I’ve written about my “count down obsession” before – thinking about good ways to count down my final year at MegaCorp. I’ve also showed you pictures of my hidden countdown Post-it Flag system that is in the credenza above my desk at work. Like a kid counting down the days to next Christmas, I find my mind wandering several times a day to “how many … Continue reading FIRE Countdown Obsession – As Presented
I received a bottle of Dom Perignon Champagne (2000 vintage) almost 15 years ago and have left it corked in its original box since the day I received it. It was a gift in celebration for a particularly good year at MegaCorp, and I brought it home and put it in our pantry. It’s in its original box on its side, which is supposed to … Continue reading Champagne Standing By
The Pew Research Center recently published an article focused on how Millennials have now passed Boomers and Gen X in the workforce. I was born in 1966, so I am a Gen X-er, who has always felt quite stuck between these two groups. If you look at the chart from Pew that I copied above, Gen X only had its day in the sun for … Continue reading Gen X – Stuck Between Boomers & Millennials
Have you seen the Amazon Echo device yet? Mr. Fire Station is definitely a gadget guy and this gadget is a keeper. If you’ve used Siri on your Apple iPhone or other “digital assistants” you’ll definitely understand the appeal of Amazon Echo. Think of it as Siri for your home. It’s a cylindrical device that sits on your kitchen counter and awaits your commands. You … Continue reading Amazon Echo – Great Gadget
Are you an introvert or an extravert? How does it impact your work and desire to retire early? I find this dimension of one’s personality very interesting. There is a long article on Wikipedia that defines the two, and also includes a term called “ambiversion”. I think that last term might best describe me. I tend to fall a little to the “E” side … Continue reading Introverts & Extroverts – Impact In Retirement?
In my mind, travel is one of life’s absolutely top luxuries and one of the things I am most looking forward to flexing on in early retirement. I love getting off a plane and immersing ourselves in a new city or destination. I even love the parts of travel that other people hate – planning, packing & airports. Most of all I love the education … Continue reading Visit All Fifty States Quest
Today is the last day of the school year for my son. He usually drives to school, but today we went out for breakfast and I dropped him off. I’ll pick him up just after noon, when his last final is over. It’s fun to be at school when the kids come streaming out on the last day of the year. Pure joy. It will … Continue reading End Of The School Year – Milestones
Ten months left. This post marks the 10 month point in my countdown to FIRE – being financially independent and retired early. My FIRE escape date is planned for April 1, 2016 – just a few weeks before my 50th birthday. Each month I’ve been counting down the activities that are getting me prepared. This month’s headline is that the overall stock market continues to … Continue reading Early Retirement FIRE Escape – 10 Month Countdown
Like many folks looking forward to early retirement, Captain Sparky is thinking about how he can become more fit. Retirement goals are predicated on good health, and a lot of early retirees make it a priority. My health has always been good. I had my appendix out once, but that’s about it. I’m 49 years old, 6’ 2” and weigh about 215 pounds, which is down … Continue reading Fitter or Fatter in Early Retirement?
I always joke when someone is leaving from my team at MegaCorp that they shouldn’t “steal our pencils!” It’s just a funny way to acknowledge an ugly side of the workplace – that people sometimes take more than their last paycheck with them when they go. This article from a radio station in Texas (KNIN Radio) says that office supply theft is about $3.2B a … Continue reading Early Retirement – Don’t Steal The Pencils!
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