Bold leap into retirement

MayDogsandCoffee

@MeteredOut - no they won't, anything over and above is 'just doing the job'.  I have just saved 10 x annual salary on one project and not even an acknowledgement. It just cements the 'I need to go any which way' but a buffer would have been good.

Cobbler_tone

MayDogsandCoffee said:

@MeteredOut - no they won't, anything over and above is 'just doing the job'.  I have just saved 10 x annual salary on one project and not even an acknowledgement. It just cements the 'I need to go any which way' but a buffer would have been good.

But that is what ‘working for the man’ is. I suspect lots of people have saved lots of businesses millions of pounds. That can never translate into extra wages. Some people move through life ticking boxes and fleecing sick pay for similar reward. We all have choices and personal motivations. I’m now in the ‘box ticking’ phase but could never be a sick note.

CruisingSaver

I’ve applied for MARS and should find out end Jan to mid Feb. To be honest my head’s already out the door!

chuffinnora

Told my boss last month I'm going to finish on 31st March.....Oh what a nice feeling that was!
I only need to give 1 months notice, but they've been pretty good to me over the years. The extra notice was appreciated.

Not sure it helps my beleaguered colleague I work alongside. He's having a panic attack already, but has spent over 5 years stepping back and letting me take the load, despite my efforts to lead him to the water. The business is not going to replace me. I was being lined up for a major 2 year project he'll now have to take on.

My wife finished in October (at 57) and is totally loving the freedom. Her new career so far is largely lunching meets with friends and loving it, interspersed with highly skilled house decluttering.

Two of my friends are also going in March (1 at 57 and 1 at 61) to get a clean break for the new tax year. Some others who have already retired have very well developed plans for their time, but I kind of like the idea of seeing what each day brings. Maybe a very loose bucket list without the self induced pressure.

Now I've made the decision, I couldn't imagine doing a U turn whatever the size of carrot. Hope the willpower holds up until I retire.

DT2001

Bold leap into retirement?
Umm, I feel like I have eased in. Different to most posters as I have been pt self employed for the last 26 years but more importantly a stay at home Dad. Youngest child has just turned 18, able to drive, so I think I can now describe myself as retired. OH still working as she loves her work. She is self employed with 1 zero hours contract and 4/5 other irregular sources of work. Over the last year we have had about 10/12 weeks of holidays (we often house swap which keeps costs down) so I think work/life balance is very good. Easing into less tasks that have to be done and happy to just keep the mind ticking over with daily crossword and reading. We also parted company from our IFA so have been simplifying our finances and tweaking drawdown thoughts. After seeking the wisdom on this forum I have reduced our global ETF exposure and bought into a number of income focused investment trusts. Also took 25% TFLS from my pension to help fund cash flow of hoped for property project within the next 18 months, this is held in flexible cash ISAs which were empty after last project. Now in a position where guaranteed income plus ‘hoped for’ IT income covers all necessary expenses and a reasonable amount of discretionary income. Market fluctuations will then be less stressful and probably just dictate the timing/amount of wealth we pass on. I am definitely not squeezing out as much as possible however I am hoping that simplifying everything and a simple crib sheet will allow the process to be ongoing if I die. The crib sheet is also a reminder to me of the thought process to try and avoid reacting to markets/media, having lived through property/stock market ‘adjustments’ although dealing with smaller sums I am hopeful this will be the case.

katejo

chuffinnora said:

Told my boss last month I'm going to finish on 31st March.....Oh what a nice feeling that was!
I only need to give 1 months notice, but they've been pretty good to me over the years. The extra notice was appreciated.

Not sure it helps my beleaguered colleague I work alongside. He's having a panic attack already, but has spent over 5 years stepping back and letting me take the load, despite my efforts to lead him to the water. The business is not going to replace me. I was being lined up for a major 2 year project he'll now have to take on.

My wife finished in October (at 57) and is totally loving the freedom. Her new career so far is largely lunching meets with friends and loving it, interspersed with highly skilled house decluttering.

Two of my friends are also going in March (1 at 57 and 1 at 61) to get a clean break for the new tax year. Some others who have already retired have very well developed plans for their time, but I kind of like the idea of seeing what each day brings. Maybe a very loose bucket list without the self induced pressure.

Now I've made the decision, I couldn't imagine doing a U turn whatever the size of carrot. Hope the willpower holds up until I retire.

The bit about the 'beleaguered colleague' made me chuckle !  I haven't quite given a definite date but I am very close to it and have talked to my line manager about it. I will be replaced though. 

MetaPhysical

Done.  Finito.  I have finished today I feel fine, a bit sad to say goodbye to colleagues and my client base but it was my time.  Reading my farewell card and receiving my gift made me well up a bit.  The people I'd like to keep in touch with I will do. 

They've already got my replacement lined up to start in mid-January, as of course I'd have expected them to do; my function still has to be done and the client base served.  But doesn't it just go to show, we're all just an expendable number, never be in any doubt.

MallyGirl

MetaPhysical said:

Done.  Finito.  I have finished today I feel fine, a bit sad to say goodbye to colleagues and my client base but it was my time.  Reading my farewell card and receiving my gift made me well up a bit.  The people I'd like to keep in touch with I will do. 

They've already got my replacement lined up to start in mid-January, as of course I'd have expected them to do; my function still has to be done and the client base served.  But doesn't it just go to show, we're all just an expendable number, never be in any doubt.

Congratulations 

eastcorkram

@MetaPhysical

Well done. One year anniversary tomorrow for me. 

bjorn_toby_wilde

3 year anniversary today for me. Work seems like a distant memory 😁