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Old 03-12-2008, 08:29 PM   #41
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Wow. When I finally reach nirvana, oops, I mean ER, I will never want to go back to work. As I envision ER, I don't think I would want to meet with people from work frequently like that. I am hoping that ER will be a transition to a new phase in my life with new interests and new pursuits. Part of what I am looking forward to is getting away from office politics, and I am not sure I could separate office politics from the people themselves. Maybe?
Your real friends will want to meet you whether you're still in that office or not, and sometimes the office is the best place to accomodate their limited free time.

But all the former co-workers from my last command that I keep in touch with prefer to do it at various drinking/eating/surfing locations, or via e-mail. I did go back to work once for a "tour" of the fire trainer-- about as far away from my old office as I could get-- but I don't see that happening again anytime soon.
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Old 03-13-2008, 05:26 AM   #42
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Wow. When I finally reach nirvana, oops, I mean ER, I will never want to go back to work. As I envision ER, I don't think I would want to meet with people from work frequently like that. I am hoping that ER will be a transition to a new phase in my life with new interests and new pursuits. Part of what I am looking forward to is getting away from office politics, and I am not sure I could separate office politics from the people themselves. Maybe?
it's a mixed bag. i run into former coworkers and get the spectrum of reactions (happy, jealous, outright ignored). but i do NOT return to the office unless there is a retirement party for a special person. i went to a ret party for a personnel specialist who was just tremendos to work with, just 3 mos after i FIREd. it was delicious for me to sit in the same building i used to be imprisoned in, and know i could leave for the day.
i also do a weekly chinese buffet with a group of 10 folks. 2 of us are FIREd. the others can't help but &*$#! about the job, and it just reinforces my joy not to be have to be there anymore.
how close are you to FIRE? are you CSRS or FERS?
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Old 03-13-2008, 06:46 AM   #43
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it's a mixed bag. i run into former coworkers and get the spectrum of reactions (happy, jealous, outright ignored). but i do NOT return to the office unless there is a retirement party for a special person. i went to a ret party for a personnel specialist who was just tremendos to work with, just 3 mos after i FIREd. it was delicious for me to sit in the same building i used to be imprisoned in, and know i could leave for the day.
i also do a weekly chinese buffet with a group of 10 folks. 2 of us are FIREd. the others can't help but &*$#! about the job, and it just reinforces my joy not to be have to be there anymore.
how close are you to FIRE? are you CSRS or FERS?
FERS, 604 days... So, I still have plenty of time to mentally construct what I want the non-financial aspects of my ER to be like on a daily basis.
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Old 03-13-2008, 05:00 PM   #44
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FERS, 604 days... So, I still have plenty of time to mentally construct what I want the non-financial aspects of my ER to be like on a daily basis.
Wow, that's some precision planning! I'm 2 to 4 years from ER, not sure how I'm going to forecast the day, but I guess one day I'll know...
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Old 03-13-2008, 10:20 PM   #45
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Wow, that's some precision planning! I'm 2 to 4 years from ER, not sure how I'm going to forecast the day, but I guess one day I'll know...
I had mine planned down to the day since about 2002 - Feb 18, 2008. However,
situations changed, opportunity knocked (or rather barged in), and I ended up
leaving 16 months early, in Oct 2006.
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Old 03-14-2008, 08:16 AM   #46
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I had mine planned down to the day since about 2002 - Feb 18, 2008. However,
situations changed, opportunity knocked (or rather barged in), and I ended up
leaving 16 months early, in Oct 2006.
I sure wish that would happen in my case! I am not holding my breath, though.

When I first began the "countdown", I had over 2350 days to go, and next week I will be in the 500's at last. There is nobody on earth who is going to enjoy being ER'd any more than I will! Really looking forward to it.
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Old 03-14-2008, 08:20 AM   #47
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FERS, 604 days... So, I still have plenty of time to mentally construct what I want the non-financial aspects of my ER to be like on a daily basis.
you go girl!
my only plan was escape. LOL

seriously, i had a 5 year plan since 2004. my target ret date was late 2008, doing at 20 yrs at 50 y/o with an early out . but RSI and numbness in neck accelerated that decision to early 2007. no regrets.
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Old 03-15-2008, 08:04 AM   #48
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After hearing some of the complaints about cubicles and office politics I think nursing is a good deal . We get plenty of exercise ( no need to hit the gym after a 10 hour walking marathon ) . The office politics are never our main focus . We laugh a lot at work ( either that or cry ) . We tend to support each other . We form close friendships with our colleagues and finally We can find any reason for a party ! Are they envious of me that I retired ? Not really . They are mostly happy for me and want to know how I did it . No big secret I worked and saved for many years .
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Old 03-16-2008, 05:22 AM   #49
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You have friends and friendly acquaintances. Many are probably a bit puzzled at how you did it. Some are probably skeptical that it will work out (unless you shared all of your financial information... I would not do that) and are publicly supportive but expect you back at work before too long. Or they think you are going to live such a spartan lifestyle that you will have to compromise your living standard.

