WorkFE's Account Talk

A bit of Tug of War today.
Talk of higher/longer interest rates may just make for a tough year with some ups and downs.
 
As we trudge along into 2023, now month number three, I continue to contemplate retirement. Again.
Whether I like to admit it or not there is apprehension and admitted anxiety. My wife doesn’t say it but I know she is more worried about finances than I am. Although with all the turmoil in the world, a government that enjoys spending ghost money and a market that on every other day looks to be teetering on a meltdown, I suppose I should worry as well.
You would think for someone who has done this before it would be easy. For those that have done it, I have a few questions that you may be able to assist me with.

I wake up every day to a job that has been my existence (DOD) for 38 years and I do something important that I believe they value. Am I overvaluing my own worth? As a retiree, will I be less valuable?

My Outlook calendar and I are connected at the hip and without my to-do list I’d be lost. After I retire, how will I manage not having a set schedule?

My wife and I are not Social Security age yet. Despite that our income in retirement will be adequate in addition to me still running a personal business with a small annual profit. Is it fool hearted to leave a great job, especially during high inflation/recession/world turmoil?
 
Get a boat and an old car or two to restore, you will not be lacking for things to do. And when the boat's all ready, go fishing! :cheesy: That's my plan anyway, working it now with several years to go.
 
For those that have done it, I have a few questions that you may be able to assist me with.

I wake up every day to a job that has been my existence (DOD) for 38 years and I do something important that I believe they value. Am I overvaluing my own worth? As a retiree, will I be less valuable?

My Outlook calendar and I are connected at the hip and without my to-do list I’d be lost. After I retire, how will I manage not having a set schedule?

My wife and I are not Social Security age yet. Despite that our income in retirement will be adequate in addition to me still running a personal business with a small annual profit. Is it fool hearted to leave a great job, especially during high inflation/recession/world turmoil?

I started to address these, but my answers were too longwinded to put in your "Account Thread". :684: Plus, there's so many variables to take into account, that my insight may not even relate to your situation specifically. I can send you a PM later if you like though.
A couple general things I can say with 100% certainty is:
1) Of all my friends with long careers in Gov. (weather good or bad) who have left and or retired, ALL of them say they're 100% happier, and NONE of them ever say "Boy, I wish I was back working again".
2) They also say that they make as much if not more in retirement than they were making while they were working. We're talking NET and not GROSS.

I left less than 2 years ago, and I maintain the same (very simple) live style. Because of that my Savings keeps going up and up every month.

If your in debt up to you eyeballs like Stanley Johnson https://vimeo.com/200202788 then your situation may be different. Don't be a Stanley Johnson and live WAY beyond your means, and you'll be fine. :D

Re-direct your energy into something your passionate about.:fing02:
 
Funny how people are different. Despite having a good position that I enjoyed (GS-13 at the time), and working with good people, I couldn't wait to retire. I was so eager that I left (resigned) when I was 44. :)

The thought of a full calendar would make me anxious now, but a routine is good. Running a business also sounds good. That's what I did. It was a leap and some of my co-workers thought I was crazy for doing it, but not for a minute did I regret it. Maybe that will change once I do retire and start collecting my reduced FERS benefits, but not yet. I don't even really seriously consider retirement now, although having some more free time and the thought of not setting an alarm sounds good. Being in the Pacific time zone right now, the world starts too early. :D

That said, not everyone feels the same way and being at work is their sanctuary. I have a good life, good family, good situation, and it sounds like you do as well.

We should probably share this in another thread and get other people's experiences?

Good luck!


As we trudge along into 2023, now month number three, I continue to contemplate retirement. Again.
Whether I like to admit it or not there is apprehension and admitted anxiety. My wife doesn’t say it but I know she is more worried about finances than I am. Although with all the turmoil in the world, a government that enjoys spending ghost money and a market that on every other day looks to be teetering on a meltdown, I suppose I should worry as well.
You would think for someone who has done this before it would be easy. For those that have done it, I have a few questions that you may be able to assist me with.

I wake up every day to a job that has been my existence (DOD) for 38 years and I do something important that I believe they value. Am I overvaluing my own worth? As a retiree, will I be less valuable?

My Outlook calendar and I are connected at the hip and without my to-do list I’d be lost. After I retire, how will I manage not having a set schedule?

My wife and I are not Social Security age yet. Despite that our income in retirement will be adequate in addition to me still running a personal business with a small annual profit. Is it fool hearted to leave a great job, especially during high inflation/recession/world turmoil?
 
Have I told you all how much I despise Powell. :cheesy:

Powell to my comment "Getcha Some Of That" :laugh:

Tough sledding out there. While I attempt to be as optimistic as possible, it's not like we didn't see this coming in one way or another. I thought it would nibble its way down, these big chunk days are painful. Brighter days ahead.
 
Round and Round it goes, where it stops nobody knows.

Remember having a conversation with one of you about 3200 being in the cards. We never got there, we may very well this time.
It looks bad, it feels bad and it smells bad. But it don't look 2008 bad.
Obviously for those at or in retirement the sight of a market crash is terrifying. Fort those 2 years out or more times like these create buying opportunities which creates long term wealth. Literally you will only see these opportunities 3-5 times in your adult life. While the market has not crashed and in reality is still up considerably over the past 3 years do not miss an opportunity.
Having said that, it still sucks. :sick:
 
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