishing, cruising, working around the house, helping others with repairs, doing repairs around my house, had a big garage sale and have less "stuff" around. I still have plenty to do but as my friend once said, "if you do everything today, then what will you do tomorrow"?
I am also doing a lot of "housework" inside like cleaning, vaccuming, dishes etc. so that my DW doen't mind having me around all the time. So far, I seem to like my freedom. It's great.

 

[W2R]

Sounds great, Dessert! Thanks.