Travel

[Ron Thorne]

Here are a couple of snapshots which clearly show two reasons why Patti & I travel to California twice a year. These are our two youngest grandchildren, Reed, who just turned 9 (baseball cap), and Sophie, 3½. Both of our sons live in southern California.

[bluenoter]

Sophie's 3½? I'm still not that poised and self-possessed!

For additional vicarious traveling, see this thread's seasonal cousin Summer Vacations, Only in Alaska!, and Cameras & Photography.

[moldyfigg]

Ron,

I'm looking forward to some top paparazzi shots at out San Gabriel gathering.

[Jimmy Cantiello]

I didn't know where else to post some great news I have and since my new circumstances will allow me to travel more often I figured this thread would be an appropriate place.

After working for thirty years for a huge corporation I was offered a buyout package that will enable me to receive my normal weekly salary and full medical coverage among other great incentives so I decided to pack it in at the tender age of 64. Today was my last day. From now until well into next year I will be a man of leisure while collecting severance and my pension up until the time that I officially retire at age 65. That's when social security will kick in, just about the time that my severance runs out. My 401k savings will be icing on the cake. Boy, am I glad that I paid close attention to saving over the years. It gives me that much more financial security. It's an incredible feeling after all these years of work. I no longer have to be a part of the rat race and I can come and go as I please. I'm looking forward to sitting in my living room this winter and gazing out the window to see the mailman delivering my paycheck while driving in a foot of snow. Whoo hoo!

[moldyfigg]

Right on, Jimmy. I hope you drop by here if your travels bring you to the Golden State.

[Jimmy Cantiello]

Will do, Clint. My main man, brother-in -law Tommy preceeded me in retirement this past May. He's been goading me ever since to do likewise so he has a "playmate". Our first order of business will be to do an extended road trip from Connecticut to at least as far as California. So don't be surprised if we show up at your doorstep on our Harleys. I guess you can call that trip the senior citizen version of Easy Rider.

[uli]

I didn't know where else to post some great news I have and since my new circumstances will allow me to travel more often I figured this thread would be an appropriate place.

After working for thirty years for a huge corporation I was offered a buyout package that will enable me to receive my normal weekly salary and full medical coverage among other great incentives so I decided to pack it in at the tender age of 64. Today was my last day. From now until well into next year I will be a man of leisure while collecting severance and my pension up until the time that I officially retire at age 65. That's when social security will kick in, just about the time that my severance runs out. My 401k savings will be icing on the cake. Boy, am I glad that I paid close attention to saving over the years. It gives me that much more financial security. It's an incredible feeling after all these years of work. I no longer have to be a part of the rat race and I can come and go as I please. I'm looking forward to sitting in my living room this winter and gazing out the window to see the mailman delivering my paycheck while driving in a foot of snow. Whoo hoo!

Congrats and welcome to the club, Jimmy. Now you have time to be hungry all day long!

[Tom Storer]

Congratulations!

[moldyfigg]

Jimmy, I always knew you were born to be wild!

[A. Kingstone]

I didn't know where else to post some great news I have and since my new circumstances will allow me to travel more often I figured this thread would be an appropriate place.

After working for thirty years for a huge corporation I was offered a buyout package that will enable me to receive my normal weekly salary and full medical coverage among other great incentives so I decided to pack it in at the tender age of 64. Today was my last day. From now until well into next year I will be a man of leisure while collecting severance and my pension up until the time that I officially retire at age 65. That's when social security will kick in, just about the time that my severance runs out. My 401k savings will be icing on the cake. Boy, am I glad that I paid close attention to saving over the years. It gives me that much more financial security. It's an incredible feeling after all these years of work. I no longer have to be a part of the rat race and I can come and go as I please. I'm looking forward to sitting in my living room this winter and gazing out the window to see the mailman delivering my paycheck while driving in a foot of snow. Whoo hoo!

Jealousy abounds here.

Time to get working on that cookbook.

[bluenoter]

Jimmy, I always knew you were born to be wild!

Mazel tov, Jimmy!

[Ron Thorne]

Wonderful news, Jimmy! I'm very happy for you and Joanne.

[LennyH]

You're the man, Jimmy. Have fun.

We spend a lot of money on food and booze and other things but we save too so I'm hoping to join you in the not-too-distant future. Maybe Step 1: leave the rat race for an easier job where I'm not pressured to make that much money and can work less. A buyout would sure help that along but hopefully they can wait until my mortgage is paid off. Step 2: The full Jimmy, sans the Harley.

