Another career discussion: last laps before retirement

[Wannaretireearly]

It is not unusual for someone to retire and then unretire a year or two later just because they are bored. About 7 years ago my plan was to retire last year and my current financial plan projections have me retiring in 3 years, but I don't really see myself quitting because I like my work situation. It is part time, flexible, and the people I work with appreciate my efforts. I was in a situation somewhat similar to yours 7 years ago and never would have expected things to have turned out like this.

My point is that perhaps you should think more about what you want to retire to and see if you can "land the plane" there. It might take you a couple of years to find the right fit for you, but once you do you might want to continue working part time for much longer - perhaps in a much easier role and at a significantly reduced salary. If so, another couple of years in your current position and some PT income might bring you very comfortably to FI. Of course I realize you may well have already considered this type of thing and are very much looking forward to pursuing leisure activities full-time, I just thought I'd throw it out there to round out the discussion.

Yep, good points for sure.
I have a decent idea of what I'd like to do in full time retirement (travel for longer stretches, improve health, be able to just escape town on a whim for day trips, do nothing, etc). That phase may not last forever & i may want to pick up some part time/fun job at that point.

In the meantime, there is little chance i can not do a regular 'full time' job. So it's about figuring out these next roughly 5 years. After that, I have the plan

edit: it's more likely 6 years as my DW likes to remind me. 6 years until our youngest goes to college and the real fun begins.

[FrugalFed]

OP, this may be worth reading, in light of your post: https://collabfund.com/blog/staying-put/

[Wannaretireearly]

OP, this may be worth reading, in light of your post: https://collabfund.com/blog/staying-put/

I love this! Thank you for posting!
Brilliant how the blog ties together staying put in your career and investing

[FrugalFed]

OP, this may be worth reading, in light of your post: https://collabfund.com/blog/staying-put/

I love this! Thank you for posting!
Brilliant how the blog ties together staying put in your career and investing :)

You're very welcome. That post helped me a bit when I was having feelings in the same general ballpark as yours (which admittedly are still there to some extent!).

[an_asker]

I've been thinking a lot, which is dangerous
I'd like to hear from folks either in my situation, or have perhaps been thru my situation and can share their experiences.

[...]
Factors I'm considering:
- been in current company a long time. Not too long in my current role though.
- would like to leverage my leadership current role (Strat, Arch, Data Science).
- A kid in middle school and high school. Still involved being chauffeur, but kids need me a lot less.
- Agreement (reluctantly) with DW that this summer will be the last long vacation we'll take for a while. Kids college prep will take higher priority from next year (sigh) and we'll do shorter trips. This is important as i know I'll go from 5 weeks PTO here to nothing in a new job.
[...]

I am curious about this aspect. How much extra effort do you want the kids to put in? And how much do you want to put in? I mean, what are your goals for them? Ivies or flagship state university or other top ranking private?

The reason I am asking is - if I had the available vacation and rest of the family were amenable - if I were in your shoes, I would absolutely take at least a couple of weeks every summer vacation. But then, neither of my kids is going to Ivy or top private either.

[pizzy]

edit: it's more likely 6 years as my DW likes to remind me. 6 years until our youngest goes to college and the real fun begins.

I like to remind my daughter that there will be no such thing as living at home and commuting to college.

1) Nobody will be here

2) Not even the house

[Wannaretireearly]

I've been thinking a lot, which is dangerous
I'd like to hear from folks either in my situation, or have perhaps been thru my situation and can share their experiences.

[...]
Factors I'm considering:
- been in current company a long time. Not too long in my current role though.
- would like to leverage my leadership current role (Strat, Arch, Data Science).
- A kid in middle school and high school. Still involved being chauffeur, but kids need me a lot less.
- Agreement (reluctantly) with DW that this summer will be the last long vacation we'll take for a while. Kids college prep will take higher priority from next year (sigh) and we'll do shorter trips. This is important as i know I'll go from 5 weeks PTO here to nothing in a new job.
[...]

I am curious about this aspect. How much extra effort do you want the kids to put in? And how much do you want to put in? I mean, what are your goals for them? Ivies or flagship state university or other top ranking private?

The reason I am asking is - if I had the available vacation and rest of the family were amenable - if I were in your shoes, I would absolutely take at least a couple of weeks every summer vacation. But then, neither of my kids is going to Ivy or top private either.

We leave for an almost 3 week euro trip early June. We absolutely love our family vacations! I don’t think we’ve ever not used/over used PTO.

Our elder son wants to do Engineering. It’s a super competitive field. If he could get into a decent UC I would be stoked! Don’t have bigger aspirations. I’d like them to be a slightly bigger fish in a slightly smaller pond. He is about to start a research program. We expect it to be demanding.

We are active vacation planners. Hawaii first week of the year is booked! My comment above is basically saying, I will wait until his entire summer is known/planned next year before booking any trip.

[Wannaretireearly]

edit: it's more likely 6 years as my DW likes to remind me. 6 years until our youngest goes to college and the real fun begins.

I like to remind my daughter that there will be no such thing as living at home and commuting to college.

1) Nobody will be here

2) Not even the house

Lmao. You are my kind of person