Even some of your true friends may have a twinge of envy but no resentment about it... (of course they would probably never say it). I think it is a bit natural to be a little envious unless one really loves their j*b. For many... they are probably thinking, pleeeeeeeeeeeeeease...... take me with you.
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Old 03-16-2008, 09:22 AM   #50
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When I first began the "countdown", I had over 2350 days to go, and next week I will be in the 500's at last. There is nobody on earth who is going to enjoy being ER'd any more than I will! Really looking forward to it.
I don't mean to sound rude, but comments like this really make me wonder: Why do you guys stay in jobs you hate so much that you're counting the days until you can quit?

It almost sounds like you're "putting in your dues" for 20 years so you can finally start enjoying life. Why not find a job you enjoy?

I'm 32. I've got a long ways to go until retirement, and I'm looking forward to that new adventure when the time comes. But in the meantime, I like what I do at work, I like the people I work with, and I'm doing things I probably won't be able to do when I'm older.

Sorry if I'm reading the comments the wrong way, it just seems to me that "only 2000 days to go!" is a pretty sad way to go through life.
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Old 03-16-2008, 09:57 AM   #51
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I don't mean to sound rude, but comments like this really make me wonder: Why do you guys stay in jobs you hate so much that you're counting the days until you can quit?

It almost sounds like you're "putting in your dues" for 20 years so you can finally start enjoying life. Why not find a job you enjoy?

I'm 32. I've got a long ways to go until retirement, and I'm looking forward to that new adventure when the time comes. But in the meantime, I like what I do at work, I like the people I work with, and I'm doing things I probably won't be able to do when I'm older.

Sorry if I'm reading the comments the wrong way, it just seems to me that "only 2000 days to go!" is a pretty sad way to go through life.
At your age, you are exactly right (and I shared your opinion 150% at your age). However, at almost age 60 I am a great deal older than you and wear "the golden handcuffs". And when I retire next year with a pension and lifetime medical, just remember all of this before you assume that I was really lucky and it wasn't fair and that older baby boomers get all the breaks.
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Old 03-16-2008, 09:58 AM   #52
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I don't mean to sound rude, but comments like this really make me wonder: Why do you guys stay in jobs you hate so much that you're counting the days until you can quit?

It almost sounds like you're "putting in your dues" for 20 years so you can finally start enjoying life. Why not find a job you enjoy?

I'm 32. I've got a long ways to go until retirement, and I'm looking forward to that new adventure when the time comes. But in the meantime, I like what I do at work, I like the people I work with, and I'm doing things I probably won't be able to do when I'm older.

Sorry if I'm reading the comments the wrong way, it just seems to me that "only 2000 days to go!" is a pretty sad way to go through life.
I'm retired now, but I have some answers.

With only 2 or 3 years to go, is it really worth all the rigmarole of finding a new job? Especially if you will likely be losing benefits?

Want2retire has said she is staying for the retirement medical benefits; that was also a major concern of mine.

What is the hiring potential of the average 50 - 60 year old?

We are not all high powered executives or doing cutting edge projects (nor do we want to be). As we get older it simply isn't worth the trouble.

A job I enjoy? What might that be?

I can go days without speaking to or hearing another person.
I listen to the birds and watch the squirrels (and other critters that venture onto the lawn).
I putter around in the garden.

Will someone pay me to watch the squirrels?
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Old 03-16-2008, 10:05 AM   #53
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A job I enjoy? What might that be?
Khan, your post expresses what I wished to express, only SO much better than mine. I love the above sentence, which pretty much says it all at this stage in my life.

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I can go days without speaking to or hearing another person.
I listen to the birds and watch the squirrels (and other critters that venture onto the lawn).
I putter around in the garden.

Will someone pay me to watch the squirrels?
Not with guaranteed lifetime medical and pension to be provided in 604 days.
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Old 03-16-2008, 06:58 PM   #54
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I don't mean to sound rude, but comments like this really make me wonder: Why do you guys stay in jobs you hate so much that you're counting the days until you can quit?

It almost sounds like you're "putting in your dues" for 20 years so you can finally start enjoying life. Why not find a job you enjoy?
Thirty-plus years ago I took the job in municipal government that I ER'd from last April. The the top reasons why I originally took that job were:

#1-Job Security

#2-Good Wages

#3-Medical/Dental Insurance

#4-Great Retirement Benefits

Those were the good attributes of the job. When I started there I was 10-20 years younger than all the rest of my co-workers......which meant I was, quite literally, the low man on the totem pole. That wouldn't be too bad in most fields, but I worked in wastewater (a.k.a. sewage) treatment. That meant that I was the guy at the bottom of 30 ft. deep tanks, with the chest-waders, rain-gear, and hard hat on, waist deep in poo. Our boss was the biggest @sshole that I've ever met in all my life. There were many times that I was ready to walk out and quit.......until I remembered those four benefits listed above. I was also aware from day-one, that my full retirement age would be 55....unless they offered a 'buy-out' (which they did), then my full retirement age would be 50 (which it was).

