I'm back after a few years - miss this place!

Fireup2020

Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Joined
Feb 5, 2007
Messages
1,250
Good morning all! :greetings10:

I joined a few years ago - and thanks to the wonderful folks here, the gears have been turning and my plans to FIRE in 2020 are most definitely on track. USN reservist on recall orders, on military leave from state job, married a couple years ago - DH was laid off from his corporate America job 2 days before we got hitched - so the military benefits have been a blessing. We stumbled into buying a business selling jerky at primarily beer & wine festivals that is more than covering his previous income and providing the ultimate gateway "hobby" for our retired lifestyle - he actually considers himself retired despite all the vendor negotiations, jerky orders, spreadsheets, etc that he deals with. I'm just listed as the primary owner so we get "Disabled Female Veteran Owned Business" status in the event we get to the point of gov contracts.

We did a major renovation on the house a couple years ago - as in adding a second floor, knocked down walls, etc...and were fortunate to pay cash! A refi is in the works now since he had a HELOC with a balloon pmt due this July. (plus we'll have an even lower rate!) Goal is to get this paid off completely in the next 3 years while I am still on active duty. Speaking of active duty, I was selected for a program that will let me hang around pretty much as long as I want past the initial 3 year obligation, but I plan on retiring as soon as they will pay me to not be here anymore! :dance: I was enlisted for 21 years (active & reserve) and commissioned in 2009 - I do owe them 8 years on active duty and am wrapping up the first 5 here at home as a recruiter. Next stop in July - New Orleans for 3 years!! Woot! House & spouse will remain here in NJ, but DH is thrilled to have a "second home" in NOLA to visit regularly. We have tons of FF miles, and have already booked a couple visits for him in between the jerky shows.

Just wanted to say hi the old and new crowd - I was informed that I'll need hobbies in NOLA since this job will not be a ball-breaker like recruiting, so I'll haunt this site again! I'm looking into moving to the Gretna area and looking into yoga studios, volleyball & softball leagues, will be adopting a cat (and I'm not even close to being a "cat" person!) so I'm not talking to myself in the apartment.

Best of everything to all here! :flowers:

~ Fireup
 
Hey there Fireup, thanks for stopping by and updating us. Sounds like things are going your way .. hope that continues. :)
 
Holy cow...what a wonderful update!

Marriage, a beautiful home and retirement will be here before you know it. Congratulations all around!
sHa_woot.gif
 
Welcome back! Same as many here, I still recognize your avatar.
 
Hi welcome back
I'm interested to learn more about the jerky business.

Where does one learn about these niche hobby type businesses. What kind of investment required? Startup business model ?

Thanks ! And thank you for your service which I should have said first !
 
Welcome back. Great to hear that things are progressing well for you.
 
Though I wasn't here back when you joined, welcome back. It sounds like you have been so busy making your dreams come true that there was no time to write about it!

But, most important, thank you for your many years of service to our nation. The hard work and sacrifice of our service people keep us safe.... and free to have dreams like the ones so many of us expound on here.

Many thanks!

:flowers::flowers::flowers::flowers:
 
Welcome back. Glad you are keeping busy.
 
Thanks for the update, Fireup! Sounds like you are keeping yourself busy with some fun stuff.


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Welcome back- great report, sounds like things are going really well!


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Looking forward to regular contact with the group!


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