The Class of 2014

[pinejake]

I've moved from 2013 to May of 2014, for several reasons, biggest being waiting until I turn 55 to access 401k, followed by my wife decision to stay another year. That will be 32 years on the same job, managing people and getting pretty burnt out on it all.

But, it's only 10 months away, and our retirement income should be a solid 120K per year, no debt , so the pay off is near!

Can't wait....

 

[bjorn2bwild]

I was waiting for DW before joining the class of 2014 with conviction. New management stepped in to clarify her thoughts.
We are relocating, so it will be either spring or fall depending on how soon we can get ready. The Hemingway solution will be unnecessary.
Fun!

 

[BizzyC]

I may be in the 2014 class as well. I've kind of arbitrarily set Feb 2014 as the date, based on when a set of stock options vests. It's a little bit silly, the value of the options really isn't that great, but it is kind of a mental stake in the ground for me of "this far, and absolutely no farther".

It may be earlier than that, but under no circumstances is it going to be later!

Doh! Make that April 2014! Is there such a thing as "One More Set of Stock Options" Syndrome? OMSSO? Darned rising stock prices.

 

[howdidigetthisold]

Add me to the list of 2014. My FIRE date is December 1, 2014 -- that's the day I'll have put in 30 years at the state j*b. The difference in my pension is over $3 grand/yr between November 30 and December 1! That's how the formula works -- put in 30 years and there's a reward. I'm already basically FI, but the extra cash forever (also COLA'd) is too good to pass up when I'm this close. It's great to finally have a date picked. It makes putting up with the BS a lot easier. Just don't care -- get paid by the hour...

 

[ER Eddie]

Better take me off the list. I plan to downshift to part-time work at my current job, but not to stop work entirely, and I don't think shifting from FT to PT qualifies as "retiring." So I'd better opt out of the list, although I enjoyed my time on it, and if things get really sh*tty, I may rejoin later.

 

[akck]

Updated list with new members added to the end:


1. HeatherB - 2013
2. Retire2013 - 2013
3. Ronstar - Jan-2014
4. akck - Jan-2014
5. Redbugdave - Jan-2014
6. sbwitte - Jan-2014
7. debster747 - Jan-2014
8. Coaster - Jan-2014
9. rodi - H - Jan-2014
10. Ozstache - Jan-2014
11. Unpaintedhuffhines - Jan-2014
12. Cassie - Jan-2014
13. gozer - Jan-2014
14. BizzyC - Apr-2014 OMM
15. foxfirev5 - Feb-2014
16. rodi - Feb-2014
17. Meadbh - Mar-2014
18. nun - Mar-2014
19. brewer12345 - Apr-2014
20. Lagniappe - Apr-2014
21. Hawk50s - Apr-2014
22. jimbee - Apr-2014
23. Dakotah - May-2014
24. christian_n - Jun-2014
25. fh2000 - Jun-2014
26. FreeAtLast - Jun-2014
27. scrinch - Jun-2014
28. 02camp - Jun-2014
29. Huston55 - Jun-2014
30. FIREd - W - Jun-2014
31. jollystomper - Jun-2014
32. photoguy - Jun-2014
33. linny727 - Jun-2014
34. obgyn65 - Jun-2014
35. Nomad4hire - Jun-2014
36. powlusr - Jun-2014
37. WhoDaresWins - Jul-2014
38. Grainiac - Aug-2014
39. ER Eddie - -2014
40. hakuna matata - Oct-2014
41. FLD3C - Oct-2014
42. SecondCor521 - Nov-2014
43. hakuna matata - W - Dec-2014
44. Turn_the_Page - Dec-2014
45. sengsational - 2014
46. Amethyst - ? To be determined.
47. Masquernom - Jun 2014 possible 2013
48. Difficultrun - Apr 2014

49. pinejake May-2014
50. bjorn2bwild Apr-2014
51. howdidigetthisold Dec-2014

ER Eddie, we'll keep you on the list, just in case. We have a couple on the list scheduled to retire in 2013, just in case, but hopefully they'll make it (if they haven't already).