I out lasted that boss, as well as the 3 that followed him! I also out lasted all of my other co-workers! There was only 1 other guy who had ever stayed there more years than myself. When I retired, out of close to 200 employees, there were only 2 guys with more seniority than myself. My last 10 years there were better than the first 20-some, because I had gradually crawled up the ladder out of the poo, to eventually become plant foreman and lab manager. Of course that climb just took me to a new and different version of poo......dealing with the red tape & bureaucracy of the state and federal regulatory agencies....and dealing with elected sh*thead politicians officials.

I NEVER loved my job.....it was merely the means to reach a desired (and planned) end result.....FIRE! Mission Accomplished! I am now thoroughly enjoying all 168 hours each week, totally unencumbered by any thought or actual burden of employment!

As for putting in my 'dues' for all those years so I could "finally start" enjoying life........Naaah, not even close! The job only took an average of 40 hours out of my 168 hours each week.......those other 128 hours were mine to enjoy life! And enjoy life....I did!!! Retirement just added those 40 hours back into the enjoyment pool!

My retirement benefits for sticking it out there for 30+ years:

#1- COLA'd Pension which equals 87.9% of my former wage

#2- Full Medical & Dental Insurance (for life)

#3- Total Freedom to do whatever I want, whenever I want, wherever I want...for the rest of my life!

Good luck in your life choices!
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Old 03-16-2008, 07:00 PM   #55
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BTW....it's been 347 days, 4 hours, 30 minutes since I ER'd!!!

(still counting.....hahahaha!)
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Old 03-17-2008, 09:28 AM   #56
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just last night i had a conversation with a friend who still lives in the hometown where we grew up and who i will be meeting next month in daytona (he's visiting and i want to look around again at some downsizes).

during our discussion of his recent dinner with another friend of ours who is early retiring to sarasota, my old friend tells me that he is jealous that i don't have to work. so i had to remind him that his net worth is greater than mine.

"but i'd have to sell my houses" he says. "well, what do you think i'm doing" i said. heck, i'm even considering a life overseas just so i don't have to work anymore.

it's not that he's jealous that i have more, because i don't. he's the one with more. what he is oddly jealous of is that i'm doing more with what less i have.

"less is more"~~ludwig mies van der rohe
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Old 03-17-2008, 12:16 PM   #57
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I don't mean to sound rude, but comments like this really make me wonder: Why do you guys stay in jobs you hate so much that you're counting the days until you can quit?

It almost sounds like you're "putting in your dues" for 20 years so you can finally start enjoying life. Why not find a job you enjoy?

I'm 32. I've got a long ways to go until retirement, and I'm looking forward to that new adventure when the time comes. But in the meantime, I like what I do at work, I like the people I work with, and I'm doing things I probably won't be able to do when I'm older.

Sorry if I'm reading the comments the wrong way, it just seems to me that "only 2000 days to go!" is a pretty sad way to go through life.
I think a lot of people enjoy their jobs to a certain extent, but many have found more enjoyable things to do, and they have the means to retire early - so why not do the things you enjoy more if you can afford to?
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Old 03-17-2008, 12:40 PM   #58
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A mere 37 year old opinion on your question

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Originally Posted by kombat View Post
I don't mean to sound rude, but comments like this really make me wonder: Why do you guys stay in jobs you hate so much that you're counting the days until you can quit?

It almost sounds like you're "putting in your dues" for 20 years so you can finally start enjoying life. Why not find a job you enjoy?

I'm 32. I've got a long ways to go until retirement, and I'm looking forward to that new adventure when the time comes. But in the meantime, I like what I do at work, I like the people I work with, and I'm doing things I probably won't be able to do when I'm older.

Sorry if I'm reading the comments the wrong way, it just seems to me that "only 2000 days to go!" is a pretty sad way to go through life.
I DO like what I do (they actually PAY me to TALK to people about some things I am passionate about)...BUT, I will be pulling the plug on my lovely j*b May 1, 2020 as a result of also wearing the proverbial golden handcuffs. Since I am only 37, that gives me a mere 4,424 days until I am no longer a W2 employee!!! (and in receipt of COLA'd pension, med/den/vis for life, etc - and a few years from another pension) I am already starting to participate in some of the things I plan to do "when I am older" - and will have more time to commit to those things at that time. The beauty of it all is that I am planning on pulling the plug, not disgruntled with today!

May you be as lucky as well to find a field/occupation/vocation you DO enjoy, so as to make the journey to FIRE as pain free as possible!
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Old 03-17-2008, 02:04 PM   #59
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What I say...

I have no "friends" (only acquaintances) .

Therefore, there is no "impact"...

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Old 03-17-2008, 07:01 PM   #60
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it's not that he's jealous that i have more, because i don't. he's the one with more. what he is oddly jealous of is that i'm doing more with what less i have.
This says a lot. You have put it very well. What you are doing takes courage, too, and it's possible that it's your courage that he's jealous of...

We speak to many folks who have 2, 3 and 4 times as much as we do, but they are afraid to not have a job. Truly, money is only one aspect of retirement. There's a lot more to unplugging from the 'norm' than money.

Congratulations!

Be well,
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