So recently where I work this book has been talked about and read by a few coworkers - Die with Zero by Bill Perkins. Most of us are +/- 8 years out from retirement.

It's been well received, and really has made me think about what I am doing now, and what I will be doing in the future. Bottom line is I want to be secure in my retirement, but I also have little desire to leave behind large legacies for others. My spouse and I want to explore and do while we are able to - and with each passing year, some things just draw farther and farther out of reach due to physical aging.

One thing we decided to do was this Memorial Day weekend just go stay for 4 days out in wine country near us. We've taken numerous day trips, but this will be our first time just settling in to the area for a few days. We figured why not - so we are going to do it!

Life is about living - and I think so many of us in my circle are seeing that we may be one of the last generations that can really "enjoy" life (which is a sad state of affairs altogether).

-dmxrob
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--- WWIVToss v.1.52
* Origin: http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (11:1/101.0)

So recently where I work this book has been talked about and read by a
few coworkers - Die with Zero by Bill Perkins. Most of us are +/- 8
years out from retirement.

I am likely going to try and do part time work such as being a subsitute teacher from 66-70.
But even at age 46 I am trying to do 1-2 special trips a year.


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--- WWIVToss v.1.52
* Origin: http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (11:1/101.0)

On Friday,May 22, 2026 at 10:35 PM, Utopian Galt wrote:

So recently where I work this book has been talked about and
read by a
few coworkers - Die with Zero by Bill Perkins. Most of us are +/- 8 years out from retirement.

I am likely going to try and do part time work such as being a subsitute teacher from 66-70.
But even at age 46 I am trying to do 1-2 special trips a year.

That really is one of the main gists of the book, do stuff like special trips and such while you can. Don't wait until you are 70 or 80 and then physically unable.



--- WWIVToss v.1.52
* Origin: http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (11:1/101.0)

So recently where I work this book has been talked about and read by a
few coworkers - Die with Zero by Bill Perkins. Most of us are +/- 8
years out from retirement.

Interesting... I'm contemplating retirement VERY soon. If my investments start to take off again (hopefully after you know who stops with these petty "wars"), I'll have enough to become a full time sysop, if you know what I mean.

I've crunched some numbers, and even if the markets do maybe 5% return, I'll still make out OK for the next 30 years, and maybe even 40 years.

What I'm afraid of is 1) running out of money before I die and 2) not saving enough to count for inflation.

I think I can take care of both of those if I play my cards right.

I'm just waiting for July 2026 so I can retire with full benefits if I so choose to. After that, it's all an option that I stick around where I'm working. (It's not fun anymore... just doing it to collect a paycheck at this point.)

For those who are within 5 years of retirement - what are your plans?

*** Diamond Dave ***


--- WWIVToss v.1.52
* Origin: http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (11:1/101.0)

But even at age 46 I am trying to do 1-2 special trips a year.

That really is one of the main gists of the book, do stuff like special trips and such while you can. Don't wait until you are 70 or 80 and
then physically unable.

And that's why I may retire sooner than later. I'm in pretty good health but my wife's health is in question. She beat cancer last year, and she has a few other minor things going on. She's already retired, so that's not the problem. I'm the one who needs to figure out when to turn in my laptop at work and not go back. :)

My wife and I took our first cruise last year. (If you're in to crusing, I HIGHLY recommend American Cruise Lines - the ships are small and only about 150-200 passengers!). We're taking a second cruise this year to New England, and maybe in 2027 we'll go to Washington/Oregon/Idaho for the Columbia and Snake River cruise. (I spent my early childhood in Washington state, so that should be fun)

Seriously...the more I think about it, the more I want to be a "full time sysop" :)

*** Diamond Dave ***


--- WWIVToss v.1.52
* Origin: http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (11:1/101.0)

On Sunday,May 24, 2026 at 11:45 AM, Diamond Dave wrote:

Seriously...the more I think about it, the more I want to be a "full
time sysop" :)

*** Diamond Dave ***

Go for it. You only live once. And those around you only live once too.

You don't want to the richest person in the graveyard.

-dmxrob


--- WWIVToss v.1.52
* Origin: http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (11:1/101.0)

Seriously...the more I think about it, the more I want to be a "full time sysop" :)

Go for it. You only live once. And those around you only live once
too.

Yep. Probably seroiusly think about leaving at the end of the year. Just waiting for a few things to fall in to place fi rst.

