So, I apparently thought it was a good idea to retire at the end of the year. I have no idea what I'm doing or how, so the next month should be fun.
Would love to hear more on what led up to the decision and how you considered things. For better or for worse, this is a relevant topic for this demographic!
This is kind of hard to answer. I'm still sort of processing this decision, so my response may be different in - say -a month than what I'm about to write. Or, at least, the order of importance of my reasons may change. This is gonna be kind of rambling, so apologies in advance if it seems disjointed.....
I'll be 63 next April. I am far from what would be considered "wealthy", but I also don't have some of the cost responsibility issues that others have. I have good equity - relatively speaking - in my home and a decent nest egg.
I've documented some health issues here in the past (in an earlier iteration of this very thread). I wouldn't have bet one thin dime a decade ago that I'd still be alive and posting here in 2024. I've gone into cancer remission three times. But I have a failing liver that can't go into remission and some other stuff going on on the health front.
Another part is that my professional career...... I'm just done with it and I don't want to start over. My company (which is a global giant in my field) has good and bad attached to it, like most others. The newer corporate culture has moved beyond me. I don't hate my job and I like most everyone I work with, but I'm tired of dealing with everything that comes with my position.
So, all of the above has played into my decision.
I'm rolling the dice some that I DON'T live another 20 years. I've had very clear instructions for a long time for the decision-makers on what to do should something catastrophic happen to me. I may get a part-time job at a hardware store or something helping folks pick out door hardware, but I'm able to take a while to worry about that.
Anyway, sorry for being a bit all over the place. If something I posted doesn't make sense, feel free to ask me.