I pulled the plug on the career - retired at 51!

[CO-guy]

Congrats! I'm in a similar situation and rolling up on 3 years. My spouse had a 7-year plan when I quit my career and her countdown is now at 4 years and 3 months.

 

[progmtl]

Congrats! I'm in a similar situation and rolling up on 3 years. My spouse had a 7-year plan when I quit my career and her countdown is now at 4 years and 3 months.

Excellent, so I guess your being retired did not trigger her to abandon the 7-year plan and quit sooner!

 

[Dalton]

Way to go! It's nice to not have to go to work anymore. And I'll share with you what my good friend said to me a few months after I retired, and was telling him I was feeling not so motivated to tackle all my projects. He said, "you have all the time in the world to get that stuff done." I needed that.

 

[progmtl]

Way to go! It's nice to not have to go to work anymore. And I'll share with you what my good friend said to me a few months after I retired, and was telling him I was feeling not so motivated to tackle all my projects. He said, "you have all the time in the world to get that stuff done." I needed that.

Thanks for that, great advice to keep the self-imposed pressure down! Many of us are used to pushing ourselves and being productive for decades; it can be hard to turn off that mentality.

 

[Triton461]

Congratulations!

 

[CO-guy]

Excellent, so I guess your being retired did not trigger her to abandon the 7-year plan and quit sooner!

A few recent financial milestones have given her reassurance that we're FI, but it's an issue of pension eligibility for her. Plus, she's continuing to have an exceptional level of career success and enjoys what she does.

So far it's been wonderful. I'm around to watch the pups anytime she needs to travel for business. She watches them while I fly off to visit friends and family since I can schedule my own trips around her travel schedule. We traveled internationally together for over 6 weeks last year (month in Italy and 2 weeks in Japan) and have more international travel planned for this year.

 

[Rocky mtn high]

Congratulations

 

[Stormy Kromer]

Good for you. Don't look back.

"No price is too high to pay for the privilige of owning yourself"

Someone famous said it, I agree.

Proud of you.

 

[Anchors Aweigh1]

As I had planned (in this thread: 11 Years Later - Imminent Retirement and OMY Thoughts ), I gave notice in Jan 2026 and retired in Feb 2026, joining many of you on this fine forum!

It hasn't quite set in yet, but given that it is Sunday and tomorrow is Monday, I think it will be hitting me soon that I no longer have to work - ever!

I just wanted to post to say that I went through with it and here in the early few days of retirement I have zero regrets and already feel less stressed. The primary thing adding stress right now is planning my retirement party!

I did the same thing but it was 14 years ago went when I was 51 and absolutely no regrets!!!! Enjoy!

 

[Anchors Aweigh1]

Did the same thing 14 years ago went at 51 and absolutely no regrets! Enjoy!

 

[Markola]

“But what will you DO all day?”

Just kidding. Congrats!!

 

[citrine]

Congratulations on your retirement!!! What an amazing accomplishment! And everything lost makes room for something even more amazing

 

[Dtail]

Congrats. Welcome to the party and good planning.

 

[progmtl]

“But what will you DO all day?”

Just kidding. Congrats!!

I know, it's the number one question people ask! And I have a long list of answers. But also I can do nothing if I want. It's glorious!

 

[harley]

Good for you. I retired at 50, and enjoyed 15+ years of bliss. These last 5 years I've been dealing with some serious health issues, and I continually thank God that I had those good years before falling apart. My family has always died young, so from an early age I was focused on a fun non-working life. I'm still hoping for some more good times if I get a kidney transplant, but even if I don't I'll go out with a smile on my face. Much better than keeling over in my cubicle.

 

[progmtl]

Good for you. I retired at 50, and enjoyed 15+ years of bliss. These last 5 years I've been dealing with some serious health issues, and I continually thank God that I had those good years before falling apart...

Thanks for your comment, and congrats on your own early retirement. Best wishes for your health issues to improve!

"Much better than keeling over in my cubicle." 1000x yes!

 

[xDetoursx]

Congratulations! My last day is this Friday. I'll be 58

 

[progmtl]

Congratulations! My last day is this Friday. I'll be 58

Congrats to you as well! Enjoy your newfound freedom. I'm just under 3 weeks in and still decompressing. But it has been great, and one small thing I have noticed is that instead of moving quickly and with purpose around a grocery store to buy the food on my list, I have been taking my time with no urgency and improvising a bit more. Already a nice change of pace!

 

[WhenIsItTime]

Congratulations! Took me a few 'downshifts' to get comfortable being less productive. 6 years in and I am pretty good at in now! Accomplishments come in different forms: family, gym, fun, volunteer, etc.

You got this!

 

[Koolau]

Yeah, you're gonna love this!

 

[redraptor]

Congrats! I also put my notice in January. Should be joining you in a week.