 

[ER Eddie]

ER Eddie, we'll keep you on the list, just in case.

Okay, thanks. I do tend to change my mind a lot, so who knows...

 

[Redbugdave]

Akck...What expense ratio fees does RE Eddie need to pay to keep his reservation open for the 2014 Cruise Ship, "American Freedom"? I've got my state room w/balcony already reserved and I'm paid up...

 

[Andre1969]

Is it too late for me to join the class of 2014, tentatively at least? I had been planning on playing it by ear and going out in the broad-ranged span of 0-7 years, based on my savings, the economy, the BS buckets, and so on. I had been hoping it would be more like 2016-2017 at the earliest, but, and had even toyed with the idea of staying on but cutting back, maybe to 30 hours per week and sticking around as long as I enjoyed it.

But, things went south really quickly last week, and got worse this week. I've been running the Firecalc numbers for awhile now, and one thing that had originally made me want to stick around a bit longer was the "one more year" syndrome. I saw how much working just one more year would boost the financial picture, and have to admit I got lured back in.

But, running the latest number, it looks like if I want to live off of $35,000 per year, adjusted for inflation, I have a 92.9% chance of making it to the age of 100. Originally, I wanted to have $40K, but honestly I think that was overkill. Right now my take-home is only around $32K per year. And there's an awful lot of fat I can easily cut from the budget.

Right now, I am a little scared, but excited at the same time! Mentally, I think I truly "retired" on Friday. I want to at least hold out through September. Our raises kick in September 1. I don't know how much I'm getting, but if I wait until after September to retire, they'll pay out my leave at the higher rate. We also usually get an annual bonus in August. It's only around $900, but if I'm going to pull the plug this early, every little bit will help.

Oh, and if I stick around until after January 1, my SS goes up by about $39 per month!

 

[akck]

Akck...What expense ratio fees does RE Eddie need to pay to keep his reservation open for the 2014 Cruise Ship, "American Freedom"? I've got my state room w/balcony already reserved and I'm paid up...

Staying on the list is free. He has to buy a round of drinks for the class if he misses the 2014 boat though. We have to have some sort of incentive to stay with the class.

 

[ER Eddie]

Hey wait a minute. I asked to get off the boat. Now I've got to buy everyone drinks? What sort of scam is going on here? Captain Stubing, I wish to lodge a complaint!

 

[Grigori]

Please add me to the list

Hi akck - Please add me to the class of 2014.

Grigori, April, 2014.

Just as soon as I get the annual bonus in my bank account, I'll turn in my resignation. I've run the numbers 100 times on many calculators, and have been 100% for several years. The bonus should give us some "extras" like some trips. I'll be 58, almost 59. Wife will be almost 60. Maybe I could have done this a couple of years ago, but I'm happy I won't be leaving any more life on the table.

"The big crew change" - People my age and even younger are starting to fly out the doors of the oil companies.

Two retirement luncheons / celebrations this week. The big boss just turned 60 and had this "cat who ate the canary look" all over her face. Her words to the new big boss taking over from her, "The more stressed you look, the more relaxed I feel." And the little boss who turned 51 last year is also retiring. I'm now the oldest guy in the group.

I glanced at myself in the car mirror, on the way back from lunch, in the bright sun. I asked myself - who is this guy with the turkey neck loose skin, the lines on the face, and the faded hair. Surely not myself?

I still feel young inside, still 30 years old inside, have plenty of energy, and it's time to enjoy life.

I could always work longer at my peak salary, and it would buy more trips. However, I'm starting feel more concerned about running out of time, than I am concerned about running out of money.

 

[akck]

FYI, I'll volunteer to update the list every couple of weeks. Everyone else is free to add their name at any time.

 

[akck]

Hey wait a minute. I asked to get off the boat. Now I've got to buy everyone drinks? What sort of scam is going on here? Captain Stubing, I wish to lodge a complaint!

If you looked at the terms of service, there's been too much of the OMY syndrome going on, so to encourage everyone to stick to their original plan, fees are charged when you miss the boat. Fees are waived if you leave earlier that planned though.

