No more pencils, no more books............

[bluecrab]

no more bosses dirty looks!
I'm doing the happy dance today as I just concluded a 30 year career in teaching 1st and 2nd grade in public schools.
I've been a lurker for a long time and have been learning but I promised myself I would make my intro post the day I retired.
I'm not sure I'm an early retiree as I retired at the 'normal' years for teacher pensions but I am only 56!
I sacrificed for many years to pay off my mortgage before I retired and I did it in April. I knew I could retire with a paid off house, a pension(COLA capped at 3%), and health care. I ran the monthly #s and I even can save some money each month. So SS(if available) will be icing on the cake. I do have 2 annuities which I can tap for emergencies plus an IRA.
Now I'm ready for FUN! FUN! FUN!
PS-Now I can post on the 'What did you do today?' thread.

 

[Red Rover]

That's super!!! Congratulations!

 

[REWahoo]

Bluecrab, welcome. I can't recall another member who put up their introductory post on their retirement day. You sure know how to make a splash!

Sounds like you've got the financial part of your retirement wired. Enjoy the ride.

 

[Rustic23]

Congrats! After 30 years of 1st graders you truly deserve it! Enjoy life.

 

[SarahW]

Hi, Bluecrab and congrats!! Coincidentally, today was my last day at work, too!! (My "official" retirement date is August 1, but I have seven weeks of vacation, woohooo!)

 

[Moemg]

Welcome to the forum . Just like first graders we have naps in the afternoon but instead of milk and cookies we go with wine and cheese .

 

[bbbamI]

Now that you have made your first post...you're one of us now.....

Congrats on your retirement!

 

[ksr]

Congratulations, bluecrab and SarahW too.

Enjoy the good life!

 

[DangerMouse]

Congratulations and welcome to this site. Looking forward to hearing about your days as you decompress from the stress of your former life.

 

[freebird5825]

Welcome on your second day in the FIRE central district.

Looking forward to reading your posts in the "what did you do today" thread.

 

[bluecrab]

Thanks everyone for your kind welcome! I really do feel like one of the bunch now!
About decompressing and destressing- I think that will take awhile. I'm thinking maybe a year or more. I was under enormous stress because of the work environment. But onward and upward!
Sarah W.-Congratulations on your retirement! And coincidentally, my official retirement date is July 1st. Teachers' contracts run from July 1-June 30. So I guess we get to celebrate again, right?
Now, my biggest question is.......... what do I eat for lunch?

 

[JOHNNIE36]

bluecrab and SarahW, congrats on your "exits". bluecrab, I don't know how you made it for thirty years in that environment. I would have been a blithering idiot
long ago. Enjoy!

 

[Khan]

Thanks everyone for your kind welcome! I really do feel like one of the bunch now!
About decompressing and destressing- I think that will take awhile. I'm thinking maybe a year or more. I was under enormous stress because of the work environment. But onward and upward!
Sarah W.-Congratulations on your retirement! And coincidentally, my official retirement date is July 1st. Teachers' contracts run from July 1-June 30. So I guess we get to celebrate again, right?
Now, my biggest question is.......... what do I eat for lunch?

It took me about four months to decompress. I slept a lot.

 

[WB52]

Bluecrab,
Congratulations! Retirement at 56 is a great accomplishment. Sounds like you are ready to decompress and begin the next phase of living free.
Many of us are still w*rking toward that accomplishment.
Can you tell us what non-financial planning you to to prepare? What non-school related activities and interests have you developed? In other words, What's next?

 

[freebird5825]

...Now, my biggest question is.......... what do I eat for lunch?

Avoid PB&J for at least 6 months.

 

[freebird5825]

It took me about four months to decompress. I slept a lot.

The other extreme...I drove around the countryside in my midlife crisis car, I drove dh2b (darling husband to be) crazy, I volunteered, I went antique hunting, I was a virtual spinning top. Just like a kid let out of school for summer.
You will find your own rhythm and pace as you go. Have fun!

 

[REWahoo]

I was a virtual spinning top.

We would have never guessed...

 

[freebird5825]

We would have never guessed...

 

[LoftyNotions]

Congratulations, bluecrab! You've earned a well deserved rest. From my perspective, at age 56 you're retiring early.

Larry

15 days, but who's counting.

 

[F4mandolin]

Ahhhh, 2 more years of teaching for me....and then hopefully out and living cheaply at 54. The little kids scare me.....I stick to the 6th grade and up. Kind of like the middle school kids which most people don't seem to care for. But I would rather not work than work.....

 

[Walt34]

It took me about three years to decompress, but that was in law enforcement. I'm not sure I could have handled 30 years of first and second graders without choking one of the little urchins.

Congratulations!