My "Out of the Rat Race" adventure.

crazy_cat_lady

Oafstead :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

There_Is_a_Light

453 days on the FIRE counter...

Not a mockstead.............the actual real ones are coming in on Tuesday:eek::eek:

Bit of a coincidence, however I am not complaining as I feel quite prepared.

Had a great night out in the town last night and spent the grand total of £1.50 which was parking. I normally use free street parking but didn't feel quite safe walking in deserted streets on my own so used a central well lit car park. Stuck to water with ice lime and lemon for the night and still had a really good time:T

Beautiful sunshine out there so Mr Light and I will be off for a walk soon to the burn where there is a lovely reservoir with lots of birds and wildlife. It's within walking distance too so no car needed today.

Money wise things are chugging along nicely. Need to meal plan for the week to stick to the grocery budget and use up the yellow sticker vine tomatoes bought for 19p. Will either do a pasta sauce or some soup.

There_Is_a_Light

What a week!

Oaf-stead visit over, survived but put in over 50 hours at work.

Mr Light has been busy in the loft and has cleaned up a couple of items which should sell for a few £'s. He also discovered a single which has been selling on £bay for £50 upwards! I knew my Indie taste in music was always a good thing Fingers crossed it gets a decent price.

Budget is getting tight now it's nearing the end of the month so I have made a lentil ragu to go with pasta and will make some pumpkin soup with a huge pumpkin someone gave me at work. Need to get the food bill to under £20 this week to stay in budget. Still have a £5 MrT voucher for meat for Mr Light.

Payday is next Friday.

Really excited as I will be seeing DS2 performing in his new venture tonight for the first time. Hope the weather holds out as it is an outside performance by the coast. Best dig out some warm clothing as it is a night time performance.

beanielou

50 hours :eek: hope they appreciate it!
Hope all goes to plan tonight

Pooky

Glad you survived the "sted" and at least you have a lovely evening ahead of you after your hideous week.

There_Is_a_Light

OK, I need you thoughts and advice....

I have looked again at our FIRE pot and will a bit of careful manouvering I might be in a position to leave my job in September 2017 (end of) instead of December. A few things have been buzzing around my mind. The biggest one was if I leave work in December it is not the best time to go off and travel, who wants to be in a trailer tent in December? End of September however, still at least a full month of travel can be squeezed in.

Secondly, October/Nov/Dec are killers in FE. I don't know if I can face doing them twice

It would mean, however that in our first year of FI I would have to be very careful with the pennies and would benefit from earning at least £4000 between us. I think this is achievable.

I also have a house that I could sell and release at least £30k in equity if needs be.

DS1 thought of a genius but a bit of a sly idea regarding taking a sabbatical, he suggested that I take a break from Oct - June. Go back for July/Aug/Sept (3 months of easy work) and then hand my notice in. Bit sneaky but it would generate a heap of money, would feel a bit guilty though.

So...........do I play it totally safe and stay till Dec OR do I just go for it?

Knit_Witch

Would you be allowed to take a sabbatical over the busy time? (oh and what does FIRE stand for?), if you can then your DS's idea sounds good - if you ca't but would be able to survive with some penny pinching then September/October sounds good,

beanielou

GO FOR IT

Life is way too short not to if you can.

There_Is_a_Light

Knit_Witch wrote: »

Would you be allowed to take a sabbatical over the busy time? (oh and what does FIRE stand for?), if you can then your DS's idea sounds good - if you ca't but would be able to survive with some penny pinching then September/October sounds good,

I am not sure if they will let me take a sabbatical but I am going to ask, no harm in that I guess.

FIRE stands for Financial Independence. retiring early

There_Is_a_Light

beanielou wrote: »

GO FOR IT

Life is way too short not to if you can.

Thanks Beanie:A

I have thought of nothing else all of yesterday and last night, it even crept into my dreams. I just think that if I can make it earlier then I should just go for it.

If it all goes pear shaped I could always ......get another job:rotfl: I would probably do some short term teaching contracts but with no extra duties like I have at the minute.