*** Diamond Dave ***




--- WWIVToss v.1.52
* Origin: http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (11:1/101.0)

You don't want to the richest person in the graveyard.

Personally I am likely going to not be partnered, so its either my sister or an animal rescue/shelter getting the money.

+ KO6GVD - Ontario, California - Winserver and WWIV BBS Operator

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 2024/05/29 (Linux/64)
* Origin: 2o fOr beeRS bbS>>20ForBeers.com:1337 (11:1/230)

Hi, Dave.

I'm just waiting for July 2026 so I can retire with full benefits

Wow, I wish I were anywhere near that close to clocking off!

Best of luck with it, I hope you enjoy!

I *was* on track a few years ago when I worked for myself but the government really clamped down on small (especially single employee) businesses - got to have all the money going to huge multi-nationals, of course. Now it seems crazy to think that I was ever going to retire early, and I'm one of the lucky ones!

Live your life to the full, you don't get another.

BobW


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--- WWIVToss v.1.52
* Origin: http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (11:1/101.0)

I am eight years away from retirement.

My wife and I are on track financially.

My only contemplation at this point is that I have truly lived a very full life, and this had led to, simply put, a lack of curiosity about the world.

As such, I don't see myself really retiring "to" something as much as retiring "away" from having to play the game that society requires.

While I live highly urban now, and it is my family's preference, I would prefer to move somewhere that when I look out my window I cannot see the works of man.

-Stan

--- WWIVToss v.1.52
* Origin: http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (11:1/101.0)

Hi, Stan.

As such, I don't see myself really retiring "to" something as much as retiring "away" from having to play the game that society requires.

While I live highly urban now, and it is my family's preference, I would prefer to move somewhere that when I look out my window I cannot see the works of man.

You do you... I suppose you'd need your wife to also be on board but you know what I mean.

I'm not a particularly sociable person so I can take or leave people. When I went to Norway I saw a few instances where people had found a bit of rock jutting out of the sea and decided "that'll do", built a house on the rock and basically had their own house-sized island, population 1. I'm not sure I'm quite that level that level of recluse, but I'm adjacent.

It might be nice to have a food shop nearby, though :)

BobW


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--- WWIVToss v.1.52
* Origin: http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (11:1/101.0)

choose to. After that, it's all an option that I stick around where I'm working. (It's not fun anymore... just doing it to collect a paycheck at this point.)

For those who are within 5 years of retirement - what are your plans?

Agree, I'm in the same boat and greatly looking forward to retirement. My plan is to retire (at the latest) in 2 1/2 years when I turn 60.

Everyone has different ideas on how to structure living in retirement, but for me, certain things have to and will be in place.

1) Zero debt. No car loans, no house payment, no loans period.

2) Being able to live in dividends only - never touching the principle except in rare occations maybe in the growth side of the investments. For example 80/20 income/growth. Live on the 80% dividend income and trim here and there on the growth side for more income and or extra cash.

Once I turn 62, I'll take social security right away and use that to invest more (probably in HSA) or help pay for medical insurance costs.

I have certain targets I'm shooting for and if I happen to hit them sooner, I'll retire even sooner.

- Mark

:.: Weather Station BBS ú telnet://bbs.weather-station.org :.: :.: http://www.weather-station.org/bbs ú Bel Air, Maryland - USA :.:
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--- WWIVToss v.1.52
* Origin: http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (11:1/101.0)

I have certain targets I'm shooting for and if I happen to hit them
sooner, I'll retire even sooner.

- Mark

I held off until 70 to get SSI which maximized my income. My overall strategy was to have several "baskets" for diversity. I had a pension from Sheppard-Pratt which was stopped when Sheppard changed their employee retirement program yet I was "grandfathered" in which was a blessing. My next job was with a non-profit with a 403b fund and I maxed out my contributions. I had the opportunity to take my Sheppard pension to roll it over which I did to maximize my principal in the 403b and dividends would go back into the principal as well. My last job with Tufts Healthcare enabled me to enroll in a Roth 401k and, if you were married, you could contribute up to 27k per year. They would match a percentage of your contributions annually and also would give me bonuses every year. So now I have three different sources of income. I cannot eat into my 403b until age 73 but right now I am living on distributions of my SSI and Roth 401k. I am still makeing enough income to contribute to a 4th Schwab Roth in which I shamelessly purchased Exxon Mobil years ago when it was out of favor, GE, Proctor Gamble, Johnson & Johnson; all stocks paying high dividends all dividendends going back into the principal so I can live on the distributions in the future. So... have as many "baskets" as you can incase something goes wrong. If I had anything to worry about, it would be the integrity of SSI and the current administration trying to eat into it. It's fucking my money that I have been paying into for well over 60 years!


