Been reading this forum for quite a while...saving alot longer. I have been with the same company for 23 years and will turn 50 later this year. Started as a sales rep (pharmaceuticals) and for the last 10 years - a regional manager. Burntout - having a very hard time playing the game and dealing with so many people I do not respect. I plan to pull the rip cord and retire Jan 1st 07 (if I can take it that long!) I have been maxing out my 401K from the start, saving more on the side in mutuals and purchased property that has done very well. I have saved a nice sized buffer ($100,00) for surprises, laddered CDs for 5 years and plan on selling one of my properties in around 4 years and ladder that to get me to 59.5 so I can start to pull from my 401K
( is there any way to start pulling from 401K earlier w/o the 10% penalty??).
I own my home - way to big, worth about $900,000 - I plan to sell and move to a smaller place or travel ALOT in about 10 years(lots of travel before that as well!)
I have worked so hard to get to this place in my career - but just do not enjoy it any longer. I am finding it SO hard to walk away from the money and benefits(would have to stay on 5 more years to get the Bennies). I have decided my life and health are more important than saving more money that I probably would not spend anyway....
I plan to continue reading this forum and hope to jump in w/ my opionion from time to time! I can not wait to not get that pit in my stomach every Monday morning - and not have to travel(for business) every week!! It is great to have this group to get info from....it is kind of cool to be a newbee at something again.....retirement!
Please let me know about the 401K thing - have to be 59.5?
( is there any way to start pulling from 401K earlier w/o the 10% penalty??).
I own my home - way to big, worth about $900,000 - I plan to sell and move to a smaller place or travel ALOT in about 10 years(lots of travel before that as well!)
I have worked so hard to get to this place in my career - but just do not enjoy it any longer. I am finding it SO hard to walk away from the money and benefits(would have to stay on 5 more years to get the Bennies). I have decided my life and health are more important than saving more money that I probably would not spend anyway....
I plan to continue reading this forum and hope to jump in w/ my opionion from time to time! I can not wait to not get that pit in my stomach every Monday morning - and not have to travel(for business) every week!! It is great to have this group to get info from....it is kind of cool to be a newbee at something again.....retirement!
Please let me know about the 401K thing - have to be 59.5?