FIRE, One Year In

Closet_Gamer

Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Joined
Oct 12, 2011
Messages
1,650
Location
Philadelphia
I'm starting month 13 of FIRE.

Its interesting to reflect on the past year, what turned out as expected, and what differed.

First thing: There has not been one day when I regretted leaving Megacorp. Not even one hour. I prepared for this for 20+ years and found my way out the door in a good way and at the right time. I am so glad I got out.

I'm definitely in the "I don't know how I found time to work" category. I'm plenty busy on a wide variety of things. The very thought of taking a job that requires me to be somewhere on someone else's schedule gives me anxiety. I'm too busy for that!

My Fitbit tells me I'm sleeping about 30 minutes more per day ... and that my schedule has changed a lot. Now that I'm not dodging rush hour, I stay up until midnight and sleep until 8 (or 9). I'm basically becoming a teenager again. And I feel great.

I'm in the best shape in 30 years. Its so much easier to go to the gym at 2p than to squeeze it in either morning or evening. I see a trainer 2x per month and he programs 8 weight lifting days each month. I mix those in with cardio of different types. I bench pressed 165 lbs right before the holidays and expect to do at least 185 lbs by the end of 2025. I'm also doing real squats, dead lifts, chin-ups, etc. I need to drop a few pounds (staying up to midnight invites snacking) but from a total health perspective, best in decades.

I'm spending much less time on professional activities that I expected. Consulting, seeking board seats, ... meh. I really just don't care. When I am engaged professionally a bit, I enjoy it, but I don't miss it ... and I definitely do not miss all the nonsense and stress that went with it. And I'd rather spend my time on a dozen other things than pursuing consulting and board seats.

I followed through on my commitment to start writing and will lean further into this in 2025, with a real focus on writing a book.

We spend a lot of time at our beach house ... including loads of work to keep it ready for renting over the summer. Its a small business that requires time and effort than I expected. But (most days) I enjoy the opportunity to do the work rather than outsource it to someone else. And being able to stay there for a month rather than the occassional week is awesome. I'm also joining the audit committee of our beach community HOA.

Travel is ramping up as we expected... both to see the family and to see the world. We already have 6 weeks of world travel scheduled for 2025. I'm sure we will add 6 weeks of family travel to that.

I have been engaged to help start a charity focused on high tech accessibility. This looks to be interesting and a place where I think I can make a real impact. Will be interesting to see where its at in 12 months.

Financially, we tracked our spending diligently last year and have a clear view of how we actually spent money vs. how we planned to spend. Mostly ok but some places we need to trim back. Year 2 will be telling, particularly as it relates to healthcare as I will go off of subsidized COBRA later this year. I'm also doing lots of planning on a longer term withdrawal strategy.

DW has not yet threatened to toss me out of the house!

All in ... year 1 was a success and year 2 is starting well.

As ever, thanks to everyone who posts on this site. I've learned a lot and continue to do so!
 
Great when a plan comes together!
 
Thanks for sharing that - I love these early retirement success stories!
 
Great update. Pass along the I am never bored part to anyone you know who has OMY syndrome.
 
Thanks for sharing, Closet_Gamer. Great report. Congratulations on reaching your first full year of FIRE.

Keep us posted.
 
Great start, you planned well! Your retirement life will evolve, just as your pre-retirement life did. Life is a journey, not a destination, doesn't change when you retire (like it or not). I've been retired for 14 years now, the only constant is still change...keeps things interesting.
 
The very thought of taking a job that requires me to be somewhere on someone else's schedule gives me anxiety.
You're right behind me. I felt this for sure at the prospect of applying for even part-time work. And like you said, "When I am engaged professionally a bit, I enjoy it, but I don't miss it ... and I definitely do not miss all the nonsense and stress that went with it."
 
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