Decided on a game plan

As some of you may remember I took an early buy out from work just to get my ass out of that hell hole. I'm paid to mid January and had my knee scoped the first week out. With the bank book getting lower, I've decided to ask for my pension and in April will put in for social security. This leaves some shortage of spending money. I've been sending resumes out to environmental firms without success as I'm not a kid and my feeling is they want someone who will stay more than 4-5 years although I don't tell them that.
Today I sent my resume into the township schools and they immediately called and asked if I would go get finger printed when there is an open date and I can work 5 days a week as they are short 8 substitutes. I'm allowed to make at least $14,000 on social security so I'll actually make a little more than before without any headaches from the bosses, only the kids.

Sounds like a great game plan. The kids may give you headaches but they should be easier to deal with than your old bosses. You've got some good options. Me ... I'm between a rock and a hard place ... I should have taken my tumble next July when I turn 62, lol. Wish I'd been smarter about $ when I was younger. Trying to tighten our belts here until I can get some money coming in again. Head to the surgeon the 19th and hope to get some assessment on my recovery and when/if I can return to work. It sucks big time but I remind myself it could have been a lot worse ... at least my feet are above ground.

Good luck with the new job!

Thanks guys.
I wish I could have held out until April when I turn 62, but it is what it is. In the end things will work out. I do believe when one door shuts another opens.

Rick,
How have you made out since changing jobs?

Sounds like things will work out for you, good to hear.

I completed all the necessary State and County paperwork, got finger printed, and had to get a TB test. December 15 everything will be signed off by the district school board. After the 15th, I will get the letter telling me to come down and get an ID badge and I can start work after the Christmas break. I'm going to put in for my pension but I'm thinking about holding off on Social Security for 4 more years.

Sounds like a good decision.  I was helping someone with retirement planning, specially when to start pulling SS.

They were struggling with taking SS now or waiting four years and pulling then.  The difference was $300 a month.

I ran the numbers and the total payout of both scenarios.  By waiting four years to start pulling, it would take 16 years to accumulate more total SS income than if they started pulling now. They would be 81 years old at the time when both scenarios would equal the same amount of total income.

Pull now while you can enjoy some of it.  At 81 I don't see most of us being quite as adventurous as we are now. Plus who knows when they'll pull the plug on SS and finish off the theft of nearly $4 trillion dollars the US citizen has contributed to the trust and will never see back.

That was my original thinking. But, in speaking to my father-in-law, he told me I would be limited to making $14,000 a year including my pension, but if I wait until I'm 66 I can make unlimited earnings and not be penalized. The difference for me is close to $400 month if I wait till 66. My pension will pay $729 per month if I don't put in my wife to collect if I die. In that case I will receive $689 per month pension.

The governor is already screwing with my pension money by not putting in the billions they borrowed in the past. With SS in question, it may be wise to collect sooner than later.

If the school district doesn't raise their rate per day as they stated they would, I just might go back to consulting and make real money and live with the headaches for a few more years.

I recently started having issues with my blood and have to get rid of a pint per month but last time I went my BP dropped so much they though I would have a stroke any second. It's given me a lot to think about.

TheQuig wrote:

As some of you may remember I took an early buy out from work just to get my ass out of that hell hole. I'm paid to mid January and had my knee scoped the first week out. With the bank book getting lower, I've decided to ask for my pension and in April will put in for social security. This leaves some shortage of spending money. I've been sending resumes out to environmental firms without success as I'm not a kid and my feeling is they want someone who will stay more than 4-5 years although I don't tell them that.
Today I sent my resume into the township schools and they immediately called and asked if I would go get finger printed when there is an open date and I can work 5 days a week as they are short 8 substitutes. I'm allowed to make at least $14,000 on social security so I'll actually make a little more than before without any headaches from the bosses, only the kids.

too bad you weren't closer, I am one of the owners of an environmental consulting firm

I do want to get back into environmental. When I graduated with the environmental degree I never thought I would be doing what I'm about to do.
Funny thing is that my old boss called this morning and asked how I was doing and if he can do anything, even a temp job until I can get what I want in my field I could go back to work for them. After I hung up my stress level went up to the ceiling. Leaving that place was a good choice.

I will move out of this state, but my wife has her heart set on Georgia.

