There are several things that I would love to put my all into right now. Each time I prepared to do so, I discovered another reason (or excuse) to put them on hold. Initially my goal was to "retire" from corporate at the end of 2007 but when I looked at the balance of my liberation fund, I didn't think I had enough. There were several unexpected expenses in 2007 that put a hurting on my liberation fund - plumbing, necessary home repairs, etc, and with that, my desire of 12/31/2007 came and went.
After 2007 did not work out, my target date changed to 12/31/2008 but then the recession happened. The liberation fund was decent, but suddenly in the face of a recession it didn't seem adequate. Seriously, who ups and quits a decent paying job to go and pursue the unknown? Tons of people right, yes, but in a recession? In a single income household? In an unstable market? I began to question my ability to rejoin the corporate workforce should things not materialize as I have planned. There was a time that anyone with my credentials could get a job, easily, no problems, now not so much. I've scanned the available positions in my area and I know that they are offering less than they were just 2 years ago. Not only is the pay less, there are fewer positions. So, what's a girl to do. I say this girl needs to crap or get off the pot.
New goal and new plan, 1/31/2010 at the latest. Hopefully sooner, but if not, that's the date. I have to do it. I have to try, I have to go for it. Prayerfully in 8 months I will be able to "retire" from my first career and move on to the next.
Has the recession caused you to rethink or postpone some of your goals?
***The liberation fund is not the emergency fund. I wouldn't call deciding to leave my job a valid reason to dip into the emergency fund. Emergencies are things I cannot control; leaving my job is completely in my control at this moment. The liberation fund is a separate account where I'm saving money to help bridge the gap and buy some time when there is no longer a steady paycheck from the job.
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9 comments:
Where do plan to go when you "retire"?
LG - i'm switching careers, moving from one thing to another so that's why i say "retire." they're loosely related but one is more traditional than the other. by "retiring" i hope to never have to go back to what i'm leaving. it's not that i hate it, it's more that i don't have a passion for it and i want to do things that i'm passionate about.
I guess what I mean is: do you have a definite idea what you are going to do next?
I went through sort of the same thing when I left my last job as an attorney. It would have been a whole lot easier for me to quit had I had a specific plan for where to go next. As it was, I was pretty much flying blind, which delayed me from quitting. I actually hated it so much that I quit even though I had no clue where I was going next, but you don't seem like you are there yet.
LG - yes, i have a plan of where i am going next, it's actually already in motion but i'm limited to what i can do with it due to time constraints, etc. i'd love to hear more about your transition and i'm definitely open to any suggestions or pearls of wisdom you may have. i'm certain i'll begin blogging more about the process i'm going through to make my exit.
My hopeful liberation day is 10-28-2012!
I'd like to leave corporate land and get a job that actually helps someone.
kim - definitely keep us posted on your progress as well. i'm very passionate about community service. one of the benefits i'll enjoy when i "retire" from the corporate gig is having more time to work with the organizations that are near and dear to my heart. i do volunteer work on a regular basis now, but i'm looking forward to increasing that.
one more thing, i'm having trouble viewing your blog. i don't know what it is but everytime i try to view it, my pc gets stuck on the hour glass.
I am trying to do the same thing... leave the corporate job. And this is with my DH trying to retire at the same time. And its proving to be an hard transition. But last night, I had a lightbulb moment of how I am going to accomplish it. Will post soon.
You're right, there always seems to be another excuse. I think once you are almost there... its time to plug your nose and jump in! :)
This former Harvard degree attorney did it and now he is cycling across america.
I'm doing this too. 31st December 2009 eek!
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