 

[Grigori]

Updated List

Updated list with new members added to the end:


1. HeatherB - 2013
2. Retire2013 - 2013
3. Ronstar - Jan-2014
4. akck - Jan-2014
5. Redbugdave - Jan-2014
6. sbwitte - Jan-2014
7. debster747 - Jan-2014
8. Coaster - Jan-2014
9. rodi - H - Jan-2014
10. Ozstache - Jan-2014
11. Unpaintedhuffhines - Jan-2014
12. Cassie - Jan-2014
13. gozer - Jan-2014
14. BizzyC - Apr-2014 OMM
15. foxfirev5 - Feb-2014
16. rodi - Feb-2014
17. Meadbh - Mar-2014
18. nun - Mar-2014
19. brewer12345 - Apr-2014
20. Lagniappe - Apr-2014
21. Hawk50s - Apr-2014
22. jimbee - Apr-2014
23. Dakotah - May-2014
24. christian_n - Jun-2014
25. fh2000 - Jun-2014
26. FreeAtLast - Jun-2014
27. scrinch - Jun-2014
28. 02camp - Jun-2014
29. Huston55 - Jun-2014
30. FIREd - W - Jun-2014
31. jollystomper - Jun-2014
32. photoguy - Jun-2014
33. linny727 - Jun-2014
34. obgyn65 - Jun-2014
35. Nomad4hire - Jun-2014
36. powlusr - Jun-2014
37. WhoDaresWins - Jul-2014
38. Grainiac - Aug-2014
39. ER Eddie - -2014
40. hakuna matata - Oct-2014
41. FLD3C - Oct-2014
42. SecondCor521 - Nov-2014
43. hakuna matata - W - Dec-2014
44. Turn_the_Page - Dec-2014
45. sengsational - 2014
46. Amethyst - ? To be determined.
47. Masquernom - Jun 2014 possible 2013
48. Difficultrun - Apr 2014

49. pinejake May-2014
50. bjorn2bwild Apr-2014
51. howdidigetthisold Dec-2014
52. Grigori Apr-2014

Added Grigori to end of list.

 

[In-control]

Two of my Three kids are graduating so next summer/fall may be the timeframe. My wife and I want to do at the same time and we are both, finally, on the same page. It is not a $ thing, we have had that for awile. It's more that we needed and wanted to be around for the kids. Now that their is an end is in sight we are starting to see glimmers of the future. Mainly doing the National parks for two weeks at a time and traveling around doing active vacations.

Next year I will see if I can go part time, 32 hrs with benifits. If so I may stay working. If not I will probibly just just resign. I may either way.

 

[Kaufmanrider]

January 11, 2014. 49 years old.

 

[akck]

Updated list with new members added to the end:


1. HeatherB - 2013
2. Retire2013 - 2013
3. Ronstar - Jan-2014
4. akck - Jan-2014
5. Redbugdave - Jan-2014
6. sbwitte - Jan-2014
7. debster747 - Jan-2014
8. Coaster - Jan-2014
9. rodi - H - Jan-2014
10. Ozstache - Jan-2014
11. Unpaintedhuffhines - Jan-2014
12. Cassie - Jan-2014
13. gozer - Jan-2014
14. BizzyC - Apr-2014 OMM
15. foxfirev5 - Feb-2014
16. rodi - Feb-2014
17. Meadbh - Mar-2014
18. nun - Mar-2014
19. brewer12345 - Apr-2014
20. Lagniappe - Apr-2014
21. Hawk50s - Apr-2014
22. jimbee - Apr-2014
23. Dakotah - May-2014
24. christian_n - Jun-2014
25. fh2000 - Jun-2014
26. FreeAtLast - Jun-2014
27. scrinch - Jun-2014
28. 02camp - Jun-2014
29. Huston55 - Jun-2014
30. FIREd - W - Jun-2014
31. jollystomper - Jun-2014
32. photoguy - Jun-2014
33. linny727 - Jun-2014
34. obgyn65 - Jun-2014
35. Nomad4hire - Jun-2014
36. powlusr - Jun-2014
37. WhoDaresWins - Jul-2014
38. Grainiac - Aug-2014
39. ER Eddie - -2014
40. hakuna matata - Oct-2014
41. FLD3C - Oct-2014
42. SecondCor521 - Nov-2014
43. hakuna matata - W - Dec-2014
44. Turn_the_Page - Dec-2014
45. sengsational - 2014
46. Amethyst - ? To be determined.
47. Masquernom - Jun 2014 possible 2013
48. Difficultrun - Apr 2014
49. pinejake May-2014
50. bjorn2bwild - Apr-2014
51. howdidigetthisold - Dec-2014
52.Grigori - Apr-2014
53. Andre1969 - Jan-2014 ?
54. In-control - Jun-2014 ?
55. Kaufmanrider - Jan-2014