<--> The Blood Stone BBS - Telnet & HTTP www.bsbbs.com <-->
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--- WWIVToss v.1.52
* Origin: http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (11:1/101.0)

anything to worry about, it would be the integrity of SSI and the
current administration trying to eat into it. It's fucking my money that
I have been paying into for well over 60 years!

And BTW... Who put fucking Martin O'Malley in charge of Social Security. Do you really trust him???


<--> The Blood Stone BBS - Telnet & HTTP www.bsbbs.com <-->
\/ WWIVnet Node 1@707 - Sonoma County California \/
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--- WWIVToss v.1.52
* Origin: http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (11:1/101.0)

And BTW... Who put fucking Martin O'Malley in charge of Social Security.
Do you really trust him???

That was done by the autopen, Biden. Fortunately the idiot resigned in Nov of 2024 to run for the Democratic National Committee - which he lost! That is a win!

- Mark

:.: Weather Station BBS ú telnet://bbs.weather-station.org :.: :.: http://www.weather-station.org/bbs ú Bel Air, Maryland - USA :.:
ÿÿÿÿÿÿ
--- WWIVToss v.1.52
* Origin: http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (11:1/101.0)

On Tuesday,June 02, 2026 at 11:10 AM, Jahmas wrote:

as many "baskets" as you can incase something goes wrong. If I had
anything to worry about, it would be the integrity of SSI and the
current administration trying to eat into it. It's fucking my money that
I have been paying into for well over 60 years!

I have zero debout that the diaper wearing demented pedophile will raid SS. And before anyone says "that will never happen" just shut it -- everything people said will 'never happen' has happened in the past 1.5 years.

-dmxrob


--- WWIVToss v.1.52
* Origin: http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (11:1/101.0)

So recently where I work this book has been talked about and read by a
few coworkers - Die with Zero by Bill Perkins. Most of us are +/- 8
years out from retirement.

I wish I had heard about that sooner!

I submitted my intent to retire to my VP two weeks ago. Will be wrapping things up between now and January, training up my Sr. Specialist and documenting most of my roles so that they can be distributed among my team. My very late start in investing has me at a disadvantage, but my living within my means has enabled me to catch up nicely enough to be able to cut the thread at 65.

Managed to build a very diverse portfolio, home is pretty much paid for, previous disibility retirement combined with SSI should be just enough to avoid tapping into my 401Ks, IRA and Roth. Actualy debating on postponing SSI until I turn 67 and simply supplementing off my liquid assets and bride's earnings but we'll see. Really depends on her needs at this popint.

That all being said, I'm REALLY lookling forward to getting back in the garage to work on so many projects I have had on hold over the last 20 years, and hiking those nearby mountains that have been screaming my name.

J..


<--> The Blood Stone BBS - Telnet & HTTP www.bsbbs.com <-->
\/ WWIVnet Node 1@707 - Sonoma County California \/
p Æ"
--- WWIVToss v.1.52
* Origin: http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (11:1/101.0)

That really is one of the main gists of the book, do stuff like special trips and such while you can. Don't wait until you are 70 or 80 and
then physically unable.

Have been doing that now for the last 17 years.
Julie and I have been taking at least one 'special' trip each year. Still have a few planned and with earned points on the Alasks (atmos) card, she flies for only $99 wherever we go on top of whatever discounts I get using the points.


<--> The Blood Stone BBS - Telnet & HTTP www.bsbbs.com <-->
\/ WWIVnet Node 1@707 - Sonoma County California \/
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--- WWIVToss v.1.52
* Origin: http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (11:1/101.0)

Yep. I absolutely get that, Bob.

-Stan

--- WWIVToss v.1.52
* Origin: http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (11:1/101.0)

That sounds dreamy to me, Bob.

:)

One thing that compounds my concern / desires is that since I live so close to Washington DC I cannot escape politics and the ramifications thereof.

Even if I stopped watching the news I will eventually have my commute to / from work disrupted by whoever is mad about whatever this time protesting.

-Stan



--- WWIVToss v.1.52
* Origin: http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (11:1/101.0)

of rock jutting out of the sea and decided "that'll do", built a house
on the rock and basically had their own house-sized island, population

Ha! I _loved_ those islands in Norway and Finland, and still talk about them. Definitely a little jealous of those people :).

