This is a quick update to celebrate one year ago today that the Just One More Year blog was launched. Hmmm, why am I still working after one year? How many “one more” years are there going to be for me? Why continue to work after reaching financial independence? It might make you wonder why I named this blog Just One More Year if I really did not want to retire within a year.
Believe me; I did want to retire in less than one year. These are all excellent questions that I will attempt to cover in next week’s post.
Stay tuned next week as I attempt to explain my thoughts around the realization that I have been unable to walk away from the perceived comforts of a steady paycheck. I knew that I would suffer from the “Just One More Year Syndrome” once we reached the magical and logical point for us to stop work. It is darn hard to walk away from a nice paycheck at the top of your career. Especially true when you are in your mid-fifties where the odds of making more money in your career begin to dwindle!
I know my wife and I will both retire early. For her it will happen by the end of this year. For me, I am guessing that it is now less than a year from now. It is interesting because in this post last year I mentioned that by July 4, 2016 I would have arrived:
“This year’s holiday is special for me since it will be the last July 4th Independence Day I spend dependent on an employer for income! Next year my wife and I will celebrate an entirely new experience when we declare ourselves Financially Independent! July 4, 2016, here we come – only 363 days to go!”
These darn blogs have a way of making you accountable. I have found writing down goals has the same effect too. So now, we have made it to a point that neither my wife nor I need to work for our employers to afford our lifestyle. I can say that we have partially accomplished the goal because we have not yet actually stopped working.
So why not get on with quitting already and stop working another day filling out TPS reports, receiving the new cover letters (also PowerPoint & Word templates, new reporting systems, processes, etc.) to use as we deflect any work away we can for someone else to complete? Unfortunately, I think it will come down to an emotional decision for me. I will get super pissed off one day with my employer and decide I had enough. That will be the last straw and I will give a one-month notice of my leaving. I will be building my internal justification with every new stupid task and email I receive. It will come to the proverbial last straw that broke the camel’s back.
I think I will go ahead and write that resignation letter now to be prepared.
It has been an action packed year!
We have been on a path toward early retirement and reaching our comfortable financial independence level that gives a sense of security. Reflecting back over the last twelve months, we have had a lot happening in our lives.
- I started the Just One More Year blog. I posted twice a week for most of that time period and have posted 90 articles counting this one today. I guest posted on Retire by 40 and Angry Retail Banker. We had the opportunity to meet Steve and Courtney at Think Save Retire and Abby and Tim at I Pick Up Pennies last December in Phoenix. Steve Miller and ARB guest posted on our site.
- We took our house off the market after nine months with no luck listing it with a realtor. Important lesson: Houses are not liquid investments – it can take a while to sell them.
- I celebrated as my oldest daughter graduated from college and got married in September.
- My youngest daughter graduates from high school in three weeks.
- Through word of mouth, we sold our home to a co-worker’s parents. We had numerous inspection issues to fix as part of the sale that took time and money.
- We nearly upsized to a McMansion in a different city located 20 miles away. What the hell were we thinking?
- We became debt free!
- We downsized into a smaller place and have been remodeling for the last five months! We are only three of four weeks away from finishing.
- I celebrated my 55th birthday in style.
- I have begun focusing more on my health by walking at least 10,000 steps each day and eating a healthier diet.
- I booked non-refundable tickets to Germany for September to visit family and friends. I have been studying half an hour each day to improve my German speaking skills.
Thanks for reading!
There are several upsides to writing about various topics on your own blog. You begin to meet and know other bloggers and readers that can relate with your situation. I do not consider myself a natural writer; it is often difficult to string my thoughts together into a post that conveys my ideas. I would much rather talk. I have been invited by two blog sites to do a couple podcasts that will give you a chance to hear my voice.
What does the next year look like? That is a great question!
I have already found that my focus has changed once we became debt free and built up a large cash emergency fund. I believe I will be discussing more lifestyle design and travel related topics as we wean away from our employers’ clutches.
It is amazing how quickly the last year has gone. Thank you dear readers, for visiting our blog site, for emailing me your thoughts, and commenting on our posts. I appreciate your support!
Financial Velociraptor says
Gratz on the year! Don’t let the Internet Retirement Police bully you around. You do what works for you.
ARB says
Sir, you’re under arrest.
Bryan says
Thanks for the encouragement FV. That Internet Retirement Police article was a great post by MMM some years back!
I guess even when I leave my employer, I will be doing some “work” with our passive income investments. 🙂
ARB says
I can definitely hear you on the whole rage quitting thing. I wish I could do that, but I’m nowhere near financial freedom yet.
I know you’ve been learning German on your own time, but have you ever considered signing up for an actual German language class? Maybe that might help you.
Glad to see it’s been one hell of a year. I’m glad to have been a part of it in some way. It was great having you on my blog and I’m still flattered that you were willing to showcase my work on your site too.
Happy 1st Anniversary!
Sincerely,
ARB–Angry Retail Banker
Bryan says
Thanks ARB! You have been a big part of the enjoyment portion of blogging. Thanks for your support this last year. 🙂
RE German: I have had several classes and private instruction when we lived in the SF bay area. In Sedona there are none available. I am going back through my text books and all 5 levels of Rosetta Stone that I own. I am also talking occasionally with German speaking friends. My real dream is to got to a 4 week intensive course in Germany. To accomplish that I need to shed the employer first.
Take care!
Jason says
Congrats on your first anniversary. The great thing about personal finance is that it is personal. If you continue to work so be it. If you decide enough is enough so be it. I kind of get frustrated sometimes by the PF community that unless you to the RE of FIRE that you are somehow defective. How can you want to continue to work or at your current job? I guess I am lucky in finding fulfillment and the like. Congrats on whatever you do.
Bryan says
Thanks Jason. You are definitely right about the “personal” aspect of “Personal Finance”. I am hesitant to share my income, current expenses, and net worth. After viewing those numbers, many people would tell me I should have quit my job a while ago. The challenge is that it is difficult to explain my exact situation where people would understand why I have been so conservative. I am attempting to explain that in the next week.
You are one of the fortunate ones to have found the work you are best suited for and really enjoy. I am envious! 🙂
Take care,
Bryan
Steve @ Think Save Retire says
Hey Bryan – there is no rush to early retirement. We all find different comforts in this life, and if you aren’t ready to finally call it quits, there’s nothing wrong with hanging tight. After all, the extra paychecks to pad the ol’ stash is never a bad thing anyway. I think you’ll know when the time is right.
Bryan says
Thanks Steve!
I can picture us camping with you guys somewhere next spring after you both have left, some wine will be involved, and the next thing you know my resignation letter will emailed to my employer. 🙂
In the meantime I will continue to “pad the stash” since I know my wife will be leaving by the end of the year.