 

[Andre1969]

This might just be the beer talking, but I think I've decided on my retirement date. April 2, 2014. The Birthday of Walter Percy Chrysler. Oh, and me!

I'll revisit this in the morning though, and re-assess the situation...

 

[photoguy]

This might just be the beer talking, but I think I've decided on my retirement date. April 2, 2014. The Birthday of Walter Percy Chrysler. Oh, and me!

I'll revisit this in the morning though, and re-assess the situation...

What changed? I thought you were planning on a later year?

 

[Coaster]

Can you amend - 8. Coaster to Aug 2014? Thanks.

 

[Ronstar]

Changed it to Aug Coaster. Also changed mine to April. There's no way I'll get in my remaining contract work hours by Jan,

1. HeatherB - 2013
2. Retire2013 - 2013
3. Ronstar - Apr-2014
4. akck - Jan-2014
5. Redbugdave - Jan-2014
6. sbwitte - Jan-2014
7. debster747 - Jan-2014
8. Coaster - Aug-2014
9. rodi - H - Jan-2014
10. Ozstache - Jan-2014
11. Unpaintedhuffhines - Jan-2014
12. Cassie - Jan-2014
13. gozer - Jan-2014
14. BizzyC - Apr-2014 OMM
15. foxfirev5 - Feb-2014
16. rodi - Feb-2014
17. Meadbh - Mar-2014
18. nun - Mar-2014
19. brewer12345 - Apr-2014
20. Lagniappe - Apr-2014
21. Hawk50s - Apr-2014
22. jimbee - Apr-2014
23. Dakotah - May-2014
24. christian_n - Jun-2014
25. fh2000 - Jun-2014
26. FreeAtLast - Jun-2014
27. scrinch - Jun-2014
28. 02camp - Jun-2014
29. Huston55 - Jun-2014
30. FIREd - W - Jun-2014
31. jollystomper - Jun-2014
32. photoguy - Jun-2014
33. linny727 - Jun-2014
34. obgyn65 - Jun-2014
35. Nomad4hire - Jun-2014
36. powlusr - Jun-2014
37. WhoDaresWins - Jul-2014
38. Grainiac - Aug-2014
39. ER Eddie - -2014
40. hakuna matata - Oct-2014
41. FLD3C - Oct-2014
42. SecondCor521 - Nov-2014
43. hakuna matata - W - Dec-2014
44. Turn_the_Page - Dec-2014
45. sengsational - 2014
46. Amethyst - ? To be determined.
47. Masquernom - Jun 2014 possible 2013
48. Difficultrun - Apr 2014
49. pinejake May-2014
50. bjorn2bwild - Apr-2014
51. howdidigetthisold - Dec-2014
52.Grigori - Apr-2014
53. Andre1969 - Jan-2014 ?
54. In-control - Jun-2014 ?
55. Kaufmanrider - Jan-2014

 

[ER Eddie]

Guess who's joining the Class of 2014?

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer to Retire Within 12 Months - WSJ.com

 

[brewer12345]

Move me up to January in the next update.

 

[Huston55]

Move me up to January in the next update.

OK. But, we need a picture of you with your tongue out.