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--- WWIVToss v.1.52
* Origin: http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (11:1/101.0)

I submitted my intent to retire to my VP two weeks ago. Will be wrapping things up between now and January, training up my Sr. Specialist and documenting most of my roles so that they can be distributed among my
team. My very late start in investing has me at a disadvantage, but my living within my means has enabled me to catch up nicely enough to be
able to cut the thread at 65.

Congrats! I can see the light at the end of the tunnel for me as well, with just 2 1/2 years to go. It would have been less, but I had to get the pool which added a year to my plan.

Similar situation sort of here. It wasn't that I was exactly late to saving, but having several divorces has a tendency to screw up your finances - especially when you are the only one that was ever working.

Either way, I'm pretty set on exiting no later than 60 years old if not sooner.

- Mark

:.: Weather Station BBS ú telnet://bbs.weather-station.org :.: :.: http://www.weather-station.org/bbs ú Bel Air, Maryland - USA :.:
ÿÿÿÿÿÿ
--- WWIVToss v.1.52
* Origin: http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (11:1/101.0)

Either way, I'm pretty set on exiting no later than 60 years old if not sooner.

I am thinking of doing subsitute teaching to help supplement income later on.

+ KO6GVD - Ontario, California - Winserver and WWIV BBS Operator

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 2024/05/29 (Linux/64)
* Origin: 2o fOr beeRS bbS>>20ForBeers.com:1337 (11:1/230)

That was done by the autopen, Biden. Fortunately the idiot resigned in
Nov of 2024 to run for the Democratic National Committee - which he
lost! That is a win!

I'm a blue person but never liked O'Malley. Nuff said!


<--> The Blood Stone BBS - Telnet & HTTP www.bsbbs.com <-->
\/ WWIVnet Node 1@707 - Sonoma County California \/
p Æ"
--- WWIVToss v.1.52
* Origin: http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (11:1/101.0)

Similar situation sort of here. It wasn't that I was exactly late to saving, but having several divorces has a tendency to screw up your
finances - especially when you are the only one that was ever working.

Ouch! My wife took 2/3 of my investments when we finally divorced in 2009. She tried to go after my pension and requested a "Quadro" in the divorce proceedings to do so. According to my attorney, she was so "unhinged" and demanding in court that she rubbed the judge the wrong way and it apparently didn't happen. Therefore I had some seed money to literally start all over and build everything back again and then some.


<--> The Blood Stone BBS - Telnet & HTTP www.bsbbs.com <-->
\/ WWIVnet Node 1@707 - Sonoma County California \/
p Æ"
--- WWIVToss v.1.52
* Origin: http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (11:1/101.0)

I'm a blue person but never liked O'Malley. Nuff said!

Just imagine what a red person like me thinks of him. :)

I agree, he was the worst! But now we have Wes Moore, who I think is notches worse the O'Malley - and that is not an easy task to beat.

- Mark

:.: Weather Station BBS ú telnet://bbs.weather-station.org :.: :.: http://www.weather-station.org/bbs ú Bel Air, Maryland - USA :.:
ÿÿÿÿÿÿ
--- WWIVToss v.1.52
* Origin: http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (11:1/101.0)

Ouch! My wife took 2/3 of my investments when we finally divorced in 2009. She tried to go after my pension and requested a "Quadro" in the divorce proceedings to do so. According to my attorney, she was so "unhinged" and demanding in court that she rubbed the judge the wrong way and it
apparently didn't happen. Therefore I had some seed money to literally
start all over and build everything back again and then some.

I was in rebuild mode afterwards as well. The nice thing about money is you can always make more and save more. Much better than dealing with crazy the rest of your life.

- Mark

:.: Weather Station BBS ú telnet://bbs.weather-station.org :.: :.: http://www.weather-station.org/bbs ú Bel Air, Maryland - USA :.:
ÿÿÿÿÿÿ
--- WWIVToss v.1.52
* Origin: http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (11:1/101.0)

I was in rebuild mode afterwards as well. The nice thing about money is
you can always make more and save more. Much better than dealing with
crazy the rest of your life.

Understood :O


<--> The Blood Stone BBS - Telnet & HTTP www.bsbbs.com <-->
\/ WWIVnet Node 1@707 - Sonoma County California \/
ÿÿÿÿÿÿ
--- WWIVToss v.1.52
* Origin: http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (11:1/101.0)