Illinois sucks anyway, LOL

but the job market is good

Enjoy retirement when you can.
Co-worker retired in his late 50s about 5 yrs ago and has been diagnosed with stage 4 bone cancer.
Another co-worker who is still working in his late 50s just found out he has colon cancer.

Our company offers 30 and out retirement for the hourly people. There are many there with 40-45-50 years seniority. They always look at the "what ifs" about why they "can't" retire.

You can run all the financial charts you want but you can't predict how your health will turn out.

Another co-worker had a health conscious wife who ate well, didn't drink or smoke. She died young and quick from some cancer while he drank like a fish and smoked like a chimney and out lived her. Go figure.

All valid points for early retirement. I will take my state pension as the form I filled out stated I can not re-enter the state pension system as a per diem employee.

If it makes sense for you, do it. There'll always be some questions and uncertainty. I hear congress is/was trying to pass a law allowing companies to severely trim promised pensions to both retired and working employees.

I took a leave of absence and am enjoying stock trading so much that I have no interest in going back to the grind. I've been relearning options trading as well. I want to feel proficient in the latter before I attempt anything other than paper trading.

And I can relate to the 'enjoy life while you can' thoughts. It's been a heck of a year for our family. Hopefully next year is better for all.

I say do it early.

Until I reach the 62 mark in late April I will have to do the substitute work for some extra cash. Started today, I want the guy I substituted for job. Classes are block schedule. This means Today 1st period was from 7:05 until 8:34. I had 5 students in that class, Environmental Science, my major but I don't get to teach. Second period I had class preparation for 45 minutes, then I watched the front door of the high school and buzzed people in for 45 minutes. Then 1/2 hour lunch, and 3rd period with 4 students. 4th period 2 students whom I foolishly allowed a bathroom brake and they never came back. Go home 1:50pm.
I know this isn't normal and I got lucky the first day, but it was too easy. I'm sure tomorrow won't go this easy.

Most "first days" I've had always seem to be the polar opposite.

I was worried that I would fall asleep at one point. I got up and walked around the room. I have to get used to getting up at 5:00 am again. I do like the early start and early dismissal.

Sounds like you will enjoy this far now than you old job. Good!

Substitute teacher makes me think of "I am in command!"

Good video, I haven't seen that before. So far it is going well, I give out the assignments and if they don't want to do them I really don't care, they have to answer to their teacher the next day. I give them respect and a little leeway, and so far they have all been respectful. I been assigned to both ends of the spectrum, college bound students to those that don't want any part of college.
I drive in alone in the morning as I need to get there early to prep, but in the afternoon my sons finds me and I let him drive my truck home as he still has a permit until July. It's a treat for him to drive the truck, but the reality is he has the newest of our 4 vehicles with the least amount of mileage.

I wanna split the Northeast and move to Fla. , I'd be semi-retired , work 40 hours at Publix and thats would to pay the bills.

Bambam wrote:

I wanna split the Northeast and move to Fla. , I'd be semi-retired , work 40 hours at Publix and thats would to pay the bills.

Friend of mine in CT (I grew up there) says people that we both know are fed up with the state and want out- their future plans include living someplace other than CT.

We have to get out of the Northeast also. Can't afford to live here. Working as a substitute, I don't get in enough days a week. They told me they were really short, but they hired 10 in November and another 10 in December. You have to log in after 9:00 pm and before 5:00 am if you want to get a job. One night i logged in a few dozen times only to have no work, yet my daughter had a sub that day.
Time to fill out the pension form and hope April gets here quick to get the Social Security.

My wife has a condo in Fla that her mom left her when she passed away. It's by no means the Taj-Mahal, but it will suit us just fine. Common charges are 230 a month which includes water, cable,garbage and yard maint. Taxes are 500 bucks, 250 if we homestead. I can cross A1A and be on the beach ! Why am I still here?

Hurricanes?

Hurricanes?

theshyguy wrote:

Hurricanes?

BAH, head inland, return when the water recedes...

theshyguy wrote:

Hurricanes?

Well the NE was hammered by Sandy so there goes that but I do understand knowing your local environment.

Guys in Texas get dust storms and heat waves, Rusty gets so cold Santa has bypassed his place and I have to deal with Buckeye fans......