"Take this Job and Shove It" - Big Changes Ahead!

[TucsonJim]

I was sitting in my fourth meeting of the day, and the urge came over me to get out of the office and hit the open road with our Pickup and Fifth-wheel. And I'm not talking about taking a vacation. So I left the meeting, walked into the my boss's office and let him know I'm going to take early retirement!

This is a huge change in our life and we can't wait. We have some personal business to take care of, but by February, we're going to go full time for at least 6-7 months to see how we like it.

The wife and I have a lot to learn, and we'll be studying the forum for answers over the next couple months. Wish us luck, and we hope to see you on the road.

[AUWing]

On May 3rd @ 56 was invited to HR to hear the news I was being let go due to a business downturn. Set a goal of 90 days to find something better or sell all and head out FT in 180 days. Started the new job on July 8. We've had a goal of 60 to part ways with the snowblower and give away the last of my frequent flyer miles. Hoping I didn't pass up an opportunity ( doesn't feel like I did)

[dakasa47]

AWESOME!!!!! Enjoy your freedom:)

[ol__yeller]

OP, I admire your style and judgment!

[Dog_Folks]

TucsonJim wrote:
I love all the great encouraging responses. They make me feel like I've made the right decision. It looks like many of us came to the same conclusion that work was no longer who we are. I'm 59, and my wife retired 18 months ago at 57. It's amazing how much my attitude has already changed now that I don't have the stress of worrying about the job for the next few years. Thanks everyone.

I am not what you would call "healthy." When I told my doctor of our decision to go full time, he said:"Good, you will live ten years longer."

I had NO idea of the stress I was under until I retired and it was gone!

Welcome to the best way to live.

[missourijan]

Yay! You will NEVER regret it. We quit our stressful jobs at 55 & 49, not the brightest financial decision we ever made but 7 years later we have no regrets. We still park host for state parks 6 months of the year because only one of us now has a retirement income. Cut down your expenses, have $$ for maintenance & repairs, shop the weekly sales at the grocery store and breathe that stress free air. We have been able to spend quality time with family spread around the country and see beautiful sites like Niagra Falls, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Mesa Verde & many others. Congrats!

[Don_Shar]

Good for you....welcome to the most exciting and fantastic adventure of your life.

I worked 38 years for the same company....7 days a week, 10 t0 12 hours a day. No choice, don't work the overtime find a new job. Don't get me wrong I stayed for 38 years because I was making really good money. I had 3 heart attacks and 2 very serious stents with kidney stones. When I turned 62 I went to the office and put in for my retirement. That was Jan 2006, we hit the road went to Alaska and then Mexico all over the great USA. Never sorry about my decision to retire. Went back for doctors appointment every year. This year my doctor told me he was so impressed I have the heath back, lost 60 pounds, changed our diets. Not stuck inside a building all day, walk in the woods, get out on a lake. It is great. I am 70 years young.

[2gypsies1]

At 52 - sat at desk as work, plugged in some numbers in the spreadsheet. Went into the restroom and yelled "YES, we can do it"! .... went full-time in 3 months!! Sold the house and everything in it - 18 years ago!!!

[TucsonJim]

I love all the great encouraging responses. They make me feel like I've made the right decision. It looks like many of us came to the same conclusion that work was no longer who we are. I'm 59, and my wife retired 18 months ago at 57. It's amazing how much my attitude has already changed now that I don't have the stress of worrying about the job for the next few years. Thanks everyone.

[rockhillmanor]

Way to go! That's how I did it, henceforth my mantra!

"We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us".

[Devonm2012]

rightlaneonly wrote:
Last time I asked for two weeks vacation my boss said sorry, only one. I asked for one extra day and he said "what part of one week don't you understand?" Next day I told him I'll be taking a longer vacation after all and retired. That was 11 years ago and I'm still laughing. I wonder if he understands now???
Good for you, go enjoy life and don't look back.

Love this one!!

[stripit]

Your going to have a blast! I quit when I was 53 and my wife was 51, 10 years ago. Never looked back, we have had a wonderful time.

[ford_truck_guy]

TucsonJim wrote:
I was sitting in my fourth meeting of the day, and the urge came over me to get out of the office and hit the open road with our Pickup and Fifth-wheel. And I'm not talking about taking a vacation. So I left the meeting, walked into the my boss's office and let him know I'm going to take early retirement!

This is a huge change in our life and we can't wait. We have some personal business to take care of, but by February, we're going to go full time for at least 6-7 months to see how we like it.

The wife and I have a lot to learn, and we'll be studying the forum for answers over the next couple months. Wish us luck, and we hope to see you on the road.

..Yea... Can we have a meeting to discuss this move, and a follow up meeting to discuss the findings of the first meeting ?? And when we do , please return the stapler!! Congratulations,,,,, I am jealous.. Good Luck and Enjoy life..Joe

[ljr]

My epiphany was something like that. I was within a couple years of planned retirement when I got an email from my idiot boss assigning me a task that was so mind-blowingly inane that it made my hair hurt. My reply was "retirement in 30 days". I picked up a new FT class 5er at the factory a week after that date and have been on the road for all but a few weeks since (2yrs+).

I haven't regretted it for a second.

[rightlaneonly]

Last time I asked for two weeks vacation my boss said sorry, only one. I asked for one extra day and he said "what part of one week don't you understand?" Next day I told him I'll be taking a longer vacation after all and retired. That was 11 years ago and I'm still laughing. I wonder if he understands now???
Good for you, go enjoy life and don't look back.

[John_Betty]

Congratulations. Now you're living the Dream!!!!!!!!!!! Safe travels...........