[Jimmy Cantiello]

Thanks to y'all for the good wishes. My first full day of retirement was awesome. Got up at 9:00am, made breakfast, watched a little tv, read the paper, did a load of laundry, watched a little more tv then took a shower (4:00pm).

Right now I'm having a brandy while waiting for my fellow retiree Tommy to pick me up for drinks, dinner and music. I can get used to this very easily.

[Mike Schwartz]

All Best to you in good health Jimmy!!

[steve(thelil)]

Fantastic News Jimmy! Enjoy!

PS. I guess Jimmy's too modest to have announced the news on the Shameless Self Promotion Thread!

[ValerieB]

Jimmy, this is the most exciting news I've heard in awhile!! big congrats! did you see this coming? sounds just absolutely wonderful!! enjoy, enjoy!! xoxo

[Jimmy Cantiello]

Jimmy, this is the most exciting news I've heard in awhile!! big congrats! did you see this coming? sounds just absolutely wonderful!! enjoy, enjoy!! xoxo

Val, I planned to get out in May of 2014 anyway but the company offered senior employees a buyout so other employees with less senority would not get laid off. The offer happened to coincide with my timeline and because I accepted the buyout package a younger co-worker did not get laid off. So it worked out for everyone all the way around.

Those of us who were offered the buyout did not have a lot of time to decide. It was kind of a whirlwind thing. My financial advisor (Joanne), who just happens to be VP of Finance for her company, ripped out an Excel report showing what I would gain by staying until next May and what I would gain if I left the company immediately. Leaving made more sense both financially and psychologically. Part of the buyout package includes full salary every week until I officially retire. Also in the package are lump sum payouts, paid medical for a year and the ability to start collecting my pension immediately since I am no longer employed by the company. It was a no-brainer.

I want to apologize to everyone for hijacking this thread but because I'll have a lot more free time I definitely will be traveling more. My first trip will be next week when we go up to our house in Vermont for the weekend. I reminded Joanne that this time and from now on, come Sunday I don't have to head back to Connecticut so I can go to work on Monday. I can just stay up north for as long I want.

[stonemonkts]

I want to apologize to everyone for hijacking this thread

Yeah, you should be sorry you New Haven pizza eating motherfucker.

Seriously, I am very glad for you. Always a good thing to leave the grind, especially for people like you who enjoy life. Cheers Jimmy!

[LennyH]

Thanks to y'all for the good wishes. My first full day of retirement was awesome. Got up at 9:00am, made breakfast, watched a little tv, read the paper, did a load of laundry, watched a little more tv then took a shower (4:00pm).

Right now I'm having a brandy while waiting for my fellow retiree Tommy to pick me up for drinks, dinner and music. I can get used to this very easily.

Early signs are that you *might not* be one of those people who have trouble adjusting to retirement

[Ron Thorne]

Wow, for some reason I miseed your post at the top of the page, Ron.

My goodness, Sophie. That is one outrageously beautiful little lady!

Thanks, Scott. She's as smart as she is beautiful, too.

[ValerieB]

I am SO happy for you guys, AND envious!! I know you will enjoy to the best of your abilities! it's going to be trippy after all those years on that schedule!!

[hornplayer]

I didn't know where else to post some great news I have and since my new circumstances will allow me to travel more often I figured this thread would be an appropriate place.

After working for thirty years for a huge corporation I was offered a buyout package that will enable me to receive my normal weekly salary and full medical coverage among other great incentives so I decided to pack it in at the tender age of 64. Today was my last day. From now until well into next year I will be a man of leisure while collecting severance and my pension up until the time that I officially retire at age 65. That's when social security will kick in, just about the time that my severance runs out. My 401k savings will be icing on the cake. Boy, am I glad that I paid close attention to saving over the years. It gives me that much more financial security. It's an incredible feeling after all these years of work. I no longer have to be a part of the rat race and I can come and go as I please. I'm looking forward to sitting in my living room this winter and gazing out the window to see the mailman delivering my paycheck while driving in a foot of snow. Whoo hoo!

I wish these dolts would offer me a package... But I will get to work from home any time I want when the weather is bad.

Congrats Jimmy!

[Jimmy Cantiello]

Not as exotic as BeBop but next week Whitey and I will be headed to Portland, Maine for a family wedding. There is a great food scene in Portland so I'm looking forward to spending some quality time in a few of the restaurants while there.

Btw, my first year of retirement was fantabulous. I'm heading into the second year still enjoying the novelty of the leisure life. As I like to say, "The best thing about retirement is that the days off never end".

[BeBop]

I've been to Portland ME a couple of times, but on those trips where I don't see or experience anything. it's a place I want to get back to, maybe when I retire. Enjoy it!